The airport seemed different to Nick. He couldn't tell what changed, he didn't remember it that well, he was there in 2000, it felt like a lifetime ago and at the same time, it seemed like yesterday.

So many things in his life were different now but he couldn't figure out if he was.

"It would have been fine if Kramer came instead of you Amaro" captain Berg looked at him "you've been working very hard lately, putting in a lot of hours"

"I was the one undercover, it just makes more sense" Nick could see she wasn't convinced but didn't add a thing.

They took a taxi to the station and during the ride Nick tried not to ask himself if he'd see her, who knows where she ended up.

Amanda.

He played with his wedding band, even after two years he couldn't get used to it. There were days he thought it belonged to someone else, like he accidentally put it on, tried it on but couldn't take it off.

"Captain Berg?" Nick and his boss walked into the building dragging their suitcases when someone called them. It was a man dressed in a gray suit "I'm detective Bates"

"Nice to meet you" she shook his hand "this is detective Amaro"

"Thanks for coming all this way, we truly appreciate it" he led them to an open space "the lieutenant wanted to be here to greet you, but he is still in court"

"We know how it is" she nodded.

"You can leave your bags in his office and then I'll show you what we have" he pointed to the office and they placed the suitcases there.

"Here's the medical report" the detective handed each of them a copy "as you can see that's your drug in their system"

"And you found no connection between the victims, no affiliation to any gangs?" Nick asked.

"Nothing of the sorts, the woman, Ella Smith, was twenty seven, she was working at a computer company, not a risky lifestyle. The man is William Rivers, he's forty, was arrested twice, but nothing drug related"

"It does look like it's SP9" Berg went through the report "we are gonna have to figure out how it got here"

"You told the lieutenant you had an undercover operation going?" he turned to Berg.

"Amaro here was able to infiltrate the gang, we were able to stop them all together, at least that's how it looked"

"It's not like they couldn't pass the information to someone else" Nick suggested.

"Bates!" they heard someone scream.

"The lieutenant is here" Bates smiled "he's loud, don't let that bother you"

"Bates! Are those our guests from New York?" the older man walked to them.

"Yes we are, I'm captain Berg, this is detective Amaro" she smiled.

"I hope Bates told you how happy we are that you're here, showed you everything"

"We just got here" she let him know.

"Show them everything Bates" the lieutenant turned to him "and if you need anything don't hesitate and…" he looked around "I asked that new detective girl to give you a hand" he told them.

"But she took some time off after her…" Bates started.

"Just call her and tell her to be here Bates" the lieutenant said and walked to his office.

"Make yourselves comfortable" Bates smiled "I guess her day off just got canceled, I'll go let her know"

Nick and his captain exchanged a look before they sat down to go through the reports. Bates was back a few minutes later and briefed them about the investigation.

Amanda walked into the station and walked to the second floor, she was not supposed to be back yet but she was a little happy that Bates called, she didn't like sitting at home, doing nothing. Why did she ask for so many days off? Four was too much. One or two would have sufficed.

She saw Bates talking to someone and walked to his direction. But when she saw him Amanda couldn't move, she felt like her feet were glued to the floor.

It was Nick.

That was the only thing on her mind when her eyes fell on him, it was Nick. She wasn't sure how long she stood there, staring.

A moment later Nick raised his head and now he saw her.

This unglued her feet and she moved to them, trying to look at other things in the room, like the computer, the paper clips on the desk, Bates had a purple pen by his computer, she never noticed.

"Rollins" Bates looked at her "sorry to drag you over here, the lieutenant…"

"It's Ok" Amanda looked at the files in Bates' hands and not at this man she almost knew.

"These are captain Berg and detective…I'm sorry…" he looked at Nick.

"Amaro, Nick Amaro" he looked at Amanda, was he supposed to say they'd met before?

"Nice to meet you" she nodded, feeling like she had to sit down.

"So you don't have much" the captain asked Bates.

"The drug killed them" he said "and since it's not a common one there has to be a connection, but the only thing I could find was your case"

"Let's work on finding out how they got the drugs, I don't see many interviews with any of their acquaintances, a few family members" Berg noted.

"Yeah, we started on it, but…"

"I'll handle that" Amanda said, she grabbed the papers that were right by Nick's hand, she noticed the ring on his finger.

"Amaro" the captain looked at him "I think you should help with that, see if you recognize anyone, maybe a name or a face you saw when you were undercover"

"Of course" Nick nodded.

"Start with the male victim, if he had priors maybe it will be easier"

"Can we talk?" Nick said once they were out of the station, walking towards the car.

When Nick saw her standing there he was afraid everybody knew, he was afraid they all knew something had happened between them.

Amanda looked almost the same, she was more beautiful than he remembered. Nick tried to control every movement of his, he had no idea how to react.

"Ok" Amanda looked at him.

"I just don't want any awkwardness between us" he said.

"We're doing our jobs, I think we can manage" she walked to her car and he followed.

"I know, it just been…a long time and…" Nick wasn't sure what he'd say if she'd want to talk about it.

"Let's leave the past in the past" Amanda opened the door and sat down, she waited for Nick to join her. He took the file with him so they'd have all of the addresses and Amanda looked at it. Again, she saw the ring.

"I see you're married" she said, maybe if she'd hear him say that it would make the bizarre feeling in the pit of her stomach go away.

Nick looked at his hand and nodded "yeah"

It didn't make Amanda feel better.

"Cool" she tried to give him a real smile, why was he here? Couldn't they send someone else? Why did it bother her? Why was he married?

She drove to the first place and didn't say a thing.

Nick was trying to think of something to say, all he could think about was how nothing had changed, sitting next to her felt like the other times they were in a car, when he drove her to Loganville and back. It almost hurt him, remembering what happened at the dorms. The way she looked when she asked him to leave, when he was screaming at her.

Nick tried to keep his eyes away from her, not to look at her, but even when he closed his eyes she was still there.

The silence felt heavy, it felt like it was another person in the car with them. Each tried to ignore it, pretend this wasn't a big deal, they were two strangers who had to work together. But what kind of strangers knew one another, even if not for long? What kind of strangers touched one another? Missed one another.

After a while Amanda couldn't bare it any longer, the silence, Nick's presence, the fact he was married, which she didn't care about at all, not even the tiniest bit. She turned on the radio, hoping the music would distract her.

"…All I wanna do is make love to you, one night of…"

Amanda turned it off as quickly as she could, she noticed Nick glanced at her when the song came on and again when she turned the radio off. Why did it bother her? The lyrics, the fact Nick was here, married. It's not like anything serious would have happened between them anyway. Even if they would have slept together…it wouldn't change anything.

It's been a hard week for her, so that's probably why.

Amanda stopped at a red light, and they both looked at the people crossing the street, Nick's eyes focused on a woman with a stroller.

"Got any kids?" Amanda saw him looking and couldn't stop herself from asking.

Nick shook his head slowly and she could see sorrow in his eyes "she was pregnant but…had a miscarriage" he said quietly, looking at the wedding band.

"I'm sorry Nick" Amanda touched his shoulder softly and Nick hoped she'd never move her hand away. But Amanda quickly pulled it from him. Touching him, even if it was just the fabric of the suit made her feel so confused. A second later the light turned green and she drove off.

Nick thought about his wedding day, she was excited about it and planned a pretty big event, it surprised Nick, he thought she wouldn't bother too much, but everyone around him said that's how women do it – they all make a big deal.

It was so weird to stand in the church and say I do, Amanda, I do.

They decided not to go on a honeymoon, both of them were busy with work, he was just done moving his things to her apartment.

A few days after the wedding they went to listen to the baby's heartbeats and Nick promised himself that he will make it work, he was going to be a father and he will love his son or daughter.

But one night she woke up with blood running down her thighs. He took her to the hospital, neither said it would be ok, they both knew what happened and when the doctor said it, the baby was gone, it almost didn't mean anything.

Nick hugged her, it was what he was meant to do, the right thing. They returned home and Nick watched as she threw away the picture that was hanged on the fridge, from the ultrasound. It was very unclear but she still liked it.

But for Nick, even with this loss, it seemed like nothing changed. He hugged her when they went to bed and whispered "it's going to be ok Amanda" but he wasn't sure who he was talking to.

They conducted a few interviews and called in to let Bates and Nick's captain know.

"You're hungry?" Amanda asked, she hasn't had anything to eat the entire day and even though she wasn't sure having lunch with Nick would be the best thing, she had to eat.

"I am actually very hungry" he said.

"I'll stop and get us something, we can eat at the station"

Nick wanted to eat just the two of them, talk to her, alone. But maybe it wasn't a good idea.

Amanda left him in the car and told him to wait for her while she bought the food.

Nick thought she was a good detective, from the short time they spent together, she seemed to ask good questions, noticed a lot of things. Not that it surprised him, he had a feeling she'd be good at it.

"You got anything?" Amanda placed the containers on the desk so they could all eat "we don't have much"

"Maybe" the captain said "you told us that one of River's friends mentioned an old army buddy so we checked that out, turns our Ella Smith's neighbor served with him a few years ago. He now works at a bar and…" she handed them a print out "that guy works at a bar, and we've checked all of the financial records and looks like each of them was in the area about a week before they died"

"Good job captain" Nick smiled at her "he's got a connection to New York or the Sin Palabras?"

"Nothing we could find, but we do know he had a shift at the bar tonight so you two are gonna go there and check him out" she gave Nick a photo of the man but he couldn't recognize him and handed it to Amanda.

The lieutenant stepped out of his office "Rollins" he said firmly "how are you? Thank you for coming on your day off"

"It's ok" she tried to brush it off and Nick wondered if there was something going on, Bates was a bit reluctant to call her in, but it didn't look like it was because he didn't want to work with her.

"Good, just close this case, I don't want any more trouble with this drug of yours" he looked at Nick as if he was personally responsible.

"I think you can go settle in at the hotel" Bates offered "we'll see you at the bar at nine pm?"

Nick lay down on the bed. All he could think about was Amanda, how she looked just the same and yet so different. How much he wanted to kiss her. He was married, he couldn't do that, couldn't cheat.

They met at the bar on time. Berg and Bates were at a parked car and Nick and Amanda were supposed to check out the bartended and then talk to him. Since this was a last minute thing they had to use a pen-microphone, Amanda kept it in her purse and she had to push it when she'd go talk to him.

Amanda was wearing a dark blue dress, her hair was down and Nick noticed it was longer than the last time he saw her. She was so beautiful Nick had to remind himself this wasn't a date, they were working.

Amanda walked in and found a seat. She ordered a cocktail and waited for Nick to join her. She tried to push away the glimpse of excitement of being almost alone with Nick.

"Is this seat taken?" she heard his voice and felt tingles in her stomach.

She nodded, not sure she could speak.

"Can I have two of these?" he pointed at her drink "what do you think?"

"I don't know, he didn't do anything yet" she whispered and he smiled at her when the bartender was back with their drinks.

He pushed one of the drinks towards her to make it look like he was hitting on her.

"He looks familiar?" she asked when he was gone.

"No, I don't know if I ever saw him"

"I don't know if he recognizes you" she noticed he was looking at them and smiled at Nick, played with her hair as if they were flirting.

Nick tried to stay focused, they were investigation a case, he couldn't just look at her beautiful blue eyes, her hair. He wanted to touch it so badly.

"Is he looking?" Nick asked and she nodded, her fingers moved to the glass, moving it around a bit "what is he doing now?" he leaned in, he could smell her now, the sweet scent of her perfume.

"Cleaning something up"

Nick noticed there weren't too many people at the bar, but why would he keep on looking at them? Amanda was gorgeous, the most beautiful woman in there, but her dress was modest while on the other side of the bar he noticed two young ladies who seemed to forget to wear a top, why was the bartender not checking them out?

"He's looking at you again" she let him know "kiss me"

Nick almost fell down off the stool, she just asked him to kiss her. They were working, so this was probably a distraction. But the thought of touching those beautiful lips of hers, feel how soft they are. He knew how good it would feel. Nick moved in slow motion towards her, his gaze focused on her. He was so close, about to reach them, to feel her…

"Hey!" Amanda yelled, causing everyone at the bar to look at them "what do you think you're doing?"

For a moment Nick was confused, but he realized she wanted him to leave and this would be her excuse to speak to the bartender. He mumbled a quick apology and left money on the counter before leaving.

Nick walked to the parked car and joined the captain and Bates. He heard Amanda's voice, she must have turned the mic on.

"I've seen my share of these kind of men here" the bartender told her "you didn't know that guy?"

"No, he thought if he bought me a drink he bought me" she chuckled.

"How about a drink? On the house. Wouldn't want you to think this establishment welcomes those people here"

Nick listened as she talked to him, the bartended listened to her complaints about guys, how they only wanted one thing. She giggled a few times and it made Nick smile, he loved her laugh, even if it was fake.

Nick realized he stopped listening, his thoughts wandered to her lips again, he couldn't kiss her, he wanted to, but it was wrong. He was married, he couldn't cheat.

"She's good" the captain said and Nick realized he had no idea what was going on.

Apparently Amanda was able to lead him from the bar, she asked him if he could help her get something to ease the frustration.

"I can help you get a cookie if you keep it a secret" the man whispered.

Amanda chuckled "the green stuff doesn't help much, thanks anyway, I should probably go" she took a few steps when he heard the bartender call her.

"Wait!" she walked back.

"I don't even know your name"

"Annie"

"Well, Annie" Nick could imagine him smiling at her "I may have something that can help you"

"Let's go" Bates walked out of the car and they followed him.

Amanda was in the back room with the bartender, he took something from his back pocket and handed it to her.

"Stop right there" Bates shouted and they both looked at him.

"You bitch!" the bartender looked at her, he grabbed a knife behind him and held it right by Amanda's neck "I think you should lower the guns"

"Ok, ok" Bates said, he lowered his a little and Nick did the same "take it easy"

"I'm taking it easy" the blade was touching Amanda's neck and she tried not to move a muscle, knowing that if she did that knife will do a lot of damage.

"Just let her go and it will be fine" Bates said.

"Let me go and she will be fine, I want you to leave or I'm cutting her neck open"

All Amanda needed was a distraction, for him to move his hand from her body.

Bates placed his gun in the holster and the others followed, Nick wasn't comfortable with this and he kept his hand right by the weapon.

"You're not in any danger now" Bates told him "let her go"

The bartender touched Amanda's hair, making Nick's blood boil with rage, he didn't want this to continue, the blade was pressed to her skin and even the slightest movement by any of them could hurt her.

"Go back to the bar" he told them "leave us alone"

"We can't do that" Nick said, he was afraid Bates would just follow the instructions.

The bartender smiled at Nick "you should have been an actor, I really thought you were into her, ain't ashamed to admit you got me fooled. But since you lied to me, maybe I should get a little something…" he reached to the hem of her dress, was about to lift it.

This was all Amanda needed, the motion made the knife move from her neck just enough for her to stick her left elbow in his stomach and catch the hand holding the knife with her right one. He dropped the weapon and cursed.

Bates moved to her and caught the man "looks like you lost" he took out his handcuffs.

"You ok?" Nick asked Amanda and she nodded without looking at him. Bates led him out of the bar and they walked to the car.

Berg opened the door so he could let the bartended in the car but the moment the door was opened they heard a gun shot and he fell to the ground.

"Get down" Bates yelled and they all did, he called back up.

"Where did it come from?" Nick asked and looked at Amanda.

"I don't know" she shook her head. It was quiet.

The ambulance was there a few minutes later but he was dead even before he hit the ground.

"Somebody knew what they were doing" the captain said.

The lieutenant was not thrilled when he was briefed about the events "I do not like it, a sniper?"

"That's what it looks like lieutenant" Bates said.

"He was probably following him, or us" Berg looked around.

"That's just great, I already got a call from the commissioner…I can't stand his voice so I'm not happy about it but…" he looked at Nick and then at the captain "looks like you can return to New York, we're gonna look into this ourselves, if the guy wasn't connected to your gang, I don't think you can help anymore. I appreciate you coming over here" he shook their hands.

"Our pleasure, and we'll be grateful if you could keep us updated" Berg asked and he nodded "good luck"

They said goodbye to Bates while Amanda excused herself, she wanted to get away, had to calm down after everything that had happened. She hoped they'll leave fast, she didn't want to face Nick again.

She walked out of the bathroom and it seemed like they were gone, she was safe. Amanda grabbed her keys and walked out to the street.

Nick's captain told him they'll fly back tomorrow morning, Nick said he wanted to spend a bit of time in the city so she returned to the hotel alone.

"Amanda" he saw her walk out of the station, she seemed surprised to see him "I just wanted to say bye, we're leaving"

"Thanks for coming to help" she walked to her car and he was right behind her.

"You're ok?"

"Yes, he didn't hurt me" she replied without looking at Nick. The car wasn't far and she turned to him to say goodbye.

"Amanda" he whispered, what was he doing there? What did he want from her? He was married, this was wrong.

Then why did it feel so right? Why kissing her seemed like the only good thing he could do?

She was standing by the door and Nick was right in front of her, he wanted to touch her, it's not complicated, just raise your arm and reach for her, she's not far, just do it, feel her warm skin against your fingers.

But the ring on his finger felt so heavy he realized his arm was still by his waist.

"It was nice seeing you" she half smiled at him "I'm sure you can't wait to get back home to your wife"

Nick wanted to tell her he wasn't looking forward to it, all he wanted was to stay there with her. But he couldn't.

"Bye Nick" she opened the door and sat down.

Nick watched as she drove off, he couldn't talk to her so what did he expect her to say?

The next morning he was sitting in his seat, saying goodbye to Atlanta.

"That detective, Rollins" Berg said "she has good instincts"

"Yeah" Nick nodded, he noticed she had great skills.

"You know, Bates told me she took some time off because her sister died a few days ago, I have to say she did a really good job, didn't let it distract her"

Nick turned to the captain, Kim was dead? He wanted to ask that, but she didn't know he met Amanda before, that he saw her sister.

"Oh" that was all Nick could mutter, he wanted to walk to the pilot, tell him to turn the plane around, he had to go back to Atlanta, he had to go back to his Amanda.

But that was not going to happen.

A lot of drama in this one, hope you liked it…