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US Marshals-Modern Day Warriors	By : Melissa92863 Category: S through Z > US Marshals Views: 1506 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own US Marshals, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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US Marshals and it�s characters do not belong to me. They Belong to Roy Higgins and the Kopelsons.
Dani and Cosmo left and went to her apartment. They talked in the car.

"Happy Birthday Cosmo." She said once again.

"It was." Said Cosmo.

"Thank you for letting me stay at your place I suppose I will see you in the morning. My bed is here and I want to start spending the night at my place. I just wanted you to know that I think you are a very special man. " She said.

"It was my pleasure. I had hoped. Since you told me that you weren't raped. That changed everything for me." Said Cosmo.

"I think we have plenty of time for that. Cosmo we haven't really known each other that long and I don't take that lightly. It has been almost forever for me but if I do this then it has to be right. See Cosmo, I don't want to mess this up." She said.

"I understand." Said Cosmo.

Now she was putting on the breaks. He guessed he deserved that. He did kiss her good night and watched as she closed her door.

He walked to his apartment lighting a cigar and watched the news. He knew that he had made a mistake. He was paying for it.

Dani had wanted to stay with him and for them to make love but she wasn't sure yet. She had feelings for both men and she knew they were friends. She didn't want to kill a friendship. On both fronts. Get in trouble with her job and she wasn't on the pill yet. She had never dreamed moving up here would be like this. The men were something else. Sam was handsome and he was like her. He understood her much better than Cosmo. Who had that contagious smile and was the sweetest, kindest man she had known since her father. Neither one was like a father figure. She knew the difference. She feared the worst. She was falling in love with both. She could have only one. Break the others heart and she just didn't know if she could.

Sex was never the answer. Sex had never been a game for her. Plenty of men had wanted her. A lot of them had run when they saw the scars. She had vowed not to have sex again with just anyone. That was foolish this day and time, anyway. She didn't know either one well enough to do that.

Dani got up the next morning and fixed herself some breakfast. She found herself missing Cosmo they had spent 12 days together. It was nice having him around but this was nice too. She fixed herself a cup of Chinese green tea. She missed putting honey in it. She had already gotten dressed when a knock came on the door.

"Who is it?" She said through the door.

"It's me Cosmo."

"Come on in here." Said Dani.

He was smiling at her as she opened the door.

"Good Morning." He said.

"Good Morning Cosmo." She said.

"I smell something good in here." He said.

"Green Tea. Want some." She offered.

"Yeah, I will try it." He said sitting down at her new table.

"So everything alright this morning. Sleep well?" He asked.

"Yeah, the bed was worth the wait. I'm glad you suggested a wave less water bed." She said handing him a costly china cup.

"Nice cup." He said.

"My grandmother had a set of these. That is all that is left." She said.

"It's a shame. It is beautiful." He said.

"They got broken when I went to Saudi Arabia. I was furious." Said Dani.

"I would have hated to be those guys." Said Cosmo drinking the tea.

"Say this is good. It needs something. Lemon and honey." He said.

"Lemon I have, would you settle for some equal?" She said.

"Ok." She handed him a lemon wedge and opened her sugar bowl.

"Make yourself to home. It is the least I can do seeing you opened yours to me." She said.

"That was nothing Dani. You needed a place to stay." Said Cosmo taking a sip of tea.

"I never thought I would have a permanent home. But look, now I have. Thanks to you." She said.

"It is nice isn't it." He said looking around.

"We had better get to work." She said putting her cup in the sink and rinsing it.

He had finished the tea and he took the cup over to her.

"Yeah, you gonna let me drive this morning?" He asked.

"Sure thing." She said rinsing his cup.

She turned around and he was right there.

"You startled me." Said Dani.

"Sorry." He said looking at her.

"What?" She said.

"Dani, I deserved the cold shoulder last night. I really did. I have no claim on you what so ever but someday I hope you will. Well?" He said she cut him off.

"I know and I will give it some thought." She said hugging him.

"I really do care about you, you know that." He said his eyes telling her that he was being truthful.

"I know, we just have to give this thing time Cosmo." She said.

"We have all the time in the world Dani." He said still holding her. He felt finality in what she had just told him.

"Sure 'nough Cosmo." She said as she released him.

"Good. Let's go." He said putting his suit jacket back on

Dani wore her regular stuff. A tank top and a jacket and her jeans and boots. Cosmo wore a charcoal gray suite

They did hold hands until they hit the building. When they reached the conference room the Squad was already there they got stared at.

"You all look happy this morning." Said Cooper.

"It's just a lovely day." Said Dani.

"Yeah, aint it though." Said Cosmo.

"Me thinks that we smell a little conspiracy going on." Said Biggs.

"Not at all." Said Dani smiling.

"Ah huh, and Elvis is alive and well." Said Biggs.

"Bobby!" She said looking over at Savanna and then at Cosmo.

"We are goin' to be working late kiddos." Said Sam coming into the room.

"Did you guys have other plans?" asked Biggs.

"No." Said Cosmo.

About that time Watson entered the room. Seems like he was still on the case.

"Major." Said Watson.

Dani didn�t look at him.

"Well the trail just went cold on the Dixon case but we found another lady Marshal dead this morning." Said Sam.

"Who?" said Cooper.

"Sue Ralston." Said Sam. " She had been raped and murdered." Said Sam.

"Jesus." Said Cosmo.

"So what are we going to do about this."? Said Dani.

"You ladies will not go alone to the ladies room. That is for sure." Said Sam.

"I will be your buddy Dani.,� said Cosmo lecherously offering his help.

"You would, you goof." Said Dani shoving his shoulder.

"Savanna, you and Dani need to go together I suppose." Said Sam.

"We told you that women always go in two's anyway." Said Dani.

"Ha, Ha." Said Sam.

At noon lunch was sent out. Cosmo and Dani were disappointed a little because they had planed to go to dinner but the job came first. They worked well into the dinner hour. Dani was mapping the Dixon's hits. There was no order or reason to it. She was frustrated trying to find a pattern to this madness. She was well into it when Cosmo came to get her to go to dinner. It was well past 7pm and he was worried about her.

He came up behind her again this time announcing he was there. He had learned his lesson on that one.

"Dani, You and I need to go grab a bite. Sam told me that you needed to go. There isn't much more that we can do today." He said noticing she was a little on the wobbly side.

She was a little shaky. She knew she needed to eat.

"Ok Cosmo." She said without hesitation.

"You aren�t gonna argue with me?" Asked Cosmo he knew something was wrong with her.

"Nah, besides I feel shaky." She said getting a hold of him.

"Dani, are you alright?" He asked trying to steady her.

"I feel a bit confused. It happens when my blood sugar is low I need to go and get some water splashed on my face that's all." She said almost going faint on him.

"I can help you get there?" He offered propping her up a bit.

"That's ok I can make it. I wont be a minute." She said forgetting that she needed someone with her.

"I have to run a few things by Sam anyway." Said Cosmo.

"Fine, meet you back here." She was not on sure footing anyway. He was worried but left.

She went off in the direction of the ladies room.

The hall was just like the other night. Late night status with the lights. She rounded the corner and a hand went on her shoulder. She thought that Cosmo was goofing around again.

"Cosmo you goof..." She said as a hand went over her mouth. A man with a ski mask and dark clothes was behind her. She fought fiercely to get sound out. She pulled at the mask and it came up just enough to show her who he was. It was Watson! He pulled her into the ladies room. He was a tall man. Strong. She fought him with all her might but he seemed to know how to keep her from helping herself. He stuffed a waded up sock in her mouth and she smelled the sweet smell of chloroform. He knocked her out. Or at least made it so she couldn't fight.

She was awake enough to know what he was doing. He was going to rape her! She was as terrified as she had been in the Al Qaeda prison.

Sam looked up to see Cosmo at the door.

"Were is Dani?" Asked Sam.

"She went to the...!" Said Cosmo.

"Ladies room! Shit!" Finished Sam.

Cosmo nodded yes and they both ran guns drawn to the ground floor ladies room.

"Dani!" Called Cosmo. "Dani answer me!"

No answer. They went into the room without hesitation. The man was still there and had not started raping her yet but had a knife to her throat!

"Freeze!" Yelled both Cosmo and Sam.

The guy had a gun too. He shot at the Marshal's. But missed. He rushed them and before either of them got a round off he knocked them down. Dani was lying still on the floor, still out of it with the chloroform. Sam ran after him and Cosmo stayed with Dani whose clothes were in shreds.

"God, Dani!" Said Cosmo covering her with his jacket and cradling her. He took his free hand and dialed 911.

Sam came running back he had lost him a block away.

"Cosmo. Did he?" Said Sam out of breath and worried.

"I don't know. Her clothes are in shreds. Looks like he might have come up behind her and chloroformed her.

"Is she alive?" Said Sam hoping she was.

"Yes. She is out of it. I smell the chloroform." Said Cosmo.

"I'll call Catherine." Said Sam.

Sam got on the phone and called Catherine. She would be there immediately.

Dani was coming around and she was sick. She was allergic to chloroform and didn't know it. She turned her head and vomited. Her already low blood sugar was making her shake.

"Sam, I think she is having an allergic reaction or a reaction to not eating." Said Cosmo.

"Oooh." Said Dani. She began trying to fight what she though was her attacker.

"Dani, Dani it's me Cosmo." He said still cradling her.

"Purse, glucose." She said weakly.

Sam dumped her purse on to the floor.

"What does it look like?" asked Cosmo.

"I have no idea?" Said Sam helping him look.

"Back zipper. Red and white package." She said shaking.

The men found it and Sam ripped open the package with his knife. It was drinkable and Cosmo let her have it with a little help. He talked soothing to her in a soft voice. Sam could hear the sirens in the distance and went to usher them in. Catherine had been driving home and had turned around. She got there just as the ambulance was driving in. Catherine ran to the building and into Sam.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Dani was attacked by the rapist. I don't know if he had enough time to rape her. Cosmo is with her. Her clothes are in shreds." Said Sam.

Catherine ran to the ladies room and saw Cosmo cradling the still out of it Dani in his arms.

Catherine got down on the floor and told Cosmo he could go.

"Catherine, I can't leave her like this." Said Cosmo.

"Since when?" said Catherine?

"I feel a certain obligation to her." Said Cosmo.

"She needs a woman with her now. She hardly has anything left on." Said Catherine.

"I know, who do you think put that jacket over her." He said.

"I understand Cosmo." Said Catherine sympathetically."

The EMT's got there soon after Catherine. Cosmo talked to them.

"Dani is a diabetic. She hasn't eaten yet tonight and she threw up." Said Cosmo to the EMT.

"Do you know if she is type I or II."? Said the EMT.

Cosmo said she didn't use needles. So the EMT surmised that she was type II.

"Did she take her medication?" Said the EMT.

"She doesn't take meds. Just watches what she eats. She took some glucose before you got here." Said Cosmo handing the EMT the container it was in.

"Good, maybe that will be enough to balance it." Said the EMT.

"Can I ride with her?" asked Cosmo.

"Don't worry Cosmo, I will get the purse together." Said Catherine.

"Thanks." He said to Catherine. "Well, can I ride with her?"

"You family?" Said the EMT.

"No, but I'm her friend and coworker." Said Cosmo.

"Come on then." Said the EMT. "She shouldn't have to ride alone."

Sam knew he had to stay to secure the crime scene. He hated to let her go without him but Cosmo could help the medical people better because he knew more about her diabetes.

He bent down and kissed her forehead.

"I will be there as soon as I can Cosmo. I know you will take good care of her." Said Sam.

"I will Sam. You know I care about her too." Said Cosmo a little taken aback by Sam�s gesture.

Catherine had seen it too.

She was coming around when the ambulance drove away from the Federal Building.

"Was she assaulted?" Asked the female EMT.

"I don't know. She was like this when we found her." Said Cosmo hoping that she hadn�t 't.

They called the rape crisis unit anyway.

They got to the hospital and took her directly into the examining room. The councilor was there for the exam. Cosmo had to wait out in the lobby alone. He finally broke. He was afraid for her. He knew that she had enough to live with.

Sam showed up with Catherine about 15 minutes later. Cosmo was near tears when they got there. He was also beginning to get angry. He had his head in his hands and his face was a little wet when Sam and Catherine came up to him. He was sitting.

"Cosmo how is Dani?" Sam asked.

"I don't know yet. He messed her up a little." Said Cosmo.

"Don't worry, Dani will be alright." Said Catherine putting her hand on his shoulder.

Cosmo looked up at Sam and Catherine. His face had rage starting to register.

"I should have stayed with her. She was having some sort of reaction before. She waved me off and I forgot to go with her what kind of friend am I " He said. "It's my fault."

"No, who ever did this is to blame. Listen no one else here could have given the EMT's more information than you did. It may have saved her life. So you are really a good friend. " Said Sam putting his hand on his friends shoulder.

"She has had so much to bare already in her life. I hope he didn't rape her. God I should have been there." Said Cosmo trying not to cry.

"Cosmo, she has survived this long she is an incredibly strong woman." Said Sam worried himself.

The doctor came out.

"You here for Dani Little Elk?" said the doctor.

"Yes. We are." Said Cosmo.

"She will be fine. She was not raped." Said the doctor to everyone's relief.

"See, what did I tell you." Said Sam smiling at Cosmo.

"Her blood sugar stabilized when she took the glucose. It was lucky she carried it." Said the doctor. "And the information you provided helped us a lot."

"When can I see her?" asked Cosmo.

"Now if you like, she is awake and she seems to be just fine." Said the doctor.

Cosmo only hoped that she would be. She had been though enough. He followed the doctor.

"Sam, Cosmo really cares about Dani." Said Catherine.

"I know." He said.

"You ok with it?" she asked.

"As ok as I can be." Said Sam.

Catherine patted his shoulder.

"You know I still love you." She said.

"I know. Part of me loves you too Catherine. But you and I know it is over." He said smiling at her.

Cosmo followed the doctor into the cubical. Dani was sitting up.

"There's my Buddy." Said Cosmo forcing a smile.

"Hello Cosmo." She said.

"You gave me a scare." He said holding her hand.

"I'm alright Cosmo. I'm more angry than hurt." She said.

"How do you feel?" he said.

"Fine. I know who he is." She said.

"Well, tell me?" He said.

"It's Watson." She said,

"I'll kill him." Said Cosmo beginning to pace.

"Cosmo, we have to catch him. I have a plan that will work." Said Dani. �I have a feeling that he is somehow connected to all this Ramos stuff.�

"So are you gonna keep the thing to yourself or are you gonna to tell me?" He said.

"Well, we will have to use his game against him." She said.

"Bait? Dani that is crazy." He said.

"No, listen. It is an old game but I have played it before." She said.

"Dani you better stay out of it. He could kill you next time." Said Cosmo.

"Cosmo, When I was first in the Air Force I was AP. I dressed as a hooker to arrest the men I was looking for. He won�t get the drop on me again. That is a promise and a threat to him." She said.

"Dani that is a good idea." Said Sam. Sam had heard Dani tell who it was. It came as a very little surprise. Sam had known Watson for years and he never cared much for him.

"Sam, are you crazy. He almost killed her tonight." Said Cosmo.

"Cosmo, first and foremost I understand your fear. But this is not your decision to make. It's mine and if we catch him the world will be a safer place. I can do it. I can wear a wig and different makeup. He will never know it is me." Said Dani.

Cosmo realized that he wouldn't be able to stop Dani. For a spilt second he was furious and then he remembered that if he protested too much it could ruin what they had. Dani was her own person. Being possessive with her was not the way to handle this live wire. Cosmo quickly changed his expression.

"Ok, Dani, I can't stop you. You say you did this before and you are still here, so I will have to trust your talents, so to speak." He said.

"How are you feeling? Asked Sam coming over and taking her hand.

"Fine. Hungry." She said. The aide brought in a tray.

"When can she leave?" Said Cosmo.

The aid didn't know but she would send a nurse to tell them.

About 20 minutes later a nurse came in.

"The aid said you wanted to talk to me about your wife." Said the nurse.

"We aren't married." Said Dani.

"Then who is the responsible party?" Said the nurse.

"I am." Said Sam, " I'm her boss."

"We thought that Mr. Renfro was her husband." Said the nurse.

"No, we are just friends and we work together." Said Dani.

"Well, she really needs to stay here tonight for observation because of the blood sugar." Said the nurse. " We can release her in the morning if all is normal."

"Alright." Said Cosmo.

So they admitted Dani for the night. Cosmo stayed with her. Sam had offered but Cosmo insisted.

"Cosmo go and get a bite to eat. You must be as starved as I am." Said Dani.

"Come on Cosmo let's go see what we can scare up." Said Sam.

"You'll be ok for a while?" He asked Dani.

"Sure. Nothing can happen here." She said.

"I will leave a guard on the door anyway." Said Sam being a little over protective.

"Ok, if you insist." Said Dani.

Cosmo squeezed her hand smiled and left the room. Sam and Cosmo walked down the hall.

"That was a good move on your part. She really has a good idea. First we have to find him." Said Sam.

"I don't like this at all." Said Cosmo.

"You need to have more faith in Dani. If she says she can catch him she will. Thank of her as a female version of me. That will be easier." Said Sam.

"That is a crazy thing to say." Said Cosmo warning Sam.

"It's true. Cosmo I would have thought of something like this." Said Sam.

"So you have a channel tuned to Dani?" said Cosmo beginning to get angry.

"Not really Cosmo. She and I are alike because of life experiences. You were never in the tarytary. We both spent 20 years in." Said Sam.

Cosmo calmed himself. Sam was right. Sam would have known what she was up too. Cosmo was not exactly removed from the situation. Sam was at least a little. He was thinking with his heart and not his head. He would put a stop to that. Sam was pointing out the truth of the situation. Yes, Sam and Dani were the same. He would have to get used to that. He knew Dani and Sam had been out a few times. It didn't really bother him.

"I'm sorry Sam. I was thinking with my heart and not my head." He said to his longtime friend.

"It will take more than a woman to end this friendship Cosmo." Said Sam smiling at his friend.

"You once said I was not your friend. That was not that long ago." Said Cosmo.

"You know, I was in grief over Noah. I'm sorry man." Said Sam.

"Forgiven. I meant what I said. You are the closest thing to a best friend I have." said Cosmo putting his hand out to shake Sam's.

"I know." Said Sam smiling and taking his hand.

Dani was asleep when they got back. They had a cot for Cosmo.

"Shush, don't wake her up." Said Cosmo. He closed the door.

"I will see you tomorrow." Said Cosmo to Sam quietly.

"Just remember what I said. Don't let her get to you. Give her space and freedom to choose more." Said Sam in the same quite voice.

"Thanks. I suppose you know her a little better.� said Cosmo.

"Night man. Tell Dani that I said hello." said Sam turning to leave.

"Thanks Sammy." Said Cosmo. He turned and walked quietly into the room. She was sleeping peacefully. He lie down on the cot and could not sleep. He then got in the chair, a recliner and put his hand in hers and drifted off.

Dani woke in the middle of the night to see that Cosmo was asleep and snoring. She saw that they were holding hands. She squeezed his hand and he opened his eyes.

She thought for a moment that she had never seen eyes that color before a deeper blue than the sky but not gray or hazel as she had first thought.

"Hello Buddy." Said Dani.

"Hello yourself." He said getting out of the chair.

"I didn't mean to wake you." She said.

"I was just dozing." He said.

"Yeah, you were Bull Dozing." She said.

"I don't snore." He said in fake protest.

"Do too." She said.

"Dani!" He said shaking his head.

"Would you come and cuddle me for awhile like you did when I had that dream." She said

"There is hardly room for us both Dani." He said.

"Plenty." She said. "I need a cuddle."

"Ok, you twisted my arm." Said Cosmo. It wasn't hard for her to do that

He got in with her and rolled to his side. She got up against him.

"One of us will fall on the floor in the middle of the night." Said Cosmo.

"I got the rail up over here. It wont be me." She said giggling a bit.

"Great." He said. With an air of sarcasm. "Go to sleep."

"I will. Goodnight."

He just shook his head and went to sleep. No one fell on the floor.

He woke before she did and got on the cot for a while.

"Cosmo are you up." Said Dani.

"Just barely, Dani." Said Cosmo a little weary.

"Go back to sleep Dani." He said in a gentle quite voice.

"Cosmo?" She said.

"What?" He shot back quickly.

"I'm sorry you don't like my plan." Said Dani.

"It's not that. Sam and I talked and he showed me some things. You wont here that from me again unless you are really gonna screw up." He said weary.

"That's good." Said Dani.

"Get that sweet little ass of yours back to sleep." He said.

"So I have a sweet ass now Cosmo." Said Dani.

"Damn it. Get some rest woman." He said.

"Cosmo? " She said.

"Now this is the very last thing." He said trying not to laugh.

"Thanks for sticking by me." She said.

"Good friends are hard to find, Dani I just want you to know that I consider you a very special one." He said rolling on his other side to look at her.

"You pretty special yourself." She said.

"Well the person you are just came out at the apartment I am glad I did misjudge you.� He said propping his head on his hand.

"I know you didn't like me in the beginning. I thought you and my friend Brandon had something in common with the way you went on about your jacket.� She said. "I thought you were a pek."k."

"Who is Brandon old boy fiend?" He said growing a little weary of this.

"No, he and I are best friends. He is Gay. He and his sister Elaina are like family to me." Said Dani.

"You thought I was Gay, really. Why?" Said Cosmo enquiring.

"Well you bitched about your clothes, you pushed me off of you and you weren't very nice to me in the beginning." Said Dani.

"I said I was sorry for that. I suppose I do go on a little about my clothes sometimes." He said. "I didn't take offence to the fact you thought I was Gay." He said. "Besides you know I'm not. Right?" He said.

"Yeah, I know. You�re a nice man and a wonderful dresser. I like you a lot. I need a best friend here. At least can you be that for me." She said.

"Sure, I would like to be more. I won't lie to you on that. I find you to be the sexiest sweetest woman. I care a lot about you." He said.

"Well, maybe we can have the other stuff too? Who knows a lot of people are the best of friends and wind up a couple." She said.

Cosmo smiled at her. How could he be weary of that? He was far too tired to go to her.

"That's sweet Dani. At least there is hope for us." Said Cosmo yawning.

"I look forward to the relationship." She said.

"Me too." He said smiling at her.

With that she smiled at him and he watched as she went to sleep.

Watson was gone. He had packed his things and disappeared. Dani was released from the hospital. She was ok on the outside but both Cosmo and Sam were worried. Cosmo knew that she was a time bomb ready to go off. Or at least what both believed to be so. Sam had thought the same thing.

Dani seemed fine though. She didn't seem to be hurt except for a cut lip and a few bruises here and there. Dani had racked it up to the way things had always been for her. Denial and Dani were old and volatile friends.

Catherine had brought her some clothes. Watson had destroyed her clothes in the rape attempt. Watson had tendered on the edge of sanity for years with women. He had hated them most of his life. It was his sister that had put the last brick in the wall. She had been hideous to him his whole life. Dani knew about this too. Her brother Henry, a dirty lawyer in Dallas had attempted to kill her several times in her life. He had spared her no pain in her life doing mean and devious things to her. Catherine came with the bag for Dani to change.

"Good morning Dani and Cosmo." Said Catherine Walsh smiling.

"Good morning Ma'am." Said Dani.

"Here are your clothes. I hope I got everything." Said Catherine.

"Thank you." Said Dani sweetly.

"You look tired Cosmo." Said Catherine as he got to his feet.

"I am a little. She kept me up last night yappin'." Said Cosmo teasing Dani.

"Do you need help getting dressed?" Said Catherine.

"No. I think I got it covered." Said Dani. "I'm fine."

Catherine just smiled and left the room.

"Bye you two." She said.

"Thanks again." Said Dani.

Dani got dressed and an aid came and got her. She got in the wheel chair. Cosmo waved off the aid and said he was a Marshal that he would take her down and make sure she stayed in the chair.

"Oh yeah, Cosmo?" Said Dani.

"Yes, stop that yappin' and let�s go." He said as the aid looked puzzled.

The aid still had a puzzled look on her face.

She thought that they were married to the way they talked to each other.

Sam had brought Dani's car to the hospital. Cosmo went to get it. Dani stayed put on orders that she would get in really big trouble with him if she didn't. He after all had more experience as a Marshal.

"Cosmo, what are we gonna do today? Will I need to get changed and us go to work?" She asked.

"No, Sam told us to take today off. They are trying to find him and then we pounce." Said Cosmo.

"You mean I do." She said.

"Yeah." Said Cosmo still not happy with the situation.

"I will have to find my old stuff. I have a box full of stuff to wear. I played a hooker and a stripper to catch people." She said.

"A stripper?" said Cosmo.

"Sure, it was fun at least a little." She said.

"But you had to take your clothes off. How did you do it?" Said Cosmo fascinated at the idea she might do it for him some day.

"I have never been a shy person when it came to my body. But that all changed when the scars happened. I could never do the stripping now." She said.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of Dani. " He said.

"Your sweet to say that." She said.

"I mean it Dani you are just as beautiful as an Angel. A little bit of heaven here." He said. "That's it." He said.

"What?" She asked.

"Well I have a pet name for you and it fits. How's Angel?" Said Cosmo smiling.

"I am hardly an Angel." She said giggling.

"Well, I'm not calling you Devil, although what you are capable of might constitute the name." He said chuckling. He was referring to the dagger incident and the fact they had fooled around a little.

"If you want to call me that it's ok with me Cosmo." She said as they drove up to the apartment complex.

They got out and went inside. Dani stopped by her apartment. Cosmo helped her look. It was marked on the box costumes.

"Here they are." Cosmo called. He opened the box and got an eyeful. He brought out a red short sequined dress. It had spaghetti straps and a neckline that went to what he taught might be to the middle of her breastbone. "Whew!" He whistled. "This would put the lights out on the Brooklyn Bridge!"

"You ought to see me in it." She said.

"And not let you out of the house." He said eyeing the dress.

"That is the dress I want to wear." She said.

"This one? I don't think so Dani." He said.

"I need something to catch this perverts attention." Said Dani.

"You got this one's attention." Said Cosmo still looking over the tiny dress.

"You." She said.

"Really there has to be something else to wear in all this." He said.

He looked and all the stuff was like that. He wondered just how she would look in most of it. He figured he would find out eventually.

She was packing the box back.

He moved one of the boxes she hadn�t got to yet and a picture fell out.

"Here let me." He said picking up the picture. It was of Dani and a man. He was tall and handsome. They were dressed in evening clothes. He looked at Dani. She was thin and drawn looking and the thing that bothered him most is there was nothing behind her eyes or smile.

"Let me see." She said. "Oh, that's Ammad. It was taken the night we met."

"Dani you look different." He said.

"I had just been released from the Iraqi prison Cosmo." She said as they looked at the picture.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. What ever happened to your Captain?" Said Cosmo.

"Ted went on to be a full bird Colonel. He and I were in Bosnia and Germany together. He and I were really good friends. He wanted more but there was nothing more than friendship on my part. Oh, I loved him but it was more of a brother like love. There could never be anything between us." She said lying a little.

She got a picture out of Col. Ted Reeves and her. He was kissing her cheek and it looked like they were ballroom dancing.

"Dani, he really loved you. Look at the man's face." He said.

"I know. He and I were dancing partners. We were stationed at Ramstal in German together when I got out. I know he did, I hated to hurt him. I think he was in love with me for saving his life and that is all." She said.

"You are a special woman Dani. I know." Said Cosmo putting the pictures down.

"Your pretty special too Cosmo. She said as she hugged him and stayed there for a while.

"That takes a load off my mind after seeing the guys you dated." He said.

"Ammad was pretty but he couldn't make love the way he looked. Ted, well I will never know. He kissed me a few times and it was like I was kissing my brother Robert." She said.

"Ammad was not an affectionate man. He was selfish and cold. I don't really know way I had it so bad for him. He rarely hugged me and it was like pulling teeth to get a kiss out of him. " She said but she was hiding the real truth. Ammad had been just this side of torturous to her in that way.

"You don't have to worry about that with me. I hope I have let you know that you�re attractive. That I will never refuse you affection." He said still in the embrace.

"I know Cosmo. You are the most loving man I have known since my dad. I do mean that, Daddy showered me with affection. I was the baby. And a girl at that. We did a lot together. I learned how to work on that Mustang and a lot of other things. He always gave me his time. He always gave me his love." Said Dani.

"Maybe someday we can go to Texas and I can meet them." Said Cosmo.

"Perhaps. I know Daddy would like you. Where do your folks live?" She asked.

"In Aurora. Say would you like to meet them?" He asked.

"I don't know Cosmo they might think I am more than a friend." She said.

"Aw come on Dani, it would be fun." Said Cosmo.

"Go and call them then but you and I are friends that is all." She warned.

"I will tell Ma that but I don't think she will listen." Said Cosmo.

"She's a mother what mother wouldn't think that. Mamma would think the same thing." She said.

He took her hand and they went into his apartment. Cosmo dialed the phone.

"Hey Ma. Listen I have some good news. I have a new friend I would like for you to meet Yeah Ma. She is a beautiful woman. Her name is Dani Little Elk. No Ma. She's American Indian. Sure I will put her on." Said Cosmo.

Dani took a breath and smiled.

"Hello Mrs. Renfro. Yes Ma'am. Cosmo and I work together. Today? Sure if it wont be too much trouble." Said Dani sweetly.

"Ma she's a Marshal. She was in the Air Force. A Major. Sure what time. 6pm Sure. Dani is a diabetic, so no sweets huh? See ya then Ma. Love you. Bye." Said Cosmo.

"Well?" Said Dani.

"We go for dinner at 6pm. She is excited and she should be." Said Cosmo.

"I am a little nervous. I mean we are just friends." She said.

"Don't worry they will love you. Ma will make you part of the family and Pop will fall for you." Said Cosmo.

"What do your folks do?" Said Dani.

"Pop was Police Chief in Aurora for 15 years. Ma took care of us. My sisters and me. Ruth and Isabelle. Pop retired about 10 years ago. He's 75. Said Cosmo.

"My daddy is 76." Said Dani

"Ma she is 72 I think." Said Cosmo.

"Mamma is 72. Both still work. I had to get them out of South Dallas. I got them an apartment in Richardson TX. It is all bills paid and it is a retirement community. I wish they would retire." She said.

"I can't wait to meet them." Said Cosmo.

Cosmo and Dani left for Aurora Ill about 4:30pm. Dani was feeling much better. Cosmo turned on Maple Street. It looked just like the neighbor hood in Wayne's World. The houses were nice they were made in the 60's. Cosmo pulled the jet black Mustang into the circular driveway. He saw Ruth and Isabelle's car and 4 of the 6 nieces and nephews were out in the yard. They ranged from 12 to two the little ones were in the house.

"Uncle Cosmo!" Yelled one of the girls.

"Francesca my dear." Said Cosmo getting out of the car. She was 5 years old and Dani knew that she was his favorite the way she dropped her jump rope and ran into his arms.

"Come here and give your old uncle a kiss." Said Cosmo.

Dani smiled she was a beautiful dark haired child with a contagious smile of her own.

"How's my best girl." Said Cosmo holding the child.

"Great, she's pretty Uncle Cosmo. She gonna be my Aunt?" Said the child innocently.

"Francesca, Dani and I are friends that's all.� said Cosmo as Dani blushed a little.

"I think you ought to marry her. So you wont be so lonely." Said the child hugging his neck.

Dani was embarrassed a little. The child obviously loved her uncle and she could understand that the child would want him to be happy.

Cosmo put her down and Dani got on Francesca's level.

"Hi my names Dani." She said.

"I'm Francesca. " Said the child as she hugged Dani.

"Get used to it Dani we show a lot of affection here." Said Cosmo.

Dani returned the child's hug and Francesca took her hand and led her to the porch door. A woman about Dani's own age stood there smiling.

"Welcome, you must be Dani. I'm Ruth Carlione�, Cosmo's oldest sister. Said the woman opening the door and hugging her. Please come in."

"She's real pretty Ma." Said Francesca.

"Yes. She is baby. Now go and play." Said Ruth ushing Dani and Cosmo in.

"I see Ma had to call you and tell you the dirt." Said Cosmo hugging his sister.

"I had to see this for myself. It's been too long for you Cosmo." She said.

Dani looked around. It was a nice house. Two story. It had 5 bedrooms. The Renfro's were Catholic and had an assortment of religious articles hanging on the walls and a Madonna on the TV.

"Hi Ma, I see you couldn't keep this thing quite." Said Cosmo to a pretty older woman coming out of the kitchen with an apron on.

"My goodness Cosmo. You didn't lie when you said that she was beautiful. Dani Darling come here." Said Gina Renfro.

Dani did as she was told and the older woman put her arms around her and hugged her.

"That's Ma, Dani. Is Isabelle here?" He asked.

"Right here brother dear." Said Isabelle. She was also just as lovely as Ruth.

"Dani this is Isabelle Martinelli my baby sister." Said Cosmo.

"Welcome Dani." Said Isabelle giving her a hug.

"Gina were is my...." Said Cosmo's father. Coming down the stairs." Well this must be Dani."

Son, she's a real looker."

"Yep, Pop that she is." Said Cosmo.

"Cosmo Sr. " Said the older man putting out his hand and holding hers.

"Pleased to meet you sir." She said.

"The pleasure is mine. Call me Pop." Said Cosmo Sr. Smiling. It was the original agioagious smile " It will save on confusion."

"Yes. Sir. I mean Pop." Said Dani.

They had really taken to her. Cosmo's family was a loving one and she knew that this was were it came from.

"Can I get you a beer?" Asked Pop.

"No, I have diabetes and I can't drink anymore." Said Dani.

"Cosmo told me that you were. I prepared a lovely fruit salad. No Sugar. Call me Gina" Said Gina.

"Will you have a club soda and lime or lemon then." Said Pop.

"He's trying to impress you." Said Cosmo.

"I know, I remember. Yes I would like that. Lime please." Said Dani. Like father like son she thought.

They all sat down to the table. The blessing was said. Dani didn't believe much in God but played along.

"Lord we are truly grateful for the food provided for us. We are also blessed to have Dani in our midst tonight. Thank you for our health and family. Amen." Said Pop.

They dug into the food with frenzy. All the Renfro's that lived in the immediate area were there. The girls and their families Husbands and kids.

"Cosmo tells me that you are a Marshal also." Said Ruth.

"Yes. I haven't been in long. About two years." Said Dani.

She looked at the family around her. They were all dark haired and dark eyed. Cosmo was neither. She thought it a bit odd.

"Do you have any baby pictures of Cosmo?" She asked.

"No dear, I thought Cosmo told you." Said Gina.

"I'm adopted." Said Cosmo proudly.

"Well now." Said Dani giving a knowing but happy smile.

"Cosmo Sr. And I were married for quite a while before we adopted Cosmo. He was jusyearyear old. The doctors said I couldn't have children. When we adopted Cosmo I found out I was pregnant with Ruth." Said Gina.

"Cool." Said Dani.

"There is no difference dear. He is just as much our son as the girls are our daughters." Said Pop.

The evening was spent with the family. The Renfro's loved Dani and were glad she was apart of their son's life. Soon it was time to leave.

"It was wonderful to meet you Dani. Please make Cosmo bring you often." Said Pop.

"I will." She said and she hugged everyone and they left.

Cosmo's Dad pulled him back.

"If you don't marry that woman you are blind. She is beautiful and sweet." Said Pop to his son.

"I want to take it slow with her. You know what happened last time. Besides I haven't known her that long." Said Cosmo.

"She isn't like Meg. She is the opposite." Said Pop.

"I know. See ya Pop." And with that they got into Dani's car and waved and left.

"Well, whadda ya think Angel?" Said Cosmo.

"Wonderful people. I had to know that. I know were you get all this openness and being affectionate." She said.

"Pop's got a crush goin' Angel. He said we should get married." Said Cosmo.

"I'm not interested in that right now. I knew if I went they would think that Cosmo." Said Dani.

"Yes. I know and I really am sorry for that." He said.

"That's ok Cosmo, They are nice sweet people. I can't be upset with them or you for taking me. I rather enjoyed being with a family." She said.

Cosmo would take to heart what his father had said. Back at her apartment they and sat watching TV. She looked at him. He looked down.

"What?" He said puffing a cigar.

"How did you weasel you way into my Casa?" She asked comically in a mock anger.

"I didn't weasel my way in. You let me in here, you are terrible." He said looking at her.

"You know you are a one man pollution machine." Said Dani coughing and waving the smoke away.

"Have you ever tried one?" Said Cosmo.

"No, I used to smoke a pack of unfiltered Camels a day. Till I got into karate and Ti Chi. I had to quite to get the full benefit." Said Dani.

"Well I aint quittin. This is one of the things I enjoy in life." He said.

"Yeah, polluting my environment." She said joking.

"Before you condemn it try one." He said.

"Ok, let me take a drag off of yours." She said.

He handed her the cigar and she took a drag. It wasn't too bad she managed to do it without choking. She handed it back and wiped of the small amount of lipstick.

"Well?" He said.

"Pretty good. Not bad in fact." She said.

"Want one." He asked.

"No, I don't think so thanks." She said.

Cosmo shook his head and put his arm around her.

"How late is it?" She said.

"11pm." Said Cosmo glancing at his watch.

"We gotta work tomorrow Cosmo." She said.

"I guess you want me to go now." He said.

"I don't mean to be a bad hostess but I need some sleep." She said.

"I miss you Dani. I miss you on the couch. I miss having breakfast with you and most of all I miss your underwear on the shower rod." He said.

"Oh really. I miss the seat up in the middle of the night. NOT!" She said.

"I miss lipstick on my coffee cups and that wild music you play. I just miss you Dani." Said Cosmo.

"Why Cosmo you'd think you were in love with me?" Said Dani joking.

Cosmo looked at her. His eyes held certain sadness.

"Well maybe I am." He said.

Dani was not amused. This was against the rul/P>
/P>
"Oh Cosmo it's only been a little over month. How can you know that for sure?" She said.

"The same way I know that when you were attacked I knew that if something happened to you I well I couldn't stand it." He said.

"Cosmo listen to me. Love is a four-letter word. The last time I loved a man he broke my heart and now 6 years later I still bare the scars." She said.

"Have I ever hurt you?" He said.

"No." She said.

"Have I ever ignored you, been selfish or beat you?" He asked.

"No." She said again.

"If that aint love I don't know what is." He said.

"Cosmo. It is far too soon to talk like this." She said.

"Does love really have a time table?" he asked.

"For me it has too." Said Dani.

"Who is playing with who now?" He asked.

"Cosmo, You and I have a problem loving people. We love the wrong ones and we love too much. It's like addiction. Some people have a drinking problem, other's food, we have an addiction to love." She said.

"No, not this time. You know what my Pop said? He said I should marry you. I told you didn't I well, he is a wise man. I know that it's only been a little over a month." He said.

Dani didn't know what to say. She had tried to keep it light and not get serious. It was to her advantage. She left love out of her life for so long she was afraid to let it back in.

"Cosmo it's late and we didn't sleep much last night. Your tired that's all. Let's not get into this tonight." She said.

"I still miss you. Evade this all you want." Said Cosmo. He was starting to feel hurt and angry.

"We just got used to being together. It will get better." She said going over to him.

"Dani, Shit this aint getting me anywhere." He said with a tinge of dejection.

"Sleep on it Cosmo and tell me the same thing in the morning. Then I am more likely to think it's the truth." Said Dani.

"Alright Angel." He said starting to leave.

Then he kissed her. He kissed her with all the love he had.

"Jesus, Cosmo. Take my breath while you�re at it." She said holding to him.

"I meant that. Goodnight Dani." He said.

"Goodnight." She said.

He walked up the hall to his apartment. He turned around and looked at the door a light still under it.. He looked a good long while. Then he went into his and tried to sleep. Perhaps she was right and this was just an adjustment to the new arrangement. He would keep his feeling inside for a while more. There was still the matter with Sam. He didn't spend as much time with her as Cosmo did.

Dani had a fitful sleep. She was dreaming again. She woke up alone and afraid. She was afraid to call on Cosmo for support. It had been an extremely frightening and confusing dream. She had dreamed it was Ammad that had beaten her. That he was there in the prison. It was taking everything she had not to bolt down the stairs. To run to Cosmo. He somehow knew she was in trouble he was in a fitful sleep himself and woke with a start.

"I' ve been talking to Dani too much. I was there. With her. Shit!� He said to himself.

He got up and opened his door and looked down the hall. He saw her light on. He just knew there had to be something going on. He pulled on his clothes and shoes and walked down the hall to her apartment. He knocked on the door. She came to the door in her red kaftan. That meant she needed comfort.

"Dani, it's Cosmo. You ok." He said. It was 4 am.

"Cosmo what are you doing up?" She said standing at the door.

"I had a nightmare. I had them before but not like this. Dani I was at the prison with you." He said sitting down at the table.

"Odd, I was dreaming about that too. It was confusing thought Ammad was there and he did some of the beating." She said firing up her teakettle.

She sat back down and something terrible was forming in her mind. She was struck with the look of terror, confusion and then recognition. She put her hand on her face and cried.

"Dani, what is it?" asked Cosmo.

"It wasn�t just a dream Cosmo. I think Ammad was at the prison while I was there."

"Are you sure?" He said holding her hand.

"Positive." Said Dani.

"Dani have you ever talked about this before?" He asked in a soft comforting voice.

"No with no one." Said Dani still half crying.

"Maybe it is time you did." He said.

"I don't want to burden you Cosmo." She said.

"It isn't a burden. Maybe it will help." He said

"Alright here goes, they took me into an interrogation room they tied me to a chair. They asked me questions you know that. When I wouldn't answer either in time or the question itself they would beat me. I can see it as if it was yesterday. The men's faces. They chained me down on a table to do it. My feet and hands were useless to me. I have never felt helpless until then. There was no stopping the beatings. It went on until I left. Until they freed Captain Reeves and me. They beat him too." Said Dani.

"God. Dani!" Said Cosmo.

"Well you asked." She said.

"That I did. You needed to tell that Dani." Said Cosmo still talking to her softly.

Dani went and made some tea and gave him some. She sat down and then recognition hit her Ammad had been the ringleader. It had been Ammad. Why hadn�t she remembered that before?

"Cosmo?" She said.

"What.� He asked.

"I'm beginning to remember something that is disturbing and confusing. God it was Ammad." She said.

"What was Ammad." Said Cosmo squishing lemon in his tea

"He was the ring leader in the beatings. Why haven't I remembered that before and why now? " Said.

"I don't know. Perhaps it is time you did." Said Cosmo.

"Playing psychologist again?" Said Dani.

"I like to play doctor. You know that." Said Cosmo.

"No, really. Why now and why Ammad." She said.

Dani thought for a moment. She sat at the table. Her eyes began to fill up. She didn't even cry when she came out of the chloroform, she had been angry but not sad or hurt like she was supposed to be.

"That's it Angel let it out. I'm here and I care about you. Nothing will hurt you here." He said getting up from the table and holding her.

She really began to sob. The man she had loved so much had been in on the ordeal in the desert prison.

"Shush, it's ok, Dani." Said Cosmo.

"I don't cry." She said doing just that.

"Well, Dani you have had a revelation. My advice to you would be for us to talk to Sam and see if he knows someone to help with this." Said Cosmo.

She just let it out. He hated to see her cry but she was and it was good for her. Ammad had used her.

"I know why he did it." She said.

"Yeah." Said Cosmo.

"He was just there when I came in. He knew I was going to be released one day. He followed me and got in my good graces to use me for information. He was a contractor with his father's oil fields. He and I put out some nasty fires in Kuwait. Almost killed us several times." She said.

"Damn." Said Cosmo.

"He engineered a lot of blasts. I helped him. We used a certain switch. Three were missing when I went back to ordinance. I thought I had lost them. I loved that man and he used me. He never loved me at all. I wasted a lot of time pining for him. I wasted a lot of my life loving him." She said crying harder.

"Well, it's over Dani. You have me you know." He said.

"I know Cosmo. You are the first man that has ever cared me like it is supposed to be. You are one of the finest men alive." She said.

"If that is true you have to be the finest woman alive." Said Cosmo still holding her.

"Everything is going to be ok. There are a few things I have to do." Said Dani.

"What, not tonight Angel." He said.

"No, not tonight. First of all, those boots gotta go." She said. "That was a gift for Christmas the last one we had. He left on a business trip in January of '93. He never said goodbye or even Screw you. I never saw him again." She said.

"Ok, you need some really good winter boots. The winters here are wicked. I will take you to my shoemaker and he will make you some. You can even have a place made for the dagger." Said Cosmo.

"How much will that cost?" She said.

"500 I guess." Said Cosmo.

"I can�t afford that." Said Dani.

"It might be less." He said.

"I have to get rid of that dagger. He gave it to me. He was the one who taught me." Said Dani.

"He must have been really good." Said Cosmo.

"I got as good as he was." She said.

"I don't doubt that. Said Cosmo getting her to settle down on the couch.

"Cosmo?"

"Yes."

"I'm home." She said.

"That you are Dani. Home with me and home in my heart." Said Co

She drifted off into a peaceful sleep. She was home. And Cosmo had found it for her. He quietly left her on the couch and went back up the hall to his to his apartment.

Cosmo and Dani went to work it had been three weeks since the rape attempt. Upon getting there a meeting was called.

"We know were Watson is. It took long enough, three weeks. He tried to kill two more women. We have traced him to Madison, Wisconsin. Folks he is getting sloppy." Said Sam.

"So we are going after him." Said Dani.

"Yes. We are. Are you ready to sell a little Dani?" asked Sam.

"Sure. I have everything ready." She said.

"Good, cause we are leaving this morning. So everyone pack and meet here in two hours." Said Sam.

Cosmo and Dani went to their apartments. She packed the disguise she would use and a red curly wig. She had an arm bracelet to hide the tattoo. And a pair of red satin stiletto heels. Cosmo was still unnerved at this. But he would have to get over it.

The plane touched down at Madison Airport. They all went to the Madison bureau. Dani went into the women's locker room and changed into her hooker clothes. She painted her face and looked at herself in the mirror. Those heels were killing her. She hated 4 inch heels. She came out and went over to where the group was standing. She looked hot.

"Holy Shit!" Said Cosmo mouth agape.

"OWE MAMMA" Said Biggs whistling and shaking one hand.

"You go girlfriend!" Said Cooper giving her a high five.

The dress was red sequined it was short just right under her butt. The plunging neckline left nothing to the imagination. Sam rounded the corner and almost passed out.

"What are you catching today Miss Dani?" He said his eyes not leaving her. He was smiling.

"Man. That is what I'm after." She said smiling and turning. The dress had another surprise a plunging back almost to her butt. " Do you think it will do?"

"It's good for me." Said Biggs. Sam elbowed him. As for Cosmo he just stood there. Mouth agape.

"Shut your mouth Cosmo." Said Sam.

He did but reluctantly.

"Dani, my God,. I would have never known it was you, you look Latina." Said Sam amazed and aroused.

"You like?" Said Dani.

"I refuse to answer that might get my jaw jacked." Said Sam still smiling. "You are a beautiful woman."

"You wont be waiting long Dani. Someone will proposition you." Said Biggs.

"If no one does they have a screw loose." Said Sam thinking the same thing.

"Cosmo does she dress like that often?" Said Biggs. Cosmo hit him in the arm this time.

"I guess that was a no?" Said Biggs.

"Biggs you got a lot to learn." Said Sam who was having just as hard a time as the rest of the men.

"Cosmo, Cosmo you got my clothes and stuff?" She had to ask twice. Cosmo was in shock. He and Dani hadn't been together in a long time and he had never see this side of her and it awed him.

"Sure thing Angel." Was all he said.

Sam took her aside.

"Please be careful Dani." Said Sam as they walked into an office.

"I will Sam. This is old hat for me." Said Dani as he closed the door.

"Old hat or not shit can go down." He said a little worried.

"You look worried." Said Dani.

"I am. Watson is a dog Dani, I don't have to tell you that." Said Sam putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Yes. I have had to bring in a lot of men before in the service. I always get my man." Said Dani and he smiled at her.

"That dress is a real surprise to say the very least." He said looking her over again.

"I asked you if you liked it. Well do you?" She asked.

"Dani, that is the smallest most, revealing dress I think I ever saw." Said Sam.

"I did some alterations on it. The back for one." Said Dani.

"So you sew too. Jesus what don't you do." Said Sam shaking his head in amazement.

"Not much Sam." She said.

"Dani when he hurt you I wanted to kill him. You mean a lot to me. I was relieved he didn't rape you." Said Sam.

"Feelings mutual. I wish we had more time together." Said Dani.

"I know it has been awhile and I aim to remedy that." Said Sam.

"Good. I look forward to it. I had better go." Said Dani.

"I know this aint the place but I." She cut him off.

"Want a kiss. I know I do too." Said Dani.

"This is not the place but I am going to make an exception." Said Sam as he embraced her.

She and Sam kissed. It was like all the other times except for the fact she was in a dress meant for catching men. That had gotten Sam fairly excited to begin with.

"Do you remember the handprint you left on the tank top?" She asked pulling away a little to see him.

"Yes and I remember doing it too." He said smiling.

"I remember you doing it. You a US Marshal in the middle of a bust trying to feel a girl up. Shame on you!" Said Dani smiling back at him.

They were headed in the same direction, thinking the same thing. It was like they could finish each other�s thoughts. Most married people couldn't do that.

Sam kissed her again. She moved his hand to her breast. That was all he needed. The kiss they shared became really hot and steamy. He knew that they shouldn't do that there, but it was hard not too. He had wanted to touch her like that. The kiss deepened and he sat her on the desk and stood between her legs. Things were taking a clear the desk direction when Catherine came in the office.

"Shit." Said Sam pulling away from Dani. His face was marked with her scarlet lipstick.

"If you plan on doing that lock the door next time." She said a little ticked.

"Sorry Cathine. It is the way Dani is dressed. I know we, I shouldn't have done that here." Said Sam.

"I know she looks hot Sam. I have eyes." Said Catherine starting to boil.

"Well I had better go get in position to catch Watson." Said Dani looking a little sheepish and wiggling off the desk.

Catherine gave them a definite go to hell look and left closing the door with a small slam.

"Sam, she is pissed." Said Dani trying in vain to get the lipstick off his face.

"The only reason is that we shouldn't have done that here. I almost cleared the damn desk and." He said as she once again cut him off.

"Took me right here. Huh Sam? I would have let you." She said and the look in her eyes meant it.

"Dani we have to be more careful." Said Sam stopping the spit bath she was giving him.

"I know that. It's been along time since I have really wanted to Sam. I think you are the one to break the dry spell. I think you can take the scars. It has been 6 years since I had sex and 8 since a man gave me pleasure. It has been awful." Said Dani throwing the Kleenex she had in the trash.

"Well, is is a long time. Too long if you ask me." Said Sam a little surprised she had to wait that long for a man. Dani was a beauty to behold. He didn't understand why she hadn�t in all those years.

"I had better go. Thanks for the little slap and tickle session. You are all man and then some Sam.� Said Dani looking like Sam had impressed her with what little prowess he had shown her.

"Well you are the genuine article yourself. A real woman." Said Sam as she tried again to wipe the lipstick off his mouth and face, but some was on his collar.

"I will clean that later, sorry Sam." She said.

"Don't be sorry Miss Dani. Just promise me that you will be careful. And stop with the spit bath. " Said Sam embracing her again.

"I will Sam. I promise." She said and they kissed again.

They left the room. The male staff in the Madison office whistled and hooted at her as she wiggled out the door.

"That was some woman. Boy! She's loaded for bear." Said Sam the others noticing the lipstick on his white shirt collar.

"Cosmo, your one lucky man. To get all that. There is plenty their boy! Sam you got lipstick on your collar." Said Biggs.

"I know she hugged me." Said Sam.

"I don't think so Sam." Said Cooper wiping some stay lipstick from the corner of his mouth.

"So she kissed me. She's a loving person." Said Sam not at all convincing.

"Ahuh, and I have some ocean front property in New Mexico to sell you." Said Biggs.

"It was nothing guys." Said Sam.

"Don't look that way to me Sam. You protest to much." Said Cooper smiling and shaking her head.

Cosmo wasn't listening or caring about the lipstick conversation. He was in shock over the way she looked, worried that something would go wrong and the feelings he was having toward her.

"I let her go out that way. What the hell was I thinking? Biggs Dani and I haven't" Said Cosmo.

"Were did she put her gun and badge?" Said Sam wondering just was she had put them.

"A garter. She told me." Said Cosmo. Really beginning to worry.

"No small trick seeing the dress barley exists." Said Biggs.

"I know, that is a real woman. I haven�t seen one in a long time. Makes me feel my age,� said Sam. Let's go. We need to follow her. You and Biggs go follow her Cooper and I will be right behind you." Said Sam.

Cosmo and Biggs sat in the Crown Vic. They sat watching Dani. Waiting for Watson to make his move. Cosmo was taking the task of watching her to heart.

"Uummm." Said Cosmo.

"You see something?" said Biggs.

"Sure do. That woman has legs right up to her ass. When I get her back to Chicago I'm gonna..." Said Cosmo remembering he wasn't alone.

"Yeah, yeah what, do what?" said Biggs in an excited voice.

"Nothing. She sure do shake that wicked ass of hers." Said Cosmo.

"Let me see.� Said Biggs fighting with Cosmo over the binoculars.

"Biggs You couldn't handle that much woman." Said Cosmo.

"And you can Mr. Swave and Deboner?" Asked Biggs.

"Well I haven't had any complaints." Said Cosmo.

"You and Dani?" Said Biggs.

"Biggs what does it matter. No we haven't I said that." Said Cosmo on the edge of ticked.

Biggs laughed at the thought of Dani and Cosmo being together. Then he stopped because Cosmo looked like he would punch him out. He changed his tune.

"I have been married too long. Sex is something you do if there isn't any football, basket ball or hockey on." Said Biggs.

"Well, I know what your wife looks like. I understand the reluctance." Said Cosmo wickedly.

"Shut up." Said Biggs.

"Uummm!" Cosmo said again. "It just gets better and better the longer she walks. Those legs!"

"Come on let me see!" Said Biggs wrestling with Cosmo over the binoculars again.

"You couldn't handle it Biggs. Said Cosmo now fighting with Biggs again over the binoculars.

"And you can?� Said Biggs.

"Sure why not?" Said Cosmo being a little bit lecherous.

"I bet she could crush a man with those legs.� Said Biggs.

"She might seeing she know all that karate and Ti Chi." Said Cosmo.

"So she's all that?" Said Biggs.

"More than that. I love her. That means a lot." Said Cosmo.

"You gonna marry her?" Asked Biggs.

"Been thinking about it." Said Cosmo.

"Let me see then." Said Biggs grabbing the binoculars out of Cosmo's hands. "This might be my last chance."

"Holy Shit Batman! Cosmo That is a woman." Said Biggs swallowing hard. He had won the battle with Cosmo over the binoculars. Biggs dropped the binoculars.

"What's wrong Biggs?" Asked Cosmo picking up the binoculars.

"I have seen the promise land. And it is good." Said Biggs smiling.

Dani had stopped to pick up her purse and inadvertently bent over in a dress not designed to do so. Biggs had seen the g-string she wore under the dress and most of her backside.

Cosmo had gotten the binoculars at the tail end. So to speak.

"Biggs. Holy Shit is right. I must tell her not to bend over in any circumstances." Said Cosmo.

"Forget about the legs Cosmo she has a butt that just wont quit. If I wasn't married I would..." Cosmo cut him off

"You couldn't handle that much woman. She would give you a coronary. She almost gave me one just now." Said Cosmo smiling and lighting a cigar.

"Oh shit. Watson's found her." Said Biggs. Cosmo threw his cigar out the window.

Cosmo took back the binoculars.

"Sammy he's here." Said Cosmo into the radio.

"I see him, wait." Said Sam. Sam had been watching the show too. He hadn�t had so much fun on surveillance in a while. Watching Dani was not as uncomfortable a task as he once thought. It was a nice little treat to watch a woman as beautiful as Dani in that get up and get paid for doing it. Sam had thought the same thing as Cosmo had as he had watched her wiggle down the street. He had also caught the bend over. He remembers the hot steamy kiss they shared. He let out a sigh.

"Sam what is going on between you and Dani?" Asked Cooper.

"Not much." Said Sam.

"You have been out with her?" She asked.

"Yes. We have." Said Sam looking at Dani.

"Sam, what about Cathrine?" She said.

"Cathrine and I were over years ago. You are getting personal." Said Sam.

"I just don't want anyone to get hurt." Said Cooper.

"That's ok. Dani and I aren�t an item yet." Said Sam.

"Yet? What about Cosmo?" She asked.

"I don't know Cooper. Don't worry." Said Sam.

But that is all she would do. Meanwhile in Cosmo and Biggs car.

"Shit he's messing with her. I wasn't ready to see that." Said Cosmo. "Bastard."

Watson was kissing her and touching her out in the open. It was the late afternoon on the street. She got the drop on him and proceeded to cuff him. He hit her and began running.

"Move in!" Yelled Sam.

They did and Cosmo pulled up to get her. She dived into the front seat. Landing on Biggs.

"Sorry Bobby." She said as she scrambled over the back seat her butt in both men�s faces.

"That's ok Dani." Said Biggs almost glad that she had done it.

"Get dressed." Said Cosmo. "Biggs you keep your eyes on the road. I mean it!" Cosmo helped Dani over the seat with a gentle shove on her butt.

She had gotten over the seat and started pulling off the dress and pulling on some jeans a t-shirt and her boots. She had on a US Marshal windbreaker.

"They raced down the street catching up to Sam's car. Cooper radioed the MPD. They pulled in.

Dani advanced a bullet into her Berretta

"Lock and load Gentle men." Said Dani out of breath a bit.

"Be careful Angel. " Said Cosmo as they dashed down a back alley. They ran after Sam who had almost caught up to him. Cosmo was ttlettle a head of her. Watson turned and fired a shot at Sam hitting him in the vest and knocking him down.

Then he fired a shot at Cosmo. The bullet hit him in the leg. Dani caught up with Cosmo. He was shot.

"I'm ok. Get him." She saw him standing over Sam. His gun pointed at Sam's head.

"Good bye Sam." He said cocking the trigger. �It�s a shame the Major didn�t figure me out sooner.�

Sam had a look of terror in his eyes. His gun had been kicked to the side and he couldn't reach his backup weapon.

Dani knew she was going to have to chance a dagger throw. She reached into her boot and threw it. Cosmo saw her throw it. It was like something out of the middle ages. She threw it with so much precision that he thought he was looking at an art form. The dagger made its mark hitting Watson in the chest. Sam moved out of the way. Watson had a mixture of rage and confusion on his face as he looked at his chest saw the dagger in it and fell over dead.

Dani went and picked up her dagger. She then went to check on Sam. He was ok. Cosmo was another story all together.

"He got me good. Worse than I first thought." Said Cosmo a little pale and starting to worry. The bullet had hit an artery. Dani tore her shirt taking a strip and with her pocketknife she made a tourniquet. Sam had been able to get up and check Watson. He used his foot to kick him over. Watson was dead.

"Thanks, Dani. You saved my life with that dagger throw. It was something different to watch." Sam said putting his hand on her shoulder.

Biggs had finally caught up with them. Dani had radioed that Cosmo was down and an ambulance was on its way.

"How e?"e?" Said Sam.

"It isn't good." Said Dani worried. She adjusted the tourniquet a bit.

"The bleeding has slowed." Said Sam bending down and looking at Cosmos� leg.

"Did you see her Sam? Did you see the way she threw that thing? Poetry!" said Cosmo weakly.

"Shush. Cosmo. Don't talk." She said putting his head in her lap. She was worried.

"I saw her Cosmo. She just saved my life. " Said Sam smiling at Dani. �I have never seen such a thing in my life.�

"It's nothing Sam." Said Dani Who was still fussing over the tourniquet.

"I owe you Miss Dani. It will be repaid" Said Sam.

He had said that with her looking at him. He was looking her strait in the eyes. She knew he meant business with the repayment of that debt.

The Ambulance came and they took Cosmo to the hospital.

"You his wife?" Said the EMT.

"No but that is a thought." Said Cosmo who was still conscience.

"Shuu Cosmo." She said concern registering on her face.

"Dani, Angel. I love you." Said Cosmo all of sudden.

"Shuu. Cosmo this is no place for that." Said Dani.

"Why not?" Said the EMT.

"Well, I do love you. I have for a long time. I just wanted to tell you." Said Cosmo smiling that marvelous smile weakly.

Dani thought it over for the moment. It might be the last thing he ever said to her.

"Cosmo I, I love you too." She said with a forced smile and leaned down to kiss him. Tears were forming in her eyes as she let go. Dani loved Cosmo but not in the way he loved her. It was going to get messy over that soon she thought. He had gone unconscious. She checked him for a pulse. It was thready.

"His pulse is thready." Said Dani. As she scrambled out of the EMT�s way.

"By the way congratulations." Said the EMTas he checked it himself. "Shit he's going into shock." They hooked him up to the monitor. An irregular heartbeat then nothing.

"Clear!" Shouted the EMT.

"Again." Said the EMT. His heart returned to a better rhythm but he was not out of the woods.

The minutes passed for Dani like days. She watched as they hooked up IV's. She sat out of the way crying. Her best and closest friend was dying in front of her. Like everything in her life she was going to loose him, or so she thought. She had seen death before, but not like this.

"He's back with us Miss." The EMT said and banged on the wall to get the driver to hurry.

They got him to the hospital and rushed him straight to surgery. Dani sat frozen in the waiting room chair. Her eyes set on the clock. She was too numb to cry, way to numb. The rest of the squad got there in 15 minutes. Sam looked at Dani. He knew it must have gone sour on the way.

"Dani, it's Sam. What happened." He said walking up to her and not really wanting to hear.

"He coded. They got him back. I don't know any more Sam." She said crying. Sam took her into his arms.

"He in surgery?" Asked Biggs. Dani could only manage a nod.

"The last thing he said was that he loved me. I told him I loved him too. I do in a way he is my best friend, Sam. It might be the last thing he ever said to me." Said Dani crying harder.

"Oh, you know Cosmo. He's too tough to die. He's too mean too." Said Sam who was just as worried.

"God if he does?" Said Dani clutching Sam�s jacket and crying.

"Let's not go putting the cart before the horse, Miss Dani." Said Sam tighting his hold on her.

Three hours later the doctor came out.

"Mrs. Renfro?" Dani didn't answer.

"Mrs. Renfro?" The Doctor said touching her. She looked up at him.

"Yes. " Said Dani acknowledging his touch rather than the name.

"Your husband will be fine. He lost quite a bit of blood. We are guarded on the leg. But we think it will be fine and he won�t loose it. He coded again, but he seemed determined not to die." Said the doctor.

"When can she see him?" Said Sam for her.

"In a few minutes we are moving him to ICU. Only immediate family can go I'm sorry." Said the doctor.

"Dani go on. Cosmo needs you in there.' Said Sam quietly. Releasing his embrace on her.

"I'm not his wife. We haven't even�" Said Dani. "I will have to sign papers." She said quietly.

"You let me worry about that Dani." Said Sam smiling at her. "Now Get Gal!"

Dani walked with the doctor down the hall. It was a long walk she thought. Cosmo lay with tubes and wires out of him and into him. The only light on was one over the bed. He was still out from the anesthetic.

"Mrs. Renfro. Try not to worry too much. You can stay here tonight. I have arranged for a cot to be sent. You may come and go as you please." He said smiling a guarded smile and patting her shoulder.

"Thank you." Was all she could say.

"God, Cosmo what a mess." She said wearily.

She went to the head of the bed and held his hand. She started to cry again. He looked really bad. Pale as a ghost. She sat down by the bed and cried.

"God I haven't asked for anything lately. Please help him. Please don't take him away from me. I can't loose my best friend, I do love him." She said sobbing.

Dani sat for quite a while she had cried herself to sleep. Her head was on his bed with her arm under it. Awhile later she felt a hand stroking her hair.

Cosmo had his eyes opened but, still groggy from the anesthetic. He smiled at her

"Ain�t we a pair." He said as she changed her expression to happy tears.

"A pair of what I would like to know Cosmo." She said crying.

"It's good to see the woman I love, the first thing when I wake up." He said trying to squeeze her hand.

"Shuu, they think I am your wife." Said Dani that's why I'm here." She said quietly.

"I'll never tell." Said Cosmo half smiling.

"You, you scared the living hell out of me. Don't do it again." She said.

"Yes Major," He said still half smiling.

"I love you Cosmo." She said and gave him a kiss. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"No not yet. What about the leg?" He asked.

"I think you will keep it." She said.

"Good, we wont' be dancing for awhile. Did you mean it when you said you loved me, Dani." He asked.

"We can talk about that later." She said.

#9;#9;"I meant it Dani. You said you loved me do you mean it?" He asked.

This was first of October they had met the first of August. Two months. She really didn�t want to say that she loved him yet. She wasn't really sure if she wanted to admit it. But it might have been the last thing he ever said to her and she had agreed to it because of that.

"Yes, I do but we have time to explore it later, Cosmo." Said Dani.

"I you don't sound convinced of it." he said.

"I think so. At least I know that you are very important to me I almost watched you die. I have seen a lot of death I am so glad it wasn't my very best and closest friend." Said Dani.

"I do love you Dani. Even if you are not sure of it yet." He asked.

"It's not that Cosmo. There are others we have to think about. Sam for one." Said Dani.

"I know you love him too. We have kind of a mess on our hands don't we." He said.

"It could be. Seeing I have feeling for both of you." She said honestly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put that much pressure on you." He said.

"That's ok Darlin'. Maybe it's time to see just who really loves who." She said letting the word slip from her lips.

"I don't think you ever called me that before." He said.

"I don't want to give you the impression that I have made a decision. I do love you, Cosmo. I didn't really know it till I almost lost you." She said kissing his forehead.

"Me neither." He said.

Dani sat in the chair next to the bed until Cosmo was asleep. Then she went to tell the rest of the squad.

"Dani how is he?" Asked Sam.

"He's weak, but he's our Cosmo as bad as ever." She said.

"Good Lord Dani were did you get those scars?" Said Cooper.

Dani's shirt was ripped enough to see the marks on her stomach.

"The Gulf." She said tugging down the shirt a bit. She seemed embarrassed.

Sam looked at them again. He wanted to help her get rid of them.

"Why didn't you get them fixed? Asked Sam.

"Didn't have the time to waste on being off work." She said.

"You ought to. I have a friend that has a friend that could fix those." He said making eye contact with Dani.

"I might get in touch with you later on it." Said Dani pulling at the shirt again.

"Let me go and get you all your stuff from the hotel." Said Cooper sweetly offering.

Dani tossed her the keys to their rooms and thanked her. Cooper left.

"You need some supper. What would you like Dani I will go and get it." Said Sam

"A Diet Coke or Pepsi and a couple of Tacos." She said. " Hot sauce is a must."

She dove into her pockets and she realized that she didn�t have a dime.

"Don't worry this is on me, you saved my ass back there. You should know by now that this is a family and you are a member. I really care for you Dani. " Said Sam hugging her and kissing her cheek.

"Sam I care about you. I always have. You are alike, you and I. Right now I need to look after our Cosmo. I know he is your best friend he's mine too." She said.

"I'll get you a new shirt too." He said releasing her.

"Thanks." Said Dani and with that she walked off to be with Cosmo.

"Hey you, were you been?" He said.

"Talking to the squad." She said.

"Can't a man get a bite to eat?" asked Cosmo.

"I'll check." She Said.

Dani walked out to the nurses station.

"Ma"am can Cosmo Renfro have some supper?" She asked the nurse.

She checked his chart.

"Yes. I will order him one. Do we need a guest tray?" Said the nurse.

"Not tonight but tomorrow I will." Said Dani.

"I will put that in his chart. Mrs. Renfro would he like a cold drink?" asked the nurse.

Dani looked toward Cosmo and he mouthed Dr. Pepper.

"Dr. Pepper and a cup of Ice. Please Ma'am." She said. Dani thanked her.

Dani took the cup to Cosmo filled with the drink. She handed it to him.

"Your gonna have to get used to playing my wife. I might be in here a while, Angel. " Said Cosmo smiling a little brighter.

"You. What am I going to do with you, you awful man." She said putting her hands on her hips.

"Well I can think of several things right off hand." He said seeming to be the old lecherous Cosmo that she knew and yes loved.

"Stop! You will set off the alarms on these things." She said.

"So what. Let' em go off." Said Cosmo.

"You will be the death of me." She said.

"Well I hope that you aren't standing up when it happens." Said Cosmo smiling slyly.

"Cosmo, you dog." She said.

"Whoof." He retorted.

The doctor came in and told them everything was progressing well. His labs had come back improved. He told her whoever made the makeshift tourniquet saved his life. He looked at her torn shirt.

"It was you." He said.

"Yes. Air Force field training." She said.

"Your a lucky man, she saved your life." Said the doctor.

"I know." Said Cosmo looking up at her with a smile.

With that the doctor left them.

The next morning Cosmo woke up and the pain that he knew would come had come.

"Dani, Were is the button I need pain meds fast." He said his face registering the immense pain he felt.

Dani went out and snagged a nurse.

"Cosmo needs some pain meds. He is in agony." Said Dani.

"I'll get the shot." Said the nurse.

"She'll be right here." Said Dani wetting a cloth and washing his face.

The nurse came 5 minutes later with the shot. She put it in the IV bag.

"Thanks." Said Cosmo to the nurse.

"Better Cosmo." She asked.

"Getting that way." He said.

"Good. I hate to see you like this." She said wetting the cloth again.

"You should have been a nurse." He said as she gently wiped his face.

"Well I will do what I can." She said.

Cosmo was beginning to get easy. Dani had stayed by his side and put a cloth on his forehead and hummed a little. Her mother used to do that when she was little and sick. Then she sat and read. She had brought a novel with her.

"Whatcha reading." Cosmo asked.

"Romance novel." She said.

"All that shit only makes you want it more." he said.

"Women love this shit and I am a woman." She said smiling at him.

They moved him to the regular room that day. He and Dani sat watching the Cubs play.

She loved sports. He was glad. At least she would go with him.

"I'm glad that you like Sports. Saves on a lot of pissing and moaning. Meg used to do that." Said Cosmo.

"Who's Meg?" She asked.

"My ex." He said.

"That, oh." She said looking up from her novel.

"Well, they done it yet?" said Cosmo wanting attention.

"Not yet. He's just getting around to it." She said.

"I'm sorry I didn't make love to you when I had the chance." He said.

"That's ok. We have plenty of time to do that later. If that is what comes of our friendship." She said.

"I shoulda told you sooner that I loved you I did come to think of it. You wouldn't have any of it. He said.

"You sure that is how you feel?" She said putting her novel down.

"Yes. It is one decision that I made that I will never regret. When I was in the ambulance I was afraid that it was worse than everyone thought. I wanted to leave this world knowing that you would have loved me and I wanted you to know that I loved you." He said.

Dani looked at him and started crying. She was still in shock about the fact she watched helpless in the ambulance. She knew how close he came.

"Shit I didn't mean to make you cry." Said Cosmo frowning.

She just kept it up. Dani was almost in hysterics. She had seen death in some pretty horrible forms but never someone she had feelings for as much as him.

"Angel. What is it." He said.

Dani looked up at him and started up again. Sam came in about that time.

"Dani what's wrong?" He asked.

"Death. Almost Death." She said,

"Yes. Almost but it's over. Cosmo is fine." Said Sam.

"Sam do something." Said Cosmo.

He pulled her into his arms and comforted her. Cosmo couldn't.

"It's ok Miss Dani. Shush now." He said softly hugging her.

"Sam, I think she needs some rest. She's been here all night." Said Cosmo.

"That is a good idea. I'll take you back to the hotel." Said Sam.

"No, I need to be here." She said.

"Dayouryour exhausted. Go and get some rest. Take a bath, read. Get some rest please. You will be in the other bed if you don't." Said Cosmo.

"I can rest there." She said pointing to the other bed in the room.

"Women. This one is as mule headed as I ever saw." Exclaimed Sam.

"Aint she though. I can't budge her." Said Cosmo.

Finally spent, Dani walked over to the bed and lay down.

"I will be good." She said.

"That's my girl." Said Cosmo softly.

"I'll leave and come back later." Said Sam.

"See ya." Said Cosmo turning down the game a bit.

In two weeks Cosmo was well on his way to recovery. He was getting physical therapy to get the leg back into action. Dani helped him. She started him on an exercise routine. He was really beginning to loose weight and his muscles were forming. He would look at himself and wonder how it happened.

It was now the middle of October. Cosmo was still out on sick leave. His leg was healing nicely. He was still quite stiff in the knee. Sam offered to take Dani to a cabin an hour away to fish and hunt small game. As a reward for saving his hide. He wanted some undivided time with her.

Sam called to ask.

"Hello?" Said Dani.

"Hi, Dani. I have a question to ask of you. Would you like to go to a cabin about an hour from here and do a little R and R? " He asked.

"Just you and me?" She asked.

"Yeah just you and me. You said you wanted to have another date and I got some time off." Said Sam. "A weekend."

"Sure Sam." She said.

"We will go and be back Sunday night." He said. "We can leave around 6pm tonight. We will take the truck.

"Be there with bells on." She said. "Why are you doing this?"

"Reward for a job well done Miss Dani." Said Sam.

"I would have done that for anyone of my commanders. Especially you." She said.

"I know. You are a good woman." Said Sam

"Thanks. See ya at 6 then." She said.

"Bye."

Dani hung up the phone. Cosmo was there.

"What was that all about?" asked Cosmo.

"We are going to a cabin and have some R and R. Sam and me." Said Dani.

"Yeah, I heard you say that." Cosmo said a little dishearten.

"Sam is thanking me for saving his life." Said Dani.

"Well, I should do the same thing." He said hobbling to her. "Thank You." He hugged her and kissed her. He knew all too well he had lost her at least for being his wife.

She began to pack. It was getting colder and the leaves were changing colors. Dani packed her fall and winter stuff and she had gotten some hiking boots. She packed her fishing gear and her grandfathers 410 shotguns and her crossbow.

"You planning a raid Angel?" Asked Cosmo looking at the 410.

"No, just that I might want to cook some rabbit or Squirrel." She said.

"You hunt too?" Said Cosmo.

"My grandfather taught me. My mother was from East Texas. He was a farmer. I miss him." She said.

"He died?" Said Cosmo.

"When I was 15. He taught me all about guns. His name was Jack Bailey. He would have liked you." She said.

"Bailey. That is Irish isn't it?" He said.

"Yep. 4 th generation. Mamma and Daddy met in Dallas and married." Said Dani.

"What about your grandmother?" Said Cosmo.

"She was a sweet good woman. She died when I was in the Gulf. Her name was Elizabeth." Said Dani.

"That's your middle name." Said Cosmo.

"Yeah. I was named after her in that scence." She said.

"Must have been hard on you having mixed parents." Said Cosmo.

"Yeah. The kids were pretty awful, It didn't help being poor either." She said.

"I know kids are cruel." Said Cosmo.

"Well at least I wasn't gay. One of my best friends was. He and I and his sister were outcasts but we did manage to overcome it. Brandon Moyez is his name Elaina is her 's. I kicked some butt for him and every May 4th the man sends me yellow roses. They are my favorite flower. Brandon and Elaina still live in Dallas and they have their own salon. They have been all over the world like I have. They are pretty famous in their own right. We send letters and emails. We talk on the phone when there is time.

"How long you known them?" said Cosmo?

"Since 2nd grade. We used to play as kids. He, I and Elaina are tight." She said.

"Boy." Said Cosmo.

"What?" She said finishing their packing.

"You are really something." He said.

"And you are just now finding out?" She said.

"I always knew Dani." He said kissing her.

"You." She said smiling.

"How you feel about this. I mean we are going together. We will be there alone." She said.

"I just can't go Dani. My leg isn't healed up and he didn't ask for me to go." Said Cosmo.

"You hurt?" She asked.

"Maybe a little. I know you and I love each other but is it the right kind? Maybe we were just meant to be friends and that is all." Said Cosmo.

"I don't know Cosmo. I have thought the same thing." Said Dani.

"I don't really mind. You need to have some fun. You have been with me 24/7 for awhile now." He said being unselfish and sweet.

"I did it because I care about you goof." She said.

"I know that. You are special Dani. Whatever happens I want you for a friend. I can't see my life without you in it somehow." He said hugging her.

"Cosmo Renfro you are the best." Said Dani.

"I know." Said Cosmo with a contagious grin.

Dani packed her crossbow. She wanted to get back into it. Cosmo just shook his head. She was packing an arsenal.

"I suppose you are taking the Berretta and the Colt." He said.

"Yes. Never leave home without them. My dagger too." She said.

"I know you have that. Don't you think that is a little much?" He said.

"Would you like to try sometime? I can teach you." She said.

"Might be fun at that. Sure sometime." Said Cosmo.

Then the doorbell rang it was Sam at the door.

"Ready?" He asked. As she opened the door.

"Always." Said Dani with her usually answer.

"What you got in there?" He asked.

"She's planning a raid I think Sammy. I can't stop her." Said Cosmo carrying one of the bags.

"What is it?" He asked.

"A 410 shot gun and a crossbow." She said.

"Wow. You know how to use those things?" He asked taking the bag from Cosmo.

"Sure. My grandfather Bailey taught me to use the shot gun and my grandfather Little Elk showed me the crossbow." She said.

"Good grief!" Said Sam rolling his eyes. " This will be some weekend."

"That is putting it mildly Sam." Said Cosmo.

"I didn't ask you because of the leg man, I'm sorry I had no idea you were here." Said Sam to Cosmo.

"Dani needs some time off to relax. She has been burning her candle at both ends for me. I can't deny her a weekend of fun. " Said Cosmo pleasantly.

"You have lost weight." Said Sam. "Your looking good Cosmo." Happy his friend was doing better.

"Thanks to Dani and herkoutkouts. My clothes are beginning to look like they belong to someone else." Said Cosmo a little proud.

They got the stuff loaded. Sam and Dani had gone and gotten groceries. Dani had brought along the makings for chili and for her mothers homemade biscuits. Sam and Dani piled into the Sam's Chevy. Sam drove. On the way they were listening to the news. The Dixon's had been spotted in the Chain of Lakes region. That is were Sam and Dani were headed. It was just outside of Chicago no more than an hour away.

"You think we should wait?" Asked Sam.

"I don't know Sam. I think that reports on the news tend to exaggerate sometimes." Dani said.

"We might as well go. I don't think it would be too unsafe. Besides we are Marshals we can kick their ass if we meet up with them. We have an arsenal in the bed of the truck." Said Sam teasing her.

"You. What am I going to do with you Sam Gerard." She said.

"Just have some fun and enjoy the weekend. Cosmo is right You've been doing too much." Said Sam>

"Sam where is this going?" Said Dani.

"This, what Dani?" Asked Sam.

"You know what I mean Sam." She said.

"I just don't know. Dani I have feelings for you. I will say that. It's been a long damn time but I do." Said Sam.

"Feelings are mutual in this respect." She said smiling at him.

He put her hand in his and squeezed it.

"Good let's have some fun huh. No more work or Cosmo talk." Said Sam.

"Good idea Sam." Said Dani.

They got to the cabin. A moderately big two story A frame. It had 2 bedrooms and a large fireplace. The kitchen was in the same room as the living room. Separated by a counter.

"Nice place." She said.

"Belongs to the Marshals Service." Said Sam.

"Cool." Said Dani lugging in the cases she brought.

"You gonna try to shoot some game out here?" Said Sam.

"If I can. I mostly want to practice." She said.

"I hope it aint me you are lookin' to shoot?" Asked Sam pulling her leg.

"You." She said smiling.

"We have two bedrooms. I don't want you to think that you are obligated to me. That isn't why I asked you here." Said Sam smiling.

"I know, it was because you want to thank me for saving your life and you wanted time with me. That says a lot. That you made time for me." She said.

"Being a Superintendent is not an easy job. It leaves little time for anything else." Said Sam.

"I know Sam. I think if I wasn't interested in you I would have done given up." Said Dani.

"We will find a way. If you and I were meant to be Dani there will be a way provided." He said.

They unpacked the food and put it away. Sam got out his guitar and started to play. He and Dani sat by the fire. Sam just played he thought he couldn't sing.

"I didn't know you played." Said Dani.

"Well there are lots of things you don't know about me." He said.

"Do you know Morning Has Broken?" Asked Dani.

"I think I can manage it Dani." He said beginning the song.

Dani began to sing the song. It was a song that she loved and had sung in school. Her voice took him by surprise. It was lovely. Like the other night at Emmits. She sang the song and she got applause from Sam as he quite playing.

"Awe." She said. "Thanks."

"You have a lovely voice Dani. You should have been a singer." Said Sam.

"I never thought myself good enough." She said.

"You are good. What can't you do?" Said SaP>
P>
"I'm a jack of all trades I suppose." She said a little embarrassed.
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US Marshals-Modern Day Warriors