Danny walked to the morgue and sat in silence as the sheet was pulled back. Tears sprung to his eyes.
"Is this Jameson Reagan?" Danny nodded. He had received a call saying a man was found in the park, without an ID and they needed Danny to come and ID the body. Danny hoped that it wasn't his Jamie, but seeing him in the flesh, confirmed his fear. He stepped closer and placed his hand on Jamie's cold body. Tears poured from his eyes and Danny broke down.
His baby brother lay on a hard cold table in front of him and there was nothing he could do to change it. He sucked in a shaky breath and slowly placed the sheet back over his brother. He walked out of the hospital in a daze. He drove to his Dad's house rang the door bell. All the lights were out, due to the fact that it was 3 a.m. Danny waited and the porch light came on and Frank pulled the door open.
"Danny?"
"He's gone Dad." Frank pulled Danny into the house.
"Who?" Danny looked straight into his fathers eyes.
"Jamie's gone. I h-had to ID his body." Sobs wracked though Danny and Frank pulled him close as tears slid down his own face. They stayed like that for awhile, until Danny pulled away. "Why him? He was so young."
"I don't know." Frank wiped tears from his eyes. "I'll call everyone and have them come here. We can tell everyone at the same time." Danny nodded and walked to the living room. He sank onto the couch and his eyes wondered around the room. He saw the many pictures of Jamie, Joe and himself. They were all so happy. He scanned over the pictures of Jamie as toddler, Jamie graduating eighth grade, Jamie's high school graduation and finally the day that Jamie became a police officer. He stood tall in his uniform, with Erin on one side and Danny on the other. That picture brought tears to his eyes and he sank farther into the couch.
Danny startled awake, his cheeks wet with tears. He sat up glanced over at Linda, she was sound asleep. Danny stood and slipped some pants on and grabbed his keys. He ran to his car and drove to Jamie's apartment. He ran into the building and straight to Jamie's apartment. He pounded on the door and waited. He could hear someone shuffling around. Rays off light came from under the door and Danny listened as the lock turned.
Jamie pulled the door open, he yawned and then looked sleepily at Danny.
"Danny? What are you doing here?" Jamie took a good look at Danny. "What's wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen to Dad or Pops?" Danny pulled Jamie close and gave him a crushing hug. After he pulled away, he felt ashamed.
"I'm sorry. I just...had a nightmare and needed to see you." He turned to leave, but Jamie caught his arm.
"Come in and tell me about the nightmare." Danny smiled and followed Jamie into his apartment. Danny told Jamie about his nightmare and then they talked for hours about everything under the sun. They laughed and joked, until the sun came up. Danny rose and glanced at the clock.
"Thank you, Jamie. I needed this." Jamie rose.
"I think we both needed it." Danny gave Jamie a quick hug and then walked out of his apartment. He smiled as he left. He still had his brother and his nightmare was long forgotten.