Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 23 – Felling the Allen Family Tree

"We have his picture out to every branch of…oh hell we've given it to everyone but he could already be here," Spencer tells Frank as they both look at the brochure of Manhattan early the following day.

"This is your top priority."

"What about Vicker's death?" Spencer inquires seriously.

"I'm taking care of that."

"Frank…"

"It's more complicated than we thought and I think it involves Sonny Malvesky."

"What? That…rat…bastard!"

"Oh he is that and more but he's cunning, wily and smart. He's not an opponent we want to underestimate. Jed Allen, much like his son will only want to do harm to the boys and he'll hit us hard and fast. Malvesky…he has inside help and they are determined to destroy the fabric of the entire NYPD no matter how long it takes. Vickers was a patsy. But things are in motion right now to hopefully draw out the head of the snake once and for all and…take Sonny down for good."

"Hope you know what you're doing."

"Hope so too."

XXXXXXXX

"So Frank wasn't mad? I'm glad…I'm still mad," Danny tells Jamie in truth as Jamie looks at him with pursed lips. "Hope you learned your lesson."

"Yes. Next time leave the bike first?" Jamie retorts with a snicker; earning himself a small smack on the back of his head by his brother. "Okay fine. So…it's not an engagement ring?" Jamie asks as he and Danny enter the moderately busy mall.

"Right…it's a promise ring. Just to show…you know I'm going into the academy and she's starting med school…but that I want her to know I love her and…I want to be with her and that I'm serious about getting married…in the future."

"After school?" Jamie's eyes gently lift as Danny looks at him with a small shrug. "You don't know?"

"No I just…I just want her to know I'm serious about us. Hey she might say no."

"She'll say yes," Jamie replies with a smile.

Danny directs his brother toward a certain store but just as he enters, he pauses to let a woman go and then stifles a gasp as he see what he thinks is his father's reflection in the store glass reflection. He quickly turns and notices the space where he thought the face was – is empty.

"Danny?" Jamie's voice pulls his gaze back to his brother. "What's going on?"

"No I just…sorry I thought I saw…it's nothing," he stammers before turning back to Jamie with a tight smile. "Come on," Danny urges Jamie into the store, telling him part of his plan on when and where he wants to give Linda the ring but assuring him that no matter what Jamie would always be his priority and that he'd never do anything without keeping his brother close.

"Did you talk to Frank and Henry this morning?" Jamie wonders.

"No they left before I was up too. Why?"

"Just wondering what they thought of George's granddaughter," Jamie shrugs as they head toward a small jewelry store. Jamie looks around at all the sparkling items in his line of sight and then up at Danny with a small, wondering frown. "Can you…afford any of these?"

"Something…small, modest," Danny replies in a soft whisper as he nears the counter with an almost terrified expression.

"Can I help you?" The older woman asks with a kind smile.

"Yeah I uh…I want a um…a promise ring," Danny replies with a nervous stammer. "Do you have something like that?"

"I have a few. What's her name?" She asks kindly.

"Linda."

"Linda, very nice. Okay let me show you what I have."

XXXXXXXX

"Here? Are you sure Francis?" Henry asks somewhat rhetorically as he knows his son would never joke about anything as serious as the boys lives in danger. "Do the boys know?"

"I just found out this morning. It's a hunch. Spencer's hunch and that's good enough for me. They tracked him to Lincoln and the address that Louis Watson gave us but Jed Allen was gone. I don't think Watson really knew and gave us the last hideout that clan had at their disposal to help himself. We don't know how old that brochure is and…and we don't have a very updated picture of Jed Allen but we've put out a picture and a call to every agency in the state."

"I hear that nervousness in your tone and I don't like it. What can I do?"

"You're busy with The Templar. But if I hit any roadblocks I'll let you know. I'll tell the boys tonight."

"Okay I'll see you tonight."

"Any word on Darren Oliver?"

"There's no camera on his apartment, but a nearby street cam caught a glimpse of a man in black, face covered with a black mask running away from Oliver's apartment just after the robbery. Someone accessed the Morton account. My guess is that Sonny pulled the funds, got someone to take out Oliver so now the only person that can tie Sonny to any of this is an insider with direct evidence and we still don't know who that is. Sonny is taking out all the people on the outside connected to him for a good reason."

"We just need to figure out what that is before he does any more damage," Frank states gravely.

Frank hangs up with his father and then looks at a picture of the boys on his desk and frowns heavily. "Danny and Jamie Reagan," he whispers. Is Jed Allen actually here? Was that a red herring? A decoy to put us on alert when he's running the other direction?

It didn't seem like it was in the blood of the Allen's to just tuck tail and run but Wade Allen had a personal interest in his boys – they were his flesh and blood and could finger him for their mother's unfortunate murder. However, one could then reason on the same line that Jed Allen might want retribution for the death of his son and the current incarceration of his half son; Watson or the others he didn't give a damn about. At least not personally.

"I'm done waiting," Frank mutters to himself as he reaches for his phone. He calls the department attorney the one that would help him with the closed adoption and asks when he can set up the private hearing. Jed Allen be damned.

"Theo. It's time."

"I have time on Thursday. It's the earliest I can do. Does that work?"

"I'll make it work."

XXXXXXXX

After they're done at the jeweler's Danny's fingers fondle the small little black velvet box; his lips calling out anther thank you as he ushers Jamie out of the store and back into the mall.

"It's really pretty," Jamie comments softly as Danny looks at him with a kind smile. "I'm happy for you."

"She hasn't said yes," Danny retorts as Jamie shakes his head. "What? She might say no."

"As if. Do you know when you want to ask her?"

"I know where but…not when. But I guess the where dictates the when," Danny nervously snickers.

"She's going to say yes and she's going to love it."

Danny offers Jamie a tense smile but then glances around; wondering if the same face is watching them. But when he looks back he notices Jamie's determined gaze. "I thought I saw…someone…ah it's nothing. I'm just…never mind."

"Someone's following us?"

"No," Danny retorts in haste.

"Maybe they want the ring?" Jamie ponders as Danny's brow furrows.

"I think it's just…I'm nervous so my mind is playing tricks on me. You hungry?"

"Actually…yeah. Can we go to the food court?"

XXXXXXXX

"I know that tone. You found Jed Allen?" Spencer asks Frank with just as serious tone.

"I think so," Frank's heavy sigh resounds over the seasoned Detective's cell phone. "Scott ran his picture and it was the spouse of an officer that said he might have come into their store to buy a few things. From the old picture we have Scott was able to do a natural age progression and it seems to fit."

"Hardware store?"

"You're always so optimistic."

"Don't think I want to know what he bought. Which store? And where'd he go from there?"

Frank gives Spencer the details and then once again offers a warning to watch his back. That warning would be necessary – for all of them.

"Where to?" Chin asks his partner as they get into the black SUV; Spencer directing his partner on their new destination. "And he'll be there?"

"That's where Scott tracked the vehicle he's using," Spencer explains. "But knowing this guy, I doubt it'll be that easy. He's probably switched cars or left under the cover of darkness by foot. At least we know who we're looking for and his target. I just hope we can get to him before he gets to the boys."

They arrive at the location they hope Jed Allen might be hiding out only to both trade glances at the silent façade that awaits them. But needing to confirm that, they both get out of the police issue vehicle and head for the front door; Spencer signaling to Chin to take a uniformed officer and go around the back; the other would come with him.

"Officer…"

"Renzulli Sir," he answers in truth. "What are we chasing here?"

"A monster," Spencer replies as he knocks loudly. "NYPD! OPEN THE DOOR!"

Silence.

"The car is here," Chin radios to Spencer.

"We're going in," Spencer radios to Chin after hearing that they got only silence in return for their efforts of banging on the back door. Spencer Rogers kicks in the front door; Chin doing the same for the back and all of them rushing in.

Nothing.

"Look around for anything that might tell us where he's going!" Spencer growls just as his phone rings. "What?"

"Sorry…" Scott mutters with a heavy sigh; earning a quick apology from Spencer. "I got a call from a security guard at the mall. He thinks he's seen Jed Allen today."

"The mall? What the hell is he doing at the mall?"

XXXXXXXX

"I'd love to go."

"Figured I'd try to surprise you but once you saw where we're heading I know you'd have clued in," he replies with a small chuckle.

"You're a smart man Danny," Linda answers as they linger on the phone a bit longer, Danny telling her where they'd be going but not the real reason. Of course just going to see his mother was a reason enough.

"I think it's time and…I'm sorry it hasn't been sooner."

"Don't be sorry, I'm not mad. It's something very special to you right?"

"Right."

They talk a bit longer until Erin comes home and it's time to get off the phone and get to helping make dinner.

"So just the three of us tonight?" Jamie inquires as he enters the kitchen and looks at Danny and Erin talking about his mall outing.

"Dad's delayed with a case and grandpa is at court," she replies with a frown. "A closed hearing so I wasn't able to be there and I don't know many details other than what's on the news – corrupt union official."

"I got an email from Heidi and she says she told her mother how it went meeting George and her mother wasn't angry. In fact she asked more questions than even Heidi expected. I know she said there's a care home nearby so maybe…just maybe they can offer to put George there. Think his Veteran status would help?"

The three of them talk a bit longer while they make dinner and then finally sit down to enjoy.

"I'd like to g…" is all Jamie manages before the power suddenly goes out. "What the…"

"Frank forget to pay the bill?" Danny asks somewhat sarcastically. But a few seconds later they hear what sounds like the slight tinkling of glass and panic sets in; Jed's plan was to darken the home, fire off two shots and then disappear again into the night. That plan would fail.

"Someone's in the House!"

"Where's the flashlight?" He asks Erin as she carefully pulls away from the table and feels her way along to the small utility drawer and pulls out a small flashlight.

"Jamie, text Frank and Henry," Danny instructs in a low tone as he takes the second flashlight as he gestures for Erin to take Jamie and head for the front door.

"Danny…"

"I'm going for Frank's spare weapon," Danny whispers back as Jamie tugs on his arm. "Shh just…stay with Erin. Go now!"

"Danny no!"

"Jamie, don't argue, just move it!"

Erin doesn't waste much time as she grabs Jamie by the arm and tries to pull him toward the front door while Jamie watches Danny disappear into the darkness. But just before they reach the front door, a distinct 'ping' is heard making Erin's lips emit a small gasp as her and Jamie stop suddenly and then quickly rush into Frank's office.

"Lock the door!" Jamie shouts as another 'ping' shatters the doorframe; heavy footsteps stomping toward them.

Frank had wasted no time in sending out backup; Spencer and Chin the nearest to response. "Spencer…"

"I'll stop this bastard Frank. No matter the cost."

"Just keep my family safe. I'm on my way."

The heavy footsteps near the locked office and it's only mere seconds before the door busts open; Jamie pushing Erin further under the desk and both of them instantly freezing.

"You're all gonna die!" Comes the gruff voice as he fires off another shot, shattering the window and making both Jamie and Erin utter a small gasp. "You two killed my family!"

"What? What family? Who the hell are you?" Danny shouts from upstairs. "Who are you?"

"I'm gonna kill the youngest one first. Jamie!"

"Danny!"

But just before Jed Allen can fire a few shots off into the bottom half of the desk; potentially hitting both Jamie and Erin, another shot rings out – one that isn't silenced. The first shot Danny fires off, misses its mark – easily. This is thanks to his shaking hand. However, the second shot, fired off a few seconds later, does some damage. It shreds off some skin on the top of his right shoulder, making Jed Allen's body automatically jerk in response.

"They're my family!" Danny shouts as he literally jumps from three stairs from the bottom, his body slamming into Jed Allen's larger frame. But as well-meaning as Danny's intentions are, Jed Allen isn't that easy a target to defeat. Jed brings his elbow down on Danny's lower back, forcing him to gasp painfully and slump back to the floor.

"Who killed Wade?" Jed demands as he brings his gun up and tries to shoot Danny in the side.

"What?" Danny asks as his body slightly falters. "Wade…Allen?" He asks in fear as the gun rises.

Just before Jed's vengeful plan can come to fruition; Jamie leaves his hiding place and races toward Jed Allen. However, this time it's the blaring sirens and screeching tires outside that get the attention of everyone; Jed's body twisting around and kicking out his leg making Jamie stumble and roll a few feet from Danny.

Spencer busts through the door; Chin on his way toward the back to get the power turned back on.

"Danny!"

"He's right in front…"

*BANG*

Erin's lips emit a startled scream as the bullet from Jed Allen's gun slams right into the chest of Spencer Rogers, prompting his body to halt and then slam backward into the wall.

"NO YOU BASTARD!" Danny shouts as he watches the silhouette of Spencer seemingly falter. But it would take more than a single shot to his bullet proof vest to stop Spencer Rogers for good.

"Is that hall you got!" Spencer growls as he pulls away from the wall and lunges at Jed Allen just as his partner Chin gets the power back on. "Get them out!" Spencer tells Danny as he punches Jed Allen in the jaw. Danny shoves Erin and Jamie toward the door; telling them to get out and run for the SUV and stay inside while he tries to help Spencer take down Jed Allen.

Jed manages to get his hands on the gun Danny had been using earlier and fires off another shot. This one whizzes past Spencer, embedding itself into the wall behind him. Spencer's balled fist smashes into Jed's jaw, snapping his head back. Jed counters by kicking Spencer in the leg, forcing him to falter.

"Spencer!" Danny shouts as he barges back inside with the intention to help. But just as Danny approaches, Jed's hand shoots out and grabs the pants leg of Danny's jeans and yanks; taking Danny to his butt.

A few seconds later, Frank's SUV comes to a screeching halt; Erin rushing up to her father while Jamie hurries back toward the House to see how Danny is faring. But he pauses just as another shot rings out.

"Danny!" Jamie shouts as Frank races toward the front entrance of his home; Henry en route. Frank races for the front door while inside Danny tries to get away from Jed. Jed however, manages to kick at Spencer and grab Danny by the hair and then yank him into his grasp.

Just as he gets his arm around Danny's neck, Spencer lunges.

Danny tries to struggle but Jed fires off another shot at Spencer forcing him to pause for a few seconds as the shot whizzes past; narrowly missing him and then Frank a few meters past. Everyone outside instinctively ducks. Frank's gun automatically pulled and readied as he nears the front door.

Time seems to slow for Frank as he tries to aim his gun at the moving target; Danny's eyes slightly widening as he tries his best to pull away and give Spencer and Frank something to shoot at other than himself. Jed warns all incoming officers to stay away or else. Spencer gives Jed Allen only one warning – "drop the gun or I'll drop you."

Jed's eyes narrow in contempt, as he looks at the seasoned Detective and in his haste slightly jerks the gun away from Danny's face to shoot at Spencer.

But in that moment training and instinct take over.

The final shot rings out.

*BANG*

The fight is over.

The expert shot catches Jed Allen right between the eyes, making his body jerk, his lips utter one final cry and Danny's body to drop from his grasp. Jed Allen's unmoving frame dropping a few seconds later.

"Danny!" Jamie shouts as he pokes his head into the entrance of their home to see Danny rushing toward Frank while Spencer makes sure that Jed Allen is actually dead.

"It's over…" Frank whispers as he gives Danny a hug. "Thank you," Frank tells Spencer with a firm nod.

"Who was he?" Jamie asks innocently as he looks down at Jed's corpse.

In that moment, Frank's mind wages an inner war about now confessing something he had kept hidden from the boys for their own good – or so he reasoned.

"Chin and I will take care of all this," Spencer tells Frank as his partner hurries up to his side.

"You were shot!" Danny exclaims as Frank looks at Spencer in haste.

"Always bring a vest…to a knife fight," Spencer slightly smirks as he pulls up his sweater to reveal the lifesaving garment. "Take care of them Frank. We'll take care of this."

"But…" Danny tarries to protest.

"Spencer will be fine," Frank insists. "We need to talk." With that Frank ushers Danny and Jamie outside, giving his beloved daughter a hug as he gently steers them toward Henry who had just arrived.

"Was it Jed?" Henry asks in haste as Frank nods in confirmation.

"Who's Jed?" Jamie asks again as all eyes turn to him.

"He asked who killed Wade. Who was he?" Danny presses as Frank's brow furrows and Jamie's eyes slightly widen.

"We need to talk in private."

"Please tell us now," Jamie begs.

"He was your grandfather," Frank replies with a grave tone as both boys exchange surprised glances.

"What?" Danny, Jamie and now Erin chime at once.

"And he came here to kill you both. We have been tracking him for a few weeks now but every time we thought we had a handle on him, he'd…get the upper hand. At times we weren't even sure it was him and other times we weren't even sure he was alive. When we finally did track him down last night we knew we had little time. He's dangerous and proven that he's very capable of killing."

"He wanted revenge?" Danny asks weakly as Frank nods. "But…Wade was…evil."

"So was his father."

"Like father like son," Danny states with a tight tone as Frank looks at him in concern.

"I wanted to make sure there were no stones left unturned when we go in for the adoption hearing," Frank tells them in truth.

"So…"

"So I had a friend look into your family history to make sure there were no surprises. Jed Allen was the last of the Allen clan to be taken care of. We had hoped that he was going to just stay away and mind his own business but Scott Daniels, whom you both know and trust was able to find a few emails sent from Wade to his father, telling him to avenge his death and make sure you both didn't survive. I wasn't about to let that happen. Neither was Spencer."

Both Danny and Jamie look at each other in silent wonder.

"I know this is a lot to process and the reason why I played this close to the chest is I didn't want to worry either of you in the event that Jed Allen really was dead. In a few weeks, you'll both be getting back to your regular routines and I want you both to be able to start those with a name you can be proud of. I didn't want to worry you for nothing. But…I also put a few things in place to ensure you weren't completely unprotected."

"So that's why it felt like we were being watched today," Danny mentions as Frank nods.

"Jed Allen had the chance to keep living his life on his own. Coming here he chose to end it. He wasn't about to listen to anyone's reason or he would have long ago," Frank continues. "I did what I had to do to protect my family. I will understand if you're angry with me for withholding the information but I did what I did for the sake of the family. My family."

"Had he wanted a normal relationship with you both he would have sought you out long ago via the proper channels," Henry adds.

"So he knew about us then?" Jaime inquires as both Frank and Henry nod.

"From what Scott has been able to uncover, yes. And he…well he encouraged Wade's actions against you both…against many in the past that I won't get into to spare you both…all of you the grisly details. But I wasn't about to let him come and do you both harm after what Wade put you through."

"Did he have any dealings with McGuiness?" Danny asks, referring to their half-Uncle still in jail.

"We think through a mediator the word was put out…take them out," Henry adds.

"It's over now. Come on…let's head for Jerry's Diner and have some coffee or whatever until Spencer has the scene cleared."

"You're my only grandpa," Jamie states as he wraps his arm around Henry's waist and gives him a hug.

"So what happens now?"

"Now…we get this all cleaned up. We work a few days and then on Thursday the closed adoption will proceed and now without fear of rebuttal, will be successful and will make you both Reagan's. Officially."

"And then we'll all go out to dinner and celebrate!" Erin adds with a smile as they all pile into the SUV.

"Danny…and Jamie Reagan. Yeah…I like the sound of that."

A/N: So yes Jed is dead! yay! The boys can breathe a small sigh of relief but of course Sonny is still plotting. George's family is talking and Danny's making plans for his future. Hope you all liked this update and please do review before you go and thanks so much!