I'm back with another update hope you guys enjoy sorry for the long wait but with the holidays around the corner writing time isn't as available I will update when I can after the holidays I'll get back to a more consistent update pace.

Please read the note at the bottom of the chapter.

Chapter5 Bringing the Heat

It was early Friday morning and Erin was getting ready for work she had no idea what happened with Nicky she had gotten a call from Frank late last night that he would take care of Nicky for the night not mentioning the incident as not to worry her he made sure to tell that he would call her the next day.

Thinking nothing out of the ordinary about her fathers phone call from last night Erin went to bed not knowing anything about Nicky and her situation.

When Erin woke up she showered dressed grabbed a bagel and headed off to work not knowing her life was about to get a bit more complicated.

Over at the hospital Frank stood beside Nicky's hospital bed as she slept Frank still didn't have the answers he was looking for but was willing to let the process play out.

Just as Frank was about to get up and head to the hospital cafeteria when Detective Baker walked in.

"What is it Baker?"

"Sir I just received word from a nurse on this floor that Raquel Ortiz Nicky's friend was just brought in with a sprained arm and bruising to her ribs.

Frank looked stunned but tried not to let that show.

"What do you know Baker?"

"Nothing yet sir no one has come to speak to the victim."

"Well Baker don't just stand there you're an NYPD Detective go do your job."

"Yes sir."

With that Abigail left to do as instructed.

A few moments later Nicky opened her eyes.

"Hey Nicky how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay grandpa where's Marina I need her." Nicky said as Frank looked puzzled still not getting the connection between Marina and Nicky.

"If you mean officer Lopez she's on tour right now."

"Grandpa I know you don't like taking advantage of your position as police commissioner but could you get Marina here please I really need her."

"Nicky I may be the police commissioner but I can't and wont do that."

"Fine, can you at least bring up Raquel up here I want to at least be around friends right now and she said she would get here first thing."

"Nicky I didn't want to have to tell you this but your friend Raquel was hurt."

Upon hearing this news Nicky tried to get off the bed pulling at her IVS. Which caused Frank to try and stop her.

"Nicky stop this right now you'll hurt yourself." Frank cautioned.

Once her grandfather divulged the news of friend being injured Nicky tried like mad to get to her friend an action which aggravated Nicky's bruised ribs.

"Nicky you have to stay calm you'll hurt yourself worse."

"I don't care I need to check on my friend."

"I already have Baker checking on your friend you can see her once I find out what's going on now lay back down and rest I'll get a doctor to check on you and I'll go check on your friend."

"Fine Grandpa but hurry back." Nicky said giving into her grandfather's request.

Frank headed out of the room towards the nurses station and got Raquel's room number.

Meanwhile at the twelfth precinct Lily was doing paper work when Lieutenant Andrews came out of her office.

"Vasquez my office now."

Lily hustled over to her bosses office and shut the door.

"You wanted to see me Mam?"

"Yeah have a seat."

"What's this about Lieutenant?"

"You know the case you caught yesterday the assault on PC's granddaughter?"

"Yeah what about it?"

"I don't need to tell you that this case just became job one for you the press is all over this case ready to make this the new center piece of the news cycle, I just got word damn near every news outlet in the city is just waiting to get a one on one exclusive from the PC's granddaughter but I don't need to tell you that her family as well as this department don't need the circus right now, I want everyone responsible brought into this house ASAP clear?"

"Crystal Mam."

"Good so just to cover our bases and make sure we get these animals before the circus has a chance to get any worse I called the chief of D's he's already authorized me to pull any and all resources I need to close this case so I put in a call to the five-four and got you a temporary partner I'm forming a hate crime task force I don't want this getting out of hand."

"Mam with all due respect I don't need a partner I can shut this case faster solo."

"No buts Vasquez you're getting a partner I'm also doing this to keep you from shooting your mouth off again I heard how you dismissed officer Reagan at the crime scene not your best moment I'm not chewing your ass right now largely because the Reagan's don't need petty bullshit on their plate adding to this mess from now on play nice."

Lily was relieved to get off with a warning she knew that it could have been much worse.

"What are you waiting for go do your job."

"You never told me who my partner is for this is LT."

"My mistake you'll be working with Maria Baez she's a good detective she's also partners with the your Vics other uncle one Danny Reagan I suggest you play nice with her."

Meanwhile out on the streets of Manhattan Eddie and Jamie were trying to make it through tour in one piece.

"Hey Reagan you look stressed talk to me."

"Its nothing Eddie I'm just worried about Nicky that's all."

"Jamie relax SVU has the case I'm sure they'll catch whoever did this."

"I know they will Eddie but i hate not knowing what's going on Detective Vasquez hasn't called me yet and I'm worried."

"I know Jamie I'll see what I can find out when we grab a bite if it makes you feel better."

"Thanks Eddie that means a lot."

"I'll always have your back lamb chop."

Back at the hospital Frank was walking out of the conference room flanked by Baker Garrett and Sid.

"Frank what do you want to do I've already got calls from the Times the Post and the News all asking for exclusives hell all three are running the piece on the front page with the Post using the the headline Pride Flagged assuming this case is a gay bashing ."

"Garrett I don't care what the headline says I want answers."

"We all do Frank but we need to put some sort of statement out my connections at all three papers say they have evidence this was a gay bashing."

Frank perked up when he heard that piece of information.

"Garrett how would the press already have a motive if we don't even have all the facts yet?"

"Frank I don't need to tell you people talk after all something like an assault at Columbia University information would spread like wild fire."

"Well find out where the papers are getting there information from and stop anymore leaks its bad enough Erin is in the dark about all this I don't want this causing UN-needed issues in my city."

"Right away Frank by the way I'll just put out a standard statement for now until we get control of this."

"Do that."

Once Garrett left Frank still needed to address Baker about Raquel's situation.

"Baker you never told me what you knew about Raquel."

"Sir all I was able to get from her was that she was approached by a male dressed in all black who beat her and told her to and I quote Tell that Nicky bitch we're watching her she better not snitch".

"Okay so whoever approached Raquel is connected to Nicky's case as well?"

"It would seem so sir."

"Well that leaves us with more questions than answers were you able to get anything from Raquel?"

"Yes sir I was able to get the reason why Nicky was attacked."

"Well Baker out with it."

"Sir all due respect it isn't my place to say."

Frank stopped at Nicky's hospital room door and looked at Baker.

"Sid go check on Nicky if she opens up to you let me know."

" Yes sir."

"Now Baker I believed I asked you for information please deliver it."

"Sir once again with all due respect I can't repeat what I was told however if you'll allow me to I'd like to work these connected cases after which I will share information as appropriate."

"Baker so if I understand you you're saying you want to work an investigation?"

"Yes sir I can be an asset to the Detective currently on the case."

"Fine report to the one-two get up to speed and keep me informed."

"Yes sir."

With that Baker left headed for the twelfth.

Over at the five four Danny and Maria were processing a drug runner when Baez was called into her Lieutenant's office.

"Baez come in shut the door"

Maria shut the door behind her noticing she was joined by an unknown detective.

"Baez this is detective Vasquez from the one-two Special Victims Unit you'll be working with her on a gay bashing that happened at Columbia yesterday."

"Why am I being pulled on to a special victims case?"

"You're this case because the chief of D's wants this case closed yesterday and with the victim being high profile the case has to stick or this department catches a type of hell we do not want or need."

"Okay so who's the victim?"

After hearing the question Lily dropped her case notes on the desk revealed the name to Maria who was stunned.

"You've got to be kidding our Vic is Danny's niece?"

"Yes Baez it is from this point on you are not to discuss this case with Reagan understood all information is shared between the two of you myself and the LT at the one-two until further notice clear?"

"Yes Mam."

"Alright get out of here and do your jobs."

Once both detectives left Carver's office Maria saw Danny eyeing her so she went over to him.

"What was that about partner?"

"Nothing Reagan just a new case."

"Okay lets roll than."

"No this case is mine it's a joint case with the one-two sorry."

"What the hell Baez?"

"I'm sorry Reagan talk to Carver she'll explain."

"Fine." Danny said as he stormed off into his bosses office.

"Hey Lieutenant what's the deal with pulling Baez?"

"Reagan your partner was ordered on to a sensitive case and this came from over my head so until further notice you and I are partners and there's nothing you can do about so hit your desk and do your job a call comes in let me know and we move got it?"

"Yeah I got it."

Danny went back to his desk not knowing where else to turn for answers so he went back to his paper work hoping some would come soon.

As Baker walked into the twelfth she headed for the second floor of the house where the special victims squad room was located.

Luckily Baker saw the CO for the unit walking into her office and approached her.

"Excuse me Lieutenant I'm detective Baker I was told your precinct was handling the Nicky Reagan case."

"We are I have two detectives on the case now."

"Well just a few hours ago there was an assault outside St. Victors hospital which I can confirm is connected to the Reagan case and was hoping to assist in catching the people responsible for both crimes I already interviewed the second victim."

"Just what we meed a second Vic fine I'll put in a call to the detectives working the case go make yourself at home at the empty desk outside I'll let you know where to meet up with Vasquez and Baez the other detectives on the case."

Baker settled herself at her new post and waited for further instructions.

Back at the hospital Nicky was being prepared to be discharged by her doctor who provided her with painkillers for her ribs.

"Now Nicky take these as needed and I want to see you in two weeks and I'll give you the contact information to the outreach center if you need it."

"Thanks but I'll be fine I just want to check on my friend."

"Okay I'll see you in two weeks Nicky."

Once the doctor was out of the room Frank decided to go into full grandfather mode.

"Nicky I know you've been through a lot talk to me."

"I'm fine grandpa I'll be even better when I see Raquel and get out of here and I'd like to stay with Marina if that's okay with you."

"Nicky why would you stay at officer Lopez's place when you can stay with your mom at home or with me and pop?"

"Grandpa right now I just need to clear my head and I can't be around anyone right now I'll make sure I'm at Sunday dinner please understand."

Frank was confused as to why his granddaughter didn't want to be around family especially at a time like this but gave in anyway hoping Nicky would come to him in time.

"Okay Nicky if space is what you need you got it but please talk to someone about whatever you're going through."

"I will grandpa now please take me Raquel she sent me a text saying Ashley is here the three of us will know how to deal with this and please don't tell mom what happen I want her to hear it from me."

"That I will do Nicky but just know I will find out who did this to you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way grandpa now I'm going to find my friends and get going I'll be in touch."

With that Nicky gathered her things and called Ashley leaving her grandfather still with precious few answers.

Back at the twelfth Baker had just gotten word that Baez and Lopez were coming back from re-canvasing the area around the school so she waited at her desk accessing security files from the hospital.

Having been briefed on the new strategy for the case Baez and Lopez met Baker at her desk.

Once Baez and Lopez got acquainted with Baker they went over the evidence that was collected during both crimes.

"We spoke to the owner of a cleaners that he served three males all asking to have their shirts and jeans cleaned we have their stuff down in the lab being tested for fluids we also put in a call for our Vics clothes from the assault." Baez stated.

"Good I've set up a photo array for our Vics to look through to make the IDs."

"Wait what do you mean Vics Baker we only have one victim." Lily stated.

"We now have two someone attacked a friend of our victim a few hours ago outside the same hospital this started at."

"Just great." Lily huffed.

"Well lets not waste time we need to get to our Vics and make these IDs." Baker stated.

"Lets go than." Baez said wanting to put this case to bed as fast as possible.

"I'll call the PC and tell him to hold our Vics." Baker stated as she called Frank.

The trio left the squad room all hoping this case wouldn't get anymore out of control.

Next Update will include Erin finding out what's going on as well as one family member meeting Marina and finding out about Nicky's secret as well as an unwanted roadblock in Nicky's quest for justice.

For my fellow Jamko fans i haven't forgotten about Eddie and Jamie I will progress their story-line as well in the next chapter.