A/N Not sure where this is going. Just having some fun with the characters. :-)

As night fall plunged the city in black and the skyline woke up, Jamie walked to the RMP carrying two cups of coffee. He set one on the roof of the car so he could open the door, then grabbed the cup and climbed in. He handed one over to Eddie. "Here you go. One medium Guatemalan with a cream and two sweeteners."

She looked at him. "What's this?"

"Coffee. Just how you like it."

Eddie looked amused. "I see that, but I didn't order one."

"I know," he said, turning the keys in the ignition, "but I knew when I got in the car with mine it would fill the car with that great coffee smell and then you'd drink half of it."

She chuckled, secretly surprised but pleased that her partner knew little intimate details about her, such as how she liked her coffee. "I do not do that."

"Yeah, you do," he teased her, taking another sip of his coffee, "but this way you don't have to suffer through my non-fat decaf."

"It's un-American that you even call what you drink 'coffee', Reagan."

He laughed, steering the car through evening traffic. Eddie blew on her coffee. The weather was still warm but the nights were cooling off. This was the favorite part of her day, at the end of tour, when they were alone and just together...just 'them' and the special bond they had. "Hey, Jamie, there's a Best of Bond film fest at Mahoney's in two weeks. What do you say?" She looked over at him gauging his reaction. "My treat," she added playfully to entice him.

"First of all," he said as he pulled the steering wheel to the right, turning up 13th Street toward the precinct, "there's only one true Bond."

She couldn't suppress her Cheshire cat grin. "And knowing you it's probably Sean Connery, so you'll be happy to know the film marathon is all of the Sean Connery Bond films."

He looked at her somewhat surprised as he brought the car to a stop at a red light. "All Connery?"

"All Connery. All Bond. All night. Plus two-for-one beer." She loved it when she trumped him. "Does it scare you how well I know you?"

She scared him alright, but in a way that was—for now—locked away in his heart. "Ok, but only if you let me treat for dinner after tour tonight. It's all-you-can-eat rib night at Tony's, which means he'll lose money on you. What do you say?"

Tony's had become their Thursday night ritual which Eddie looked forward to. But as she thought about her plans for the evening her smile slowly faded. "That sounds great, Reagan, but I'll have to take a rain check tonight. I've gotta pack for this weekend." She took a small sip of her coffee. "Bob's taking me to the Hamptons this weekend."

Bob was Eddie's latest diversion and Jamie hated hearing his name. When it came to the men in her life Jamie preferred to not know the details and hoped they didn't stay too long. Despite his feelings, he had made the decision last year that their partnership should remain as friends; but he didn't want anyone else to have her, either. It was all unrealistic and gnawed at him. The coffee was starting to taste bitter in his mouth. "The Hamptons? Sounds fancy."

"Yeah, he's taking me to meet his parents."

The RMP bounced over a speed bump that Jamie hadn't seen and coffee spilled from his cup on to his lap. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath, more about meeting the parents in the Hamptons than the scalding coffee in his lap. This was the first time Eddie had ever mentioned meeting anyone's family. So much for ships passing in the night. "So, the parents you said?" He tried to sound less panicked than he felt. "Seems kind of soon, isn't it?"

She shrugged and looked out the window, the world passing by; or passing her by, would more accurately describe how she felt these days. "I don't know. It's been five months."

Five months? He had lost track of time. He remembered proposing to Sydney around the seventh month of their relationship and suddenly his palms became sweaty. The lights of the 12th precinct building illuminated the corner of the block. He steered the car in to the garage and in to a fleet parking space, cutting the engine. Without the street noise, it was suddenly quiet—just the two of them. Jamie looked over at her. She had a faraway look as she stared in to her coffee and he could see some sort of silent debate was happening inside her. He wasn't sure how far to press but he went ahead anyway. "You're in love with him?" It was a question he didn't feel he had a right to ask, and didn't really want to know the answer to. But he needed to know. He let it hang between them to see if she would bite. He could hear his heart beating in his ears as he waited.

Eddie studied the swirls of cream in the coffee she cupped between her hands. It was just how she liked it. Something Jamie knew but Bob didn't. "Love is a big word that has different components to it and lots of moving parts. It's complex." Her voice was small and distant.

He felt love was simple. Something wonderful you feel with your heart, mind and every fiber in the body. He thought she felt the same way, but let it go. He softened his tone, wanting to support her, but asked again, his voice gentle and warm. "That's not what I asked you." He steeled his resolve and posed the question again. "Do you love him?"

She looked at him and her expression found a wistful smile. "Love comes in all shapes and sizes, Jamie." And with that, her hand opened the car door and she headed in to the precinct.

He got out and followed her, throwing his coffee in to a trash can with a frustrated sigh. To hell with love, he thought. It only took things way from him. His phone chirped in his pocket. He yanked it out and glanced down, seeing his brother's name glow on the caller ID screen. "Hi, Danny. What's up?"

"Baez and I are at your precinct. We need to talk with you and your partner about something. How soon can you be here?"

"We're on our way in now. We'll be there in five."

On the second floor of the precinct, Jamie and Eddie walked in to the assembly room and stood across from Danny and his partner, Maria Baez. Jamie closed the door and searched their faces looking for clues as to what the meeting was about but made light of it. "Here we are as summoned, Danny. What's up?"

"Baez and I have been working on a case with the Feds involving human trafficking."

Baez opened a file and spread the contents out on a table as the four of them huddled around it. "We've ID'd a terrorist cell network that engages in trafficking women for a Middle East terrorist group."

Eddie's eyes scanned the grainy photos on the table. "These women were kidnapped?"

"That appears to be the case," Danny added. "Coordinated by the ring leader. A man who goes by the name Eric Green."

Jamie didn't like where he knew this was heading. "What's it got to do with us?"

"We need someone to go under cover and shake the bushes and flush this guy out."

Jamie stuffed his hands in his pocket and exhaled. He didn't want to insinuate that he was against Eddie getting involved—that approach had earned him nothing but migraines the last time they went down this rabbit hole. So he went through a different door. "Eddie and I have both done our share of UC work, Danny. There must be other officers who need the experience. Why not someone else on the force?"

Danny opened a second file. "Because none of them went to high school with our suspect." He handed over a photo as the room fell silent.

Jamie and Eddie exchanged a weary glance and his eyes widened as he looked at the picture. It was a photo of a much younger Eddie, wearing a cheerleader uniform, standing next to an awkward looking boy. He handed it to Eddie who immediately recognized the image. "Oh my God," she breathed out. "That's Eric Greenway. We went to school together." She looked incredulously at Danny and Maria. "Are you saying this is the ring leader of the cell network?"

"We believe so." Baez said sympathetically. "Was he a close friend of yours?"

Eddie shook her head. "Not really. He was quiet and self conscious. I think he had a crush on me and I liked Eric, just not in that way. But we were always friendly."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Years ago, at graduation. Then I went to Syracuse and Eric went to school somewhere in California. I never saw him again" She handed the photo back to Danny. "So what is it you're planning?"

"We want to leverage the connection between you and the suspect and put you under cover. Eric Green is presiding over a conference at the Plaza Hotel this weekend. I know it's short notice, but we'd like to plant you at the hotel and register you to attend the conference, under cover. Maybe get something out of him. It's a long shot, but maybe we could get a lead or more."

As Eddie opened her mouth to respond, Jamie's voice cut her off. "Absolutely not. No way, Danny. Nabbing mobsters and hooker duty is one thing, but this? Middle Eastern terrorists? It's out of the question."

Eddie glared over at him. "It isn't exactly your call, Reagan."

He shook his head. "As your partner and your friend I'm making it my call." He stood his ground emphatically, looking between Eddie and Danny. "People disappear around these guys, Danny, or they show up on videos being executed. It's too risky!"

Eddie put her hands on her hips. "You haven't been my training officer since I was on probation, Reagan, so I think I'm capable of answering for myself."

Danny slid the photo back in to the file. "I agree with you that it's risky, which is why we want the two of you's to go under cover as a team."

Eddie looked at him and analyzed the notion in her head trying to make sure she understood. "You mean together?"

Baez nodded. "Eric Green's public life is as a marriage counselor. That's what the conference is for, and that's how we think he lures women. He gains their trust and when the opportunity presents itself, he drugs them and offers them to a Middle East terrorist group as sex slaves for money. He keeps an off shore bank account that has millions of dollars in it."

"So," Danny started, "we want to plant you two as a couple in the marriage counseling seminar to be the bait. With the two of you under cover it's safer. And along with Eddie's connection to the perp, the two of you have been partners for so long you finish each other's sentences and have arguments like twelve year olds, so you're perfect for the job." A teasing tone underlined his point.

Maria folded the files on her hands, making a final case. "A lot of women have disappeared and this is a terrorist cell that is getting bigger. Eric Green is only one small piece of it but if we can get him and bust it wide open it would save a lot of lives and help the Feds take down some serious bad guys on the terror watch list."

Eddie looked at Jamie. She knew his objections were only because he was looking out for her but she didn't feel they had another option. "This would help a lot of people, Jamie."

He furrowed his brows in question as looked at her, seeing her resolve in her face. "What about Bill and the folks in the Hamptons this weekend?"

"His name is Bob, Reagan, and I think this is slightly more important. I'm sure he'll understand. So what do you say?"

He studied her face and her fortitude, his affection for both plainly obvious. "Ok, I'm game if you are. How bad can a weekend being married to you really be?"

Eddie pushed his arm playfully. "Watch it or I'll sue for alimony when this is over."

Danny pulled the contents of the file on the table back together. "Alright then, you'll have tomorrow to prep and for the briefing with the Feds then at noon you'll check in to the Plaza as Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Reardon.

~~~00~~~

As they broke up their huddle Sgt. Renzulli appeared in the doorway. "Hey, Reagan. Before you take off I need a minute."

Jamie nodded. What now, he murmured to himself. He looked at Eddie and shrugged, indicating he had no idea what was going on. He followed Renzulli to his office. "What's going on Sarge?"

"Grab the door, will ya?" He sat on the corner of the desk as Jamie shut the door. "I just wanted to let you know that I received the results of the Sergeants Exam you took last month."

Jamie couldn't contain his anticipation. "Really? Already?"

"Yeah and no surprise that you scored the highest score in the NYPD….in the history of the exam." Renzulli was proud of Jamie and it showed in his expression.

Jamie's eyes widened as he felt a sense of shock and self gratification. "So, what does that mean?"

Renzulli laughed. "It means you're on the short list for the next sergeant position that comes available."

Jamie couldn't contain the smile that spread across his face. Aside from the promotion, it would mean a transition to a different precinct. It would also mean he would no longer be Eddie's partner. Take a hike, Bob, he thought smugly.

"And it just so happens there is another piece of news I have to share with you, Reagan."

Jamie crossed his arms over his chest. Something was up and he had a funny feeling. Renzulli didn't just share information. "What's that boss?"

"I've been promoted to Lieutenant, so I'll be vacating this office." He looked at Jamie to make sure everything was registering.

Jamie suddenly felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Is that so?" It was an old lawyer's trick. When you don't know what to say, you respond with is that so? It kept lawyers from losing their poker faces. The bitter taste he had in his mouth earlier was coming back.

"Since your name is at the top of the sergeants list, I've been asked to see if you are interested in taking over my role here?" He could see the reaction in Jamie's expression. "You're an outstanding patrol officer, Reagan, and you'd be an asset to the 12th and to the department in this capacity. But I also know that presents some new dynamics for you with the officers you have served with. In particular, Officer Janko. You'd be her boss, writing her performance evaluations and disciplining her if needed. "

Jamie felt the wind fly out of his sails. "I thought the NYPD didn't promote officers within their own precincts to avoid conflicts?"

"Normally they don't. Usually the department tries to transfer the officer who is being promoted. But due to the quick nature of my promotion, the brass would like someone who is already familiar with the precinct and feel you're the right candidate for the job. And you have my full endorsement on this." He could see the hesitation in Jamie's expression. "But I know it's an important step, especially for you and your partner."

Jamie exhaled trying to clear his head. Becoming Eddie's boss would also mean an end to the friendship they enjoyed. "Can I think about it?"

Renzulli softened his expression. "Sure, counselor. Why don't you take until next week and think about it. And I want you to know, Reagan, that if you feel you need to wait for another opportunity at a different precinct you can do that, but it may take some time for that to happen. You understand what I'm saying?"

Jamie nodded. "Understood, boss."

"Ok. Now get out of here so you can get ready for the UC."

Jamie thanked him and reached for the door, stepping in to the hallway. He needed to get some air as soon as possible. No matter which way he turned, Eddie was being taken away from him in one form or another, ether by Bob or his own promotion. Maybe it was a sign they were really meant to be friends, or maybe it was simply time for them to go in new directions? Wasn't that what he wanted last year?

He shook it off as he walked to the locker room because for now he needed to get ready to be married to her. If one weekend of playing husband and wife was all they were destined for, he'd take it.

A/N Thank you so much for reading! :-)