So here we have another chapter. Just remember some of you asked for this. Big thanks to andrewjeeves who added this to their alert/favorite lists and ElfWolf who added it to their favorites list. Also big thanks to monkeybaby, Pharmergirl, ItsJustBecca, and decaenceofmysoul for your reviews of the last chapter.
Contains references to 3x6.
Anna drove her mom's car to work that Friday afternoon and for once didn't hear that weird sound under the hood. She parked it in her normal spot on the edge parking lot and went inside to work like normal. Linda too was going about her night as normal, patient charts, doctors' notes, triaging patients when her pocket buzzed. Since it was always so loud in the ER, Linda kept her phone on vibrate so she could feel it, even if she couldn't hear it. She pulled out her phone to see a picture of her daughter's smiling face. Anna had set most of her mom's contacts, all the important ones, to have picture ID's so she could tell just by looking to see who it was if she didn't have the ringer on. Before Linda could answer Anna's call she was being called away to assess another patient. All through the patient and the notes Linda was taking, she could feel her pocket buzzing. It must have been important but Linda knew that if she answered her phone now she could be fired. Finally, she gave the final instructions to another nurse and slipped away to answer the phone. "Anna, I'm a little busy, can it wait?" Linda asked irritated. She hated working the night shift and being away from her babies so much but the tone Anna used when she said her first word pushed all that irritation right out of Linda's mind.
"Mama?" Anna asked, her voice choked with tears.
Linda's mothering and nurse skills kicked into hyper drive. Something was wrong with her baby. It didn't matter that her baby was 16, all that mattered was her baby needed her. "Hang on, Anna, let me get some place quieter. Linda rushed down the hall a bit away from the chatter, chaos, and beeping machines in the heart of the ER. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"I'm in so much trouble," Anna answered, tearfully.
Linda's mom senses went on high alert. Her daughter hadn't called her crying in a long time and had rarely ever admitted to being in trouble. Something big was going on and Linda had to get to the bottom of it, but gently.
"Tell me what happened," Linda kept her tone soft. "We'll think this through and get you out of it. Just like we did with your dad."
Anna gasped and Linda knew that was the wrong thing to say. "Daddy—he's—he's going to kill me," Anna gasped out.
"Anna," Linda said.
"He is Mama," Anna cried.
"Okay, tell me what happened and maybe we can find a better way to break it to Dad so he's not so mad," Linda probed. Anna, through tears, told her mom what happened. "Oh God, Anna. I'm getting your dad on the phone, hold on," Linda said.
"Mom—Mom!" Anna tried but Linda was gone.
"It's okay. It's not your fault," a strong, calming voice said from next to where she sat on the curb in front of the diner. Anna sniffled and looked up at the man sitting next to her. His bright white shirt stood out in the flashing red lights and against the dark black night. Anna's breaths came in sharp gasps as she stared at him. "Relax. Breathe. Do I have to get the tank?" Anna shook her head, trying to calm her breathing. The last thing she wanted to do was breathe from the oxygen tank again. She reminded herself that the fire chief sitting next to her was just trying to calm her down. She had just about managed when she heard her dad's voice on the line and the tears came back.
"Anna?" Danny snapped, panicked. "Anna, what happened? Are you okay?"
"Daddy, I—I—I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Anna whimpered.
"Anna, we're not mad, just tell him what happened," Linda prodded.
"Your mom is right, just tell me what happened," Danny said. He was trying to be patient like his wife warned him to be when she had first called but his babysitting duty for some arrogant, full-of-himself photog had him at the end of his rope.
"I—I—" Anna took a deep breath as the fire chief rubbed her shoulder trying to keep her calm. He knew this wasn't easy on the young girl and he understood why, but it really wasn't her fault. Anna started again. "I convinced Mom to take my car to work. I work closer to the house and if something were to happen to the van, I could just walk or call Jim and it wouldn't cost anything to get home. I figured if something happened to her, she'd either have to take the subway to the train or call a cab. I didn't want her to get stuck in the city." Anna took another deep breath and slowly let it out, trying not to let it shake. "I had just gotten off work and started the van and I don't know what happened ... I'm so sorry."
"Anna, what happened?" Danny pressed again. He could tell something happened with the van but wasn't sure what. As good as a detective as he was, it just wasn't adding up. He heard her breathing shake again and knew she was either panicking or trying not to cry, probably both.
"The dashboard, it—It started smoking and I popped the hood and flames poured out from under it. I don't—I'm sorry."
Danny could still hear the panic in her tone. It took him a second to realize what she had said because she spoke so fast but when he did, panic set in deep in his gut. "What? Anna, are you okay?" Her breathing sped up again and sharpened and he knew she was upset but what he didn't know was if she was hurt. He had to figure that out before anything else. "Anna, are you okay?" He asked firmly. She needed a steady hand, someone to be there for her, more than she needed him to get angry. He wasn't angry about the car, at least not at her, and he didn't want her thinking that.
"Sweetheart, breathe," he heard Linda say. He had forgotten she was even on the line. Neither seemed to work though.
"Hey," Danny heard in the background, "it's okay. It's not your fault. You're okay, that's what's important." By that, Danny figured the voice was coming from Anna's end of the line but he wasn't sure who was talking to her. Anna looked up at the fire chief again as she held the phone to her ear. He motioned for the paramedics but Anna shook her head.
"No tank. I'm okay. I'm okay." Anna took a deep breath and the chief waved off the paramedic. "Daddy, I'm so sorry," Anna said, turning back to the phone. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean to and now—now—"
"I don't care about the car, Anna. Are you alright?" He pressed again.
"No burns, no scratches. The paramedics said to watch out of signs of smoke inhalation since sometimes it doesn't present instantly but they gave me oxygen so I should be okay. I told them Mom was a nurse so she'd know what to look for. Chief—Chief Aaron said he'd take care of it so you won't have to pay for the ambulance coming out. I'm so—"
"Anna, it's okay. We understand. Who's Chief Aaron?" Linda asked.
"Fire Chief, engine 150. They're the closest station. He called Jim and Jim's going to come pick me up and take me home. I'm sorry I blew up the car," Anna answered still in tears.
"You didn't blow up the car. It's not your fault," Danny said.
"Uh ... Lou said he can keep it here for free until you figure out what to do with it. I think it's totaled though," Anna said.
"Stay there, I'm on my way," Danny said.
"No, Dad, it's okay. Jim will take me home and make sure I'm not alone. I'm okay." She sniffled back tears and leveled out her voice to make sure he believed her.
"No, ma'am. I'm not having two unsupervised teens in my house," Linda ordered.
"I'll—I'll—I can call Uncle Jamie." Anna swallowed back her tears. She knew her dad was on a really important assignment and calling him away from that would cost them money, same with her mom so she couldn't have either of them come home. Jamie on the other hand, Anna was pretty sure he was off and that it would be fine for him to come over. "Maybe he could come over or Becky can stay."
Both parents sighed but agreed. "Call us if you need anything," Linda said gently.
"Okay," Anna said.
"Love you," Danny and Linda said.
"Love you too," Anna answered then hung up.
"Uncle Aaron, Anna, is everything alright?" Jim asked, rushing up to them.
"I think she's okay now," Aaron said. Anna looked up at Jim and he instantly dropped down on the curb next to her and wrapped his arms around her, briefly noticing the turnout coat draped over her shoulders. Anna leaned against him soaking in all the strength and comfort he was willingly providing. Jim stared at his uncle who sighed. "Physically, she's fine. We treated her for smoke inhalation and a bit of shock but there were no physical wounds."
"It's the emotional wounds that are worse," Jim replied. A voice called Aaron away for a moment and he ordered the two teens to stay put as he wanted to talk to them before they left.
"Will you take me home?" Anna asked.
"In a minute. Can you tell me what happened?" Jim asked. He had seen the van with its hood up and firefighters encircling it but wasn't completely sure what happened. Anna shook her head. Soon the fire chief was back. He had a short and quiet conversation with Jim, one Anna completely tuned out, and then Jim pulled Anna to her feet. "Come on, I'll take you home now." Jim took the coat from her shoulders and handed it back to his uncle before leading her to his truck. Once she was settled in the passenger seat, Jim rushed around to the driver's seat and fired up the truck. Anna called Jamie and asked him to come over after apologizing for calling so late. Hearing how upset she was, Jamie instantly agreed despite how late it was and his tour in the morning. All that mattered was his niece had called and she needed him.
Jim reached the Reagan home in what seemed like no time and walked Anna to the door. There he took the keys from her hand and opened it for her. Becky looked up from her magazine and the smile on her face instantly fell. "What? What happened?" Becky asked, rising to her feet.
"There was an accident. It's no big deal but I think we should wait with her until her uncle gets here. I don't think she should be alone tonight," Jim told Becky.
"Anna?" Becky asked concerned and hoping her friend would elaborate. The girl in question only blinked.
"Why don't you help her change, I'll stay down here," Jim suggested. Becky nodded and helped her friend upstairs.
When Jamie pulled up, quickly slipping into his brother's home, Anna was in an old NYPD sweatshirt and track pants, tucked between Jim and Becky on the couch facing the door. Jamie flashed a quick smile, the sweatshirt had once belonged to Danny and not Joe but then he realized the looks he was getting and that told him something was very wrong. Anna was staring at her lap, the brunette girl beside her looked lost and the boy looked expectant. He rose off the couch and Jamie finally recognized him as Jim, Anna's best friend. Jim walked over to Jamie and explained what happened, softly. Jamie nodded realizing that Anna was spooked and despite his tour in the morning, Jamie was going to be up all night.
"Come on, Becky," Jim said gently. "I'll give you a ride since it's so late."
Becky turned and pulled Anna into a deep hug. She didn't feel the girl relax in the slightest and knew that it was going to be a long weekend for her blonde friend. "Text me if you need anything," Becky told her. Anna nodded against her friend. Jamie watched the two teens leave then took Becky's seat on the couch against the armrest nearest the TV.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Jamie asked gently. Anna grabbed a pillow from the opposite end of the couch and placed it against Jamie's leg. Then she lay down on her side facing the door and held quiet. He knew that shock would be settling in and that it was best if the girl talked about it but he didn't want to push her too hard and have her pull away from everyone or cause a shouting match with her brothers upstairs asleep. Instead, he waited patiently knowing she'd talk when she was ready. Jamie rested one hand on the arm rest of the couch and used the other to stroke Anna's hair. Ten minutes later, he looked down and found that she was fast asleep. He sighed knowing it wasn't good to let her bottle it all up, but also knew it was best to let her sleep, at least while she could. Instead of moving and taking the chance of waking her, he rested his head on his hand on the armrest and tried not to fall asleep as the other hand rested on Anna's shoulder.
The front door opened three hours later and Jamie's hand fell from supporting his head to his off-duty weapon. His eyes shot open and to the intruder and was shocked to see his brother there. "Relax, kid, it's just me," Danny said softly as his eyes fell on his little girl. "She alright?"
Jamie's hand moved back to the armrest as his other relaxed against Anna's shoulder. "Define, alright," Jamie answered just as soft.
"Oh," Danny said. If Jamie was saying that Anna wasn't okay that meant things were definitely still bad. Danny figured they would be but had figured that Jamie could get her talking and calmed down and clue him in as to what to do about his little girl. However, it looked like Jamie didn't have any answers for him and for the briefest of seconds, Danny wondered if Joe would have. "Thanks."
"Sure, do you need me to stay any longer?"
"I think I got it. Thanks for coming though." Jamie nodded and Danny scooped up his little girl. Danny had just tucked his daughter in and gone to check on his boys when a scream ripped through the house. Danny bolted back down the hall and Jamie took the stairs two at a time. Anna was sitting bolt upright in her bed and looking around frantically. When she realized where she was, she flopped back down. Sighing deeply she rolled onto her side as Danny flipped the light on then crouched by the bed. Her eyes traced his concerned face then looked over to Jamie who was reholstering his weapon in the doorway.
"Please don't leave me," Anna begged.
"I'm not going anywhere," Danny told her.
"Promise?" Anna asked, holding out her left hand.
"I promise," Danny answered, using his right hand to balance beside the bed and taking her hand in his left. "Tell me about your dream."
Her hand tightened around his. "It was hot. The car was on fire and the doors were stuck. I couldn't get out. I kept screaming but I was all alone. Too hot—I couldn't—" Tears poured down his daughter's face and it was all Danny could do to keep from punching something. It was his job to protect his family and he thought he had been doing a pretty good job until now. His daughter had needed him and he had failed. "Daddy?" Her tear soaked voice brought him out of his self-deprecating thoughts.
"You're safe now, kiddo. It was just a dream," Danny told her as gently as he could. She needed reassurances and not to look at his face and read his failure.
"I know but it felt so real."
"Daddy's here now and you're safe." Her grip had remained constant on his hand and he knew she felt like that was the only thing tethering her to his safety.
Anna nodded though she wasn't sure how long that would be true. She wanted Danny to stay but they really needed the money, especially with her blowing up the van. The best way to get her mind off that was to change the subject. "Do you remember the last time you told me that?" she asked. Danny only stared. "I was six years old," Anna sniffled. "Mom was pregnant with Sean and Jack was freaking out because—"
"You were in the hospital. Had to get your tonsils taken out. Couldn't have been that long ago."
Anna nodded. "Jack was upset because the last time we were in the hospital Grandma Betty died. You told me Daddy's here and I was safe. That you'd never let anything happen to me 'cause you were always protecting me. I've never felt safer than when you're with me. I'm sorry I've been pushing you away."
"It's okay. You're a teenager, it's expected. Anna, I know you love me and that you always will. Let me go check on your brothers—"
"No!" Anna snapped, tightening her grip on his hand.
"I will be right back, I promise. Your uncle is going to stand right outside that door and keep an eye on you. You'll still be safe and I'll be gone less than two minutes. I promise," Danny said gently, dropping down to his knees and running his free hand through her hair.
"Hurry?" Anna sniffled.
"Yeah," Danny agreed. She reluctantly let go of his hand and he nearly launched himself up and down the hall. Jamie meanwhile stood in the doorway watching his niece. He hadn't seen her this scared since they had told her Joe had died. At first she hadn't taken them seriously but once she had realized they weren't joking, the pain and hurt and fear settled in and broke his heart. He wanted to reach out and comfort her but with her eyes trained on the doorway for her dad, he knew she wasn't exactly wanting him. So he stood watch. Soon Danny was back and he was wearing more comfortable clothes. "Thanks, Jamie. I know it means a lot to Anna."
"Do you need me to stay?" Jamie asked.
"No, I've got it," Danny said. Jamie nodded and headed out. Danny went back into his daughter's room. She scooted back towards the wall giving Danny room on the bed. He picked up a pillow from the end of the bed and placed it against the headboard. He tucked Anna back in then made himself comfortable sitting back against the headboard and stroking her hair. She reached up and took his free hand.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," Anna told him as she took his hand and avoided his eyes.
"Nothing to be sorry for. The fire wasn't your fault."
"Maybe but if Mom had—"
"But nothing. If your mom had taken the van then she'd be the one behind the wheel and your little brain would be blaming yourself and trying to imagine how you could have stopped it. You're okay and that's all that matters."
"But—"
"You're safe. I can eventually replace a stupid car, I can't replace my little girl."
"But—"
"Shhhh ... it's been a long day and we both need sleep." Anna finally looked up at him. Danny stroked back her hair and gave her a comforting smile. Anna nodded and settled down to get some sleep. Danny continued to watch for the next two and a half hours until her eyes finally fell shut and her grip lessened on his hand. After that, he drifted into a light sleep.
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