He pinned the schedule to the cork board, he was hoping he wouldn't feel so out of place once classes started. He'd been down this road before and screwed up in a way he never thought would be possible, the images of the mangled car still burned in his mind's eye.

He had driven by their house a few times since coming home, the hair on the back of his neck rising when he saw the brown haired little boy scamper across the front yard a smaller child chasing him. He assumed it was their little girl, a purple headband across what little hair she had tipping him off.

He had taken a few pictures with his camera, the zoom lens had been money well spent, he waited as they uploaded on the MacBook, the little boy's face in perfect focus. He owed that kid so much, more than he could ever repay.

"Yo Ruzek, come here" Kevin called from the evidence room, "you worked that drug ring case, right?" he held a case file in his hand, "seems they're back in action, they have a new kingpin"

"I did" Adam grabbed the file from him, "the guy was a real prick, he's still at Cook county, right?"

"Yea" he opened the drawer pulling another file "he's doing eight to ten. It's his little brother that's taken over" he pulled the photograph from the file "his name is Javier Sanchez, you know him?"

Adam held the picture in his hand, "doesn't look familiar, he looks like a baby. What is he 15?"

Kevin shook his head "nah, he's 19. The kid is big time though, I guess big brother Domenico taught him well"

"Where do we come in?" Adam asked, he went over the file again, "let me guess, stakeout?"

"Can't get nothing past you Ruzek" he hit him with the file "your lucky ass gets to hang with me tomorrow night, already cleared it with Voight"

Adam hung his head, "you're killing me Atwater, I finally convinced my sister to watch the kids so I could take Kim out. Thanks a lot man, I will remember this when you finally grow a pair and ask that chick from the 31st out"

Javier counted the cash again, it was a feeling he would never get used to. Growing up they didn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out, but now? Now, he was on top of the fucking world, and no one would get in his way.

He owed Domenico everything, he vowed to get revenge on anyone involved in sending his brother away.

He wrapped a rubber band around the cash and stuck it in the thermos and tossed it in the bottom of the filing cabinet.

Phil was on cloud nine, finally he would get to see his children it had been way too long and he didn't know if he would make the next ninety days the judge had given his ex-wife to relocate to Chicago.

"Hey Kim!" He called as he stepped inside, "where are you?"

She came from the back of the house, "please tell me it's good news?" Her hands clasped as if she was praying, "will I finally get to meet my niece and nephew?"'her voice hopeful.

"Yes!" He picked her up and spun her around before putting her down, "they have to be back in Chicago within ninety days, and then I get them every other weekend, and a few weeks in the summer. The next ninety days are going to be the longest in my life, it's over Kim, I'm getting my kids back" he finally gave into the emotions he had been struggling to keep in check.

"I'm so happy for you Phil" Kim hugged him, "you deserve to be happy Phil"

Bob signed into the facility, after he had spoken with Annie he knew he needed to get everything off his chest, it was time he said his peace.

She was sitting in the garden when they told her she had yet another visitor, she rolled her eyes, knowing it was most likely someone who was angry with her.

"Jesus, Bob what do you want?" Linda questioned him, "I have things to do" she stood in front of the table he was sitting at.

"I don't care, sit down" he pointed to the chair, she complied with his request, "I need to get this off my chest, and you're going to listen" he spoke through his teeth, he knew his blood pressure was off the charts "I don't care what you say about me, but don't you dare put Amy down, and I swear if you hurt my children again you'll regret it" he stood up the chair he had been sitting on sliding across the tile floor, "I mean it Linda, leave my children alone"

She laughed, "our children Bob, they'll always be our children. No matter how often you try to say otherwise" her eyes followed him out of the common room.

She hated how smug he could be, his self righteous act grated on her nerves, but if she was honest with herself he was right. She was the one who ran when things got tough, and she was the only one who could fix it. She didn't think she would ever be able to repair her relationship with Adam, but she knew she could reach Annie. It would take work, but she knew her daughter loved her, and she would do whatever it took to get her back.

Derek watched the pair enter the main building, he recognized them both their faces already on his MacBook, he was particularly drawn to her. From what he had read, her name was Annie and she was his sister, he needed to talk to her. She was his in.

She wouldn't know his name or his history, he was pretty sure his name wasn't spoken much in her brother's house if at all. He was counting on it to be that way, his plan would never work if she knew who he was and what he had done.

He picked up his pace so he would "accidentally" bump into the pair, and his timing was spot on, he collided with her, the books she carried crashing to the floor the sound echoing throughout the hall, "shit, I'm sorry" he bent down to pick the books up, his eyes locking with hers, "I'm a jackass, shouldn't text and walk" he laughed.

She smiled at him, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear, "it's okay, I'm Annie" she told him, she was mesmerized by his eyes a clear bright blue.

He stood handing her the books she dropped, "Derek" he extended his hand for her to shake, "maybe I will see you around, huh?" he smiled as he walked passed them.

"Yea, maybe" she smiled, butterflies in her stomach.

Trey stared at her, "Annie, do you need a cold shower?" he couldn't help but notice her eyes following Derek as he left.

"Shut up Trey!" Annie hit his shoulder.

"Annie Ruzek, I think you're blushing" Trey teased her, her cheeks a bright pink, "don't even try to hide it"

Annie rolled her eyes, "whatever, see you after class" they separated and her mind drifted to Derek.

-------Authors Note-----

Starting next week I'm back to work full time, which means writing lesson plans, doing observations and developmental checklists. So, updates may just come on the weekends, and that's not a guarantee just depends on the needs of the children in my class.

So, please don't think I'm ignoring this, just life getting in the way. I will try to update at least once a week, that's the goal at least.

As always, thanks for reading!

-Kristi