Previous name was Jellie4yah. Changed my email months ago and couldn't remember my old one for shit soooo I had to make a new account. I'll miss those 33 revies I received though. And since so many of you liked my fic thus far I decided to keep it going!

Anyway, I made a few minor changes here and there.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Four Brothers, if I did Jack would be a lot tougher. XD

CHAPTER ONE

It was every person for himself. No one and nothing else mattered to Jack Pierce. He could handle himself just fine, but the social services refused to let him be and insisted in cramming him into any willing foster parents that would take him off their hands. His life in the foster care system began at the tender age of five and now at age sixteen, Jack had been recycled through more than twenty homes. It was the same old routine time after time.

"We can't afford another mouth to feed."

"He's just too much to handle."

"I cannot have this boy corrupting my kids."

"Nothing, but a trouble maker."

"We're looking for someone younger and with less baggage."

Jack heard it all. The center didn't care what kind of people they placed him with as long as he was under some sort of shelter. Unfortunately, Jack did receive his worst memories from a few homes that didn't welcome him as they should have. Between the physical abuse, the neglect and sexual assaults he endured through those times, it taught Jack to trust no one. He turned to the streets as his means of escape. People knew him as a troublemaker or a thief. He robbed stores, took innocent bystander's wallets and out ran the cops so many times that he'd lost count. There was no room for trust in his heart and it would take a bulldozer to break through his tough barriers. He barely knew himself! No friends, no relatives, no nothing, Jack was a one man show.

He grimaced at his social worker, but didn't say anything. A younger girl, Carmen, was asleep in the backseat, clutching his leather jacket so tight around her that he could barely see her. She was small and quiet with caramel skin, long black hair and big dark green eyes that could melt a hole through anything. He met her at The Baker's. His umpteenth foster home and her first. Carmen followed him like a shadow when he first arrived. Wherever he was, so was she. It had bothered Jack a lot at first, but when he came home late one night and saw Carmen battered and crying, in the hall closet, he promised to watch over her. It was their third month there when Carmen had told the police of their living situation after she tagged along on one of his late night rendezvous with a friend.

Green hadn't been too happy with him.

"You should've told me, kid." He had said.

Jack had just shrugged and replied, "It was my shit to handle." But deep down inside he was glad Carmen had told or they would still be in that hellhole of a house.

As the car turned down another street, Jack glanced at the backseat again.

"She's still there, Jack." His social worker, David Kessler said.

Jack didn't answer. Instead, he fished out a cigarette from the new pack he brought down at the gas station and quickly lit it up. His lips wrapped around it and he took a long puff before letting the smoke billow from his nostrils and out the open window. Smoking was something he had picked up when he was ten and living at his third foster home. It had nearly been jammed into his mouth by one of the neighborhood bullies and he wanted to fit in so badly he would've done anything to be considered as one of the "tough guys." It was a stress reliever, a way to release any tension, fear or worries he was holding and the smoke wiped it clean and out into the air as if cleansing him.

Crack was an entirely different story. He brought some from the hot shot dealers of Detroit and sold to pathetic kids who were desperate for hits. It was a dangerous job. He'd been shot at, mugged and sent into the back of a police car for his hobby. Jack had seen a lot for a kid his age, but those times were so horrible he had been able to push them back. And yet, it seemed the horrible things he tried so hard to push back kept crawling back.

"Jack, what have I told you about smoking?" David asked, reaching over, plucking the cigarette from his mouth and tossing it out the window. "You're sixteen, you're gonna kill yourself before you're twenty one."

Jack remained silent.

"Look, Jack," David sighed, "Green told me not to take you back to The Baker's." he glanced at Jack for a moment. "and I can see why." He gestured to the black eye and yellowish cheek bruise, "So, instead you're gonna be with a very nice woman. Her name is Evelyn Mercer and she has three sons. She's one of the best in the fostering system. You'll like it there." A sound between a snort and a laugh escaped Jack, but no words were spoken from his end. "Jack, you don't make this easy for me." David replied, "Please, don't mess this up. Her name is Evelyn Mercer and she has three sons."

Jack never moved or gave any indication that he was listening.

"Are we there yet?" a small voice drifted from the backseat.

David looked at Carmen through the rearview mirror, who was rubbing her eyes and stretching her neck to look out the window. "As a matter of fact, we are." He pulled into a driveway of a small, nice looking two story house behind a grey station wagon. There was an old brown car parked off the curb as well. "Are you psychic?"

"Noooo!" Carmen laughed.

"Alright, kiddo," David started, climbing out the car, "Let's get this over with and Jack," he poked his head back into the car, "remember what I told you."

"Where's my jacket?" Jack suddenly wondered.

"I have it." Carmen replied, appearing outside his window. "Do you want it back?"

"Nah, babe." Jack said, slowly opening the door. "You can hold onto it. You'll catch your death without one."

"What about you?"

Jack groaned at her questions. It was too early. "I'm fine, I got long sleeves." He brandished his covered arms at her and then gently pushed her towards the house. "Go on, I'll be there in a minute."

She skipped up the porch steps and out of sight. Jack sighed, digging into his pocket again and pulled out another cigarette. He stared at the house as he leaned against the car. It was a nice place; it seemed warm and cozy just like one of those homes he's seen so many times on sitcoms shows. He hoped the people were as nice as the house.

"Jack!" David shouted, reappearing in his line of sight. His face looked red. "Put that out and let's go!"

"I can't even have a quick drag?" he muttered beneath his breath.

He held the unlit cigarette between his fingers and followed slowly behind his social worker to the open door. David pushed him inside and closed the door, the warmth of the house conquering over the freezing draft that had come from outside.

A woman stood before him, a small smile on her face. He furrowed his brows and glanced back at his social worker. This woman was an old lady. Who in their right mind would place a delinquent such as himself in the care of someone who probably couldn't even stand?

" Jack, this is Evelyn Mercer." David introduced. "You'll be under her care."

"Hello, Jack." She greeted sweetly and held out a hand.

He spared her a nod before he scanned the place for any sign of Carmen. She was sitting on the couch, watching him. As he started to let his eyes wander away from her, he noticed three men by the kitchen doorway. He stared at them. Two were African American. The one on the right seemed to have a pretty boy, tough guy status about him. The one beside him looked as cheesy as the old woman. The third, in contrast to the other two was white. He looked older and more roguish like he could beat down thirty men single handedly. Jack took a mental note to keep an eye on him.

"Jack, quit scrutinizing and show some manners." David snapped.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Kessler." Evelyn said gently. "It's a new place with new people. He just needs to get adjusted," She offered Jack a smile and pointed over to the boys, "These are my sons, Jack. That's Angel, he's twenty and just came back from the marines," she gestured to the pretty boy, "This one is Jerry, he's getting married next year.'" he had a big cheesy smile, "And Bobby, my oldest at twenty seven. He's stopped for a visit." all he offered was half wave and a nod.

Jack glanced back at his social worker, then to Carmen who made herself comfortable on the couch. He sighed instead and dug his hands into his pockets.

"Please, Excuse him, Ms. Mercer. Jack has a bit of a rough attitude."

" It's fine." Evelyn assured, frowning sadly at the teen in front of her.

"Can we go into the kitchen?" David requested, "There are some things I would like to inform you about."

"Of course," Evelyn replied. She led him towards the kitchen.

It occurred to Jack as he stood there in the middle of the living room that this was his last chance. If something went wrong, he would be sent to a permanent group home until he was eighteen. Personally, he didn't give really a shit, to him, it seemed like a much better place to handle in contrast to moving around all the time.

"Hey, you alright?" someone asked. Their hand was reaching towards him.

Jack involuntarily flinched by the action and took a step back. That was something he didn't expect. He let his eyes travel from the ground only to lock gazes with the eldest Mercer of the house, Bobby.

"Who gave you those?" Bobby questioned, pointing to the visible signs of abuse on Jack's face.

The only response given was a slight shrug.

"How old are you?"

There was still no answer given.

"I'm sure Jack is a good kid, Mr. Kessler."

Automatically, picking up on his name, Jack brushed past Bobby and the others. He could hear David talking in a low voice. The teen ducked by the wall nearest the kitchen and strained to hear more of the private conversation.

"It's not good to eavesdrop." Angel whispered to Jack with a smirk.

Jack waved a hand at him so he could listen. The other three crowded around him, much to his displeasure and leaned in to listen as well.

"Jack is a lot to handle, Ms. Mercer," David was saying.

"I'm sure he isn't that bad."

"You have to understand me. Jack isn't cooperative. He rarely talks and when he does, it's to Carmen. This kid has more felonies than your average criminal and he's officially dropped out of school after countless expulsions." David explained feverently. "It takes months to find a home that will take him in."

"Well, you found one, Mr. Kessler," Evelyn said with a small smile, "I'm sure I can handle whatever jack throws at me. After all, I raised three fine men all on my own and they turned out

just fine."

"Yes, but Jack is a bit different."

"Everyone is different, Mr. Kessler."

"Very well, I leave them in good hands." David said. He withdrew a folder, "This is Carmen's file," he took out another, but it was very thick, "And this one is Jack's."

"That's quite a file, Mr. Kessler." Evelyn commented, setting Carmen's down and peering through Jack's. "How many foster homes has he been through."

"Well, he's been in the system since he was five." David responded, "He's been through a little over twenty. This house will be his last hope. We really are at wits end with him."

"Don't worry; I'll take good care of him."

David stood up, "Thank you so much for taking them in on such short notice."

Evelyn smiled, "It's never a problem."

"Well, have a good day." He said, "I'm just gonna go and say goodbye."

"Yes, go right ahead."

Jack turned his head when David stepped out from the kitchen. He knowingly turned to greet his charge. "I should have guessed you would listen in." he joked.

Jack rolled his eyes, fingering the cigarette in his hand. Although, he and David didn't necessarily get along, Jack hated when he left. It made him extra vulnerable when he wasn't near.

"Leaving?"

"Jack, don't start." David warned. He could feel an argument coming, "Give them a chance."

"Whatever, man." Jack mumbled, "Good riddance to yah. Say goodbye to someone who actually cares." He gestured to Carmen.

David sighed, ruffling Carmen's hair as a departed farewell and left the house without a second glance back. Feeling the awkwardness in the room, Jack raced to the window, his hands plastered

against the glass as he watched David pull out of the driveway. Uneasiness settled upon him when the reality of it all sunk in. He was here. This was the last straw. His hands curled into tight fists, wishing more than anything that he could rewind time and do his whole life over.

"I fuckin' hate this!" he shouted, spinning around and ramming his fist into the wall. Ignoring the cries from Carmen and Evelyn, Jack left the house and stood on the porch. He was violent when he wanted to be, but Jack rather be tough than be a broken, down, sobbing loser. It was the only way to keep others from getting too close.

Swearing under his breath, he lit up the cigarette and took in a long awaited drag. He crossed his arms, his eyes examining the street hockey game taking place on the road. The black puck somehow captured his interest as he followed it back and forth as it was tossed from player to player. He was so immersed that he didn't even hear the door open and close behind him.

Bobby Mercer stared at the kid. Ma had told him, Angel and Jerry to try and calm him or something while she tried to get Carmen settled. He exchanged glances with his brothers and stepped beside the kid. Jack simply spared him a glance, but Bobby could see his body automatically tense. So, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and followed the kid's gaze.

He smirked, "You play hockey?"

Jack puffed the smoke through his nostrils as he turned to look at his company. He shrugged, eyeing him and his brothers suspiciously before going back to the ongoing game. Bobby clenched his jaw at the kid's attitude. He hated to be ignored and especially shrugged off, it just pissed him off more, but a look from Jerry made him cool it.

"There's a no smokin' rule here."

Jack shrugged again. Personally, he didn't give a shit. The smoking helped in calming his nerves. It was better than swallowing those pills that one of his friends took. They had some whacky side effects on the kid.

Bobby faced his body towards Jack, obviously peeved by the lack of response, "You don't speak now?"

"Where's Carmen?" Jack asked suddenly, glaring at him.

"She in the house wit Ma," Bobby answered.

Jack wanted to go inside and see if she was alright. He had forgotten her when he walked out the

house. If there was a way, he would kick himself for being so stupid and leaving her alone in a house with people she barely knew. Letting out a sigh, he dropped the cigarette, mashing it with his foot and turned to go back.

"Move." He said roughly.

"What was that?" Bobby questioned, a growl detected in his voice.

Jack balled up his fists. He was not going to back down no matter how big Bobby was. "I said move! I want to go inside."

"Listen, here, kid." Bobby started, advancing on him angrily.

Biting his tongue, Jack let his guard down and backed away, leaving a good few feet between him and Bobby. "Sorry." he mumbled.

Bobby gritted his teeth. He was scaring the kid and the looks from Angel and Jerry were not helping him at all. "Nah, don't apologize." He stepped forward again, but jack stepped back again. "Will you stop?!"

Jack flinched at the shouted demand and heard Bobby give an exasperated sigh, "I ain't gonna hurt you."

Jack flared, "That's what they all fuckin' say. You're bunch of bull." He spat, "This is my last chance and when ya'll get tired and send me back I-"

"That won't happen, man." Angel broke in, "Evelyn don't give up on no one. She'll make sure to find you a home."

"I'm sixteen," Jack confessed, "Who wants a grown kid in their house when they can someone like Carmen?" he scoffed, "Be real, man."

"You gonna cry now, sweetheart?" Bobby joked.

Jack glared at him, "Fuck you!" he shouted, "I'm tired of this shit. Then, you wonder why I got a fuckin' attitude. You're a real Einstein," he shoved through them, "Now move outta my way."

"Who the fuck does he-?"

Angel and Jerry grabbed Bobby's arms and pulled him back from stomping after the kid.

"Bobby, chill out." Jerry stated, "Jack's sixteen years old and he's spent his whole life in the system. He been through serious shit."

"Fine." He shrugged them off. "But, we get the insides on this kid. He's weird. Imma go through his files with Ma tonight, so we know exactly what's going on."

"Hello Jack," Evelyn greeted when she noticed Jack come back from outside. "Now, I know it isn't any of my business right now, but I don't tolerate smoking around-"

Jack barely heard a word she was saying. He was frantically searching for Carmen. "Where's Carmen?" he half asked, half demanded. "What'd you do to her?"

Evelyn felt her heart wrench at his panic state. "She's upstairs, dear. The poor girl was exhausted so I put her to sleep in the room."

In a flash, Jack raced up the stairs. He flung open each door as he stalked down the hall. It didn't matter if he damaged or broke anything as long as he found Carmen. When he reached the last door on the right, he pushed it open and stood in the doorway.

"Jack?" she mumbled, picking up her head.

"Yeah, it's me." He replied softly, walking into the room and sitting on the edge of the small twin bed. "You alright, kid?"

"Mm-hmm!" she nodded her head furiously. "Ms. Evelyn put me to bed here. This is our room!" there was excitement in her voice. "There are lots of toys and clothes for both of us!" she pointed to a pile of action figures, stuffed animals, plastic swords and noisy makers in the corner.

Evelyn and her sons stood in the doorway, watching on in silence.

"I think they're meant more for you than me." He said with a light smile.

"He has an entirely different side to him when he's with her." Evelyn said softly as she closed the

door, "She brings out the real him."

"He likes playin' big brother." Angel commented.

"He does," she agreed, "but I think it's time for him to know what if feels like to have big brothers to. That's all he needs."

Next Chapter posted soon!