Chapter 13 – A Question of Trust

"Hey Cody gonno invite me in?"

"I wasn't planning on it," he sneered, his dislike of the other boy evident in his voice. "What are you doing here Theo?"

"Would you believe I was in town and wanted to stop by and say hello."

"Nope," Cody sneered. "What do you want and how did you know where to find us?"

"Call it a lucky guess," he replied trying to get a better look inside. Something that wasn't so easy since Cody wasn't going to budge. "I wanted to apologize for what happened."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Martin that hurts, I know we've had our differences, but I'm trying to be a better person," Cody listened but he didn't believe a word. "Can't we just learn to get along?"

"No, not after the crap you pulled."

"Fair enough," Theo pushed his way inside as he made that remark causing Cody to almost lose his footing.

"Get out."

"Nice place."

"Theo I'm not kidding. You're not welcome here. For the last time get out!"

"First let's talk."

"What exactly do we have to talk about?" Cody was beginning to get annoyed and was ready to physically throw the boy out. But his next statement made him pause.

"I have some information that you might find interesting."

"Nothing you could say would interest me."

"Don't be so sure," Theo interjected plopping down into a nearby chair. "Take a seat Martin, this might take awhile."

Zack opened the back door and lead his cousins into the kitchen. Everyone else had gone home in favor of a shower and a warm bed. So it would only be four for an early dinner.

Still talking over one another it was at first hard to hear anything else. But as he listened closely he almost couldn't believe his ears. He knew that voice and he knew who it belonged too. Images of the last time he'd seen him went through his mind and he forced himself to control his anger. This was his home and Theo Cavanaugh was not welcome.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Zack stormed into the room and headed directly toward the object of his anger. "Get out!"

"What's going on?" Tom asked. "Who is this guy?"

"I want you out now!" Zack demanded as Theo put up his hands in defense.

Theo did a double take and it took a minute for his mind to register who was who. It was partly due to a few small subtleties between the two men, and partly because at the moment he couldn't ignore the daggers that were currently being directed toward him.

"What the hell!"

"Uncanny isn't it?" Cody smirked at the distress on his face. "Have you met my cousins yet?"

"No."

"And he isn't going to," Zack shouted as he rushed at Theo.

"Zack stop!" Cody shouted stepping in between the two boys as Tom grabbed onto his shoulders to pull him back.

"Look Zack I know you're still a bit peeved over that small misunderstanding last year. But, since I'm starting college at UCLA, I thought we could put that messy business behind us once and for all."

"Small misunderstanding, you bastard, you put my brother in the hospital."

"I was a different person," he stated trying to placate his actions. "I understand that now that I've been forced to go to counseling."

"Get out, and if you ever come back…"

"Look I am trying to makes amends."

"Make amends to someone else," Zack shouted as he roughly picked Theo up by his coat and dragged him toward the door.

"You mean he's the one," Mitch stated. "The little shit who beat you up?" he added addressing his question toward Zack.

When Zack nodded Mitch rushed Theo himself and it was all anyone could do to pull him off of the poor frightened boy. "Not so tough when you're fighting someone one and one, huh?" Tom grabbed a hold of his brother and dragged him into the kitchen while Cody stood between his brother and Theo who was still quivering on the floor.

"Get your ass up!"

"Zack let him explain."

"Like hell," Zack growled as he reached for Theo while he scrambled toward the door. With one last glance in Cody's direction he slammed the door behind him and started running. "What the fuck was he doing here?"

"If you calm down I'll tell you."

"I am calm," Zack replied through gritted teeth. "I want answers."

"Why don't you sit down?"

"No."

"Please?" Cody pouted while leaning in and placing a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth.

The younger boy relaxed when he saw the anger leave his brother and he took a seat in the living room. When Mitch and Tom returned they each took a seat on the couch after a few very explicit comments about the boy who they just chased out of the house.

"Alright start talking."

"Mitch."

"Tom," the younger boy gave his brother a look that said shut it and returned his gaze toward his cousin. "What did this bastard want?"

"With all due respect I don't think that is any of your business."

"The hell it isn't. We're family. We take care of our own, and I've been dying to get my hands on that son of a bitch since you told me the story. So talk!"

Cody didn't protest after that little announcement and instead simply decided to placate everyone and tell them what Theo had said minus some key information. Information that he knew if he were to reveal he'd never be able to prove if his theory was correct and in turn he'd lose Zack forever.

"He was here to apologize."

"Don't tell me you believe that bull," Zack grumbled.

"I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt," Cody replied.

"And why should we do that?" his brother asked him while studying his facial expressions. Something that made him nervous seeing as Zack could always read him like an open book.

"I just think it would be better for all of us if we took the high road and forgave him," Cody stated glancing over toward Mitch who had a permanent scowl on his face. "I repeat all of us."

Mitch seemed to be thinking about this for a minute and glancing over at Tom with a look only he could read, he agreed to his cousin's plea. If his hands weren't currently in his lap he would have crossed his fingers. But seeing as that would have been too childish he instead stood up and quietly walked into the kitchen to prepare.

"Okay spill," Tom asked his little brother. "What's on that evil little brain of yours?"

"Nothing much," Mitch turned away only to feel himself being turned back to face his brother.

"Mitch I know that look. I know how your mind works. I want an answer."

"And you shall have one in due time big brother."

"You scare me," Tom smiled.

"Be afraid, be very afraid," Mitch chuckled grabbing his coat and car keys before exiting the kitchen. Leaving his twin to wonder what kind of mess he'd have to bail him out of.

A phone rang across town and Carey rushed over to immediately answer it. "What took you so long?"

"I ran into a little snag."

"What kind of snag?" she asked impatient for an answer.

"Don't worry it's all taken care of," the caller responded.

"It better be," she threatened. "In order for this to work they have to trust you."

"Don't worry there's no reason for them not too."

"I want my son's back and if I have to destroy them to save them, I will."

AN: Okay so I know this is a bit late (and the chapter a bit short) in coming but I've added a bit more to the plot which expands the story a bit. So please be patient with me. You'll see an updated chapter in a few days as well as an updated chapter of No Escape for those of you who are interested. It's going to be quick a twist! Many Thanks. :)

Please Read and Review. I love feedback! :)