Jack's office

Martin and Vivian returned to the office to tell Jack what they learned from Agent Riley's informants inside the Escobar organization.

"Jack, I think we are back to Escobar as our prime suspect," Vivian started.

"Why?"

Martin explained, "Agent Riley's main informant is James Sanchez. He's worked for Escobar for years. Last year, Sanchez's sister OD'd after Sanchez screwed up a major deal. He knows that Escobar is behind it. Agent Riley found this out and enlisted Sanchez's help to bring Escobar down."

Vivian continued, " We just spend an hour talking to Sanchez. He says that Escobar found out about Riley. Apparently, he thought that Riley was cheating on him so he went through her things. He must have found an ID or her gun or something. Sanchez said he didn't have time to warn Agent Riley before Escobar confronted her. He hasn't seen Riley since. He said that he is willing to make a statement so we can get a warrant to search Escobar's home."

"Why didn't he come to us earlier?"

"He was scared. He thinks talking is his death sentence. At this point, he says he doesn't care anymore. He wants to bring Escobar down no matter what," Martin replied.

"Well, take his statement, and let's get the warrant. Then make sure he goes to protective custody. Nobody gets near him," Jack stated. "Are we sure Escobar wasn't tipped by Allen?"

Martin answered, "Sanchez is close to Escobar. Escobar didn't receive any outside calls. Sanchez says that Escobar told him he found something of Annie's. It doesn't sound like he was tipped."

FBI Conference room

Danny was at a loss for what to do. So, he went to the conference room with Annie's journals. He really didn't want to read them. He just sat there looking at them.

"I thought Vivian already reviewed those? You don't have to do this," Samantha said as she entered the room.

"She did read them. I'm not sure what I'm doing here."

"I read Viv's report. Weren't you the one who told me not to get involved with co-workers? I think you said, 'It can only end badly.'"

Danny smiled slightly, remembering his mini-lecture to Samantha when she confessed her affair with Jack. "Yeah, well I never said I didn't learn that lesson the hard way," Danny said in almost a whisper.

"So you left her six years ago, and then she calls you a month ago. That was a long time."

"Actually, I saw her two years ago. Remember when the FBI gave those anti-terrorism workshops two years ago? Everyone in federal law enforcement had to attend."

"Yes. We affectionately call them the most boring three days of our lives."

"Right," Danny smiled. "Well, she came to New York to attend the workshop."

Two years ago

Danny was about to fall asleep in his seat. Free coffee and breakfast was not payment enough for sitting through some guy who has never been in the field telling him to be vigilant about looking for terrorists. Now they were showing a video of what to look for. This was a colossal waste of his time. After the video, they dismissed them for a 30-minute break. Danny got up to stretch his legs and find more coffee.

As Danny stood in the coffee line, he heard a voice behind him, "Danny?"

Danny turned around and saw Annie. She looked exactly the same.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" Danny said as he put his arms around her.

As Danny held her, Annie explained, "We all have to attend, right? It was a nice excuse to get away for a few days."

Danny released her, but kept hold of her arms and looked into her eyes. "You look beautiful," Danny said as he tucked a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear.

Annie couldn't hold his gaze. She looked down sure she was blushing. She hated that Danny could always do that to her. He could always make her feel like she was fourteen year old with a mad crush.

Annie finally looked up, "You look good too. Are you still with Missing Persons?"

"Yeah. Impressed with my level of commitment?"

"I'll say. What is it four years…that must be record for you," Annie said laughing.

"Ha Ha. What have you been working on?"

Annie hesitated. Not sure how much she should tell him. "Same stuff, you know. I've been working out in L.A. I just wrapped up a case."

"Why don't you transfer? Go to D.C. There has got a be a desk job at the DEA with your name on it by now."

"Did I say I wasn't happy with my job?" Annie said defensively.

"No, I just know how it is. At some point, you have to start living a real life."

"Is that what you're living…'a real life'?" Annie's words stung Danny.

"I think it's time to go back. It was good to see you."

Danny was about to walk away, "Danny, wait. I'm such a bitch. Don't listen to me. Let's get together after, O.K.?" Annie couldn't let Danny go like that. She had to see him again.

"OK. I'll meet you out front right after."

After the workshop wrapped up, they met outside. "You want to get some dinner? I thought this day would never end," Danny asked.

"Sure. Sounds good. It's comforting to know you are still as impatient as ever."

"Some things never change," Danny said with a sly smile.

They went to a little café around the corner. Danny and Annie sat and talked for hours. It was like time stood still and they were back to the days before Annie got involved with Ferrar. Annie caught Danny up on her family. She missed them terribly, but part of her liked proving to her father that she was doing something honorable. Annie's father was the police commissioner in Chicago. He always wanted a son, but instead had four daughters. Annie was the youngest. She was always trying to prove she could be just as good as a son. The sad part was that Annie could tell her father very little about her job.

Danny told Annie about work. She was so glad he found something that fulfilled him. He didn't say very much about personal stuff. But, then again, he never did. Anytime Annie got him to talk a little, he would eventually shut down. She knew his parents died, and that he grew up mostly on his own. She knew Danny was in AA, but he never talked about why or how he stopped drinking. But she knew he must have gone through so much. She could tell by the pain that would show in his eyes from time to time, and the scars ever-present on his body.

As they were laughing at some silly joke he told, the waitress brought their check and looked unnerved. Apparently, the café closed an hour ago and they didn't even notice. Danny paid the check and said something charming to the waitress with one of his trademark smiles. She blushed, smiled and told them they could stay a few minutes longer.

"You haven't lost your touch, Danny," Annie said smiling.

"Well, I try."

"Yes, you do. I've missed this. I've missed you. I don't laugh like this anymore, you know."

"That's a shame. Nothing is a beautiful as when you smile."

"Oh, God…you are intolerable." Annie put her hand on his, and then he took a hold of it.

While looking at the intertwined hands, Danny said in a low voice, "Let's get out of here."

Annie followed Danny out without a word.

Without even asking if she wanted to go back to her hotel, Danny lead her the five blocks to his apartment. Annie's breathing started to pick up as they walked up the stairs, and entered his apartment. As soon as Danny closed the door, he started to kiss her. Backing her up against the door. This is the way it always was with Danny. He just took control, and she let him because she knew that ultimately she would feel so much pleasure and even love from every one of Danny's kisses and touches. And this time wasn't any different. She could feel how much he wanted her from the heat of his body.

Danny was unbuttoning her blouse, and about to unhook her bra when Annie realized she couldn't do this again. She put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away, "I'm sorry. I can't do this," Annie said breathlessly.

Danny immediately stopped and whispered in her ear, "What's the matter, baby?"

They were still standing way to close for Annie to think straight so she opened the door and started to step back.

"Wait, tell me what's wrong?" Danny took her hand.

"I can't do this again, Danny. I can't let you kiss me and touch me, and then just walk away tomorrow. I love you. I haven't stopped loving you. When you kiss me, when you look into my eyes, when we make love…I can't help but think that it means something more. But then it is just so easy for you to walk away. Danny, I die a little every time that happens. I can't let it happen again. It hurts too much." Tears were streaming down her face now.

"Baby," Danny touched her face and wiped a tear away. "I do care about you. I love…I love what we have together."

Annie looked down dejected, "I wish that were enough for me, but it's not. I want to know everything about you. I want a future with you. I want to wake up every morning with you. And when I am with you…this is the stuff I think about."

Danny let her hand go and Annie look up at him, "I'm sorry, baby. I'm just not ready for all of that. I don't want to hurt you."

Annie wiped the tears from her eyes. "That's all I needed to hear." She rose up, and kissed Danny on his cheek letting her hand linger there. "Take care of yourself."

Danny watched her walk down the stairs, and then watched out his window as she got into a cab. Tears started to sting his eyes as he watched her leave his life.

Back to present

Danny told Samantha a little about he and Annie's meeting two years ago.

"So you just let her leave?" Samantha asked.

"What else could I do?"

"You could have told her how you really felt."

"I did tell her. That's why she left."

"I don't believe you. I think you loved her, and maybe you love her still."

"Don't…you don't know anything about this, Samantha. Stay out of it."

Danny rose, and was about to walk out the door.

Samantha was startled by Danny's low and angry tone. She was almost scared to make her next statement: "Danny, I think I understand this very well. Why don't you think you deserve her love?"

Danny stopped, but he didn't face Samantha.

Danny was staring at the floor, "Because I don't deserve it. I don't deserve her."

"Danny. . . "

"Samantha," Danny interrupted, "I couldn't risk losing her. If I would have let her in, if I would have let her love me….and then she would realize she could do so much better. And she would leave, and I'd be alone. I couldn't face that."

"Those are a lot of "ifs" Danny."

"As much time as she and I spent together, there was so much I didn't tell her about me. I knew if she found this stuff out, her opinion of me would eventually change. And then she would leave, and I…and I would fall a part without her. I'd probably start drinking again, and then I would lose everything. It's like this life that I have built for myself is a house of cards."

Danny turned around to face Samantha. She had tears in her eyes. "Don't cry for me Samantha. This is all my fault. Annie is probably dead because I pushed her away. Because I am so weak."

Samantha went to Danny and put her arms around him. He slowly relented and relaxed in her arms. "We are going to find her Danny. You'll get a second chance. We just have to stay positive."

Danny wanted to believe Samantha, but he knew in his heart he wouldn't have a second chance.