Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 18 – Proving your Worth

A/N: Just wanted to apologize for not updating last week. But a dear friend and one of my biggest supporters and passed and I was devastated. Even now I am finding writing/updating so very bittersweet. To those that noticed the change on my profile page over the past week and offered kind condolences I do appreciate it and thank you. I hope you all like this update and thanks so much.

'Troy's out of his coma. He's breathing on his own and going to make slow but full recovery.'

"Thank God," Frank whispers as he looks up just as Spencer and Chin enter with serious expressions. "Troy's out of the coma and has been put in a recovery room. That was Angie," Frank updates his two top investigators with a tight smile the following morning.

"Thank God," Spencer also repeats a few seconds later; Chin agreeing.

"Is that the report on Springfield?" Frank asks as he nods to the file in Spencer's grasp.

"The deceased is a single white male, aged 21, named Collin Cook. He was reported missing by his mother a year ago. Some troubles at home. Few petty arrests. Drifter. My guess…he could have been high or looking for something easy to steal, wandered onto Jed Allen's property and met his end and since we all know how much good old Jed loves the law just stuffed the body in the trunk and moved on."

"No forwarding address?" Frank inquires rhetorically as he flips to page two. "And then the trail on Jed Allen runs cold."

"Springfield PD have contacted the mother and are canvassing the area to see if there were any witnesses but I'm guessing since we found him by accident no one saw anything."

"Any DNA on Cook that will tie his murder to Jed? Or are we just guessing Jed Allen lived there and killed him?"

"Right now it's Jed's involvement is supposition. Forensics in Springfield are still working on it. Whoever killed him didn't care to remove his wallet, ruling out robbery of any kind. Just some poor kid in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I have turned the hunt for Jed Allen over to Scott Daniels."

"But…"

"If he doesn't want to be found, he'll make sure he's not. However, you can't hide everything you do and since Scott was able to find Wade…Jed is his case now. We have other problems. Ed Vickers murder. Where are we with that?"

"A few more dead en…" Spencer starts as his partner's phone rings.

"Okay…thank you. Yeah we'll be right over," Chin states before he hangs up.

"What?"

"All three contacts only had professional dealings with Ed Vickers at work as members of the NYPD mechanics. However, this one…while a bit of a longshot is…personal," Chin explains as Spencer nods in agreement. "Last month he placed a bet with a bookie named Block."

"Block?"

"Don't ask," Spencer smirks. "One of the other mechanics overheard him talking about the bet. They didn't hear much but remembered the name. If you don't pay these guys, they don't play nice. Definitely a viable motive for murder."

"Check it out."

"Yes sir."

Frank watches them leave and then looks back down at his phone. 'Jed Allen is one scary monster.'

That was the last text Troy had sent while en route to Allen's last known address. Frank can only agree as he leans back in his chair and ponders the Allen's bloody legacy; something the boys were unwittingly a part of. Now there's a chance to bring the boys all the way out of that world – legally and he'll do anything he can to make it happen. But that might mean letting the hunt for Jed Allen cool a little and then move forward with the private proceedings. He thinks about last night and how it was his daughter that had come and sought refuge in his fatherly comfort after a very scary day.

'Dad?'

He remembered looking up to see his beloved daughter standing in the bedroom doorway entrance and beckoning her to enter. Which of course she did.

'You feeling okay?'

'Yes my arm is fine. It was just a scratch. I guess…I thought he was going to kill Danny and then when he took me and Jamie tried to stop him…I've never been so scared.'

Frank pulled his daughter close, kissed the top of her head and held on tightly. He let her tell her about her day a few more times, adding a few extra details here and there about the boys, Jamie's bravery although he had admitted he was very scared – both of them were.

'Danny acted tough but I know he was scared,' Erin admitted as she laid nestled in her father's grasp; his lips planting a tender kiss on the top of her head.

'Your grandfather and I were scared also when we found out you three were in there and when Danny said they had you…I thank God you're here now.'

That same night, a few hours earlier, Danny had heard Jamie whimpering and went into his room to see how he was doing.

'I keep seeing him shoot you,' Jamie had confessed with a sad sigh. 'I thought it would be okay but…but can you stay with me?'

When he had left that morning, Erin was still sleeping in his bed and the boys were still huddled together in Jamie's small bed; something he took comfort in – his children were all safe and their family was intact.

"Chief?"

"Officer Harrison. Come in," Frank entreats.

XXXXXXXX

Henry doesn't have to ask why he's meeting at the bottom of a subway tunnel, in dim lighting, in plain clothes, no guard, no driver and no uniform. It's his doing.

"Anton," Henry greets his informant in an undertone. "For us to meet here I know you found something."

"You won't like it."

"How many bodies have fallen?"

"Not one – yet. It's something else. I found a few withdrawals from…"

"From what?" Henry presses with some impatience.

"From the Morton account."

"Morton…what? Are you sure?" Henry asks in shock.

"I checked a few times. It was the same account that was used to pay the initial hit on Joe, sir. After that we were so busy tracing all the others after the um…well after Joe was murdered that this one just lay dormant."

"You never closed it?" Henry's voice hisses in anger as he glares at his informant.

"It was overlooked….just…I don't know but maybe that was for the better."

"How much?"

"One large."

"A thousand? That's nothing! It's only enough to…"

"Buy a seat into a game," Anton interjects as Henry looks at him with arched brows. "It meant nothing at the time but the one thousand was what Louis Ryder used. That led him to Sonny Malvesky who as you know arranged and carried out Joe's murder."

"Ryder's dead and Malvesky's in jail. Who's left? That account has to have been accessed from the outside," Henry ponders.

"Or…on the inside."

"Ryder…damn it! That account…Anton…we need to know…"

"Who withdrew the money. Sir I know…"

"No…we need to know who asked to have the money withdrawn. Only a few knew the account code. Find me our traitor!"

"With pleasure."

XXXXXXXX

"Hey sleepy head," Danny playfully ruffles Jamie's hair later that same morning, eliciting a small moan from his brother, who tries to pull away in defense. Danny looks at Jamie's perplexed expression and frowns himself. "You slept okay."

"After you came in I was better."

"Well to be honest it was better for me too," Danny admits as Jamie looks up in shock.

"Wha…mmmmph," Jamie tries to giggle with Danny's hand clamped down over his mouth.

"Not a word to anyone goober," Danny snickers as he pulls his hand free. "But for a few seconds there I found myself wishing I had a gun to even the score."

"But a weapon could have been used against you," Jamie reminds Danny in concern.

"I know. That's why I gotta learn how to use it properly. Frank said he's coming to the range this Sunday."

"Really?" Jamie asks in wonder. "That'll be kinda cool."

"I know," Danny agrees as he looks at the clock. "I wanna see him shoot."

"You and Linda still going to the club tonight?"

"Yeah…can't wait. You working a full or half shift?"

"Half. Kinda glad. I think I'm still a bit shaken from yesterday. Think Erin's okay?"

"I heard her go upstairs last night but I wouldn't bug her about it."

"But I can ask how she is right?"

"Course you can."

About twenty minutes later, the three of them all converge in the kitchen for an early lunch, asking each other how they are and how the night was and then just admitting they were still in recovery mode and would be just taking it easy the next few days.

Jack arrives to spend the day with Erin studying for one of their pre-Harvard entrance reading groups; Danny offering to drive Jamie to the bowling alley, hang out for a bit and then go to pick up Linda.

"George is out back," Jamie tells Danny as the two of them stand at the back entrance to the bowling alley; Jamie pointing out his friend and then looking up at his brother in wonder.

"I'll be inside."

Jamie pulls away from Danny, leaving the back door open and heads toward his friend. He nears George who is propped up on a ratty piece of sofa cushion.

"Hey George!"

"Jamie…my boy," George replies slowly as Jamie looks at his friend in concern. "Saw the news about the shooting at the courthouse."

"You…saw? What TV? Where…." Jamie's voice stammers as he watches George pull out the front page of the NY Times; only the front page. "Oh…"

"See…that's you," George points to an image of Jamie and Danny helping Erin to the ambulance. "Were you caught in the middle of all that madness?"

"Yeah. It was really scary. The guys shot the judge and the guards. But the SWAT team took them all down."

"Are you okay?"

"I wasn't hurt. Erin was shot on the shoulder and Danny was roughed up pretty good but um…we're okay. Didn't sleep that well last night. But it's okay now. How are you?"

"My life is kinda mundane compared to yours," George replies with a small smile as his hand rests on Jamie's.

"Mundane? So nothing exciting has happened at all?"

"Ah my boy when you're my age, getting up each morning is exciting but I know when I say stuff to you like that you get sad. I don't like to see young people sad. I thought I saw those punks the other day. But they kept going."

"That's good. Did you see anyone else…of interest?"

"Mailman," George smiles as Jamie's lips draw into a tight line. "Oh Jamie."

"I know you've heard me say this before but I wish I could do something more. Fall is going to be coming in a couple of months and the days will get even shorter and colder."

"I have survived this long."

"But you won't live forever!" Jamie blurts out and then shakes his head. "I'm sorry George. I just worry."

"I know you do. I have the tunnels if I want them. So if the weather is really nasty at least I have a place that's dry."

"But there's no heat and winter's coming."

"Don't rush the seasons," George interjects with a small smile. "I know reality Jamie, I'm not afraid of it. However, how about we talk about that bowling score of yours."

"Oh…well…" Jamie's voice stammers as he rattles off his last score with a nervous smile. They talk a few minutes longer before Jamie heads back inside, empties out the popcorn maker and then promises to return for his mid-evening break.

"How is he?" Danny inquires as Jamie returns without the container of popcorn.

"He's…he's okay I guess. When he answers too slowly now I worry," Jamie admits as he starts to set up the cash register for his shift. "I wish his family would have reconsidered. Do you think Officer Renzulli will tell me if someone calls him?"

"Course he will. Alright I gotta run. See you tonight."

"Bye." Jamie watches Danny leave; Frank telling him he'd pick him up after his shift and if not it'd be Erin. Jamie had insisted that he was capable of taking the bus but Frank said he'd feel better if after dark, Jamie didn't have to find a way home alone. Frank would be by later.

XXXXXXXX

"I was so worried," Linda exclaims as she hugs Danny close. She looks at the bruise on his cheek and then frowns as he takes her hand and holds it close.

"I'm okay. I just…"

"Erin told me everything."

"What?" Danny asks in surprise. "You talked to her?"

"Of course I asked how she was. I sent a brief text to Jamie too."

"What did she say?"

"Worry I'll scold you on trying to play the hero?" Linda counters.

"Is that what she said?"

"She said…you were…you. And I know you. Danny…" she starts and then stops as she looks away and shakes her head before looking back.

"What? You wanna…" he too starts and then stops. "I just acted."

"And I have to get use to those heroics but I just hope…you won't always want to play the hero."

"Does it bother you? Linda, I don't want us to…" he starts only to be silenced with a soft kiss. "My friend at work Ralph, his brother's wife left him because she didn't want to be married to a cop," Danny confesses in haste. "I should have said something more about it earlier but I…I just acted. It was instinct and I just…I wanted to keep them all safe. I can try to promise to be safe and do things by the book but um…but I don't know if that's me. I wish I could say it is and that…do you want to walk away?"

"I should," Linda replies in haste, making Danny look at her in surprise. "But I can't. I know cops wives and I know they worry and that comes with the job. I don't want to be the nagging girlfriend or…more," she pauses with a small smile; Danny's face relaxing. "But I can't help but worry too okay? And just because I say something doesn't mean I'm just gonna up and walk away every time things get tough."

"I love you," Danny whispers as his hands cup her face and he kisses her lips.

"I love you too," she replies with a warm smile. "Let's go."

Danny's arm encircles his beloved girlfriend as they head toward his car; talking more about the courtroom ordeal, the NYPD BBQ in a few weeks, starting university and the academy a few weeks after that and then what they wanted for the year after Danny was to graduate the academy – Linda still in nursing school for a few years after that.

As they near the club Danny notices Linda's face tense slightly and knows she's suggested this night mostly for his benefit and not necessarily her own enjoyment. "You want to go in?"

"Of course," Linda replies with a slightly tense smile. "I guess we both do things to help please the other. That's what a relationship is all about right?"

"Can you blame me for wanting to feel your body in my hands?" Danny retorts with a playful eyebrow wag. They exit the car and walk hand in hand toward the club entrance, the sound of the pulsing music calling to them; inviting them to come into its intense folds and reap the benefits of its party invitation. And they do.

Tonight there was no table to look for a waiting group. No other friends to worry about having to include in small talk. No external forces that would vie for the other's attention. Only the two of them. At least at the start. As soon as they enter, Danny's mind instantly zooms away from food and drink, his brain telling his stomach that another part of his body needed some external satisfaction. He takes Linda by the hand and leads her to the middle of the dance floor.

His hands automatically find their way to her hips, resting on them as her body starts to move in time with his; the two of them moving together with the beat of the music blasting all around them.

"Now this is what I'm talkin' about," Danny states with an enthusiastic smile as he holds her close. However, a set of eyes is now watching them closely. One not out to do any physical harm – but a mild threat nonetheless. Maryanne looks at Danny and Linda on the dancefloor and offers a small pout, hissing to the girl next to her that this club isn't the right one.

"Hey isn't that the guy you…" her friend's voice trails off.

"Yeah…it is."

XXXXXXXX

"Goodnight George," Jamie whispers as he leaves the bowling alley after having closed up the cash register and then heads toward Frank's waiting car.

"How was work?"

"Tiring," Jamie admits with a small smile as he locks his seatbelt. "You?" He playfully retorts.

"About the same," Frank replies kindly as he heads for home. While the boys had guessed correctly that Frank was looking into their past a bit more to make sure there were no stones unturned, he didn't want to worry them about Troy's condition. It hadn't been proven that Jed Allen was the person who assaulted his paternal investigator so it's only his mind that takes comfort on the way home that Troy was going to be okay. But he does tell him a bit more about the fallout from the court shooting and the men responsible; Jamie telling him that George is okay but seemed a bit less energized than normal. That worried him. Henry was working late, once again on something that Frank didn't involve any members of his family on – that of the taking down of a murderous NYPD traitor.

Once they arrive home, Jamie delights in having all of Frank's undivided attention and the two of them settle in to watch the hockey game and just bond as father and would be son. Something both their minds and hearts revel in.

XXXXXXXX

However, in other parts of the city a few other destines were starting to take shape. First off in the men's prison. Sonny manages to meet Darren in the one part of the jail without camera's – telling him he needs some facts to his theory and if in fact there was more going on at the Reagan's than just the boys coming close friends he needs to know and exploit it.

"Money's no object."

"Where do you keep getting all this cash from?" Darren finally inquires.

"You know only what you need to," Sonny reminds him sharply. "When Frank Reagan falls I want all his family to fall with him and I mean all. Now…get me what I asked for."

XXXXXXXX

And in another part of the state a curious set of eyes rests upon an NYPD business card; one word written on the back and being uttered in a soft but audible whisper.

"George."

A/N: So a bit of a break after all the action but still moving the story along. So who found George's card? Will Sonny be able to derail Frank's plans? Will Henry find out who's pulling the strings in time? Will Maryanne get her second chance? Yay Troy's okay but who really attacked him? Had to throw in some sweet bonding broments and some Danny/Linda alone time! I hope this update is okay and you'll review as especially right now, your feedback and support mean more than you could know. Thank you.