Three days later:

"Reagan, Sergeant wants to see you in command." Danny looked up questioning. But didn't say anything. He grabbed his equipment and headed for the command center on their mock base. Danny had been serving for almost 2 years, spending the past 15 months in Iraq. He was set to go home, and back to his life as a husband and police officer in just a short three months. The only time the sergeant asked to speak with anyone privately was when there was something happening back home. "Sarg?" Danny said entering the tent and giving a light salute. "Danny, have a seat. I don't know exactly how or what to say. You're going home buddy. I've arranged for you to call home tonight, either your parents or your wife. We are trying to get things ready for you to head home as soon as possible. The soonest the kinks will work out is going to be about a 10-14 days."

"Sergeant Parker, sir, I don't understand. our tour is up in three months, why am I going now? I can hold out for the rest of the deployment." Danny starts arguing.

"Reagan, call home." Says his sergeant handing him the phone. "Come and find me after if you need me." Danny is still incredibly confused by a this, and unsure what is going on. He looks at his watch and decides he will try his wife first. Linda has always been his rock, and if anyone can make sense of this situation it's her. The phone rings 4 times. Danny is just about to hang out when he hears her voice. "Hello?"

"Hey baby" He says dryly. At the sound of his voice, tears automatically spring to her eyes. "

"Danny," she says relieved. We've been waiting for your call." Danny can hear people in the background, and he swears he hears his sister crying.

"Linda…?" he asked his voice shaking as the sudden worry is going through his body. "Whats wrong? Is it dad? Why am I being sent home early." Of course Danny's first thought is something happened to his detective father.

"No honey, dad is fine. Here, he wants to talk to you." Danny is taken back, surprised that his father is also with Linda.

"Hello son." His father's deep voice came through the line. "Are you well?"

"Dad what the hell is going on? Your all scaring me."

"Son did they make arrangements for you to be home?" Frank questioned.

"They are working on it" Danny said quickly. "Could be a week to two though before Im there. Dad whats going on." Danny heard his father swear under his breath.

"They can't get you home sooner?" He asked sounding frustrated.

"Dad!" Danny yelled into the phone. "What the hell is going on?" He heard his father take a deep breath.

"It's your mother, son. The cancer is back. And its aggressive." Frank took a moment to clear his throat of the sob that was threatening to come out.

"How aggressive dad?" asked Danny quietly as the reality of what his father said was hitting him hard.

"I'm sorry son, I didn't want to say this to you over the phone. You can't be distracted."

"Pop, how aggressive?" Pressed Danny.

"Nothing left to do. 3-5 weeks," His father quickly replied in a voice barely louder than a whisper. Danny felt the hot sting of tears in his eyes. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold them back if he had to talk. "Son. Are you still with me?" Asked his father suddenly worried about his eldest sons well being.

"Mmhmm." Danny replied trying to regain composure. After a few minutes of silence. Danny heard his father say, "here's Linda, I love you son."

"Danny, Danny baby. Are you there?"

At the sound of his wife's concern, the tears started to fall. "Linda, She needs to hold on. Tell me its not that bad."

"Oh Danny I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Linda, I have to go now."

"Ok baby, keep close touch. Let us know what is going on."

"I will. I love you."

"Love you more." said Linda, she heard the click of the phone and the line go dead.