A/N: Warning! This Chapter gets really graphic especially in language. When we wrote it I guess we were feeling some type of way. I apologize if it offends anyone because that is not our intention. You have been warned.

-Bonus- Updates will be on a more predictable schedule though. Expect at least one new chapter a week. Enjoy :)

Chapter 10

Earlier that Day:

Jack was pissed. He folded up the pink sheet of paper that had just been given to him and stuffed it in his pocket. A quick glance over his shoulder told him that he was still being watched. He continued walking away from the school.

When he was a good distance from the campus grounds he took out his cell phone and dialed Ty.

"Yeah, Mercer. What's up?"

"Hey Ty, I was thinking that you might be right about involving my brothers."

"Why? What happened?" Panic was evident in Ty's voice.

"I think I just signed my old death warrant. Andrews just suspended me and called JT."

"Shit man. You gonna tell Bobby?"

"I don't think I have much of a choice."

"Maybe you should still make that deal with JT for insurance. If things go bad when your brothers show up, at least you can prevent a blood war."

Jack sighed. He didn't have any other choice.

"Thanks Ty."

"Anytime man."

Jack hung up and dialed another number.

"Hello?" The voice that answered was crying.

"Jo? What's wrong?"

"Jack, hey. Nothing's wrong? What's up?" Jack could hear Jo trying to compose herself over the phone. It wasn't working that well.

"Joey, talk to me. What happened?" Jack tried.

Jo sighed deeply into the phone. "It's nothing Jack. Bobby took me to the hospital."

Jack paused. "Are you okay? Does he know?"

Jo shook her head, then realizing he couldn't see said, "I'm okay Jackie. No, Bobby, Angel, and Jerry still don't know, but they keep asking."

"Okay, well bad news for us is Andrews just told JT."

"Shit Jackie! What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything! I was trying to help."

"For all the good it did. Now what do we do?" Jo was crying again and that was the last thing that Jack wanted. It was his job to fix this. He didn't know how exactly, but he would figure something out.

"Jo, listen to me. I'm going to fix this. I have an idea, but it involves dealing with JT again."

Jo didn't respond.

"Jo, come on. I know it's not perfect, but at least it's better than messing around for Andrews."

Jo was crying. Jack could hear it.

"Jack, I'm sick of being used like that. If JT knows then maybe we should tell Bobby. Jack please. If Bobby and JT go at it…."

"Jo, let me talk to JT first. I can make a deal that doesn't end in a blood feud. I promise that it won't be like before."

"Don't make promises you can't keep Jackie." Jo warned. "And what about the letters? Have you decided whether or not we should tell ma?"

Jack groaned at the mere mention of the letters. The situation with Jo, Andrews and JT had been an unfortunate but welcomed distraction from the stress of his own troubling situation.

Jack shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. "No, and don't say anything to Bobby or anyone okay? Why? Did another one come?"

"Yeah," Jo answered wearily. "One for both of us. Maybe we should just talk to ma when she gets back. He's in jail Jack. It's not like he can do anything to actually hurt us from there. And it doesn't sound like he even wants to do that. Besides he's your-"

"NO." Jack said with a little more force than he intended. He didn't want to yell at Jo, but this was a complicated situation and he didn't want anyone else finding out. This was something that was just between the two of them.

Jack sighed, "Jo, don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Jo didn't respond and Jack didn't know what else to say.

He hung up.

It would take him two hours on the bus to get to JT's side of town. No telling how long it would take to convince JT Marx and his boys not to start a war with the Mercers. And another two hours, assuming he lived through the conversation with the Marx brothers, to get back home.

Great…

Jack walked up the sidewalk to the large, two story, old, brick house. Trepidation, and anxiety overwhelming him. This house did not bring back fond memories for him or Jo. Jack remembered hiding in the closet listening to the inebriated tirade of their foster dad. He remembered countless nights for him and Jo taking turns keeping watch so that no one could hurt them and the other children couldn't play pranks on them in their sleep.

This was one of the worst foster homes that he could ever have remembered staying in. Gingerly, he raised a hand to face, remembering the sting of a hand going across his cheek. The warning shot right before a heavy blow was landed. He cringed at the thought as another memory ignited. A young Jo, only ten years old, being held back by a massive arm that was wrapped tightly around her waist. Tears streaming down her face as she begged for her brother's punishment to stop. A younger Jack, at twelve, lying on the kitchen floor next to a broken glass. His hand was bleeding from where the glass had cut him when he went to pick it up. An angry man, fueled by liquor stood over him. Kicking the younger Jack repeatedly.

Jack took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose trying to shake off the memory. He didn't want to go back there. He never wanted to go back there. Yet here he was. Standing outside the house yet again that had cause him so much pain and misery as a child.

Jack took another breath, trying his best to compose himself and maintain his demeanor. He didn't want the Marx boys to still see him as some scared little kid they could use and abuse. But he was wishing that he wasn't alone. Ty had offered to come with him, but he had turned him down. Now Jack was regretting that decision.

Jack walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. A burly man with long blond hair pulled back into a ponytail and tattoos decorating both his arms, answered.

Jack swallowed hard. Jack had gained some height over the past for years, but JT Marx was still a few inches taller than he was.

JT half smiled and stepped aside, so that Jack could enter the house, before taking a long drag from his cigarette and blowing the smoke out into Jack's face.

Jack turned away, not wanting to inhale the acrid smoke that had come from JT's already horrible smelling mouth.

The second Jack turned his head he regretted it. Within seconds, JT had the front of his shirt clenched in his fist and had Jack pinned against a wall.

"You got some nerve Jackie boy," JT said smiling. "What's your name now? Mercer right?" JT laughed. "You got a brother named Angel? That fucktard owes me some money."

Jack didn't know how to respond, choosing to stare instead at one of the stains on JT's filthy wife beater.

The smile on JT's lips faded as quickly as it had appeared. Yanking at Jack's shirt he pulled him slightly off of the ground before slamming him back forcefully into the wall. Jack groaned from the pain.

"You cost me a lot of money you know that?" Jack struggled in JT's grasp. "You little piece of shit!" JT slammed Jack against the wall once more causing Jack to cry out in pain.

"Thought you were so smart back then, huh? Beat up my kid brother and steal my merchandise. Think I wouldn't find you? Hell, you go to the school where my uncle is the fucking vice principal. Think he wouldn't tell me where you were? Give me one reason I shouldn't beat your ass to a pulp right here. You beat up my brother, I jump your ass and teach you and your new brother Angel a lesson."

Jack saw JT raise his hand to hit him and yelled "Wait!"

JT was caught off guard.

A single tear had escaped Jack's eye and his voice shook as he spoke, but he knew he would only have JT's attention for a few seconds longer.

"I can help you! Me and Jo, we both can. We can get you your money back and help you make more."

JT took a step back releasing Jack.

"The same thing you were doing before?" JT asked.

Jack nodded vigorously, his heart still racing. "Yeah, but without me or Jo getting hurt." He said trying not to throw up.

JT took another drag from his cigarette before putting it out and sitting down in a wooden chair beside the door. "Okay, Jackie Boy. You got a deal."

Jack nodded and ran a shaky hand through his messy blond hair. Now the hard part. "There's just one more thing…"

Bobby's headlights were the only illumination the brothers had upon approaching the Marx residence. None of them had spoken a word the entire ride. Angel was the first to break the silence.

"Bobby slow down," he called after his brother. Bobby had stormed up to the house and was knocking angrily on the door. "Bobby, calm down would you? These guys are crazy!"

Bobby stared at Angel and lifted up the side of his shirt exposing his gun tucked securely into his pants. "Crazy, huh? No shit!" Angel frowned as Bobby resumed banging on the front door.

It took another minute of Bobby's incessant knocking before the door finally opened and a very unhappy JT answered.

He looked down at Bobby and frowned.

"Who the hell is that at the door JT?" a voice behind the muscular man called.

JT scowled as he looked at the brothers. "Four dumbasses who need to get the hell off my property if they don't have my money."

Bobby forced a half smile. "Come right in? Why thank you JT. We'd love too."

Bobby pushed his way past JT and into the house. JT took a step back allowing the brothers to enter.

Jack looked around the room. It was the same living room as before but it seemed smaller with all of them there. The man who had called out to JT when they first arrived was sitting on the couch. A beer in his hand, he frowned at the brothers as they stood in his house.

Jack unconsciously took a few steps back when he saw him. Fear and recognition overtaking his senses. The man was JT's father. His previous foster father, Elliot Marx.

JT stood away from the brothers, but still remained a few feet away from his father. He was clenching and unclenching his jaw, doing a very poor job of concealing his anger.

"You have a lot of nerve coming over here."

Bobby grimaced. "Yeah, well when someone threatens one of my brothers I tend to gain a little nerve."

He was standing next to what looked like a dining table and pulled out a chair. He turned it so that the back of the chair was in front of him and took a seat with his arms crossed and leaning on the head of the seat. He looked at JT and his father who did not look amused.

JT looked past Bobby and stared at Jack.

"You Mercer boys think you're hot shit huh?" JT snarled. "Think you can come into my house after stealing from me?" he turned and looked at Angel. "After owing me money!"

JT's yelling merited no response from his father who seemed to be enjoying his son's anger as he sat comfortably on his couch drinking his beer. His yelling did however invite unwelcomed guest, at least as far as Jack was concerned, from other corners of the house.

Randy Marx appeared on the stairs, two of his friends with him.

"What the hell is going on out-"he stopped abruptly mid-sentence when he saw Jack and lunged forward at the youngest Mercer.

Bobby stood up but was too late. Randy had Jack pinned to the floor and was trying to beat the shit of him as Jack struggled to defend himself.

Bobby and Angel were yelling and were moving to intervene as the familiar click of a gun sounded causing them to turn and look at JT.

Bobby reacted without thinking and had his gun out less than a fraction of a second later.

Angel followed the lead of his older brother, brandishing his gun.

Jerry, Angel, and Bobby turned towards the stairs as more guns were drawn from Randy's two friends at the stairs.

"Hey!" Jeremiah yelled arms half raised. Palms facing out. "Whoa! Can we just calm down for a damn moment?"

Bobby turned to look at Jack who was panting for air and breathing hard, but had manage to get Randy pinned.

The two were standing. Randy had one arm twisted behind his back and his head locked securely under Jack's arm. One of his arms was flailing as he yelled obscenities at Jack.

Bobby was impressed. Years of wrestling with the little fairy had paid off.

"Let him go." Came Elliot's cold voice.

"Drop the guns." Bobby said.

"You first."

"Fuck no. Want us to let him go. Drop your guns."

Elliot looked at his eldest son. Put your guns away."

"But dad-" JT started.

"NOW!"

JT growled once shaking his head but lowered his gun.

Bobby looked at Randy's two idiots on the stairs. Their weapons were still drawn.

"You too." He said. "No exceptions."

The pair looked at JT before lowering their guns.

Bobby turned to Jack and motioned with his hand for him to release Randy.

Jack let the boy go and Randy walked back over to the other side of the living room, but not before shoving Jack once more.

Angel had lowered his gun but Bobby still held his in his hand more for emphasis than anything else.

"Now, before we all get too excited again… Jerry pay the man Angel's god damn money."

Jerry stepped forward reaching in his pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to JT.

JT snatched it from his hands.

"You're welcome." Jerry chided.

JT scoffed.

"Stay away from my brothers." Bobby warned. "In fact, stay away from all Mercers."

JT shook his head. "No way man." He looked at Jack. "You and that little cunt sister of yours are gonna get what's coming to you."

Jerry pushed JT against the wall with his forearm. "HEY, WATCH YOUR MOUTH. That's my sister you're talking about."

JT laughed.

Bobby put his hand on his brother's shoulder and Jerry released JT.

JT took a couple of steps back laughing at Jerry's response.

"What's so funny?" Bobby asked.

JT looked at him and smiled. "You don't know? Your precious little sister has been fucking my uncle. Told me she gives the best head he's ever had. Personally, I don't even remember her being that good."

Bobby punched him the jaw. JT feel to the ground but Bobby wasn't letting him off that easily and grabbed him and hit him again.

Randy moved to help his brother but Jack grabbed him first.

Randy's friends were caught off guard and tried to jump into the action but were stopped by Angel and Jerry.

All of the brothers were engaged with the Marx men. Bobby taking on JT and Elliot.

Bobby had slammed Elliot into the wall and knocked him out of the fight with one punch. Mainly because Elliot was far too drunk to fight anyway.

He continued his fight with the eldest Marx son. Even though JT had some height on him. The Marx was no match for the Michigan Mauler.

Bobby hit JT again and grabbed him by the collar. Blood was dripping from JT's broken nose onto Bobby's fist but he didn't care.

"Listen to me!" He barked at him. "The Mercers are off limits. If I ever here about you threatening or going near any of my brothers or my little sister, I'll be back. Am I clear?"

JT spit on the ground his mouth red with blood. He nodded. "Yeah, man. I get it."

JT let go of JT's shirt causing him to drop to the ground.

Bobby shook his head and looked at his brothers.

"Let's go," he called.

The entire ride back home Bobby yelled. He cursed at Angel for getting himself in such a stupid situation. He cursed at Jack for not letting them know what was going on sooner. And he yelled until he was tired of just hearing his own voice because he was pissed at the Marx boys for what they had said about Jo.

Jack was only half listening to Bobby's rant. He was more interested in the text message he had just received for JT.

THIS AINT OVER. YOU BETTER KEEP UP YOUR END OR ELSE. BIG BROTHER WON'T ALWAYS BE AROUND.

He closed his phone. Shutting his eyes he let out a shaky breath.

"Jack!" he heard Jerry call his name. "You okay?"

"Yeah" he mumbled.

Jerry looked at him for a minute and raised an eyebrow. "Okay… Are you good with what Bobby said?"

Jack hadn't the slightest clue as to what Jerry was talking about, but it probably didn't matter that much anyway.

"Yeah, uh… sure."

Jerry looked at him for a moment longer and nodded.

"Alright." He told Bobby.

"Bobby lowered his window. "Good, because we have some unfinished business to take care of."