The same day

Danny returned to the precinct and tried to find the man who helped Linda return to her family. He called the office where the ranger was assigned but he was out of the office working on a case. Danny left a message and hoped to hear from him soon. Lieutenant Gee found Danny at his desk staring at the desk that had been used by his partner. The Lieutenant walked over and sat in the chair by Danny's desk.

"Danny, I don't know what to say, man. I can't imagine what you're going through but if you need to take time off, consider it done. As long as you need. Just let me know, okay?"

"Sure, Mike, thanks. I see my partner's desk is empty. Did she come in…"

"No, your father called, had me pack up her things. I'm sorry, you two were the best I had here. You know I can't let you work alone. Any idea who you want to work with?"

"Yeah, Maria Baez, but guess that won't be possible anymore. Give me some time, okay? I think we still had a few open cases I could work on for now."

"Don't you want this time off?"

"No, seeing as how I'm not going on a honeymoon…"

"1PP wants you to take the time off, sorry. I'll be in touch; see who we can assign as your next partner. Now, get outta here or do I need to make that an order?"

Danny looked up at his friend. "Really, my father called?"

"No, it was Sid. And he didn't say it nearly as nicely as I did. So, go home or to your dad's place. Not a request."

"Fine, I'll leave. See you in a week or so." Danny pulled his gun out of the drawer and before he could put it in his holster Mike had his hand out.

"Sorry, that was part of the order too." Danny handed him his gun and removed his badge.

"Do you need this too?"

"Nah, just the piece. See you when I see you."

"Yeah, fine." He stomped out of the building and got into his car. After a moment he started the car and headed out of the lot heading for 1PP.

Danny knew exactly where to go. He took the elevator and pressed the button for the floor he wanted. He exited the car and headed down the hall and found the door he wanted. He banged on it and walked in. Sid looked up in surprise and then told Abigail they could finish the report later.

"Danny, I'm so sorry about what happened, said Abigail". If there's anything I can do…"

"Thanks, but I don't think there's anything anyone can do, at least for now. I won't be here long." Abigail left the office and closed the door behind her.

"Sid, why did I have to give Mike Gee my gun? Do you guys really think I would…"

"First of all, it wasn't my order. Second, I know you wouldn't do that to your family regardless of what happened. Now, I'm on your side, so sit down and let's talk."

Danny sat in the chair vacated by Abigail. "So, what do you know about what happened?"

"I think I know most of it, tell me where I'm wrong." Sid proceeded to recite what he knew about the events since the wedding had the abrupt ending that was totally unexpected. "So, did I miss anything?"

"No, you got the highlights, if there are any." Danny slumped forward in the chair. "Without having my work, I don't know what to do with myself. Everywhere I look, I see her, at her desk across from mine, sitting alongside of me in the car, laying in my bed…this is almost worse than when Linda died because she's not dead but it's like she doesn't exist in my world anymore. What am I supposed to do?"

"How is Linda doing?"

"She had an interview with the FBI and DEA today. For now, she's staying at the family house. Pops is home most of the time, so she won't be alone. She has some therapy lined up, both physical and with a psychiatrist. And that's things I can't help with, so I figured I'd cancel my time off and work. Mike Gee threw me out and took my gun. Sorry to come down here and jump all over you. I just don't know where to go or what I should be doing.

Danny stood up and looked out the window. "I'm sorry, Sid, don't say anything to my father that I was here, he'd just worry. If I send you a letter, can you get it to Maria for me? I'm not allowed to get close and don't have an address or phone number."

"Sure, Danny, I can take care of that. You know that if you ever need to talk, you can always give me a call."

"Thanks, Sid. I'll get that letter to you ASAP. See you." Danny left the office more depressed than before he went in. Sid picked up his phone and placed a call.

Danny's home

"Linda, are you sure you want to do this?" asked Henry. I don't feel right, we shouldn't be here."

"But, if I'm going to resume the life I had, don't you think I should have some say in where we live? The area is fine, but it doesn't look as big as our place that burned down. And I might want to decorate a bit." Henry handed her the key, and she opened the door. "Hmm, not bad. Open concept, furniture is very masculine, but I can live with it for now. Not sure I like the kitchen here, maybe we could bump out the back a bit, make the kitchen a little bigger." She looked around and started rearranging the appliances on the counter. She opened what seemed to be a closet and found a small, stacked washer and dryer. "This will have to go, it's way too small. Henry, do you know if there's a basement here?"

"No, I don't think so. Mrs. McGinty had no need of a basement, and she had some trouble getting up and down the stairs."

Linda looked at her changes and pronounced them better. Next, she wandered upstairs. Henry remained on the main floor while Linda explored upstairs. "Pops, could you get me a few garbage bags, please?" Henry walked into the kitchen and found what she had requested. He placed the bags on the stairs and called up to Linda. She came down and picked them up and went back upstairs. Henry was getting more concerned about being in the house without Danny there and called him. Danny was almost home and would be there shortly.

Danny picked up the paper bag on the seat and walked into his home. He saw Henry and asked where Linda was. Henry pointed up and Danny understood. He took his paper bag into the kitchen and put away the items he'd just bought. He stared around the kitchen and moved the small appliances back where they were. Then, he headed upstairs, angry that Linda had made changes but understanding he couldn't make a big deal about it just now…

He heard her opening and slamming closed dresser drawers then opening the closet where she let loose with a series of epithets. He'd never heard her use such language and wondered if she just never swore around him or if this was one of the changes that happened while she had been away. He stood in the doorway and watched Linda pull out three and four hangers at a time and throw them on the bed. Then she removed the clothes from their hangers and threw them in the garbage bag. When the bag was full, she placed it on the floor next to another bag that appeared to be full of more clothes. He walked into the room and over to the closet. "Linda, why are you here and what are you doing?" he asked, speaking very quietly.

"Danny, you scared me! I was hoping to surprise you…"

"Well, you have surprised me but I'm not sure you should be here."

"Why not, are you hoping to get rid of me and move that…"

"Don't say it, Maria and I have only been together for a few months. She stood by me when I was told you had died, was with me when I identified what we all thought was your body, she helped me when the boys had questions and no one else could help me. I owe her my life. I was so close more times than you could ever know to ending my pain and she stopped me. She pushed me to be the man I needed to be at work and at home. Our sons were not orphans because of her as well as the rest of my family. Now, please go downstairs, I'll be there shortly," his voice dropping so low she had trouble hearing him.

Linda glared at him, "I'm not some perp you can push around, Danny. If I'm going to live here, I want things my way. And we're going to have to make some changes, the kitchen is too small, and that washer and dryer belong in a doll house."

"It wasn't in my plan for us to live here. But I don't have anything set up yet so I couldn't tell you. Now, please do as I have asked and go back downstairs. I'll drive you and Pops back to the house in a few minutes."

Linda stamped her way out of the bedroom but stopped to pick up the full garbage bags.

"Linda, please leave that here. I will take care of it."

"Fine, have it your way!" He could hear her muttering all the way downstairs. He took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a familiar number. It was answered after a few rings.

"Doc, I'm really sorry to bother you but…"

"Danny, I've heard from your father and wondered how long it would take for you to call me. How soon can you get to my office?"

"Wow, I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I'm glad he called. I'm at my house right now but I need to take my grandfather and my wife back to the family house and then I'll be there. Probably 30 – 40 minutes. If it's gonna be longer, I'll give you a call. Is that okay?"

"That's fine, Danny. See you soon." They both hung up and Danny walked down the stairs.

"Pops, I'm going to take both of you back to the house, then I have an appointment. I'm not sure how long this will take so I won't be home for dinner and don't wait up for me. I'll call Dad and let him know. I want to check the back door then we'll leave." He walked into the kitchen and resolved to put things back the way they were. He walked outside to see if Linda had thrown anything else away, but she hadn't. He came back inside and turned on a light in the kitchen and another one in the living room. "Let's go, folks." He opened the front door and waited till they were both outside and headed for the car. He made a mental note to change the locks so…What was he thinking? This was his wife, the mother of his children, didn't she have a right to see where they had lived after she was gone? That would be his first question to Alex Dawson.