Title: Blood is Thicker than Blue
Chapter 2 – A First Warning?

A/N: Thanks so much everyone for the great reviews! I hope you like this chapter just as much as the first and hope you continue to review and let us know how we are doing! For those that put on alert but didn't review would love to hear from you 'lurkers' as well as to what you are liking so far. I know this is short but hope it's still good and you all like it. Thanks!

"Damn it," Jamie curses as he slams the phone down onto the edge of the counter. For a split second he considers calling Danny to tell him but he shakes his head as he figures he knows what the eldest Reagan brother would say to him.

'It's a prank kid, he's just trying to get a rise from you. Go to sleep and get over it.'

Jamie finally moves from his spot, turns off the light and then heads for his bed. But as he sits down on the edge he looks out the window and a sudden feeling of being watched starts to consume him, so much so that he gets up, quickly closes the blinds and heads back to bed, slumping down and trying to get Malvesky's obvious taunt out of his head. But his night was spent wondering why he was now targeted and if Joe had found out something on Malvesky and now Malvesky was told to keep an eye on the youngest Reagan. But to what end?

How much does he know about me checking into Joe's death and the blue Templars? Was he invovled in some way? Who could I verify that with? He worked with Joe, maybe he is connected?

Jamie's mind can't help but ponder that, thus ensuring that when he wakes up the next morning he's a bit cranky and overtired. The day was routine but it ends with a situation he wasn't expecting, his father being shot and Danny going on a manhunt, threatening to personally kill whoever was responsible. The case came down to the wire, so much so that him and Danny were struggling to arrest his father's shooter before the Commissioner was taken out at a ceremony to honor Joe's memory.

"You okay?" Danny asks his younger brother after the heated arrest, Frank Reagan looking up at his two sons with love and honor.

"Yeah fine," Jamie nods at Danny and offers a weak smile. "Just glad it's over."

"Yeah me too. Okay I gotta check on Linda and the boys. Pictures soon right?"

"Right," Jamie nods, watching his brother walk toward his family and then taking some congratulations from nearby members of the NYPD.

"Wow so exciting to see the Reagan boys in action," Malvesky whispers at Jamie from behind, forcing the youngest Reagan to turn around with a frown. "Better than a hardy boys take down."

"What is your problem?" Jamie asks firmly, drawing a few arched brows in his direction. Most don't pay Jamie's outward discomfort any heed; but a family member does.

"Why does Jamie look so annoyed?" Linda asks softly, prompting her husband to turn and narrow his gaze at Malvesky hassling Jamie once more. "Who is that?" Linda wonders.

"Wait here," Danny tells Linda. But before he can walk away, she gently grabs his arm and forces him back.

"At least let him fight his own battles in public. Ask him in private what that was all about."

"Linda…"

"He's a rookie Danny and you told me about your rookie year and how you got constant ribbing because of who you were related to and your last name. I was just curious is all."

"That guy is a pain in the ass," Danny looks at his wife with lopsided smile.

"That tells me lot thanks," she just shakes her head. "Come on, your father is waiting."

Danny looks back at Jamie and Malvesky and huffs, feeling his fists tighten at his sides as he watches his brother shuffle in place, a sure sign he was more than umcomfortable talking to the annoying detective. But he turns back to Linda with a small frown and nods in compliance.

"Alright boys lets go to the stage for pictures."

"I have no problem," Malvesky answers Jamie with another twisted smile.

"Why did you call me at home?"

"Why did you answer?" Malvesky counters.

"Look whatever your game is…"

"Just nice to see such concern between brothers. You know Joe had that…for you and him," Malvesky gestures with his head in Danny's direction, but keeps his eyes locked with Jamie's. "Just hope you never need that assistance some day."

"What does that mean?" Jamie asks angrily.

"Looks like you are wanted for pictures, rookieReagan," Malvesky smiles before he turns and slowly walks away, hands in pocket and nodding hello to whoever was around. Jamie takes a deep breath and heads for the family now gathering on the stage, unaware of another set of eyes watching Malvesky before turning and watching him intently.

"What was that all about?" Danny asks as they head for the stairs.

"What?"

"Don't play stupid kid, I saw you talkin' to Malvesky and you looked pissed."

"He just wanted to congratulate us on the arrest," Jamie lightly stammers and Danny looks at him with a double take, not buying the answer his younger brother was giving him.

"Right," Danny huffs before he's pulled into place by Linda. He looks over at Jamie once more but says nothing, determined to try in a discreet way to find out what Malvesky's real agenda is toward his brother. Protocol be damned if the wily Detective had other ideas in mind for his brother besides some harmless teasing.

Jamie stands beside his father and feels his stomach tighten once more. What if it his digging was going to bring harm to his family? When he had gotten the call from Danny that his father had been shot on the street his mind raced with thoughts that it was secret that was responsible. The family finally disperses and Jamie heads off with his father and grandfather. Danny tries to get his brother alone again, but with Jamie being pulled in one direction and him in the other, he loses sight and frowns when he realizes that Jamie as left with their father.

"How are you feeling?" Jamie asks as they sit in the Reagan house later that afternoon.

"Sore but alive, thanks to you and your brother. Good work."

"Thanks," Jamie gives a weak smile to his father.

"Was proud watching you two work together like that," Frank tells him in truth.

"To all my boys," Henry smiles as he holds up his beer, prompting Frank and Jamie to clink theirs against his before taking a swig. "Yes Francis today was a good day for all of us," he states softly. They talk about Joe and the dedication and subsequent arrest for a bit before Henry excuses himself.

"Jamie what's wrong? And don't tell me nothing," Frank mentions to his son in a softer tone.

"Was just worried today you know," Jamie answers. "First Joe and…when I first got the call from Danny about the shooter being there..."

"How did he sound?"

"Like he broke the phone after he hung up," Jamie smirks.

"Probably did," Frank retorts with his own smile. "You know you can always tell me whatever is bothering you, you know that right?"

"I know," Jamie nods. "I just missed Joe today, more than other days."

"Yeah me too," Frank agrees with a soft sigh. "You uh okay after today? I know how much you looked up to Joe and how close you two were."

"Today was so…so real," Jamie sighs as he leans back in his chair. "His death just seemed so final today. But it was a great tribute to him. Yeah I'm okay."

"Good to hear it. Now..."

They talk about Joe a bit more before it's time for Frank to get some much needed rest, Jamie telling his father he'll head home and see him tomorrow if possible. Jamie heads outside, checking the streets but quickly cursing himself when he sees nothing and realizing that he's now paranoid; Malvesky probably at the bar laughing about they were able to spook rookie Reagan; telling the other officers that the green horn was giving in to the harmless teasing.

"I hate that guy," Jamie groans as he gets into his car, the one that had previously belonged to his brother and heads for home, not realizing he not only has a tail but a surprise already waiting for him at home.

XXXXXXXX

"Danny, you coming to bed?" Linda calls out from their bedroom.

"Yeah babe hold on a sec," Danny calls back, each using hushed tones because their sleeping sons down the hallway.

"Everything okay?"

"Just heard the uh…phone and wanted to check who it was."

"Just a text from dad about the press release, no big deal. Thought it was something...else."

"In case it was Jamie."

"You know," Danny starts as he eases himself down into bed beside her. "When I called him I was worried a bit at first; but he was the only one I called becuase I knew I could trust him to act like I would with dad's life at stake. But then seeing him in action and helping with the arrest well…I guess I see what he's got what it takes. He seemed a bit shaken at first but brushed it off."

"You were worried?" Linda asks in small surprise.

"Worried but proud," Danny confesses.

"You need to tell him that."

"I do," Danny insists.

"I mean actually saying 'i'm proud' instead of always 'way to go kid'," Linda teases.

"I know," Danny huffs.

"You both have your father's blood in you; Jamie, no matter how green he is, is like you. When on the job, he can't fail."

"He's human."

"And for that I know you worry."

"I do worry…hell Linda I can't help but worry and sometimes I do wish he had just stayed in law school and followed Erin's path instead of mine and dad's and then I'd have less to worry about."

"My hero," Linda smiles as she kisses him on the lips. "Now enough talk about your brother. Why don't you rescue me from my boredom over here," she playfully invites.

Danny gives her a smile before his strong frame turns over in their bed and his lips capture hers, pulling her body close to his and wanting to cap the exciting day with a heated sexual romp. With their door closed and locked and the boys asleep, they were soon moving together as one, the stress of the day all but forgotten.

XXXXXXXX

All during the ride home, Jamie's mind had been focused on wondering who else in the family might be hurt by his digging? His father or brother? What about his sister? Or worse any of his nieces or nephews? The younger Reagan's looked up to him; how could he do anything to endanger their lives just because he suspected that Joe's death was a cover-up for something else.

'You killed…it was your fault!' Jamie's mind offers a mock harsh voice as he stands at the funeral of one of his family members. He reaches his apartment but just sits outside in the car a few moments, his mind wondering if tomorrow he should just drop the whole blue Templar thing and get on with celebrating Joe's life instead of trying to rework his death.

"Damn it," Jamie curses softly as he finally gets out of his car and heads for the front door to his apartment. At his fathers he had changed into jeans and a sweater, carrying his dress uniform in a garment back. He gets onto the elevator, his mind still in turmoil. What if something happened to Danny? He couldn't have Sean and Jack without their father? His own father losing another son. Or what about Erin? His only sister? Nikki losing her mother? Or himself? Malvesky's threat was directed at him personally; what kind of emotional torment would that put on his father, especially after today? But again he can only ponder as so far in the past week, the suspected Detective never did anything more than just offer a few teasing words.

But things were about to change.

The elevator finally stops on Jamie's quiet floor and he gets out, slowly walking for his door, his keys jingling in his fingers. He shuffles the garment bag to the other arm and then pushes the key into the lock and gives it a good turn. But just before he lets himself all the way in, a pair of strong arms grab him from behind; one covers his mouth and nose with a damp rag while the other wraps an arm around his neck, pushing him into his apartment and kicking the door shut behind them.

With the hand firmly clamped over his mouth, Jamie drops the garment bag and concentrates on at least getting the arm from around his neck, his body however, rapidly starting to shut down. Panic seizes him as dark circles start to form before his eyes, his heart racing at top speed.

He hears a low smug laughter in his ears as his struggling starts to slow down, his mind racing as to what his captor had in mind and if this was perhaps the end for him? But just before he fades into darkness a harsh voice whispers another warning in his ear.

"Stop…digging…or else!"

With that Jamie's limp body merely sags to the floor while a figure looms over him with a twisted smile.

"Sweet dreams rookie."

A/N: Thanks so much everyone but sorry for the small cliffe. So what do you think will happen to Jamie? And who is really behind this? Hope you are all still enjoying the story. It was just luck that I could tie in some of the last eppy into this so hope that was fitting and please review before you go. Yes it helps me to write and update faster. Thanks again!

PS: Remember to stop by my Blue Bloods forum (click the forum link at the top of my profiile page) and talk about the eppies and post any spoilers you might have.