this was a little hard to write but I hope it's ok! Let me know! xx

When fights happen usually one or all parties are to blame but when it comes to burying the hatchet, who will be the bigger person and make that first move?

"C'mon kid! Get up! You're sleeping the summer away!" shouted Danny as he came into Jamie's bedroom one morning.

"Egh! Danny! I don't need to get up so early, i'm on VACATION! It's not like you didn't do this!" groaned Jamie as he hid under the covers once more.

"Oh no you don't! This is payback for all the times you came running into my room at 5am looking for company to watch Barney! Now get up, mom needs help getting the house sorted before we all to the lake for one last family vacation." Smiled Danny as he pulled at the covers.

"Danny, just go away!" yelled Jamie as he fought to keep hold of his sheets.

"What's wrong with you kid! What are you hiding?" demanded Danny as with one final tug he yanked the sheets from the bed. Once he had discarded them he turned to look at his brother. "Jamie?"

"Go away Danny!" huffed Jamie as he hid his head under the pillows.

"Ok, now i know there's something wrong!" shouted Danny as he lunged for the pillows, once he had them he saw why Jamie was hiding. "Oh man!"

Jamie sat up in his bed and glared at his big brother, "Happy now? Now you can see what that play fight left me with!"

"Oh Jamie, i'm sorry kid. Why didn't you tell me to stop," groaned Danny.

"I did! I yelled at you to stop but you wouldn't! You said you were teaching me basic skills that they taught you at the academy. Did they teach you how to make a mess of your little brother!" shouted Jamie.

"Hey, boys! What's with the yelling? We had enough of that last..." Frank didn't get to finish his sentence. Upon entering Jamie's room he saw the bruises to his youngest's face and the guilt ridden all over his eldest's.

"That from last night?" asked Frank sternly.

Neither son answered him. Danny gave Jamie his pillow back and went to leave the room.

"I'm sorry kid, i really didn't mean it," sighed Danny as he reached the door.

"Yeah!" scoffed Jamie as he looked away and out of his window. Frank sat with Jamie.

"He was showing off to his buddies last night, he said he was sorry," sighed Frank.

"But he doesn't mean it!" spat Jamie as he tried to hold back his tears. "He thinks i'm a joke. I can't do anything right for him these days. I know he's older and i'm the youngest but do i have to be the butt of all his jokes lately?"

"I'm sure it's not that bad, son" stated Frank. Jamie looked his father and shrugged. "C'mon, your mom needs help if we're going to get to the lake in time," smiled Frank sadly.

Several hours later, the cars were packed up and everyone was settled in for the drive to the lake. As Danny's car was in the shop he rode in with his parents, Joe and Jamie. And being tradition, Jamie was stuck in the middle even though Joe did protest on his behalf.

They were not even at the end of the street when it started. Danny was playfully nudging Jamie in the ribs and he was trying to ignore it.

"C'mon kid. Talk to me," pleaded Danny. Jamie turned his head and growled at him. Danny laughed which made Jamie even madder.

"Danny, leave him alone," suggested Joe as he leaned forward to watch his brothers.

"Jamie, i'm real sorry," prodded Danny. Again Jamie growled and turned away, sidling up to Joe. Frank looked in his rear view mirror and sighed inwardly as he saw Danny tear himself up over his actions.

The Family arrived at the lake without anymore incidents with Danny or Jamie but the youngest made his escape as quickly as possible once the car was parked. He took his backpack and immediately followed Joe to his room and sat on the lower bunk.

"You can have the top one if you like?" offered Joe as he dumped his backpack by the foot of the beds.

"I'll take the bottom one Joe, it's ok." He said sadly.

"Danny's Danny, Jamie. He's always gonna act first think later. I'll be surprised if he gets through the academy in one piece!" smiled Joe as he sat beside his brother. Jamie remained quiet. "What is it Jamie?"

Jamie shrugged and got up to unpack his things.

"You know, you're going to explode if you don't talk. Ever since that incident with Zac you've become a different person," sighed Joe.

Again Jamie stayed silent. Joe knew when to stand back. Somehow he knew that when he was ready, Jamie would talk.

For the first few days of the holiday, Jamie was by himself shooting hoops down by the court or off walking around the park, generally trying to stay out of Danny's way. This in turn was really annoying Danny.

"What do i have to do? I said i was sorry!" he seethed as he paced by the barbeque where he and his father had many man to man chats. Including the one where a 4 year old Jamie first heard about sex!

"Give him time Danny. He's struggling a bit. He's hitting puberty and you know how rough that can be!" smiled Frank as he drew on his cigar.

"I wasn't that bad, was i?" grimaced Danny with one eye on his father.

"No...You were worse," grinned frank and Danny gave a small chuckle.

"He's adjusting. Soon he's going to be the only one left at home. Joe's almost a senior at high school and as he graduates, Jamie starts. He's always had you to back him up at the end of the day if he ever got into trouble, now he has to fend for himself. I guess he's feeling a little abandoned right now," explained Frank.

"How? We're there for him every day. We're never far from the house. And even Linda's there. What more does he want?" groaned Danny.

"Give him time and space. You and Linda are getting pretty serious." Stated Frank as he subtlety changed the conversation. Danny blushed as he thought about Linda.

"Yeah. I'm kinda thinking she's the one," he sighed happily.

"Good for you son. Good for you. But get through the academy first!" he instructed.

"Sir, Yes, Sir!" saluted Danny as he grinned back.

It had been a strained week between Danny and Jamie but by the time it came to going home they were at least exchanging polite conversation. Until the final evening.

"Hey kid, You wanna be on the winning team?" laughed Danny as he chose Jamie for the siblings final basketball match. Erin and Joe against Danny and Jamie.

Jamie looked to Joe, with whom he had spent much of his non-alone time with. Joe nodded his encouragement to make the effort with Danny so Jamie agreed to be on his team.

They had been playing well when suddenly Donnie went for the ball as Joe was about to shoot. In his eagerness he shot down Jamie who was trying to do the same thing. Danny pushed Jamie hard that the younger lost his balance and fell badly on the court floor.

"Hey, Danny! Watch it man!" shouted Joe as he bent down to check on Jamie.

"Ah, it was fair and square! Don't be such a wet rag, Jamer!" scoffed Danny.

That was it. With a bloodied head from where he hit the floor, Jamie stood up suddenly and charged at Danny. Before anyone knew what was happening, Jamie was raining punches down on his big brother who had fallen over with the force of impact from his brother's attack.

"STOP TELLING ME I'M A WIMP. I'M NOT YOUR PUNCHBAG FOR LOUSEY SNIDE REMARKS! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE THE OLDEST DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN FIND FAULT WITH ME!" screamed Jamie as his fists continued to fly.

"Jamie! JAMIE!" screamed Erin as she and Joe ran to split them up. Mary, Frank, Henry and Betty came running from the cabin when they had been enjoying a quiet came of bridge when they heard the ruckus.

"C'mon Jamer, get off him!" shouted Joe as he tried to pull Jamie off Danny but he was too determined to give Danny the best he had in him.

"I'm a Reagan too!" he screamed before Frank hauled him off and gave him to his mother. Jamie pushed her out the way and ran into the cabin.

Everyone stood in silence as Joe helped Danny up off the ground.

"Wow! I was beginning to wonder when the Reagan temper would kick in," muttered Betty as she looked at her family.

"Dad..." muttered Danny but he was met with just a look. He knew himself he had overstepped his mark and belittled his little brother again. "I'll go talk with him,"

"No. I will" said Joe as he headed towards the cabin.

"Jamer?" called Joe softly as he entered their room. No sound but for a few sniffs as Jamie fought his tears. Joe sat beside him on his bunk.

"C'mon, what is it?" asked Joe, calmly.

Still silence and sniffs, then a sudden gasp, "Why can't i be a good Reagan?"

"Hey, you are a good Reagan! You're going to be the best of us," smiled Joe as he tried to get Jamie to look at him.

"But i can't do anything right? Danny always knocks me down. And if he's with his buddies from the academy it's like he's embarrassed to have me around. You don't mind if i hang out with you, do you?" sniffed Jamie as he wiped his nose with his sleeve.

"Danny's a jackass! He's just trying to look cool with his mates. You know he loves you. We all do. But Danny likes to be right even when he's not. And he has us to keep him in line. Now he knows not to mess with you!" smiled Joe.

Jamie offered a small sheepish grin as he thought about the punches he threw.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side!" joked Joe as he stroked Jamie's hair. "Let's get you cleaned up before bed. You got any pain in your head?"

Jamie shook his head and cuddled into Joe, "Don't go, Joe. Please, don't go. Don't ever go."