CH. 9: Still Learning Part 2
"What do you want to do?" Detective Baez sat at her desk, her arms crossed in front of her chest as she leaned back in her chair.
"I don't know," Danny tossed the pencil he was holding onto his desk. He had tossed it aside a little harder than he intentioned, causing it to bounce up and hit his partner on the other side of the desk.
"Hey!" Baez picked it up and tossed it back at him.
"Sorry," Danny grumbled, before picking it up and placing it off to the side.
"I'm just as upset about this case as you are," Baez was trying to get to the root of her partners estranged behavior. They had been through countless unappealing cases together, but never once did he appear as disgruntled as he was now. "But you are taking it too far. What's going on with you?"
"I have a thirteen year old stepdaughter now," Danny explained, his voice low.
"What?" Baez looked at him. Surprised that he hadn't said anything about her before. "When did that happen?" Baez knew it wasn't very often that someone would say they inherited a child.
"Recently," Danny sighed. "She just came to live with us after her dad was killed." "That's rough," Baez squinted.
"You'd think so," Danny shrugged. "But she hasn't let on, so you could tell. In fact, most of the time she acts like it doesn't bother her.
"Their relationship must have been off," Baez figured.
"That's what Linda and I think," he admitted.
"And that's going to make things hard on you," Baez thought.
"That and she doesn't trust us enough, to understand that we want what's best for her, or to even talk to us about all the change with how she's feeling." Danny told her the real root of the problem they were experiencing.
"If she didn't trust her own biological father. It's going to be an eternity, before she learns to trust the stepfather she doesn't know." Baez hated to say it, but she knew her partner well enough to know she didn't have to sugar coat reality.
"Trust me, I know." Danny admitted. "And it's been a constant battle almost everyday."
"Sorry," Baez said bleakly.
"Yeah, " Danny muttered. "Now let's figure something out with this case." He stood, so he could get a better look at the large map, they had of the general locations where the crimes were committed. "Looks like they picked one up here," Danny marked the spot on the map with a red felt marker. "And another one here." He proceeded to do the same in the other location, only a few miles away.
"But what's the motive? Why would they kidnap only 13 year olds?" Baez proceeded to tape the images of the children on the map.
"I don't know," Danny shook his head. "But there has to be some sort of relativity.
"From what it appears, every one of the kids that were kidnapped, were all kidnapped within three miles of their home." Baez drew a circle around the general area.
"Then let's focus on the Ineos Projects and the Demzy Projects in the center," Danny drew another circle around the two projects, he figured they should hit first.
"I'll get a list of the tennants," Baez returned to her computer.
"And I'll see if any of them had a motive," Danny prepared to jot down the names his partner gave him.
XXXXXXXX
That same day, and Linda was busy getting the kids ready for back to school. And that included, uniform shopping, new shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.
Tayler literally hated the uniform shopping, thinking that the whole pleated skirt thing was rediculous. And if that wasn't bad enough, the shirt and tie combination made it even worse. Despite still being upset, over having to attend a parochial school, Tayler kept quite, inwardly groaning to herself. Knowing that complaining wouldn't do any good. Especially when it came to her mother, who had been talking about school for over a week.
Tayler was overjoyed, when they finished with the uniforms, and moved on. Not that she was exactly pleased with her mother wanting to purchase her things. It wasn't necessarily based on the fact, that she didn't want them. That was beside the point, the fact of the matter was, she still didn't like the fact, that she was having to spend she and Danny's money on her.
"Alright guys, pick out one you like," Linda said, leading her children down the backpack aisle.
Jack and Sean were eager to choose the ones they liked, and it didn't take long for Jack to choose a red one, and Sean a blue one. Tayler on the other hand, had yet to make a move, indicating that she was even remotely interested in choosing one she liked. It wasn't because she didn't see any she liked, in fact there was one in particular that drew her attention. It was turquoise with blue and orange swirls, and she saw it the second she stepped foot down the aisle. Unfortunately, no matter how much she wanted to reach out and touch it, she just couldn't bring herself to do so.
"Tayler," Linda noticed her eldest, had yet to show any intention of picking one up off the shelf. "Have you found one you like?"
"I don't need one," Tayler replied by shaking her head.
"Tayler, you have to have something to carry your books in," Linda smiled, picking up two different backpacks. One of them being the one her daughter was eyeing.
"But, I really don't need it," Tayler continued with her original statement. "I brought my old one with me.
"Tayler," Linda looked at her intently. "The boys get new backpacks every year, and you'll do the same. Now do you like any of these?" Linda held them out to her.
Tayler sighed, but eventually a slow smile started to cross her face. "I like that one." She reached out and placed a hand gently on the one Linda was holding in her left hand.
"Then that's the one we'll get," Linda handed it to her.
"Thank you," Tayler's voice was low. But her tone was sincere.
"Anytime," Linda smiled, placing a hand lovingly over her forearm.
A few minutes later, and Tayler and Jack looked through the countless number of shoes, they had lined up on the shelf, while they waited for Linda, who was helping Sean on one of the aisles over pick out new school shoes.
"I like these," Tayler picked up a pair of white tennis shoes that she favored.
"Then do what I do, when I want something," Jack shrugged. "Ask mom."
"I can't ask her for anything. She's already given me so much." Tayler said, quickly returning the shoes to the shelf.
"Tayler, there parents they work for us, that's what they do." Jack grinned, when he said it.
"Yeah, your parents don't seem the type, and I kind of wonder what your mom would say if she heard you say it." Tayler, for one of the first times since she arrived, was enjoying having a younger brother to tease.
"Don't you dare," Jacks eyes went wide.
"I won't," she shook her head, giving him a small smile.
"Have you two picked out a pair you like?" Linda found her two elder children a few minutes later on the aisle over. After she finished with Sean.
"Tayler likes these," Jack picked up the pair, Tayler had spoke of, just moments ago.
"Those are nice," Linda took them from her son. "What size do you need?" The new mother wasn't quite sure what size the girl wore just yet.
"Oh I don't need them," Tayler covered.
"Course you do," Linda wasn't exactly the type of parent to spoil her children. But she also didn't want them going without, when it was clear they needed them. "The ones you are wearing are looking a little worn." She pointed out.
"I can still get some use out of them," Tayler tried.
"Nonsence," Linda ignored her. "You need them." She proceeded to pull out a couple of different sizes for her to try on.
She may had only been living with Linda for a short time, but Tayler was quickly coming to the conclusion, that there was no point in arguing with the woman, when she had her mind made up. And of course Tayler, not being the one to argue, was quite content to give in. At least when it came to most things.
A few minutes later, and Linda was content that each of her children had everything they needed, and were more than ready for the first day of school. With this in mind, Linda left the shoe aisle, and headed for the register.
"Thanks," Tayler looked at Jack intently, as they trailed behind their mother. Finding it hard to believe, that she was experiencing a moment in which she didn't mind having a half-brother.
"Let's just say you owe me one," Jack grinned.
"I had a feeling, you were going to say that."
XXXXXXXX
That evening, and the family sat down to a dinner of picked up pizza, Linda picked up on their way home from shopping.
"Did you have a successful shopping trip?" Danny asked in between bites.
"We got new uniforms, shoes, backpacks, and supplies for all three," Linda sounded pleased enough with the outcome of the trip.
"Do you like what you got?" Danny looked at the kids.
"I like everything I got," Sean was the first to speak. "I just wish I didn't have to go back to school."
"I never did either," Danny admitted.
"Thanks for everything you guys got me today," Tayler figured she owed her mother and stepfather some sort of thanks,. Even if she still wasn't completely saying very much.
"You don't have to thank us," Linda shook her head. "At least not when it comes to getting you something you need."
"Yes I do," Tayler appeared serious. "Because from where I come from. A lot of people from Plattsburg live an entirely different life than they do here in New York City."
"How so?" Linda had no idea what she was talking about. Especially considering it had been so many years since she lived in Plattsburg.
"A lot of my friends came from either foster families or families with step parents, and they always came to school with old stuff, or stuff that was second hand, and had seen better days." Tayler did her best to explain it in a way, that would show them just how grateful she was, yet in a way that would show that she really didn't want to talk about it in depth.
"We understand," Linda nodded. "But I want to assure you that, that will never happen here. Because in our opinion," Linda pointed at herself and her husband. "You are the same as your brothers, and you will receive everything they get."
Tayler was about to reply with either another thank you, or another you don't have to do that. Linda wasn't certain, because before either of them had a chance to speak, Danny spoke up.
"Do I need to take on an extra tour to pay for everything?" He joked.
"No," Linda smacked him.
"I'm just teasing Tayler, we've never had a daughter before, and from what I've been from my sister about Nicki. Girls can get kind of expensive." Danny assured her, that he wasn't by any means bothered by anything Linda purchased for her.
"I don't need all new things all the time," Tayler shook her head.
"Didn't your dad take you shopping, before school started?" Linda wondered. Knowing it was quite the norm, for parents to purchase new things, before the start of most school semesters.
"He would give me a certain amount of money, and then drop me off at the mall, to get what I needed. So I had to learn quite early on, how to make the money stretch."
"He let you go alone?" Linda couldn't imagine, just dropping her child off at the store to do their own shopping. Even if they didn't live in New York City.
"At first he didn't, but I got use to it after awhile," Tayler shrugged.
"Well I'll be taking you from now on," Linda sounded certain.
Things turned solemn at the dinner table. Linda, once again, regretting the early years of her daughters life, and all that was involved. Such as shopping trips, field trips, and other fun things she did with her boys when they were out of school. And if that wasn't enough, she even missed, the not so fun times, a parent underwent with a child. Things like discipline, dentists and doctors appointments.
"At first I was scared to death," Tayler smiled when she thought back to the first time she was dropped off at the door. "Even lonesome, that he didn't want to spend time with me. But I guess it's something I learned to live with." Tayler thought about it a bit more, and it was obvious, just by the sound of her voice, that she had long gotten over the lonesome feeling.
"Tayler? Did you ever wonder why you didn't have a mother around, like the other kids?"
"I guess every kid goes through something like that. Whether they are missing a mother or a father." Tayler shrugged.
"I guess that's true," Linda had to admit, that she had never given it much thought. At least until she had to drop everything, and hurry to retrieve the child she didn't know. But was hers in every way.
The conversation around the dinner table turned bleak, even if it wasn't Taylers intention. Nor was it Linda's when she continued with her pattern of questioning.
"This is such a cheerful dinner time conversation," Danny spoke up, trying to lighten the mood, when he realized just how solemn everything turned.
"Danny, I was trying to have a conversation with our daughter," Linda complained of his interruption. Even if she didn't really like the dismal setting, it turned into.
"I noticed," Danny smirked in response.
Tayler caught her mothers words, and she was waiting for her stepfather to correct his wife's use of words, but it never came.
She definitely, wouldn't go as far as saying that she was dissapointed, in fact, she even had to admit that she was glad. Thinking that perhaps she managed to luck out when it came to having a decent stepparent. Unlike the kids from her old school, that told her stories about step-fathers who were always yelling at their step-children, and then punishing them for no reason.
"So who's ready for school to start tomorrow?" Danny asked the question, he already knew the answer to. Then again, that really wasn't the plan. The plan was for them to react in the manner in which he knew they wouldn't let him down. Especially his boys.
"NO!" Jack and Sean complained loudly.
Danny smiled, and turned his attention to Tayler. "How bout you?"
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with them," Tayler nodded at her half-brothers. "New school, new people, and new classes. Not exactly my idea of something to look forward to."
"You'll do fine," Linda assured her. Hoping to appease her daughters nervousness.
"I sure hope so," Tayler wasn't quite sure, but she figured that in a situation such as this, all there was, was hope.
Just as soon as dinner was over, Tayler made a quick departure to the basement. She wasn't sure why. Conidering for the first time since she came to live with them, part of her wanted to remain downstairs with them the rest of the evening. On the other hand, the other half of her was the same nervous kid, she had been since her life fell apart, and she had to pick up all the pieces and create a new puzzle that she would call life. Fortunately for her, she was finally beginning to feel as if she had more than the border of the puzzle put together.
XXXXXXXX
Later that night, and Danny was so tired from his overloaded case load, that he fell asleep on the couch after dinner.
"Tayler," Jack said, reaching his half-sisters bedroom.
"What?" Tayler paused the tv show she was watching.
"You know," Jack started to look around the room. Before he continued with the main reason he was down there. "I don't think I've been down here since the room was finished. It's not bad."
"Thanks," Tayler sounded confused. "I think."
"Since your obviously not going to cut to the chase," Sean interrupted. "I will. And as much as I can't believe I'm saying this. We need your help. If we're going to pull this off."
"Pull what off?" Tayler looked at both her half-brothers confused.
"One last end of summer prank!" Sean sounded excited.
"That doesn't sound like a very good idea," Tayler said.
"Come on," Jack tried to convince her. "It'll be fun."
"What are you going to do?" Even if Tayler didn't think it was a good idea, she still had her curiosity.
"Dads asleep on the couch. Help us," Sean started to say, but was quickly cut off.
"No thanks," Tayler was quick to turn him down. Especially when he spoke of his target.
"But you didn't even let me continue with what I was saying," Sean grumbled.
"No Sean," Tayler sounded annoyed.
"But why not?" Sean complained, drawing out his sentence. Before taking a seat on her bed.
"Because I don't want to get in trouble, and that's exactly what'll happen, when he gets rudely awakened."
"No we won't," Jack shook his head. "Dad expects us to try to do something to catch him off guard," he tried explaining.
"Maybe he won't get mad at you, but your his kids. I'm the kid he doesn't want, but doesn't have a choice but to have around. And as much as knowing that hurts, it would hurt even worse, listening to him trying to convince Linda to place me in the system."
"What's place you in the system?" Sean asked confused.
"It means they would terminate their parental rights, and I would become a ward of the state. Which would land me in a group home." Tayler didn't really like talking or thinking about it, so she decided to give them the short version.
"But I thought you didn't want to be here?" Sean crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Whether I want to be here or not. The fact of the matter is, anythings better than a group home" Tayler explained. And even though she didn't say it, she had to admit, that her new home, wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it was going to be.
"I guess you've got a point," Jack said, after thinking about it.
"So why don't you just leave the guy alone," she suggested. "He's been working a lot, and he's going to have to go right back, just as soon as he wakes up form his nap."
"But we always play pranks before we go back to school," Sean wasn't willing to give up just yet.
"Whatever," Tayler was convinced that she wouldn't be able to convince them, and decided to give in.
"Guess we'll have to do it alone," Sean shrugged, looking over at his brother, before the two started to make their way up the basement stairs.
"I thought you said this was a bad idea?" Jack turned around, when he realized Tayler was following them.
"I did," Tayler nodded. "But that doesn't mean, I don't want to watch."
A few minutes later, and both boys were in position behind the couch, while Tayler was curled up on one of the single arm chairs near the couch, just kind of waiting to see what they were going to do, and watch her stepfather reaction. Wondering which of them was going to be right, regarding his behavior, she or Jack.
Seconds later, and Sean pressed his finger hard on the air horn, he had, had saved for one of his brothers soccer games.
Danny jerked his head up in an instance, and just as soon as he did, Jack squirted him in the face with his water gun.
All at once, Danny grabbed both the boys arms, and jerked them both over the back of the couch, and on top of him, where he could wrap them in a headlock, before glancing at Tayler.
"I tried to stop them," Tayler said innocently.
"Thanks," Danny gave her a crooked smile. "As for you two, haven't you learned not to play a prank on her father, unless you have a quick get away?" Danny still had water droplets dripping off his face, and he proceeded by wiping his face on the back of one of his sons shirts.
"Dad, let us go," Sean giggled, pleadingly.
"Do you promise to think of a better prank before next year?"
"Yes!" Jack yelled.
"Good," Danny let them go, before pulling himself up off the couch, so he could get ready to go back to work.
"When can you stay home with us at night?" Sean sounded sad, that his father was having to leave again.
"Soon, Sean, soon," Danny could only hope, that he would manage to get the case wrapped up, so he could have a few nights off, that involved more than just dropping by for a quick meal and power nap.
"Now," he continued. "I'm not sure if I'll be back in time to see you guys off for school," Danny returned his shield to his belt. He was about to continue with his statement, but was interrupted by his wife.
"Danny, you have to be here," Linda overheard, walking in from the kitchen. "It's important that were here to send them off together."
"Linda," Danny whispered, not wanting the kids to overhear, the case he was working. "I have a 72 hour window to find these kids. "So I'm not making any promises, but I'll try." Was all Danny was willing to say on the subject. Knowing that if they got any leads whatsoever, they had to jump on it. In hopes it would lead them down the right path.
"Please try, Dad," Jack sighed, overhearing part of his parents conversation.
"I'll try Jack," Danny looked at him seriously, before pointing at him. "And no more ease dropping."
"Sorry," Jack grinned.
Danny started to pull his suit jacket on, and Linda proceeded by looking at each of her children.
"You three need to start taking your showers and getting ready for bed."
"But Mom," Sean complained. "It's too early."
"Listen to your mother," was the last thing Danny said, before kissing his wife, and heading out the door.
"Do we have to get ready for bed already?" Jack tried to convince her, to change her mind.
"You heard your father," Linda wasn't backing on her decision. "Besides, it's not an early night when you have to be up before 7:00."
She was surprised when all three of her children moaned in complaint, and she was even more surprised when her daughter, didn't follow her instructions.
"Tayler," Linda responded. "You know what your stepfather said. And as far as your concerned, what he says goes."
"I know," Tayler was by no means, trying to dispute his or her authority. "But I'm 13."
"I know," Linda repeated the same thing as her daughter did. "And I'll talk to Danny about the adjusting your bedtime, and see what we can come up with. But for now, until you get use to getting up early for school, you will be going to bed at the same time as your brothers."
"Fine," Tayler didn't exactly say it with an attitude, but Linda could tell, she wasn't thrilled with the idea.
Then again, it really wasn't in Taylers nature to argue, and sometimes when she did, Linda tried to chalk it up, to her just being a teenager, and just be grateful, it wasn't something of the norm.
XXXXXXXX
"Come up with anything yet?" Baez asked, returning to her desk, with two cups of coffee in hand.
"Yeah, I found out I don't want to go to the projects, unless I'm packing," Danny looked up at her.
"Your always packing?" Baez reminded him.
"True," Danny admitted with a grin. "But I drove by there before I came in this evening. And it isn't like any of the projects I've seen." Danny took a sip from his coffee. "And I've been to several over the years." Danny thought of the amount of time his job required him to visit places such as those.
"Could you imagine raising kids there?" Baez thought of the parents of low income that had to raise their children there, and amongst the discrepancies.
"No way I'd live there with my three," Danny shook his head. "So did you find anything out while I was making my drive by?"
"Well apparently, there's been a huge rivalry going on between the two projects that have resulted in multiple acts of violence.
What's new?" Danny sounded as if he was speaking with a past knowledge of the projects.
"Your not going to believe this." Part of Baez appeared as if she was laughing, while the other part of her, appeared as if it was of complete stupidity.
"Try me?" Danny smiled. "Because there's always been bad blood between the two projects. The Ineos Project has it in for the Demzy Project, because they received funding from the state, for the property, and they didn't."
"Touche," Baez pointed at him, to show that he had hit the nail on the head. "And I was right, it was stupid.
"Most of our cases do involve at least some level of stupidity," Danny remembered. "At least on one persons part."
"But that still doesn't explain why one of the projects would respond by kidnapping kids in the area surrounding both projects?" Baez thought about it further.
"I don't know?" Danny shook his head, unsure of what to say.
"So what do you want to do?" Baez thought she better ask. Especially considering it appeared as if he knew a bit more regarding their history, than she did.
"I guess by searching the tenants from both projects," Danny had to admit, he wasn't sure what to do. At least in the instance of kidnapping. "See if we get any hits."
"Which one do you want? Ineos or Demzy?" Baez gave him a choice. Knowing they were going to be there all day searching the tenants from both projects. And if they didn't divide the work. They would be there all night as well.
"Ineos," Danny picked up his desk phone, to call the manager of the projects, so they could email him a list of tenants, and he could then print it out and get to work on something new.
"That manager is going to be happy, you are waking them up at 1:00 am," Maria glanced at the clock on the bottom of her computer screen.
"We have missing kids," Danny didn't really care, who he woke up. When it came to solving his case.
XXXXXXXX
That night, and Linda was back to preparing for the chaos that school days brought. She had gone shopping earlier that week, and made sure she had quick breakfast meals in the pantry, after school snacks, and ink for the printer, so Tayler could print computer assignments off. On top of that, she had to make sure each of the children's uniforms were washed and hung up in their bedrooms. By the time the children's bedtime rolled around, and she got the boys tucked in, and told Tayler that it was time for lights out, she, herself was exhausted. Had it not have been for her husbands absence, she would have enjoyed cuddling up next to him on the sofa, being it was only 9:30. Unfortunately, Danny was gone, and she didn't feel like watching tv alone. After nearly falling asleep on the couch with a pile of clean laundry, Linda woke herself up. Yawning, she picked up the folded towels, and carried them up the stairs, so she could them away, and call it an early night. She wanted to call Danny and check in, to see how he was doing, but she decided against it. Knowing how busy he was, and hoping he would some how manage to make it home, before she and the kids left for school. She wasn't exactly counting on it, knowing how caught up he got in his cases, but that didn't mean she couldn't hope. Even if it was a long shot.
Tayler had gone to bed when Linda told her to, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fall asleep. Only this time, her lack of sleep, wasn't due to anxiety of a new home. And she was experiencing a complete new form of worry. In fact, her old form of anxiety, had basically dwindled away to almost nothing, as she seemed to slowly begin to adapt to her new life. She still didn't completely trust them, and it was still a major life adjustment for her. But she kind of figured, that just went along with the territory. Tonight, however, she was faced with a new form apprehension. And that was due to one of the biggest worries a child, that was new, could face. A new school, new curriculum, complete strangers, among countless other things, she was sure would erupt. Then again, she figured that not all new things were bad. In fact, she was rather excited about all the new stuff Linda got her the day before, and was anxious to show it off. Considering in the past, she had to be exceptionally careful with how much she spent, and it made her have to go without quite a bit of new things. Such as a new backpack, folders, spirals and shoes.
Another realm of new, she was learning to accept, was how present, Danny and Linda were. Or at least tried to be, despite their busy schedules. And that following morning was no different. In fact, Tayler was beginning to realize, just how caring they were. Linda got up extra early to cook them all a good breakfast, and to her surprise, even Danny managed to make it home to eat breakfast with them, and send them on their way, before he took a quick power nap and headed back to work.
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Chaos was roaming the halls of Blessed Hearts Academy, and Tayler was smack dab in the middle of it. There was a ray of uniforms hurrying past her, and they all seemed to be blending in. At least to her, since they were all wearing identical clothing. there were hall monitors and faculty trying to keep the running and other noise from escalating. To anyone else, they wouldn't have counted it as loud at all. But to Tayler, it sounded like a hurricane. It wasn't as if she wasn't use to the hustle and bustle that a middle school hallway brought. But for someone who was as fearful and nervous as she was, it made it seem much worse than it really was. That, however did little to keep her from wanting to climb into her locker and hide away until the bell rang and she could escape to the secludity of her basement bedroom. If that wasn't bad enough, what made it worse was the fact that she wasn't able to make any sense out of the schedule Linda had printed out for her, earlier that week. She would have gone to the office for help, if she could have found it. But, considering she was barely able to locate her locker or the cafeteria. She knew that locating the office would be almost impossible. In the end however, she had to admit the classes didn't seem all that bad. Most of the teachers seemed okay, aside from one or two she wasn't sure of. Then again, she also figured that could have been because of the subject they taught. She had never been very good in science, and math was a whole other story.
She had never exactly done poorly in the subjects, but there were definitely times, that could have some improvement.
Time slowly dwindled away, and it seemed like forever before the final bell rung for the day. But just as soon as it did, Tayler was rushing through the doors and over to the pick up lane. It was to no surprise, that she was the first one in the car, compared to both her half-brothers who had friends they were talking to, but hadn't seen all summer.
"Well how was it?" Linda smiled at her children, once they all got into the car. Obviously, looking for good reports all the way around.
Unfortunately, she was sadly dissapointed. The boys were grumbling about receiving homework on the first day, among other things. Tayler, however was quite the opposite, and chose to remain silent.
"Tayler?" Linda asked her daughter.
"I don't want to talk about it." Tayler didn't want to speak at all. But she did manage to spit out a few words, just to keep from appearing disrespectful, and receiving a lecture, because of it.
Tayler didn't say a word the remainder of the ride home, and just as soon as the house was unlocked, she headed straight to the basement.
Just as soon as she reached the door, Linda stopped her.
"Tayler! I want to know how your first day went?"
"It was horible, and I'm never going back!" Tayler slammed the door to her room abruptly, before she hurried down the basement stairs.
"Whew," Linda let out a sigh. "Definitely have a teenager in the house." She decided to leave her alone for a while, and give her time to calm down.
Tayler sat on the floor of her basement bedroom, leaning against the wall. She didn't have any homework, and for that she was grateful. Especially after the hard day she had, had.
Linda left her alone for awhile, knowing that when one was upset, sometimes it was best, if they were left in silence to allow them time to think. After awhile however, she decided that she would try talking to her daughter about her day once again. Thinking that the poor girl was already keeping enough in, and was worried about what would happen if she wasn't able to relieve her stress.
"Tayler," Linda knocked gently on the door. Not waiting for a reply, she proceeded down the stairs. The room was dark, aside from the bedside lamp, Tayler had turned on when she first came down. She also had her favorite Lifehouse CD on, so the room wasn't filled with complete silence. Making Linda not feel nearly as worried. Knowing that when her daughter was really upset, she didn't want to hear a sound. At least so she learned early on, when Tayler first moved in. This thought, gave Linda a great deal more confidence as she proceeded with her plan of discussing the bad day, she appeared to have.
Tayler was still sitting on her bedroom floor, leaning against the wall, when Linda found her.
"I'd like for you to tell me about what happened at school today." Linda decided that instead of taking a seat next to her and risk her moving, she would take a seat on her desk chair.
"What happened is, I told you I didn't want to go to that school, but you made me go anyways." Tayler yelled, as she started to pace the floor. She was doing her best not to cry, but she had to admit, it was getting harder and harder. And the last thing she wanted to do was go back.
"Now you know you're not being fair Tayler," Linda kept her tone leveled, as she remained understanding. Rather than correcting her for being disrespectful and yelling, sensing that the only reason she responded in that manner, was because she was upset. "You could have had a bad day regardless of the school we sent you to."
"Fine, maybe your right," Tayler crossed her arms in front of her chest. "But that's not going to help tomorrow or the next day go any better." She had a point.
"Just calm down and tell me what happened, and we'll see what we can do to make it better." Linda gestured at the bed, not very far away, for her take a seat.
Tayler sighed, but finally took a seat, knowing her mother was right. She did need to calm down. "I was late for every class, because I didn't know my way around the school. I didn't get lunch, because I left my lunch money in my locker, and I couldn't get it out, because my locker wouldn't open. Not that it mattered, I didn't find the cafeteria, until the bell rang, and lunch was over."
"You couldn't have asked one of your brothers for help?" Linda felt terrible, at the way her daughters day went.
"I didn't see them until we met in the pickup lane," Tayler responded.
"And Nicki?" Linda knew that her niece would have helped, had she known.
"I saw her, but I don't think she saw me. And the hallways were so crowded, that by the time I got to where she was was, she was gone."
"I'm so sorry sweetheart," Linda could tell just by the way her daughter was speaking, that she was quite upset over the days events.
"And what makes it worse is, it'll probably happen again tomorrow too," Tayler mumbled.
"It won't," Linda assured her. "I'll call Nicki, and ask her to show you around."
"You really don't have to," Tayler wasn't use to having anyone around trying to help her solve her problems. And part of her wasn't sure, if she wanted it. Even though, she had to admit it, it would have been better than wandering around the school aimlessly again.
"I'm sure she won't mind," Linda smiled. "Now if you don't let me ask Nicki for help, I'm going to spend my day, following you around, to make sure it doesn't happen again." Linda said it with a teasing smile. Yet at the same time, part of her felt as if she would do it. Even if she knew she couldn't do it. And as much as she longed to keep each and every one of her children from trouble. She knew she had to let them endure on their own, in order for them to grow up right. But that still didn't mean, she wouldn't fix this problem by asking for help.
"Okay," Tayler forced a smile, sounding appreciative.
"Now," Linda tried to do one better, by making Taylers day a bit better, by coming up with an idea. Smiling when she thought of it, and glad that she had the opportunity to pass it on to her newly acquainted daughter. "Do you know what I do, when I've had a rough day?"
"No," Tayler mumbled.
"I take a bath."
"What?" Tayler looked surprised.
"I relax in a hot bubble bath. Now why don't you try it?" Linda pushed, hoping she would take her suggestion.
"But it's not late," Tayler pointed at the clock on the nightstand, revealing it was only 5:00."
"I'm not saying you have to go to bed right after," Linda laughed. "I just think it will help you feel better."
Tayler remained silent for a few moments, while she thought over her mothers suggestion. But she figured that even if it did sound strange to her, it wouldn't hurt. Especially if it worked. "I guess I'll try."
"Good," Linda smiled. "Now go enjoy yourself. I'm going to go work on dinner."
XXXXXXXX
"Our 72 hours are up," Danny tossed his pencil across his desk angrily. "And I'm really beginning to hate these projects."
"Danny," Baez admonished. "One or both of them may be innocent."
"Don't tell me you're going to start talking like my sister, and saying how everyone is innocent until proven guilty. When we know they're not."
"No," Baez shook her head. "But I do think we need to remain open minded."
"I am open minded," Danny argued. "Besides, one or both of them may be guilty of something. We just need to figure out what."
"I'm figuring, I'm figuring," Baez repeated, before returning to the data on her computer screen.
The two continued to work on their individual assignments they devided up, regarding the case, but after awhile, Danny's thought drifted to his family. In which he didn't know it at the time, but in the end, he would discover how his drifting thoughts would help in the solving of the case.
"I need to go home," he sighed.
"Yeah you do," his partner seconded it. "You've been here for hours, and you have kids to see."
"Today was there first day back to school," Danny remembered, not really speaking to her, rather he was just thinking aloud.
"Go home for the night Reagan," Baez pushed. "I'll stay for awhile longer, and if I come up with anything, I'll call you."
"I can't," Danny ran a hand over his tired face.
"Danny," Baez started, but was quickly interrupted by her partner.
"Wait a minute," Danny stopped, his eyes widening, appearing as if the light bulb in his head came on.
"What?" Baez looked hopeful.
"Look up Paul and Krista Maynard. They are from Ineos."
What about them?" Baez squinted. "It says they both work at the middle school near the projects, and lost their daughter at the beginning of the summer, due to a drive by shooting."
"It also says that the shooter responsible for the murder was from the Demzy project," Danny continued.
"Yeah, but they were arrested, charged and are now spending time in prison." Baez pointed out.
"That's not the point," Danny shook his head. "Each of the children missing are from the Demzy project. But attend school, where the Maynard's work. I think we found our kidnappers."
"Yeah, but you said school just started today. How could they have known which kids to kidnap?"
"Most school faculty have already been working for two weeks to get ready for the semester."
"Which means they had access to the schools files, just before the kidnappings started to take place," Baez finished his sentence.
"Let's go pay them a little visit," Danny reached into his desk drawer for his gun, while Baez pulled her jacket on.
XXXXXXXX
"Hey Linda, Danny greeted, walking through the front door of his home.
"Hey yourself," Linda smiled back, as she made her way over to him, so she could greet him properly.
"Mm," Danny kissed her back. Knowing he normally didn't get as nice a greeting. At least when the kids were in the room.
"Where are the boys?" Danny only asked about his sons, figuring that his stepdaughter was hiding in the basement as usual.
"Upstairs, upset that they have to do their homework," Linda shook her head. "And its back to school drama already."
"So how was their first day back?"
"I'll let them tell you over dinner."
"Not sure if I'm looking forward to that," Danny admitted.
"So how long are you here for?" Linda knew that as of lately, he was barely there for an hour or two, before he had to go rushing out the door and back to work.
"All night," Danny smiled. "The kidnappings over, and the kids are all safe and sound with their families." Danny couldn't help but sound proud of himself, and grateful at the same time, that they were all safe, and he was able to come home to his family.
"Good work," Linda kissed him again. Glad that he was going to be around for awhile, and could help with the kids.
"I'm going to go change, I'll be right back," Danny started for the stairs.
"Check on the boys and make sure they are doing their homework!" she called after him. "They've been out of the habit for too long."
"I will!" He responded.
After reminding his sons to get busy on their homework, Danny continued on to his bedroom, so he could get out of his tie and button down shirt. He noticed the bathroom door was closed, but he didn't think anything of it, considering Linda left the bathroom door closed on a regular basis. He had just changed his shirt, when he picked his dirty one up of the floor, and headed into the bathroom for the dirty clothes hamper. Knowing that if he left it on the floor, Linda would make some sort of comment about saying the maid was off that day. When he knew very well, that they didn't have one. He wasn't paying much attention to anything in the bathroom, considering he wasn't expecting to see or hear anything when he walked in. On top of that, the light was off, and the last thing he was paying attention to, was the bathtub.
Tayler was lying flat on her back in the bathtub, the water, just high enough to cover her ears. Making all sounds extremely muffled, if not completely non-existent.
Her eyes were closed, and she was being so still, there wasn't even a ripple in the water to be heard. She opened her eyes, when she thought she heard someone open the door. At first she thought it was Linda, but was caught completely off guard, when she realized it was Danny. Tayler screamed in embarrassment, and all Danny could do, was echo her own yell with his, as he tried to hurry out of the room as fast as he could, running into the wall, in the process.
He had beads of sweat, running down his face when he returned downstairs seconds later, fuming with his own embarrassment.
"Why didn't you tell me your daughter was in our bathroom?" Danny's face was as white as a ghost.
"My daughter?" Linda corrected, knowing never had he said anything along those lines before. And after the guardianship papers they obtained, she didn't think she needed to remind him, that technically she was his daughter as well.
"Yeah whatever," Danny didn't even realize what he had said. Considering he was too busy trying to keep himself from having a heart attack, rather than remember proper english. As well as the correct way to refer to his stepdaughter.
"Don't tell me you walked in on her?" Linda's eyes were wide.
"I didn't think I needed to knock before walking into my own bathroom?" Danny started to pace the floor, and do his best to get over the shock he was currently enduring.
"I better go up there," Linda rushed past him. Figuring that if her husband was in a state of shock, she could only imagine what her daughter was going through
"You know this never would have happened, if you'd just let me leave my clothes on the floor, without getting mad at me for it!" Danny hollered after her, running a hand through his hair, not only frustrated, but still obviously embarrassed.
"What's all the yelling about?" Jack asked, reaching the living room.
"Nothing," Danny ignored him. "Go do your homework."
"But I'm already done," Jack knew that they were always allowed downstairs, once their homework was complete.
"Just go to your room Jack!" Danny pointed up the stairs.
"Okay," Jack drew the word out. Not sure what was going on, all he knew, was that he had better get upstairs and fast.
"Tayler," Linda was careful to knock on the bathroom door, before entering. "Are you okay?" She asked gently.
"I suppose you heard what happened?" Tayler was now dressed and brushing out her long blonde hair.
"I think the whole neighborhood heard what happened," Linda replied, by taking the brush from her, and continuing with the hair in the back.
"You really don't have to do this," Tayler was still having trouble adjusting to having a mother to help her with things like hair and school. "I'm fine, really."
"I am sorry," Linda felt terrible for what happened. "I forgot to tell him you were up here."
"It's okay," Tayler assured her. "I'm sure he's just as embarrassed as I am."
"Oh, I can guarantee you he is," Linda nodded in agreement.
"I don't think he saw anything," Tayler admitted. "And he was in such a hurry to get out of here when he realized what he had done, that he ran into the wall.
"Doesn't surprise me," Linda was doing her best not to laugh out loud at the whole thing, and ruin the bonding moment, she was having with her daughter. By making her think, she wasn't considerate of her feelings. "He can be really smooth sometimes. But other times, he can turn into a complete woos."
"Please tell him I'm not upset," Tayler sounded nervous.
"I think it would be better if you told him," Linda set the brush down.
"Maybe in a minute," Tayler still wasn't all that comfortable, approaching either of them. "I need to blow dry my hair."
"Okay," Linda didn't want to push. She didn't think, Tayler was as scared as she was in the beginning with them. But it was obvious, she was still adjusting with the whole trust issue. "Dinner will be ready soon, so don't take too long."
A few minutes later, and Linda returned to the kitchen, where she found her husband purring water into the coffee maker.
"How is she?"
"She isn't scarred for life, if that's what your worried about," Linda replied.
"She might not be, but I am," Danny reached for the coffee canister.
"Are you seriously making coffee at this time? Aren't you going to be wanting to go to bed soon?" Linda knew that he hadn't much sleep in the past couple of days, and she could tell just by looking at him, that he was exhausted.
"Yes," Danny sighed returning the canister to the cabinet, before he proceeded by reaching into the fridge for a beer.
"You know, I think Tayler might be handling this better than you," Linda observed.
"Oh yeah? Then why isn't she coming down here? It's because she's too embarrassed to face me isn't it?" Danny took a long swig from the beer he was drinking.
"Am I going to have to call your father to come talk some sense into you. I''m sure this same thing happened to him before.
"This is different, Dad was use to having a girl." Danny sounded as if he was pouting.
"The same as I'm use to having boys. Making it completely different when I walk in on them. Not only have I changed their diapers, but up until recently, I've had to go in and all but drag them out of the shower, for staying in too long."
"Let's just call it a learning experience," Linda was trying to make him feel better. "You are learning how to raise a daughter."
"I've never had a daughter before," Danny sighed. "This is completely unchartered territory for me."
"This is only the beginning," Linda thought of the number of years they still had ahead of them. "And I think it's safe to say, that we're are in store for a whole lot more."
Yeah well, from now on, I'm not going anywhere in this house, unless I'm wearing bells," Danny made a statement.
"You really don't have to do that," Tayler spoke up, from where she stood, not to far behind him.
"Tayler!" Danny turned around in an instant. "I," he started to say, before he was cut off.
"You don't have to say anything," Tayler stopped him. "It wasn't your fault."
"I should have knocked." Sure Danny didn't think he needed to, considering it was his bathroom, and Tayler did have one of her own. But that didn't mean, he wanted her to feel as if she was to blame. Straining their relationship even more than it already was. Considering they even had a relationship to begin with.
"It's your bathroom," Tayler repeated, what he had said to Linda some time ago.
"Still," Danny started, before he was interrupted by Sean
"Can we come downstairs now? It's bored up there."
"Bored? You've got stuff in your room to play with?" Linda wasn't thrilled with her sons excuse.
"So what was all that yelling about earlier?" Jack asked again.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with Jack," Danny was quick to reply, without offering any information that would curb his sons curiosity.
"Is dinner almost ready Mom? I'm hungry," Sean wandered into the kitchen.
"Yes, go wash up." Linda proceeded by setting the table.
A few minutes later, and the Reagan/Donovan's were settled at the table, eating dinner.
"Dad, can you play, play station with us tonight?" Sean sounded hopeful. Excited that his father was finally home, to spend time with them for awhile.
"I don't know Sean, it's getting kind of late, and you have school tomorrow." Linda answered for her husband, knowing how tired he was.
"Just for a little while Linda," Danny looked at his wife. "I haven't been able to see them much."
"Okay," Linda gave in. "But only if they promise not to give me any problems, when I get them up for school in the morning."
"We promise!" Both boys were quick to give their word, if it meant time with their father.
"Tayler," Linda said, when her daughter didn't reply.
"Hmm?" Tayler looked up from her plate, when she realized they were looking for her to reply. "I wasn't planning on playing."
"Sure you are," Danny obviously wasn't accepting her answer.
"But I've never played before," Tayler said carefully.
"We can teach you," Jack nodded. "The racing games are easy."
"I don't know," Tayler still wasn't certain, that it was a good idea to socialize with them too much.
"Now Tayler," Danny cleared his throat. Doing his best to speak with a gentle tone. "Let's give it thirty minutes, and if you aren't having fun, then you can go to your room. But how are you supposed to know you won't enjoy the game or spending time with us, unless you try?"
"Okay," Tayler figured she could give him that much. Considering at least he wasn't forcing her, and was trying to respect her feelings of uncertainty.
XXXXXXXX
Some time later, and Linda who was busy in the kitchen, getting glasses of water for her gamers, heard a loud laugh, she didn't think she had heard before. She knew both her boys laughs, as well as her husbands. But this laugh was different, and it sounded as if it was coming from her daughter. Stepping through the kitchen door, Linda couldn't help but smile, and stifle the laugh that was threatening to spill out. When she saw Danny trying to pull Tayler's controller out of her hand, in order to keep her race car from crossing the finish line first.
"Danny stop!" She tried to pull keep her hands on the controller as best as possible. Despite the fact, her stepfather was much stronger than she was. "You're cheating!" She continued to laugh out loud.
A look of satisfaction crossed the mothers face, as tears of joy started to escape, and run down the sides of her cheeks, as she hoped with everything in her, that this was only the beginning of the life that was forming for the five of them. She knew they still had a long way to go, before Tayler was truly integrated and felt like one of them. But she couldn't help but hop, that they were taking first steps into becoming one family.
Hope you all enjoyed the update! I know I couldn't wait to get to this chapter! Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews! JusticeStandsTRUE
PS: The next story to be updated is Taken By Surprise