It was ironic really, that some bit of life sparked in a heart that had died two years ago. That the spark began on a day commemorating the very event that had caused his heart to die. As he watched the little boy in front of him running and playing, he was surprised that he had enjoyed this day so much. Well, he had not enjoyed the whole day. The memorial had been hard, but after it was over, on a whim, he had invited Tara and little Samuel to join him for lunch. Looking back to that decision now, he realized it was more because he did not want to be alone than him actually being nice. But, whatever the reason, he had truly enjoyed himself. In fact, he had even found himself laughing and smiling at the antics of Tara and the toddler as they ate at the sandwich shop. He had forgotten how long it had been since he heard himself actually laugh. Now they were sitting in the park near her house, watching the boy as he played on the equipment.

"You ok Myles?" Tara was looking at him, and he realized that he had been staring off into space.

"Yes, I am fine. Sorry, my mind was wondering a bit. I guess I should be getting you two home."

"Well, I do need to let Samuel rest some before we go to dinner tonight. My sister is going to keep him for me, so I don't want him to be cranky."

"He gets cranky? " Myles looked towards the child again. "I mean, I know most children do get cranky with lack of sleep, but I have a hard time imagining it. He has been so pleasant today."

"He usually is. " The look in Tara's eyes showed her great love for her child. "However, if he gets tired, he is a bear! Just like his father!" Myles was surprised at the ease with which she mentioned Bobby. He knew it had to be hard, but she seemed to enjoy seeing the similarities between her son and his father.

Myles stood slowly, his body aching from the strain of the day, as it had since the accident every time he overdid it. "I might need to get a little rest before this evening too."

"You staying in a hotel?" Tara asked as she picked up the toddler and they started walking together towards house.

"Yes. My sister and her husband offered me a place, but their house is small, and with the baby, I thought it might be better if I stayed out of the way. Babies generally are not comfortable around me." He admitted the last part before he realized that Samuel was reaching for him. Smiling he took him out of Tara's arms without a second thought.

"Seems that some babies like you!" Tara smiled brightly. "Actually, I can not ever remember him going to anyone out of my arms."

"I am honored." He looked down into Samuel's eyes, and was again shocked by the similarities to his former partner and friend. Tears pooled in his eyes, as a sudden burst of sadness hit him. Immediately he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking into the green eyes that were peering up at him, he felt a twinge of something in his heart. He was not sure what it was, and he did not have time to figure it out now, but he put it in the back of his mind, hoping he would have time to consider it later.

"His eyes do that to me sometimes too. It is uncanny how much they remind me of Bobby. " Her smile was there, but there was also a sadness in her eyes. They walked towards Tara's in silence for a while. When they were close enough to see the house, she turned towards him. "Would you like to stay over at my place until it is time to go tonight? I mean, there is no reason for you to go try to rest in a hotel all alone."

"That would be nice. Thank you Tara." He was truly pleased by her offer. Though he needed the rest, and he might rest more if he were alone, he found himself not wanted to leave her company.

As they reached the house, Tara opened the door, and showed him where to place the baby who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He placed him gently in the toddler bed, then moved into the family room where Tara had set drinks out for the two of them. Looking around he saw several pictures of Samuel, as well as several pictures of Bobby. On a table in the corner of the room was a picture of the team, taken at Tara and Bobby's wedding. Instinctively going to it, he picked it up and studied the faces. When she came to join him, he turned the picture so they could both see it.

Her voice was thick with emotion when she finally spoke. "I miss this. The team. Sometimes, I am afraid I will forget what it was like back then. Other times I am afraid I will always remember."

"Do you talk to the rest of them much?"

"Lucy and I make an effort to get together a good bit. I see D and Donna at church. Donna helps me a great deal with Samuel. She has been invaluable to me. Jack and I still work in the same building, and when our paths cross we speak, but it is hard. Sue is the hardest. I think it is hard for her to see Samuel, knowing she will never have her own." There was a deep sadness as she talked of Sue. Myles knew how close they had been before, and felt for her.

"I'm sorry Tara." Turning towards her he enveloped her in a hug. Tears streamed down his face as he held her. After several minutes, they parted and Myles went to rest on the sofa. Tara sat across from him on a chair.

"When do you go back?" Tara asked between sips of tea.

"I am staying for a week. It will give me some time to visit with my sister and her family." For some reason he suddenly wanted to tell her that he would like to visit her again, but he refrained.

"If you need company, Samuel and I would be happy to make you dinner one night. Well, I would do most of the cooking, but Samuel would be happy to keep you company." Her smile warmed his heart, as well as the way she had added that Samuel would not be cooking. It reminded him of when she used to ramble on in the pen. It was something that sometimes annoyed him then, but he had missed it terribly since he had been gone.

"I would enjoy that. You name the day and the time, and I will be here."

"How about you come over tomorrow afternoon. If you want you can come to church with us tomorrow night. It is the fall concert. Samuel will be 'singing' with the other toddlers, and they will dress up and have trunk or treat. I am sure he would love to have you there."

Myles was taken aback at being invited to join them, but he was also delighted. "That sounds like a lot of fun. If I would not spoil your good time, I would be honored to go with you."

"Well, then that settles it. You can join us for morning service if you want. It starts at 10." The look on her face was almost hopeful, rendering him unable to say no.

"I will pick you up at your house at 9:30. We can make a day of it!"

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. When Samuel woke up he seemed delighted that Myles was still there, and they sat on the floor and played with blocks until Tara's sister came to watch him. He then drove her to the restaurant where they were to meet the rest of the team. As he opened the door for her, he realized that her face was not nearly as sad as it had been when he had seen her earlier that morning. She almost seemed happy. Deep in the recesses of his heart, he began to hope that maybe he was, at least in part, the reason for this change.