As the group sat at the cafeteria, Mac commented something. "You both seem to be in an especially happy mood today, any reason?"
"The best reason in the world Mac." said Harry, looking at Dan.
Dan saw that the others didn't understand and explained. "Today is our five-year anniversary."
After the explanation quickly came a round of congratulations.
"Wow," said Mac. "Five years."
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to last more than a year." said Roz.
"Oh, really?" asked Dan, not really surprised.
"What's worse, I lost twenty bucks to Mac."
"You made a bet?" asked Dan, putting on an offended face.
"Sorry, Dan. We didn't think-"
"I'm proud of you." Dan interrupted. And everybody chuckled.
Once the session finished, and after yet another round of congratulations, the couple was in the judge's chambers. They were on the couch and Dan was opening his present.
"How did you know I wanted this?"
"I pay attention. I saw you looking at it, saw the look on your face, and knew I had to buy it."
"But it's too expensive, I can't-"
"Yes, you can. Put it on." Dan grabbed his new favorite watch and put it on.
"I love it." Dan quickly hugged Harry.
"Now my gift." said Harry, a grin from ear to ear.
"I have two gifts," he got up, reached for something in his pocket, and put his hands behind his back. "but before I give them to you, you're going to have to make a choice."
"And what choice is that?" Harry couldn't hide his excitement.
"Choose, Your Honor, right or left?"
"Left!"
Dan sat back down and opened his left hand in front of the other man's face, revealing two Mel Tormé tickets.
"I thought they were sold out… How did you-?"
"Magic, Harry."
Harry threw himself at Dan, kissing him passionately. Harry pulled away and while unbuttoning Dan's shirt, he asked. "What was the other gift?"
"You're opening it right now."
All six were in Dan and Harry's apartment. They were sitting at the table having dinner. Christine got up and raised her glass, the rest soon followed.
"To the last ones to join the retired gang."
"Cheers!"
Dan and Harry had been the last ones to retire, but what could they say; they loved their job, they loved being with each other and discussing the cases. But they had talked and decided it was time to leave the court.
They finished the meal and sat on the couch and chairs in the living room.
"So, what are you going to do now?" asked Mac.
"We haven't figured that out yet." Harry got up to go to grab a bottle of water. When he came back, he continued. "But we'll think of something." He grabbed Dan's hand.
"We'll spend more time together, I guess." said Dan.
"Dan, there's no way we can spend even more time together than we do already."
Somehow the conversation changed and they were now remembering the best moments of the time when they worked together. After a few laughs, some tears began to fall.
"Well, look at us," Dan started, wiping away his tears. "a bunch of old people, remembering the golden moments of the past."
"Time sure has flown by." Said Roz, a note of sadness in her voice.
"I miss it sometimes." Said Bull.
"Me too, Bull. Me too." Roz looked at the ceiling, trying to keep the tears from coming out.
"Hey, Roz. You're not getting sentimental on this, huh?" asked Dan.
"Maybe." she answered, repeating the words she had said a long time ago. "Wanna make something out of it?"
Everybody laughed. They would be fine.
The years went by, and their friendship remained strong through jokes, lectures and everything in-between.
The flame of Dan and Harry's love never diminished, if anything, it burned with more intensity.