Commissioner Frank Reagan and Det. Mike Hanson took their leave from the Antiques Shop. The meeting with Dr. Henry Morgan and his son, Abe, had been both eye-opening and life changing. Not only had the doctor disclosed the secret of his own immortality to them, but that of Adam's, as well. He'd provided details of how the sinister immortal had stalked and terrorized him for months; about their climactic confrontation on the abandoned subway platform that culminated in Henry being killed by Adam, but Adam being paralyzed by Henry after he'd injected him in the neck with an air bubble from an empty syringe. If Henry had had any doubts about how far Frank was willing to go to help protect him and his secret, they were quickly dispelled with his succinct reply.
"If you would allow me to make a few phone calls, I'm sure that 'Dr. Farber' could be transferred immediately to a facility more equipped to handle his particular needs. One that has a more sophisticated security system and a staff with - particular skill sets - to ensure he receives the proper care for the rest of his life."
Henry smiled with genuine gratitude as he, Abe and Jo watched the two men climb into the Commissioner's specially equipped vehicle dubbed Car One and drive away.
Abe quickly stepped over to the coat rack, grabbed his jacket and shrugged into it.
"You're leaving, Abraham?" Henry asked.
"Uh, yeah, uh, poker night at Morty's." He smiled but ducked his head to hide the lie on his face from his father.
Henry followed him to the door to lock it after he left. Once outside, Abe caught his father's eye and gave him a thumbs up and a huge grin. Henry smiled and nodded.
"What was that all about?" Jo asked, motioning with her head to Abe's retreating form.
"Oh, you picked up on that bald-faced lie of his, too?" He chuckled as he slowly stepped closer to her. "His poker nights are Friday nights. And his friend, Morty is out of town until then."
"What's the deal, then?"
He stood directly in front of her now, so close that he once again felt his knees going weak; the butterflies in his stomach and giddily lightheaded at finally being alone with her. "He correctly surmised that you and I need a little privacy."
"Oh, he 'correctly surmised', did he?" She ran her finger gently across his smiling lips. "And just what are we supposed to do with this gift of privacy?"
His eyes widened a bit, then his smile broadened. "I'm sure that we can come up with something." His arms encircled her waist and drew her in closer to him. "Something like this ... " He covered her lips with his, gently washing them side to side over hers, then harder, parting her lips until his tongue hungrily connected with hers. She placed her hands on either side of his head and laced her fingers into the soft curls at the nape of his neck. They fought each other for dominance over the kiss but eventually pulled away from each other, succumbing to the need for oxygen.
He closed his eyes and held her close, caressing her hair and nuzzling his face against the side of hers. "Are you sure you want to do this, Jo? How are we going to handle this? This ... relationship?"
She pulled back and looked him squarely in the eyes. "One day at a time, Henry. Just like everyone else does. One day at a time."
He stared at her, his heart bursting with pride and love and a myriad other nice, goose-bumpy feelings. Their eyes fluttered close as they moved in for another heart-pounding kiss when they heard a knock at the shop's door. Jo grinned and shook her head. Henry groaned and rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe it. He just couldn't believe it!
"Abraham!" he muttered under his breath through clenched teeth.
Jo peeped over his shoulder and said, "It's, uh, not Abe." She pointed urgently towards the door and Henry turned around to see the Asian teen Abe had once accused of stealing a small horse statue, waving and smiling at him through the glass. He quickly walked over and unlocked and opened the door.
"Hi. I'm Sam," he announced cheerfully.
"Yes, um, Sam." Henry repeated, confused.
"Actually, Samnang Phan, but people call me Sam." He continued to smile but it faltered a bit when Henry failed to respond. "Um, your friend, Abe, hired me to work here part-time? I'm taking classes at NYU - "
"Oh! Yes, Sam. I do apologize. Come right in, come right in." Henry stepped aside to let Sam in but he bugged his eyes at Jo in confusion.
"Ah, Sam, this is Det. Jo Martinez of the NYPD. Jo, this is Sam. Abe hired him in a part-time capacity." He lowered his head and glowered at her in a mocking manner behind Sam's back.
Jo did her best to suppress a hearty laugh at Henry's frustration of having yet another romantic interlude of theirs interrupted by someone. She extended her hand and Sam shook it.
"Well, nice to meet you, Sam. Hope you enjoy working here. They're a great couple of guys."
"Oh, I'm sure I will, thank you." Sam moved past her and took up residence behind the counter, stashing his book-filled backpack on the bottom shelf. "Just go on with what you were doing. Don't mind me, I'll be okay." He smiled contentedly and sat down in the swivel chair behind the counter, ready for the next customer.
Jo smiled at Henry and fished her car keys from her pocket. "Guess I'll head back to the precinct. Clear up a few things on my desk, then head home." She walked past him and poked him in the ribs with her elbow. "One day at a time," she whispered.
He walked her to the door and then asked, "Am I an ogre for wanting to punch that young man in the nose?" He turned a fake smile toward Sam, then back to Jo.
Her own fake smile vanished and she replied, "No."
He chuckled as he watched her drive away.
vvvv
Car One pulled up to the 11th Precinct to drop Det. Hanson off. He hesitated a second before exiting the vehicle.
"Commissioner, it's been a real honor and a pleasure spending time with you." He extended his hand to Frank, who grasped it in a hearty handshake.
"Same here, Mike."
Mike's eyes widened.
"Look, you and I are part of a very special group now. Consider us friends, if that's okay with you."
"Oh, sure, sure, Sir, it's fine with me. Fine with me. Absolutely." He managed to stop himself because he was blathering on like Lucas. He steadied himself and breathed out, "Frank."
"Of course, on the job, it's title and rank only."
Mike nodded. "Oh, absolutely, Commissioner."
"But off the job ... I prefer first names between friends. Especially while fishing."
"Yes, Sir. Sounds great, Sir." Mike was elated. He'd just been invited to go fishing with the Commish! Wow! Thanks to your immortal butt, Henry Morgan, ha ha!
"Sir? Do you really think that the new guidelines you spelled out for Henry will help keep him ... safe from ... you know?"
Frank thought for a second, inhaled and exhaled quickly, and said, "No." Both men broke out into laughter. "One can only hope, Detective."
"Yes, Sir." Mike stepped out of the vehicle and closed the door. He saluted as Car One pulled away from the curb and into traffic. He ticked off the guidelines the Commish handed down to Henry, Jo and him:
1) Bulletproof vest or NASA-designed under armor, mandatory for Henry during criminal field investigations.
2) No more lone pursuits of criminals by Henry. Leave that for guns and badges, only.
3) Henry should use the password 'Safe Haven' if, after his demise, he should encounter any law enforcement personnel so as to avoid arrest for public nudity. The official unofficial edict would be given to all departments and bureaus operating under the umbrella of the NYPD. Any further information would be provided on a "need-to-know" basis. Henry would be provided dry clothing and be escorted home; no charges filed, no arrests.
4) Jo, Mike, Henry and Abe would each be issued an NYPD courtesy card. Both Lucas and Lt. Reece would be issued one later after Henry has had "the talk" with them.
5) The group would brainstorm to figure out the best way to stash dry clothing and cab fare for Henry during their lifetimes and beyond.
6) Best rule to follow? Don't die, Henry!
vvvv
Four months later ...
The new guidelines seemed to be working to keep Henry both safe and alive. Abe is thrilled that his father can now be safely retrieved and escorted home by someone other than himself. All courtesy of the PC himself.
Jo is thrilled and daydreaming because their investigations have gone smoother without the worry of Henry jumping in front of her or Mike to take a bullet for them. Eh, and the NASA-designed lightweight under armor works for the both of them, as well. Great idea.
They've actually managed to start dating. Now, if they could only manage to stop getting interrupted ...
Mike is thrilled and daydreaming about his day of fishing at the pier with the Commish, er, Frank. His newest friend, Frank Reagan. Cool day. Good company, good conversation. And not a bad haul, either.
"Martinez. Hanson." Lt. Reece's voice cut into their imaginings and reminded them that they were on the clock in the bullpen.
"Yes, Lieu," they responded in unison.
She walked briskly toward the elevators. "Follow me." They both jumped up from their desks and caught up with her just as the elevator doors opened. The three of them entered the elevator and Reece punched the button for the basement. She stood with her arms folded, her expression hard and serious. Neither of them dared utter a word. As the doors opened, she marched out with the two detectives in tow, almost struggling to keep up with her. Reece marched into the morgue and slowed as she approached Lucas Wahl at his work station.
"Join us, Mr. Wahl."
Lucas jumped up wide eyed and confused. "Uh, yes, Ma'am, uh, Lieutenant." He fell in step behind Jo and Mike as they approached Henry's office.
Reece stopped abruptly at the doorway and knocked on the doorjamb. Henry looked up from his report and laid his pen down. He could feel the sense of urgency concerning Reece's rare and unexpected visit.
"May I have a word with you, Dr. Morgan?" she asked.
"Yes, of course. Come in, please." He smiled as he motioned for her to be seated in one of the chairs facing his desk. He eyed the others with a look of confusion, but they merely shrugged back at him.
"What can I do for you, Lieutenant?" He plastered a fake smile on his face.
"Doctor, I like to say that I know everything that goes on in my precinct. And I don't like being left out of the loop. The three of you have been keeping things from me. So I'd like for you to tell me and Mr. Wahl just what is 'Safe Haven' all about?"
His plastered smile began to crumble. He looked helplessly to Jo and Mike who shook their heads slightly and closed their eyes. He took a couple of deep breaths and replied, "It's a long story."
"Well, that's fine, Doctor," she said as she gave him that familiar all-knowing smile with a raised eyebrow. "From what I've been able to deduce, you've got all the time in the world. Haven't you?"