Author's Note: Apologies for not returning to this story sooner, I've been struggling to find a realistic conclusion. I am happy to say that I have, at long last found one that will not only tie up the events so far but spawn an entire new series of stories, my own WAT spin-off using the same characters in a new way and a new setting.

As always I must point out that I do not own Without A Trace, or the characters associated with that show, this story and the Original Characters are all of my own imagining.

One final note, I do appreciate constructive reviews especially about the plot, character development and so forth. In the last year I have put nearly 1 million words to paper or rather to computer screen. While I do endeavor to ensure that each one is correct the occasional one may slip through the net.

Mia woke, her sore ribs intruding into the most delicious of dreams. A dream she'd been having since she was 13 and first laid eyes on Danny Alvarez. She snuggled down nuzzling her face into her pillow wishing it was his chest and she was sure she could feel him holding her. Her eyes popped open when she realized that her "pillow" was breathing and was wearing the most intoxicating cologne. That was when she remembered. It wasn't her pillow she was sleeping against. It wasn't a dream anymore. It was Danny's strong chest she was snuggled against. It was his arms around her, making her feel safe. But he wasn't Danny Alvarez any more. He was Danny Taylor, Special Agent Danny Taylor with the FBI, her father and foster brother were missing and she was in danger herself.

Danny felt her stir in his arms and her sharp intake of breath as reality descended upon her. "It's ok Mia" he said sleepily "Your safe. I'm still here" he tightened his arms gently around her, pulling her even closer to him. She had shifted in her sleep, turning to face him as she slept. She started to relax feeling his lips brush her forehead. It was still dark as she closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of Danny's heart beating and his slow even breathing as sleep reclaimed him. She lay there wrapped in his arms drinking in the feel of him, the scent of him all the while trying to decipher the mix of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Danny woke to feel the weight of Mia sleeping peacefully against him. He looked down at her in the semi darkness and smiled. He slowly reached out and picked his cell phone up frowning to see it was nearly 6:30. He and Martin were going to be relieved by Franklin at 8. They were going out to Rikers to question his brother. He put his phone down in disgust at the thought and hugged Mia. She sighed and snuggled closer to him. Nuzzling her hair he couldn't believe that he was there with her. He couldn't believe that she had forgiven him.

He could feel the ace bandages wrapped around her bruised ribs as he rubbed her back. He was filled with guilt at the thought of what she'd had to go through alone. He conscience was soothed a bit knowing she'd been able to call Martin after the attack. He knew he wouldn't get back to sleep now. His mind was reeling with thoughts and question about Malique Thompson, Calvin Davis, Montoya and his brother. He sighed and reached over to turn off the alarm on his phone.

Mia felt him moving and looked up "It's not time for you to go already is it?" she asked softly.

"Soon" he toyed with her hair as she put her head down on his chest again. "Don't worry I will be back before you know it" he said reassuringly.

"I know" she said stoically. She couldn't bear the thought of letting him go just yet.

He smiled in the semi-darkness he remembered that tone. She was hurt and afraid but she would rather die than admit it and make him worry. It was only his concern for her and her fears that kept them both from focusing on the incredibly intimate way their bodies were nestled together. It wasn't until Mia shifted and her hand brushed across his hips that they realized Danny, like nearly every other man, woke up doing an impressive impersonation of a compass pointing north.

"Sorry" she pulled her hand away hiding her face against his chest as he couldn't help but shiver and come out in goose bumps at the unexpected contact.

"It's ok" he said and hugged her again trying to think of anything other than the electric shiver that ran through his entire body at her casual touch. It wasn't easy with her pressed so closely to him but he wasn't willing to give up the sweet torture just yet.

They lay together quietly for a few more minutes each of them wondering what the future had in-store for them. "One day at a time" Mia sighed quietly.

"That's right Mia" Danny said softly knowing she was talking about more than just an AA mantra. "Did Martin take your cell?" he asked already sure of the answer before she gave it. Martin was nothing if not thorough. "You can't call your sponsor, it's too dangerous, so if you need to talk get Franklin to call me or Martin OK" she nodded quietly against his chest. "Ok" he asked her again.

She lifted her head to look at him "Ok" she nodded "but I think I'll be alright"

He smiled at her, his fingers lightly tracing her jaw and chin "I'd better get up" he said reluctantly. Mia nodded and shifted away so he could sit up. She drew the sheet up as she watched him stretch and then reach for the bedside light.

"Would you like some coffee?" she asked him wanting to do something, anything to stop her mind from spiraling with worry. She hated not being in control, it was one of the main reasons she started drinking, it numbed her feelings and she could stop worrying. She needed to stop worrying about her father, about what had happened to Danny, about why he had left her alone. He was leaving her again she couldn't help but think to herself.

"That would be great" Danny said as he stood up. Mia already felt a pang as his weight lifted from the bed. She quickly wiped away the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Danny had seen and felt the twinge in his own heart. "Hey come here." he sat back down on the bed and gathered her to him "You need to stay busy" he smiled at a memory "Do you still do those logic puzzles?"

She gave a half laugh and smiled as she nodded amazed that he remembered her obsession with puzzles and crosswords as a child.

"Good! I bet Martin has a brand new book of puzzles in his bag, he never goes on an detail like this without one." Danny smiled "I'll get him to leave it for you. It's better than nothing."

"No that would be wonderful" Mia said "I just need something to focus on." she said Other than you, me and what might be happening here she thought to herself. She kept her eyes down embarrassed knowing her thoughts would show on her face.

She didn't realize that Danny was having very similar thoughts. Thoughts he wished time and circumstances would let him explore at the moment but he knew neither were in his favor. He was patient and things were going his way for a change. Now all he had to do was find her missing father and his foster son, once the case was solved he and Mia could take their time and figure the rest of it out together.

She let him get up and get dressed. She was standing by the dresser brushing out her hair when he came out of the bathroom. He stopped and smiled seeing her set the brush down. When she looked at him and their eyes met he felt his heart skip a beat and he knew he couldn't wait any longer. He walked up to her and gently brushed her hair back over her shoulder. He stepped closer to her. She could feel the heat from his body through the thin fabric of her pajamas. Her hands instinctively went up resting lightly on his chest. She could feel his heart pounding. With her face in his hands he looked lovingly down into her eyes. Slowly he started to close the gap between them. With just centimeters to go, with his breath on her lips there was a knock on the door.

"Danny are you awake?" They heard Martin's voice. "Come on down when you're ready, I'm going to make some coffee"

"Damn" Danny sighed and rested his forehead on hers before straightening up "I'm up Martin I'll be right down" he called as Mia tried to hide a quiet giggle.

"Why don't you get dressed, I better go down, his coffee is awful" Danny sighed hearing Martin's acknowledgement and hasty retreat back downstairs.

"Ok we can finish this… later" Mia blushed.

He nodded at her with a blush of his own, "We've waited 17 years, I think we can wait a few more hours…"

TBC...