Danny turned the TV on mute and got up to answer the door. Before he could get there Steve opened it and stuck his head in.

"Hey, what's up?!" he said just a little too loudly. He glanced around the apartment making sure he wasn't interrupting anything. "You alone?"

"Yea, why? What's going on?"

Steve smiled lazily at him, "Get dressed. Let's go out and," he stifled a burp, "grab a couple of beers." He came inside and stumbled as he closed the door behind him, reaching out and bracing his hand on the back of the couch. "Whoa," he laughed at himself, "steady now." He looked back at Danny. "What are ya standing there for? Go put some'em on and let's get out of here."

"Are you drunk?" Danny asked, noticing not only the physical aspects of it but the verbal as well. His words kind of flowed as one long one.

"No!" he walked over to the kitchen, staggering just slightly again and laughing over it, "Well not really." He opened the fridge and grabbed a beer out, twisting the top off.

There was another knock and Danny opened it, still having his hand on the door handle. He stared at Chin. "Am I having a party that I didn't know about? What are you doing here?"

"Chin!" Steve held his beer up to him. "Good timing."

"Steve texted me and told me to get over here ASAP." He looked over at him, "What's going on?"

Danny motioned toward the kitchen as Steve took a long drink of the beer. "He wants to go out."

"What?" Chin looked at his watch, "It's 7:30, why isn't he at the hospital?"

That question ran through Danny's mind as well. "Hey," he yelled over in Steve's direction, "why aren't you at the hospital?"

"What for!" He set his beer down on the counter just a little too abruptly and it began to overflow. "Shit!" he yelled putting it over the sink.

The two of them walked over to where he was. Danny took the beer from him. "You didn't drive over here did you?"

Steve leaned against the counter, stifling another burp with his fist, "No, course not. I took a cab. He's out there…" he pointed to no place in particular, "waiting for us." He smiled over at Chin, "Lets get outta here and go have some fun."

Danny picked up his wallet off the counter, handing it to Chin, "Go pay the driver."

He nodded, ignoring the wallet. "I got it."

"Hey, where's he going?" Steve said, trying to get past Danny out of the kitchen. "Is he leaving?"

Danny blocked his path, "What's going on? Why are you here and why are you drunk on a Thursday?"

Steve bumped against Danny and in any normal situation Danny would have stumbled backwards, but in this case Steve felt like he hit a wall and braced his hand on the sink as he steadied himself. "What the hell! Can't I hang with you guys without it causing an interrogation?"

"Sure, but normally this time of day you are with Carly, which makes me ask, why aren't you with Carly?"

Steve leaned back against the counter, bracing his hands on either side. "I just wanted a night off. That's all."

"You make it sound like it's a job."

Steve closed his eyes trying to fight off the pain that was approaching over this subject that he was hoping to avoid. It was the reason he had had his first beer that night to begin with. He felt dizzy and unsteady on his feet, opening his eyes back up trying to regain control. "It is work," he laughed, trying to make light of it, "hardest job I've ever had." He looked at Danny and laughed again. But his smile slowly faded not seeing the same response from him. The eagerness of wanting to go out faded as well. He just wanted to be around them for the night. They were his family.

Chin had come back in and stood next to Danny. Steve looked at the two of them, narrowing his eyes, trying to focus as the last two shots began to reach their maximum potential. "She doesn't want me there anymore."

"Did she say that?" Chin asked, stunned by his statement.

Steve shook his head, "No, I can tell. She doesn't want me around." He rubbed his thumb and index finger over his eyes, seeing two of each them, "I make her uncof…" he slurred, "uncomfortable." He looked at the two of them again, "Can I crash here tonight Danny?"

Danny and Chin looked at each other, both relieved the whole going out idea had worn off.

"Sure. You can sleep in Gracie's bed."

Steve stumbled past them, slapping Chin on the back, "Thanks for com'n over." He went down the hall into Gracie's room.

They both heard him collapse on her bed.

"You got a handle on this?" Chin asked.

"Yes. I've seen him this drunk before. He'll be out cold in about five minutes if he isn't already."

"Do you think he meant that about Carly?"

Danny sighed, scratching his head. "I hope not man. Because if that's true then tonight is just going to be tip of the iceberg."

"Maybe a couple of days off is exactly what he needs, Carly too. You have to admit this has to be a strain on both of them. This whole situation is crazy."

"I know," he walked with him over to the door. "You can take off. I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Alright…"

Danny walked down the hall and into his daughter's room. Steve lay on the bed with one leg hanging over the side. He decided to just let him sleep it off for the night.

Carly laid on her stomach looking out the glass doors. They were wide open and she could hear the ocean in the distance. There were flowers everywhere, inside and out. It was so beautiful and so peaceful.

She felt a hand glide through her hair and gently down her back. She rolled over looking up at Steve. He smiled down at her in a way that fueled her need for him. She reached up, pulling him down to her lips. She felt his body against hers as the kiss intensified.

She opened her eyes and took a breath as if she had been holding it. Kelly moved about the room doing her early morning duties before the shift change.

"I'm sorry if I woke you up?" she said to Carly, setting her re-filled water bottle next to the bed.

Carly stared at her as her heart pounded, still reeling over the dream. It felt so real like she had actually been in that place. She swore she could smell the flowers that hung around the door and filled the outside. But more than anything else, she felt the impact of the kiss. She wanted to close her eyes and go back there. She glanced around the dimly lit room trying to find some kind of evidence that he had been there. Sometimes he would bring her new magazines or flowers, but they weren't store flowers they were from someplace where he cut them himself. It dawned on her then that they were some of the same flowers from the dream.

She finally spoke up just before Kelly left the room. "Did Steve come here last night?"

She shook her head, "No, I didn't see him." She saw the disappointment all over Carly's face. "Maybe he had a long day at work." She had her hand on the door. "He'll probably be by this morning instead." She smiled reassuringly before she left.

Carly looked toward the window, seeing a hint of the sunrise that was beginning to light up the sky. She thought of the way he looked at her in the dream. It was tender, and she could only describe it as filled with affection. She put her fingers up to her lips, thinking again of the kiss and they way it felt when he laid his body down on her. She remembered then that it was she that had pulled him down. She wanted the kiss. In her dream she wanted him.

Her heart began to race even more as she wondered if that hadn't been a dream but an actual event that had taken place between them. Was she finally beginning to recall things about him? She closed her eyes, picturing him looking down on her. Her eyes flew open recognizing that look on him before. It was the same one he'd had when he first started coming to visit her, but her heart sank, because she hadn't seen it on him for a long time.

What she was feeling in just a few seconds of a dream must be what he was feeling all the time and perhaps what she had felt once too. It made her face the injustice she was doing to not only him but to the two of them. If this is how it once was and this is what they shared, then she wanted it. She replayed the kiss from her dream and decided; she really wanted it. She began to see him in a whole new light. A smile slowly grew across her face just thinking about him. She stared at the door and the smile slowly faded, wondering when or if he would be back.

Steve rolled over, opening his eyes and groaned at the same time. He looked around and quickly realized he was in Gracie's room. He laid his arm over his face, blocking the light, trying to recall the night before. It was sketchy and he had to think if he, Danny and Chin had actually gone out or not. The last thing he remembered was standing in Danny's kitchen with the two of them.

"Hey, are you alive?" Danny asked.

Steve slightly moved his arm so one eye was visible, "Barely," he replied in a low moan, shielding his eyes once again.

Danny came in and pulled the chair out from the desk and sat down. "I've got coffee going." He sat back, crossing his legs. "So, rough night huh? What was that all about?"

"What did I say?" He hoped he hadn't whined about Carly.

"Well, besides finally coming clean and admitting that I'm a better man than you," that got a smile from Steve, "you said something about Carly not wanting you at the hospital anymore."

He groaned again, a long drawn out one. "God Danny, I don't know what I'm going to do."

"So she didn't actually say she didn't want you to come around anymore, right? She's just giving you the cold shoulder."

"To put it brutally, thank you, yes."

"Well," he clapped his hands together, "here's what you're going to do?"

Steve cringed at the loud noise, "A little less enthusiasm please." He moved his arm, curious at his idea. "So what am I going to do?"

Danny leaned forward; grinning at him, "Stay away. Don't go over there. Don't call, don't write, and don't visit."

Steve rolled his eyes and laid his arm back over his face, "I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because she's got some prick doctor sniffing around her."

Danny laughed, "You're worried about another guy? Jesus Steve, why don't you just go down there today with a dozen roses, sit by her bed and let her pet you on the head."

"Fuck you," he moaned.

"Using that word in my innocent daughters room, shame on you."

Steve sat up, leaning back against the pink headboard. "Alright, but what if she doesn't respond to that?"

"You mean what if she doesn't respond, period?" Danny shrugged, "Well then you know for sure, and you can stop hanging around for real like a dog."

He gave it about three seconds of consideration and nodded his head. He looked around Gracie's room that looked like a bottle of Pepto Bismal exploded in. "This room needs some more pink."

Danny shook his head, "I know. But I guess pink is the new 'in' color." He looked over at him, "Is last night going to be a peek inside of what will happen if she doesn't respond?"

Steve wiped his hands down his face, sighing loudly. "I love her Danny." He shook his head like he couldn't believe the predicament he was in. "I've tasted the sweetness of what it would be like to have a wife, kids." He looked over at him, "I've stepped over that line. I can't go back."

Danny nodded, knowing exactly what he meant.

"I told Jason yesterday that if she didn't remember me or want to be with me, that I would still have her in my life no matter what." His expression became even more despondent, "but I don't think I can do that."

Danny stood up smelling the coffee in the next room. "Well maybe you won't have to. Just wait and see what happens." He watched Steve scoot off the bed. He'd seen strong, confident women become flustered and shy around him. Even if Carly didn't respond he was pretty sure that he wouldn't be alone, but when you have your sights set on that one true woman, it is hard to go back. He knew that all too well. He didn't want him to go through what he did. He didn't wish that on his worst enemy. He hoped his little strategy worked and didn't backfire and blow up in his face. But at least he'd know the truth.

The day came and went without a sign of him. She went to her physical therapy class, barely speaking to Dr. Man, too preoccupied with hurrying to get it over with, wanting to get back to her room to see if he was there. But when the door opened and it was empty, the disappointment was heartbreaking.

It was going to be an even longer night. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep, afraid he might come and go in the middle of the night and she'd miss him.

She thought it odd too that neither her mother nor her father had mentioned him at all. She was almost afraid to ask, fearing that they knew something and didn't want to tell her. It made her mind wander endlessly. The dream was the only thing that gave her any comfort throughout the day. But at the same time it made her miss him too. She finally broke down and had to ask.

Mary sat in the chair next to the bed, eating a sandwich, as Carly's dinner on the tray remained untouched. It had been almost thirty hours since he'd been there.

"Did you hear from Steve at all today?" Carly asked.

Mary tried to stifle her smile, delighted that she had finally brought it up; it had been driving her mad all day. "No, I haven't seen him since yesterday." She said it as if it was a standard occurrence.

Carly thought that was odd. "You didn't see him last night, or this morning?"

Mary shook her head, "He didn't come home last night, and wasn't home before we left."

Carly stared at her, "Where was he?" she asked almost breathless. Her first thought was his job, hoping nothing had happened to him.

"I don't know. He's a grown man. It's none of my business," she lied, knowing he had stayed at Danny's house. She had got a reply to her text to Steve from Danny.

"Mom!" she cried out. "What if something happened to him at work?!"

She looked up and was pleased to see the concern on her face. "Don't be ridiculous Carly. Danny, his partner would have called if something happened."

She thought about that answer, deciding that was probably true. Her voice grew even more concerned. "Where do you think he was?"

She shrugged, "I don't know," she looked at her puzzled. " Didn't you say the other day that you wished he wouldn't come around so much?" her expression became hardened, "Well your wish came true. Shouldn't you be pleased?" She knew it might be wrong to deceive her like this, but she wanted to give her a chance to feel that longing that he had. Pleased that it had finally surfaced. Steve staying away was probably the best thing he could have done, she thought. She couldn't help but agree with the old cliché`, absence does make the heart grow fonder.

"I didn't," she shuttered. "I didn't know it was going to feel like this."

Mary looked up at the saddened expression on her daughter's face. She set down the sandwich and stood up, caving in to her despair. "He stayed the night at Danny's house last night. That's where he was."

"Why didn't you tell me that?"

"Because! I wanted you to step inside his shoes and just feel for one day what he has for the last several weeks. A person can only take so much Carly."

She thought again of the dream and the way he looked at her, and how good it made her feel. That's all he wanted from her, to look at him the same way, or even to pay attention to him probably would have satisfied him. Her Mother was right about both things, she did feel worse now that he wasn't there and a person could only take so much, and she was convinced she couldn't take another day of his absence.

Steve sat at his desk at work still feeling the remains of the hangover. He sorted through some paperwork reaching across for his ringing cell phone. His hand bumped a half full cup of coffee that had been sitting there for several hours, knocking it over on the papers he'd been working on.

"Son of bitch!" he yelled out, standing up as it ran over the side of the desk into his lap. "Shit!"

The phone continued to ring as he tried to get it and save what he could of the paperwork at the same time. He rolled his eyes seeing Mary's name on the caller ID. He had been in a good zone, but was quickly thrown back into reality.

Danny appeared at the doorway as he was on his way out. He came inside grabbing the remains of some napkins that had been from their takeout at lunch.

"Shit. Shit!" Steve bellowed and finally answered, putting it on speaker. "Hi Mary," he said, trying to contain his anger. "What's up?" Danny leaned over trying to help him, mop up the mess.

"Hi Steve, um," she stuttered, "this is Carly."

Danny and Steve both stopped and looked up at each other. Danny stepped back, holding his hands out as if letting him know the plan worked.

Steve stared at him stunned.

"Are you there?" Carly asked, not hearing a response from him.

"Yes, yes," he said as Danny leaned over, nudging him to talk. "Is everything ok?" he asked.

"Yes," she put her hand over her heart trying to calm the rapid heartbeat and nerves that set in from just hearing his voice. She hadn't realized just how much she missed him until that second. "I was just wondering, um, if you were planning," she stopped and tried to rephrase, "I don't know if you were or not, but if you were going to come tomorrow if you could please bring me a magazine…or something to read." She rolled her eyes at herself, thinking she sounded stupid.

"Sure," he replied, pointing to Danny to leave as he began to silently gloat in gestures to Steve over his triumph. "Hold on one second Carly." He muted the phone; "Get the hell out!" he laughed and pointed to the door again.

"I'm a genius!" Dan yelled out. He raised his arms when he left as if he were standing in front of a crowd of admirers. "Thank you! Thank you very much!" He closed the door behind him as he left.

Steve unmated the phone, "Ok, sorry about that."

"That's ok," she replied, hoping he was still up for coming to see her.

"I can bring you those things."

"Thank you."

He sat back down, elated that she had taken the time to call him. The stress and anxiety that had been plaguing him suddenly slid off his back. "Actually," he said, "I'm about ready to leave if you want me to come by tonight?"

"Oh," she said surprised, not expecting that.

"If you're too tired…" he began when she quickly interrupted him.

"No! I mean, no I'm not too tired. Tonight would be good, if you're not too tired?"

Steve chuckled at their ridiculous over politeness, dancing around the subject. "I'll be over in about an hour or so."

Carly smiled, "Ok. I'll see you then."

Mary handed her a makeup brush and the compact powder from her purse. "You seem very excited that he's coming," she grinned.

Carly held it up and brushed the powder over her face. She held the mirror back to see the results and her smile faded. "My face is so thin. I look like I'm sick."

Mary took the mirror out of her hands. "You are sick. Give it time and we'll get you fattened up again."

She looked down at the scars on her arm from the knife wounds, feeling even more self-conscious. The surgeon had done a good job stitching them up, leaving only a small line for a scar, but nonetheless it was still there. They had still kept her in the dark about that whole incident. She had stopped asking questions, deciding that maybe she didn't want to know. There were other things that were more important to remember than that. She thought of the dream again. She wanted to tell her Mother about it, but it was almost too personal and too intimate to share with anyone. She kept it to herself instead.

"You look beautiful," Mary smiled, running her hand down the back of her head in a motherly fashion.

"Carly rolled her eyes, "I look like a stick figure."

"Nonsense," she scolded, gathering her things. "I called your Father and told him to stay home, so you and Steve will have the place to yourself."

Carly chuckled, "You make it sound like it's a date."

"Hmm," she replied, not wanting to start all over with that pressure again. "No, just a reunion between friends." She walked toward the door. "Good night honey. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night Mom, thank you."

She watched the door close, anticipating the next person to enter. She turned the TV on trying to calm herself but the cross between excitement and worry that everything would go well was taking it's toll. Her hands began to sweat and she wiped them on the blanket, laughing at herself. She heard the door click and looked over as it slowly opened. Her heart began to race and a smile emerged, welcoming him.

"Well that's a nice greeting," Dr. Man said, coming inside.

She wasn't expecting him at all. "Hi."

"I was on my way out and thought I'd stop by to see if you needed any company."

Carly's eyes darted past him to the door, wanting him to leave before Steve got there. "Oh, well thank you but that's ok. I actually have a visitor coming." No sooner did she get the words out and there was a knock on the door and Steve stepped inside.

The only sound in the room was the door clicking close.

He couldn't fucking believe it. Was she playing some game with him! He looked from the doctor to Carly, feeling like a complete idiot standing there, holding the things he had brought her, but it felt more like he was holding his dick in his hand.

Carly read that look and her heart sank. She quickly tried to resolve the situation. "Hi Steve!" She tried to smile but feared he was going to leave, "Thanks for coming." The silence was only seconds but it felt like hours. All she wanted was Dr. Man gone. She looked directly at him, "My company is here." She then turned to Steve, pleading with him. "He was just leaving," she looked back at him, speaking sternly, "weren't you?" Her smile faded, giving him the final testimony that she had no interest in him.

"Ahh," he stuttered, "yes." He wasn't used to such a direct rejection, "I was." He pointed at Carly, "I'll see you tomorrow for your appointment." He turned and met Steve, "Hey, I was just stopping to see if she wanted some company, but looks like she's got that covered."

"Looks like." He swore if he saw him in that room again without it being on some professional level they were going to have a serious chat. He stood in his path to the door, refusing to move out of his way. Making him take the long way around him. A walk of shame so to speak.

Carly watched the display between them as if they were two bulls, facing off. Steve stood his ground and followed him with his eyes as he walked around him. The stare was confident and spoke volumes, warning the doctor he was playing in the wrong neighborhood. He still had his gun and badge on his hip and with the five o'clock shadow forming on his face it made him look even fiercer. She felt safe, knowing he would probably go to any lengths to protect them. He suddenly looked wildly sexy and incredibly striking.

She always knew he was handsome, there was no arguing that, but after the dream and this instance of him defending what he believed was his, he suddenly became like a Greek God standing there. She felt the sensation run down her body until it tickled her toes. How could she have not seen it before?

Steve felt a little boost in his ego as she clearly sent out the message to the doctor that he wasn't wanted. He gave her the benefit of the doubt, deciding she hadn't invited the doctor, he had just shown up. They were alone at last and the moment was becoming awkward so he made the first move. He walked toward her, holding up the plastic shopping bag in his hand. "I come bearing gifts," he smiled, letting her know all was good.

She pushed herself up, "I see that. I know I've lost track of time, but I don't think it's close to Christmas is it?" she giggled, narrowing her eyes at him. "Are you really Santa Clause?"

He set the bag on the bed next to her, loving her playfulness that he missed so much. "Ho, ho, ho." He reached in the bad pulling out a couple of entertainment magazines. "I know how you and Jules are. You can't miss the important news, like who's wearing what or who's sleeping with who."

Carly giggled, taking them from him, setting them on her lap. "I missed these since Jules left." She leaned over, trying to see what else he had.

He closed the bag. "No peeking."

"Ok," she laughed both of them forgetting all about the doctor issue.

He reached in taking out a bag of marshmallows, setting them on top of the magazines.

She looked confused, "Marshmallows?"

"It's an inside joke between you and I. I'll tell you about it later," he grinned, "It's pretty funny." He stuck his hand back in and stopped, "Close your eyes."

She did as she was told, but couldn't contain her excitement. She was having fun. She bit her bottom lip in anticipation of what he had for her.

He pulled out the small container and took the top off, taking an extra couple of seconds so he could just admire her. God she was beautiful.

"What is it?" she grinned, impatiently.

"Open your mouth," he ordered.

Again, she did as she was told, enjoying every second of it.

She felt the cold spoon and knew right away what it was. She closed her mouth around it, taking it all in as he pulled it back out. "Mmmm, ice cream," she purred.

He almost moaned himself over the sexy display, being reminded of how they used to share ice cream after having sex in the middle of the night. Most of the time they fed each other, sharing the different flavors. Hers was cookies and cream, which he gave her now.

She opened eyes, looking at him. "I love that kind."

"I know," he said confidently.

She opened her mouth as he gave her another spoonful and then handed her the spoon and pint size container. She watched him reach back in the bag and take out another one and pull the top off. She looked up at him as he took a scoop of Mint and Chip, offering her the first bite. She obliged, pretty sure he had probably been generous to her like that 100% of the time. She felt bad again about the way she had treated him. "You know so much about me," she looked down, playing with the ice cream, "and I don't know anything about you. I'm sorry for the way things have been."

He needed that. He didn't know how bad he did until she just said it. "Carly," he said gently as she continued to stare into the ice scream. "Carly, look at me."

She slowly lifted her head until she met his eyes.

"I don't want you to feel bad about that. I'll admit I was disappointed that things weren't moving in the direction that I wanted." He used the spoon in his hand to gesture between the two of them. "I missed this."

She grinned playfully at him, "What? Ice cream or spooning?"

And there she was, to his delight Carly had appeared. He wanted to kiss her. "Both," he responded, smiling at her as if she had just told him she loved him, that playfulness from her was just as satisfying to him at the moment.

She felt her heart skip as he smiled at her. It was just like the dream. The affection in his eyes, in his smile; it wrapped around her like a warm blanket. How could she have let him almost slip past her?

They finished off half the ice cream and watched a baseball game, chatting about current things rather than past events. The conversation flowed with a few laughs but overall by the time Carly slowly drifted off after taking her pain medication, they both felt they had broken the ice and began to form that bond that Steve believed had sustained them for the last seventeen years.

He looked up to say something and she was sound asleep. He turned the TV off and picked his gun up off the table, strapping it back on his hip. He carefully took the blankets and pulled them up so she was partially covered. He leaned down, resting his arms on the rail of the bed and looked at her until he had his fill. He was almost convinced that this nightmare was behind him. When he set out to get her to fall back in love with him he didn't have the first clue that it would be the biggest challenge of his life. But as he stood there watching her, he had to admit, not only was it going to be the biggest challenge, but also once again it was going to be the most rewarding. He wasn't there yet though and he knew now how quickly things could go against him. He should have followed his lead back in high school. Friends were always the best place to start. The rest he hoped would just fall into place.