Author's note: This isn't my first foray into the world of fanfiction but it is my first attempt in the Four Brothers fandom. I love this movie and have seen it about a million times. Jackie, as I am sure will be obvious to you, is my favorite character. I really hope you all enjoy this. Big thanks to maxiekatt for beta reading this. As always, please read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Four Brothers or any of it's characters. I am not making any money off of this and it is strictly for fun.

Chapter One

"Bobby, where's Jack?" Evelyn asked her eldest son as he came down the stairs.

"How the hell should I know, Ma. The little fairy is probably still in his room deciding which shoes go best with what he's wearing," Bobby snickered.

"Bobby! That isn't a nice thing to say about your brother," Evelyn scolded him before heading to the kitchen.

"On come on, Ma, I was only kidding," Bobby said following her.

"Well, kidding or not, it still isn't very nice. Jack is still a little sensitive about certain things from his past and your teasing isn't always taken light heartedly," she reprimanded.

"Okay, Ma, I'll try to cut back on the fairy jokes," Bobby answered taking a sip from the cup of coffee he had just poured himself.

Just as he finished, Jack came bounding down the stairs.

"Morning, Ma," Jack smiled leaning down to kiss her cheek.

" You're in an awfully good mood this morning, Jackie boy. Especially considering your holiday break is over," Bobby said as Jack made his way over to the cabinets, yanking them open as he searched for something for breakfast. He pulled out a blue box of sugary cereal and then grabbed a bowl.

" I know that Bobby, but there's a reason for it. After school, the band and I have are auditioning for a gig at Jake's," Jack answered, paying more attention to pouring milk onto his cereal than his nagging older brother.

"What?" Bobby shouted almost choking on the coffee in his mouth, "Jake's? The bar? The bar where I hang out?"

"Yeah, so," Jack answered through a mouthful of cereal.

"No way, Jackie boy, there ain't no way in hell I'm letting my baby brother play at a place like that."

"First off, I'm not a baby, I'm seventeen years old and secondly, you're not in charge here, Bobby, Ma is and she already okayed it," Jack said smugly.

"Ma, you're alright with this?"

"Well," Evelyn sighed, " I did tell him yes when he asked but exactly what kind of place is this Jake's?"

"It's just a bar" Jack started but was quickly interrupted by Bobby.

"It isn't just a bar, kid. It's one of the roughest joints around. You got drug dealers, hustlers, bar fights breaking out constantly. I'm telling you, Ma, letting him play there isn't the best idea."

"If all that goes on there why is it such a stellar place for you to hang out at!"

Jack was shouting now. In the years since he'd come to the Mercer household, he'd come more and more out of his shell. When he had first arrived, he would cower in the corner if anyone looked sideways at him but now he would stand up and yell back if he thought he was being challenged.

"Because, fairy, I'm a hell of a lot older and tougher than you. I could handle myself in a place like that and you can't."

"You know, Bobby, you're not invincible and just because you're twenty nine and I'm seventeen doesn't automatically make you superior. I can handle myself; I don't always need you there to kick somebody's ass for me."

"Bullshit, kid. You aren't anywhere close to tough. You'd piss your pants at the first sign of trouble without me there watching over you."

"Dammit Bobby! I'm not a little kid anymore! I don't need your fucking bodyguard services!"

"Alright, that's enough," Evelyn said stepping between her two bickering sons, " I know I told you that you could go, Jackie but after hearing what Bobby has to say about this place and what goes on, I'm beginning to think it's not such a good idea anymore."

The whole time they had been arguing, Evelyn had been silently listening and debating on whether or not to let Jack go.

"I don't believe this," Jack said throwing his hands in the air, "You're taking his side?"

"Jackie honey, I'm not taking anyone's side but if what your brother says is true than I'd really rather you not be there."

"But Ma, it's just an audition, we don't know even know for sure that will get the gig or not." Jack protested hoping to once again convince her to let him go.

"I'm sorry, darling, I really hate to go back on my word but if this place is really as big a shithole as Bobby describes it, I think that it's best that I do."

"Thanks a lot, Bobby," Jack spat before stalking out the side door, slamming it behind him.

"Oh boy,"Evelyn whispered.

"He'll get over it," Bobby shrugged returning to his coffee.

"I don't know, that band is awfully important to him," she said shaking her head.

Evelyn gave him a stern look that Bobby recognized as being her way of telling him to do something about it. He sighed and put his cup of coffee on the counter before relenting to her.

"I'll go talk to him," Bobby sighed grabbing his keys.

"Thank you, now I have to get to work. And since you're home because of another suspension, I think the least you can do is clean the house while I'm gone," she smiled.

"Sure thing, Ma," he agreed before heading out the door to catch up with Jack.

Jack was only two blocks away when Bobby pulled up along side of him.

"Get in the car," he ordered slowing the vehicle.

"No Bobby, just leave me the fuck alone."

"Ooh, quite the little mouth on you."

"Look, you got your way, Ma's not letting me go so just leave me the fuck alone."

"It wasn't about me getting my way, Jack. Now get in the fucking car!"

Jack stopped and I stared at his brother. He wasn't sure if Bobby was serious about the fact that it wasn't simply about him getting his way but he decided to give him a chance. Still angry, he opened the passenger door and climbed in.

"Then what was it about Bobby? Why are you so against me playing there?"

"I'm not trying to piss you off, Jackie. I just know what kind of place it is and it wouldn't be safe for you to be there."

"We live in Detroit, Bobby no place is safe"

"You think I don't know that but what you're gonna put yourself in harm's way on purpose? And you want me and Ma to let you? Sorry, it ain't gonna happen. You really want Ma worrying about you more than she already does?"

Jack thought a minute, he really didn't want to worry his mother but he still felt like he was being robbed of a big opportunity.

"No, but this could have been a big break for us. Some music producer could have seen us and we would have been set."

"Oh come on Jack, you don't really believe that bullshit do you?"

"It could happen," Jack shrugged.

"Not in a place like Jake's it couldn't. Trust me kid, ain't no way in hell any music producer would show up at Jake's," Bobby laughed pulling into the school parking lot.

"You're probably right but I still could have handled myself."

"Yea well, one day I'll let you prove it to me. In the meantime, you need to get your ass to school.

"Fine," was Jack's only reply before opening the car door.

"Hey,"Bobby shouted just as Jack was climbing out, "You know I love you, right. And that I'm only looking out for you."

"Yeah, I know," Jack smiled before closing the door and heading into the school.

Unbeknownst to either of the Mercer brothers, a figure was watching them from the bushes.