Twelve years. Twelve long, grueling years and it was over. Zack Grant
relinquished his weapon and badge and walked out of the FBI forever. It wasn't his choice.

That twelve years covered five in that other world, the one he thought was real until his shift. This world had proven even harder. There were the perks…the game. Sexual freedom but fuck that. It wasn't as though Zack was one of the more popular of the Crowe characters. It wasn't like he gave a shit either. He'd always had a healthy enough love life. Granted, after he crossed, he had the shock to cope with…that and loosing his son in the deal…a deal he never asked for. In this world, he did the best he could.

He'd moved as far up the ranks as he was going to get, considering that personality problem his superiors liked to point out. What the fuck? He was FBI through and through. But he never got the really interesting or very challenging assignments. Occasionally he'd cross paths with Terry and Dino, but that wasn't often. He'd worked his ass off through the terrorism of 911. Stepped up where needed and always got the job done. But Zack never shined. Never really made a mark. So…

He took his savings and planned a road trip, but that wasn't going to work. Did he want to work for the police department somewhere? Did he want to live in a small town? Another big city? Too many questions for a man who pretty much did what he was told for most of his adult life…unless he didn't agree with it. Maybe he did need a personality adjustment. But wasting time roaming around America wasn't going to help him any. It was only going to make him more frustrated. Time to take his best shot and see what he could get.

Sitting on the West to East flight, Zack thought long and hard about his life. He knew he was a good man, an honest man with integrity. He knew he was a lonely man too. A year or so ago, the game that had been his life just suddenly ended. He wasn't sure what caused it. People slipping through portals; or couples slapping all that freedom in the face and getting married. He'd probably never really know. All he was sure of was that it was over. Not like he missed the women, those select few all the guys were supposed to have a shot at. Hell, all he recalled over the past three years was a sweaty fling in the pool cabana with Hando's number one…now his wife as he understood. Fuck. Even the skinhead had gotten married. No telling where sanity will hit, is there?

So, it wasn't the women he missed. Zack sipped his second Bloody Mary and glanced down at the clouds. Nope, it wasn't the women…it was the family. Before crossing, he had only Eric; had unfortunately wasted too much time not appreciating being a father. After the cross, he was one of many. Many. When was the last time he even contacted one of them? Too long…way too long to be doing was he was about to do. Truth? Zack Grant had no choice. He needed work, work he could understand with people he trusted.

Landing in New York was uneventful. He located his luggage, rented a car and hit the first motel he saw. But he didn't stay in the room, planning or even brooding. May as well get to it.

He drove to Manhattan, paid a fucking fortune to park the rental and got into the elevator. At the twenty-first floor, the doors slid opened to the receptionist and he walked up to her.

"May I help you?"

You could if you're not busy tonight, he thought but cleared his throat instead. "Sure, hope so. I'm looking for Mr. Thorne or Mr. O'Leary. Both together would be ideal."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"I'm sorry. Mr. Thorne is on an extended holiday and Mr. O'Leary is in an important meeting. Would you like to make an appointment for a more appropriate time?"

"To see them? Listen doll, interrupt Dino and tell him Zack Grant is here to see him."

Her back went ramrod straight and her nostrils flared.

A lesser man would have stepped back but Zack leaned in. "Just push the button and call him."

"I will call security before I interrupt Mr. O'Leary for an unannounced visitor."

Zack gave a wicked chuckle. "Did he give you the diamond necklace yet, sweetheart? Or have you just gotten as far as the tennis bracelet?"

She quickly covered her bejeweled wrist. "Calling security."

Zack rolled his neck. "Be my guest. His office this way?" And he strolled around her desk to the hallway. "I'm guessing the corner office with all the windows. Right?" he called behind him.

She apparently didn't call security; she called Dino who was suddenly standing in the opened door at the end of the hall. He leaned on the door jamb, crossed his arms and grinned. "Zack Grant. So what the fuck can I do for you?"

Zack pushed past him, glared at Terry, sitting comfortably on the leather sofa in jeans and shirt sleeves, then looked out the hundred windows. Thorne and O'Leary, especially the O'Leary half, liked a lot of scenery.

"Nice to see you too," Zack finally sat on a guest chair and watched Dino calm his diamond adorned receptionist. Poor girl just earned that necklace.

Terry chuckled and shook his head. "Long time, mate. What's up?"

"I need work."

Dino and Terry exchanged an intense look.