Baez couldn't help but fall in love with Elena's baby after her untimely passing, but when Arturo Muñoz gets wind of the NYPD detective's interest in the child, he'll stop at nothing to interfere with Baez's plans. Mostly from Danny's POV.
I have some ideas and feelings about Baez adopting this baby, so here is one of the several scenarios that popped in my head. I took the liberty of naming the baby Ellie (after her biological mother) for the purpose of this fic.
Title based on the homonymous song by UNSECRET.
54TH PRECINCT. 8:17 AM
It was unlike her to simply not show up for work.
Danny knew she'd been a bit more overwhelmed than usual lately, balancing her newfound responsibilities as a mother with the duties of an ongoing career as a NYC detective.
Sleep came seldom. In fact, Danny had just been at her place the night prior and witnessed the sheer exhaustion in his partner's aura.
It had become one of their many traditions, something the pair had come to cherish and look forward to at the end of draining workdays.
"I know a thing or two about babies, you know?" he'd said, suggesting it wouldn't be any trouble to lend her a helping hand.
She'd smile. "I'm sure you have better things to do, Danny."
"Matter of fact, I do not."
Baez had been clueless to just how nice and organic it felt to have him there, a twinkle of gratitude and affection capturing her every time she watched Danny rock the fussy baby back to quietness.
Last night had been significantly calmer than normal, save for the fact that Ellie refused to give into the sweet tendrils of sleep.
"Go home, Danny," she said guilt-ridden.
"I don't mind staying."
"You look exhausted."
"You look exhausted," he retorted.
Maria smiled. "All in a day's work."
Despite it all, he'd never seen his partner happier.
He'd grown quite fond of those moments. And Ellie. He adored that little girl.
Now, as he sat at their shared cubicle dialing her number for the nth time, he knew something was wrong. No matter how little rest she may have gotten, she wouldn't skip work without letting them know.
He scrolled up to the last text he'd received from her, a simple "she's asleep," with a 12:09 am timestamp hovering above his latest unanswered ones.
"You got a case to work, Reagan," Lt. Gee announced, interrupting Danny's thoughts.
"Yeah," he held his index finger up. "Boss, it's just—,"
"I'll deal with Baez once she gets here."
"I can't get ahold of her. All due respect, sir, something's off."
"You try calling her home number?"
"She has a landline?" Danny interrupted, scrambling to find the employee database once Gee entered his PIN on the system. He scanned the profiles, tapping his finger on the screen once he came across the information he was looking for. "Got it."
To his surprise, he heard the phone be removed from its receiver on the opposite end of the line.
"Baez?"
"Detective Reagan," a cold, familiar voice teased.
Danny's face turned colorless.
"Muñoz?"
He frantically alerted the squad as quietly as he could. Send a unit to her place, NOW.
"Where is Detective Baez? Put her on the phone."
"There now, we both know that isn't going to happen."
"Where is she? Where are they?"
Arturo mocked him with a manic laughter.
"What the hell do you want?"
Danny was losing his cool by the minute, his voice faltering. Exactly what Arturo wanted. He thought he heard a muffled Danny! in the back but wasn't sure that wasn't his mind playing tricks on him.
"You know, I never noticed this before but…this partner of yours," Arturo made the most vulgar, vile noise. "You never hit that?"
Danny slammed his fist to his desk. "I swear to God, if you touch her—,"
"You should never come between a man's family."
"You listen to me you son of a bitch, we are coming for you and if you hurt either of them there will be no place in this Earth for you to hide," Danny spat onto the phone, a mixture of rage and fear overtaking him.
"There is no need to get aggravated, Reagan."
"Reagan," Gee took the phone from him, gesturing for him to calm down.
"No!" Danny didn't trust anyone to be on the phone with Arturo, not even his boss.
"You are clearly not getting anywhere with him."
"He won't talk to anyone else."
"Mr. Muñoz?" There was a pause, and then Gee settled the phone back down. "He hung up."
Danny felt the bottom of his stomach sink.
"We gotta move."
"Maybe you should sit this one out, Reagan."
"Not a chance."
"Look, we don't know what we're walking into…there's a possibility—,"
"We are wasting time," he turned and marched to the car decidedly. He didn't want to even consider what Gee was suggesting. He couldn't. He certainly didn't care about the repercussions he would face for defying his superior.
A sinking, petrifying feeling washed over him in a cold sweat, making him sick before he had a chance to make it to the car. He couldn't lose her. Couldn't lose either of them.
"Reagan…"
"I'm fine," he suppressed a cough. "Let's go."
He drove erratically despite their sirens being on to indicate to other drivers they had an emergency.
"Reagan!" Gee cautioned, holding onto the dashboard. "Are you trying to get us all killed?"
"No, sir," there was a hair of spite in his tone.
"Look, I understand your position, but this is exactly why I told you to sit this one out. You're too emotionally involved."
"I'm sorry, sir. I'm fine," he swallowed the lump lodged in his throat, the red and blue lights in the distance blinding his already foggy sight.
"One female…" the paramedic's voice registered on the radio. Every word that came after that was but an intelligible jumble. Danny jumped out of the virtually moving car toward the crowd outside his partner's house.
RESIDENCE OF DET. MARIA BAEZ. 10:21 AM
"Make way," a group of paramedics rushed out the front door rolling a gurney down the footpath.
"Oh, God," Danny's breath caught in his chest at the sight of her broken frame. With a bruised and bloody face, cut lip, and distinct swelling around the bridge of her nose, Baez was on the verge of an emotional breakdown as paramedics wrestled to restrain her.
"Hey!" Danny yelled. "No need for that."
He dashed towards her, taking her hand in a soothing gesture. You're safe. It's me.
"Hey, hey, hey," he whispered, assuaged by the fact that she was alive. "Partner?"
Baez fought him off until her eyes registered the familiar face, to what her body promptly unclenched.
"They took her, Danny," she cried, the panic and anguish somewhat subsiding through their joined hands.
"We'll find her, okay?" he reached for the one unscathed section of her forehead. "And we'll put that bastard back where he belongs."
"I couldn't take them," she lamented, hating herself for failing to protect her child.
"It's okay, we'll find them. Did you recognize anyone other than Arturo?"
She shook her head weakly.
"How many?"
"Four."
"It's okay, it's okay, partner," his tone was reassuring, but firm.
"You need to move. The clock is ticking," Lt. Gee said. "I'll escort her; she'll be fine."
"I'm coming with," Baez shrieked faintly.
"You gotta get to a hospital," Danny countered.
"Danny—," she pleaded, the thought of not partaking in the search for her baby girl killing her.
"I won't leave you hanging. I promise, okay?"
She reluctantly conformed. "Get her back," the tears came flooding.
The lifelong partners exchanged one last glance before she was wheeled toward the ambulance, her only source of solace the knowledge that Danny would stop at nothing to find Ellie.
ST. VICTOR'S MEDICAL CENTER. 3:47 PM
The stopwatch flashed before his eyes, mocking him on the ride to the hospital. 5 hours. 5 hours of false alarms and dead ends. Danny entrusted the mission to his boss during his absence; he needed to check on his partner and update her on the situation.
"Do we know what happened?" he asked the doctor.
"She remembers bits and pieces. She said it was just after sunrise when she heard the baby crying. She got up to tend to her and was hit in the head when she entered the girl's bedroom."
His jaw clenched. "Is she going to be okay?"
"Physically, yes…"
Danny sighed. "Any other injuries?"
"A couple fractures, but nothing too serious. She's a fighter. She got scuffed up pretty bad."
Yeah, that's her.
"Can I see her?"
"She's sedated," the doctor continued. "She was pretty restless; we figured we'd help her get some semblance of rest. She'd been asking for you a lot…and the baby."
Danny nodded. "Thank you."
Walking into that room felt like being caught in a blizzard. He felt shame and wished he had better news to share with Baez. Nonetheless, he picked himself up and walked towards the side of the bed. She looked small and fragile.
"Hi," his body crumpled next to hers.
The mental and physical exhaustion overwhelmed him, his heart breaking for the woman in front of him. He knew there was a storm going on inside of her, even if it wasn't apparent to the outside world.
"I'm glad you're finally getting some rest, partner. Now, don't get mad at me for coming to see you. I just wanted to check on you and let you know that we are doing everything we can," Danny paused.
"We have nothing, yet, but I think we are getting close. You know I'm not one for empty promises, and there's always the chance that things will go south," Danny swallowed hard. "But I promise you…I'll do everything in my power to get Ellie back. Just…hang in there, Maria."
The call came in silently, prompting Danny to get on his feet with newfound hope.
"Those sons of bitches are going to pay for what they did to you."
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, NASSAU COUNTY. 5:04 PM
The search had led them to an abandoned warehouse with a live-in basement. It was dark and muggy, and after several dead ends, Danny prayed they'd finally found Arturo this time.
"Let's split up," one of the other detectives said quietly. "Lots of room to cover."
Danny nodded, circling around to face his team. "Stay alert and fall back if anything seems off."
"Godspeed."
Danny took small, calculated steps through the unnervingly quiet maze of passages. After a moment's pass, he came across a hidden room in the back; pushing the door open, he squinted to adjust to the darkness within. Horrified, Danny caught a glimpse of the far wall, covered in pictures of Baez and the baby. Danny recognized himself in a couple photographs, like that one time they'd taken Ellie to the park.
"Ah, we meet at last."
Danny turned abruptly. Now, face-to-face with Arturo Muñoz, he had to fight the urge not to shoot him in the face.
Don't do it.
"Where is she?"
"I hope your lady friend isn't hurt too much. You know, we came to find that threatening the baby meant she'd do anything," Arturo smiled.
"You son of a bitch, where is she?" Danny pointed his gun at him.
"Tell me, do you feel safe having such a weakling for a partner?"
"You're going down, Arturo."
"It doesn't take a detective to realize no one should ever come between a man's family."
"You're in over your head if you think you're getting out of here."
Muñoz scoffed. "Send her our regards, will you? Tell her to watch her back."
"I am not playing games here. Where is she?" Danny cocked his gun.
"You mean my daughter? Because that is what she is. Like it or not, this baby will always be connected to me. Always. Do you really think I'm letting you police scum benefit from what's mine? After everything you've taken from me? You lose, detective. Because even if you kill me or throw me in jail, I have men everywhere. Everywhere."
The baby's screams came piercing through the walls. She wasn't far.
Arturo sneered. "I'd choose my next move very carefully, Reagan."
All of a sudden, the cold barrel of a gun brushed against the back of his neck, and Danny found himself surrounded by Arturo and the men Baez had mentioned earlier.
"Drop it," a voice ordered.
Danny complied, slowly releasing his grip and placing the gun on the ground.
"Follow us, detective."
"Where?"
"Just do as you're told."
Danny took a reluctant step forward, the odds of a successful outcome fairly low given the circumstances. It seemed Ellie's sobs grew closer the further he moved, much to his concern.
"Where are we going?"
"Don't be impatient, we're almost there."
The thought of yelling for help came to mind, but he was too petrified to risk the lives of his team. And Ellie's. Under erratic breaths, Danny continued frontward when a sudden sharp blast pierced through his ears and brought him to the ground.
He checked his surrounds, patting his chest for gunshot wounds.
"Reagan!" the friendly voice called.
"No offense, sir, but I never thought hearing your voice would make me so happy," Danny said, looking up at his boss.
Next to him lay the bodies of the four men who tormented his partner. Seeing them bleed did not cause him grief.
"Call a bus," Gee shouted. "Go," he gestured towards the baby cries. "We'll stay with them."
The room was dimly lit, a single dusty crib holding the precious cherub who'd stolen his partner's heart, and his own, resided to the side. Her sobs hadn't yet subsided, but all things considered, that was the least of Danny's concerns.
He picked her up, a smile on his face as the baby's chubby hands reached for his jaw.
"Hi," he said. "I'm so glad to see you," he rocked her in him arms. "Shh, shh, it's okay, it's okay, Ellie. You're safe now."
She was too young to consciously understand, but she knew him. Like her mother, she immediately relaxed into a sense of safety, her teary frown turning into a smile.
"It's okay, sweet girl," Danny cupped her face. "We're going to see Mommy."
ST. VICTOR'S MEDICAL CENTER. 7:14 PM
Waiting for the medical team to check on Ellie was absolute torture, but a necessary evil. Once she was cleared, Danny rushed to the hospital wing where his partner had been, heart fluttering.
Her head was tilted to the side, obstructing her view of the pair through the looking glass.
"Hey," Danny said with a soft knock to the door, catching her attention. "Someone wants to say hello."
"Oh," Baez let out a shrill of relief. "Oh, my God."
Placing the baby safely in her arms, he took a step back to watch the moment unfold before his eyes.
Maria held her close, checking to see if she was intact, sniffling her little hands, and placing kisses on her temple.
"I'm sorry baby, Mommy's so sorry."
A hoarse chuckle escaped her, followed by sobs of relief and contentment.
The reaction elicited from him was something he hadn't felt since the birth of his boys.
"I'm so happy to see you," she gave the baby's face kisses. "Both of you," she clarified, looking up at Danny.
"Thank you," she held Ellie against her cheek, tears streaming down her face.
"'Course."
She looked up at him and held her arm out. He hesitated, then took a step forward and took it, and Baez pulled him down and wrapped her arms around his neck, Ellie safely tucked between them.
"Thank you," she said once more. Danny was too stunned to speak.
Anything for you.
"She okay?"
"She's perfect. The doctors gave her the all-clear."
"What—,"
"They're dead," Danny anticipated her question. "They're all dead," a hint of pride haunted his voice.
"Danny…" she felt incredible relief knowing Arturo and his goons were gone, but concern for her partner and his involvement in the outcomes of the day.
"Wasn't me."
"How much trouble are you in?"
"No more than usual," he smiled.
She didn't believe him.
"Enough about that," Danny waved his hand. "How are…you?"
"I'm fine," Baez countered, holding Ellie against her face while rocking her.
Danny gave her a loving, skeptical look.
"Truly. My body hurts a bit, but it's nothing compared to the pain of having her taken from me."
"I hear that," he comforted.
"So…your family?" Danny shook his head negatively, suggesting they had been a no-show, which Baez confirmed.
Danny gave her a resigning smile.
"It's okay," she shrugged quietly after a moment's pause. "I got all the family I need right here."
Thank you all for your lovely support in my previous fic. It has definitely inspired me to keep writing and I hope I keep having ideas to contribute a bit to our little corner of the fandom :)
Here's to an amazing s13!