Sorry for the insane gap between chapters things got a bit crazy for me which limited my writing time hopefully I can get back in the swing of things quickly thanks for the support.
This chapter picks up where the last left off with Danny & Maria
Chapter7 Baby Steps
"Well Baez start talking I'm sitting here in a pretty snazzy restaurant with my partner which was the last thing I expected to be doing tonight so I'd appreciate some answers ASAP please."
"You're right Danny you do need answers and I intend to give you those answers but please can we at least enjoy some wine while we do this we can order in a sec."
"Fine we can have wine but after we are done playing dodgeball."
Maria poured two glasses of red wine hoping it would buy her some time before she tossed the longest of hail marries.
While they sipped wine, Maria had breadsticks brought for the table.
Two breadsticks and a quarter glass later Maria knew it was game time.
Maria took another sip of her wine after which she took a breath and practically burned a hole through her hopefully soon to be boyfriend.
"Danny before I tell you why you're here I want you to promise me that no matter what happens we're still friends after this."
Danny took a second to try and figure out what his partner's angle was before answering.
"Baez whatever this is about we're still thick as thieves you know that."
Maria let out a small sigh knowing she was about to go into deep water now that she cleared the first hurdle.
"That's good to know Danny I needed that now before I tell you the reason you got setup I need you to be completely openminded."
"Baez stop stalling if you have a point get to it please you're killing me."
"Fine I know you've been single and haven't dated since Linda died two years ago, and as much as you try to hide it I know you miss having someone in your life and before you say you don't we both know that's a bunch of crap you want and deserve to be happy again you just need to let someone in".
Danny was stunned that his longtime partner was being so forward with him and while deep down he appreciated Maria's bluntness he still didn't get her angle.
"Woah Baez where the hell are you going with this?"
"Well Danny if I'm being honest you deserve to be happy and over the past few months I've been thinking maybe I could be the person that makes you happy again."
Danny felt like he'd just been hit by a Mike Tyson right hand on the chin never in a million years did he think he'd be sitting at dinner with his partner while she poured her heart out.
It took a second but Danny finally regained the power of speech.
"Well I didn't see that coming I gotta hand it to you Baez using my sister to set me up on a blind date impressive I don't even want to know what favor you owe Erin for going along with this whole thing."
"So where does that leave us Danny?" Maria asked hoping she'd at least enjoy a meal with Danny.
"Well Baez tell you what let's see how the rest of tonight goes before I give you my answer."
Danny didn't know it but with that answer he gave Maria the boost she needed to at least get her through the rest of the night.
The duo ordered a filling meal with Maria ordering crab and mixed vegetables while Danny ordered a steak.
"I've gotta hand it to you Baez when it comes to restaurants you know how to pick Em."
"Glad you're enjoying it but just so you know if something does come out of tonight I'm pretty handy in the kitchen so you won't be doing much take out on my watch."
"Noted."
The two spent the night getting to know each other sans work which for Danny was a learning experience for him as he learned that she was pretty sensitive especially after Javy died.
After having desert Maria paid the bill and walked outside with Danny.
"Well Danny thanks for letting me enjoy dinner with you tonight I'll see you tomorrow."
"You will but before you go I owe you an answer."
"Alright shoot."
"Well I had a great time tonight and you Maria Baez are one hell of a date so as crazy as this sounds I think you were right I do need someone in my life the boys are older hell I wouldn't be surprised if Jack moves out soon, I have a feeling he found himself someone and Sean will be going to college soon why don't we take this for a spin who knows maybe there is something good here."
Maria played it cool on the inside she felt like a school girl hopefully she could keep it together long enough to get home.
Once Maria pulled herself out of her trance she noticed Danny standing around hoping she hadn't scared her.
"So, I'll see tomorrow we'll tell Carver and go from there."
"Sounds good Danny."
With that Danny called a Erin keeping the details of his date close to the vest while Maria drove back to her apartment with a thousand watt smile on her face.
The next day over at the twelfth Nicky and Eddie were called into Jamie's just after rollcall.
"Janko Reagan, Potter was actually useful during questioning yesterday I had a call with OCCB turns out the kings are working with organized crime they're laundering money through Potter's church I'm setting up a sting in a couple days I want you two running point understood?".
"Yes sir." The duo replied in tandem.
"Good now Janko I want to apologize for yesterday I was out of line no hard feelings?"
"Of course, not sir."
"Good now hit the street with your ears open if you manage to pick up more intel use it I want this case gift wrapped for the DA."
With that Eddie and Nicky left the squad and started their tour.
"That was weird yesterday he rips my head off today he seemed mellow." Eddie stated entering the passenger side of her RMP.
"Don't question it Eddie just take the win maybe he's turning over a new leaf my mom did lay in to him for being an idiot last night she called him out on it they went at it for a bit."
"Ouch I have a feeling if I can get him away for a bit I'll break this wall he has around himself down I was good at that when we were partners."
"Oh, so Janko has the answer key to the Jamie Reagan test".
"If he hasn't changed the questions I do."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Enough about my love life Nicky you have any plans after work?"
"Nope just going home to relax why?"
"AJ's fight got scrapped for this weekend she's out of camp so she's hosting a seminar at the gym for the rest of the week would you be interested in showing up?"
"Sure, I've been doing some research on MMA it looks fun I'll stop by."
"Nice now I'll finally see big bad AJ be made into a love-sick puppy you're like this girl's one weakness."
"Why do you say that Eddie?"
"You'll see tonight at the gym I'm going to have fun."
Eddie and Nicky spent the majority of their tours answering nothing but petty crime calls which was the norm for the most part stopping off for their meal at a deli over on 59th street.
"Nicky, you want your usual turkey cheese mustard on a hero?"
"Yeah Eddie bring me a pack of gum too thanks."
Nicky called in their 62 for lunch and sat in the car hoping this would be one day she'd actually enjoy lunch.
Ten minutes later Eddie emerged from the deli and right as she was coming out a tall man in a ski mask ran by her knocking her to the ground just as Nicky raced out to check on Eddie Nicky saw a tall brunette run by her tackle the guy to the ground and cuff him using grappling techniques.
After Eddie pulled herself together both she and Nicky raced over to the ground pair pulling the female off and securing the would-be perp.
Nicky who was with the female was taken aback seeing a 5'10 brunette with hazel eyes dressed in some red Tap-Out T black sneakers with her hair in a long ponytail who was well built standing in front of her.
Excuse me miss Can you tell me what just happened here?"
"Sure, that guy you pulled me off of tried to pick my pocket so I raced down the street and got my stuff back officer I had the right to defend myself I used non-deadly force he has no case for assault so if you don't mind I'll follow you to the station to file a report this ass clown will be arraigned by 5."
Nicky was surprised the brunette knew the law so well and by the way she handled herself knew her way around a fight.
A few moments later Eddie drove up to the pair and smiled this couldn't get any better.
"Nice take down AJ still not better than mine though".
AJ turned and finally noticed Eddie.
"Yeah whatever see if you say that tonight."
Nicky was a deer in headlights for a moment as she watched the conversation unfold.
"Well seeing as we have work to do I might as well drop a little detail on you AJ."
"Yeah what's that Eddie?"
"The cop you've been interacting with is Nicky."
AJ was stunned she was face to face with her crush and completely pulled a know it all act on her she instantly started blushing.
"Nicky since this one here is stuck meet Ashley Jasmine Lopez".
Nicky extended her hand waiting for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you Ashley."
AJ pulled herself together long enough to greet Nicky.
"Nicky nice to finally meet you I've heard great things about you."
"Likewise, hopefully Eddie didn't make me sound too boring."
"Funny she didn't in fact she didn't do you justice we'll have to get together under better circumstances".
We'll have tonight I'll be at your gym."
"Great it's a date."
"Follow us back it'll be quick."
"Of course, anything for a fellow law enforcer".
Eddie laughed before breaking the duo up.
"Hey thing one and thing two we have a job to do you can catch up later."
The two blushed as Nicky entered the squad car while Ashley found her car and joined them a few minutes later.
After processing the perp and getting AJ's statement Nicky Eddie and AJ were standing outside the twelfth.
"I'll let you guys get back to work Eddie I'll text you Nicky I'll see you tonight."
"Later AJ"
Eddie saw the look on AJ's face she knew AJ was clearly already head over heels for Nicky she hoped this was the first step to setting up a beautiful relationship.
"Well that went well for an unexpected meeting."
"Eddie AJ is absolutely ripped she could never be into me."
"Please Nicky you have her wrapped around your finger already."
"No, I don't Eddie we just met."
"Keep telling yourself that Nicky."
The two enjoyed a relatively easy remainder of tour.
Over at the five-four Maria and Danny worked their first tour post- date without incident the two decided to call an audible and wait to disclose taking it slow at least for a few more days.
"Hey Baez any plans after tour?"
"No Danny my sister was supposed to come over but she cancelled luckily I can only take so much of her at once."
"I swear you two are worse than Erin and me."
"Well at least Erin is reasonable my sister is impossible."
"Hey you can't choose family."
A few hours later over at the twelfth Nicky and Eddie punched out and headed for the gym.
"So, Eddie what am I in for at the gym?" Nicky asked heading for her car which was parked next to Eddie's.
"Well tonight should just be ground work if you're lucky you'll see a sparring session."
"Cool can't wait."
The duo drove half an hour up town to the Royal Elite gym.
Eddie and Nicky walked into the gym with Nicky looking around seeing people on treadmills or going at the heavy bag.
Nicky wait here I'm going to change I'll see you in a sec just hang out by the bleachers.
While sitting in the bleachers Nicky noticed AJ sparring with one of the teens in the gym and was taken by her graceful movements on the mat.
A few moments later Nicky was snapped from her daze by Eddie calling out to her.
"Nicky come over here it's time to start!" Eddie called out.
Nicky raced over to Eddie just as AJ called the seminar to order on the center mat.
Welcome to my latest seminar guys tonight you'll get to work takedowns and submission and at the end I'll treat you all to an exhibition match with my fellow ace Eddie so first I'll need the mat cleared so step back.
The small crowd gave AJ her requested space as Eddie joined AJ on the mat.
"Eddie let's start with a simple single into side control no knees".
Once Eddie took the mat both Eddie and AJ touched gloves and steeped back.
Nicky watch as Eddie stepped forward dodged a right stepping knee and put AJ on her back swiftly mounting AJ then popping her hips to end up AJ's side.
The pair popped in unison.
"I want you guys to pick up the fact that Eddie didn't rush or telegraph the takedown she waited for me to give her the opening she needed now watch happens if she rushes in".
The pair re-did the drill with Eddie rushing in causing her to get tapped on the chin.
"See rush in get clipped patience is key now I'll show you finishes from the top".
AJ glanced at Eddie who knew what drill was next.
Again, Eddie and AJ touched gloves and began the drill.
AJ hit Eddie with punches setting up a clinch and trip after which AJ landed a couple elbows which led AJ to then swing over to Eddie's left side and using her right arm she bared down on Eddie's throat causing a tap.
That's a single arm triangle now for most of you we discourage this choke but for our top students use it but don't crutch it incorporate the double hands variation".
Nicky was amazed at how AJ commanded the class with ease after watching her and Eddie go through the rest of the seminar she wondered why AJ hadn't acknowledged her the entire session but she was cleared of that inquiry a few moments later when AJ came back in a red t-shirt and sweats.
"Hey Nicky glad you made it did you enjoy the seminar?"
"I did you looked great out there."
"Thanks."
"No problem AJ thanks for having me but I have an early tour tomorrow so I have to go."
"Alright but before you go take my number we hang out just us sometime."
The two swapped numbers just before Nicky made her way out of the gym.
"I'd like that." Nicky said casually not thinking that AJ was being more than friendly.
Just before Nicky left the gym Eddie stopped her.
"So, you and AJ seem to be getting close back there."
"We traded numbers nothing big."
"Sure, she is setting you up to wine and dine you anyone can see that."
"Eddie if she wanted to flirt I would've known it."
"Not after that showing trust me you my dear are on a ride you want to end you just don't know it yet."
With that Nicky left the gym thinking could Eddie be right could she be on the way to an epic romance?"
Only time could tell.
That does it for this chapter the next one will jump ahead a couple days to the sting as well as cover some more of Jack and Chris and something will happen with Jamie that will get him closer to Eddie.