Thanks to everyone who has continued to read and add this to their favorites and alerts lists. Also big thanks to LoveMeSomeFrankR, Lea, decandenceofmysoul, Pharmergirl, and Alex who all reviewed the last chapter. Your words are great motivators.

Dinner between Anna and Jim went fine; they talked about the Giants and everything her dad had said to him and what they expected from the movie. As they drove to the movie, Anna got the feeling they were being followed. "Take the next left," Anna told him.

"But that's—" Jim started.

"Just do it, please," Anna said, holding up a finger and checking the side mirror. "Now, turn right." Anna watched the side mirror and saw the black sedan was still behind them. They took a few more inconspicuous turns and the car still hung on though it laid back a bit. Anna sighed and asked for his phone.

"What now?" He asked slightly irritated.

Anna softened her tone. "We're being followed and your phone has a camera on both sides," Anna explained. "Thank you." She took the phone offered and held it up as though she were taking a selfie but instead took a photo of the license plate on the car. She texted the picture and a message to her uncle and waited for his reply. After the movie they went for ice cream and Jamie finally texted her back. The car was registered to Manhattan South Detective Unit. Anna shook it off and tried to enjoy the conversation that was flowing around her. As it drew closer to 8:30, she knew the conversation would be winding down so she excused herself to go to the bathroom.

"Want some company?" Emma asked.

"Nah, I'll be okay. It's right inside and what could happen?" Anna asked. Everyone nodded and Anna went inside the ice cream place. She stood just inside for a few moments then slipped out behind a couple and, doing her best not to be seen, she walked down the block a ways then cut across the street and walked back up to the black sedan. She knocked on the passenger window and it slowly went down. She leaned down and looked inside. "Hi there. Tell me something. If I call your CO right now, is he going to be surprised that two detectives from Manhattan South are in Staten Island right now?"

"How'd you know?" the driver asked.

"Well, I've been a detective's daughter nearly all my life. And I'm a Reagan so I'm pretty good at picking up tails. I didn't know that you were detectives until I texted my uncle at the 12th a picture of your license plate and he told me where you were from. Now that I'm standing here, the lights on your visors and trunk deck totally give you away. So, what do you owe my father or grandfather?" Anna asked.

"Your grandfather doesn't know and we'd prefer to keep it that way. Danny helped us out on a sting a few years back so we owed him one."

"I see. Well, we're just going home from here, so you guys can go back to Manhattan. Oh, one more question, are you guys even on duty?" Anna asked.

"No," the driver said.

Anna nodded then went back to her friends. "You okay, Anna?" Jim asked.

"Yeah, just fine," Anna answered. She remained quiet all the way home. Jim glanced at her several times but didn't say anything.

They pulled in the driveway and Jim shut off the engine. "Okay, talk to me. I don't mind you being quiet and sometimes I know it's good for you, but right now it's not right. Something's off. Please talk to me," Jim said, turning to face her.

"We were being followed," Anna said.

"You told me that. Who was it?"

"Two detectives from Manhattan South. It wasn't you. They owed my dad a favor and he doesn't trust me so ..."

"Do you want me to come in and talk to your dad with you?"

Anna looked into the big grey eyes staring at her. "No, actually I think it would be best if you just head home. I'll see you later and thanks. I had fun tonight."

"Me too, I'll see you later." Anna kissed his cheek then went inside.

"How was your night?" Linda asked.

"Where's Dad?" Anna asked, leaning back against the front door staring at her mom.

"In the shower. Everything okay?"

"Can we talk about this tomorrow? It's late," Anna said.

"Okay," Linda said. Anna smiled and went up to bed. Once there she fired up her computer and video called Sofie.

"Hey, Anna," Sofie said.

Anna smiled at her cousin. "Hey Sof," Anna answered.

"What's wrong? You look sad."

"Not sad, just betrayed. I went out with friends tonight," Anna said then went on to tell her what happened.

"Ouch. I'm sure your dad trusts you, he's probably worried about his only, baby girl. If anything happened to you, Uncle Danny would be devastated. And I know you're thinking what can happen when you're just out with friends but a lot of things, Anna. Not all guys are gentlemen or treat girls with respect. Your dad's just being cautious."

"I'm sure he is, but this Jim we're talking about. Super sweet, super nice, and a really great guy."

"I know, just like I know you've known him for two and a half years. Your parents have been married for how long?" Sofie asked.

"15 almost 16 years," Anna said.

"And I bet they're still learning something new about each other every day. People change, Anna. I'm not saying that Jim will but I'm saying that you haven't seen all sides of him. Remember Atlanta?"

"I know. And I'm not saying that I don't appreciate it I just think he went beyond what he should have done."

"He's your dad, Anna. You once told me that overprotection isn't always a bad thing especially if it saves a life."

"Yeah, I guess. So this day out."

"How about Wednesday?"

"Uh ... that sounds great. What should we do?"

"That new Austin Thomas flick? I heard it's amazing. Then we can do lunch and Mani-Pedi's?"

Anna pulled up the movie times and studied all the theaters. "We've got two options," Anna said going back to the video chat window. "Queens or Harlem."

"What do you mean?"

"They're the only theaters showing the movie before 1 o'clock. Everyone else is after lunch."

"So after lunch then. We can get lunch in Bensonhurst, see the movie in uh ..."

"Bay Ridge? That's the closest theater to Bensonhurst is in Bay Ridge."

"Right, I heard there's this new pizza place there. Then Mani-Pedi's and some shopping up near Park Slope."

"Yeah?" Anna asked.

They hammered out the rest of the details then Wendy stopped in Sofie's doorway. "Sof, sweetie, it's bed time. It's late," Wendy said.

"Okay, say goodnight to Mom," Sofie said, turning her computer.

"Night, Aunt Wendy," Anna waved to her aunt through the computer.

"Night, Sweetheart." Wendy waved back to her niece then Sofie said goodbye.

The next morning, Danny had already left for work by the time Anna got up. He didn't come home for lunch or dinner and finally made it home long after Anna and the boys had gone to bed. The next day was a repeat. Finally on Saturday, after what looked like another day of the same thing, Anna texted her friend Becky who told her that her mom was taking her and her little brother to Manhattan to do some shopping. Anna asked if it would be alright if they dropped Anna off at her dad's work while they did. When Becky said it was fine, Anna did a little sweet talking and got her mom to agree to her spending the day with Becky. As they turned on the street for the 54th precinct Anna pointed to a corner down the street. "There's fine," Anna said. "He works just up the street, I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?" Mrs. Stover asked.

"Yeah," Anna said.

"Okay," Mrs. Stover said. She pulled over on the curb and let Anna out. "If you need a ride home let Becky know."

"Yes, ma'am," Anna said. She shut the front door and slowly walked down the street. Once the car was out of sight, Anna picked up her pace and made it safely inside. She texted Becky to let her know then stepped up to the desk. "Hi," Anna said.

"Anna, right?" the desk sergeant asked after a few moments of studying her.

"Yep. Detective Reagan in?"

"No, but you're welcome to wait upstairs. Sign here." Anna signed the log book, took the visitor's pass, then went upstairs. She looked around the squad room and noticed most of the desks were empty. Given that it was a Saturday she didn't blame most of them being home. She walked over to her dad's desk and saw the same photos she had seen the last time she had been there.

"Ms. Reagan, can I help you with something?" Gormley called from his office.

Anna turned around. "Hey, Sarge," she said. "No, shouldn't you be at home?"

"Shouldn't you?" he responded. Anna only stared at him as she leaned against the door frame. "Paperwork."

"I was looking for my dad," Anna finally said. "I think he's been ducking me."

"Danny? Ducking you?" Gormley pointed to the chair opposite his desk. She sat down.

"Yeah. Probably why he's here on the first Saturday of summer vacation instead of spending time with his kids." Anna explained what had happened Wednesday night.

"I see," Gormley said. "One of the hardest things a man can experience is raising a teenage daughter. It's even harder when that daughter is your oldest. I know you think what your dad did isn't right but can you try to see this from his side?"

"No."

"Your dad still remembers the day you were born. The first time he held that 8-10 pound baby in his arms. Remembers looking at that little bundle of joy whose hand was no bigger than the palm of his own and resolving to protect her from all the horrors he had seen firsthand on the job. As you got older, this world got worse but his determination never changed. Not really. It probably never will. He will always want to protect that sweet, little girl. He trusts you; he just knows how dark this world can actually get."

"Maybe," Anna answered, sinking down in her seat. That, with what Sofie had said, made her feel slightly bad about getting upset with her dad.

"At least try to understand this. It was two detectives from Manhattan South. It could have been your dad. Would you have preferred that?"

"You must be a great dad."

"Tell that to my kids." Gormley sighed. About 10 minutes later, he stood and left the office motioning for her to stay put. "Reagan, are you ducking your family?" Anna grinned at her dad being chewed out by his boss.

"Why do you think that, Sarge?" Danny asked.

"You're here on your day off? You've spent the first three days of your kids' summer vacation here with me? I don't know if I should be flattered or if I should mandate you take a day off."

"I'm fine, Sarge. Besides my kids see enough of me."

"So do I," Gormley answered. Then Gormley motioned him into the office. Danny sighed but entered the office. Gormley stepped out then shut the door behind him. He made himself comfortable in the chair next to Danny's desk.

"What ...?" Danny asked as the door shut between him and the sergeant.

"So, we've seen enough of you, huh?" Anna asked, not looking up at him. "Because in the last two and a half days, I've only seen you once. I figure you're doing it because of how angry I am."

"Angry?" Danny asked. He actually sounded surprised that she'd say that.

Anna stood up and spun around to face her father. He looked confused but that didn't stop her from tearing into him. "You had me followed on Wednesday night. Followed, Dad! I know you don't trust anyone, but I am your daughter. You should at least trust the fact you raised me right."

Gormley listened to the fight in his office feeling very bad for his best detective. Granted, based on what the girl had told him, he didn't blame her for feeling angry but he didn't think Danny deserved her rage entirely. He had only crossed that line to protect her and not to infringe on her privacy. "Don't do this here," Danny answered.

"You won't come home while I'm up to do it there. Would you prefer it at dinner tomorrow? For me to lay it out in front of the family and get their opinion? At least here the only one that could possibly overhear would be your sarge and I think he understands."

"What do you want me to say, Anna?"

"I want you to apologize but I know that's too much to ask." It went quiet in the office for a while and Gormley couldn't even imagine what was going on but ten minutes later both Reagans left his office. The younger Reagan still looked very angry and possibly upset while the elder had a poker face Gormley couldn't read.

"Everything alright?" Gormley asked. Anna gave a strained smile and headed for the door that lead to the stairs so he turned to the detective.

"Just fine, Sarge," Danny said.

"Okay, and Danny, do me a favor, don't come back tomorrow. I'll see you Monday but deal with whatever is between you and your daughter," Gormley said.

Danny nodded and it wasn't mentioned again.

"Uh, Danny, is your life insurance up to date?" Jamie asked at dinner.

"What did I do to you, kid?" Danny asked, glaring at his brother across the table.

"Oh not me, but you might want to look into it before she does something to you," Jamie said, motioning to Anna. "If looks could kill, you'd be six feet under by now."

Everyone turned to Anna who was angrily stabbing her green beans. "What's going on?" Frank asked, looking from his granddaughter to his son.

"Danny was being ..." Linda trailed off not sure what to call it.

"Overprotective," Jack said.

"Overprotective isn't even close to the word for it, Jack. This is so far beyond overprotective. It's overbearing and on line of stalker-ish. Especially since you're supposed to trust your daughter." Anna growled.

"What did he do?" Henry asked.

Anna looked at her two little brothers and sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't bad mouth him."

"We don't agree with what he did," Jack said.

When Danny didn't stop her, she let it out. "A friend of a friend of mine is dating this girl Emma and my friend Derrek is dating this girl Krista. Emma and Krista are really great friends. Derrek will be a sophomore and Ray will be a senior. Emma doesn't like going out alone with Ray. Not that there's anything wrong with Ray, she's just uncomfortable with it so she invites Krista and Derrek. Last time they went out they didn't get home until four in the morning so Krista's parents have forbidden her from double dating with Ray and Emma. To get around that this time, they invited Jim. Jim, Derrek, and Ray have played baseball together for years. They thought it was a perfect idea. Krista's parents disagreed. They told her they had to invite another girl or there's no date. So Jim said he'd invite me. The girls loved it. Big, tough, Jim Miller and sweet Anna Reagan." Jack scoffed. "I am sweet, shut up," Anna scolded her brother.

"So they obviously asked you," Jamie said, "otherwise you wouldn't be telling this story."

"Jim asked me, I told him I'd go under the conditions that we see my choice of movie and have Froyo at Froyo Forever."

"You don't like Froyo," Nicky said.

"No, but I Dream of Ice Cream is right next door and it has the best ice cream in Staten Island. Anyway we also had to have dinner first."

"Dinner, movie and ice cream? Sounds like a perfect first date," Erin said.

"It wasn't a date. It was just two friends hanging out. Just to make sure Emma and Krista got home before midnight. I don't even like Jim like that. He's cute but I don't like him like that."

"So what did your dad do?" Henry asked again.

"Well, at first he seemed okay with it. I mean he wasn't overjoyed I was going out with a 16 year old but he wasn't angry nor did he completely shut me down when I asked. When Jim picked me up he and Dad talked and you know, Dad gave him a hard time but Jim held his own. After dinner we headed for the theater and that's when I notice this black car following us. I didn't think anything of it until we made three or four turns and they were still there. I snapped a picture of the plate and texted it. I couldn't believe who the car was registered to. After the movie we go for Froyo and ice cream and I see the same car. Long story short, I sneak up on them and after a few minutes of conversation they told me that because Dad had helped them with a sting they owed him. They finally admitted they were detectives out of Manhattan South." Anna turned to her dad. "You couldn't even tail me yourself; you had to have two off-duty detectives do it. I don't know what makes me angrier, the fact that you had me followed or that you had two strangers looking after your little girl. I just ... I can't believe you." Anna tossed her napkin on her plate then retreated to the stairs.

Danny sighed heavily as he stared down at his plate. He was waiting for the fallout from the rest of his family. He could feel it coming. Maybe he had crossed the line. "I got this," Frank said. Frank walked over to the stairs and leaned against the bottom post.

"Don't try to defend him," Anna said, trying not to cry.

"Wasn't going to."

"Yes, you were. Just like Sergeant Gormley. You were going to try to make me see this from his point of view. That having these two detectives watching over me is less awkward than having my dad do it. Let me tell you this, it's not. It's awkward as hell and I know he's just trying to protect me, but these are good kids. Not a single one has been officially arrested by the cops. They're ... all three boys are on the baseball team. The minute Ray was out of his car and opening the door for Emma was the minute he handed her his keys. If she or Krista or I felt uncomfortable at all, we could leave. These boys are protectors, not intimidators. I mean when was the last time there was a kidnapping or murder in Northwestern Staten Island? It's the suburbs. I was in absolutely no danger. At any point I could have said I want to go home and that's where I would have been in less than half an hour."

"Your dad knows that, just like he knows what he did was wrong. You're his only daughter and he's not ready for you to grow up. Fact of life raising a daughter. Even I have a hard time with your aunt. Do you trust him?"

"Trust him with what?"

"With anything?"

"Anything? I don't know anymore. I don't trust that he knows when to let go or that he'll realize I'm not a little girl anymore. I don't trust that he'll show up to things or that he'll always keep his promises." Anna paused. She sighed and looked up at her grandfather. "The only thing I trust my dad with is that he's going to do his damnedest to protect me. Right now though, that doesn't feel like a good thing."

"What would it take to get you to trust him again?" Frank asked, sitting down next to her.

"To quote a movie? A little faith and a whole lot of pixie dust."

"Short of that?" Frank asked. Anna shrugged. "Do you think he's changed?"

"I don't know. Part of me does but I'm not sure that what I remember of the times ... I mean, when I think back on the times I thought I had a caring father, I'm not sure if the memories are true or if I'm romanticizing it. He is a good father isn't he?"

"You don't think so? Honestly?"

"Yes, he's a good father. I know that. It's just tough. The past two years have been tough on all of us." Anna opened her mouth to go on but couldn't. "I want to make this easier on both of us, but I don't know how."

"Your dad trusts you; he just worries about you growing up." Frank smiled. Anna nodded. Anna and Frank sat on the stairs for a bit longer and then Frank went back to the table as Anna retreated to the kitchen. She sat down at the kitchen island and stared at her hands. Nicky entered and sat down beside her. "Parents, huh?" she asked.

"Yeah. I just wish he trust me, you know."

"I know. Maybe he does trust you; it's just everyone else he doesn't." Anna shrugged. "Uncle Danny mentioned that Jim's dad ran a company in lower Manhattan but not which one."

Anna looked at the closed kitchen door then back at Nicky. "That's because we didn't tell him. If I tell you, you can't tell anyone, not even Uncle Jamie."

"Promise," Nicky said.

"Engine Company 7," Anna told her.

"He's the son of a firefighter?"

"Shh, Fire Captain. Mom won't care but almost all of them will. Does it really matter?"

"Not to me. They could be thinking if he can't tell them where his dad works, what else won't he tell them?"

"I get that," Anna said, picking at the dinner Nicky had brought her.

"Everything okay in here?" Jamie asked, peeking in the kitchen. The cousins grinned, nodding.

"Oh, Wednesday. Lunch, movies, Mani-Pedi's with Sofie."

"Deal," Nicky agreed. Thankfully their moms agreed and they were all set for their girl's day on Wednesday.