Author's note: I postponed my next casefile, because inspiration for this fic hit me bad. This is supposed to be a "happy angst" fic, if there's such a thing. I hope you all enjoy it. As always, reviews are more than welcome.

Possible spoilers for this chapter: 2x16 "Revenge"

Thanks: to my beta-reader, AndreaB.

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Chapter 1 – John Stillman

One more case closed. One more criminal put to jail. "Late is better than never", you could call it our motto. I'd take this motto into my personal life, if only people were as patient as the criminal justice system – as long as you can prove your case, it doesn't really matter if 30 years have gone by. But for a real person, my friend, try waiting 30 years to set things straight.

I pick up the phone. "How's the boy?" I ask, and, against my efforts, it sounds forced.

"Sleeping." She answers straightforwardly. "He's just great."

"And how are you?" Better late...

Long pause. Each second echoes how far we've drifted away. "I'm fine too." The answer is quick and unwelcoming. We hang up.

On the next Sunday, I wake up earlier. I drive downtown, there's something I need to get – an excuse.

Next thing I'm standing at her front door. She opens it, the boy in her arms, a surprised smile shifting from me to the huge teddy bear I'm holding in my hands. "I saw this today and I thought he'd like it." Still not knowing what to make of this she lets me in.

Her house is simple but carefully decorated. The toys spread all around the floor don't give you a bad impression of mess; instead, they spell "home". We take a seat in the living room, where her husband is. I take the boy in my arms, but he's more interested in the brown teddy bear I got him, than in me.

It's almost noon, and they invite me for lunch. I don't know if it's only out of obligation, but I'm glad anyway. Lunch goes smoothly and I stay quiet most of the time. I don't want to step in the middle of this wonderful thing they have going. The glow in her eyes is a familiar feeling to me, and it warms my heart, even though for me that glow faded away a long time ago.

As she walks me to the door, I ask her if we can make this a weekly thing. I'm not at all surprised by her stunning and lack of words, but I fear them. Then, in between a shy and uncertain smile, she mutters, "It'd be great". I thank her and give her a kiss in her forehead. She's holding the boy and he's got his arms open to me.

I can't help a smile as I feel my heart full and alive again. You just gotta do what you gotta do, and tomorrow will give you a new chance – arms open wide to you.

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Nick Vera will be next...