Big thanks to all of you that reviewed; Donnie88, jlmayer, Lea, and LoveMeSomeFrankR, your words are great motivators. Also thank you to those who continue to add this to their favorite and alert lists. I'm glad you seem to like this.

Contains references to and scenes from 1X7, 1X8, and 1X10.

November blustered in much like the situation between Danny and Anna; tense and cold.

Three days after her dad's blow up at his brother and their tense conversation, Jamie called her. "How you doing, Anna?" Jamie asked.

"I'm fine," Anna answered.

"I heard what you said to your dad," Jamie prodded.

"So?" Anna asked.

"Anna, thank you for standing up for me but—"

"No buts, Uncle Jamie. What Dad said was wrong. You know it, I know it, and Dad knows it."

"You shouldn't have called him out like that."

"Yeah? And he shouldn't have said what he said. You may still be a rookie, but you're a good cop. You just do things different. Besides, it was just family. It's not like I said it to the general public. I've heard Uncle Joe and Aunt Erin say worse things to Dad at that table than I said to him. Heck, all I said was that he wasn't bulletproof and he isn't. It can't be wrong if it's the truth."

"You also basically called him an idiot."

"I did not."

"You said he doesn't consider the consequences before he goes into something."

"He doesn't and you know it."

"You didn't have to say that out loud. Anna, you made him feel like—" Jamie stopped knowing that Anna could very well agree with him.

"Like he's not Superman? Well, he's not and he needs to realize that. My dad is a hero, but he is not Superman. I have all the faith in the world in him but I'm still scared to death that one day I'm going to come home to find out I don't have a father anymore," Anna said.

"He knows that Anna."

"Does he?"

"That fight was between me and your dad and you showing you don't have faith in him hurt almost as much as my dig about IA. Just apologize okay? For me."

Anna bit her tongue not planning on apologizing one bit. She hadn't stepped over any line and she was tired of being treated like a little kid, especially by her father. What she had said hadn't crossed any line in her mind and she was going to hold that position until her father made her change it.

"Please," Jamie said.

"Okay," Anna answered.

Though things continued to improve between Jamie and Danny, Anna still didn't say much more than a sentence or two to her dad over the week that followed the Webster Avenue Boys case. It had been just after a normal afternoon of walking home and trying to avoid the chill when Anna found her uncle's face on the front page of the newspaper. The article said that he had shot and killed someone in Chinatown supposedly trying to save two girls that were being abducted. Unfortunately none of the cops on the case could find any other witnesses to corroborate Jamie's story. On that Sunday she sat between her cousin and her brother and observed her uncle to see there was some tension in his body posture. However she wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the Chinatown case and the following IA investigation.

When Linda asked about whether or not Sydney would be joining them, there was a subtle shift in Jamie's posture and his only answer was no without some kind of reason. That's when Anna knew something had happened between the couple. Jamie turned his attention from Linda to Anna before his eyes settled on his plate. Anna was now certain something had happened between the couple, something big and something Jamie didn't want to talk about.

"Your niece just said she wants to be a cop and carry on the family tradition," Frank told Jamie. Since he had come in late he had missed the declaration from the young girl's mouth. Jamie's eyes instantly shot up to Anna.

"Oh, not me," Anna shook her head rapidly. "I don't know what I'm doing eight days from now let alone eight years." Everyone stopped and looked at her. "What? I looked it up once and it stuck. You have to be at least 22 and have two years of college under your belt. I like to look things up. Like did you know it takes eight years to graduate med school as a doctor? Anyway, this one," Anna jerked her thumb towards Nicky and Jamie's eyes settled on his younger niece.

"What do you think, Uncle Jamie?" Nicky asked.

"It's complicated," Jamie said softly. "It's a commitment. It's not just a job; it's your whole life. And you're not just a cop, you're a Reagan." Nicky nodded but didn't seem discouraged. "In a lot of ways, I didn't know what I was getting into. But I wouldn't trade it." Jamie shared a look with his father.

"None of us would, kid," Danny said.

Henry and Frank agreed. "I will tell you one thing," Anna said, looking at Nicky, "If I ever became a cop, I wouldn't do it in New York City." Nicky smirked.

"You got something against New York City cops?" Danny asked.

Anna bit her lips before turning to look at her dad. "Nope, but I got a thing against being a Reagan in NYC. That's why most of the kids at my school think my dad's a Marine who's too busy to show up to stuff."

"Anna," Danny started.

"I know. And I don't care," she stressed the I to make sure he got that she knew. "It's everyone else that does."

"You really don't care that your dad doesn't show up to stuff?" Nicky asked as everyone dug into their dinners. Anna knew how important this was to her cousin.

"I did at first, but now, you kinda get used to it. I see him once a week. That's what really matters. Besides when I start baseball again I know I'll have these two cheering from the stands." Anna reached over and ruffled Jack's hair then gave Sean a side hug. She glanced at her dad but wasn't sure she liked the way he was looking at her. She looked down and was glad when he didn't say anything.

Anna could hear the laughter as it floated up the steps and through her open door but she couldn't bring herself to walk downstairs and find out what it was about. Lately she hadn't been feeling her best and she wasn't sure if it was because she was getting sick or if it was from the still lingering hostility between her and her father. It had been a few weeks since the Webster Avenue Boys case and she wasn't sure if he was still upset at her harsh defense of Jamie. So she stayed up in her room most nights after dinner. On top of that, she had end of term papers and tests and studying to do. She heard footsteps thundering on the stairs and knew her brothers were about to come in. Sure enough, Jack and Sean popped their heads into her room.

"Are you okay, Anna?" Jack asked. Anna smiled trying to reassure her little brother.

"Yeah, you missed it. Dad was teaching us to box," Sean added.

"Oh, he was, was he? I'm fine, just a lot of homework," Anna said when they didn't seem to take her smile as comforting.

"Can we help?" Jack asked.

"Not unless you know Algebra or Tom Sawyer," Anna said.

"Who's that?" Sean asked.

"Algebra is a really hard math and Tom Sawyer is a character in a book," Jack answered.

"You know Tom Sawyer?" Anna was shocked by that.

"I like to read," Jack told her.

"Dad lets you read Tom Sawyer? Why don't I believe that?"

"What dad doesn't know can't hurt him. Don't tell him I said that," Jack added as an afterthought. "We gotta go get ready for bed," Jack answered. Anna looked at him confused but then she heard more footsteps on the stairs. The boys rushed off and soon Danny replaced them in her doorway.

"How do you feel?" Danny asked.

"I'm fine, just a lot of homework," Anna answered. She pushed herself further up so she sat up straighter. Her bed sat along the wall opposite her door so if she leaned back against the wall, sitting widthwise across her bed, she could see straight out her door. Her back popped in a few places as she shifted and she knew she had sat too long in one position.

Danny eyed his daughter for a moment then crossed the room and sat down next to her. "What do you want from me, Anna? An apology?"

"For what?" Anna asked curiously. It was a little odd that he thought she wanted him to apologize. She wondered if Jamie had talked to him and if he had said something that prompted this curious conversation.

"You know what I mean. You want me to apologize for what I said to your uncle the other week."

"No, not really. You shouldn't have said it, but I'm not sure you were wrong."

Danny scrutinized his daughter. "You think I'm upset you defended your uncle. I'm not. You were defending him and at that very moment I saw myself in you. It's not often that I do. Are you upset about how much I'm working?"

"You're really not upset I defended Uncle Jamie that harshly in front of the entire family?"

"I would have done the same thing and like I said, when you get that angry or indignant, I see me in you. That passion, that fire, I like it and I'm glad that you inherited that from me. Now, are you upset about my schedule?"

"You're busy, I get it. I've grown up in a cop family. I know that cops and crime never sleep and that sometimes that means sacrificing time with your kids. I get it. There is nothing more you need to say to me to try to make me understand."

Danny sighed and looked around the room that screamed his little girl. From the white, metal bed frame to the purple walls and comforter set to the sports' heroes' posters right next to family photos. This room truly gave him a sense of who his daughter was. He wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sorry I can't make crime take a vacation," he told her.

"I get it and I know that you working so much provides a nice, warm home in the suburbs, private Catholic education, and three square meals a day. I'd rather all that than a tiny apartment in the city with no heat and you home all the time knowing you hate your job."

"Thanks, Anna." He pulled her into a side hug and kissed her forehead. When he pulled back sharply, Anna flinched. Something was up and she had a feeling it wouldn't be good for her. "You're warm," he stated matter of factly. "Are you feeling okay?" Danny pressed the palm of his hand to her forehead trying to gage her temperature. "Linda, come here," Danny called to his wife.

"I'm fine, Dad, don't you have to get to work?" Anna asked, trying to push his hand away. "It's just a bit warm in here."

"What is it, Danny?" Linda asked, coming in the room.

"Does she feel warm to you?" Danny asked.

Linda walked over and felt her daughter's forehead then neck. "You are a bit warm, Anna. Danny, go say goodnight to the boys, I'll take care of this."

Danny looked from his wife to his daughter then pulled the young girl close. "Get better," he said as he kissed her temple. He reluctantly let her go then got off the bed and went to say goodnight to his two boys.

Meanwhile Linda looked at her only daughter. "Tell me the truth," Linda demanded.

"I am, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I tell you the truth?" Anna asked, looking up at her mom.

"You're your father's daughter. Neither of you like to be fussed over especially when you're sick."

"Really, Mom, I'm okay."

"Alright. Get to bed. You have school in the morning, but just to be safe, I want to take your temperature tomorrow before breakfast."

"Mom," Anna whined. Linda gave her a stern look and Anna pouted knowing there was no way out of it. Not when Mom and Nurse mode kicked in as it usually did when one of her kids was sick or hurt. "Yes, Ma'am." Linda left the room and Danny checked on her one more time, this time in a suit, before going to work. Anna finished her math homework then went to bed.

The following morning, Jack was already at the table having breakfast when Anna walked into the kitchen and found her mom waiting for her, thermometer in hand. "Mom," Anna said.

"Under the tongue, Anna, you know the drill," was Linda's only response.

"You know, these things aren't always that accurate."

"Anna, now, or I'll get the baby thermometer."

"Okay." Anna took the thermometer from her mother as the baby thermometer was the one she liked the least for implied reasons. There was only one way to take a temperature with that one and that was very uncomfortable. "Sean said he needed you," Anna said as though she had just remembered.

"Anna, you're not getting out of this."

"I know but I think it was important."

"In!" Linda demanded. Anna stuck the tip of the thermometer in her mouth and after a few seconds as if to make sure Anna wouldn't pull it back out, Linda walked away. Once she was sure her mom had gone at least partway up the stairs and couldn't see her, Anna rushed to the freezer. She yanked the door open and held the thermometer in front of it for a few seconds before putting it back in her mouth and going back to where she had been standing. Linda walked back into the room just as the thermometer beeped and Anna handed it over. "Well your temp is normal, but you look a little flushed. Have some orange juice and I'll write you a note out of gym today."

"Yes, ma'am." Soon they were piling into the car to go to school but as Linda came out of the house and down the front steps towards the car, a familiar green Jeep pulled up to the curb. Anna paid no mind to it but her brothers scrambled out of the car and over to their dad. Anna ignored most of the exchange between the rest of her family but noticed at one point, Danny motioned to the van. He was probably asking about her to which Linda would reply Anna seemed okay but she was still worried.

After school Ann a babysat for the Turner Terrors, as most of the neighborhood called them. They were eight and six year old boys who always gave her and any other sitter a hard time. That day though they were surprisingly nice. When asked they just told her they didn't feel like being a problem. At the end of her job, Mr. Turner paid her and Linda picked her up before they headed over to the Reagan homestead. Even though it wasn't Sunday they'd be having dinner with the family as Frank would be out of town that weekend. Once inside Anna looked around but didn't see her uncle so she stepped back outside and sat down on the steps. Soon Jamie came up the walk and looked at her from where he stood at the bottom of the steps. "Nice day," Jamie said.

"Enjoying the winter air. Can we talk?" Anna asked. Jamie nodded and sat down next to her. "If I asked you for a favor, would you do it, no questions asked?"

"As long as it's not illegal. The last thing I need is another IA investigation. Now, I'm sorry I ever threw that in your dad's face."

"Nothing illegal, just questionable at worst. I'd ask Dad but he's always so busy. Anyway, can you trace this number? I know that it's a cell phone that's it." Anna held up the phone number.

"Where'd you get it?"

"Can't you just agree to no questions asked?"

"I could, please, Anna."

"Nowhere illegal. I just want to know. Please. No rush or anything, just help me?"

"Fine." Jamie held out his hand and took the offered piece of paper.

"Uncle Jamie, I'm going to ask you something else and I don't want to offend you. What happened to Sydney?" Anna asked. "I only ask because I haven't seen her in a few weeks, pretty much ever since the week of the fight with Dad and you were short with Mom the next week when she asked. Plus," Anna took Jamie's face in her hands and made him look at her, "you look sad. Right here, between the eyes." Anna touched the bridge of his nose. Jamie looked at her imploringly but she refused to drop it.

"We called off the wedding," he said softly. "She got an offer to move to London for six months. She knew I couldn't go but—"

"She could and lately has been feeling like you haven't been there for her. It's not your fault, Uncle Jamie. It's hard when you love a rookie cop."

"It's not her fault either, Anna."

"No, but don't blame yourself too much. Maybe time apart will do you some good. Then again, maybe you'll realize that you're—"

"Anna," her dad's voice rang out cutting her off. "You should be inside."

Anna pulled away from her uncle to look up at her dad as he came up the steps. "Like I'm sure Mom told you, my temp was normal this morning and I feel fine," Anna answered.

"Inside. I won't tell you again," Danny demanded.

"Dad's worried I might have the flu or something but I'm fine," Anna told her uncle.

"There's Erin with dinner. Let's get inside," Jamie answered her, helping her up. He noticed then, like he had when she touched his face, that her hands were ice cold but blamed it on being December in New York. Once inside, Jamie and Danny shrugged out of the coats, hanging them on the hooks by the door. Anna tugged at the sleeves of her hoodie not really wanting to take it off. She knew though, that leaving it on would be a little suspicious.

"Off with the hoodie, Anna. It's bad enough you're in jeans, but no sweats at the table." Danny said, making the decision for her. Anna rolled her eyes but pulled off the hoodie and hung it by the hood over top of her brother's jacket.

Dinner dragged on and on and Anna did her best to make it look like she was eating without putting all that much food in her mouth. "Anna," Frank said.

"Uh, sorry, what?" Anna asked.

"He asked if you had a big lunch," Erin said.

Sean lifted the carton in front of Anna and looked inside. "It's almost full. You love Chicken Chow Mein," Sean said.

"You always nearly beg Mom for a carton of it when she gets Chinese," Jack added.

"Just not all that hungry," Anna answered. She looked around and noticed most of the plates were clear.

"You barely touched your egg rolls. Are you sure you're alright? Normally you eat as much as your father," Henry added.

"I'm—" Anna started but before she could say fine Jamie pressed the back of his hand to her temple.

"You're burning up," Jamie said.

"I'm fine," Anna snapped, ducking away from his hand.

"Up," Danny demanded as he climbed to his feet. Anna looked up at her dad but his face meant business so she reluctantly got up and followed him to the bathroom. He rooted around in the medicine cabinet for a moment then pulled out an alcohol thermometer. He handed it to her and she knew better than to argue. She wiped the tip on the towel and stuck it in her mouth, under her tongue. Three and a half long minutes later, Danny stuck his hand back out and she handed over the thermometer. Danny looked at it then shook his head. After getting her to take some aspirin, Danny sent his daughter upstairs to bed then rejoined the family at the table.

"Can I have Anna's eggrolls?" Jack asked.

"No," Danny said.

"Why not? She's not going to eat them."

"Because I don't want you getting whatever she has," Danny said then he turned to his wife. "102.6, how does a temperature go up four degrees in 8 hours?"

"Because it probably wasn't normal this morning," Jamie said. "You didn't by chance leave her alone while taking it, did you?"

"She told me Sean wanted me. It was in her mouth before I left the room. Besides it's not all that uncommon," Linda answered.

"Yeah and the second you were out of the room she probably stuck it in front of the freezer," Erin told Linda. "It's what Danny used to do. He'd tell mom that Jamie or Joe needed her and by the time she'd come back down his temperature would be normal and it'd look like he hadn't moved. With a digital thermometer it only takes a few seconds.

Linda's gaze fell on her oldest son and he shrunk in his seat. "Jack," Linda asked.

"Maybe? I don't know for certain," Jack shrugged. He really didn't want to get his sister in trouble, knowing that anything she could to do to him was worse than the punishment he'd get from his mom. Linda sighed knowing her son wasn't going to tell her.

Anna was curled up on the bed upstairs when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She could barely roll over to look but when she did there was no one in the doorway. In fact the footsteps stopped down the hall. She found that a bit weird but knew it was probably her mom coming to check on her and she was about to be in trouble for lying about her fever that morning. A few moments later she heard a few more footsteps then a pause then a few more. After another brief pause and more footsteps her father appeared in the doorway. "Should have figured," Danny said softly. "I know you're thinking 'how is it obvious?' I've raised you for 14 years. Some things, Anna, I do actually know. Any time you were sick you always wanted me. Anything else you wanted Joe but sick, and sometimes hurt, you always wanted me. Always." Danny crossed the room and knelt by the bed.

"I don't like it when people see me down," Anna said softly.

"I'm sorry I can't stay. I have a case I have to solve."

"I know, Daddy. Do you still love Mom?"

"I will always love your mom. No matter what, I promise." Danny kissed her forehead and then went back to work. Anna sighed and curled back up, shortly falling asleep.

Thanks for reading. And if there are any episodes you'd like to see in this story, or perhaps would like to see less of the episodes, just let me know.