Martin held onto Amelia as he watched Danny disappear into the darkness. He knew it wasn't the professional thing to do but he gently turned her in his arms and held her. He let her cry herself out against his broad chest. He didn't know what else to do. Silently he cursed Danny, and then himself for not being able to help him more. He could help Amelia. He knew that's what Danny would want him to do. So he stood there with her, gently rubbing her back and trying to soothe her with wordless murmuring.

When he felt her calming he looked down at her. "Let me take you home now." he said softly. Still trembling all she could do was nod. Martin picked up her handbag from where it had fallen after she'd hit Danny with it. He made a quick survey of the ground to be sure nothing was left behind before handing it to her.

He kept an arm around her as he walked her to his car. It was a silent drive back to her apartment. Martin parked and got out of the car. Amelia was surprised that he got out and opened the door for her. "I'll walk you up." He smiled and she nodded gratefully. "Come on." He had his arm around her again; something still made him want to protect her. Right now he couldn't believe he felt like he needed too protect her from Danny. She dug her keys out of her bag and opened the door.

She looked at him expecting him to just dump her off glad to be rid of her. "Agent Fitzgerald, I know it's late… but…" she looked down searching for the right words. She didn't want to be alone. She didn't want him to go. He knew Danny; she sensed that they knew each other very well. She wanted to talk to him. She needed to talk to him. He seemed to sense it as well.

"Would you like to talk?" he asked her gently. She nodded. "Ok" he smiled "but maybe you should call me Martin?"

She smiled sadly at him and nodded. "Oh, won't I keep you from your work? You said you had something you were going to look into?"

"No problem, I'll get another agent to cover, don't worry."

"But what about your family… I wouldn't want to keep you from getting home."

"Yeah, there's no problem there" Martin chuckled. "I'm single." He blushed slightly. "So there's no one to worry about but myself."

"I know what that's like." Amelia said. She led Martin up the steps and into her apartment. "I know it's warm outside but do you like hot chocolate?" she asked turning on the lights.

"I love it." Martin smiled.

"I'll make us some, it… it's silly but it usually makes me feel better."

"There's nothing silly about that." Martin smiled. "I'll call the office while you're doing that."

"Ok, just make yourself at home." She gestured to her living room and she headed for her kitchen.

Martin smiled and took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. He called Vivian. He knew she'd most likely be home at this time but that she'd answer her cell no matter what time it was. "Johnson" came Vivian's usual greeting.

"Hey Viv, it's Martin."

"Hi Martin, how did it go?"

"Uh well, it's not Parker." He wasn't sure how to tell her about everything that had happened.

"Is she positive?" Vivian asked.

"Yes, Parker had had surgery to his right shoulder; this John Doe had no scars or signs of previous surgeries."

"Ok," she sighed knowing that they were back to square one. "So what else happened?"

"What do you mean?" he should have known she'd suspect something.

"I mean you wouldn't be calling me this late at night to tell me the John Doe wasn't our guy now what else happened?" Vivian said. Martin could hear the annoyed mother tone creeping into her voice.

"Yeah, well, Danny ID'd the guy first…"

"He what? How did he even know... never mind! Just tell me what happened!"

"Well he waited outside after he realized it wasn't Parker… I walked Miss Parker out and he tried to speak to her. It didn't go well."

"I bet." Vivian sounded calmer than Martin had expected her to be. "Where is he now?"

"I'm not sure." Martin said quietly. He looked to be sure Amelia was still occupied in the kitchen before quickly relaying the events of the last few hours to Vivian. Well most of them, he left out the part where he stood for 15 minutes holding Amelia as she sobbed against his chest. "So, I don't know where he went if he's not in the office." Martin sighed.

"Let's give him some time to cool down." Vivian said quietly "If he's not in tomorrow morning, we'll call him." Martin agreed it was the best plan of action knowing Danny as well as he did. "Look Miss Parker is pretty distraught at the moment…"

"Don't worry. You stay put, and see what else you can get out of her. I'll get Sam onto Darnell Thompson." Vivian said knowing what Martin was going to ask.

"Thanks, Viv" Martin said. He hung up as Amelia came in with a tray of hot chocolate and more of her shortbread cookies.

"All set," Martin smiled at her. "That smells fantastic." He took the tray from her, seeing her hands were still shaking. He set it on the coffee table and they sat down on the couch. Amelia curled her legs under herself. As she sat there Martin was again struck by an over whelming urge to protect her. He couldn't begin to imagine what would make Danny run out on her in the middle of the night without a word. She saw his eyes darken with his thoughts.

"Don't be too mad at him." She said quietly.

Martin looked at her surprised. "I'm not mad, so much as disappointed" he said softly. "I just don't know what he's been thinking these last few days" he shook his head "I thought I knew him."

"Me too" Amelia said pain filling her eyes. "How long have you known Danny?" she asked him.

"Almost five years." Martin said softly. Slowly Martin told Amelia about how he'd met Danny and how their friendship developed. He slowly gained her trust, he told her about the ambush and the aftermath. "Danny saved my life …twice…" He said to her, his eyes full of emotion.

"He got you into AA." She said simply. Martin looked at her stunned. She pointed to his keys on the table then reached down into her purse and pulled a small set of keys out of it. She held up a key fob with the familiar AA symbol on it. "I've been sober for 10 years now." She said softly. "I know how hard it is… that's partly why I didn't want you to leave me alone tonight…" She wiped her eyes. "I'm afraid that all of this is going to push me back…"

"You're stronger than that." Martin said. "I can tell." He put his hand lightly over hers, "But you are not alone." he said gently.

"No but Danny is, and he's out there somewhere… I'm afraid for him." She looked at Martin. "I'm afraid something will happen to him and he won't know that I… that he'll… he thinks I hate him… He thinks I'm mad at him… I'm not…" she shook her head. "It's just been so…"

"Overwhelming" Martin finished for her. She nodded. "Then maybe we should leave it for tonight." She looked at him. She had the feeling he knew more than he had already shared with her.

"You said you were going to look into my dad's foster kids. Did you look into Danny too?"

Martin smiled; she knew how to ask the tough questions. "A bit." he nodded. He knew she'd ask anyway so drawing a breath he looked at her. "There is a connection that goes back before your father took Danny on as a foster son." Martin said softly. "You know the couple in the car that was involved in the accident that killed your mother?" She nodded suddenly knowing what he was going to say but wishing she didn't and that he wouldn't "They were his parents."

"No." Amelia shook her head.

"I'm afraid so." Martin nodded.

"Oh God… Danny… Now I know why he ran out the way he did! I'd finally told him how my mom died! It's my fault he left… Oh what did I do?" she covered her face and wept bitterly. Martin moved closer to her, gathering her gently in his arms he held her, knowing he now had three people to find.

Danny walked blindly through the streets of the city, his city. He'd always loved it. Tonight everything about it was annoying to him. Happy couples on their way home from dates, singles enjoying a night out. When the hell did New Yorkers get so cheerful? He wondered as he watched yet another happy couple walking along oblivious to the rest of the world. His put his head down as he hurried along trying to outrun his own thoughts, his own emotions. Don't stop. He thought to himself. You know what will happen if you stop. He walked for hours until exhausted he looked up to find himself in front of St Cecelia's, the church where Father Orlando had run the youth program with Parker. His feet had taken him where his mind had refused to go, back to the beginning.

In the dim light of the street lamps Danny looked up at the church and hall where he'd spent so many afternoons and Sunday mornings. He walked up the steps surprised to find the church doors unlocked in spite of the iron bars over the windows. The lights inside were dimmed and he stood in the vestibule undecided which way to turn. Should he go into the church or keep walking? Keep running was more like it. He thought grimly to himself. The truth was he was so very tired, physically, emotionally, mentally he was exhausted. He walked into the nave and crossed himself before he sat down in the very last pew.

The church itself had changed very little over the years. He looked down to where he'd always sat with Amelia and her father. He could see them now so clearly. Amelia sat beside Danny, they were both 14. The service had ended and they were waiting for her father to finish speaking with one of the deacons. Danny was quietly teasing her, trying to undo the band that held her long dark hair back. "Danny! Stop it!" Amelia giggled and put her hands up to protect her pony tail. Danny took advantage and tickled her ribs with a wicked grin.

"Come on Mia, let your hair down…" he succeeded in getting the band out of her hair and it fell long and loose over her shoulders. "That's better." Danny smiled as she ran her hands through it and smoothed it out. "You've got great hair." He reached out and gently curled a bit around his finger. "It reminds me of my mom's. She loved to wear it down."

"Mine too." Amelia smiled at him. He loved the blush creeping over her cheeks before she looked away. Neither of them noticed herj father was walking over to them.

"Amelia, tie up your hair, honestly what would your mother say?" he shook his head. "Ok all set, are you ready Danny?" Danny just nodded as he watched Amelia tie up her pony tail with down cast eyes. Together they followed her father down the aisle. Danny reached out and gave her hand a squeeze as they walked. He could still see her smile.

"I haven't seen you for some time." A quiet, gentle voice nearly made him jump out of his skin. He looked around startled. He looked up into the face of Father Orlando. Danny couldn't believe the priest had recognized him. Father Orlando's once dark hair was now streaked with grey but his eyes were just as bright. He was in his early sixties but you'd never know it. He was wearing his familiar cleric's shirt and collar and jeans. "You look like shit!" Danny had to laugh at that. Father Orlando was never one to beat around the bush.

"I feel like it Father." Danny admitted.

"Well you've come to the right place then." Father Orlando said softly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Danny looked at him wanting to say 'no' but all he could do was nod. Father Orlando sat in the pew next to him. "What's troubling you tonight?"

Danny smiled sadly and looked down. He drew a breath before he almost whispered, "Amelia Parker, her father, her mother… my folks…" he shook his head. "It's complicated."

"I have time." Father Orlando said gently. "So you've been in touch with Amelia then?" he looked at Danny. "She was devastated when you ran off."

"I'm sorry…" was all Danny could say, Father Orlando waited letting him speak at his own pace. "I spoke to her for the first time tonight. It was the first time since…" he shrugged unable to say the words. "I didn't know…" he stopped himself. You can't lie to a priest asshole! He thought to himself. "I knew where she was. I knew where Parker was. I've been with the FBI for seven years now. I know I shouldn't have but one of the first things I did was look her up. I even drove by her apartment building a couple of times… I couldn't get out of the car."

"So what changed?" Father Orlando asked. "What made you get out of the car this time?"

"Stephen Parker is missing, along with his foster son." Danny said quietly. "I'm with the Missing Persons unit."

Father Orlando was stunned. "…and you're working on his case."

"Not exactly I was helping out the primary agent run down some leads on the foster son… then I realized it was Parker who was missing… then today a John Doe turned up in the morgue… I had to see for myself if it was him first…they wanted Amelia to try to identify him…" he was talking rapidly his words pouring out of him "I couldn't let her go in there alone knowing it was him, but it wasn't…" he shook his head "and when I realized it wasn't him I … I got scared. I wanted to be there for her but when the time came… I ran… I waited outside… I saw her when Martin walked her out… she was so upset…" he couldn't hold back the tears any more, they ran freely down his cheeks "I tried to talk to her… I couldn't find the right words… and she got angry… you remember her temper?" he smiled his cheeks glistening in the dim light. "She let me have it… it was no more than I deserved… but I deserve so much worse for what I did to her…" he couldn't go on he leaned forward his head in his hands.

Father Orlando put his hand on Danny's back he could feel him shaking as he tried to pull himself together. "You were young. She'll understand in time. I know what an endless capacity for forgiveness and understanding she has. You need to find the strength to speak to her again. She will forgive you and you must forgive yourself."

Danny sat up and wiped his face. "Even if what I did was unforgivable Father?"

"Nothing is unforgivable. You know He will forgive you if you ask." He said.

"Father…" Danny looked at him. Father Orlando could see in his eyes something terrible was gnawing at his soul.

"Would it be easier to confess you sins my son?" all Danny could do was nod. "Do you want to go into the confessional?"

"No here's fine." Danny said quietly.

Father Orlando took his purple stole from out of his pocket. Danny watched him ready himself. "When ever you are ready…" He said gently.

Danny crossed himself "Bless me Father… for I have sinned…" Danny's voice wavered. "I… I…" he tried to catch his breath "I killed my parents… and Amelia's mother..." his voice was a barely audible whisper.

With over forty years of hearing confessions, Father Orlando didn't flinch, but his heart broke for Danny. "But your parents and her mother died in car accidents." Father Orlando said gently. "How could you have killed them?"

"My dad was yelling at my mom… I wanted him to stop… I said something to him… I know I shouldn't have… I just wanted him to stop… to stop yelling at her… to stop hitting her… to stop making us all so miserable…" Danny sniffed and wiped his nosed on his sleeve. "He turned to tell me to shut up… he was yelling at me… calling me a cry-baby bastard… that's the last thing he said to me… I heard mom scream and then we hit the other car… Amelia's mom was driving it…" he shook his head. "Don't you see? It's my fault... If I'd just kept my mouth shut…"

"It was an accident." Father Orlando said. "It was not your fault." He put his hand on Danny's shoulder. "When did you find out it was Amelia's mother in the other car?"

"The night I ran away." Danny was looking down at his hands. They were shaking and he played with his long fingers nervously. "She was upset because it was her mom's anniversary. I didn't want to add to it by telling it was the same as my folks… we sat up a long time talking. She opened up and told me how her mom died. She didn't know the name of the people in the other car… How could I tell her it was us? ...That it was my fault?"

"My son, listen to me. It was not your fault. We are all here for a purpose…"

"Please, Father, spare me the Divine Plan speech." Danny looked at him. He was a little wild eyed. "I need…. I need to go…" he got up.

"Danny, please wait…"

"No I'm sorry father… I'm sorry." He said one last time before he hurried out of the church. He barely touched the steps as he fled. Father Orlando sat and prayed, he prayed for Danny and Amelia and for Parker and everyone else involved. He didn't know what else to do.

Danny wanted to disappear into the night. He hoped the darkness would swallow him. He wandered the back streets he'd haunted as a teenager trying to hide from the world. He'd been sober for so long, he was thinking about a bar he used to go to often. The bartender had been a good friend so long as he was buying drinks. Danny looked at the street sign. He was close. No, call Louie. He thought to himself. He stopped and pulled out his cell. He tried to dial his AA sponsor, his phone died after two rings.

"Great, just great…. Stupid piece of shit…" He jammed the phone back into his pocket. "I'll just have some coffee." he said to himself. He wiped his hands over his face knowing he was lying to himself. He walked slowly, the few blocks to the bar felt like a few miles. He stood in front of the bar staring at the grimy door and windows unable to move.