Title: Undercover Blues
Chapter 1 – Wrong place, wrong time
Summary: With his weapon raised, Danny looks at the battered and captive man before him and wonders how his undercover sting got this bad. But more importantly if a miracle doesn't happen how could he explain to his father he was the one who killed his brother?
Disclaimer: Um you know by now write? Lol I own nothing but my hard working muse Alice otherwise Jamie's screen time would equal or rival Danny's hehe
A/N: Okay so if you know me or have seen my forum rants (in my season 3 bluebloods forum-drop by and join the convo's if you haven't already) you'll know we don't have near enough Jamie and nowhere near enough brotherly moments! *sigh* I know I haven't written much lately in this fandom esp in the way of longer ficx but blame RL. So am working my way back to it but hope you like this little ficlet (2 maybe 3 chaps) in the meantime (its some Jaime whump/Danny/comfort that I love best!). Oh and in our world, Jackie is still around!
"Okay partner where is he?" Danny looks up from a file as Jackie enters the busy maze of desks and detectives.
"In booking."
"Sorry I thought you said booking."
"I did."
"Was I not clear when…"
"I didn't book him in," she retorts with a groan as Danny cocks his head and gives her his trademark exasperated glare.
"You just called and said you had a line on him and…"
"And then you hung up on me. I was going to add that I had a line on him and was following the cops who just arrested him for…"
"Who's the dumbass that took our guy without asking?" Danny growls almost rhetorically as he pushes past her; once again interrupting and not letting her finish.
"Jamie," Jackie answers with a sigh, forcing Danny to literally freeze in his tracks and turn and look at his partner in shock.
"What? Are you serious?"
"Danny…." Jackie's voice dies out as Danny storms into the hallway and heads toward the main booking station; eyeing Jamie talking to Renzulli and then Renzulli walking away just as Danny nears. Danny takes advantage of having the perps back to them and firmly grips Jamie by the arm and pulls him away.
"Hey dan…" Jamie's voice dies out as Danny yanks him around the corner, Jamie jerking his arm free and looking at Danny in surprise as they stop about half way down; securely out of earshot. "What's going on?"
"You not read your bulletin this morning?"
"I…yeah…" Jamie stammers as he looks away and then back at his brother with a pursed lipped expression but merely exhales heavily. "There was nothing from you."
"Where did you find him?"
"He was roughing up some guy in the alley."
"That guy genius, was Detective Marko. He was there by my request and being roughed up as part of the act!" Danny rubs his face as he turns around and shakes his head and then turns back to Jamie with a heavy frown. "This is the second time this week that…"
"The first wasn't my fault. The other one shot at us and we had to bring him in," Jamie insists in his defense as Danny offers his youngest sibling a small glare.
"You purposely trying to piss me off this week or maybe you are just trying to ruin this case for me?"
"Look I said I was sorry okay? You want me to go and le…"
"No. Just keep out of this. You've done enough already! Danny's finger firmly pokes him in the chest. "I'll deal with it."
"Danny wait…"
"Just keep your nose in your own business."
Jamie watches Danny pull away and disappear around the corner, uttering a small curse before he turns to see Renzulli watching him in concern. "I forgot," Jamie implores in misery.
"Don't worry about it kid. He sent the bulletin after roll call and we were busy. He'll figure it out."
"Yeah in the meantime I have to grow eyes in the back of my head…or you know get a head that spins around," Jamie groans as Renzulli nears him and lightly chuckles.
"Come on inspector Gadget," Renzulli slaps Jamie on the back, "let's get back out there."
Jamie glances down the hallway and notices Danny talking to Jackie and then turns and follows Renzulli toward a door away from the booking area. He knows that something else must have been eating at Danny for him to get so agitated like that for a mistake Danny helped him make. What's going on? I wish he'd just tell me. It's not like I'm a kid anymore…Jamie's mind inwardly groans as they exit the building. Thankfully for him the day passes by without any further incident and he heads back into the precinct early evening wanting to find Danny and see if they were at least still on speaking terms.
But as he rounds the corner he feels his heart sink as he looks at Danny's empty desk; Jackie's desk just as empty.
"Tomorrow…" Jamie mutters to himself as he heads for the lockers to change and then stop by his father's before heading for his apartment. He would have to admit that his timing this past week when it came to Danny's bulletins could be described as worst at best; but the last one wasn't his fault. Damn it Danny…I didn't do it on purpose, Jamie huffs as he reaches his father's house and slowly heads inside.
"Hey kid…what's eating you?" Henry asks as he greets his youngest grandson with a smile that quickly turns to a wondering frown; Frank coming into focus in the back.
"Pissed Danny off."
"On purpose?"
"No just…he's been in a bad mood all week."
"What else is new," Henry smirks as Jamie glares at his grandfather in frustration.
"He's been testier than normal this week but won't say much when I ask. Do you know what's going on?" Jamie looks past Henry and asks his father directly as Frank nears them.
"I do," Frank replies slowly as Jamie looks up in wonder.
"But you can't say more?" Jamie presses.
"Your brother is working with vice to bring down a high ranking member of the Fratelli gang. Not many know because we don't want to draw too much attention as this member's sister in law is related to a member of the NYPD. So yes he will bite off anyone's head that meddles in this case."
"I didn't know."
"And he'll forgive you for it…when it's over," Frank assures his youngest with an easy smile. "Want a drink?"
"Could use one after today," Jamie huffs as Henry smiles and gives him a hearty pat on the back; the three of them heading for the dining room and settling around the already open bottle of scotch, Henry going for another glass. "I think he wants me out of this uniform."
"Don't stress about this week. A few more days and Danny will be back to his loveable self," Frank lightly remarks. "Trust me he likes you out there. Worries to but then we all do."
"About me? Dad I'm fine," Jamie insists as he takes the glass from his grandfather.
"All father's worry. I still worry about Francis," Henry pipes up.
"In what way pop?"
"I worry one day soon you'll give the mayor a real piece of your mind and be unemployed," Henry smirks. "I would have long ago."
"That's why I'm still employed," Frank shoots back.
Jamie offers the two older Reagan men a small smile as Henry laughs at his own joke but now inside wonders how he can avoid crossing his brother's path the next day. Sure his father could smooth it over about his getting in Danny's professional way but until he hears it from Danny, he'd always wonder if Danny was proud or even happy that he had followed their steps. Jamie finishes his drink, lingers a bit longer and then finally says goodnight and heads for his quiet loft apartment.
"Tomorrow will be better," Jamie muses to himself as he turns off the light and happily sinks into the dark realm of sleep.
XXXXXXXX
Jamie enters the busy precinct the following morning, walking past Danny's empty desk on the way to the locker room; noticing Danny's absence but spying Jackie in the corner and making a direct path toward her.
"Hey…Danny around?"
"He's gone undercover for a few days. He couldn't say anything. Only Linda knows."
"And dad."
"Him too," Jackie agrees.
"Look about yesterday…the bust and all…I didn't know and…" Jamie stammers nervously as Jackie offers the younger man before her a sympathetic smile.
"He got over it. The great thing about your brother is he blows hot and cold really fast."
"So the case is still okay right?"
"Took a bit of extra talking on his part but yeah he's okay. You'll get a few details at briefing this morning."
"Thanks," Jamie nods before he takes his leave and heads for the locker room to get into his NYPD uniform and go in search of his partner.
"Big bad wolf isn't here," Renzulli teases Jamie as he slumps down into a chair beside him at morning briefing and roll call.
"Yeah Jackie said he's gone under for a few days."
"Bad group that one."
"And there are some good drug gangs out there?" Jamie cheekily retorts, earning a playful swat from his partner before a hush falls over the crowd and the morning session swiftly starts. Jamie hears some of the details on Danny's operation and makes notes like the rest; his notes a bit more careful as he knows he doesn't want to be the one to hinder Danny's operation in any way; more than he fears he might have already.
They all slowly file out of the room and head outside; Renzulli noticing Jamie quieter than usual.
"What's up kid? You didn't get into trouble back there?"
"Danny didn't mention anything yesterday about going undercover," Jamie replies as they get into the car, Jamie in the drivers seat as they pull away from the curb and into traffic.
"He probably couldn't. But all goes well and he'll be telling you all about it around family dinner on Sunday," Renzulli tries to settle Jamie's anxiety.
"Yeah like he tells me much," Jamie huffs as he casts a stony blue gaze out the window ahead. "I still think he sees me as a rookie."
"Don't worry…I doubt he confided in Joe much either. Probably his thing you know?" Renzulli muses.
"Yeah maybe…" Jamie's voice dies out as a call comes over the radio and it's time to get his mindset into the game and put on his professional face. He hears Renzulli responding to the call and then flips on the lights and pushes down on the pedal.
"Let's get to work!"
XXXXXXXX
"Reagan…where are you?" Renzulli's anxious voice is heard over his radio.
"On the roof of the…hardware…store," Jamie replies out of breath. "Sarge…he jumped across to the clothing outlet. But I think he went…inside…"
"Okay I called for backup and will head inside. Go around to the back entrance. Cover the alley."
"Copy," Jamie huffs as he spies the metal fire escape and races for it; knowing it'll be faster than having to head back inside and go all the way around. With determination to get the fleeing suspect, Jamie jumps down the last few steps and rolls, cursing the fact that he'll have a bruise on his back from his odd landing but not caring if the suspect gets away and he's to blame or wanted to take an easier route.
"Sarge…on the ground heading to the back…where are you?"
"Clothing store. All quiet in here…check the back but keep an eye out…he didn't come out this way."
With his gun now raised and ready, Jamie's careful steps near the back entrance to the clothing depot; his ears straining to hear something against the silence that was greeting them; the ambient city noise always around and easy to drown out. But just before he can pull the door open and enter, the desperate suspect pushes through the door, slamming right into Jamie and nearly knocking him off his feet.
"Stop! Police!" Jamie shouts as he quickly recovers, turns and races off after the fleeing suspect, his lips trying to give his partner a firm location as to where he's heading.
"Reagan…say again? Where are you now?"
Jamie races after the suspect down the narrow alleyway; the dark skies overhead not offering any extra light to the pursuing officer; not taking any pity on a man desperate to bring another to justice. Jamie watches the suspect round a corner and then duck into a graffiti covered doorway and slows as he nears. With his gun raised, Jamie pulls the back door open; his mind telling him that his partner got the message and the static was just on his end.
"Reagan…where are you?" Renzulli asks again, neither of them aware that the collision with the fleeing suspect, damaged Jamie's radio receiver.
Jamie's eyes rapidly blink as he frantically tries to adjust to the dimly lit surroundings; his fingers firmly clutched around his gun as he goes a bit further into the unfamiliar structure. He stops to listen and then finally hears footsteps up ahead and starts to pursue.
"Police!" Jamie shouts as he nears a landing to go down. But just as he nears it, the suspect jumps down from the top set of stairs, slamming into Jamie's frame and forcing them both to land hard on the dirty concrete floor. Jamie feels the suspect trying to wrestle his gun away and lands a punch to the man's jaw with his fist only to gasp in return as his side sustains a firm blow from his attacker.
"Renz…" Jamie tries to call into his radio as he tries to twist around and get some leverage on the man still clawing at his service weapon.
"Damn cop!" The suspect huffs as he punches Jamie in the jaw, snapping his head back in pain. But not giving up that easily, the hand with the gun comes up and punches his attacker in the temple, forcing the man to yelp and pull back; another quick blow to his nose and his head snaps back and his grasp loosens.
Feeling himself finally able to wiggle loose, Jamie rolls onto his stomach and pulls himself free; the suspect quickly grabbing his legs and yanking him back to his knees.
Jamie utters an angry growl as the suspect lands a hard blow to his lip and tries to push past the now sickening taste of copper on the tip of his tongue. He returns the favor and punches the suspect; both of them breathing hard, showing obvious signs of the fight but neither of them wanting to back down or give up.
Jamie finally feels himself pull completely free of the suspect's desperate grasp and staggers back to a standing position; aiming his weapon at the man now on his knees and cocking the trigger.
"Put your hands…up," Jamie offers a bit breathlessly as he steps back one more foot. But not seeing the man in the shadows now coming up behind him, he keeps his concentration fixed on the suspect until it's too late. He hears a soft squeak coming from the last stair and turns…only to be met in the face with something hard, his body crumpling to the ground. His lips automatically utter a painful gasp as he's kicked hard in the stomach; his ears picking up an evil snicker from his unseen attacker and the other one he tangled with.
"Damn cop!" The suspect taunts as Jamie's gun is kicked from his grasp.
"Leave him and beat it!" The second attacker firmly demands.
"He's mine!"
"Not on my turf. Now beat it!"
"Fine, you hurt him bad…" the suspect sneers as he spits down at Jamie's slowly writhing frame.
"Oh I intend to. Just wondering…" Jamie's ears hear the second man ask his suspect. "Why did you choose to come into this building?"
"Lucky I guess," the hapless suspect replies, not realizing his fate had already been sealed.
"Not really…" is all that is heard before a soft 'ping' from a silenced weapon and the suspect's body falls a few feet from Jamie's.
"Look he…"
"Shut up officer," the second man demands as he kicks Jamie once more; Jamie's arms instinctively grabbing his stomach before they are pulled up just as his vest is yanked free and tossed away; leaving him exposed and vulnerable. "Your choice to follow him was also the wrong one."
"Wait…" Jamie lightly begs as he tries to get his watery vision to focus. "My partner knows…where I am…" he manages weakly, his head pounding and heart rate soaring; his core enflamed.
"Bad choices all around," the second man replies in annoyance as he yanks Jamie's radio free and busts it with his foot. "On your belly!" The man's gruff voice demands.
Despite the throbbing from the fight and the surprise attack as soon as Jamie figures out what the second man is doing he tries to fight back; but as soon as the gun is cocked and pressed into his ear he begrudgingly complies and turns over; offering a curse as his wrists are firmly cuffed behind his back.
"Look you don't have…" he tries only to receive a warning blow to his already throbbing temple…not enough to do much damage but enough to send a stinging message that he shouldn't talk back.
"Let's go," the man gruffly instructs as he hauls Jamie to his feet and drags him toward the dimly lit staircase to go down; Jamie's frame struggling to keep upright and pull away at the same time.
Where the hell am I? Did Renzulli get the message? Damn this is not good! Who is this guy?
Jamie's eyes finally accustom to the dark and focus as he's dragged down a very darkened narrow hallway and then pulled into another room; his panic instantly rising as he comes face to face with about half dozen, heavily armed and very angry looking men. Oh damn…really not good.
"Look boys, I brought us a party favor," the man holding him captive grins as Jamie quickly swallows a panic-filled lump.
"What the hell?" One of them demands in anger. "He's seen our faces."
"Oh trust me he won't live long enough to remember them," the man sneers as he turns and looks at Jamie with an angry glare. "Wrong place, wrong time cop…too bad for you huh."
"My partner knows I'm here," Jamie replies as firmly as he can, praying the shaky tone he hears isn't projected to the men around him.
"He'll be too late," one of them slowly walks up to him with a dark gaze. "I'd like to have some fun first. Wadda ya say cop? You want to have some fun?" The man goads as he rips off the Brass pin on Jamie's uniform and tosses it to the floor.
Jamie keeps his eyes straight ahead, his ears trying to silence the taunting snickers and his brain racing for a way out of this nightmare. He knows if Renzulli had gotten the message, he'd have been here by now or at least seen the dead body upstairs and called it in. Am I alone? With all these guys that hate cops?
"I'd like to have a bit of fun first."
"Better to just kill him and get it over with," another man states.
But it's the third voice that speaks last that forces Jamie's mind to instantly race. What the hell? Oh no…tell me…no…no it can't be…Danny? Sure enough he watches as one of the men in a dark coat, with a black cap on and a few days heavy facial growth turns to him with a very narrowed gaze and firmly clenched jaw.
Danny…oh man no…this can't be…I really am dead.
A/N: Uh oh…Jamie! What have you done? Danny's already mad at his brother for nearly messing up with the arrest but now he's in the middle of the deal. How can Danny keep his own identity in tact while keeping his brother alive and not messing up the deal further? Would love your thoughts on what you think might happen next so please review and thanks so much!