A/N: First off. When I leave a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter, I'm going for the dramatic effect. No notes to you readers.

Now, you're going to get an earful. When I got the idea to write this story, it was pulling different little segments of Blue Bloods that I noted while I binge watched before developing my writing outline. There was no sense in my mind to follow the true season and episode guide. I was just going to write a story that worked for me and I hoped you would enjoy.

Chapter 5

Kate hung her head, her eyes filling with tears. "What do you know Henry?" she asked with a whisper, wiping away tears thinking I can't go through this again. Please be with him God.

"He's getting rushed into trauma surgery at NYU Langone Hospital."

Kate shook her head, wiping away more tears. "Thank God."

"Kate?" Henry asked.

"Henry, that's where I worked for nearly thirty years. I know most of the doctors and senior staff. Even though I haven't been around for nearly five years. He's in one of the best. I need to be there."

"Kate," Henry said, "no you don't. Hanging around in an uncomfortable family lounge would be too hard on your back and hip. I won't let you come. The kids and I have got this."

Kate shook her head."Thank you Henry. I appreciate that. Please keep me in the loop."

"Promise," Henry said. "Danny and Linda are ten minutes out coming from Staten Island to pick me up."

"I'll work my contacts Henry. I'll keep in touch as well."

"Kate, you need to sleep."

"Not tonight Henry," Kate said.

A half hour later, the family was moved to a private waiting room. Henry looked at the nursing assistant. "How? Why?"

LaTeesha Jackson smiled at him, rubbing his back. "You and your family have got some big ass pull around here. And it isn't about the Commissioner being who his is. You all need something; I'm right outside the door."

Henry, Danny and Jamie noticed the two uniformed NYPD officers outside the door. "I gotta get working this case," Danny said, pacing around.

Henry shook his head. "There is no way that you are a part of this Danny. Please sit down. This is about supporting your father right now. And all the rest of us. Here," Henry emphasized.

Linda looked at Danny. "He's right."

"Don't back him," Danny grumbled back.

"I am," Jamie said.

"So am I," Erin added.

"Fine," Danny snarled back.

Just then, Henry's cell rang. He smiled at the caller ID. "Hi sweetheart. What can you tell us?" Henry said, putting his cell on speaker.

"Frank took three bullets from the shooter. Which you all know. One bullet barely grazed his neck. The second hit his shoulder blade and lodged near his armpit. That's minor as well. The shoulder blade is cracked. Minor as well. The third is the big one."

"Kate?" Erin asked.

"It went through the fleshy part of the shoulder and out his chest. But it nicked the brachial artery. I'm assuming the trauma surgeon has to do an arterial graft to close that. That is a finesse surgery while dealing with an arterial bleed. It is not easy." The family looked at each other.

"The good news," Kate said. "The trauma surgeon is Janice Sherman. I've known and worked with her for over twenty years. Frank has the best in that surgery. And I know Janice so well, she only surrounds herself with the best staff."

"Kate?" Jamie asked. "Who are you getting your intel from?"

"Someone I trust Jamie," Kate responded. "And is putting their career on the line talking with me when I'm technically not family. But the two of us go back over twenty years as well. It's a long bond of mutual trust."

"Good enough for us," Henry said. "Try and get some sleep Kate until you hear more."

"Promise Henry." Kate ended the call.

Jamie looked at his siblings. "You think all this special care we're getting is because of Kate?"

Danny shook his head. "You doubt that kid?" he smiled.

"Kate was chief trauma surgeon here for nearly fifteen years before she got hurt," Henry said. "I have no doubt her name still has pull around here."

Erin smiled. "You think grandpa?"

Ten minutes later, Danny was holding Linda in his arms, the both of them snoozing together on one of the couches, with their feet up on the coffee table in the room. Jamie and Erin got comfortable on the second couch and put their feet on the coffee table as well. Henry pushed back the recliner and softly fell asleep.

Kate woke a little after five with her cell buzzing. "Hello," she groggily said.

"Thank goodness you got some sleep Doc Mac."

"Marty?"

"Doc Mac, my source just spoke with one of the anesthesiologists. Doc Sherman just handed off final close. Your guy will be in a recovery room in about twenty minutes."

"Thank you Marty," Kate smiled. "I appreciate all of your help."

"Doc, you were the best to work with. And you fought for all of us to get more pay and respect. I'm happy to help."

"Then can you do one more thing for me?"

"Name it Doc Mac."

The Reagan family woke to a soft knock on the door and a doctor entering the room. "Hello all of you. I'm Doctor Amir. I assisted in your father's surgery. He is in critical but stable condition and is in surgical recovery."

"Which means?" Danny asked.

Doctor Amir smiled. "Barring any complications, he will make a full recovery. Doctor Sherman, the primary trauma surgeon will be around in a bit to answer all your questions."

"Thank you Doctor," Erin smiled. Dr. Amir left the room.

While that was happening, Dr. Sherman was at the desk outside of trauma surgery, updating the staff on what to check during Frank's stay in recovery. An orderly happened to brush by her, sticking a note in her pocket.

Janice walked into the surgeon's locker room and sat down, moving her neck around to ease the tension. She pulled the note out of her pocket and opened it. Call Doc Mac. ASAP. It included a phone number.

Janice shook her head and pulled her cell out of her white lab coat in her locker. She dialed the number.

"Hello?" Kate sleepily answered.

"Kate? It's Janice. What the hell is going on that you've got your orderly network working?"

"Frank Reagan and I are in a relationship."

Janice Sherman grinned, leaning back against the lockers. "It's about damn time you came back into life my friend." Her pager went off. "Kate, I need to go."

"Is it Frank?"

"No, something else."

"Janice, give me thirty seconds more. I'm on my way to the hospital in an hour. We need to talk before you talk to the family."

"Sounds good Kate. I'll have Marty get you up here."

"I'll be coming in through the parking garage. Thank you Janice."

Kate's cell rang as she was in the vehicle riding to the hospital. She answered it. "Where are you Doc Mac?"

She put her cell on speaker. "Javier, where are we?"

"We're at the light at Fifty-Fifth Street. I'm going to pull into the parking garage after I get a green."

"Pull up to the enclosed area at the main part of the parking lot. I'll be waiting for you."

"I got it," Javier said.

"Thank you Marty," Kate smiled, ending the call.

Five minutes later, Javier got out of the driver's seat, went around the back of the SUV, and opened the passenger side back door. "Come here you," he smiled, taking Beans' leash. He held out his other hand to help Kate get out.

Marty came out the door. "Hey Doc Mac!"

Javier looked at Kate. "You recognize that voice?"

"Yes Javier," she smiled, rubbing his bicep. "It's a voice I've trusted for years."

Javier smiled. "When do you need me back?"

Kate looked at him. "I'm thinking I won't be back out of here until five this afternoon. Give or take."

"I'll be in the area then. Give me a call," Javier smiled.

"You got it," Kate grinned back.

Marty got her into the hospital and to the elevator bank. He pushed a button. "Here's the latest intel Doc. When you were talking to Doc Sherman earlier, the fire was the Commissioner's security detail. They had major problems with access to recovery rooms from too many staff members."

The elevator pinged and the doors opened. Marty, Kate and Beans got on. Kate slightly shook her head. "They don't know recovery room operations but I can see their point."

"Me too Doc," Marty smiled. "Doc Sherman got the Commissioner into one of the VIP ICU suites an hour later." He nudged Kate's shoulder. "Things are a bit more relaxed."

"And the family?" Kate asked.

"Still in one of the private waiting rooms in the surgical area on the second floor. They have no clue."

"Good," Kate smiled.

The elevator arrived at the seventh floor. "Doc is meeting you here," Marty said, getting off the elevator with Kate.

Garrett Moore noticed her and approached. "Doctor McInerney, you may not remember me…"

"Garrett, you always treated Jack fairly when you were working for the Post and I remember one or two bigwig social events when you, Cynthia, Jack and I had our fair share." Kate smiled. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise," Garrett smiled. "How read in are you?"

Kate slightly smiled. "I worked in this hospital for nearly thirty years. I gave the family more intel than they got from the staff. I'm here now to meet with Janice before she talks to the family."

"Wow," Garrett said, shaking his head. He leaned in close to her. "For the record, I've been read in as well," he whispered.

"Frank told me," Kate loudly whispered back, winking at him. "Should we fill in the rest of the dream team that I know are here?" Kate smiled.

Garrett grinned. "Doctor Katherine McInerney, this is Detective Abigail Baker. She figured out the what. I promised her a rock star who."

Kate smiled. "I'm your Friday night problem Detective," she said, extending her right hand.

Baker shook Kate's hand. "No worries Doctor." She smiled. "And you definitely have rock star status."

"Then please call me Kate. My rock star days are over."

Garrett gently pushed Kate's back with his hand. "This is Lieutenant Sid Gormley."

Kate looked at him. "Now you I've heard a lot about from Frank," Kate said, pointing her index finger at him.

"Doctor?" Sid said.

Garrett winked at Baker and stepped in. "Relax Sid," Garrett grinned. "You are dealing with a world class doctor whose sense of humor is even better."

"Sorry Sid," Kate smiled. "You are too easy of a target," she grinned. "Pleasure to meet you."

Sid smiled. "Likewise Doctor," he said, shaking her offered hand.

Kate shook her head with a smile. "I'm Kate."

Gormley smiled. "I'm Sid."

"Kate?" Baker asked with a smile. "Who is our new friend that we all wish we could pet right now but know we can't because she is working?"

Kate grinned. "Her name is Beans. And if you give her an inch, she'll take a mile when she is free to be a dog. Frank is her best bud." The dream team smiled.

Garrett smiled at Kate. "The doctor is coming." Dr. Janice Sherman came down the hospital hall.

Kate smiled at Baker, handing her Bean's leash. "She's all yours."

Janice pulled Kate into a huge hug. "It's so good to see you again."

Kate deeply hugged Janice. "Thank you to you and your team."

"Our pleasure Kate," Dr. Sherman said.

"You don't understand Janice," Kate whispered. "I don't know if I could go through that again."

Janice pulled Kate tightly to her, putting her hand on Kate's head and deeply held her. Garrett, Abigail and Sid shared looks, now understanding how close Frank and Kate really were. Garrett shook his head at the other two, hanging his head a bit.

A minute later, Janice relaxed her hug of Kate. "You OK?" Kate nodded her head, pulling away from Janice and wiping away a tear from each eye. "You said we need to talk."

"I'm assuming you had to do an arterial graft."

"We did Doctor," Janice smiled at Kate.

"That means you need to keep him down for twenty-four hours."

"Kate, more like thirty-six. He lost that much blood."

"Doctor," Kate smiled, "I suggest a hammer." Kate shook her head. "Janice, please just tell me the call is the kids', not Frank's."

"It is their call," Janice said.

"Then give them your medical opinion," Kate said. "Let me be the hammer."

"Kate?" Janice asked.

"They will side with their dad more often than not. And Frank will make a loud argument against. I want this fool proof and a no brainer for them to make the right decision."

"If you've got my back, we're good," Janice smiled, rubbing Kate's upper arm. "The family should be here. I know they are on their way up."

The Reagan family came off the elevator. The aide nodded them all to the group outside the door of Frank's room. "Hi sweetheart," Henry said, putting his arm around Kate and kissing her cheek.

"Hi Henry," she smiled. "This is Doctor Janice Sherman. She was lead on Frank's surgery." Kate introduced the family to Janice. "She needs to talk to you."

Janice smiled at the family, nodding at the door to Frank's room. "Let's go inside. He's starting to wake up."

Kate looked at Abigail and smiled. "Sorry, I need her."

Henry shook his head at Abigail. "No she doesn't. I have her. But Beans does need to go in with us," he smiled. Henry kissed Kate's cheek. "I know you're staying." Abigail handed Beans back to Kate and took her coat and purse.

"I need my cell Abigail," Kate said. "It's in my right coat pocket."

Baker found it. "I've got it Kate." Kate held out her hand and Baker gave Kate her phone.

Kate smiled at Henry. "Just hear Janice out." She squeezed Henry's hand. "And back her."

Baker took all the coats of the family as they went in the door. She followed the family in and quietly put the coats on the sofa in the suite as the kids were greeting their dad. Baker quietly left the room as the family gathered around Frank's bed.

Frank shook his head. "Sorry all of you. I'm still not all here."

Henry walked up to the bed and rubbed Frank's right knee. "Good to see you son."

"Hi Pop," Frank weakly said.

Janice looked at the family. "First off, I got into this trauma surgery thing when I was doing my surgical residency after medical school. I was lucky enough to learn from the best that pushed my buttons."

"I pushed you because I knew how talented you were for this. And challenged you to step up," Kate said.

Janice looked at the family. "My mentor," she grinned at the family. "Who's now going to back me." She looked at Frank. "You are still here due to the nasty, bad ass M*A*S*H surgical training I learned from Kate. But you are not out of the woods."

"Doctor?" Erin asked.

Janice explained the arterial graft, the time it took to place it, how quickly they can heal once it bonds with the vein and how much blood Frank lost. "Bottom line, we need to keep him shut down for thirty-six hours for that graft to get that solid bond and really start to heal. Plus, the down time will allow your dad's body to renew his blood supply the way it normally does."

"Down?" Danny asked.

"As in lights out," Janice said. "That shoulder cannot move around."

"How doctor?" Jamie asked.

Janice smiled. "A strong dose of pain killer." She looked at the family. "It's part of the Advil realm of drugs. There is no chance of addiction."

"Really Doc?" Frank groggily asked.

"Really Frank," Janice said. "I'm suggesting the easy way. Kate suggested a hammer," she smiled.

Kate looked at the family, putting a hand on each of Frank's feet, rubbing them. "I'm going to tell you what Janice can't because she's paying malpractice insurance premiums. Without doing this, your dad will toss and turn. That runs a high risk of that arterial graft coming apart from the vein. That means another surgical team has to do their thing." She looked at the family. "With the blood loss, your dad has a one in ten chance of surviving a second surgery in the timeframe Janice wants to keep him down."

Danny looked at Kate. "Really?"

Kate shook her head and looked at Danny. "I love him as much as you." She shut her eyes for a few seconds and then looked at Danny. He noticed the tears in her eyes. "I can't go through losing again." Henry pulled Kate to him. "I'm damn sure. I don't like those odds."

Danny looked at Erin and Jamie. They both nodded at him. "Sorry dad. The lady that loves you more than you deserve swayed the jury. You're voted off the island."

Janice rubbed Kate's shoulder. "Damn, you are the hammer," she smiled.

Henry kissed her cheek. "Yes you are."

"I don't get a vote?" Frank asked with a gravely, just out of surgery voice.

"Legally, you are still under the influence of anesthesia," Janice said. "No." She paused. "That takes care of part one. Part two is you'll get about twenty minutes with him now before it all kicks in." She looked at the family. "After that, Kate and I chase you all home to get some sleep."

"I'll stay through the day," Kate smiled.

"How much sleep did you get last night Kate?" Erin asked with concern.

"Enough that a power nap in the recliner in here this morning and a snooze this afternoon, I'll be fine," Kate smiled. "And I'm sure I'll be pampered by half the day crew I know."

"Please listen to us," Janice smiled. She looked at the family. "On that, I'm going out to sign the orders to get the meds going. After that, this is no longer my case. Dr. Fitzgerald from the surgical follow-up team will be taking over. I get to face the media. And then go home and drop into my bed," she smiled.

Kate looked at Janice. "Mike Fitzgerald?"

Janice grinned. "Yes Kate, it's Michaleen."

Jamie, standing next to Henry, looked at Kate. "How many people do you know around here?"

"It's day shift Jamie," Kate smiled. "That means senior staff. I probably know most of them, including the nursing and orderly staff." She looked at Erin. "It will be a spa day for me," Kate winked at her.

Janice rubbed Frank's knee. "Commissioner, I need to head out and get ready for the press conference I have to face."

"Lucky you," Frank yawned with a smile.

"Thank you Frank," Janice smiled. "I'll check in on you later this week."

"Thank you Doctor," Frank said. The family joined that chorus. Kate and Janice shared another hug and then Janice disappeared.

The kids and Henry were talking with Frank, who was clearly tiring when Kate's cell rang. Jay calling it announced. Kate answered it and moved away from the bed. Jamie noticed Kate was heading for potential trouble in the room before Beans did. He took her left arm and guided her into the more open kitchenette area of the suite while Kate updated Jay on Frank's condition. Jamie squeezed her hand. "Jay, hang on for a second."

Jamie smiled. "You've got about three feet of open space all around you." Beans sat down next to Kate's legs. "And Beans is with you."

"Thank you Jamie," Kate smiled.

Jamie walked back to his dad's bed. He and the rest heard Kate testily reply, "I'm fine Jay. There are at least twelve NYPD cops outside of this room. And two, along with the former police commissioner in the room. I'm safe. Don't question that again."

Jamie looked at Danny. Danny shook his head. "But she has a guide dog that will need to use the park across the street sometime today."

"I'm on it Danny," Henry smiled, pulling the door open. Dr. Michael Fitzgerald and a nurse were standing outside the door, ready to enter the room. "Hi Doc," Henry said. "You two come in and take care of my son. I've got something I need to take care of."

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Reagan," Mike smiled. "You take care of business."

Henry walked out of the room to Garrett, Sid, Abigail and Jimmy, the head of Frank's security detail, conferring. He looked at them. "Please tell me you four are discussing what I came out to talk to you about."

"Yes Commissioner," Jimmy smiled. "When Kate is here, she'll have a detail. Promise sir," he smiled at Henry. "Beyond that, I don't think it's needed. I know who her driver is."

"Neither do I Detective," Henry smiled at him.

"Who is her driver?" Sid asked.

"Former Assistant Chief Javier Vasquez," Henry answered. "He's also a Marine and an MOH in Desert Storm. Since he's retired, Kate's sons hired him to get her around. Just a little something to supplement his pension. After what happened to Jack, he jumped at the chance."

Baker looked at Henry. "Javy was the head of Jack's detail. He wasn't there when it happened. He had turned the duty over to the afternoon shift."

Jimmy shook his head. "I know the feeling."

"This is not on you Jimmy," Garrett said. "Or any of your team. It happened that quick."

Jamie poked his head out the door. "Pop, the meds are starting to kick in."

"Excuse me folks," Henry said and went back into the room. Everyone was saying good night to Frank. Kate was chatting with Dr. Fitzgerald.

The family moved to the couch where Baker put their coats as Kate moved to Frank. She rubbed his chest. "This is what you need," she softly said. "Please trust us."

"I do trust you Kate," Frank said.

Kate softly massaged Frank's chest again. "Please let the meds work and go to sleep," she said. The Reagan family, putting on their winter coats looked at the couple, smiling at each other.

"You're going to be here Kate?" Frank groggily asked.

Kate kissed him. "Yes. Promise."

"I love you," Frank said.

"I love you," Kate smiled, kissing him again. "Let the meds work," she said, still rubbing Frank's chest. "I'll be here." Kate felt him relax and kissed his cheek. She turned from the bed and looked at the Reagans who were getting ready to leave.

Erin grabbed her hand. "Promise us you'll get some sleep," she said, squeezing Kate's hand.

Kate smiled. "Only if I get the same back from all of you." Henry put his arm around Kate's waist. "Especially you," she smiled at him.

"I'm pooped and not ashamed to admit it," Henry said.

Kate put her arm around him, rubbing his back. "A bit more info Janice and Mike didn't tell you. The pain reliever they have Frank on weans down as it is getting to the end of the cycle. That gives Mike and the staff about fifteen minutes to talk with him and evaluate his condition. Why I wanted to be here for the noon and four o'clock assessment. If those two go as I assume they will, they'll just drop him out for the rest of the night." She smiled at the family. "There is no reason for any of us to be here after that."

"So I can work my third shift tour tonight that I banged out last night?" Jamie said.

"With good reason last night," Kate smiled at him. "And only if you promise to be safe," Kate she added.

Erin looked at her youngest brother. "Ditto," she smiled at Jamie. Erin hugged Kate. "Enjoy your spa day."

"I'll call you this afternoon on the way home with an update," Kate promised.

"How 'bout me?" Danny asked.

Kate looked directly into Danny's eyes. 'You got your head straight that a couple of sixty something's can still have fun every now and then?"

"Damn Kate," Danny laughed. "You haven't changed a bit. You are as direct as ever," he grinned, pulling her into a hug.

Kate hugged him. "I'll call you after four. Until then, you and your bride get some sleep."

"I'm so in on that," Linda smiled.

"I'm glad you're here for dad. And how much you two love each other."

Kate pulled out of the hug and put her right hand to Danny's forehead. "No fever. It's just the exhaustion." The Reagans all laughed.

Danny smiled. "Keep Linda and me in the loop."

"Promise," Kate smiled.

Kate looked at Jamie. "I mean it. You have a safe tour."

Jamie pulled Kate into a hug. "Promise," he smiled. "I'm glad you'll be here for dad."

XXX

A/N: "Bang out" means calling in sick or with a family emergency.