Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 20 – Can the Past help the Future?

"How's George?" Jamie asks as he hops into the front of Henry's SUV. "Did he stay at the hospital?"

"He did but, he had a minor stroke Jamie."

"He…what? But…but Nora said he fell. Is he okay?" Jamie's pitch rises to a panicked tone; Henry's heavy frown remaining in place.

"The stroke caused the fall. They'll monitor his vitals tonight but…he won't ever recover from the stroke."

"What?" Jamie's eyes instantly water as Henry's expression droops. "But…"

"I wish I had better news for you my boy," Henry sighs as he looks at Jamie in remorse. "But that's one of the things that can happen when you grow old."

Jamie looks away in haste as he quickly wipes his eyes; Henry's heart aching as he glances over to see Jamie's drooped shoulders slightly shaking.

"They are going to keep George overnight and…"

"He's going to live, right grampa?" Jamie asks with a small sniffle.

"I hope so sweet boy," Henry tries to offer some reassurance as he nods, "I hope so."

Jamie tries to give Henry a tight lipped smile in reply but it comes across looking as strained as he feels. He asks Henry for a few more details and takes some comfort in the fact that George is safe tonight and off the street and being looked after by some professionals.

"And he said he'd wait for us this time right?" Jamie asks weakly as they finally reach home.

"He said he would," Henry answers in truth. "Come on," Henry entreats as he wraps his arm around Jamie's slender shoulders and hugs him close; Jamie's body folding into his.

"I don't want George to die," Jamie whimpers as he starts to gently sob; Henry hugging him tighter.

"I know," Henry whispers as he kisses the top of Jamie's head. "I don't want him to either."

As soon as they enter their home, Jamie goes to his room to put a few things away; Danny already on his way home. Henry finishes his business with Anton and then goes in search of Jamie. He knocks on the door and looks at Jamie on the floor, looking at a selfie of him and George on his phone. "Come and help me with dinner," Henry kindly asks. Jamie nods and extends his hand for Jamie to take – which he does.

"Smells good!" Danny calls out as he enters the kitchen an hour later.

"Ribs!" Jamie says as he turns and hugs Danny tightly; Danny looking up at Henry in wonder. But Henry merely smiles as Jamie pulls back and looks at his brother with a heavy frown. "George had a stroke," he states glumly.

"Oh damn…really?" Danny asks as Henry nods in agreement and he looks back down at Jamie in remorse. "Sorry. Is he okay?"

"He'll have some permanent damage to his left side. Some mobility is gone and uh…" Henry pauses as they both look at Jamie trying to hold back some fluid emotion. "He's in the hospital for the night and Jamie and I will go and see him tomorrow. How was your afternoon?"

"Busy. Demarcus's truck…" Danny starts as he helps set the table. Frank comes home about twenty minutes later; telling them only that he was visiting a friend who was recovering from an accident. After dinner they all head into the living room to watch a movie, both Frank and Danny marveling at how clingy Jamie appears to be, attaching himself to Henry and not wanting to let go. Henry, however, just wraps his arm around Jamie, holding him close while they watch the movie.

"I'm worried about him," Danny whispers to Frank as the movie nears completion.

"He's had a hard dose of reality today," Frank replies with a heavy frown as he looks at Jamie's now sleeping frame in concern. "I know you two are no strangers to death or sorrow but Jamie hasn't suffered from separation anxiety for a good while now. He just needs to work through this, but clinging to pop is normal for what he experienced today."

"He said he got into a fight…thought the guy was George," Danny groans as Frank nods in agreement. "That I can't just excuse. What if something really bad happens next time?" Danny asks with a small hiss as Jamie gently stirs.

"He'll be fine," Frank tries to assure him. "We'll make sure of that," he tells Danny as he gives his arm a squeeze. "Let's get some sleep. We all have a busy day tomorrow."

"Yeah…dinner," Danny offers as whispered groan as Frank's hand rests on his back.

"I'll take him pop," Frank tells his father as he leans in and gently scoops Jamie's sleeping frame into his grasp.

Jamie offers a mumbled goodnight to Henry who gives him a tender hug and kiss and then lets Frank carry him to bed. Danny says goodnight to Henry and then follows Frank down the hallway and watches as he gently deposits his brother onto his bed and then pulls his blanket over him.

"Goodnight Jamie," Frank whispers as he kisses his cheek and then turns to leave. Jamie offers Frank another mumbled goodnight and rolls onto his side but remains asleep.

XXXXXXXX

'Scott Daniels is very good but Jed's had a good head start on us and the only one that will know where he might go to hide is…Louis Watson.'

After the others had gone to bed, Frank heads back into his office to get a few things done for Monday. He leans back in his chair as his mind recalls his discussion with Troy. Louis…Watson…he knows he can keep certain things to himself or a few select few but the more people he involves in this the faster he knows it'll get to the boys and he doesn't want them to panic of Jed Allen simply wants to remain hidden.

But if he doesn't…if he's just lying in wait to strike and I don't exhaust every possible angle…his mind trails off as he rubs his eyes and then looks at the clock. Go to sleep and be with your family tomorrow – worry about Jed Allen on Monday. And that's what Frank does; he closes his file, turns off the light and then gets some sleep.

"All set for today?" Frank asks Danny early the next morning – Sunday as he notices his hand slightly trembling. "I can go on another day if it'll make you less nervous," Frank suggests as Danny looks up in wonder.

"I'm actually nervous about tonight…you know…dinner," Danny replies with a small sigh as Jamie enters the kitchen.

"Linda won't be on the hot seat," Frank assures him as Danny tries to give him a confident smile. "Tonight will be easy and relaxed and Jack will be here too."

"He will?" Danny asks in shock as Frank gives him a comforting smile. That actually puts Danny's mind at ease and he's able to carry on with the rest of his breakfast. After that he and Frank head to the gun range; Henry and Jamie heading to the hospital to get George.

"Frank, welcome back," Danny's gun range boss, Jerry Walters greets Frank by shaking his hand.

"Jerry," Frank responds by giving the retired, NYPD veteran officer a firm handshake in return.

"Hey Danny. How about you set up booth six for Chief Reagan and…since I know you'll be a bit distracted by our special guest today, how about…"

"I'd like to watch but I don't want to make him nervous," Danny looks up at Frank and offers a small smile. "Maybe after you practice a few times?" He adds with a small smirk; his somewhat sheepish offering making Frank and Jerry chuckle.

"I can't argue with that," Frank agrees. While he talks to the retired officer, Danny hurries to set up the booth and then goes about getting the rest of the booths set up for other customers. But when Danny returns Frank holds up a spare weapon and offers it to him.

"But…" Danny starts in confusion.

"Oh I have a bit of pull here," Frank interjects with a smirk. "I wanted to show you a few pointers before you start your shift. Since no one is here and Jerry is in agreement it's your call."

"Pointers? From…you? Hell yeah!" Danny agrees eagerly as he takes the spare weapon and pushes in the clip of blanks. "Okay…what do I do first?"

"First off…let's see how you hold your weapon," Frank starts first.

XXXXXXXX

"I hope he's still there…hope he waited," Jamie tells Henry as they head toward the veteran's hospital in Manhattan that Henry had taken George to.

"I hope so to," Henry tells Jamie as he turns the corner and nears the large medical facility. "But just in case he's not, we'll head over to the tunnel by the bowling alley to see how he is."

"And what's if he's there. Where will we take him then?"

"I know it's not what you want to hear," Henry states solemnly as Jamie's lips slightly purse. "Let's not dwell on that right now. Let's only be positive around him," Henry tells Jamie in a warm tone as his hand gives Jamie's upper forearm and supportive squeeze.

Jamie's eyes dart around nervously as he walks beside Henry toward one of the recovery rooms; his heart sinking with every step he takes.

"I'll talk to Dr. Travers. You go on and see George."

"I'm allowed?"

"Of course you're allowed," Henry gently nudges him in the direction of George's room. He watches Jamie near the room, pop his head in and then disappear inside before he goes in search of the doctor.

"Hey George," Jamie greets somewhat sheepishly as he remains fixed in place beside the door; the older man looking up with a kind smile.

"Jamie," George replies slowly as he lifts his right hand, gently beckoning him to approach his bed. Which he does. "Don't be sad now my boy. They've treated me very well here. Guess I can thank the Commissioner for that."

"He's worried about you too," Jamie tells George in truth. "I'm glad you're here…well I mean I'm not glad but in light of what happened I'm…" Jamie's voice rattles off as George's hand pats Jamie's. "I wish you had family here."

"I do," George gives Jamie a kind smile. "My boy is here."

Jamie's eyes instantly mist as he gives George a soft smile.

"Henry told you about the stroke?" George asks seriously as Jamie is forced to nod in agreement. "That's what happens when you're old and special."

"But you're okay right?" Jamie asks in haste, his brain remembering what Henry told him and then looking at the old man in wonder to see if he could see what effects the stroke left behind.

"I'll be leaving with a few parting gifts but I'll be okay."

"You better be old timer or else this kid won't be sleeping at all," Henry states as he walks up to them, his arm draping around Jamie's slender shoulders. "And before you protest I got you a room at St. Paul's for the next two nights because after this you need some solid rest and I talked to Graham and he has a bed for you in a room with one other."

Jamie looks up at Henry in shock as his eyes and smile widen at the same time. He instantly turns back to George with an expectant expression; his heart racing that George will say no and he'll be back at square one – worrying if George will survive the night. "Please…please say yes," Jamie's voice begs in barely and audible tone.

George looks at Jamie's pleading expression and knows he can't say no; it would kill the young man before him and as much as he had told himself his dismal future fate was all but sealed, he, in reality didn't want to go back to the streets – alone.

"Yes," George answers softly.

"Yes!" Jamie exclaims as he leans forward and gives George a warm hug; Henry noticing George's face wince and feeling worry and concern. "Maybe you can stay there."

"A few days to recover after this will be fine," George tells Jamie in truth. "So…when I can I leave?"

"As soon as you want," Henry tells George in truth.

"Well…no time like the present," George replies as he slowly sits up.

For the next few minutes Jamie goes between George and Henry, helping George get dressed, getting a few things for Henry and then waiting anxiously as Henry gets George to sign the forms and then all three of the slowly head for the exit doors.

The next stop - St. Paul's shelter.

XXXXXXXX

"He's got a knack for that Frank," Jerry Walters tells Frank as they both watch Danny finish off his last clip of blanks.

"That…and a few other things," Frank replies in admiration as he watches Danny slightly straighten up. "I taught him that stance this morning. An hour later…he looks like a veteran."

"He's starting the academy in a month," Jerry mentions as Frank nods in agreement.

"That he is and I think…he's going to do very well," Frank states in truth as he watches Danny with pride.

"How'd I do?" Danny asks, trying to downplay his eagerness.

"I think you're going to do very well," Frank replies in all honesty as he gives Danny a firm and comforting smile.

"You aced it kid," Jerry Walters praises Danny. Danny's mind relishes in the praise as he recalls being so nervous at the start of the hour and then after some coaching from Frank, easing into the practice session.

"Can I get a few more one on one session's before the academy starts?" Danny inquires.

"Of course," Frank promises in truth. "I'll see you later for dinner."

"Okay. Thanks again," Danny offers in gratitude as he watches Frank turn away. "How'd I really do?" He asks Jerry with a small smirk.

"He was right. You did very well and you'll do very well in September," Jerry answers in truth. "I know when you start your workload is going to be very heavy and intense at times and I know you work two jobs right now. Do you know what you're gonna do?"

"I uh…" Danny's voice stammers as he looks away with a heavy frown.

"I know you probably make more at the warehouse. You're in the union right?" Jerry asks as Danny nods. "Can't compete with that."

"I want to keep both. But here…well the skills I learn here will help me with my future goals. I'm kinda torn."

"Are you able to work there on Saturday's and still keep your shift on Sunday? I know it'll be a lot but that'll free up your evenings for all the homework they'll give you."

"That…actually might work," Danny admits with a small huff of relief. "Thanks for the suggestion."

"Anytime Danny. Only want what's best and sometimes it helps to get an outside perspective on things."

"Can I ask you something…you known about having a relationship and being a cop?"

XXXXXXXX

"This place is great," Jamie tells George after he and Henry had helped George into his room at the shelter.

Henry can't help but give Jamie a weak smile as he listens to his enthusiasm and knows that he's trying to be very positive and upbeat for George's sake. The shelter of course isn't private or the most conducive to healing and it still bothers him to a degree that Jamie feels so at home in these kinds of forsaken places; his mind still lamenting the fact that the sweet young man had to grow up on the streets, fearing and fending for his very existence. But it also made up part of who he is – gave him that loving instinct to help others in need and he could never fault him for that tenderness; if anything it endured Jamie to him even more.

"At least these blankets smell like flowers," Jamie states with a smile as George can only look up at Henry as they both trade knowing glances.

"Jamie…my boy you are too…good to me," George thanks in truth as he slowly lies down on the ratty little single mattress.

"And you'll get a warm meal tonight. I think it's pot roast," Jamie just continues as he helps tuck George in and then rests back on his heels, kneeling beside the small bed.

"Thank you," George offers Jamie as he takes his hand and squeezes it tightly.

"I'll come back tomorrow okay? I don't have to work until Tuesday so I can come and spend some time here tomorrow," Jamie volunteers before Henry can protest.

"You go and have a nice dinner with your family. I'll be okay tonight. Did you tell Nora?"

"We did. I think Alan did too."

"He's…kinda scary but…has a good heart," George informs them, referring to the man in the shadows that had scared Jamie but then in the end redeemed himself by lending a helping hand.

Jamie gives George's hand a tender squeeze and then stands up, Henry grasping George's hand also and giving it a squeeze of his own.

"You just rest up now," Henry advises as Graham appears behind them.

"We'll take good care of him," Graham tells Henry in truth as Henry nods and then reminds Jamie it's time to go.

"Thank you," Jamie says to Graham as he passes; turning to give George one final wave before they both emerge back outside. "He'll be okay right?"

"He'll get some good solid rest in there and least it's warm," Henry replies as truthfully as he can. "I don't want to give you false hope Jamie, George is old and needs better care. If he doesn't get it…"

"I know," Jamie's soft tone interjects with a trained huff. "Thank you for putting him there grampa."

"I don't want you going back there tomorrow alone. Take Danny or Erin but…"

"It's not like the tunnels," Jamie insists as they get into the SUV and head for home.

"I still worry."

"I can ride my bike here tomorrow and then come home."

"Just no going into the tunnels alone. Promise me Jamie."

"I promise."

XXXXXXXX

"Why are you so nervous? Dad promised Linda won't be on the hot seat," Erin reminds Danny as she snatches the knife away from him before he can try to saw through a finger.

"I thought we were having ribs for supper not fingers," Jamie teases, earning a scolding glace from Erin and then turning back down to his task with a small snicker.

Danny had told them about his time at the gun range and watching Frank doing his target practice and how impressive it was. He also told them about the pointers he had received and how it would prove invaluable to when he starts in the academy in a few weeks' time. However, his mind is now worried on what Linda might think about joining the Reagan's for family dinner and how to him it was signaling something long term.

"And she was okay bringing something?" Danny asks weakly as Erin lightly laughs. "What? I don't know how these things work."

"No one likes to show up empty handed."

"But I don't get it. You're invited to their place for dinner, why do you bring them something when they invited you in the first place?" Jamie inquires as both he and Danny turn and stare at Erin.

"Why are you asking me?" Erin retorts.

"You're a girl…you're supposed to know this stuff," Jamie shrugs innocently while Danny snickers.

"Sounds like they've grown up together since birth," Henry comments softly as Frank looks up with a small smile; the two of them in Frank's office discussing a few job related things before Sunday dinner commences and the start of the work week looms. "I'm glad Troy's okay."

"Yeah me to….who's your insider?"

"Francis…"

"Scott said someone accessed the Morton account. I know what that means pop. I know the money that came from there was blood money and used to murder Joseph."

"My guy knows and is working on whoever still has access. It can only be a few. What about Vickers death?" Henry counters as Frank leans back in his chair. "I know that look. What is it?"

"You and I might be chasing the same guy."

"Then it's time for you to back down and let my guy handle this. Put Spencer and Chin on something else."

"They're not rookies, pop they'll ask."

"You said yourself all leads are dead ends but we both know someone paid to get Ed Vickers killed. What if…what if the money came from that account?"

"Would certainly fit your theory about the Templar being back in action," Frank is forced to acknowledge as he looks up at his father with a serious expression. "And it's not McGuiness. He would never know about that account."

"I think you should forget Louis Watson. Jed Allen has gone into hiding and…"

"Or is just lying in wait. I can't just drop it pop. If Louis…"

"Francis…"

"If Louis Watson knows where Jed Allen is he might offer him up for a reduced sentence," Frank blurts out and then both look at each other in shock.

Silence starts to build for a few seconds.

"If he comes after those boys…"

"Louis or Jed? I don't think Louis wants to make trouble for them. I think he was a pawn caught up in a deadly game and got addicted to the money. Wade killed his child and…if it means closing the book on the Allen clan once and for all I am willing to contemplate walking that path."

"And if you do find this Jed Allen…Francis if you do go after him you better not miss," Henry warns gravely.

"I don't intend to."

XXXXXXXX

"She's here!"

"Hide!" Jamie blurts out and then laughs as Danny's eyes narrow.

"It's not a surprise!" Erin groans as Danny hurries to the door and Jamie remains behind laughing. Henry and Frank had finally put business aside and joined their children in the kitchen to help with dinner.

"Hey…welcome," Danny greets Linda with a nervous smile as he kisses her cheek and takes the salad bowl. "Uh…thanks."

"You're welcome," Linda replies with a small smile as she leans in closer. "I'm nervous and excited about this."

"Me too," Danny agrees in an undertone as Erin hurries up to them. But just before she can take the salad and disappear into the kitchen, another knock is heard at the door and she's quick to open it.

"Am I late?" Jack asks with a grin as he gives Erin a hug; Jamie taking the salad from Linda and heading back into the kitchen.

They all talk a bit before it's time to sit down to dinner. All of them clasp hands, Jamie asking if he can say grace and after getting a nod from Frank adds a little request to look after George. After a few small sniffs and some tender glances in his direction, dinner starts.

Keeping to his word, Frank doesn't put either Linda or Jack on the hot seat and for the next few hours, the Reagan dining room is filled with good food, good friends and family.

XXXXXXXX

But later that same night a phone call is placed to precinct 12 asking for an officer that is currently off duty.

"Can I take a message?"

"No…I'll come and see them tomorrow."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes…it's about George Williams but um…yes it's okay. I'll try tomorrow. Thank you."

A/N: Well a close call for George and some Jamie/Henry. Some Danny/Frank at the gun range. Always some Danny/Jamie and someone calling about George? Which family member? (remember both Scott and Renzulli went to see each of George's kids – so which officer are they calling?) Hmmm and will they find Sonny in time? What about Jed Allen? Would love your thoughts before you go and thanks so much!