Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope you are all having a wonderful season. If not, then hopefully this makes you feel a little better about it. Thanks to YaleAceBella12, Pharmergirl, decadenceofmysoul, Faithfan2000, and the guests Coco, MirraRosee, and Xav. I appreciate all your kind words and I'm sorry that it took so long to update. Also big thank you to everyone who continues to read this story.

A side note, I know that continuity between the ages of the characters is hard to come by in the series. My logic is that Danny was born between Jan and Aug of 1973 meaning he graduated high school in May of 1991. If you give him time to do some odd jobs over the year that followed, he could enlist in the Marines in August and there for go to boot camp later that year. Through my research the only time US Marines were in Fallujah would be in the beginning and end of 2004. Even if they were there during the Gulf War Danny would not have been old enough to be in the Marines for that unless he had been born a year or two older but then it makes Mary even younger (she was born in 1955 according to her headstone) when she had him. Also in a few of the episodes, it's said that Danny deployed to Fallujah twice with the Marines, once causing to miss Thanksgiving.

Also in season 9 episode 5, Jamie talks about how tough it was dealing with Danny leaving and how he got an A minus and how it was a dark time. He doesn't specifically mention he was in the fifth grade but taking his graduation from Harvard in the mid to late 2000's then working backwards he'd be about that old when Danny joined up.

References to 7x2 and 9x5

Anna hung up the video call with her dad then stared at her phone's wallpaper. It wasn't all that hard to believe that Jack had finally gotten in trouble but it was the why that was bothering her. She loved her brothers and would do just about anything for them but to come back to New York just because he was in trouble ... Then again, she had just done that when he was being bullied back in January. Maybe she needed to hear this from a younger brother's point of view so she sent off a text and was only slightly surprised when she got a phone call back a few seconds later. "You rang?" Jamie asked.

"Texted but yes. Are you busy?" she asked.

"Just watching the game. What's up?" Anna strained a bit and could hear a game playing lightly in the background.

"I wanted to ask you something."

"Anything for you, Anna, as best I can."

"When Aunt Erin or Uncle Joe went to college, did you ever get in trouble?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Well, you were in 7th grade when Aunt Erin went to college and 8th when Uncle Joe did. Was it hard for you, with them being away at school?"

"Hard? Joe went to John Jay and Erin went to Columbia, both of which are in Manhattan. I saw them every Sunday. It wasn't hard at all. No, honestly the hardest part was when Danny joined the Marines; that was tough."

"Weren't you a sophomore in college?"

"Senior undergrad actually, at least when he shipped out to Fallujah the first time but when he went to boot camp, I was in the 5th grade."

Anna sat in shock for a moment. Her dad had shipped out to Fallujah in April 2004 as a Marine Reservist. She had been seven and hated every moment of it. Especially since it had been just after Sean's birthday. The second time he had shipped out was in November of that year when he had missed Thanksgiving and almost Christmas but she handled it better that time. "Oh?"

"Yeah. Your dad graduated high school in May of 1991 and then did odd jobs for about a year before he decided in 1992 that he wanted to be a Marine. He went to boot camp when I started fifth grade and then served two years active before becoming reserve. He joined the NYPD academy in August of '94 though I'm not sure how. Anyway, fifth grade was the first time I ever got an A minus."

"Oh no, how dare your grades slip so low," she said sarcastically. She even rolled her eyes though Jamie couldn't see.

Jamie chuckled. "It was a dark time. What's going on?" he asked seriously.

"It's Jack. I've been gone for two years now and he was the same old Jack: studious, smart, kind, and all-around golden boy. Until a couple days ago at least. I don't know what's gotten into him. He got busted skipping class to go to his friend's place and drink at a party. My "golden boy, can't do no wrong, why can't you be more like him" brother, drinking and skipping classes."

"So, you thought you'd ask another golden boy?"

"More like you've got older siblings and were around his age when they went off to school, so maybe you'd have a perspective I can't see. Dad didn't have a reason why Jack did it other than not having any brains and Sean said it's because I chose to work in Miami instead of New York. So, what ya got?"

"Now I get the questions. He misses you, despite the fact you were just here. Don't be too hard on him."

"I know. Mom and Dad already grounded his butt; he doesn't need me yelling at him too."

"Not what I meant. Don't be upset with him for missing you. He's your brother, he loves you and missing you shows just how much he cares about you. Despite Danny and I having very little in common when he left, I missed him and as such, my grades suffered. Eventually, I realized it wasn't the end of the world and he would be back."

"What do I do until he does the same? I can't give up being a cop any more than Dad could resist the calling to become one. Not that um, not that Jack knows about that either."

"Trust me, knowing why they're gone doesn't help all that much. It was mostly just that he was gone for me."

"That doesn't tell me what to do."

"Call. Danny's weekly phone calls really helped. Or text if you prefer to do it that way."

"Once he grows some brains and gets his phone back from Dad."

"Yeah that."

Even if they had revoked his phone privileges, that didn't mean they had revoked his computer or his social media. She could message him over that and it should help just as much. At least, she hoped. "Thanks, Uncle Jamie."

"Anytime. Glad I could help."

"And don't tell Dad that you know. It's bad enough I know. He really doesn't like people knowing he had to punish his kid. You remember all the times I was in trouble."

"Made for awkward family dinners. I get it. I won't butt in, I promise."

"Good," Anna said with a grin. "Later, Uncle Jamie."

"Bye, kid."

It was only two days later when Anna's physical therapist gave her a progress report to turn in to her captain. Despite warnings of Hurricane Matthew raining down over Haiti and the Bahamas, Anna headed for her station house mid-morning on Thursday. She reached it and rushed inside to keep from getting wet. Her Captain was in his office reading through a file. She knocked on the door and entered when asked.

"Reagan," he said, looking up at her.

"Sir, Doctor's letter from my P.T." She offered it to him.

He looked it over. "Looks like two more weeks and then will run you through a few simulations before setting you back on the streets."

"Understood."

"I know you want back at it as soon as possible but serious damage can happen if you push it and that's the last thing anyone wants."

"I know. My mom says the same thing."

The captain glanced at the computer. "Do you have anything to rush home to? Burning candles, half-baked projects, or defrosting meat?"

"No, sir."

"And I'm certain you know about the hurricane headed our way?"

"Yes, sir."

"You're from New York. Have you ever been through a hurricane there?"

"The closest I've come is Sandy in 2012. I was in Pennsylvania during it and came home to the damage."

"Pennsylvania?"

"Cousin had a modeling gig. Do they really think it's headed this way?"

"It's possible that it could turn this way, but even if it doesn't and it stays off the coast, the pouring rain, high winds, and storm surges can cause a lot of damage on their own. If you have nothing to rush home to, we could use your help here. I know you can't be on the road but you can answer phone calls, right?"

Anna sighed internally but held her poker face. "Yes, sir."

"Go see Sergeant White. He needs all the help he can get."

"Yes, sir." Anna nodded and went back out to her car to grab the bag she kept in the trunk for emergency situations. It contained a change of clothes, some personal supplies, an emergency blanket, and a few other things she needed if she got stuck somewhere. After stashing it in her locker, she called her mom. She put the phone on speaker as she checked her weather app and saw the track of the storm.

"You've reached Linda, leave a message," her mom's voicemail told her.

"Mom, it's Anna. Um, I just ... I wanted to say I love you and I know it's useless to tell you not to worry but I'll be fine, I promise. I love you. Give Dad and the boys my love. I love you," Anna told her. She hung up the phone and went to help out.

Four hours later, Sergeant White sent her to get some lunch. She was pouring over the options in the vending machine when a bag was dangled in her face. She looked from the bag to the man holding it. "Sasha sent more than enough. I can share," Mike said. Though she had never actually had dinner or lunch with Mike and his wife, sometimes the smell of his lunch would make her mouth water. Mike occasionally would share a bite or two with her and every time it made her miss her grandmother's cooking as Mrs. Sasha was nearly as good. Even her mom and Aunt Erin couldn't come quite as close to what her grandmother used to make.

"You don't have to. I know a storm is coming and you might not get back home tonight. I don't want to take that from you."

"Anna, would I be offering?"

"No, and you wouldn't have driven all this way. Ok." Anna bought a soda then sat down across from Mike who gave her a plate of pasta. "By the way, this is delicious. Make sure you tell Mrs. Sasha."

"Of course. She'd love to have you around for an actual dinner."

"Let's get through the storm first, no promises."

"I can live with that." They ate in quiet for a few minutes.

"You out on the streets?" She broke the silence.

"Evacuations. It's not easy but it's something different."

"I bet you've seen a lot in the last 20 years."

"I have. And let me tell you, nothing brings a city together like natural disasters."

"Why do you think that is?"

"There's no one to blame or hate." He checked his watch then glanced at the clock on the wall. "I have to go. Try not to let the calls get to you. I'll see you at the end of shift."

"Yeah. Be careful."

At the end of the shift, she found Mike and several other officers in the break room, gathered around the TV. "You hear? We may not be going home tonight," one of the officers said.

"Not going home? What do you mean?" Anna asked.

Mike pulled another officer aside so Anna could see the TV. The meteorologist was currently showing the track of the storm. While it was still off the coast, the edge of the storm was headed right for them. The captain called them into the meeting room. He stood in front of them looking deep in thought. "I know that most of you have families in the area who you are worried about; at the very least friends, and this storm, though forecasted to stay off the coast, will bring heavy rain and wind to the district. Because of this, Chief Hernandez has extended all shifts to 16 hours. The station will remain open to all of you with open cots and a rotating sleep shift. It's been over a decade since a storm this serious has threatened our city. I don't want to lose any officers because of it." He explained how he was going to run the next few days and what he planned on doing while the hurricane was nearby. Once he released them, she caught up with Mike. He had lived in Miami all his life and had been a cop for nearly 25 years. This was not his first hurricane and probably not the worst either. He'd have an answer for her.

"Does it get rough?" she asked.

He looked down at her and smiled. "You ever been through a blizzard?"

"2010 and 2006. Mostly just remember that school was out for days. Digging out from under it took days. Dad always said the worst part of a blizzard is the winds. Especially those who live along the coasts. More than power outages is the damage it causes."

"Same thing. Usually when these hit, it takes out power and you have to worry about overheating. Luckily, it's October and we don't really have to worry about that so now it's about the water damage and animals. Not only stranded animals but gators and snakes and fish and eels, things like that getting washed out of their normal habitat and rescue efforts much more difficult because you never know what's in the water you're walking through. Also, as a dad, a decade ago, my kids were preteens. I was worried about it; about them. On the job, not so much. Same old, same old. You'll be here where it's safe until that arm heals."

"Thanks, Mike."

"Reagan, I need you back on the phone," the Sergeant called. The partners parted ways. At least, until the sunset. Mike found her resting on one of the extra cots but not asleep.

"You'll be dragging in a couple days if you don't get some sleep," Mike told her. He sat down on the cot next to hers.

She rolled towards him and smiled softly. Then she bit her lip. "It's my mom," she said.

"She ok?"

"I think so, she just hasn't called or texted and it's odd."

"Did you try calling her?"

"Called her before lunch. No answer yet."

"Try again?" Mike suggested. "She's a nurse, maybe she's just busy. Sometimes even nurses work more than one shift at a time."

"Yeah, maybe she just pulled a double." Ana tried her mom's phone again. Again, it went to voicemail. This time she didn't leave a message. Instead, she called her dad.

"Hey, kid," Danny said.

"You working?"

"No, Rangers' game is on."

She frowned hating to miss it but she didn't want to run down her phone by streaming the game. "You know I love you, right? That no matter what happened between us, you're my dad and I love you."

"You ok? Do I need to call Mike or that Detective?'

"No, it's ... have you seen the weather report lately?"

"Decent for the next few days but I don't really trust it after that."

Anna rolled her eyes. Of course he'd only check the weather there in New York. "Dad, there's a hurricane off the coast of Florida. They don't think it's going to make landfall but it could still bring heavy rain and wind. I just wanted … if anything happened." She wasn't sure why it was so hard to tell her dad how much she cared about him and what she truly meant. Maybe she didn't want to speak those feelings or worries out loud in case it jinxed it.

"I know. I love you too. I let Mom know you called. Are you safe?"

"At the station. I was dropping off paperwork when the call came out. Where is Mom?"

"Working a double with a dead phone," Danny told her. He paused briefly. "Stay safe, Anna."

"Of course." She sighed. "Love you."

"Love you too."

"So, your mom?" Mike asked.

"My dad actually. My mom pulled a double and her phone is dead. I'm sure she's worried."

"What I know of her, she would be."

"Yeah." Anna sighed and settled down to get some sleep. When she woke, it was to several messages from her family. All of them were along the same lines, to stay safe and call when she could. Seeing the time, there was only one person she could call.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hey, Grampa," she said, keeping her voice down as not to wake the other cops around her.

"Anna, how are you, sweetheart?" That soft, strong, deep voice instantly shot to heart and settled her nerves a bit.

"I'm fine. Bunked down at the station. Getting reports of wind and rain, but I think we'll miss most of the damage."

"That's good to hear."

"Yeah. Lot of guys are here. Some of them are sleeping. They've extended everyone to 16-hour shifts."

"Natural disasters will do that. I can't count the number of officers that slept in churches after 9/11. We even had guys coming down from upstate to help out."

"I know. Sarge says the FDLE will be sending officers from the other side of the state and the panhandle to the hardest hit areas to help out. Standard procedure after Katrina." The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was the state law enforcement agency. They reported to the governor directly and coordinated most of the state-wide investigations. They were also more investigative than the highway patrol who usually just dealt with traffic and vehicle issues. They were also capable of sending more resources to departments that needed more help.

"Are you worried?" Frank asked.

"A little but Cap and Mike say as long as it doesn't make landfall we should be ok."

"We came back after Sandy and Florida has come back from several others. Listen to your captain. You'll be fine. You know I'll do whatever it takes to help."

"I know and I'd love that but"—she sniffed—"would it sound pathetic if I just want to talk to my momma?"

"No, not at all. When I was first on the job, there were some things I couldn't talk about but just hearing my mom's voice helped."

"Even though by the time you were walking a beat you had two under two?" Since he, like Danny, had enlisted in the Marines after high school and before the NYPD, his two oldest were already born when he started on the job. In fact, she was pretty sure even Joe had been born before Frank had made detective.

"Yes. Don't get me wrong, your grandma did a lot for me and she was amazing but sometimes nothing helps more than a mom."

Her phone gave a little jingle and she checked it. "Speaking of ... I gotta go. I love you, Grampa."

"Love you too."

Anna switched her phone over. "Hey," Anna said.

"Hi, sweetheart," Linda said.

"Hi, Mama."

There must have been something about the way she said those two words because Linda's voice was softer and more heartfelt when she spoke next. "It's going to be ok, honey, I promise, whatever you need from me; I'll do my best, just tell Mom what's going on."

"Hurricane."

"Are you somewhere safe?"

Knowing that her mom still didn't know she was a cop, she couldn't tell her where she was so she settled for a half-truth. "Yes. Bunked down with some good friends but ..." She took a deep breath then sighed heavily.

"I know hurricanes are scary. When Sandy was bearing down on New York, I couldn't help but think of losing everything we had built. Eventually, I realized that as long as my kids were safe and I have your dad, the rest of it's just stuff."

"I mean I get that. You guys are safe, so are a lot of my friends, but I can't shake this feeling."

Linda sighed. "I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better."

"I wish you could hug me," Anna pouted.

Linda made a distressed noise then paused, trying to figure out what to say next. Anna waited. "I know that at times people tell you that they see a lot of your dad in you and it doesn't make you all that happy. There are some characteristics you and your dad share that I'd rather you didn't. Sometimes, I wish you'd open up more, for example. Your dad ... I love that man for a lot of reasons. His strength is one of them. Not just his physical strength. The strength of his spirit and his will to never give up. That is something I'm grateful you both share. I know you don't feel strong right now but you are. And because you are, I know you'll pull through this and be ok."

"And if I'm not?"

"You are. We can talk about it when you come home next, until then one day at a time, one hour at a time."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Any time. I'm sorry about not calling earlier. On the job, my phone died and when I got home late, I saw your dad's note but between the double shift and dinner, I must have dozed off. I'm sorry."

"It's understandable. You get busy and don't always take time for yourself like you should. I don't blame you," Anna told her mom.

"Thank you. What else can I do for you?"

"Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything. I love you, Mom."

"Love you too, sweetheart. Let me know if you need anything else."

"Will do."

After hanging up with her mom, Anna settled back down on the cot, falling into a light sleep.

Also, one final note, Hurricane Matthew did threaten Florida and the US East Coast during the first week of October of 2016. Though it did threaten Miami it stayed off the coast until it got further north where it made landfall. Also the blizzards she mentions in 06 and '10 did happen in New York and it would be something she remembered but not affect her much other than she got out of school.