It was almost the end of the work week. Danny and Maria had been trying to close as many cases as they could so they could enjoy a three day weekend. Danny headed over to the coffee pot for a refill but his phone interrupted him.

"Reagan," he said into the device. He listened to the caller then hurried back to his desk. "Just let me write this down." He picked up a pen and scribbled a few lines. "Thanks, man, I really appreciate you letting me know. Send me a text with the details. I haven't seen her in several months and I couldn't be happier for her." He disconnected the call and found Maria staring at him. "Are you ready to leave?" he asked her.

"Sure, are you gonna fill me in?"

"Could we do it over dinner?"

"My nanny leaves as soon as I get home tonight. She usually goes home every weekend we're not catching."

"I should remember that. How about you call in an order to your favorite place. I'm gonna go home, get changed and pick up whatever you call in. How does that sound?"

"Perfect. Pick up whatever you want to drink, okay?" Danny nodded and began to put away the folders piled up on his desk. Maria did the same, locked her desk and put her coat on. They walked out together and headed to their respective destinations. Maria placed her order and called Danny with the name and address of the restaurant as well as the pickup time. Danny had arrived at his home, took a quick shower and changed into more comfortable clothing. He reached for the six pack of beer in the refrigerator and then grabbed the overnight bag by the front door. Lately, they had been talking very late whenever they were together outside work and rather than drive home he would spend the night on the sofa. Again. As he had so many times this year.

Danny arrived at Maria's home in time to see Elena and play with her while Maria plated their dinner. They chatted while eating and played with Elena. The baby was practicing the sounds she had been learning, causing Danny to laugh when she called him 'Da-da' but he smiled when she called Maria 'Mami'. Maria began to clean up and put away the leftovers while Danny took the baby and prepared her for bed. Maria brought in a baby bottle filled with her bedtime beverage and watched as Danny interacted with the baby as she began to show signs of being ready for sleep. Finally, Elena was ready for dreamland; they kissed Elena goodnight, put her in her crib, turned down the light and left the room, closing the door behind them.

After filling their coffee cups they settled on the sofa. Maria waited for Danny to gather his thoughts and begin to talk. "Some time ago I told you that I was the only one from my squad to make it back from Fallujah. Someone else survived the attack that killed my squadron. She wasn't in my squad but was the leader of the logistics team for our camp. After we returned home, we lost touch. I took all those painful memories from being over there and put them in a box in the back of my mind. My father does the same thing and we never talk about those memories. Alex Dawson tried to get me to talk about it but I wouldn't say anything. He told me that what I was doing would affect me for the rest of my life."

He paused to drink some of the dark brew Maria had made. When he put the cup down, Maria reached for his hand. "Seven years ago, I found out that the person that survived was living here in the city but she was homeless and an addict. I tried a few times to get her into rehab but each time she left, unable to handle not having those drugs. I tried to find her but someone told me she had moved down to the south. Every few months I would try to see if she came back; eventually I put those memories in a box and continued my life. Three years ago, Jamie ran into Jill, that's her name, Jill Carmago. He tried to get her help but she told him she couldn't face life unless she was drunk or high. One day, he was out on patrol with a rookie. They stopped to get some water and the rookie ran into Jill who was behaving like an EDP. The rookie tried to arrest her but Jamie came and rescued Jill. The rookie was pissed, Jill was pissed and Saint Jamie, doing his normal approach was just trying to help. Eventually my dad found out, Jamie got command discipline and was told to volunteer at a soup kitchen in a community center for a few weeks. Dad tried to get Jill to get help but she turned him down. A few days later I was told to go to an address at a certain date and time; it was an order from the Police Commissioner. Somehow, Jill was told to go to the same place and saw Jamie. They talked for a moment and then I showed up. We talked for a bit and then I helped her sign into rehab again. Three days later she was found drunk just outside the rehab. They called me and I helped her get back into rehab. This must have happened three or four times before it was decided that it would be better if rehab called Jamie when she slipped."

"So those days when you disappeared and couldn't tell me what you were doing…"

"Yeah, I was trying to get Jill back into rehab. I'm sorry, I should have told you what was going on…"

"It would have been nice to know but you were doing what needed to be done. I'm proud of you for trying to help." She smiled at him and urged him to continue.

"Guess the nagging Jamie did finally helped her to try to get sober. Each time she wanted to slip she'd call him and they would talk about me. She told him about what we did overseas and he told her silly stories about our childhood especially if I was the one who got in trouble." He paused for more coffee. "And now, Jill is getting her second year chip. Rehab is going to hire her to work with other military who are also dealing with issues. She's been there, as deep as you can get but she has clawed her way back to being sober and drug free. She knows what ex-military people are experiencing especially if they don't have any support. Her family didn't approve her enlistment and turned their backs on her when she came back and needed help."

"I guess that's what Javi faced when he got hooked. Maybe he never really tried to get sober until that last year." Danny looked at her and wiped her tears away.

"No matter what we want, we cannot change the past. What we can do is give our loved ones all the support we have to help them with whatever issues they are facing. I'm relieved my boys are doing so well. Must be all those family dinners over the years."

"So Jamie called you about?"

"There will be a ceremony Sunday where Jill will get her badge. We'll be going to an earlier mass than we usually attend so we can be at the ceremony on time. There are others who will get badges, also and then there will be a small party. Jamie has requested that we attend in full dress. Jill is being invited to join us afterward for family dinner on Sunday as well."

"Sounds nice."

"Well, it could be if you'll be there as well. You knew Linda; she considered you to be a friend. Jill could use a few good friends."

"I would love to be there. Thank you. Now, I'd like to show you something." Maria stood up and held out her hand. Danny reached for it and stood up. They climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked about halfway down the hall. She motioned that he should open the door. They stepped inside and Maria turned on the light. Inside was a guest bedroom decorated in neutral tones with a few pops of color but very gender neutral. There was a queen size bed, blackout curtains on the windows, a comfortable chair near the bed with a wonderful floor lamp and ottoman and a television on the wall above the dresser that was across from the bed. Danny looked around with a smile on his face. Maria walked over to a door and opened it. A light turned on and Danny looked around. "It's not huge, but it is a walk-in closet." Danny saw plenty of space to hang a few suits and shirts like he wore at work. There was also space for a few pairs of shoes. The dresser was big enough for his off duty clothing and his unmentionables. They stepped out and Maria closed the door. She pointed to the other door in the room and waved at Danny to open it. Inside was a bathroom complete with sink and enough counter space to hold toiletries, a few drawers to hold other items, several towels hung on the towel rack and a few towels were in a drawer, a toilet and a very nice shower. The colors in the room were also neutral colors but in light shades.

"When did you do this? You never said anything," said Danny.

"Annie and I would work on it every night I was home. It took some time but we were so happy with how it turned out. Elena and I love it when you spend time here with us. And we both know how many times you've fallen asleep and end up staying on the couch. Well, you don't have to sleep there any more." She walked over to him and reached for both his hands. "If the time comes that you want to sleep downstairs, we can. But only if that's what you want. This way, you can be here, play with the baby and have some space of your own. "

"And you won't hear me snore."

"But when I hear you, I sleep better just knowing you're here with us. No pressure Danny."

He looked at her, looked around the room and then back at his partner. "This is wonderful, but I don't think I'll need it for too long. We need to spend less time at work and more time together with the baby and sometimes just us. Thank you for doing this; it means so much to me." He reached out to Maria and kissed her cheek. "It's still early; how about you find us a movie to watch." They walked back downstairs and settled on the sofa. They couldn't find a movie but did find a replay of an old football game. Danny began daydreaming about what his life could be and what he needed to do.