A/N it's sad to think this is the last chapter and it's also weird thinking I started this back in September, so it's taken me the entire school year to finish this! Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, followed and favourited this story you've really helped me motivate myself to sit down and work through my writer's block, so I am beyond grateful to you all. Especially everyone who has given me suggestions for chapters, I really couldn't have finished this without you! Even the suggestions I have not ended up using in this story have actually sparked some inspiration for other stories so thank you so much for that! I really wish I could go around and hand you all some cookies or brownies to show how thankful I am to all of you! So instead I'll have to settle for the next best thing I can do, *big group hug*!
So sorry for the evil cliff-hanger in the last chapter but I felt I had to end 'Y is for Youth' where I did so the next part of the storyline would fit with the name of this chapter.
Anyway I think you'd much rather read this chapter and finish this Part 2 which is continuing on from Part 1 ('Y is for Youth') instead of reading all my thoughts. So enjoy!
Previously:
Jamie knew he didn't have to sign the text, Danny would see the ID but knowing if he was to die at the hands of the gang then he wanted the text to show how much Jamie valued Danny as his older brother.
####
Jamie felt himself tense when he felt the van slowing down; he quickly put his phone on silent not wanting Tyler Robinson or his followers to know he still had his cell phone on him in case Danny tried to contact him. Jamie knew to do this he would be better off turning his cell phone off, but he hoped by leaving it on Danny would be able to trace his phone and find them faster. Just as Jamie put his cell phone back into his pocket the van came to a stop and Jamie felt Russell cringe at the sound of banging doors.
The back doors of the van were wrenched open and the three trapped in the back found themselves looking into the cruel and sneering face of Tyler. Who couldn't be more than 25 years old and already was wanted in all five boroughs for crimes no one his age should have been committing since he was 13, Russell's age.
"Get out" sneered Tyler, Russell shakily rose to his feet but couldn't find his balance because he was so terrified. Jamie placed a steadying and comforting hand on Russell's shoulder and guided Russell out of the van. As they stepped onto the concrete Vinny and Jamie looked around to notice they surrounded by warehouses.
"Why is it always warehouses when gangs kidnap people?" questioned Vinny shaking his head.
Jamie gave a small smile and replied, "No idea but I'm beginning to hate the sight of warehouses" Vinny sniggered knowing about Jamie's past experiences involving warehouses. Jamie remembered all too clearly the last time he was in a warehouse, it was with Renzulli and some perps locked them in an industrial freezer to freeze to death. And the time before that was when Jamie and Renzulli had been taken hostage by two robbers. Jamie shuddered remembering how Renzulli had been prepared to possibly die at the hands of the robbers when urging Danny to take Jamie away after the robbers said only one hostage could leave. Jamie also remembered the look on Danny's face when Jamie swapped places with Renzulli and ended up falling in the Hudson River (A/N this is referencing my story 'Not Knowing is the Worst'). Jamie cringed thinking about Danny now; the last time they had spoken hadn't been pleasant, ending up with Jamie storming out of the house and skipping Sunday dinner.
Jamie sadly looked down at Russell thinking about how young he was to face all this and how he had been a part of the 'conversation'. And Jamie thought about the words that sparked the second argument.
"You know you were saying how you and Vinny were getting results? Well a buddy of mine in Robbery told me a kid Russell Howard took part in a Robbery. So great success there kid"
"You have no idea what is happening out there Danny"
"Not this again"
The three hostages were herded into one of the warehouses and pushed into the office, Vinny while trying to keep things calm for Russell turned to Jamie and asked, "Starting to get flashbacks yet?"
Jamie sniggered knowing what Vinny was doing and responded, "Yep. Thanks for reminding me"
"No problem" smiled Vinny. Their short conversation seemed to do the trick and Vinny and Jamie observed how Russell's shoulders seemed to lose some tension.
While they sat on the floor Russell looked across the room to Jamie and asked, "Why did you believe me when I said the gang were after you? I mean after me telling you I was joining I thought it would have been harder to convince you they were coming after you"
"Because we trusted you" replied Jamie,
"Really? I thought most cops would have been wary of a kid in a gang" mused Russell.
"I don't have trust issues like most cops" added Jamie remembering what Danny had said to him in anger. "Believe me after being on the job as long as me. You'll have 'trust issues'".
Russell chuckled and then leant his head against the wall and murmured, "I just hope they don't go after Jimmy because of this. I'd do anything to keep him safe, but I couldn't the gang kill you without doing something. I just hope Jimmy understands why I did this"
"Hey don't talk like you're not getting out of this!" ordered Jamie staring across the room at Russell, "because you're getting out of this! All three of us are!"
"How can you be so sure?" asked Russell his voice devoid of any hope.
"Because I know my brother and the cavalry will find us" assured Jamie firmly.
"Don't worry kid, we'll get outta here" confirmed Vinny.
Jamie could see new found hope light up Russell's eyes. Russell nodded at Jamie and Vinny looking far older than 13 years old.
####
Danny was just wrapping up a case after a successful raid; he had turned his cell phone off during the half before and during the raid. So he fished his cell phone out of his pocket to turn it back on. While he waited he smiled in amusement as Jackie tried to get the perp to shut up and get him into the back of the squad car. He heard the pinging noise that let him know he had a message. When he saw the text was from Jamie he was relieved, hoping that Jamie wanted to meet up and which would mean he would get a chance to apologize to Jamie. But when he opened the text he almost dropped his phone, Danny lowered himself onto a nearby bench as he read the text. Certain parts stood out for him, which almost made him cry.
'Please forgive me…the gang have got me, Vinny and Russell in the back of a van. Not sure where they're taking us…but if I never see you again…I know you care about me and that I would give anything to take back the words I said…You're younger brother for always Jamie.'
"Jamie" whispered Danny looking around where he was as if that would magically allow him to see where Jamie had been taken. His cell phone began to ring and he hastily answered hoping it was Jamie. But instead he was met with his father's voice.
"Danny…" began Frank hesitantly,
"Jamie…dad…Jamie's been taken…" choked Danny,
"How do you know?!" exclaimed Frank, momentarily forgetting the worry that had seized him since he had been told about Jamie.
"I've just gotten a text he sent me forty minutes ago" mumbled Danny trying to contain his tears.
"What does it say Danny? Because neither Jamie nor Vinny have contacted anyone else and we have no idea what has happened. No one in the area where they went missing are coming forward. You're our only hope Danny, you're the only one Jamie contacted" said Frank softly,
"I'll…I'll send it to you…but…oh God dad…the gang took them…" replied Danny despairingly.
Danny heard Frank gasp, then mutter a command to someone before Frank kept his emotions under control and then said to Danny, "You're on the case Danny. Please bring him home Danny"
"I will dad. I promise" said Danny his voice hardening out of anger and determination.
"Thank you Danny. I keep thinking about last week's Sunday dinner and everything I didn't say…everything I should've said" admitted Frank grief stricken.
"Don't worry dad. You'll be able to tell him when I bring him home" comforted Danny.
"Right. You'd better get started on the case Detective" and then Frank ended the call allowing Danny to send the text to his dad.
Danny didn't know what to feel when thinking about how he was the only one Jamie contacted; Jamie could have easily text Renzulli. But instead Jamie text him, Jamie text him to apologize when he wasn't the one who should be apologizing. He remembered when he had apologized, but it was to the wrong person.
"I'm sorry" Danny softly said,
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing too" Henry retorted.
Danny flinched, "I know-"
"If you know why are you sat here talking to me?"
"I don't know" admitted Danny.
Danny didn't know why he hadn't come out straight away with an apology the following Sunday. But instead he had tormented Jamie as soon as Jamie had entered the room.
Danny looked at the text feeling his anger give way to misery and grief thinking he was the one who had to apologize not Jamie. As he remembered some of the last things he and Jamie had said to each other.
"No Danny stop saying how I'm going about the situation all wrong because I'm not! Just because you wouldn't do the same as Russell!"
"You'd better not be suggesting that if we were in that situation that I would leave my younger brothers to be left at the mercy of a gang"
"Maybe you would save Joe from joining a gang"
"I would save you as well!"
Danny bawled his hands into fists and grabbed his hair then let his hands drop to his sides as his and Jamie's words circled around his head. "Yes I would! You're my brother and I will help you through anything!"
"No. You wouldn't. All because I'm such a disappointment to you"
Danny felt huge grief thinking about how he had never reassured Jamie that he wasn't a disappointment. Pull yourself together Reagan. Jamie isn't dead and he isn't going to be. You can tell him how you're feeling when you bring him home. Thought Danny, he nodded and then with sure steps he made his way over to Jackie to begin the search for Jamie. Because there was no way he was going to be burying another brother.
####
Frank was alone in his office and looked down at his cell phone and read the text Danny had sent, which was originally the text Jamie had sent Danny. When Frank read the first line, 'Danny, I'm so sorry about what I said on Sunday to you and dad, please forgive me' Frank felt a part of his heart break. Even when faced with being kidnapped and knowing there was a chance that this was the last thing you would say to your family, Jamie's first thought was to apologize for something he shouldn't be. Frank knew the fault lay with him, not Jamie.
Frank bowed his head thinking about last Sunday's dinner, the dinner Jamie came to but didn't end up eating. With a grief filled heart Frank remembered the last words Jamie said as he left the house, "I think it would be best if I skipped dinner today dad. And I'm gonna go out and help the kids on my beat. The kids out on the streets that I'm not so aware about the threat they can pose".
Frank involuntarily gripped the arms of his chair, the last sentence Frank knew Jamie had directed at him. Referencing the Sunday before when Frank had basically told Jamie he didn't know the risks of the job. That was when his father's words unbidden entered Frank's thoughts.
"But if you keep saying the things you said today to him, you'll lose him anyway. Because he won't want to keep hearing it, and honestly? I won't blame him"
Frank then realized he should have listened to his father earlier and should have taken into account how what he said sounded to Jamie. Thinking about it Frank realized ever since Jamie had received his shield he may not have been that supportive of Jamie. So Frank promised Mary that when Jamie came home he was going to tell Jamie the truth, Frank only said what he did because he worried about losing another son. Frank then thought about what Henry said about the type of cop Jamie was, "I saw a fantastic cop who has great instincts, a cop who gets along with most of the people on his beat, and a cop who knows when to just talk or use force".
"I promise Mary, I'll tell Jamie this. I know he is a brilliant cop, just please don't let him be taken from us too soon!" pleaded Frank.
####
Danny was at the scene where Vinny and Jamie had been taken, they couldn't use any CCTV because all the cameras had been destroyed. He watched as people looked out of their windows but no one came down to the street to give them any information. This continued for another ten minutes before Danny had enough.
"Alright! Does anyone have any information about the whereabouts of the missing Police Officers?!" shouted Danny to the whole street. No one even looked at Danny. "Does anyone know where Officers Cruz and Reagan have been taken?!" yelled Danny getting more frustrated. He turned to see a young boy about the age of 11 wriggle out of his mother's tight grip and ran over to Danny.
"Vinny and Jamie are the Officers who are missing?!" exclaimed the boy panting as he stood in front of Danny.
Danny nodded, "what's your name kid?"
"Oliver" replied Oliver looking up at Danny,
"Oliver! Get back over here!" cried Oliver's mom.
"No!" yelled Oliver, "I wanna help! Jamie and Vinny were always really nice to me so I'm gonna help!"
Danny knelt in front of Oliver, "Oliver did you see what happened?"
"Yeah" nodded Oliver, "Russell ran over to warn Jamie and Vinny that the gang were coming after them. But Jamie and Vinny said they weren't going to leave. Then Tyler came with the rest of the gang and took Jamie, Vinny and Russell. They put them in a blue van and turned left at the end of the street"
Danny looked to the sky and muttered "thank you" Oliver had now given them a chance to find Jamie, Vinny and Russell. They could now check the CCTV footage on the street the van went and would be able to track them that way.
"Thank you so much Oliver" said Danny.
"What's your name?" asked Oliver noting Danny seemed to be more worried than any other Officer of Detective would be.
"Detective Danny Reagan" responded Danny confused.
"Reagan? That's Jamie's last name"
"He's my younger brother"
"Really?" Oliver was wide eyed and even though being only 11 he could sense Danny was so worried he was almost ripping his hair out. "Jamie is a great cop" commented Oliver.
Danny then remembered what Henry had said about the type of cop Jamie was. "I saw what kind of a cop Jamie is. And I'll tell you he is one of the best this city will ever see"
"Great? Kid he's one of the best" replied Danny looking Oliver in the eye.
Oliver nodded and then added, "I hope you find them"
"Me too" smiled Danny, Danny then guided Oliver back over to his mother and then ordered someone to get the CCTV footage.
"Don't worry I'm coming Jamie" murmured Danny.
####
Jamie grunted in pain. Tyler had now started throwing punches, but Jamie would gladly take the punches to make sure Tyler didn't touch Russell. Vinny was leant against the wall beside Russell, with a bleeding nose, the forming of a black-eye and was holding his left arm across his chest trying to keep himself upright so not to aggravate his sore ribs. Vinny had also wrapped his right arm around Russell.
Tyler had the rest of his gang outside to guard the perimeter of the warehouse, so he had decided if he injured Jamie and Vinny then they wouldn't be able to escape with Russell.
Jamie was in the centre of the office lying on the floor curled up trying to make sure Tyler didn't crack of brake his ribs from being kicked. Jamie had blood dripping down into his right eye, was spitting out blood from his mouth and his was pretty sure his left wrist was sprained from where Tyler had grabbed him and twisted him around and made Jamie fall to the floor.
"Why were you talkin' the kids outta joining the gang?!" yelled Tyler in Jamie's face.
"Because they deserve a better life" spat Jamie.
"What you sayin'? You sayin' I don't take care of my boys?!" roared Tyler,
"I'm saying they deserve not to rot in prison while you walk a free man" sniped Jamie,
"You don't know jack! You don't know anythin' when it comes to the streets!" Tyler screeched. This brought words to the front of Jamie's mind, things he would have rather forget.
"When you're like this I really think you should have stayed a lawyer"
"Jamie listen to Danny he knows what he is talking about"
"What and I don't?"
"Obviously. You are like a young kid in terms of street smarts. You're inexperienced out on the streets"
Jamie knew it was childish but he wanted to get back at Tyler for making Jamie remember the words spoken by Danny and his father. So Jamie looked up and spat "Doesn't matter if I don't know anything. The kids are avoiding you so I've won"
Tyler then grabbed Jamie's collar and pulled Jamie's upper body of the floor and growled, "You may have won battles, but you've lost the war"
"No we haven't" smirked Jamie,
"Oh really?" responded Tyler with raised eyebrows, "Because takin' a good look around where you are tells me you've lost"
"I might have done but other Officers will continue what we've been doing. You can't kidnap all 35,000 of them"
"Try me"
"You won't. Because the Detective looking for us will make sure you never see the light of day again" assured Jamie calmly smiling up at Tyler despite the blood blurring the vision in his right eye and the taste of copper in his mouth.
"Really?" chuckled Tyler amused by the fact Jamie was so sure that he would be arrested by some NYPD Detective. "I don't think so"
"Wanna bet?" snickered Jamie thinking if Danny was angry Tyler had no hope or chance of getting away. Tyler remained silent.
"Afraid you'd lose?" chuckled Vinny, thinking the same as Jamie. Guessing Danny was on the case after getting Jamie's text.
"I never lose" glared Tyler,
"Well if I were you I'd get used to the idea pretty quick. Because when the Detective I told you about gets here…well it's safe to say I wouldn't want to be you" said Jamie calmly.
Tyler narrowed his eyes and let Jamie drop back to the floor. Jamie let out a grunt but his eyes widened when his cell phone fell out of his pocket.
"What's this?" asked Tyler and stooped down and picked up Jamie's cell phone. "You've text someone haven't you?! It's that Detective you were talkin' about!"
Before Jamie could say anything Russell stood up and cried out, "no I did! I used his phone when he wasn't looking!"
Tyler spun around to face Russell and marched over and smacked Russell in the face, "traitor!"
"No I'm not! Because I was never one of you to begin in with!" yelled Russell.
"Don't listen to him Robinson! I sent that text!" shouted Jamie, but Tyler ignored Jamie and began dragging Russell out of the office.
Jamie rose shakily to his feet and when he found his balance he rushed forward and pulled Tyler away from Russell. But Tyler turned around and swiped Jamie's legs out from under him, causing Jamie to crash to the floor. Vinny tried standing but his ribs protested and he sank back down onto the floor gasping for breath. Tyler took a gun from his waistband and continued dragging Russell into the main part of the warehouse. Jamie was up on his and charging after Russell.
"Jamie wait!" called Vinny, trying to stand to back up his friend. But he still found himself sinking back onto the floor. Then the fire exit to the officer burst open and in charged Danny.
Danny ran to Vinny, "where's Jamie?" commanded Danny.
"In the main part of the warehouse" gasped Vinny.
As Danny was about to run to where Jamie was when he and Vinny heard two gunshots.
####
~ A few moments earlier ~
Jamie charged after Tyler hearing Vinny call out to him, but Jamie ignored him.
"Robinson let him go!" ordered Jamie, reaching for the gun that wasn't there.
"You so eager to die?" asked Tyler as he pushed Russell aside. Jamie saw Russell land on the floor and stepped forward to keep Tyler's focus on him.
"Nope. I'm 'so eager' to see you behind bars" replied Jamie sharply.
"Shame you won't get to live to see if that happens" said Tyler raising his gun so it was pointed directly at Jamie's chest. Jamie closed his eyes excepting his fate not knowing the banging door he heard was Danny.
"NO!" screamed Russell as he ran at Tyler, pushing Tyler's arm.
BANG! BANG!
Jamie opened his eyes and gasped at what he saw. Tyler was running for the door and Russell was lying on the floor. Red spreading across his shirt.
Jamie knelt beside Russell and put pressure on the two gunshot wounds. "Come on Russell stay with me!" pleaded Jamie.
####
Danny ran to the main area of the warehouse and saw Jamie crouched over. Oh God no! Please no! Thought Danny his grandfather's words entering his mind. "How well do you think Jamie is going to be able to stay focused with what you and your dad said swirling around his head? Jamie is going to think you and Francis think he can't handle the job."
Danny then worried Jamie was hurt because he thought he had something to prove to Danny and their father. This causing Jamie to lose focus and get injured. Danny then knew Jamie's injures were his fault.
Danny cautiously approached sighed when he saw it wasn't Jamie who was hurt. But Danny gasped when he saw it was a 13 year old boy who was hurt not Tyler Robinson (who Danny was hoping it was).
"Russell come on buddy stay with me!" urged Jamie.
"Jimmy" gasped Russell and then Russell wasn't breathing anymore as his eyes slid shut.
"No come on Russell! Come on!" pleaded Jamie.
Danny looked at Russell's injuries and momentarily shut his eyes, there was no hope Russell could have survived those injuries.
Danny wrapped an arm around Jamie, "he's gone Jamie. He's gone" murmured Danny.
"No!" moaned Jamie despairingly.
"I'm sorry Jamie. I'm so sorry but he's gone"
"NO! GOD DAMN IT!" screamed Jamie in pure anguish.
Danny then pulled Jamie against his chest and angled Jamie's head so it was looking away from Russell. Danny then rocked Jamie as Jamie began to cry for the loss of an innocent 13 year old boy.
"He did it to save me Danny" sobbed Jamie, "he shouldn't have done it"
"I'm sorry Jamie" Danny felt this was the only thing he could say as he continued to rock Jamie.
"He was too young" choked Jamie, "too young"
Danny closed his eyes as a few silent tears slipped down his cheeks feeling sadness at the sound of Jamie's cries as they echoed around the empty warehouse.
####
Three days later Jamie, Vinny and Danny were stood in the Howard's living room telling them the whole gang had been arrested, including Tyler Robinson. They had come to see the Howards after their tours and tried to keep their tears at bay as Mrs Howard cried for the loss of her son with her husband's arm around her.
"Thank you for trying to save him" said Mr Howard blinking away his tears.
Vinny and Jamie could only nod. Jamie then walked over to Jimmy and knelt down in from of the boy.
"Your brother was so brave Jimmy. Never forget that" said Jamie.
"I won't" replied Jimmy firmly. "Russell always wanted to be a cop, why would he join the gang just to save me?"
"Because, as I have been reliably informed. Older brothers always do whatever they can to save their younger brothers" smiled Jamie looking at Danny from the corner of his eye; Jamie noticed the look of surprise on Danny's face. Jamie then reached into his pocket and pulled out a Patrol Officer badge. "The 12th Precinct pulled together and we had this made", the part where an Officer's name was read 'Russell Howard'.
As Jimmy took the badge he looked at it and then back up to Jamie, "the numbers are Russell's birthday"
Jamie nodded, "it's the least we could do for all Russell did for us"
Jimmy looked back down at the badge and then back up to Jamie with determination shinning in his eyes. "I'm gonna become a cop to help people like you and Vinny are doing. Someday you're gonna hear all about a cop called Jimmy Howard"
"I'm counting on it" responded Jamie. He patted Jimmy's shoulder and then stood up.
####
Jamie and Danny then walked through the front door of their dad's house for Sunday dinner Jamie drew a deep breath as he walked into the living room and saw his dad.
"Look dad I'm so sorry for what I said the past two Sundays and-"
"No Jamie" said Frank firmly, "it is me who is sorry. As your grandfather said about what I had said you had every right to react in the way you did"
"As we're apologizing. I want to say how sorry I am too, I want you to know I think, in grandpa's words you're one of the best cops in the city" added Danny patting Jamie on the back.
Jamie gaped, "but I'm not-"
"Quiet kid" said Henry as he walked into the room and came to stand in front of Jamie. "You are one of the best cops out there. How you dealt with the kids and the gang shows that"
"But Russell-"
"What happened to Russell is tragic. But he was a brave boy who wanted to stand up for what is right. And his death has only encouraged the people of his area to stand up for themselves" said Frank before hugging Jamie tightly, "I'm glad you're alright" Frank whispered.
"Hey kid" said Danny remembering something, "Renzulli emailed me the speech you made at the 12th and I have to say kid. It was pretty good"
Henry nodded smiling, "very inspiring. I must admit when I saw it I felt like going out there and talking to the kids"
"I'm proud of you son. Getting your fellow Officers to help and the speech was one of the best I have ever heard" Frank said gently.
"Really? But I just said what was on my mind" admitted Jamie.
"Well it worked" smiled Danny.
"Trust me Jamie. Saying what is on your mind can sometimes be the words that are needed" Frank commented looking proudly at his youngest son. Frank couldn't put into words the feelings he felt when Danny showed him Jamie's speech, proud was an understatement, but it was the only word Frank felt came close to the real feeling.
They all sat around the table and Jamie was confused when everyone enthusiastically exclaimed "can we come for a ride-a-long?!"
"What's brought this on?" questioned Jamie looking at everyone sat around the table, Danny snorted into his glass.
"Oh nothing kid. Just something grandpa said a couple of weeks ago" assured Danny.
For some reason Jamie was not comforted. His family coming for ride-a-longs? That was something he didn't want to try for fear of his own life.
THE END
A/N So I hope this chapter made up for the mean cliff-hanger I left you all with and out of interest, if you press the 'review' button (which I hope you all do!) I'd like to know which chapters you felt were your favourite(s). And if you're wondering my favourites were Eyesight, Stabbed, Unconscious and Vertigo. And thank you all again so much I look forward to hearing about what you thought of this chapter! Happy writing everyone! :D