H is for Help

Jamie grimaced and wrapped an arm around his abdomen, as he climbed the front steps to the door. He dropped his hand before he walked in.

"Hey Pops." Frank looked up from his paperwork.

"Hey Jamie. Danny's already here with the boys." Frank motioned toward the backyard. Jamie nodded and made his way to them. He passed by Linda and Erin in the kitchen. Danny, Jack and Nicki were playing basketball. Jack noticed Jamie first.

"Uncle Jamie! Play basketball with us, please?" Jack threw him the ball. Jamie caught it, and stifled his pain expression as it flared in his chest.

"Danny, could I get your help in here?" Linda was standing in the doorway.

"Of course." Danny ran inside to help. Jamie only half-heartedly played. The bruising on his abdomen really made it hard to play.

"Are you letting us win, Uncle Jamie?" Nicki taunted as she made another basket.

"Of course not." Jamie shot back. He grabbed the ball and stepped away from Nicki, he spun around and Jack came out of nowhere. Jack's shoulders rammed into Jamie's bruised abdomen. Jamie dropped the ball and fell to his knees. Tears sprung to his eyes.

"Uncle Jamie!" Tear fell from Jack's eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's ok." Jamie gasped. "Wasn't your fault."

"Go get Grandpa." Nicki ordered. Jack took off running. When he entered the house, Linda stopped what she was doing.

"What's the matter?"

"Where's Grandpa?"

"In the living room, why?" Jack didn't answer, he just ran to the living room. Danny and Frank were arguing over a police case.

"Grandpa!" Frank looked up at the fear in his grandson's voice. A tear rolled off of Jack's chin.

"What's the matter?" Danny was now interested in what was happening.

"Grandpa, come quick. Uncle Jamie is hurt." Frank and Danny glanced at each other and then stood. Jack ran towards the backyard, followed by Frank and Danny. Linda and Erin followed when they saw concern on everyone's faces.

Jamie was sitting on the ground with his back against a wall. He was pale and struggling to breath. Frank kneeled next to him.

"Jamie, what's wrong?"

"I'm fine."

"Jamie."

"It's nothing, Dad."

"Jamie!" he lifted his head to meet his father's eyes. He sighed.

"Just some bruising." Jamie coughed a little.

"From what?"

"Got hit in the vest." Frank's eyes widened.

"How many times."

"Three." Jamie coughed again. When he brought his hand away from his mouth, there was blood. Danny stepped forward.

"Hospital now." Frank nodded in agreement.

"I was already there." Jamie whined.

"Well, looks like you're going back." Danny helped get Jamie to his feet.

The whole Reagan clan sat in the hospital waiting room. It had been just over an hour, when a doctor emerged.

"He will be fine. He's asking to see Jack." Danny looked at his son, and motioned for him to follow the doctor. Jack walked into Jamie's hospital room and tears immediately started to fall.

"I'm sorry Uncle Jamie. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"That's why I wanted to see you Jack. You didn't do this. A bad guy did. I didn't want you to beat yourself up over it."

"I love you, Uncle Jamie."