"Danny, there's a lawyer waiting for you outside my office. I don't know how he knew you would be here, but he is here to serve you with an order of protection. Are you ready for that?"
"Dad, I'm not ready for anything but I can't hide. Have him come in, please." The door opened and Jack Boyle walked into the room.
"Gentlemen, I'm sorry about this but Ms. Baez didn't know any lawyers that might handle this for her. According to her statement, Danny, when you showed up the other night, she was afraid for her life and that of her unborn child. The judge has signed the order and you must keep five hundred feet away from her. You are not to try to see her at work nor at her new home." Jack took an envelope out of his briefcase and handed it to Danny. He opened the envelope and started to read the document, but it was full of legalese. "Danny, if you need to ask her something, call me and I will relay the information to her. You are not to call her at home, at work or on her cell phone unless it is work related."
"That's gonna be hard to do since we're partners in Major Crimes."
"Frank, didn't you tell Danny that they are no longer partners?"
"No, Jack, I hadn't gotten to that yet. Danny, I'm sorry. When I told her that Linda was back, I told Maria that if she needed anything or if I could do anything for her, she had only to ask. She asked for a transfer, and it was granted. She's no longer in the Detective Bureau. And please don't ask me where she is. If she feels the least bit threatened, she might leave the state."
"Dad, how am I going to be a father to my child if I can't even talk to the mother?"
"Danny, you can talk to me anytime and I will relay your message," said Jack. "at least for now. Maria realizes that you want to be a father and she doesn't want to stop you. But what you did really frightened her. I've recommended a lawyer who specializes in child custody cases. She's a child advocate and has nothing but glowing recommendations. I use her in my difficult divorce cases. She's fair, she's honest and will work with both of you to work out a schedule you can both live with. You do realize that at first, your hours will probably be limited but you will have time with your child."
"I've been to the first sonogram; is there any way I could still go to the OB appointments with her?"
"Right now, that would be pushing it. Give her some time to get over what happened to her life. She promised to love and honor you for the rest of her life but right after you said those words you ran out on her. And, before you say it, I know that you would never have done that if it was anyone else that had come to the church. I'm sorry, Danny." Jack stood up and shook Frank's hand." Take care, Danny. I'll talk to you soon."
Danny stood up and started for the door. "Where are you going to go," asked Frank.
"I think I'll go to my house tonight. Tell Linda I'll see her tomorrow. I need to try and accept what has happened. Dad, remember that Linda said that a man had come into the café, and she'd never seen him before, but this guy somehow knew me?"
"Yes, do you know who it is?"
"Yeah, Texas Ranger Major Waylon Gates. Maybe he would know something about how or why Linda ended up in that town. I need to find him now. Thanks, Dad. I'll be in touch."
Later that day
Danny headed back to the 5-4 and called Waylon Gates. The call went to voice mail and Danny left a message asking him to call him ASAP. Then he called his father asking to set up a meeting with Emily Valko and John Wise.
Linda woke up from her nap and wandered downstairs. Henry was in the kitchen contemplating what to make for the evening meal. She watched him for a few minutes then sat on a chair in the kitchen. "Pops, would you tell me something?"
"Of course. How are you feeling today?"
"I'm so grateful to be here, back with my family and I want to know why Danny won't come near me."
"Linda, when you died, he was lost. The house had recently burned down, and his anchor was gone. He had no idea how to be a father without your guidance. He and the boys stayed with us, and we loved having them here. It gave life to these old walls but there were too many people telling the boys what to do and what they shouldn't do, and they really needed a parent. Then, one of our old neighbors had decided to go live with one of her kids and her house was empty. She was looking for someone who wouldn't tear it down and build some ugly place but could work with the character of the house. It took some time, but Danny finally saw that this move would be good for him and the boys. They could start fresh and create their space. It took time; Danny had no idea how to cook or get the boys up, fed and to school on time but the boys aren't little, and they can do most of what they need. Danny even started up Game Night again. Gradually he was doing more with the boys, but he had a lot to learn, and he kept saying that Linda took care of this and that and he had no idea how she did it all. He missed you so much. There were some days when he could barely get out of bed, but he did what needed to be done. I was told that every month he would go to the cemetery to bring you flowers and talk to you or to the stone that was there. He took the boys many times as well. But both Danny and the boys showed up here every Sunday. I think it helped him to be with family and know that we all cared, and all suffered for losing you. But, one night last year Danny and his partner disappeared. They had been trying to find a serial killer but ended up getting trapped in the basement of a house. After multiple calls to their phones went unanswered a search was conducted and while their car was found they were not. Finally, the next day they were found. Maria had been injured and Danny took care of her all night. When she was discharged Danny brought her to Sunday dinner. It was obvious that they liked each other but they had been working together for over seven years and you wouldn't stay partners if you couldn't stand each other. Earlier this year Danny took Maria out to celebrate her birthday. They had a nice time and began spending more time with each other. With Sean, they drove up to visit Jack at his school and the four of them had a great time. Then, one night they went to a karaoke bar, and something happened between them, and they hadn't been apart since. After just a few weeks they decided to get married. We all pitched in and got everything done in a short time. And now, he could be considered a bigamist, but Maria is getting the marriage annulled. She's letting Danny go rather than cause him to make a choice.
"You asked why he's not the husband you remember but for the last four years he hasn't been living. He's been grieving and just existing. Yes, he's made a home for the boys and they're doing better than anyone could have hoped. But all he did was work, take care of the boys, and work some more. It's only since he and Maria became a couple that we've seen some of the old Danny return. When they decided to get married, they told the boys first. Maria told them she is not replacing their mother but will be there for them for whatever they need. She wanted them to remember you first, last, and always. I think we all fell a bit in love with her. But, as I understand it, she is no longer Danny's partner, she's left the Detective division and is working elsewhere in the department. She has changed her department cell phone and Danny doesn't have the number. She's selling the condo she bought just a few years ago and is moving back to where she grew up. Just like Danny spent years grieving your loss he's going to grieve for her. She's not dead but she won't see him or talk to him."
"Does Danny blame me for what she's doing to him?"
"No, but they had been planning a life together. I don't know if Danny told you, but Maria is pregnant. With his child. It wasn't planned but they decided to marry before they knew about the pregnancy. Now, she's planning on raising their child by herself. She's filed a protection order and won't tell him how he can get in touch with her. I can't believe that she would keep the child from its father but right now that's how it looks to me.
"So, what can I do, Pops?"
"Just love him as best you can. Cooperate with the investigation. I have no idea what Danny will do but stay positive. You were the only woman he ever brought to Sunday dinner. Until he brought Maria. Did you ever have cause to wonder if he'd been unfaithful to you?"
"No, not really. But he's so distant. When he first saw me, he gave me a hug and when I was being interviewed, he sat with me and held my hand; he supported me. But that's all. I haven't even been to the house where he lives with the boys."
"And where he planned to live with his wife and unborn child and where he wanted to raise that child." Henry paused, letting all the information he had given Linda sink in.
"Why don't you help me make dinner, Linda? Get back to doing things you used to do for yourself and your family. Maybe call the boys tonight and see how they're doing." They worked together coming up with several possibilities for the evening meal. Henry called Danny's phone several times, but he never answered. He tried calling Frank and Jamie but neither had seen Danny.
Jamie was at his desk in the 2-9 when his cell phone rang. "Reagan," he answered.
"Jamie, it's Dad. No one has seen Danny all afternoon, do you have any idea where he might be?"
"Sorry, Dad, I haven't spoken to him today. I heard he would be with Linda at an interview with the FBI and DEA."
"That's been over for hours. Last I heard he was looking for a guy from Texas that met Linda in that café where she was working."
"Dad, if I see him or hear from him, I'll let you know."
Just then Danny walked into the family home. He saw Henry and Linda together in the kitchen. It made him feel good to see them working together but right now he had other things on his mind. He walked into the kitchen and pulled up a chair. "Linda, did you get some sleep? You're looking pretty good."
"Yes, I slept for two hours, and Pops and I have been talking. Will you be eating with us tonight?"
"Sorry, something smells good, but I've got to find someone who was supposed to be in town this weekend. Do you remember the man you heard talking to someone about a wedding?"
"I don't know his name, but he came to the café twice that I remember. It was because of him that I was able to escape and come back here. I'll always be grateful to him. He slipped me enough money to get on the bus and head north." Linda reached for his hand and pulled him toward the living room. "Be right back, Pops," she said to Henry.
Linda sat down on the sofa and patted the seat next to her. Danny sat down and held her hand. "Is something wrong, Linda? Did you have a nightmare or is there something bothering you?"
"No, no bad dreams but I feel like you don't want me here. You gave me a hug when you first saw me but since then you've barely touched me. You left me here, but you go to the house you bought to sleep. Do I offend you somehow?"
"No, of course not. But it was suggested that we take things slow until you recover from what happened to you. And right now, I'm not sleeping very well. I just want you to get better, that's all."
"I'm not sick. Yes, I was held against my will but I'm home now. I can have better food and people around me who love me. At least most of them seem to. Or does this have something to do with your wedding? Are you mad because I came home?"
"How could you even ask me that? I mourned you every day since the helicopter crash. First, we lost the house then I lost you. I was afraid I was going to lose everyone I loved. And then, you appeared, and I was afraid you were a dream. "
"Are you going to be with Maria?"
"Maria has an order of protection against me. I'm not allowed to be within five hundred feet of her unless we're in the same meeting. We have things to sort out and I can't do it alone, but she won't see me."
"So come to me, Danny. I'm still your wife and I miss you."
"Give me some time, please. I need to come to terms with a lot. I just can't turn off my feelings for Maria and if I sleep with you, it will be like I'm cheating on her."
"So, you didn't feel like you were cheating on me when you got her pregnant?"
"Of course not. As far as I and the rest of my family knew you were dead, and your body was buried near my mother, my brother, and my grandmother. How was I supposed to know you were alive? Look, I don't want to fight with you, I want you to recover from what happened. I want to find whoever did this to you and my family and make sure they go to jail for what they did. And I need to get Maria out of my mind and my bed. Please, give me some time." Danny stood up and kissed Linda on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." He yelled goodbye to Henry and walked out the front door leaving Linda more bewildered than ever.
