Chapter 18: First of Many
What seemed like an eternity to Danny and Linda, and only minutes to Andy, Andy was finally ready to join the rest of the Reagan kids and start school. Linda
had ordered her a uniform, and it was nicely pressed and hanging up in her bedroom. It was the last weekend before she was scheduled to begin her stay at
the local prison, at least that's what Andy referred to it as, as she struggled to keep the clock from moving and enjoy every last minute of her short reprieve. It
was Saturday night and it was her last night to stay up late, at least as late as Linda would allow, considering they had church bright and early the following
morning. She was grateful Danny relented and lifted her grounding sentence the week before she would start school, and she was able to enjoy the playing of
loud music, watching movies and doing just about anything else she could think of. Andy was busily jamming words down onto her laptop, when Jack stepped
in, "mom said she wants us to have our church clothes picked out tonight." I'm not sure if I'm going, I'm so depressed, I may stay in bed all day tomorrow,"
Andy explained. "That's not going to go over well," Jack said foreseeing the future. "I can't wait to hear what moms going to say about that one." "I'm going to
be too busy to go," Andy added turning back to her laptop. "Why, what are you working on," Jack looked over her shoulder to get a glimpse at the computer
screen? "My last will and testament, for when school kills me," Andy sounded serious. "And here this whole time, I've been thinking you were tougher than
that," Jack shrugged, "then again I've been wrong before," was the last thing he said before walking out of the room. Andy sighed as she considered her little
brothers words, for someone so young, he was pretty smart, and the worst part about it, he was right. That was it, Andy straightened. She was too tough to
get beat by something so trivial, like school. She decided right then and there, that no longer would she complain about going to school, at least not all the
time...
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"So tomorrow's the big day," Frank looked over at his granddaughter the next day after church and during family dinner. "It's been a wonderful vacation, but it's
time for me to share myself with the education system, and cause trouble for another," Andy grinned at him. "Let's try and keep the trouble down to a
minimum, at least the first week," Danny suggested in a more serious tone of voice. "I can't promise anything, but I'll try," Andy at least sounded like she would
attempt it, in which it made Danny somewhat hopeful. "So you have complained a lot about school," Henry started, "but what is it exactly that you hate about
it?" "Augh," Andy leaned back in her chair, "where do I begin? There's just so many things," Andy continued, "the classes, the teachers, the kids, but most
importantly the homework, I absolutely hate homework." "Augh," this time it was Linda's turn to protest, "you are going to have to try it." Andy sighed, "I
figured as much," all though she had to admit she wasn't exactly looking forward to it.
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Family dinner had just ended, and Danny and Jamie were scheduled for clean-up duty. They had just cleared the table, and Danny was busily washing dishes
while Jamie dried and put them away, while Frank sat in the kitchen drinking a glass of wine and reading the newspaper. "So how do you think Andy will do
with school," Jamie asked curiously? "I'm not sure," Danny answered honestly, "all I know is, I'm not letting my phone out of my sight tomorrow, considering all
the protest I've heard out of her, anything she would do, wouldn't surprise me." "You know I always thought that the boys behaved too good to belong to
you," Frank said just over his wine glass. Danny's mouth dropped open as he looked at his father questioningly finding it hard to believe what his father just
said. "What do you mean by that," he asked? "Where as you were nowhere near the worst behaved child, you certainly were not the best, and I vaguely
remember being called to the school many times as a result," Frank remembered. "Please get to your point Dad, your killing me with this trip down memory
lane," Danny shook his head. "Andy actually reminds me a lot of you, and it seems to me that you are getting a little taste of yourself and a few of the things
you put your mother and I through," Frank said in a matter of fact. "You know that isn't very nice for your own father to say," Danny shook his head. "It's the
truth son, it's the truth," Frank couldn't help but grin. "Yeah well just so you are aware," Danny started. "Your youngest grandson appears to slowly be
following in my footsteps in the trouble department," Danny enlightened him before Frank walked out to visit with a few of the members of his family. "So how
did the rest of your weekend go with the kids," Jamie asked once Frank had left the room? "It actually went pretty good," Danny said happily. "I took them ice
skating yesterday evening before Linda and Erin came home." "Bet that was fun," Jamie smiled. "So did you get on the ice, and if so did you fall," Jamie was
dying to know? "How about we change conversation topics," Danny suggested tempted to shove his brothers head in the sink of dish water. Then again he
figured that wasn't exactly the best idea considering his father was the police commissioner, and attempted murder could get him arrested. "We can," Jamie
agreed, "but first you have to tell me if you fell," he smiled at him menacingly. "Jamie," Danny seethed. "Alright, alright fine," Jamie surrendered, "but first you
have to promise me something." "What now," Danny knew that if he didn't finish the dishes and get away from his brother, he would throw caution to the wind,
and shove his brother in anyway. "Do me a favor and never ground all of the kids at the same time again," Jamie sounded as if he was begging. "Why not,"
Danny not only asked because he was curious, but because he was confused all at the same time? "Because they get bored and bad things happen," Jamie
paused, "and then they call me and I get hurt," Jamie rubbed his back, "I'm still sore from wiping out and falling on my butt." "You know I would have paid
money to see that," Danny didn't even try to stifle his laugh, at the thought of his kid brother in peril due to his nieces and nephews. "Thanks a lot big brother,"
Jamie said shaking his head, "you didn't even ask if I was seriously injured." "You're walking aren't you," Danny didn't see the problem. "That's beside the point
Danny, "you are the older sibling, and most elder siblings at least pretend to be concerned about their younger siblings." "I'm not like traditional older siblings,"
Danny shook his head, "besides you are a Reagan, and if you can survive being shoved in between Erin and I in long car trips when we were kids, you can
survive a little fall. Oh and if you must know, I skated like a pro," Danny grinned at his kid brother.
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Meanwhile, Andy and Nicki sat on the back porch while watching Jack and Sean play a little one on one basketball. "So I was thinking, that little act of
generosity that you came up with, in cleaning my parent's house inspired me, perhaps we should clean Grandpas next," Andy suggested. "No way absolutely
not," Nicki refused shaking her head. "But why not," Andy asked, trying to figure out what could have come over her usual generous cousin. "Because if you
remember correctly, that didn't exactly go as planned," Nicki was remembering Danny's face expression and how they literally dodged a bullet, and didn't by no
means want to have a repeat with their grandfather. "Just because everything went wrong last time, doesn't mean it would this time," Andy was still
considering all her options into getting Nicki to participate. Nicki didn't say anything, and instead just looked at her cousin. "Another reason I say no," Nicki
started to answer, "is because I've noticed that every time we try to help someone we get into trouble." "You know you are pretty superstitious for a Catholic,"
Andy didn't even sound like she was prepared to give up. "I said no Andy and I'm serious," Nicki at least was trying to stick to her guns. "Uncle Danny says that
I need to think before I jump into something, and not let someone instantly drag me into trouble, and that's exactly what I intend to do, taking his advice he
says will keep me out of trouble, and I have a tendency to believe that he's right." Andy blew out a sigh, she was just going to have to figure out another way
to keep herself entertained, because Andy knew one thing about herself, if she wasn't kept busy, she got into trouble.
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Monday morning came early, much too early for Andy's opinion, and getting her out of bed seemed to be a challenge all in itself. "Andrea get out of bed and get
dressed right now," Linda found herself ordering after several failed attempts of getting her daughter out of bed. She didn't by no means want to have to
admit to not being able to handle her and have to call for Danny, who was downstairs cooking breakfast, but she was getting very close to saying the heck
with it, and let him handle her. There were countless times that she was grateful the kids had to wear uniforms, and this was definitely one of those times. "All
right Andy," Linda sighed exasperated, "you have two minutes to get up, or I'm calling your father up here," Linda said before walking out the door for a few
minutes to check on the boy's progress. Andy picked her head up and yawned, as much as she didn't want to get out of bed, she figured it would be better
than having to deal with Danny this early in the morning. He had a tendency to be a morning person and that made Andy sick. Rolling out of bed, Andy pulled
her uniform out of the closet and hurried into the bathroom to get dressed for the day she was dreading more than the day she was dreading after her
disappearing act.
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After breakfast, Danny loaded the kids into the car, and prepared to drop them off at school. When Andy didn't make any attempt to get out of the car, Danny
turned around. "Listen Andy, you know you have to get out, so you might as well as make it easy on both of us, and get out of the car, walk into the building,
go straight to class, without making any detours, and attempt to stay out of trouble," Danny was quick to add. "I'm going, I'm going," Andy opened the car
door. "You are going to do fine," Danny softened, hoping to reassure her a bit. Andy sighed, "I hope you're right." "Hey Andy, Uncle Danny," Nicki said stopping
by her uncle's car. "Hi Nicki," Danny replied, before asking her to show Andy where her home room class was. Nicki of course was glad to do it, and before long
between Danny and Nicki, Andy had enough courage to step through front door of the building.
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"You sure are keeping a close eye on your phone today," Jackie mentioned when she noticed her partner again check his phone for any missed calls. "My
daughter started school today, and I believe it's just a matter of time before she gets into some kind of trouble and the school calls me." Jackie chuckled, "don't
tell me you don't trust your own kid Reagan." Danny shook his head, "not when it's Andy I don't," Danny enlightened her, "you wouldn't believe the
conversations or more along the lines of arguments we've had about school." Jackie leaned back in her desk chair, "I didn't care for school either, but it got me
here," Jackie said looking about the precinct. "Yeah I agree," Danny mentioned, "and I just hope she finds something she's interested in, thinking that will help
motivate her into this school thing." Jackie shrugged, "she might, then again I didn't figure out I wanted to be a cop until after I graduated." "That's what I'm
afraid of," Danny said taking another look his cell.
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With Nicki's help, Andy managed to find her classes easy enough. Although she had to admit that she never found an instant like within any of the classes,
aside from her last class, gym. She outran everyone in her class when they first started running laps, and then after they did all the preliminaries and workouts,
the class had a little extra time and Andy decided to get involved in a game of basketball. Everything was going great until she came into contact with another
student on the opposite team, and after a few words were exchanged between the two, and Andy being Andy the heat was on. "Who are you," one of her
opposing teammates by the name of Carly Jenkins asked? "Some whiz kid that wants to rise to the top and outplay everyone and get all the administrators
attention." Andy looked at her, "what's that got to do with a little game like we are playing now?" "The coaches are watching for new players to be on the
basketball team, and I have plans to be one of them," Carly informed her seriously. "Doesn't matter," Andy shrugged picking up on the toll of the conversation,
"because anything you can do, I can do better," Andy replied rather smugly. Carly threw the ball at her, but Andy managed to catch the ball seconds before it
was about to smack her in the face. Without even thinking, Andy handed the ball to Nicki and threw a punch at Carly. Andy was certainly never the type of
person to miss her target, and landing a fist into someone's face was no different. Carly retaliated and threw a punch at Andy, but Andy ducked and managed
to sidestep several of the series of blows that were directed at her. Deciding that she was tired of dancing around, in which it certainly appeared, Andy threw
her left fist into Carly's gut and finished it off with a right hook squarely on the nose. It was at that time that the coaches began to pay attention and one
grabbed Andy and the other Carly. Carly's nose by now was draining a good amount of blood, and one of the coaches took her directly to the nurse while the
other escorted Andy to the Principals office. While the principal spoke to the coach and interviewed several of the students to find out what happened, Andy
made herself comfortable on a bench outside the office, and took a look around deciding that she might as well get used to her surroundings, considering she
would probably be there a lot. Nicki came walking out of the principal's office and took a seat next to Andy, "I tried not to incriminate you too much." "Thanks,"
Andy didn't seem too bothered by the whole fight and principal's office ordeal like most students would be in her position. "I was the last one," Nicki added,
"and they are calling Uncle Danny." Andy leaned back, "I figured as much." Nicki looked at her confused, "you sure don't seem too bothered about any of this."
"Ah well, the way I look at it is, this is just going to be the first of many, Carly and I are at war." Nicki ran a hand down her face, "Uncle Danny's going to kill
you." "Probably," Andy sighed. "Did you think about what he might do before you started the fight?" Nicki questioned. "Not really," Andy answered. "Yeah,
you're going to have trouble sitting in class tomorrow," Nicki was foreseeing the future. "It was bound to happen eventually," Andy looked at her. "Are you sure
that ball didn't hit you in the head," Nicki looked like she was about to fall off the bench at Andy's reply? Andy shrugged, "I've heard a lot about that sort of
punishment from you and the boys, so I guess it's about time I learn what all the hypes about." Nicki appeared as if she stopped breathing for several minutes
but then finally managed to find her voice, "I'm going to call the mental hospital and let them know I have a patient for them." Andy shook her head, "pretty
sure I'll survive, after all, you, Jack and Sean are all still here." "That's because neither one of us try to get into trouble every day," Nicki picked up. "What are
you talking about, I went a whole weekend without getting into trouble," Andy sounded pleased with herself. "On second thought, maybe you should feign
temporary insanity, you might be able to get off without getting 2 weeks to life or an uncomfortable backside," Nicki suggested. "It's just my first offense at
school, I should get off with a warning," Andy remembered something Jamie had told her about the three-strikes law. "Yeah but it's not your first offense with
Uncle Danny," Nicki contradicted, "needless to say the second he walks through that door," Nicki pointed to a door down the hall that had a bright orange sign
above it that read EXIT, "I'm running." "You know something normally I would say that's a good idea, but then you would get in trouble for running in the halls,
and then Uncle Danny would have to make room for your mom in the principal's office and they would both get to hear how uncontrollable us Reagan kids are."
Nicki just looked at her, "you're enjoying this aren't you?" Andy chuckled, "every minute of it. "Yeah well enjoy that for now," Nicki stood, "because here comes
the detective." Danny walked in and started straight for them and Nicki decided that now would be the best time to disappear. "Freeze," she heard her uncle's
voice. Nicki stopped and dropped her head as she turned around. "I didn't do anything Uncle Danny, I promise," Nicki said immediately trying to cover her
tracks. "Just hang on a minute," Danny held up a hand to silence her, "I never said you did, I just may need you to corroborate her story," Danny said taking a
seat next to his daughter, who had yet to say a word since she saw Danny walk through the door. Danny looked at her, "so you want to tell me what
happened?" "Why don't you just ask them," Andy said hotly as she nodded at the door to the principal's office? "Show some respect Andy," Danny chided
gently. Andy sighed, "it was just a little misunderstanding." "The principal certainly didn't call it a misunderstanding on the phone," Danny replied. "Why ask me
if you are going to automatically tell me the crap the principal says," Andy said louder than usual as she stood up frustrated. "Andrea sit down," Danny tried to
keep his voice low considering they were just outside the office, although she was beginning to tempt him to raise it. "I always try to get my children's side of
the story, before I immediately jump to conclusions," Danny informed her. "That's a bit more reassuring I guess," Andy stuttered. "It wasn't completely her fault
Uncle Danny honest," Nicki spoke up. "I'll talk to you in a minute," Danny eyed her, telling her that now would be the perfect time to practice the keeping of her
mouth shut. "Yes Sir," Nicki picked up on his translation. "Alright Andy, you want to tell me what happened," Danny tried again, "this time calmly." "Considering
you are going to find out any ways, I might as well," Andy sighed, "we were playing basketball, and I don't know but I guess I was doing pretty good, anyway
she said the coaches and stuff were looking for new players for the team, and I guess she thought that I would be asked instead of her." Danny leaned back,
"well that doesn't seem like a reason to fight, but I guess I should get it over with and go talk to your principal." Danny stood not even considering that there
was more to the story and that Andy threw the first punch. "Mrs. Couric, I'm Danny Reagan, Andy's father," Danny shook the tall bulky woman's hand, the
woman's hair was piled up in the form of a bun on the top of her head, and she certainly didn't appear friendly, in fact she reminded him very much of a woman
at his school that he used to have nightmares about when he was a child himself. "Good evening Mr. Reagan, I apologize for having to call you to come down
here, especially on Andy's first day." "Its fine Mrs. Couric, I understand, I would just like to know what happened," Danny sounded confused trying to put it all
together. Mrs. Couric related the beginning of the story to Danny, the same story that was similar to that of what Andy said, only she added the ending with
Andy throwing the first punch, and rather dominating the fight. Danny looked at her confused, "I asked Andy about what happened, and she didn't say
anything about that." "It's the same story and details the coaches and many of the students that witnessed the fight related to me." "Are you sure, they saw
everything?" Danny wanted to clarify before he had another talk with Andy. "Many of the students were on the court with Andy and Carly at the time of the
fight," Mrs. Couric explained, "and Nicki Reagan Boyle was one of them, and surely you believe your own niece Mr. Reagan," the principal had a point. "I'll talk to
Nicki," Danny reassured them, "she has never lied to me." "We assumed you would, but as for Andy, considering this is her first day, and she has never been in
trouble before, we will let her off with a warning," Mrs. Couric started, "all we ask as that you explain the seriousness of her actions, we tried, but we didn't
seem to do any good." "That I will I can assure you," Danny was serious as he stood and walked out of the office. Stepping through the doorway, Danny
looked down at Andy and Nicki who were still waiting patiently on the wood finished bench that appeared as if it had been there for 50 years at least. "Let's
go," was all he said as he nodded at the door. The girls stood and followed him out the door, both starring at the ground, Nicki feeling low, despite the fact she
didn't do anything wrong, at least nothing she could think of that they could have told him. Sliding into the car, Danny looked at Nicki, "call your mom, and tell
her that I'm taking you home with me and she can pick you up after work." "Yes Sir," Nicki figured that considering he didn't appear to be in a very good mood,
now was one of those times to use manners. The drive home was mostly in silence, aside from the time Nicki was on the phone with Erin and Danny was on
the phone with Linda, and Jackie, when he called her to tell her he probably wouldn't be back to work unless he had to. After walking through the front door,
Danny motioned for Nicki to take a seat on the couch and Andy to go to her room. Walking into her bedroom, Andy fell back on her bed as she mumbled to
herself, "here we go again." "Mrs. Couric told me what happened," Danny said taking a seat next to Nicki, "but I was hoping you could elaborate a bit more on
the details." Nicki relayed the story to Danny, very similar to that of Mrs. Couric's story, aside from the added comments that Andy said to adjetate Carly, and
the ball throwing retaliation that Carly did. "I see," Danny was beginning to see a much clearer picture. "In other words, Carly started it by being jealous of
Andy's skills I guess you could say, but Andy finished it," Nicki didn't want to straight up tell him that Andy started the actual fight, but she had a feeling he
knew that already. Danny leaned back and sighed, "I can understand the comments, considering Carly had no business saying them to her to begin with, but
why the fight," he asked himself aloud. Nicki shrugged, she knew he wasn't exactly talking to her, but she decided to reply anyways. "I don't know," Nick
shrugged, "but I'm kind of glad Andy fought her and won, Carly has been asking for it for a long time." Hearing Nicki's words, Danny stopped and looked at her.
"Really Nicki," was all he said. "Hey she deserved it," Nicki picked up for herself, although she had a feeling her Uncle wasn't exactly pleased with her
comments. "Yeah but Andy didn't know about Carly before today," Danny made a point. "I guess she found out," Nicki mentioned. "Okay that's enough from you
and your helpful hints," Danny was serious. Nicki sighed, she didn't think there was anything else that she could possibly say to help Andy, at least not without
getting into trouble herself. "So are we done here," she asked? "Yeah," Danny replied dreading the upstairs talk he was going to have to have with his
daughter. "In that case, I'm going to go raid your kitchen," Nicki pointed to the kitchen.
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It wasn't long and Erin was there to pick up Nicki, and Linda called saying she would be home with a pizza after she picked the boys up from soccer practice.
Leaving father and daughter home alone, Danny decided that now was the perfect time to discuss the error in her actions. Danny slowly made his way up the
stairs, and gently knocked on the door. "It's open," Andy replied with little to no enthusiasm whatsoever. Before Danny had a chance to say anything, Andy
tried picking up for herself. "Dad come on, I know you're mad," Andy started. "Mad," Danny interrupted, "I'm not mad, I'm furious. Do you want to have a bad
reputation at the school, and make the entire administration office know you by name and all the teachers dreading to teach you because you cause trouble?"
Danny yelled. "Well no, not exactly," Andy didn't know what to say. "Then why," Danny was trying to gain a hold of his temper. "It wasn't done intentionally,"
Andy admitted, "it just sort of happened, and before I knew what I was doing, I just hit her." "Listen Andy, I can tolerate you trying to stop a fight, or you even
being involved in a fight, but one thing I can't tolerate is you starting them," Danny knew he was going to have to just come right out and say it, in order to
make any headway with her. "Hey some people are stupid and deserved to be smacked," Andy spoke up interrupting his chain of thought. "And I'm not going
to argue with you," Danny partially agreed with her. "But that doesn't mean you have to be the one to hit them, in fact sometimes it's just best to ignore
people and their actions." "But I just can't do that, sometimes it just annoys me so bad," Andy was aggravated that he wasn't seeing her point of view. "Fine,"
Danny didn't exactly want to end their conversation but he knew that sometimes when your children refuse to understand the importance of walking away you
just had to get serious, especially considering he didn't want his child to be a bully. "I am going to overlook this starting of a fight, but only this once. Because if
you feel that you can't overlook others actions, I won't be able to overlook your actions, and will have no other choice but to show my disapproval in some
major discipline. Do you understand?" Andy didn't really like where the conversation was ending, but she had to admit he had a point. Considering he was
doing the same thing she was doing, not overlooking. "Hmm," Andy thought about their predicament for a moment, she wasn't exactly scared of a spanking, or
getting grounded for that matter, but that didn't mean she wanted to open herself up for it. "Maybe we can compromise on this, I will try not to get into any
fights, and attempt this thing you call walking away, but you have to be understanding in the essence of a fall back to my old ways." "Andy this isn't let's make
a deal, besides I think I'm being more than generous considering you could be facing some straight up unpleasant consequences right now," Danny didn't
sound like he was willing to take part in her compromise. "Come on Danny, it's not like I went in wanting to fight, it just happened, and sometimes I just can't
help myself." Danny blew out a breath, "alright fine, but you have to promise me, that you are going to try to avoid this other kid, and all the other kids that
may want to fight." This time it was Andy's turn to breathe heavily, "I'll try," Andy paused, "but it isn't going to be easy." "Just promise me that you will try, and
considering it was your first day, and your first offense at school," Danny was sure to put emphasis on the words at school, we will forget it." "I promise," Andy
mumbled getting the feeling that today just wasn't her day.
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Later that evening as the family sat down for dinner, Linda began by wanting to know all about Andy's first day. "Aside from the fight, how was school?" "It was
fine," Andy mumbled still trying to figure out how she was going to avoid Carly the next day and fighting all together. Then again she really didn't think Carly
would exactly bother her again, considering she did send her to the nurse's office. "What was your favorite class," Linda was really trying to get to know her
daughter better and better? "Gym," Andy answered honestly. "Aside from gym," Linda was trying to get an answer a bit more academically. "I don't know, Andy
sighed, I don't really have one." "What about English, History, or Science," Linda recommended a series of subjects? "Neither," Andy was trying to cut the
conversation short. "I don't really feel like talking. Can I be excused?" Andy looked over at Danny. "Go ahead," Danny nodded. Andy left the table in a hurry,
and Linda looked at Danny questioningly, "she hasn't eaten much of anything," Linda started to stand and go after her. "Let her go Linda," Danny spoke up, "I
think she's just upset over what happened." "Andy regret something she got herself into," Linda looked confused, "and here I thought I'd never see the day."
Danny smiled, "odder things than that happen every day." "So what did you give her for fighting," Linda asked changing the subject. "Nothing," Danny replied
taking a sip from his glass of water. "What! Nothing!" Sean couldn't help but voice his disapproval. "That's it!" Sean threw his napkin across the table, "how
many times is she going to get away with something, that I would normally get nearly killed for doing?" "Sean Daniel," Linda glared at the boy that sat across
from her. Jack didn't say anything, he was too busy catching flies with his mouth that appeared as if his chin had done dropped 2 feet. Danny didn't say
anything, the only thing he was thinking was that Sean had better be glad that he wasn't sitting right next to him. "Go to your room," Linda ordered. After
Sean left the table Linda added looking over at her husband, "I don't know what has gotten into that boy?" "I might," Danny spoke up, "and I'll talk to him
after dinner," Danny reassured her. Jack didn't want to speak or move, but knew he needed to get away from the table, and what seemed like ten minutes but
was really only ten seconds, Jack managed to find his squeaky voice, "can I be excused?" "Sure Jack," Danny nodded at the child of his that managed to not
get into trouble that day. Jack nearly knocked his chair over in an attempt to get away from the table, and Danny couldn't help but chuckle, "Jack you are not in
trouble, why are you in such a hurry." Jack just looked at him, "hold that thought until later," Jack scurried up the stairs.
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Danny knocked on his youngest bedroom door, "come in," Sean said quietly. Danny took a seat on his son's bed, and motioned for Sean to join him, "my
decision to not punish your sister is none of your business, but I think you should know that the circumstances revolving her fighting were different than yours,
the last time you got into a fight. Not that I actually approved of her reasons either, but I did see some slight reason in it, not to mention it was her first day at
a place that she was straight up terrified of," Danny paused. "Do you understand?" "I guess so," Sean mumbled. "Listen son, I understand how you can feel a
bit at odds with your sister, or even me, considering you feel that she doesn't get punished for things that you feel she should, in fact I felt the same way
several times when I was growing up with your Aunt Erin and Uncle Joe," Danny thought that now was one of those times to explain that he understood and
felt those same feelings before. "Really," Sean's voice sounded as if it was returning to normal. "Sure did," Danny nodded, "and your grandpa would do the
same thing to me that I'm doing with you now." "He did," Sean asked surprised? Danny nodded, "anytime he thought that me or any of the others felt that we
were being treated differently, he would always come up and talk to us and try to explain things to us." "Grandpa had a good idea," Sean smiled. Danny
laughed, "I thought so too when I was your age," Danny said hugging him. "Now I have managed to keep your mother from coming up here so far and
strangling you because of your behavior at the dinner table, but I would suggest you walk softly the rest of the evening, if you know what I mean," Danny was
trying to give him a few pointers in avoiding an irate mother. "Yes Sir," Sean said to show Danny that he understood loud and clear.
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"Andy it's me Jack can I come in," Jack knocked quietly on the door to his sister's bedroom. "Sure," Andy said looking through a few CD's, trying to figure out
which one to listen to. "So what's up," Jack said taking a seat across from her on the floor. "You are finished with dinner already," Andy asked kind of surprised?
"Dinner was cut short based on near bloodshed," Jack enlightened her. "And I missed somebody else nearly getting killed aside from myself," Andy sounded a
bit disappointed. "Yeah it was great you should have seen it, if looks could kill, Sean would be dead right now, mom looked like she was about to come across
the table, and Dad well, it looked like Dad quit breathing for a second, and let's just say it's a good thing I was the one sitting next to him and not Sean." "All
the good stuff happens when I'm not around," Andy said after listening intently to Jacks story. "So what you doing," Jack asked changing the subject? "I don't
know, just trying to think through a few things," Andy replied. "Like what," Jack asked curiously? "Oh I don't know, it's just this lifestyle is harder to adapt to
then I thought it would be," Andy admitted to her brother, "all I seem to do is get into trouble." "Trouble," Jack felt her forehead. "You just got off scot-free for
starting a fight, are you sure you are feeling alright?" Andy smiled slightly and shoved his hand away, "I feel fine Jack, and it's not that." "Then what is it," Jack
asked? "Dad wants me to actually try to avoid fighting, and in my opinion, that's downright impossible." Jack chuckled, "all I can say is you are just going to
have to try Andy, because Dad never overlooks an offense twice. "But I'm kind of glad Dad decided to overlook it this times," Jack added. "I was just getting
used to having a sister and would hate for him to kill you." This time it was Andy's turn to laugh, "thanks Jack." "Anytime, not to mention that with you here,
mom and dad are too busy with you being in trouble to keep a constant eye on me, and I get a bit more leeway." Andy looked at him shocked as she reached
up for her pillow and smacked him with it, "thanks a lot little brother." Jack reached up on the bed to grab another pillow and before either of them knew it,
they were having an innocent little pillow fight, all the while trying to avoid not breaking anything and keep the noise down to a minimum in order to keep Linda
from coming up there. Danny walked passed the partially open door but stopped when he heard the two giggling and laughing at one another, peeking in, he
couldn't help but smile when the two simultaneously smacked one another in the head with the pillows, causing them both to rock and fall onto the bed in a fit
of laughter. Danny gently closed the door all the way in order to keep Linda from hearing them just in case she got suspicious and then put a hold on their little
bit of fun, that he didn't really seem bothered by unless they broke the bed, especially if it got Andy to loosen up. As Danny walked down the stairs he silently
thanked God, for his son's ability to get Andy talking and loosening up after a rough day.
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The following days went much smoother for all members of the Reagan family and all were looking forward to Friday. That is until Friday came along and things
changed. It was Friday afternoon, and Andy was just walking down the hall to her class after lunch. The class was math, needless to say she wasn't in a very
big hurry to get there, considering she hated the subject. She was just rounding the corner, when she discovered that there were several others not
interested on being in time for class, and instead more interested in the fight that was taking place in the middle of the hall. Just walk away, just walk away, she
repeated the phrase Danny had taught her. She was seconds from doing just that, but she couldn't help but stop, when she noticed they were fighting a
student much younger than themselves. Nicki made eye contact with Andy and shook her head no, but that obviously didn't do much to help the situation
considering Andy never stopped walking. The heck with just walking away, Andy threw caution to the wind and approached the circle. "Excuse me," Andy pushed
her way through the small group. "You seriously need to learn that if you are going to fight, pick on someone your own size." There goes her mouth getting the
better of her again, Nicki thought as she considered pulling out her cell phone and getting a call out to her aunt and uncle, to save time, considering there was
no way this was going to end well. "Sounds like someone here needs to learn to mind their own business," the other a student a girl that neither Andy nor
Nicki knew her name, since she appeared to be at least three grades ahead of Andy. Andy didn't know the girl, and she was more than certain that she could
take her, yet another certain phrase Jamie had told after he had heard of her first fight repeated in her head. Sometimes it's just as important to take a punch,
than it is to throw a punch. "Dang," Andy muttered thinking that now was the time to enact Jamie's slogan thinking that getting the girl to quit picking on a
younger student would be a good idea, considering if the girl continued to mess with her, she could actually fight her, then again it wouldn't solve much and
decided that if she persisted she could also do Danny's second bit of advice, beat them intelligently, and bring out the ipecac. It didn't take many words on
Andy's part to get the bullies complete attention and give the younger kid, Andy thought his name was Mark and who had to be at least a year younger than
her own brother Sean a chance to disappear. This in turn only got her slammed face first into the lockers for her trouble. The palm of her hand was in pain, and
although she didn't look down, she was for sure it was bleeding due to the fact she felt skin trapped into the handle of the locker and then ripped out, after
she found herself getting slammed into the locker a second time. By now she was seeing stars and forgot all about the pain in her hand since her head was
now pounding. She was silently hoping that someone would hurry up and break up the fight, knowing that if she sustained one more slam to the locker, she
wasn't going to be held responsible for the other girl's injuries. The third and final slam came, only this time Andy was anticipating it and counteracted with a
twist of her own arm to grab ahold of the bullies and reek a little revenge. She had just managed to slam her against the lockers a couple of times when a
teacher walked out and broke it up. Andy was quick to hide her hand in her pocket in order to hide the blood in order to avoid an unwanted trip to the nurse's
office, and instead just get the trip to the principal's office over with. By now the crowd of witnesses was thinning and most of them found themselves running
away, not wanting be called in as an innocent bystander. Sitting again in front of Mrs. Couric's desk, neither Andy nor the bully in which Andy learned her name
was Tracie Sanders spoke regarding how the fight started. With both of them refusing to talk, and instead spent their time glaring at one another, both of them
just waiting for the opportunity to finish the fight, Mrs. Couric had no other alternative but to call their parents, considering the school already had a no fight
policy. Considering she couldn't stare at her hands due to the bleeding, she had no other choice but to stare at the floor while she waited for Danny.
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"Mrs. Couric tends to believe that you started it," Danny started to explain later that afternoon, after he took a seat in Andy's desk chair to talk things through.
"But you know what I think," Danny said gently before Andy had a chance to say anything, "I don't believe it was an intentional fight." Andy started to answer
but Danny interrupted her. "Perhaps the wrong place at the wrong time." "Dang it," Andy muttered. This would be a lot easier if he would just believe the
principal and punish her, so she could just get it over with. Unfortunately for her, he had to investigate everything. "Listen Andy, the only thing I expect from my
kids is to tell me the truth." "There isn't much I can say Dad," Andy was frustrated. She wanted to tell him the truth, yet she wasn't sure, she didn't think he
would be mad, maybe just disappointed and in some ways him being mad and just punishing her would be much easier on her than disappointing him. "You
know what I think," Danny started again. Andy shook her head. "I think you were in a fight, but you didn't start out to be." He was getting close, Andy's mind
was flipping. Dang he must be good at his job, she figured. "You know how I can tell," he continued. Andy remained silent and instead shook her head. "Look at
your hands," Danny ran two fingers across her knuckles. "Nowhere on the top of your hands is there a mark, yet you have a gash on one of your palms, that
comes from what I expect was from being shoved up against a locker, and that is how you got the bruise that is beginning to form on your head." Andy hung
her head, "case closed," she mumbled. "Are you mad," Andy asked? "No," Danny replied. "I didn't think you would be," Andy replied. "Then why didn't you want
to tell me," he asked? "I was afraid you were going to be disappointed in me." "Awe Andy," Danny leaned back, "I'm not disappointed, I'm more proud of you
than anything." "Are you really," Andy's face appeared as if she was begging for the truth. "Yes," Danny said gently. "You see you did what you thought was
right, despite the fact you knew it would get you into trouble," Danny was talking about the weeks detention she received. "Not to mention you took a lot
before you fought back, which is another thing I'm proud of." Andy looked at him confused, "you mean you are actually proud of me for fighting?" "I'm not glad
that you got hurt or anything, but I am glad that you showed restraint at the beginning," Danny started, "I want my children to stand up for themselves," he
explained, "that doesn't mean to say that I think you should fight everyone anytime you disagree over something, but protecting another student is different.
Protecting people is what this family does for a living," Danny added smiling, "and I guess that just goes to show how much of a Reagan you really are."
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Hearing that he was proud of her, was the best thing she thought she had ever heard in her life, other than the time they told her they were going to adopt
her, and the day they told her she could move in. No one had ever told her that they were proud of her, but she figured that was what you got when you spent
the beginning of your life with people who could care less about you, or any trouble you got yourself into. But this family, this family was different. All this family
did was care and never stopped, regardless of the trouble she seemed to find on a regular basis. That night, despite the fact her head was a little bruised, and
Linda had a bandage wrapped around her hand, she couldn't help but think of how lucky she was and how that if she was dreaming, she hoped she never
woke up.
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Thanks for all the follows and reviews, I love reading them. I am only expecting 2 more chapters in this story, a part 1 and part 2. But I would like to write a series of stories about Andy Reagan and her adventures as she goes through life. Let me know if you think it's a good idea... JusticeStandsTRUE
