So I got kinda stuck with this one, especially with a scene towards the end. I'm still not exactly sure it's that good but some times you have to have crappy chapters. Thanks to the reviewers from the last chapter decadenceofmysoul, YaleAceBella12, Daisyangel, and the guests, snowflake18540, Shadow, and Coco.
Scene from 5x22 and a scene inspired by a deleted scene from 7x11.
Once Jamie dropped Anna off at home, she found her brothers lazing on the couch. "How are you two doing?" she asked as she shut the door behind her.
"Anna," Sean said. He walked over and hugged her.
"Hey, Sean-o," Anna said, hugging him back.
"Have you seen Mom or Dad?" Sean asked.
"Both. Mom's going to be okay and Dad is going to find this guy."
"But what if—"
"Sean, you can't what if. You have to have faith. She's going to be ok. I even talked to her. She assured me she's going to be ok. Now, tell me about you." Anna led him the couch and plopped down between Jack and Sean. The boys told her about their lives and she replied in kind. Well, for the most part. She didn't tell them about her interest in the police academy or very many details about her relationship with Ed.
"How long are you in town for?" Jack asked.
"At least a few days." She looked at the clock. "Think it's time for you to hit the hay."
"Aw, Anna, you're supposed to be the cool one," Sean complained.
"And if Dad comes home and you're not in bed, we'll all be in trouble. Plus, you don't want to oversleep tomorrow."
When she got up the next morning, Anna woke the boys and got breakfast in them before sending them out to catch the bus. Then she called Baker who told her that her grandfather should be in within the hour and had time to see her if she was planning on stopping by. So, she took the bus to the ferry and then the subway and bought coffee and donuts and went up to see him. Luckily, she remembered her Commissioner Courtesy card which got her through security and up in his private elevator. She exited the elevator and approached the office. Baker smiled at her then stood. Anna knew it'd only be seconds before the older woman would make her way around the desk to open the door for her.
"Please don't, I'm 18 with two capable feet, I can open a door if he's not busy," Anna said, stopping the detective in her tracks.
"Not at all and never too busy for you," Baker answered, retaking her seat. Anna smiled and walked through the door.
"Yes, Baker?" Frank answered without looking up.
"I know this isn't as good as Baker normally makes, but it's from that shop you like but never have enough time to get to in the mornings. And I hear it reminds you of the coffee Grandma used to make," Anna said as she set the coffee cup on his desk.
Frank's eyes instantly jumped to her. "Anna, how are you, sweetheart?" Frank asked.
"I'm great, well, other than that stupid air mattress I slept on last night that creaked and shuffled every time I turned over," she tried not to complain. Frank stood and walked around the desk, leaning down to hug the girl. "I wanted to talk to you about those officers yesterday."
Frank motioned to the sofa and picked up the coffee cup she had bought. Once they had taken their seats, Anna set her coffee cup on the table and reached into the bag she had brought offering him one of the glazed donuts. "Pops was disappointed when you didn't show up yesterday," Frank said.
"I know. I apologize. I really appreciate Lieutenant Gormley sending them out for me and I don't want them, or him, to get in trouble for them not taking me to your place and instead taking me to the hospital," Anna said.
"They're not in trouble. I don't appreciate that you convinced them otherwise and that you didn't call Pops but I understand, she is your mother."
"I mean when Grandma Betty was in the hospital, you went to see her a lot, didn't you?"
"Of course, I did, she's my mom and you're an adult so we know you make your own decisions and there's nothing we can do to stop you." His eyebrows drew together and his lips turned into a disappointed frown. There was a twinge of hurt in Anna's heart at the reaction.
"Grampa, I didn't mean to upset you." Anna looked down at her chocolate-iced donut.
Frank looked at her carefully. "You didn't, it's just been a tough week. How are you doing, really?"
"The best I can be. She is my mama," Anna answered. "That's probably not what you were asking about though, was it?"
"Maybe not, but if you want to talk about that, I will listen."
"I know you will, you're my grampa and you'll do anything to help or protect me. That's probably why you didn't call and tell me about her or convince my father to tell me."
Frank observed his oldest grandchild. Those hazel eyes of his combed her face and it kinda felt like when her dad was trying to figure out what the truth was. "Your father made a decision and I—it isn't my place to convince him otherwise. I did try to remind him that you are strong and confident and can handle almost anything he threw at you."
"But ultimately it's his decision."
"I know I'm your grandfather, that I've known you since the day you were born, but as much as I see about you that your parents don't, they are still your parents and they still saw you almost every day for 18 years."
"I guess you're right," Anna agreed.
"So, how's Miami?"
"Miami is fine. I'm sure you know that though? Been checking up on me?"
"No. I respect your privacy and know if there was any danger, you'd come to me or get a message to me if you couldn't make the trip yourself."
"Thank you. However, I know that doesn't mean that you haven't been keeping an ear out for any mention of my name or anything going on at the University of Miami."
"True, but I am your grandfather, it's what we do."
"I know. Do you think Mom's going to be ok?"
"I think it's tough when you get shot and while she might be physically ok, it's the mental that's tougher. She is a strong woman though, like her daughter, and she has family to help her through."
"Thanks, Grampa. I should go see her and let you get some work done."
"You don't have to go. I have plenty of time for you."
"I appreciate that, Grampa, but seeing Mom is what I need to do right now."
"Can I at least get you a lift?"
"The subway is good enough for me."
"Have you spoken to your father?"
"Yesterday. We came to an agreement about some things but not others."
"I see."
"Yeah. I need to go. I'll see you later, ok?"
"Of course." They both stood and hugged, then Anna headed to the subway.
She spent some time talking to her mom until Linda sent her to get some air. Outside of the Emergency Department, she leaned back against the brick wall trying to keep her breath even. "Anna? Anna Reagan?" a voice asked. Anna looked at him then smiled.
"Jim Miller. What brings you here?" Anna asked seeing the brunet in front of her.
"Heart attack victim. St. Victor's was closest. I thought you were in Miami."
"Final exams were a couple days ago so I came home."
"And now you're visiting your mom ... At work?"
"Something happened the other night and she got hurt so she's not exactly working."
Jim studied her then opened his arms. Anna instantly fell into them. Jim held her close and rubbed her back. "That bad?"
"Almost lost her," Anna sobbed. "She's going to be fine now, but it was really scary for a few hours there."
"Oh, Anna," Jim consoled.
"Miller, we gotta go," his partner called.
Both Anna and Jim looked over Jim's shoulder at the ambulance parked on the curb. There was a man standing next to it looking in their direction. "I'm sorry, Anna," Jim said.
"It's ok. Text me when you're off, maybe we can get dinner," Anna told him.
"I'm on nights. How about lunch tomorrow?"
"Ok."
Jim left and Anna went back inside.
"Anna, you know you don't have to stay here all day," Linda said as Anna made herself comfortable.
"I know that, Mama." Anna smiled softly. "You're my mama and I love you. I want to be here and if I wasn't here, I'd be at home, bored out of my mind, eating all your food, and watching daytime TV. At least here, I can talk to you and keep you company."
After thinking it over, Linda relented. "Fine, but call your great grandfather later and see if he's up for dinner with you. It's been a while since you've seen him and I'm sure that your grandfather would appreciate the same courtesy."
"I saw Grampa this morning, we had donuts and coffee and talked."
"Anna."
"Grampa is fine and if he wanted to have dinner before Sunday, I'm sure he would have asked. However, I will talk to Pops and make sure everything is ok."
She had an early dinner with Henry then met Danny at a small restaurant in the city. Danny ordered dinner and Anna ordered dessert. They sat in the quiet for the longest time. "How's your mom?" Danny asked.
Anna looked at him, not sure what to say. She was sure he had just seen her mom and should know how his wife was doing. None-the-less, she answered him. "Mom's doing good. I'm sure she's anxious to get home."
"And you? I'm sure you're ready to get out of New York."
"Maybe, but I don't have to leave until Monday I think my ticket home says."
"So, you think Miami's home now?"
"I don't know what to think. I mean after all, you made it clear how you feel about Miami. I think I remember you saying something about wanting something bigger and better and ending up in the Middle East."
"I did say that. I also remember saying that I didn't recommend it."
Anna looked down at the table and saw her iced tea had been switched for her dad's beer. She kept her composure and wondered what he dad was doing. Then she realized it didn't really matter; she wasn't going to let him trick her. Instead, she waited for an opportune moment and switched them back then took a drink of it. Sure, enough it was now her tea back in her hand. His confused looked made her smirk. The two drinks looked similar but his was slightly lighter in color than hers. "Say it."
"You're not 21," Danny said.
"No. Taste it," she told him. He continued to look at her. She sighed and looked at his drink. Finally, he took a drink. His jaw dropped. "And you call yourself a detective. Yes, I saw you switch it. According to New York law, 21-year-olds cannot purchase or possess with the intent to consume, however I could drink that."
"No, you can't, you're not 21."
"New York does not have a law on the books about how old you have to be if your parent or legal guardian is the one that provides you the alcohol. So technically, I could drink that, but last time I tried it, I found beer gross and I'm not eager to repeat the experience. Instead, I'll stick to my tea."
Danny shook his head. "Joe," Danny sighed.
"Don't blame him, I asked."
"I'm not blaming him. I'm acknowledging that he's been there for you."
"Did you expect it to be him?"
"Honestly, no. Jimmy on the other hand. And if he didn't then maybe I figured you'd wait until you were 21 and go out with Jamie. Joe's the good kid and I didn't think he'd do something like that." Danny and Anna lapsed back into silence for a few moments. "So, what do you miss most about New York?" he finally asked.
"The pizza," was her only answer. That's how she found herself sitting on the couch in the living room with her brothers eating the best Brooklyn pizza the borough had to offer. "I'll tell you one thing Miami doesn't know how to do, make New York pizza. I've missed this." Both boys grinned.
Before Anna knew it, Sunday was rolling around. According to her dad, he had caught everyone involved in the murders and on the plus side, the one serving the real time would be the man who ordered the hit on Chief Kent seeing as how the chief had taken an oath to be a federal cop. It was nearly two o'clock on Sunday afternoon when they sat down for dinner. Well, most of the Reagans were at the dinner table. Anna and Danny were at the hospital with Linda who was still recovering. They were connected with the rest of the family via speaker phone though. At first, Linda had insisted that Anna go with the rest of the family but Anna flat out refused, saying she felt like she needed to be with her parents since she wouldn't see them for at least a few more months after she returned to Miami the following day. When Linda heard the plural terms, months and them, she relented and let Anna stay.
The family talked for a few moments then Nicky brought up dinner. When Danny responded that he and Linda would be having hospital food, Anna could briefly hear shocked reactions from the other end of the phone. She was unsure why. Well, right up until there was a knock on the door. "Huh? Looks like there's someone at the door with a bag," Anna said.
"Dinner for two?" the delivery man said. "Reagan, right?"
Danny crossed the room and looked in the bag. He brought it back to Linda and set it on the table. "What's this?" Linda asked as Danny pulled cartons of food out of the bag.
"Surprise!" Everyone on the other end of the phone called.
"What did you guys do?" Jack asked.
"We had the Palm send them a proper dinner," Henry said.
"How come we don't get the Palm?" Sean asked.
"I don't get it either, it's just for Mom and Dad, but if you get shot, I promise I'll spoil you," Anna answered, poking at her Chinese takeout.
"Kids," Danny warned.
"This is amazing," Linda said. They both said their thank yous as Danny checked out a bottle of wine that had been in the bag.
"Are you allowed to drink that in a hospital?" Anna asked.
"The wine? Just don't broadcast it," Frank asked.
"Good, can we eat now? This chicken chow mein isn't going to stay good forever," Anna answered.
"Yes, but first, grace," Frank answered. Linda ked to say it all together and at first Frank turned her down but he eventually relented. Dinner was a happier affair than the rest of the week had been.
First thing Monday morning, Linda was released from the hospital and came home to find a fridge full of precooked meals and a clean house. Late that afternoon, Anna hugged her mom and brothers goodbye then allowed her dad to take her back to the airport. It was a long and quiet ride. They reached the airport after what seemed like forever to Anna and in a blink of an eye to Danny. He knew he had crossed a line nearly a year earlier when he had made a big deal about her going to Miami for school but he didn't know how to make it up to her or come back from their fight without making it seem like he was up to something. So, he just parked at JFK and walked inside with her. Anna stared at him trying to figure out what he was up to but couldn't see anything. They stopped just outside of the security gate. "I—" Anna stopped and couldn't come up with anything to say.
"I know you have to go but—" Danny sighed as he watched her.
"Dad, Redrum, I know. I can take care of myself. I'm not a little girl anymore."
"That's obvious." He could see the 18-year-old standing in front of him but he could see flashes of the bright eyed six-year-old in a purple princess dress she used to be. The six-year-old who was happy to see him just because he walked through the door. Danny sighed and pulled her into his arms. "Just, be careful. I can't lose you."
"I know. I'll do my best." Anna leaned against him for a moment longer then pulled away. Danny didn't say anything he just watched her. Anna sighed then turned and boarded the plane.
So the scene where she's having dinner/dessert with Danny and he swaps their drinks just doesn't feel right with the friction between them but maybe it's his way of trying to sorta smooth things over without really apologizing. That was also inspired by a deleted scene from season 7 episode 11 where Jack wants to join the Marines. After Danny takes him to meet with a buddy who was a former Marine and now works EOD for NYPD, who also lost his leg in Iraq, Danny takes Jack out for dinner/drinks. Danny pours Jack's water into his glass and then pours his beer from the bottle into Jack's glass. They talk about what Jack got out of the meeting with Danny's buddy Terry all the while Danny is waiting for Jack to take a drink from the glass of beer having said if Jack was old enough to join the Marines then he was old enough to drink a beer. By the end of the scene, Danny points out that Jack still hasn't touched the beer and Jack replies that he knew Danny and that the offer was a test. Danny kinda smirks and takes the beer telling Jack to enjoy his water.
The fact Anna quotes about New York not having a law about drinking if a parent gives you the alcohol is what I could find online since I'm not a New York state attorney nor have I ever been to New York City.