I'm glad all of you you liked Danny and Anna's conversation. Thank you to seleneplaysgames, decadenceofmysoul, YaleAceBella12, Amillerkray12, Pharmergirl, and McFaddenFan for your reviews. I appreciate your kind words.

Scenes from and references to 4x16.

"How are you doing?" Danny asked gently as he stopped in Anna's doorway. She was getting ready for bed, running her brush through damp hair after her shower.

"How am I supposed to be doing?" Anna asked curiously. She lowered her hair brush to her lap and blinked at him.

"With the breakup I mean," Danny said.

"Oh." Anna looked down and went back to brushing her hair.

"Breaking up is never easy," Danny said as she didn't answer. "It takes a while to feel better about it. It may never sit entirely right either but sometimes it has to happen."

"I don't feel bad but at the same time it still hurts."

"It will." Anna looked up at him in disbelief. He was supposed to make her feel better. This wasn't helping. "Don't judge yourself too hard though, for what happened. You see the good in everyone; it's not a bad trait. It's a trait you share with Jamie and shared with Joe. In this family we need that."

"Until I get hurt."

"Yeah, but it also means that you give someone a chance they deserve that others might not give them." Danny sighed.

"I understand that." Anna ran the brush through her hair a few more times then lowered it to her lap and stared at it. She changed the subject. "A week from Friday is the baseball opener at home. Mom's chaperoning Sean's field trip and Jack's got the sleepover so I was hoping that you could maybe get off early and come watch. I know it's just high school and it's not all that warm out but it's the first game of the season and I was hoping—"

"Anna, I'll do my best to be there," Danny agreed.

"No promises but that means a lot," Anna answered. She put down her brush and went to hug him. Danny smiled and hugged her back.

When Anna looked into the bleachers at their first game there wasn't hide nor hair of any Reagan. She tried not to let it get to her. She knew her mom had been called into work, Pops was under the weather, Frank had stepped up to fill in for Linda, Jamie had texted saying he was stuck at work, and she figured the same was true of her dad and aunt. Anna sighed and Derrek clapped her on the shoulder. "Maybe he'll show up later, you never know. My parents are here, so are Jim and his parents.

"That helps a little." Anna tried to smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes. The game started and Anna kept an eye out but none of her family showed up. At the end of the game, Anna packed her bag trying her best to keep a lid on her emotions. Derrek rubbed her back for a moment then apologized.

"That was a hell of a game, Pitch. I know that doesn't make up for family being gone but it did wonders for your reputation," Derrek said.

"Thanks, D. You were great too. Couldn't have done it without you."

Derrek gave her shoulder another squeeze then walked off. Anna took a deep breath and went home. Later that night, Linda stopped in Anna's doorway. "How'd it go?" she asked.

"Won 9-2. Played a really good game," Anna answered.

"Where'd you stop for cocoa after?"

"The uh ... the kitchen," Anna answered confused. She wondered why Linda asked about cocoa.

"I've never heard of that, where is it?"

"Downstairs, our kitchen. You know beneath my floor?"

"Oh. You mean your dad didn't even take you out? Seven points. You would have thought you earned it. Or is that no longer a tradition between you and your dad?" Now it made sense. Ever since Anna had started T-ball, when they won and Danny had been at the game he took her out for cocoa before taking her home. That just made things worse.

"Dad wasn't there. He got caught up at work, as usual." Anna sighed. "Being a detective it happens." Anna went back to staring at her homework.

Linda's heart sank. Danny had once again let their little girl down. She knew, like the rest of the family, and respected the job that Danny did but never wanted her little girl to have to face the same heartbreak she did from time to time when the cases got really bad. Her best course of action here was to dole out some of her best mothering and nursing. Applying a certain type of balm that only a mother could. "I know that you know your dad works hard and maybe you even expected him not to show up but that doesn't stop your heart from sinking in your chest or that small voice in the back of your mind from saying how disappointed you are or those pretty brown eyes from welling up with tears."

"I am not going to cry," Anna told her mom looking as defiant as her father did at times.

Linda withheld a smile. "I know you're not. You're my strong, brave, amazing daughter but that doesn't make it hurt any less. I'm sure whatever your dad's case is—"

"It should never be any more important than your own child, but it's probably life or death and he didn't mean to get caught up and he's very sorry. Now, I've got homework I've gotta do and I'm sure you haven't eaten in a while. I think there is still some leftover meatloaf in the fridge."

"When do your progress reports come out?"

"Two weeks I think. Just before spring break."

"Well, get it done and get some sleep," Linda said. She crossed the room and kissed her daughter's head before heading down to the kitchen to get dinner.

Danny came home after picking up a sleepy Sean from his dad's and found his daughter fast asleep. He frowned as he watched her knowing that the girl was working too hard but he also knew that she felt like she had too. He really wanted to apologize for not being at the game but he worried she wouldn't accept his apology or his reasoning. She'd say she understood, that it was quite literally life or death but she'd also be disappointed as much as she tried to hide it. For now though, he'd let her sleep.

Sunday morning, Erin caught up to her outside of church and apologized for not being at the game and gave her a very brief description of what had happened. Something about an old case coming up and a young woman threatening harm. Because Danny had gotten the old Detective's phone number at the precinct house, he had talked to the girl and done his best to keep her from doing any harm. Deep down, Anna knew he had done the right thing but the selfish voice in the back of her head was still upset that he had made that choice. Not that she'd ever spill that to anyone.

"I get it, Aunt Erin. And I'm not upset. Work happens and I've learned to live with it." Anna flashed a smile. Erin watched her suspiciously but let it go.

As Erin and Nicky cooked, Henry and Anna sat at the kitchen table talking about her game. "Again, I'm really sorry I couldn't make it," Henry said.

"It's fine, Pops. You were under the weather, it had been snowing, and it was still really cold out. If it makes you feel any better, you'd have been the only Reagan there."

"Oh. Your dad was working?"

"Yeah. It happens. It's okay, really."

"You're being really adult about this."

"There something wrong with that?"

"No. We all have to grow up some time and as much as I miss my little gg, I'm proud of the young woman you're becoming."

"Thank you. You do still have three other little gg's."

"One really. Jack and Nicky aren't all that far behind you."

"Thank you," Nicky called from the stove.

"So you should dote on Sean while there's still time. Actually I think all four of us would love to be doted on if you're still willing," Anna added as though Nicky hadn't spoken.

"Always," Henry smiled at his great granddaughter.

The next week passed by quickly and along with it came the due date of their English paper's first draft. The final draft would count as half of their final exam. Anna handed hers in but didn't feel all that excited about it. She worried that even though it was a first draft; it was still a grade and anything less than a C plus would put her on the bench for the next two games. For the next three days, every time Anna came home she found her father on the couch and gave him an expectant look. Every time Danny's whole body would slump and he'd get a resigned look on his face. On the third day, Anna turned to her mom. "I know that you're busy but I was hoping that after work tomorrow maybe you could stop by Jeff's Sports' Store on the way home and pick me up some sports' tape. I need some new stuff for my bat. Dad was supposed to do it but he keeps forgetting. Both of you pass right by it on the way home and I don't. Could you please do it?"

"Sure." Sure enough when Anna got home that next night, Linda gave her the tape she asked for.

"Thank you. Glad I can count on one of you," Anna said, glancing at her dad.

"Anna," Linda warned.

"Sorry."

The Tuesday before spring break, which would happen the last week of March, Anna got some bad news. "Anna, you've got mail," Linda said when Anna came home.

Anna looked at the return addresses and saw that one from Stanford and the other Harvard. She tore open the one from Stanford first. "Dear, Ms. Reagan, we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to ..." Anna trailed off. That rejection hurt. She knew there was a very small margin for her getting in but still it hurt to be told no.

"What about Harvard?" Linda asked gently. She didn't want to see her daughter upset but knew the sooner she got the information the sooner she could move past it and move on to better things or start planning for her future.

"Dear Ms. Reagan ..." Anna silently read the rest of the letter. "I've been waitlisted. So if someone says no or doesn't qualify anymore I could get in."

"That's good."

"Yeah. I've got homework." Anna flashed a smile then went to the table. Anna was certain that Linda told Danny about it when he got home but he never said a word making Anna wonder if he was happy about the smaller chance of her going out of state or if he was unsure of what to say to make her feel better.

The next day was when things got worse. Anna was headed to English class when she saw Becky and Mr. Ray having what looked like a serious conversation on the landing between the second and first floors. Becky was backed into the wall and she looked terrified. Even more so when Mr. Ray took her hand. Anna pulled her phone out and turned on the recording app before walking down to them keeping her phone in the pocket on the strap of her backpack. "Beck, are you alright?" Anna asked.

"She's fine, Ms. Reagan. Why don't you head to class and we'll see you there? Ms. Stover and I were just discussing her GPA," Mr. Ray said.

"And what's wrong with her GPA? Last time I checked English was her best class and she's an A student in all of her classes," Anna answered.

"Please, let me go of me, Mr. Ray," Becky begged. Mr. Ray looked from Anna to Becky then slowly released her hand. Anna's hackles were raised. Becky was a rock. She was the strongest girl Anna had ever met and now she looked scared.

"I'll ask again, are you alright, Becky?" Anna asked.

Becky bit down on her lip and there were tears in the corners of her eyes when they connected with Anna's. "No," she whispered.

"Now, Mr. Ray, why would a girl who watches horror movies for fun, look absolutely terrified of your discussion of her GPA?"

He smiled what she guessed was supposed to be a charming smile before answering. "It's just a misunderstanding, Ms. Reagan. Really, it's no big deal." Mr. Ray turned more towards her and grinned as he looked her up and down. Anna suddenly felt like she needed a shower, or several.

"She's my friend, it's a big deal. Maybe you could explain it to me so that we both understand it."

"No need. Ms. Stover and I can work it out," Mr. Ray said.

"You know that petition a few months back. The one that Tara started?" Becky asked softly.

"Ms. Stover," Mr. Ray started. It was like he was trying to keep her from saying too much.

"There's truth to those rumors?" Anna asked, looking at her best friend.

"It happened to her," Becky said.

Anna nodded and pulled Becky away then slid her into place between Mr. Ray and the wall. Mr. Ray eyed the two girls then focused his attention solely on Anna. "You're not normally my type but then again you are pretty," Mr. Ray told her.

"You're not my type, Mr. Ray," Anna answered.

"I've noticed your English grade has been slipping. I'm sure I could find some extra credit for you to do." His eyes roamed over the bottom half of her school uniform before meeting her eyes with a smirk. She got the feeling she knew exactly what he was talking about. However she needed him to fully say it to prove something if the petition hadn't worked.

"What kind of extra credit are you talking about?" Anna asked, hoping she sounded like the blonde airhead she wasn't.

"I'm pretty sure you know. We should really talk about this after school. You are 17, aren't you?"

"Of course I am. What difference does that make though? I mean, it's not illegal is it?"

"Not anymore and I'm sure you'll love it." He smiled that should-be charming smile that made Anna feel gross. Sure, most people would consider him kinda hot and if he wasn't a teacher his attention wouldn't seem too bad, but she had seen this on some of her cop shows. This was going to be very bad, she just needed to figure out how many girls, how many of her friends, had been influenced by this man.

"You mean ..." Anna trailed off and glanced at Becky who was staring at the floor. "Mr. Ray, you couldn't possibly mean—" She stopped when she noticed his gaze trailing down her body again. Again, he could be considered hot with his green eyes, muscular build, and decent smile but he was a teacher abusing his power and position to get girls. "You want me to sleep with you? That's—that's not what you're asking, is it?"

"Not so loud," Mr. Ray hissed. He swallowed and backed down. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to your grade, would you? A failing grade means athletic probation, doesn't it? I would hate for the baseball team to lose their pitcher in the middle of their season, wouldn't you?"

"So either I sleep with you to raise my English grade or I don't and you fail me?" Anna asked.

"Not in so many words but yes, essentially."

There it was. A full on confession. Anna wondered how far she could push him and see how many other times he had done this. If he gave specifics he could be charged on multiple counts but it also would give more evidence to get him fired. "And ... And this is the deal you proposed to other girls?"

"Does that make you feel less special? Knowing you're not the first?" He grinned maliciously. Anna shifted uncomfortably. "All you girls are just the same. Thinking you getting special attention but you're just pathetic. You'd do any guy who got you a better grade."

Anna's temper flared and a response of not blaming the victim was on the tip of her tongue but that wouldn't get him to keep going. So she bit it back. "How many others have there been?" she asked curiously.

"Who can keep track?" Mr. Ray rolled his eyes. "It's the same at every school. Senior girls are so anxious to get into college they'll spread their legs for anyone they think can keep their grades up so—"

"You dirty, lying, victim blaming—" Anna stopped and drew back, smirking as she felt his nose crunch under her fist. Then, as if in slow motion, his hand came up and blood began to pour down his face.

Anything he would have said was drowned out by the headmistress's voice. "Maryanna Reagan!" she called shrilly. Anna flinched then looked past Becky, who was nervously standing next to her, to see the headmistress at the bottom of the stairs. Anna swallowed as the headmistress looked over the scene. "Mr. Jones, please escort Mr. Ray to the nurse's office. Ms. Stover, Ms. Reagan, my office. The rest of you, get to class," she ordered. That's when Anna saw a couple dozen kids hanging around the stairwell who then rushed off. Mr. Ray reluctantly followed Derrek off towards the nurse's office. Anna pulled her phone from its spot and turned it off before looking at Becky. The girl frowned so Anna tried to smile to comfort her. Anna jerked her head towards Ms. Martha and the girls followed her to the front office.

"Beck, it's going to be fine. Just tell her the truth. I've got your back. 100 percent. I'll be fine, just tell her the truth," Anna told her as they walked.

"You'll get in trouble," Becky answered softly.

"Won't be the first time. We can't let him get away with this. God knows how many other girls he's done this to. How many girls he'll continue to do this to. That's not how I was raised."

"Enough, both of you," Ms. Martha said as they reached the office. "Ms. Stover, please go have a seat in my office." Becky nodded and slipped inside the inner office as Ms. Martha motioned Anna into a seat across from the secretary's desk. Ms. Martha then turned to her secretary. "Claire, please call Ms. Reagan's parents. We've had an incident and it's imperative I meet with them immediately. After that, go down to the nurse's office and get an ice pack for her hand. While you're there ask Mr. Ray to remain there until I see to him. When that is done, call around for a sub for the rest of his classes and send his current class to the computer lab."

"The history classes are in the computer labs this week for their papers."

"Of course. The library then."

"Yes, ma'am." Claire answered. Ms. Martha disappeared into the inner office. Claire crossed to the filing cabinet behind her desk and pulled out Anna's file and ran her finger down the pages to find contact information. "Alright, which one? Your mom, I suppose? Typically moms are much more understanding."

Anna bounced her head back and forth considering her options. Her mom would definitely be much more understanding than her dad, but she wasn't sure Linda would be able to answer or get away. "I'm dead either way but Mom's working today, so chances are she won't be able to hear her phone or answer it. Dad's working today too but he'll get here faster, especially if it's a slow day," she muttered to herself. On top of that, he was a cop and he'd make sure something happened to Mr. Ray. "Call my dad," Anna finally said. Then it hit her just exactly what she had learned. The guy had been blackmailing and coercing female students into sleeping with him or he'd fail them. She wasn't sure how illegal it was but there had to be something the police could do about it. She'd definitely do something about that with Danny there.

"Detective Reagan, this is Claire Winslow from the headmistress's office at St. Agatha's Secondary School ... Uh, no sir, I'm calling about your daughter, Maryanna," Claire said. Anna could only hear her side of the conversation but she could imagine that her dad wasn't too happy about receiving the phone call. "There's been an incident—No, sir, she's fine, but you need to come down here. The headmistress would like to speak with you about what happened and if I read the situation right you may have to take her home." Claire paused and listened to the other end. She frowned. "Yes, sir, I understand. We'll see you shortly." Claire hung up and looked at Anna. "You're right, you're dead."

"Thanks," Anna said sarcastically.

"Stay put, I'll be right back." As Anna sat and waited her phone dinged. She opened it to find a video of what happened in the stairwell starting shortly after Mr. Ray grabbed Becky's hand. When it came to the punch, it looked so much cooler in the video and thinking about it now caused her hand to start to throb. She flexed her hand and though it hurt, she was pretty sure it wasn't broken. Not with the way her dad and Joe taught her to throw a punch. The video ended as Anna and Becky joined the headmistress at the bottom of the stairs so Anna put her phone down and looked back up to see Claire had come back with an ice pack. She made a quick announcement over the school's P.A. system to send Mr. Ray's class to the library and began calling her usual list of subs.

I'm real nervous about this last quarter of the chapter. I know this happens in real life and I know it's devastating to everyone involved. Luckily this never happened to me or in my school district or anywhere near it. I really don't mean to offend anyone with this. Y'all have just been asking for something to happen to Anna and this was as close as I can get to doing something to her and nothing really happened.

So what do you think Danny's going to say? What do you think is going to happen next? And just so you know this takes place between episodes 17 and 18 of season 4.