Title: Police Academy – Becoming Blue
Chapter 21 – Taking back the Future

From the moment Jamie steps into the grand entrance of the Police Academy, his mind starts to race and his stomach tighten, his slight wavering not lost on his brother.

"Hey…" Danny whispers, making Frank look over in haste. "You okay?"

"Stomach…yeah I'm fine."

"I know and facing him isn't going to make it better right away," Danny frowns, not wanting Jamie to back down now or knows he'll regret it and that would be worse to live with. "But you can do this okay?"

"I hafta…I hafta do this Danny. I want that smug bastard to know he didn't beat me."

"Okay," Danny nods as he looks at the time. He had purposely waited for class to start before entering to make the arrest; wanting to add as much public humiliation to arrogant bully's takedown as he could; as an all-out beating behind the gymnasium was out of the question. As much as he wants to go one on one with Garth alone, he knows that if his actions screw up Garth's arrest, and Garth walks on a technicality or worse is able to sue for police brutality due to his actions, then all Jamie's hard work and suffering would be moot; his actions would have to be tempered. But it was going to be a real test of self-control for all male Reagan's.

Danny nears the door to the gymnasium, Jamie, Frank and Instructor Dean Atchison; Instructor James Danton already heading into class to start it as if nothing was out of the ordinary and the class itself was about to be disrupted in a major way. A few minutes later, Danny nods to his brother to wait for his cue and then barges into the full classroom with Demarcus right behind him.

"Sorry to interrupt but I am looking for Garth Robinson," Danny's commanding voice interrupts Danton's brief pre-weapons training lecture, forcing an instant hush over the crowd and drawing all eyes to him.

"Detective Reagan," Danton greets him with a firm expression. "Can I ask what's going on?"

"Sure, I'm here to arrest Garth Robinson," Danny replies in haste, a few of Garth's classmates uttering very audible gasps at the out of the blue accusation. "Where is he?"

"On what charge?" Garth pipes up angrily. He had figured something was up when he tried to call Aaron and was unable to get through, on his cell or his home phone; his parents of course down at the precinct trying to deal with their son's recent incarceration and what the next steps for him would be, as he was very cooperative but still wasn't going to get off scot free.

"Oh I got a whole slew here," Danny looks at Garth with a narrowed gaze.

"Yeah like what?" Garth challenges.

"You really wanna play this game in here? In front of all of them? Okay," Danny agrees in haste as he looks at Demarcus who hands him the official police warrant, Danny noticing Garth's smug expression was slowly dissipating. "Alright we have the minor stuff like uttering death threats, physical harassment, minor physical assault, being a general pain in the ass," Danny pauses, garnering a few snickers and allowing Garth's teeth to grit.

"This is police harassment."

"Actually, this is the police putting an end to your days of arrogant stupidity and bullying that is harssment," Danny corrects him. "Then we have the major stuff like kidnapping, major physical assault, attempted murder and…"

"What? Okay you are so outta line here," Garth sputters. "Who did I kidnap and attempt to murder? You can't prove any of this."

"Yeah I can. Besides the fact that we have your accomplice Aaron in jail on charges of accessory to kidnapping and he gladly turned you over to save his own sorry ass…we have your accomplice Bill in jail on charges of accessory to kidnapping and murder who also turned on you to save his even bigger worthless ass and if that isn't enough we have the eye witness testimony of…"

"Me," Jamie pipes up as he walks into the room and up to Garth, noticing with much satisfaction Garth's fists curling and his lips uttering a small curse.

"Well you look pretty okay to me. Or is this just a conspiracy to make me look bad in front of my peers because he can't take a little teasing."

"Bullying isn't something to laugh about Mr. Robinson," Instructor Danton's voice pipes up, making Garth seethe but keep his gaze fixed on Jamie in heated anger.

"Yeah well we have proof that…"

"What? His word against mine?" Garth sneers.

"Actually there were others and they got it all on tape," Jamie replies with a satisfied smile. "So you wanting to kidnap and kill me over some grades really shows just how pathetic you really are," Jamie states audibly, his friends looking at him in shock.

"This is all a lie…you're all lying."

"Yeah sucks to be you kid. Now turn around…"

"Make me," Garth taunts Danny as he folds his arms across his chest.

"Well I'm not gonna do that," Danny replies matter of factly.

"Hah."

"But new recruit Reagan here will do the honors for me. Jamie," Danny nods as Jamie steps up with Danny's handcuffs in his fingers.

"He touches me and…"

"And what? We have a legal warrant and are well within our rights. Besides, you're under arrest moron, or didn't you get to that part of the book yet?" Danny goads, getting a few snickers from the intent class. "Jamie…go ahead. Use whatever force you need if he resists this legal arrest," Danny states firmly as he locks eyes with Garth and holds his gaze until Garth narrows his gaze and then looks at Jamie.

"And if you resist, resisting arrest will also be tagged onto that warrant," Jamie smirks as he dangles the handcuffs before Garth. "I guess today it sucks to be you," Jamie adds as Danny smirks.

"Garth Robinson, you are under arrest for…" Danny's voice trails off as he reads out the official arrest as Jamie grabs Garth by the arm and whirls him around, his friends closely watching as Jamie, who was still sporting the visual aftereffects of Garth's vile hatred, grabs his arm and wraps one of the cuffs around his wrist and then the other.

"You are so dead for all this golden boy," Garth hisses under his breath so that mostly only Jamie could hear; Danny picking up the word dead and looking at Garth with a you try to cross me again and I'll kill you outright.

"You can ponder your stupid actions in jail," Jamie slaps Garth on the back, making Garth turn around and glare at him in anger. For a few seconds of their eyes being locked, Jamie feels his stomach churning further, Garth's dark eyes continuing to bore into his tender soul. He hears Garth's mocking laughter followed by the sound of his own heartbeat racing as another clumpful of dirt is tossed onto his head.

"This isn't over Reagan," Garth whispers as he is pushed past Jamie.

"Yeah it is…you lose," Jamie replies confidently seconds before Danny takes Garth by the arm, Jamie and Demarcus coming behind.

"Well now that the minor stuff has been dealt with," Instructor Danton starts up class again, the doors closing out the laughter that makes Garth seethe and course once more.

"Okay this stupid charade is over," Garth pulls away from Danny and glares at him in anger. "I want to see that evidence."

"Oh you will dumbass, at the hearing if it makes it that far. But trust me the source is sound and legit and with your two friends turning on you, getting a firm conviction won't be that hard. Judge issued the warrant in seconds."

"I want my lawyer."

"Yeah…you'll need one," Danny remarks as he looks over at Frank. "You wanna go upstairs now?"

"All set," Frank nods as Garth looks at Frank with a heavy frown.

"Upstairs? What the hell's…"

"Your father," Frank merely replies as they all head toward the elevator, Instructor Atchison, waiting to take over interim until his friend and fellow Instructor James Danton could be officially handed the title, allowing him to help promote another long time veteran to Danton's previous position as physical instructor as he wanted to stay with the legal stuff.

"He's not involved in this," Garth tries to protest.

But no one answers in return; the ride up to the third floor administrative offices spent in silence. Jamie looks over at Garth and feels his frame stiffen once more as Garth looks him and just holds his gaze in anger. Jamie's mind picks up low mocking laughter from Garth, but he forces himself to clear his throat, garnering a small flinch from Danny and breaking Garth's hold on him. Please god just let me hold it together until this is over, Jamie offers a small silent prayer as the elevator comes to a halt and the doors slowly hiss open.

"I'll handle this," Frank pulls away from the group with Atchison in tow.

"Morning Frank…two in a row, am starting to feel special here," Garth's father, Bruce Robinson greets Frank with a small smile that quickly fades as he gazes upon Frank's serious expression.

"This isn't a pleasure call Bruce," Frank quickly gets down to business. "I was here yesterday and asked you about your son's absence."

"Yes and I said he was ill…" Bruce pauses as he looks at Dean Atchison's wondering expression. "What's going on here?"

"Where was Garth yesterday?"

"Sick. Frank are you saying my son was lying to me?"

"Oh I don't think you're as innocent as you want me to believe," Frank replies in haste. "I will ask you again, where was your son yesterday?"

"The…doctor's."

"We contacted his family doctor and he wasn't there. May I please see the note that was put on his file for his absence? That is school policy right? And you of all should be enforcing those rules," Frank concludes as Bruce looks at him with a narrowed gaze.

"Okay fine…Garth was at home."

"And the reason?"

"He said he had something personal to attend to and I didn't press the issue. Is that a crime?"

"Actually…it is," Frank answers gravely. "Your son is in a lot of trouble for lying Bruce and he's implicated you and by you lying for him…"

"Hold on a second…his personal life is own business. His tenure here is mine."

"He's been brought up on charges of bullying before and nothing was done about it," Atchison pipes up.

"By who?"

"Jamison Reagan," Atchison replies.

"A valid charge not taken seriously," Frank adds. "But in talking to a few of the Instructor's here, I gather it's not the first time his bullying antics have been overlooked. That's serious Bruce. We don't tolerate anything like that in the NYPD and I certainly won't allow the men I put in charge to foster bullying of any kind."

"Okay fine, I'll make sure he's reprimanded. Is that all?"

"Actually no, that's not all…"

"Frank…"

"I'm not finished Bruce," Frank holds his hand up and offers a small frown. "And while you have tolerated it up to now, not only for Jamie but a few incidents with others over the past few years; I can assure you you won't have worry about it any more."

"You're firing me?"

"Actually I'm arresting you," Frank slowly pulls out a warrant.

"On what charges?"

"Lying to me for one thing," Frank quips.

"That's not a crime," Bruce sputters.

"No but accessory to conspiracy to murder is."

"What? Are you serious?"

"I'm very serious. Your son was arrested on the charges of assault, kidnapping and attempted murder. You knew about his absence and you did nothing."

"Murder? Frank you have gone too far!" Bruce hisses. "I know that Garth and Jamie have had their differences but if you mean to accuse my son without…"

"We have proof Sir," Demarcus steps into the room; Bruce looking up and then seeing Garth in cuffs between Danny and Jamie. "We have an actual video recording of your son burying alive Jamie Reagan."

"What...the hell? Garth! This is all a joke right?"

"Fraid not," Demarcus holds up the tape in the evidence bag. "A judge has already viewed the tape and deemed it admissible evidence. You are under arrest Sir."

"As of today your post of Academy Administrator is over - for good," Frank states gravely. "Take him away Demarcus."

"Yes Sir."

"I'll stay and figure the rest out with Dean. See you all later."

Instructor Dean Atchison, who would help out for the day remains behind with Frank for the duration of the morning, until it was time for Instructor James Danton to be take the reigns in the afternoon, an interim posting until it became official a few weeks later.

"Here take him downstairs," Demarcus hands off a cuffed Bruce Robinson to two Academy security with instructions to meet them by their police cruiser; another set of uniformed NYPD officers pulling up outside.

"Where are you going?" Demarcus follows Danny as he heads for the stairs, Jamie at his side.

"We need a walk, isn't that right dumb ass?" Danny slaps Garth on the back.

"Up yours," Garth shoots back at Danny as they enter the quiet stairwell.

Jamie looks over at Danny and but says nothing, his mind and stomach still about to boil over from the tension raging inside him. Just before they reach the bottom, Danny takes a hold of Garth's arm and pauses, making both Demarcus and Jamie look at him in wonder.

"I want a few minutes alone."

"Danny…"

"Not a request partner," Danny winks.

"Just…you know," Demarcus huffs as he looks at Jamie before gesturing with his head for the youngest Reagan to follow and grant Danny his final request.

"Yeah...I know."

"So you gonna give me a you pissed your future down the toilet pep talk?" Garth snickers.

"Yeah…not exactly," Danny snarls as his hand wraps around Garth's throat and he pushes him up against the cold cement wall. He holds onto Garth until the younger man starts to sputter and gasp for air under his hold.

"C-an't….br-eathe…" Garth tries.

"Yeah looks that way. Maybe I should find the nearest shallow grave and dump your worthless ass into it and then slowly pile the ground over you."

"Go…for it," Garth goads as Danny pulls back, Garth sputtering for air.

"I would," Danny pauses with a frown, "but I hate to get dirt under my nails."

"Pansy as…" is all Garth manages before Danny gives him a hard slap on the back, making him lose his footing and then tumble to the bottom of the stairs, only falling about four or five of the cement stairs, but enough to make him bust open his lip and bruise a few ribs.

"Oops…I guess my pansy ass reflexes slipped there," Danny growls as he marches down after him, roughly hauls him upright and then drags him outside, where a shocked Jamie and knowing Demarcus await.

"He pushed me…this is police brutality man!"

"He…fell," Danny shrugs firmly. "Let's go."

"I'm pressing charges."

"Sorry no witnesses. Now move your ass," Demarcus looks at Garth before turning and heading for the outside, muttering about Danny's actions as he nears the door. Danny looks over at Jamie and can tell that he's barely holding it together; hanging on by a very thin emotional thread. As much as he wants to take Jamie aside and give him a few moments, he knows his brother, much like himself, will want to see this through to the end – he had come so far with Garth, he owed him finishing this on his own terms. He couldn't bring to light Jamie's weaknesses just yet.

"Jamie and I will take Garth. You and the other officer take his father."

"This isn't fair."

"Ah think of it as some quality bonding time," Danny quips as he shoves Garth into the backseat.

"You two think this is over? It's not…it's far from over!" Garth shouts from the backseat.

"Yeah well see ya in ten to twenty," Danny tosses back as he pulls into traffic.

"You forged that tape didn't you golden boy?"

"Garth I asked you if it was worth it," Jamie counters.

"Yeah Mr. high and mighty."

"Well at least I won't have to be stuck wearing the same thing for the next decade. Hope you like orange," Jamie replies, making Danny look over at him and smirk.

"Yeah well at least I'll have a decade to plan your slow demise!"

Jamie's mind instantly flashes him images of himself being buried and not being rescued and suddnely feels another small panic attack starting to fester as he catches Garth cursing his name in an undertone and instantly his fingers curl around the door handle. He takes a sharp intake of air, just as Danny rounds the corner, making his brother look over in wonder.

"Courier," Jamie lies to hide his emotional faux pas in front of his nemesis. Despite the fact that Garth was going away, he wanted him to go away with the knowledge that he didn't beat him down; that he was able to bounce back from one of the most horrific experiences of his life and stand before the devil and smile that he was the victor. He didn't have to have a big contribution, cuffing Garth was satisfaction enough to prove to those around he was officially taking back his future.

"I hope you have fun sleeping at night golden boy."

"My fiancé seems to think we do," Jamie retorts, making Danny nod and smile and Garth seethe. "Garth as I said…"

"Shut it golden boy or…" Garth starts only to have Danny slam on the breaks, making him slam into the sheet of Plexiglas on his cheek.

"Courier," Danny winks at Jamie as Garth slumps back in his chair. "Silence is golden…maybe take that advice, okay dumb ass? Uttering more threats isn't helping your cause."

"None of this is gonna stick."

Danny doesn't answer as he nears the precinct, knowing that as soon as they were inside, he'd hand over the boring paperwork details to Demarcus or another officer and just take Jamie aside and let him get a few extra breaths. "Alright…let's go," Danny is all business as he pulls Garth from the backseat and leads him up the stairs into the precinct.

"You survived the ride over?" Demarcus wags his brows at Danny.

"You can do the honors," he smirks as he hands him over to his partner, "Jamie and I have some paperwork to finish."

"See ya around Garth," Jamie smirks as he follows after Danny, wondering what paperwork he'd be involved in. "Danny I need a bathr…" is all he manages before Danny gently steers him toward a private bathroom and gently shoves him inside.

Not needing much motivation, Jamie heads for the one lone stall, pulls the door open and then throws up into the toilet, his stomach wanting to expel everything after his tension filled excursion. He feels Danny's comforting hand on his back as he heaves once more, slightly coughing and then cursing his own weakness.

"So...sorry."

"Hey it's okay kid…it's okay," Danny's soft tone tries to soothe as Jamie slowly stands back up, the room starting to slightly spin and needing Danny's help to sit back down on the toilet seat lid. "Just rest a few more seconds."

"I just…didn't want him to see…me weak," Jamie lightly pants.

"You kicked ass today," Danny nods, making nod firmly. "Seriously I was proud."

"Really?"

"You kept your head cool under pressure and you faced the devil on your terms; hell ya I'm proud and I know dad is too. You'll make a fine cop."

"Thanks Danny," Jamie states with a swelling feeling of inner pride. "I'm just glad he didn't see me like this."

"Now you can just worry about you okay."

"Okay."

"Here come rinse your mouth…barf aftertaste is pretty gross," Danny utters with a small smirk as he helps Jamie up and leads him over to the sink, takes a paper cup from the dispenser and gives Jamie some cool water to rinse with. Jamie takes the water and rinses, happy to have the taste of bile gone and then gently downs a cool glass, delighting in the feel of the cool liquid soothing his aching stomach.

"You wanna go back to school?"

"Too many questions…think I'll just finish up the week at home and then start fresh on Monday," Jamie answers as he stands up and takes a deep breath. "Does that make me weak?"

"Forget what that jerk said okay? You are not weak," Danny gives his shoulder a firm squeeze. "Mom woulda been proud of you today also."

"Danny…"

"You stood up for truth and justice…trust me, she'd have been proud. Now come on…I don't like the smell in here," Danny quips, making Jamie's face break into a warm smile. "You'll rest today, we'll have family dinner on Sunday and then come Monday you march back in there like it's a new start."

"I am just hoping I'll sleep better tonight."

"Jamie…"

"Yeah I know, it'll take a few more days…maybe even weeks," Jamie sighs as they leave the room; not wanting to tell Danny that he had already booked an appointment to see the same confidential doctor his father had seen after their mother passed away and Frank had survived 9/11. Knowing it was a man that knew their family but also knew to keep each family member's secrets to himself was somewhat comforting.

"I'm gonna take a cab home Danny," Jamie mentions as Demarcus approaches and then hangs back when he sees the brother's aren't done yet.

"I don't mind."

"I want to…I think I just need to walk a bit and…and I'm gonna be okay. Thanks Danny."

"Course you're gonna be okay," Danny pulls his brother into his arms for a brief but warm hug and then let's go. "Okay I'll see you later."

Jamie says goodbye to his brother and then Demarcus and heads for the front door, walking past a still protesting Garth who was being booked and still hurling obscenities at the Reagan name. As soon as he's outside, Jamie takes a few deep breaths and allows the fresh air to actually help calm his nerves. Instead of taking a cab, Jamie heads for the subway and then the bus; wanting to just try to fit back into society again as soon as possible.

"Jamie that you?" Henry calls out as he hears the front door open about an hour later.

"Yeah it's me grampa," Jamie calls back as he hangs up his coat and then heads for the kitchen.

"My boy…so…how'd it go?"

"Danny pushed him down the stairs," Jamie smirks.

"Good for him," Henry smirks in return as he wraps his arm around Jamie's shoulder, feeling him still slightly shaking. "Nerves?"

"Yeah," Jamie huffs, earning a sympathetic look from his grandfather.

"Okay I'll make a pot of tea with lunch and you can tell me all about it. You glad you did it?"

"I had to do it," Jamie replies firmly as he downs a cool glass of water and slumps into a nearby chair. "But yeah I am."

"Atta boy."

"And then dad…"

"Wait, start at the beginning and don't leave out any of the gory details," Henry smiles as he pours them both a cup of soothing tea. Jamie starts at the beginning with him arriving at the academy and meeting Danny there with the warrant; to Garth's resistance, to his father's ignorance and then finally to Garth being booked. After his late lunch, Jamie excuses himself and heads for his bedroom, his body all but spent of emotional adrenaline and wanting to just collapse. He pulls the covers over and prays for some solid rest.

His rest as expected is once again mottled with tormented dreams of himself being buried alive, forcing him to wake up after he watches Garth put a bullet right between his eyes and walk away laughing. He sits up in his bed and then rests his head on his damp forehead before slumping back into the covers and then rolling onto his side. Another tormented hour later, he's once again pulled from another distorted nightmare, pushing his weary eyes open and looking at the clock; the afternoon was starting to drag.

But just before he can try to force himself back into another bout of darkened nightmares, he hears the doorbell ring and then hears his grandfather's footsteps hurrying to get it. He hears low voices talking before he hears footsteps heading his way and turns on the small bedside light.

"Jamie?" Henry knocks as he slowly pushes the door open.

"Hey…who's at the door?"

"Sydney."

A/N: Yay Garth's gone for good! (and yeah he is gone for good lol) and hope you all liked the takedown. Of course I wanted more Danny kicking his ass but hey I wasn't about to open up the whole police brutality can of worms lol and left it there – but had to get a bit big brother payback in there hehe so the S-factor returns. I think I might leave it canon up until graduation which is where the story ends b/c we know she was there and we haven't long to go now. Hope that's okay but please let me know in a review what you think about her (and this chapter in general) before you go and thanks so much!

PS: remember to check my season 3 forum on fanfiction that already has some season 3 tibits regarding Danny's actions in the field and Jamie's new partner.