Jack slips with beauty. No slash. Please read and review.

Because some things, no matter how simple, are worth remembering.

AU. When a bond of brotherhood is recognized, one will go to great lengths to protect it. In which Jack meets some familiar strangers, Bobby seeks a different kind of revenge, Angel battles the green monster of jealousy, and Jeremiah keeps everyone happy.

Jack never made it home for Ma's funeral. ab·er·ra·tion n 1: prevents light from being brought into sharp focus, disenabling the formation of a clear image.

Bobby underestimates the weight of a simple gesture.

ap·er·ture n 1: an opening, as a hole, slit, crack, gap 2: a man made opening that controls the amount of light admitted.

Their first mistake was pointing a gun at Bobby Mercer. Their last mistake was pointing one at his baby brother.

Jack's been a Mercer for almost a year but he knows it's only a matter of time before Evelyn realizes her mistake and sends him back to foster care. He'll run away before he lets that happen again. One Shot. COMPLETE

Jack survives the shooting. He has a long recuperation ahead of him, plus Bobby's being a nag, Jerry's worrying constantly, and Angel's thinking about proposing to Sofi. If that wasn't enough, a new threat arises just as life starts to get back to normal. COMPLETE

In the sprawling city of San Francisco in 1870, Jack's life is a living hell, but a chance encounter in an alley with Bobby Mercer just might save his life.