Disclaimer: Don't own Four Brothers…Don't own Jack Mercer…I really didn't get a good deal, did I?

Chapter 3

Katy's grandma was out of town for two weeks. So she naturally decided to stay with the Mercers. Conveniently, it was her Spring Break, so she was able to spend part of her two weeks at the Mercers enjoying the family.

Since Bobby was off playing hockey in the league, she chose his room to stay in. She could have chosen any of the rooms, considering Jack was the only brother currently living in the house, but she always felt safer in Bobby's room. It was a weird feeling but she knew that it was the closest she could come to being with Bobby, and that gave her some comfort.

It was only the second night of her stay and at 2:00 A.M., Katy was lying in her bed staring at the ceiling. She had heard the door down the hall creak open and the soft padding of feet come slowly toward her door. She closed her eyes as Jack silently tiptoed into the room.

"Katy, are you awake?" he asked softly.

"I am now," came the reply. Jack came over to the bed, looking down at his friend. She simply moved over and pushed the covers back. He climbed in beside her. She turned towards him, reaching for his hand. "Nightmare?" she asked squeezing his hand lightly. He nodded. "Same one?" He nodded again. "It's okay Jack. That was then, this is now. You know that nothing will ever happen to you here. No one would let anything happen. Not Evie, not Bobby, not me, not anyone else," she said snuggling against him. He wrapped his arm around her.

"Thanks, I love you, Katy," Jack said, sighing deeply.

"I love you, too, Jackie Poo. Now go to sleep," she replied, stroking his soft hair until his breathing deepened and his grip around her waist loosened. She laid awake for a few more minutes, thinking about Jack.

Since that day they had become friends, they were practically inseparable. Katy had started looking forward to days her grandmother had to work. She usually would spend the night at the Mercer's house. This meant she was able to get closer and closer with Jack. Even with Bobby gone, she was able to enjoy herself. Jack meant more to her than life itself.

Naturally, whenever one of them had a bad dream, it meant sneaking into the other's room and climbing into bed with them. It didn't take long for Evelyn to discover this. While they were young, she didn't see it as a problem. Katy was helping Jack become a normal boy and she didn't mind them spending extra time with each other. But time changes all things.

As Jack and Katy got older, the habit didn't die but Evelyn's tolerance for it did. 'When boys and girls reach a certain age, it's just not right for them to sleep in the same bed anymore' she had explained to thirteen-year-old Jack and eleven-year-old Katy. Of course, neither understood what she had meant. They both just wanted to get rid of the bad dreams that haunted them. They found that each other's company was the perfect solution to both of their nightmares.

Katy's eyelids were heavy and she felt warm…and safe…always safe by Jack's side. She let herself slip into a quiet and dreamless sleep.

The next morning, she opened her eyes slowly and stretched. Jack groaned beside her. Rolling her eyes, she kicked him out of bed. Jack, now awake, gave her an evil look.

"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing his sore backside.

Katy just rolled over and closed her eyes. "Go to your own bed, Jackie, before Aunt Evey finds you in here," she mumbled.

Sixteen-year-old Jack picked himself off the floor. "Why at six in the morning?" he moaned. "And on a Saturday!" he added, cracking his neck.

"Quit crying. You know Aunt Evey will be getting up soon. She always gets up early," she replied calmly. "And if she does wake up before you get back to your room, she'll be pissed. She's caught us too many times and I wouldn't blame her if she started locking us in separate rooms when I come over."

"Why doesn't she realize that we'll keep on doing this as long as we have nightmares?" Jack asked pulling on a spare t-shirt that he found in Bobby's old drawers over his bare chest.

"She does, but she just gets tired of telling us not to," she said sitting up.

"Yeah," Jack said absentmindedly. "I'm up now. Wanna go eat breakfast with me?"

"Sure," she answered. "Let me get dressed first."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Katy, we're just going downstairs."

"I know that, Jack. I'm just gonna wash my face and brush my hair and teeth, and throw on, oh I don't know, a hoodie… 'cause it's cold," she said annoyed.

"But you're so attractive with that hair and that breath," he teased.

"At least I brush my hair," Katy said walking out of her room, in no mood for his sarcasm. Jack tried to follow her, apologizing, but got the bathroom door shut in his face.

"Come on, Katy, I was just joking around," he pleaded, knocking on the door. The sound of running water drowned out the sounds from inside. "Katy, damn it, open up!" he pounded on the door.

"What's going on?" Evelyn asked, walking out of her room. "Why are you yelling?" Katy calmly opened the door and walked out.

"I don't know, Aunt Evey. Jack, why were you yelling?" she asked in a sweet tone as she walked down the stairs. Jack looked at his feet, embarrassed, before quickly following Katy downstairs.

"Why'd you do that?" he questioned as he entered the kitchen. Katy continued to pour milk onto her cereal. "Come on, Katy, don't ignore me," Jack said sitting in front of her. She didn't look up. "Fine," he muttered, pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

Katy looked up from her cereal and saw Jack staring at her. 'He's trying to intimidate me,' she thought to herself. He sat back, his hair falling slightly into his eyes, wearing a smug expression. He quirked one eyebrow slightly. Katy felt herself blush.

"Something wrong?" he asked sweetly. Her stomach fluttered lightly. What was wrong with her? She and Jack always played these games, and she had always kept her cool before.

"Nope, everything's cool," she finally answered.

"Really? You look a little flushed to me. Maybe you're sick?" he asked sarcastically.

Katy rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Jack. As if you'd actually worry about me."

"I do worry about you," Jack said, his sarcastic tone gone and his expression totally serious.

"About what?" Katy asked, curious.

"I worry about if you have nightmares when I'm not around and if people treat you right at school. Hell, I worry about if you have enough lunch money each day," Jack admitted. Katy got up and embraced her "brother" and best friend.

"I love you, Jack."

"Love you, too, Kate," he said, squeezing her tightly.

Once Monday came around, Jack and Katy had to go to school. Katy was a freshman that year and Jack was a sophomore. Katy was just walking out of her third period class when Jack walked up to her.

"Hey, Katy," he said glancing around.

"Hey, Jack, what's up?" she asked, curious about his strange behavior.

"Hey, do you know Rianne Johnson?" he asked.

"Yeah…why?" she answered slowly. Jack licked his lips.

"Well, do you think…you could, you know…setmeupwithher?" he blurted out. Katy was shocked for a second but regained her composure.

"Aww, Jackie is in loove," she cooed. Jack rolled his eyes.

"Please, Katy. Will you just talk to her? Please?" he said giving her a pleading look. Katy sighed. She couldn't say 'no' to Jack. Not now, not ever.

"Fine, I'll talk to her. Now, I'll talk to you later. I'm gonna be late," she said turning her back to him and walking away. He smiled at her retreating figure before turning towards his next class.

"Hey, Rianne, wait up!" Katy called as the last bell rang. The blonde, extremely skinny girl and her friends stopped and turned around, smiles fading when they saw who had called them.

"What do you want, Stevenson?" Rianne asked (more like snarled), walking back toward Katy, stopping right in front of her. Katy stood her ground.

"Just wanted to talk, Johnson," she bit back, sarcastically. God, she really was starting to act like the brothers.

"What exactly do you want to talk about?" she asked in an annoyed tone.

"Jack," Katy said knowing she couldn't put it off any longer. Rianne's cold attitude suddenly changed. She fixed her hair and smiled slightly.

"What about Jack?" Katy sighed. Why did she have to do this?

"He…" she started. Why was this so hard? 'Come on, Katy, just say it. Jack wants to go out with you. It's really not that hard,' she said to herself. "Jack…wants to…go. out. with. you," she finished, grinding her teeth. Rianne and her friends erupted into girly giggles. Katy gagged.

"Sorry," she said shaking her head, "I think I just vomited a little in my mouth." The giggles turned into sounds of disgust.

Katy turned to leave. "Adios, putas," she muttered, letting Bobby's influence on her show.

As she walked way, she heard Rianne. "What'dshe call us?" Katy laughed and kept walking.

Once on the bus, she felt a feeling of dread wash over her. The closer she got to the Mercer house, the more the feeling intensified. She hated the fact that Jack liked Rianne. Rianne was soo…bitchy. The only nice things she ever said were about herself. She was a typical 100 blonde bimbo slut with nothing to go by but her reputation for sleeping around. The only reason she'd be interested in Jack is for something Katy didn't think she deserved. If she so much as looked at Jack the wrong way…there'd be consequences.

"I'm home!" she yelled to whoever was listening once inside the house. "Not that anybody cares right now," she muttered, hearing sounds of some sort of game blasting in the living room. Jerry must have been over because she heard two voices screaming at the TV. Oh well. She'd say 'hi' later. Right now, she didn't feel like being nice. She ran upstairs to 'her' room and shut the door. It wasn't two minutes later, there was a knock on her door. Without waiting for a response, Jack barged in.

"Jesus Christ, Jack!" she cried. Jack gave her a confused look.

"What?"

"Jack, you could've at least waited until I said you could come in! I could have been…not…dressed or something!" Jack just sat on the bed and looked at her.

"But you are dressed…so it's all good, right?"

"Whatever, Jack," she said, slightly annoyed.

"So…," Jack started, picking at Katy's comforter. "How was your day?"

Katy sighed. "I talked to Rianne if that's what you were asking. I'd expect you're gonna get a phone call soon. She seemed pretty excited when she got the news."

"Oh, that's cool," Jack said trying to act nonchalant.

"Come on, Cracker Jack," Katy said smiling. "You are warm for her less than full form. You're gonna go sit by the phone and wait for her to call as soon as you leave my room. Admit it."

"Yeah," he admitted in a dreamy voice. "Wait, no…no," he said trying to correct himself. Katy just smiled at him sweetly. "I meant to say…oh never mind. I'll be in my room."

"Okay, Jackie Poo!" she yelled out after him. "Keep you phone nearby!" He flicked her off without turning around. "Oh Jack, I'm hurt. I really am. It hurts me right here," she said putting her hand over her heart. She shook her head in amusement and went back into her room.

"What was that all about?" Jerry asked, leaning on Katy's doorframe.

"Oh, Jackie is just in love," she stated, rolling her eyes.

Jerry laughed lightly. "So he gave you the middle?"

"He flicked me off 'cause he knows I'll never let him live this down…no matter what."

"Good reason," he smiled.

Katy laughed and hugged him. "Nice of you to come over, Jerry. I know Jack misses having all the guys around. At least he has one brother who cares enough to visit."

"You know Bobby has a busy life now," Jerry said, knowing that Katy was specifically talking about the oldest Mercer. "Hockey is big for him. He needs you and Jack to back him up. You know he tries to visit as often as he can."

"I know, Jerry. But it seems like he can just put this life on hold while he lives his hockey dream and then just start it again after he's done. He hasn't called in a month, Jerry. And the last time he did call, he could only talk for three minutes." Jerry nodded in agreement.

"Has he even seen Daniela yet?" Katy asked.

Jerry shook his head. "Not in person. I sent him a picture though."

"Daniela is ten months old now and he still hasn't seen his only niece. Hockey is more impor…"

"Katy," Jerry said, cutting her off. "You know hockey is important to Bobby, but not more important than his own family. When it comes down to it, this is what Bobby is all about, right here," Jerry said gesturing with his hands.

Katy sighed, knowing it was true. "I know, Jer. I'm still mad at him for not trying harder."

Jerry hugged her. "I know, Katy, just give him a chance."

"I will. Thanks again for coming over."

"No problem. Jack needed a break from you, anyway," he joked.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, smacking his arm. "I'm the one who needs a break from Jack. He's driving me nuts talking about this girl at school."

"The one he's in love with?" Jerry asked.

"The one and only. Her name is Rianne Johnson."

"Any relation to Kelley Johnson? She was at school with me. I think she was in Bobby's grade."

"Possibly. Was she tall, blonde, and anorexic?" Katy wondered.

"Sounds like Kelley. Next time Bobby calls, you should ask him."

"I think I will. I'll see you later, Jerry."

"Bye, Kates. Keep out of trouble," Jerry said, walking down the stairs.

"Don't worry about me!" she called after him.

The next day, after school, Jack came bounding up to Katy and enveloped her in his arms. "Thank you, I owe you. I really do. Anything you want, just ask."

"I'm guessing this has to do with Rianne?" Katy asked after Jack had put her down on her feet. Jack nodded, smiling. "Jack, let me tell you something. I don't have a good feeling about Rianne. I don't trust her…" Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Katy cut him off. "Wait, before you tell me anything…you're the one who is always giving me advice and telling me to watch my back. Now it's my turn to give you my little piece of advice.

"I'm only gonna tell you this once and I hope you listen. Rianne is bad news…at least for most people. She drinks, smokes, does drugs, and the list is endless. She also has a tendency to use guys for one thing only. I sincerely hope I'm wrong…for your sake. But if I am right, and if you even get mad at me or blame me, there will be hell to pay. 'I told you so' won't even cut it. Remember, you were the one who asked for this. You asked me to help you. So don't blame me if you decision blows up in you face.

"Consider this your advice and warning…watch you back," she finished, staring up into his blue eyes.

"Okay, Katy," was all Jack could say. Katy figured he was too stunned by her speech to have any argument. 'Good, let it sink into his head,' she thought to herself. The whole situation between Jack and Rianne had disaster written all over it. Katy felt sure that something was going to happen…and it wasn't a good feeling either.

The next few days that passed were fairly quiet for Katy. During school, Jack rarely talked to her. When she passed him in the hallways, he was always surrounded by Rianne and her friends and he paid no attention to Katy. She only had one class with him, gym, and Rianne was unfortunately in their class, too.

Even after school, Jack and Rianne would go off together. At night, Katy would watch tv and go up to bed. Jack would get home around 10:30 P.M. and go straight to bed without even checking in on Katy. She would wake up in the middle of the night and wonder if Jack was going to come in to sleep with her like he usually would, but he never did.

Katy sighed in disgust as she flipped through the channels on the television. Rianne was like a parasite, clinging to Jack all the time. 'Damn you, Rianne!" Katy thought angrily. 'Damn Jack, too. He doesn't even like clingy girls. Or at least, he didn't use to.' She was feeling depressed because it was Friday. She and Jack always went to the indoor ice rink on Friday nights because the admission price was half off. But it was eight o'clock and Jack was M.I.A. 'Rianne's probably sucking his face off right now.'

She had sincerely hoped that Jack would value their friendship enough to remember their Friday-night tradition, but she had been wrong. He hadn't even let her know he would be out tonight. Of course, he never told her much of anything anymore. All she could do was hope that Jack would notice that they weren't close anymore and start spending more time with her.

It was 8:32 and Jack still hadn't shown up. The phone rang and Katy jumped to answer it.

"Hello?" she said, putting the receiver to her ear.

"Hey, Katy," Bobby's voice sounded through the ear piece. Katy felt a little disappointed that it wasn't Jack.

"Oh, hey Bobby. What's up?" she asked sitting back down on the couch.

"Nothing. Were you expecting someone else to call? You sound disappointed."

'I am.' "No, Bobby," she said giving a small laugh. "I was just hoping Jack would call soon."

"Where is he?" Bobby questioned. Katy remembered Bobby didn't know about Jack's new…attraction.

"Oh, yeah. Jack had a girlfriend now," she explained.

"What? He's not gay? I'm shocked. And here I thought he'd be the first to brag…I mean…'tell' me," Bobby teased. "Who is it?" he asked in a more serious tone.

"Do you remember Kelley Johnson? She was in your grade."

"Yeah, I remember her. Tall, blonde, had big ti…teeth," Bobby said, catching himself. "Yeah, I knew her back then. She was great in…math."

Katy rolled her eyes. "Yeah well your baby brother is now going out with mini Kelley…Rianne Johnson."

"Blonde?"

"Yes."

"Go Jackie!"

"Bobby," Katy cried. "Seriously, if Rianne is ANYTHING like Kelley, what is the one thing she'll want Jack for?"

"What?...oh. Oh, no. Not if I have anything to do about it. Where is he? Put him on the phone," Bobby ranted angrily.

"That's what I was trying to say, Bobby. Jack isn't home right now. He's out with Rianne." She said her name with a hint of disgust. "He's out with her every night."

"Well, as soon as he gets home, Katy, you tell him to call me," Bobby finished. Katy heard a male voice yelling in the background for Bobby to 'get the hell off the phone already.' "I got to go Kates, love you. And don't forget to tell Jack."

"I won't. Love you, Bobby," she said as she hung up the phone. She couldn't help but feel happy that Bobby would talk to Jack about Rianne.

Katy was still watching tv when Jack walked in one hour later. Evelyn was already asleep since she had had a hard day, so that left Jack and Katy alone downstairs.

"Hey, Katy," Jack said sitting beside her on the couch. She didn't answer him. She was too caught up in how his breath smelled.

"Have you been drinking?" she asked, her eyes narrowing accusingly.

"Oh, come on, Katy. Lighten up," Jack slurred slightly, reaching out to touch her arm. She jumped off the couch.

"Have. You. Been. Drinking?" Katy asked, her voice low and serious.

Jack nodded. "Jussa liddle," he murmured, smiling.

Katy's eyes darkened. "How could you! You have seriously gone crazy! Do you even understand what could have happened! This isn't like you, Jack. I can't believe you are so stupid!" she yelled in frustration.

"You're pretty when you're mad," Jack said smiling up at her.

"What?...Never mind. Did you do this with…Jack! Look at me!" she yelled as his eyes closed. They snapped back open. "Did you do this with Rianne?"

"Mmhmm."

"Did you do anything else?" she asked worriedly, hoping he hadn't done anything with her that he'd "regret".

"Whadever Katy!" Jack yelled. "All we di was drink a liddle and smoke a liddle."

Katy hadn't expected that answer. "You SMOKED too! What did you smoke? Cigarettes? Did you smoke cigarettes?" she asked, panic rising in her voice. Jack shook his head. "Oh my God, Jack. What the FUCK were you THINKING?" she yelled. "Was it pot? Did you smoke weed?" she asked grabbing the collar of his shirt. He nodded.

"Wonderful, Jack. Just mother fucking wonderful," she said sarcastically. You come home fucking drunk AND high. I can't believe you…" she didn't finish her sentence because at that moment, Jack threw up. "Shit," she muttered, catching him as he fell forward.

"Stand up, Jack. Please stand up," she grunted, trying to pull him to his feet. He finally stood but was swaying back and forth.

It took all of Katy's strength to get him up the stairs and to his room. She was trying hard not to let him fall and to keep quiet so they didn't wake Evelyn. The minute he was in his bed, Jack passed out. Katy rolled him onto his side in case he threw up again.

She went downstairs, grabbed the carpet cleaner, and proceeded to clean the vomit off the floor. Afterwards, she went to her room and locked the door. She looked at the clock which read 11:58 P.M. She laid on her bed for a while, listening in case anyonewoke up, more importantly, in case Jack woke up. Tears silently rolled down her cheeks. She laid in the dark and cried herself to sleep.

A/N: So you like? Kind of a cliffie…not a big one, but big enough. I liked this chapter more than the others. Seriously, do you like this story so far? I really have a lot of ideas for it so just give me time. All of you who reviewed have been great. Keep it coming. A special thanks to ImAdctd2A3rdClssRkStr, who totally reviewed like 4 times UNDA CUVA. shh…no one is suppose to know which one is her…actually she was only unda cuva once. 10 bonus cookies to anyone who can guess which review is hers! lol. Keep reading and reviewing!

Much Love

Shining Star of Valinor