A/N: Here's some cute Reagan family stuff for your Sunday afternoon! Enjoy! I love all your comments!I don't own Blue Bloods!
On the drive back from the cemetery Jamie spoke up, "so why were you looking for me anyway?"
"I knew Janko was working tonight and I thought you might want some company, Linda's got the boys tonight so I thought a guys night could boost your spirits after the surgery and what not. I didn't know you had had this bad of a day"
"Why did you know Eddie was off work?" Jamie asked suspiciously thinking his brother was keeping tabs on him
"Because it's her last night at the 12th she transfers to the 5-4 on Monday I saw it in the paper work." Danny said as if that should have been crystal clear. But Jamie's heart stopped.
"Her last night at the 12th?" He croaked
"Oh God don't tell me she didn't tell you" Danny groaned
"Danny I swear I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Eddie got promoted to detective and she's transferring to my unit" Danny said begrudgingly. Jamie was dumbfounded
"Listen I'm sorry you had to find out like this I thought Janko would've told you" Danny continued sympathetically
"Whatever it doesn't matter anyway" Jamie said stoically, inside his heart was breaking
"What do you mean it doesn't matter? Your girlfriend didnt-"
"She's not my girlfriend" Jamie interrupted quickly
"And two and two make four. Kid I'm sorry. that's what this is all about?" Danny said suddenly realizing the underlying cause of his brothers grief.
"It's part of it but it's a long story."
"I've got time and a case of beer in the trunk" Danny replied.
When they got back to Jamie's Danny opened the first round and they sat down at the bar in the kitchen.
"So start from the beginning."
"You're not going to like what I have to say" Jamie warned
"I'm trying to be sympathetic remember? Just give me a chance. Start with Eddie"
"Okay. Eddie. Things were going really well, she cooked dinner last night and spent the last two nights here. She made these really amazing cinnamon rolls for breakfast and all was well. Last night she found that scrapbook Erin made and it was kind of neat that she was so interested in my past and everything. I even invited her to Sunday dinner and I even called pop to tell him so it will be awkward when he's set a place for her and she doesn't show."
"You told me all the good but where's the problem? What's gotten you broken down to the point you're willing to let me help?"
"This afternoon we went to lunch and when we got back I told her something she didn't want to hear and she walked out."
"What'd you tell her?"
"This is the part where you have to promise not to get mad or yell or storm out"
"I won't get mad just tell me"
"I'm considering leaving the force and going back to law" when the words left Jamie's mouth Danny practically choked on his beer
"You're what?"
"I'm sorry I was going to tell you tomorrow at dinner. I know you're probably mad and think it's a terrible idea just like everyone else"
Truth be told Danny was mad. But he saw Jamie broken down at Joe's grave this afternoon and he felt for the kid who had just lost his girl. Danny heard Jamie wishing Joe was here because Joe would understand and he knew that right now Jamie needed a supportive brother right now. Danny fought every instinct he had to get up and yell 'you're crazy' and instead said,
"What do you mean you're considering it? And who's everyone else does the whole family know except for me?"
"I told Erin first because I wanted to judge her reaction. I thought she'd be most understanding since she's in law but instead she told dad who then took me fishing to talk about my feelings"
"Not one of those fishing trips" Danny groaned
"Tell me about it, I kept hoping a fish would bite just so I could stop the do-what-you-want-but-I'm-very-disappointed speech."
"I'll bet. Once again, I'm using every ounce of my strength to be rational and understanding tonight so let's go through this" Jamie was shocked by his brothers care
"For starters I haven't made a for sure decision yet. But I got a part time job as a paralegal at a defense firm. I'm still going to do desk duty but sarge can't get me enough hours at the desk that I'll be able to keep up with bills and I've already fallen behind"
"So this is a money thing? Because I've been there before even as a detective and you'll get through it, did you know you can take some from your pension?"
"It's partly a money thing but also its" Jamie sighed not really sure he wanted to continue
"It's what?"
"It's a safety thing. When I got shot I thought I was going to die right then and there. And when I didn't die it just got me thinking. You know mom made me promise-"
"Not to become a cop" Danny finished connecting the dots
"Now I can see maybe she was right. You don't need to bury another brother" Jamie said quietly
"You don't need to be unhappy every day for the rest of your life either. Mom wouldn't want that!" Danny replied
"But that's the thing. The more I think about it the more I realize I wasn't unhappy in my job before I just quit when Joe died because I wanted to fulfill his legacy in some weird backwards way. I'm starting to think it was a good run and now it's time to stop playing cop and start a career."
"What do you mean playing cop? You're a damn good cop and the department is lucky to have you"
"Thanks Danny that means a lot coming from you but let's be realistic. I've been on beat for 6 years. 6 years now, Eddie she's been on the job 2 years and she's got a gold shield. I was her training officer. Who are we trying to fool, while dads upstairs I'm not moving up."
"If that's what this is about hell I'll recommend you for detective! Who the hell cares what all the bozos at the precinct think, I think you're a damn good cop worthy of a promotion."
"That's nice of you Danny but I think my way would just be easier"
"But kid, I thought you loved making a difference for people"
"I do but maybe I can still do that just in a different way.- there's also another thing"
"And that is?"
"I might not even be able to walk beat again. I start physical therapy on Monday but there's no guarantee I'll regain full mobility"
"That's bs that's just a load of crap the doctors tell you so you can't sue them if something goes wrong"
"I'm just saying its a possibility"
Danny started them on a second round of beers.
"So what's your plan?"
"I have a job lined up and I start Monday"
Danny laughed
"What's so funny?"
"It's just funny that you and Eddie both start new jobs on Monday but she was stupid enough to walk away"
Jamie just took a long drink
"You wanna go back to that story and tell me how things went south when you told her about this?"
"I explained very thoroughly what I've just told you basically that mom was right, i joined the force for Joe, and I'm not going anywhere in the department anyway but she told me I was crazy, it was the painkillers talking, I'm throwing away the last 6 years of my life and when I said I'm not throwing it away I'm walking away having helped a lot of people and walking away with you she said you've got that part wrong and she went to the bedroom to pack her bag."
"Damn that's harsh."
"Tell me about it"
"What about dad and Erin"
"They didn't react as bad as Eddie but then again they weren't too excited about it."
"Well it's not supposed to be exciting news"
Jamie was surprised to hear his brother say that
"So you're okay with this decision"
"It might not be the best idea you've ever had but it's logical. There's not a guy on the force who doesn't get shaken up when he comes as close to death as you did. There's also not a guy on the force as overqualified for the job as you or who has a backup plan that makes double the salary."
"I thought you'd be the hardest person to tell. Well you or dad"
"It's because I'm trying this whole sympathy thing. It's kinda nice"
"You should try it more often"
"I wouldn't count on it if I were you. So where do we go from here?"
"Tomorrow I'm officially telling the family which at this point is down to grandpa Linda the boys and Nicki. Then I start Monday."
"And I start working with Janko Monday you want me to give her hell?"
Jamie sighed "no we shouldn't do that"
"Subtle guilt traps? I could play dumb like I don't know what happened and make her tell me about how she walked out. Or be overly nice about how she saved your life and make her feel bad" Danny offered
"I don't really want her to feel bad I want her to come back"
Danny didn't really care what his brother said. When it comes down to it Eddie took his heart and shattered it into pieces when she walked out. Danny could see it. In the Reagan family, family comes first so there's no way Danny could not seek a little revenge on the girl who broke his brother.
"Well you've had a crappy day but there's a jets game on tonight so maybe that could cheer you up" Danny said heading over to turn on the tv.
The guys watched the jets game and surprisingly between the football, the drinks, and the good company Jamie's problems began to melt away. It wasn't until a few hours later when Danny left and Jamie tried to fall asleep that he began to think about Eddie again. Even though she'd only spent two nights the bed felt empty without her. She was on beat right now. Even though he was hurt that she had left him part of him just wanted the best for her. He wanted her to be safe, and happy. They'd been fighting a lot recently, about seemingly everything- Except for the last two days which had been surprisingly blissful until his little announcement. Maybe this was for the best. He did his best to be optimistic but underneath it all his heart was broken.
A few hours later Eddie was walking into the locker room after her last tour as a cop for the 12th. Monday she was hitting the big leagues as a detective for the 5-4. She headed to her locker one last time. Emily had decorated earlier with a cute little sign that said "good luck at the 5-4 Eddie!" In gold letters. Eddie would miss that friendship. She opened the locker and began loading everything from the locker into her bag. In the back of the locker she found an old note book she had used during the first few months on patrol. She flipped through it remembering all the cases. In every case there was one person who stood out in her memory. Jamie. When she thought of him she got a weird tightness in her chest. How could he give up all this and not even consult her? She was so angry with him but at the same time she just wanted to go running to his arms. Before she got too emotional she shut the empty locker and walked out. As she began leaving memories came flooding back. How many times did I go barging into the guys locker room looking for Jamie so we could go out? There's the kitchen where I yelled at him for butting in when I was sexually assaulted. Three years of memories came flooding back. Eddie was starting to get emotional so she hurried downstairs and outside hoping the fresh air would help but it didn't. She stepped outside to see their RMP, 12 David, sitting there in the exact spot where she first met him. They hit it off from the first moment. But now that was all over. Being an officer, working at the 12th, being with Jamie, it was all coming to a close at once. Eddie got in her car, put the key in the ignition, but she couldn't put it into drive. She just sat there paralyzed with emotion until one tear fell, then the flood came. Jamie was the only one who could make her cry.
The next morning Jamie went to mass like normal. The day passed slowly but eventually it was time for family dinner. Jamie walked through the dining room on his way to the kitchen and realized he'd forgotten to tell pop Eddie wouldn't be joining them. His heart sunk a little at the thought of what almost was. Everyone said there hellos and eventually took their seats at the dinner table.
"Whys there an extra chair?" Sean asked innocently
"Uncle Jamie was going to bring a friend but she-couldn't make it" Henry replied
"Sean why don't you say grace" Linda said shifting attention away from the extra chair.
Sean said Grace and the family began passing food.
"So how's the shoulder healing?" Henry asked Jamie
"It still hurts a bit but the painkillers are helping and I'm starting physical therapy tomorrow
"Do you want to tell the rest of the family what else you're starting tomorrow?" Erin asked a little bitterly
"I don't know you might have already told everyone" Jamie shot back
"Nobody told me anything" Henry said
"Me neither so somebody start talking" Linda replied
"Jamie?" Frank said
"Let's not be so hard on the kid" Danny said over-protectively
"Since when have you ever been for going easy on anyone?" Erin said to Danny
"Whoa! Maybe the kid needs someone on his side right now and I'd like to try something new"
"Will someone please tell me what's going on?" Henry said
"I got a job okay? No need for the whole family to freak out" Jamie said nonchalantly hoping if he played it off as nothing maybe everyone would follow his lead
"Well that's good Jamie" Linda said taking the bait
"But you already have a job" Henry replied not missing a beat
"Yes but to be a police officer you need two arms and I'm working with one right now" Jamie said casually
"Last time I checked you only need one to answer phones and file paperwork" Henry replied
"That's only so many hours and I've already had almost a month off. The bills don't pay themselves"
"So why don't I just pay them?" Henry asked
"It's a pride thing gramps. Would you've let your old man pay your rent?" Danny asked
"In my day if a man was hurt in the line of duty the whole precinct would pitch in to make sure that officer could make ends meet"
"This day and age everyone's trying to make ends meet" Danny said
"So what kind of job is it Jamie?" Linda asked
"I'll be working at a law firm. I'm only working as a paralegal since I'm six years out of practice and working part time but a paycheck is a paycheck" he asserted
"Oh back into law" Linda said
"In criminal defense" Erin said under her breath
"What's so wrong with criminal defense?" Nicky asked.
"Nothing's wrong with criminal defense" Frank piped in
"But it is kind of like working for the other team when it comes to the jobs done at this table"
"But the defendants have the right to a voice too. And Uncle Jamie can give them a voice" Nicky piped in again
"Are you still going to be a police officer uncle Jamie?" Jack asked
"I'm going to work my shifts on desk duty for part of the day and work at the law firm the other part of the day"
"Now that really seems dubious, spend half of the day locking people up the the other half fighting for them to walk free?"
"It's just for a few months while I get back to normal"Jamie argued
"The kid spent years at Harvard working on a law degree. Now he needs money, I think it only makes sense to get some use outta those student loans. Now let's move on, somebody's gotta have something else to talk about" Danny said trying to turn the attention away from Jamie.
Sean began telling a story about a kid in his class. Jamie made eye contact with Danny, his look said thank you. The rest of dinner went pretty smooth avoiding any tricky topics. Erin offered to take Jamie home and he reluctantly took her up on it. They clearly weren't on the best terms since he knew she disapproved of his new job, but Jamie didn't have any other options without making Danny drive all the way back into Manhattan.
The car ride was awkwardly quiet for a while. Then Erin spoke up.
"It's a shame Eddie couldn't make it tonight"
"Yeah. Well I wouldn't count on seeing her around again any time soon"
"I thought something came up and she just couldn't make it"
"Something came up, a break up"
"You broke up with Eddie?!"
"More like she broke up with me"
"You told her about your job" Erin deducted
"Yep and I'm surprised you didn't hear because the fight sure was loud enough"
"That bad huh? I liked her"
"I liked her too! A lot. Still do. I guess we just aren't meant for each other"
"Have you tried to talk to her?"
"No, she said she didn't want to hear from me again until I decide to stay a cop"
"She said that?"
"Not in so many words."
"So she only wants you as a cop?"
"I don't know what she wants anymore. She's not even a cop anymore"
"Wait what?"
"She was promoted to detective. Not like I heard it from her though, Danny told me"
"So she got mad because you procrastinated telling her about your new job but she didn't even tell you about her new job?"
"Yeah"
"Well it sounds like you two have quite a mess to work through"
"What makes you think we'll work through it this time? We have no reason to make things work"
"Only time will tell" Erin said as they pulled up to Jamie's building.
"Well thanks for the ride"
"You're welcome. Good luck tomorrow" Erin said before pulling away.
Jamie went inside. He didn't know what to do. He knew he should just go to bed and get ready for PT and work but instead he pulled out his phone. It just felt like any second Eddie would call and say "Reagan let's go to happy hour. My pick." He would do anything just to have a friendly interaction with her again. Am I making a mistake?He thought. One glance at the pile of bills reminded him that he had to do this. He did his best to not think about Eddie, but by the time he laid down in bed she was all he could think about.