A/N: Thanks again to my lovely reviewers and readers. Sorry this chapter is a week late, but Mother's day threw me off, lol. Anywho, were approaching the end of the story now, where all the action starts. :] Read and enjoy!
Chapter Ten: Smooth Sailing
"Merry Christmas, Skitz," Evelyn smiled kindly as she handed the teenager a neatly wrapped package. "I hope you like it."
Skitz blushed scarlet as she took the package in both hands. She hated when people got her things, it made her feel like she owed them something. "Uh, thanks Evelyn." She cautiously ripped apart the wrapping paper to fix her eyes upon a pair of old skates. She wrinkled her nose.
"You know the Mercer's love their hockey," Evelyn continued fondly. "So I thought we should get you in on the action."
Bobby stifled a short laugh as he watched the look on Skitz's face turn to one of horror. "Uh—okay, I guess." She tried to smile, but it came out a grimace.
Angel snorted, "Whatever, can I have my presents now?"
Jerry smacked Angel upside the head, "Jesus, where's your manners boy!" He snapped. "Anyone else got presents for Skitz?" No one else did. "Y'all cheap asses!" Jerry laughed good-naturedly.
Angel rolled his eyes, "I don't have any money, bitch."
"Angel, watch your language, it's Christmas" Evelyn chided warmly as she wrapped herself in a thick blanket. "Okay then, anyone have presents for Jeremiah?"
Skitz reached around the couch and threw a long box at Jerry, "Here ya' go, skinny ass."
Jerry's eyes widened as he opened the package and found a nice leather jacket. "Holy hell! Skitz, this must've cost a fortune!" He held the article up for inspection and grinned, "It's awesome, really."
Skitz shrugged, "It sure as hell wasn't my money that I spent. But you're welcome anyways.
Evelyn smiled again, "That was very nice of you Skitz,"
Skitz didn't answer.
"I have a gift for you too, Jerry," Evelyn said happily. "Here," it was a nice knitted sweater. Angel snickered into his hand and this time it was Bobby who smacked his head.
"Okay, anyone have presents for Bobby?"
Once again Skitz leaned over the couch and tossed two packages at Bobby. One was small and messily wrapped. He opened it up to find a stress ball. "Are you kidding me?" He demanded, looking at the cheap thing.
Skitz raised her eyebrows, "You dissing my present, bitch? I'll take it back to the store and get my money back, all two dollars of it!"
Jerry grinned, "He sure as hell could use it!" Bobby shot him a glare.
"You think you're funny, Skitz?" He demanded.
Skitz grinned, "Hilarious, actually. Just open the next present."
Bobby grumbled to himself as he opened the next box. It was fairly larger than the first and appeared to be empty except for two small pieces of paper that appeared to be tickets…
"Holy shit!" He looked up at Skitz and grinned, "You are amazing, simply amazing." He said sincerely. He almost thought he could see Skitz blushing, which only stretched his grin.
"It was nothing," she mumbled cutely.
"What is it?" Angel demanded, and Evelyn looked over curiously as well.
"Red Wings tickets!" He declared triumphantly.
Angel rolled his eyes, "Woohoo."
Jerry grinned, "You know you're taking me, right?"
"No, I'm taking Skitz," Bobby said.
"Uh, no you're not." Skitz snapped. "Take your brother and go have fun. I have a bunch of better shit to do than watch guys swipe at each other with wooden sticks."
Bobby glared at her wide-eyed. "That's what you think hockey is about?"
Skitz shrugged, "I really don't care what hockey is about, for your information."
"Oh, I'm gunna change that."
"Good luck," Skitz snorted.
Bobby grinned, "I accept the challenge." He said before taking Evelyn's present for him, a hockey jersey.
"You're gunna play league one day, Bobby, I just know it," she smiled at him.
Jerry held back his laughter, "Yeah, if he doesn't get kicked out for unnecessary fighting."
Bobby punched Jerry's shoulder before Jerry retaliated and tackled him. It was an all out war and Skitz was content to watch while Angel egged Bobby on.
Unfortunately, their wrestling match was interrupted by the doorbell. Angel looked towards the door lazily, "Who the hell comes knocking on our door on Christmas?"
Skitz leaned back into the couch, "You're present."
He looked at her incredulous before he rushed to the door. Melanie stood there, looking down at the ground carelessly while Angel starred. "Ya gunna invite me in or what Mercer?" She demanded.
Angel had to forcefully close his mouth, "What are you doing here?"
Melanie threw her arms out, "Merry Christmas, Mercer. Now I'm hungry, let's eat."
Angel backed away from the door to allow her to pass through. He met Skitz's gaze from the other side of the room and bowed down on the floor to her. "I will forever worship you!" he mouthed, before scurrying after Melanie into the kitchen.
Evelyn gave Skitz a stern look, "Now who is that?"
"Santa Claus?" Skitz offered innocently.
"Nice try," Bobby snorted.
"Go squeeze your stress ball."
"Fuck you."
-x-
A large arm was thrown over her shoulder and she nearly buckled under the weight. "You're really fat, you know that?"
Bobby snorted and drew her body closer to his own. She fit comfortably into his side. "I'm insulted."
"I'm fairly certain you're supposed to be," Skitz shot back, though she didn't attempt to move out from his embrace. "Where are we going?"
"To make good use of our present!" Bobby grinned happily as he held up two pairs of skates.
"Dear god, you're trying to kill me aren't you?"
"No, just trying to spend time with you," Bobby answered matter-of-factly.
Skitz blushed and tuned her attention away from Bobby to the cold streets around them. It was deserted. "No one goes freaking skating on Christmas," she mumbled with annoyance. "So we shouldn't either."
"Suck it up pansy," Bobby said with a laugh as he rubbed his hand down her shoulder and arm. "Is it such a shame that I want to spend time with you?"
"Oh no, I mean it's only natural. Everyone wants to spend time with me."
"Can we be serious here?" Bobby asked, annoyed.
"Serious about what, exactly?" Skitz demanded, brushing her red hair out of her face. "What is it you want me to do? Tell you I would love spending time with you, too?"
"Yes, that's generally what boyfriends like to hear."
"You're not my boyfriend, kiddo." Skitz reminded him angrily.
"Oh Jesus, here we go again," Bobby snapped, withdrawing his arm from around her shoulders. "What exactly are we doing then, Skitz? Please, tell me, because I'm just dying to know."
"We're spending time together," Skitz mocked him as they entered the park.
Bobby threw her skates at her, "You're really fucking annoying, you know that."
"I thought you loved me!" Skitz said in a faked high pitched voice. "I thought I was amazing!"
Bobby sighed loudly as he put on his skates. "I don't understand it when you act like this," he muttered tiredly. "It's pissing me off, frankly."
"Sorry to disappoint," Skitz sneered, throwing on her skates as well.
"Just get on the fucking ice," Bobby demanded.
"Don't tell me what to do," Skitz mocked him again.
Bobby was reaching his boiling point as he dragged her out on to the ice. "Now, skate and have fun!"
Skitz looked at him weirdly as she stood still on the ice. Her balance was shot and she felt that if she attempted to move, she'd fall on her ass. "I'm not moving anywhere and I am definitely not having fun."
Bobby grumbled under his breath and skated towards her again. Standing behind her he placed two hands on her shoulders and pushed her roughly.
Her arms flailed out and she let out a small squeak, desperately clutching at Bobby, "Don't fucking let me go Mercer!" She swore, her skates trailing in the ice.
Bobby cracked a small grin before he securely wrapped his arms around Skitz's waist. She glared ahead of her, "You're just loving this, aren't you?"
"Maybe just a bit," he whispered in her ear as he slowly pushed her across the ice. He kissed the top of her head and she squirmed in his grasp.
"Don't do that," she whined. "It tickles."
Bobby rolled his eyes mischievously, "If that tickles, then this must too," and he kissed the exposed skin on her neck.
Skitz let out a loud squeak as she fell from his grasp. With a soft thud she collapsed onto the ice. Bobby let out a large cackle as he continued to skate by her, though Skitz was quick to grab his leg and rip it up. Thrown off balance, Bobby went tumbling down on top of her.
Skitz cracked up, though it was hard considering the eldest Mercer was sitting on her stomach. Bobby rolled his eyes and was quick to adjust his position so that he was sitting on the ice. "You're so childish," he said dully, watching her laugh.
"Oh you love it," Skitz chortled again before Bobby reached over and pulled her onto his lap.
"I do," he admitted. "So I guess this means we're not fighting."
"Oh no, we're still fighting. I just don't want to get my ass wet," Skitz grinned a bit, but it quickly turned to a frown. "You just aren't getting it through your head, Bobby. I'm not here to stay. I'm not your girlfriend, I'm just a fling, I guess you would call it. And in less than ten days I'm leaving."
Bobby rolled his eyes, keeping his arms securely around her, "You're such a pessimist."
"And you're an idealist!" Skitz snapped back.
Bobby stroked her hair softly, "No, I just know what I want. And what I want is to keep you safe."
"Good luck with that," Skitz snorted.
Bobby rolled his eyes and turned her face towards his. Very quickly, he kissed her lips tenderly. He felt Skitz sigh softly into the kiss, but he didn't let that bother him.
Because even though she didn't know it, that kiss was a promise.
-x-
"Hey William," Bobby said respectively into the phone. "I have a question for you."
Bobby waited silently, gazing at the dark streets around him, for a response.
"Yes, what can I do for you, Mercer?" The voice was old and confident.
"Do you know someone by the name of Kirk Richards?"
"Of course," the voice snapped back angrily. "He's the one who's been bumming drugs off me. Why? You know somethin'?"
Bobby couldn't believe his luck. Apparently Richards had made a lot of enemies. Some very powerful enemies.
"Yeah, I can give him to you. He'll be in Detroit in eleven days."
"It seems we have much to discuss," William said as he exhaled a plume of smoke into his phone. "I look forward to our future conversations, Mr. Mercer."
Bobby's ears were met with the dial tone as he flipped his borrowed phone shut. He knew he had to keep Skitz safe, and that job suddenly seemed a lot easier.
William would take care of Richards himself, piece of cake. Why Richards would bum William out of his money was a mystery to Bobby.
Because everyone knew you didn't fuck with the mafia.