A/N: There has been a spate of new favourites/followers to this story, so it is my great pleasure to get the boys either rescued or killed off dastardly grin
Some of you have asked about The Showdown that both Frank and Danny have mentioned. This is a reference to Chapter 10 of "Jamie Needs A Holiday" and all references in this story have been (and will be) footnoted as such. For those of you who have already read "Jamie Need A Holiday", the ending of the last chapter has been rewritten =) I think it is much better, so thanks to those reviewers who helped me rack my brains for a more fitting conclusion. You rock!
"JACK! SEAN!" Linda screamed her precious boys' names as she clambered over the wet and slippery rocks in search of the lost lads, with Nicky following close behind. Linda's mind was a tornado of haemorrhaging thoughts. Her boys were missing. Her boys were fully clothed. Sean couldn't swim. Could Jack hold him? Would Jack even find him? What if they were unconscious? She'd been the one to insist they wrap up warm against the sea breeze – jeans, singlet, t-shirt, jacket, sneakers and socks. What if something had ripped and snagged on something and was holding one of them under? This thought spurred the panic-stricken mother on. She waded into the shallow water, hoping to feel something against her legs, see something in the water, hear something over waves. But all she felt was water, all she saw was water, all she heard was water.
Behind them Erin was quickly on her phone. "Police."
XX XX XX XX XX
More than a mile offshore, Frank's assertion had brought about an uneasy truce between his sons. Danny was still bound and determined to force the truth from his brother, but decided to defer the interrogation until they were out from under their father's gaze.
All four fishermen slowly returned to their posts.
"Do you reckon Linda can hear us from here?" Danny wondered.
"I beg your pardon?" Henry was slightly perplexed at his grandson's choice of topic. Frank and Jamie just raised their eyebrows. They were well versed in the art of staying silent while fishing, Henry and Danny, not so much. So it was no surprise that the eldest of Frank's sons was the instigator of all the conversation onboard the boat.
"She said anybody who talked shop would be kicked of the island. But if we talk shop out here, she won't hear us, right?" Danny sounded unsure of his plan.
Frank smiled to himself. Danny's devious mind was an asset on the job, there was no doubt. But it could be a problem in civilian life, and the detective needed to be reminded of that every so often. "And if she asks what we talked about?"
"Hey, Pop," Danny turned to his grandfather, "How about them Jets?"
Jamie listened carefully, then looked up into the sky. "That isn't a jet, it's a rescue chopper, and it looks like it's swooping this area."
Frank immediately moved to flip on the marine radio, and tuned into the Coastguard frequency. "Maybe we can help."
XX XX XX XX XX
With the arrival of the police, rescue personnel and ambulance, an extremely sodden and hysterical Linda was finally persuaded to leave the water.
"Mrs Reagan, you and your daughter – "
"My niece," Linda interrupted. "I've only got boys. They're missing. My boys have gone!" she wailed.
"Okay," the cop soothed. "You and your niece, you need to get checked out by the paramedics to make sure you are both unhurt. When that is done, we will talk further about how you can help find your children." An ambulance attendant gently led Linda and a distressed Nicky to a waiting ambulance. A quick examination revealed they were cold and in shock, but otherwise uninjured. They were quickly joined by Erin and a rescue co-ordinator.
"Linda," Erin waited until her sister-in-law looked at her before continuing. "I've given over photos of Jack and Sean, and a general description. We just need to confirm with you what they were wearing and any medical conditions so a Coastguard alert can be issued." Erin was holding herself together by the thinnest of threads. Only the devastation on the faces in front of her kept her in check, knowing that her lucidity was her nephews' best chance at survival. She squeezed Linda's and Nicky's hands reassuringly. This seemed to bring Linda out of her stupor, and she answered all the questions put to her – what the boys were wearing, their medical conditions, what led up to the accident, the event itself, and its aftermath.
"Is there anybody we can call for you?" the offer from the volunteer, who had replaced the co-ordinator, brought a fresh flood of tears to Linda's eyes. "Danny!" she moaned brokenly. Straight away Erin recognised her dilemma. If a Coastguard alert was issued, Danny would hear about his children going missing over the radio. Yet it was the best option for finding the missing boys. She quickly explained the situation to the volunteer, who immediately apprised the co-ordinator of the issue. A whispered conversation saw Linda. Erin, and Nicky come to the same conclusion: "Make the announcement."
XX XX XX XX XX
Frank tuned the radio to the Coastguard station just in time to hear second broadcast. "I repeat, all vessels in the Penniman Creek/Penniman Cove area be on the lookout for two young males swept off the rocks at . . . " As the family members listen in horrified silence, Jamie hastily stowed all the gear and pulled up the anchor. Frank started the engine and revved it to full throttle, skilfully and quickly turning the boat back toward the marina. Eventually, Danny voiced the thought that nobody wanted to. "That's where they were spending the day. That's what my boys were wearing. I've got to phone Linda. Where's my phone?" He fumbled in his pocket, but in his torment of not knowing, his cellphone slipped through his fingers and landed in a puddle of salt water. When he picked it up it was useless.
"Stupid thing, it's dead. Dead," he repeated. "Not my boys. NOOOOOO!" he screamed, throwing the offending object into the ocean. Henry realised the signs of a panic attack, and swiftly moved to comfort his eldest grandson.
"Danny, look at me," he urged. When the younger man met his eyes, he went on. "We don't know anything yet. Take some deep breaths. That's right, and again. Good. We are going to get back to them as soon as possible and take things from there. No use borrowing trouble, right?"
XX XX XX XX XX
Soon enough, though, they realised they were not borrowing trouble at all.
"DANNY!" Erin ran straight to her brother, but stopped short. She had to hold it together.
"What happened?" he demanded, gripping her upper arm fiercely. The next half hour was a confusing flurry of explanations, introductions, and bringing everyone up-to-date on the search.
When things had settled down, Jamie realised Linda was alone by the rocks that took her children, and Danny had yet to speak to her.
"Danny, you need to talk to Linda," he said, softly but firmly.
"And say what?" the terrified husband spat.
"I'm not sure, but I do know Linda needs her husband, not a judge, and when Jack and Sean get back they are going to need two parents, not two automatons who are avoiding each other." He pushed his brother toward the rocks, and Danny took the hint.
Frank came along and squeezed his youngest son's shoulder. "I was wondering how I'd get those two talking, but I see you've weaved your Jamie-magic once again. Thanks."
"How are you holding up?" Jamie searched his father's eyes.
"I'm okay," Frank assured him." I just wish that there was something we could do. We can't leave the area because of the spotty cell coverage. The further away from here we go, the more inconsistent it gets. I don't know –"
"I do!" Jamie brightened. "Thanks, Dad!" He ran off toward Danny and Linda, spoke earnestly to them, and then the three of them left.
Beep! Beep! A couple of minutes later, Frank received a text. "Gone back 2 the house 2 grab a coupla hospital bags for boys. Contact me if any news. J x"
Within the hour, Frank had reason to make that call. "Hi, Son . . ."
A/N: I'm sorry! I had no intention of leaving the chapter here, but it just got too long to post in one sitting.