Title: The Guardian
Chapter 35 – A Few Life Lessons

A/N: Wow well it seems I let a lot down with the last update and I do apologize. Kind of at a conundrum here with story length so maybe speed things up a bit here. To those still with me thank you. It means more than you might know :)

~Somewhere in Cleveland~

"Oh my…god…" he whispers as he reaches for the phone and dials a number on the western seaboard of the United States. "I think…I found them."

His fingers quickly hit print screen; his face turning away momentarily as he reaches for the print out. Just as his fingers reach for the piece of paper, a knock is heard at the door and his actions speed up. Being so surprised and somewhat agitated he turns back to his keyboard in haste…the door handle turning. But he doesn't have enough time to hit the save button so instead presses escape, reasoning that if he found it once, he'd easily find it again.

He offers an angry grunt in response to an actual request for work the next day and then hastily shoos the visitor out of his office and locks the door. He checks the time and curses, knowing he has to get home or else offer explanations he might not want to.

But he can only curse angrily and pound the side of his desk with his thick fist when his computer screen next displays '0 matches returned.' The same message he had gotten for the past ten years. He looks down at Jamie's smiling face and instantly narrows his eyes as they scan for anything. It was a classroom, nothing really that discernable with regards to mascots or emblems, five first names and the teacher's first name. Nothing more.

"I'll find you again," he vows in anger as he folds up the paper and shoves it into his wallet. He had had a few other false leads over the past few years but he wasn't to go to his friend, the missing boys fleshly father without solid proof, an actual sighting and address if possible. He'd get both and then his job in this twisted arrangement would be over. For good.

XXXXXXXX

Jamie and Lucas exit the library, Jamie trying to listen to Lucas's ramble about his bout with food poisoning but all he can think about is his impending work shift and telling Danny about the photograph. He'll be pissed again I didn't tell him right from the start but in my defense I just found out…he'll understand…right?

In his last class, Jamie's mind starts to wander, wondering why as of late he was so scared about finally having something he had wanted most of his life – a happy family to take him and Danny together and help them try to erase the scars of their past. Now that he had that he was scared of doing something wrong and being alone and unloved almost felt safer. I need help…his mind silently laments as he politely excuses himself from class and heads toward his locker. He stands before it with a blank expression, staring down at the round piece of metal a foot from his hand almost wishing it would give him some answers. But the lock merely looks back up, not uttering a word and just waiting to open as per Jamie's command. Who can I talk to? I can't tell Danny because he'll be disappointed that I have what I want and now seem like an ingrate. I can't ask Erin or any of the Reagan's and they'll just tell me I'm scared and it's normal. I can't talk to Lucas – he has a normal life…normal…I want that and now…but I can't tell a school counsellor as I can't tell them about our living arrangements – the Reagan's aren't our parents and I don't want to take the chance of going to a foster home.

Feeling his mind starting to race, Jamie grabs his knapsack and heads outside, sitting down in a very familiar sport – the same spot under the tree where he first met Henry Reagan. His mind replays that day with fondness, how the older man had come up to him and casually struck up a conversation, just wanting to be a friend. Of course at that time he was so nervous about Henry opening up the door to his past and now almost regrets how skittish he was during their first meeting.

But now he was feeling more anxiety than he thought possible and it wasn't even over school or anything that important…it was just feelings. But he was stuck. Who could he talk to? Who would be objective and listen with an open ear and an open mind and assure him that he could tell them whatever and it wouldn't come back to bite him in the ass.

No one.

Acting on that sad thought he texts Danny, telling him he was heading to work early and would see him later. With that he heads for the bus stop and gets on, slumping down on the back bench and closing his eyes, wishing he could wake up and life would hand him all the answers, everything would be easy. No emotional pain. No inner turmoil. That prayer wasn't about to be answered anytime soon.

Instead when he closes his eyes, he's once again whisked back in time; hearing his brother yelling at his father, his mother scream and pulling the blanket over his head as he hide beneath his bed – fearing for his life. His round eyes looked up from under the ledge of the bed as footsteps entered; seeing Danny's tear stained face looking back down.

'What happened?'

'Father was angry, again,' Danny had whimpered as he tried to sit down on his own bed. But his lips could only offer an anguished gasp as pain started to radiate through his throbbing frame. He remembered pushing himself out from under the bed and slowly crawling over to Danny and looking up in remorse.

'What happened Daniel?'

'He…hurt me.'

Those words haunt him even now as he knows Danny did everything he could to shield his little brother from the pain of their ugly father. But you couldn't hide tears…they were the outward demonstration of what you were trying to shield inside. Danny failed and Jamie hurt with him.

Jamie's eyes open and he looks out the window with a heavy sigh. I used to tell him everything and now…now I'm afraid of letting everyone down. What will I do?

XXXXXXXX

"So where are we going Friday?"

"It's a surprise," Linda replies with a playful smile.

"Think it'll be problem free?"

"I think you need to stop worrying about that. I think we'll have a great time. In fact…" is all Linda gets for her second sentence before Danny's phone buzzes and he pulls it out in haste. "Something wrong?" Linda asks as Danny reads the text from Jamie and frowns.

"It's Jamie…he's been off as of late and I'm at a loss as to what to do. He used to tell me everything and now…I don't get it. I tell him he can talk to me and I try to be there but…I feel like I'm losing him and I don't want that to happen."

"He's scared he's losing you. You told me before it was just the two of you and now you have me and the Reagan's and a bunch of other stuff and he's just…he's scared."

"He's not losing me," Danny gently groans.

"I know that but maybe you need to make sure he knows that. Why don't you do something…just the two of you this weekend. Something to show him that no matter what, he will always have you. But after you go and talk to him."

Danny looks at Linda and feels his lips twist into a soft curl as he gently shakes his head.

"What?"

"You're pretty amazing, you know that?" He praises honestly as her face naturally warms. "I'm going to go and see him right now. I'll text you later," Danny tells her as he gives her a kiss on the lips and then pulls back, slinging his knapsack over his shoulder and hurrying for the bus stop. What Linda said made sense, they had always had that just the two of them solidarity but now others were invading their private space and while not bad, he could see how Jamie would feel overwhelmed and he hadn't done much to assure his brother that their bond would always be strong.

He texts Frank and tells him that he was going to the bowling alley to spend some time with Jamie and would be home later.

'Is he okay?' Frank texts back.

'I think so. He's just out of sorts as of late but I gotta talk to him. We'll be home later.'

Danny puts his phone away as the bus comes to a stop outside the bowling alley and heads inside. At first he doesn't see Jamie and starts to feel some mild panic starting to build. His eyes quickly zoom for the back door – closed and locked. What the hell? Where is he? But a few seconds later, his anxiety is laid to rest when Jamie exits the men's bathroom and heads for the cashier's stand. His lips utter an exhale of relief as heads toward his brother, Jamie looking up in wonder.

"Danny? What's going on? Is everything okay?"

"You have a few minutes right?"

"Danny?"

"Yes everything is fine. I just want to talk for a few minutes. Can you?"

"Yeah…sure," Jamie agrees in haste as he leads Danny toward the small but private staff room. Once inside Jamie turns to Danny with an almost look of panic. "What's going on?"

"Nothing bad. Are you okay?"

"I guess," Jamie huffs as he slumps down onto the nearest bench, Danny easing down beside him.

"I feel like as of late, we have kinda drifted a bit and I think I'm a bit to blame for that," Danny starts, trying to remember what Linda told him but put it all into his own words. "That's it right?" Danny prods after a few seconds of silence, this time making Jamie look up with a soft frown but nodding a few seconds later.

"I'm sorry."

"No don't be sorry. I should be sorry. I guess everything just happened so fast with the Reagan's and Kevin and…school and Linda…" Danny sighs as he pauses and looks at Jamie in concern. "For over ten years…gosh since the day you were born it's basically been you and me and now we have a whole bunch of other people and I think it just got a bit overwhelming for us. Me included."

"I really like the Reagan's I do Danny and I love living there but I just…"Jamie pauses as he looks down at his folded hands and then back up at Danny in remorse. "I sort of feel like I don't belong anywhere or that I don't deserve any of this. I don't know."

"You know I love you right? First and foremost?" Danny asks as Jamie looks up and nods before looking back down as his eyes start to water. "Ah damn kid…" Danny groans as he wraps his arm around Jamie's shoulders and gives him a loving squeeze.

"So much has happened and I'm scared to talk about it."

"Talk to me okay? What's going on? I swear I won't be mad."

Jamie's fingers quickly brush away a few stray tears from his eyes and he swallows back a sniffle before he dares to tell Danny about the picture. "Remember that day with Mitch, when I got my grade 11 scholarship?"

"Yeah the day Henry and Erin were there? Does this have to do with Mitch?"

"No, my friend Lucas is in charge of the school newsletter and he…Danny I thought I told him but I forgot. I was so busy trying to fool Henry Reagan so he wouldn't open our files that…"

"That what?"

"That Lucas put the picture of us all on that day winning our awards on the web."

"What?" Danny asks in shock, Jamie slightly recoiling.

"But he took it down today so it was only up a max a day or two," Jamie insists as Danny looks at him with a heavy frown. "Danny, I'm sorry. I didn't think about it and then the stuff with Sonny and then the Reagan's and Kevin…" he looks back down in misery. "I just want to run away from everything."

Danny looks at Jamie for a few seconds as his brain starts to process the reality of what his brother just told him. His picture was on the web…even two days is too much…damn it! But as he looks at Jamie's guilt-ridden expression he feels his heart instantly sink. Of course he didn't do it on purpose and now it was eating away at his tender insides; along with everything else. No wonder he wasn't himself as of late. Linda was right…he was scared, but not in the way she might have guessed.

"What have I done Danny? What if he finds us now because of me?"

"First off just take a deep breath okay?" Danny instructs with a small sigh as he looks at Jamie in sorrow, his fingers brushing off a tear from his flushed cheeks. "I'm not mad. I was frustrated that you weren't talking to me as much anymore but I think I figured out why and I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Jamie tells him softly as he blows his nose and then slumps back against the stone wall. "I feel like I'm doing everything wrong and it's since we came to live with the Reagans."

"It's because it's all new and for the first time in years we are afraid of letting someone down. You might not remember but I was terrified of screwing up around Paul."

"You were?"

"Yeah I was. I liked him and he had done so much for us and I didn't want to piss him off and have him put us back on the streets again. You're worried the Reagan's will turn out like father because that's the only person you can compare them to, but trust me, they won't ever treat us the way that bastard did."

"And the picture?"

"Well I wish you would have told me sooner but…"

"I was going to tell you after shift today Danny, I swear I was."

"I know."

"Think he'll find us?"

"I think we'll be okay," Danny replies with less conviction than even he might have wanted. "Just make sure you keep avoiding the camera and you'll be okay."

"Okay. I'm sorry if I haven't been as open before," Jamie confesses with a heavy heart. "Everything just happened so fast. Are you mad at me?"

"No," Danny replies in the simple truth. "I get it…well I do now that you told me. I guess I got caught up with the idea of letting Frank play father and me finally just able to be your brother and…"

"Danny…"

"I didn't say that to make you feel guilty okay? I'm saying it because it's the truth."

"Really?"

"Yeah…in a way I guess. I mean I'd never tell him that because I wouldn't want him to think we're trying to take Joe's place or anything but um…yeah just seemed…natural. I guess it was a bit easier for me to adapt and I took it for granted it would be just as easy for you and I'm sorry too."

"So we're both sorry."

"We're both sorry," Danny nods. "Feel better?"

"Yes."

"Good. So this Saturday why don't the two of us do something together. Just the two of us," Danny suggests. It only took a few seconds before he knew what he had said was right and that his suggestion was validated as Jamie looks up with a bright smile.

"Really?"

"Really."

"No date with Linda?"

"She has something planned for Friday and I gotta work at the gun range on Sunday but Saturday is just for us okay? We'll set it right now and no matter what, you and I will just hang together."

"Do we have the money for…"

"Don't worry about the money."

"But the bill…" Jamie interjects.

"It's been paid for," Danny tells him as Jamie's eyes slightly widen. "And no I didn't ask the Reagan's for the money. But don't stress about that okay? Let's just go and have a good time. Anything you want."

"Really? Wow I…" Jamie's voice dies out as his brain tries to pick one activity for them to do together. "Can we go to the zoo like last time?"

"You want to go the zoo?"

"We didn't get to see everything last time."

"Course we can," Danny replies as his hand rests on Jamie's back.

"You sure Danny?"

"I'd love to go to the zoo just the two of us. We need to do this okay? I want us to get our bond back. Like I said no matter what, we'll always be brothers and that will always come first to me. Just knock me upside the head when I forget."

"I can do that," Jamie agrees with a genuine smile.

"Yeah figured," Danny chuckles.

The two of them stand up and then exit the room a few moments later, Jamie's mind losing its agitation as each second passes and his heart finally feeling like he and Danny were getting their strong bond back. Jamie watches Danny head for the back booth and feels a sense of comfort starting to settle his tense stomach. He hadn't talked to Danny about everything he wanted but he managed to get a few of his major concerns off his chest and that was a relief he almost couldn't express. He looks up to see Danny thumbing through his college text book and then looks back down with a smile. But as he starts to ponder Danny's words about actually allowing Frank to take the fatherly reins a bit his heart starts to ache. Before he can allow himself to dwell on anything morose, he packs up the day old popcorn and heads for the back door, Danny glancing up as Jamie disappears outside for a few moments and then reappears with a warm smile.

"How's George?"

"He's good," Jamie answers in truth.

Danny waits for a customer to arrive and capture Jamie's attention before he pushes himself away from the booth and heads for the backdoor, propping it open and then looking down the alley for George. He walks down half a block, casually looking for the older man but not seeing him. Maybe he does go somewhere at night, Danny's mind surmises in truth. He got his treat from his kind friend and then goes…home?

Danny's stomach tightens as he remembers entering the tunnels that fateful night so many years ago, his wide eyes darting around; trying to protect his terrified brother but at the same time seem brave and in control – neither of which he felt that night. Some looked at him and Jamie with indignity, some in wonder and one in kindness. He had learned long ago never to judge a person merely by the location they chose to call home or the clothes they could afford to put on their backs. Everyone was worth something; at least the majority of people. With that thought he closes the back door and slides into his booth; Jamie's attention still diverted by happy customers.

He watches Jamie at work behind the counter and thinks about the unintentional fiasco with the picture and feels his fists tighten.

'I'll find you! And I'll KILL YOU BOTH!' Their father had shouted as they raced into the dark of night, crying and terrified. Danny feels his entire frame shudder and quickly looks down at his textbook, his mind in search of a muchly needed diversion away from the hateful memories. It doesn't work. So he texts Linda in the hopes of putting something into his mind that would actually force his lips to curl upward. This does work.

During his break, Jamie joins Danny at the booth and they share a dinner of warmed up left overs, homemade muffins, chips and pop. After that Jamie returns to his post for the remaining few hours. But as the minute hand starts to wind down to the end of his shift, his anxiety once again starts to grow as he doesn't see his replacement arriving.

"Where is he?" Jamie asks anxiously as Danny looks down at his watch and then up with a shrug. "Danny I can't be late or I'll get into trouble."

"I'll text Frank and let him know what's going on, okay? It'll be fine. Maybe he got lost or something…" Danny huffs as Jamie looks at him in concern. "It'll be okay."

"Okay," Jamie answers in haste as he turns aside to two other customers and then looks back at Danny. "What'd he say?"

"He gets you can't leave but he says you need to tell your boss you have to go."

"I can't just…"

"That's the rules."

"Screw the rules!" Jamie hisses, making two elderly customers look at him in wonder. "Sorry…I meant uh…hockey rules," Jamie stammers as Danny looks at him with a frown. Jamie quickly finishes with his customers and turns back to Danny in a panic. "He's not here and it's ten after eight already."

"Just calm down. I'm here so it's not like Frank is going to think you're being late for no good reason."

"What do you think he'll do?" Jamie asks nervously.

"Probably nothing."

"But we won't be home until nine!"

"Did you get all your homework done during your break?"

"No. I have a bit more to do."

"You'll get it done. Don't worry."

"I am worried!" Jamie groans as a large family hurries toward the counter, all wanting to be serviced. Jamie watches Danny turn and head Burt's office, his mind racing as to what punishment Frank will give him because broke his first rule. He's going to kill me! Jamie's mind falsely reasons. But just before his panic can rise any further he turns to see Danny exit his boss's office, the exact same moment his replacement appears in the front entrance.

"Sorry I'm late!" The young teen stammers as he nears the cash desk with a flushed face full of remorse. "The bus was stopped by an accident."

"You're here now," Danny slaps him on the back as Jamie hurries to get his jacket and knapsack.

"I'll take it from here," Burt tells Jamie as Jamie offers a few words of gratitude and then quickly follows Danny toward the front door.

"I texted Frank and told him we're on our way," Danny tries to reassure Jamie's mind as they briskly walk toward the vacant bus stop.

"Was he mad?"

"No. He just said get home safe. Stop worrying."

"I can only remember that one time we were late," Jamie's voice lowers as they shuffle toward the back of the bus and sit down on their favorite back bench seat. "You took the brunt of…"

"No. It's not worth it to think about it Jamie."

"I can't help it," Jamie sighs as he leans on Danny's shoulder. "I want to forget but…but now that we are with the Reagan's I'm so scared that he'll somehow find us and take it all away and we'll be alone again…or worse. We'll really screw up they'll throw us out."

"They aren't going to throw us out and he won't find us," Danny replies in a quieter tone as Jamie's soft gaze looks upward. "He won't ever hurt us again."

Jamie's head slumps back onto Danny's shoulder for the duration of their bus ride home; finally entering the Reagan household just after 9pm. As soon as they enter Jamie drops his backpack and heads toward Frank's office with a sheepish expression adorning his face.

"How was work?" Frank asks.

But Jamie was so worried about being punished he blurts out at the same time, "I'm sorry I'm late. It wasn't my fault. I know Danny texted you. What's my punishment?"

"Slow down Jamie," Frank holds up his hand and offers the young teen a warm smile. "I'm not mad."

"I had planned to leave on time."

"I believe you," Frank tells Jamie in truth as he gets up and heads toward Jamie. Jamie slightly freezes but it's not until he flinches when Frank's hand raises that Frank's heart instantly sinks. "I'm not mad," Frank tells Jamie in a kind tone as his hand rests on Jamie's shoulder and Jamie looks up with a sad frown. "I would never hurt you. Do you believe me?"

Jamie looks up and nods and Frank's fingers automatically squeeze his shoulder before he pulls him in for a small hug. "I thought I was in trouble," Jamie states as Frank pulls back with a small perplexed frown. Trying to explain to a young teen the variables about House rules when he hadn't had to worry about them for over ten years was going to be a challenge. Jamie saw only black and white. You mess one up, you get a beating. You obey and you're left alone.

Frank guides Jamie over to the small couch, both sitting down in silence. "Jamie when I put the few House rules into place it wasn't to make you then feel a sense of dread or fear or make things agitated or uncomfortable. Do you know why I set the curfew during the week?"

"So I can concentrate on my school work?"

"Is that bad?"

"No. I just don't want to let you down."

"Willful disobedience would be a letdown but despite everything you two have had to endure I don't really see that streak in you. You work hard to keep the peace and see the good in others. But sometimes you're so busy doing those things for others you stop to realize that others do things because they care about you."

"I miss my mom," Jamie offers in a sad lament as Frank's arms wrap around the young frame and pull him close.

"I know you do Jamie," Frank whispers as his cheek rests atop Jamie's head. "I know you do."

A few minutes later Jamie looks up with a small smile and exhales heavily. "The kid said there was an accident and the bus was delayed."

"Accidents do happen," Frank retorts as Jamie nods in agreement. "How much homework do you have left to do?"

"Not much."

"Okay why don't you go and finish it up and then get a good night's sleep," Frank suggests as Jamie's lips slightly purse. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

"You know you can tell me."

"Just something Danny said…about you and taking on more of a fatherly role and he was happy about that but…it was nothing. Goodnight," Jamie offers in haste as he quickly gets up and leaves the study, Henry's head popping in a few seconds later.

"Is our boy okay?"

"He will be," Frank answers in truth as he heads back to his desk and eases into his office chair. "The things we take for granted are all new learning areas for them, Jamie especially. I think he thought I'd give him some sort of physical punishment for being late; despite the fact that Danny had texted a few times about the late employee."

"Probably what that bastard did in the past…and probably for no reason at all," Henry hisses in an undertone as Frank nods in agreement. "Is he okay?"

"He's a bit tense and on edge but he'll be okay by morning. I'm glad Danny was there. I think it helped to ease the pain in his mind."

"Is he working again Friday night?"

"He is," Frank responds.

"Feel like going bowling?" Henry suggests with a grin. "Let's surprise the kid."

"Sounds like a good plan."

Just before he turns in, Danny's head pops into Jamie's room and looks down at Jamie seated on the floor finishing up his homework. "You okay?" He asks as he slumps down onto the floor beside him.

"Yeah got everything done," Jamie answers affirmatively before he looks at the clock and then at Danny. "It's only 10. I'm not used to going to bed this early."

"You might wake up even smarter than you already are," Danny quips as Jamie's lips curl upward into a happy smile. "You and Frank okay?"

"Yeah I just wanted to explain it wasn't my fault."

"And Frank said he wasn't mad right?"

"Oh fine say I told you so already," Jamie groans as Danny pokes him in the side, Jamie's lips eliciting a small yelp before he starts to laugh. "Danny….noooooo," Jamie tries to call out in his defense as Danny turns on the full-on tickle attack. But the playful laughter quickly draws some attention; the door opening all the way and Erin looking down in haste.

"Erin…help me…" Jamie manages between laughs and gasps.

"I'm not…..ha!" Danny bellows as Erin pounces on Danny.

"Yeah get him!"

"Not…fair!" Danny grunts as the tables are quickly turned and he's on the bottom and Erin and Jamie are tickling him. Down the hall, Frank and Henry pause in the entranceway to the living room and smile at each other.

"Haven't heard that kind of fun in this House in a while," Henry mentions in a softer tone.

"I hope this is just the start," Frank adds as they listen to the three young people laughing, teasing each other and just bonding as three…regular siblings would.

XXXXXXXX

"So Erin said she's going to court next week to listen to a case and said I could come and listen with her," Jamie tells Danny as they walk to school the next morning.

"What's the case?"

"I think it's a capital murder case," Jamie replies with a small shrug. "There is a new prosecutor, Amanda Harris that Erin really wants to see. This is her first capital case apparently."

"You remembered all that?" Danny asks in surprise as Jamie grins and nods.

"See the extra sleep helped. I did wake up smarter," Jamie boasts as they reach the high school yard. Danny gives Jamie's hair a ruffle before he sends him on his way; both of them smiling and happy, neither aware of the impending doom that was now starting to slowly build.

"Someone's in a good mood this morning," Anna greets Jamie with a friendly grin as he grabs one of Lucas's books and holds it up in the air for his friend to get.

"Come on…you know Asian men can't jump," Lucas groans as everyone laughs.

As Jamie assimilates himself into his group of friends he starts to ponder Anna's comment. Even Danny noticed his mood this morning. Was it that obvious? I was so worried last night but now…it's just sleep…it's nothing, he tries to insist; his heart insisting that it was due to the fact that he had, despite this agitation upon getting home, had done his homework and bonded with his siblings. WAIT A SEC! Erin's not my sister…she's…ah just enjoy it.

"Someone's in a good mood this morning," Jackie offers Danny the same greeting that was offered to Jamie by his group of friends.

"Ohhh someone got some last night!" Demarcus grins as he slaps Danny on the back.

"No you clowns. Can't a guy just show up in a good mood without you thinking it's sex related?"

"You on drugs then?" Demarcus retorts weakly as Jackie rolls her eyes; Linda walking up to them with her friend Nicole.

"No," Danny huffs as his phone buzzes. But the timing couldn't have been worse as he pulls his phone and a name he wasn't expecting was displayed. Demarcus's ill-timed question sealing his fate.

"Uh who's Marianne?"

Linda looks over at Danny in haste before she snatches the phone from his grasp, the message already on display to be read. "I hope you can come to the club on Friday night. I promise it'll be hotter than last time."

"Linda…"

"Ohhhh," Jackie states with a frown. "We'll….see you inside," she tells them as she grabs Demarcus by the arm and yanks him toward the door, Demarcus protesting that he wanted to stay to watch the fireworks.

"Last time? Danny you went out with her?"

"No," Danny replies in haste as he pulls his phone back. "She got my number when I was asking her for help after Trixie was killed and now she…"

"Just sends random sexually stimulating texts for something to do? It's 8:45 am. Did she run out of money from the one last night?" Linda retorts icily as Danny's lips offer a soft smirk. "It's not funny Danny."

"What? This is nothing…look she texted before and see…" Danny holds up his phone history. "I didn't text her back. I just ignore these."

"Why not text her back right now and tell her to drop dead," Linda suggests as her arms fold across her chest.

"Or how about…leave me alone?"

"Yeah that'll work," Linda replies with a small growl of her own as Danny looks at her in amusement. "What?"

"Nothin'. Just kinda nice for you to be jealous for once."

"I'm not…I just want to drop her off a bridge but I'm not jealous," Linda insists as her jaw softens. "For once? You're jealous."

"Yeah."

"Over who?"

"That doofus Marc in your prenatal class. I mean what kind of guy wants to handle babies all day long?" Danny huffs as he sends the text to Marianne that he wasn't interested and puts his phone away.

"I think more men should do that," Linda offers in her classmates defense; the two of them finally heading toward the entrance to the campus.

"Oh yeah so noble and manly," Danny chides, earning a playful swat on the shoulder from his girlfriend.

"Trust me you don't have to worry about him," are the last words Linda offers before the doors close, sealing them inside. And she would be right, Marc was the last person on the planet that either Danny or Jamie for that matter had to worry about.

It was someone else. Someone with the means to hurt them in ways they had wanted to forget.

~Somewhere in Cleveland~

"Damn this stupid thing!" The angry male voice hisses as he sits alone in front of the computer later that same night. He finally had a break from his normal job and was once again back at his searching, this time more determined than ever; having had a small taste of success the night before. He had scanned the picture of the five students and was starting an internet picture search. His evil dark eyes narrow as they rest on Jamie's smiling face.

"It's just a matter of time…but I will find you. And when I find you…he finds you…and then…then you'll both be sorry!"

XXXXXXXX

Danny awakens early the next morning, his arms folded under his head and thinking about the day before. His shift was good and thanks to the car he now was able to use so freely, he wasn't as late as he would have been in the past when he was limited to only taking the bus. Jamie had spent a quiet night with the Reagan's, doing his homework and then all watching a movie on TV, something he texted Danny last night saying he enjoyed immensely.

He thinks about the tension with Linda yesterday and how Marianne's text had caused some real inner feelings to come to the fore. For a moment he thought she was mad enough to turn around and walk away, telling him he could have his skank floozy and that was it. Her little bout of jealousy just endeared her to him even more than the thought possible and for the first time in possibly he life he was actually thinking long term…marriage? No way! I have no money! I have no home…I don't even have a good name to offer her…I have nothing.

With that sobering thought in his head, Danny pushes himself out of bed and stumbles toward the bathroom, pausing outside Jamie's door as he hears his little brother humming a happy tune. He continues on into the bathroom, his mind now wondering where he was going for his surprise date with Linda.

Baseball game? Has to be that…she knows I love sports and there is an evening home game tonight. But…nah it has to be that…or maybe a new restaurant? What kind? I'm not that big of an adventurous eater. Can I fake liking food?

Throughout the day, Danny's mind tries to guess where he's going; something of course that would prove to be way off the mark in his assumptions.

"She didn't even give you a hint?" Jamie asks as he sits on Danny's bed while Danny gets ready for his date.

"Nope. Not a one. Damn I hate when women do that. I bet it's some new downtown steak place."

"That would be cool."

"What time are you working until?"

"Until closing but Frank already said he'd pick me up so you don't have to worry," Jamie offers in haste, not realizing that his evening would turn out to be a bit more fun than he would anticipate.

"Good," Danny answers as he turns to Jamie. "How do I look?"

Jamie smiles and gives him the thumbs up before he shrugs and then nods. "What? You look fine?" He gently chuckles.

"Hey hot stuff," Henry praises Danny as they enter the main foyer, Frank looking at them from his office. "Hope you have fun tonight."

"I hope so too," Danny offers weakly as the other three laugh. "No one wait up."

"Never do!" Frank calls out as Henry grins and gives them both a wave; not wanting to let on to Jamie that he'd have some company for part of his shift. The two of them head out into the car, talking about the evening ahead and once again guessing what it could be.

"It's not mud wrestling," Danny groans as Jamie laughs; the car coming to a stop at the bowling alley. "But that would be fun."

Jamie rolls his eyes as Danny wags his brows and hops out, telling him he'd want all the details tomorrow and was still super excited for their outing tomorrow. Danny watches Jamie enter the bowling alley and then heads toward Linda's, his mind wondering what her surprise could be.

"Hello Mr. Brown," Danny formally greets her father, who by now had openly accepted Danny as one of their own. Despite the fact that Linda's father had told Danny he could call him by his first name, Chris, Danny still wasn't that comfortable with the relaxed greeting; Linda saying that it was still earning him brownie points by using the title Mister.

"Okay so you still won't tell me?" Danny asks as he brings the car to a stop in the underground parking lot that she had pointed out to him. The two of them get out and walk hand in hand toward the entrance of the covered garage, emerging on the busy street, the sun slowly starting to slide below the horizon and painting the sky around them with a happy orangey glow.

"Hungry?" Danny inquires as he looks at Linda who nods.

"Yes the plan for tonight is…dinner first and then….the show."

"Show? What show?" Danny asks as they near an oddly familiar building. But as they come to a stop before the large, brightly colored poster his eyes instantly widen. "This…show?" He asks weakly.

"Yes, I got us tickets," Linda whispers as she looks at him with a delighted smile. "Surprise! Are you excited?"

Danny's gaze drops lower on the poster, resting on the word featuring and his heart literally stops cold as he looks at the main actor's name in big bold letters.

"Mitch?"

A/N: Once again I am always trying to find a balance and hope I achieved that here. The evil friend/Detective is on the prowl now for our boys to report to their father so yes that wheel is in motion but he won't find them overnight so those that wanted a bit more family bonding time and some time for Jamie to get his head back on properly I hope you'll be satisfied! I am not trying to rush this story by any means but I want to keep a good mix and keep you all interested b/c I do fear my dear readers leaving without telling me why! So having said THAT…. *grin* I hadn't planned for this chapter to go the way it did but I felt that Jamie and Danny needed to bond a bit more and talk about things so Danny was there when Jamie's shift ran over. But he won't always be around right? hehe dang those pesky late employees! *wink* And just a side note Amanda Harris is Erin's boss in the show right now but much like Renzulli, these characters had to start somewhere right? Hope that is okay. So surprise…guess who's making another guest appearance – Mitch! How will this play out? (pun intended) and will Marianne give up that easily? And have we seen the last of Carl? And when will the boys time finally run out? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!