wow, last chapter!

i hope you like it and i am sorry you waited SOOO long for it!

Two knocks at his open door encouraged Jack to focus intensely on the lyrics he was composing.

'Jack?'

He glanced up from the doodled page, twiddling his pen when the silence began to feel uncomfortable.

'About the other day.'

'I don't care.'

The finality of the statement stunned Bobby into silence.

'…but'

'I don't care and I don't wanna talk about it. It's over and you can only survive if you keep moving forward. So. I don't wanna talk about it.'

Bobby nodded appreciatively,

'…. pizza?'

'Sounds good'

'Cool. Angel and Jerry are bringing back three of those 'Carnivore Combo Classics' from the shop.'

'Sounds yummy'

Bobby stood in the door a while watching Jack nibble the end of his pen, jotting down notes and making small scribbles.

'What ya workin on?' He asked, titling his head curiously as he went to sit on the end of the bed.

Jack looked uncomfortable yet, also glad of the focussed attention.

'I'm trying to write a song. But…I dunno….i don't think…'

'Let me see.' Bobby's hand extended toward Jacks lap, waiting patiently for the teen to hand the paper pad over.

Jack assured that it was not finished as he reluctantly obliged Bobby's command. He sat back, scanning his elder brothers profile for any hint of thought or judgement as he chewed his pen anxiously; dreading the impending judgement.

What have I done to deserve this black misery

Surrounded on all sides with the hell of men,

Like a Blake character I'm wordy and alone.

Silence make me ill,

Despair tear at my foundations

Terror drag me down to the depths of misery

Break my will to live

Bobby, lowered the pad, chuckling,

'Congratulations, you made it to my top three most depressing reads of all time.'

Jacks face turned sour as he grabbed the pad back.

'Yeah?'

'Yeah…but, it's good man. Writing about what ya know'

'Thanks'

'Means it's not all bottled so I don't have to listen to you moan about the 'hell of men''

'Shut up' Jack replied, jabbing his foot forcefully into Bobby's arm.

'Hey! I wouldn't do that if I were you.'

'Oh, yeah?'

Bobby eyed Jacks hovering foot, grabbing it as it darted to his arm once more.

'Yeah!'

He twisted his body away from Jack so his leg was held firmly under his armpit.

'You ticklish little brother?'

'NO!'

'so…yes.'

He danced his fingers on the sole of Jacks long foot; ignoring the teens squirming and thrashing behind him.

'Bobby! Please!'

'Whats that?'

Jack finally managed to get a good kick out of his free leg, aiming for Bobby's back, between the shoulder blades.

This certainly got his attention as he spun to face his brother. A wrestling match commenced, halted only when the front door was flung open.

'PIZZA!'

Jerry's voice sounded from downstairs along with the wafting smell of meat and glorious grease.

Jack and Bobby looked at each other then in the direction of the voice. Quick as a bullet, both were struggling to fit through the door frame at the same time, resolved only when Bobby decided the obvious solution would be to shove his brother to the floor and dart out while his competitor was down.

Jack got up and wiped his hands on his trousers theatrically,

'Prime example of brotherly love there Bobby! Nice!'

Evelyn heard gunfire and cheers from the TV room. She scurried forward quietly, and stood in the doorway; taking a moment to admire each of her boys individually as the flickering lights from the, far too violent film, illuminated their faces in the darkness. She admired Jerry's beaming smile, the straight line of pearly whites radiating his face. He was happy. He had a fiancé and child on the way, a family man.

Her mouth curved up at the edges as Angel's beefy laughter filled the room; her soon to be military man, brave and honourable.

Her smile melted into thought when her eyes turned to Jack, her youngest and strongest. A tear came to her eye as she scanned his face; a wide grin spread over it, a long-winded chuckle escaping his lips.

And then there was Bobby, he was also staring at Jack; a satisfied smirk on his lips. He blinked and looked at Evelyn. She suddenly felt so grateful, so very grateful. He had helped her so much, brought her happiness and his brothers protection. The tears that had been pooling in her eyes slowly ran down her cheeks as she nodded her a thanks, he acknowledged by nodding back, before looking back to the screen and joining the banter. She spared another glance over her boys before heading upstairs, content.

Jack felt her eyes on him; it didn't make him feel anxious or uncomfortable but proud and secure. He spared a glance in her direction as she climbed the steps slowly.

I had done it. I had finally found a family…a mother. After everything; I had survived, and not only that, I had lived. I am not worthless. I stayed awake and I escaped.

This is whereI belong.

THE END

thankyou so so so much for reading and reviewing! i am glad i managed to entertain a few people =)

again, i am SO sorry you had to wait that long for the final chapter but thankyou for waiting.

till next time... have a great life!