Next morning

Danny was up early. He went downstairs, entered the kitchen and started the coffee pot brewing. He checked the fridge for breakfast options. There was bacon but not enough eggs. He checked the cabinet and found some pancake mix. He gathered the items he needed and began to prepare the pancake batter. When the coffee was ready, he poured himself a large cup and got out a bottle for Elena when she woke up.

Frank smelled the coffee all the way upstairs in his room and smiled. He was enjoying having Danny and Maia with him even if it should only be for a few days. He finished dressing and met his father in the hallway. They entered the kitchen to find the coffee had been poured for them. "Morning, Dad, Gramps. Bacon is ready in the oven and here's the first batch of pancakes. Enjoy!"

The three men sat down and enjoyed the food. "This is really good, thanks. Guess there's no way to convince you to move back in so you could do breakfast every day?" asked Frank.

"Thanks, but no. I appreciate everything that's being done to help Maria feel safe and she does, too. But I know she wants to get back to her place as soon as we can be sure that idiot can't escape again. Have you heard anything? I finished my reports about what happened and Maria plans on doing her report after our doctor appointments today."

"Sounds good. Eddie will be coming here to pick up Maria and take her where she needs to go. Her partner will stay here as protection for Annie and the baby. And Dad can tell him all about how things were done back in his day. You'll head out with me and my detail, after they drop me off, they will take you to your appointments and you'll both come back here. I'm hoping that the Federal Prosecutor and your sister can come to an agreement about who gets Sam Evans first."

Just then, the ladies came downstairs. Elena was excited to see Danny and he took her into his arms. He gathered plates and silverware for the ladies and put them on the table. He moved the highchair close to where Maria was sitting and handed her a jar of baby fruit. Pancakes were cooked and served while Frank prepared to leave for the day.

That night

Dinner was quiet. Danny had been cleared to return to duty at the beginning of the week, but Maria had to wait another week to go back to work. She was still having headaches, but the doctor hoped this would decrease over time. She only picked at her dinner and asked to be excused while the others were still eating. Danny gave her a few minutes then followed her upstairs. She wasn't in her room nor was she in Danny's room. He found Maria standing over Elena's crib. Danny walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. She began sobbing and he just held her hoping that she could get some comfort being held by him. Several minutes passed but eventually the sobs were quieter. Maria pulled away so she could look at Danny. She could see the concern in his eyes but he waited for her to either say something or decide that she needed to be separated from him. He stepped over to the bedside and grabbed the box of tissues. She smiled and whispered thanks, wiped away the tears and moved to sit on the side of the bed.

"Danny, sit by me?" He smiled and sat next to her. She reached for his hand, and he gave it freely to her. "Does everyone hate me now? Think that I'm some entitled b…"

Danny put a finger on her lips, stopping whatever it was she was going to say. "No, they all understand what you have been through, and they are concerned for you. They want to hold on to you and tell you that things are going to work out and they will do whatever you need. I promise." He thought for a minute before speaking again. "Dad will strongly object but if you would feel better being back in your home, I'll move you out first thing in the morning."

"No, they haven't done or said anything, and right now I can't explain…"

"And you don't have to. We can stay here as long as you want. Do you want me to bring Elena up here to be with you?"

She shook her head 'no' but didn't say anything else.

"I don't want to ask you twenty questions; can you just tell me why you ran up here? Do you want to be alone?"

"No! I'm sorry you didn't get to finish your dinner…"

"No problem, Dad will wrap it up and put it in the fridge for me. I was mostly finished anyway. If you want, I can call Alex and see if he can come over. I can't tell you how many times I sat with him after Linda…"

"So, I wasn't the only person you ran to?"

"You were my favorite. You just let me rant and rave and when I couldn't stop crying you held me for what seemed like hours. You saved not only my life but my sanity."

"I couldn't deal with trying to break in a new partner." They sat silently on the bed; she seemed to be gaining some of her strength back. "I think I'm ready to go back downstairs, just let me wash my face?"

"You know I think you're gorgeous just the way you are, do you want me to wait for you?"

"Please? I'll just be a moment." Maria stood up and walked into the en suite. Danny picked up the used tissues and put them in the garbage can. He looked around but nothing was out of place. Maria came out of the bathroom and reached for Danny's hand. "Danny, can we call Alex tomorrow? I think I'll be okay for now." They began to go back down the stairs where the family was waiting.

"Let me have your phone, please?" Danny took the device and added Alex's name and number to her contacts. "Now, you can call him whenever you like." She put her phone away and they walked back into the dining room. Danny helped her with her chair, then took the baby out of her highchair and handed her to Maria.

Frank just looked at Danny and he shook his head. "Maria, can I get you anything?" asked Frank.

"Right now, Frank, I have everything I need right here; you and Pops, Danny, Annie and my daughter. Thank you, everyone." Elena was snuggled against Maria's shoulder but reached out to Danny as well. Frank brought out a fresh pot of coffee and Annie brought out two more cups. They chatted for a while before Elena began to fuss. Annie stood up and took the baby upstairs. After a few minutes, Maria stood up and took her cup into the kitchen. "I'm going to say goodnight and go spend a few minutes with Elena before she falls asleep. Thank you, Pops, the dinner was wonderful. I'll see you in the morning." She patted Danny on his shoulder and headed for the stairs. The men chatted for a few more minutes. Danny admitted that he had offered to help Maria move back to her home, but she decided to stay where she was for now. He thought about something for a few minutes.

"Gramps, do you think you could do something for me and Maria?"

"What do you need me to do?"

"I'm going to suggest that she take the baby for a walk tomorrow. She hasn't done that this week and Elena would love to have someplace to run around. There's that little park two blocks away. Maybe I could be busy, and you could offer to go with her? Pops, you're a great listener and I think that would help her."

"I'd be glad to help out." They talked a few more minutes and then Danny and Henry headed upstairs while Frank finished his KP duties and started up the dishwasher. He checked all the doors and verified the expected RMPs were outside. Danny changed into his lounge pants and an old, soft tee shirt then quietly opened the bedroom door to check on Elena who was sleeping like a baby. Next, he knocked softly on Maria's door. She opened it and Danny stepped inside.

"Hi, Dad's checking the locks on the doors and then we'll all be in bed. Do you…"

"I'm going to try to sleep by myself but if I have trouble would you mind…"

"I would be disappointed if you didn't come to me. I promise, I will always protect you and Elena."

"Thanks, Danny." She leaned against him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Sleep well but if not, my door is always unlocked." Maria headed off to her bed while Danny settled down in his room. Morning would come far too soon.

The next morning

Maria came downstairs just after Danny. They had both slept through the night and it seemed that life would get back to normal soon. Together, they made a frittata that would feed everyone. The day was shaping up to be a busy day. Annie had to travel to her campus for an onsite exam. The precinct close to her college would send a patrol woman to provide security while Annie was on site. Eddie and her partner would provide transportation to and from the campus. Danny had work assigned by his lieutenant and Maria had an appointment with Alex that would be done by telephone. Henry was contemplating lunch and dinner when Maria came downstairs with Elena. "How's my favorite senorita today?" he asked Elena. She smiled and ran to him, giving him a hug around his knees. "You look very pretty today. Do you have something special planned?"

"Not really. I was hoping to take her for a walk, down to the park but I guess I need to wait until the RMP gets back," replied Maria.

Danny's phone rang, he looked at the caller ID but didn't recognize the number. "Reagan," he said into the phone. He listened to the message from the caller, the look on his face becoming more and more concerned. "I'll get there as soon as I can. Thanks for calling, have him pulled out of gen pop and put him in an interview room with a guard." He hung up the phone and called Eddie asking how soon they would be back. The ETA was five minutes. He walked into the kitchen to talk to Henry and Maria. "I just got a call from Rikers. Maria, you remember my CI, Bugs?"

"Yeah, isn't he in Rikers? Is he okay?"

"For the moment. I need to go talk to him." Danny was gathering his suit jacket, phone, gun, badge and keys. "I just called Eddie; they should be back here in five minutes. Lock the doors, don't let anyone in, Gramps, you know the drill. I'd wait till they get here but I'm afraid for Bugs. I hate putting you in danger…"

"Danny, we'll be fine. Go, see what trouble he's gotten himself into this time. We'll be fine." She handed the baby to Henry and walked Danny to the door. As he opened it, the RMP pulled up. "See, nothing to worry about. Call when you're on the way back, please?"

"Okay, take care, we'll talk later." She wanted to reach out and caress his face, but Henry was standing not that far away. Danny walked out the door and waited for the lock to be turned. He walked over to the RMP to update them then got into his car and sped off.

Maria walked back to the kitchen. "Pops, would you mind coming with us to the park? Elena loves running around there and maybe we could talk?"

"I'd love to go with you. Just a moment while I put on my walking shoes." He headed to the front closet and changed into a comfortable pair of sneakers. Maria put a jacket on Elena and got the stroller ready for their time outside. Henry checked all the doors and locked the front door once they were outside. They walked up to the RMP to tell them about going for a walk. Eddie would go with them while her partner, Luis, would stay in the RMP.

The trio walked the two blocks and found a place for Maria and Henry to sit and chat while Eddie walked with Elena. "Henry, I don't know what to do."

"About what?"

"Since I adopted Elena, Danny and I have been getting closer. When she was newborn, and I was on my adoption leave there were days I thought I was crazy to try to raise a child. I had days where I didn't know what time it was and couldn't remember the last time I took a shower or went to the grocery store. Danny would show up with groceries to make meals for us, formula and diapers for the baby and he'd put me to bed and take over. I'd wake up to a clean home, laundry all caught up, dinner ready to eat and a happy baby. Gradually, he'd tell me how he and Linda coped when Jack was born and then having two kids. I know the family helped him and then he helped me. He showed me how to be a good mother and take care of my daughter. We started eating dinner together when he wasn't working late. We would go shopping, do laundry, clean the house, one week at my place, one week at his place. But we never stepped over that line... We both love our jobs and kids, and we can't choose one over the other. How can we be happy being with each other but remain partners? Some time ago he told me that he has feelings for me, but he wasn't ready yet to move on. And now this idiot that I helped put away has to come after me and my daughter? I just don't know what to do."

"Do you remember the first time we were blessed to have you join us for family dinner?"

"Yeah, it was after we were locked in that basement, and I thought we were gonna die."

"We all knew that if there was anyone in the world for Danny, you were the perfect person. He respects you. He no longer runs off halfcocked but the two of you work together solving your cases. He doesn't just make you do the work he doesn't like to do, it's a true partnership. That's something very rare and I know he doesn't want to jeopardize that. But what if your boss decides that you can either be partners or be in a relationship?"

"I really don't know which one to choose. If we're just partners, the city benefits but we'll be miserable. If we're in a relationship and the decision is we cannot be partners, the city may suffer and that would make both of us miserable. I don't know if there's a solution."

"Right now, we need to concentrate on this perp and make sure he can never hurt you or your family." Just then, Eddie came up to them.

"Sorry folks but we need to head back to the house. Someone has shown up that my partner doesn't know. I'm going to run back and see what's going on. You come up as well but don't approach until we tell you it's safe."

"Go, Eddie, we'll be fine. We're both armed. See you soon," said Henry and Eddie ran off to help her partner.

Meanwhile, back at the family home

Several minutes after the group walked to the park a car came up the street at a rapid rate and pulled in front of the house. A woman jumped out from the driver's seat and ran up the walk to the front door. She began banging on the door and calling for Danny. Luis ran after her.

"Excuse me, miss, who are you and what are you doing here?" He stood near her but not within reach and had his hand on his gun.

Erin looked at the officer. "I'm Erin Reagan, from the DA's office. I'm looking for my brother, Danny. Who are you?"

"Luis Badillo, from the 2 9. My partner and I are the security detail here today. Sorry, but would you mind showing me your ID, please?"

Erin reached into her bag and pulled out her badge and credentials and handed them to the officer. He read them and handed the items back to Erin. "Thanks, let me just call my partner. I know that right now, no one is at home." Luis stepped several feet away and called his partner using his cell phone.

"Eddie, there's a woman here from the DA's office, Erin? Your sister-in-law, I guess? She's looking for Danny."

"She's got her own key, tell her to go inside and wait there with her. I'm heading back now." They hung up and Luis told Erin to go inside to wait for Maria and Henry to return.

While Henry, Maria and Elena were heading back home, Danny appeared. He saw Erin's car and knew she would be looking for information regarding Sam Evans and he had the latest intel. He walked inside, saw Erin sitting at the table and a uniformed officer nearby. He walked through the house into the kitchen looking for coffee. He poured three cups of coffee, washed the carafe and started another pot perking. He handed one cup to the police officer and one to Erin. Danny returned with his cup and sat in his normal seat. Luis nodded his thanks for the coffee then walked toward the front door, giving Erin and Danny some privacy.

"I guess you're here about what happened at Riker's sometime during the night."

"Imagine my surprise when Anthony burst into my office this morning and told me that Sam Evans was attacked last night. And your CI is the suspect. Tell me you had nothing to do with this."

"The first I heard about what happened was this morning. The warden called my boss, and he called me. I went to Rikers and talked to Bugs. And just so you know, I asked Jack to be there. I don't give a crap about what happens to Sam, but Bugs has been my CI for a long time."

"Thanks for telling me about Jack. I…"

Luis had been keeping watch waiting for the trio to return home. He saw them approach and walked out the front door. He took over pushing the stroller so Henry and Maria could join the conversation in the dining room. Eddie took Elena up to her room for a diaper change and Luis folded up the stroller and stored it in the front closet. Maria went into the kitchen for coffee and brought a mug for Henry before she sat down next to Danny. Before Maria could ask what Danny had found out, the back door opened, and Frank walked in. He removed his jacket, poured himself a cup of coffee and joined the group at the table. Danny began, telling everyone about the early morning call from his boss and what he learned from his trip to Rikers. Erin reported what she had learned from Anthony. Frank had requested and received the reports from the officers on duty last night from before dinner to seeing Frank leave with his detail and Danny driving to Rikers.

Luis and Eddie were trying to amuse Elena, but it was close to lunch time to be followed by nap time and Elena wasn't having what Eddie was offering. Maria excused herself and went into the kitchen. She came out a few minutes later and handed Danny the dish with Elena's lunch, walked to the living room and took Elena into her arms. She thanked Eddie and Luis for this morning. They went back outside to their RMP awaiting their relief team. Maria couldn't follow all of the discussion but knew that Danny would only agree to a plan that protected her, the nanny and the baby that Danny loved as much as she did. After class the nanny returned to her family home. The precinct was notified and an RMP would be provided for the duration of the nanny's stay.

There was a mutual agreement for everyone to meet at the house for dinner. Sean would set up a Zoom meeting so Nicky and Jack could be brought up to date. Henry had prepared dinner as he normally did but kept it simple, providing comfort food hoping this would help bring calming thoughts to everyone at that table. After eating dinner, the call started with Frank, Erin and Danny bringing everyone up to date. The perp, Sam, was not seriously injured; he would be in the medical unit for two to three days and then would be returned to the general population at Rikers. Danny's CI, Bugs, would have an additional two months added to his sentence but was moved to a different prison. Until Sam was brought to trial, Danny, Maria, and Elena would remain at the family home. Erin had a meeting scheduled for the next day with the lawyer representing Sam. With the two incidents committed by the suspect, he was now looking at life without the possibility of parole. There was to be no bargaining for a lesser sentence. A lawyer from the FBI would be at the meeting to discuss the federal charges Sam would now be facing. The call was concluded, and Maria took Elena upstairs to get her ready for bed. The discussion over, Jamie, Eddie, and Erin returned to their homes. Everyone hoped there would be a fast ending to this chapter in their lives.