Chapter 4
Hey all! Wow. Two chapters in one day. Don't get used to it. Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
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"When are we meeting Micheal?" Optimus asked after a few minutes. "Oh. Soon after he's settled in the house. And mom wanted to get more groceries. I'll ask her this evening when they get home. Is it ok for me to have your comm. Number code, so I can call you and let you know when? I know I could just call the main base, but Ratchet might get busy and forget nothing against him of course. I just don't want you guys to miss meeting him before he goes back. Or him to miss out meeting you guys." Jack answered uncertainly. "I agree that Ratchet can get busy at times. Yes, you can have my comme. code. I will send you a call when we get back to base. You must know, Jack, that Ratchet may not be able to meet Micheal because he will be taking care of Arcee. I am sorry." Optimus answered, saying that part solemnly. Jack sighed and lowered his head at that. "Don't be Optimus; like I said to Bee, Others get hurt in war. It's just the way a war is. And Arcee needs a medic more than she needs to meet Micheal." Jack said in understanding. They were silent for a while, but it was a comfortable silence.
They arrived at the house a few minutes later. They got out and went up to the house. "It's kind of a mess. I didn't clean it much when I left." Jack said as they went in. "Then it is good that we are here to clean it." Optimus said. Jack suddenly got a thoughtful look on his face. Then he turned to Optimus," I need to know what you can do so I can teach you if it's something I know how to do. What things do you know how to clean in a human house?" Jack asked. "Hmm, I can mop, sweep and scrub." Optimus said with a thoughtful expression. "Oh! Good. You have the basics down. I was going to have you do the sweeping anyway. There's not much need for scrubbing and I'm not sure we need to mop, but we can mix the soap together and put it aside in case we need it. Ok. I'm going to take out the trash, do half of the vacuuming, and the same with the laundry. I'll teach you how to use those and let you do half because I want you to do it yourself as learning experiences. That's what mom called them when she taught me how to do this stuff. There might be some dishes that need touching up. Can you do those? Good. Alright, I think we have everything settled." Jack said feeling weird giving the prime orders, but glad to see he was willing to do as asked. "Oh! I have to straighten up the guest bedroom, which is no big deal. Just new sheets and blankets." Jack said mostly to himself. "Can you help me with those too? It makes it quicker and easier to do." At Optimus' nod, Jack turned and went to a closet just inside the kitchen. He poked his head in the closet and came back out with an arm full of cleaning supplies that he then deposited onto and around the dining room table.
Optimus went over to where he was standing. "So, what shall I do first?" Optimus asked looking for the broom and mop. He had researched about different cleaning utensils and soaps the night before so he could be prepared. "Oh, here. The broom is in the kitchen. Follow me. I don't think we need to mop. Mom mopped before she left. And she double soaped the floor, so it should still be pretty clean." Jack grabbing the broom and handing it to Optimus. "We're also going to clean out the garage as a special surprise for mom, because she has been pestering me to do it for a while. And for Arcee. I want her to come home to a clean garage for when she stays here. But we can do that after the house is finished." Jack said. "Ok, I'm gonna go start on the washing clothes and vacuuming. I'll call you when I need you. Or you come get me if you're done or confused about something. Don't be hesitant to ask. Oh when I vacuum I put headphones with music on because I don't like the sound of the vacuum. So if you need me then just come up and get my attention somehow." Jack said still feeling weird about giving Optimus orders, but not showing it. "Understood. What am I to do after I sweep?" Optimus asked. Jack got a thoughtful look on his face then his face lit up," Hmm, Oh, here's a rag. Wet it, and rub down the counters and when you're done come get me." Jack said getting his stuff together for his job. Optimus nodded.
Jack went to the laundry room, put a load in, and started it up. It sputtered a few seconds, then let out a hiss and fell silent. "Come on, work! You piece of scrap!" Jack exclaimed punching the thing. After he punched it, it started up for a second, and then died again. Jack threw his arms in the air in exasperation. "Ah! *sighs* I need to find my tools." Jack said walking toward the garage. He walked through the kitchen muttering to himself walking past the diligently sweeping Optimus, who stopped to watch the teen confused by the sudden frustration of the boy. "One of these pay checks, I'm gonna replace that piece of scrap metal mom calls a washing machine. Knowing my luck, it'll probably start working when I buy a new one." Jack was muttering as he rummaging through a closet on his way to the garage. "Jack?" But he was only ignored or not noticed by the frustrated teen. "Oh. Where is my tool box? I know it's here somewhere. Come on, come on, come on. How can i lose a box that big?" Jack said his voice muffled by a large box he had half his body buried in to look for his tool box he had gotten for Christmas a few years ago. "Aha, yes! Finally." He said as he suddenly jumped up pulling a black tool box out from under something. The box went up to his knee, but he was lifting it easily. Optimus was now very confused, but he didn't want to bother Jack so he went back his assigned task.
Jack hefted the tool box into the laundry room and opened the drawers on it for easy access. He had been into repairs and mechanics ever since he was little. He had even taken a couple electives on the subject. He'd been musing over the idea of opening his own repair service for almost anything. He could fix almost anything from vehicles to house appliances to almost anything else. It was a gift and he loved every minute of it. Raf had his computers, Miko had her guitar, and he had his mechanical expertise. His mom told him he had a metal thumb.
He grabbed a screw driver and set to work opening the washer up after taking the clothes back out. He laid on the floor and got to where he could see his tools, so he could choose them correctly. Then he set to work in his own little world, mumbling to himself as he did, sort of like Ratchet. He suddenly stopped, got up and ran to his room and grabbed something out of his dresser. Then he came back to the washing machine. He put his special gloves that help him not get electrocuted if he repairs wires, which is what he was doing now. He had made these gloves himself, because he could not find them at any store in Jasper and couldn't afford to go to another town for a pair. And he refused to use what little money his mom made for himself. He had never told anybody that he was somewhat of an inventor, except his mom. Micheal found out about it when he accidentally walked in on him making his gloves, but promised not to tell anyone. His mom says it's too dangerous. She already only lets him do repairs around the house and the car, before it was swept away by a tornado. Now he tuned up her new car when he could. All of those things might have been good, but it just wasn't enough. He would mostly do his projects in secret in hopes of not upsetting his mom.
He sighed as he started reconnecting and tightening the wires in the machine where they had, once again short-circuited and came loose. He fixed the wiring with a special tool he had also crafted for small wires and wire connections that other wire tools just wouldn't work right for, in his opinion. So he made a few of his own with their own handle to fit his hand when he held it so it wouldn't slip and mess something up as much as some other tools he had used.
He finished the wiring and came out from under it, stood up and put the clothes back in after making sure everything was secure first. He cautiously pressed the "start" button. It started smoothly. Jack smiled and let out a whoop of joy jumping up with his fists in the air. Then as if to mock him, the machine sputtered, hissed, shook, and died. "AH! That's it! I'm not one to give up easily on machinery, but I've had it with you piece of good for nothing scrap metal!" Jack said angrily, kicking and punching it. Then, by some miracle, it started up and kept running smoothly. "Huh. I guess Micheal was right. Sometimes all it needs is a good kick to get it working. Guess I should have believed him." Jack mused as he grabbed his tool box and put it on the couch for easier access if he needed to repair something else.
Optimus was in the dining room that was connected to the living room finishing wiping off the table when he saw Jack put his tool box on the couch. Jack was opening a special compartment at the bottom where he kept the tools he made himself and put his gloves and the wiring tools back. "What must I do now?" Optimus asked. "Well, now that I look, the floor doesn't need vacuuming, so we won't do that. My room is clean. We have to wait for the clothes to wash before we start the dryer. Um, we could dust around the house, and then go to the garage. "Jack said then he got an excited look on his face. "Oh! Come with me! I made something for dusting we can use. Come on." Jack suddenly said like an excited little kid, grabbing Optimus' arm and dragging him with him when the prime hesitated. Jack tended to get excited about new inventions. He just never got to show anyone outside of his brother and mother before.
Jack let go of Optimus' arm when he was sure he would follow. Jack led them into his room, looking around and rummaging through different things around the room as he did. "Go ahead and have a seat on the bed, Optimus, I don't know where exactly I put them." Jack said pausing in his searching; knowing Optimus didn't need to sit. He was just being polite like his mom taught him. Optimus, by this point had mixed feelings about Jack's sudden behavior. On one servo, he was glad that Jack wasn't angered or sad anymore at the moment. But on the other, He was one very confused prime. Probably more confused than he's ever been. 'Humans. Curious creatures.' Optimus thought to himself.
He was brought out of his thoughts suddenly when he saw Jack trip over his own foot and fall on the ground. Optimus quickly helped the teen to his bed. "Are you alright?" He asked. "Yeah, told ya I'm still working on not rushing so much when I get excited. I get clumsy sometimes." Jack said with a sheepish smile as he got up and continued searching. He stopped, closed his eyes, and smoothed his hair down. "Think, think, where could they be? I just made them a week ago. They couldn't have just up and walked off. I'm not that good." Jack muttered, almost mumbled to himself.
"AH! The garage! Of course! That's where I tested them. Come on, Optimus." Jack said all but running out of the room making a beeline for the garage not even looking behind him to see if the prime was following him. Once Optimus saw Jack was gone, he allowed himself a small chuckle. He went to the doorway of the room. When he turned to close the door he allowed himself to admire the room. It was a nice room, in Optimus' opinion. There was a double bed by a window, a night stand beside it with an alarm clock on it, a dresser, a shoe rack hung on the door of his closet with maybe three pairs of shoes in it not counting the old shoes Jack was wearing now, an adjoining bathroom, a few motorcycle posters on the walls, a car calendar hung by the bed, a couple tool boxes scattered around the room,a desk with an old computer on it, and the unfinished motorcycle project that Jack was going to submit for his science project a while back, but the only difference was it was now finished.
Then he decided he'd kept Jack waiting long enough. So he went to the garage and found Jack sitting on a work bench, messing with a very large and wide rod looking device with two big buttons on the side of it that a digit could fit on them, with his tongue sticking out in concentration. He seemed to be in his own little world, so Optimus merely sat in a chair nearby not willing to disturb the teen. It looked to Optimus like Jack was trying to move the wiring around a little to make room for something? He continued to watch the teen, fascinated. Jack then started muttering quietly to either himself or the rod type thing, the prime didn't know. " Come on, move. I need to make this space bigger. Aha. Yes! I got it." Jack said as he set the rod gently down on a table in front of him and put two things that didn't let the rod move or roll around on both sides of it. Jack turned and almost jumped out of his skin when he saw Optimus sitting there. " Optimus! You scared me!" Jack said startled a hand on his chest. He sighed and shook his head. "Anyway, Here." Jack said as he handed a smaller human sized rod to Optimus. Optimus looked at the thing strangely. "What is this?" He asked finally, taking it. "It's a special duster that you can dust hard to reach places. And it retracts, see. So it's not in the way in the cleaning closet, but it's also easy to see because I'm putting some bright colors on them later. Now, come on. We have to finish up before they get here. You just press the buttons. The one with an R on it is to retract when you're done and the one labelled E is extend to start dusting. Now, can you dust the living room while I take care of a few things?" Jack asked. Optimus was almost too busy admiring the duster to answer, but after a moment, he nodded. "Good. I'll come get you to teach you about the washer and dryer when I'm done. If you get done before I do, you can just relax if you want. Watch some TV, a movie, do whatever. I was serious last night. I want you to relax." Jack said as he went to his room, then came out with some more tools, grabbed his tool box off the couch and went into the garage opening the garage door for more light.
Optimus shook his head and chuckled a deep chuckle again. He had not been ordered so much since he was at Iacon. He then pressed the E button. There was a small ping and a feathered oval looking thing shot out of it. He shrugged and started his dusting enjoying the hard work. 'Huh. This is definitely better than reports.' He thought as he finished. He pressed the R button and it retracted. 'Hmm. It's functional,' mused the prime. He set it with the other cleaning supplies. He was headed to the couch when he felt something bump into or nudge his alt mode outside. He didn't bother looking thinking that it was just a ball bumping into his alt. He had seen some kids playing up the street earlier. After the nudging kept coming, he finally had enough and went to the front door and opened it, and came out just as Jack was pushed into his alt hard. Optimus flinched slightly when he felt it. He wasted no time in going up to the advancing angry red headed teen and grabbing him by the back of the shirt and putting him a couple feet away with Optimus between the two teens. "What is going on here?!" Using his calm, collected, deep, and authoritative baritone he had used on the auto bots on numerous occasions when there was an incident. The red head teen, which got over his shock quickly, smirked. "I was just teaching Darby here a lesson on respect and manners. He thinks he can mouth off at me and get away with it. Oh, and where are my manners? I'm Vince. And you are?" Vince introduced like it was a normal friendly conversation. "I am Orion Paxton. Now, I will say this only once, Do not let me see you harming Jack again, Am I understood? " Optimus said in a firm tone. Vince just glared up at him. Optimus took a few steps forward and rose to his full height looking down at the teen. "I said, Am I understood?" Optimus asked firmly. Vince took a step back and nodded begrudgingly. He then turned and ran, but not before yelling back at Jack, "This isn't over, Darby! Your bodyguard won't be around forever!" And with that he disappeared around a corner.
Optimus watched him go and nodded. Then he turned to Jack, who was struggling to get up. He didn't look too bad, just some bruises on his midsection. "Are you alright?" Optimus asked helping the teen up and into the house. He brought Jack over to the couch and set him down. "Y-yeah. Thanks for that. I really don't know what he was talking about, I swear. I didn't mouth off at him. I wasn't even talking to him. I was talking to a piece of scrap machinery I was throwing away because it was broken beyond repair. Don't know what happened to it. He must've been walking by. I'm sorry. I know it's a lousy excuse, but he misunderstood." Jack said in a rush thinking he was in trouble. Optimus gave the boy some water and sat beside him. "I believe you, Jack." He said. " Oh, well, do you have a large hollow metal tube that could fit in your robot form's servo?" Jack asked hopefully. "I believe I have a piece of metal in my cab that I have not removed yet. He says it's just a precaution in case I have to defend myself against humans in bigger cities. But you may take it. I will never use it to harm any human even in self-defense." Optimus said giving the boy a small smile. Jack suddenly laughed. "What could a human do to you?! You may look human now, but they still can't hurt you. I mean, Ratchet knows you don't harm humans." Jack said jokingly. "Can I go get the rod out of your alt?" Jack asked suddenly serious. "Of course, but would it not be too heavy for you?" Optimus asked. "It'll be fine, but if you're that worried, why don't you come keep watch, so you can carry it, too, if I can't." Jack said going out to Optimus' alt with the prime following.
They got the metal rod to the garage. After they got it settled, they went inside and finished cleaning until around 5:00pm. Optimus' holoform materialized in the driver's seat as they drove off towards base. "Thank you for your help, Optimus." Jack said dozing off. He yawned and snuggled down into the seat. "Do you think you could help me with a project I'm working on later?" Jack asked. "I'll need help with the rod and Micheal's not patient enough to do it." He continued. "It was no trouble, Jack. Yes, I will assist you." Optimus replied. Jack smiled, but continues to fight sleep. "Rest, Jackson. You need it. I will wake you when we get there." Optimus said gently to the half-asleep teen. Jack nodded and let sleep take him.
They made it to base a few minutes later. Optimus did not want to wake the teen, so he activated his holoform and went to the human area, just as Ratchet came back from med bay. He glanced at Optimus' alt and turned back to Optimus' holoform. "Hard day?" Ratchet asked as he walked up seeing Jack asleep in the passenger seat. "Yes. Jack and I worked hard today. What has happened while I was away, old friend?" Optimus asked as he put Jack's things away and folded the sheets and blankets putting them on the table. "*Exvent*, nothing really. I continued my work as usual. The kids surprisingly came by today. Bumblebee and Bulkhead went on recon. And yes, before you ask, we did find energon. It's in the storage room. Quite a bit actually." Ratchet said. Optimus stopped and looked Ratchet in the optics. "Was anyone injured?" He asked in a blank deep baritone that you could hear concern in it. "Just a few scratches. Nothing too major. They stripped the mine before the decepticons could come with back up. They were really quite obedient surprisingly. I thought they would have to be wrenched for them to do anything I say, but they were good. The humans just went home. Bulkhead and Bumblebee are ordered to come back and rest after dropping off the children." Ratchet answered in an almost proud tone. Almost. Optimus nodded and finished getting everything together for Jack. When he was done, his holoform flickered and appeared at his alt. He put the bag in first, checked on the soundly sleeping teen, and started walking down a hallway. "Where are you going, Optimus?" Ratchet asked confused. "There is something I must do. Will you watch Jack for a moment?" Optimus answered pausing only to glance back at Ratchet before continuing to his quarters.
About ten minutes later, he came back with a large metal tool box in one hand. It was almost as large as Jack's, but did not have drawers on it. It just opened at the top. In the other hand he had some wires he thought Jack could use later. He put the tool box under the floor board in a special compartment, so when he transformed it wasn't uncomfortable or painful. He covered it, not wishing for Jack to see it just yet. Then, he turned to a confused Ratchet. "What did you bring that out for? It's old tools that need to be taken to the trash." Ratchet asked. Optimus looked up at the kneeling Ratchet," We may not be able to us them, but others might, old friend," the prime said simply fizzling out, starting the engine and leaving again.
'He must have been worked himself harder than I thought. Is it unusual for humans to sleep this long after they work?' Optimus wondered confused as to why the teen was sleeping so long. It was confusing to the prime, but he didn't dwell on it too much. Then, as if to counteract his thoughts, Jack began to wake. Jack opened his eyes wearily and yawned. "Hey, did I sleep long?" Jack asked as he rubbed his eyes. "Not long. We are almost to your home. It is almost time for your mom and brother to arrive home." Optimus said. Jack's eyes went wide a moment. "I slept through you transforming and going to base. Man, I must have more tired than I thought. Did you get my stuff?" Jack asked. "I did not transform. Yes, your things are by your feet." Optimus said turning onto Jack's street, just to see his mom's red car pull into the drive through. "Well, they're early. I guess you'll be the first to meet Micheal then. That is if you want to. If you're busy I'll understand." Jack said secretly hoping Optimus would say yes, but knew the Autobot leader probably had other things to take care of. "Of course. I have been looking forward to meeting Micheal." Optimus said reassuringly. "You are? Cool!" Jack said with a huge smile on his face.
As soon as Optimus parked, Jack jumped out of the cab totally forgetting his bag and to close the door. Optimus' holoform grabbed the bag, and shut the door chuckling quietly, before getting out himself. Jack was hugging his mom when he walked up. June pulled away and held her son's face in her hands. " How was your stay with Orion? Did you have fun? I tried calling you today, but I guess you were busy or your phone was dead. I missed you, Jack." June said the last part lovingly. "I missed you too, mom. It was good. Yeah, we had fun. And we were cleaning the house. I left my phone at Orion's house." Jack said as Optimus saw a tall blue eyed, browned haired, and well-built man wearing army camo got out of the car. He also noticed the man did have an intimidating look to him, but it was betrayed by the bright smile that lit up his face. "Where's my love Jackie?" He asked in mock hurt. Optimus was surprised to see that this boy, Micheal, was up to his chin. About five and three quarters tall. And like Jack had said earlier, he had burn scars on one side of his face, but unlike Jack thought, his nose looked exactly like Jack's. "It's so good to see you again. I can't wait for you to meet my friends. I've missed you Mickie." Jack said almost overflowing with happiness as he hugged Micheal in a bone crushing embrace. "Easy there, Jackie, I gotta breathe, you know." Micheal said laughing at Jack's sheepish expression. Then, without warning, he put Jack in a head lock and gave him a noogie. "Ah, it's good to see you, too, baby brother." He said to a protesting Jack. He let him go after a few seconds. Jack rubbed his head. Jack hugged him again in a more heartfelt hug. "I missed you so much, Micheal." He said softly. Micheal smiled and hugged back. "I missed you, too, Jackie." He said just as softly. They separated.
Micheal cleared his throat and composed himself when he saw Optimus watching them with his usual blank face. Then he saw the Semi-truck and smiled. "And you must be Orion. It's nice to finally meet you." He said as he walked up to Optimus' holoform and offered his hand. Optimus shook it. "It's nice to meet you as well." He said after a moment. "Wow. You have a strong grip. I respect that." Micheal said smiling wider. Optimus then turned to Jack who was talking to his mom. He walked up and waited for them to get done before speaking. "Jack, here is your bag. You forgot it in your excitement." He said handing it to him. "Thanks Opt- Orion, for everything. Mom, can Orion stay and visit for a while?" Jack asked his mom. Before she could answer Optimus did. "I apologize, I must go do some paper work on my last delivery that I had failed to do earlier. I will visit with you and Micheal with the others." Optimus said in an apologetic, but kind tone. Jack looked down, then up at Optimus again. "I understand. I am sorry if I kept you from your work. You could have told me you had paper work that needed to be done. I don't want you getting in trouble." Jack replied. "I will not be in trouble. It is not much. But I must get it done before morning. It was nice meeting you Micheal. Nurse Darby." Optimus replied starting toward his alt. Jack's eyes suddenly widened and he ran and grabbed Optimus' arm. If Optimus hadn't known it was Jack he would have flipped him. He instead stopped looked confusedly down at the teen. Jack motioned for Optimus to come closer, which he did hesitantly. Jack whispered in his ear. "Please, say hi to Arcee for me. I don't think I'll see her much while Micheal is here unless we can work out some lie. But I don't want to lie any more than I already am to him." Jack whispered almost sadly before pulling away. "Of course." Optimus said putting a hand on his shoulder. "I will call later and tell you how she's doing." Optimus then patted his shoulder once more before going the rest of the way to his alt.
Jack went back to his brother who was waiting. His mom must have gone inside. "What was that about? Are you alright, Jackie?" Micheal asked as Jack walked up to him. Jack suddenly got tears in his eyes before trying to hide them, although he never could from Micheal. So Micheal pulled Jack into a hug. "What happened, Jack? Why are you upset?" Micheal asked gently, but worriedly. "I-It's Sadie. S-she wrecked. She's hurt really bad. D-Dr. Richard doesn't know w-when she'll w-wake up. He knows that she'll live. But I'm scared, Micheal. What if she doesn't make it? What if there are injuries he hasn't found yet that get infected? W-what if- …?" "Now you stop right there. We will have no more what ifs. All they do is make you more stressed. Now, if what you told me about Dr. Richard is true, then he will be able to help her. And you were the one who told me that Sadie was a very strong girl. So don't worry. I'm sure she'll recover in no time." Micheal said gently. Jack just gripped his brother's shirt and held on like his life depended on it, trying to get as much reassurance from his brother as possible. Micheal responded by tightening his hold on Jack speaking soothing words to him, even though Jack wasn't crying any more. "It'll be alright, Jackie. She'll be fine." After a few minutes, they pulled apart. Jack wiped his eyes and smiled up at Micheal. "Thanks. Sorry, I just got overwhelmed. I tried not to let it get to me." Jack said quietly as they walked in, well Micheal limped. "No problem. That's what brothers are for. And I was serious. Sadie will be fine, especially if the doc said so. Now, is the guest room still a room or did you turn it into a workshop?" Micheal asked playfully as Jack lead them to the guestroom. Jack chuckled." It's still a room. Um, get settled and I'm gonna go unpack my bag as well." With that Jack went back to his room.
He sat on his bed and unpacked. He put his stuff away and his dirty clothes in the hamper. He was about to put his bag back in the closet when he saw something else in the bottom of it. He reached in and pulled out a bunch of large and new, to him, looking wires that were colored with reds, yellows, blues, and greens. They were tied together with a note attached to it. Jack's brows furrowed and he opened the letter and it read;
'Jack,
I thought you could use these for a project. They're a little old, but they are functional. I hope they are to your liking use them well. I have planned a day for us to meet Micheal, if it is alright with him. Agent Fowler has allowed us to leave. Ratchet sends his apologies once again.
, Optimus
P.S. Here is my comme code******. Save it I will call you tomorrow for details on the meeting.'
Jack smiled and saved the code to his phone. He set the wires in a special box labelled wires where he kept different sized cords and wires in.
He went to the living room and turned the TV on planning to watch a little news until Micheal came out. But the TV had other ideas. It sparked a little, but didn't turn on. Jack stood up and got his needed tools for fixing it since he had done it multiple times before. He sighed as he came back to see Micheal limping to the couch. "Don't turn on the TV. I'm about to work on it." Jack said in, what Micheal had dubbed, mechanic mode. "Alright then, repair man. I'm gonna hobble into the kitchen and help mom with dinner." Micheal said playfully. He left after he got an annoyed nod from Jack. Jack, like Ratchet didn't like being distracted when repairing something, but Jack was less grouchy about it.
He finished up and decided he didn't want to watch TV anymore, so he went to his room and got the bundle of wiring and his gloves, and went to the garage to work on his special project that he never got done with because of Vince. Later on, Micheal went to get him for supper when he saw Jack hunched over working on something big on his worktable. A closer look, and got him more confused. There were four buttons on it and some labeling in a language that he didn't recognize. He ignored it however and lead Jack to the table for their first family dinner together in a long time. After dinner, they talked for while then went to bed. Jack, for once didn't have nightmares. He dreamt of nothing. He slept restfully that night.
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Okay here's Chapter 4. It was waayy longer than I thought it was going to be. Anyway, let me know what you think of the story so far. I hope you like it. Chapter 5 will probably posted tomorrow, but no promises.