Thanks to the guest reviewer Alex, decadenceofmysoul, kirbyschoice, Pharmergirl, and ki4pak for your awesome reviews. And thanks to everyone else who is still reading and liking this story.

References to 2x5, scenes from 2x6 and 2x8.

That Friday, Jamie picked Anna up from school and took her into the city for a while. Anna could tell something was bothering her uncle when he kept pushing the conversation back towards her. She pushed him a bit, but not too hard especially when he just kept saying that it was a tough week. Their relationship, though it had come far since the two year anniversary of Joe's death, was still in the beginning stages. Anna was hoping that she could develop a similar relationship with him that she'd had with Joe and didn't want to push him too far away. There was already a strain because of the Blue Templar investigation and making it worse meant cutting off most of the adults in the Reagan family, something she definitely didn't want to do.

"You can talk to me you know," Jamie said. The more he got her to talk the less he could focus on the call he had gotten from Noble Sanfino and whether or not he wanted to go back undercover. He wanted to do it but wasn't sure he had the stomach for it, or for lying to her.

"I know, Uncle Jamie. I just don't want to make you angry."

"Unlike your dad, I don't get angry easily," he said as he motioned to a park bench on the outskirts of Central Park.

"Did you ever find it hard to keep your mouth shut in school?" Anna asked.

"Not as much as Danny. Between teachers, administration, and other students, he was often in trouble."

"According to my teacher, I look for trouble, but when I see trouble happening for other people, I have to do something about it."

"What do you mean?"

"Yesterday when this girl was arguing with her boyfriend, I had to try and sort it out. It's the right thing to do. Meditate and see the best in everyone."

"What happened?"

"The girl comes at me so I shoved her back, next thing I know I'm in the office getting detention for starting a fight."

"Not the first time?"

"Won't be the last either. Ever since I got suspended last year, I don't tell my parents when I get in trouble."

"And don't they send letters home?"

"Are you asking as a cop?"

"I'll do my best to never interrogate you as a cop."

"Dad's name is easy to forge once you get the hang of it. Big D-scribble-big R-scribble." Anna stared down at her hands and the hot dog in them.

"I know that you know better than forging a signature, but I'm proud of you for trying to help the couple. You really should tell your mom and dad what happened."

"And have them get mad at me again? I hate being grounded for something that isn't my fault."

"I don't think they'll ground you."

"It's just one detention."

"Okay," Jamie said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, at least you told me."

"And you won't tell Dad?" Anna looked up at her uncle worriedly.

Jamie sighed as he studied his niece. "I won't tell your dad. I think you should but like you said it's just one detention," Jamie said.

"Thanks, Uncle Jamie." Anna threw her arms around him.

"Watch the hot dog," Jamie complained. Anna pulled back, smiling sheepishly. Jamie smiled and shook his head. He was glad she was open to talking to him about things she kept from her parents. At least this way someone would know if something dangerous was going on with her. It was also good that she was bonding with him. He knew things were hard between her and her father and that she wasn't always open with her mom, she never lied, but he knew she didn't tell Linda everything, so being that open, unjudging ear for Anna was exactly where he wanted to be. "So, boys ..." he prompted.

"My brothers are great," Anna answered nonchalantly.

"Not what I meant and you know it."

"There are some cute boys at my school but I'm not sure I'm ready to date. Can I be honest?" Anna asked.

"I hope you're always honest with me."

"Part of me still feels like boys are icky and then there's the part of me that is certain I'm not mature enough to date."

"I'm sure your dad will love to hear that."

"We're not going to tell him that," Anna answered. Jamie laughed and wrapped an arm around Anna. They finished their hot dogs and then continued their walk through Central Park. "Where ya headed now?" Anna asked as they came back to his car.

"Dad's, we're having dinner over there. I thought you knew that," Jamie said.

"Actually, Mom and Dad are letting me stay home by myself this weekend while they're in the city at some couples' weekend or something."

"How'd you convince them of that?"

"I told them I wouldn't burn down the house, invite anyone over, or throw a big party. Mom talked Dad into it. Said I was 15 and that they trust me. She implied he didn't and he was all about making sure I understood they did."

"Come to dinner, I'll drop you off at your place after," Jamie told her. Anna sighed but agreed.

"Anna, did you see this?" Becky asked, rushing up to her after school almost a week later.

"Tension's heat up," Anna read from the front page of the paper Becky was holding. She quickly read through the article and found out that the article was about two cops who were thrown down a flight of stairs by members of a church while responding to a 911 call. "Why?" Anna asked, looking at her friend.

"Because," Becky rolled her eyes and pointed to the paragraph at the bottom of the article.

"This incident occurred on Lennox Street in South Manhattan which is located in the 12th precinct. The commissioner's own son works out of this precinct but no answer as of yet if he was one of the officers involved." Anna read. She checked the date on the paper and found that it was from two days prior. "I'm sure if it was something major my dad or uncle would have told me."

"You sure about that?"

"99%. I mean Uncle Jamie seems to want to be open with me and I'm sure if it was a big deal I'd have a voice mail right now. I'll call him when I get home to be sure. Thanks, Beck," Anna said.

"Sure," Becky answered.

As soon as Anna got home she hung her backpack from the stair rail, bolted upstairs and plopped down on her bed dialing her uncle's number. Sure, she could have called him from her cell phone but she was close to her limit on talk time so she figured it was safer to use the home phone. "Hello, Anna," Jamie said, picking up the phone.

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Because I know your dad's working and I've already talked to your mom today."

"You on tour?"

"No, what is it?" Jamie asked.

"Is there anything you want to tell me about the past couple of days? Something that might come out at Sunday dinner?

"No, I don't think so," Jamie said.

"You can't see it, but I'm giving you one of those looks right now. The ones where I know that there's a 90% chance you're lying to me," Anna said.

"I'm not lying, Anna."

"Technically? It's just a lie of omission?"

"What are you talking about?"

"It wasn't you that got thrown down a flight of stairs?"

"Oh that, it's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal? It was a flight of stairs while you were trying to do your job."

"Really, Anna, I'm fine. Just a little scratch. Nothing to write home about. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Who were you working with that day?" Her voice was now more curious than accusatory. Jamie relaxed.

"Renzulli."

"How is he?"

"Slight concussion. Mostly fine."

"Mostly?"

"He's being held overnight at the hospital to make sure there's nothing else. Should be home in a few days."

"Should be? Can I see him? He's like family, Uncle Jamie."

"I'll talk to him, see if wants to see you. I don't want you overstepping any boundaries."

"Thank you." By Sunday, Renzulli was feeling better and was finally convinced to let Anna see him. After dinner, Jamie changed into his uniform for a graveyard tour and then took her to the hospital. The sergeant didn't look too worse for wear and even gave her a smile as she walked in. "Hi, Sarge, how you doing?" Anna asked.

"I'm alright. Takes more than a flight of stairs to crack this old melon."

"Bet you're wondering why I came to see you. You're family. Not just because you trained both of my uncles but because Uncle Joe thought and Uncle Jamie thinks very highly of you. Dad does too. I still remember the first time I ever met you. I was three years old, I think, and you let me play with the lights and sirens on the squad car."

"You remember that?" Renzulli asked.

"Yeah, well kinda. I remember the lights and sirens and smiling, happy officer who let me play with them. Uncle Joe told me the rest. Dad was running late to work because of the snow and my mom was at work. That was the day Uncle Joe was supposed to watch me until my mom got off but it was the end of his shift when a call came out making him late clocking out and coming to get me. Dad took me to Uncle Joe's station and you volunteered to watch the "little tike" until Uncle Joe could book his perp and change. Your CO wasn't very happy about it if I remember correctly."

"No, he was not, neither was Joe's but he talked both our COs out of a three day rip."

"That was the first time you met him?" Jamie asked.

"Yep. First full memory I have of Renzulli, it was the worst day in New York's history. Mom and Dad were working, I was five years old and Uncle Joe picked me up from school at five or six at night. He couldn't get me back to Brooklyn where Grandma Mary was looking after Nicky and Jack so Uncle Joe took me to Renzulli's place. He and his wife took us in with open arms."

"Couldn't very well turn you out on the streets," Renzulli said.

"That made you a true hero in my books. I think you called it, just helping out a friend," Anna said. Renzulli looked away slightly uncomfortable.

"When you getting out of here, Sarge?" Jamie asked.

"Soon, Marie's on her way up," Renzulli answered.

"You need to have your head examined again, Sarge. Going home's supposed to be the good news," Jamie told him.

"Yeah," the sergeant sighed, "except now I got to eat her cookin' again. It's like dog food."

"You don't like it, you start cooking," Anna said.

"That's what my wife says," Renzulli said.

"Must be universal, my mom tells my dad that too but all he can cook are scrambled eggs and he doesn't do that well." Anna smirked.

"Who doesn't do what well?" Danny asked, coming in the door and looking at his daughter.

"We were just talking about cooking abilities."

"And the fact that you don't have any?" Danny asked.

"Says the man who went back for thirds," she held up three fingers, "thirds of my Chicken Cordon Bleu the other night?" Anna asked.

"Brooklyn," Danny said, clearly not amused by her diss. He was the only one though. Jamie and Renzulli looked like they were trying to hide their smiles.

"No, Anna," she said, pointing to herself. "Ann-uh. Big A-double n-little-a," she spelled.

"Brooklyn," Danny stressed.

Anna made a face at her dad then turned back to Renzulli and smiled. "Get better soon. I'm sure there are still a lot more things you need to teach my uncle."

"Yeah, thanks for stopping by," Renzulli said, nodding. Anna flashed a smile then left the room taking the train back to Brooklyn and her grandpa's house.

"How's the Sarge?" Henry asked, looking up from the news he was watching when Anna walked in the door.

Anna looked at him confused. She wasn't sure how he knew she had been visiting Renzulli. "We overheard you ask Danny if you could go. We applaud that," Frank said.

"Oh, he's better. Going home today. He'll be back on the job in no time."

"I'm glad he's okay," Henry said.

"He's like family. And now I'm sure his wife is going to fuss over him until he's fully recovered."

"Anna, are you ready to go?" Linda asked, peaking into the living room. Anna nodded and said goodbye to her grandfathers.

A few weeks later Thanksgiving was upon them. While Nicky's school had the day before Thanksgiving off, Anna, Jack, and Sean were doing their best to pay attention to their teachers and not get distracted by the impending holiday. Finally lunch time rolled around. Anna was enjoying the delicious chicken salad sandwich her mom had made when there was a disturbance from the other end of the cafeteria. She swallowed her last bite and looked up spotting Derrek standing between an older boy and a girl. She stood up and made her way over. Derrek could definitely handle himself but she wanted to be close by to distract, if need be. Getting closer to the skirmish she saw that the older boy was Jason from the football team and the girl was his girlfriend, Candice, she was sure the girl's name was. It took a few minutes of pushing and shoving and loud arguing between Jason and Derrek but Anna finally got the gist of what was going on. Jason had been arguing with his girlfriend over something stupid and had grabbed her arm. The pained look on her face had been too much for Derrek and he had gotten in between. Now, the two boys were fighting. Not seeing any teachers or staff and knowing that she had to interrupt before it got any worse, she stepped up.

"Derrek, Jason, listen to me," Anna said. "I know the two of you don't really want to fight because in the next couple of minutes, the headmistress or a teacher will walk through those doors. Jason, you went too far and you know it. Derrek, escalating it was not a good idea. Come on, you two don't really want to fight, do you? It'll end up on your permanent records and there will go your scholarships. That how you really want to go from here?" Anna asked.

"Stay out of this, Reagan, it's none of your business," Jason answered. "Like I was just telling your friend here, this is between me and Candy. Isn't that right, babe?"

"I hate when you call me that," the girl behind Derrek said.

"Jason, come on. Maybe I can help," Anna said, slowly working her way between the two boys. Derrek, smartly, didn't say anything.

"Nothing to talk about. Now, get out of my way so I can take this up with my girlfriend after I finish with this punk," Jason growled.

"Can't let you do that," Anna said, raising her hands with her palms towards Jason hoping to show she wasn't a threat, and planting herself between them. She was shorter than both boys, but he'd still have to go through, or around, her to get to Derrek. Everyone jumped back when Jason suddenly flipped out a knife and swung it wildly. Anna could tell everyone in the cafeteria was watching them. "Easy, don't hurt anyone. I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding. Explain to me what happened and I can help work it out," Anna said, keeping one eye on the knife and the other on his face. He looked more hurt than angry now. "Talk to me," Anna said gently. The last thing she wanted was for him to get angry and do something stupid. That would be bad for all parties involved.

Unfortunately it seemed like he wasn't in the talking mood. He took another swipe, this time at Anna and she grabbed his wrist, holding it tightly to keep him from doing any damage. "Let go," he growled at her, his face contorting into an angry one now.

"No," Anna answered, firmly. She stepped up to him, grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled his head down to hers. "What you're going to do right now," Anna whispered in his ear, "is put the knife away, apologize to me, Candice, and Derrek, then walk over to Headmistress Martha and follow her back to the office for whatever punishment she deems fit."

"And if I don't?"

"Then detention or suspension be damned, I will slam your face into this table and break the cartilage in your nose."

Jason glared at her but finally sighed and the muscles in his neck went limp. He was backing down and that was good. "Fine," he conceded, verbally confirming her suspicions. She let go of his arm and he put the knife away then walked to the headmistress in the doorway. Once they were out of the room the entire cafeteria erupted into loud cheers. Anna smiled then went back to the varsity baseball table as if nothing happened. As she finished the rest of her lunch she realized a lot of the players were looking at her weird to include Derrek and Jim.

"What?" Anna asked. "Are you mad I stepped in?" She looked at them pathetically then looked down at her food feeling out of place.

"Absolutely not, you handled that like a pro. Better than I could have," Derrek said. "I'm proud of you for that."

"I want to know what you said to calm him down," Drew said curiously. He was the team's starting pitcher, the same pitcher that had been moved up to varsity when she was in 8th grade.

"It's just a gift I have. My aunt's a lawyer and I learn a lot about compromise from her. Jim, please, stop staring at me," Anna said, putting all her trash in the paper bag she had brought her lunch in. Then she stuck it on Derrek's tray. He rolled his eyes but took the tray and her trash to the return line. She stood up as Jim did and looked down at her back pack.

"Anna, you're bleeding," Jim said.

"What? No I'm not," Anna answered, grabbing her bag. When she looked back at Jim, she saw he wasn't looking at her face but instead her stomach and there was concern on his face.

"My aunt is an EMT; I know what blood looks like. Come here." Jim took her hand and pulled her to him. He lifted the bottom part of her shirt, pulling it free from her school skirt and revealed a two inch cut across her stomach. "That's bad. We need to go to the nurse."

"I'm fine," Anna argued, trying to pull away.

"You're going to the nurse, now stop arguing," Jim answered. He pushed his tray to Drew. "Come on." Anna narrowed her eyes at him and tried to protest but he didn't listen to her. Instead he dragged her to the nurse's office.

The nurse was shocked by the cut but Anna refused to tell her what happened. The nurse bandaged the wound then checked her over fully. "Oh, Lord," the nurse muttered under her breath as she took Anna's arm in her hand. "Ms. Reagan, please tell me how this happened. Is everything okay?"

Anna looked down at her right arm above the wrist and saw there was a thin line of blood running vertically down her arm. Almost as if someone had pressed a knife against her wrist. "I uh ..." Anna swallowed not sure she wanted to tell the nurse what actually happened. However she knew right where the nurse's mind was going.

"Ms. Reagan, please," the nurse said.

Anna looked at Jim who looked at her expectantly. "I stopped a fight in the cafeteria. One of them had a knife. It was an accident. I'm fine. He didn't mean to hurt me. I promise my parents won't want to sue or press charges," Anna said, looking up at the nurse and hoping the woman took her word for it.

"Okay, but we should call your parents, just so they know," the nurse said gently.

"Do we have to?" Anna asked. "My dad's on a case and my mom is busy with tomorrow's dinner. Cooking for 10 isn't easy. It's not bleeding right now, and if it starts again, I can always come back down here." She gave her best innocent and convincing face, hoping it would work.

"Ms. Reagan, we have rules for a reason."

"I promise if I have to come back down here, you can call my mom and dad. My mom's a nurse so when I do get home tonight, if it's that bad she will make me see a doctor," Anna said.

The nurse eyed her warily but agreed. She bandaged Anna's arm then wrote her a pass to come back if necessary.

So, there you have it. Does anyone want to see 9/11 from Anna's point of view? Granted she was only 5. Perhaps the glimpse you got in this chapter was enough.