CH. 14: Just A Test

The night was long, and after an epic battle of fussing. Danny did manage to get her into a deep enough sleep, where he could lay her down in the crib upstairs, so he could get at least a little sleep in his own bed. He still had to get up with her every two hours to feed her. And then it took another thirty minutes to an hour to get her settled enough to stop crying due to the colic and fall back to sleep.

The following morning, and Danny felt as if his alarm went off entirely too early. Part of it he figured was the fault of his daughter, as well as the fault of his job. After the stressful day he had. Which he had a feeling he was going to have another day of. Considering he needed to run by the hospital and check on Jamie's friend, work his tour, and then start all over again that night with Devon.

XXXXXXXX

Danny had just finished his coffee and was about to leave for work when he looked into the pack n play, where his daughter was lying, and just waking up.

"Daddy would like to hold you, Devon. But he's got to go arrest people. And he'd prefer for the perps not to see him with spit up on his shoulder." Devon started to kick her feet in protest, and start fussing again, when Danny sighed. "Do you promise, that everything inside of you, is going to stay inside of you? You spit up all over me last night." Danny sounded nervous. He had just started to lean over so he could pick her up, when she let out a burp, causing her daddy to stand up straight. "Sounds like daddy needs to take precautions with grandma's apron," Danny hurried into the kitchen, where he grabbed one of Mary's aprons, and hurried back to his daughter.

Devon's fussing ceased, when Danny picked her up, and carried her around the room while he talked to her.

"That's a good look for you son?" Frank teased him, as he came down the stairs, pointing at the purple apron, Danny had tied around his neck.

"Is that a new uniform issued by the NYPD?" Mary laughed, joining in on her husband's banter.

Danny was about to reply, when Jamie came bounding down the stairs in a hurry, so he could grab something for breakfast, before his Dad was ready to leave, so he could drop him off at school, before work.

"I've seen it all now," Jamie ruffed at the ivory lace ruffles that was attached to the collar of his mother's apron, that was wrapped around his brother's neck.

"Shut up Jamie," Danny swatted his brothers hand away. "I may have to listen to it from them," he nodded at his parents. "But I do not have to take it from my kid brother."

"Just saying," Jamie shrugged, appearing as if he was going to say more. At least until Frank cleared his throat, not wanting to have to stifle an argument from the two brothers, so early in the morning. "I'm going, I'm going," Jamie caught on to what his father was getting at. Especially after his father nudged him toward the kitchen.

"I have to get to work Devon," Danny kissed his daughters head. "Be good for Grandma." Again, Devon fussed, when Danny handed her over to his mother. He still hated to see her upset when he had to leave her. But he was getting used to it. And he knew he had to get to the precinct, so he could meet up with his partner.

XXXXXXXX

Danny arrived at the precinct and walked straight to the coffee pot. All before he even approached his partner, for the first time, that morning. After filling a Styrofoam cup, Danny made his way over to his partner. "You ready to start our tour?"

"Hopefully it's better than yesterday." Baker hated to think of how she would feel, if she saw another kid lying on the floor, surrounded by their own blood.

"Me too," Danny was glad he made a collar. But he had to admit, he hated the entities, of what it involved.

"Hey Danny," Baker said after several minutes of starring at her partners uniformed shirt. "You have something on your shirt."

Danny looked down at his shirt and moaned for a moment. At least until he figured there was no point in his complaints. Considering he didn't think there was anything he could do about it. He had a baby, and he knew the stains wouldn't end there. Because after that, was the dreaded toddler stage, and he knew that hardly ever, was a toddler's hands clean. "It's okay I have a kid," Danny gave up caring, as he tried to wipe the spit up, off his shirt.

"It's like a lot," Baker handed him another napkin.

"I have a newborn with colic," Danny justified the reason behind the now wet spot, smeared on the front of his shirt.

"Oh," all Baker could do was laugh, at her partners reply.

XXXXXXXX

The first part of their tour, was relatively uneventful. At least until a call came over the radio, asking for a nearby unit to respond to a hostage situation.

"Our uneventful day, has just turned into an eventful one. Again," Danny spun the car around, and sped away. While Baker flipped on the sirens. They were the first on the scene, and Danny and Baker jumped out of the car, and hurried into position. One on each side of the entrance door.

"How do you want to do play this?" Baker wondered, her gun drawn.

"We can't just bust through the door. The only thing that would do, is get us both shot. Something I'm not too keen on." Danny said, what they both already knew.

"We don't see many hostage cases like this," Baker gestured at the two-story house.

"Yeah thank God," Danny tried to get a look through the windows.

Danny's color drained from his face, when he turned away from the window, and faced his partner, causing his partner to worry, when she saw his face expression.

"What's wrong?" Baker was almost too afraid to ask, worried about the answer she would receive.

"He's holding his own family hostage." Danny started to move away from the house, when he saw another NYPD car drive up across the street.

"How do you know?" Baker asked confused. Trying to figure out what he managed to gather, in just the five minutes he ran from one window to the other to gather information.

"There's kids in there," Danny gestured back at the house with his hand. "And I overheard when of them call the guy with the gun dad. And ask him why he was doing it."

"Oh no," Baker looked almost sick, when she heard there were kids in the house. Especially after what they encountered the day before, with teenager Ryan.

"Oh no," Danny repeated what his partner had just said. Causing him to stop about midway across the street, when he recognized the hostage negotiator getting set up.

"What is it now?" Baker almost ran into him, when he stopped so suddenly.

"I hate working with this guy," Danny muttered, turning around to face her, so only she could hear him.

"Who? The hostage negotiator?" Baker guessed.

"Yeah," Danny nodded. "It's Lieutenant Kent Hill."

"Is he that bad?" Baker wondered.

"Let me put it to you this way. Don't count on things going our way today." Danny knew he had to keep walking and approach the Lieutenant no matter how much he didn't want to. Simply because he was the first on scene.

After reaching the side of the street, Danny approached the Lieutenant. Who was busy ordering officers to cover different surrounding areas.

"I don't think this is necessary Lieutenant," Danny ran a hand through his hair.

"When did you get your gold shield officer? I must have missed it," Hill said sarcastically.

Danny sighed, as he struggled, with trying to remember that the Lieutenant outranked him. And hitting the man, wasn't the best way to become a detective. And he had to think of Devon. Knowing that getting promoted, meant a raise in pay, which was the only way he was going to get a decent place for him and his daughter. Danny was on the verge of replying, when the Captain from the 12th approached them. "What do we got?" CPT. Frank Reagan asked.

"I'm still waiting on that Sir," Hill turned his attention on the young officer.

"I've been trying to tell you," Danny was getting edgy with the Lieutenant already, simply based on the fact, the guy acted like he knew it all, when he had barely been there for five minutes.

"Officer Reagan?" Frank zeroed in on Danny. "Excuse us a moment Lieutenant," Frank gave Danny the silent look that meant for him to follow him. It was the same look he and his siblings would receive when they were kids and they were at church or other functions, and were misbehaving, and it was time for a one on one, due to their ramification.

Danny followed him a short distance down the street, where they were out of earshot of the other uniformed officers, and their comings and goings on the scene.

"I know what you're going to say," Danny started to pick up for himself, still aggravated over the Lieutenants words.

"Not now," Frank cut him off. "You have a job to do, and you are going to do it. And that will be done, by being as cooperative as you can be to the Lieutenant. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sir," Danny's voice was low, when he realized he wasn't going to be listened to, and the Captain was obviously taking the side of the higher up.

"Now what do we got?" Frank crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Danny explained, what they knew so far. And Frank was quick to relay the information over to the hostage negotiator. Leaving Danny standing in the middle of the street.

"You okay? The Lieutenant was riding you pretty hard." His partner approached him.

"Yeah, I can handle him." Danny tried to act like the Lieutenant didn't get under his skin.

"What about the Captain?" Baker moved on to the highest official on scene.

"That's another story," Danny muttered. Trying to figure out their next move.

"What do you want to do?" Baker looked around the street that was filling with more and more officers.

"I think it's time we did a little investigating." Danny said with a small smile. "Maybe if we figure out what would possess him to hold his family hostage by gun point, we can figure out how to get to him."

"We're supposed to remain on scene," Baker reminded him. "We were the first to arrive."

"You can stay," Danny nodded. "I'll be right back. But I want to know why he's doing this," Danny nodded, at the house.

"You're not a detective Danny," Baker was trying to keep him out of trouble. "And I'm sure the Captain has someone on it."

"Maybe so," Danny nodded. "But I have a better idea." Danny took off running for the car.

"I hate it when he does that," Baker was trying to figure out how she was going to cover for him, if they started asking questions.

XXXXXXXX

Danny wasn't gone long, and Baker was thrilled when she saw him again. Especially when she observed the smile on his face. Hoping that meant, he had information that would help.

"Where's the Captain?" Danny asked immediately.

"With the Lieutenant," Baker replied.

"I got something," Danny hurried to speak with his father.

"Where have you been?" Frank asked immediately.

"Working," Danny replied with one word. "But I have some information, that may get us all out of here before dinner."

Frank didn't say anything, but he did look at him with raised brow. Interested, in what he was about to say."

"Playing detective again Reagan?" Hill started to badger him again.

"Let him speak Lieutenant," Frank intervened.

"Yes Sir," Hill turned silent.

"I know who he is," Danny started.

"So, do we," Frank didn't want him to waste his time. "His name is John Wills. His wife's name is Martha, and they have three children. John Jr who's 8, Leah who's 5, and a three-month-old named Rebecca."

"Did you know his wife was planning on divorcing him, and move to Washington with the kids?" Danny surprised them with a motive.

"How did you find this out?" Frank was wondering if the information he was receiving was good. He trusted Danny, but he wasn't sure if he trusted Danny's source. "There was nothing about a divorce with any of the law offices."

"She hasn't filed it yet. All she's done was talk to her coworker about it." Danny enlightened him. "Her coworker told her husband who works with John at the fire department. And he told him yesterday."

"I wonder how long he's kept them like this?" Hill was speaking of the family. Who had to be mighty uncomfortable. Even if they were in their own home. Knowing that comfort wasn't a word, when someone you love, or used to love held a gun on you and your children.

"I have a baby," Danny mentioned. "And if I've learned anything from her. It's that they have a lot of needs and are very demanding when they need to be fed." Danny was thinking that they had to at least go into the kitchen to make the baby a bottle.

"So, the best time to establish contact with him would be when the babies crying." Hill was beginning to pay attention what the young officer was saying. "Maybe if he gets tired of listening to her cry, he'll let them go and turn himself in."

"I don't think that's going to work," Danny shook his head.

"What do you mean?" Hill squinted.

"He already has two children, he's bound to be used to it by now. Not to mention, that is their home. Which means they have everything to care for the baby's needs. And can probable stay hold up there for a while." Danny enlightened him.

"Maybe when they are separated, one of them tending to the baby we can take a shot through the window." Hill was thinking of the marksman he had on scene, just in case.

"Only if there's no other resort," Frank shook his head. "I had kids his age, and very seldom did they sit perfectly still. One of them may walk directly into the trajectory path."

"I guess we'll just have to talk him out," Hill was beginning to think it was going to be another long day.

"I don't think that's going to work," Danny shook his head. "This hostage situation is different, then the others we normally encounter.

"How do you know what the norm is for what I encounter officer?" The Lieutenant questioned.

"I'm not trying to presume anything on your part," Danny didn't say it with the utmost respect, like most officers in Danny's position would have done. Then again, Danny wasn't like most officers. He had a mind of his own, and that mind of his own, usually included a plan, on how to get out of most situations with his skin intact. Which was quite out of the norm for young officers, just starting out.

"But I think the only way you're going to get to him is by sending someone inside." Danny said in all honesty.

"If you think you're just going to walk through the front door and talk him down, all without getting shot the second you darken the door. Then you are even dumber than I thought." Lieutenant Hill said sarcastically, shaking his head at the officer's suggestion.

"That's not what I meant," Danny raised his voice. "I'm not as stupid as I look, like some people." Danny wasn't about to mention any names. But he didn't have to, they all knew who he was talking about.

"Officer Reagan!" Frank was losing patience with his son. "We already have a stressful situation in there," Frank nodded at the house. "And we don't need one out here, amongst ourselves. That isn't going to do anyone any good. And you will not speak to your superior in that manner," Frank lowered his voice just low enough for Danny to hear.

"He started it," Danny tried to justify.

"That's beside the point. If you cannot control yourself, then I will order you to desk duty. And report your actions to your sergeant." Frank threatened, his voice, just as low as before.

Danny didn't say anything, but it was obvious he was put out, over his father's constant reprimands. As well as the fact that he wasn't even willing to listen to him, simply because he was one of the youngest officers on the scene. He was tempted to go sit on the sidelines, and just wait to see how everything played out. But no matter how tempted he was to do so. He knew that would only make him look like a sulking child. And he was too concerned about the family inside the locked house. Especially the three-month-old. Danny didn't sit on the sidelines. But he did remain quiet, and instead just watched the hostage negotiator as he tried to talk John out of the house.

He was still sitting quiet, when his phone buzzed. Danny was tempted to ignore it. At least until he read the ID, revealing it was his mother. Danny walked away and talked with her for several minutes. At least until he noticed his father looking around.

"I've got to go Mom. The captain from the 1-2 is here, and he's in a hell of a mood today."

"You need to be careful son," Mary warned, knowing how the two could get when they got into it. Especially now that Danny was grown. When they got into arguments, Mary was almost certain Henry and Betty could hear them arguing from their place.

"You don't want him to hear you."

"Don't worry mom, I'm trying to give him somewhat of wide berth," he assured her. "Oh, and you might want to warn the kid about staying out of his way this evening."

"Are you referring to Jamie or Devon?" Mary laughed.

"Jamie, he's the annoying one." Danny said pointedly. "I already know Devon will be fussing. But luckily for me, Dad loves her."

"He does that," Mary loved the way her husband acted with his grandchildren. Holding Nicki on his lap and playing with her. And then the way he helped Danny. By taking a turn, walking Devon up and down the upstairs hallway, just trying to get her to fall sleep.

XXXXXXXX

"Do you want to know what I think now?" Danny finally got a moment to speak, after Frank berated him for taking a personal call, even if he didn't know who it was on the other end. And Danny wasn't about to enlighten him.

Frank nodded, and Danny sighed. He was tempted to say it was about time, but he refrained. Knowing that would only get him benched off the entire case. And he was trying to prove indispensable. Hoping it would lead to a promotion. Then again, he figured there was more of a chance of that happening, if he could keep his mouth shut. Which was something he was never good at to begin with.

"There's an upstairs window cracked open just big enough for someone to squeeze through," Danny pointed the window out.

Frank picked up a pair of binoculars and observed the window for a brief second.

"It's not much of an opening," Frank admitted.

"Yeah, but I can fit." Danny said seriously.

"I don't think it's a good idea," Frank shook his head.

"Don't you trust me?" Danny's voice was low. But his eyes were speaking volumes.

"You know I do Danny," Frank assured him. "But you're not a detective, and this is serious."

"I know Dad," Danny called him Dad for the first time since they had been out there.

"But this one's personal."

Danny didn't explain his reasons. But something inside Frank made him give his approval. "I'll take care of Hill," Frank walked away, offering a silent prayer, for God to look after his eldest son.

Danny was right, it was a tight fit in between the seal and partially raised window. But he did manage to make it through, without causing a disturbance. After taking his gun in his hands, Danny searched the upstairs, making sure there wasn't any hostages tied up. After making sure it was clear, Danny moved on to the downstairs.

"Put the gun down John," Danny caught him surprise.

John started to turn around, but Danny stopped him. "No, don't move."

John turned around anyways, causing Danny to raise his gun higher.

"Let your family go John," Danny tried talking him down. Even if the hostage negotiator tried that. Several times, he might add.

"I can't," John said sadly. "She's leaving me and taking my family."

The man appeared as if he was about to break, and Danny decided to use this for his advantage.

"That's no reason to keep them under lock and key, with a gun pointed at him. These are your children." Danny gestured at the three of them. "You don't want them to remember you like this."

"Do you have kids?" John looked as if he was at least paying attention to what Danny was saying.

"I have a baby girl a little younger than yours,"

"And what would you do if someone was threatening to take her away from you?" John was getting serious again.

"Probably the same thing you are doing," Danny lied. Thinking that if someone was trying to take Devon, he'd just change their names and run away with her.

"Then you know how I feel?" John felt a tear run down his cheek.

"You need to let this go," Danny repeated. "I have a brother in law that's a defense attorney. And as much as I hate to admit it, he is good at what he does. And I'm sure I can get my sister to talk him into taking your case. At least that way, you will be able to see your kids again." Danny wasn't sure if what he was saying was true. He wasn't a lawyer after all, and he hadn't spoken with any. But when it came to getting the family out safe, he was willing to lie through his teeth.

John dropped the gun, and Danny rushed over to pick it up, keeping his eye on the man at all times, not wanting to be taken by surprise, before he could get the cuffs on him.

The family slowly trailed out the front door, and Danny followed suit. The now contrite and broken John Wills in cuffs. Baker came up, and relived him, by taking the perpetrator over to a nearby squad car.

Danny took a deep breath, and silently walked down the street, away from everyone. Trying to take a few moments for himself, so he could clear his head. His mind focusing on his own little one, and thinking how he would feel if someone tried taking Devon away from him.

"You did good," Frank walked up behind him.

"I got the job done," Danny ran a hand through his hair. "That's all that matters."

Frank was about to say something, but Danny cut him off. "Excuse me Sir, I need to get back to work." Danny walked away over, to where his partner was waiting for him near their car.

XXXXXXXX

After dropping Wills off at the precinct, and Danny placing a call into Erin. Danny and Baker walked through the automated doors at the hospital, and made their way over to the front counter, so they could get the room number, to their victim's room, from the day before. Mary had spoken to Ryan's mother the night before, after the Reagan's left the hospital to check on him, and she said he was resting comfortably. Also saying that, if he was doing just as well in the morning, they would be moving him out of ICU, and into his own room.

Part of Danny wished he would see Linda while he was there. Then again, he didn't know her schedule, and he hadn't seen her yesterday. So, he wasn't counting on it. Figuring she may had been working at the pediatrician's office that day. He was just walking away from the front desk, when Linda saw him. He hadn't seen her, but she was tempted to walk over to him anyways. At least until she saw who he was with. It was the same blond-haired woman he was with the day before.

"Calm down," she tried to reason with herself. Thinking they could be partners.

Unfortunately, even with this thought. She couldn't help herself and decided to stay hidden. "This is ridiculous," she told herself. "You're a grown woman, and he wouldn't be interested in you anyways." She started to walk down the hallway, when she saw him again, and ducked into the nurse's lounge. "Oh, but that uniform," she leaned against the closed door. "He's so cute."

XXXXXXXX

After visiting with Ryan and his family, happy to see the boy at least talking, and not appearing too sedated. Danny and Baker split ways, Danny needing to go to the store and pick up the items his mother called him about, that Devon needed. He had just reached the baby aisle, when he was surprised to find Linda looking at the baby bottles.

"Hi," Danny smiled. "Reaching over her head, for the only baby bottles his picky daughter would take.

"Danny," Linda greeted, moving out from under his arm. "Getting tired of washing bottles?"

"I keep losing them," Danny tossed two packs of the exact same set of bottles in the small basket he was carrying.

"How?" Linda laughed.

"Beats me," Danny shrugged. "There's probably some stuck in the couch cushions, some that have fallen back behind my bed. Some that probably went down the drain when I wasn't noticing." Danny had to admit, he had no idea what happened to them and he was just coming up with explanations. "So, what brings you down the baby aisle?" Danny moved a short distance away from the bottles, and over to the diapers.

"I have to babysit my niece this weekend," Linda didn't exactly appear nervous, but she did seem like she didn't know what she was going to do with her, that her sister would approve of.

"Being the good aunt?" Danny laughed.

"Trying to," Linda admitted. Even if she knew it was difficult, due to the relationship she had with her sister.

"I'll have to remember you, just in case I ever need a sitter." Part of Danny was teasing, and the other part of him was being completely serious.

"I'd love to babysit Devon sometimes." Linda's nervous expression, seemed to drift away in a matter of seconds. Just as she heard what the man in the uniform said. "She's such a beautiful baby."

"She is cute, I'll give you that," Danny nodded. "But she can definitely be a handful at times."

"The colic won't last forever," Linda gave him a small reassuring smile.

There was a moment of silence, as Danny struggled with getting sucked into the young nurse's beautiful smile. He didn't know why he was having such a difficult time being around her. He loved it, yet at the same time, sometimes it made him feel almost sick to his stomach. In an attempt to clear his head, Danny took another several steps away from her. He didn't know what possessed him to do it, but he was trying to appear busy, as if he was just trying to grab what he needed and go. In all the confusion that was mixed up in his brain, he started grabbing things Devon wasn't even out of yet.

"Can I ask you a professional question?" Danny stopped, when he reached the section with the baby soap.

"Sure," Linda turned to face him. Causing him even more difficulties to form his questions. Or rant which is what it turned out to be.

"They say not to give a baby a bath very often. But my baby spits up all the time, and then she goes in her pants. Although she doesn't have a lot of dirty diapers though." He mentioned.

"That's something you need to watch out for." Linda thought she better say as quick as she could, getting the feeling she wasn't going to be given the opportunity to speak. Beginning to think that he was a bit stressed for some reason, she didn't know. Perhaps due to the mounting stress of his newborn as well as the job, she knew had to be difficult. Even if she didn't know much about the NYPD.

"They also say no blankets in the crib," Danny gestured at the baby blankets they had on a nearby shelf. "But if Devon feels any sort of cool air touching her skin she cries. So, I don't have a choice, but to keep her wrapped up. Otherwise she wouldn't sleep at all. Then again, it isn't like she does much of that anyways, unless she's on top of me. They also say no pacifiers because it will be difficult to take away from them later on. And then they say it can mess up their teeth. But then on the other hand, some people say they help reduce sids. So, I kind of think, they are a good thing."

Linda was trying not to laugh at the young dad's rant of dos and don'ts he's heard so much about. She loved the expression he had on his face. And as much as she tried to focus in on what he was saying. That smile of his kept getting the best of her.

"That, and why do I need to worry about her teeth anyways?" Danny hadn't even bothered to take a breath. "She's a baby for crying out loud. And isn't going to have a full mouth of teeth for a while. As for the struggle of taking them away from the child. Just do like my mom did with me. After I went to bed, she took them all away and hid them in a cabinet. When I asked for them, she said no. That I was too big. And when I asked her why. She said it was because she was mom, and because she said so. I didn't see those things again, till she brought them out for Erin. Which bringing them back out again is fine, if you are planning on having more kids. As for me, I'm planning on doing the same as mom with Devon. Only instead of keeping them. I'm tossing them in the trash. Because there's no way, I'm going through this again with more kids." Danny stopped talking. But Linda decided to give him a minute, just in case he started up again. Being satisfied he wasn't going to start up again, Linda replied.

"Just keep doing what you are doing. You don't need to worry." Linda shook her head, another smile forming. "As long as your baby is happy and healthy. You know what she likes and what she needs, as well as what helps calm her down. Which is the important thing, when you have baby with colic. You need something that will help you both to deal. Which I'm sure is something you have learned to grasp already."

"We're working on it, that's for sure," Danny sighed. His phone buzzed, and Danny glanced at his phone. "Sorry, but I need to get home to Devon."

"Does your mother keep her while you work?" Linda knew how much Mary loved her granddaughter. And figured that the young Dad would prefer that over daycare.

"Yes," Danny nodded. "So, I try to get home as soon as I can to relieve her."

"And I'm sure you miss her while you're gone," Linda remembered how the little girl acted when she was around the father and daughter at Thanksgiving. She had to admit, she hadn't seen father and daughter together very much. But she could tell there was something special between the two. Which she found ironic, considering the girl was still so young.

"I do," Danny smiled. "And she cries when I leave her in the morning."

"She's developed a bond with you," Linda replied her own wide smile.

"I think so," Danny had to admit, he thought the nurse was right. Even if it was hard for him to imagine.

XXXXXXXX

"What did you do buy the entire baby aisle?" Mary laughed, gesturing at the numerous sacks her son carried in. Completely full of an assortment of baby things. "I only sent you to the store for baby bottles and wipes."

"I thought I might as well get a few more things while I was at it," Danny lied. "Not really wanting to tell her the truth, it was too embarrassing to admit that he lost his head, all over a woman.

"Mhmm," Mary gave him the look, that told him she knew he wasn't telling her the truth. "What happened?" Mary gave him her full attention.

Danny sighed, but finally relented. "Imagine seeing a guy in a uniform. Buying nothing but bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream. That's embarrassing. And what's crazy is. I didn't even need diaper rash cream. Devon doesn't have enough dirty diapers, for me to worry about that."

"Danny, Danny, Danny," Mary shook her head. "I know there's got to be more to this story."

"I ran into Linda while I was there."

"Oh really?" Mary was still holding her youngest granddaughter when she said it.

"Please don't push it mom," Danny sounded hesitant to say anything. "No matter how much you like her, there's no way she will ever be your daughter in law. Because I'm not getting married."

"Okay," as much as Mary wanted to say something further, she withheld, getting the feeling that wasn't the only issue he had faced that day. She wasn't sure what it was, but she could see something in her son's eyes, that made her worry about him. It was a look, that she didn't remember seeing that morning before he went to work. Which made her rack her brain to come up with an explanation behind it. Normally, most people wouldn't bother with it. If they saw something bothering someone, simply because they didn't want to get involved. But Mary wasn't like that. And Danny was her son. Which made his concerns, her concerns.

"So, what happened at work today?" Mary remembered something Danny had said earlier, when she spoke with him on the phone.

"It's a long story," Danny said flatly.

Mary saw something flash in her son's eyes when he said it, making her think she hit the nail on the head. It wasn't only Devon that was stressing him out. It was the job too. Or someone that was on the job. But which was it? Mary wondered, causing her to delve deeper with the questions. "You said earlier, that your Dad didn't seem to be in the best of moods while you were at work?"

"Yeah and I seemed to be the perfect candidate for him to take it out on." Danny slumped into the kitchen chair unhappily, appearing tired, stressed, and as if all he wanted, was for the day to end.

"What did you do?" Mary didn't want to point fingers. After all she didn't know what happened, and she knew how the two could be at home, when they were only father and son. She knew the two would act different when on the job. But knowing this, still didn't keep her from wondering.

"Act smart," Danny shrugged.

"In what way? With your smart mouth?" Mary was beginning to think her husband's mood, may have been warranted. "Or with your cunning brain?" Mary knew how smart her son could be, when he really put his mind to something.

"I don't know," Danny shrugged. "Both I guess. The Lieutenant really gets under my skin sometimes."

"Danny," Mary shook her head.

"I know Mom," Danny rubbed his eyes tiredly. "But it wasn't just me. Dad took every opportunity he could to chew me out."

"I don't know what to tell you son," Mary admitted, not really wanting to take sides when it came to an argument the two were having. "I wasn't there."

Danny was about to say something, but he stopped when he saw his father coming in through the back door, after work and picking up Jamie from some of his extra-curricular school activities.

"But Dad!" Jamie complained, as the two walked through the door. "Why can't I go? I'm not grounded anymore."

"I know you're not," Frank sounded as if he was tired of listening to the teenage whining. "But it's Sunday, and you know we have mass and family dinner."

"What about after family dinner?" Jamie wasn't willing to give up just yet and continued with the pestering.

"I don't know, I'll think about it." Frank reached into the fridge for a beer.

"But," Jamie started again.

"Don't poke the bear today Jamie, the bears grumpy," Danny interrupted. "I had to work with him today, and he yelled at me for 10 minutes about not taking my job serious when I answered my cell phone, even though I wasn't exactly doing anything."

"Was that when I called you about Devon?" Mary felt guilty.

Danny didn't get a chance to reply, when this time, Frank interrupted him.

"You didn't tell me it was your mother that called," Franks expression debilitated.

"Would it have mattered?" Danny took Devon from his mother and wrapped her in a warm blanket, before walking into the backyard for a breath of fresh air. As well as a break from his father.

Jamie, who no one could ever accuse of being an idiot. Could tell there was something going on between his father and brother, and was quick to make his leave for his upstairs bedroom.

"What happened between you two today? Things were fine this morning," Mary remembered the teasing.

"It's a long story," Frank shook his head.

"That's the exact same thing he said." Mary recalled, thinking of how similar the two could be at times.

Frank took a seat in the kitchen chair, that his son occupied just moments ago, while he sipped on his beer.

"I don't know what to think? He can be so childish at times. Arguing with the hostage negotiator. Someone who outranks him, I might add.

"Have you ever stopped to think, that he's not being childish?" Mary wondered. "After all, you've known him since he was born. And you know he questions everything. That's just his nature."

"That's beside the point Mary," Frank said pointedly. "The Lieutenant is his superior. And I expect him to treat him as such. He was raised better than what I saw from him today."

"Are you sure that's all it was?" Mary dug deeper.

"I don't know," Frank shook his head. "I think so."

"He seems to think that all you did today was berate him. Is there any truth in that?" Mary didn't think her son would lie, but she did know him to exaggerate a time or two.

"I don't know," Frank repeated. "I did get on to him quite a bit. If that's what you are asking?"

"But how? Did you do it as his superior, or his father? Because when you're on the job, you aren't supposed to treat him any differently than you would any other officer, that needs to be reprimanded."

"I may have been a bit harsher with him. Than I would have with another," Frank admitted. "But that's the way it will always be. I expect more from him. The same as I will from Joe, when he graduates the academy."

"Yes, but is it fair?" Mary looked at him seriously.

"No, but I'm also not going to go around coddling him. And I'm not going to tell him I'm proud of him after everything he does. That's not my personality, and he knows it. He's not a kid anymore." Frank picked up for himself.

"I know," Mary nodded. "But if you are going to take the time to berate him. You need to take the time to let him know, when he does something well. He's following in your footsteps after all. And that's a big job to fill."

"I never told him the job was going to be easy," Frank tried again.

"I know," Mary knew that her husband never pushed him to join the business, he and his father was in. "But it's like I said earlier. If you are going to be his boss at work. You need to be his father at home."

"When have I ever not been a father to him?" Frank sounded confused.

"You haven't yet. But you need to go talk to him. He's emotionally drained, and I'm sure he feels like life is crashing in on him."

"Everyone feels like that sometimes," Frank reminded her. Not trying to think too much of the situation.

"Maybe so, but you may have forgotten how difficult it was with a baby. And it's even harder on him, being a single father. And living with his parents again. His life has changed, and he's still trying to grasp it. He's done well learning how to take care baby. But it's changed him so much as a person. He's different than the way he used to be when he would come over." Mary remembered how when he would come over in the past. He always had one foot out the door. With plans to go on a date, or to a party, immediately following family dinner. " And I'm sure you've noticed it, too." Mary was sure to add.

"He has seemed a little different on the job," Frank mentioned. Thinking about how anxious he was to get out of the hospital the day before, so he could see Devon. Then again with the way he took interest in the Wills family. When he learned there was a baby.

"Go talk to him," Mary placed a hand on his shoulder. "And remember, he needs you to be his father. Not his superior."

"I don't think he wants to talk to me," Frank shook his head. "Maybe not," Mary nodded. "But he needs to." Mary pushed, leaving Frank alone, so he could think.

XXXXXXXX

Danny stood in the backyard, leaning against the house, while he held Devon close to his chest. He knew he shouldn't have her out in the cold weather for long. But he just couldn't bring himself to go back in. Devon didn't appear cold though, in fact, she seemed to be enjoying herself. She was wide awake, and peering into his face, occasionally rewarding him with a small smile.

"You're the reason I come home every night Dev," Danny smiled back at her.

"And I hope you know how much Daddy is trying to control his temper. So, he can get us a better life." Danny thought of the agonizing day he had at work. "I was really beginning to wonder if it was all worth it though," Danny admitted. "But then I thought about you. And I somehow managed to bare it."

"I've had those days," Frank said, joining his son in the yard, and overhearing his last statement.

"I'll leave you alone," Danny was quick to head for the door. Not really wanting to spend any time with him other than what was necessary.

"Why?" Frank knew what his son was trying to do. "You were out here first."

"Yeah, but it's your yard." Danny had a point.

"Yeah, but you're my son, and can be out here as much as you want. And because I came out here to talk." Frank gave him the main reason he didn't want him to leave.

"There's nothing to talk about Dad," Danny didn't sound as if he was going to give in very easily. Then again, he had never done it before. So, Frank really didn't expect it. Never in Frank's life had Danny done anything the easy way.

"I think there is," Frank nodded. "That mouth of yours, almost got you in a lot of trouble today."

"Dad," Danny started.

"And you know that wouldn't do anything to help further your career. Which would not only help you, but Devon as well.

"Are you really going to bring Devon into all this?" Danny was beginning to notice how she started squirming, when the tone and pitch of his voice escalated. "Don't you know, that she's the only reason why I didn't knock him to the ground today. And you have no idea, how much restraint that took."

"You have to learn to control that temper of yours son," Frank shook his head.

"What do you think I was doing?!" Danny forgot all about Devon and finally yelled. Which caused her to start crying in response.

"Don't yell at me Daniel," Frank warned. Doing his absolute best to keep from yelling back. Considering his granddaughter didn't like it, and Danny was still trying to get her to calm down.

"It's okay Devon," Danny shifted her onto his shoulder. "Daddy's sorry he yelled."

Frank took a deep breath, once again resisting the urge to strangle the young man in front of him. It was the same feeling, that he had been wrestling with all day.

"You do know that Hill initiated the start of every disagreement we had, today right?" Danny wasn't exactly trying to pinpoint the blame. But he did think it should be mentioned.

"I know," Frank nodded. "I was there."

"And you let him do it, why?" Danny had to admit he had moved past being angry, to being confused.

"Because I'm trying to make you stronger. I knew all you were doing was trying to help, but I knew that if I stayed on your case all day. And you managed to come out of it, without an infraction on your record. And you still manage to come up with a solution to the problem that didn't get anyone killed. Then I would know you really did belong in the NYPD."

"So, you were testing me?" Danny squinted. "Why?"

"Because the Commissioner ordered me too." Frank knew that it was finally time for the truth to come out. "And to tell you the truth, I think he was testing me too."

"Why?" Danny repeated the same word he had said at least three times before.

"I think he wanted to see if I could handle the stress that came with an assignment that involved one of my family, like he has to deal with every day."

"How do you think we did?" Danny sounded worried.

"It wasn't either of our finest hour," Frank admitted. "But I will say this for you. You are gifted, and I was proud of you, for going in there and taking the initiative to get the family out, and managing to talk Wills down, when the hostage negotiator failed.

"Were you proud or worried?" Danny had a feeling his father, wasn't telling him the complete truth.

"Both," Frank admitted. "You have no idea, how much restraint it took, for me to keep from running in there after you."

"I have a feeling you would have failed the Commissioners test, had you have done that." Danny laughed.

"Probably," Frank agreed. "So, are we okay?"

"It's fine dad," Danny shrugged. "I'm used to you bawling me out for something.

I was just glad you weren't yelling at anyone else. At least for those that heard you yelling at me knows that if you ever become the commissioner they won't have to worry about you showing favoritism to one of your kids."

Frank couldn't help but laugh at that one, as father, son and granddaughter started for the door.

"I have to know one thing," Frank started to open the door, but closed it, just as soon as he did. "How did you get Wills to surrender?"

"You'd never believe me, if I told you," Danny grinned.

"Why wouldn't I?" Frank didn't think, it could be that farfetched.

"He asked me if I had kids. So, I used Devon."

"Bet you never thought your newborn would help get you out of a tough situation," Frank laughed.

"Never in my wildest dreams."

Hope you all enjoyed the update... And thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... I am also pleased to announce that I have been asked to write a new story, and I hope to get it published very soon. This one is centered after Linda's death. And would see an accidental relationship form between Danny and Maria, bringing about a baby...JusticeStandsTrue