AND LOVE CHAP 115
A/N: See an extended author's note at the end regarding 'my' Sydney Ann Davenport. If you care – ha ha!
Relief
2-9 Precinct
SWAT was effective in bringing the hostage situation to an end. The 2 squads breached thru the roof, made their way to select positions, and on signal neutralized all hostiles. All without injury or death.
As the hostages filed out, Jamie was among them. After speaking to the SWAT captain, he walked over to his father. As he approached, he noticed Annie at his dad's side. This raised an eyebrow. He pointed to her and started to speak, "How-
"She is here to be Eddie's eyes and ears," Frank said.
Jamie looks askance. "How did she get this far in?"
"I was just about to ask." They both turned to Annie, with inquisitive looks. She is standing right there, and has heard them.
With a smirk she holds up a HARVARD REVIEW press pass. A small smile breaks out on Jamie's face.
"Seen this before?" She asks.
"Yup, let me see that," Jamie reaches for it.
As she hands it over, her finger uncovers the bottom of the pass. The date now shows – 2003!
He lets out a huff, "As I thought."
"TRUTH." Annie exclaims.
"HISTORY," he retorts. "Somethings don't change." His face hardens. He cocks his head.
"I seem to remember this being used by all study group members, once or twice," she smirks. "Or more?"
"I forgot that." Jamie shrugs.
"How convenient," she frowns.
Frank grimaces. Then takes his son's arm and walks toward the SWAT captain.
Annie turns to her phone:
TXT
AD: J out, hostages too, ALL unharmed. My best
ER: thanx so much A, 3
AD: talk L8R, 3
ER: Y
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ST BRIDGET'S LUNCH
Mal sits with David and 4 other friends.
"David, my mom and dad said it was ok if I asked your mom if I could help her sometime. With her catering business, you know. Can you ask her, please?"
"Sure, but can you give me a note to take home? So, I remember?"
"I will, thanks. Mal writes a note, including her phone number. She gives it to David while at their lockers – just before they walk out to the bus.
88888888888888
ON THE ISLAND 7:30 PM
RING – HOUSE PHONE
"Eddie Reagan here, who is calling?"
"Mrs. Reagan, Father Abram from St Bridget."
"Yes, Father. What can we do for you?"
"I observed your daughter Malina, pass David Walden a note in the hall just before they left."
"So?"
"We discourage such behavior in underclassmen."
"Underclassmen?"
"Yes, below 9th grade. We believe they are too young for such behavior. It can lead to unfortunate emotional situations."
It is all Eddie can do not to laugh. "I see. Well, it probably was a note I asked her to give David."
"Oh?"
"Yes, Mal is interested in helping Mrs. Walden in her catering business. You see, Mal is very interested in the culinary arts. Jamie and I are encouraging that."
"Well, she should take cooking class here then."
Smugly, "She started, it was too elementary and boring, sir."
"I see. I'll have to speak with that instructor. Good day."
"Bye." ROTFL
Jamie walks by and sees her, "What's so funny?"
"Wait until you hear this-
2 X ROTFL
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ON THE ISLAND – 2 EVENINGS LATER, MBR
"Eddie, I have something to show you. We checked out veterinary education, you know."
"Yeah, what do you have?"
"A letter, a script rather. For Mary Rose."
"Ok, read on, sport."
My dear Mary Rose,
You cannot become a vet unless you go to school to learn to become a vet; and I'm sorry my dear but mommy cannot home school you in those lessons. She herself is not a vet with the necessary background.
Case closed.
Moving on.
Next?
Mom and dad
Eddie stands there; mouth partially open, speechless.
"Well, what do you think?"
"Should I laugh or cry?" She smirks.
"What? That bad?" Hands on hips, arms akimbo.
"Well, for a 3rd grader – it is ok."
"Come on, help me out here!"
"Ok," she goes to her night stand and gets a piece of paper. She reads:
Sweetheart,
Daddy and I have done some research, and talked with Donna Blake – our vet. You know her.
Vet schools are very competitive, and hard to get into. To apply and have a good chance to enter you need a college degree. Daddy and I can help you with homework, but you really need a solid educational foundation.
While home school can be very good; we feel you need much more in order to achieve the goals you have set, and we agree with.
Much love,
Mom and dad 3
Jamie thinks . . . "well, that's better. I suppose."
"You suppose?" Now Eddie has hands on hips, arms akimbo.
"Let's go with yours."
"Good choice, sport."
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BAY RIDGE – SUPPER
"I'm really glad that the mess at the 2-9 ended as smoothly as it did." Jack comments between bites.
"Me too," Erin adds. "Say dad, on NY-1 I thought I saw Annie standing next to you. Was she?"
"Yes, she used her old HARVARD REVIEW press pass to get right up to the tape. A bold move."
"Foxy lady," Jack is impressed.
Erin swats his arm. "What was she doing, dad?"
"She said she was Eddie's eyes and ears. Texting non sensitive stuff to Eddie."
"You allowed that?" Erin is incredulous.
"I kept a close eye on her when there was sensitive stuff."
"That is super nice," Jack is impressed.
"What do you think she is trying to do?" Erin squints.
"Be a friend? Maybe?" Jack is good with this.
"I don't trust her," Erin snorts.
"What? Can't a girl do a good deed?" Jack wonders what's the deal. 'Sub-texts everywhere'?
"She's Jamie's ex, Jack!" Erin spits out like the classification is poison.
"Well, we were each other's ex. And here we are," He retorts.
"Yeah, and Jamie is married to Eddie!" She throws back.
"So, if you were married to John Doe; would we be enemies for life?"
"Probably. But you aren't Syd-
"Annie."
"Whoever the hell she wants to be!"
"Erin! Is Annie branded for life?"
"YES!" Both Erin and Frank spit out.
"Geez," Jack hangs his head and takes another bite.
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NEXT DAY
"Davenport, Erickson & Jackson, how may I direct your call?"
"Jack Boyle, attorney. Is Annie Davenport available for a call, please?"
"Just a moment, sir."
MUZAK
"Jack, Annie here. What can I do for you?"
"I heard you used a 2003 Harvard press pass to get right up to the police tape! Foxy lady!"
"Ha, ha! You heard that where?"
"Supper with Erin and Frank."
"Ah, you moved in, I hear. Tight spot?"
"At times. Listen, from what I heard from the two of them, you are kinda behind the 8-ball with some family."
"Still?"
"Yeah. Watch your back. By-the-way, I think what you did for Eddie was pure class! Keep it up."
"Thanks, Jack. I appreciate that. My best to you and Efrin. Say, wait!"
"Yeah, what?"
"Eddie and I are cooperating with NYU in Nicky's paralegal training. She's one smart daughter!"
"That she is, thanks. She is doing well?"
"Fantastic. I think she will be fully trained in 1 year."
"Great! Thanks for your assistance, Annie!"
"My pleasure, Jack. Bye."
"Bye, Annie."
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TBC
A/N: I haven't read any fan fic stories that depict Sydney in a positive light. I am not TRYING to do it; I am Doing it. I hope that at least some of you can set BAD-SYD (whatever that means to you) aside and take my characterization of her at face value. My SYD 1) will not take Jamie to bed – (nor try to), 2) will be a true friend to Eddie (if Ed will let her), 3) will finally fully commit to Gregg (after 5 years), 4) will fully participate in training Nicky well, and 5) will offer Nicky employment. We shall see if Nicky accepts.