Trouble with a capital F!

Pg-13

Will and Jack!

Jack had just finished signing yet another picture for one of his, who was he kidding? His only fan, when the sound of the door across the hall shutting alerted him.

"What is that man, and I use the term loosely, doing over there? It's not even time for me to come mooch him for money and his tie yet." Jack regrettably stood up from his kitchen table to stomp over femininely to his neighbor-best friend-comic relief and give him a piece of his mind.

"William!" Jack knocked quietly after realizing the door was, locked?

"Who is it?" came the timid reply.

"The only man, besides you, who will ever set forth into your home. Now let daddy in or I'll huff and puff…"

"Fine, just hurry." Jack entered and Will gave the hallway a quick glance before closing and locking his door. He walked to his window and locked the patio doors and pulled the curtains.

"What in the name of Kevin Bacon is going on Mr. Fat cat?"

"I'm not scared. I just want to keep the room sealed so that your stupidity doesn't leak out to the people on the street who, unlike me, aren't immune to it."

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Funny Mr. Fat. Now what's going on? I never said you were scared. You're home early from work. You only do that when…wait you never do that! Are you expecting company?" Jack could barely get that out before he was caught in a fit of giggles.

"Shut up Mr. Subtle. I just got done early. Want my clothes? Pick all that you want, no take them all just leave and don't come back."

"Wait, let me get this straight, pardon the pun. You WANT me to have your clothes? Are you dying? Oh Will! I never told you how I really feel about you!"

"Well?"
"That was just to make you feel better. Did it work? Sorry to get your hopes up, kid." Jack said patting him on the shoulder.

"Oh, I'll survive. Now get out!" Will started to push him toward the door.

"Will, come on. I can tell when you are troubled. You gain five pounds though how I can tell the difference I'll never know. Don't look at me like that! I'm kidding. Tell daddy what's wrong." Jack said leading Will to the couch before he started the coffee (Will taught him earlier that week.)

"Okay, if you really want to know." Will said sitting down.

"I do, go on." Jack said getting the coffee filters out.

"Okay, I have been working on this case, you know the Davis one? And I…hey, are you paying attention?"

"Do you think we can get matching sheets to go with the couch? Um, I mean sure go on." Jack said reluctantly averting his attention back to his friend.

"Anyway, I lost the case, I am not sure how, and he lost 3 thousand dollars in the settlement. I think he's, um how shall I put this? Trying to kill me?" he turned his head from his friend, fearing his reaction. He heard nothing so was about to scold him about ignoring him again. When he looked up, however.

"OH MY GAH! What?" Jack screamed looking fearful, shocking the hell out of Will. "Please tell me you're kidding?"

"No. A car sped up as I left the car park this morning and I am certain that it was his. I know you aren't used to getting news like this as you are usually on the other side, but I just don't know what to do! I need help." Will brought his knees up to his chest and cradled them with his arms. He started shaking uncontrollably.

Jack just stood there completely dumbfounded. Well, more than unusual. Scenes of his best friend-supporter-soul mate (he can't deny that) being run over and gone forever flew through his mind and all he wanted to do was hold him but he couldn't move at the moment. How does one move when one is cemented in time from being shocked beyond words? Finally he moved, he thought he did anyway.

"Will, don't worry. We'll call the police. The first thing they'll do is send a security guard or two over that will check the premises for anything suspicious…"as Jack was explaining the process to him (remember the Kevin Bacon incident?) Will couldn't help but smile. He felt more at ease knowing that this side of Jack, his mature, older side, was shining through. He knew Jackie was the right gal for the job. "…and then it'll be over. Now, why don't you go take a nice, long bath and I'll call the police and get this ball rolling, okay?" Jack said helping him up and into his room.

"Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks Jackie." Will gave him a peck on the cheek before grabbing his bathrobe and heading into the bathroom.

Left alone Jack's reaction shone through. His eyes bugged out and silent tears ran down his high cheekbones. He saw his reaction in the mirror and wiped them away. "Calm down girlfriend. Will needs you to be strong now. Stop shaking and get a grip." He heard the coffee maker beep (Will's does in my story) and went to get a cup. He made decaf and was grateful for it right now. Caffeine he did not need. As he was drinking the java, his nerves calmed dramatically and he was able to concentrate on his mission.

He went to get his address book from across the hall and ran right back before Will knew he was gone. Paging through he felt nostalgic passing over names and bodies he held when he was feeling depressed and almost considered calling some but mentally slapped himself. "No, Jack Jr. is not the one who needs comforting. It's his mom that needs help. Oh, that was naughty! NO! Stop. Oh, I think his uncle is a cop?" Jack stopped at a man: Nick Smolsky. "He would definitely help my friend." He dialed the number and got an answering machine.

"Hey it's Nick's answering machine. If I'm turned on then changes are that he is…hello?"

"Um, Nick?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"Oh, it's Jack. McFarland? You probably don't remember me."

"No, I do. You're the inspiration for the message. What or when can I do you for?"

"This is no time to get cute. Maybe later after this metaphorical fire is out. K?"

"Sure what's up?"

"My friend is being harassed, seriously. We think he's had an attempt on his life. I remember you told me once that you have an uncle on the police force, is this correct?"

"Yes, my uncle Roy. Want me to call him?"

"That'd be super! You still have my number right?" they arranged for officer Roy to come over in an hour.

Will came out of the shower and noticed that Jack was not in the living room. "Jack? Jack, where are you?" Will was yelling frantically.

"Will, I'm sorry I'm over here. Now, why don't you just go to your room and rest until the officer gets here, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." Will walked into his room and crossed his arms clutching his upper arms like they would fall off otherwise. A few seconds later, he came bolting out of his room.

"Will, what is it?"

"Jack, the windows, they're open!" Will flew around the corner and right into Jack's arms.

"It's okay. Just sit behind the kitchen corner, that's it, and wait while I close them." He made sure Will was out of eyesight before he ran into his room to lock the windows and curtains.

When he got back to the kitchen he noticed Will was hugging the bottom cupboards for dear-life. He stood watching his friend for about 15 seconds, amazed. He had never seen his protector looking so weak, so vulnerable in his entire life. "Will, it's okay now. I'm back and the windows are sealed." Jack said kneeling down.

Will turned toward him and slumped into his lap, clutching his waist. He had never been so scared in his whole life and didn't even flinch when Jack wiggled to make them both comfortable. They sat like that for about ½ hour. Jack gently stroked Will's head and he thought he might fall asleep due to the ministrations. He probably would have had the knock on the door not happened. They both flicked their heads to the direction of the door.