Soda and Johnny Matthews are two brothers who wind up as the two suspects in a murder case involving their parents. Soda is the oldest child, just turned fifteen; he's the most understanding of the brothers. The ninth grader has gorgeous golden blonde hair and playful baby blue eyes. Soda enjoys making situations more fun and everyone likes him. Johnny, is the youngest at twelve years old, he's a dreamer. Doesn't think or use his head unless he's in school or something. The sixth grader has light brown almost red hair and intense gray-green eyes. (NCIS will come in soon. I promise. This story will be told from the view point of Johnny Matthews. Don't hate me. I read a book. I thought it'd make an awesome NCIS fanfic.) Will contain spanking of minors, don't like, don't read.

Chapter 1

I like to walk in the spring. When I walk, I think. From the B+ I got on my History Test, a game of football, to the sunset. I almost smile at the sight of Soda working at the gas station; a few girls are flirting like crazy. He's pretending not to care nor take notice to any of them. Soda works there after school; Dad thought it'd be good for him to work. I bet Dad let him get a job because he wants to keep Soda preoccupied cos he's always causing trouble.

Dad is usually away in Iraq or someplace saving lives; being a Marine while Mom is in the Navy as a Commander. She's a great mom, and when they are both on leave which happens a ton. Soda and I go to The Home in D.C. our Social Worker Lilly Curtis is our school counselor as well. She is a nice person, I guess. I don't pay much attention to anything. At The Home it isn't all that bad, we miss out parents and hope they don't get killed serving. A few of Dad's friends thinks it is good for Soda to work there. I don't work anywhere; I'm too little to work. Sodapop waves me over; his smile is wider than ever.

His hand is wrapped in white cloths "what happened to you're hand Soda?" I asked, he looks down at his right wrist and shrugs. Taking a closer look I notice his hand is raw red. He winces slightly, but continues smiling at the girls who giggle uncontrollably.

"Burned it, it'll heal in a month or so" Soda said coolly holding out his hand for the girl to give the money already. He's so cool. They came home two weeks ago, everything is just beginning to become normal. Only Dad hasta go in two weeks...again.

"Mom and Dad know you burnt it?" I asked. Mom hates it when we get bruised or cut up in the neighborhood fights. Soda nods more to his self than to me, he sees the knife scrape under my chin. She'd go ballistic over the state of my chin and Soda's hand, when she sees them that is.

"How'd you get that cut, Johnny?" Soda asked tapping below my chin, earlier today I got in a fight.

"I got into a fight" I mumbled, my light brown hair dances in the wind. I look up at my brother, suddenly wishing I was his height.

"With who?" Cal asked smiling at a girl with long red hair; she winks at him and plays with his shirt.

"Mitch Hoffman" I replied stiffly. Cal stops paying attention to the pretty girl and looks at me. Dennis stops fiddling with his t-shirt and does the same. Mitch is sixteen years old he thinks he's cool and tough. The truth is, he's a bratty rich kid who thinks to highly of his self.

"That jerk…don't he know you're only a kid" Cal said shaking his head, I give Cal a look to shove it. Cal keeps his mouth shut, knowing that if he pisses me off. He'll piss Soda off too.

"Did yah win?" Soda asked, looking around like a good. His friends; Dennis Miller and Calvin (Cal) Jones are both sixteen years old. Dennis is a bit of a clown, who always has to put his two cents into the conversation. Cal Jones doesn't like me much; he thinks I'm only a kid and a tagalong. Weirdly he's Soda's best friend in the whole universe.

"Yep" I lied; its better lying to Soda than telling him the truth. He can tell I'm lying because my face is redder than a pepperoni. He smiles before shrugging his shoulders and turning his attention back onto the girls. I have a few brusies on my arms and some scratches around my knees, but I don't want Soda to get kicked out of school for kicking Mitch Hoffman's ass.

"Hoffman deserved it" he said in a warm voice, running his fingers through his golden sun stroked blonde hair. The girls all blush and turn this scarlet red color.

"Did he pull a knife out on you?" Dennis asked his face looks pissed off. Nobody pulls a knife out in a fight. That just isn't right. Especially with a so called 'kid' like me.

"Yah. Didn't hurt, though" I replied weakly, Cal kicks an old Pepsi aluminum can that they threw on the ground weeks prior.

"We'll get im' back" Dennis assured me, his brown hair is combed to the side so it looks like he doesn't care.

"You'll afta' do it without me or Johnny" Soda said nodding at me. Cal looks up furiously.

Cal gives me brother a surprised look. Almost like he wants to punch his face in. "You don't wanna get revenge on the guy who beat up your brother" Dennis demanded, I shift from foot to foot.

"Miller, you oughta learn to keep your mouth shut" Soda said glaring at his friend. Almost instantly I intervene. If not, then a brawl will begin and the two idiots will be rolling on the ground wrestling and laughing at the same time.

"Has anyone seen Kenny?" I asked referring to our friend Kenneth Hawk who lives on the streets.

His parents hate him and Kenny is still sore on the parent topic, he goes to my school. I didn't see him today. He's my best friend. He has foster parents, but he doesn't like them much either. Kenny has dark brown hair, lightly tanned skin, and he's awful quiet. He's my age, twelve years old and considered everyone's little brother. Everyone wonders why we're such great friend both of us are known for being extremely quiet kids. But, we do cause trouble. Lots of it.

"Nah, he'll be around soon, Johnny" Soda said checking out a girl who looks around sixteen years old.

"Soda's right. He'll be around. Probably swiping some smokes" Cal said huskily, his voice sounds almost like he wants a cigarette.

"Yah, Kenny's around someplace" Dennis agreed looking down at my hand-me-down sneakers I feel my face turn pink.

"Johnnycake that cut makes you look tough. Almost" Cal commented, once the girls left with their parents looking especially embarrassed. Everyone who knows me well enough and I trust calls me Johnnycake or something.

"What do you think, Soda?" Dennis asked peering closely at me, almost like I'm some experiment waiting to explode or do something magical.

"Yah he looks tough" Soda said nodding respectfully at me, I hold my head up higher and puff out my chest trying to look proud.

"Tough is one thing. Being stupid is another" Dad commented coming up from behind Soda who shrugs his shoulders and flicks the brim of Dad's hat. Dad smiles at Soda, for about a second and a half before turning back to me with an angry look on his face. Everyone loves Soda.

"I'm not stupid" I argued, Dad doesn't say anything for a few moments. A red Corvette goes by and I suddenly wish I could drive. It'd be so awesome.

"Dad, the other kid had a knife. He needed to defend him self" Soda blurted trying to help me, from getting grounded for a month. Then I'd be in bored for a long time. A month = ten bajillian years in pre-teen land.

"He's a shrimp, Mr. Matthews. He has to fight" Dennis added, I may be short for my age, but I can fight. I am strong considering Soda's friends and I wrestle sometimes.

"Hey, I ain't that short" I said standing up straighter, Dad looks at the four of us boys and almost smiles, but he remembers he's mad so doesn't.

Dennis smiled his weird smile, that looks like a frown. "You're what…eleven" He knows how to get to me and basically everyone pissed off; easily. Well besides Soda doesn't care what people think of him.

"I'm twelve" I snapped at him. I am getting sick of everybody around here treating me like some little kid.

"I don't see much of a difference" Dennis said blinking innocently, Dad looks down at his watch. Soda shoves Dennis lightly and playfully.

"You leave my kid brother alone" Soda said taking a step in front of me, almost like he's preparing to fight. They all smile at one another; this is a big joke to all of us.

"Calvin, Dennis, shouldn't you boys be going home. It's getting late" Dad asked turning to Dennis who smiles a crooked smile.

Dennis offered, "I'll give you a ride Cal. If yah see Kenny tell him we said hi" playing with his Lucky Charms and Bugs Bunny keychain.

"Do you hafta drive?" Cal asked I can't help but smile at the comedy session occurring in front of me.

"What's wrong with my driving?" Dennis demanded. The smile is still on his face, it's almost like the stupid grin is stuck there.

"You drive like a maniac" Cal called him out; Dennis mulls this over for a few minutes making sure he keeps a straight face.

"My impression of you" Dennis said waving goodbye to Soda and me. Dennis smiles his weirdly crooked smile.

"One day you're going to get pulled over" Cal said in a matter-of-factly tone. I nudge Soda who smiles into my eyes knowing exactly what I'm thinking.

"Only if I get caught Cally" Dennis shrugged his shoulders and smirks knowing. He never lets anyone get to him. Cal turns purple with rage and embarrassment; I look over at Dad who is trying hard not to smile.

"How did you past the driving test" Cal asked angrily, only a few people can get away with calling Cal, Cally. Dennis is one of them.

"Wouldn't you like to know" Dennis scoffed, putting the car in drive wearing a smile only a true fool can pull off.

"It is a mystery" Soda joked nudging Dad to ease up and laugh, but he doesn't. Instead he nods for us to get into the car. We both do as we're told. Mom is in the front seat, she smells like candy and cookies. Her honey colored hair is combed into a bun; she works in a Candy Shop downtown. Sometimes she sneaks us, some treats and free samples of new candies coming into the store. We see Kenny running for our small car, his black hair flopping as the sky starts to dim.

Kenny asked, "Wait, can I have a ride?" he looks breathless and so tired. We all stare at Dad who smiles.

"Course Ken" Dad replied while Soda and I scoot over a bit to make room for Kenny who smiles.

Mom looked at me, in the rear view mirror and smiles warmly at Kenny. She then turns to me with a firm look in her eyes. "Johnny, this is the second time this week you got into trouble. Why honey?"

"Cos" I lied my voice sounds scratchy and sort of weird. Kenny stays quiet, knowing he should be lucky to get a free ride and a place to sleep.

"That isn't a reason, son" Dad snapped calmly, hitting the steering wheel. Mom strokes his hand trying to get him to calm down.

"I don't know" I lied once again feeling my breath pick up slightly. Soda pretends to be interested in his shoelaces.

"You're grounded for one week. Maybe that'll give you some time to figure out why you don't know" he decided his eyes fixed on the road; we're getting nearer and nearer to our house.

"Daniel, isn't that a little harsh" Mom said, she's the one who you could rely on to get you out of trouble. Soda is like Mom and Danny is like Dad, they even have the same name.

"No Sally, it isn't. He's grounded for one week, and that's final" Dad confirmed it, Mom doesn't say anything. I think of all the guys hanging out at the movies and stuff. I know my Dad loves me, but still this sucks.

"One week…but Dad" I whined, he shakes his head at me. I can't believe he is treating me like some child…even though technically I am one.

"No, Johnny. I don't want to hear it" Dad ordered in his Marine voice, I don't say anything for a few seconds. Kenny stares out the window trying his best to look distracted as does Soda.

"I wanted too, that's a reason. Right?" I asked sounding like a smart ass, while we all get out of the car. Soda stays by Mom's side and starts telling her about his day. Everyone has a soft spot for Soda; he's the family's charmer.

"You keep this up, and you'll be grounded for two weeks" Dad threatened, it was an empty and very hollow threat. I knew it, Mom knew it, Soda knew it, even Dad knew it.

"I hate it here" I shouted out of spiteful anger, Dad looks hurt and Mom gives me a frustrated look.

"Hon, we know you don't mean it. Now I think you should apologize and go up to your room, now" Mom said firmly, I look at her double-founded. She's the easy parent, why is she being so mean?

"Yes I do. I hate you and Dad" Mom gives me an especially hurt look. I start running up the front porch steps and into our house. Soda, of course runs after me. I don't look back; neither does Soda as I run into our room. Kenny comes in a few seconds after Soda does

"Uhh, can I stay the night?" Kenny asked making his self comfortable on the ground; Mom makes him sleep on the couch because he doesn't usually get a bed in the alley ways. Soda nods, we all know that Kenny is always welcome at our home.

"Johnny, why'd you say that?" Soda demanded punching my right shoulder; I shrug and start to cry feeling incredibly guilty.

"Aww, Johnnycake. Don't cry…I know you didn't mean it…Dad and Mom do too, you was only mad. Don't cry, you were mad. They love you and you know it" Soda said rubbing my shoulders, I hiccupped a little and wiped the tears from my cheeks.

That's when we hear four screeching gunshots. All three of us sit upright and look out of the window. Most kids would hide under the bed or something. That ain't our style; being afraid, Kenny closes his eyes tightly. Soda and me watch in horror as our parents stumble to the ground and a black car with no license plate vrooms off.

"Mom, Dad please…please. Don't die" Soda begged; I'm too stunned to move or speak. But, I do know one thing; there's way to much blood.

Our Neighbors have already called 911. The ambulance truck pulls up, Soda is now leaning against the door frame of the house with tears shining in his eyes, and Kenny blinks nervously. I hear one of the paramedics in the flashing ambulances say, "It's too late, we lost them. We oughta call NCIS considering now this is a murder case." I didn't mean it. I really didn't mean it. Tears roll down my cheeks, I look up at the sky and watch the sunset.

Long Beginning, but everyone's favorite Team will come into this story soon.