A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews! I truly appreciate them! :) See the first chapter for the disclaimer. I hope you guys enjoy this story, and please review.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Erin knocked on Heath's door as he was finishing up a conversation on the phone. "Just fax that over to me as soon as you can," he said, waving her in. "I gotta go. Thanks again."

"The Neiron case?" she asked.

"New evidence reports," he replied. "The defense's independent lab results."

"Confirmation?"

He nodded. "I think we'll be settling this one really soon. Which means I can focus on some other active cases of mine. Namely, Jamie's."

Erin arched her eyebrows. "I thought Honor and Liam gave statements."

"They did. My concern is…"

"It doesn't match up to Jamie's," she finished for him.

"You thought the same thing?" Heath asked.

Erin half-shrugged. "Danny felt like something was missing based on the evidence off of Jamie and what Jamie said."

Heath nodded. "I knew there was a good reason we put up with his shenanigans."

Erin chuckled slightly.

"Actually, I am glad you stopped by," Heath said. "Because I did want to ask you about something. In order to close the case officially, I want to have my ducks in a row. But between Honor and Jamie, someone's holding back."

"Which one do you think it is?" Erin asked.

Heath shook his head. "I'm not sure. But I have an idea…"

"Come again?" Jamie asked, looking at Erin with utter surprise. And, if she had to judge, hidden anger.

"Heath thinks it'll be a good idea," she tried.

Jamie sighed heavily, sinking back into his father's couch. Danny was sitting across from him in one chair while Erin sat in the other.

"Think about it, kid, before you write it off," Danny said.

"I haven't written anything off," Jamie snapped back.

"Honor and Liam aren't going to trial," Erin interjected. "This will be your only chance to confront her."

"Who says I want to confront her?"

"It might help," Danny offered quietly.

Jamie sighed, but opted not to reply.

"Heath thinks it might be a good idea," Erin said again.

"For me, or for his case?" Jamie replied bitterly.

Erin inhaled slowly, swallowing Jamie's words. "For you. The case is already closed, Jamie. This is all about you."

Jamie shook his head but said nothing.

"What're you thinking, kid?" Danny asked quietly.

"That the two of you are working together to strong-arm me, and using Heath as an excuse," Jamie answered.

"No one's trying to force you into anything," Erin explained gently. "You have every right in the world to say no. I just thought it might help."

"You did, or Heath did?"

"All three of us do," Danny said, looking at Erin.

Jamie sighed heavily.

"We're just concerned about you," Erin added, watching her younger brother and seeing his inner torment.

Jamie looked up at Danny. "You saw the photos," he started. "You read the case notes. You've listened to me talk. Do you think I know more than I'm telling you? Or do you think I'm missing something?"

Danny shrugged lightly. "I don't know, Jamie," he said softly. "But if you are missing something, I think it'd be better that you find out now while you're still trying to deal with it rather than years down the road when it's reopening old wounds. Don't you?"

Jamie didn't answer the question, choosing instead to look down at his feet.

"It's up to you," Erin stressed again. "Danny and I can suggest, but it's your choice."

Jamie snorted lightly. "Guess there's a first time for everything," he said quietly.

"How's that?" Danny asked.

Jamie half-smirked. "How often do I really get a choice with you two?"

Erin and Danny smiled back at their younger brother.

"Tell Heath I'll think about it and get back to him," Jamie replied as he slowly stood up. "I'm kinda tired today, so making a good decision wouldn't really happen right now. I'm gonna go get some sleep."

Erin nodded as she and Danny also stood, realizing Jamie was once again brushing them off. "Okay," she said.

"Night, kid," Danny added as Jamie made his way up the stairs.

"He'll come around, right?" Erin asked her older brother.

"I keep hoping so," Danny replied. "I gotta go get the kids from their friend's house and get them home for dinner before Linda grounds us all."

Erin chuckled. "Alright."

"I'll talk to you later, sis."

"Later." Danny walked out the front door after calling a quick goodnight to the rest of the family in the house. Though Erin knew her father was standing behind her.

"Jamie will come around," Frank assured her, handing her a glass of scotch.

She said nothing, taking a sip instead.

"It may take some time, and a lot of patience, but he'll be okay."

"I hope so," Erin said sadly.

And she noticed her father didn't add anything other than his arm around her shoulders. A sign that even he wasn't completely certain he believed what he was saying.