Two years after the death of Tim Hess, her partner and the father of her child, Merci Rayborn is working hard at her job, taking care of her son and holding it all together. She and Tim, Jr. are living with her father, and she is dating Mike McNally, a respected fellow officer. Merci and Mike are the gold couple on the force—both kids of cops—and though Merci doesn't passionately love Mike, it’s at least a comfortable relationship.