A/N: Here is the next chapter. It seems a little haphazard to me, but this is the best that this chapter could have turned out. I have some ideas for most of the story, however I need some extra ideas for filler chapters. Requests wanted. :) I hate to say but I have decided that Untitled has been placed on Hiatus. My muse for that has decided to go on a road trip to follow a certain band on tour. Thank you to my reviewers and readers. Your kind words keep me writing.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. Darn.
"Thanks, Danny…um…listen I have something I need to tell you."
"Um… when do you leave tomorrow?" Jamie asked, scared of how his brother would react to the news that he was about to tell him. He was afraid that it would not be a pretty scene if he told him here.
"I think we are leaving around noon tomorrow. I have to work at 6 tomorrow evening. Kid, is everything okay? You are scaring me," Danny asked. He knew Jamie was hiding something but he didn't want to press the issue. The loss of Joe was still too fresh in his mind to even think about losing his baby brother somehow. Even thinking about the possibility of it made him tear up.
"Hey Danny, don't cry, please don't. It's nothing bad," Jamie started. "I want to tell you before anyone else. Meet me at my apartment at ten?"
"Yeah of course. I'll be there unless you want to do earlier," Danny started.
"How about nine instead?"
"That works for me, but right now I think your nephews want to go get some food with their uncle, to help him celebrate," Danny changed the subject.
"Food, I could definitely go for some food," Jamie laughed.
"Uncle Jamie, since you graduated, does that mean you get to move back to New York?" Jack excitedly asked.
"Yeah and I get to spend more time you with you and your brother. And your dad," Jamie smiled. He was glad that they were able to re-build their relationship.
**BB**
"Hey babe, everything okay?" Linda asked quietly since the boys were asleep in the next bed over. Her husband had been quiet since they had dropped Jamie off at his apartment three hours before.
"Yeah, I think so. It's just Jamie…He told me he had something to tell me, but lost the courage to explain it. I am just worried is all," Danny explained. "I am sure he is fine but he wants to talk tomorrow before we leave."
"Well whatever he going to tell you, make sure that he knows you are supporting him. That you are there for him. You don't want to lose what you guys have rebuilt," Linda comforted.
"I know, I will. I think it is time for bed. What do you think?" Danny asked.
**BB**
When the next morning rolled around, he found himself dreading talking to his brother. He didn't know what the news was but he was sure that it could affect their friendship.
"Be careful, I am here if you want to talk," Linda whispered as Danny leaned down to give her a kiss. He just smiled at her, but it wasn't a true smile. He was worried about his brother.
Instead of going straight to Jamie's apartment, he drove around Boston. He had to clear his head from all of the what-ifs. What it could be, what had happened, was it bad or was it good news. His over active imagination running wild with the possibilities. Before he knew it, his brother was calling him to ask where he was at. He hadn't realized that he was running late. After letting himself know that he will be over in a few minutes, he climbed back into his car and drove to Jamie's place. Who knew what he was going to be told.
As he drove up to Jamie's apartment, he saw his brother waiting outside for him. He could see on Jamie's face the anticipation and fear. It was almost as if Jamie was afraid to tell his brother whatever he was going to tell him.
"Why don't we go for a walk Danny?" Jamie asked uncertainly. He hadn't wanted to tell his brother in his apartment for he only sprung this on Sydney the night before. To say that she was surprised was an understatement. She hadn't said one word to him all morning.
"Sure, where did you want to go?"
"There is the place on campus that I used to go when I needed to think. I went there when I knew mom wasn't doing very well. I went there after I talked to Joe for the last time. Usually it was to calm down from fights I had with my roommates, Sydney and," Jamie paused, " and you."
That hit Danny deep down. He knew that he and his brother fought a lot, however he didn't think that their fights had affected him that much.
"Danny, I need to tell you this because, Dad or Erin can't be the first in the family this. Also I don't want you to interrupt because I need to tell you this." Jamie took a deep breath and continued. "Joe could always tell when I wasn't happy. A couple of weeks before Joe was killed, he mentioned that I didn't sound happy or excited about being a lawyer anymore. He asked what I really wanted to do. I told him, I told him I always wanted to follow in grandpa's, dad's, yours and Joe's footsteps. Danny, I want to become a cop. I have already been accepted into the academy, and I don't plan on taking the bar. I start classes in about a month," Jamie finished. He had heard his brother gasp when he finally revealed that he wanted to be a cop. He though that anything that they had fought to rebuild was gone, he had effectively just lost his last brother. And it was his fault.
"Are you sure that this is what you want to do kid?" Danny asked. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He had lost his younger brother not even a month ago. Now his baby brother was effectively taking his place. At first he had been upset that Jamie had chosen law over the NYPD but as time went on he was proud of Jamie. After burying Joe, he was glad that Jamie had stuck with law school. Now everything had changed.
"Yes, I am sure. Losing Joe reaffirmed that I wasn't meant to be a lawyer, I was meant to be a cop. It's in our blood," Jamie whispered.
"I can't lose you too Jamie. I will support you, even though right now I am not too thrilled about it. However, I will not tell Dad, you have to do that," Danny explained. On the outside he may sound like he was angry but on the inside he was scared.
"I am sorry to spring this on you now but I needed to tell someone. Syd wasn't too happy about this. I told her last night. She hasn't talked to me since," Jamie tried to joke. However it came out as a gasp. He knew that his news would not thrill anybody but he didn't think it could him to lose those closest to him.
"Here," Jamie started as he reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. Danny knew exactly what it contained. "Please don't read it until you get home. I don't want to see you mad at me."
"I'm not mad kid, just surprised. I never expected this from you. Listen, I need to go pick up Linda and the boys and head home. Gotta work tomorrow," Danny changed the subject. "I'll see you when you get home. Next week?"
"Yeah next week," Jamie sighed. "Have a safe drive home." As he hugged his brother goodbye, he thought that it could have gone better. He just hoped that the letter explained his decision, that his brother would understand.
**BB**
After they had arrived home from their weekend trip to Boston, Linda had the boys unpack their bags and settle down before dinner. As Danny started to get ready for work, he recalled the conversation he had had with his baby brother before they left. He reached for the letter he had set on the night table when they arrived home.
Danny,
I know you may not be happy with my decision. However, I have always felt the draw to become a cop. Even when I was younger I knew it was something I wanted to do. When I watched you graduate from the academy, I knew I wanted to be just like my oldest brother. In short I wanted to be like you, whether you realize it or not, I have and always will look up to you.
I couldn't tell mom and Erin that I didn't want to be a lawyer, had you ever tried to tell either of them no, when it came to big life decisions? Being in law enforcement is in our blood. I can't ignore it. I am not doing this to honor Joe or replace him. No one could ever replace him. I am doing this for myself. I am doing this because I feel that it is what is right for me.
This would be a lot easier if I have your blessing and support to follow in your footsteps. However if you feel that you cannot do that, I understand. You'll always be my brother no matter what, I just ask for your support in this.
Jamie
P.S. Please know that I never hated you. You are my brother.
Danny would support his brother no matter what he chose. He just wished that he didn't have to hide this secret.
"Dammit Jamie," he whispered into the silence of his bedroom.
