Woohoo! Massive thanks to whichever one of you lovely people tracked down my inspiration and sent it back to me. It's much appreciated and I definitely needed it. Hope you like the new chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Chapter Four
By Rosa241

Virgil POV:

Dropping the wet shirt onto the floor I almost regret spending the day down by the pond. Almost. Don't get me wrong spending the day with John and Scott was awesome but getting pushed into the cold water wasn't the greatest way to end it. There's no way that I deserved that, okay so maybe I'd started it by pushing John first. When Grandma had caught sight of us being so wet she insisted we went straight up and showered before we caught our death. Her words exactly. Of course she completely ignored the fact that it was the middle of summer but never mind.

It's weird seeing everyone together and being so happy. These last few months have been increasingly hard on everyone. Dad's been so busy at work, John and Scott have spent so long trying to watch my back and I'll admit that I've been watching my back ever since Dad went to the Principal. Hanging out together with my brothers is something we haven't done in forever and I'm really glad that we did.

A light knocking on the door takes my attention away from my thoughts.

"Virgil…can I come in?" Honestly it surprises me for a moment that he bothered asking. Technically speaking this is his room too whilst we're staying with Grandma and Grandpa.

"Sure." Things between us have been pretty tense since I punched him in the face. I feel bad about it of course but he was being such and annoying little brat. Then again he didn't know about the bullying so it's not really all his fault although it he hadn't been so annoying. I'm so caught up in my internal argument that I almost don't hear him speak again.

"I'm sorry." He doesn't look at me when he speaks and truth be told I barely hear the words but I do.

"Sorry for what?" The words catch me by such surprise that I have to think about what the heck he's talking about.

"For being mean." Still not looking at me he shrugs his shoulders as he continues. "Grandpa said that I was being mean and…I think I was."

"Yeah you were. You were being a complete jerk." My words come out sharper than I intended and as soon as I see the wince coming from him guilt fills me.

He's trying to apologise and all I'm doing Is making him feel even worse.

"I'm sorry." Gordo shrugs again and still doesn't lift his eyes from the floor. He really feels bad.

"I know. I'm sorry that I punched you, you didn't deserve that." He finally looks at me as I speak and I can see just how guilty he feels. I guess Grandpa really made him see sense.

"I did. I was really mean and you did tell me to stop. I should have listened." Man Grandpa really did a number of him.

"No you didn't." He seems surprised at my words and it almost makes me smile. "I wasn't just mad at you. I was mad at the bullies too and I think I might have taken it out on you when I totally shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

He shrugs again and almost shrinks away when I pull him into a hug. As much as I know that he hates it I can feel his arms snake around my back. Just like that things are forgotten and we're back to normal.

Jeff POV:

Watching the two of them sitting together is something I honestly didn't think I would see anytime soon yet there they are. Virgil and Gordon not only tolerating being in each others presence but actually talking, yes talking not yelling, and smiling. Making a mental note to thank Dad for whatever he said to my little troublemaker I can't help smiling at them. Thank the lord that's over.

"So how exactly did Virgil end up in the pond?" I question at my oldest two. John cringes as I speak and Scott simply smirks at the blonde opposite him.

"I might have pushed him in." Always honest John is quick to tell me the truth. "Although in my defence he pushed me first."

"I didn't mean for you to end up in the pond though." My little musician defends himself as the table erupts into a friendly argument between the two over which Scott quickly becomes the referee. Shaking my head at them I turn to my mother and watch as she wipes the sauce off of Alan's mouth.

"Child how you end up so messy is beyond me." She mutters to herself. I tried to warn her…

"Mother I tried to warn you about baking with him but you insisted." My mother has always valued her kitchen and keeping it clean is something she prides herself on. The fact that she smiled when my little monster made such a mess is clear that she loves him an incredible amount.

"I just don't understand how a child this small made such a big mess. I'm pretty sure that he's been hiding goblins or something because there is no way that he could make such a mess by himself." Her words draw a laugh from around the table and all of the boys, minus Alan who is elbow deep in spaghetti.

"Grandma, Alan is probably the messiest kid in the entire world. He can make a mess in an empty room." Even after Scott speaks she still shakes her head and mutters about it being 'unbelievable' before turning her attention back to the five year old.

Watching my boys laughing and having fun I can feel the stress of the past few months melting away.

Scott POV:

"Hey Gordo come here." The almost 10 year old hesitates before sighing and stepping outside the house. The night air is cool but far from cold and the stars are so bright I have no doubt that John will probably be out here for a long as he can.

"Virgil told me you apologised before." I can't blame him for being nervous. Lately all our conversations have ended with us arguing or me threatening him, I've never meant it of course and he knows that. Things haven't been easy for us though.

"Well…yeah…" Watching the way that he stands, shrugs his shoulders and mumbles it's almost like looking at a miniture version of Grandpa. Dad was right he really does take after him.

"Look I know the last few months have been kind of hard but you've got to understand when to call it quits." Knowing that's what was said to him this afternoon he winces slightly.

"I know. He did say to stop." Looking at him I can tell just how much Grandpa has hit home and honestly it would probably be cruel to continue going on.

"But you've apologised now so can we call it quits?" He seems shocked at what I'm saying. "Look I'm not saying you haven't been driving me crazy lately but you said sorry so lets just start again."

"I'm sorry I'm so annoying." He sounds so sad I can't help but pull him into a hug. Despite his protests I know that he needs it right now.

"Dude you're my little brother, you're meant to be annoying it's part of your job." Thankfully he manages a smile at this and I can see the guilt in his eyes start to fade. "But in future when someone says stop you have to stop, agreed?"

He nods at my words and leans in for a second hug. Maybe I've been a little too hard on him lately.

"Can we go back to the pond tomorrow?" The words are muffled by the fact that he has his head buried in my side.

Yeah fish, we can do just that.

Aww. Fluff! Yay! After all the angst and heartache in my previous story I feel like I owe it to the boys to give them a big dose of brotherly love. Of course that won't last since I enjoy being so mean to them.

Until next time,

Bye x