Author's Note & Disclaimer: I do not own Blue Bloods or any of the characters. All rights belong to CBS.

CHAPTER 2

~Previously~

"Hey Danny. What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you, partner. We need to talk."

Oh, shit.

—-

"How long have you been waiting out here?"

"Oh, just about an hour or so. Where have you been?" He's slurring a bit which lets her know he's been drinking. It's been a while since she's seen him like this, but it has been a long and emotional day all around. It takes him about a minute but he is now standing by her door as she searches for her keys.

"I told you I was going back to the house to start on some paperwork. Why didn't you call? Please tell me you didn't drive here."

"No, I didn't drive. I took a cab over here. And I didn't call because I didn't want you avoiding me."

"What? I'm not avoiding you Danny."

"Yes, you are and I want to know what your deal is." His voice is getting louder. She knows she needs to end the conversation soon and get him inside her place before her neighbors start to come out into the hallway.

"Danny, please I'm tired. Can we do this another time? Let me drive you home."

"No! Tell me what the hell is going on!"

"Shhhhh! Would you keep your voice down! I don't think they heard you back at the station!" He's about to say something back but she quickly adds, "Let's take this conversation inside before we give my neighbors a show." She notices the way his jaw is clenched. Then watches as he frowned slightly but nodded his head in agreement before turning back to deal with the lock. He helps her with her bags as she goes to open the front door.

"Come on in."

Danny can tell by the look in her eyes that she's nervous about something. He wishes she would just come out and say what the problem is. He especially hates that it's causing an argument between them. He sets the bags on her kitchen table and then goes to sit on the couch. Maria heads into the kitchen to get two bottles of water, while quickly sending off a text to his brother:

M: Hey Jaime. I know it's late but do you think you can come and get your brother?

J: Yeah I'm just getting off of work, waiting on Eddie. Is everything ok?

M: Yeah, he just showed up at my apartment and he's kinda you my location.

J: Got it. I'll let you know when I'm on my way.

M: Ok thanks Jaime.

J: Did he drive to your place?

M: No. He says he took a cab over here.

J: Ok.

She then goes to where Danny is sitting and offers him a bottle of water..

"Here you go. Did you want me to make you a cup of coffee?" He takes the bottle but sets it down right away.

"Thanks but no. What I do want is for you to tell me what the hell is up with you? Why did you leave me alone with Meghan back at the scene?"

"Danny, look I–," she begins to say but before she can continue she's interrupted once again.

"And don't give me any of that 'I wasn't feeling well' bullshit. Something is bothering you and you're not telling me. You've been so moody lately and honestly it's pissing me off!"

"I'm…..moody?"

"Yes, you are and maybe a bit jealous."

"Jealous?!" Now she's the one shouting.

"Yes, jealous. Don't act surprised or try to turn this around back at me. You know what I'm talking about."

"Wow Reagan. You really have me all figured out, don't you?" Just then she feels her phone vibrate:

J: On my way.

M: 10-4. Also, let's not alert the Commissioner.

"Cut the crap Maria. I want the truth. Tell me the real issue you have with Meghan."

"I don't have an issue with her besides that bogus autopsy report she made, which we discovered that she lied about because she had been threatened by that prick!"

"Ok, ok. So you're saying that you have no beef with Meghan. So then what about Maggie?"

"Maggie? The medium?"

"Yes."

"What about her?"

"Oh geez, you know exactly what I'm talking about." Oh how she wants to slap the smirk off of his face right now. She closes her eyes and counts to three in her head before she responds.

"No, Danny. I don't know what you're referring to." Her phone vibrates again:

J: Got it. 10 min out.

M: Please hurry.

"Who are you texting?"

"Your ride home."

"I'm not leaving until we finish this."

"Danny, it's late. I'm exhausted and you're drunk. Please, just let this go. There's nothing going on." She stands up and goes back into the kitchen, preparing the ingredients for the pastry.

Not wanting to give up the fight, he follows her into the kitchen. "Ok, so we're gonna play that game. Fine. Did you or did you not tell Maggie to 'back off' and stop disrupting my life?"

Why is he bringing this up? Why now? What did I do to deserve this? Maria thought to herself before she responded. She turns around to face him. "Yes I did, but Danny….I was only looking out for you. I didn't mean…..I mean you've been through so much Danny and I–"

"Ok, ok stop! Just stop!" She's startled and confused at his reaction. "I don't need you or anyone else looking out for me that way. So please, do me a favor and don't pretend to know the kind of pain I've been through."

"I'm not saying that Danny. What I meant when I told Maggie to back off was because she was pushing you to do things you weren't quite ready for. Like when you took your wedding band off. Danny, I was scared and worried about you."

"Oh come on. What the fuck do you know about what I'm ready for or not?! You know nothing about losing the love of your life. How could you anyways? You've only been with or dated a bunch of losers who don't commit. Must be your type, huh?"

Ouch. She feels her heart drop to her stomach. He's drunk. He didn't mean that, right?. If only you knew my pain Danny. She wants to scream and yell at him, but she knows that it's useless at this point. She turns away from him and continues with her preparations. Tries her best to fight back the tears but it's no use, the floodgates have opened.

"So what, no comeback?"

Before she responds, there's a knock at the door. About time!, she says to herself.

She then turns around to face him as the tears stream down her face. He frowns when he sees the hurt in her eyes. "We're done talking Danny. I'm done. I can't talk to you like this," she tells him as her voice begins to crack. Maria walks past him to go open the door for Jaime.

Now it's Danny who's feeling his heart sinking down to his stomach. "Wait Maria…please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean that-" He begins to say as he reaches for arm. She pauses but does not turn to face him.

"Don't. Just…don't." Maria jerks his hand away and continues to walk away from him. She wipes her face just right before opening the front door.

"Hey Maria. I'm here for Danny. Is he still here?" Maria steps back and gestures for Jaime to come into her apartment.

"You called my brother?" Danny groans.

"Good evening Jaime. Danny was just on his way out." Maria says, ignoring Danny's statement.

"Kid, just go home. I'll call for a cab." Danny says.

"Sorry Danny. You either go home with me or I call Dad and leave you to deal with the consequences."

"Relax, I know my way back home."

"Says the guy who showed up to his partner's house drunk just to give her a hard time. It's late Danny. Let's go. We're leaving."

"Back off Golden Boy."

"That's Sergeant Golden Boy to you."

"Oh yeah, well then Sarge why don't you just..."

"ENOUGH! Both of you, get out of my apartment NOW!" Both Reagan men, surprised by Maria's outburst, quickly walk out into the hallway.

"I'm sorry about that, Maria. Didn't mean to upset you. Goodnight." Jaime says.

"Thanks Jaime. Goodnight. Give my best to Eddie."

"Will do. Take care Maria."

"Goodnight Maria. I'll see you–" Maria slams the door before Danny can finish his statement, "tomorrow.."

"Sheesh! You screwed up big time. I don't even want to know what you said to piss her off. That woman seriously needs a raise for putting up with you." Jaime laughs.

"Shut up and take me home."

—-

Maria stands by the door for a few moments until she doesn't hear their voices anymore. She has one hand covering her mouth trying her best to muffle the sounds of her sobbing. Slowly makes her way to her bed, stopping a few times to brace herself against something while trying her best to control her heavy breathing. Her body curls into the fetal position as soon as she sinks into her bed. Just let it out Maria…you gotta hold yourself together…she whispered to herself. Eventually her breathing slows down and the tears have somewhat stopped. Glancing at the clock on her night stand, she knows there's no way she would have the energy to make it to work on time the next morning. She sends a message to her CO explaining she had a late night from working a case and that she would arrive at the station right after lunch. Doesn't wait for a response and sets her alarm for the next day. It's not long afterwards that she closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep.

—-

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