To the casual observer, Laura and Steve have it all: important jobs in law enforcement, critical skills that serve them well, the love of caring families, the respect of loyal friends, and the breathtaking beauty of Vermont. To those who know them well, though, Laura and Steve seem to be missing something significant: that one close, personal relationship to fulfill their lifelong dreams. Two critical related investigations challenge their professional standards, affect their work performance and spur them to action. To achieve the connection they both desire, Laura must summon the courage to overcome a lifetime of fear and Steve must choose to ignore a lifetime of bitter disappointments.