A/N: This chapter is kind of all over the place. The flashback is much longer than I'd intended, but I didn't want to cut anything out. I promise the next chapter will follow a more succinct pattern. Thank you for the reviews.

While drinking his morning coffee, Danny read the Sports section of the newspaper. It was something he did almost every morning when he first got to work if they didn't have an active case.

"Good morning," he heard Elena's sing-song voice as she entered the break room.

"Hey, morning," he said as he looked up from the paper, immediately distracted as he watched Elena take a carton a yogurt from the refrigerator and shake it vigoriously for a few moments.

"You're here early," she said as she took a seat next to him. "I thought maybe you'd need to sleep in today."

Danny smiled. "Actually, I didn't get much sleep at all, so I figured I might as well come in. I even went for a run this morning."

Looking at him incredulously, she asked, "Seriously, Danny, how do you do it? You were at my place until after midnight."

This made Danny laugh. "I guess I have a lot of pent-up energy," he joked as he looked at her suggestively.

At that, Elena's mocha skin turned crimson as she closed her eyes. "Oh…"

Taking her hand under the table, he stroked it gently. "I'm only teasing a little. No worries."

"Are you sure? It's just—"

"Morning," they heard the gruff voice call out.

Both startled, they looked up to see Jack entering. Danny quickly let go of Elena's and she took a short breath to try and get control of her flushed complexion. It didn't work, though, because Jack looked from one to the other with a suspicious glare before heading to the coffee area.

"Morning, Jack," Danny finally answered.

"How'd the Yankees do last night?" Jack inquired as he motioned to Danny's paper.

Turning to the back page of the paper, Danny held it up. "They won one, finally. But more to the point, the Mets are on an unstoppable hot streak. Ten in a row."

Jack smirked. "Wait til October, my friend. And then we'll see who's still in the race."

The exchange made Elena smile. Things had been icy between Jack and Danny for a couple of weeks, but lately things had gotten back to normal. Danny always seemed able to let things go with Jack, Elena observed, which showed just how much Danny cared for his boss.

"By the way," Jack said as he started for the door. "Elena, I'd like you to head over to St. Andrew's this morning. That girl from the Parker case sounds like she's ready to talk. Sam can go with you when she gets here."

"No problema," Elena answered.

"I can go with her…since I'm here now," Danny said as he started to rise. "No sense in waiting for Sam—"

"No. I want Sam to go with her," Jack interrupted quickly.

Danny shrugged as he sat back down. "Okay. Whatever."

"Okay," Jack said as he walked out the door.

After Jack was out of ear shot, Danny shook his head. "Unbelievable."

"What?" Elena asked in a confused tone as she stood up to throw out her empty yogurt container.

"Have you noticed that we haven't been sent out together on a case in weeks? He's doing it on purpose," Danny said as he nodded to the doorway where Jack had just exited.

"No, I'm sure it's a coincidence."

Shaking his head, he countered, "It's no coincidence."

Sighing, Elena put her hand on his shoulder. "Danny, it's no big deal. I'm going to get my things together so I'm ready when Samantha gets here."

Danny just nodded as Elena gave his shoulder a squeeze before leaving the room.

Later that day, a new case started. Jack came to the bullpen to give out assignments. Once again, Danny observed, Jack made of point of sending Elena out with Martin. And then when a new lead came into the office, Jack told Danny to come with him.

He and Jack ended up having to drive for well over an hour to get to the small town in Connecticutt. About twenty minutes into their drive, Jack broke the silence.

"So how're you doing?" Jack asked from the passenger seat.

Glancing over at Jack and then back to the road ahead of him, Danny shrugged. "I'm fine. You?"

Jack smirked as he shook his head. "I've actually been wanting to talk about something with you."

"What's that?" Danny asked curiously, glancing over quickly again.

"This is…it's difficult to ask…because it's…it's—"

"It's none of your business?" Danny finished the question, already knowing what Jack wanted to know.

"I don't know about that. You both work on my team, Danny," Jack responded in an annoyed tone.

"Oh come on, Jack. You haven't let us work together in weeks. I don't think anything is getting in the way of our work. And I don't think I need to remind you that our 'team' has survived interoffice relationships before. I don't think anything is different with me and Elena," Danny stated emphatically.

"That's where you're wrong. It's different, because you're in danger and you put Elena and her daughter in danger every time you two leave the office together."

Shaking his head, Danny rolled his eyes. "Don't throw that in my face. What are we supposed to do? Just ignore how we feel because of Carlos? I can't do that, Jack. Besides, I've known Carlos a long time. He won't try anything with me."

"Really?" Jack responded in a cynical tone. "Like you weren't ready to take him out a few months ago?"

Starting to boil with anger, Danny lashed back, "He had a gun on an FBI agent. You seem to conveniently forget that."

"I'm not forgetting anything. I just think—"

"That's your problem, Jack. You want to try to fix everyone else's life, so you don't have to face your own," Danny interrupted, clearly not caring about the consequences of being so blunt. "You don't have to worry about me or Elena. And you have no grounds for having a problem with our relationship. She and I have been nothing but professional."

And now it was Jack who was angry. At first, he didn't respond, not wanting to instigate a bigger fight between them. But his anger got the better of him, so he felt the need to get in the last word. "Great…be professional. Do whatever the hell you want! Just keep driving."

They rode the rest of the way in an awkward, uncomfortable silence.

Easing into the hot bubble bath, Elena took a deep, relaxing breath. It had been a long day. First, she and Samantha had spent two hours trying to get a young girl to identify the man who had kidnapped her and then finally had returned her to a hospital three days later. The girl had been in shock, but her doctor had said she'd been making process. Sadly, she and Samantha hadn't had any real success.

When they'd returned to the office, a new case started and she'd spent the rest of the day interviewing people in an apartment building downtown. She and Martin must have talked to fifty people before finding out that their missing person wasn't actually missing at all.

Such unproductive days shouldn't feel so stressful, she thought. Closing her eyes, she heard the faint sound of Sophie in her room practicing what she'd learned at her piano lesson on a small keyboard.

Trying her best to tune the sound out, Elena tried to focus on the feel and scent of the silky bubbles. The luxouriousness of the bath made her feel sensual. The sensual feeling immediately made her think of Danny. She still wasn't sure what they were doing together or even how she really felt about him, but she knew that she loved the way he'd made her feel.

It had been almost a month since Carlos had gotten out of jail. She hadn't seen him since that day. She knew he was out there, and it made her weary of letting Danny get too close to her.

But that didn't make her miss Danny any less, which is why he invaded her thoughts while she was in the bath. The memory of the night when things went to the next level for them invaded her mind and her body.

It had been a week since he'd kissed her in the office, and he hadn't tried anything more than a peck or a warm hug here and there since. He'd come to dinner the next night to her house with her and Sophie. After Sophie went to bed, she'd opened up to him about Carlos and worry about Sophie and being all together unprepared for all the stress she'd been dealing with. He listened…really listened. He didn't offer unhelpful platitudes. When he didn't have an answer, he'd say, "I don't know." And that's what she'd found so refreshing about him. Even though there was now this newly discovered attraction, for her at least, he was still this understanding and helpful friend.

She never thought she'd ever say that about Danny Taylor. He had always been Carlo's friend. The most she saw of him, before they'd started working together and while she was still with Carlos, was at get togethers that she and Carlos would have at the apartment they'd shared and the very occasional double date. Danny had always been with someone she'd never seen before – usually nice girls who seemed crazy about him – even though they seemed to know very little about him. Elena remembered that one of them didn't even know that he worked Missing Persons. She'd just known he was a cop of some sort.

This persona of Danny's coupled with his allegiance to Carlos fueled her dislike for him when she'd first started on the team. But as is usually the case, when you get to know someone without the filter of another person, everything changes.

And everything had changed with Danny. Now, after him professing how much he cared for her and her daughter, Elena found herself completely intrigued and attracted to him.

That's where she found herself on their second date, a week after he'd kissed her in the office. They'd left the office together, promptly at five, vowing to only get a quick drink on their way home. Two hours and two glasses of wine later, she had to excuse herself so she could call her mother to let her know she'd be home soon.

"Mama – I'm so sorry. I stopped off for a drink with a friend, and—"

"Ningún problema, mamita. Enjoy yourself. You haven't been out of this house except for work in ages. Sophie finished her homework, ate dinner and now she's watching a little TV before bed. Es okay, mamita."

"Gracias, mami. "

Smiling, Elena made her way back to the table.

"Good news?" Danny said as he rose slightly as she approached the table and sat down.

Shrugging, Elena ran her hands through her hair. "My mother has given me the night off, which is very unusual. She's in a good mood, I guess."

"So you don't have to rush home?"

Shaking her head, Elena folded her arms across her chest.

So Danny continued, "You want to get dinner? Or—"

"No, I mean, the appetizers were enough for me," she answered as she looked at their half-eaten plates. "you?"

"I'm good," Danny replied. "Another glass of wine?" he asked as he motioned to her empty glass.

"Oh I better not. You're completely sober," she said, looking at his water glass. "One more glass for me, and I'll be falling asleep on you. Not so much fun for you."

Danny looked at her like he was charmed by every word that came out of her mouth. "Oh I don't know…I could think of much less fun things that you falling asleep on me."

Elena giggled, making Danny realize how suggestive the comment had been. Shaking his head, he back-pedaled. "that's not…I mean…I didn't mean…"

Reaching out, Elena grasped his hand. "I know what you meant."

Nodding, Danny let their fingers intertwine. "So what would like to do with this free evening of yours."

Looking down at their hands, Elena shrugged. "Maybe…maybe we could go to your place…to talk some more…where its quiet."

She knew there was power in her words just seeing the reaction on Danny's face. They'd been talking for over a week, at her apartment or on the phone after Sophie had gone to sleep, but they hadn't really been alone together. Suggesting that she go to his apartment was opening a door to something that she wasn't sure either of them could control.

"Are you sure?" he finally asked, his voice cracking with uncertainty.

Elena just nodded in response.

That was all Danny needed. He paid their check and promptly escorted her out of the restaurant. Forgetting that she'd said they could talk, they walked in virtual silence the two blocks to his apartment. Right before reaching the front door of his building, he stopped abruptly which in turn caused her to stop because he'd been holding her hand.

At first, he didn't say anything.

"What?" she asked as she searched his eyes.

"I, um, I…are you…are you sure about this? I mean, when I did the thing last week…you know…told Carlos that I wouldn't help and then kissing you in the office…all of that…I mean, none of that, was about me trying to get you into—"

As he rambled on, Elena inched closer to him until she was close enough to raise on her tip toes and put her finger against his lips. Finally, she said, "I'm not here because of that. I'm here because I've spent the last week with a really great guy who's nice to me and nice to my kid. And I want to spend some time alone with him – without fear of interruption by a certain precocious seven year old. Eres dulce, Danny. Quiero ser tuya, esta noche."

Danny smiled and then leaned down to kiss her, lightly at first and then pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. Elena responded by tangling her fingers in the back of hair. Feeling his tongue tease her lips, she opened her mouth which started a frenzy of kisses between them as he slowly backed her up against the wall of his building. Feeling his lips travel from hers to her jawline and down to her neck, she let out a quiet moan.

She hadn't done this in a long time. She hadn't let a man kiss her or touch her like this, not feeling like it was the right thing to do with a child waiting for her at home. But Danny's kisses and touches were too good to deprive herself.

Seeing that Danny was completely lost in the moment and seemed perfectly willing to take things further right there on the sidewalk, Elena put her hand against his chest. "Hey…hey…I want…let's go inside?"

Pulling away from her, Danny nodded. "Yeah, come on," he responded, his voice hoarse with desire. Taking her hand, he led her into the front door and up three flights of stairs.

Before Elena knew what was happening, they were in his apartment, a small studio. He didn't have to do much to give her a tour because everything was in the same room – the price for living so close to work. He immediately started to kiss her again as he guided her over to the bed.

"This feels familiar," Elena said with an uncomfortable laugh.

Frowning, Danny pulled away for moment and then he remembered the night they made out in the cheap motel room during the missing stripper case. "Not for me. I was so afraid to touch you that night. I was reciting baseball stats in my head to keep from losing control."

In that moment, Elena had a realization. He'd had feelings for her much longer than a week or so. "You're right. This is nothing like that night," she said as she looked into his eyes. Raising up, she kissed him again as they stood in front of his bed.

As they kissed, she felt his fingers slowly unbutton her blouse. She shrugged off her jacket as he opened her blouse.

The she took her turn, unbuttoning his dress shirt after pushing his suit coat from his arms. After several arduous moments of shedding clothes, badges and guns, they found themselves in his bed in the midst of a passionate encounter.

There was no "first-time" awkwardness. Instead, they moved together in the naturalist of ways. Elena found herself completely immersed in the pleasure of the encounter: the way he touched and kissed her, the feeling of his five o' clock shadow against her soft skin and, finally, feeling him inside of her. He was gentle, and yet, intense and passionate all at the same time. As it ended, she wasn't sure why, but she found herself on the verge of tears and laughing all at the same time.

"Are…are you laughing?" Danny asked as he pulled her into a warm embrace. "You're going to give me complex

"It's been a long time. I haven't…I haven't felt that in a really long time. Actually, it was much better than I ever remember it being, so no reason for a complex, mi querido," she responded as she planted a kiss on his collarbone.

Danny smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair. "I'm just glad you're not feeling regret."

Frowning, Elena looked up at him. "Why on earth would I feel regret?"

Danny shrugged. "Too much, too soon? We work together? Carlos and I used to be friends? I could go on—"

"No, no, no, baby, don't say anything. Let's not think about all that right now. I don't regret anything," she said as she kissed him. After a few minutes of kissing, she pulled away and looked at him again. "Do…do you regret—"

Danny stopped her with another kiss. "I can't even put into words how happy I am that you're here. Is that answer enough for you?"

Nodding, Elena settled her head back down against his chest. They laid like that in silence for a little while longer before Danny started to ease away from her.

"I need to get up for minute," he said, nodding toward the bathroom. Before they'd had sex, he'd hastily grabbed a condom from his nightstand. They hadn't had any kind of discussion about birth control or former partners, so Elena was relieved that he'd been prepared.

Giving him a pouty look, she let go of him and grasped the pillow where his head had just rested.

"You need anything?" he asked, before entering the bathroom.

Elena smiled as she observed him, naked, in front of her. He was really a gorgeous man, she'd never really allowed herself to think of him like that – but he so was. "I'm okay," she responded quietly as she nuzzled deeper into the pillow.

Returning her smile, Danny entered the bathroom.

Glancing up, Elena caught sight of the alarm clock on the nightstand. She'd completely lost track of time. It was close to midnight, meaning it had been over four hours since she'd talked to her mother. Closing her eyes, she sat up in bed. As much as she wanted to spend the night with Danny, she knew that it wouldn't be right.

Easing out of the warm bed, she started to gather her clothes from the floor. Hastily, she put on her tank top undershirt and panties as she grabbed her pants and blouse from the floor. Just as she found her bra, which had been thrown from the bed, the bathroom door opened.

"What're doing?" Danny asked.

Elena looked at him, his tired brown eyes showing disappointment. "I, um, I—"

Before she could finish, he pulled her into his arms and whispered, "Quédate conmigo, esta noche."

It took all of Elena's strength not to fall back into bed with him. "I can't. I've never left Sophie like this…to be with someone…I need to get home."

Letting go her, Danny laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I got it. I understand."

Smiling sweetly at him, she slipped into the bathroom to finish dressing. Shutting the door, she sighed and took a moment to compose herself. Then she turned and looked in the mirror. Her cheeks still had a slight flush to them and her hair was tousled. Closing her eyes, she ran her hands through her hair to straighten it a bit. Opening her eyes, she noticed a few small red marks on her neck and shoulders. Then her eyes traveled down her body as she turned slightly where she found small finger-shaped marks on the outside of her thigh. As gentle as Danny had been, the intensity of their lovemaking was evident in the marks on her body.

Smiling to herself, Elena's knees weakened at the thought of what had just happened between them. If someone had told her a month ago that she' d be getting dressed in Danny's bathroom after having sex with him, she'd tell them they were crazy. Yet here she was, and all she could think about was being with him again. She had absolutely no idea how she felt about him, but for now, he was making her happier than she'd felt in a very long time.

Minutes later, she opened the bathroom door to find Danny, now dressed in jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt, gathering her gun, cell phone and purse from the floor.

"You dressed?" Elena said, voice confused since it was nearly midnight.

Handing her things to her, he answered, "Yeah, I'll walk you down…get you a cab."

Elena frowned as she put her gun and cell phone in her purse. "Danny, I have a gun. I think I'm capable of getting my own cab."

"I know, I know, you can take care of yourself. Humor me? Okay?," he said as he smiled and then leaned down to kiss her one more time.

"Mommy! I'm finished practicing! Can I watch T.V.?" Sophie called out from her room, completely taking Elena out of the memory of her first night with Danny.

"Si, mamita, but just for a few minutes, and then it's time for bed," Elena answered as she opened her eyes and flipped the drain latch down with her toe to let the water out.

Letting out a deep breath, Elena sat up. Just as she was about to get up, she heard her cell phone ring. Reaching over to the small table next to the tub, she opened the phone.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Hey, it's me," Danny said in a wary tone.

"You sound a lot worse that I felt when I first got home."

"It's been a long day. Jack and I just got back. Traffic was a bitch. What are you up to?"

"Mmmmm…don't hate me, querido, but I'm just finishing a very hot, very bubbly bath."

"Hate you? Are you kidding? The visual is making me feel better already!" he replied in a teasing tone.

Laughing, Elena asked, "Are you still at the office?"

"Yeah, but I'm on my way out now."

"I'm about to put Sophie to bed. You should stop by. I can't promise you a bubble bath, but I'll do my best to relax you in some way."

"There's an offer I can't refuse. I'll definitely stop by, but I need to, um, I need to get to a meeting tonight," he said in a hesitant tone.

"Are…are you okay?" she asked, voice sounding concerned.

"Don't worry. I'm fine. I've just neglected going for the last couple of weeks, so I should probably hit one tonight."

Elena was still concerned, but she knew Danny didn't like to explain this kind of stuff. He'd told her very little about AA. He never tried to hide his problem, but he'd never volunteered much about it either. "No problem. Um, just stop by whenever you're finished. I'll be here."

"Are you sure you want to wait up?," he asked, voice uncertain. "I understand if you want to sleep."

"I'm sure. Deseo verle esta noche, mi amor," she whispered in a sweet yet sultry tone as she watched the last of the bubbly water go down the drain.