A/N: I got the idea for this story from Ruby Rosetta Red's Sharp Scratch. In addition, some of these situations have come to mind while writing some of my other stories. Anyway, it is way out there.

Fan Fiction definition: Release your imagination.

That is exactly what I have done.

Chapter One
Brooklyn Children Social Services Office
Friday 5PM

"Hello Mister Simon, this is Jen. How are you today?"

"I'm doing well Jen."

"Are you ready for court on Monday?"

"Oh yes. Karen and I are very excited. We have been waiting for so long."

"I know, Mister Simon."

"Brian, please call me Brian. Are you going to be there?"

"Yes of course Brian, I have to testify, remember."

"Oh gees, that's right. I just want to thank you Jen, for all that you have done."

"You're very welcome, Brian."

"I know it's your job but….I don't know, you really seem to care and Karen and I appreciate that."

"Thank you so much. I will see you on Monday morning, goodbye Brian."

"Goodbye Jen."

She hangs up the phone and lets out a long breathe, "Hope it all works out for them."

"Hope it all works out for whom?"

"Jesus Christ," she holds her hand to her chest. "Michael you scared me."

"Sorry Jen." He sits down in the chair in front of her desk. "So, who were you taking to?"

"The grandfather of Billy and Vinny Philips," she says as she opens the top of a water bottle and takes a drink.

He sits back in the chair, "Oh. Yes, that helps."

She smiles and leans forward resting her elbows on the desk. "They have been raising their grandsons for close to two years now and on Monday it will, finally be decided if they will be granted full custody."

"Where are the boys parents?"

"Dad's in jail."

"How about their Mom, where is she?"

She looks into his soft brown eyes and smiles. "What?" She shakes her head, "Oh she passed away three years ago."

He crosses his legs as he exhales, "Gees. I guess in a way the kids are lucky that they have someone."

She takes a sip of water nodding her head. She looks past him, "Where are your kids? I thought it was your weekend with them."

"Yes it is, I had some errands to run that I didn't get to do yesterday so I dropped them at my sister's already."

"Your sister's already, what does that mean?"

"You forgot, didn't you?"

She smiles, "What did I forget?"

"My Dad's party is tonight, you know his birthday party. Also," he leans forward. "You agreed that you wanted to meet my family. Of course, my parents will be there plus my two sisters. Well I know that Vicky will be there," he runs his fingers through his hair. "Annie maybe, I hope so."

"Why, Annie maybe?"

"She's a cop, remember? Crazy hours, I swear sometimes I don't know how she does it."

"You don't exactly have a nine to five job either, being a fire fighter. What were your hours last week 12 to 8?"

He smiles, "Look who's talking. Who got a call at 2 a.m. last week and had to leave." He stands, "So are you ready?"

She stays seated as she glances at the clock, "I forgot that it was tonight."

He gives her a bewildered look, "So, what's the problem?"

"I have to….I need to. Shit!" She spins around in her chair, avoiding his stare.

He immediately walks over to her and grabs the arms of the chair, "What are you doing? What is the matter?"

"I'll meet you there, ok?"

"No Jen it's not ok, tell me what's going on?"

"I have to go somewhere tonight." She begins to pick up items off her desk and stuff them into her bag.

He stands erect and crosses his arms, "You have to see a client?" She neither agrees nor denies his assumption. "I'll drive you there and then we'll go to the party. That was the plan since your car died."

"When I agreed to that we were in bed and I wasn't thinking straight."

He has to smile and extends his arms, "I'm not going without you."

She takes his hands and stands, giving him a quick hug; I suppose it is time. "Come on."

Michael drives while Jen calls out the directions. They enter the Brooklyn neighborhood as the sun sets. She taps his arm, "There's a parking spot." He parks the car and they open their car doors simultaneously. "Michael," she waves her hand at him, "This way." He steps onto the sidewalk and takes her hand in his.

She stays silent and he continues to glance at her waiting for an explanation. "Well, are you going to tell me where or who we're going to see?"

She pulls him to the left, "We're here." She unlocks the outside door and uses a smaller key to check the mailbox. He tries to read the name on the mail slot. However, the letters are worn away.

He places his hands on her arms, chuckling he says, "What is this place?" He moves his hands up to her shoulders to massage them. "Your private hideaway?"

She removes the envelopes from the slot, Yeah my private hideaway.

He turns her around gently and notices the frown on her face, "What's the matter, are you alright?"

"Yeah," she says very unconvincing. Well I guess it's about time. Please God let him have a normal night. She just shrugs her shoulders and walks to the right while he walks to the left in the direction of the elevator. "Michael that thing hasn't worked for weeks," she smiles and tilts her head in the direction of the stairs. "Come on its only two flights up." She extends her hand and he takes hold.

They arrive on the second floor and she notices that the door to his apartment is ajar. "Damnit," she says threw clenched teeth. She releases Michael's hand and slowly opens the door. "Bobby, its Jen," she calls his name softly at first. She walks further into the apartment, tossing the mail on the dining room table without missing a step. Michael is close behind. "Bobby!" she exclaims. "It's me. Jen." She stops suddenly when she sees the bedroom door close softly. Michael grabs her arm and she jumps, "Shit Michael, that's the second time tonight you've scared me."

"I'm sorry Jen, who is this guy?" He looks around the room, "Does he have the kids hidden or something?"

She ignores both questions, pulls out of his grasp and continues to walk toward the bedroom. She knocks lightly on the door, "Bobby may I come in?"

A little muffled but they can hear a voice, "Who's with you?"

"A friend of mine," But probably not for long, she gazes at Michael, wishing she could cross her arms and blink them out of this apartment. She sighs, "Bobby, please open the door," she implores. She can hear the lock but she is not sure if he is locking or unlocking it. Moments later, the door is still closed. She knocks softly, "Bobby will you please open the door." She hears the lock again but the door stays closed. She grabs the doorknob and it turns, she looks back at Michael, "Please just stay here and I swear Michael I'll explain everything." He nods his head and steps back as she opens the door.

TBC

Still with me? Or to pissed off to continue.

One thing you have to remember, if you are familiar with my work, I am the Queen of happy endings and in this story happy middles.

Later

The Mominator