Here's the third chapter. Thankyou so much for the reviews! I'm so glad that you guys like the story so far. This chapter has more of a Bobby and Jack brothely bonding. I hope you guys like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Four Brothers :(

Chapter 3: Thunderstorms

Bobby's P.O.V

I awoke to the sound of a large clap of thunder reverberating throughout my room. Rain and hail pounded on the window. The combination of the two would make it nearly impossible for me to fall asleep again. I glanced at the clock as I swung my feet out of bed. It read 3:03am. Wonderful, I thought sarcastically, just wonderful. After deciding that trying to fall back asleep would be pointless, I made up my mind to head down stairs, watch a little T.V, and maybe have a beer.

As I trudged into the hallway I was greeted by the typical nighttime sounds of the Mercer household. It was an oddly soothing medley of Jerry's white noise machine and Angel's snoring. After a few moments I picked up a new sound, quiet sobbing. Damn, I cursed, the kid's afraid of thunderstorms too. A brief mental debate ended the decision not the wake Ma. I would handle this. I was Jack's new big brother after all. I would have to learn to help him deal with his phobias sooner or later.

I quietly opened the door to Jack's bedroom. I wasn't completely surprised to find that he wasn't in his bed. The kid seemed to have an affinity for closets. A quick inspection of the closet left me a bit confused, but that didn't last long. After a painfully bright flash of lightening, a whimper revealed Jack's location. I let out a sigh and lowered myself to the floor. I peered under the bed and sure enough, Jack lay curled on the carpeted floor.

"What's wrong Jack?" I asked quietly.

"It's too noisy," Jack whimpered, "I'm sorry."

I felt bad for the kid, I really did, but I'm no good at this emotional, comforting, fluffy stuff. Unfortunately, it seemed like that was the only solution. I couldn't yell for Ma to come and help. That would only cause more noise. I was kind of afraid to leave and wake her up. For all I knew, Jack could have abandonment issues as well.

"Don't be sorry, Jack," I told him in the most soothing voice I could muster, "No one's angry. No one's going to hurt you."

"Are you sure?" Jack asked giving me a slightly skeptical glance as he moved out a bit from under his bed. This progress was lost due to the fact the Mother Nature had to choose that exact moment to release one hell of a thunder clap, causing Jack to launch himself further under the bed.

"Come on Jack, it's not so bad," I told him. It was then that I remembered something my birth mom had told me when I was little. It had helped me, maybe in would help Jack. "You know thunder and lightning storms are just-"

"If you say, 'it's just the gods bowling,' I swear," Jack grumbled shooting me an annoyed glance.

I couldn't help but grin. So the kid had an attitude after all. "Fine, what would you like it to be?"

"Quiet," Jack mumbled sleepily, "I would like it to be quiet."

"Wouldn't we all, Kid?" I replied as I tried to shift myself into a more comfortable position on the floor, "Are you planning on staying there all night?"

"Probably," Jack stated matter of factly, "you don't have to stay if you don't want to."

"I'm not going to be able to go back to sleep anyways," I answered, "Plus, you know what misery loves?"

"Company," Jack finished with a small smile.

"Damn straight," I said with a smile as well. Sure Jack scared easily and his past was obviously haunting him, but he wasn't all that bad. The brief moment of the silence was broken not by thunder, but the rumbling of Jack's stomach. Even in the dark, I could tell that the kid's face had gone bright red.

"Hungry?" I laughed quietly.

"Yeah, but it's okay, I'm used to it," Jack answered.

"Listen kid, this is the Mercer household," I explained, "If you're hungry, you eat. If the world is ending and you're hungry, you eat. Are you alright to come down to the kitchen or do I need to bring you up something?"

"The storms not as bad now, I'll come out," Jack decided and cautiously, "You're sure no one's angry?"

"I'm sure," I answered and headed to kitchen. Jack obediently followed, but he was careful to keep his distance. I have to admit, it was a bit depressing to see that the kid didn't completely trust me yet even when I knew complete trust was an unreasonable thing to at this point.

"Isn't this kind of like stealing?" Jack asked nervously as we entered the kitchen.

"Ma bought this food for us to eat. She'd doesn't want us to starve," I said as I reached into the cabinets and began the search for a suitable nighttime snack. My search ended with the finding of peanut butter and crackers. As I examined the cracker box, an odd idea formulated in my mind. "Hey kid, you ever had a nickname?"

"No," Jack answered in a confused tone.

"What about 'Cracker Jack'," I joked.

"That's not a very cool nickname," Jack mumbled.

"C'mon Cracker Jack, I was just kidding," I laughed as I handed him the crackers and the peanut butter.

"But you just called me it," Jack protested.

"Eat!" I cut him off before he could complain any further. He had a nickname whether he liked it or not.

"Fine," Jack grumbled as he scooped up some peanut butter with a cracker, "If you have a nickname for me, then I should have one for you."

"It doesn't work that way," I replied.

"Why not?" Jack questioned in an annoyed tone.

"'cause I'm older than you, Cracker Jack," I explained, "and I've already got one."

"What is it then?"

"Bobby."

"But that's your name," Jack pouted, "that doesn't count."

"It's not the name on my birth certificate," I countered, feeling as though I'd won the argument, "So it's technically a nickname."

"So your real name's Robert then?" Jack asked.

"Yes," I agreed reluctantly. I hated the name Robert. Robert sounded like the type of guy who followed rules, had a steady job, and never got into fights. The name Bobby suited the type of guy I was far better.

"You don't like your name?" Jack asked seeking to clarify the point.

"No, I don't like it," I agreed again and became a little confused as to why the kid was asking all these questions, about my name of all things.

"Okay. Thanks for the snack," Jack said and handed the crackers and peanut butter to me.

"Good night, Cracker Jack," I teased as Jack headed up the stairs.

"Good night, Robert!"

I hope you guys liked the chapter! Constructive criticism is welcom! Have a great day! :)