Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 28 – Paid Debts & New Charges

His mind swirls through waves of dizzying darkness; cries, screams, distorted faces and then finally darkness. He sees his beloved wife…his daughter…his son – Joseph. He sees them as children…in school…and then grave markers. He sees new faces…friendly…not friendly…old friends…and future happiness…he sees his father…then…Sonny's mocking expression.

His heart rate soars and then plummets as he sees himself standing before Sonny Malvesky and them squaring off; Sonny firing and his body faltering before slamming into the ground, his father's voice yelling in the distance. But then he hears Spencer…and Erin…and Danny…Jamie…his father. Another strange voice – doctor's?

Yes…the doctor's voice. Doctor's and nurse staff…he hears them telling him to fight…to come back to them…to his family. And he does. His eyes flutter and he finally gives the staff working on him, hope that their efforts have been in vain.

He's back…thank God we got him…

And upon hearing those words, he sunk back into blissful darkness. The next time he opens his eyes, his father…his children are all looking down at him in tender concern.

The final time he opens his eyes, the room is dark…the anxious energy from earlier has all but died and the movement around him has slowed right down. Now he can finally allow himself to relax – well for the most part. There's still one thing weighing upon his mind, meting out some final justice on Sonny Malvesky.

"Francis."

Frank hears his father's voice and lifts his eyes upward and to the right. "Pop…" he manages as he tries to swallow. His heavy eyelids close and then quickly open as he looks past his father to the gaggle of heads on the bench behind him a few meters away. "What…happened?"

"One of Sonny's guys dressed as a sniper on top of the SWAT command truck," Henry replies in soft whisper. "Spencer got him."

"Dead?"

"He gave Spencer no choice. And the second shooter was caught and killed also."

"So…no witnesses," Frank huffs.

Henry's hand rests on his son's shoulder when they both hear the little heart monitor beeper start to sound excited. "We know it's Sonny. Anton said he wasn't sure if he was angrier over Danny being announced as Danny Reagan or the fact he was so happy when he thought you were dead."

"We have to…stop him. He'll have to…try again."

"He won't."

"Pop…protect…the kids…the family…at any cost."

"Justice," Henry pauses as he looks down at his watch and then up at his son, "has been served. Anton said you sent your regards. The last words Sonny Malvesky heard."

Frank's dark brows arch as he looks at his father with a heavy frown. "Anton…he's…"

"He's bought his freedom and him and I are now even. This was my one favor."

"Was a…good one," Frank manages weakly.

"Told him that myself," Henry whispers seriously. "Our family is safe now. Anton has secured his future and our family enemy is dead. Tomorrow the news will come out. It'll read Sonny's death as that of a heart attack. Don't ask for details, just take comfort in the knowledge that he'll never hurt our family ever again. I think we all knew if Sonny was to be left alive he'd never rest until we all were dead. I did what I had to to protect my family."

"At any cost," Frank whispers hoarsely.

"We all knew the cost and it was worth it. Family comes first. Anton above anyone respected that. We're even."

With that Henry's fingers curl around his son's and squeeze them tightly. Frank's eyes slightly water as he looks up at his father with tight lipped smile.

"The kids are sleeping and now it's time for you to get some solid rest. We'll all be here when you wake up," Henry tells Frank as he leans in and kisses his son gently on the forehead. "I love you Francis."

"Love you too…pop," Frank whispers before his eyes close and he sinks back into blissful sleep. With the knowledge that Sonny is dead, his mind urges him to go to sleep – sleep that would heal him and get him back to his family faster.

Jamie's sleepy eyes open and he watches as Henry pulls away from Frank and head over to what would be an uncomfortable sleeping chair for the night. "Goodnight," Henry whispers to Jamie, giving him a tender smile. "Frank will see you all in the morning."

Erin had said goodnight to Jack about an hour ago and a half hour after that, Spencer said his goodnight, saying he'd drop Linda off on the way home; the boys settling into a shared sleeping chair about fifteen minutes after that. Frank had drifted in and out of consciousness while they were all there, but none were dismayed that he wasn't able to fully acknowledge their presence – he would in the morning.

That night, despite the harrowing events of the day, when Henry had told them all that Frank's shooter was tied to Sonny Malvesky and due to the strain of all the charges against him dropped dead of a heart attack, they all are able to close their eyes and get some rest with added piece of mind.

XXXXXXXX

Jamie is the first to open his eyes early the next morning, having gotten only a few hours of sleep when he finally did fall asleep. He heard from Danny that the mastermind behind the joyride, the NYPD murders and Frank's attempted assassination was their old nemesis – Sonny Malvesky, was dead. No one, as soon as they were told, felt regret or was sorry when Sonny took his last breath for they all know if he was allowed to keep breathing, he would come after them all one by one and that was a chance neither Frank nor Henry wanted to take.

This time it was Henry's mess to fix. He had started the Templar and he was determined to see it end – for good. Anton did his job and wouldn't worry about losing sleep over ridding the earth of one last sinister and evil villain. He slowly pulls away from Danny's sleeping frame, and nears Frank's bed. At first he's not sure if Frank's asleep and doesn't want to wake him if he is.

"You can come closer," Frank's voice tells Jamie as his eyes open and he looks up at the young teen looking down in wonder.

"Are you okay?" Jamie asks softly as Frank nods and outstretches his arm and then grasps Jamie's hand. Jamie leans in closer and gives Frank a kiss on the cheek and then a hug; Frank's arms holding onto him for as long as his meager amount of strength will allow him before he has to loosen his grasp and Jamie pulls back. "We were really worried."

"Me too," Frank replies as Jamie's lips break a small smirk; the frown trying desperately to fade. "But now…we can all just rest…and heal."

Jamie's eyes well as he looks at Frank's pale frame; the soft tears prompting Frank's hand to squeeze Jamie's once more. "Sorry," Jamie whispers as Danny starts to stir.

"Never be sorry…to show how you feel," Frank tells Jamie in truth as Danny comes and stands by his brother. "My boys."

To hear him say that in their presence makes both Danny and Jamie exchange warm smiles and then lean in and give Frank a hug at the same time, careful not to press down on his surgical wound. Erin joins them next and when Henry awakens he looks up to see his family all happily talking and bonding and his heart swells. He fills in the last gap around Frank's bedside and the whole family talks together in hushed tones.

The doctor comes in and as much as he wants to scold them for taking away precious rest from Frank Reagan, he knows after all they have endured the day before he can't. So he lets them have a bit more time before he's forced to intervene with a checkup. But that allows Henry to tell Frank he's going to take the kids home and then do some follow up paperwork and come back; Erin, Danny and Jamie wanting to come back sooner.

"It's over now Francis…for good," Henry assures his son one last time before he turns and follows his grandchildren into the hallway and then outside where a black police issue SUV is waiting. The ride home is spent in contemplative silence as each starts to think about what today might be like had they lost Frank at Sonny's invisible hands. But now with the knowledge that Sonny is gone for good, they enter their home with lighter hearts and happier minds.

"Alright I'll see you later at the hospital," Henry tells the three young people about an hour later.

"So…what's left to finish up with…you know the Sonny stuff?" Danny asks in a low tone as he walks beside Henry outside to the waiting SUV. Henry looks at Danny and knows that inner tenacity will only serve him well through all his academy days and into his NYPD career.

"Now it's time to tie up any remaining loose ends and rebuild whatever inner weaknesses we allowed to happen. But now all you need to worry about the academy," Henry smiles as his hand rests on Danny's shoulder and squeezes. "See you tonight."

Danny watches him go and then turns to see Jamie watching him in wonder as he starts to head back inside. "I guess it's really over."

"And you're upset over that?" Jamie retorts as Danny's lips slightly smirk. "Yeah…you'll be a detective faster than most."

Danny playfully wraps his arm around Jamie's neck and ruffles his hair as Erin joins them in the entranceway. About fifteen minutes later the three of them head out to the hospital, Linda telling Danny she'd stop by later as she had another pre-program group to register for. When they arrive at the hospital, Troy and Spencer are there talking to Frank; Frank mostly listening but his two friends not minding as they're just happy he's there to listen to them in person.

The three young people hang out with Spencer and Troy for a little while until Spencer's partner, Eric Chin arrives and then it's business as usual, prompting the two top NYPD detective's to take their leave; Troy remaining a bit longer to talk to the four of them and then excusing himself and letting Frank spend time with his kids.

As the kids chatter on about their upcoming school terms starting in the fall, Frank watches them all with an adoring smile; his heart rate still high as he thinks what might have happened had Sonny been able to even take one of them from him. He'd be devastated. In the end that didn't happen.

Henry arrives a few hours later with some takeout Chinese food, the four of them apologizing to Frank for having to eat in front of him but Frank not caring as he was just so happy to have his family with him. Henry keeps the talk of work 'light' around the young people, despite Danny's occasional questioning. But when it gets a bit later and the kids are quietly resting Henry is able to tell Frank that they uncovered a few more 'baddies' inside they NYPD; names taken from off private emails that Sonny sent from his jail computer.

"Senator Poole helped?" Frank asks with arched brows.

"He was only too happy to help root them out. Wants our support if he runs for mayor."

"After this…I think he'll get it," Frank responds firmly. "How about in the actual prison?"

"One guard left, Jason, was arrested last night along with a night clerk that Jason was seeing. The two of them, along with Darren who was killed last week, have been helping Sonny do his dirty work."

"Any word from…Anton?"

"None," Henry replies with a heavy sigh. "He bought his freedom…he owes me nothing."

"A postcard would have been nice," Frank shrugs; bringing a small chuckle to his father's face.

"Goodnight Francis," Henry whispers as he promises to come back tomorrow with the kids to help bring his son home for the rest of his recovery. With that he gathers up the three sleepy young people and the four of them leave the hospital; tonight they'd all be getting some solid rest.

XXXXXXXX

"Careful with…that step," Danny tells Frank as he helps him into their home two days later; Frank having to stay one day longer as per the doctor's instructions but more than ready to get his walking papers when allowed. But he's to be on bed rest for at least a few more days so that the strain on the area around his heart from the bullet and the surgery will have a chance to fully heal. But once Frank settles into bed and all three young people take their places beside and around him, he has no intention of making any of them move.

Over the next two days, each of them take turns spending time and the night beside Frank, on his bed, helping him if he needs anything – anything at all and allowing the elder Reagan to bond with his children; happy to be spending some personal time with each of them.

He talks to his daughter about her future in the legal field, discussing her fears and concerns about missing having her mother there for each milestone, especially upon her graduation. They also talk about having the boys as permanent members of the 'Reagan' household and what them taking on their name really means. Then they talk about some political aspirations before she falls asleep at his side; Frank looking down with a loving gaze.

Danny's turn is next and the two of them talk about the fallout from the BBQ and how the announcement of Danny Reagan was overshadowed by Frank's shooting. However, that didn't stop the social media hounds from making their own conclusions as expected forcing Henry to release a statement on behalf of the family. Once that was done, they talked about his concerns going into the NYPD academy and Danny's fears about letting down the Reagan name. After that the subject turns to his promised future marriage to Linda. Much like Erin, he too spends the night at Frank's side just in case; Frank's heart swelling with fatherly pride.

Jamie was last and Frank and the young teen talk about his peers at school, facing potential bullies in grade 12, his worries about losing George, his new feelings for Heidi, his worries about Danny leaving him and missing his mom. Frank assures him that, much like Danny, while his fears of failing the Reagan name might seem justified to him, all Frank ever expected or expects of his family is their best. If you give that that's what I respect…honesty and hard work. He again tells Frank he's afraid of being an orphan, especially with Danny thinking marriage, but is happy when Frank tells him that he's welcome to stay at home as long as he wants. With that happy word settling his mind and heart, Jamie is the last to fall asleep at Frank's side in the large bed; Frank looking down with tender affection.

XXXXXXXX

"Are you sure you should be up and around already?" Henry asks his son a few days later."

"Pop, it's been over a week. If I stay inside anymore, the next call to 9-11 will be from me," Frank tosses back with a small chuckle. "I'll just relegate myself to desk duty for today. Then one more week and next week….back to business as usual."

"You say that with joy."

"Wouldn't you?"

"I wouldn't have lasted more than a few days," Henry tosses back with a snicker as the three young people join them. The conversation is light and friendly with all of them chattering away about different things. It was almost a week since Sonny's death was ruled a heart attack, life inside the NYPD seems to slowly tick on…on one really caring, except his father who was still in jail on charges that related to Joseph Reagan's death. He had spouted off a few vile things to Henry about revenge, but Henry told him bluntly that all means that Sonny had at his disposal, human and monetary were gone – he had no means and was now guarded by two officers loyal to Frank Reagan. Aaron Malvesky soon backed down.

"So much for keeping a good man down," Spencer quips to Frank as he watches his friend and superior enter police headquarters that same morning; Frank's arrival earning a small round of applause.

"I picked up a few of your bad habits," Frank tosses back as Spencer snickers. "So…what'd I miss?"

XXXXXXXX

"Another one?"

"Put that away," Linda tells Danny as she tries to snatch his phone away from him. "It's social media trash."

"They're saying Frank had an affair and…oh this one looks like…seriously he had an affair with Oprah? Hey Demarcus maybe you should change your last name to Reagan and then this crappy lie might hold some water," Danny snickers as he shows his phone to his friend.

"Oprah? Damn Danny…that's…oh wait…maybe that'd get me an in with Rhianna?"

"As what? Her brotha?" Keysha, Demarcus's girlfriend tosses back, making them all laugh. "And that's legal?"

"And not gross?"

"Come on guys…Rhianna?"

"As your sister?" Jackie tosses back at Demarcus who groans.

"Ah buddy you walked into that one," Danny chuckles as he slaps him on the shoulder. The small group had gathered in the park to just hang and play some football, talking about their upcoming academic plans for the fall and beyond. Jackie was seriously dating Ian and even hinted that they too might become officially engaged after she's done with the NYPD training.

One of the things Danny's happy about is the fact that his friends haven't made too big a deal about him having the last name Reagan; aside from some good natured teasing purported by social media. He already knows he has a lot to live up to but they don't make him feel as if it's the only pressure he'll face in the academy.

"Okay…okay how about this one…"

"You keep talkin' and you'll end up single," Keysha states as he looks at his girlfriend with a weak expression; the rest of them laughing.

XXXXXXXX

"Thanks for coming with me this afternoon," Lucas tells Jamie as they slowly walk toward the bus stop near the bowling alley.

"Yeah it was…fun," Jamie replies with a small chuckle as Lucas looks at him in wonder. "What? Hey it was better than just sitting at home alone reading all day. Everyone was out so…it was…fun."

"Are you nervous about grade 12?"

"A little," Jamie answers in truth; leaving out the fact that he's more worried about losing out on the district scholarship that Henry worked so hard to get him be eligible for than just getting through his final few courses. "Do you still want to work for Microsoft?"

"Yeah. Don't you?" Lucas retorts, making Jamie laugh. "How's George?"

"He's okay. We were supposed to go and see him last weekend, but um…with the accident the weekend before we didn't go but I think Danny and I are going to go this weekend."

"Yeah that was at the barbeque. Did they ever get the guy who did it?"

"They did," Jamie replies confidently. "Now we can all just concentrate on school and stuff. Think you'll be asking Tiffany to the prom?"

"What? No," Lucas answers in haste as his face blushes and Jamie laughs. "Are you gonna ask Heidi?"

"What? No," Jamie tosses back as Lucas laughs. "I like…"

"Anna? Yeah you got troubles…girl troubles!" Lucas teases as they reach the bus stop. "I'll see you for grade 12 orientation in a week."

"Okay," Jamie nods as they both watch the bus approach. Jamie waves to his friend and then turns and hurries toward the entrance of the bowling alley; ducking inside and heading for his station to get set up for his afternoon shift. While Frank was laid up, he got a chance to talk to his adoptive father about his upcoming grade 12 school schedule and it was agreed upon that he'd work only two half shifts a week including Friday nights and any shift on Saturday if he wanted; but the focus was on keeping his grades high in order to win that scholarship.

He puts the popcorn aside for later, having gotten a cell number from Allan; a pay as you go phone that Henry had given him and texted his new friend to meet in the back alley to give him the popcorn and just see how he was doing. He was happy that he had saved George but was sad that Nora passed.

During his break, when he meets with Allan, the two of them sitting on a cement bulkhead behind the bowling alley in the back alley and just talk about current events and how Jamie was faring after all the family excitement in the park last weekend. But just as Jamie's shift nears its end, the two of them hear angry swearing and trade anxious glances before they both get up off the cement bench and race toward the end of the alley; Allan reaching it first and yelling at the two punks who were trying to rob another homeless man.

"BEAT IT!" Allan shouts as they just glower at him and Jamie.

"I've called the police!" Jamie calls out a fake threat. "This has to stop," Jamie grumbles.

"Until we get one of them," Allan pauses as he nods toward the homeless man, Gary, they are going to see if he's okay, "to call the police or step forward to press charges nothing will get done. I get here too late and none of them will agree with me to press charges."

"It's not fair."

"I know but it's life on the street," Allan huffs as he pats Jamie on the back. "You gotta get back on shift."

Jamie says bye to Allan and then steps into the bowling alley and pulls his phone. "Grandpa it's me Jamie. Can you pick me up after shift tonight?"

He hangs up and then tries to concentrate on the rest of his shift; his mind wondering if Henry will actually agree to his plan. He'd know in a few hours.

"So what do you think? If you go undercover as a homeless guy then maybe we can stop these guys in the act? Or…maybe one of your guys?"

Henry looks at Jamie's pleading expression and knows he has to do something to help. "Your plan has merit and it would put an end to the senseless street violence in this area."

"So you'll do it?"

"I'll talk to my street team and see what we can come up with," Henry suggests as he gives Jamie a friendly smile. They talk more about their plan on the way home; pausing to pick up the mail from their community box.

Henry opens the box and then slowly retrieves the single piece of mail and his lips twist upward as he pulls out the postcard and then turns it over and chuckles. Anton's life at one time in the past was on the line…Henry literally putting himself and his family at the time in harm's way to protect the one time mob 'wiseguy' and his family; a deed Anton said he would repay, but only when it was Henry's life that was on the line. Sonny trying to murder his son was, in Henry's books, the same as trying to murder him – Anton repaid the blood debt, earning his freedom and securing his future.

'Adramceartasagusan saol maith.'

"A dram for justice and the good life. I'll drink to that Anton," Henry reads the postcard from Anton written in Irish and then looks up at Jamie with a satisfied smile.

"Everything okay?"

"Better than okay," Henry agrees as he gets into the SUV and they head for home. "Now…let's talk about our plan…"

A/N: Some angsty recovery for Frank but he did get to bond with his kids and that made his recovery worth while! Some friends bonding (always fun to write and hope you liked it) and a new plan in place. Hope you all liked his update, so please do review before you go and thanks so much!