Blood Ties
By Shaz
Disclaimer- they might be returned slightly battered and worse for wear, but I do promise that as none of the recognised characters belong to me they will all be given back, well maybe...
Thank you for all of you that have reviewed my other blue bloods stories- you guys really are the best!
Blood Ties
Danny rubbed his hands over his face in exhaustion. It hadn't even been a particularly gruelling week, but it had taken it out of him. He wasn't sure why, he had even made it home to eat with his family every evening that week and managed to tuck the boys in every night. He smiled as he thought about it, his wife genuinely was a saint, she barely batted an eye when he was constantly late home from work- and was merely grateful when he returned home safely- so for her she was merely glad to have seen him regularly over the last week. She hadn't even minded when he had climbed into bed and merely wanted to sleep, despite the rare chance to be with his wife.
"Yo Reagan, you coming?" Jackie shouted out to her pale looking partner. He grinned in reply.
"Wouldn't miss it" he responded, smiling. The two were fairly certain that they were about to crack the case they had been working on. All they had to do was go and make the arrest, even the ADA was happy that they had enough evidence to charge the guy with two counts of murder, it was as simple as picking him up, didn't even matter if he didn't admit the job. The two seasoned detectives holstered their weapons, and after shrugging on coats they headed out of the precinct.
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Frank whistled as he mashed the potatoes, the whole family were coming round for dinner in a matter of a few minutes, tonight's dinner was in addition to the usual family weekly gathering, Danny and Linda were having some work done at their place, Jamie was at a loose end and Erin had Nicky- so Frank had invited them all round for their dinner, not that they needed inviting.
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"You sure you're ok?" Jackie asked her partner again in concern, as he held a cloth against his still profusely bleeding nose.
"I'm fine, just need it to stop bleeding" Danny replied, his voice muffled as he clutched his nose. Jackie smiled, it was unusual for a perp to get the jump on her partner so easily and really they were lucky that he had only punched him and hadn't had a weapon.
"Listen Danny, he's already coughed the job- why don't you get off and I'll sort the paperwork" Jackie offered, generously.
"You sure?" he asked her in surprise- neither of them liked paperwork, but he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"Yeah, you are only making a mess bleeding everywhere anyway" she retaliated, he chuckled lightly at her words, before getting to his feet and waving at her over his shoulder as he headed for the door. She watched him leave with a shake of her head and turned back to the paperwork.
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Frank placed the last dish on the table, just as he heard the front door being pushed open.
"Sorry I'm late" the voice of his eldest son called out as he stepped through the door. Linda smiled, glad that her husband had made it, even if he was the last one to arrive. He hesitated in the hall, aware of how he looked with his blood-stained shirt how it was. He sighed to himself, and carefully unbuttoned it leaving him in his plain white undershirt, considering himself lucky that the blood had not seeped through. His nose had only stopped bleeding halfway home, and even then it still felt damp and uncomfortable. He made his way into the bathroom, and washed him face to remove the dried blood, and groaned at his appearance. He looked as though he had gone five rounds with Mike Tyson, and knew he was going to have some explaining to do to his family. His nose and left eye were already colouring up- a shade of purple standing out in stark contrast against the paleness of his skin. Once he had cleared himself up as much as possible. Realising that he had made himself as presentable as he was going to get he headed into the dining room, taking his place between his father and his wife. It took a few moments before Frank fully saw the state of his son's face.
"Danny?" he questioned softly, and Danny groaned internally, knowing that the inevitable concern was going to come his way.
"Don't make a fuss Dad" he responded, his eyes pleading with his father not to pursue the issue.
"Danny? What happened?" Linda asked, now noticing the damage to his husband's face as well. This time Danny groaned out loud as all of the chatter at the dinner table came to a halt as his family took note of his new injuries.
"Nothing I'm fine. I just got cracked in the face locking someone up" Danny replied.
"Have you got it checked out?" Frank asked, worried at the extent of the damage that was visible and fearing for what internal damage there could also be.
"No, honestly it's fine. It looks a lot worse than it is" Danny replied, trying to control the urge he felt to yell at them to leave him be. Sensing his son's frustration Frank nodded and let the subject drop- for now.
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The rest of the meal passed in silence, and Frank couldn't help but notice his eldest son's apparent lack of appetite. Danny had in fact pushed his food around on his plate for the most part, which in itself was most unlike the man. Over the last couple of weeks his appetite had more or less deserted him, the detective had barely blinked an eye, assuming that his anti-social hours contributed to it more than anything else. He chewed on the piece of pork that had had forced into his mouth and struggled to swallow it. He took a swig of his beer to cover his trouble, although somehow he knew that he hadn't fooled his father. He allowed the conversation to wash over him as his tiredness once more overwhelmed him. He rubbed at his eyes tiredly and was grateful when the meal drew to a close. He struggled to his feet and moved to start clearing the table.
"Leave it Danny, me and Linda will do it" Erin told her brother gently, sensing correctly that their father wanted to talk to him. Danny oblivious to the motive, smiled his thanks and headed into the quietness of the solitude. He had barely leant his head back against the rear of the sofa when he felt a presence behind him. He opened his eyes wearily and saw his father stood in the doorway.
"You ok son?" he asked the younger man softly, worried as he took in his son's pallor.
"I'm fine Dad, just tired" Danny replied, realising that his father was only asking him out of concern. Frank moved forward and observed the bruising to his son's face and the bruises down his arms.
"How did you get those?" he asked, his tone dripping with concern. Danny looked at his arms in confusion- having not realised he had any further marks.
"I have no idea" he replied honestly.
"You sure that you're ok Dan?" Frank asked again, Danny looked him in the eye and saw nothing but worry.
"I'm fine, I just need sleep" he replied. Frank nodded, knowing that his son wouldn't lie to him. He squeezed his shoulder, concerned at the heat that radiated from him.
"Ok son, get some rest" he told his son lightly, and helped the now swaying man to his feet. Danny smiled softly, and headed up the stairs to his old room, not even folding his clothes as he stripped off and climbed into bed.
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Danny awoke the next morning feeling at least as tired as he had when he went to bed. He got showered and dressed, before he caught a glance at his reflection in the mirror. His face was a mass of bruises, he had definitely lost that fight. He sighed, unable to do anything to hide the injury, he decided against shaving, and simply headed downstairs. He poured himself a cup of coffee from the machine, and sat down to sip it carefully. As he waited for the steaming liquid to cool, he rested his head against the cool table, allowing his eyes to slip shut. That was how Frank found him ten minutes later, his concern escalated at finding his eldest in such a way. He carefully moved forward and shook the detective's shoulder.
"Danny?" he prompted softly, and Danny gradually came awake.
"Dad?" he questioned, confused. He blinked several times and suddenly realised where he was. "Did I fall asleep?" he asked incredulously. Frank smiled at the childlike tone despite himself.
"It certainly seems that way. I was going to ask if you were feeling better, but I think I have got the answer" he commented worriedly.
"I'm ok" Danny affirmed, dragging his aching bones to his feet, draining his coffee and heading for the door.
"Are you sure you should be going to work son?" Frank asked the detective softly.
"I told you Dad I'm fine" Danny replied, continuing out of the door- not sure who he was lying to the most his father or himself.
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"You look like hell Reagan" Jackie greeted her partner as he walked into the precinct. He looked pale and exhausted, and Jackie wasn't exaggerating with her description of him. Now that she stepped back and actually took a proper look at him- his clothes appeared to hang from his gaunt frame and he looked beyond tired.
"Thanks" Danny replied with a weak smile. He flopped bonelessly down onto his desk chair and reached for the coffee that his partner handed to it.
"Seriously Danny, are you all right?" she asked him in concern.
"For the hundredth time today! I am fine" he told her, losing patience with everyone asking him about his health.
"Okay, take it easy" she told him softly. "Here's what we have got today" she informed him, handing him a file, and sitting back in her own chair whilst he read the literature. He sighed, and stretched his back hoping to ease the pain that was building within.
"Ah shit" he groaned as a wave of exhaustion swept over him. Jackie was on her feet and by his side in a split second. She placed her hand on his shoulder and nearly recoiled at the heat radiating from him.
"Jesus Danny, you're burning up" she told him, placing the back of her hand on his forehead, alarmed at how hot he felt. She moved away for a second and came back with a cup of water, which she held to his lips for him to sip at.
"I'm ok" he told her, his voice weary.
"Yeah and I'm the pope" she commented, pulling her coat on in one swift movement. She helped her friend to his feet and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair.
"Where we going?" he asked her in confusion.
"I'm taking you home, or to the hospital the choice is yours" she told him in a tone that left no room for argument.
"Home" Danny stated, knowing that he was in no position to argue and not totally convinced that he wanted to anyway. Jackie nodded once before guiding the other detective to her car, he got in wordlessly and rested his head back against the seat rest allowing his eyes to drift shut. They didn't open again until the car drew to a stop outside of his father's house. "Thanks" he commented drily, she smiled at him before alighting from the car. "I can go in by myself" Danny retorted, not wanting to be babied by his partner.
"Excuse me for being concerned" she stated, not allowing his tone, or his comments to put her off as she followed closely behind him towards the front door. Danny moved into the house and made his way to the study, expecting to find his father there and he wasn't disappointed.
"Hey Dad" he greeted softly, Frank turned, surprised to have company, he was shocked that his son looked even worse now than he had earlier that morning- he hadn't thought that it was possible.
"Ah Danny, come on up to bed" Frank told him, reverting back thirty years. Testament to how shocking he felt Danny didn't argue- he merely lifted his weary feet up the stairs and back into the bedroom. Linda was out- taking the boys to school and checking on the progress of the house. Danny collapsed down onto the bed, his arm resting across his closed eyes. He felt poorly, it was very rare that he got ill and he had not felt this bad ever in his life and he was cursing his weakness. He heard hushed voices from downstairs before the door was closed again, he didn't have the energy to even bid farewell to his partner. He barely opened his eyes when his father came into the room. He didn't even protest when he felt him undoing his shoes and placing them on the floor under the bed. He felt his Dad pull him into a sitting position, and pull his shirt over his head, he didn't protest. Wordlessly Frank managed to get his son's pants off, leaving him in just his boxers he swung his legs onto the bed and pulled the sheet over him. He stepped out and returned a few moments later with a damp cloth that he tenderly dabbed over his son's pale, but flushed face.
"Sorry Dad" Danny whispered, mortified at his predicament. Frank chuckled lightly, realising that his son would hate the weakness that he was currently showing.
"It's ok son, you get some rest" he soothed him, leaving the cool washcloth on his son's forehead before leaving the room.
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"Hey Danny" Dr Rodriguez greeted the newly awake man.
"Hey doc" Danny replied, not fully surprised to realise that his father had called in the family doctor to examine him.
"Your pop says you are a bit under the weather" the kindly man commented softly. He had known Danny since he was ten years old, and he had been a newly qualified doctor. The amount of scrapes that the Reagan boys had got into over the years, meant that he was well acquainted with each of them.
"Lets get this over with" Danny commented lightly. Anthony snapped open his doctor's bag and moved closer to the detective, he took his blood pressure, SATs and heart rate- noting each down on a chart. He then checked the detective's respiration, noting the rasping before checking his temperature.
"Your temperature is far too high" the older man commented.
"Sorry" Danny replied, at a loss for what the doctor expected him to say. The family doctor sighed to himself before drawing several vials of blood.
"Bed rest until I say otherwise" he told the stubborn detective. "I am going to prescribe you some antibiotics to fight the infection, I will come back in a day or so when the blood test results come back" he told him. Danny rolled his eyes, not loving the idea of being laid up for any period of time. The doctor nodded at Frank, handing him the promised drugs, before he showed himself out.
"You heard him Danny" Frank commented. "Now chicken or vegetable soup?" he offered with a smile, Danny groaned at the impending torture he was going to be subjected to. He merely pulled the covers up, closed his eyes and went to sleep.
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"How is he?" Linda asked her father in law softly.
"Sleeping" he replied, equally quietly. "The doc gave him some tablets that will hopefully help fight the infection" he continued as he handed her a glass of wine. She nodded, her husband rarely got sick, so it shook her when he was so obviously poorly. "I have already left a message for his Captain to let him know he won't be in for the rest of the week" he told her.
"He won't like that" Linda commented, knowing that her husband hated to miss work for anything, but hopefully his father's actions would have well and truly taken it out of his hands.
"Tough" Frank commented with a smile. "Will you try and get him to eat something?" he asked his daughter in law. She nodded and spooned some soup from the pan into the bowl, before heading up the stairs to see her husband.
"Hey" she greeted the sleepy eyes that looked up to her.
"Hi" he replied.
"How you feeling?" she asked him perching on the edge of the bed.
"Exhausted" he replied, his tone weary and portraying his tiredness more than his words.
"I brought you some soup" she told him, handing him the bowl.
"I'm not hungry babe" he told her truthfully.
"You should try and eat" she admonished him gently.
"I can't, just want to sleep" he replied, and hearing his childlike tone, and seeing him looking so vulnerable she didn't have the heart to argue.
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"Hey doc, what are you doing back so soon?" Frank greeted his long term friend in surprise. He had only been out of bed for an hour after a relatively uneventful night.
"Hi Frank, I need to speak with Danny" the doctor replied, his expression and tone both deadly serious. Frank felt his stomach churn at his friend's words.
"Anthony, is there something wrong?" he asked, fear overwhelming him.
"Please Frank, I really need to speak with Danny" he replied. Frank pushed the door wide to allow the physician to enter the house. He gestured for the other man to proceed him up the stairs, which he did heading straight to the room that he knew housed the detective at that moment. Frank waited outside, terrified for whatever the doctor had to say.
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"Hi Danny" Anthony greeted his patient, Danny looked up surprised to see the doctor back again so soon. He was no fool, and his mind quickly caught up with the developing situation.
"What is it?" he whispered, he wasn't a detective for no reason, and he knew that he wasn't going to like whatever the doctor was going to tell him.
"Danny I really don't know how to tell you this, so I am just going to come out with it" he began, hating his job at this moment in time. "I ran the blood samples and I am afraid that they showed some anomalies, Danny you have Leukaemia" he told him gently, and at that moment Danny felt his world end.
End Chapter One
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