Not so much a rarity anymore, more like settling into a steady routine. Monday meant a day off, and the tasks of most home-bodied individuals, like laundry, and necessities shopping. This late in the day, most of his laundry's in the folding process, since he didn't have much to work with in that department.

Monday also meant that it was Timora's day for the girls, at least since what she had discussed. Either way, it was her turn to feed, change, and tend to the girls while the others did errands. At least she had good company. The girls were being set down to nap time around this time, with the hops that they'd give their Mommy a chance to relax.

They're not bad girls. Always bringing a smile to his face, those two. They wouldn't start getting rowdy for a few months yet. Snap, flip, fold, one tee-shirt after the other. It still made a depressingly small pile.

The day-to-day routine was starting to feel ominously like a rut. Like running in place, just existing from one day to the next sometimes. Go to work, come home, sleep, eat sometimes, repeat as necessary. Where was he going? Now that he's here, what's the plan? He really just didn't know.

"Here comes Super Bear!" She laughed, holding up the little teddy bear with a cape. It was Selene's favorite toy, Althea was already chewing on hers. Selene would make noises, squeal, and blow raspberries at her mother while they played. To Timi this was the best part of the day. She began to make the bear, zip and zoom over the crib, laughing softly whenever Selene gave one of those long, happy cries and bounced.

Well, Ti and the girls didn't need to know all this dismal musing. Taking a breather after folding the last shirt, he smiled that beaming smile over at the giggling group.

To Timora her days were never boring thanks to the girls. She was enjoying the time she had with them, and five months old at that. They were almost a half a year old, she couldn't believe how beautiful they were. Her life was about these girls, even if she felt a little lost at times or alone. She found that Taj being around eased that just a small bit. Not that Taj would ever see the slight loneliness or well, anything else. She generally tried to stay happy around him.

Casting a smile, she paused to point to Althea," Do you think you could burp her?" She was working with two rug rats today, and all by herself. It wasn't wrong to ask for a little bit of help now and then.

Chuckling, he snagged a towel with a practiced hand, laying it on his shoulder and moving over. "Don't mind if I do." Reaching down, he went the full goo-goo cooing route, gently scooping the little one up and settling her there, patting her back gently. "Come on, twinkletoes. Let's make this a good one, yeah?"

Timi couldn't help but giggle at his words. Her head shook, and she went back to playing with Selene even as her eyes turned on Taj. Her feet wiggled and kicked, giving out a squeal of eagerness when he came near. Arms flailed and bounced while her sister burped, her pre-nap burp. Sure she had been burped after lunch, but it was always good to get another one out, that and it gave Taj a chance to be around the girls. Timi was so focused on Selene she didn't miss what happened next. Selene gave a squeal and then wiggled,' Daaddaaaaa!" Which startled her mother quite a bit.

Blink. What? "What was that?"

Timi stammered slightly, glancing to Taj," I think she just said Dada... To you.." Her hands bounced again, shifting up and down while she confirmed Timi's answer with a reach for him and over and over." Dadaaaa, daaaddaaaa! DAADAA!!" Quite vocally.

"Did. . .did she just. . ." Man, he had to sit.

Selene was starting to get watery eyed. Soon Timi was trying to sooth a sobbing baby while glancing to Taj," Are... Are you alright Taj?" She knew his past story all to well. While she popped a binki in Selene's mouth, which seemd to sooth her rather well, she went on tucking in Althea in the neighboring crib.

Alright? He didn't know what he was, other than sitting there, staring at the tiny little creature who'd just shattered his world with that first uttered word. Finally, he rose, leaning over Selene's crib with a heart-wrenchingly sad smile. "Dada, eh?"

Little arms lifted, reaching out for Taj as she bounced her butt and wiggled. A small laugh came from Selene's mother," Seems so." She looked back to Althea who was just gaping up at her, suckling on her own binki. She was the quiet observer. She always had been.

Reaching down, and fighting back quite a few tears, he tickled Selene's sides just a little, before lifting her up gently. Caramel-mochas stared into those teensy baby eyes, and his lips curled into a smile, like he wasn't even thinking about it.

Selene reached out with those small hands, touching at his chin while he held her. The brightest of blue greens looking up at him. Another wave of baby talk left her lips, her eagerness to converse with Taj obvious. Timora merely laughed, leaned forwards, and gave a kiss to Althea's brow. She could see Althea's eyes getting heavier.

Babbling back, what's this burly bruiser of a constable do? Tummy-zerberts, that's what. It's a good enough distraction for the moment, and not something that he had to think to do.

Feet kicked and she squealed and giggled. Her hands gripping hold of his head and her tiny body wiggling. Timi leaned back, setting herself into the rocking chair and giggling. She watched the two contently.

Playing and blowing raspberries on the tummy for a bit, he smiled, and set her back down in the crib, tickling under her chin. "Alright, little one. It's napping time now."

Selene's response? A long yawn and a grip to his nearest finger. She was already becoming heavy lidded like her sister. Timora stood, quietly moving towards the door while she took steps to darken the room and turn on the baby monitor.

He waited until those eyelids closed, and slipped quietly out of the room. Once outside, and the door pulled to, he let the smile drop, and a look of utter shock draped his features. Turning, he strode quickly down the hallway into the living room.

Timi watched his face change like that and frowned. A moment of consideration came and went before she followed after him. Soon she was stepping by the door frame of the living room, just watching him curiously.

There he was, sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. He'd thought the wounds of his old life were at least partially healed, but there they were, old memories tearing them open once again.

She strode over to his side, pressing a hand to his shoulder as she sat down," Talk to me Taj. That's what I'm here for."

As he looked up, she could see the reason he wasn't talking. It's almost sad, seeing such a big guy cry like that.

Both arms moved, closing around him instantly and embracing him. She pulled him in, letting him cry against her while she whispered," Just let it out hon, let it out." She wouldn't say sad, she hated seeing him upset. It was painful to see such a wonderful man as him in so much pain.

It took a while, before anything coherent came. "S-sorry, Ti. I just. . .I wasn't. . .ready for that."

"Do you think she knew that?" She tried to make him smile, her hand rubbing at his back," It's alright. I understand."

"That just. . .did me in." His hands rubbed at his face, as he took a few very deep breaths. "I miss them, Ti. Every day, in some way, I miss them."

She frowned, nodding softly and smiling to him," I know." Her head lowered a bit while she sighed," I know it's not good for me, but on some days when it gets too much for me I miss Guill." Once in a while, in a rare blue moon. Rare blue moon.

No, he wouldn't give in to that petty thought. "I never thought I'd hear anything like that ever again. . .It just. . .shocked me."

"The girls love you Taj." Smiles to him softly," You're the one constant male in their lives. You're here every day, and you have been since I moved here."

Elbow, meet knee. Forehead, meet palm. "It's not that, Ti. I'm just. . .floored. From the mouths of babes. It took a baby girl's first words to drill into my head what I've been doing."

"And what are you doing?" Her brow rose.

"Nothing. And that's the problem."

"What do you mean by nothing? You've got a great job, a great life.."

"No, Ti. I've got an entry-level job that I'm overqualified for, and beyond that, I go get into fights for fun. That's not a good life, or a good example to set. Really, other than the Outback, what do I do?"

She frowned at that, sighing a bit," Nothing but come home and go to bed."

"That's not a life, Ti. That's being a placeholder."

Shakes her head a bit," Same could be said about me Taj. I go to work, come home, take care of the girls, and go to bed only to do it over again. I don't even duel."

"No, you don't. And you're pretty good at it. And dammit, I don't even need this job. It's just something familiar." He fell back into the couch with a sigh. "Something I could hold onto, instead of leaving it behind."

She patted his knee lightly," Taj, look at me."

Tilting his head, he did.

"I'm doing a job that Guill taught me how to do, it's not my skills, it's his skills." She frowned a bit," I'm a single woman raising twins with the help of her mother and her sister." Again she lowered her head and sighed out," I'm clinging to an old life and having help with a new one."

"Sounds like we're both stuck in the same boat." Leaning back, he started gnawing on a thumbnail, thinking.

She sighed, leaning back besides him and folding her fingers over her lap.

"Right. So, any ideas on how to jump ship?"

"Well.." A small laugh left her lips, she smiled to him softly.

She looked away, shaking her head," It's a stupid idea.."

His brow shot up, and he chuckled along with. "There are no stupid ideas. Especially not at this stage."

A small smile to him again and she shrugged," I'm not sure. It kinda keeps me up at nights, but I knew it was a bad idea at the state you were in."

He kept quiet, just letting her get the idea out and into the open.

She stood up slowly, biting her lip and pacing. She didn't know exactly how to word it, but finally she spluttered," I... I'm.. I... I'm.. I have feelings for you."

Slowly, very slowly, he nodded. "I've known that for a while, Ti. Not to make little of it, but you haven't exactly been hiding those."

A small flush came over her and she gulped," I'm sorry.." She said as she glanced to him.

"It's not something to be sorry for. Think about it. If I were offended, do you think I'd still be here?" New York Logic. Gotta love it.

"I didn't want to burden you with it.." She looked to him, giving a hesitant look.

"And yet, now you know I've known. Still feel like it's a burden?"

She shakes her head a bit, looking out the window for a moment," No, now I'm wondering why you didn't say that I was being obvious."

"Seems like that would've done more harm than good to me. Besides, no matter how much I hurt, I'm not going to take someone's hope and stomp on it."

She nodded, a small frown forming on her lips. Stomp on it.. That didn't bode well.

Sitting up, he took a deep breath. "Timora, I like you. I like being around you. Now your kids think I'm daddy. But I'm still piecing myself together. That's going to take time. And you probably need some yourself, to get over being afraid of Guill. Am I right?"

"Yeah." Smiling to him softly," And I'm working on that, so don't worry." A small nod being given.

"Good. Keep working, and so will I." Standing, he moved over to the window, staring out. "I don't have many friends here, but you're the best of the bunch. I'd like to keep that, no matter what else happens. Fear, fire, flood, waking up after a night of drowning sorrows. . .I just don't want there to be regret." He looked back over one shoulder, a brow quirked. "So let's build on what we've got. Seems like a good foundation, doesn't it? Being best friends?"

She smiled to him, her fingers moving to clasp his shoulder. A small nod was given," I can live with that." Smiling to him, squeezing his shoulder," Best friends is a good thing."

Reaching up, he let his hand cover hers. "Best way to start."

She nodded, turning to look out the window. A small smile on her lips.

"Besides, being best friends? Means you're less likely to deck me out if I do something goofy. Like, say. . ." Catching her hand, he pivoted and pulled her around for a surprise spin and dip, really hamming the hell out of it. "This."

Both eyes went wide when he did that, and she started to laugh. Her smile grew, bright and broad as she looked to him," I wouldn't deck you out because of this." She was clinging a hold of him slightly. But there was trust there, trust that he wouldn't drop her.

Chuckling, he nipped playfully at her nose, before pulling her back up. "There's that smile. So. Daddy."

Her nose wrinkled at the nip and she snickered a bit. His words made her grin and she nudged him," What'd you expect, you help me raise the girls."

"True, but aren't you worried about them being colorblind? They don't exactly have my level of tan. . . kidding, I'm kidding. It's just . . . heavy. Not a bad heavy, but just . . . heavy."

She snickered, bumping her elbow to his arm," Hush, they'll know about Guill, but as it is. I think I like the fact that they're so attached to you. They make you smile."

"And cry. But you know what's weighing most on my mind now?"

"What's that?" Perking a brow to him.

"Holding myself back from scaring the bejebus out of the first boys they date."

That made her laugh, hard too. Her smile was still quite bright," Taj, I'd welcome that."

Putting on his best growly face, he started popping his knuckles. "Guess I'd better get practicing, hmmm? We already know they can wrap a guy around their little pinky." Chuckling, he nudged back. "Look at what they've already done to me."

"I like it to be honest." She winked to him, giggling softly," Better practice quite hard, I think Selene is going to be more of a heart breaker than Althea."

He nodded, thinking a moment. "How about some lunch? I'll go pick it up. Won't take a minute." And it'll give them both thinking time.

"Lunch sounds perfect. I'll check on the girls." Smiling to him, moving to busy herself. It was the best way for her to think.

Nodding, he headed for the door, thinking something along the lines of Asian cuisine would go good right about now.

Both girls were fast asleep when she checked on them. Selene curled up against Super Bear and Althea has binki in her mouth, wiggling. Sleep, suckle, sleep, suckle. She smiled, watching them for a few, long, long moments

It took a while, since he was walking. And thinking, which meant for slower walking. But after a while, he slipped back in through the door, carefully in case the girls were still asleep. As for the food, he'd gone relatively simple, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, some egg-rolls, that sort of thing. The lobster Rangoon was a weakness. That, and a crisp white wine would make for a decent meal

She was sitting out on the back porch, looking out at the garden, her feet kicked and swayed while she hummed lightly. Her fingers folded back behind her head and her eyes on all the flowers, bright whites, oranges, pinks, purples, and yellows all around the house and in the back yard.

He checked on the girls. Habit, and a good one to have. A moment to open the wine and let it breathe, after checking to see it hadn't been "corked", he started dishing out a nice spread on the table. And yes, just for grins, he lit a candle.

She smelled the food, it was not hard to ignore. Her frame shifted on her feet and she rose, moving back into the house while she perked a brow. Her head tilted at the sight of the candle, curiosity triggered.

A couple of glasses in hand, he winked, standing behind the table. "Lunch is served, m'lady." Corny? Maaaaybe.

She grinned, glancing over the display and then up to him," What's the occasion?"

"Revelations, confessions, and I'd thought you might want to properly celebrate the first word."

She smiled," I would love to celebrate that." Giggling softly, she moved for a chair.

"Sticks or fork?"

"Sticks are fine." She set a napkin in her lap, giving a small giggle and looking over the food.

"Excellent. So, you like?" Taking the other chair after helping with hers and setting her glass of wine down, he winked.

"I do." Smiling to him, taking up the glass and sipping at the wine, she closed her eyes," Mmm.. Wonderful."

"I hope you don't mind, but I've never had real lobster Rangoon."

"Not at all. You can order it whenever you like." Smiling to him, starting to dig in.

Oh. Oh sweet mother of god. She's so going to laugh when she sees that face.

She perked a brow, her head tilting to the side while she chewed. A smile formed on her lips when he made the face, she started to giggle softly.

"This is the real deal. Oh God."

"Good hm?" She giggled softly.

"You've never had to deal with soy facsimiles, have you?"

"Soy facsimiles?" That was a new development for her.

"Soy coffee, soy burgers, soy fries, you know. Fake stuff, like margarine instead of butter."

"Fake?" Shakes her head," No fake stuff in this house okay?" She giggled, winking to him.

"Bless you." He took another bite, actually moaning a little. "Wow. This is some really good stuff."

She started to laugh a bit more, her head shaking," Real food usually is."

"Where I'm from, real food is hideously expensive."

"Why's that?"

"Too many people, not enough farming, soy products are so much cheaper, that sort of thing."

"Ah, I see." She nodded, fumbling with her food for a moment before chomping again," Well, No need to fret about it here. "

"I guess I don't. So, nothing fake in this house, hmmm?" Uh oh, why is he smiling?

She perked a brow at him, at that smile," Why? Something fake in this house?"

"No. . .just thinking about how quiet it is most nights. When the girls aren't howling, of course." Wink.

A small blush rose on her cheeks, her sticks busing to gather up food," I see."

"Just poking a little fun, Ti. After all, it's not any noisier in my room, right?"

"Well.." She grinned to him.

"Ti . . . level with me here. Is that something you want? From me?" He looked fairly serious as he picked up his glass, taking a sip.

She thought over that, taking a sip from her glass," There are things I want, but honestly, I'm more comfortable if you're comfortable. Your pace, your choices, your actions. What I want isn't important." She shook her head," To me it's what you want and I'm not going to do things to make you feel bad, worse, or even uncomfortable." She smiled to him, then went back to eating.

"Honestly, I'm still working out what it is that I want. Though it took earlier for me to figure that out . . . but call me curious."

"Curious?" Her brow perked a bit.

"Yes, I'm curious. Call it . . . research into possibilities. Is that something you want from me?" Research, and maybe just getting the ball rolling, don't you know.

Leans back a bit," I want you happy, I want to see you smile and have everything you ever wanted." Frowning a bit," I know how hard it's been for you, adjusting, coping, and I understand."

"I'd settle for smiling. A lot of things I want, I can't get anymore. Captain's bars on the NYSPD." He took a deep breath, but it didn't hitch this time. "Coaching my son through his first date. There's quite a few things that I'm going to have to deal with not being able to have, Ti."

She nodded, looking towards the girl's room and frowning," I understand."

Down the hatch went some wine. "Alright, I'll go first then. You're a very attractive woman, Ti. And damned tempting. Damned tempting indeed."

"Thank you." She nodded, taking a drink of her wine, smiling to him.
"But?"

"But nothing, Ti." Smiling back, and shaking his head, he refilled his glass.

Sets down her glass and smiles to him," Taj, I'm very attracted to you, enough to say I'm more than tempted." She sighed," But it's rude to throw yourself at a man who isn't ready for it."

Oh that got a laugh. "Timora Aleta. I'll have you know I did a six-month stint as a bartender in a gentleman's club. I know all about fending off unwanted advances. Have I been fending yours off?"

"I've not been advancing.." At least that she knew of," Have I?"

"You offered me a place to sleep, got in a hot tub with me while I was drunk wearing a bikini, you bring me lunch at the precinct house, set up an account for the whole crew to eat, and in general are the nicest person I've ever met. No, that's not advancing. But, it is above and beyond the norm, for someone you've only known less than a year."

Smiles to him," You've been good to us Taj, very good to us."

Now, he's smirking. "Maybe. But that good? Like I said, Ti. I've known for a while. And confirmed it during that talk with Riley."

Her brow perked," Confirmed it?" She pulled her wine glass to her lips and sipped.

"You have no idea how much you blushed when she said I was a better father figure, do you?"

She turned quite red, biting her lip and shaking her head," No."

"Right about there, as a matter of fact."

It was only making her redder.

Chuckles abound. "You know you're pretty when you blush?"

"You're only making me blush more." She mused behind her glass of wine.

"Well, now you know that I know. So there." Finishing off that third glass and his meal fairly quickly, then standing to clear away his plates.

"Then what now?" She perked a brow, standing to help him with the plates.

"Now, we check on the girls, and I finish putting away my clean duds. After that, I'm thinking about a soak."

She nodded, moving to rinse the dishes and put them in the washer," Sounds good."

"Thinking about taking the rest of this wine with. Be a shame to waste it, wouldn't it?"

"That it would." She smiled, pausing to dry her hands.

"Alright then. Meet you there?"

She blinks, glancing to him," Sure, let me call my mother."

Letting out another chuckle, he strode off to gather up his laundry, and get it put away.

She called her mother, and in no time, grandma was there crooning over her grand-babies and watching them sleep. Timi moved to her bedroom and began to get changed.

Meanwhile, he's already in trunks, and warming up the tub, pouring a couple glasses of the wine.

She came in, the forest green bikini upon her frame sparkling in the light. Her frame slid into the water and she sighed contently.

He's already there, and chuckling. "See what I mean?"

Blushes a bit and splashes him," Hush, it's my only suit."

He couldn't splash back, holding up both glasses away from the water. "Hey! No chlorine in the alcohol!" Then he handed one over.

She took one glass and sipped it lightly. Her sweetest of expressions on her face.

He downed his glass, then set the empty aside. Suddenly, he looked a little concerned. "Ti? Come here a second. You've got something on your face."

She blinked, her glass being set down and she scooted closer, a bit worried," What is it?"

When she got close enough, he zipped in, and lightly kissed her nose. "That." Settling back with a big old shit-eating grin on his face.

Both of her eyes had crossed at the nose kiss. It took a total of three seconds to realize what had happened and suddenly she was back to that shade of cherry. She settled back, not sure what to say or do.

Baby steps, Ti. Baby steps.

She slumped into the water, closing her eyes and letting her heart beat settle.

"You alright over there?" It's not just the water he's feeling. Four glasses of wine, two of them downed rather quickly, were starting to take their toll.

She reached over taking a few gulps from her wine before nodding," Mmhmm."

"Okay. Just checking." Easing back against the tub's rim, he let his eyes drift closed, relaxing.

She sipped her wine, swirling the glass a bit and thinking.

Behind closed eyes, he wondered what had her so quiet.

Her frame slowly slid, resting to his while she sighed," I don't know how to tell him he can't see the girls."

His eyes stayed closed. "Firmly. Straight up, no room for second guessing. No wiggle room. Get that restraining order, and one for the kids as well. Claim he's a potential danger."

Her head lowered, still looking to the glass of wine. She frowned a bit," I... I don't think I can do it alone." There was a small quiver at her bottom lip," He, he just... He loves them so much."

"I know he does, Ti. But he's got issues. Big ones."

"I know, but..." Her head lowered a bit," He seemed fine the last time I saw him."

"If he's fine in six months, get the order rescinded."

She nodded, sipping at her glass lightly.

One arm slipped around, and gave her a friendly hug. "It'll be alright, Ti."

She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded lightly," I know."

"So what else is on your mind?"

She looked up at him," How I ever made it this far with those girls by myself is beyond me."

"You've got spine, kiddo. That's how."

Smiles to him," Guess so." She nudged him," Thank you, for everything."

"Hey, I'm just a guy. Happened to be in the wrong place at the right time."

Gives out a small laugh, shifts, and kisses his cheek," Still means a lot to me."

"I'm just glad I'm here to do it." Yup, baby steps.

((Live RP between Taj and Timi. Thank you Taj-mun))