Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 4 – Re-scripting the Future?

Frank watches the boys enter the kitchen and tells himself not to press them if they weren't quite ready to answer about their commitment to his serious proposal about their future, asked the night before. He knows the decision won't be that easy for them and after overhearing a few of their words last night and seeing the haggard looks on their faces, he wonders if they got any sleep at all.

"Morning," Frank greets them as he hands Danny a mug of steaming coffee, Henry coming into the kitchen with a welcoming smile. Frank, Henry and Erin had agreed last night not to push the boys – this was their decision and they had to be the ones to come forth. So Henry greets Jamie as he normally does; but his brain also noting how tense and tired the boys look this morning.

"Morning," Danny replies as he takes the mug and then puts some sugar into it and looks at Jamie who looks back with a strained expression. Henry looks up, catching the boys locking glances before Jamie quickly looks back down.

"Everyone's up early," Henry comments as Jamie looks up with a tense smile.

"We're still going to see George right?" Jamie asks in haste as Henry nods in acknowledgement.

While Jamie talks to Henry about George, Danny looks at Frank; his heart starting to gain rapid momentum. He knows if they go the day…or they delay any longer in giving Frank their answer, the tougher it'll be on them both emotionally and mentally.

"Frank," Danny starts as Jamie stops and looks up with an expectant expression, Erin entering just as the room goes silent. "Wow…didn't expect an audience," he stammers somewhat nervously.

"Danny, you don't have to feel pressured to tell us right now if you're not ready."

"I know but um…but I think if we just allow the day to pass without telling you our decision it might um…it was such a great offer and…" Danny starts and then pauses, the tension already thick and palpable and for a few seconds the doubting tone makes the three Reagan's think that the answer is going to be in the negative. "And we talked about it…a lot…well all night. You have such a great name and we're just scared that we'd somehow screw that up."

"Danny…"

"With school and stuff and Danny in the academy. People know Joe and we'd just be…freaks," Jamie blurts out and then quickly falls silent.

"What if I failed at the academy? Or Joe's friends get pissed off or…or people think Jamie got the scholarship because of favoritism from Henry," Danny's voice nervously rattles. "It's such a great offer but…"

"But we're scared," Jamie interjects nervously as Danny looks at him and nods and then back at Frank. Frank gestures for them both to sit and eases himself down into a chair before them, Henry and Erin opting to stand a few feet behind them.

"Being scared and nervous at this is very understandable. It's a big decision and yes it will bring about some big changes for you both."

"What about people saying we're not really your children?" Danny asks quietly. "This whole city knows about Joe."

"We've factored that in and those that want to make an issue out of it will be the kind of people to make an issue of the sun shining on a sunny day. I'm sure right at the start there will be questions from your friends and co-workers and yes Danny you'll face some verbal backlash when you enter the academy. But what we do…what I do is my business. You were legally adopted by me. That's the plain truth and no one else needs any further details if you don't want to share. If they have further questions they can come talk to me."

"You make it sound easy," Jamie pipes up.

"It won't be but then nothing worth having in life is ever really that easy it is?" Frank counters with a warm smile. "It takes hard work to get it and keep it. You have both worked so hard and come so far and deserve this chance and I want to help it happen for you both."

"We just don't want to let any of you down," Danny adds as he looks up at Frank and then Henry and lastly Erin; Jamie nodding in agreement.

"Hearing all this right now, tells me that you'll do your very best to not make that happen. But we're only human and I don't want either of you living in fear of that. That wouldn't be fair to any of us."

"Are you sure?" Jamie asks in uncertainty.

"We're sure."

"Okay."

"So it's a yes?" Erin asks somewhat impatiently as Danny snickers and Jamie's face softens.

"It's a yes," Danny agrees as he looks at Jamie who says yes at the same time.

"Danny and Jamie Reagan," Henry states with a proud smile and confident tone. "I like the sound of that," he smiles as he gives Jamie a hug; Erin next.

"Thank you," Danny tells Frank warmly as he pulls back from a hug. "This means more than we can ever tell you."

"I'm happy to hear that," Frank responds in kind as Jamie steps up and gives him a hug also. "My sweet boy," he whispers as he kisses the top of Jamie's head.

"Okay so now that we have the more serious stuff out of the way, how about we get ready and go see George," Henry suggests as Jamie nods and then leaves the room to finished getting ready to leave. "Their fears are legit," Henry mutters after Danny leaves the room also, leaving Frank and Erin only within earshot.

"I know they are pop but we all want this so now we'll do what we can to help make it a success for them. At least we know going in we'll have resistance right up front."

"Who do you think will give either of them the hardest time?"

"Sonny Malvesky."

XXXXXXXX

"Think he'll still be there?" Jamie inquires of Henry as they head toward the hospital about half hour that same morning.

"I honestly don't know," Henry replies in truth as Jamie keeps his weary gaze fixed outside the window. "Happy you both decided to say yes."

"I just hope mom wouldn't be mad or something," Jamie ponders with a frown as he looks at Henry in uncertainty. "Do you think she would?"

"I think she'd want the best for you both and that's what you have now," Henry answers with a warm smile. "She'd want you to be happy. Are you happy?"

"Yes," Jamie answers affirmatively. "But also nervous."

"Well that is understandable."

"No cares if you're last name is Smith. We were nobody's and now we're somebody's. Your name is very well respected and known. What if…"

"Tell you what, if you want to become an axe murderer, stick with Smith," Henry gently teases as Jamie's face slightly softens. "Everything's going to be fine. Francis wanted to ask you now in the summer to get you both used to the idea and to be able to tell your friends and get them used to the idea so that come the fall and you're going into your final year of high school, the talk won't be as much."

"I worry about Danny going into the academy. Think any of Joe's old friends will be mad?"

"There could be a few that don't understand why things have taken place as they have. They might claim that Danny's using our name to get ahead in his career. He'll have to come up with a plan to counter that and deal with it."

"He'll probably just take them out back and kick their ass," Jamie gently snickers as Henry's lips offer a small smirk.

"Yeah I actually believe he probably would," Henry agrees as he brings the dark SUV to a stop at the hospital and both get out. As they head toward the entrance, Jamie's anxiety starts to grow. His mind tries to come up with some viable answers to his nervous questions about what he'd do if George was there and more importantly what he'd do if he wasn't there. His mind comes up blank.

He watches Henry nod to the doctor they had talked to the day before and suddenly his heart starts to race as the older man nears with a grim expression.

"Is…is George Williams still here?" Jamie blurts out in a nervous tone.

"I'm sorry but Mr. Williams checked himself out this morning."

"Is he allowed to do that?" Jamie asks in haste as the doctor gives him a kind smile in return. "Sorry," Jamie mutters as his lips purse and he shrinks back with a frown. "Where'd he go?"

"He went…home."

"He's homeless!"

"Hold on a second Jamie. Earl, what happened?"

"He said that he didn't need to be here any longer and…well he discharged himself."

"Is he allowed?" Jamie looks up at Henry in wonder.

"He's allowed," the older man answers with a kind smile. "He had no troubles through the night and without further medical issue, we can't keep him here against his will."

"But what if something more happens to him?"

"Next time it would be best to take him to the Veteran's hosp…."

"I don't want there to be a next time," Jamie huffs as he turns to leave.

"Thanks Earl."

"I'm sorry Henry. We did what we could for him but as you know he has the right to leave if we can't do anything further for him. I hope your grandson will be okay with all this."

"He will be."

"Henry? Something wrong?" The doctor asks as Henry hesitates in leaving.

"Earl…we've known each other a long time."

"You dying on me Henry?" The older man gently smirks.

"No no," Henry pauses as he looks at Jamie and then back at his friend. "When Joe died…"

"Henry, I know that young man isn't your blood grandson."

"What if he were to take my last name?" Henry asks in haste.

"I think you'd both be very happy with that."

"What do you think?"

"You know you don't need my approval but I think if you want to give that young man a brighter future you have my vote. You know I always have your back, but in the end it's your business."

"Thanks Earl. Say hi to Ethel for me."

Henry turns and heads back toward the entrance where Jamie is waiting with a perplexed expression. "Come on Jamie," Henry's arm drapes protectively across Jamie's shoulders as he leads him outside toward the waiting SUV.

"I can take the bus to work."

"You're not working today. Or did…"

"No I want to check on George and I know you have to go to work."

"This is work," Henry reminds Jamie as they get into the SUV. "Let's go check out that alley okay?"

"Okay."

XXXXXXXX

Danny walks into the diner where Linda's working and smiles at her as he approaches.

"Danny? What are you doing here?" Linda asks with a smile as he approaches and then slides onto a counter stool.

"I have to tell you something," he replies with a nervous huff as she pulls back from a small kiss.

Linda studies the strained expression on his face and frowns as she looks around and then leans in closer. "What's going on Danny?"

"I wanted you to hear first. Others will like Demarcus and Jackie but um…"

"You better not be breaking up with me," she interjects in haste as his lips twist upward into a tense smile.

"No no…Frank um…he asked to legally adopt me and Jamie. He asked us last night."

"Wow…really? That's…that's big."

"I know. I was floored…we both were."

"I'll bet. What happened? You look…"

"Tired?"

"Yeah, that and stressed," Linda adds.

"Didn't sleep at all last night. Neither did Jamie. Well a little. But we spent most of it talking about the pros and cons of becoming Reagan's. I mean it's such a great honor but that name…it's such a great name and we're just afraid to screw it up."

"Frank knows there will be some pressure with you both taking it, but I know if he's asked then he and his whole family is serious about this. They must be ready."

"What do you think?" Danny inquires.

"I think it's a great opportunity."

"Because Smith sucks right?"

"Danny…" Linda groans as she gently swats his arm. "Don't forget I fell in love with Danny Smith. So put your mind at ease."

"Yeah but…Linda…"

"Do you want to become Danny Reagan?" Linda asks him directly.

He pauses for a few seconds before the truth comes out. "I do. I really want this for both of us. I have hated the name Allen all my life and I never wanted to go back to being Danny Allen. I didn't want that for Jamie also. But Danny Smith sounds beyond lame. I mean it got us to…up to now. But Danny Reagan…ah damn it's a great name but it scares me."

Linda's hand snakes into Danny's and clutches it tightly; his mind and heart instantly basking in the heat their connection was creating. "No matter what, I'll be here."

"Yeah? For how long?" Danny asks tightly before his face winces; Linda pulling back in surprise. "Ah damn sorry…that…"

"Danny?"

"No, it's not…you sure you want to marry a cop? Oh I…uh no not…did I … uh…" he stops and then looks away as her expression morphs from surprise to a small smile. "Linda…"

"You worry too much."

"But could you see yourself with a cop long term?"

"I could see myself with you no matter what you do," she assures him as some customers enter the diner for breakfast. But as he watches her go, Danny's anxiety doesn't lessen, in fact it continues to fester. But does she want me to be a cop long term? What if she wants a family? Will she have to work too? Of course! Kids? Ah damn…I'd suck at being a father. I just…his thoughts trail off as he looks down at his steaming mug of coffee.

"You wanna stay for lunch too?"

"No…I can't. I'm gonna meet up with Demarcus and help him with his Uncle's truck in his dad's garage. We're still on for this weekend right?"

"Of course. Big tailgate party at the ballpark?"

"And we might actually have a truck with a working tailgate there to party with," Danny retorts with a small smirk.

"Still worried?"

"I worry that you'll be happy long term," he confesses with a heavy frown.

"I think today's just freaking you out a bit. We'll talk later okay? I love you."

"Love you too," Danny whispers as he puts on a tense smile and then pays for his mug of coffee. The waves to Sal in the back as he gets up and then heads for the door, offering Linda one last smile before he disappears outside into the warm summer morning air. Will she be happy?

His mind can't shake the nagging doubts that his talk with Ralph had started to develop but he tells himself that he'll just mention to Demarcus that his last name is changing and…hope for the best.

XXXXXXXX

"I don't see him!" Jamie exclaims as the dark SUV comes to a stop in the back alley behind the bowling alley and he gets out and hurries toward the spot that George normally sleeps. He doesn't concern himself with Henry as he parks the SUV in behind the bowling alley building without blocking the door.

"George?" Jamie calls out but not in too loud a tone, not wanting to make too much of a fuss or draw too much attention to himself. "Are you here?"

He heads down the alleyway a bit, darting into the back of a building and disappearing from Henry's view.

"Jamie!" Henry calls out as he starts to briskly walk down the alley in search of his precious boy.

"George?" Jamie tries once more as he hears some shuffling behind him and turns to see an older woman offer a startled gaze but stand still. "Do you know where George is?"

She looks at him as silence starts to grow.

"Please I'm a friend. My name's Jamie and…"

"Jamie," she replies with a small whistle in her tone.

"Yes I'm his friend. Do you know where he is?" Jamie asks as he nears. She takes a few steps back and Jamie stops. "I'm sorry. I'm just anxious to find him. Please I know he was injured. I took him to the hospital but he left this morning and I just want to see him."

Both of them hear Henry calling out to Jamie and the woman quickly turns and darts into a darkened alcove.

"Wait!" Jamie calls out as he hurries after her, Henry entering the building just as Jamie nears the entrance.

"Jamie!"

"She knows where George is. Hurry."

"You can't go in there," Henry states in concern.

"I'm not afraid of the dark," Jamie states resolutely.

"Maybe I am," Henry retorts as Jamie's frown lessens. "You know who she is or what…"

"I'm not a threat to him Commissioner Reagan."

Both of them turn and look in surprise as the old woman reappears from the shadows.

"You know him?" Jamie asks in shock.

"I might be homeless but I can read," she retorts with a small laugh. "George is this way. He's mentioned you often. He tells all of us stories about you."

"He comes in here?"

"At night or when it's cold," she explains as she turns and reenters the darkened tunnel that would lead them under the building. "We heard what those punks did."

"How often does it happen?" Henry wonders.

"You wanting to put a man down here to protect us worthless ones Commissioner?" The old woman asks in a somewhat bitter tone.

"I might if it'd help keep the violence away."

"Is that a good use of tax dollars?" She shoots back.

"Let me worry about the taxpayers."

"Then it might," she replies with a bit more vigor in her tone. They walk for what seems like a small eternity for Jamie until the air turns a mixture of stale but warm and an orangey glow is seen a few meters ahead. "He's…"

"George!" Jamie exclaims as he hurries toward the only person he recognizes. But just as he approaches another homeless man stands up and grabs Jamie by the edges of his cotton button-up casual shirt. "Hey!" Jamie huffs as he struggles to get free. But unlike the two punks, this man was about Frank's size and wasn't letting go anytime soon. "Let…go!" Jamie struggles to get free, kicking out but being unsuccessful. His mind starts to race with thoughts of being held by his father and then Kevin and suddenly his struggles intensify. "Let go!"

"Let him go now," Henry's booming voice is heard as the man looks up with a scowl.

"Who the hell…"

"He doesn't read," the old woman states with a chip as they near. "That's the commissioner's grandson. Put him down. He's a friend of George's."

"I know who he is," the other man sneers as he let's go of Jamie and then steps back. But he remains in place and watches Jamie with an interested gaze.

"George!"

"Jamie…my boy you found me," George looks up with a strained smile as Jamie drops to his knees on a pile of dirty blankets. Henry stands a few feet back, looking around and giving them all a look that said stay back or else. Before he had entered the building, he called into the office just to tell them what was going on where he was just in case.

"Now…before you say anything…about me leaving…"

"Why didn't you want to go to the veteran's hospital?" Jamie implores with a worried tone.

"I'm okay. They did what they could. What would I do in some fancy specialized hospital? Let them poke me with needles? Drawing blood for who knows what?"

"But what if those guys come back?"

"As you can see I'm okay down here."

"Those punks would have to go through us first!" The old woman states firmly as Jamie looks up in wonder and then back down at George.

"I worry."

"Nora's right Jamie, down here I'm not just one man."

"They why go up to the street?"

"For the sun. To hear the sounds of the city…talk to you," he adds, both Jamie's and Henry's heart swelling at once. "This is my life."

"You come up…no," Jamie shakes his head. "I won't come out back anymore if…I did this?"

"No," George tries to put his mind in ease. "I came up to the streets before you. That's how we met remember? It's my life."

"I want a better life for you."

"Sweet boy," he whispers hoarsely as his hand rests on Jamie's. His lungs gently heave and Jamie's quick to show concern. "Don't worry yourself now."

"I don't have to work today. Can I stay here?" Jamie asks George and then looks up at Henry. "Can I? I'll stay right here with George. I promise."

"No," Henry answers as Jamie looks at him with a small cross expression.

"But why?" He asks in protest.

"This is no place for…" Henry starts only to have Jamie interject.

"I'm not a child! I grew up on…" Jamie tries only to have Henry cut him off.

"I know. But you can't stay down here," Henry replies in a softer tone as he kneels down beside them. "I know George will understand my worry and concern and maybe if George promises both of us that he'll stay here and heal for the next few days you'll see him when you come for your next shift on Friday."

Jamie looks at George with a heavy frown; George looking at him with a kind smile.

"Listen to your grandfather Jamie," George tells him in a quiet tone.

"Do you promise?"

"I give you my word. Besides, this bed is starting to get very comfortable. I'll be okay. You go along now and I'll be okay."

"Okay."

"You've done so much for me Jamie. I think a few others down here are kinda jealous."

"We all enjoy the popcorn," Nora adds as Jamie looks up at the older woman and smiles.

"I'll remember that," Jamie replies with a small smile. He gives George a small hug and then stands up to leave. "Please take care of him," Jamie tells Nora who nods and grasps his hands with hers.

"You have a big heart young man. He only smiles now when he talks about you."

"I'll see him…and maybe you on Friday."

Jamie pulls back and then heads toward Henry who was already on his way back to the tunnel that would lead them back to daylight. As he nears the other man who had grabbed him, his stomach tightens. The man's dark eyes lock with Jamie's and slightly narrow, making Jamie's anxiety start to grow and his pace to quicken. Suddenly he was happy he wasn't staying in the dark cavern alone.

Henry looks at a silent Jamie and frowns. "It wasn't about not trusting you or treating you like a child, but I wasn't going to leave you down there alone Jamie. George might be kind to you and maybe that Nora, but the other men I don't trust. As I said before, my first concern it for you."

"I really want to find his family."

"Okay. Let's go see what Scott's up to," Henry suggests as they get into his SUV and pull away; Jamie glancing back just as the man who had grabbed him appeared and watched the police issue SUV round the corner and disappear from view.

XXXXXXXX

"Really? Danny…Reagan," Demarcus states slowly.

"Yeah so um…I thought I'd tell you before we enter the academy and you um…hear my name read out," Danny tells his two very surprised friends.

"This a recent change?" Jackie asks next.

"Yeah. What do you think?"

"Man you know I'm all about accepting change but um…but the academy is gonna know the Reagan name and there are people in there who are gonna know you aren't a real Reagan. Not like Joe," Demarcus reminds Danny, stating what he had already talked about with Jamie.

"I know and I already talked with Frank about that. But he said if we could take the heat, they would too. I know it's gonna be a tough rep to live up to but I know I can do it."

"Course you can," Jackie smiles. "You're gonna kick ass."

"Just…not ours," Demarcus adds with a smile as he and Danny clasps fists. "I know Jackie feels the same way about this but we have your back. No matter what. You wanna change your name…we have your back."

"You know if you were gonna change it, why not try to be the brother of some famous movie star."

"Yeah like who?"

"Donnie Walhberg," Jackie grins.

"Walhberg. He's from that boy band right?"

"Thought he's an actor. You know from Transformers."

"That's Mark Walberg."

"Isn't he the underwear guy?"

"Yeah you'd know," Danny tosses at Jackie who merely grins.

"No way man, change your last name to Washington. Like Denzel," Demarcus laughs as Danny rolls his eyes. "Danny Swartzanegger?"

"So much for this being a serious decision," he snickers under his breath as the three of the continue their silly banter about him becoming Danny Reagan upon entering the academy in a few months as they work on the tail gate of the truck they'd hope to use on the weekend.

But as he pauses in his work he can't help but wonder what the initial reaction of students and teachers alike will be to the latest Reagan addition to the NYPD. I wonder who'll be the biggest obstacle to this new change? He doesn't have to think too long and hard about this and despite the current situation of his nemesis the person who, once they find out about the change will make the biggest fuss – Sonny Malvesky.

XXXXXXXX

Sonny looks up from his menial task in the cafeteria as one of the guard's approach.

"You missed a spot Malvesky."

"Up yours," Sonny shoots back with a sneer as he glowers at the man approaching.

"You missed…a spot!" The man growls in return as he leans in closer – on purpose. "I got the transfer," he whispers. "What did you need?"

"Information," Sonny replies back with just as soft a whisper.

"On what?"

"Anything Reagan. And I mean…anything."

"Clean that up!" The guard pulls back with a nod in confirmation. "You got it," he mentions casually as he pulls away and starts to inspect the rest of the room – giving off the guise that he was doing something routine.

Sonny watches him leave and then feels his lips twist upward into an evil smile. I might be stuck in here but I still have connections out there and if it means I can hurt Danny and Jamie from in here, I'll take it.

That thought makes Sonny's grin widen and his lips start to lightly whistle.

Trouble is coming!

A/N: Eeks! But before we discuss the ending back to the start. How did you like the decision our boys made? Think it'll be easy for them? Will there be any second thoughts? And will Frank and Henry face any personal backlash? Some more personal trials for Danny with his decision and how might his new name change factor into his insecurity about a future with Linda? Will Jamie have anything more to worry about with George? And what will Sonny find out first? Would love your thoughts so please do review before you go and thanks so much!