Chapter Four

Don't Argue with the Ladies and the Ladies Don't Argue with You

DivineAngel



"Hey are you eating dinner down there!" He felt himself grin as he moved from the bedroom to the bathroom, carrying his toothbrush, shampoo and several bars of soap. All items used in this afternoons war.

"Yup!" His fast chuckle a responce to the laughing five year old that answered him as he dumped the items into the bathroom sink. His scarred unruly expression staring back at him as he looked up into the mirror before growling.

"Man am I exhausted" He sighed heavily, scarred hand running over his face as he trudged back into the hall. "We have got to start eating dinner earlier." He chuckled lightly to no one as he glanced back at the clock, 8:55. "Hey!" He snapped, dark eyes frowning down from the banister watching the blue eyes watch TV. The blonde hair jumping on the couch as it ate, looking up at the snap. "Get back to the table." He grinned. Slyly spitting his order, watching the light face grin at him. Happily chewing the pepperoni pizza as it bounced before stopping to pick up a small piece that fell onto the couch.

"I diden't do dat!" The light face laughed picking it up before jumping off and running back towards the kitchen. His dark eyes silently laughing before growling at the mess in the living room as he made his way down the stairs.

"Shut up" He grinned listening to the blonde hair laugh at him as he came in. His scarred chest heading to the kitchen counter picking up a small cardboard box before turning back around. Letting his strong figure lean onto the cabinets as he shook his head at the grinning light face just watching him. "Are you done now?" He grinned watching the blonde hair nod, done with all five pieces of pizza. The light white shirt grinning at him as it got off the kitchen chair walking over to reach for the cardboard box.

"What's dis?" The blue eyes squinted lightly watching his scarred hand raise it as it reached.

"A surprise." He grinned watching the light face shoot him a dull expression. Stepping back as he moved forward walking out of the kitchen to the sound of the small feet following, humming.

"What kinda surprise is dat?" He glanced back watching the blue eyes study the box. "Can I eat dat? Gene?" He grinned

"No you can't eat it." He chuckled lightly, his scarred fingers working into the side of the box ripping it open. Dark eyes looking in at the small electrical plugs and light bulbs. "Is dat a surprise for you? Or is dat for me?" He glanced back at the light skin, watching it grin immediately. "Can I have dat if you don't want it."

He chuckled, unruly hair running over his eyes as he shook his head again. "Will you shut up." The blue eyes laughed. "There for both of us."

"Dares more den one?" The blue eyes lite up more entertained as the scarred hand pulled the top off the box. Lazily tossing it into the bathroom before leaning into the hall wall.

"Alright. You know that small fight I had with Iris?" He cocked an eyebrow at the blonde hair that nodded immediately. They didn't fight a lot so when they did it was memorable, and usually very loud.

"She said you acted like an ass hole." His dark eyes frowned immediately, watching the blue eyes study the box before looking up as he didn't respond, grinning.

"Yeah well, they always say that *during* the fight." He growled lightly lifting one of the small crème colored squares out of the box. Light hands reaching up for it again. Quickly trying to tear it from him before he raised it to the small irritated growl. "Iris's sister staying with her this week, that's why we haven't seen her right?" The blonde hair nodded, it knew all this already. The light hand making another attempt for the box before shooting him a disgusted expression. "So when I talked to her on the phone I told her how you keep getting me up at night and she said to get these." He grinned lightly watching the light hand stop dead as it tried for the box. The blue eyes snapping at him confused.

"Said what?" The light face frowned. "I don't! Give me dat box!" The light hand shot back for it, growling as he laughed.

"Here watch this." He chuckled lightly crouching down and sliding the small back of the nightlight into the hall electric socket. The blue eyes frowning as they looked at it before glancing up. Watching the unruly red hair shut off the hall light.

He grinned feeling the light weight immediately move into his legs as the light went out before it noticed the small shine coming from the tiny Christmas like bulb plugged into the wall.

"Wow dis is neat." The blue eyes shot at it immediately. The small light hand running over the bright light of the bulb before pulling it out. His scarred grin flicking the light back on quickly watching the blue eyes look up at him. "Can I have dis?" The light hand showed him the nightlight.

"Sure, if you keep it right there in the wall." He grinned watching the blue eyes frown dully. That was a no. "Don't touch it when it's been on for a long time either. Iris says they get hot." The blue eyes made a face pushing it back into the wall.

"If you have more of dat, can I have a differ-ant one?" The light hand started back for the box, watching the scarred face growl lightly.

"Here take one." He lowered the box watching the light hands snap two out quickly, one in each hand. "I said one!" The blue eyes frowned at him as he took one back. "Now you can put that one where ever you want but you can't touch these." He ordered firmly pointing to the one now in the hall wall. Watching the blue eyes look at it as he pointed before back at the one he held.

"But dis ones mine right?" He growled lightly as the small crème box and Christmas bulb was pushed back in his face.

"Yeah sure." He grinned leaning into the bathroom and plugging one into the countertop near the sink before starting down the hall. Ignoring the blonde hair that immediately sat down in the hall studying the small bulb. His scarred figure moving into the bedroom before jamming the last little box into the wall and smashing up the brown cardboard. Trudging over to the small trash can and dropping it in before starting back into the hall. "Aaa." He groaned immediately watching the blue eyes look up at him from where it had quickly dismantled the small night light. "How did you do that?" He frowned slumping onto the floor next to the happy blonde hair watching him. His scarred hand picking up a piece wire from inside the crème box.

"I did dis, den dis, den dis." The light face smiled picking up the pieces. Showing him how first it unscrewed the bulb, then the back of the box, and finally removed everything inside outside. "Neat huh?" The dark eyes shot him a dull look watching the light smile looking back down to disconnect another small wire.

"Jim." The blue eyes looked back up. "How did you get these little screws out?" He made a baffled expression. Scarred fingers holding the small crème nail. Watching the blue eye take it from him putting it back into the back of the crème box before twisting it easily. The small light fingers easily working it in before using its nail to tighten it. Blinking lightly as the scarred hand snapped at its hand, examining its nails and frowning. "Alright from now on you can't have them any longer the this alright?" He frowned showing the light face his fingers, his nails only slightly shorter in comparison.

"But Gene I don't know how da make da...but how do I do dat?" The blue eyes frowned confused watching the scarred face growl thinking.

"Bite them." The blue eyes frowned confused "From now on when they get too long bite them off." He ordered firmly watching the small face nod slightly, confused. "Good, cause you know what you did?" He cocked an eyebrow at the light face looking back down at the small electric pieces as he picked one up.

"I took dat apart?" The blue eyes looked back up watching the unruly hair make a so-so face.

"Yeah but you also broke it." The blue eyes frowned immediately.

"No I diden't!" the light hand shoved him fast, watching the scarred features frown at him.

"Yes you did. By taking the wires out of it like this, you can't put them back and have them work." He offered a lop sided grin as the light face fell. Picking up the small wires and examining how Gene was right before frowning concerned.

"I dident' mean da do dat." The blue eyes snapped up concerned watching the scarred face grin as it shrugged.

"Doesn't bother me, that one was yours." He grinned watching the light mouth drop open looking back down quickly.

"Aaa can I have one of yours?" The blue eyes frowned looking back up to to watch him shake no. "Why dat Gene, you got tree and I only got dat won." The light hand shoved him annoyed watching him laugh as he stood back up.

"I'll think about it. Lets go I am tired." His scarred face grinned lightly motioning for the blonde hair to come with him as he started back towards the bedroom.

"No I want anoder won. Dats not fare dat, you should da told me dat it would break if dat..."

"Now look." He shot the light face a frown, snapping the blue eyes from the small nightlight they were eyeing in the wall. "Maybe you can have another if we buy some more. But if not you can't...and I don't want to hear one thing about it." The blue eyes frowned, listening to his firm orders. "Don't you touch the ones I put in the walls. I told Iris how you keep waking me up because your scared to go to the bathroom by yourself and she said to get these so now you can go by yourself. Alright? No more waking me up."

"You told her dat!" The light face growled at him. His dark eyes frowning quickly as the light hands punched him. "I am not scarrwied Gene!" The blue eyes frowned at him embarrassed, watching the scarred face just cock and eyebrow.

"Alright then.why?" The blonde hair only growled at him looking down. Unruly hair suppressing his grin before the blonde hair started down the hallway. "Hey?!" He snapped, quickly moving after the white t-shirt that started moving faster with the sound of his yell. His scarred hand snapping at the light arm. Watching the small face shoot him a disgusted hurt expression as it stopped running.

"You shouldent da done dat! I am mad at you Gene!" The blue eyes frowned heavily watching the scarred frown disappear to a hard chuckle at its comment. "Shut up! I am not scarrwied I just don't...Ahhh" The small hands dug him irritated. Watching his red hair nod as he calmed down, trying not to laugh.

"Alright I am sorry." He chuckled watching the upset blue eyes frown at him. "I didn't know you would be embarrassed if I told her." He grinned watching the small teeth grit at him furious.

"Dat! I am *Not* embearssss!" The light hand smacked him irritated. "But you should da asked me before you told dat. Before you said dat about me cause dat wasn't yours da tell!" The light hands shoved him, pulling out of his grasp. Staring at the red hair that listened, no longer laughing.

"Alright, alright." The scarred hand made a surrendering motion. "You win I shouldn't have told her, next time I'll ask alright?" His scarred chest sighed heavily, watching the blue eyes consider his offer still some three feet away. Cautiously keeping a good distance between them. "Next time I'll ask alright?" The blue eyes looked down thinking, still frowning hard before squinting at the red hair. "Can we go to bed now please?" He flashed a lop sided grin watching the white t-shirt and boxers shift its weight before nodding.

"Next time you better ask me Gene or I am gonna be wheely mad about dat." His scarred face grinned as he trudged towards their small bedroom listening to the threat from behind him.

"*Will* you?" His voice teased lightly listening to the strong yes I will snap back at him. Still heavily irritated before the strong threat that he better not forget either shot at him. "Yeah yeah don't worry about it. Shut up blast it I am tired." He sighed heavily letting his scarred form collapse onto the top of the bed with his strong exhale. Dark eyes thurally exhausted from the day, and yesterday, the week. The blue eyes frowning at him as they crawled onto the bed, watching the dark eye glance at him before sighing harder. Grinning as the small hand shoved his away as he went to ruffle the small mess of blonde hair. "Sorry" his voice muffled out from where he turned looking face down into the pillow before sighing as he sat up lightly pulling the blankets up from under him and getting in. Chuckling as he laid back down, under the covers with the irritated blonde hair ignoring him.

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His face frowned immediately. It was dark, the room was still dark. "Ahhhh" he growled feeling the third small shove as a dark eye opened. Looking over at the clock reading a steady 1:00. "What?" he growled, but he already knew the answer.

"Gene get up." His face frowned harder as he moved. Rolling over onto his back, watching the white t-shirt and blonde hair shift its weight slightly as he moved, blue eyes watching him. "Gene." His eyes frowned from under his scarred hand. Rough fingers rubbing his eyes before growling up at the blonde hair sitting low to the bed, a nerved by the dark room.

"Blast it Jim." The blue eyes frowned concerned at his first words. "You know what time it is?" He frowned, the blue eyes glancing at the clock.

"Won a clock?"

"Yeah one o'clock." He spit bitterly. "Only it took me three hours to fall asleep. You know what that means?" He whisphered still tired, blue eyes blinking, silently whining. "That means I have gotten one hour of sleep and you have gotten four."

"Gene?"

"No." He snapped rolling onto his side to face away from the blonde hair. The light hands running onto his shoulder immediately admitting a small whine. "Now it's light out there go to the bathroom by yourself cause I am not getting up." The blue eyes frowned, listening to the strong words start to slur. The exhausted red hair already starting to fall back asleep.

"I am sorry dat I..." He trailed lightly watching the dark eyes, Gene was asleep. His concerned gaze turning back to the bedroom door slightly lit up with the small night light next to it. The warmth next to him running over his legs as he slowly crawled over the scarred chest before sliding off the side of the bed. "..dat I woke you up." He whisphered softly, watching the dark doorway. His ears straining for any noise, but there wasn't a sound. Just the black cold emptiness in front of him as he started forward. His small chest breathing deeply as he held his breath before gulping so he wouldn't make a lot of noise. Feeling the cool rough woodwork of the doorframe brush against his shoulder as he moved next to it, peering out into the hall. The small yellow glow of the nightlight so far away. So small, illuminating only the small piece of wall and floor as the rest was eaten in the sharp deep black. The wide blue eyes working on taking in every bit of light possible. Gene was wrong, he wasn't scared. He could do it by himself, he never needed Gene to begin with.

The cool paint of the hall wall ran under his shoulder as he slowly crept into it. Blonde hair running into his face lightly as he looked towards the cool paint. Hiding from the deep black that threatened to eat him.

The bathroom was darker. The small night light illuminating the sink and small space of wall he slipped into next to the door. Blue eyes staring ahead, alone. Quickly looking down, straining to gulp air quietly. Shaking lightly at the cool night temperature, the fear that everything was so far away back in the bedroom. He moved lightly feeling the cool water run onto his feet as he stepped into it, stopping at the small noise. If he made a noise, it would find him. Whatever bad was hiding that he couldn't' see. That was so close but just hadn't noticed him yet cause he hadn't made a noise, it would find him. It would hear him for sure if he called for Gene. We need more nightlights, his head murmured as he stared ahead. Silently looking ahead, it was too dark. Too dark to go any farther, the light didn't reach that far. The cool paint suddenly slid against his back as he leaned back into the wall closing his eyes. Gene was right, he was scared. Too scared to go any farther.

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He grinned lightly opening his eyes. Satisfied as he stared at the clock, (10:00) no one had tried to wake him up. Or involuntarily woken him up by climbing over him, stepping on him or any other annoying actions that would have woken him with the sun. With the blonde hair that instinctively woke up at seven or earlier and wanted him to get up too.

He grinned, lazily eyeing the empty side of the bed next to him before yawning. Letting the cool crisp sheets slide down his scarred chest onto his loose gray pants as he sat up. Scarred hand sliding through his unruly red hair slowly as he sighed getting up. His dark eyes running down into the living room as he walked out into the hall, frowning slightly at the empty vacant noise and room below. "Hey Jim?" He heard himself echo lightly as he leaned over the cold iron railing, straining to look into the kitchen before shrugging. Dark eyes frowning immediately as he looked down. "Aaa blast it Jim." he growled, moving slightly from where he had stepped into the water leaking form the bathroom. The clear cool liquid slowly trickling into the hall and dripping to the downstairs from between the iron banisters supporting the railing. "Blast it." He growled, snapping at the bathroom door. "Alright you get up here right now Jim!" He shot, dark eyes yelling into the hall as he stomped into the bathroom before jumping lightly. His dark eyes blinking with quick surprise at the small mess of blonde hair sitting against the short amount of wall leading in from the door. "Hey what did I tell you about..." he trailed eyeing the sink, it was off. His scarred hand snapping at the cabinet, ripping it open before cursing. The small silent stream of water running out from in- between the joint in the pipes. "Yeah that's right. I have plenty of time" He growled watching the water trickle down the cold pipe. "It's not like I don't need *one* more thing to do around here" He growled suddenly, scarred hand griping the pipe firmly. The sharp cold water running over his fist as he squeezed. Dark eyes squinting as they strained, the muscles in his arms working hard, shaking lightly as he turned the hard metal bolt. Watching the water drain away as it was again locked inside before he dropped it. His scarred chest sighing heavily as he closed his eyes, relaxing momentarily before glancing at the blonde hair. "Don't worry I know you didn't..." He frowned, stopping dead as he caught the light face. The small t-shirt and boxers sitting into the water, shivering as it woke up. He blinked, shifting his weight as he stared at the light face that suddenly looked at him, still half asleep.

Blast it how long has...his mind trailed. There was no reason, no good reason he could possibly think of that would make Jim stay there, and freeze to death. "Gene?" He blinked fast listening to the small whisper, as the blue eyes suddenly blinked upset looking around. "I don't...ahhhI doon't feeeel goooodahh." He grabbed him. Watching the blonde hair cry suddenly, quickly panicked, confused and sick. His scarred hands pulling it out of the cold water before growling.

"What is the matter with you?!" The light forehead pushed into his shoulder immediatly. Hiding from his hard angry voice. "Don't play dumb with me Jim I know you know better then to...What were you doing!?" He snapped, scarred hands running over the sink faucets turning on the warm water as he plugged the drain. Dark eyes frowning at the pale blonde hair he visibly saw shaking in the mirror. The small light arms pulled in tight to the white shirt, as he held the cold curled mess in his arms before pushing it onto the counter quickly. Watching the closed blue eyes open, darting fast to understand what was happening. "Ahh Jim I oughta swat you good. You know better! You *know* better!" He frowned, watching the closed blue eyes breath hard as the blonde hair teetered slightly. Grabbing his arms alarmed as he shoved its light weight. Watching the blonde hair slip into the rather large antique sink.

"Geeene I...Daaat...I don't feeel goood. But I am sorry dat I woke you up so I...but I was, coulden't do daaaat cause I was scaaarrwied." He frowned listening to the whined mumbles as he grabbed the light hands rubbing them in his own.

"Blast it Jim your hands are like ice." He growled cutting the light face off from where it shivered. His scarred hand pulling the small face up, glaring at the pale skin and chattering teeth. "Sit and don't move." He ordered firmly listening to the immediate whine as he started back to the bedroom. His dark eyes frowning, heading for the dresser as his anger started fading. Jim never would have purposely wanted to freeze to death, his mind growled pulling small articles of clothing out of their dresser before heading back to the bathroom. His scarred face easing immediately as he watched the light face cry. The small light hands gripping the outer rim of the sink hiccupping to the small back and forth rocking and heavy breathing. Blue eyes jumping as the red hair walked back in pushing him back to lean into the wall grabbing a towel. "What where you doing Jim huh? Why were you just sitting there?" He frowned running the towel through the dry blonde hair before pulling at the wet white t-shirt. Watching the pale shivering light skin appear as he ripped it off. Blonde hair silently sitting still, looking up as the scarred hand nudged him good. "Huh? How come?" He frowned watching the dazed blue eyes blink slowly, sleepily before cringing.

"Ahh I.dat...dat...dat.." He growled pulling the light arms up. Watching the small hands run onto his chest for balance as he pulled the dry orange t-shirt over the blonde hair to the small sound of the chattering teeth. Light skin freezing as he lifted it back over the sink to the wet floor.

"Here." The light hands took the clothes he offered slowly, teetering lightly before looking up.

"Gene I don't feeeel good." The light face whined watching him nod. Unruly red hair studying him, rubbing the small shoulder reassuringly.

"I am going to go downstairs real fast and then come back, you change alright?" The blue eyes looked down at their clothes thinking.

"Is dis dat...is dis dat stuff?" The blue eyes frowned, fighting the sick expression that kept seeping onto their face as they tried to think. "Is dis dat privacy?" His scarred face grinned nodding.

"Yeah." He chuckled lightly easing the smaller features watching him. "Now you change your pants and I am going to be right back, alright? From now on you change your pants by yourself." he flashed a grin as the blonde hair nodded unsteadily before starting for the door. Stopping momentarily outside to let it shut half way before heading down the stairs. Scarred face growling annoyed as he snapped the phone off the hook dialing irritated.

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"Sweetie that looks so pretty." She smiled, her feminine blonde hair running into her face as she leaning over the back of her small kitchen chair. Watching her niece color the small circled mess of colors. "You know what Aunt Iris likes that a whole lot. Can she have it when your done Daniella?" She smiled watching the short thin strands of red hair nod as the small yellow Oshkosh jumper colored before looking up at the ringing phone.

"Can I get it!" The small face smiled at her watching her giggled as she stood up starting over for it.

"No you sit right there until you mommy gets back okay" She giggled watching the light face laugh at her. Pulling the box of crayons over from the middle of the table as she picked up the receiver. "Hello?" Her face fell with her quick sigh. "Oh Geeene the one week. I don't want to, I have my sister down I am busy nooow." She frowned, thin soft red hair looking up at her sudden whining as the low deep hum came from the phone. Stopping as her feminine blonde hair started whining again. "Oh and who's fault do you think that is Gene? I am not doing a thing until you apologize to me. You guys are all the same I can't just..."

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He frowned listening to her whine as he leaned into the counter top, staring at the refrigerator. "Look Iris I am not asking you to save the planet blast it. You think you could have *some* compassion and help me out when...." He frowned at her fast squeaking come back. "I did apologize!....What? Yeah right. Look hold on for a second alright?" He growled lightly listening to her sharp fine but I am not gonna be here if you come back in seven minutes Gene, it better be under five this time. His scarred form growling lightly as he started for the stairs. Dark eyes staring ahead at the bathroom door as he made his way to the top before pushing in the strong wood. "Hey." He grinned lightly watching the blonde hair look up. The tired sick blue eyes looking up in the loose urban orange shirt and loose kaki colored cargos, sitting against the wall away from the water. "You feeling any better?" He grinned lightly watching the light face cringe upset reaching for him as he crouched down.

"I dident mean da fall asleep Gene, I don't...my head dadent feel good." He grinned lightly letting the light weight slide into his arms before standing up. Feeling the warm forehead press into his shoulder as the small hands rested on him. Gripping nothing as they hung off slightly. Too exhausted and sick to do more as he started down the stairs.

"Are you going to throw up?" He let his voice run out calm, feeling the tense muscles in his arms. Already upset from having made him mad earlier, and nervous about being sick.

"Maybe, I am trying to not to-"

"-Maybe?" The blonde hair nodded, his dark eyes looking down at the stairs as he started walking slower. Trying to even his pace for the small upset stomach, it was him who would pay if Jim puked. His scarred form heading back to the phone "Alright." he sighed into the receiver as he picked it back up. Listening to the small static on the other end as she shifted her weight, not actually believing he was going to be back in less then five minutes. The orange shirt on his shoulder shifting lightly as he started talking. His dark eyes watching the blonde hair slowly fall asleep wearing the concerned sick expression. Moving to hang on more as he became irritated. "Iris look, just come by anyway I don't care who you bring as long as it's not the circus..." he growled lightly, staring back at the fridge. "Yeah fine...she's not some kind of devil right?....Well how the hell should I know!? I don't need anymore....that's Not What I Said!" The light hands ran around his neck quickly hanging on at his fast outburst. His dark eyes growling as his mind whisphered for him to calm down, his expression and voice dropping. "Sure...maybe...I don't know...I guess he could his face looks awfully red to me." His dark eyes squinted lightly straining to look down at the blonde hair handing onto him, the small pale face flushed red. ".Yeah looks like it."

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"Gene I can't believe you made him go all by himself when you knew he was scarred." she frowned, silently pointing to several crayons under the table. Watching the small jumper get down picking them up. "Yes I am blaming you...who do you want me to blame? Jim? He's five!" She made a face before flashing a smile to the yellow jumper climbing out from under the table with the four wax sticks of color. "You know Gene Starwind..." she growled lightly herself. Just saying his name, listening to his hard reckless tone on the other line...was... "Oh I hate you, I hate you. Fine fine I'll come. But I can't spend all day there we have to be back here in about three hours." She frowned, spitting her time limit firmly, listening to the satisfied tone on the other end as she lowered the phone slightly. "Daniella go get your shoes sweetie, we're going to take a ride to see a friend." She raised the receiver back up listening to his compliment as she smiled. "Your such an animal Gene." She giggled lightly. "Make sure it's his forehead, and only if he's warmer the your lips ok?" She smiled, listening.

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"I owe you one Iris." He grinned shifting his weight lightly, listening to her repeated directions. "Yeah right, fifteen minutes?" He let out a sly grin as she confirmed she was coming. Whether she was bringing her niece or her sister, or whoever it was she said was there with her it didn't matter, he hung up the phone. Dark eyes looking down at the blonde hair half awake on his shoulder. "You know what?" He let out a sly grin, watching the blue eyes just blink slowly. "I don't know what the hell I am doing." He chuckled lightly watching the light face just swallow before grimacing slightly. "Your mouth taste bad?" He frowned lightly watching the light face nod, hanging on tighter as he started for the living room. The soft blue apulstry of their couch running over his back and shoulders as he slouched into it, looking down at the light skin on top of him. "Jim? You want anything to drink or eat?" The light face shook no immediately, blue eyes closing. Feeling the scarred hand run over its forehead, The frowning dark eyes running back into focus as the blue opened, looking up. "Feels like you got a fever buddy." The scarred face mumbled lightly sliding its hand away from the warm forehead and into the blonde strands before shifting the light weight off. Watching Jim's hands run onto the couch, crawling off before lying back. "Guess who's coming to see us?" He grinned watching the blue eyes open lightly.

"Iris." His scarred face chuckled as the small voice whisphered back his answer, the correct answer. "I knew dat by how you talked da her on da phone. You always say, your sweet, a lot when you talk da her." His dark eyes grinned, he did do that.

"I didn't realize I said that so much." He chuckled lightly watching the blonde hair nod, his scarred shoulders standing up. "Alright you lie here ok. I am going to go change and get you some medicine." The light face scrunched up immediately. Shooting him a disgusted sick look, that stuff tasted awful. "Yeah, you'll drink it and shut up if you have a fever. You don't see me whining about the taste when I take it do you?" He frowned lightly watching the sick frustrated features struggle against nothing lightly as they lay on the couch, silently arguing with him.

"But you never drink dat! You always make me!" the blue eyes frowned at him annoyed. Yelling through the sick exhausted expression.

"No, you just don't notice because I don't make a big fuss about it." He grinned watching the light face surrender fast as the sick feeling washed over it. "You want to just drain it down your nose? Then you won't taste it?" He nudged the small shoulder teasingly, watching the closed blue eyes just admit a worn out smile as he started back for the stairs. Quickly moving up towards the bedroom and grabbing some clothes. The hallway and bathroom door running out of view as he pulled a gray t-shirt over his head before shoving at his pants. Growling as he walked back into the water. "Blast this damn sink" He growled puling the small pile of towels off the counter into the water as he opened the medicine cabinet. Grabbing the familiar dark brown bottle filled with the thick purple medicine that pretty much covered everything.

His gray shirt and red boxers heading back to the bedroom, ditching his wet gray pants on the floor for his dark blue baggy jeans. Unruly red hair running into his eyes as he hopped into them lightly, avoiding the water as he started back for the stairs. "Hey." He sighed lightly watching the blonde hair as he came around the side of the couch. The closed blue eyes moving lightly answering, but not opening. Light face frowning as his scarred hand ran back onto the small face. Frowning at the strong heat before running it back into the blonde hair. Moving the soft strains back with it before leaning forward as Iris had instructed. If his forehead is warmer then my lips, it means he has a fever for sure.

The blue eyes opened immediately, looking up at the unruly red hair over them before moving. "What's dat! Get off me!" His dark eyes blinked backing up lightly, his forehead was warmer. The light skin sitting up immediately, gagging as it made itself sick with the fast motion. Ill blue eyes looking up at the scarred face now hanging onto his shoulders. "Dat's not funny! Not funny! No!" the small fists beat him growling before gagging lightly.

"Hey cool it!" He snapped frowning, his voice raising over the irritated force shoving at him. He didn't need the kid puking all over the couch.

"Get away from me! Don't you do dat! Gene! You saaaid nooo! Said dat you woooouldn't!" He blinked fast, dodging the small fists that ripped off his chest aiming for his face. The surprisingly powerful sick punch just missing him as he growled, snapping at the light wrists as he steadied the small body. The blue confused and horrified eyes darting, nervously pulling back from his grip as they became weaker. The quick anger and fear disintegrated leaving only the ill feeling pulling the blonde hair back to the couch. Half open surrendering blue eyes staring up at him. The light face breathing through it's mouth slowly, watching him shift his weight to talk.

"Relax Jim, it's a trick I meant what I said alright? Don't you ever worry about that." he flashed a sly grin, ruffling the blonde hair quickly. "Iris said if you warmer then my lips you have a fever for sure." He let out a lop sided grin watching the light face look at him saddened but relieved. "That's all I was doing alright?"

"I got a fever?" His dark eyes grinned, nodding lightly, watching the small face just turn slightly. Looking up the ceiling grimacing irritated before shutting its eyes. His scarred face watching the light hand reach up to its forehead, running over where he had just kissed him.

"Your going to want to sit up some to take this Jim." A blue eye opened listening to him. Watching the disgusting purple medicine pour into the small cap the bottle came with. "Unless.." The dark eyes looked up at him grinning. "Unless you want to pour it down your nose." He chucked watching the light face sleepily grin at him. Slowly moving to shift his weight, sitting up and taking the small cup from the scarred hand. Watching the thick purple liquid move ever so slightly before it disappeared. Moving too close to his mouth to be seen anymore. His scarred face grinning, watching the light skin drink it fast before gagging silently. Trying not to spit any of it out. Groaning as it swallowed repeatedly, his scarred hand taking the cup. "Yummy?" He chuckled, teasing the light skin lying back down. The dark brown bottle sliding from his grasp onto the coffee table as he sat it down. Moving over to the couch next to the blonde hair. Watching the orange shirt move away from him as he sat down. Blue eyes studying his scarred face from under the nervous blonde strands. "What's wrong with you? I am not going to get sick." He grinned lightly watching the small lips just move slightly before reaching for him. Letting his scarred hand grab just above its elbow pulling it over. He growled lightly as Jim moved past the near him boarder to the on him boarder. Dark eyes watching the blonde hair move into his side tired and sick. Grimacing from the sick taste and purple medicine coating its mouth as it curled up lightly. Pulling its arms and legs in for heat, and safety next to the red hair. His dark eyes relaxing, surrendering as he pulled the blonde hair onto him slowly. The light arms running up to his neck immediately. Hanging onto his loose gray shirt as the small face leaned into his shoulder, mumbling.

"Gene when Iris comes am I gonna...peas do I not have to go outside?" The light face frowned groaning lightly.

"No." he scowled at the idea. "I am not going to make you go outside. Just shut up and go to sleep. As soon as the medicine works you'll feel better." He shifted his weight lightly before sighing. Feeling the blonde hair move as it listened to him, frowning hard. "What?" he sighed heavily, feeling the irritated shove.

"Why do you want me to sleep?" The light voice was sour. Even sick and nauseous, still mad at him.

"So you feel better." He groaned his answer back. Justifying himself all the time was a pain in the ass. "Didn't I tell you to shut up?"

"When I sleep dat...your not going to give me any more a da bad kisses?"

He growled immediately. "No, but soon I am gonna swat you if you don't shut up" He grinned feeling the frown harden before the light face disappeared under the blonde hair and gray of his shirt. He grinned harder, dumb kid. Still trying to argue while he's sick, his mind chuckled. Feeling the light weight get slightly heavier as it feel asleep, against its will.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Geez Iris you make it sound like I can't cook at all." He grumbled lightly pulling his head back out of the fridge. The cool stick of butter lazily resting in his scarred hand as he handed it to her. Watching her feminine blonde hair turn slightly to take it. Still moving the frying pan back and forth as she fried the small cheese sandwich. His dark eyes grinning at her, watching her small blue dress drop a piece of butter in to the loud simmering sound.

"What you should do Gene is just find some girl who can cook and settle down with her." She flashed a sly grin. "Or else you'll die of malnutrition." She watched him grunt, chuckling as he walked around the small kitchen table. Now eyeing the tiny yellow Oshkosh jumper coloring.

"What are you drawing?" He grinned watching the cute face look up at him. Moving her small hands from the paper to show him. "Those are nice flowers."

She frowned. "They're people."

His dark eyes frowned at Iris's feminine blonde hair laughing at him. Her small blue dress shaking her head as she laughed, glancing back at the small read hair watching. "Don't listen to Gene sweetie. He knew they were people, he was just playing with you." She giggled watching the cute face turn back to the unruly red hair smiling.

"Yeah right." He grinned. "I knew, I was just playing with you." The small face laughed at him, picking her crayons back up coloring. Dark eyes switching back up to Iris at the sound of his name.

"Gene?" He grinned, watching her giggle slightly at his offered response. "Maybe you should wake Jim up so he can eat?" She smiled lightly flipping the grilled cheese sandwich .

He shrugged "Said he didn't want to eat earlier." She glanced at the clock.

"That was two hours ago. Before I got heeere." She frowned whining at him lightly. Dark eyes sighing as she stuck her bottom lip at him before giggling. Listening to him get up and start for the stairs. "Daniella hunny you want yours crispy?"

He grinned starting up the stairs listening to her question. Her voice gets slightly higher when she talks to that little brat. In my kitchen, his head grinned as he pushed the bedroom door in lightly. "Hey brat are you up?" He grinned at the sleeping blonde hair. The closed blue eyes curled into the pillows frowning lightly as he nudged it. "Jim? Get up you've been sleeping for two hours." He grinned watching the blue eyes slowly open. "Get up I am bored." He chuckled watching the blonde hair look up at him, moving ever so slightly. "Feel better?" The light face swallowed closing its eyes again before looking up, nodding slightly. "Yeah? Feel like eating?" He grinned watching the orange t-shirt get up slowly. Looking around as it sat up tired.

"What do we got da eat?" The light face yawned at him.

"Grilled cheese." He chuckled watching the blue eyes shoot him a dull skeptical expression.

"Did you burn dat?" The blue eyes frowned now, watching Gene mimic.

"No I didn't. Iris cooked it, but even if she didn't I wouldn't have." The scarred face growled. Watching the light kaki colored cargos crawl to the edge of the bed before sliding off. "I would like to see you do better." The light face looked up as it listened to him before frowning.

"How am I supposed da do dat when you won't let me touch da stove?" The blue eyes smiled at him watching his dark eyes grin.

"See? Your failing all the way around Jim." His deep voice chuckled watching the blonde hair just sigh at his comment, following his dark baggy jeans into the hall. The light voice mumbling a small shut up as he continued to laugh down the stairs. Dark eyes grinning at Iris as he came in. Watching her shake her head at him moving the grilled cheese onto a plate as she giggled.

"You want some grilled cheese Jim?" She giggled lightly listening to the kitchen chairs pull out from behind her as she smiled. Blue eyes climbing up to the table growling at that unruly red hair that found something funny.

He stopped dead, blue eyes connecting with the small cute face of thin red hair across from him coloring. Green eyes looking up as he appeared, climbing into the chair, looking at her.

"Hey Jim?" He grinned watching the small light face stare at the green eyes across the table. The small mouth hanging open, baffled by the new person his size. Blue eyes finally looking at him as he nudged it. "You look like someone's just knocked the sense right out of you." he laughed feeling the small hands shove him. Growling irritated as the blue eyes frowned at him before switching back to the green eyes watching them and sticking his tongue at her.

"Here you guys, eat." Her feminine hair ran into the sides of her face lightly as she leaned over the cute red hair sitting the plate of the first grilled cheese sandwich down. Eyeing the laughing unruly hair before moving back to the stove.

"Thank you." Her small cute face smiled reaching for the grilled cheese. Blue eyes frowning quickly as she pulled it over the small crayon drawing to eat.

"Hey!" The dark eyes stopped laughing. Watching the blonde hair yell before reaching across the table for the grilled cheese. Soft green eyes blinking alarmed by the fast irritated movements on the other side of the table that quickly pulled the dish over.

"Hey Jim." He tried to fight his laughter watching the blue eyes frown at her now standing in their chair with the food. Soft green eyes more annoyed now.

"That's mine. Give it back." The blonde hair stuck his tongue at her as she threw a crayon at him. "Dumb boy. Iris!"

Her feminine hair turned around, leaving the sizzling bread for a moment to look at them. Frowning quickly at the unruly red hair silently laughing. "Hey?" She frowned slightly watching the blue eyes and cute red hair look at her fast.

"Iris dat boy took my sandwich." The small hand pointed at the frowning blue eyes that only shot a notah I didn't.

"Ohh Gene referee or something will ya?" She frowned turning back to the stove nodding to the small red heads complaints as she heard his deeper voice start up.

"Alright give me this." He chuckled ripping the dish of grilled cheese out of the light hands. Watching the blonde hair look down at its empty hands before snapping at him.

"Gene! Give dat back!" The light hands grabbed for it again, sitting back down as he shoved it, grinning at them.

"You two see this sandwich?" He chuckled listening to the blonde hair growling at him as the soft green eyes looked slightly confused. "Iris made it so that means it's hers. She put it on the table for *someone* to eat." His dark eyes glanced at the blonde hair listening to him, irritated. "Since there are two guys here and one girl, we're going to give it to her." He grinned at the blue eyes that frowned immediately.

"Gene I want da eat dat!" The orange shirt reached for it again, growling as he pulled the small white plate away frowning.

"Hey? You want to be nice to Dee...Da..."

"Daniella." Iris giggled her niece's name quickly glancing at the unruly red hair holding the sandwich from the blonde.

"Daniella, since she's our guest?" His dark eyes cocked an eyebrow at the blonde hair. Letting the small light hands yank the plate from him looking at the sandwich as they listened. "Jim be nice and give it to the her, she's a lady." He ginned watching the irritated blue eyes look up at the soft green watching him. Taking his lunch when food that tasted this good was hard to come by and he never said she could visit in the first place.

The blue eyes squinted at the thin red hair immediately. "Dis is mine." Her soft green frowned concerned watching the orange shirt and lightface snap at her, the small hands ripping the bread in half quickly and shoving the plate and half at her fast. "Here." The blue eyes frowned watching the small Oshkosh jumper moving to sit on her legs. Quickly getting bigger to look down at the sandwich he shoved at her. Blinking green eyes quickly shoving it back.

"I don't want it." She frowned at him, watching the blue eyes look at it. Sighing heavily as it growled, leaning onto the table to shove it back.

"Eat dat!" The blue frowned at her, ordering her as it stood back up watching her shove it back.

"NO!"

"Fine." he yanked the small plate back in front of his orange shirt as he sat down, ignoring the pink tongue she quickly stuck at him.

He couldn't help but grin, as hard as he wanted to laugh he waited. Dark eyes watching the blonde hair eat. Consumed and curious in watching the thin red hair across the table that now watched Iris cook her sandwich. Her navy feminine eyes shooting him a frown as she giggled lightly. "You know Jim..." He chuckled watching the irritated blue eyes flick up at him as he spoke. "I don't think many girls are going to want to come visit you if you yell at them."

The light face frowned chewing. "I don't care." The blue eyes shot her a look as she glanced over at it, her small face quickly turning back to Iris, ignoring him.

"Alright, but I didn't tell you something when we were coming down stairs." He grinned watching the light face try to ignore him and eat. Blue eyes darting at him lightly, dying to know what that could be but not wanting to ask. "Want to know what that is?" He grinned slyly, watching Iris serve the thin red hair its sandwich before turning back to the stove as he nodded that he wanted one.

"Fine." The light face growled at him, frowning harder to the I didn't hear you? The red hair mumbled. "*What* Gene?" The blue eyes looked up, shooting him a disgusted expression. Momentarily turning to the green eyes that whisphered they - didn't want to eat near the mean boy- to Iris, before taking her sandwich to the living room. Dark eyes grinning as he watched the blonde hair lean into the table to watch her leave before frowning.

"Da..Daniella.." The scarred face chuckled lightly as he almost forgot the name again. "Brought a little bag with her, cause she went to the store before she came here." He grinned.

"So." The blue eyes shoved him irritated. Leaning into the chair as it ate miserably.

"Well it makes me think that maybe you should have been a little nicer to her since her entire bag is filled with Reese's Peanut butter cups." He grinned, fighting his laughter as the blonde hair sat up immediately looking towards the living room, that was its favorite.

"Geene!" He chuckled now watching the blonde hair stand up shoving him. "Why dident you tell me dat before!" The blue eyes frowned upset at the scarred face that fought its laugher.

"Well I didn't think you were going to be so rude to her." He grinned watching the light face frown frustrated.

"Ahhhh dats not fair!" He grinned nudging the small shoulder, watching the blue eyes look at him annoyed before darting down as they caught Iris watching them.

"Jim just go say your sorry. She'll share her candy with you." she smiled watching the blonde hair groan.

"No I am not saying sorry!" Her feminine eyes frowned as he yelled at her stubbornly, the unruly red hair grinning next to him.

"Oh no doubt he gets this attitude from you Gene." The dark eyes blinked as she frowned at him. "Ooohh you want him to be a pig when he gets older?" She frowned hands on her hips. "I have to put up with slobs all day and I don't want another one!" He choked a small laugh watching her when she was mad like that. Spatula in hand, small apron, tight blue dress and adorable irritated expression, how cute "Ahh what are you laughing aaaat?!" She whined straightening back up as she lightly stomped her foot. Feminine eyes snapping back at the blonde hair, blue eyes watching them. Listening intently to what her insults where like and how Gene answered them. "You." She frowned at the blonde hair watching the light face dully look at her. "You want to be a pig?"

"I am not a pig I am a person Iris." The light face sneered at her. Irritated with her stupidity, Iris wasn't that dumb.

"Ooohh Jim if you don't learn better your going to turn into an animal just like Gene." The scarred face grinned immediately, blue eyes turning to look up at the unruly red hair. Gene didn't look any different. "Now go in there and apologize to Daniella, eat candy and puke on him!" She pointed to the unruly red hair. Watching the dark eyes squint at her as she shot her last order, the light face grinning as they argued before she turned back to him, waiting.

"Dat's for real!?" The blue eyes frowned.

"Yes for real, now get off you butt and go." She motioned for the doorway with the spatula watching the light mouth drop open. Frowning blue eyes turning to the unruly red hair immediately, as the loose orange shirt stood up.

"Gene what's dat she's talking about?" The blue eyes spit frowning, confused and annoyed. Why should he have to apologize to that girl? She was the one rude to him. "She was mean da me first! Make her apolwagize!" The light hand shoved at him irritated watching the scarred face lazily consider before glancing at Iris. Her light feminine face cocking an eyebrow at him, buttoning the top of her dress, all the way up before giving him a what do you think about that? look. His dark eyes frowned as he sighed heavily turning back to the blonde hair.

"Jim, go apologize like Iris says." He sighed heavily watching the light face frown not a word of protest. The loose orange shirt backing up slightly in its chair before sitting back down, frowning. "Jim?" The blue eyes looked up at him, listening.

"I am not apolwagizing." His dark eyes blinked watching the light face spit its comeback sure and strong. "I'm not." The blonde hair looked back down at its lunch un-entertained with the slightly baffled scarred face watching him. Dark eyes looking up at Iris who stood watching.

"Well why are you looking at me?" He frowned at her, feminine blonde hair squinting at him slightly annoyed. "You're making me out to be the bad guy." He frowned at her watching her baffled face snap at him.

"What!? What bad guy? You are the guy! Oooact like one Geene you animal!" She frowned giggling slightly, she never was serious for too long. His scarred face lightening slightly as he stood up. Deep chuckling immerging as he nudged the light shoulder eating. Watching the blue eyes look up at him.

"Hey Dan..." his dark eyes grinned at her watching Iris mouth Daniella "..iella come on in here Jim's got something he wants to say to you!" He grinned watching the blonde hair choke immediately. Dropping the grilled cheese back onto the plate as it gagged, swallowing hard. Blue eyes snapping up.

"What's dat! I do *Not* have anything I want ta tell dat *Girl!*" The blue eyes frowned annoyed, quickly moving to stand up. Scarred face lazily ignoring its comments. "Gene! If you want you can apolowagize da her! Not me!" The light hand shoved him to the sweet voice answering a here I come from the living room.

"Jim, you will apologize because you were rude. Your going to kill me if you can't getting any booty when your older cause a me." He grinned watching the blue eyes frown baffled.

"What's a booty!? I am not!" The light hands shoved him, stopping immediately as the small yellow jumper walked back in. Looking up at the very tall, very rough looking man Iris said was nice and would give her ice cream if she was good.

"Who is Jim? Do you have any ice cream for me Mr. Gene?" The green eyes smiled lightly watching the scarred face snap a small frown to Iris who was fighting to silence her giggles with the mention of the ice cream she forgot to mention to him.

"Daniella." He grinned slyly watching her listen. Patiently standing so different from the blonde hair he was familiar with. Somehow more light and delicate, pudgy cheeks ready to smile. Where as the blue eyes stood strong and hard, always thinking. "I think lunch got off on the wrong foot." he chuckled, glancing at Iris who stood biting her bottom lip to suppress her giggles. "I would like you to meet a very good friend of mine.." He grinned feeling the light hand pinch him from behind. His scarred hand yanking the light arm and loose kaki's off the chair. Watching the blonde hair stumble lightly at his fast pull before staggering in front of him, blue eyes watching her red hair. "His name is Jim...Jim Daniella, Daniella Jim." He grinned watching her soft green eyes look at the blonde.

"So?" She looked back up at his unruly red hair, she didn't see any ice cream. What in the world was aunt Iris talking about?

"What da you mean so!" The blonde hair frowned at her annoyed watching her green eyes snap back at him as he yelled at her. The loose orange shirt suddenly stumbling forward as the scarred knee gave it a small push.

"Daniella do you like chocolate milk?" Her green eyes looked back up at the red hair nodding. Blue eyes snapping up at his scarred face, glaring at him as the small light mouth practically fell open.

"May I have some, some please of chocolate milk?" She smiled watching the red hair nod starting around the kitchen table.

"AhHey Gene!" The blonde hair shot suddenly, blue eyes dropping the unruly hair snapping back at the green eyes. "Dat chocolate milk is mine you don't get any." He frowned at her, watching her blink quickly.

"Why nooot?" She whined at him suddenly, watching his blue eyes squint at her as he crossed his arms.

"Cause I said so dats why."

She frowned upset watching the blue eyes soften suddenly studying her face. "I'll share candy wit you?" The blue eyes relaxed blinking quickly as he thought, candy was good.

"How much?" The blue squinted at her

"Some?" She whined lightly watching him sigh as he frowned before spitting a hard fine. Blue eyes glancing back to the unruly red hair that stood waiting since he yelled at him to stop.

"She can have some...but only a little!" His scarred face sighed, nodding lightly as he started back over to the cabinets, geez..

"Good now shut up both of you." He groaned lightly, man they were giving him a head ache. Dark eyes grinning slightly as he glanced back at them, confused blue and green eyes watching him from his sudden mood swung snap. Feminine eyes hiding her smile from the blonde hair and green eyes as she watched the strong scarred form. Dully dumping spoonfuls of chocolate powder into two cups before pouring in the milk. Glancing up at her sweet face as she started stirring one with him, smiling at him before noticing the dull tone to his face and frowning slightly. "Here...give this to them." He spit shoving the two cups at her as he leaned into the cabinets, suddenly he didn't feel good either. "Maybe Jim didn't feel good because of the pizza we had last night." He grumbled, but it wasn't like they purposely left it in the refrigerator for a week.

"Huh? Why do you think that?" She frowned watching him. Scarred hand over his dark eyes as she felt the cool glass disappearing from her hands as the blonde hair and green eyes took it from her. "Gene?"

"Aaa" He sighed heavily looking at her, watching her frown as his scarred hand ran off his face. Dark eyes glancing lightly at the two five year olds drinking before back at her shaking his head lightly. Leaning into her as she walked over to him. Smooth feminine hand running over his forehead, down his cheek and onto his chest. Sweet, seductive and yet concerned that he might be sick. "How long are you allowed to leave pizza in the refrigerator?" He flashed her a lop sided grin watching her frown become a baffled expression before she shrugged.

"I don't know...ohh Gene are you eating rotten stuff around here? Are you?" She frowned squeaking lightly as she looked at him. Watching him close his eyes as he sighed heavily again before standing up straighter. "Just go lay down, I can stay for another.." She glanced at the clock lightly before frowning. "I can stay, hows that huh?" She frowned at him, watching him grin as she silently canceled something for him. His scarred form ruffling the short blonde hair drinking as he walked by towards the stairs. Soft navy eyes watching him go before glancing around for the cups of chocolate milk and red hair and blue eyes that suddenly disappeared. "What?" She frowned baffled, quick movements shutting off the stove and sliding the frying pan into the sink before sighing. "What's the rush Iris?" she muttered to herself, letting the warm water of the faucet tickle over her hand before adding more pressure and watching it run onto the washcloth she would wipe up with. Smiling lightly as she listened to the small voices in the living room. One declaring she was a princess because that is what her mommy said to an annoyed male notah your too ugly.

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Ahh he felt like shit, dark eyes staring up at the ceiling as they opened before glancing at the clock. He fell asleep...forty minutes ago...threw up...an hour ago...yelled at the green eyes and blonde hair to shut up...an hour and twenty minutes ago. "Grrr" He growled lightly, getting sick now was not good, not when jobs could call in. Jobs he had to answer if they planned to keep on eating. He frowned, unruly red hair sliding over his eyes as he rolled over slightly, it shouldn't last that long his mind mumbled. His mouth bitterer from the thick purple medicine he drank before he went to sleep. Jim wasn't sick for that long...his dark eyes closed. Silently agreeing to get up in twenty minutes, sick or not, it was up to endurance.

"Hey what are you two doing?" She frowned stomping into the living room. Her smooth light face annoyed with the fighting she couldn't block out anymore. Blonde hair and green eyes snapping up at her immediately, motionless. "Ahh Daniella give that back to Jim...now." She sighed heavily walking over to them. Taking the metal wrench from the small yellow jumper and handing it back to the blonde hair that immediately shot a frustrated see expression at the green eyes that frowned. "Can't you two be good for two minutes?" She frowned "Oh Iris is tiiired, she doesn't want to plaay this anymore." She frowned at them watching them start arguing at her immediately. One cranky side declaring she took his wrench, which he didn't say she could touch because she agreed to trade her doll for it but it was stupid. While the other complained he took her doll because she wanted to play with his wrench and he was hurting it cause he was holding it by the hair. She frowned, blocking them out again as they started arguing with each other. Irritated expressions and phrases snapping back at forth until she sighed heavily. Yanking the yellow jumper towards her quickly. Watching the pair of blue and green eyes look up, stopping to see what she was going to say. "Now look." she frowned "Daniella you want to watch a movie? Want to watch...Cinderella?" The red hair smiled at her immediately nodding.

"No I don't wanna watch dat!" The blue eyes snapped frowning, the TV was his.

"That's ok your not watching it." She sighed walking back to the kitchen, red and blonde hair following her as she went to get Cinderella.

"I am too!" She turned around at his cranky snap, flashing him a frown. This was exhausting.

"Jim, your going to go upstairs to take your nap while she watches Cinderella alright?" She raised her eyebrows at him. Watching the blue eyes blink, quickly caught off guard. Darting at the small red head listening, looking at him. "Now go finish your chocolate milk, then your going to bed." she stated firmly, one down, one to go. Cinderella thank god, her mind grinned turning back around. Green eyes watching the blonde hair that had totally shut up. Blue eyes looking down slightly since she had mentioned his nap before glancing back at her.

"How come you don't like Cindewella?" The yellow jumper smiled at him lightly, watching him frown. "Good thing you don't have ta watch dat if you don't like it. I don't take a nap anymore cause I am going to be six soon. Maybe in three or fours years maybe. Not you huh?"

He frowned "No. I am." He spit watching her listen to him. More accustomed to his harsh tones now. Where before they seemed more directed at her. "I don't have to nap." She shrugged, glancing back at the garage door as Iris came back in.

"Cindewella!" She beamed

"Yeees." Iris looked far to relieved. "Thank god she was in the car huh?" She sighed exhausted watching the yellow jumper clap ready to watch its favorite princess. "Hey Jim?" She frowned slightly watching him look up at her. "What's the matter hunny? Are we napping or what? Go drink some more." She smiled lightly at him, humored by the conflicted expression on his face. Not sure what it was for, but it looked funny.

"Iris?" He listened to her small hmm answering him back as she moved a cup of milk to the sink quickly. "I don't hafta nap any more if I don't want da." She glanced at him, listening to his nervous phrase spit firmly.

"Did Gene say that?" She frowned slightly, no one told her about this, and he sure seemed crabby and tired enough.

"Ah...I don't member." The blue eyes frowned watching her nod, a sweet smile running over her face.

"Oh I see." She giggled slightly. "Get upstairs, it's 12:50." Her eyes smiling at him before watching the Daniella come back in from the living room. His loose orange shirt jumping quickly as she ran a hand into his hair.

"Ahh I want ta have dis color hair too. If I had yellow hair I would look like Cindewellla huh?" She smiled at him watching him growl at her.

"No! I don't have hair like Cindewella!" He snapped shoving her hands away from him but she only laughed at him. Giggling at his facial expressions that were so frustrated they were funny. "Shut up!"

"Alright you two." She frowned. "Jim. Nap. Daniella. TV. Now" She ordered grabbing the light hand of the blonde hair as she walked by picking the yellow jumper up. "Aww come onnn." She wined looking down at the cranky blonde that ripped his hand from her as she continued walking. Sitting the yellow jumper on the couch and handing her Cinderella.

"Notah! You can't tell me what ta do!" He frowned at her watching her sigh heavily at him.

"Jim I am this close." She made a small space with her fingers as she frowned. "Don't push it, I am giving up a free meal and movie to watch you two. Now Gene said you take a nap so that's what you do." She frowned watching him shake his head at her, hard blue eyes glaring at her as she started forward. He started running. "Hey!" She snapped quickly picking up her pace and grabbing the back of the loose orange shirt as the blonde hair bolted for the kitchen. The small growls and angry light hands snapping up at her as she crouched down to pick it up. "OOWwww!" She let go fast, feminine hands snapping at her ear, feeling around the small bloody hole where her earring went. Blue eyes spinning around to her alarmed but taken back. Looking down at the small shiny thing that somehow just came out of Iris's ear. "Jim! That's not funny!" She frowned at him fast, snapping her earring from his hand as he looked at it. Blue eyes blinking up at her as it disappeared, gapping lightly before focusing on Daniella who suddenly appeared asking if Iris was ok? Looking concerned as she watched her aunt "That really hurt Jim!" She frowned, watching his eyes cringe lightly, listening to her hard voice. Her soft hand snapping at his wrist and yanking him forward as the blue darted from her to the red headed girl watching him.

"Iris dat was an.." He trailed stumbling as she pulled, the ground under his feet disappearing slightly as she stood up. Her strong arm quickly spinning him around, blue eyes connecting with the soft face of thin red hair three feet from him, watching him before jumping quickly. Her green eyes cringing with a fast blink as he felt Iris's familiar hand suddenly become so much harder as it swatted him. "Ahh!" Her feminine eyes watched him jump immediately to a surprised cry. His feet struggling to pull his hips forward away from the hand swatting his bottom hard as he stared ahead, mortified. Green eyes directly in front of him, watching *him* be punished.

"There." She frowned, dropping his wrist. Watching his blonde hair trip forward quickly as his hands appeared over the back of his pants. "Now you sit in time out Jim." She frowned watching him look up at her, breathing heavily. Blue humiliated eyes moving up to her, she had just swatted him. That was the first time Iris ever did, and in front of a someone else, a someone girl. "Go on." He stumbled fast as she moved him.

"Iris let me gooooahh!" He cried suddenly pushing his heels into the ground to fight her shoving before panicking to her annoyed, your pushing it, snap at him with her light hands. Quickly moving him toward the wall as he whined at her. "Ahhhh!..." He screamed at her, mad and embarrassed, she couldn't...he stopped. Silencing immediately as he connected with the green eyes watching him. His legs quickly sitting down to her pushing as he looked away to hid.

"Damnt that always makes me feel bad." She frowned suddenly standing back up as she looked down hands on her hips. Watching the loose orange shirt and kaki colored cargos sit down, wincing slightly before leaning into the wall to hide from the yellow jumper. "Daniella don't...go back and watch Cinderella." The green eyes looked up at her groaning tone and slight shove as she shook her head. "It doesn't make him feel good if you look at him." She mumbled softly pushing the yellow jumper back towards the couch. Light hand running back up to her ear as she saw small drops of blood drip to the floor.

"What happened to you ear?" She jumped lightly before sighing. Her soft feminine eyes running onto his scarred face as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Yawning as he stretched before frowning as he looked at her more closely. "How did that happen?" He frowned brushing her hand away, but his voice was almost humored. Dark eyes looking at the small hole silently bleeding from where her earring was pulled down and out so hard it cut her sensitive skin. "Did Daniella not like this pair?" He laughed at his own sarcasm as he ran over the top of her dress for what she could have caught her earing on.

"Gene next time.." She started before rephrasing "Does Jim still nap?" She frowned slightly annoyed. Watching his face fall to more of a realization that Jim should be napping now.

"Ahh yeah, don't worry about it I'll tell him." He flashed a grin. "Where is he?" He watched her sigh heavily stepping back to the kitchen doorway. Discretely pointing towards the back of the wall as her other hand held her ear.

"He didn't want to, and almost ripped my ear clear through." She frowned watching him move into the doorway looking down at the blonde hair that was trying hard to hide from them. Aware they were talking about him and understanding everything they said.

"Ahh Irrris." He send her a moaned whisper, glancing at the thin red hair and yellow jumper watching them from the couch before frowning. Leaning into her feminine hair and unharmed ear, whispering to her. "You can't put him in time out in front of her." He watched her face shoot him a baffled expression as he shook his head no.

"Wa?.."

"No. Don't do it. It's not good for him or he'll be embarrassed around girls." He flashed her a strong look watching her nod more concerned now. Was that true?

"Sorry I didn't...Gene I didn't know that.." She trailed lightly, he didn't look like he was listening to her. Scarred hand nudging the small shoulder inside the orange t-shirt hiding into the wall. Focusing on becoming as low and hidden as possible.

"Come on Jim." He rubbed the shoulder lightly. "Stand up. No ones watching you." He muttered, glancing up at Iris who immediately moved to the couch. Light arm running into his grasp as he pulled it upward to the blonde's non response. The light face leaning towards the wall looking down as he pulled it up before watching it bolt into his jeans. Blonde hair hiding in his dark denim as he sighed pulling it out. "Come on, walk up the stairs." He ordered softly. "Stand up straight." He shoved the orange shirt, watching it stumble nervously. Embarrassed blue eyes trying to hide back into him. Straightening up as the scarred hands forced its smaller shoulders up right. Dark eyes frowning at the small hand that quickly moved to guard the back of its pants. "Yeah your not in any trouble, get going." He shoved the blonde hair fast, watching the light skin falter before quickly starting for the stairs. Looking away and towards the floor as his scarred form started up after it. Watching her feminine light hair mouth a strong Sorry to him. His scarred face sighing heavily, he couldn't really be mad at her. She didn't know, he was the one that should have mentioned something.

He watched the blonde hair stumble every few seconds as it walked in front of him. Focusing harder on hiding its face with its hands, then on where it was actually walking. Stopping lightly as his scarred hand opened the bedroom door, before bolting for the bed. Quickly climbing up and disappearing into a pillow as it hid its face.

"Mmmm" The small hand shoved him away as he rubbed the back of the loose orange shirt. Blonde hair sniffling hard, pulling the pillow with it to the other side of the bed.

"Ahh Jim come on, I said your not in any more trouble. You paid good for ripping on Iris's earring down there. I am not going to do anything." He frowned slightly watching the orange shirt hug the pillow, rocking lightly as it sat. Dark eyes frowning harder as he got onto the bed, quickly pulling the light arms over to him and holding the blonde down as he pulled the pillow away. The silent protests and struggling stopping as the pillow disappeared and the light hands snapping under the blonde hair covering the small face. "Iris put you in time out?" He grinned lightly feeling the small chest lean into his side where he held it, slowly relaxing to let more of its weight lean there voluntarily then by force. "Huh?" The blonde hair nodded quickly. "How come?" he grinned listening to the small breathing but there was no answer, and he didn't think one was coming either. "Could it be thaaat...you didn't listen to her?" He glanced down at the blonde hair, watching the small chest still breath hard. "Hmm? Did you not listen? You know you sleep now, come on." He nudged the small shoulder as he grinned.

"Ahhaaaa." He frowned, watching the small face push into his chest suddenly as the light hands hugged him. "Geeene Geeene I, Geene I didn't..." The small chest cried hiccupping fast as he sighed. Rubbing the small back gently before gripping the light weight under the arms and pulling it up. Watching the light hands fight to hang on before loosing to his strength as he pulled it off and up to his shoulder.

"Yeah ok." He grinned, ruffling the blonde hair slowly. "You plan on living up to your wizard name and learning from this?" The blonde hair nodded quickly, still whining into his shoulder. "Yeah?" It nodded harder. "What are you leaning?" He grinned cocking an eyebrow at the light face that pulled out of his shoulder just enough to speak.

"Dat, dat, dat Iris dadent listen da me and always ta go wid you when you leeeeave." He frowned to the answer cried at him.

"That's not it." He sighed frowning. "This teaches you to be nice to girls Jim. What have I told you about girls?" He frowned, pushing the blonde hair off.

"I don't waaanaa talk about dis." The light face sunk into the bed upset. "Ahhhaa" The small form crying as it laid down.

"What did I tell you?" He pushed the light weight and orange shirt onto it's back from where the blonde hair was rolling onto its stomach to hid.

"Not to yell and nooot to hit." The wet blue eyes frowned up at him, quieting to sniffles for a moment.

"Yeah? And did you yell at Iris?" He cocked an eyebrow watching the blue eyes dart for a moment, thinking before crying. "Or hit?"

"Ahhhhaaa little." The orange shirt sat up quickly, crawling back through the small space he had shoved it away and sitting. His scarred arm roughing the small shoulders and neck of the blonde hair that sat in front of him looking down as it cried.

"Remember Jim, you don't argue with the ladies and the ladies don't argue with you." He flashed a grin at the blue eyes that looked up at him, standing up. His scared face watching the loose cargos step over the small mound of blanket on the bed where they sat before leaning into his chest.

"Diden't and you saaaay daat Iris could hit meee?" His scarred face frowned listening to the muffled voice in his shoulder.

"What?" He frowned, what did he say?

"Did you say Iris could hit meee?" The blue eyes looked at him. The light face resting sideways on his shoulder looking at him, watching his scarred face grin suddenly.

"She gave you a swat huh?" He grinned watching the sad face frown at him. "No I didn't say." He chuckled watching the light hands wipe the small tears quickly as the blonde hair sniffled.

"Den why did, den why did she dink dat she cooould Geene!?" The light face snapped, shoving him. Watching his scarred face frown as the blonde hair didn't believe his answer.

"Anyone as big as me, who knows you. Iris knows you Jim, can swat you if your rude." He frowned lightly.

"BUT I DIDN'T!" The light face yelled at him sniffling and hiccupping hard. "Dat hurts! Gene! Dat was too haaard!" The small forehead drilled into his shoulder as it yelled at him.

"Yeah?" He grinned lightly at the blue eyes that peered at him from under the blonde hair tired and upset. "Iris spanked your butt huh?" He chuckled lightly watching the blonde hair nod, closed blue eyes breathing hard on his shoulder. "Next time don't be so stubborn." He grinned watching the closed eyes frown.

"Dat some...dats some big talk from somebody dats always stubborn." His dark eyes blinked listening to the small fact snap at him as he grinned. Scarred hand gently running through the blonde strands before chuckling. Ruffling the back of the small cargos where Iris swatted before the loose orange shirt. Watching the light face smile ever so slightly as it started falling asleep. It was currently 1:07, and Jim was overdue for a nap.