Title: The Guardian
Chapter 1 – Another day in Paradise?

Summary: AU For Danny and Jamie, danger on the streets is a way of life. But what happens when destiny offers both brothers the chance to belong to a part of something they always wanted? Will they be able to take it? Or will an enemy from the past destroy their promising future?

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Blue Bloods.

A/N: Okay so this is something new for us in this fandom (not to writing! Lol) – our first bluebloods AU. Alice came up with this idea for an AU story where our two fave brothers were not a part of the Reagan clan from birth. In fact they are orphans brought up on the streets with big brother Danny always looking out for younger brother Jamie. So I won't give away too much of the backstory (the chapters will slowly reveal all those sordid details muwhahah) but will hopefully let this chapter give you the introduction to this new adventure for our two fave men in blue as they work a diff path to get where we know them to be now! I had wanted to post this story wayyyyy earlier but the chapters I had started to write were utterly destroyed (along with my inspiration) when my computer died a few weeks back and so I've had to redo from memory. *oye* lol So I am nervous about this idea but hope you'll at least give it a small chance…

It was still dark outside when the young male figure starts to stir, his eyes trying to adjust to the dimly lit surroundings that he calls home; his body rebelling against the dream his mind forced him to now feel the ill effects of. The air around him is cooler than normal and he wonders if when he turns a light on, he'll be able to see his breath as he expects. But rent was a few days overdue and their ruthless landlord had kept true to his word and turned off the heat.

A small sigh escapes his lips as he slowly stumbles from the sleeping bag on his side of the double bed toward the small bathroom, careful to turn the light on only after the door is closed; not wanting to wake the other sleeping tenant. He stares at his face in the mirror and frowns; a few actual crease lines in his brow, something rather uncharacteristic for someone his age.

"Danny boy you look tired," he offers a whispered lament to his weary reflection before he finishes what he has to and then flips off the light and heads back out. Sure enough the room has a distinct chill, forcing his brain to remember to take the advance from his boss, a chunk out of their meager earnings to the landlord so that they would be able to have some heat for the next month – food, they'd worry about later.

"Danny?" The soft voice of his younger brother Jamie is heard in the darkness.

"Go back to sleep kid," Danny tells his brother in a soft tone.

"I'm cold."

"Yeah I know. We'll pay Louie tomorrow."

"Okay," Danny hears Jamie agree before the small room is filled with silence once more. He pushes his sleeping bag over toward that of his brother's and the two of them press their bodies closer together, hoping a bit more of the small amount heat generated would comfort them a little while longer on the small double bed. Morning would come all too soon.

Jamie slowly opens his eyes the following morning and just lies in his sleeping bag looking out the dingy window of their small ground floor apartment. He was only seventeen and sometimes would just lie still at night, awake for hours, thinking about what it would be like to be a normal seventeen year old with a loving family and a bright future. He was grateful for his older brother Danny; someone he respects, looks up to and trusts with his very life. If not for him, he knows he would have met a dismal end long ago.

Their past story wasn't something they shared with anyone and whether he was going to his grade eleven class or Danny was heading off to a lecture in his second year of college, neither of them talked about where they came from or their family background; it wasn't something to be proud of, in fact it was downright terrifying. If the subject came up, it was always changed.

Jamie hears Danny finally starting to stir awake and slowly turns his head. "Do we have enough money?"

"For heat?" Danny asks with a small yawn, stretching his arms and then rubbing his face before giving his little brother's hair a playful ruffle. They had only one double bed for the two of them and instead of one being forced to have an uncomfortable night's sleep on the hardwood floor, decided they would share the bed in separate enclosed sleeping bags.

"Yeah."

"We have enough," Danny tries to assure him. He was thankful that in school he got good enough grades to qualify him for a city scholarship; ensuring that he had some of his tuition paid for. He really wanted to go to the police academy, never once wanting to be a lawyer like his little brother. But the scholarship didn't cover everything and so both he and Jamie were forced to find part time jobs to pay for the everyday necessities that most of their peers took for granted. Like food…clothing and shelter – today being the heating aspect.

"But…"

"Hey I got it covered," Danny assures Jamie once more. "I'll just work a double tonight. Will you be okay on your own?"

"Sure."

"What's that face?"

"No it's um…well I guess I just worry when you come home that late," Jamie tries to offer him with a small smirk. "Silly right?"

"Well all we have is each other so it's only natural. I worry about you too at that job or yours."

"It could be worse I guess," Jamie shrugs as he thinks about his after school job at the bowling alley.

"Yeah it could. Well I guess we should get up and get goin' huh?" Danny huffs as he slowly pushes himself upward to a sitting position. "Damn I'm tired."

"At least you can sleep in on the weekend."

"Nah I might take up old man Winters on that volunteer offer of his," Danny tells his brother. "Who needs free time anyways?" He gently smirks.

"He works down at the gun range right?"

"Don't be gettin' any ideas now," Danny teases his brother before he decides to get up and get their day officially started. "The time spent there is going toward my academy application. And Mario hasn't offered me much at the garage so maybe I can find some jobs around the range that he'll actually pay me for."

The studio apartment that they could afford had almost everything in one room; the bathroom being the exception giving them a bit of added privacy. They shared one small closet that housed Jamie's work shirt, a dress shirt for Danny, two pairs of dress pants and two jackets; a few changes of casual clothing was all they owned. The dresser housed the rest of their meager clothing articles. The fridge only ever held the basics but they had become quite skilled in making one meal stretch into a supper with lunch leftovers the next day.

Both of them were always clean, well-kept and no one looking at their modest outward appearance would ever guess they were two orphans barely surviving; having to really struggle and fight for everything they owned and rely on each other for emotional support. Danny grabs his clothes and heads for the bathroom, while Jamie lingers in his sleeping bag a bit longer.

"I had that dream again," Jamie sighs in a sad tone when he hears his brother exit the bathroom and head toward him at the kitchen counter.

"Why do you do that to yourself kid?"

"I know," Jamie answers with a small shrug.

"We're too old to be adopted now. Besides, who the hell would want to put their name on us?"

"But it's still nice to think about."

"Yeah…I guess so," Danny gives his brother's shoulder a small squeeze. "We'll be okay. We're safe here. We haven't had to look over our shoulders for a few years now which mean no one's looking. It'll be okay."

He had wanted so much more for his little brother; seeing the potential Jamie had for doing with his life. Much like him, Jamie was in line to get a scholarship when he graduated, but his a bit higher as he always maintained a top spot on the honor roll each year. He was usually the target of jealous bullies who were put to shame by the younger boy's hard work ethics and scholastic results; but he never gave in and continued to shine – at least academically. While Jamie's dream is to become a top lawyer, Danny just wants to become a cop and then a Detective; wanting to put away people who thrive off the misery and suffering of others; people like those he used to be related to and associated with.

He just has to finish his second year of college and then apply for the Police Academy and hopefully breeze through that in time to help Jamie as he graduates and enters college himself; university for them was out of the picture. Jamie had once told Danny that he wanted to go to Harvard to study law. Danny only laughed at that time and said it would never happen; he would have to settle for a local college and a lesser legal degree if that's what he really wanted to do; then get a job and then think about selling his soul to the bank for a huge loan to the prestigious university. It wasn't brought up again.

Jamie opens the cupboard and sighs, just once wanting to pull open the doors and be presented with more than a few measly cans of processed food and a bag of oatmeal. Danny goes about fixing their lunches and then both sit down to a small but nutritious meal.

"Is he awake yet?"

"Dunno, let's check," Danny mutters as he slowly pushes the small window they are seated beside, partially open. Sure enough their neighbor's radio was on full blast as normal, allowing the boys to hear the sports highlights from the night before and the news headlines from the morning of. "Hey the rangers won again last night," Danny states with a smile. "You know my friend Demarcus said that he might be able to have a few people over on the weekend to watch the game. You wanna go?"

"Really?" Jamie looks up from his breakfast and asks in surprise. While Jamie didn't have many friends he was close like Danny did; Demarcus was Danny's best friend in college with their gal pal Jackie Curtola always along for the ride. He didn't really have too boys many his age that he could relate to or befriend so was always happy when his older brother included him; especially if there was a chance at seeing how the other half lived, if even for a few short hours.

"Yeah I think it should be okay. We can go by after my afternoon shift at the warehouse."

"Work…right," Jamie frowns as he looks back down. Work was always their priority outside of school and again he allows his mind to wander a little bit once again, wondering what it would be like to, just once on a Saturday morning, be able to sleep in a bit longer than the crack of dawn, have a leisurely breakfast and then do something that he'd actually enjoy doing rather than going to a job and missing out on fun stuff other boys his age would brag about come Monday.

"Come on kid, time to go. I'll get that advance tonight and then drop it by here on my break. We'll have heat again tonight."

Both of them do their part to keep their small eating space clean, lock up the window and then head for the door; emerging back onto the street they had grown to loathe but were forced to accept. Both of them had longed for a better life; one with a father figure they could brag about instead of being ashamed of; a family that would offer them love, security and help without them even having to ask. But as they got older, that dream was pushed aside in favor of the reality they now called their life and they had come to accept their dismal fate.

They had chosen a small apartment closer to school so they wouldn't have to spend as much of their meager earnings on transit fares; opting to walk instead. And as they emerge from a poorer neighborhood and start to blend with those around them; their secret identities were once again hidden away from the uncaring world around them.

"Okay so I'll see you later."

"Okay," Jamie nods as he veers left, heading toward his high school; Danny to the right and heading down a few more blocks toward the local college.

Jamie enters the school yard and takes a deep breath; unlike his brother, he didn't really have a close friend that he was eager to see. Just before he is about to enter the main doors, they bust open and three girls charge right into him, knocking him backward and causing him to nearly lose his footing.

"Hey you okay?" One of the girls asks him in concern.

"Come on Linda, leave him alone; it's bad enough we have to be in this place again."

"Yeah…fine," Jamie answers with a small smile. "It's okay I've…"

Linda hands Jamie his books and then offers her hand. "I am sorry."

"Thanks. I've…seen you at the bowling alley right?"

"Good memory. Do you play a lot?"

"No I um…I work there," he admits in a small voice. "Do you go here?"

"Just here for a volunteer day with the school nurse. I'm in first year college at…"

"Lin-da…lets go," one of her friends states impatiently. "We have to go…you know we can't be late."

"Alright well see ya."

"Sure."

Jamie watches her go and is actually happy for the small act of kindness she displayed toward him when the others just stood around giggling at the hapless teen. College. Maybe Danny's college? I wish Danny could meet Linda, Jamie's mind ponders as he finally heads into the large building, I think he'd like her. But as excited as he was to tell his brother about a girl he thinks Danny would like, Jamie knows that they both are more than often forced to work the same nights; how would they ever meet?

Jamie enters the library and stops to read the daily events and news bulletin as always. A new article immediately catches his interest. "Henry Reagan donates…" he reads slowly; his mind gaining instant interest for the well-respected Police Commissioner who was volunteering some of his time and resources to the school his granddaughter, Erin had gone to. "She's a lucky girl to come from a family like that," Jamie sighs heavily as he finishes reading the story and then heads for his usual spot. He sits down and stares out the window, his blue eyes absently scanning the school yard but his mind now daydreaming again about what it would be like to have been born into a family like Erin Reagan. "Yeah right," Jamie huffs as he pushes that impossible thought aside and opens up one of his law textbooks.

Danny reaches the outer limits of the college campus and frowns. He hates to work a double and leave Jamie alone for so long in that seedy apartment but knows that his job did pay more and they needed the money. He spies his close friend and heads toward him, shelving his frown and pasting on the smile that he now wears out of habit.

"Yo Danny boy."

"Demarcus my man," Danny greets his close friend Demarcus King.

"Hey a few of us are headin' out to the club tonight. You in?"

"Damn I wish I could," Danny sighs as they head for the entrance, stopping at a nearby bench to just sit and wait before it was time to head to their first class in criminal justice; Demarcus just like Danny also wanted to be an NYPD Detective but also had to take the entrance courses before he too could enroll in the Police Academy. "I gotta work tonight."

"Man you always gotta work," Demarcus slightly pouts.

"Well not all of us were born into wealth and privilege you know," Danny teases his friend; Demarcus coming from a regular working family but having more than Danny and Jamie could hope for even in the way of normal things – like a TV. "Next time okay? I picked up a double because they were short staffed."

"A double? Have fun staying awake tomorrow," Demarcus frowns. "Ah speaking of wealth."

"You talkin' about me?" Their friend Jackie Curtola inquires as she nears them.

"We were talkin' about wealth and class so yeah that's you."

"Class maybe…wealth? You got the wrong girl," Jackie replies with a smile.

"What's that? Law? Hey I thought you wanted to go the academy like us?" Demarcus nods to the books in Jackie's grasp.

"I found these in the mess hall; they belong to Erin Reagan. I was talkin' to her the other day and she's just got her degree and was accepted to Harvard. She musta left her books so I am returning them to her. She's very nice."

"Smart and beautiful," Demarcus smiles. "Good combo. Danny you interested?"

"Hardly, I like blonds remember? Why don't you ask her out? You like the brainy babes."

"Brainy with a body," Demarcus grins. "Nothin' wrong with a little somethin' somethin' on the side you know what I mean?"

"Alright my IQ is dropping by the second. I'll see you two at lunch," Jackie calls over her shoulder as she turns and heads for the front door.

"You should ask her out," Danny suggests to his friend.

"Nah I wouldn't stand a chance. Oh man heads up."

"Just ignore him; he's a blowhard," Danny sneers in the direction of his current personal nemesis – Sonny Malvesky. "Speaking of someone born without class. You know I might not have money and such, but at least I have integrity which is more than I can say for that low life."

"I can't believe he was just accepted into the Academy," Demarcus groans.

"Yeah but at least he'll be done by the time we start."

"He's always hanging around here; you know since the fight. You gotta watch him Danny, he's a bad seed. I'll bet he bribed his way into the academy."

"I wouldn't be surprised. What's he doin' here anyways?"

"Beats me but we gotta go; class is starting soon."

Danny pushes himself off the bench, locking eyes with Sonny and giving him a small glare. There was just something about the lanky dark haired man that didn't sit right with Danny; something was off. Danny always trusted his instincts, telling his brother that a gut feeling would keep them alive, and inside he knows that Sonny Malvesky wasn't the man he pretended to be in public. Especially since their very public altercation Danny's felt the vengeful vibe. But he pushes that nagging thought aside as he heads into the large building, hoping he'll have a light homework load as he is facing a long night ahead and wondering if Jamie will be safe going home to their shabby apartment alone.

XXXXXXXX

The lunch bell finally rings, allowing Jamie to slowly leave his law elective and head for his locker. He makes small talk to some of his peers around him as he pulls the door open; but as his regular routine, he takes his modest lunch, his law textbook and heads outside; preferring to find a quiet spot of grass, lean up against a tree and try to just bury himself in his studies; telling himself that as soon as he becomes a lawyer, he'll be able to afford to buy the kind of life he always dreamed of.

But he is so caught up in his studies that he fails to see the person coming up next to him until it's too late.

"Is this seat taken?" A kind voice asks in a low tone.

"Uh no," Jamie answers without looking up. It's only until the recognizable face of Henry Reagan sits down next to him that he looks up, his books spilling forth from his lap. "Sorry," he mumbles as he nervously tries to regather his things.

"I often have that effect," Henry states with a smile as he extends his hand. "Henry."

"Jamie. Honored to meet you Sir…Commissioner Reagan."

"Oh you know me?" Henry gently teases.

"Yes of course. I uh…saw your picture on the article they did about you when you donated your…" Jamie rattles off nervously.

"Jamie I was kidding, you can relax," Henry smiles. "But yes the press; they never fail to amaze me. I only told them late last night and today it was front page news. No secrets in this town," Henry concludes, the choice of words forcing Jamie's paranoia to surge.

"Well you were pretty generous with your time and money and that is something this school needs."

"Well it was for a good cause. So Jamie, how come you aren't out there with the rest of the boys your age playing football?"

"I um…well I'm not a big football player Sir and…"

"Please Jamie, call me Henry."

"Right…Henry. Well Si…Henry," Jamie tries once more, praying his nervous stammer won't ill affect the man he respects beside him. "I'd rather study."

"Harvard law huh. Good school; tough to get in. You know my granddaughter Erin was just accepted; top of her class."

"You must be very proud."

"Oh I am," Henry smiles. "That girl will be DA someday."

"Well that is what I am hoping for also," Jamie tells Henry, finally feeling himself starting to relax around the older man. "Make my family proud," he offers in haste.

"Any lawyers in your family? Father maybe?"

"My…father?" Jamie asks weakly. "Um no…no Sir he's not…he's um…he's just not."

"What does he do?" Henry asks innocently.

Danny had always warned Jamie not to be too liberal when talking to outsiders, especially those in law enforcement. You aren't legal age yet Jamie, they could take you into foster care until you become an adult and then we'd be screwed. They could say I'm not fit to be your guardian or start digging into our past. No one can know I'm taking care of you; we're all we got. You understand? And with the thought of being taken away from Danny now brought to the fore of his mind by his own words, Jamie determines it was time to take his leave. Henry Reagan might be well meaning, but if he was to find out the truth, it could mean the end for them as a small family and he and Danny had made a pact from small boys that it would only be the two of them; they didn't need anyone else and there was no one on the outside they could trust.

"I'm sorry but I have to get going."

"Sorry kid I meant no offense," Henry recants in an apologetic tone. "You know I like this spot you have here," he tries to change the subject. Henry studies the teenager beside him; he had seen his name on the honor roll for the past several years and was impressed by his so far academic achievement. But a few simple questions seemed to fluster the young man; forcing pain to flash up in his warm blue eyes. There was more to Jamie than meets the eye.

"Well thank you for…your time…but..."

Being a seasoned Police official, it didn't take much for Henry Reagan to realize that young man before him was trying to bury a painful secret about his family; but what? What could his father have done to have caused him so much pain and shame? Abuse?

"Jamie if I have offended you in any way then I do apologize," Henry states in haste.

"No, it's not that," Jamie offers weakly, "I really do have to go."

"Nice talking to you Jamie. Take care of yourself."

"You too Sir," Jamie smiles before he takes his leave.

Henry watches Jamie go with a concerned expression; his mind already made up that as soon as he was back in the office he was determined to see if there was more to Jamie's story than he wanted to be revealed. What are you hiding Jamie? Are you being abused by your father? I don't tolerate that.

XXXXXXXX

"You sure you gotta work tonight Danny?" Demarcus wonders.

"Yeah, but next time okay?"

"You and Jamie still comin' over on Saturday?"

"You sure you don't mind him comin' along?"

"Well you always said you got a boring home life and he's pretty quiet; dang man I forget he's around half the time," Demarcus chuckles. "But the following Friday see if you can get it off; a few of us are going to hit the club. You know a lot of the pretty college girls go there and I know you like your clubs. But that'll be just us grownups," Demarcus grins. "Sorry no little ghost brother this time," he gently snickers.

"Trust me, it's not his thing anyways. Alright man I'll catch ya tomorrow."

Danny waves bye to his friend and then heads toward Jamie's school to pick him up. One of the things he did so envy about Demarcus and even Jackie, was the freedom they had but were still given enough funds to buy things they wanted. Neither of them came from rich families and both his friends had part time jobs like him; but neither had to forsake so much free time in order to just provide for a family member; Jamie was his main concern right now and until he graduated, Danny always tells himself that his own personal life would just have to remain on hold.

"Hey Danny," Jamie's voice finally breaks his thoughts, pulling his older brother's gaze back to his.

"All set?" Danny asks, getting a nod from Jamie. "Anything exciting happen today?"

"I um…talked to Henry Reagan," Jamie confesses quietly.

"What? The Police Commissioner?" Danny stops Jamie and looks at him seriously. "What did he want?"

"Danny it's okay. He…he just came and sat by me at lunch. That's all."

"He ask anything personal questions?"

"No," Jamie answers in half-truth.

"Damn it kid stop lying to me. If he starts digging and finds out…"

"Why would he? I'm sure he forgot me as soon as I left," Jamie shrugs. "It'll be okay. It was only today right?"

"Jamie he could take you away, you know that right?"

"I know. But…he was nice."

"Course he's nice. What did he say?"

"He asked what my dad does for work and then I kinda changed the subject."

"He's a cop…he's the top cop; you don't think you changing the subject fast would have aroused suspicion?"

"You said we shouldn't lie if possible."

"Well this could mean your life," Danny growls as he grabs a handful of Jamie's jean jacket and directs him toward their street.

"Danny I'm sorry. Just no one's ever…you know taken an interest in me before."

"You can't trust him Jamie; you can't trust cops."

"You want to become one," Jamie counters with a frown as Danny grits his teeth. "Danny I'm sorry. He was there today with some kind of fundraising thing. I swear I won't see him again."

They walk a bit longer in silence, Jamie's eyes nervously darting between the ground and his brother's tense expression. "Danny…"

"It's okay," he stops them just outside their apartment. "You know I just worry right. A year and a half to go and you'll be legal age and we won't have to worry about the legal stuff anymore. If they take you away now, you go into the system and your name is made public. If he finds us…damn it I'm not mad. I just worry. We're so close to the end right now we can't screw this up."

"I know," Jamie nods. "Danny I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I know you like the personal attention, you always have but not from a man who has the power to take it all away. Even if he thought it was for the best; it's not and then we'd be on the run again. I just worry. Okay I gotta run. Do you still have some minutes left on your phone?" Danny asks, watching his brother pull out their modest pay as you go phone.

"Yeah a bit left. Danny I'll be okay."

"Okay I'll see you later."

Jamie takes Danny's books and then heads inside; picking up whatever newspaper was lying around, some mindless reading for when he was done his homework. They didn't have a TV so when it was time for the game to come on, Jamie opens the window slightly, curls up in his sleeping bag and delightfully listens as the home team takes to the ice. The nights when Danny had to work and he didn't were often lonely and he found himself once again daydreaming about what it would be like to have a much different life.

"Thanks Mr. Peters," Danny tells his boss as he shoves the wad of cash into his pocket. "I'll be right back."

"Okay huh, just don't be late."

Danny wastes no time in heading back outside, always mindful of his surroundings when it was after dark and he was carrying money or if there was someone in trouble. He races for their apartment, noticing the light still on and wondering if Jamie was listening to the game as they would like to do or just doing some reading. He feels his lips curl into a smile as he hurries toward their landlord's apartment. Jamie had always told him that if he were alone he'd never have made it, but Danny knows that although he doesn't voice the sentiment as often, he too would be lost without his little brother in his life. And as young and green as Jamie still was he had also helped him stay out of trouble, always telling Jamie he wasn't going to leave him alone. Of course today's meeting with Henry Regan would weigh upon his mind until several weeks had passed without further incident.

"You sure it's all here Danny?"

"Yeah I'm sure," Danny answers with a small grumble. But just before he turns to leave, the middle aged man grabs him by the arm and pulls him back.

"You know I got a few other things that you could do to earn a bit extra if you know what I mean."

"I'm late," Danny growls as he pulls his arm back. "Thanks for turning on the heat."

"Yeah whatever. Just don't be late next month or else!"

Danny gives him a whispered curse before he turns and bolts back down the hallway; his mind at least thankful that he and Jamie would have some heat for their sleep tonight. He too, like his brother, when afforded a few spare moments, allows himself to think about a better future ahead and what it would be like when he finally had a real job, life and hopefully someone he could spend the rest of his life loving.

"Ah no woman would ever want me," Danny groans as he rounds the corner and stops. "I'd be a terrible father just like my…"

"Hey let go you creep!" Danny hears the young woman now stuck in the middle of two men say loudly.

"I think you need to come with us baby."

"I don't think so!"

"Haha she hit you man."

"I like em feisty. Wanna get rough baby?"

"I wouldn't mind," Danny says loudly as he yanks the first guy back the by hood of his hoodie and then lunges at the other. He swings his fist, clipping the second man in the jaw and forcing his head to snap back; the first one quickly getting back up. Danny feels the first man lunging but then turns only to see the attractive blond, swing something at his head and send him staggering backward, uttering an angry curse.

"Look out!" The blond shouts. However, Danny ducks too late and receives a fist to the face, forcing him to take a step back. But he's able to quickly recover, bring up his elbow, finally breaking the guy's nose and sending him and his troublesome friend running in the other direction.

"YEAH GET LOST!" Danny yells after them before he turns to the pretty blond. "Hey are you okay?" Danny asks with a huff as his fingers rest gingerly on his cheek.

"Yeah I'm fine. Thanks for coming to my aid. Jerks ruined my new purse. Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'll live," Danny frowns. "I'm Danny."

"Linda."

"You know you were pretty brave there for a girl; I mean no offense and all," Danny smiles somewhat nervously.

"None taken."

Danny stares at the attractive girl for a few more minutes before his brain finally reminds him he has to get back to work or he'll be late. "You know I should walk you home or somethin' but I um…well I'm late for work."

"I live just up there so I'll be fine but thanks for the offer."

"Right so…maybe I'll see ya around sometime."

"I'd like that."

"Yeah me too."

Danny watches her take her leave, smiling when she turns around to give him a small wave and then disappears into a building that he assumes is her home.

"Linda," he whispers her name into the air before he turns and races back to the warehouse. He had joined a local union, thankful for the higher wages and the fact that they let him work after school and on the weekends.

"Just in time Danny boy!" His supervisor calls out. "Another five and I woulda docked ya!"

"Sorry about that," Danny huffs as he heads for his post to continue his menial task. But unlike the nights before, tonight his mind was thinking about the new person that had just come into his life. She had held her ground and even helped him out in the midst of a situation that most girls he had known in the past would have just screamed or stood uselessly by while he was beaten to a pulp; which is why he only casually dated. She had sure made an impression and in a way he'd never forget. Linda. Oh damn it! He curses…I didn't get her last name!

The next few hours seemed to just fly by for Danny and even on the lone but brisk walk home, his mind was dwelling on her and if he'd ever see her again. He reaches their quiet apartment, it now being the wee hours in the morning and very carefully enters, listening to the stillness broken only at intermittent intervals by his brother's soft breathing. At least the apartment was warm so was happy that their less than helpful landlord had stuck true to his word and turned their heat back on.

"Danny?"

"Yeah kid it's me…go to back to sleep."

Danny literally takes off his runners and falls into his sleeping bag, asleep in minutes.

XXXXXXXX

"Oh man you look like the walking dead," Demarcus ribs Danny the following morning as Danny enters the college campus.

"Yeah I feel like it," Danny groans as he gives his friend a small frown. "I hate workin' a double."

"Why'd you do it?"

"I want a car and my NYPD badge," Danny simply answers.

"Well at least that's a respectable answer," Demarcus shrugs.

"What the hell is Sonny Malvesky doin' here again?"

"Didn't you hear, he took a part time job as campus security? Said it would gain him brownie points with the NYPD on days he wasn't working, like today."

"Still can't believe they put him in charge of anything other than sanitation."

"Mornin' boys. Are you behaving?"

"Yeah," Danny nods as they head past. "What a jerk," he adds out of earshot.

"Yeah well jerk or not, just watch yourself around him," Demarcus mentions when he turns back to Danny; Sonny still watching them intently. "He now has the power to make anyone's life a living hell if he so wants – even yours."

"I dare him to try," Danny mutters as they enter the campus hall.

Sonny's eyes narrow as he watches them enter the hall. Ever since Danny had bested him in the very public street fight after school, the fight that he himself started to try to prove a point against Danny, he never forgave Danny and allowed his anger toward him to fester. "One of these days Danny, I will find something you value and take it away like you took my pride and then we'll see who has the last laugh."

XXXXXXXX

Jamie enters the track side of the high school yard and heads for the front door to go in. Danny had told him about a girl named 'Linda' that he had helped the night before when she was being accosted by two goons. He had wondered by her vague description if it was the Linda who had said 'hi' to him the day before, the one volunteering in the school nurse's office for the week. However, he quickly dismissed that notion as silly; there could be a thousand girls named Linda who bore the same resemblance. But it was still nice to see Danny happy for the first time in…well in since he could remember.

He nears the front entrance and then stops; noticing a dark SUV pull up to the front gate and a familiar face get out – Henry Reagan. The older man today wore a look that read strictly police business; very different from the kind man who had befriended him in the school yard the day before. Jamie watches Henry approach a nearby student and then much to his horror the student turns and points right at him.

"Oh no," Jamie utters in a panic before he turns and rushes inside; hurrying for the boys locker room and wondering if perhaps his worst nightmare was about to come true – Henry Reagan had found out the truth about him and he would be taken away from Danny.

A/N: Well? So thoughts on this story idea? Keep going or no? What do you think of Jamie and Danny in this setting? (I hope they are still in character!) What did you think of Danny and Linda's first intro? And while I really do like Marisa I still liked the friendship Jackie and Danny had and I find her easier to write at the moment so hope that's okay. What do you think Sonny has planned for them? What are they hiding? Will he learn their secret and use it against them? And will Henry inadvertently cause trouble for Jamie? To what end? What happens when they meet Frank? Erin? Lots more to come if you want it, so please review and let me know what you thought of this AU start (your feedback will determine the length) and thanks again.