Okay, so this here is my second BTR fanfic! I'm not even past the Preface, and it's already practically my second baby! For now, I'm going to update this story every Saturday!

Summary: James Diamond and Mercy Carter are the epitome of bad. When Mercy gets in trouble with the law and is given an ultimatum, she unknowingly chooses the one that'll bring her face to face with James. Will James and Mercy save or be the death of each other?

Author's Note: So, since in my other story my OC is a bit troubled in the victim sense, I'm making my OC in this story troubled in the guilty sense...if that even makes sense! The story will be in James and Mercy's POV! Each chapter won't neccessairly have just one of their POV's in it, so be on the look out for bolded words within the chapters!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with BTR or the show. I only own the plot, Mercy, and possibly any other OC's I add to the story, that is unless I decide to have one of those OC contests that everyone else is doing! It might be fun when the time comes! Who knows?

So, here's the Preface! Enjoy!

Preface

I sat across from my public defender, Edward Bolton, in the blandest room of the old jail that I had seen by far. I was tapping my battered and bruised fingers, from when I punched a whole in my cell wall, out of anger, a few minutes prior to being in here, on the table that separatedme from him, out of boredom. All that was in the room was a table, two chairs, and of course now, Mr. Bolton and I. It was so quiet in the room that I felt like jumping up and causing a commotion just to stir up the pot.

He looked at me and I looked back at him. My eyes showed no emotion. All that could be seen was a flat stare. Ever since I was out back in this hell hole once again, I had had no emotions. I mean, seriously...what's the point? This place is so fucking...I don't know...what's the short phrase that I'm trying to think of...umm...not worth my time or emotions? Yeah, that's right! Not worth my time or emotions. This place didn't deserve any of my emotions. Nor did it deserve any of my time. But, here I am, anyways.

I continued tapping my fingers against the hard metal table to the point where they hurt like hell. The silence between Mr. Bolton and I, also, continued. I sighed heavily, hoping that he'd get the clue that I was bored out of my mind, and that he should go ahead and talk. I surely didn't want to be the first to talk. I surely didn't want to be the first to talk. Even though, normally I would. But, not this time! Oh, no! Totally not this time. I was trying to get out of here, not be sentenced in this hell hole for even longer than I already am just because I opened my big mouth and purposely said the wrong things.

Finally as if God himself had answered my prayers, Mr. Bolton broke the silence and started to talk. "How many times are we going to be in this room together in the same exact siuation as all of the other times?"

I immediately wished that he hadn't broken the silence. He asked me this same question every single time we sat across from each other in this bland room. I rolled my eyes and answered, "As many times as they keep throwing me in this fucking hell hole." I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms.

"See, Mercy, this is exactly the type of attitude that keeps you in here. Cussing at people is offensive," Mr. Bolton informed me, sitting back in his chair, and tapping his pen annoyingly on the table.

As if I didn't already know that. No, actually I didn't until now to be honest. "Alright, dad," I said sarcastically.

"If you want to get out of here soon you might want to knock of that attitude, Mercy. Your freedom lies in my hands now. I'm pretty sure that making me mad isn't the best thing for you to do right now. Unless of course...you don't mind staying in here even longer than you already have."

I glared at him. How dare he? I opened my mouth to shoot back at him, but decided against it at the last minute. He had a good point. He did have my freedom in his hands. As much as I hated to do it...I had no choice, but to listen to him. Instead of saying something to him out loud, I found myself muttering a couple of cuss words at him under my breath. (insert sarcasm in the next sentence) Because, I didn't want to "offend" him again. What a piece of crap?

"Look, Mercy. I'm in the process of pleading this all down to a misdeameanor. But, stealing your last families car because they decided to send you back here...it's stupid and weak. Those are two things that you can't afford."

"Add them to the list," I muttered under my breath, obviously not quiet enough.

"Mercy..."

"When am I getting out of here?" I asked cutting him off and instantly changing the subject.

"I'm in the middle of making a deal with a woman that is willing to take you in and help you get your life back on track as we speak," he answered.

I scoffed. "Another family?" I hissed remembering what happened with the last family that took me in and tried to help me. Let's just say it didn't go down as well as I thought it would and leave it at that.

"This time won't be the same as last, Mercy," he said in a reassuring tone. "If she takes the deal, you'll be moving in with her, her two kids, and her sons three friends. They won't do to you what the last family did. I think you'll like them."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, that's what you said about the last family and look what happened." I lifted my wrapped up broken hand. And then after a moment of silence, I added, "I'm back here again!"

"You did that to your own hand, Mercy."

I shook my head, begging to differ, "No, being back here again...did this to my hand," I argued stubbornly.

Edward rolled his eyes, shook his head, and sighed. I could tell by the look on his face that he saw no point in continuing to talk to me anymore today. I was being too much of a stubborn brat. "Guard! We're done here," he said standing up and packing up his briefcase.

The door behind me suddenly started to slide open. Mr. Bolton walked around the table and over to the opened door.

Standing in the doorway and looking at the back of my head, since I didn't turn around, he said, "I hope you decide to give this family a chance, Mercy."

I stayed silent contemplating the pros and cons of both of my ultimatum choices. In the end, getting out of here sounded best, so I went with the family. "Alright, I'll do it."

A smile lit up Mr. Bolton's face. "Good choice, Mercy. I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning with Mrs. Knight, so that you can meet her." With that he turned and walked out of the room.

I rtaised an eyebrow. Mrs. Knight? Why did that name sound familiar? No, it couldn't be. Could it? I was about to ask Mr. Bolton, but turned around only to find that he was already gone. "Damn!" I muttered under my breath.

Now all I could think of was...am I being taken in by who I think I'm being taken in by? I mean, Mr. Bolton did say that she has two kids and is also being the guardian to three of her sons friends. That fits the description of who I'm thinking of perfectly. I could be wrong, though. It wouldn't be the first time.

But, for now all I can do is wait. All I can do is wait for first thing tomorrow morning when Mr. Bolton would be back with my maybe soon to be new guardian. I just hope that they can handle me. Whoever they are.

...So, I'm going to stop there! What'd you think? I don't really think I like how I ended this.

Next Chapter: James' take on Mercy coming to stay with them at the Palm Woods!

This is only the preface. The real chapters will be longer!

Please review! I'm looking forward to reading what everyone thinks!

I except both ANONYMOUS and SIGNED reviews, so any and everyone feel free to review!