#daddybarba

“I don’t know,” He admitted.

“But I don’t want to leave you, Grandpa,” You whispered, tears welling in your eyes.

“I’m going to try my hardest to make sure he doesn’t,” He promised, cupping your face in his hands and wiping your tears as they spilled down your cheeks, “He may fight for you but I’m going to fight harder. I love you so much, Y/N.”

“I love you too, Grandpa,” You whispered before burying yourself into his bear hug, crying silently into his chest.

Over the next few weeks, it was all you could think about. Your family was all so upset, they’d hug you tighter and longer. They were walking on eggshells, trying to make it as normal as possible for you. Any conversations about what was going on were hushed and out of your per view. Your Grandpa always gave you the major updates, not wanting you to be out of the loop.

Your Aunt Erin had enlisted one of her law school friends who was very respectable family law attorney to represent your Grandpa. As both sides had DA’s on them with connections to the court system, the trial was moving along quicker than usual, as apparently the DA didn’t want it getting out that his Senior DA and one of his ADA’s were feuding the family courts so he tried to make it all happen quickly. However, Mr. Barba and his attorney had made it clear that they weren’t willing to negotiate any sort of arrangement so apparently it was pretty clear even before the first appearance that there would be a fully fledged trial.

On the eve of the first appearance at court, your Aunt Erin sat you down and explained to you everything that was going to happen and what might possibly happen. At the first appearance, there would be no testimony or witness just discussing the facts so that things were all cleared up. She also explained that you would be appointed a Law Guardian who will mostly likely during the time between his appointment to the trial being doing some investigations into all of your lives to report back to the judge at trial. Apparently, he sole job was to represent what you wanted but because you are under 14, that meant he also had to explain what he thought was best for you in conjunction with what you wanted. More importantly, she explained that there was a possibility that you may be put into someone else's care leading up to and during the trial. But she promised it was only going to be for around a month or so and that was only if it came to it.

You knew she was playing off that part to an extent. You thought that it was pretty evident that Mr. Barba’s side wasn't going to let you stay with your Grandpa during this process based on his previous actions.

You weren’t going, you’d be at the trial but not any of the preliminary hearings. You were still going to the courthouse though but that is to meet your Law Guardian while the hearing was going on, your Aunt Erin said that you’d probably get to know them pretty well. She also warned you that by the end of it all you may not be allowed to come home.

So once again that morning you missed school to attend court. You made sure to hug everyone extra tight in case you didn’t get see them for a while. Once you arrived, you were taken to a back room, clearly tailored for children as it was filled with toys. You were left alone for a while in the room, so it was a good thing that you had brought some work from school, that you had arraigned in response to your absence, with you. After about ten minutes, you had almost finished work and a nicely dressed tall man came into the room. You only looked up briefly, to see him before continuing.

“Y/N?” He asked in an accent that clearly wasn’t from the city, most likely a Northern city like Chicago or Cleveland.

“That’s me,” You confirmed, still not looking up and finishing your problem.

“I’m Garrett Prince,” He introduced, “Your Law Guardian,”

“Hi Garret,” You replied, closing your book with a flourish as you finished and finally looking back up at him.

“What were you working on?” He inquired, as he took a seat opposite you at the table.

“Geometry,” You informed.

“Can I take a look?” He asked, gently.

“Sure,” You shrugged, sliding it over to him.

He raised his eyebrows as he caught it and flicked through it. You watched the surprise on his face as he registered the problems and also probably how he couldn’t do them himself.

“You can do this?” He asked, surprised.

You nodded.

“That’s really impressive,” He complimented, “I don’t remember doing problems this hard,”

“That’s because it’s college level,” You explained, “And I have a feeling you did Pre-Law in college,”

“You’re right,” He chuckled, “When they told me that you were a genius…”

“You didn’t think they meant an actual genius?” You offered.

“Yeah,” He smiled.

“Should we get to it?” You suggested.

“We can do whatever you want. I am your lawyer, I represent only your best interests,” He responded.

“Yeah, I did some research. I know what your job involves,” You started.

“That’s good,” He commented.

“And I also know what I can do if I don’t like you,” You continued.

“Are you referring to the fact that you can fire me?” He speculated.

“I didn’t refer to anything. You just made an assumption,” You corrected, “Plus I also know that since I’m not 14 your job is not only to represent what want but to balance that with what you think is best for me regardless of my opinion,” 


“Technically, but I have a feeling the judge will see you as an exception,” He elaborated, “Because you know, the genius thing,”

“The genius thing,” You repeated chuckling.

“I know this must be a very difficult time for you,” He started, his tone sympathetic and serious, “I read the file and honestly I can’t imagine going through this at such a young age.”

“Well, you don’t have to,” You commented, “You can watch me go through it. So what’s going to happen at the hearing?”

“Well,” He breathed, “First the judge is going to try and get the parties to reach a mutual agreement,”

“Unlikely,” You huffed, “I hear my ‘Father’ is being a real stubborn bitch. I can swear, right?”

“You can say whatever you want,” He reassured.

“That’s cool. I’m not allowed to swear at home,” You revealed, in momentary excitement.

“What’s home like for you?” He diverted delicately.

“We aren’t doing that yet,” You insisted, cutting him off, “What will happen after the judge knows they can’t agree,”

“Well, he’ll most likely try again. No judge wants to go to trial for child custody cases,” He explained, “And when that won’t work he will probably set the court date for a couple of months time. Though in your case it might be a bit quicker because of…”

“Politics?” You offered.

He nodded before continuing, “And after that’s set they will probably deal with issues like when they want my report if they want you psychologically evaluated, when you’re meeting with the judge and where you will be staying during this period until the trial.”

“Don’t you mean whom?” You corrected.

“Basically,” He confirmed and also adding, “As well as who can and can’t come see you during that time,”

“Realistically, how likely is that I’ll get to stay with my Grandpa?” You questioned, hesitantly.

“Truthfully?” He inquired.

You nodded.

“Based on what’ve read. Highly unlikely that you’re Dad…” He began.

“He isn’t my Dad,” You interrupted.

“It’s highly unlikely that Mr. Barba will let you remain with Grandpa,” He corrected, “In fact, I’ve been told that he has made claims to the court that your family may turn you against him,”

“He did a pretty good job of that himself,” You commented, shaking your head in disbelief, “In fact, I find it insulting that he would accuse my family of that. He’s the one making everything difficult we wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t doing that,”

“What do you mean?” Garret pressed, his interest peaked.

“We aren’t there yet,” You countered, realizing your slip of the tongue.

“Okay,” He accepted, “On that subject, the judge will very likely ask me where I think would be the best place to put you during this time,”

“What are you going to do?” You asked.

“What do you want me to do?” He questioned back, “I don’t want to make this even harder on you. None of us do. We want to make sure you’re happy and this doesn’t disrupt your life to much. So I’m asking you, where do you want to stay,”

“With my Grandpa,” You admitted.

“I know,” He smiled sadly, “But that may not be possible,”

“I was made aware of that,” You sighed, “So I took it upon myself to make alternative arrangements,”

“You did?” He asked, surprised.

“Must be a genius thing,” You joke lightly, “And yeah with my friend Will,”

“Y/N…” He began.

“Will is not thirteen,” You interrupted to clarify, already knowing what he was going to stay, “He’s name is Will Gorski and more importantly he is an adult around his late thirties in fact. He’s an attorney and previously a member of the NYPD. So he already has had multiple court standard background checks. He lives in the same neighborhood as my school minimizing disruption. He has a spare bedroom in his apartment which he owns by the way. He’s employed at one of the biggest law firms in the city handling most contracts. He volunteers at youth shelters and does pro bono work. He even had a dog named Dexter. He’s a Great Dane,”

“You really have thought about this,” He commented.

“I have,” You confirmed, “He is the only other person I would be okay with staying with besides my Grandpa,”

“How do you know him?” Garret asked.

“He was my Mother’s old partner before she died. It’s why he left the NYPD,” You explained.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” He empathized.

“Don’t be,” You breathed, empathised sadly not looking directly at him, “I didn’t get to know her long enough to lose her,”

“Still she was your mother,” He reminded, “That’s a traumatic loss to experience,”

“You can’t lose nor miss what you don’t remember ever having,” You admitted sadly, “I simply do not feel the same loss the other members of my family do. It’s the sad truth. One of which I rarely discuss or admit,”

“Thank you for being honest with me,” He smiled reassuringly.

“It was practical reasons not sentimental empathized, “I just want don't to make sure we didn’t do this again. It hurts,”

“I understand. Would this Will be willing to take you on?” He continued to probe, moving on swiftly.

“We talked about it,” You informed.

“You’ve seen him recently?” He asked.

“Every Friday,” You smiled, “It’s one of the highlights of my week,”

“He’s a very big part of your life isn’t he?” He inquired.

“Yeah,” You nodded, you could feel your eyes threatening to spill.

“Would he have any reason to try and influence to one side or the other?” He asked, redirecting the conversation once again.

“No,” You stated adamantly, “He doesn’t know Mr. Barba and he doesn’t really have contact with my family. It hurts them to see him, you know? Reminds them of my mother, I assume. But anyway due to that I don’t think anyone could think that he any others interests. He’s only concerned for my best interests,”

“That’s perfect,” He smiled, “I’m going to go talk to the judge and then I’ll come back and update you on everything that’s happened in court, okay?”

You nodded.

He left the room after that. You once again left alone, a court clerk did come in and offer you snacks and juice but you declined. Too on edge on eating or drink. You tried to read but your mind was too consumed. So you just breathed, trying to steady your breathing as your heart pounded for no reason but anxiety. You pulled out your phone and tapped Will’s number but he didn’t answer. You assume he must be busy or at work. Though he had promised you that he would keep his phone on for you. Your heart sped up again and you started to fidget. You didn’t understand what was happening to you.

And you didn’t have time to figure it out because the door swung open with two familiar faces behind it.

“Hey Y/N,” Will grinned at you.

“What are you doing here?” You asked, confused as you rushed over to hug him.

“What do you think?” He countered, holding you in his arms and leaning down slightly to be in straight eye contact, “I’m here for you,”

“You went to the hearing?” You questioned.

“I wasn’t going too. I was just here to be with you but I got pulled in by your Grandpa. He knew that you would want to stay with me. And when Mr. Prince hear agreed and confirmed my natural position and your wishes. The court agreed that it would be best for you to stay with me,” He explained.

“Thank God,” You breathed, hugging him again.

“You might not feel that way when you find out that you’ll be staying with me for two months,” He mentioned, still hugging you.

“Two months?” You demanded, letting go.

“It’s true,” Garret chimed in, “The dates been set for a little over two months from now,”

“Why?” You inquired.

“So I can conduct my investigation and so the psychologist can compile his report,” Garret explained.

“I have to see a psychologist?” You asked, looking at Will.

“It’s true,” He confirmed reluctantly.

“Why?” You demanded once again.

“It’s a common tactic in cases like this. The one seeking custody pays for the examination as a sign of commitment and dedication to the child,” He elaborated, “It makes them look better,”

“Dedication,” You scoffed, “What else,”

“Your meeting with the judge is the day before the trial starts and each side had been granted two supervised visits with you each week at Will’s residence,” He continued.

“Supervised?” You questioned.

“By me,” Will added.

“Okay and that’s it?” You asked, expectantly.

“Yes,”

“Can I go?” You asked.

“With Will back to his place? Yes,” He confirmed.

“You got other bags?” Will ask, picking up your satchel for you.

You nodded, “My Aunt Erin made me pack a week's worth just in case,”

“She mentioned that she would send you more,” Garret added.

“I can’t get my own stuff?” You asked.

He shook his head, “Unless you want me and each sides lawyers there as well,”

“You know I think she’s had enough for today, you know?” Will interrupt to state and ask even though he knew the answer, “I’m going to take her home and as her temporary legal guardian it’s within my right, right?”

“Of course,” Garret agreed, “But I’ll need to talk to both of you soon,”

“Here’s my card,” Will announced, handing him his card before swinging on your satchel and grabbing the handle of your suitcase, “Let’s go,”

He began walking out the door and you quickly followed. Flashing Garret a brief wave as you went.

“Thank you,” You breathed as soon as you were out of earshot.

“What did I say about thanking me?” He countered, “Let's just get out of here,”

And that’s what you did. He took you back to his apartment after that. He had already set up the guest bedroom in the likelihood that you would be placed under his care. But he assured you that you could do what ever you want to it to make it seem as homely as possible for you. It was mid-afternoon by this time. So it was too late for you to go to school. So you and Will unpacked for a while as he tried to distract you from today's events. Around six he went to go get dinner fro you favorite place while you tried to sort out your room a bit more. You finished earlier than expected and wandered through the apartment for a while. Trying to make yourself feel comfortable to no avail.

You eventually ended up sitting on one of the seats on the balcony. Looking at the view that Will paid a lot to see every morning. It’s when you saw the cities skyline like this with sun descending that you understood your Grandpa’s love for the city and realized your own. It was breathtaking and it was your home. And as long as you were in this city, you couldn’t ever feel homesick.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Will ask reappearing, takeout in hand as he clambered onto the balcony to see you.

“Just thinking,” You shrugged as he took a seat in the chair beside your separated only by a table.

“About what?” He probed.

“Sleeping,” You confessed, “I’m wondering how I am going to sleep tonight,”

“Still having problems sleeping?” He asked.

You nodded, looking out the view again.

“Well, we can marathon whatever show you want until you do,” He suggested.

“I have to go to school tomorrow,” You reminded.

“No, you don’t,” He corrected to which you responding by giving him a disapproving look so he elaborated, “What I mean is that I think people will understand that you need a couple days to adjust to your new situation and everything that is going on,”

“You already called my school didn’t you?” You sighed.

“Guilty,” He chuckled.

“What do have in mind?” You asked hesitantly.

“Sleeping in,” He winked.

“That actually sounds pretty nice,” You confessed.

“You know by sleeping in I mean past 8 am,” He clarified.

“You know that’s impossible, right?” You countered.

“Sounds like a challenge,” He grinned meaningly, rubbing his hands, “Anyway, I’ve got dinner,”

He handed your food and you continue to sit on the balcony as you ate. Staring out into the sunset and continuing to talk.

“Your Mom would have hated this,” He commented, before taking a bite.

“Do you think this would be happening if she were here?” You asked.

“I don’t know,” He confessed.

“Do you think she would have told me who he was by now?” You continued.

“She told me that she was going to tell you whenever you were old enough to understand,” He informed.

“So by now, she would have?” You mentioned.

“Maybe, I think it would depend on if she told him or not,” He mentioned.

“Are we all sticking with that story?” You questioned

“You don’t think it’s true?” He asked, surprised.

“I’m just suspicious of it all,” You played off.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

“Not really,” You confessed.

“So about theses visits,” He began.

“I want to see my Grandpa and the rest of them,” You stated.

“And Mr. Barba?” He continued.

“Not so much,” You stated once again.

“I only ask because he already called to arranged a meeting with you,” He explained.

“Did he now?” You breathed not really asking.

“He wants to see you,” He elaborated.

“Well, I don’t want to see the man who ripped me away from my family so,” You shrugged, aggressively.

“Have you thought about things from his perspective?” He inquired.

“I have,” You confirmed, “And while I was doing it I came up with a hundred different ways to handle this situation better. So, in conclusion, if he wants to be difficult so can I,”

“Y/N, this is may be your first ever act of teenage rebellion against your Dad,” He teased, dramatically.

You rolled your eyes and shoved him playfully.

“Don’t get angry at me you hormonal teen,” He swotted, shoveling another mouthful of food, “But seriously though you could try and give him a chance, possibly hear what he has to say.” He suggested, tactfully.

“Because last time I let you watch an interrogation, you started slipping the poor detective notes on how to do it better,” He reminded, sternly but he was smiling at just the memory of it.

“The only thing poor about that detective was his interrogation skills,” You commented, with a sigh, flipping open your advance algebra book.

“Which is exactly why you can stay at that desk,” Sonny added, still chuckling.

“Hey, I wouldn’t be as harsh on my uncle Joe,” You defended.

“We both know that isn’t true,” He smiled, “And I’m pretty sure he’s going to be a while though, so you better start that homework. You’d get bored of critiquing him”

“Already on it,” You grinned, holding up your book so he could see it, “And never do I get bored of critiquing,”

“Good so listen,” He said getting up and putting on his coat, “I have to run to see one of my victim's families, you stay put until your uncle finishes okay. Do not move from that desk.” 


“Why, do you not want me accidentally solve any of your cases again?” You smirked.

“Hey, I thought we had a deal,” He hushed jokingly, walking over to you and whispering by your side, “We weren’t going to mention that, remember?”

“I know I wasn’t going to say anything if you kept your side of the deal,” You reminded, looking up at him.

“First draw on the right,” He sighed, shaking his head, stifling another chuckle, “I keep all my candy there so help yourself,”

“Thank you,” You grinned, pleased with yourself.

“See you later,” He waved, heading off.

“Bye,” You called after him.

Once he was out of sight, you sighed to yourself. You took a glance around the room, nobody from the squad was here. Not even, Lieutenant Benson in her office. Though there were still police officers, detectives and other people milling in and out, most of which you knew as well. But nobody on your uncle squad or who worked closely with them.

But for the most part, it was quite quiet. Unusual for a place like the Special Victims Unit.

Saying that you were rarely here by yourself. It was hardly a place to leave a thirteen-year-old like yourself. You only ever came here after school and it was only ever for a couple of hours maximum. Your uncle Joe insisted on that. Even when you were here he was usually with you while you did your homework and he made sure you wore headphones whenever group discussions about cases were taking place but that was a habit that was dying out as you were getting older. It happened a lot when you were younger though.

It wasn’t the ideal situation but then again your situation wasn’t ideal.

You couldn’t help that though and nobody else could either.

Your life was complicated, to say the least, but your family tried to make it as normal as they possibly could. The reason you had to come to the station after school despite doing almost every extra circular available was because you lived out in Staten Island but went to school in Manhattan. Which was because you were enrolled in a special school for academically gifted children in the city so every day you had to wait for one of your family members to take you back to Staten Island. It would have been impractical for you to take the train and you don’t think any of your family members would have allowed you to anyway.

Which wasn’t surprising considering who your family was. You were a part of one of New York’s most well-known cop families, the Reagans. Who seemingly produce some of the most protective people in the entire world, which is understandable considering what all of them did or do. They saw some of the most awful things in the jobs that they do so you can’t really blame them for being so family orientated and protective. You were all part of this amazing unit that was always looking out for each other and putting each other first. That supported each other no matter what life threw at all of you, and recently it had been a lot.

You always considered yourself quite lucky despite your circumstances. You had an amazing family despite how loud and argumentative you all are. Love was at the core of your family and nothing mattered more than each other. And that was especially true with them in regard to you. They have done everything in their power to make sure that you never felt that you were missing out on something. You always had someone with you and therefore someone to talk to. They tried to make sure that you never felt alone and you rarely ever did.

But sometimes you couldn’t help it and neither could they. They couldn’t protect you all the time, it was beyond their capabilities. Whenever you thought about it for too long. You felt that wave of realization that in the traditional sense. You were alone. You didn’t have what all you friends had and the rest of your family for that matter.

If you took the word by its standard meaning, one could say that you were an orphan.

Your Mom had passed away when you were three in a car crash while on the job, she was a cop. And your Dad, well, you had no idea. In fact, you knew nothing about him, nobody did. Apparently, your mom didn’t tell anyone about him so he was a mystery. So maybe you weren't an orphan but you definitely felt like you were.

Your legal guardian now solely was your Grandfather, Commissioner Frank Reagan, but before when you first moved in, you lived with your Grandpa and Grandma, so they both were. So now you live with your Grandpa and your Great Grandfather Henry. When you Aunt Erin enrolled you in the school you were in now there were suggestions that you should live with your Uncle Joe who lived in Manhattan but both you and your Grandpa were adamantly against it. You loved living with him and Pop, you didn’t know anything else. Also, you loved it that house. It was the only place you were constantly that made you feel connected to your mom. When you moved in apparently your Grandma wanted to move you into your Mom’s old room but your Grandpa moved you into Danny’s. One because it was bigger and two he didn’t want to touch anything in it. Your Mom’s room was in the exact same state to the day she moved out. It was filled with all of her childhood and teenage stuff. Nothing moved, you could really feel her presence in there. You sit in there sometimes and just to think. And you knew you weren’t the only one. You think that everyone goes up there from time to time, just to remember what it felt like when she was here. It’s understandable really.

They all lost her too.

You thought about your parents a lot, for different reasons. You don’t remember much about your mom. You have a couple of vague memories that your family members have helped you understand but for the most part, everything you knew about her you had been told. Your family made it a priority to tell you about her. They wanted you to know what she was like, so at least you had some sort of connection to her. Your Dad, on the other hand, you knew nothing so you could say anything and there is still a possibility that it could be correct. He really could be an astronaut like you thought when you were seven or even a doctor which you hoped now. It was the biggest mystery of your life and it was normal for you to be curious about him.

Whoever he is.

You had about fifteen minutes to yourself before a somewhat familiar figure came striding into the squad room, his head down as he texted on his phone. You’d only had brief passing encounters with the Special Victim’s Units new ADA. You knew his name, Rafael Barba and you had seen him in court once when you were with your Aunt Erin, he was a pretty good lawyer, very entertaining. But besides from that, you didn’t know much about him except for what your Uncle Joe had told you, he was a sarcastic hardass but he was one of the good ones. Which you can only assume is a good thing.

“Hi,” You greeted after he instinctively headed over to your Uncle’s desk, he hadn’t looked up from his phone so when he was finally done he was surprised to see you as well as the emptiness of the squad-room, you had watched it all silently until he reached the desk.

“Hi?” He responded, confused, looking you up and down and asking bluntly, you noticed  “And who are you?”

“Y/N Reagan,” You smiled, putting out your hand for him to shake.

“So you must be Y/N that Detective Reagan is always talking about,” He commented, shaking your hand.

“I guess so,” You shrugged, unaware that your uncle discussed you so much.

“I’m Rafael Barba the…” He began to introduce himself.

“ADA,” You finished for him, before looking up and seeing his surprised expressed, then adding, “Detective Reagan talks about you too,”

“Does he now?” He smirked, sitting down in the chair beside your uncle’s desk and you noticed that he glanced at as well as scanned the homework you were doing as he did.

“But it’s mostly my Aunt Erin,” You elaborated, “She likes talking about her new hires,”

“What does she say?” He inquired.

“I’ll just say if it was bad you would already know,” You smirked.

“Do you know where any of my detectives are?” He finally asked.

“Sonny just left. I don’t know where Amanda, Fin and Lieutenant Benson are. But my Uncle Joe is in interrogation,” You informed, accompanied with a point in the direction of the interrogation room.

“Thanks,” He nodded but with a confused expression on his face which confused you as well.

He looked like he was about to say something but he kept on walking. You watched him walk off down the corridor before returning to your work. In the five minutes he was gone you finished up all your problems. And when he returned you were tucking your homework neatly back into your file which was in your bag as he sat back down beside you with a flourish.

“He’s going to be a while,” He announced to you.

“So it seems like we’re both stuck here waiting for him then,” You added.

“Hmm,” He agreed inaudibly.

“So why do you want to talk to him,” You persisted.

“Just going over his testimony for a case,” He sighed, eyes glued to his phone.

“Which case?” You continued.

“I don’t think I can tell you that,” He hesitated, finally putting his phone away and actually looking at you.

“Why not?” You countered, “I know about most of them anyway,”

“You do?” He questioned, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Yeah, he tells me about them in almost a holistic way to stop me from reading the actual case files,” You explained.

“Your version of a compromise?” He smirked.

“I let him think so,” You half-agreed before going in close and whispering, “But I always get more out of him though so not really,”

“How do you that?” He asked, intrigued.

“Same tactics that you use in court,” You stated simply.

“You’ve seen me in court?” He inquired.

“I watched one of your cross-examinations when I was with my Aunt Erin,” You responded, “I’m pretty sure it was the Grant case,”

“That was a tough case,” He reminisced.

“You handled it well,” You began. 

“Thanks…” He interrupted, you assume that he assumed that you had finished.

“But…” You continued.

“But?” He countered.

“If it were me I would have done some things differently,” You finished.

“Like what?” He prompted, holding his arms and leaning back, staring at you.

“I think you probably would have gotten that confession on the stand if you had taken more an emotional tactic, you know? Shown him pictures of his kids and asking him stuff like what’s going to happen to them. He was a cold-blooded murderer but he loved his kids. You should have played on that weakness,” You explained, “I know your ‘bulldog’ tactic eventually worked but it probably would have happened faster my way,”

“Do you spend a lot of time with your Aunt Erin?” He asked suddenly, an impressed expression on his face.

“Not as much with my Uncle Joe, but yeah, I do,” You clarified.

“It shows,” He commented.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” You questioned.

“What do you think?” He sighed.

“That you’re too proud to admit that you agree,” You replied.

“You’re a funny kid,” He said, “You don’t happen to want to be a lawyer do you?”

“Maybe, I lead my school's law society, but I still don’t know yet,” You shrugged.

“You should consider it,” He finally confessed, “I have a feeling that you’ll be pretty good at it,”

“I like to think so,” You smiled as you as you placed your bag back onto the floor right beside your chair and persisting once again, “So which case is it?”

“You’ve finished all those questions already?” He asked, surprised but also tactfully distracting you, which you noticed and allowed, might you add.

“Yeah,” You shrugged casually, going along with it, “It’s just advanced algebra.”

“Just advanced Algebra, huh?” He repeated chuckling, amused, “I can see why you go to Preston,”

“Did my Uncle Joe tell you that too?” You countered.

“Hmm,” He nodded before a confused look flashed across his face, “So Joe is your uncle?”

“Yeah,” You confirmed, intrigued, “Who do you think he was?”

“I just always thought he was you your Father,” He confessed, “He talks about you like you are,”

“Yeah, we are pretty close. I can see why you might assume that ” You agreed, smiling sadly to yourself.

“So whose are you?” He inquired, clearly intrigued by you.

“I’m sorry?” You countered, confused.

“Which one of the Reagans do you belong to?” He clarified, “I know you aren’t Erin’s daughter or Joe so? You aren’t one of Danny’s are you?”

“Oh no,” You giggled, “How do you know my Uncle Danny?”

“We had some encounters when I helped out the Major Crimes department,” He informed.

“He’s much nicer when you’re related to him,” You reassured.

“I would hope so,” He half smiled before persisting, “So…?”

“I’m Erika’s kid,” You admitted, you voice going quietly.

“Erika?” He questioned confused, “There is another Reagan?”

You nodded.

“I didn’t know Erin had a sister,” He commented.

“She doesn’t talk about her a lot.” You concurred.

“So which one is she? Cop or Lawyer?” He questioned, unknowingly.

“She was a cop,” You responded with another small sad smile.

“Was?” He picked up on immediately and suddenly becoming hesitant.

“Yeah,” You nodded, averting gaze and tugging on your sleeves, “She was killed in a car crash on the job about nine years ago,”  

“I’m so sorry,” He instantaneously apologized, “I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, it's fine. Really,” You reassured, “It’s quite nice to meet someone who isn’t too scared to actually ask me about her.”

“Well, in their defense, I had no idea. I really did think that you were just Joe’s daughter,” He reminded before adding and an observation, “You look quite similar you and Joe,”

“That’s because he and my Mom were fraternal twins,” You informed, “It’s a funny story actually. My Grandparents thought they were having twin boys and then she came out a girl so instead of Erik they called her Erika,”

“Is that why you and your Uncle are so close,” He asked gently.

“I think so,” You agreed, “I’m the only part of her that they have left.”

“I know that feeling,” He confessed.

“You do?” You asked.

“I do. My Dad died when I was a teenager,” He admitted.

“I’m sorry,” You offered.

“Don’t be. It was the best thing that could have happened for me and my Mom,” He continued.

“So is it just you and your Mom then?” You probed.

He nodded before asking, “So what about your Dad, where’s is he?”

“I actually don’t know,” You responded honestly, “I don’t know who is he,”

“You don’t know your Father?” He asked you noticed that he seemed surprised by himself, almost like that he was surprised that he was so interested in you.

“No,” You replied.

“Now I’m sorry,” He offered this time.

“Don’t be,” You reassured, “I’ve lived like this for thirteen years. I haven’t known anything else. You can’t miss what you never had.” 


A silence fell over you as you both thought about your lost parents. You glanced at the pictures on your Uncle’s desk and behind your Uncle’s monitor coincidentally was a picture of your Mom. It was probably hidden because you knew that your Uncle couldn’t look at it for too long without starting to miss her.

“Here she is,” You smiled as you picked it up and gave it a quick glance.

It was a picture of your Mom and Uncle Joe, both of them in the police uniforms, clearly taken when they were both in the academy.

“Here,” You offered, showing him the picture.

You watched his expression as his eyes locked with the image presented. Shock and realization washed over him.

“I know,” You understood, “We look exactly the same,”

“Yeah,” He finally let out, not looking away from the image and shakily adding, “You’re the spitting image of her,”

“Except for the eyes,” You reminded, “I must have my Dad’s”

“What did you say her name was again?” He questioned, finally looking at you.

“Erika but actually she used her middle name a lot because she didn’t like it that much,” You informed.

“What’s her middle name?” He asked.

“Rosaline, after my Great Grandmother but she used to go by…” You started.

“Rosie,” He interrupted and therefore you said it simultaneously.

“Not very original, right?” You chuckled sadly.

He went to say something but you Uncle suddenly appeared and apologized to Mr. Barba for keeping him waiting. 

“What about me?” You demanded, playfully, “You made me wait too,”

“I wait for you every day,” He remarked before gesturing for you to move out his chair.

You rolled your eyes at Mr. Barba which earned a chuckle as you jumped out of his chair and headed for the candy draw of Sonny’s desk. They started talking as you browsed the draw that was brimming with candy. Sonny had a sweet tooth, just like you. Mr. Barba got up to leave.

“It was nice to meet you, Y/N,” He said, his tone still shakier than before.

“You too,” You grinned before holding up a chocolate bar, “Do you want a Butterfinger for the journey,”

“Sure,” He chuckled, catching it barely after you threw it to him, “It’s my favorite,”

“Mine too,” You agreed.

After that, he left and you turned to look at your Uncle who was watching you with his head playfully in his hands.

“How much did you embarrass me?” He asked jokingly as you took a seat and took a bite of your own chocolate bar, grinning evilly.

A couple of days passed, including the weekend and you found yourself walking done a busy lane in the park by yourself. It was one of the only times you had where you were truly alone. Your school allowed you to leave the grounds for lunch on Tuesdays because of your high grades. You always went alone even though you could take a friend if you wanted too. You just needed some alone time. True alone time. Without supervision and with people you were close too. You just needed to think and what better place than a nearby park where you could just watch the busyness of everyone else’s lives instead of experiencing your own. And that usually happened each time you did it, well…expect for today.