Would you look at that? Another update and it's only been 10 days. Thanks to YaleAceBella12, decadenceofmysoul, Daisyangel, Pharmergirl, patrickpopp, roganjalex and the guests Coco and Shadow97 for your reviews. I really appreciate it. Yes, for those of you who guessed, the serial killer than was mentioned in the last chapter was Thomas Wilder who made an appearance early in the sixth season before he came back in later episodes. In the story time line this chapter takes place in early January and Wilder doesn't come for Nicky (in the TV episode) until April after appearance in episodes in Oct and Nov. Not sure on what I'm going to do for that episode, you'll just have to wait and see.

Patrickpopp, I really hope that if you have time that you'll go back and read the rest of my chapters. From what I've heard, this story is one of the better ones on the Blue Bloods page. Again that could be biased but anyway. Pharmergirl, I'm glad you still love these characters, that means a lot to me. Hope the rest of you that are still reading do still enjoy this.

Scenes from and references to 6x11.

When Anna got upstairs, she found Jack on his bed waiting for her. "Did he buy it?" he asked.

"I don't know. I still think you should tell him the truth, but that's just me ... Has Dad been taking you two to school?" she answered.

"Yeah."

"Then he'll probably push it again tomorrow. Why don't I take you in, that way he doesn't have a chance to push you?"

"Thanks, Anna."

She smiled then peaked in the room across the hall where her other brother was back at the video games. "Sean," Anna said. He looked up at her after pausing the game. "Help me get the air mattress out of the attic?"

"Ask Jack," he answered.

"I'll take you to school tomorrow," Anna tempted.

"Fine, but it's not in the attic, it's in the basement. Where are you going to sleep? Are you kicking Jack out of his room or do you want me to bunk with him, hence the air mattress?" He put down the video game.

"Actually no, I was going to use it. I guess the basement wouldn't be too bad. Since it's already down there, do you know where?"

"On one of the shelves, I guess."

"Thanks. See you in the morning," she told him. He nodded and went back to his game as she made her way to the basement.

The following morning, Anna pulled up across the street from the boys' school and surveyed the building. There were a few kids standing out front but as she looked at her brother, he didn't look nervous as he too looked up at the school. They all got out and Anna stopped Jack as he rounded the front of the car. "Do you see him? Anna asked.

Jack looked past his sister. "He just walked up. There by the bottom of the stairs."

"Woah," Anna winced. The kid wasn't just any football player big; he was defensive lineman big. Big enough that Jack's hits wouldn't do anything. "I was right, you don't want to fight this kid. I'll think of something. I'll let you know when you get home." Anna hugged Jack then sent him to school. Of course, that did nothing to lighten the ribbing from the bully. Anna sighed but texted her uncle to see what he was up to. Finding out he was on duty made her frown but then she remembered Jim. It would definitely brighten her mood to see him. Unfortunately, she got the same response from him so she headed back to the house then remembered her grandfather.

Even though Frank was at work, Henry should be home. Sure enough, he was. Anna spent the afternoon with him only half paying attention. She made it home around the time Linda did with the boys. She plopped down with a book and began to read as Jack played a video game. Sean on the other hand went upstairs to do his homework.

"How'd your day go?" she asked peeking over the book.

"He was a bit jealous at first but eventually he found out that you're just my sister."

"Just?" Anna asked. "You used to think I was pretty awesome."

Jack paused his game and stared at her. "I do think you're pretty awesome. He's the one that made it a big deal that it was 'just my sister'. Anna, you know how I feel." Jack went back

to his game and Anna went back to her book. "Have you figured it out yet?"

"I—" Anna stopped as the front door opened. Anna looked up but Jack stared at the TV continuing to play his game.

Danny entered to see his two kids in the living room and wasn't surprised to see his youngest missing. Danny hung his coat up then secured his gun in the lockbox in the closet. He looked into the kitchen and not seeing his wife, he walked around the far end of the couch and reached for the remote. He snapped off the TV as he sat down. Anna stared hard at her book trying not to respond or blow anything.

"Dad," Jack protested, "Mom said I could play another game before I start on my homework."

Danny looked at Anna. "She's doing laundry if you wanna double check," Anna said, motioning to the laundry room.

"Okay," Danny said to Anna then he turned back to Jack. "First through, you're gonna tell me what happened to your eye—" Anna gave Jack a sympathetic look before going back to her book. "—then you can play your game."

"I already told you. Can you turn it on?" Jack asked.

"The truth this time." Danny demanded.

Jack looked at Anna who was curled upon the couch their dad was now on. "Tell him," Anna mouthed. Jack glanced back at the TV.

"Come on, I know when you're lying to me, Jack. It's the downside to having an old man who's a detective." Danny shifted a bit. "Come on, tell me who hit you."

"Dad, can you stop?" Jack asked. Anna had to give it to her brother, he was definitely sticking to his story.

Though she didn't want to sell out her brother, she knew her dad wasn't going to let this go without an answer and Jack didn't look like he was going to talk about it. Maybe a lead would help her dad and brother here. Anna nudged her father. He looked at her. "Sara McCallister," Anna said.

Danny studied her for a moment and then realized what she was telling him. Then he smirked as he looked back at his son. "Listen, I had plenty of fights in my day and I lost my share so did your sister. I'm just trying to help you here. Now, tell me."

Jack looked at his sister and licked his lips. She gave him a plain look and he finally sighed. "There's this kid's been cheating off me all year; taking whatever he wants out of my lunch. Calls it the 'Nerd Tax'."

"But you're not a nerd," Danny protested softly.

"I wear glasses. I actually read books. That's all it takes with this goon," Jack answered. Anna quietly turned a page, but was more interested in the conversation.

"Okay," Danny said a bit uncomfortable. "Why'd he clock ya?"

"Fed him the wrong answers on a test to mess him up."

Danny smirked, glancing at Anna. "Okay, and ...?" Danny asked.

"Then he found out and punched me, in the schoolyard in front of everyone."

"What advice did your mom give you" Jack explained what Linda told him. "I can't snitch, Dad."

"That'll just make it worse," Anna said, marking her page and putting the book down.

"This kid big?" Danny asked.

Jack told him the same thing he told Anna. "He's psycho," he added.

Then Danny told Jack the same thing Anna had about not fighting him. "We gotta come up with another way to get him back off."

"I know. It's all we've been thinking about but how?" Jack said.

"Anna, you mentioned Sara McCallister earlier," Danny said, turning to his daughter. He knew most of the story but Jack probably hadn't heard any of it.

"Who's Sara McCallister?" Jack asked.

"You swear you won't tell your mother about the rest of the conversation?" Danny pressed his son.

"I swear," Jack was quick to agree.

Anna sighed. "First and foremost, don't even think for a second about doing this. It is not only dangerous, but can also get you in a lot of trouble," Anna told him. "At the time, I didn't see any other solutions. I got the idea from a TV show then I got in more trouble than I have ever been in. Usually, Dad handles the punishments or they present a united front, but this time, Mom nearly hit the roof. Anyway, do you remember when I was in the eighth grade and at got my hair cut real short like Mom's?" Anna asked. Jack nodded. "Sara McCallister. She was this really popular girl in a lot of my classes. Cheerleader, social butterfly, real jealous of any girl getting more attention than she was. In seventh grade, I met Jim Miller. Him and his friends loved to invite me to hang out with them and while they did, they were all eighth graders. The first time she saw me with them when I was in eighth grade, the next day, at the end of the day, she put a big wad of gum in my hair. It took two handfuls of peanut butter and three showers to get it out. The next time, it was purple paint up to my shoulders. Finally, when I refused to give up hanging out with the boys or to introduce her, she cut off six inches."

"Wasn't that the weekend Mom had to bribe you out of your room with shopping after threatening to get Dad to break down your door?" Jack asked.

"Yeah."

"How'd you make her stop?"

"Laxatives. I put an itsy-bitsy bit of it on her chips and it had her running to the bathroom. Then the gossip killed her. I think they called her 'Streaks' for a while. It was great until Mom found out. The problem with laxatives is that they dehydrate the body and are meant to be taken with a lot of water. After that all came out, Dad told me something that happened to him in middle school, which is a solution I probably should have used."

"Really?" Jack looked between his dad and his sister.

"Yeah."

"What'd you do?" Jack asked, looking at his dad.

"There was this kid in middle school who used to pick on me and my buddies. One day we got really tired of it and my mom had just made this big pan of brownies." Danny looked towards the laundry room again. "I took a few to school one day along with a bottle of ipecac. He ate the whole thing in one go never had a problem with him again."

"Worth a shot?" Jack said.

"Make sure you ask him if every thing came out alright," Anna added.

"What if he snitches?" Jack asked.

"He won't, he'll be too busy puking and after that he won't want the teachers to know that little, dorky Jack Reagan of the better of him," Anna said.

"Don't call your brother a dork," Danny said, flicking his daughter's leg. Anna just rolled her eyes. "You aren't to big to be turned over my knee."

"I've always found that your lectures were worse than spanking. Especially since it takes so much longer," Anna said.

Danny's jaw tightened. He flipped the TV back on to Jack's game and then stared down his daughter. He snatched the book off the table and held it out of her reach. "What was that about Miami last night?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" Anna questioned.

"You know what I mean, Anna. What did Jack lying have to do with you choosing Miami over Hudson?"

"It doesn't ... I get that you don't like me growing up and being an adult and making my own choices but they say you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Anna stood and went up to check on Sean.

"Huh, women, " Danny sighed, leaning back against the couch.

"Dad, are you really still mad that Anna's going to University of Miami instead of Hudson?" Jack asked.

"Of course not."

"Well, you don't act like it. I mean, you haven't really talked to her since she left. Not even to tell her about when Mom got shot last year so you can't really blame her for not coming to you about me. And I made her promise. At least one of your kids should be in Dad's good books while the rest aren't."

"That's why I had three kids and Sean hasn't done anything lately," Danny said. Jack shot his dad a look and went back to his game.

The following day, Anna picked up her brothers from school and asked about their day. "I wish you would have been there," Sean said.

"What happened?" Anna glanced in the rearview at Sean.

"Some kid puked his guts out all over the cafeteria. Everyone was pointing and laughing. Then Jack asks if everything came okay."

"What'd he do?" Anna glanced at the older of her two younger brothers.

"Nothing, he was too busy throwing up," Jack said, staring out the front window.

"Dad will be happy about this." Anna reached over and squeezed Jack's hand. Even that didn't make Jack look happy. She stopped at a red light and looked at her brother for a moment to two. "Thanks for standing up for me to Dad," she told him.

He finally flashed a smile. "I just told him the truth." Jack shrugged.

"Still." Anna glanced back at Sean again. "So, Sean, anything else exciting happen today?"

"No, not really." He looked down at his lap and then back up at his sister as the light turned green. "Why'd you come to town, Anna? I mean it seems kinda strange that Jack's having these problems with a bully at school and suddenly Anna's back in town. Not that I'm complaining or anything, I love having you here, but it is a little weird. The timing and all."

"What can I say? My brother needed me and my boss understood. I told you I'd always be here for you both and I meant that. No matter what's going on between me and Dad, I will be here when you need me. I mean I also missed Christmas because my boss had two other waitresses out on vacay and a third called in sick. However, that's their loss because Christmas in Miami puts everyone in a good mood and it's tourist season, snowbirds and everything, and they tip well, especially when they can see you're underappreciated and overworked. Come on, you guys don't think I came home for Dad's cooking, do you?"

Both boys laughed knowing that while their dad could cook, it wasn't always appetizing. "So, you missed us? That's it?" Sean asked.

"Mostly, yeah." Anna pulled to a stop at another red light. She looked between Jack and Sean. She wanted to see what they thought about her plans but didn't want to come out and confirm them in case something went wrong or they didn't react well. So, she started off making them make a promise. "This does not leave this car. Reagan sibling swear."

"We swear, no telling the parents or anyone else," the three said together as they piled their hands on top of each other in the center of the car.

"What would you boys think if I gave up business to become a cop?" she hesitantly asked. Both boys stared at her. They both looked incredibly shocked. "So that's an "I'm crazy" look?" she suggested as she started driving again.

"No, we're just a little shocked. You've always been a little—" Jack stopped unsure what to say.

"You've always hated being a cop's daughter," Sean finished for him as they continued home. "Isn't that why you've always told everyone that your dad was a Marine?"

"Part of it."

"And now you're thinking about potentially doing the same to any future kids you might have?" Jack asked.

"It's just a thought," Anna answered, trying not to freak out. They were definitely not taking this easily.

Then their tune changed. "On the other hand, it could be cool," Sean said.

"But you know Mom would kill you, right? Probably three times over," Jack asked. "However, if it's something that you would love doing, I say go for it."

"Thanks, Jack."

"Yeah, me too." Sean added.

Well, the whole conversation was a roller coaster but she was sure it ended on a high note. Neither seemed to be completely against it. "Thanks, Sean. Anyway, it's just a thought. You have to be 22 to be a NYPD officer. I'm only 19."

"Good, 'cause I hate to have to explain to Grandpa and Pops how we no longer have a sister because she fell victim to the Reagan curse," Sean said.

"Can you imagine how that would go over?" Anna asked, laughing a bit.

"Sure, at Sunday dinner everyone would be asking "Where's Anna?" and we'd have to tell them "She was struck down by the Reagan curse and we no longer have a sister." It'd be awful," Jack said.

"Can you imagine what Dad would say?" Sean asked.

"My daughter will not be a cop," Anna quoted, knowing where her dad's mind would go. "Anyway, it was just a thought." She pulled into the driveway and they all got out.

Just before dinner, Danny questioned his son about the results. Anna had been right. Danny was really pleased about the results. At dinner, Linda turned to her daughter. "How much longer are you staying?"

"Uh, dinner Sunday," Anna said. "If that's alright."

"Don't you have classes Monday?"

"Yeah, but I can make it back in about 15 or 16 hours since there's not going to be much traffic overnight," Anna answered.

"I'm not sure I like the idea of you driving alone that late at night," Danny said.

"And what were you doing when you were my age? Carousing and working construction? Possibly even already toting a gun overseas? Either way, Grampa treated you like an adult. Was that because you were his oldest or because you weren't a girl? I've made the drive several times and—" Anna started.

"Anna!" Linda scolded.

"I'm sorry, but I wanna know why you treat me like I'm a little kid who can't look after herself. I'm 19 years old, a sophomore in college working a part time job and covering 95% of my bills. Is it that? Do you think I can't do it on my own?" Danny stayed quiet as Anna glared at him. "Do you really think I'll fail if you weren't paying part of my bills?" Anna asked.

Danny only stared at her.

"Say something," she snapped.

"Anna," Linda said softly.

Anna finished what was on her plate, then took it into the kitchen and put it, her cup, and fork in the dishwasher, then she slipped down to the basement where her stuff was. As she messaged Jim about his day, she heard footsteps on the stairs. "Not in the mood to talk," Anna said.

"Anna, can we talk?" Linda paused on the steps.

"Yeah," Anna sighed. She should have known there was really no avoiding this. Her mom was going to get what she wanted anyway. Linda stepped down off the stairs and sat down on the chair from their old dining set, looking at where Anna was laying on the air mattress. "But I don't want to talk about Dad and what he thinks I can't do right."

"He's just worried about you. Everyone is. Miami's a long way away."

"I know that, but I have good friends, some even on the police force and I always have my phone. If anything ever goes wrong, he is always going to be my first call. Always."

"We know that and we're proud of how well you're doing on your own but—"

"No buts, Mom. I can stand on my own two feet; make my own decisions."

"We know that. Your Dad—"

"I said I didn't want to talk about him."

"Okay, sweetheart. Get some sleep. Maybe you two can talk in the morning." Anna nodded but she wasn't going to talk to her dad until he apologized and who knew how long that would take.

Saturday was a tense day at the Reagan home but it eventually came to an end.

Sunday, Anna quietly sat at dinner, which was more like lunch, turning out the talk of the greatest cop story ever told. She ate her food making sure she only listened enough to hear her name if it was called. Finally, Jamie nudged his niece. Anna looked up at him curiously. "You okay? You're staring at your potatoes like they hold all the answers in the world," Jamie said.

"Maybe they should. I wish someone did," Anna said.

"Answers to what?" Erin asked.

"The meaning of life. I should get going. It's going to be a long trip back to Florida," Anna said. Frank noticed his eldest's jaw tighten.

"Are you two still fighting about that?" Frank asked, looking between the pair.

"Not fighting, it's only awkward when someone brings it up."

"It's always a struggle to get your parents to see you as an adult, but it's harder for parents who see their kids as great and know that there's a chance they could always fail. Especially, if the parent could stop it before it happened," Frank said.

"Yeah, but the best way to learn is by making mistakes. You don't get wise by sitting on your butt and doing nothing. Some people do learn from stories but it's like what Dad told me when I was learning to ride a bike. "You'll never know how great you are until you try and if you fall down, you gotta get back up." When I asked him if he'd catch me before I fell, he told me that he could but the bad things in life let you know how good you have it. That getting hurt was one of the best ways to learn life's lessons. That it makes you stronger," Anna said. Danny stared at her a bit stunned. "I still remember most of what you taught me. Like I said, being in Miami doesn't change who I am, it just let's me spread my wings a little more."

"All parents worry about their kids. It's part of being a parent and being their oldest means that you're their first shot and they're bound to makes mistakes that they don't make with their other kids," Erin told her.

"Well, it's a long drive and classes start up again tomorrow," Anna said.

"You're really going to drive that far in one day?" Jamie asked.

"Yeah. It's no big deal." After saying goodbye to everyone and promising to drive safe, Anna made her way back to Miami.

Yes, what Anna said about laxatives is completely true, you can get in a lot of trouble for using them against someone without their knowledge and it can be extremely dangerous. So it's best to leave that to the movies and not try it. There are other pranks that are more harmless than that.