Title: Becoming Blue
Chapter 4 – Let's Play a Game!

"Well I'm sure Officer Michaels is happy that someone else volunteered to be with Dickson today," Sam commented as rollcall the next morning came to an end with all the assignments handed out and the day about to get started.

"Yeah Harley," Danny offered a sneered whisper as Sam's brow furrowed. "Not surprised."

"Anyone here you haven't tangled with?" Sam teasingly inquired as Danny cast a dry expression in his direction. "Kidding…"

"No I just…not a fan of Harley's. He's a bit of a bigmouth also but don't fancy him a racist," Danny pondered as they headed for the front door to go outside and get their day started.

"You sure about that?" Sam countered as Danny's lips pursed.

"No. Guess we'll see if Dickson's bad habits bring out any bad stuff in Harley. So…changing the subject, had that first date yet?"

"Yeah last night," Sam replied with a growing smile. "It was…great!"

"So what did you end up doing?"

"Promise you won't laugh?"

"Promise," Danny groaned with a smirk that turned out to look like a wince.

"You okay? Is that from yesterday? When you slammed into the car?"

"Yeah but I'm okay," Danny assured Sam in haste. "So spill already!"

"Nothing," Sam replied with a small frown.

"Nothing?"

"Okay well not nothing…" Sam stammered as Danny looked at him in question. "So we had arranged to go to that new sushi place just down from where she lives but uh…when I got there her younger sister had fallen and broken her leg and her parents had to go because the mom's mom, her grandmother had a mild heart attack and…" Sam's voice trailed off as Danny offered him a light chuckle. "So I offered to buy pizza and we watched a few scary movies and just…hung out. It was fun. Her mom said I was a keeper so that's good right?"

"Sure…always smart to get on the good side of your future in-laws."

"Hey now…" Sam warned as Danny chuckled and then looked out the window as their patrol route slowly moved past. "But it was nice. At least next time we'll go to a regular place. Then you won't be able to mock."

But as they passed a certain alleyway, Danny's mind zoomed back in time to a moment when he thought he had gotten the upper hand in a case he had been helping the Detective squad on. He was told to cover one end of the alley and just wait – but he didn't want to do that. He had put the cane aside, pulled his gun and slowly started to limp down the alleyway. He thought he had seen the perp and was about to make the arrest when he was struck from behind and made to stagger forward. He tried to catch himself before he tripped up completely but before he could swing around his right hand was yanked upward, a cuff was slapped on it and then cuffed to a nearby fire escape. Danny managed to swing around and kick at the perp, which actually afforded him the opportunity to punch him in the jaw a few seconds later.

However, the perp recovered steadied his gun and then pointed it at Danny and cocked the trigger.

'That's who the NYPD sends after me? A cripple?' The perm mocked as he wave the gun before Danny. 'How about I just shoot you in the leg and toy with you a bit longer. Not so tough are you! But…I don't have time, so I think I'll just kill you and be done with it!'

Thankfully for Danny before could take his last breath a shot rang out. The perp's body fell and revealed a familiar face on the other end of the shot. 'Anthony!'

'Reagan…what the hell…'

'I know…just get me the hell outta here…look I swear…he jumped me but…you got this guy…you don't need to mention the cuff or…I'll owe you…just don't…this doesn't need to go into the report. I thought I had him but…I just felt so useless and….thanks man please…don't mention this…I swear I'll owe you.'

"Danny?"

And true to his word Detective Abetemarco left out the part where Danny had been surprised by the perp and cuffed and Danny had kept his word and a few days ago he made good on his promise.

"Yeah…just…what?"

"Every time we drive by this area…you kinda zone out."

"Do not," Danny tried to argue back.

"Do to," Sam smiled and nodded. "Something from that Detective stint you did?"

"Yeah…memories," Danny replied with a tight lipped smile as they slowly drove by two guys pushing and shoving each other on the sidewalk. "Hey…stop here."

They two of them got out and walked toward the two men who stopped and looked at them in frustration.

"What's the problem here?" Danny asked in haste as he glared at the one that looked the angriest.

"Why don't you mind your own business, officer!"

"You being on the sidewalk disturbing the peace is my business, moron!" Danny countered as Sam bit back a smirk.

"Is that so?"

"You want to make something more of this? You got a lot of money to pay your way out of jail or spare time to make some new friends?" Danny shot back as the man's firm stance started to falter. "So I'll ask again…what's the problem here?"

"He owes me money but won't pay," the other one shot back as he glared at the man who had been pushing him.

"Do you have the money?" Danny asked in exasperation as the one who had first lipped him off held his ground. "Do you!"

"Yeah. Yeah but…he's lying!"

"I have proof!" Said the other who pulled out an official bill of sale.

"You made that up!"

"Maybe we should all go down to the station and settle it there?" Danny asked Sam who instantly nodded in agreement.

"Fine…here's your damn 50!" The man snarled as he pulled out the money, tossed it at the other and then stormed off.

"Thanks."

"Next time do your transactions at the bank," Danny offered as he watched the other man pull away and head off in the other direction. "Clowns," he muttered as Sam chuckled. A few seconds later his phone beeped and he was quick to pull it and read the reminder. "Oh right…mind if we make a quick stop?"

"Sure. Where to?"

"New apartment."

"New…or first?"

"First," Danny replied as they headed back to their police cruiser. "Linda's lined up a few that she wants me to look at and the super is available right now. She's looked a few but likes this one best."

But Danny wasn't the only one in the area of the potential apartment, because when his cruiser stopped and he and Sam went inside, Owen Dickson watched from the shadows and made careful note of where they were going. No calls over the radio Dickson reasoned that it was either personal…or he was helping with a case. The case he couldn't interfere with but the 'For Rent' sign boldly displayed on the outside started to spark some interest.

"Does Reagan live at home or on his own?" Dickson asked his new partner and soon to be ally, John Harley.

"With his old man as far as I know. What are you thinking?" Harley asked in interest.

Dickson's lips twisted upward as his brain started to formulate a new plan of attack.

"Yeah…I like it," Danny mused as he stood inside the empty apartment and then slowly wandered over to the windows and looked down two floors. "Don't hear too much traffic noise."

"And the building is very secure."

"My fiancé will be happy to hear that…she works at the hospital and sometimes comes home at night. Glad the parking garage is secured," Danny stated as he walked back toward the super; Sam slowly wandering around the open space. "I'm pretty sure we'll take it. I just need to tell her and…"

"And she's the boss," the older man interjected with a chuckle as Danny nodded in resignation. "I'll hold it for 48 hours."

"That'd be great thanks," Danny offered his hand for a shake of acceptance.

"I think Linda will like it. It's a great space. And the spare bedroom…it's small but…"

"Office or storage and that's it for now," Danny interjected firmly as Sam laughed.

"Do you ever want kids?"

"Sure just…not right away. Wanna be married for a bit first and…and that's a lot to deal with right?" Danny muttered as they headed back outside the building and onto the street. "I'll go and see Linda after shift."

XXXXXXXX

"See you tomorrow," Danny slapped Sam on the back and then headed for the locker room. He entered and then stopped short when he spied Dickson by his locker, who instantly slammed the door shut and glared at him. "You wanna go for another round? How about you take it like a man this time?"

"Me…take it like a man?" Dickson sneered as he neared Danny with a few angry steps. "Wanna show me how a real man does it?" Dickson goaded as Danny's fists instantly balled at his sides.

'TAKE THAT YOU ASS!' DANNY SHOUTED AS HE PUNCHED DICKSON IN THE FACE.

However, as soon as started to take a step forward, a little voice inside his mind – in his father's tone, reminded him that if he got it on with Dickson and he wasn't prepared for something Dickson could get him written up and he'd ultimately win.

"What's the matter sissy…you only a big man when your daddy is around?"

"Just had my nails done," Danny shot back as he held his ground; something that forced Dickson's irritation to rise. "Went to the same daisy that does yours!"

Having the same hairy temper trigger, Dickson's fists balled and he closed the gap between him and Danny with a few angry stomps. But just as he neared Danny, Sam's face appeared and the larger man backed off and then looked at Sam with an angry glint.

"See you tomorrow Reagan…sleep well!"

With that Dickson stormed past Danny and purposely bumped Sam on the shoulder on his way out.

"What…was going on?"

"Ah that dickhead was just blowing off steam."

"Danny…"

"Seriously…he just wanted to spout off," Danny insisted with a heavy frown. "Part of me wants to goad him into a fight but the other part knows if we are both written up….it's a first strike for him with this house and a second for me. I don't want that…but I want something on him to get his ass tossed out."

"Well he…he made racial slurs at Daniels, we all heard it."

"Daniels isn't making a fuss about it. Think Dickson has threatened him."

"What? Did you ask Daniels about it?"

"He said to just let it go and he's heard worse. So until someone other than me says something, it goes nowhere."

"I'll say something," Sam shrugged as Danny offered him a weak smile.

"Thanks but it has to be something more than your word. No offense but they'll say since your my partner you just agreed. We need something more."

"How about a sting or something?"

"Entrapment?"

"That's…bad right?" Sam asked slowly as Danny nodded. "What did you have in mind?"

"We need something to record him or…I don't know. Think about it but don't tell anyone, not even Katie okay?" Danny cautioned. "This is just between us…well now it's us."

"Danny….what happened?"

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Sam silently nodded in compliance and then pulled his locker open.

"Alright I'm off to see Linda. See you tomorrow."

Danny pulled his jacket on and then headed for the front entrance and outside into the cool night air. Hope dad found something on that blowhard!

XXXXXXXX

"Darryl? Frank Reagan."

"Frank! Hey how are things in the big apple?"

"Busy. How is the south?"

"Warm. Just like you like it," came a chuckle.

"Always a bit too warm for my liking."

"As much as I'd love to just idly chat…you've never just picked up the phone to make small talk."

"More of a face to face guy but this…this is important."

"What's going on?"

"Owen Dickson."

Silence and Frank's brow furrows heavily as he continues. "Darryl? Was it something I said?"

"You know…I've been meaning to take a trip up there. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

Frank hung up and then leaned back in his chair and stared at the phone in concern; he knew he had just struck a nerve…a nerve that was about to be severed and when it was the ripple effect would affect them all. And not…in a good way.

XXXXXXXX

Linda looked up as Danny neared her desk and couldn't help but offer him a loving smile. "You're early," she stated as she kissed him on the lips.

"Can you leave early?" He teased as she offered him a mock less than amused expression.

"Oh by the way Bec's wants to do a double date this weekend. New guy. Leon."

"Another deadbeat?"

"She swears he's different," Linda lightly giggled as Danny shook his head. "Did you check out the apartment?"

"Yeah I like it. Told him I'd confirm with the boss," Danny grinned as Linda's fist balled and playfully struck him on the shoulder.

"I'll drop by tomorrow and confirm…for you," she reminded him. "You better get it ready for when I move in."

"Sounds good. Which…according to my mother…will be in the spring."

"Linda I gotta run! Mr. Jenkins just needs that prescription filled by Pharmacy."

"I'll call it in Barb."

"Ah you're a lifesaver," the older woman smiled as she looked at Danny next. "Next time don't be so shy about your anonymous messages."

"What?"

"Goodnight Barb."

Danny watched her leave and then looked at Linda with a wondering expression. "What…was that all about?"

"Oh yeah forgot to send you a thanks for the note," Linda smiled as Danny's confusion remained. "Danny?"

"Yeah I uh…didn't leave you any note. What did it say?"

"It…I think I have it…maybe in my locker," Linda commented as she pulled away from the desk and headed toward the staff locker room. "You were in here with me so figured it was you. Who else?"

"Yeah…who else," he pondered as he thought for a second that maybe it was Owen Dickson but then he reasoned that this was a staff area and how could he get in without someone seeing and questioning. He followed Linda into the locker room and waited as she pulled open the locker and then retrieved the small note.

"Looks like your scribbles," she gently teased as she handed him the note.

'Love the uniform. Would love to see it off.'

"I agree with the sentiment but…but it wasn't me. Linda…"

"Maybe it was for someone beside me. I'll ask Jen. She has a new boyfriend and he was here a few days ago. Maybe he meant to shove it into her locker and got mine instead."

"Yeah…can you ask her?"

"Danny, I'm sure it's nothing."

"Can you just ask?"

"Sure. She's on an escort right now but I'll ask when she gets back. What's going on?" Linda asked in concern as they slowly left the staff room.

"I don't know. But uh…but just let me know okay? You know I worry," Danny replied with a tight lipped smile as he tried to downplay his worry.

"Okay I will. See you tomorrow."

"Okay. Love you," he whispered as he kissed her on the lips and then pulled back with a strained smile.

"Love you too. And don't worry. I'm sure it's nothing."

He gave her a nod and headed for the front door and paused as his brain was filled with some mocking laughter with Dickson's evil tone behind it. If it was Dickson….he's….

A/N: yeah Danny…don't worry lol hmm does he have anything to really worry about? Who really sent the note? Was it Dickson or just Danny's paranoia edging further. And for those that asked…I fleshed out a bit more about Danny's nightmare with his time as a Detective and what happened and how that's now getting mixed in his mind with Dickson. Course…it could also be foreboding lol thoughts on what Dickson might be plotting next? Will Danny's entrapment plan work? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!