Author's Note: I do not own Blue Bloods or any of its characters.

Chapter 5: The Reagan Shield

When Maria arrived at the precinct the next morning, she found Danny waiting for her with a grim expression on his face.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice low.

"What is it?" Maria asked, her heart rate picking up.

"We found out where Vega's been staying," Danny replied. "He's been off the grid for a while, but he's holed up in a motel not far from here. I've got a team watching the place."

Maria felt a mix of relief and apprehension. They were getting closer, but that only meant Vega might get more desperate.

"Good," she said. "The sooner we get him, the better."

Danny nodded. "In the meantime, I talked to my dad. He wants you to come over to the house tonight for dinner."

Maria blinked in surprise. "Dinner? With your family?"

"Yeah," Danny said. "We all want to help. And you shouldn't be alone right now."

Maria hesitated, unsure of how to respond to Danny's offer. Sitting around the Reagan family dinner table—being embraced by a family so tight-knit and loving—felt foreign to her. The idea of it was both comforting and terrifying. It wasn't something she was used to, and part of her didn't feel worthy of it.

"I don't know, Danny," she said quietly. "I don't want to intrude. This is your family."

Danny leaned forward, his eyes soft with understanding. "You're not intruding, Baez. You're part of the family, whether you realize it or not. My dad wants you there. My whole family does. We're not just partners. You matter to all of us."

Maria's throat tightened. She had spent so much of her life feeling like an outsider, especially with her own family. Her mother, Carmen, had barely spoken to her since Javi's death, and Ana—her sister—made it clear that Maria was no longer welcome. Her career had driven a wedge between them long ago, and Javi's death had only deepened that divide.

But here was Danny, offering her a place in his family's world—a world that felt so distant from hers. She wasn't sure if she could accept that kind of support. Part of her still felt like she didn't deserve it.

"Okay," Maria finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll come."

Danny's face lit up with a smile, and Maria couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her chest. It was a small step, but it felt like the start of something bigger—something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time.

That evening, Maria arrived at the Reagan family home, feeling a knot of nerves in her stomach. She stood outside the front door for a moment, taking a deep breath before knocking. She could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation inside, a reminder of the kind of family she had always longed for.

The door opened, and Frank Reagan stood before her, his presence commanding yet warm. "Maria, it's good to see you," he said with a smile, stepping aside to let her in.

"Thank you for inviting me, Commissioner," Maria said, trying to hide her nerves.

"Call me Frank," he said with a wink. "You're part of the family now."

Maria smiled, though the words still felt foreign to her. She followed Frank inside and was immediately greeted by the warm, bustling energy of the Reagan home. The kitchen was filled with the smell of home-cooked food, and the sound of Jamie and Eddie laughing echoed from the other room. Erin was at the dining table, setting out plates, while Henry sat in his usual chair, watching the action unfold with a satisfied grin.

"Hey, Baez!" Jamie called from across the room, waving her over. Eddie smiled warmly at her, and Erin gave her a nod of welcome.

Maria felt a strange sense of belonging, even though she had barely crossed the threshold. This was what family was supposed to feel like—supportive, loving, and strong. It was everything her own family had never been.

As they sat down to dinner, the usual Reagan family banter flowed freely. Frank led the conversation, asking about everyone's day, while Erin shared updates about her latest case. Jamie and Eddie exchanged playful barbs, and Henry chimed in with a few of his classic stories from his days on the force.

Through it all, Maria felt herself slowly relaxing. The Reagans didn't treat her like an outsider. They welcomed her in with open arms, making her feel like she belonged—something she hadn't felt in a long time.

At one point during the meal, Frank turned to her, his tone gentle but serious. "Danny told us what's been going on with Vega. You know we're all here for you, Maria. If there's anything you need—anything at all—you just let us know."

Maria glanced at Danny, who gave her a reassuring smile. The warmth and support from the Reagans was overwhelming, but in a good way. She nodded, her voice steady but filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Frank. That means a lot."

After dinner, Maria found herself standing in the kitchen with Danny, washing dishes while the rest of the family lingered in the living room. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was comfortable, filled with an unspoken understanding.

"You okay?" Danny asked, his voice soft as he handed her another plate to dry.

Maria nodded, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "Yeah, I am. Your family… they're amazing, Danny."

He smiled, his expression warm. "Told you they'd love you. You fit right in."

Maria laughed softly, but her heart tightened with emotion. "I'm not sure I fit in anywhere."

Danny's expression grew serious as he set the dish aside and turned to face her fully. "You do. Whether you realize it or not, you belong here. And you belong with people who care about you."

Maria's heart pounded in her chest as she met his gaze. For a moment, she saw something in Danny's eyes—something deeper than friendship, something that made her breath catch in her throat. It was the same look she had seen before, but this time it felt stronger, more intense.

Before either of them could say anything, Frank entered the kitchen, breaking the moment. "Everything alright in here?" he asked, his tone light but observant.

"Yeah, Dad. We're good," Danny said, stepping back slightly, his expression unreadable.

Frank gave them both a knowing look but didn't say anything more. "Well, when you're done here, come join us for dessert."

As Frank left the kitchen, Maria let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The moment between her and Danny had passed, but the tension lingered.