Title: Coming Out To Capeside

Summary: Jack's brother Tim never died, and his mother never went crazy. And still, he has to deal with the pressure of coming out to all of Capeside. Strong friendships ensue along the way.

Author: The infamous Yelak

A/N: This is before the McPhees move to Capeside. Well, the first chapter is, anyway. I made up the school because I wasn't sure where he went. The first chapter, I realize, will be a little short and boring, but forgive me, please. I had to start it off somewhere.

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"And the Cougars win the game, holding their undefeated record! It looks like the game ball is going to - yes, they've given it to -"

Jack sighed, turning around, as he said in unison with the announcer, "Tim McPhee! Surprise, surprise." Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the mass of red and blue, roaring fans, as his older brother's profile was relayed to the crowd, for the umpteenth time.

"Tim McPhee is a senior this year at Conner High. He's been the starting quarterback for the team for four years. He's also led the team to victory two years straight - in fact, he's only lost one game in his career. Ohh - he had tonsillitis." Jack snorted; of course the team had lost the game that Tim was not able to attend. He was the leader, the one who brought them forward. "He plans to go to an Ivy League school, maybe to be a lawyer. Of course, he might just have a career in the NFL!" Jack was sure he heard some girls shriek when he said that. "He will be added to the High School Hall of Fame sometime this year."

The crowd began to thin out as Jack neared his parents and sister, all of whom were waving around blue pennants enthusiastically.

"Hear that, Jack?!" Andie said, clasping her hands together. "Brown's gonna be in the Hall of Fame!" She always called their older brother Tim 'Brown'. It was a nickname from back when they were little kids.

"Yeah, I heard," Jack said, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

"That'ssss . . . my boy!" Mr. McPhee said, slurring his words. He was holding an empty cup, which Jack knew right away used to hold beer. Besides, he stunk of it; it was quite hard to miss.

Not long after, Tim came jogging up to them, carrying his helmet in one arm and the game ball in another. He really did look like a winner. Grinning, he received tons of drunken rambling praise from his father, a sincere "congratulations, dear" from his mother, and then loyal "good job"s from his younger siblings.

"That's my boy!" Mr. McPhee repeated, throwing an arm around Tim's broad shoulders. Insides guiltily burning with jealousy, Jack turned away and stared at the field - that is, until Tim shove the ball he'd been awarded into his arms.

Jack turned his head, and looked at Tim with a raised eyebrow. His brother grinned, ruffled his hair a bit, and said, "All yours, little bro."

Jack usually hated it when Tim called him "little bro", but now, under the circumstances, he beamed with pride and gratefully accepted the ball.

"Come on, kiddo," Mr. McPhee said suddenly, dragging Tim by the neck to their minivan, and nearly suffocating him along the way. Clutching the football to his chest, Jack followed after them, a slight spring in his step. When they arrived there, Mr. McPhee grandly opened the front door for him, and Tim climbed in. His seat of honor.

"Want to ride shotgun?" Tim asked Andie politely, but she shook her head and climbed in the back, and buckling up right away. "How 'bout you, little bro?"

"Nah," Jack lied, settling in next to Andie. Mr. McPhee crawled drunkenly into the very back, where he was close to collapsing, and Mrs. McPhee sat up front, preparing for the drive.

"Everyone buckled?" she asked, one of the things she always did before she drove.

"Yes," they all chorused. The van fell silent as they drove back to the comfort of their own home.

The next day, Jack woke up, went to school like any other day, and finally, to his relief, came home. School wasn't horrible, and he wasn't a bad student, but to be truthful, he didn't really have that many friends. Everyone at school only knew him as "Tim's Little Brother" or "Andie's Brother".

He was sitting in the living room, working on homework, when Mr. McPhee walked in through the front door. "Hey son," he said, stopping to drop his briefcase, and then throwing his jacket down over a chair.

Jack held his breath - this had to be the first time he'd ever acknowledged Jack as 'son'. He was ready to say something when Mr. McPhee walked towards him, but he let his breath go when Mr. McPhee didn't stop, walking right past Jack and to his older brother Tim. Of course, Jack couldn't help but think bitterly.

"Hey Dad," Tim returned, flipping his cowhide football up and down, up and down, and catching it each time. "How was work?" Tim always asked questions like that, even though everyone knew that he didn't even care.

"Great. How was school?"

"Good. I aced my test."

"Aha! That's my boy!" chuckled Mr. McPhee, putting his hand around Tim's neck. Tim grinned, but by now he was accustomed to the praise.

"I did too," Jack spoke up, hoping even for the slightest recognition. It was a wonder Mr. McPhee even wasted the energy to turn his head and look at him. Instead of congratulating him, he merely nodded. Jack was disappointed, even though he told himself he should be used to it.

"Good job, little bro," Tim said, when he saw the look on Jack's face. Jack brightened a little. Just then, the door swung open one more time and Andie bounded in, her blonde hair swinging enthusiastically around her shoulders.

"Hey baby," Mr. McPhee said, giving his only daughter a loving hug. She smiled and hugged him back tightly.

"Hey Daddy. Hey Brown. Hey Jack," she greeted them all happily, giving her brothers nods. At least someone's happy to see me, Jack thought. But that was typical Andie. Happy to see anyone and everyone.

"I'm starved," Tim called, extending his neck so he could see into his kitchen where his mother was hard at work. "When is dinner, Mom?"

Coming into the living room as she untied her apron from her waist, Mrs. McPhee replied, "Soon, honey." She kissed Tim on the head, and then Jack was relieved when she kissed him too, even though he wiped it off in mock disgust.

Smiling, Jack returned to his algebra homework, which was actually somewhat easy to him. It wasn't long before Mrs. McPhee called out, "Dinner's ready."

The McPhees all stampeded to the dinner table, as though they were literally starving. And judging by the way Tim's stomach was rumbling, you would have thought they were. "Who wants to say grace?" Mrs. McPhee asked. She wouldn't allow them to eat until someone did, so Jack quickly volunteered.

"All right, go ahead."

"Grace," Jack joked, picking up a fork. Mrs. McPhee looked at him sternly, and clearing his throat, he stopped laughing. "Dear Lord, thank you for the food you've set before us, and everything you've ever brought to our table. Please keep a watchful eye over everyone of us, and let our health remain. Amen."

"Amen," everyone else chimed in, before reaching all over the table for chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and more.

"Well," Mr. McPhee said about halfway through dinner. "I have some big news." Though eating didn't cease, everyone at least managed to turn his or her heads at him. "I've been promoted."

"Congratulations, Dad."

"That's terrific, Daddy."

"Well, how wonderful, dear!"

"Yes," he said, beaming. "Thanks. And there's something else." Talking stopped again. "We're moving to Capeside, Massachusetts!" Everyone froze in place, eyes widening. Tim's fork dropped from his hand, hitting the plate with a loud clank.

"W-what?" he said, disbelievingly. "But Dad - my football season - it's not over - we're undefeated!"

"Well, yes, but you'll be playing as one of the Capeside Minutemen now. I spoke to the school board, and they could really use a player like you." The table fell silent, Tim broodingly staring at his plate. Jack, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as disappointed. Maybe life in Capeside would be better. Who would know?

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& A/N: Okay, the first chapter is over. There'll be a time lapse, and in the next chapter, they will be settling into Capeside. I'm not sure if this is any good, and I apologize if it's not. Either way, hit the review button and TELL ME. Please. It'll be much appreciated. Until next time, then. :-D Review and I love you.