This is experimental and depending on the feedback, I may either continue this or entirely scrap the project. I've always had a thing for the 1920s and the whole Prohibition setting. After watching some of Boardwalk Empire, my love for the time period was further reinforced. And it doesn't hurt to use my knowledge from AP US History to bring this story to the next level (Got a 5 on that btw; this story is my way of celebrating). So, here's my crazy idea. I'm setting the OTH gang in the time period and seeing how it goes.

The language should be relatively modern since I have no idea how to correctly incorporate the slang of the time. Also, the story takes place a few years before the Prohibition, but will soon jump to that time.

Lastly, the story is named after "Hurt" by Johnny Cash. I don't want to give away too much, but the lyrics foreshadow events to come.

The young blond man counted his pay. "This is it?"

The bulky man on the other side stared back. "What do you mean? There are plenty of men lining up for this job. If you don't like the pay, get lost."

He sighed and reluctantly accepted the modest amount. He didn't know how he would make it through this month. Sure, his brother always found his way to make his half, but he was also extremely unreliable.

He made his way through the snow covered streets of New York back home. As soon as he unlocked the door, he threw his hat on the coat rack and took off his shoes.

"Put those back on. It's Friday night. We're taking that paycheck of yours and blowing it on hard liquor."

He looked at the brunette man, deadpanned. "Fuck that, I got screwed over today. Elsner docked my pay. I can't believe he's pulling this kind of shit while the whole muckraking business is going on."

"You want me to bring some of my boys over? Teach him a good lesson?" Nathan lit up a cigarette and placed it between his lips. He offered one to Lucas, who gladly accepted.

Lucas inhaled and let the smoke sit for a while before puffing it out. "Don't even dare. If Elsner's in the hospital, I'm out of a job. And I've been meaning to talk to you about this gang you've been hanging out with. Why can't you make an honest living Nathan? It's much less dangerous and it's steady. I don't like the fact you're carrying a gun. Someday, it's going to be facing you and I don't want to be around to wonder if my brother's going to live."

Nathan scoffed. "Make an honest living and be like you? You can barely scratch two pennies together. I'm out making money, getting respect. Keep your fucking paycheck if that's what you're so worried about. Drinks are on me."

Lucas looked at him skeptically before giving in. "Alright, this week's been complete shit anyway."

Nathan laughed and threw an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Now that's more like it."

"Two shots of gin please."

The bartender stopped polishing the glass in his hand and fulfilled the order.

"Thanks." Nathan set the money down, which the bartender quickly took. "Here's your shot. I'm going to take mine and talk to that girl over there." He pointed this shot glass towards the buxom blonde.

"That woman has way too many men around her to count. What makes you think she's going to give you the time of day?"

"The Scott charm, big brother. That's all I need." He left to join the woman and in the process, left Lucas alone at the bar.

Lucas quickly downed the glass and signaled for another.

"Can you find it in yourself to buy me a drink?"

Amused, Lucas turned to look at the woman next to him. "Why not? What'll it be?"

"A martini."

Lucas nodded to the bartender. After buying her the drink, he returned to his own and ignored her. He had no interest in entertaining a woman. Any other night, maybe, but not tonight. All he was good for was a quick drink and a good night's sleep.

Yet, as the brunette began sucking on his earlobe, flicking it ever so slightly, his resistance began to waver. She brought her lips close and whispered. "You have the courtesy to get me drunk, but not take advantage of me?"

He gulped and inhaled. "I wouldn't be taking advantage of you if you were willing and ready." He tried his best to maintain an air of confidence as his eyes met hers. The corners of his mouth turned to form the infamous Scott smirk.

She didn't back down either and inched closer. "True. And say I am willing and ready, what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't have much of an incentive. Granted you're very attractive, but I'd much rather sit down and enjoy my drink."

"Long days are meant to end with great nights. Everyone's a little lonely and we're just looking for a way to relieve it."

He contemplated her words for a moment. "The night could afford to be less lonely."

They went back to his. Nathan was long gone, which meant he wasn't going to be home anytime soon.

He closed the door behind them. She didn't waste a second as her lips quickly attacked his.

"Hold on. I don't have-"he started while her kisses trailed his neck.

She pulled back, breathing heavily "My friend Margaret Sanger took care of it. Don't worry."

Clothes were strewn across his bedroom floor while he took her. There was nothing to the act. It was what it was: something that happened amidst the drunken haze the two found themselves in. When they awoke the next morning, there was an unspoken understanding to forget about the night's events. Names were held from each other. The only thing they shared was the satisfaction that still lingered and the chaste kiss she placed upon his lips.

Nathan walked into the apartment, clothes disheveled. He kept the customary cigarette and watched as the woman left with Lucas leaning against his door. He waited until the door was shut before putting the stick out. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Lucas bore a look of confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the woman you slept with. Do you have any idea who she is?"

The blond man shook his head slowly.

Nathan sighed and walked up to his brother, grabbing him by the shoulders. "That's Julian Baker's woman. He's a powerful businessman and once he gets wind of this, your body is going to be floating on the Hudson."

"Look, I had no idea who she was. We didn't even exchange names and she doesn't look the type to be announcing our tryst to the entire world. I can't do anything about it now, okay? I have to get to work." He turned to walk away.

"Work is the least of your worries. You have to go after that girl and shut her up."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "You're overreacting. If I don't get ready, my ass is going to be fired and I'll be out this month's rent."

"Listen, forget work. Go after that girl. If things don't work out, swing by Kelly's later and ask for me." Nathan left as soon as he came in, giving Lucas no time to respond.

The older brother paid no attention to the warnings. Nathan blew things out of proportion on a regular basis. Secondly, he could care less about this Julian Baker character. He could hold his own any day; part of the benefits of growing up poor, if there were any.

Before he knew it, Lucas was on his lunch break. He had a good 7 hours before he was off.

Jake ran up to him. "Hey Scott."

"Jagielski," he nodded, "How's the wife and daughter?"

"Not so well. Peyton is dealing with her pregnancy and Jenny's been sick. My parents have been helping out as best as they can, but they're old, you know? I don't want to burden them. And that's actually what I need to talk to you about."

Lucas put down his food and wiped his hands on his pants. He gave his undivided attention to the man he had quickly became friends with. "What's wrong?"

"I think I'm going to take leave for a while just to make sure Jenny gets better. Elsner's not taking it well, but he's agreed to let me off if someone picks up my shift. You're the only one I know well enough to ask."

"I…" Lucas hesitated.

"Please? Half the pay is yours; I need someone to keep my place here."

"Fine, I'll do it. And the pay is all yours. You've got mouths to feed," Lucas finalized.

"No that's not fair. You're doing the work so you've got to take away some of it. How's a third sound?"

"A fifth is fine. I'll pick them up."

Jake pulled Lucas into a hug. "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much you've helped. I'll see you when I get back."

Lucas nodded as he watched the other retreat. "Great, now I have even more work," he thought to himself. He rubbed his back briefly before turning back to his lunch.

Lucas was a man of habit, so it wasn't much of a surprise when he placed his hat on his coat rack and took off his shoes.

Nathan ran up to him as soon as he came home. "Are you alright? No men tailing your back?"

The blond cocked his eyebrow. "No, Nathan. I told you there was nothing to worry about." He walked to the open kitchen and opened the cabinet in search of a glass. On the way back, he grabbed the half-empty bottle of cheap scotch and poured the amber liquid. He pointed the bottle at his brother as if to offer him some. Nathan shook his head.

"Why are you so calm? You could have a bullet going through your head."

"Ease up. No one is putting a bullet through my head. You're making a big deal out of this."

"I'm not. I've had my fair share of women, but at least I'm not stupid enough to bed the ones that can get me killed."

Lucas laughed. "Okay, if this woman can get me killed, can I at least know her name when our night comes back to bite me in the ass?"

"This isn't a joke. I'd be careful if I were you," Nathan had already begun putting on his coat and hat.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm getting a drink."

"What's wrong with the scotch we have?"

"You see any women around?" Nathan opened the door.

Lucas laughed and shook his head. Some things never changed. He yelled after his brother. "Her name?"

In return, he got a muffled reply. "Brooke Davis."

I don't know how necessary this us, but I feel the need to explain a few things or rather people.

Margaret Sanger, whom Brooke mentions, was known for her role in the use of contraceptives and to a lesser extent, her involvement in eugenics.

Kelly is Paul Kelly, leader of the Five Points Gang. You'll see how it ties in later on.

I do realize I rated this an "M". I've done so because of the language and the violence, not because of explicit sexual nature. So, if you're expecting raunchy sex scenes, I'm sorry to disappoint. I don't want that to be the focus of the story, but rather the dark notes stemming from each character's moral ambiguity instead.

Like I said before, whether I continue this is ultimately decided by the response I get.