Chapter Three: When it mattered... (Vinnie)

AN1 - Set just before the dinner scene in "No Way Out"

"Thanks, Gramps." Jamie says as he takes the glass of amber liquid from his grandfather. Dinner was still baking, and most of the family was outside enjoying the sunny spring day, except Jamie who had been quietly sitting in the living room since mass that morning. Henry sat down across from him, a glass of whisky in his hand as well.

"I don't know what you want me to say, Gramps." Jamie took a slow pull of the amber fluid, his face drawn as he eyed his grandfather across the coffee table.

"Who said I was expecting you to talk?" Henry sipped at his own glass before continuing. "I'm just sitting here, drinking my drink."

"I'm really fine, Grandpa." Jamie replies, defensively.

"Bull." Jamie looked up as Henry spat the word out. Jamie's head snaps up at his grandfather's tone.

"You're not the first to have your partner shot and killed in front of you. Not even the only one in the house to have that happen." Henry leaned forward, hand gesticulating sideways. "We all deal with this kind of pain in our own ways, Jamie. I'm not here to tell you how to deal with it." Henry meets Jamie's eyes, a pregnant pause as he holds his attention.

"I'm just here." Henry lifts his glass slightly. "Drinking my drink, with my grandson."

The pair sit for a few minutes in silence, sipping at their drinks before Jamie speaks up.

"You know, he was supposed to come over next week for the Mets game. It seems so weird that he won't be there when I go back to the station tomorrow, Gramps."

Henry nods, sitting quietly as Jamie winds it out of his system. Jamie takes a deep sip, his Adam's apple bobbing as he keeps trying to get the words out.

"I keep going over that moment in my head, I know it's ..useless, but.."

"But the what-ifs and if-I-onlys keep seeping in?"

Jamie nods. "Yeah." A breath, a sip, and a quiet continuance. "How will my next partner ever trust me after I let Vinnie get killed?"

Henry's heart breaks for his youngest grandson, his voice soft as he replies after a moment. "Because when it happened," Henry pauses briefly, choosing his words. "When it mattered, you were right there with him, trying to save his life. He died knowing you had his back." Henry stood as the back door opened, commotion following the sound of the steaks coming inside. "That's all your new partner will need to know. You were there when it mattered, and you never left his side."

Jamie nodded, finishing off his whiskey.

Henry thumbs towards the dining room. "Come on, sounds like dinner is coming."

"Gramps?" Jamie calls out as Henry almost is out of the room. "Thanks."

Henry nods his head.

AN2 - I'll have a 'real' Vinnie chapter eventually, but this plot bunny was insistent. Also, should be the only time in this series the partner is not present.