Happy New Year everyone, I hope you had a great holiday. First off, I would just like to say how VERY sorry I am for taking so long to update. I've been so busy these past few months and when I finally had a reprieve I got sick, and am still not entirely better. I didn't want to give you guys a half-arsed chapter that I wasn't going to be happy with and thus decided to wait until I was feeling more myself. In future, whilst I won't take as long to update, I will be doubling the chapter lengths in the hope of wrapping this up soon. Thank you for your continued reviews, they mean a lot.


"Angel hurry your fucking ass!" Bobby yelled up the stairs as he fumbled with his jacket, cursing at the flimsy zipper.

"Okay, okay, calm down," Angel muttered as he sauntered down and reached over Bobby for his own jacket.

Bobby scowled at him from under his arm before turning swiftly and opening the door.

"You wanted to come along, sunshine, therefore don't be fucking late."

"Yeah and for good reason. Don't want you goin' all crazy at Jack again," Angel replied as he followed Bobby out the front door and towards the car.

"It's not my fault our little brother's developed a new favourite pass time of pissing me off. I swear, what happened yesterday? That was hardly how I wanted to act with the little shit. He's acting out 'cause he knows he's in the wrong!" He slammed the car door shut to emphasise his point.

Angel sighed at his older brother's rant, glad of his decision to tag along to Jerry's but not entirely brave enough to prove his point. He glanced to his left as Bobby stared stonily out the windshield; navigating the screeching car around the corners.

"Want me to take a look at your fan belt? Don't sound too good?" He offered in the hopes of breaking the silence.

Bobby grunted, letting his eyes slide over to him.

"Yeah, whatever, if it makes you happy."

Angel rolled his eyes and glanced back out the window, knowing that was as good enough of an answer from his brother.

Bobby huffed to himself, eyes burning from the bright winter sun and the lack of sleep from yesterday. Not that he'd admit it to Angel but he'd spent half the night tossing and turning and replaying what had happened in his head. Evelyn's disapproving tone had been clear when he'd phoned her up to get his side of the story in just in case Jerry did decide to call.

He'd actually grabbed him. You just don't grab people like Jack, but his temper and frustration had been mounting at the idiot's inability to just be fucking straight with him

He'd pick him up from Jerry's and clear the air. Ma would be home soon and quite frankly she can take over because all Bobby seemed to do was intimidate him and get no where. Not even a name. Jack was clearly agitated and in this state Ma can wear him down in her nice, motherly way and get him to spill. Bobby can then go take care of it and all will be well.

He guided the car to a stop outside Jerry's and him and Angel got out swiftly, walking up the pathway to the already open door.

"Sup man," Angel greeted, reaching out to grasp Jerry into a one armed hug.

"Hey bro, why's it feel like I haven't seen you in forever?"

"Cause his lazy ass got a job finally," Bobby piped up, grabbing Jerry in a lose hug before stepping through the door. Jerry let out a chuckle.

"Fuck you, and hey if you came by the house when I was actually around-"

"Okay, okay," Jerry held up his hands, "got it, work my life around Angel, uh huh, check."

Angel scowled in response and hung his Jacket up.

"So, where is the moody little shit?" Bobby asked casually, falling into the armchair.

"Still asleep last I checked, Camille took him up some breakfast not too long ago."

"Well isn't that sweet, he gets room service too."

"Bobby," Jerry warned, "Camille's gone to the store to get groceries, wanna tell me what happened last night?"

Bobby sighed and ran a hand through his hand.

"I found drugs on him, they weren't his, he was gonna deal 'em out, I wanted a name and he wouldn't give me it. He's an idiot. The end."

"Then he thought it'd be real helpful to grab him and throw him around," Angel supplied helpfully.

Bobby balked, "I did not fucking do that! I never would. He started mouthing off so I took his arm and…"

He cut himself at Jerry's incredulous look.

"Look it's not how it sounds."

"Jesus, Bobby! It's Jack man, you can't do that-"

"No shit, Jerry!" Bobby said forcefully, hand clenching the arm of the chair, "it got out of control, but I'm worried about him, and so is Ma!"

Jerry sighed and rubbed at his temple, "Let me go and get him, but don't start, okay?"

Bobby watched him walk off, curling his lip in annoyance.

"Bobby," Angel cautioned, "I'm sorry, man, we know you didn't mean it. It was just an accident. Everyone's just feeling tense lately, let's just make nice and go home, yeah?"

Bobby gave a grunt and reclined back in his seat as they heard voices upstairs. Barely less than five minutes later Jerry appeared, followed closely by Jack who look sleep-rumpled and guarded.

"Hey Jackie," Angel nodded, patting the seat beside him.

Jack eyed Bobby warily as he slowly walked over and took a seat next to Angel.

Angel ruffled his hair, "Sleep okay, kiddo?" He grinned.

Jack glared, "M'not a kid, ass."

"That's exactly the problem," Bobby cut in.

Jack immediately tensed and Jerry let out an exasperated sigh.

"You wanna tell me what you were thinking sneaking off like that?"

Jack flushed and looked down at his lap.

"Bobby-" Angel started, immediately shutting up at the dark look sent his way.

"No, he knows he's in the wrong. He should also know doing that was a fucking stupid-ass idea. Hey, look at me!"

Jack raised his eyes, "Sorry," he snapped.

"Unbelievable!" Bobby threw his hands up incredulously.

"Bobby," Jerry cut in. "You're not helping. It's in the past now, okay? I had a talk with him last night. He's fine, and he knows what he did wasn't exactly a good idea, don't you, Jack?"

A silent nod was given in affirmation and before anything else could be said the front door opened.

"Hey you two, come to collect?" Camille smiled from the door with a bag of groceries in her hand.

Jerry stood up quickly to take the bag from her much to Bobby's amusement, and he nodded a hello.

"The house is looking good, and I know for a fact it had nothing to do with Jerry," Angel grinned from the couch.

Camille laughed and pulled off her scarf, "Oh, he suffered all right but he's a trooper."

"I could have a chair like this," Bobby announced, patting the leather arm.

"Any chair can take your big ass, even that one," Jerry smiled, walking back through to lean against the door frame.

Bobby feigned hurt, "Camille, you gonna let your husband talk to guests like that?"

"Seeing as it's you, Bobby, I'll let him off," Camille smirked, stopping next to Jack.

"You okay, sweetie?" Jack gave her a half smile and nodded, happy to stay out of the spotlight and avoid anymore of Bobby's wrath.

"So," Camille clapped her hands together, "you boys staying for lunch?"

"If you're offering," Angel supplied, "it's torture without Ma."

Bobby scowled, "Hey, you'd starve if it wasn't for me."

"I'd be on the toilet less, too," Angel pointed out.


Lunch passed relatively bearable for Jack. He knew Bobby was pissed, disappointed even. Whilst Angel had been a neutral party in all this, choosing not to gang up on him – which Jack was forever grateful for, he also knew he was not best pleased either.

Truthfully he was dreading going home with them as although he was confident that there would be no repeat of last night he'd barely managed to cover up under Bobby's intense grilling.

He was grabbing his coat when Jerry walked up to him, smiling gently.

"You're gonna be fine, Cracker Jack," he soothed.

The worry on his face must have been obvious and he let out a sigh.

"He's mad at me," he mumbled, peeking out from under his bangs.

"He's Bobby. He's always mad. Just do as you're told, okay? Ma'll be home soon."

"I am doing as I'm told, he's just so fucking bossy," Jack replied, petulantly.

Jerry laughed quietly, shaking his head before his expression once again turned serious.

"You're not an innocent party here, though, Jack, are you? You need to stop what you're doing, Bobby's just trying to help you, okay? I know he… gets carried away, but he cares. Be good, understand?"

Jack chewed at his lip before nodding jerkily, looking towards the front door when Bobby and Angel came to join them.

"Ready? Thanks for having us, Jer, Camille," Bobby nodded as they opened the door and stepped out into the cold.

"Anytime. Take care, Jack, okay?" Camille smiled as they walked to the car.

He waved his hand back in reply before getting into the back seat. Bobby started the engine and they were off, the silence already uncomfortable and stifling.

The sociable chatter from around the table at lunch seemed to have disappeared and Jack glanced out of the window where the clouds were heavy and threatening with rain and dark was already beginning to descend.

The car stuttered to a stop outside of the house and Jack sighed inwardly and pulled himself out of his seat. The warmth greeted him as he walked in intent on heading straight up to his room only to be grabbed by the back of his hood.

"Whoa whoa. Not so fast, I want to speak to you," Bobby's voice sounded from behind him and Jack suppressed a groan, eyes darting to Angel for help.

"Alone," Bobby reiterated.

Angel shrugged apologetically and left to go upstairs.

"Jack?" Bobby called from his place already on the couch, biting his tongue at the deliberately slow pace his younger brother set to join him.

He gazed at his brother critically as he sat down beside him. Apart from the slight tinge of red under his nose he seemed a lot better than yesterday considering his night adventure.

"First of all, don't you ever leave like that again, got it? I don't care how pissed you were, you go sulk in your room like every other teenager, not go walkies out the fucking window."

"I'm sorry, Bobby..."

"I know you are. That's all I hear lately, yet I'm getting nothin' pleasin' out of it."

"Well if you stopped nagging me," Jack said frustrated at being lectured yet again.

"I nag because I care!"

Jack bowed his head, his posture screaming docile once more and Bobby was honestly getting whiplash from his change in moods. He wanted a name, damnit.

"Look, I'm sorry I hurt you yesterday. You know I never meant it," he sighed, reaching out to grasp a bony shoulder and hating the way Jack tensed under him.

"C'mon, kid, if it helps Ma chewed me out good… but I lost it 'cause I'm worried about you. We all are."

"Everything's fine…" Jack choked out. He felt tired, tired and strained and at this point he can't help but think that he should just tell Bobby and let him take care of this mess because honestly he didn't know what to do.

But he'd be so disappointed, he thought miserably.

"Jackie? Speak to me, please?" He looked up into those concerned eyes and hated himself for being so stupid.

"It's fine, Bobby, I swear. I won't do anything like that again," he pleaded.

Bobby released his shoulder, mouth pulled tight.

"Fine. Ma's home soon, get outta here."

Jack startled at the abruptness but didn't question it, instead choosing to flee up to the safety of his room, leaving his brother to mull over what to do next.


It was Tuesday and so far Jack had made it through the whole two days of classes without skipping and was on his way home when he heard his name called.

Luke came running down the street, face anxious.

"Hey! I haven't seen you all since last week. How did that delivery go yesterday?" He questioned.

Jack drew in a shaky drag of cigarette.

"Uh huh," he replied, "about that… it didn't happen."

"What?!" Luke squeaked, wringing his hands nervously.

"My brother found it, he flushed it."

"Oh my god, oh jeeze, why the fuck didn't you tell me this?! Is that why you've been avoiding me?!"

"Because I knew you'd act like this!-"

"No shit, Jack! We're so fucking dead-"

"Don't you think I know this?" He hissed angrily.

"I'm fucking broke, I have no money to pay him off, do you?"

Luke shook his head dumbly, "What are we going to do?"

"I do-"

He was abruptly cut off by a strong grip encircling his arm and throwing him into a side alley. His breath left him as he hit the floor with a grunt, palms stinging at they scraped against the rough ground.

A whimper had him looking up for Luke who was held immobile in the grip of a man that looked faintly familiar.

"Well, well. It seems we have a problem here boys," Ren sneered as he stepped into Jack's view.

He instantly froze, stomach tightening in fear as Ren slowly circled him, arms crossed.

"So I'm chillin' out when I get this call from one of my customers, and he's pissed, he didn't get what he was 'sposed to get. Why's that, huh?"

Jack stayed silent; hands clenched on the ground as his felt his heart stutter.

"I said, well I don't know! I gave it to my friend with good instructions to deliver!" Ren paused, stepping closer to the boy.

"So. Where is it?"

"He just forgot!" Luke squeaked out, and Jack closed his eyes before reopening them at the startled sound from his friend.

Ren had his hand clenched around Luke's jaw, grimy fingers pressing viciously into his skin.

"He? Why not we?"

Luke faltered, a choked sound escaping his lips.

"I lost it, m'sorry, I-" Jack began, a blow to his face stopped him and he squeezed his eyes shut as his ears rang, and the metallic taste of blood filed his mouth.

"That's not something I really want to hear Jackie boy."


A brick wall? Yep, I've hit it. I've known what was going to happen yet I struggled writing this chapter after such a long absence. My fault really. This may be edited at a later date. Feedback would be kind and helpful. Thank you.