Title: The Guardian
Chapter 12 – Predators & Prey


Jamie's tired frame seizes as he hears shuffling by the door and reaches for his phone, all prepared to call for help. But just as he's about to push the buttons, his brother's face appears and he instantly relaxes.

"Thought you'd gone after Sonny."

"I thought about it," Danny tells Jamie in truth as he eases himself down on the edge of the bed and looks at Jamie in concern. "I called Linda."

"Is she okay?"

"She was worried also. I forgot to give her my number and she doesn't know where we live."

"You can invite her over."

"I told her to stay away far away from me," Danny huffs.

"What'd she say?" Jamie asks sadly.

Danny looks at Jamie in frustration as his mind thinks back to his early discussion with Linda.

'Danny, thank god you're both okay. What happens now?'

'You need to stay far away from me.'

'Danny…'

'No! Don't you see? He stabbed my brother and threatened us. He knows you saw him do it. That means he thinks he's untouchable. I won't be responsible for seeing you hurt like that Linda. I won't.'

'You need my help. I'm not afraid of Sonny Malvesky.'

'I am! I know what he's capable of. Please Linda…please!'

'I can't Danny and you know it. I want to help you fight this. I want to help you bring down Sonny.'

'I…'

"She argued and then…I tried to tell her to stay away. It's for her own good!" Danny insists with a huff. "Why are women so damn stubborn? I don't want her hurt."

"You have to tell Frank Reagan."

"Tell him what?" Danny growls as he pulls away from the bed and looks down at Jamie helpless frustration. "Sonny stabbed you in public. Don't you get that? He walked right past Linda, hell she said he even talked to her! He thinks he's untouchable and that means he has some pretty powerful friends in his corner. And one of them could be frank Reagan!"

"What can we do?"

"Ultimately…" Danny's voice trails off as he looks away. "Move," he admits in defeat. "Sonny's won. He hurt you and I know he'll do worse next time," Danny tries to explain as he turns around, gazing in misery at Jamie's expression. "I know you're upset…I am to but who can we trust?"

"There must be someone."

"Frank Reagan is the man at the top. He employs whoever Sonny has backing him. I thought I could get enough leverage to go to Frank's boss but that's Henry Reagan! The whole damn lot of them is probably corrupt!"

"They can't all be bad," Jamie groans as he tries to get up.

"Hey hold on…where are you going?"

"To pee, I'm still allowed to do that right?" Jamie lightly retorts as Danny's face softens into a smirk and he nods and offers his hand to help his brother up.

"Jamie?"

"Just a bit dizzy."

"You're not gonna do much today okay?"

"There has to be someone we can trust," Jamie implores. "What about that nice officer Renzulli who helped you pay for the first aid kit?"

"I cannot take any more chances with innocent people's lives. What if he's in on it?"

"What if he's not?" Jamie argues back as Danny rubs his weary face.

"Just go pee already," Danny lightly teases as he guides Jamie to the bathroom and then closes the door. Danny heads back to their cupboard and pulls it open; his heart instantly sinking at the few edible offerings staring back at him. His eyes water as he thinks back to the second night on their own…

'Danny what can we eat? I'm hungry?'

'I know you are. I am too. I'll get us something…even if I have to steal it I'll never let us go hungry.'

'What about staying with Paul?'

'We can't trust anyone Jamie, you heard father's threats, you know the cops aren't on our side. They don't care about us, they never will. Come on now, it'll be okay.'

"I remember the first time the cupboard was empty," Jamie's soft voice is heard, pulling Danny from his tormented thoughts and locking eyes with his brother. "Where are we going to get the money to pay for the medical bill Danny?"

"Jamie…"

"Rent right? But we need that and so that means savings. Your savings for the police academy."

"It's so wrong that you have to worry about stuff like this," Danny sighs as Jamie nears him. "You know I'll figure it out."

"Okay…sure," Jamie replies with a fake tight lipped smile.

"Look I don't know what to do okay? With father it was just…we knew it was him. No matter where the hurt came from we knew it was him. There was none of this outsider crap like with Sonny and his damn minions!" Danny growls as Jamie lightly smirks. "Picturing Sonny as a yellow blob?"

"And Amber."

"Okay here's the plan. Today we are going to have breakfast and then pack up all our things and move. I'll leave you there with the stuff to put away and I'll come back for the rest."

"Good thing we don't have much," Jamie admits somberly. "Think the Reagan's thought less of us?"

"No," Danny answers in truth. "I'm sure they've seen…"

"Poverty before?"

"Yeah. Okay and tonight I'm going back to the club to talk to Trixie."

"Danny no," Jamie quickly grabs Danny's arm to turn him back. "What if Sonny's there waiting?"

"What can I do? Back down? She wanted to tell me something. Maybe…look I just…come on let's eat."

"Still wish we had someone we could trust."

"Yeah kid…me too."

XXXXXXXX

"How's Jamie?" Erin asks as she enters her father's office early Saturday morning.

"He's going to be okay medically," Frank replies in truth as he closes his file.

"What's going on dad? Linda said Jamie was stabbed. Is that true?"

"Did she say who did it?"

"Just some guy who didn't want to pay his bill. Was she lying?"

"I don't know but something's going on with those two boys and she could be protecting them."

"Something bad?"

"Uh huh," Frank nods as Henry enters the quiet room.

"Doesn't anyone sleep around here anymore?" Henry asks with a small grumble.

"Well why should I sleep when you two aren't? So how are we going to help Danny and Jamie?" Erin asks in haste as both men look at each other.

"We?"

"She gets that from you pop," Frank offers with a small smile as Henry smirks and nods in resignation. "I think Danny knows who attacked his brother. Now what are the reasons a witness won't come forward to testify, counselor?"

"He's being blackmailed or threatened," Erin suggests as Frank nods. "Think it's their step-father?" Erin wonders.

"He said Jamie's all he has left."

"It's not a crime to hate your step parents is it?" Erin retorts.

"It might be. I'd like to have a few minutes with him. Erin, where did you say you saw the actor that looked like him perform?"

"What actor?" Frank looks at his father in surprise.

"When we met Ron Smith, Erin said he looked like some local actor she saw. When I was talking to Jamie about his father it wasn't so much fear as…"

"Indifference," Frank interjects as Erin looks at him in wonder but Henry nods from understanding. "They are covering up something big. Something that could hurt them both but I doubt it's their step-father."

"And they think the law is against them," Henry muses.

"Maybe they stole something valuable?"

"Maybe," Frank ponders. "But Danny's actions don't tell me that he's hiding something illegal. He's trying to protect someone. My guess is Jamie."

"But project from who?" Erin asks.

"That's what we need to find out," Henry replies firmly. "Erin, I want you to take me to that actor's studio where you saw Ron Smith. I want to know more about this guy. They might not hate him but I think he knows something more than we think."

"And I think I'll pay the academy a visit today," Frank mentions. "Talk to my instructors about their students this term. Danny cursed one of them and then told me it was personal. If it's one of my students I need to know. This could be a bigger issue than a simple threat."

"Okay, but before we go all Sherlock and Watson can we at least eat first?" Erin implores.

"We?" Henry smirks.

XXXXXXXX

"I liked the few raisins we had," Jamie comments after breakfast as he helps Danny pack up their few kitchen items into two cloth bags; one for dishes, pots and utensils and the other for food.

"Yeah you're easy to please," Danny smiles. "Okay remember, no pressure on this side okay? And you are only carrying the light stuff and no fuss."

Danny looks at the two rolled sleeping bags on the bed; the pillows tucked inside. Jamie would carry their two clothing bags as they were lighter but necessary and Danny would bring the food bags and their knapsack of books and shoes; leaving them all with Jamie to slowly put away.

"What do you think they do on the weekends?" Jamie wonders as they exit onto the quiet street in the early morning hours.

"Who?"

"The Reagan's."

"Probably…I don't know. There's just the three of them right? Saw a picture of their house, it's pretty nice. Probably sleep in, have a big breakfast and then…who knows…when you don't have to worry about anything you can do whatever you want."

"Yeah…" Jamie huffs. "Sounds nice."

Danny looks at Jamie with a heavy frown as they near their new apartment, ride up the slow moving elevator to the third floor and then exit into the very quiet hallway. Suddenly they hear two adults starting to argue but having heard that most of their young lives, they press on without much thought.

"Home sweet home," Danny grumbles as he gently dumps the bags onto the floor. "I'll be back soon. Lock this door and don't open unless you hear the code word."

"Okay."

Jamie watches him go and then hurries to lock the door. He looks at the bags on the floor and then gets to work; this apartment almost the exact same layout as the other – only in reverse. It had all the same few kitchen appliances but otherwise was bare; Danny bringing with him the small table and two chairs, their bed and its frame – in pieces and then their sleeping bags.

"Don't tire yourself out too much," Danny warns as he puts the small table and two chairs by the window. "We'll make the bed together."

He brings back the mattress and then the frame; pausing before he makes his last trip to get their two sleeping bags and the bag containing a few other personal items. Danny places the two keys into a small envelope and then tucks it under the landlord's door, picks up his few items and heads for the back exit door.

"Danny!"

Danny freezes in place upon hearing the familiar voice and can only grit his teeth as he slowly turns around. "I thought I told you to stay far away."

"Men telling women what do to is an antiquated notion," Linda retorts.

"A what?" Danny stammers as she nears. "How did you find us?...this place?"

"Demarcus. I told him you gave me the address but I wrote down one wrong number. I had to find you. Don't be mad at him. I know what you said this morning but I'm not listing. I'm not going to just walk away and forget you."

"Linda, please…Sonny saw you."

"Why haven't you called the cops yet?"

"And tell them what? Linda…ah just…"

"What happened in the past that has you so scared right now?" She asks softly, her blue eyes locking with his and holding them in place. "Who are you really afraid of? I know it's not Sonny. Danny you…you're not afraid of anyone that I know, but you are afraid sometimes. Tell me. You know you can trust me."

"I…" Danny huffs as his arm holding Jamie's sleeping bag falters. Without saying a word, Linda plucks the bundle from his grasp and gives him a nod.

"I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be. My father was abusive. I mean…damn Linda he was the devil. He would beat me and…" his voice breaks as his eyes water and he looks away. "You know…I uh…I can't," he turns back with a stubborn head shake, trying to grab the bag from her grasp. "Linda…give that to me."

"No."

"Now!"

"No!"

"Why?...why not…can't you see," Danny groans as he looks at her in misery. "My old man beat us okay? You want my glamorous life story? My old man beat us for the damn fun of it. He…he did things to us that…that no father should ever do to his child. Ever! When I stood up for myself or Jamie…I paid the price. We both did."

"Danny…" Linda's voice cracks as her own eyes water.

"One time…he had me and Jamie he…he called the cops. The cops came. They came and while the cop held me in the other room, my father beat Jamie for doing that. I don't trust anyone. Not even the cops."

"Not all cops are bad."

"You need to get away from me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a monster!" Danny shouts as he tries once more to pull the sleeping bag back.

"You're not strong enough to push me away for good Danny. I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be."

"Why? Because your old man was an ass? You're not him."

"I…"

"Danny, listen to me. You're not him. If you were you'd be friends with Sonny Malvesky, not trying to stop him!"

Danny shakes his head as he looks at Linda with a frown. "I'm scared of becoming like him. I work hard…I fight it but it's still there. I'm just…I'm ashamed to tell anyone about him okay?"

"I'll never think less of you, in fact you trusting me to tell me that as hard as it was for you to tell me…tells me more about your character than you might think. You could have just walked away but you didn't. I'm here to stay Danny. You don't scare me."

"I scare me."

"I'm not you," she quips lightly as he can only smirk and shake his head. "Now…what's going on?"

"We're moving…Linda we have nothing okay? That's why I never told you where we live before. We have nothing. Literally nothing. I have a crappy past and a bleak future. I have nothing to offer."

"You think I'll judge you? You don't know women do you?"

"Obviously not," Danny groans as he lets the sleeping bag remain in her grasp. "Come on."

Jamie hears the code word being offered and hurries to the door; only when he opens it, he sees two faces instead of one looking back at him. "Linda?"

"Hey Jamie. How are you feeling?"

"Tired…and fine…but…"

"Don't ask kid," Danny lightly remarks as he dumps the sleeping bag bundles on the floor and then looks at Linda and Jamie. "This…is it."

"Needs a woman's touch," she states with a small smile as Jamie remains frozen in place. "I can't stay long as I have to get to work but…but I'm here to help okay?"

"I'll walk you down," Danny mentions as Jamie just nods deftly. About twenty minutes later Jamie watches Danny enter with a strained expression.

"What happened?"

"Ah she cornered me in the back alley. I only told her what he did…she asked why I won't call the cops on Sonny and I had to tell her about our father. But that's it okay. I never mentioned anything about Mitch or…damn what have I done!"

"I trust Linda," Jamie mentions in haste as he nears Danny. "I'm glad she's on our side."

"Yeah me too kid…me to. Okay…let's make our bed okay?"

"Did Mitch ever call back?"

"No," Danny grumbles. "Maybe it's for the best. After this we might not need him anymore."

"Hope so," Jamie replies. "And hopefully the Reagan's have forgotten him also."

"Hopefully."

XXXXXXXX

"Hmm yeah I gotta say…around the eyes he looks like one of our Indie actors."

"Indie?" Henry retorts.

"Independent films," Erin interjects with a sweet smile as the studio producer looks at her and nods. "I loved your rendition of The Secret Garden. Suzanne was perfect for that role."

"Really? Well thank you. I must say to hear such positive feedback from a younger audience is very refreshing."

"Can we get back on topic here?" Henry huffs as Erin offers a slightly embarrassed smile; his expression telling her he let her come but she wasn't to push it. "Which actor?"

"Looks like Mitch Summers. But…older. Why? What's going on Commissioner Reagan?"

"Just want to offer him some personal commendation," Henry replies as he turns away with a grimace, "for his award winning performance at the high school. Do you have an address?"

XXXXXXXX

Frank enters the police academy's main entrance doors and stops, looking around; his eyes drawn to the place he saw Danny standing and cursing. He lets his eyes drop down to the newest class, the one containing Sonny's picture and he looks at all the names in wonder. Finally something clicks when he lets his mind linger on one last name in particular.

'Someone there that doesn't belong Danny?'

'It's personal Sir and not up to me.'

"Nothing's that personal," Frank muses as he heads for the administrative office. He knows he had no reason to even look further at Sonny Malvesky as it wasn't odd for police officers to recommend and even instruct their own family members; in fact it was encouraged. They just weren't allowed to grade them and so far Sonny's dad was playing by the rules. Or appearing to be. Just as he reaches the door, Frank pauses, turning to see an image of himself with Joe at his side.

'This is where I want to be dad. In this hall…this uniform…making you proud.'

'You'll be a great cop Joe. I have no doubt about that at all. Come on…let me show you the rest. You'll do one year of college and then you can enter.'

'No special favors now.'

"Wouldn't think of it," Frank's lips utter the same sentiment as his own present day self. He feels a touch of melancholy starting to cover him before he pushes the rest of the memory aside for now and carries on with his mission. He enters the quiet office and offers a polite smile to the lone clerk.

"Morning Chief Reagan."

"Morning Molly. I need a few instructor files as well as some students," Frank requests; not wanting too much suspicion to his actions.

"Of course what are the last names for the instructors?"

"Smith, O'Connor, Lewis, Trembley and Malvesky."

"And the students?"

"Adams, Birch, Chan, Miller, Johnson and…Malvesky."

"I'll be right back. Did you want to use the office to look at them?"

"That would be great thank you," Frank replies with a friendly smile as he watches her take her leave. His eyes drift upward to a board on the wall; a montage housing the pictures of all current instructors, starting with the head administrator and working downward. Now…which of them is a rat?

XXXXXXXX

About two hours later, Danny hears Jamie starting to fuss and looks over from his reading and frowns. He was the only thing keeping Danny in his place and not going after Sonny and ripping out his heart and stomping on it. He told Linda that it would be best if he went to the club alone as he had to talk to Trixie and didn't want to draw any needless attention to himself. He looks at the fake round glasses and wig that Linda had given him and smiles. Confiding in her felt comforting and yet painful at the same time. He wanted to tell her…almost from the first day they met but was too afraid of what she might think of him. But she had put his fears to rest and even assured him that her strength would help him…both of them get through this war with Sonny. But then what? What could I possibly offer her? I have nothing…really have nothing. Cop's don't make much…but…but she saw where we live and what we have and is still here. She's…she's really something.

"Danny?"

"Yeah still here," Danny replies as Jamie looks up at him with a small frown. "I'll wait until it's dark to leave."

"I'm worried."

"I know I just…what can I do Jamie? I need proof. Sonny has told us not to go to the cops which means someone on Frank Reagan's team is working with him and covering up whatever he does. I need something on him which can trump that and I need it fast. Trixie wanted to help. What?"

"Is her name really Trixie?"

"No Tracy, she said. Never told me her last name. I just need this okay? Once I find out something I'll…I don't know but someone on the inside is helping him."

"Think Frank Reagan was mad about your comment about his inner circle?"

"Yeah damn I let that slip didn't I?" Danny grumbles as Jamie nods. "We'll be okay."

"Okay," Jamie nods as he holds back tears.

"Ah damn it kid, I'm sorry," Danny sighs as he comes over to Jamie's side of the bed and eases himself down. "I'm scared too. Never had so much to lose as of late as we do now, huh. With father…leaving him behind was easy. Mom was dead and there was nothing to keep us there. But now…we've worked so hard to build a life for ourselves and that's why I just can't walk away without fighting for it."

"But Danny, he could kill you, you know that," Jamie reminds him.

"I'm more worried about you and Linda. She…damn Sonny had a good look at her," Danny grimaces. "She said she'd be careful but Sonny knows where she works and goes to school. No one's safe. We put Sonny away and we can stop running again."

"I trust you Danny. I just worry."

"I know you do," Danny pulls Jamie into his embrace. "I do to. Okay…I gotta finish my reading and then get ready to go."

"I think the guy across the way has a big screen TV," Jamie mentions as Danny pulls away and heads back to the small kitchen table. Danny watches Jamie bundle up in his blanket and head for the window slowly easing himself down on the chair and looking outside. "Do you think if mom was still alive we'd still be there?" Jamie asks absently.

"Or we'd be dead later on," Danny whispers as Jamie looks up in dread. "I don't know right? He killed her that night and if we stayed…what's on TV?"

"I think….uh….oh my."

"What?"

"It's um…" Jamie looks away with a flushed face.

"No way, the guy's watching porn?"

"I think I'll play solitaire," Jamie smirks as he pulls away from the window, draws the curtain over it and reaches for a deck of cards. "Unless…you want me to make dinner?"

"I want you to rest. Save your reading for tomorrow, when you come with me to the gun range."

"Okay," Jamie answers as he shuffles the deck. Two hours later, the two dinner plates and one pot were put away and Danny was getting ready to go.

"So…" Danny comes and stands in front of Jamie, "how do I look?"

"Nerdy," Jamie snickers as Danny fixes his glasses and wig. "Never seen you before with…longer hair."

"After tonight you never will again. Damn thing itches," Danny groans as he scratches his head and the wig moves; making Jamie laugh once again. "Miss hearing you laugh."

"Please just be careful Danny."

"This is the plan. I'm going to and find Trixie, hear what she has to say and if it something really damning go to…"

"The police commissioner?"

"Someone. Okay remember either I give you the code or I unlock the door. No one else comes in. If something seems off you get outside through that window and text me. You know where to go."

"Okay."

Jamie waits for Danny to leave and then quickly locks the door. He turns off all lights but one, grabs his blanket and his phone and returns to the window, happy that Mr. Big Screen TV was watching something he could actually and legally watch. "Please God…let Danny come home safely," he offers a whispered prayer before he pulls the blanket close and tries to keep his mind occupied.

Danny's phone buzzes as he sits in the back of the bus, his hand reaching for it and opening Linda's text.

'I think I saw Sonny's car outside the diner. It was there and gone. Danny, please be careful tonight. Linda.'

Danny's eyes close momentarily as he looks at the heartfelt plea before texting a brief I will and you too back to Linda and then shoving his phone out of sight. Trixie was his only viable lead without tipping his head to Frank Reagan. He couldn't fault Jamie wanting to trust them, he had been eager all his life for some fatherly attention and Henry Regan's affection for the young teen was very evident. If they weren't in the situation they were, he would have been so pleased that Jamie had come under the radar of a noble man. But right now they were the enemy and he couldn't risk his brother's precious life.

The bus stops a few doors down from the booming club; Danny getting off and trying to just stroll casually toward the front entrance. He joins a group of noisy guys, slips in with them and then quickly pulls away in search of Trixie.

"Hey there," one of the female hostesses greets with a wide smile. "You thirsty?"

"Yeah I'll be back for round two after I hit the can," Danny offers in a mock semi-drunken slur. The hostess takes the hint and goes in search of another male patron. Danny's eyes narrow as he looks around the club; part of him just wanting to get onto the dance floor and grind with a hot female body pressed up against him and forget about the cares of his young troubled life. But he couldn't. He was there on business and time was not waiting for him.

Finally he resigns himself to the fact that he has to ask someone for help. "Hey."

"Hey yourself. I like your glasses," a friendly voice greets with a wide smile. "Lookin' for trouble."

"Depends. Trixie around?"

"Not tonight," the girl returns a pout. "You're the second guy that's asked about her tonight. At least she got lucky with the other guy."

"Other guy? When? What'd he look like?" Danny asks in haste.

"You interested in her or him?" The girl retorts in sarcasm.

"Both. I'm her friend. But this guy…." Danny pulls his phone and flips to a picture of Sonny Malvesky. "Was it this guy?"

"Yeah that's him. Real temper that one."

"When was he in?"

"A few hours ago. Somethin's up there if you ask me."

"How's that?" Danny asks as panic rises in his tone.

"She was acting all weird after shift last night and then when she came in this afternoon. She did a bunch of stuff, your buddy there came looking for her and then…well I guess she left after they fought. Sorry it was busy in here tonight so I couldn't keep tabs. But she never came back. Figured she went home to sleep it off."

"Yeah that's okay. Hey do you have a number or address or something? Would mean a lot."

"Yeah hold on," the girl replies as she pulls her phone. "What's your number? I'll text you."

"Thanks," Danny replies with a smile as she leans in closer.

"I'm Marianne," she whispers as she kisses his cheek. "But you can probably get a lot more from her guy. He just walked in."

Sonny! Oh damn no! Danny offers her a tight lipped smile butkeeps his back to Sonny. He slightly glances up and sure enough sees Sonny and one other guy lingering by the front entrance – looking for someone. Yeah I know what you what you bastard! But it wasn't the time for a fight. If Sonny was here then he had to get out and get to Trixie and fast.

"Just go along with me…but help me to the back door," Danny whispers as he moves in closer, pretending to kiss Marianne.

"You work out or something? Those glasses don't do your body justice," she giggles as she watches Sonny linger and not make a move toward them. "He's not moving."

"Good…I gotta get outta here."

Marianne leans in closer to pretend to make out with Danny; Danny more than thankful that Linda wasn't there to see or he'd worry that she's pop Marianne in the face for being such a desperate floozy. Danny reaches the back door and thanks Marianne once more; Marianne happy for Danny's number and telling him she better see him at the club again.

Danny hurries away from the club, rounding the corner and quickly dialing Trixie's number. "Please….please pick up," Danny begs as he only gets empty rings in return. "Please…please pick up…you gotta pick up!" Danny begs once more as he curses when he gets voice mail. But just as he hangs up, a firm hand clamps down on his shoulder; forcing Danny to look up and offer a small gasp.

XXXXXXXX

~another part of Manhattan that same night~

"What do we have Officer Renzulli?"

"Hey Detective Rogers," Renzulli shines his flashlight so the two senior homicide detectives can see their way down toward the water's edge. "Young woman. Roughed up pretty bad. Purse was found at the top of the hill, phone broken and wallet strewn all over. Could be a mugging gone bad. Young couple over there found the body."

"Victim's name?" Rogers questions.

"Tracy Myers."


A/N: So Danny didn't go too far (yet) hehe but they did move. Will they be safer now? and how did you like his small confession to Linda. Baby steps right? and of course the Reagan's weren't going to back down. What did they find in their searches? Will Henry get the truth from Mitch? What did Frank find? What really happened to tracy *wink* and who found Danny at the end? I'm so thrilled you are all liking this story so much – I'm finding ways to extend it a bit more here and there and involve everyone and I hope that's okay! Please do review before you go and thanks!