"Junior, do you realize how long I have been trying to track your miserable hide down?" Ned Ashton seethed at his cousin.
For his part, A.J. had a charming smile on his face as he reached forward for his glass of water. Bringing it to his lips, A.J. took a long drink before he deliberately placed the glass ever so gently back on the table. Only once he had put his napkin to his lips and ceremoniously dried them ever so daintily, did he look up at Ned. Flashing his grin at his cousin, A.J. said, "Good evening, Ned."
"That is a matter of perspective, Junior," Ned said as his eyes narrowed at his cousin.
Skye watched in amazement at the playful banter that A.J. kept throwing at Ned. Once again she was amazed that this man was her brother. Skye was astounded that he was handling Ned with such ease - and maintaining an upbeat persona while doing it. Furthermore, Skye was once more enjoying the fact that for once Ned was not looking at her like he was looking at A.J.- a self-righteous look of disgust that all too plainly told anyone who was being given the look that Ned disapproved of not only everything about them but their entire existence. To him, she was just a nobody - a pretty face that was keeping A.J. company during dinner. However, old habits die hard and there was no more pertinent an example of this for proving that argument when Ned took one step too far and caused Skye to jump to A.J.'s defense.
"What do you want, Ned?" A.J. asked laxadazically.
Ned pursed his lips together before he let out a sigh and said, "All right, Junior, I am going to use nice, small words so that you can understand. There is an upcoming E.L.Q. board meeting."
"So?" A.J. responded as he reached forward and grabbed a breadstick on the table.
Frowning, Ned said, "Come on, Junior, stay with me. I know it's difficult considering that you have probably killed the remaining brain cells that God gifted you with last night with vodka or whatever it is you were drinking, but try and concentrate."
Standing up, Skye was fuming as she said, "Who in the hell do you think you are?"
"Who am I?" Ned asked indignantly. "Who am I? Who are you?"
"That's none of your damn business. But, if you don't start treating A.J. with some respect, you're going to have me to deal with," Skye said as her eyes narrowed.
Ned's reaction was totally unexpected to Skye as he threw back his head and laughed. His booming voice could be heard for several minutes. Only when tears started down his face, was Ned able to control himself once more. Nodding at Skye as he wiped the tears away, Ned said, "Thank-you."
"Thank-you for what?" Skye said as she crossed her arms and took a defensive stance.
Nodding, Ned said, "Thank-you for making me laugh. That's the best joke I've heard in a long time." Turning his direction back to A.J., Ned said, "I don't know which call-service you found this one at, A.J., but she's priceless."
Only when Ned had made the comment impugning Skye's honor did A.J.'s anger get the better of him. Standing up, A.J. was about to touch a right hook at his cousin, but Skye seemed to be one step ahead of her half-brother. Taking the glass of water that A.J. had put down earlier, Skye grabbed it and threw it full force into Ned's face. The cold water went everywhere, and Skye smirked in satisfaction as chips of ice caused Ned to stumble away, mumbling curses. A.J. nodded his appreciation at Skye with a smile while Ned got his bearings. Wiping away the water, he came back towards Skye.
"Why, you bitch!" Ned said to her. "Who in the hell do you think you're dealing with?"
"Who in the hell do *you* think you're dealing with?" Skye said with just as much menace in her voice.
"Do you know who I am?" Ned said. "Do you have any idea with whom you're messing?"
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Skye responded in kind.
Taking a glance at A.J., Ned then flashed his gaze back at Skye as he said, "I stand by my original assessment, because only family members or paid escorts are stupid enough to be around A.J. voluntarily." He then paused and ran his glance up and down Skye's casual outfit and added, "Although, I must say that while you certainly are pretty enough, I would have thought that they would at least make sure that you were better dressed and perhaps knew how to apply some makeup and use some hairspray..."
This time as Ned slighted Skye, it was not she who acted, but A.J. His fist came towards Ned in a flash, knocking his cousin to the ground. Ned was more shocked then anything as A.J. came to stand over him and said, "I don't care what you say about me, Ned. I'm used to your rude and boring personality. But, *nobody* talks to Skye like that. Not even you."
Rubbing his jaw, Ned flashed a glance at Skye as he said, "Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah," A.J. responded.
Nodding his head, Ned's response was to stand quickly and charge A.J. Before Skye realized what was happening, the two were in an out-and-out fist fight. Skye screamed once as Ned rammed A.J. onto the top of the table where the he and Skye had been dining earlier. Stunned, just as Skye figured out that somebody needed to stop them before one badly hurt the other, a flash of blue went past her. Going for Ned, the man came and grabbed for Ned's arms just as Ned was about to ram A.J. in the gut.
"Come on now, cut it out, both of you!"
The thick accent made Skye's knees buckle. She started to shake as dizziness overcame her. "Jax..." she whispered once, and then feel to the ground unconscious.
