Sighing as they were finally in New York Connor groaned before muttering,” It’s so good to be here and off that plane.” Jonas sighed and said,” Well, now that we are finally here, I have a good idea. Let’s play dance or dare.” Laughing, Mark and Kelly agreed before Mark amended,” Deal. But we have to do it on the way to get some food because I am starving.”
Nodding the 5 of them hailed a cab and went to the same diner where Frank and his children were all sitting down having a late brunch. “So, Dad how’s the new mayor treating you,” Danny asked with a teasing smile but all he got was a glare in response which made him smile more. Erin was about to say something but her speech was cut off by loud talking and laughing from the front door where 5 teenage kids trailed in with the last kid looking the quietest.
Connor raised a hand at one of the waitresses and asked,” Table for 5, please,” when she got within hearing distance. Nodding, the waitress led them to a table a few spots away from the Commissioner's table and they slid into the booth. Mark looked around at all the people and used a straw to point at Frank’s table and said,” Them. 2 minutes straight.” Connor chewed on his bottom lip as he turned around and lowered his glasses to see who they were talking about.
“Nope. No way. That’s a cop, man,” Connor hissed at Mark who said,” Either that or you have to sing out loud on top of the table, man, it’s up to you.” Connor glared at Mark before grabbing the phone and hesitantly walking up to the table. “How can we help you,” Danny said to the kid who said,” I am sorry,” before playing the music and beginning dancing.
Frank and Jamie raised an eyebrow before seeing that Connor was blushing as he continued doing the stupid dance that his friends came up with. When the song stopped people were staring at the table until Mark, Jonas, Kelly, and Lana started clapping and hooting as the rest of the diners joined in.
“Wait, how old are you,” Jamie asked recognizing Conner's blue eyes and Connor raised an eyebrow before opening and closing his mouth a few times. “UM, 16, 16 years old,” he said and was surprised when Danny choked on his water and the rest of the table’s eyes widened. “I should - I should go. Enjoy your breakfast or lunch,” and then looking confused said,” Brunch. Bye.” Almost running back to his table he hisses,” Hurry and eat so we can leave I beg you.”His friends look at him weird but keep eating at their regular slow space which made Connor sigh in frustration.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking,” Danny asked the table and Jamie was near tears as he choked out,” That’s Luke,” at the weird looks he was getting from his sister and Father he nodded before continuing,” Fatherly intuition,” he nodded his head at the mop of brown hair and said,” I know those eyes. That’s my kid.” Nodding his head, Danny squeezed Jamie’s arm in silent support but Jamie grabbed his phone and called Eddie, frowning when Maddy picked up the phone.
“Hey, Dad. Mom’s out. What’cha need,” she said and Jamie shook his head before rushing out,” Maddy, I need you to listen to me carefully. Whenever your Mom gets home tell her that I found Luke and that I need her to meet me at Papparia’s pizzeria the minute she gets home,” Maddy looked at the phone in confusion and said,” Yeah, sure, Dad, uh,” before she could say anything else Jamie cut the call and watched as the 5 kids hurried out of the diner and hailed a cab. Connor sat in the front while the other 4 squeezed in the back and drove away.
Jamie got up to follow them but Danny grabbed his arm and pulled him back to sit on the seat. “Danny, let me go. I have to go after him,” Jamie argued and was about to start a scene before Danny brought him in for a side hug and he melted into the touch. The sob took 2 out of the 3 people by surprise but Danny just kept massaging the back of Jamie’s neck and calming him down. “I can’t -I can’t lose him again, Danny, please,” he begged in between sobs and Danny nodded muttering,” And I won’t let you, kid. It’s alright. We’ll find him and we’ll bring him home.”
As the 5 kids collapsed into the hotel room, they were all laughing except for Connor who settled for throwing a pillow at Mark who just doubled over laughing hard. “Ok. Ok. I’m sorry. Sorry,” Jonas apologized for all of them before straightening up with tears in his eyes. He exhaled a large breath and said,” But seriously how do you get tongue-tied so bad. Like, that bad.” Connor shrugged and then looked down at his arm to see his veins glowing blue.
“Um, why don’t you guys go out sightseeing while I lay down. I feel a bit lightheaded,” Connor lied and then made his way to the bathroom before they could object. Locking the door he flipped on the light and then waited until he heard the door opening and shutting along with footsteps before raising his hand to the light and absorbing some of its energy.
Hearing a knock at the door his concentration was broken and he yelled out accidentally catching the towels on fire. “Shit. Shit, Shit,” he mumbled to himself and looked between the locked door to the burning towels when he heard someone pounding on the bathroom door. “Hey, open up. Come on,” Danny yelled as he pounded on the door and Connor sighed as he opened the door and was pulled out by Danny.
“Danny, I got FDNY on the phone,” Jamie said but stopped short when he saw Connor leaning against the wall trying to get a grip on his breathing. Connor looked down at his arm and was glad to see that his veins were the same as any regular, normal human.
“Hi, my name’s Jamie Reagan, I’m with NYPD but, um, there’s something that I need to talk to you about,” Jamie asked nervously and Connor nodded wishing that his foster Dad was here right now. The 3 of them went and sat down by the tables outside and Jamie shared a look with Danny who took the lead,” Kid, I’m gonna ask you something and I don’t want you to freak out but you need to be honest with me.” When they got confirmation from Connor Jamie started,”16 years ago, my wife gave birth to a set of twins. My daughter Madeline and my son Luke but the night they were born someone broke into the hospital. Whoever that man was, took my son with him and for 16 years he’s been missing,” Connor played with the bands covering his wrist and asked,” What does that have to do with me?”
“KId, are you adopted,” Danny cut to the chase when he saw that Jamie was struggling and Connor’s mouth opened in an ‘O’ shape. “Oh, you- you think I’m that kid. I don’t think that’s possible,” Connor hoped but Danny stopped him and ordered,” Answer the question.,” not interested in having to play a run-around. Looking down, Connor nodded and said,” Yeah, I am. Well, fostered, I guess” he amended. Nodding, Jamie sighed before saying,” I’m gonna ask you to do a DNA test and I understand that it might be hard but,” Connor shook his head and said,” You don’t have to,” at the questioning looks he got he opened his backpack and took out the envelope,” My Dad bought me a DNA finder test for my last birthday and these are the results. I haven’t opened them yet. Could you, please?” Nodding, Danny opened the envelope and read through the papers.
Connor looked away from Jamie’s gaze as he gnawed at his lower lip. Danny sighed before putting the papers down. “Congratulations, kid. We found him,” he said to Jamie who looked like didn’t believe it before he snatched the papers and read through them as quick as he could. Exhaling he put the papers down before going around to Connor’s side and pulling him in for a hug.
Connor hesitated and kept his arms at his side until Jamie let him go. “We should get to Dad’s house. I presume they all want to meet you,” Jamie rushed but Connor stopped him and shook his head as he looked between the two men. “With all due respect, I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t know you and I don't trust you,” he argued and then grabbed his bag before getting up. Danny, however, grabbed his arm but Connor pulled his arm back. Danny looked surprised but Connor just walked away only turning to look back when he was out of sight.
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