T/W: Mentions death and a funeral, and indicates mental health issues and possible hallucinations.

***
Steve

When I get home from work, I'm greeted by Aria, who the second she sees me, crawls as fast as she can to me.

"Hey, baby," I murmur, setting my bag down and lifting her up. Aria tries to give me a kiss and I laugh.

"Steve, is that you?" Lex calls from the kitchen.

"Yeah!" I head for the kitchen, where Lex mashing up some potatoes for Aria.

"Ma-ma!" Aria exclaims.

"Yup! That's your mama, and damn, she's fine!" Lex laughs, shaking her head.

"Should you be talking that way to our daughter?"

"I don't see a problem with it," I reply  I lean over, kissing Lex, who reaches out, her fingers grazing my beard.

"Could you put Aria in her high chair, please?" Lex asks.

"Sure." I carry Aria over and set her in the high chair, strapping her in and then lock the tray in place. Aria bangs on the tray with her hands, grinning up at me.

Lex brings in Aria's food and cup, filled with milk, setting it down. I go and grab Lex and I's plates, bringing them to the table. We sit down and begin to eat. (Well, Lex and I eat, Aria just makes a mess.)

"Mom was over today," Lex says.

"Anything new?" I ask.

"I think there might be," Lex says. "But she's in denial."

"Lex," I say, frowning. "Your mother is a full grown woman. Let her have her secrets." Lex puffs out her lower lip, reminding me of Aria when I tell her no.

"But why won't she tell me?" Lex asks.

"Probably because she's worried you'll freak out," I reply. Lex scowls.

"I wouldn't."

"You would," I argue. "Besides, she's probably lonely at times and Jay's a good guy." Lex chews in silence for several seconds.

"Bah, bah, bah!" Aria exclaims.

"You don't say," I tell her and she laughs.

"I still feel kinda...funny about it," Lex says.

"Why?" I ask.

"Because," Lex says. "It's weird seeing your mom date someone you've known forever."

"You know what's really weird?" I ask Lex.

"What?"

"A grown woman, freaking out about her mom dating." Lex sticks her tongue out at me, which encourages Aria to try.

"Oh great!" I exclaim. "Now look what you started!"

"Bite me, Speedle," Lex snaps.

"Ummm," I say, staring at her. "You're a Speedle, too."

"Only by marriage." Lex gives me a sweet smile.

"Aria's not though," I point out.

"Darn it!" Lex makes a face. I laugh. So does Aria.

"Some parents we are," Lex jokes.

"No shit."

***
Lex

I'm sorting through some old photos and come across some of..Speed. They were ones that I took when we first started dating. I smile softly, touching  Speed's face. Damn. He was so handsome. I gaze into the dark eyes and just for a minute, I completely forget everything.

And I mean, everything. I don't remember his..death or funeral. I don't remember receiving that horrible phone call from..Eric. The one that changed my life forever. I don't remember..Steve or meeting him.

But then, everything comes rushing back and it slams into me, hard. I set the photos aside come across some old family photos of Mom, Uncle Grant and me.

Jay is in a few of them and he's always standing next to Mom, his arm around her. Mom is usually smiling at Jay. I frown. I can't help but think: if thre was something there,  why didn't Mom and Jay pursue it? It's such a mystery and I intend on cracking it.

***
I decide to take Aria on a little field trip to the crime lab. It's been a while and everyone there always enjoys our visits.  I walk inside, heading to the elevator, go in and head up to the crime lab.

When the elevator door opens, I spot Ryan Wolfe, Speed's replacement, right away.

"Ryan!" I call out and he turns.

"Lex, hi." Ryan smiles at Aria, who is solemnly studying him. "She's gotten so big," Ryan comments.

"Unfortunately," I joke Ryan laughs. We head down the hallway, running into Eric Delko. Eric and Speed were close friends. Also...Eric kinda holds a torch for me. I've never been interested in him that way, so it's a little awkward at times.

"Lex, hey. And here's Miss Aria." Eric gently tickles Aria, but she just stares at him, despite the fact that she's seen Eric plenty of times.

"It's been a while," I say to Eric. "So I thought I'd stop in and say hi."

"That's great." Eric smiles softly at me. I spot Horatio Caine, the leader of the CSI Miami Dade team, coming.

"Lex, hey. It's good to see you," he says.

"You, too, H," I say.

"Aria is looking more like her dad every day," Horatio remarks. I nod.

"I know. It's great." Now Aria smiles at Horatio, who smiles softly at her. Horatio is great with kids.

"Lex, hi!" Calleigh Duquesne comes rushing to us, smiling. "Aria, hi sweetie," Calleigh says. Aria puts her fingers in her mouth and grins at Calleigh.

"Could I hold her, if she'll let me?" Calleigh asks me.

"Of course." Aria let's Calleigh take her.

"I see she inherited her dad's dark eyes," Calleigh says.

"She did," I say. "I'm so happy, too."

"She's really growing," Eric comments. I nod.

"I wish she'd stay little a while longer," I say wistfully.

"I'll bet," Ryan says. I spot Alexx Woods and head over to give her a hug.

"Hey, baby. How are you?" Alexx asks.

"Tired," I reply. "Taking care of Aria is hard work."

"Of course it is," Alexx agrees.  She comes over to see Aria for a few minutes. I stay a little longer myself, and then head for home.

As I'm walking towards the car, I see a man standing across the street.  I don't really pay much attention until he turns, looking directly at me. I gasp, clutching Aria to my chest as we lock eyes.

He looks exactly like...Speed.

***
Steve

Lex seems a little rattled when I arrive home.

"Did something happen?" Lex shakes her head.

"No."

"You seem kinda...jittery," I comment. Aria is crawling over so I pick her up.

"I just..saw someone who looked a lot like...Speed, is all," Lex replies. "It's nothing." She leaves the room, heading upstairs for a few minutes before returning. I study Lex's body language.  No matter what she says, that little incident clearly rattled her.

***

"It was so weird," Lex murmurs as we lie in bed that night. She's rubbing my beard.

"Do you think you imagined it?" I ask softly,  curling my hand around Lex's waist. She shrugs.

"Do...do...you think I'm...losing my..mind?"

"No, baby," I whisper against her neck. "I think that sometimes our brain and eyes play tricks us, making us think we see things that aren't really there."

"You're right," Lex whispers, snuggling into my chest. "Besides the last time that happened was nearly three years ago."

"When we lose someone we love," I say softly. "I think we could see our loved ones whenever they choose to return to us." Lex nods, yawning.

"You're right. I'm glad I talked with you about this." I give Lex a kiss.

"Me too."