Title: Too Tough To Die
Chapter 25 – Forced to Face the Truth?

A/N: A special THANK YOU TO everyone who has reviewed so far. And to those without an account Rosie, Cindy, Jackie, Angela, Crystal, Maria, Kika, Rachal, Bre, crys, c-c, Ruby, LuvJamieReagan, Tess, lili, Newbie, Lea and various guests – I so LOVE your reviews and appreciate your time to read and review, means so much and keeps the story going! And to everyone so glad you're still liking Danny's angsty journey (sometimes nightmare hehe) as much as me and my muse! Please enjoy this latest offering!

'I'm sorry.'

"What the hell is going on?"

"What?" Jamie questioned as Danny watched Erin disappear out of the courtroom and then turned to the other far end to see Wilder's entourage fully escort him out of the building.

"He did this…he played me perfectly!" Danny's angry one-man tirade continued. He turned to see Jamie open his mouth and then quickly closed it and narrowed his eyes. "What? Just say it."

"We should have done it another day. I…I shouldn't have agreed. There I said it," Jamie resigned as Danny shook his head in disappointment. "Who texted?"

"Dad…he uh…I think he's just sending his condolences on me making an ass of myself. You can bet Erin's already texted him," Danny surmised incorrectly as he slowly headed toward the police entrance and then stopped as he watched Wilder being loaded into the back of the police car.

Just as the door closed, Wilder turned and looked at Danny and winked; Danny's jaw gritting as he inwardly cursed Wilder for letting him trick his ego into thinking it would be that easy – that they'd break his web of lies in the first round and march into the courtroom with all the cards in their hand. But then just before the police car pulled away, Danny watched in horror as Wilder's hand raised and his index finger pointed to his temple.

I'm in here…Wilder's words rang clear as an evil smile slowly spread across Wilder's lips as the police car started to pull away.

"He's not going to win this," Danny seethed as Jamie's lips slightly pursed. "We need to get that son of a bitch the next time!"

'Need to see you.'

"Linda?"

"No…dad again," Danny replied with a small groan as Jamie gently shrugged. "Don't worry this was all my idea. I'll take the heat for it. You got back so your partner doesn't get too suspicious."

"Okay but I will tell dad that I helped. It wasn't all you."

Danny followed after his brother to his police cruiser, telling him to drop him at this father's office and he'd pick up his car after he settled things with his commander and chief. But on the ride there, Danny couldn't help but think that in this case Erin was right and he had let her and the system down. As much as he hated to do things by the book or with the system, at times, like now, the system had to work in his favor…or at least he had to help make it work in their favor.

You might have cost us the emotional side of this case!

Erin was right. Wilder knew that he couldn't verbally refute the DNA or the other physical evidence but he was such a master manipulator that he was more than ready to get himself on the stand and tear apart anyone the prosecutor's office tossed at him.

He would accept his father's tongue lashing, go back to work and let Blueridge gloat – this time. Just keep yourself in check…keep your cool – IF YOU CAN!

"You sure you don't want me to come?"

"Nah I got this. He's gonna rake me over the coals for being late and then showing up angry and he's right," Danny admitted in defeat as his lingered in Jamie's police cruiser a bit longer. "Tell me what happens with Blueridge."

Jamie watched Danny get out of the car and slowly head inside and knew…it wouldn't be as easy as Danny had wanted.

XXXXXXXX

Frank heard his son greet his assistant before he entered his office and tried to ready himself for what he had to do – force my beloved son to get some help – real help for his own good. You'd do it for any other officer and you know it. And he knows it. He just doesn't like it – right now.

"I know…so before you lay into me about the whole courtroom thing…Erin has every right to be pissed. I'm assuming you heard."

"I heard. And yes Erin does have every right to be pissed but it wasn't Erin who told me."

"Jamie? Seriously?"

"I've known Justice Derek Wallace for many years now."

"The Judge ratted me out?"

"He said you were highly agitated, blaming Wilder and saying he had an accomplice that forced you to be late."

"He's right! I did say that because it's true!" Danny replied sharply as Frank looked at his son in remorse.

"All the while Thomas Wilder sat there and remained calm, collected and almost like…the victim."

"Seriously? Victim my ass! He did this! He's the one behind it."

"Danny…" Frank started in a calm town.

"I know it's Blueridge. Jamie and I were trying to catch this guy in the act when…"

"When what?" Frank prodded.

"When Jamie was held back by Renzulli and I…"

"Decided to go on your own?"

"Yeah…I know how it sounds…looks…whatever!"

"Couldn't have picked another day? Maybe tomorrow when one of the most important cases of your entire career and maybe life, wasn't about to take the next step in the process?"

"I said I get that it was stupid. Are we done?"

"No," Frank replied simply as he gestured for Danny to sit. "How are things at home? With Linda?"

"What? You go from Wilder to Linda?" Danny asked in shock.

'I was at Mercy visiting an abuse victim. Overhead someone asking if Danny got rough. Linda…she hesitated before she said no…it was nothing. Frank…a woman who isn't hiding something or ashamed of something never hesitates. Trust me…I know this. You know I know this. She was protecting Danny. I get that. But…violence is still violence.' Dr. Higgins words rang in Frank's worried brain as he looked at his son.

"Humor me."

"Fine. I bring Wilder home a bit more than I should but…but she gets it."

"Home how?"

"Where is this going? Did she say something?"

"Does she have something to say?" Frank countered.

"Damn your circular logic. It might work on some wet-eared rookie but not with me. So ask me straight pop."

"Did you hit Linda? Even unintentionally?"

"What? No. I would never…"

'Danny…Danny! Ah that'll bruise.'

"It was nothing. Can't believe she…" he shook his head as Frank's lips pursed.

"So…you did?" Frank asked as his heart sunk.

"We were…you know and as we started to you know…"

"Have sex?"

"Talking sex with your dad is weird enough let alone your boss," Danny lightly growled "But yes sex. Fine. Okay? We were going to have sex and as things got heated I…I heard Wilder and saw his face and…and reacted. But that was it. I grabbed her arm a bit harder than I wanted and it left a bruise but I never hit her. Did she say I hit her?"

"No. But I had to ask your side," Frank qualified.

"What's going on? You texted I'm sorry. You don't say sorry for something you're not that sorry for…so what are you sorry for? Who's saying things to you and not to my face?"

Frank looked at his son's wondering expression and exhaled heavily. "All these things with Wilder…they seem to be getting worse."

"Worse? Nothing's changed. That bastard is still pulling the strings."

"You've gone up against other serial killers, terrorists, hardened gang leaders…some pretty bad guys Danny. But none of them have affected you as deeply as Thomas Wilder."

"No one else has made it as personal as Thomas Wilder," Danny countered as he looked at his father in wonder. "Something's going on. I've seen that look before. What is it?"

"This…this comes from your boss…more so than your father."

"What? Oh…you're suspending me? Seriously for today? He made me late!" Danny argued back as Frank's brow furrowed further.

"For…recommending some…time off."

"Suspension. Damn it…" Danny shook his head as he pushed himself up off the chair and paced a few moments before he stopped and looked at his father in frustration. "For how long?"

"It's not that simple. My hand was forced by certain things."

"Forced?" Danny asked in uncertainty. "What…what is going on? Sorry…you said sorry…if it was only a suspension for a few days you wouldn't say…tell me straight up."

"A few days…in a facility where…"

"What? Forget it!"

"Danny…" Frank started in haste.

"Traitor!" Danny shouted as stood up and turned to leave. But just as he pulled the door open, a familiar face appeared in his path and he could only turn back to face his father with a scowl. "You had me committed because of her?" Danny's voice nearly bellowed as he backed into his father's office and Dr. Sheryl Higgins entered and closed the door for continued privacy.

"Committed is such a harsh term Danny with such…archaic connotations. And no…he didn't. He just didn't stop me from making the official call."

Danny looked at his father with a look so…so…defeated, it wasn't something Frank could even quantify with words in that moment. He felt as if he had just ordered his son's death sentence – the look on Danny's face would haunt him forever he feared.

"Why?"

"I'm worried and…"

"Did you talk to Linda?" Danny challenged Dr. Higgins directly.

"Briefly."

"And you twisted her words around so you could get me into some damn padded room!" Danny seethed as Frank's lips pursed. "I never…hit my wife."

"She had some pretty large and nasty bruises on her upper forearm. And…they looked fresh."

"Oh…you're an expert in that now too are you?"

"Danny…" Frank warned.

"Actually, Detective Reagan, I am," Dr. Higgins replied as she looked at him directly. "But my past history of being an abuse survivor married to a rage-plagued but decorated police veteran isn't the issue here."

"You're out to get cops? Is that the issue here?" Danny suggested in anger.

"No. I'm out to get the cause of your pain. I want to help you. I have known and respected your family for a very long time. I know with children, the same sex parent is the biggest influencer."

"My father never hit my mother once!"

"I know that and that's why I believe you didn't intentionally hurt your wife. But if you are seeing Wilder during heated sexual encounters or anything really and others besides yourself are directly affected…then I have to step in."

"It won't happen again. Is that okay?"

Sheryl looked at Frank and then at Danny and shook her head. "What I am recommending is a few days at a wellness center," she pressed on, not taking no for an answer.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously," she countered as Danny shook his head.

"So…you're gonna haul my ass outta here in…"

"No. I want you to go home and get a few things and…" Sheryl started as Danny's jaw gritted in protest.

"I can't…the guys at the House are gonna hear I've been committed and…there goes…you want that for me?" Danny challenged his father directly.

"We'll come up with a credible cover story that only a few will know. Jamie, Baez and Anthony. The rest will get the cover story and that'll be it," Frank explained as Danny's eyes widened.

"You…you have this all worked out already?"

"Not…all the details," Frank added in haste.

"This…this can't be," Danny muttered in near panic.

"I know this is a lot to process but it won't be straightjackets and padded rooms. I promise you that. Some rest. Some therapy. Some time to just rest, relax and work on getting Wilder out of your head…out of your primary thought focus before the trial…before you're lost to yourself and your family."

"He's not w…" Danny started and then stopped. Ah…you can't say that can you? His mind reminded him. Wilder is winning…you displayed that today in very vivid color and in front of a few powerful people.

"He's not…winning? You didn't finish that Danny," Sheryl gently goaded.

"He wants this," Danny implored. "You commit me and…"

"Okay first off," Sheryl interjected in haste. "You're not going to be committed. Admitted for some rest and…"

"I can't…he's won. You take me off this…and he's won! Wilder…Blueridge…you do this and…and I might as well just quit right now."

"Danny, it's not that…"

"Bad?" Danny tossed back at his father. "Is that what you were gonna say? Being suspended is one thing but now this?"

"You weren't suspended Danny, you were assigned to desk duty and some cold cases after you were kidnapped, beaten and nearly died," Frank explained as Danny shook his head. "I've tried to be fair and not show obvious partiality to my son but I too answer to someone else and…and I think a few days of trying to get Wilder out of your system will help you."

"He'll be out of my system when he's dead!" Danny growled as he turned to leave. "Forget quitting this damn job…maybe I should just quit this damn family!"

With that Danny turned and stormed out of his father's office, slamming the door so hard the etched, frosted glass nearly shattered into a million pieces.

"Let him go…he's angry and rightfully so," Frank sighed as he looked at his longtime friend in misery. "I failed my son."

"No Frank, if you let him self-destruct you'd have failed him. You're going to help him. Danny's never met a man like Wilder who has absolutely no regard for any life, much less the ones he wants to destroy. But he's also never met an opponent like Wilder who has gotten into his head…so deep into his head that I think even having Wilder die might not remove it completely."

"And a few days in…" Frank paused as he tried to get the words past his lips but failed. "I don't want to lose him but there could be some credibility in what he's saying."

"Then give me a few days to try to help Danny get back to…well Danny and you can have other officer's work on finding out if there is someone helping Wilder on the inside."

"I am putting his life in your care."

"I give you my word Frank, I will not let you lose him. I promise."

XXXXXXXX

"This…this can't be…" Danny muttered as he neared the hospital and then got out, hurrying inside with a head full of angry steam. Don't give the nurses Linda works with anymore cause to…"Hey Alice…you seen…"

"Danny?"

Danny turned and hurried toward his wife with a look of almost panic.

"What's going on? Are the boys okay? Is Frank…"

"What did you tell the shrink?" Danny interjected as Linda's expression turned to confusion. "Sheryl…Dr. Higgins, she said she was here and talked to you?"

"I'm not…"

"Did you mention…" Danny paused as his eyes dropped down to the area on her arm where he had inadvertently hurt her.

"She overheard someone ask me about the bruise when I was gowning up."

"And what did you tell her?"

"It was nothing…a joke…she intimated rough sex and I just…I didn't tell her Danny. I just said it was a bit more physical than normal but that I liked it."

"Ah damn…"

"What? Couples have rough sex," Linda insisted as Danny rubbed his face and then shook his head. "What is going on?"

"She thinks I hurt you on purpose. Because…I saw Wilder."

"You did see Wilder but it wasn't on purpose. Let me talk to her. She said that?"

"Not…she's having me committed…admitted ah damn and dad agreed!" He growled as he pulled away and then turned his back to her.

"He…what?" Linda asked in shock as she gently turned her upset husband back to face her. "Danny…she what? Where? Talk to me!"

"A few days in some damn wellness center. Talking about my feelings and taking some calming drugs!"

Linda's hand gently rested on her husband's flushed and stubbled cheek as she leaned in and kissed him on the lips and then pulled back with a strained expression.

"Oh no…you agreed to this?"

"First I am hearing about it but…"

"But what?" Danny tried to protest.

"But…but maybe you taking a bit of time to reflect on what's really bothering you and then try to get it out of your system for good…might be a good thing. How'd the hearing go today?"

"Terrible," Danny retorted in resignation. "He…Wilder had…Linda…I can't do this. I can't walk out of here or have everyone know that I've been admitted to some damn mental hospital!"

Her hand dropped and grasped his tightly as she held his worried gaze for a few seconds longer. "We'll get through this."

"Linda…I can't do this," Danny looked at her and admitted in a sad whisper. "I can't…"

"You always said…what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

"You say that," he countered with a small huff.

"Your father will take care of…no one will know okay?"

"Can't believe this," Danny stammered as Linda's name was called out by one of the doctor's.

"I gotta go. I'm gonna cut my shift short and meet you at home. We'll get through this. I promise."

Danny watched her go as his mind continue to spiral downward in disbelief. This…this can't be happening…in that moment he felt his fists clench tightly as Wilder's laughter began to drown out every other noise around him.

AH AHAHAHAHH AH AHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHHH HAHAHAHAH

"Forget this!"

A/N: Uh oh….Poor Danny…poor Frank…so…who will Jamie team up with now? Will Danny actually agree to go? And how will Wilder get at Danny if he goes? And where has Danny gone? Would love your thoughts on this angsty update and the few heated convo's so please review before you go and thanks so much!