Title: A Darker Shade of Blue
Chapter 10 – Trust is a Priceless Commodity

A/N: Sorry forgot to mention that last Thursday (Nov 24th) was my 10 year anniversary here on fanfiction yay :D Okay hope you all like this update.

Sydney…Jackie…oh damn Jamie's mind races with panic as he tightens his seatbelt. He had only been to Jackie's apartment once but the address? What is the specific address? This isn't good. Think Jamie…think…just stand up to him.

"Noble I'm gonna have say no to the surprise," Jamie insists. "She doesn't like them and I really want this to work. So if it's okay I'm gonna call her but if she says no, that's it okay?"

"Hope she doesn't," Noble nods as Jamie pulls his phone.

Damn it! Jamie's mind curses as he offers Noble a weak smile just as the phone connects with Jackie's undercover cell number. "Sydney?"

"Are you with Noble right now?"

"Yeah I know it's early on a Sunday," Jamie smirks. "Thought you might wanna have brunch at a new place today."

"Do I have much time to prep Danny?"

"Not really," Jamie slightly sighs. "I'm with a friend…Noble…trust me you'll like him."

"And you're coming here now?"

"Yes and the place is a bistro his sister owns. No it's not Thai," Jamie looks at Noble and smiles. "So you in?"

"I'm in…here's my address."

"Okay see you soo…" Jamie starts as the line goes dead and Noble chuckles.

"Should be a fun morning," Noble winks as Jamie berates himself inside as he gives Noble the address and then settles back into the car and hopes and prays both of them can convince the man on his left that they were a legit couple. Thankfully they wouldn't have to be all lovey dovey as Noble was already told by Jamie on several occasions that things had cooled between them. But he would have to at least put on the front that he wanted to take her back. Holding hands I can do…do I have to kiss her? On the lips?

Jamie listens to Noble talk about what kind of food his sister's bistro has and the fact that Jackie doesn't like Thai food; but inside his heart was now racing. This guy was an expert at picking out fakes and so far he had dodged that bullet but now with someone else to consider, how could he just relax and be himself without acting awkward and pretending to be interested in a woman he views as his older sister.

They pull up outside Jackie's apartment and stop, Jamie waving to Jackie as he gets out.

"That's Sydney? Wow," Noble mutters as he pats Jamie on the shoulder. "Well done my friend."

"Thanks," Jamie replies as he gets out of the car and heads toward Jackie with a small frown.

"Just try to act natural," Jackie smiles as she greets him with a hug, letting him plant a small kiss on her cheek.

"I'm about ready to die of heart failure," Jamie whispers in confession as they stand a few feet from the car. "Ready?"

"Let's do this. I called Danny and have my ear bud in so we're good to go," Jackie answers with a smile as they pull apart and both turn to face Noble, who had now gotten out of the car. "Is there room in there?"

"I'll take the back," Jamie quickly offers.

"Noble Sanfino."

"Syndey Bertoli," Jackie offers her fake name and hand to Noble who smiles before he takes her hand and brings it to his lips and places a small kiss on it. "So you and Jimmy are now fast friends?"

"We are," Noble nods as the three of them pile into the cramped luxury sports car. "Sorry for the space."

"Next time I'll meet you there," Jackie retorts with a small smile.

"Tough sell, most women like this four seater 9/11," Noble refers to the make of his expensive Porsche.

"Yean I'm not into cars," Jackie answers absently as she turns and looks out the window, frowning at Danny's chuckle in her ear bud.

"I sense you'd like to deck that guy," Danny's voice is heard only to Jackie over the small listening device.

"So what's the occasion?"

"Noble wanted to take us to his sisters restaurant and with him treating us," Jamie chuckles as he pats Noble on the shoulder, "we should get the best meal and service. Right Noble?"

"I'm paying?"

"Only fair," Jamie counters as they near the quaint bistro.

"Nice place," Jackie muses as she gets out of the cramped car and waits for Jamie.

"Ready?" Jamie asks as his hand rests on the small of her back and lets her go ahead of him; his mind still doing summersaults about what to expect inside. Jackie had told him just before they got into the car at her apartment that Danny was now on board listening and that gave him some small measure of comfort, but still didn't help his mind as far as knowing how to act. With his real fiancé Sydney, it was different because at the time they were together he was romantically attracted to her. It would be hard to cozy up to a woman who merely views you as her little brother and he feels the same way in return.

"Hey Bianca," Noble greets his sister as the three of them enter the rather posh bistro restaurant and up to the hostess. Jamie had heard about Noble's sister from his "so called" friend but never met her in person, if she was anything like her brother, both he and Jackie would also have to be on alert and keep their guard up if she was around but Noble wasn't.

"Okay so this is Jimmy and Sydney," Noble introduces. "Can we get a table please?"

"Chef's table or with the common folk?" Bianca lightly smiles as she gestures for them to follow after her. Jamie's eyes dart around, glancing casually at the other patrons as they are led toward the kitchen and to a special table, aptly labeled the Chef's Table just off the main kitchen cooking area.

"Mario is cooking today and he'll make you guys something extra special."

Jamie and Jackie settle into the cozy booth, a seat open beside Noble for the times that Bianca would be joining them.

"So what do you want to drink?"

XXXXXXXX

"So how are they doing so far?" Frank asks Danny as Danny sits at his home office desk that same Sunday morning, listening to the boring conversations taking place.

"This guy Noble is full of hot air," Danny groans as he mutes the mic on his end so Jackie didn't have to listen to him and his father talking. "But so far nothing incriminating. What about the two guys from last night?"

"As soon as they returned to the precinct I had their car tagged with a locator and they did return to the Cappezari house but well after Jamie had left. I finished watching the rest of the surveillance footage this morning, but nothing we can use. We need eyes in that room."

"Jamie was almost there," Danny huffs as he leans back in his father's large home office leather chair. "But we can't send him back in there. Dad I have this bad feeling that Cappezari knows."

"As much as I hate that idea also we have no choice. Now aside from sending in a maid service…"

"Probably have better luck with a strip o gram," Danny smirks as Henry enters.

"Not really my taste but if you wanna get me a gift…" his voice trails off into a small chuckle. "I'd prefer a wine tasting service."

"Thanks pop we'll keep that in mind," Frank offers with a heavy sigh. "Wade's team had tried a fake bomb scare a few years back and a team was able to enter and plant their devices and it worked for about ten minutes until Cappezari was let back in, did a sweep and found them all. After that we backed off because we knew he'd be ready. So I'm all ears if anyone has a suggestion that won't appear suspicious."

"Too bad we couldn't turn invisible," Henry offers.

"Or call in Superman," Danny winks, getting a small wince from his father. "Next party I saw we send in Jamie and Jackie, and while one distracts, the other plants?"

"Hate to say it Francis but it's the best shot you have."

"I know…I just don't want to send in anymore than I have to," Frank sighs as he slumps into a nearby chair, gesturing to Danny to stay put. "I also have to deal with this other thing."

"Cops on the mob's payroll. Francis it's been around since the dark ages," Henry groans.

"The problem is not just them but who gives them their orders. And if they are giving Jamie warnings then…" Frank stops and looks at his father and son with a grave expression.

"Then what?" Henry encourages.

"Then who is giving them orders? If they know about Jamie's cover then we could be sitting on a ticking time bomb."

"Who suggested Jamie for this?"

"Was supposedly routine," Frank replies.

"Routine my ass," Henry retorts, garnering a snicker from Danny and an automatic eye roll from his father. "If there is a snitch at the top you need to take him out Francis before Jamie really gets his cover blown."

"I know, I just have to be careful. So far choosing one particular officer for an assignment isn't a crime," Frank explains.

"It is if that assignment was deliberately set to get that person out of the way," Danny counters.

"I agree with you both, but we have to prove it. So far all computer files are locked but the problem is, if I go higher and request access and if it's the real Templar then I risk showing my hand."

"Maybe it's time you did dad."

"I need solid proof Danny."

"Can't you get someone to hack into the damn system already?" Henry asks in frustration.

"We could…"

"But what? It's illegal?" Henry frowns.

"Haven't we had this discussion before?" Danny pipes up.

"We have…what's your brother saying?" Frank replies and then changes the subject.

"This guy Noble is talkin' about some villa in Tuscany," Danny rolls his eyes. "Yeah big deal."

"Francis if there is someone at the top calling the shots you hafta get them outta there and fast before they send Jamie into a set up like they did Joe," Henry reminds his son, drawing Danny's worried gaze to him.

"That's first on my to do list in the morning," Frank states and then stops as he notices Danny's expression change. "What?"

"Noble just asked about me."

XXXXXXXX

"So why doesn't David want you two to be together?" Noble asks, referring to the name of Sydney's so called brother. Jamie feels his heart rate instantly climb and then looks at Jackie with a small frown. "I mean Jimmy seems like a fine guy here…" Noble pats him on the back. "I know he has my vote."

"He's just over protective," Jackie answers with a small smile at Noble.

"Well I get that but musta been something pretty bad to have so steamed at you last time you bumped into him Jimmy."

"He thought I was cheating…which I wasn't," Jamie adds in haste, drawing a small frown from Jackie.

"It's personal," Jackie adds in haste, hoping Noble would just drop it.

"Okay but I wouldn't put too much stock in what your overprotective brother says," Noble tells Jackie with a serious expression. "He's not the only family you need to consider," Noble concludes with a small smile.

Jamie hears the use of the word family and knows it refers to Cappezari. Noble had confessed to a few days back that the reason that his last girlfriend didn't last is she didn't meet with the mob kingpin's approval. Hopefully it wouldn't come down to a question of which side he'd choose to be loyal to.

Thankfully Bianca comes back and the conversation turns to food and travel once again; the four of them lingering over the last course for another hour, talking as if they were old friends instead of two undercover cops and their target. The morning finally winds down with the three of them saying goodbye to Bianca and then heading back outside. Both Jamie and Jackie utter an inward sigh of relief when Noble doesn't ask them to spend anymore time together but merely heads back to Jackie's apartment and then gives her and Jamie a few moments outside.

"So um…now what?"

"Just give me a kiss and we'll talk later," Jackie smirks.

"What?"

"Danny says no tongue," she relays the message from the ear bud and Jamie just utters a nervous chuckle and shakes his head as he turns back.

"So um…"

"Jamie…"

"Okay no offense but I honestly do think of you as my sister," he frowns as he leans in closer, his lips briefly brushing hers and then pulling back. "Okay…"

"Okay…"

"Amateurs," Danny laughs in Jackie's ear bud.

Jamie's hand lingers on Jackie's for a few seconds to give the appearance of a real relationship before he turns and heads back to Noble, telling him to wait until she gets into the apartment and then disappears from sight.

"Where did you find her?" Noble asks as they pull away.

"Kinda bumped into her at the market one day…we were both wanting to buy the last item of something and…and she asked what I was going to use it for and she said she could do better and…"

"And you let her," Noble grins. "Nice. And?"

"And one night a few weeks back I was held up at work, last minute call and my co-worker answered my phone when David called…"

"And he thought you were with a woman instead of working?"

"I explained it to him but um…well you see my co-worker didn't exactly cooperate."

"She bailed on you?"

"But I think Sydney is starting to believe me so we aren't rushing things you know?"

"Yeah I get it but if you ever need help…you know sorting things out…let me know okay?"

"Sorting?"

"With this lame co-worker or her nosy brother. I mean really...both of them should be careful."

Jamie hears the word careful and feels himself inwardly shudder. But putting on a brave face and giving his current nemesis a fake smile he prepares to leave. "Okay and thanks for brunch. It really is a great place."

Jamie waves bye to Noble and watches him pull away before he pulls his phone and calls his brother.

"I heard you are quite the Romeo," Danny snickers over the phone as Jamie enters his apartment building.

"Funny…it was like kissing Erin or something."

"Don't worry about it kid, she felt the same way. But what was your overall feel about Noble?"

"I think we fooled him," Jamie answers in truth. "I mean he knows that Syd…Jackie…damn it…"

"Her," Danny smirks.

"That her and I are just starting to warm up again after a breakup so at least we don't have to um…well act…"

"All hot and heavy?" Danny goads, garnering an eye roll from his father. "What else did he say?"

"He hinted twice about calling on the family for help. Is there some way we can use that?"

"Like a sting to take down someone and then frame him?"

"Something like that," Jamie replies as he enters his quiet apartment, tosses his keys on the table and then slumps down into a nearby chair. "If we catch him in the act then…"

"They don't want Noble…they want Cappezari himself."

"Right," Jamie agrees with a heavy sigh. "Think Noble would ever roll over on Cappezari?"

"Would have to be after dad has taken down the insider," Danny looks up at his father with a heavy frown. "Otherwise we offer him WitSec and the moment he gets to his new hiding place it blows up."

"So until then just sit tight and gather Intel?"

"That's it Romeo."

"Knock it off already," Jamie chuckles as he hears Danny lightly laugh on the other end of the phone. "And until I get another call I just lay low right?"

"Dad says hanging around the precinct until he has those two dirty cops reassigned isn't a good idea."

"I agree. Okay so I'll talk you tomorrow then?"

Danny watches his father get up out his home office and head into the living room to join Henry and Linda and the boys who had just come over for a late lunch. "I hear a doubting tone in there? What else did he say?"

"Nothin'," Jamie shrugs to himself. "Just a feeling is all…"

"Noble is scum…always remember that. He's not your friend and given the kill order from his boss, he'd take you out in a second."

"It wasn't about trusting him," Jamie offers in haste. "I don't trust him. It's just…I can't explain it."

"Try."

"Just that he was really angry toward you."

"Just don't mention my name again and I think all will be forgotten. But that feeling is what kept you alert today. Jackie said you did good and you didn't look nervous or awkward which was the most important thing."

"Right but if there are guys on the inside then…won't they already know about me?" Jamie wonders in truth.

"We don't know that yet son," Frank's voice comes on with a heavy sigh. "So far those two were the only two that have been seen visibly around Cappezari but they were a surprise to Wade so we might even have a snitch on his team."

"Or even him?" Jamie ponders.

"I have worked with Wade for years so I am hoping it's an oversight on his part and not because he's the one calling the shots," Frank explains in seriousness. "In any event if you can't get eyes in in the next few weeks we are going to arrange for Jimmy and Sydney to take a holiday and then…"

"What storm the place?" Jamie asks in haste. "Dad I can do this."

"No one is questioning that son, but there are steps that have to be taken to ensure we get some solid evidence on Cappezari himself or as Danny said I have to find the mole within my team so that if we do offer Noble a deal we can knowing he won't be the next day's headline and Cappezari hasn't made an example of him."

"So what do I do now?"

"What did Noble say after you left Jackie?"

"Not much. I mean he hinted at regular weekend party's at Carli…Cappezari's," Jamie quickly corrects himself. "I think I can get invited. But it won't do me much good if I have two babysitters."

"Leave that to me. Good work today."

"Thanks dad."

Jamie hangs up with his father and then looks at the phone on the table before slamming his fist down. He wants more than anything to get back into the Cappezari house and get another shot at planting that device; not wanting to fail anyone on this important assignment. There was no turning back now.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with him trying to keep busy, having been told by his father to stay in all day in case he was now being watched; he would be missed for family dinner, but the family would understand as there were now lives at stake. But the hours tick past slowly, leaving Jamie to pick apart the day and his actions and what he could have done better.

'Over thinking could be just as dangerous as not being prepared.'

Danny had told him and that was true because he could then come across as sounding fake. He would now have to trust that his father would be able to find the real mole, aka the Templar, take him out for good and that would then let them focus on taking down Cappezari without having to worry about him walking into his deathtrap.

Jamie lingers in bed the following morning, hating the fact that he'd have to stay at home another day and just lay low. Danny and Jackie would be doing not as high profile calls as they normally would, as now Jackie too had been seen in public so she had to be careful about having her cover blown and hence his as well.

"I wonder what dad will find today?"

XXXXXXXX

Frank merely nods to Baker as he walks past his assistant and into his office and closes the door, a sign he didn't want to be disturbed unless it was an emergency. He had managed to find the two crooked cops supervisor but when he cross referenced the supervisor with the two cops, there was nothing that matched. So either he was hiding his tracks extremely well or these two were on the payroll of someone else. So far no one had come forwarded and questioned his reasoning for pulling them in that night, but he was about to have them transferred to another station house, mostly to see who would be the first to investigate without asking him directly.

Frank studies the rest of the profiles on the screen before him and frowns; these were also suspected by himself and Wade as being on Cappezari's payroll but not as openly seen as the other two on Saturday night.

"Who are you…" Frank mutters to himself as he starts to slowly type away on the computer, opening another locked file; this one showing the bank deposits for the two men and the accounts being traced back to Cappezari. But two men on the mob's payroll wasn't exactly something to make a major case or arrest out of and it was something that could easily be shot down in court and would set them back at square one.

"Keep digging," Frank tells himself as he notices a familiar name but one that doesn't really belong in a list of mob affiliates. Or did it? "Can't be," Frank groans as he stares at the name, his finger hovering above the mouse, almost afraid to open it. But it wasn't unheard of either; it was plausible. This nemesis was behind the scenes but the builder of them.

"Here goes…" Frank huffs as he takes a deep breath and then opens the file. He looks at the internal memo and then feels himself inwardly groan. "Oh damn." This wasn't just another enemy – he would now be going to war with a general and it was going to get worse before the dust settled.

XXXXXXXX

"So can you confront him yet?" Jamie asks his father over the phone; the sun had already set and Jamie was about to step out for a few minutes.

"Not yet," Frank answers with a heavy sigh. "But I want you to lay low until Danny and I work out a plan. No matter what Noble says you just tell him no, okay?"

"He likes to surprise me."

"Fine but the next time he does you make up an excuse for us to try to run interference in some way, okay? Just stay in today."

"Okay," Jamie agrees in haste. "What else can you tell me?"

"Not much else right now," Frank replies as he looks at the file before him on his computer. "I have downloaded everything to a secure external drive and am bringing them home. First thing in the morning, we'll all meet here and make our plan. We have to take out…well if this is the Templar, we take him out and we should have at least half our worries over."

"And Cappezari?"

"Sorry son, we still need to catch him personally in the act."

"Understood."

Jamie talks a bit longer with his father before hanging up and then looking in his fridge. He has been so preoccupied with all the undercover stuff he had forgotten to really stock his fridge. So telling himself he'd, just visit the small store right next door, he grabs his jacket and heads for the elevator.

"Hey kid where are you?" Danny asks on the phone.

"Just entering the store right beside my building. What's up?"

"Thought you were supposed to stay in tonight?"

"Danny it's no big deal. Just next door. I've got a few things and am heading back out."

"Okay fine. I know you talked to dad but heard some chatter today that Noble got into a small scuffle with another cop and things didn't go so well."

"For who?"

"The cop," Danny sighs. "Busted eye, broken nose, bloody mouth…yeah your buddy is a real piece of work."

"Danny…"

"I know…just watch yourself. We had him on radar heading in your direction and then lost him. He mighta went home, he might be...just watch yourself."

"I will. See you tomorrow."

Jamie hangs up with Danny and just shakes his head, his mind now reeling from this latest news but not really being surprised. Noble had learned from the best of them on what it meant to cause and enjoy human suffering.

But as soon as he exits the store, he see Noble getting out of his car and stops in his tracks, his mind cursing himself instantly. If he was upstairs, he could have just not answered and all would be well.

"Jimmy!" Noble's curt voice calls to him as he nears.

Damn it! Jamie inwardly curses again.

"Hey Noble…what's up?" Jamie asks with a frown.

"I uh…man I had a tough day…you um…you busy?"

"Just gonna…what happened?" Jamie asks nodding to his small black eye.

"Got into a fight…with a damn cop."

"What happened?" Jamie asks hoping his concern comes across as genuine.

"So you wanna go pick up Sydney and hit the club or somethin'?"

"Club? Uh no…we don't…"

"Why because she doesn't like it or her brother doesn't?" Noble hisses, making Jamie's stomach instantly tighten.

"She um…we're not…I'd invite you up but I'm having…you okay? You look a bit out of it."

"I just need a distraction, you know?" Noble whispers as he leans in closer. "If I go my own way I'll end up on the wrong side of the tracks if you know what I mean."

"Right well um…we can go to the club together. You know just the two of us," Jamie suggests.

"It's her damn brother right?"

"Noble, she just needs a break okay?"

"Whatever. Just get in."

"I think..." Jamie starts only to have Noble flash his piece.

"Please?"

Jamie swallows firmly, cursing himself for the verbal scolding his father is going to give him the following morning; Danny would be second. He should have just ordered in and this would all be avoided. Jamie closes his eyes for a few seconds as the car peels away from the curb, Noble talking under his breath in an angry tone and Jamie now wondering if he was already high. This could only end in disaster.

"Why does she put up with a loser like that? Trying to tell her what to do?"

"Noble who are talking about?"

"David," he growls as he pulls a gun and shoves it into Jamie's open hands. "I'm talking about David!" Noble half shouts with a small slur. "Why the hell does a woman put up with a man controlling her life?"

"Noble...are you high right now?"

"No, I'm very low. Here take this! Go on damn it! Take it already!"

"What um…Noble what's this for?"

"It's yours to use."

"On?" Jamie asks with a sinking feeling.

"Let's go pay David a little visit. Teach him not to mess with you anymore or her…take him out of the picture – for good."

"What?"

A/N: Okay so will Jamie be able to warn Danny in time or not? and did Jamie and Jackie really fool Noble? And who did Frank learn might be the elusive Templar? Please review before you go as I'd love your thoughts and thanks so much in advance!