CH. 20 You Always Have a Choice
"Why didn't I just keep walking that night," Andy asked herself aggravated? Aggravated at her recent turn of events and how something so long ago could
change her circumstances now. Then again she figured that Frank Reagan must have been right when he said that any trouble you get into will eventually find
you out, no matter how much you try to hide it. Then again she couldn't help but regret some of the things of her past, and at that particular moment she was
regretting that she would have listened to Jack and just tell Danny what happened, but then again she didn't think she had a choice. If Danny would have
known, she was beyond sure that he would chase after it, and that could just get him hurt, and Andy just couldn't live with herself if something happened to
the man that saved her life, in more ways than one. And again she repeated the phrase to herself, you didn't have a choice.
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Danny drove around the dark neighborhood he found Andy in that night not so many months ago. In some ways it seemed like it was just yesterday, and in
other ways much longer. After parking the car, Danny approached the same area he was at when he first saw her. Turning around, he saw a small shadow in
the distance in the corner of his eye. The shadow appeared to be the same height as Andy, then again he couldn't be certain due to the darkness in the alley.
There was only one way to find out, but then again he knew that if he startled her too much, she may try running from him, and the last thing he wanted was
to have a repeat from the first time he caught her. Being careful to avoid being seen, Danny dodged around the different corners, until he was almost directly
behind her. "Andy," Danny said placing a hand on her shoulder, being careful to get a grip of her jacket just in case she started to run. "Dad," Andy said turning
around to face him, all though her face appeared as if she was looking in all directions, partially appearing as if she was half considering trying to get away.
"Don't even think about it kid," Danny didn't miss the face expression. "You have to let me go Danny, it's for your own good," Andy tried. "Andy, I know about
Brock," Danny looked at her serious. "Did Jack squeal," Andy wasn't sure if she was mad or glad that Jack told? "Hey, he cut school for you," Danny informed
her. "Hmm, Andy shrugged, maybe he's not so bad to keep around after all." "So do you want to tell me how all this got started," Danny ushered her over to a
nearby park bench, where they could talk? "It's a long story," Andy placed her head in her hands. "We've got all night," Danny looked at his watch, "and it's
just now midnight." "When I was about nine, I was walking in Chinatown." "Whoa, wait a minute," Danny interrupted, "what were you doing in Chinatown late
at night, that wasn't a safe place to be." "Give me a break Dad, it was just one of those times that I ran off from my foster home." Danny didn't look thrilled, but
let it pass so she could get on with the story. "Anyway," Andy started again. "I had just seen a cop that I was trying to avoid so I dodged down an alley when I
saw Trace and Brock beating up a guy Tyson that I knew from my neighborhood. Tyson was apparently trying to skip town in order to get away from them, but
they caught up with him anyways, and when they did, they beat him to death." "And you saw all this," Danny asked clarifying? "Yes," Andy nodded. "And they
saw you," Danny asked another question? "They did, but didn't think it was important, since I was primarily a street kid, and even if I would tell, why would
anyone believe me, considering the cops and I weren't exactly best friends." "Why did they just now get concerned that you would tell someone," Danny
thought it was odd, "considering it happened three years ago?" "They found out that a cop adopted me, and were afraid that I would tell you." "Did they
threaten you," Danny asked his voice showing a hint of anger, thinking about somebody hurting his daughter? "They said they would go after Jack and Sean, if
I didn't leave," Andy felt as if a weight was lifted off of her as she finished the story. "And so that's why you ran away," Danny clarified? "I didn't think I had a
choice," Andy said honestly. "Awe Andy," Danny shook his head. "You always have a choice. You could have come to me at any time, you know that right,"
Danny questioned? "Listen Andy, you have to learn to trust me okay," Danny said gently, "that's what families do." "I know, but I was worried about you, mom,
and the boys," Andy tried to pick up for herself. "I could have protected us Andy, you understand that right, it's my job to protect people, and that includes
those that are most precious to me, such as my family." "Yeah but Trace is," Andy started. "Just another criminal like the hundreds of others I've put behind
bars." Andy looked down and shivered. "Are you cold," Danny asked? "A little," Andy sounded tired. Pulling off his jacket, Danny placed it around her shoulders.
"What about you," Andy looked up at him. "Don't worry about me, that's not your job. But it's my job to worry about you," Danny said seriously. A tear slid
down Andy's cheek, her heart heavy, the past recent events just getting too much for her, "I'm sorry I got you into all this trouble." "Come here," Danny pulled
her closer to him wrapping his arms around her, "don't worry about me, none of this was your fault." "So you are not mad at me," Andy asked carefully? "No,"
Danny shook his head. "I'm just glad to have you back with me."
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It was almost 2:00 am by the time Danny brought Andy home and they had her and the boys in bed. Both Jack and Sean too worried about Andy to sleep
before they saw her walk through the door with their father. "What are you going to do," Linda asked later that night after the kids were all in bed? "I'm going
to find them and bring them to justice," Danny was serious. "Nobody messes with my children and gets away with it," a flash of anger crossed Danny's face as
he said the words. "And what are you going to do after you find them," Linda asked? "Arrest them, and then there will be a trial." "And are you so sure they
will get convicted?" "Positive," Danny replied, "I have a witness." "Would you really put our daughter through that, having to testify right there in court, in front
of those that tried to take her away from us." "I wouldn't make her," Danny clarified, "but if she wanted to, I wouldn't mind." "I don't mind testifying, in fact I
want to do it," Andy said walking in on her parent's conversation. "I don't know Andy, I'm not sure if I want you to have to go through that," Linda was
concerned. "But I have to testify, otherwise the case will fall through right," she looked over at her dad. "We can find another way," Danny didn't want to put
her through something she wasn't ready for, despite the fact there was a slim chance the case would fall right through without her testimony. "I want to do it,"
Andy said again after thinking about it for a few minutes. "That's admirable Andy," Linda started, "but seeing that you are still a minor, you have to have your
parent's consent," she explained. "Dad," Andy looked at Danny seriously. "Will you allow it?" "Honestly I think we should let you decide," Danny looked at Andy
remembering what he told Linda just a week ago, about them not learning to be independent if they didn't trust them. "In that case, I want to do it." "Are you
sure," Linda asked? "Mom, Trask got away with you it in the beginning because I was too scared to come forward, but I'm not afraid anymore, I'm putting my
trust in Dad," Andy for one of the first times in her life was learning to depend on someone else rather than herself.
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Several days passed, neither of the Reagan's letting Andy out of their sight, each of them taking shifts while Linda worked at the hospital and Danny worked
the one case that was on his mind, and that was to take Brock and Trace down. Andy certainly didn't mind being taken out of school for a series of days, but
she thought it got to be a little monotonous after they wouldn't let her go outside alone. She was spending the day with Jamie at his apartment on his day off,
and Andy was certain they had already played at least a hundred hands of poker. "By know you owe me at least $80,000 dollars," Andy said checking the
notepad. "Hmm," Jamie smirked, "put it on my tab." "So will I get the money, in time for me to buy a car after I get my driver's license," Andy asked joking? "No,
but you might get it in enough time to help pay for college," Jamie went along with it. Andy moaned, "I'm not going to college." "Why not," Jamie looked at her,
"you could be second generation to go to Harvard after me." "Because I don't like school to begin with," Andy was speaking the flat out truth. "Then what are
you thinking about doing for a career," Jamie asked wondering about her plans. "Oh I don't know, I've kind of thought about being a cop." "Really," this time it
was Jamie's turn to sound surprised. "Why not, they do some pretty cool things, and it pays better than being a criminal." "Now that," Jamie pointed at her, "is
correct." "I'm back," Danny announced walking through the front door of his brother's apartment. "Hey big brother," Jamie replied. "Your kid is getting really
good at this poker thing." "Taking after her old man," Danny high fived her. The three talked for a few more minutes, before Danny glanced at his watch and
noticed that they were going to be needing to get home. "Andy," Danny looked at her, "go pack your stuff up while I talk to your uncle."
"Hey if you wanted to get rid of me, all you had to do is say so," Andy could tell what Danny wanted. "Just go," Danny pointed to the other room. "Fine," Andy
held up her hands in surrender, "you win." As soon as Andy went into the other room and closed the door, Danny looked at this brother. "Would you be willing
to go out on a limb with me when I get a lead on the case?" "Of course," Jamie was more than willing to go after the people that threatened his niece. "But I
want to do this on our own, without a bunch of backup, I want to keep it in the family," Danny explained before he got Jamie into trouble. "I understand," Jamie
nodded. "You understand that Dad probably won't be happy with either one of us for doing this right," Danny wanted to make sure that Jamie understood, that
there was a good chance they would get jammed up over it. "I get it Danny, I want these guys as bad as you do for worrying her like they did, regardless of
what Dad will do to us." "Great," Danny stood, "I was hoping you would feel that way." "But what are we going to do for a warrant," Jamie stopped him. Danny
smiled, "I was kind of hoping Erin would feel the same way as we do and help us out." This time it was Jamie's turn to smile, "her only niece, yeah she will
help," Jamie said seeing the future.
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Several days later, when Andy thought she was just about to go insane due to all the rules imposed on her for her protection, Danny was finally able to get a
lead on the case. "Erin," Danny said rushing into his sisters office without even bothering to knock. "Knock much older brother," Erin was just putting a file
away? "Erin I need you to get me a warrant, its important." "Danny, I just can't stop and get you a warrant anytime you need one," Erin ignored him. "Erin it's
for the guys that threatened Andy," Danny turned serious. Erin stopped and looked at him, "I'll see what I can do," she said picking up her phone. Hanging up
the phone, Erin sighed, "I got you a warrant." "That's great," Danny was just about ready to run out of the office. "Danny wait," Erin stopped him. "What do
you plan on doing, when you catch him," Erin was concerned, knowing her brother had a tendency to step over the line when it came to his family. "I was kind
of hoping he would run and I would get to shoot him," Danny admitted playfully. "I didn't hear that Detective," Erin shook her head. "I'll be fine Erin, besides I'll
have Jamie with me." "That's still doesn't make me feel better, especially with the two of you together, and when you both feel so strong about the cause."
"Erin, trust me, I will be fine," Danny tried again. "Danny, you know everything will have to be by the book, if you don't want him to walk on a mere technicality,
not to mention, you cross the line with police brutality and you know the judge will throw that type of case out in a second." "Erin, I know," Danny was serious,
"and I'm not going to let that happen." "Oh and Erin, do me a favor and don't tell dad Jamie and I are doing this one alone." "Danny, you know he isn't going to
be happy, about this," Erin tried. "Tell me something I don't know Erin," Danny said, "but I will deal with Dad later, after I have this murderer behind bars." "I
understand Danny, just promise me that you will be careful, Dad couldn't handle loosing anymore children," Erin placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will Erin, I
wouldn't want to put Dad through something like that again," Danny hugged her before hurrying out of the office and into the car to pick up his brother.
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"Jamie, I've got an address, and I've got a warrant," Danny said driving with his lights on. "Great, I'll be ready when you get here," Jamie said grabbing his
badge and securing his gun to his side. "So where is this address at," Jamie asked a few minutes later while Danny drove to their location? "Wrong side of
town that's for sure, so watch your back when we get there," Danny said pulling up to an old rundown set of apartment buildings. "Always," Jamie said looking
around, half of him wishing they would have brought back up, after he got a glimpse of the neighborhood and apartment. "So how do you want to do this,"
Jamie asked before stepping out of the car? "I don't guess surrounding them will work," Danny said half teasing. "I doubt it," Jamie agreed. "In that case if
there are only the two of them around, I'll get one and you get the other," Danny replied. "And what if there are more," Jamie stated the obvious problem. "We
will face that problem when we get to it," Danny said pulling his gun out. "Good plan," Jamie shook his head thinking the exact opposite. "You got any better
ideas," Danny knew what he was thinking. "Well not at the moment, other than be prepared for anything," Jamie mentioned. "Actually I have a better idea,"
Danny said looking up. "From the intel that I got, his room number is supposed to have a fire escape right outside of it, one of us can take the fire escape, and
the other can use the door, and sort of surround them." Jamie shrugged, "you know that just might work," he said before climbing up the fire escape. "Give me
a few minutes to get up the stairs, before you charge in," Danny reminded him. "I wasn't born yesterday big brother, I know that much," Jamie kept climbing.
Minutes later, and Danny was at the front door of the apartment, after knocking on the door, a man Danny recognized as Brock from Jack's description opened
the door. "I have a warrant for the arrest of Brock Ketcham and Trace Johnson for the murder of one Tyson Gordon," Danny announced. Brock didn't say
anything, rather he tried slamming the door on Danny as he and another man, Danny figured to be Trace run for the fire escape, just as Jamie surprised hem by
diving through the open door, being careful to knock one of them down in the process. Getting the cuffs on the two offenders was easy enough, but what
neither Danny nor Jamie expected was to be met at the front door of the building with the rest of their gang members. Danny and Jamie exchanged worrisome
glances, as the right words to say, ran through Danny's head. "Since neither of you have done anything wrong yet, I do not have the grounds to arrest any of
you. So if you all just back away, and do the right thing, in going about your business, we can forget about this little non-cooperation with the NYPD." The rest
of the members looked around at one another, almost appearing as if they were considering their options. Neither of the members said anything, and much to
both Danny and Jamie's surprise they backed away, and Danny was able to drop them off at the precinct without much trouble. "We literally dodged a bullet on
that one," Jamie sighed looking over at his brother later that afternoon. "You're telling me," Danny said shaking his head, "but I am beginning to understand
why no one has ever wanted to get involved with Trace." "Do you think Dad is going to be mad at us, when he finds out?" "There is not a doubt in my mind,"
Danny didn't know what else to say other than, "you better bring some earplugs, because by the time he is through yelling at us, neither one of us is going to
be able to hear very well."
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Two days later, and Danny had Andy at the precinct, for Erin to prepare her for the court hearing. "But how can you be certain Miss Reagan, the murder was
three years ago, and just as you said, it was dark, and how can you be sure that the accused was the killer, Erin was pretending to be opposing counsel. "I
wasn't standing very far away," Andy shook her head. "And why didn't you come forward sooner," Erin pushed on with the next question? "Alright Counselor, I
think she's got it," Danny didn't like the way his sister was going after his daughter. "Danny, this is exactly what opposing counsel is going to do," Erin replied.
"I'm just trying to prepare her." "Would you two please stop talking like I'm not even here," Andy didn't seem bothered by the line of questioning. "Don't
interrupt adults when they are talking," Danny corrected. "I thought this was about me," Andy looked confused. "It is, but your father and I are in the middle of
a disagreement." "In that case I think I will call Grandpa and tell him you two are too busy fighting, and ask him to come pick me up, because we are not
making any head way this way." Erin and Danny stopped fighting and just looked at her shocked, "you know she would make a great lawyer," Erin replied.
"Absolutely not," Andy replied, "I would never be able to survive sitting in an office all day." I don't stay in an office all day, I'm here right now, aren't I?" "Yeah,"
Andy agreed. "But I have been talking to Uncle Jamie, and he never has to sit in an office," Andy had a point. "No, but he has to sit in a car most of the day,"
Erin replied. "At least he gets to drive fast," Andy shrugged. "Danny don't you have something to say, while your daughter is picking her career choice," Erin
looked over at her brother who had yet to say something in the passed several minutes. "Not especially," Danny shook his head. "She can do anything she
wants, as long as it isn't a criminal or a firefighter."
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The Reagan's were just sitting down to family dinner, Danny and Jamie saying very few words and instead just exchanged glances, knowing that it was just a
matter of time before they found themselves closed up in their fathers study where they would probably get yelled at for an hour or so straight. "So how did
the arrest go," Erin asked already knowing the details of the arrest, just content in making her brothers more uncomfortable than they already were? If looks
could kill, Erin would have been dead, due to the looks she was receiving from Danny and Jamie, then again if looks could kill, Danny and Jamie would have
been dead a long time ago, because of the way Franks gaze settled on both boys. "What are you guys talking about," Andy asked looking confused? "Eat your
dinner Andy," Linda was quick to correct her daughter. "But Dad said," Andy obviously missed Linda's few words of wisdom. "Andrea, listen to your mother,"
Danny raised his voice. Andy fell silent and returned back to her plate, there was no mistaking Danny's warning. "How come when we get into trouble,
everyone at the table can discuss it, but when one of you gets into trouble, that conversation topic is immediately off limits," Nicki asked looking at her Uncle
Danny? "Eat your dinner Nicki," Danny found himself saying the same phrase his wife did just moments ago.
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"I only have one question for you," Frank said looking at Danny later that afternoon while he, Danny and Jamie took a few minutes in the study of Frank's
home. Danny had a feeling he already knew what that question was, but figured now was not the time to come up with a smart remark. "Yes Sir," Danny stood
straighter just waiting for his father to lose his temper at him and his brother. "Why would you place yourself into a position such as you did and not take
back-up," Frank was just waiting to hear the explanation? "Well Dad," Danny scratched his head, "I did have back-up, I had Jamie." "I understand that Son, but
you have been on the job long enough to know that gangs have loyalty to one another, and that you and your brother both could have gotten yourselves
killed," Frank wasn't exactly mad at him, but he wasn't amused either. "I just wanted to keep it in the family since Andy was involved, and you of all people
know how important it is to protect family. Now if you want to yell at me as my boss go ahead, but please not as my father, surely in that manner you can
understand, why I did what I did," Danny turned away leaning one arm against the mantle of the fireplace. The room fell silent for several minutes and Jamie
finally spoke up knowing that Danny was feeling pretty bad. "Dad, wouldn't have done the same thing have you have been in our shoes?" Frank sighed, "Yes
Jamie, I would have." Frank wanted to continue by saying that's beside the point, but one look towards Danny's direction, despite the fact he couldn't see his
face, knew that now was more of a time to be understanding rather than critical. "Danny," Frank said gently. Danny didn't exactly want to turn away from the
fireplace, not in the mood to make conversation at that very moment, but ever since he was a little boy, he was raised to give his father the proper respect he
deserved. "Yes Sir," Danny turned back to face him. "I understand why you did what you did, I was just concerned about your safety. Your children need their
father, and I still need my son," Frank's voice showed a concern that Danny only recollected hearing one other time in his life, and that was when Danny's
brother Joe passed away. "I'm sorry Dad," Danny found himself apologizing, never was it his idea to worry his father. "Me too son, I'm sorry I lost my temper,"
Frank was serious. "No Dad, you had the right to be upset." "That may be true, but I may have went about it the wrong way, sure my main concern was your
safety, but I know your main concern was Andy, and I'm proud of you for it." "Thanks Dad," Danny couldn't help but show a slight smile. "And you," Frank
glanced over at his youngest son, who had been relatively quiet for the past several minutes. "I'm proud of you for backing your brother up and putting your
family first," Frank never had to really come right out and tell his family he was proud of them, he figured they already knew it, yet there were times, such as
the past few minutes that he found it necessary. "I appreciate that Dad," Jamie grinned, "wish you could have been out there with us, you should have seen
Danny talking his way out of trouble with those gang members, it was epic." "Wish I could have been there," Frank wasn't joking, he would have loved to be
out on the job with his boys to see them in action. "To tell you the truth I was just concentrating on keeping my voice from shaking, so they wouldn't see how
really scared I was," Danny admitted. "Wait, wait, wait, say that again," Jamie had a menacing tone of voice, "you were scared, I didn't think you were scared
of anything." Danny didn't say anything at first, and instead just looked at his brother with wide eyes, "all within reason little brother, all within reason.
Although I have to admit we worked pretty well together," Danny admitted. "You know we were," Jamie agreed, "kind of like the dynamic duo." Danny and
Frank chuckled, "I wouldn't go that far."
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The three walked out of the study laughing, which neither of the adults expected, considering they went in solemn faced just an hour ago. "Where are my
grandchildren," Frank asked looking around the room, when he noticed how quiet it was? "I think they are playing pool in the basement," Linda replied. "Hmm,
perhaps I go down and teach them the Reagan specialty," Frank said heading for the basement door. "Oh man Danny, I don't know about you, but I was
having flashbacks in there," Jamie pointed to the study door. "Flashback from when I was a kid and was about to get my butt busted." Danny chuckled, "I was
fine, I hardly ever got into trouble," he grinned. "Okay, now I have to interrupt," Erin spoke up. "You got into more trouble than me, Joe and Jamie put
together." "No I didn't," Danny argued, "that was you." "No it wasn't," the three started to argue until Erin looked over at her grandfather. "What do you think
Gramp's, care to weigh in?" "I don't believe so, I didn't live with you, so you would have to ask your father that one. But I tend to believe that you all got into
your own share of trouble." The three siblings didn't have much to say after that, knowing that it was true. "Danny," Linda nudged him some time later. "We are
going to have to get going, you have to have Andy in court early tomorrow morning." "I know," Danny replied looking over at his brother. "Are you going to be
able to make it to court just in case something happens?" "Wouldn't miss it," Jamie nodded. "I'm going to be there as well," Frank interrupted joining the
adults. "Dad, do you really think that's a good idea, I mean wont it show that you have a special interest in the case," Danny questioned? "I do have a special
interest in the case, my granddaughter is involved, and nothing is more important than family remember," Frank smiled.
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The day of the court hearing came and went, and with both Brock and Trace sentenced to prison, Andy was finally able to adjust to a life of not having to worry
about someone coming after her or regret hanging over her head. This type of lifestyle brought about a much happier Andy, although it didn't do much to keep
her from getting into trouble, Andy always vowing to keep Danny and Linda on their toes, actually telling Danny that her doing that to him, will actually benefit
him in the long run especially when he was out on the job, telling him that in this case he will always be aware of his surroundings. Danny wasn't sure if he
believed all that, but one thing was for sure he vowed to always remain thankful for that fateful day he chased after her down the street. Andy lay in bed that
night as she remembered the last couple of months and how much her life had changed for the good, as she too remembered the day she met the man that
would become her father and the family that vowed to always love her no matter what, and for the first time, Andy fell asleep carefree and happy.
Well its been almost a year since I posted the first chapter, and I Can't believe I just posted the last. It has been fun, and I owe it all to my fans. I have absolutely loved writing this story and receiving all the follows and reviews. I plan on writing a series with Andy entitled "Life with the Reagan's" and will try to keep the series name in the story description. Again thanks again... JusticeStandsTRUE
