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Contains scenes from episode 1x3 and mentions events in episode 1x2.
It was a few more days before the Samaritan and robbery cases were wrapped up but Anna was still feeling worried about Danny's job. Ultimately, she knew that it was going to take time but she wondered if there was anything she could do to speed things up. One afternoon she made a decision she knew her dad wasn't going to like but she knew it could help. Well, she was hoping it would help. She asked around her group of friends and found out that Beth's dad would be picking her up and taking her into the city. So she caught a ride with them and had them drop her off a few blocks from the 54th precinct house. She made her way inside and slipped past the desk sergeant then up the stairs to the detective unit. It took a few moments to gather her bearings but when she did she spotted the C.O.'s office and after double checking to make sure her dad wasn't around, she slipped inside the office. "Hello," the man behind the desk said suspiciously.
"Hi, I was hoping you could help me," Anna said from the doorway not wanting to intrude if it was a bad time.
"I'll try, have a seat," he said, offering the seat across from him.
Anna had a feeling she'd be seeing the inside of this office more than she had her dad's two previous C.O.s. "I'm Anna," she said, offering the C.O. her hand.
He shook it and introduced himself. "Sergeant Gormley. Please, have a seat," he said, once again motioning to the seat across his desk. Anna sat down and swallowed. "Now, Anna, what can I do for you?"
"I know that you and I have just met and that you don't know me, you don't trust me, and you don't owe me anything. If you were to tell me there was nothing you could do for me and send me on my way, I'd understand. There are things you just don't tell civilians, especially kids. I've met enough C.O.s to know that not all of them like the guys under them. Especially if it's a sergeant hired to lead a detective squad and he's never been a detective before. Resentment tends to go both ways in that scenario. I don't have any right to ask this and like I said, I'd understand if you sent me on my way telling me to take this up with my parents, but I was hoping that I could get your honest opinion of your guys out there. You think that they're all good guys? That I should trust them?" Anna asked slowly.
Gormley looked her over. He could tell that this was important to her for some reason even if he couldn't tell why. She also looked vaguely familiar to him, but he couldn't place her. Now though, it was time to reach out a little and see what he could get from her. "You should always trust cops. Each one of my guys knows how to do their job and is good at it or they wouldn't be here." Gormley studied her and could tell that had relaxed the girl. So it had something to do with faith on her part but he wondered if it was about a specific one of his detectives or if it was about cops in general. "How'd you get past the desk sergeant?"
"Not important. What is important is that I worry about my family's safety and was hoping you could help ease my fears a bit."
"You think I have a detective who can't do their job?"
"I didn't say that. I'm just worried about retaliation and how your squad handles that. If you trust these guys to have each other's backs and to protect the families of these detectives then I'll take your word for it."
"I trust these guys. And one thing you should know is not only do all my detectives have each other's backs they also back their families. If one goes down the entire department is there for their family."
"Do you make it a point to get to know all your guys?"
"Yes. I got this new guy, Detective Reagan, I'm starting to realize that he can be a real pain in the butt," he was now looking at her like he knew something she didn't, "however, he's one of the best and we're lucky to have him. The city can sleep safer with him on the job. He gets results. He may be cocky but he's very good."
"That's a relief," Anna said.
"Think his family's pretty lucky too. The way he handled the kidnapping case, like a dog with a bone and I want that kind of man on my team."
"Hey, Sarge, you wanted—Anna?" Danny asked, leaning in the office doorway. "What are you—how'd you get here?"
"I was just talking to your sarge here. As for how, give me a minute." Anna glanced back at her dad then looked back at the sergeant. "Thank you," Anna said, standing. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant Gormley. I'm sure this won't be last time. Especially if you meant every word you said."
"I did," Gormley said. He stood as well and didn't look surprised that she knew Danny. "Any time you need to talk, I'll be here."
"Thank you. Also, I showed this at the desk and he didn't ask any questions," Anna said, pulling out her detective courtesy card. Gormley nodded and Anna smiled. The last thing she needed was to the get the desk sergeant in trouble because he hadn't noticed her slip past him.
"Anna!" Danny stated.
"Coming, Dad. Bye, Sarge." Anna grinned and walked to the door.
"Was she bothering you?" Danny asked, looking at his boss. He took Anna's arm in his hand, glancing down at her.
"Not at all, Ms. Anna, I hope I helped," Gormley told them.
"You did, thanks again," Anna said. Danny gave Anna's arm a discreet squeeze and Anna smiled to reassure the sergeant there was nothing wrong. That's when Danny lead her out of the sergeant's office and over to the coffee maker. "Ouch," Anna complained when he let her go.
"You're fine, Maryanna, now talk."
"Ooh, full name. Sounds like I might be in trouble." Anna grinned sheepishly. Danny only stared at her, not looking the least bit amused. "I had a friend who was coming into the city with her dad and they gave me a lift. Figured I could talk to your new sarge then take the subway to Grampa's and you could pick me up on your way home," Anna said. "I figured if you didn't know until I was here, you'd be less angry." Anna batted her eyes at her dad. It was always better to ask forgiveness than permission.
Danny took a long drink of coffee as he watched her. You know I'm not buying your innocent act, right? I know you too well, Anna. Did you really think I'd be okay with my 14 year old riding the subway, alone?"
"Nicky rides the subway alone," Anna argued. She knew he was right. The innocent act wasn't getting her anywhere. It was time to try a different tact.
"Nicky's not my daughter," Danny answered.
"Come on, Dad, it's not like I'm walking alone through Harlem or the Bronx. This is Brooklyn. Bay Ridge. I'll be safe. Bay Ridge is one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City. If it really bothers you that much I'll just take the train back home."
"Anna."
"Dad, please, don't you trust me?" Anna asked, looking up at her dad plainly.
"Of course I trust you," Danny sighed. He really did but everything he had seen on the job made him more worried about his little girl, especially out on the town. "You do remember what case I just finished, right? The guy I just locked up?"
"Yes, but he's behind bars and the subway is so much safer because of it. But if you really don't want me on the subway, I can stay here until you're done. What case are you working on this time?" Anna grinned at him.
Danny sighed trying to figure out which was the lesser of the two evils: letting his 14 year old in on a rape case or letting her ride the subway alone. Finally he decided the gritty details of the rape case weren't something he wanted his kid in on so he relented on the subway. "Okay, you call the minute you get to your grandfather's. One hour, Anna, or I call in the National Guard and ground you forever," Danny said.
"Thanks, Daddy," Anna said, grinning. She turned to bolt off but Danny grabbed her arm before she had the chance. She turned back to look at him, pouting.
"What exactly did your mom have to say about this trip?" he asked.
"I ... didn't tell her. She's at practice with the boys. Forgiveness over permission right?" Anna asked sheepishly.
"No. Call your mom." Danny pointed to his desk and Anna sighed walking over it and sitting down in his chair.
"You know if I had a cell phone, you wouldn't worry so much about me."
"Dial," he said from behind her as he motioned to the phone. She did so and as she waited for Linda to pick up, Anna looked at the photos on Danny's desk. One of all the family gathered on Frank's couch in his living room, one of their small family at a photo shoot done last spring, and one of her with her arms around both her brothers. Finally Linda's voicemail picked up. Anna left a message as she felt her dad's hands on her shoulders. When she hung up, he spun the chair around and crouched in front of her. "You know I love you, don't you?" he asked.
"I know, and I'll be careful, I promise." Danny studied his daughter carefully then leaned forward and kissed her forehead before letting her go. Anna took off taking the R train to Brooklyn and getting off at the 77th street stop before heading to her grandfather's. "Anyone home?" Anna called, slipping inside.
"Kitchen!" Henry answered.
"Hey, Pops," Anna said, dropping her backpack in a chair at the kitchen table.
"Anna," he smiled then paused and looked confused. He was probably listening for the rest of her family. "How'd you get here?" So he was listening for her family. She kissed his cheek then sat down on a stool at the island.
"I took the train." Anna grinned.
"You took the train all the way here? The train doesn't come straight here. Do your parents know?"
"I caught a ride with a friend to Manhattan then took the subway here. Speaking of parentals, can I use your phone? I need to call Dad before he calls out the National Guard." Henry handed her the phone and Anna called her father. "Hey, I made it, safe and sound. Like I promised." Anna paused listening to her dad's voice. "So you want me to call Mom and have her pick me up?" She sighed when she heard his answer. "Fine, I'll leave a message at the house so Mom doesn't worry and stay here for dinner." She held a thumbs down and then a thumbs up to her great-grandfather who gave her a thumbs up back. "It works for Pops. If you're not here by 9:30 then I'll have Grampa drop me off at home or call Uncle Jamie. Or it's Friday, I can just stay the night." Anna rolled her eyes as her dad said his goodbye. "Love you too, Dad. Bye." Anna hung up and put the phone down on the counter. "Dad's got a case, stuck at work. Are you sure it's okay that I stay for dinner?"
"I love having my gg for dinner," Henry said.
"Over for dinner, you're not eating me," Anna said. They both laughed.
"It's fine. Your grandfather will be fine with it too. Maybe after dinner we can play a few rounds of poker. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve I haven't taught you yet," Henry told her.
"Mom won't be happy about that, so we won't tell her," Anna said. Henry nodded putting a finger to his lips. After dinner, they played poker until Frank came home.
"Hey Pops, sweetheart," Frank said, entering through the kitchen door.
"Hi, Grampa," Anna answered.
"Francis," Henry said. "I call." Henry put down three of a kind.
"I win again," Anna said as she put down a full house.
"How much?" Frank asked.
"Total? According to the score, he owes me 2.5 million." Anna grinned shuffling the cards. "Wanna play?"
"After dinner," Frank said. Frank put down his briefcase and grabbed his plate from the refrigerator and heated it up before joining them at the table. "Danny called."
"Oh yeah? How's the case?" Henry asked.
"Said he might be late, but I told him you could just stay here," Frank said, looking at his granddaughter.
"That okay with him?" Anna asked.
"I'm your grandfather, it doesn't matter if it's okay with him," Frank said. Anna laughed and Frank smiled.
Two days later, Sunday dinner arrived again and this time they were joined by Sydney. "Hey, Anna, I heard you managed to stay out of trouble the other day," Jamie said at a lull in the conversation.
Anna cringed trying to disappear. "How do you know about that?" Anna asked.
"I just do," Jamie said.
"It's not like I did anything wrong. No lies, just no update when plans changed. It's not like I've got a cell phone to update them anyway," Anna explained.
"Didn't you just get out of trouble?" Erin asked.
"Technically yes, but I'm also not in trouble. Besides I've known Beth since second grade. It's not like I was in any danger," Anna said.
"That's why you're not technically in trouble," Danny said. "You would definitely be in more trouble had it not been Beth."
"You mean like if it'd been Derrek instead. Now that would have gotten me in trouble," Anna said.
"Derrek?" Danny asked.
"Catcher on my baseball team. 15, sweet kid. Not my type though." Anna rolled her eyes. "How's the case?" Anna changed the subject hoping to talk less about her type of guy and more about anything else.
"Not good. My lead suspect has diplomatic immunity and I have a feeling there's nothing I can do to stop him," Danny said.
"He your only suspect?" Linda asked.
"No, but he's the one I like best," Danny said.
"Mom, are there any more rolls?" Sean asked.
"I think so. Danny?" Linda asked.
"Can't you just kick him out of the country? It's one guy," Anna said.
Danny grabbed the empty bowl and headed for the kitchen. "I got a better idea, how about we round up every diplomat in the city and send them back to where ever they came from?" Danny asked.
Henry answered with a story about the time he had a Russian Ambassador's car towed which in turn had put him in the doghouse with Washington D.C. but had put him in favor with the Rank and File for life. In a surprise turn of events, Jamie agreed with Danny. "These people abuse diplomatic privilege," Jamie said. "They don't pay their parking tickets, their rent. They scoff at our laws."
"Oh, I think that gun bust might have knocked some sense into this kid," Danny said. Jamie had taken his first gun collar earlier in week.
"You're with Danny on this?" Sydney asked.
"I am," Jamie said. Anna looked at her uncle's fiancée and saw she didn't look happy. Evidently she disagreed.
"So what, Sydney? You think that spoiled dipstick should get away with it?" Danny asked.
"Of course not. Rape is heinous," Sydney answered. Anna choked on her potatoes, having not heard that detail on the news. She didn't realize the case was that bad. Everyone looked at her but she waved them off as she took a sip of water. "I'd like to cut off the jerk's equipment myself," Sydney continued. "I just think you have a naïve view of things."
"Oh, I'm naïve, huh?" Danny laughed.
"Not that that should surprise me."
"Aw, come on Syd," Jamie defended.
"What? He's the only one allowed to have an opinion at the table?" Sydney asked.
"Whoa. And in this corner–a new comer in the ring–Syd the Kid," Henry commented like a boxing commentator.
"Oh, this is great. I get to spend another Sunday dinner with some Ivy League attorney trying to open my eyes to the real world," Danny griped.
Sydney stood while Linda offered more cranberries. "You back down now, he'll never let you hear the end of it," Frank warned Sydney.
Sydney stopped and looked, first at Frank then at Danny who was trying to look innocent but Anna could tell there was a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Diplomatic immunity may not be perfect, but it serves a purpose," Sydney said.
"Yeah, it helps rich kids get away with rape," Danny said.
"So what about American diplomats abroad?" she asked.
"They don't pay their parking tickets either," Frank said. Anna hid her laugh.
Sydney shook her head. "I'm talking about the female diplomat in the Middle East who ends up in jail because she wears inappropriate garb and doesn't have diplomatic immunity. Do you really want our ambassadors in tenuous countries to be subject to trumped up charges, thrown in jail and used as pawns in a diplomatic game of chicken?" Sydney asked as Frank's phone buzzed. "World's a lot bigger than the five boroughs, Danny."
"Yeah," he said as though he didn't take that into account before. He probably hadn't. "You know, I'm sorry I didn't get to spend my junior year abroad like you. I had my hands full in Fallujah." Sydney, who had continued her walk to the kitchen, stopped and stared at him.
"Well, Argentina turned us down. They're not going to wave immunity. Excuse me." Frank stood and Danny sighed. Frank walked out of the room and Anna stared at the plate in front of her.
"It's too bad it's his first time," Anna sighed.
"Anna!" her dad snapped. She looked around to see everyone was staring at her.
"Sorry, not what I meant." Anna shook her head. "Argentina probably considers it first time, it's a mistake, slap on the wrist, he won't do it again. If it was a pattern, one in a string of incidents then they'd probably consider it a true problem. However if it had happened before it'd probably pop in the system. Unless of course the last time he did it, he was in Argentina." Anna shrugged not sure if she was talking to her dad or to herself. Danny looked at her for a few moments but didn't comment. At home later that night, Jack crawled into Anna's bed as she read. "Jack?" she said curiously.
"Anna, what's rape?" Jack asked softly.
Anna put down her book and looked at her brother. "Jack," Anna warned.
"Please?"
His face made her feel bad for him. "What have Mom and Dad told you about the birds and the bees?" Anna asked.
"Only that it's something Dad will tell me more about when I'm older. He said it's got something to do with babies and private things."
"When a man and a woman—you know what?" Anna asked, stopping mid-sentence. "You're nine years old, I'm not sure you should be hearing about this."
"Is it bad?" Jack asked curiously.
"Rape is very bad. Like Sydney said."
"Please?"
"No. I'm not having this discussion with my nine year old little brother. As much as I think you should know, I think Dad should be the one to tell you. It's his job as a father. Father to son, man to man to prepare you for the real world out there. I'm sorry, Jack, but I'm not going there." Jack pouted giving Anna his best puppy dog eyes but she held firm on her decision not to tell him.
"Fine," Jack sighed. "It's illegal right? That's why Dad's investigating."
"Yes. It's also a sin. Mom and Dad have taught us better than that. No always means no, okay?"
"Thanks, Anna."
"So, how about those Jets?" Anna asked.
"You hate the Jets," Jack answered.
"True," everyone knew Anna preferred the Giants to the Jets but she loved hearing her brothers' opinions on the team, "but they weren't too terrible today."
"Yeah. Do you really think Dad will get this guy?" Jack asked.
"I know he will. He's that good." Anna grinned. "Now, run along. You may be able to get a few minutes of video games in before Mom comes to check on you." Jack nodded and left the room. Anna sighed and went back to her book.
