Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 5 – A Wrong Turn?

Tonight's the night for the Bluebloods 100th episode! Enjoy everyone! And I hope you enjoy this update also thank you!

"Hey Jamie."

"Hey Scott," Jamie replies as he enters the office of the NYPD cyber tech officer. "I hope I'm not bothering you," he adds as Henry gives Jamie's shoulder a squeeze and then takes his leave. "Is it okay for me to be here?"

"I'm just waiting on a lead to come through but we can get started for sure. So George Williams right?"

"I just want to know who his immediate family is so that I can go and…I guess tell them where he is and see if maybe they'll take him to live with them," Jamie concludes somewhat sheepishly.

Most of the adults he had told, would say that it was a pipe dream at best. But as they would look at the kind and sincere pleading on the young man's expression, their heart would instantly give in and the audible agreement and sympathy would be forthcoming.

"Alright take a seat," he gestures to Jamie to sit in the chair beside him and stares in fascination at the trio of large computer screens before them. The one on his far left is running the trace for the current case that Scott is working on. The middle one is used for his internal email program, so it would be the one on the far right, the one nearest Jamie that would be used for the non-official case investigation.

"So where do we start?"

"Well you said he's a veteran right?"

"Right."

"So on his military application he'll have listed his emergency contact."

"Can you tell if he was married?"

"Yes I can do a search for a marriage certificate at the same time as the military record and see if one was ever filed."

"Okay," Jamie replies as his eyes start to wander around the cyber officer's office space. He sees the official promotion certification on the wall and gently gets up off the chair and goes to look at it. His eyes lift and he catches Scott's glance in the reflection and twists his head and offers a proud smile.

"Your case helped me get that. Since then I've helped lead our boys to a few child predators and take them off the street."

"Really? That's great," Jamie answers as he turns back with a small frown. "Did you um…lose any?"

"Try not to think of those," Scott replies with a heavy sigh. "But I got to see Detective Rogers and Chin take down a real baddie. It was great!" He exclaims, referring to Spencer Rogers, Frank's close friend and the man that personally helped bring down their father and his partner Eric Chin.

"How are they?"

"Doing very well. You'll see them at the annual picnic. You excited about that?"

Jamie pulls his phone and pulls up the calendar feature and frowns. "When…sorry Frank mentioned it but I forgot to put it in my phone," he admits with a nervous smile.

"End of August. Just before the academy starts up in September."

"Frank wants to adopt us," Jamie just blurts out and then looks at Scott with widening eyes. "Oh…uh…"

"You can relax Jamie," Scott tells him with a kind smile. "First off I'm not the kind of guy to just go and tell everyone, every little secret I hear. Secondly, really? Frank is going to legally adopt you?"

"Uh uh and Danny to. I'm really nervous about it."

"I would be to but I think it's great," Scott tells him in truth; Jamie's expression softening. But before another word can be said the computer beeps and both of them look in haste at the computer screen.

"What did it find?"

"A name. A…wife."

"What? Really? Where?"

XXXXXXXX

"I know that look."

Frank looks up as his lead detective, Spencer Rogers enters his office with a heavy frown. "Personal business."

"Personal? Saw Troy leave this office this morning," Spencer remarks as Frank leans back in his chair with an amused expression. "I'm not called lead detective for no reason, you know," he gently smirks. "Everything okay?"

"So far. What's going on?" Frank replies, his tone telling his friend not to push the issue right now.

"I have a lead on that snitch inside the union's office."

"Who?"

"Mable Lecroix."

"Really? Disappointing," Frank states curtly as Spencer pulls out a small recording device and places it on Frank's desk.

"Frank…"

"This is to do with the boys and before you ask it's nothing bad. Just something I'm doing for them…and me," Frank confesses regarding the man that was doing a deeper ancestry investigation into the boy's family tree. "But trust me if I need someone to break a few kneecaps you're the first one on my list," Frank concludes as Spencer offers him a small smirk.

"When can we have you all over?"

"I think the boys are busy this weekend. How about the one after that?"

"I'll tell Janine and we'll arrange something."

"The boys would like that," Frank answers with a friendly smile. "What you think if I wanted to legally adopt the boys and give them the last name Reagan."

"Really?" Spencer's salt and pepper brows arch as he looks at Frank in wonder. "I think it's a serious step but one that would make you all happy."

"And the backlash?"

"You know there will be some talk, especially when Danny enters the academy as Danny…Reagan. Danny Reagan," Spencer pauses and then smiles. "It does have a nice ring to it. Frank, I know you consider Danny and Jamie like sons but I also know you haven't fooled yourself into thinking they'll replace Joe. I think this is the next logical step. No one has the right to question it."

"Thought about it a long time. I asked the boys last night and they…after much deliberation and very little sleep, accepted," Frank tells Spencer in truth. "I want this for them. I have done a few preliminary searches and from what I could find, all nearest relatives are…dead or in the case of McGuiness, a half-uncle, are in jail."

"Enter Troy," Spencer interjects as Frank nods. "It's what I'd do. You sure you don't need any other help on this?"

"This is personal. It's not a department issue."

"You know how many things you've done for me?" Spencer retorts as Frank offers him a friendly smile.

"And if I need help you're first one on my help speed dial," Frank tosses back as Spencer chuckles. "Thanks for the offer. Now how do we bring down Mable?"

"I just need a warrant. Once inside that office I'm sure we can find all the evidence we need."

"Done," Frank states as he picks up the phone.

XXXXXXX

"So his wife…is dead," Jamie comments sadly as Scott nods and then gestures for Jamie to continue scrolling down the page. Jamie looks at the obituary heading and then both start to read the published blurb.

"She was young when she died," Scott comments as Jamie looks at him in wonder. "What? To me 47 is young."

"Seems old," Jamie muses silently as Scott chuckles and then pats Jamie on the back; Jamie's cheeks gently warming. "Okay so…wait…survived by…that means…"

"Yes he has two…"

"No three…"

"No…two," Scott gently corrects. "Their oldest son Samuel died at the age of…17 wow."

"That is too young," Jamie whispers sadly. "What about the other two?"

"Pamela and Robert. So now we can start the search to see where each of these are and then…go from there."

"Can you um…see how Samuel died?" Jamie dares to inquire.

"Sure, but after we check and see where the other two are."

"Okay."

Jamie settles back in his chair and watches Scott in silence, his mind processing all that's just happened over the past few days. I'm gonna be Jamie Reagan…but as he ponders the discussion he had with Danny about his high school scholarship he wonders if he'll even be able to participate since he'd now be a Reagan and it was the Joe Reagan scholarship fund. Would they think it was rigged? But I need that money…

"Jamie?" Scott looks over as Jamie's lips accidentally emit a heavy sigh without realizing it.

"Oh sorry… I uh…"

"You know this will take a bit of time, maybe a few hours because I have a few other things to do so…how about I text you when I have something concrete?"

"Okay," Jamie nods as he frowns. "You sure it's not just me in the way?"

"Promise," Scott replies with a friendly smile.

Jamie promises to return as soon as there is something and uses the time to go and see Henry and as him about the scholarship fund. I need that money…I can't ask them for that much…maybe I should wait until after grade 12? Jamie heads for Henry's office but then stops in the hallway and looks around with nervous eyes. I've always wanted to be adopted…maybe I can just go to a local college? You are already! But you still need the money!

"Jamie?"

Jamie turns in haste and looks at Henry with a startled expression; Henry's concern instantly rising. For the first time since they've met, Henry sees fear…uncertainty maybe in Jamie's warm blue-grey eyes. As he nears the young man his own inner agitation starts to gain momentum.

"What's going on?"

"I…I can't be adopted!" He blurts out before he turns and darts the opposite direction, leaving Henry standing in place – literally dumbfounded.

XXXXXXXX

"Thanks for the help."

"See you on Sunday," Danny tells Demarcus as he leaves his garage; Jackie having left a half hour before that. Talking to his friends helped to alleviate some of his fears about having his name legally changed to Danny Reagan as he enters the academy in the fall with his loyal friends at his side. Even still, he knows there will be backlash as Frank had told him that two of the instructors were close friends of Joe's; instructors that would play key roles in his NYPD education and future.

He texts Jamie and asks how it's going at the precinct with Henry. But when he doesn't get an answer back, he decides to head there to check things out; always interested to drop by a working police precinct and see his future job in action. As Danny enters the precinct about twenty minutes later, he makes a mental note to seek out Officer Renzulli and see how he's doing and how's the job going. Plus ask him what it's like to be married…what does his wife think?

As soon as Danny enters he hears some loud shouting, more like swearing and watches as an angry man breaks away from the two officers holding him and makes a break for the door – directly in his path.

"Stop him!"

But Danny's instincts immediately take over and he drops his shoulder, letting it connect with the ensuing thug's chest and giving it a shove backward, forcing the ensuing attacker to stumble backward and then be recaptured by the original two officers.

"Good job Danny!"

Danny looks up to see Detective Spencer Rogers approaching and offers him a nervous glance. "I just…reacted."

"Trust me, when it comes to that scum no one is gonna complain," Spencer slaps Danny on the back; the cuffed thug sneering at Danny.

"I'm gonna complain! That's police brutality!"

Danny looks at the guy with his jaw slightly agape; Spencer offering him a chuckle as the two officers drag the protesting crook back to be officially booked.

"Yeah I told Frank you'd ace the academy."

Danny's gaze shifts from the angry crooks face to Spencer and he frowns. "I uh…I hope I do well."

Spencer looks at Danny's nervous expression and feels his heart sink. "We're all pulling for you Danny but I'm sorry if put more pressure on you."

"I just want to make him proud."

"You could be a janitor and he'd be proud as long as you're honest at it and do your best," Spencer reassures Danny as he squeezes his shoulder. "But between you, me and the desk chair, you'll make a hell of a cop. It's natural instinct."

Danny can't help but smile at that, giving the seasoned detective and gives him a much more genuine smile; his agitation slowly dissipating. He watches Spencer take his leave and head toward another detective, his partner, Eric Chin who ushers a stern looking middle aged woman into an interrogation room.

"Quick thinking back there."

Danny hears a voice and turns to see Renzulli walking up to him with a small smile. "Hey Officer Renzulli. Ah I just…it felt good," Danny confesses as Renzulli chuckles. "Who's the woman that Spencer and his partner busted?"

"Can't say."

"Ah…okay got it. So…I guess I can't watch the interrogation? Hey I give you my word it won't go anywhere I just want to see. You know…how it works."

"Get a taste for what you can expect…in a few years?" Renzulli ends with a smirk as Danny nods and grins. "Okay, come on."

Since Frank didn't allow him to watch Spencer interrogate McGuiness or even Louis Watson in regards to their involvement and attachment with his now deceased father this was a real treat. Danny studies the stance of the veteran NYPD officer, watching his stern facial expressions, this body language, how he talks to her, approaches her, carries him and then finally extracts the answers he needs.

"He's good," Danny whispers as Renzulli nods in agreement.

"There's a reason he's called the best."

"Yeah," Danny whispers. He watches for a few more minutes before he knows he shouldn't keep Renzulli any longer.

"So Frank mentioned you wanted to ride along when we put the out of commission cars to rest," Renzulli mentions to Danny as they pull away from the dark tinted viewing glass of the integration room and head back to the main booking area.

"Yeah is that okay?"

"I won't be on active duty although in uniform but it would be great to have the company."

"Thanks," Danny smiles as he shakes Renzulli's hand; his mind hoping to remember to ask him about his marriage during the ride along. He watches the officer go and then pulls his phone. "Where the hell are you kid?" He asks impatiently as he texts Jamie again.

XXXXXXXX

Jamie, however, didn't get far after his panicked outburst and Henry was able to catch up to him on the stairs. "I remember finding this special young sitting by himself at the base of a tree outside in the school yard. I knew in that moment that he was a special and I'm glad that he came into my life."

Jamie looks up with a morose expression as his eyes droop.

"What's going on? Did something happen after we talked?" Henry inquires as Jamie nods his head yes and Henry looks at him in surprise. "What? Jamie we talked about all the things you might face when you become adopted and take on the Reagan name. You're going to be fine."

"I um….okay so I panicked back there but um…maybe I can wait until after grade 12 before I become adopted?"

"Worried about what your friends will say?"

"Actually…well yes but…it's a bit more complicated than that."

Henry offers Jamie an amused expression, making Jamie's face soften and his body relax. "We've shared that special bond since day one, you and me. What's more complicated?"

"Money. But not like an allowance or anything, it's just that…this year I worked hard and I'm not saying that next year I won't just as hard but…but I can't get the scholarship if I become…Jamie Reagan. Because it's the Joe Reagan scholarship fund and well…I'll be a Reagan. I don't think I'll be allowed."

Henry looks at the distressed expression on Jamie's face and gently frowns. He watches two officers approach, nods to them but waits until they pass out of earshot before he starts talking. "Sounds like you have a legitimate concern."

"Or I could…transfer to another school?" Jamie suggests with a heavy sigh. "I don't want to ask for money."

Henry's heart sinks and melts at the same time Jamie confesses something that was troubling his young life without asking for something or making it seem like he was living with them for only what he could get off them. That only endeared Jamie to him even more.

"Is Jamie Reagan allowed to qualify for the Joe Reagan scholarship fund?"

"Well…to be honest I hadn't thought about it," Henry answers in truth. "I um…well the fund was established after Joe's death and Erin was already out of school and…"

"Oh," Jamie interjects as he suddenly realizes he's put Henry in an emotionally tight spot. "And there are no more Reagan children so…"

"So I don't know if there was a clause actually put in there that would forbid any other Reagan children because at the time, there wasn't any in the future. But there are now."

Jamie's shoulders slump as he realizes he might have made an issue out of a non-issue or just brought up sad memories for Henry, a man he genuinely calls grandfather.

"I know you are used to worrying about everything, but why not leave this with me. I'll talk to the school board and see what they have to say and I'll let you know. Don't you worry now," Henry tries to reassure him as he gives Jamie's shoulders a squeeze.

"I really want to become Jamie Reagan," he confesses in a quiet tone.

"I want that too," Henry smiles. "Now. You put all those worried thoughts out of your mind for now and go back and see Scott. What did he find out?"

"George has…well had a wife but has 2 children."

"Really."

XXXXXXXX

After he had talked to Henry, Jamie's mind tried to reassure him that Henry would find out all he needed and would let him know either way. The thought of going to a new school for his final year without his friends and bearing the name Jamie Reagan would be tough for sure. But staying in the same school and facing the talk about him getting the scholarship and that they were happy he didn't qualify for the following year.

But he would leave it in Henry's hands and was on his way back to see what Scott had found out; then he heard his brother's voice.

"Jamie!"

"Danny?"

"I texted. Twice. Why didn't you answer?"

"My battery's low. I didn't charge it up last night. What's going on? Everything okay?"

"Yeah I just finished up with Demarcus and figured I'd drop by. I picked up a night shift at the warehouse and thought you might need a ride home if Frank and Henry were busy."

"I was going to stop by Scott's. He found George's wife but um…she's dead. She died at 47 and he never remarried. Also one of his sons died at um…17."

"Wow? 17? How?"

"Scott didn't find all those details but he did say that he found two surviving children. That's great right?"

"Jamie…"

"I know. They might tell me to take a flying leap when I tell them about him and ask if one will take him in but…but at least there's something to work with."

"So now what?"

"Well now I'm going there to see what he found. Want to come with me?"

"Sure," Danny shrugs as Jamie's face lights up. "I got to see Detective Rogers in action. He was great," Danny tells Jamie as they head toward Scott's office. But upon reaching there, they find that he's been called into the field; leaving Jamie a note to check back the next day.

"You know real police work has to come first," Danny tells Jamie's downcast expression.

"I know," Jamie looks up with a tight lipped smile. "I just want one of his children or grandchildren to want to meet him and want to take him. I'm trying not to get my hopes up but Danny you didn't see him down there…"

"Down…there?"

"Yeah in the tunnels with Nora and…"

"Nora?" Danny arches his brows as Jamie smiles and nods.

"He goes in there at night or when it's cold but I hope they want to take him…home. I know…it sounds lame."

"It sounds great. Come on, I'll drop you at home."

"How's the truck?"

"It'll be a miracle if that damn thing works by the weekend," Danny snickers as the two of them head for the front doors to the precinct, Frank watching them go with a strained smile.

"Danny, can you stop by the bowling alley? I just want to check on George before I go home."

"How long will you be?" Danny asks as he looks at the time.

"I just want to check on him and then I'll leave. But it's still light out and I can take the bus home."

"I don't think Frank would want me to leave you alone."

"I'm not a baby, Danny!" Jamie insists. "I promise I'll just check on him and go right home. I'll be fine. Henry's been there. He knows where George is."

Despite his better judgment, Danny finds himself under pressure to get to work and just agrees, heading for the bowling alley to drop Jamie off and then head to the warehouse to pick up a shift and make a bit of extra money. He watches Jamie get out of the car and then waits as Jamie searches the alleyway for his friend.

"Jamie?"

"I think he went into the building."

"Come back later! I gotta go!"

"There's lots of light out still," Jamie insists. "Okay hold on a sec, let me just check inside and see if I can see him."

Just as Danny's about to put the car into reverse, a large garbage truck turns the corner and slowly starts to head toward him.

"Ah damn," Danny curses as he quickly looks for a place to park.

"Danny, I'll be fine. I'll see you later."

"But…"

"Five minutes and then I'll be back out and at the bus stop. I'll see you tonight."

Against the small nagging voice in the pit of his stomach, Danny finds himself rushed by wanting to be at work and giving in. "Be careful."

"Okay."

Jamie watches Danny take his leave and then pulls out a small pocket knife, something that he tells himself will give him some peace of mind in case he runs into someone he doesn't like or trust. He pulls open the doorway and then stops, a rush of musty air wafting toward him, warning him to turn back from his present course of action.

But his concern for his friend, pulls him forward and without even realizing it, he finds himself heading further into the building – wanting to check on George and then hurry back out. That plan would be thwarted.

Jamie reaches half way and then stops, thinking he's heard something and quickly glances behind. Nothing. You should turn back now! His mind warns as he turns and looks in the direction of the area he left George earlier that same morning. But just as he turns back, his lips emit a soft gasp just as a large, dark figure steps right in front of him.

Jamie's eyes slightly widen as he stumbles backward; trapped against the wall and the dark stranger.

"Well well well, what have we here? Commissioner's grandson."

A/N: Yikes! So…is he friend or foe? What will Danny feel if Jamie gets hurt? Will Jamie tell Henry he disobeyed? What happens when Jamie finds George's children? Grandchildren? Will anything happen when Danny rides along with Renzulli? And what will Sonny learn first? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!