Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 27 – Justice is Served

As soon as his name was called out, Danny could feel every single eye within the near vicinity turn and rest on him; a collective but somewhat hushed gasp uttered throughout every inch of the lower state. He could hear all the verbal buzz starting to gain momentum and in those few seconds questions his choice as all the other NYPD rookie candidates stare at him in shock.

'Another Reagan?'

'Who's the mother?'

'Did honorable Frank Reagan cheat?'

'Why are we only hearing about him now?'

'What's the real story?'

'Who's the woman with him? The younger man at his side?'

'What do Erin and Henry think?'

And on it went. Only Frank's proud smile of approval could ease Danny's agitated mind in those few minutes and tell him that he had made the right decision and the talk would die down and everything would be okay. But everything wasn't okay. It was all about to change.

Frank nears the end of the list and they all prepare, as Frank had told them to, for the barrage of media questions about who this new, seemingly out of the blue, addition to the Reagan clan really was. He squeezes Linda's hand and offers her a meek smile as Frank reads out the last of the names.

Both Danny and Jamie, in fact all of them, Demarcus, Jackie, Linda, Erin…aren't paying attention to what Henry first sees – a man in the distance, dressed as an NYPD officer, moving toward the back of the command truck, oddly out of place.

Seasoned veteran Detective Spencer Rogers, always on alert, gently nudges his partner, Eric Chin in the direction of Henry's gaze and both strain to see what the eldest Reagan's attention is fixed on if not the incoming media frenzy his family is about to cause.

Sonny's sniper moves himself into position, preparing to fire. However, the sniper moves himself into an odd angle and the polished surface of his stolen NYPD badge, catches the rays of the sun – alerting people that something…was worth paying attention to.

All in attendance hear Frank shout but it's those on the stage…those closest to him that watch in horror as Frank Reagan's body jerks from the bullet entering in between the protective layers of Kevlar and delivering a near death blow. Only Frank's last minute course change sent the bullet away from the heart.

"FRANK!"

Everyone hears Spencer Rogers shrill cry and within seconds, a dozen officers are shielding their Commander in Chief's body with their own. Another shot is fired, this one catches an officer in the neck, ripping open his jugular and forcing another bout of horrified screams.

Spencer wastes no time in rallying the troops, leading the charge with his partner at his side in pursuit of the fleeing attacker.

All the while everything caught on media and for the viewing delight of one – Sonny Malvesky, who watches from his prison space with a very satisfied smile.

"Who says there's nothing good on TV these days," Sonny gloats as all honest guards glower at him in contempt. However, that happiness on his part is also mixed with bitterness as he glares at Danny's face on the screen and sneers. Danny Reagan…he's not a real Reagan!

"Francis! Oh my God…son…NO!" Henry bellows as he drops to his knees at his son's side. Officer's Renzulli and Abalos flank the distraught family as the medics are instantly called for. Erin's hand clutches her fathers as Frank tries to assure all those standing over him that he'll be okay.

Then he slips into unconsciousness and onlooker panic skyrockets. Danny looks up with evil glaring in his gaze as he looks at his brother and then at Henry and hisses one word in an undertone "Sonny."

But the very familiar name catches the attention of another officer.

"What did you say?" Larry Abalos, Joseph Reagan's former TO asks gruffly. But there is no time for answers as another shot rings out and everyone is back on high alert.

"I see him!" Danny shouts. And without much thinking, he grabs the gun of the fallen officer a few feet away and bolts from the very surprised crowd.

"Danny! WAIT!"

"Go after him!" Henry demands as Renzulli and Abalos hurry after Danny, Demarcus and Jackie also springing into action.

Jamie watches his brother heading toward a small thicket and feels his stomach tighten even further. "Danny," he whispers as he looks at Linda in misery.

"He'll be okay," she tries to sound calm and assured. But as she turns and watches her promised future husband charging head long into danger without much protection, her mind wonders what she's getting herself into.

"Give me that weapon rookie!" Danny's ears pick up as they near the edge of the thicket, a dark figure running for his life and not realizing that Sonny had set him up to fail. There would be no way out. Danny hears Abalos's demand but doesn't care, all he can think is get this guy at all costs!

Just as the medics arrive to tend to Frank, another shot rings out and all eyes look upward.

*bang*

At first they want to turn in the direction of the thicket where Danny and his charging entourage were but it was from the opposite direction.

"Atta boy Spencer," Henry mutters, not having any doubt that Frank's top Detective had successfully taken down the sniper. He'd be right. However, Henry, much like Spencer, knows without a witness to confess who had paid them to try to kill Frank Reagan, Sonny Malvesky just might get away with the perfect crime. He was…almost untouchable.

Almost.

But it wasn't Spencer Rogers choice – after they had cornered the gunman he had come out with his gun trained, finger on the trigger and about to fire. Spencer had hesitated for a split second but when a shot was fired and entered the bullet proof vest of his partner square in the chest – he fired. An expert kill shot – right between the eyes. No hesitation this time.

Chin would be okay. But the truth was now in jeopardy.

"He's going into arrest!"

Henry, Erin, Jamie and Linda all refuse to leave Frank's side as his unresponsive frame is worked on by the frantic medics.

"Stabilized the wound!"

"We're losing him!"

"NO!"

But just before another sob can be uttered, Jamie sinks to his knees and slips his slightly shaking hand into Frank's unresponsive one; Spencer watching with a crushed heart. It prompts him to verbal action.

"Frank Reagan you come back to us right now you hear! Your family needs you! You're too damn stubborn to die!"

Erin looks up at her father's longtime friend with a weak gaze as the veteran officer's arm encircles her trembling shoulders.

"Come back to us you stubborn bastard! Don't let him win! FIGHT!""

A small hush falls over the crowd as Frank's chest finally heaves a brief but reassuring breath; everyone inwardly cheering. The command had worked. Seemingly.

"Okay we got him back!"

"Ready for transport in 60 seconds! NOW!"

"Ready! We gotta go NOW!"

"I'll bring Jamie," an officer volunteers, knowing that Henry and Erin would want to ride with Frank in the ambulance. After Jamie looks at the well-meaning officer and then at Linda and asks if she's leaving too.

"I'm going to wait for Danny," she tells him in a quiet tone.

"I'll wait for him also," Jamie states firmly as Linda nods.

"Jamie and I will see you as soon as we can. We'll wait together," she tells him firmly as he looks at her in wonder. "I guess this is something we both need to get used to."

"We will," Jamie whispers as he grasps Linda's hand and she gives him a squeeze of added reassurance.

"I hope so," she tries to replies firmly; the unmistakable waver in her voice.

Both of them watch with somber expressions as the medical team rushes away with Frank Reagan's life in their hands; Henry shouting orders and Erin with Jack at her side – just praying for a happy outcome.

The doors to the ambulance close and the wailing from the sirens pierces the air, shooing away all other noises for a few seconds until it rounds the corner out of view and the rest of the melee continues. Jamie watches Linda pull away from him and head toward an injured onlooker who was caught by some flying shrapnel and starts to rummage through the first aid kit to keep herself occupied.

"I need to help…just do something," Jamie tells her in a low tone as he looks toward the area Danny is and then back at Linda.

"Put on a pair of gloves and clean that cut."

"Okay."

In the meantime Danny fires off another shot. It misses but the shot from the weapon behind him wounds the pursing shooter, making him yelp in agony. With adrenaline coursing through his entire frame, Danny raises his weapon with the intent to fire off another shot. This time he's stopped – for good.

Danny looks at Larry Abalos with a narrowed gaze and is about to offer a verbal retort when Abalos speaks first. "This time next year, you'll get him in one shot. Hang back now."

The compliment was small but heartfelt and as much as Danny wanted to tell him off right there; in front of all those officers, Danny realized that Officer Abalos could have just taken the gun and told him to get lost. Another shot is fired and Danny quickly falls back; his ears not picking Linda's whispered pleas for his safe return in the distance behind them.

He waits by a tree and watches the rest of the angry NYPD officers close in on the now frantic suspect. One final shot is delivered and the last attacker falls to the ground – dead. Danny leans back on the large trunk of the tree and exhales heavily; his brain happy that his lungs were getting under control but worried that his heart was still racing at top speed. He utters a small gasp as a hand claps his shoulder and he looks up to see Larry Abalos looking at him in wonder.

"Reagan?" Abalos asks with a small clip to his tone.

"My brother and I were legally adopted. Frank's not my biological father. Wish he was. Mine was…he's dead. Frank killed him…" Danny's voice trails off as he looks at Linda kneeling beside a fallen spectator with Jamie at her side and then looks back up at Abalos.

"Get your brother and your girlfriend and go and see your…father," Abalos interjects with a small pause and frown.

"I'd take my own life before I'd ever hurt any of them," Danny utters a soft vow. "I know you were Joe's TO. I wish I knew him but I want you to know I love them as if they were the family…that Jaime and I wish we always had."

Abalos nods and then watches as Danny turns and races back toward Linda and Jamie. He so wanted to mistrust Danny, his mind right from the start thinking that Danny was there to just take the Reagan's for whatever he could. But his actions when they were in trouble and how protective he is shows to him that his wanting to be there – both he and his brother were genuine. And he'd be right.

"Danny!" Linda calls out as she rushes into his waiting arms and clutches him tightly. "Oh thank God," she whispers as she kisses him by the ear; his arms holding her close.

"Sorry," he tells her as he pulls back and looks at her with a serious expression; his arm pulling Jamie close and giving his worried brother a comforting hug. "I just…had to do something."

"I was scared but…but I knew you'd be okay," she tries to sound convinced of her own words.

"How's Frank?"

"We don't know," Jamie replies with a small shrug as Demarcus and Jackie rush back up to them.

"We're heading to the hospital," Danny tells his friend. "I guess just help here," he gives them a few small directions as Spencer Rogers looks on in amusement.

"Good work today Danny," Spencer commends Danny; Danny returning a genuine smile of appreciation. Spencer watches the three young people leave just as Larry Abalos walks up to him. "You sure you want to take on another Reagan?" Spencer asks Abalos in a low tone.

"I am now," Abalos replies as Spencer slaps him on the back.

"Chin!" Spencer calls out to his partner to take over while he rushes to the hospital to be with the Reagan's while they all wait for news on Frank's prognosis.

And while the mood in the hospital ER waiting area is anxious, somber and agitated; the mood in one part of the prison is upbeat…happy, almost elated?

"Now today's TV was very entertaining," Sonny's voice is heard offering a small snicker as he looks up as, Jason, the last guard Sonny would be able to blackmail to do his dirty work.

"Aren't you worried about seeming to happy about today's events?" Jason asks Sonny with hushed hiss.

"Why should I be worried? I'm untouchable. Both gunman…killed and I've paid well for your silence. The Miller account is closed. What's left to worry about? You're about to transfer out of here in a few days a very rich man. Keep it together until then," Sonny growls in an undertone as he grabs a handful of the guard's prison uniform and yanks him forward. "You will keep it together or you're next."

He lets him go and then casually strolls away; his mind thinking that he is indeed untouchable. He'd be proved wrong.

XXXXXXXX

In the waiting room, Jamie's frame sags against Henry while Jack's arm holds Erin close and her head rests on his shoulder; Linda and Danny in the same pose on the two person couch on the other side of Henry and Jamie; Spencer pacing the small area, Jackie and Demarcus on their way to the hospital after helping Chin with the cleanup.

As much as he won't say it out loud, Henry's mind races with angsty guilt as he blames himself for his son's shooting; for making him put his son in Sonny's deliberate path and garner his wrath. Frank won't blame you, you know that. He does but that's little consolation in the fact that his beloved son is now fighting for his life.

But Henry's mind isn't the only one racing as Danny's also is trying to figure out who might have made the bold move; but both have the same idea – Sonny Malvesky is the man behind the attempted assassination.

"When will the doctor tell us…something?" Erin moans as she looks at her grandfather in misery.

"I'll…check with the him," Henry gives Jamie a small squeeze before he pushes himself up and then slowly heads toward the ER surgical area; the space behind him in the ER slowly filling with uniformed NYPD officers and concerned staff members.

Henry nears the two closed doors and peers in through the windows, his heart sinking as he watches his son's body being operated on some very skillful medical professionals.

"Commissioner Reagan?"

Henry turns to see a nurse approaching him with a brief smile before it turns serious again. "How's Francis…how's my son?"

"I don't know much I'm sorry. They're still working to stabilize him. I was told that he took a bullet to the chest in between his arm and his vest. It missed the large chambers of his heart but still came close enough to cause significant blood lose and internal damage. I wish I could say more. But if he comes out of this, he should pull through."

Henry thanks her and then turns to see, Erin, Danny and Jamie standing a few feet away, their faces etched with worry and their hands tightly clasped. "They're um…he's going to be okay. Francis…will be fine." But Henry's words sound less sure and more scared than anything. "He'll be fine."

"Sure," Danny agrees with a nod as he offers them all a tight lipped smile. But he too doesn't actually believe his own words.

"Who would do this?" Jamie asks as he looks at Danny with a heavy frown.

"I don't know kid," Danny huffs as he wraps his arm around Jamie's neck and gives him a small kiss to the top of his head before he watches Henry pull away and then heads toward him while Erin and Jamie hang back. "Do you know who did this?" Danny asks Henry in a hushed tone. "You do right?"

Henry looks at the angry, watery blue gaze glaring at him and feels his shoulders sag. "It's…complicated."

"It's Sonny right?' He demands as Henry's brow furrows and he looks around to see who's within ear shot. "Then why not let Spencer go into jail and kick his ass!"

"It's not that easy," Henry sighs as he rubs his face and then looks at the seasoned detective as he enters the waiting area. "Spencer…I can't just ask Frank's top detective to go and kill someone without due process."

"Why not? Sonny…" Danny's voice rattles off as he stops and then looks around and back at Henry. "Let me go. I'll go and do it. I don't care about the consequences."

Henry sees such a conflict of good and desperation in Danny's eyes and can't fault the younger man's hatred in any way. But he already has another plan in place. "I do. Danny…"

"WHY NOT!" Danny shouts; all eyes instantly turning to see what was going on. Both Spencer and Larry Abalos take a step forward only to have Henry hold up his hand to keep them at bay and then gently takes Danny aside to a distance that is a bait more private.

"If you know it's Sonny then…look he's…he thinks he's untouchable right? He's in jail calling all the shots and now…he'll just get away with it!"

"Why do you think it's Sonny?" Henry asks directly.

"Right because people change in jail," Danny replies in sarcasm as Henry's head shakes. "I know that Sonny did this. I might not have the evidence that you have but I know he was behind this and I know he'll do it again. Just let me…he killed Joe and we tried to top him but…he's going to do it again."

"Sonny will be dealt with," Henry tells Danny in a firm tone as Danny's eyebrows droop. "Francis would want us all here with him….it's going to be okay."

"Then why don't you sound like you believe it?" Danny counters sourly.

"Because he's my son," Henry replies earnestly as his eyes slightly water. "He's my son and I asked him to…he's my son. I need to hear him tell me he'll be okay."

Danny hears the pleading in Henry's tone and can't help but offer a small sniffle in unison; the two of them briefly embracing before pulling apart. "I'm scared," Danny admits softly as he wipes his eyes. "Today uh…he read out my name and uh…Danny Reagan and…Sonny can't win."

"He's going to be okay."

"Okay," Danny nods in agreement.

"Francis is going to be okay and Sonny…"

"Just promise me whatever…whoever…just promise Sonny won't get away with this."

"I give you my word."

Before the two of them can say another word, the ER surgical physician emerges from the operating room with a placid expression. Danny, along with Erin and Jamie all rush toward the medical professional; Henry sending a quick text to Anton with one last request before he joins his family.

"How's my son?" Henry asks for them all; the rest of the NYPD crew crowding in around him.

The doctor looks at Henry and then at the three young faces and offers a heavy sigh.

"He's going to be okay right?" Jamie asks in haste.

"He's a fighter and he's pulled through the emergency surgery and showing signs of improvement."

A huge sigh of relief is heard as Jamie and Danny hug each other and Erin hugs Henry and then the doctor and then each of the boys.

"But…"

The doctor goes on to tell the anxious listeners about Frank's current condition and his recovery prognosis – it was touch and go….they felt they were losing him and then he pulled back and in 24 hours they'd know for sure.

"Can we see him?"

"He's only coming out of the anesthetic but you can see him before we transfer him to the ICU for the next few days."

Erin tells Jack to tell the rest in the waiting area as she goes with her two adoptive brothers to see how her father has fared after his surgical ordeal. Linda, Jackie and Demarcus waiting for their friends with the rest of the officers.

All of them gather around Frank's bed as the police Chief's eyes slowly flutter open and he looks up at the four most important faces in his life.

"Welcome back Francis," Henry whispers as he takes his son's hand.

XXXXXXXX

He could aptly be called dead man walking because that's exactly what he was, only he thought himself a king. He had wondered what backlash would come his way and as he slowly walks toward his cell, his mind ponders a few scenarios. Frank's office would send his top officer – Spencer Rogers to try and intimidate the truth out of him. With a normal man that intimidation would work. But it wouldn't on him.

Next Henry Reagan might try to get an extended sentence based on some 'extenuating circumstances' that might point fingers in his direction. But he'd merely say it was coincidence and to bring forth some actual evidence. There was no one left standing to testify against him. He had played them all perfectly.

Oh maybe a prison riot, with himself getting the crap kicked out of him and maybe a shiv to the gut or back…some sort of revenge tactic covered by the guise of a hot-headed brawl. That would only give him the mental satisfaction as he loves all attention that comes his way – good or bad.

But in the end he wouldn't get what he wanted – a big, splashy showdown between him and Frank or any member of the Reagan clan that might garner him some media sympathy. Nothing that civil. No man to man showdown. No gun to gun draw with each of them daring the other to make the first move. Then he had planned to just pull the trigger on himself and basically take the truth with him; laughing at Frank Reagan one last time.

Despite the fact that there would be more Reagan's to carry on the name, with Frank Reagan in the hospital fighting for his life and the prognosis fairly negative, he couldn't be happier. However, that happiness is about to end.

Just as Sonny Malvesky passes by a darkened area, a figure in black, gloved and out of the eye of the camera steps from the shadows his arm wrapping around Sonny's neck while the other instantly jabs a needle into his vein – delivering a deadly toxin that would, upon autopsy register as nothing…his death would be ruled a heart attack.

But just before he succumbs to the darkness, Sonny's mind is left to digest a few tormented words.

"Frank Reagan sends his regards."

Anton pulls back.

Sonny's lightly convulsing frame collapses to the ground; a whispered curse trying to escape his quivering lips.

Anton ducks back into the shadows, using the unlocked door and slipping into the night and heading for his already packed truck. His last debt – paid. His freedom bought by serving justice.

He drives into the night.

Sonny Malvesky takes his last breath.

And…

Frank Reagan's eyes open once more to look upon his loving family. They had won. Sonny had lost.

Now would be a time to heal – for them all.

A/N: well it was no surprise that Sonny's main target was Frank (I know some wanted Jamie but that didn't make much sense to us since Sonny's grudge was always against mostly Frank) but of course we weren't going to let him win and I hope you liked Anton taking him out for good. I already had a showdown with Sonny and the Reagan's in book one and I didn't want it to be the same as in the show but Sonny still had to buy it and hope you liked his fitting end. Now it's time for them all to heal. Please do review before you go and thanks so much!