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

Chapter 7: A Dangerous Turn

Days passed without a sign of Vega. But the calm before the storm was always the most unsettling. Maria could feel the tension mounting, and despite Danny's constant reassurances, the fear lingered in the back of her mind.

Then, one evening, just as Maria was leaving the precinct, it happened. As she walked to her car in the dimly lit parking lot, she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind her.

She spun around, her heart racing, but saw nothing. The lot was empty—silent except for the faint hum of the city around her.

But then she saw it: a figure standing in the shadows, watching her.

Maria's hand instinctively went to her gun, but her heart pounded in her chest as she squinted into the shadows. The figure was motionless, watching her. She could feel the weight of their gaze, cold and calculating. Her pulse quickened, and every nerve in her body screamed for her to get out of there.

"Who's there?" Maria called out, her voice steady despite the fear rising inside her.

No answer.

The figure shifted slightly, stepping closer into the dim light cast by a flickering streetlamp. For a split second, Maria caught a glimpse of a face she hadn't seen in years—Carlos Vega. The man she had put away, the man whose threats had haunted her for weeks, was now standing just a few feet away, grinning.

"Miss me, Detective?" His voice was low, mocking, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

Maria's mind raced, but she didn't hesitate. Her hand tightened around her gun as she drew it, aiming straight at him. "Don't move, Vega. You're under arrest."

Vega's grin only widened as he took another step toward her. "You really think you can stop me? I've been watching you, Baez. You think you're safe, surrounded by your partner and his perfect little family, but I know where to find you when you're alone. Just like tonight."

Maria's hands shook slightly, but she steadied her aim. "Don't take another step, Vega. I'll shoot."

He paused, his smile fading as he studied her for a moment, as if weighing his next move. Then, without warning, he darted into the darkness, disappearing into the shadows before Maria could react.

"Damn it!" she cursed under her breath, lowering her gun and sprinting toward where Vega had vanished. She scanned the empty parking lot, her eyes darting from corner to corner, but there was no sign of him. He was gone.

Maria stood there, breathing heavily, her heart racing. She could still feel his presence, like a cold weight pressing down on her, even though he was nowhere to be seen. She knew this wasn't over—Vega was toying with her, and the next time, he wouldn't be so merciful.

Back at the precinct, Danny listened in stunned silence as Maria recounted what had happened. His fists clenched as he paced the room, the anger radiating off him like heat. He wanted to find Vega and make him pay, but more than that, he wanted to protect Maria. The thought of her being in danger, of Vega getting close to her, made his blood boil.

"We'll find him," Danny said, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage. "I won't let him get near you again."

Maria nodded, but she could see the fury in Danny's eyes. It mirrored the fear she had felt in that parking lot. Despite the terror of the encounter, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief knowing Danny was there with her now.

"He's getting bolder," Maria said quietly. "He's playing with me, Danny. Waiting for the right moment to strike."

Danny stopped pacing and turned to face her, his jaw clenched. "He's not going to get that chance. I'll make sure of it."

There was a moment of silence between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Maria could see the concern etched on Danny's face, and she knew that this wasn't just about the case anymore. This was personal—for both of them.

"You should come back to my place tonight," Danny said abruptly. "I don't want you being alone. Not after this."

Maria hesitated, torn between her instinct for independence and the very real fear of facing Vega again. "Danny, I can't—"

"You can," Danny interrupted, his tone firm. "I'm not taking no for an answer, Baez. It's not safe for you to be on your own. We'll figure this out together."

Maria looked into his eyes, seeing the determination there, and knew that he wouldn't back down. And maybe, just maybe, she didn't want him to. "Okay," she agreed softly. "I'll stay."

At Danny's house, the familiar sight of family photos on the walls and the comforting warmth of the space eased some of the tension that had been gripping Maria all day. She sat on the couch, trying to relax, while Danny moved around the kitchen, making coffee.

The quiet between them was thick with everything left unsaid. Maria felt a knot in her chest as she watched Danny, realizing just how much she had come to rely on him. He wasn't just her partner—he was her anchor, the one person who had been there for her through everything.

"I've been thinking," Danny said, breaking the silence as he sat down next to her, his expression serious. "This whole thing with Vega… it's bringing up something I've been trying to ignore for a while."

Maria's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing as she tried to guess where this conversation was headed. "What do you mean?"

Danny sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've lost people before, Maria. Linda, my wife… and I swore after she died that I wouldn't let myself feel this way again about anyone. But then you came along, and I started to feel things I didn't want to admit."

Maria's breath caught in her throat as Danny's words sank in. She had always felt there was something more between them, but hearing him say it out loud made it real.

"I care about you," Danny continued, his voice soft but steady. "More than just as my partner. I'm trying to fight it, but I can't anymore."

Maria stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. Part of her had been waiting for this moment, but now that it was happening, she didn't know what to say. She had her own feelings for Danny, feelings she had been burying for so long. But now, standing on the edge of something new, she was afraid—afraid of what it could mean for them, for their partnership, for her heart.

"I don't know if I can do this," Maria whispered, her voice shaky. "I've lost so much, Danny. I don't know if I can handle losing you, too."

Danny reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "You won't lose me. We've been through too much together for that."

Maria looked into his eyes, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to be alone anymore. "I care about you too," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "But I'm scared."

"We'll figure it out," Danny said softly, his thumb brushing over her hand. "Together."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Maria allowed herself to believe that maybe she didn't have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders alone. Danny was there, and no matter what Vega or her family threw at her, she knew they would face it—together.