Chapter 23: A Family Affair

Today was fairly calm by the gang's standards. The Ashleys were doing the normal exchange of glares and small insults that they had added to their arsenals to launch at each other. Ashley's favorite ones to call Spinelli were "old maid" and "Spinny" From the younger Ashley's point of View the elder Ashley was OLD. A full 15 years older qualifying Spinelli old enough to be her mother. The maid part was added in after Ashley had discovered that Spinelli never got dates. Ashley knew this because of all the time the two had been left alone together because other people were out having lives. Spinny was just what Ashley called Spinelli nowadays instead of Miss Spinelli.

Spinelli in turn called Ashley a little runt or a little "clone" because of the amazingly similarities in their appearances and whenever TJ or anyone else was around "Assley" was used.

Right now the two were having an argument over what show they should be watching. It was most amusing for TJ, who had been reading the paper, to watch Spinelli argue like a little girl. It brought out the fire and determination within her that TJ admired so much. Unfortunately for the elder Ashley the younger one also had the Spinelli blood as well as his own in her veins. Ashley was just as stubborn as her father when she made up her mind about something and right now she was hell bent on watching some show on the discovery channel about ants. The Spinelli wanted to watch her wrestling and the two spent several minutes flipping between channels.

Spinelli was on the couch next TJ and had control of the remote control. Ashley was standing next to the TV manually flipping the channels in as Spinelli flipped them back. After a while Ashley just slumped her shoulders and went to sit by her father.

Spinelli smiled. She had won this round and flipped the channel back to her wrestling. A few minutes passed and Spinelli couldn't help but feel smug. She had beaten the little cloned girl for once.

But Spinelli let herself get too smug. Ashley had planned it all along to left Spinelli think that she had won then jump her. And jump her she did.

The ensuing catfight was fought over poor TJ's body. He was hopelessly pinned with an Ashley to either side of him pushing and pulling at the remote that was in both their hands. All TJ could do was sway as the two girls shoved TJ between them as an added weapon. Surprisingly enough the younger Ashley was quite strong for her age and the tug-of-war went on for several minutes.

Drawn by the noise of the fighting and because he was going to out with TJ in a bit, Mikey went to the living room to see what was going on. The sight was priceless. There were the two girls fighting and exchanging their normal arsenal of insults while TJ was stuck in the middle with a look at could only be described as helplessness. TJ just swayed back and forth with each shove the girls were giving him and Mikey started cracked up.

At first Mikey tried to hide his laughing but the site was just too funny. The great and tough TJ made so helpless by a pair of girls. Slowly Mikey's laughing gained volume until Mikey was laughing so loud and hard he had to hang onto the doorframe that led into the living room. 

The laughing drew everyone's attention to Mikey who was now on one knee, hanging onto the doorframe to keep from falling, laughing so hard he could hardly breathe. TJ turned his head and his expression changed to annoyance. Spinelli turned to see who was laughing. Ashley took advantage of this and with one last great effort yanked the remote from Spinelli's hands.

"Hey you little runt. Give that back." Spinelli said once she realized she was not in control of the remote.

"Give it back Ashley. Mikey is here so we might as well go." TJ told his daughter as he got up.

"But Daddy." Ashley started to complain. She had, after all, just achieved victory and now her father was taking away that victory she had fought so hard for. Actually she really didn't mind giving back the remote. The whole fight had been planned because she was bored and wanted to see if she could get Spinelli to play with her. Daddy being tossed around like a beach ball was just a bonus.

"Give it back and get your things." TJ instructed as he got up to help Mikey shut up.

"Here." Ashley said as she handed over the remote to Spinelli. At the last moment Ashley held onto the remote and pulled Spinelli close so that she could whisper something into her ear. "Thanks, that was fun. Did you see Daddy's face?" Ashley said softly with a little laugh before hopping away to her room to get her bag.

Spinelli just sat there stunned for a moment pondering on what had just happened. Remembering that Mikey and TJ were still in the room Spinelli decided not to dwell on Ashley's words. "So where are you guys going?"

"Well I'm have a friend of owes me a favor. I'm gonna see if he can't get Mikey a job." TJ replied earning him questioning glances from both Mikey and Spinelli. TJ had to act fast; he didn't want to elaborate. "And then I'm taking Ashley to see her mother."

"Oh. Well it'll be good for her to see her mother." Spinelli said tightly.

That was the exact response TJ had been hoping for. He had remembered how Spinelli had acted all those months back when TJ had mentioned that he had a daughter. For some reason this had pissed off Spinelli greatly and it was having the same effect today.

Ashley came down the stairs and cheerfully announced that she was ready to go earning herself a look of renewed loathing from Spinelli.

Just then something came flying through a window shattering and scattering the glass everywhere. TJ didn't think but let his instincts take control as the sound of breaking glass reached his ears. In a flash he had shoved Mikey around the doorframe that lead into the kitchen, dashed over to Spinelli to knock her down, and flew over to Ashley, who was at the base of the stairs, knocking her down as gentle as he could while protecting her with his body.

A few tense moments passed and nothing happened. Several more passed and still nothing. Finally TJ decided to get off his daughter to investigate the object that had so rudely entered the house. Cautiously TJ crept along the couch crouched down and peeked around it to see a paper wrapped object lying harmlessly on the floor. TJ stood up, went over and picked up the brick and unwrapped the paper revealing the object to be a brick. On the paper was drawn a skull that had a snake coming out of its mouth. A large X ran across the picture.

TJ crumpled the paper and was trying to crush the brick with his right hand. Whatever message had been sent via the brick had obviously made TJ very angry. Spinelli had never seen TJ this angry before and that refrained her from asking what had gotten him so worked up.

"Mikey, Ashley we're going." TJ barked out. Both persons simply nodded and hastily made their way to the front door. "Spinelli."

"Yes?" Spinelli asked from her place on the couch.

"Have someone replace the window today. Hang the cost but get it done today." TJ said before storming out of the room.

Jet, Mikey and Ashley made their way to what looked like an old abandon warehouse on the eastside of town. Over the half hour trip TJ had calmed down and became Jet upon donning his costume. Now the three stood in front of the large doors that led inside the massive building.

"Okay Mikey this is it." Jet told his friend.

"What is?" Mikey asked.

"I'm gonna give you two options. The people who attacked the house today were my people. They somehow found out you were a Dread Eater. I can't have you around if you will endanger Ashley. So you can either quit being a Dread Eater and exit this business or work for me." Jet put plainly.

"Why couldn't you just have Ashley stay with her mother?" Mikey asked. He didn't think it was fair that he would have to give up a job, though dangerous, that paid well.

Jet leaned in close to Mikey and spoke in a low cold voice. "Several reasons. When you're a father you'll understand why. Plus she hates her mother and I'm trying to protect you as well. If you remain a Dread Eater I will not kill you but one of my men will."

"Point well taken. How can I be of service?" Mikey said with a weak smile.

"Now the job I'm gonna offer will put you deep into my camp. I will not tolerate failure. You can't back out once you take the job and you will have to be willing to learn a few things." Jet told Mikey laying out some of the job requirements.

"What sort of things?" Mikey responded. He had no problem with being deep in Jet's camp as he had put it; that would only mean he would have better job security.

"Better fighting techniques for one. Judo, karate, and of course street fighting and marksmanship." Jet continued.

"I could do that. What's the green and the position." Mikey asked intrigued.

"You've been a bodyguard before right?" Jet asked Mikey.

"Yes."

"Well you'll be the bodyguard of a high profile person. Green? Oh I don't know. How does 100 grand a year sound? With benefits covered." Jet said looking up at the darkening sky.

"I'll take it. Who is the person I guard?" Mikey asked excitedly. He knew that this business was dangerous but at that pay he would never have to work at a desk. He even got benefits, a deal most people in this business didn't get. It definitely paid to be friends with a powerful crime lord.

"It's getting darker earlier, isn't it Ashley?" Jet asked his daughter ignoring Mikey's question.

"It is almost Christmas Daddy." Ashley pointed out.

"Her?" Mikey asked.

"Look, Mikey, things are heating up. There will be a gang war that I can't stop but I can make it less bloody and much shorter then it has to be. Unfortunately it will mean I will not be home a lot. Also out here, all it fair in war. They will not hesitate to attack my family. I'm just trying to protect my family." Jet explained.

"Right, right. Sure thing man, I'll keep her safe." Mikey said understanding the angle that Jet was coming from.

"Plus…" Jet leaned towards Mikey again. "She's lonely and needs a friend. You're… more playful then most men I know and plus you already know her. I want you to take her places like the zoo or to a fair. Entertain her but remember she will have to do her school work first." Jet added. He was worried about his daughter not having many friends but he would not let Mikey spoil his daughter. That was his job.

"Got ya." Mikey replied.

"I suppose you should also know a few things about Ashley. Honey could you show Mikey here your gifts." Jet asked his daughter.

-"Sure"- Ashley replied with a smile.

Mikey jumped. He was sure Ashley had just smiled and yet he had heard her voice clearly as if her was speaking right next to him.

-"I'm a psychic Mikey."- Ashley said sweetly the smile never leaving her lips.

Mikey looked at the little girl then to Jet and back to Ashley all the time he was pointing with one hand, eyes wide open, and mouth working furiously to produce no sound.

"She's a telepath Mikey. She also has limit telekinetic powers as well. That's how she crushed the ice pack the other night. I've had her see doctors to try and explain it but none could. The best explanation I got was that she developed her gifts under times of great stress. To my best abilities I can only think that those times of stress are when she's with her mother though I can't prove it." Jet informed his speechless friend in a matter of fact voice. "I suppose you should meet the bitch." With that Jet took his daughter's hand and motioned for Mikey to follow him inside.

Inside was large and mostly empty. The small group walked to the far end of the warehouse and Jet knocked on the side of a freight container. A small peek hole opened an a man barked out "Password."

"Better have better manners around the Doña's daughter." Jet answered back in his low cold voice.

"JET! Sorry sir, I didn't know it was you. The Doña didn't tell me she was expecting company." The man said hastily as he opened the hidden door to let the three inside.

"Hey there buddy…" The man started when he saw Mikey.

"He's with me." Jet cut in as he and Ashley walked to the back of the crate, pulled up a hidden door and descended down a flight of stairs.

"Enjoy your stay." The man finished before he closed the doors and flopped down in his chair relieved he was still breathing.

"Now Mikey. I'm gonna have to ask you tell know one about all this for obvious reasons but do not tell Spinelli that you have met some of the people I'm gonna introduce you to."

"No a word boss." Mikey said with a toothy grin.

"Smart ass." Jet laughed. "Fine, follow me."

Jet led Mikey and Ashley across a small deserted room and opened a door that led into a large room. Inside there was a party going on with music so loud that Mikey could feel each beat of the bass. Jet reached under his facemask to put in some earplugs that his daughter had produced from her bag. Ashley offered a pair to Mikey who took them and tried to yell "Thank you" a few times before he realized that it was futile to try with so much noise. Ashley on the other hand laughed and Mikey heard perfectly making his eyes bug out.

-"You're funny. We are going to have so much fun together Uncle Mikey."- Ashley said or more of thought to Mikey.

'I'm gonna have to get used to this.' Mikey thought to himself.

Jet led Mikey across the dance floor and up a small flight of stairs to a smaller, much quieter room that was lined with pinks of every shade. Jet took out his earplugs, as did Ashley. Mikey followed their lead and found the room quite quiet. Until the silence was broken by a LOUD feminine moan.

"I'm guessing this is you room Ashely?" Mikey asked the little girl in an attempt to keep her mind off the noises that were coming from… wherever they were coming from.

Ashley sighed and pointed to a wall that was towards the back of the room partially covered with pink pillows. "Mom's back there with one of her…friends AGAIN." The last part was accompanied by a rolling of eyes.

"Right then. Jet." Mikey said looking to his friend for support.

Jet just growled and walked quickly through the secret door. Screaming ensued as he roughly pulled the Doña off of her lover by the hair. Jet didn't even pause when he noticed the lover was another woman. "Out." Jet ordered curtly to the woman. "Get dressed and come out side Flo!" Jet yelled at his one time lover.

"Flo?" Mikey asked.

"Yes, Florence Spinelli is my mom's full name." Ashley informed her bodyguard.

Jet came back out of the room and was met by his daughter and Mikey who had a look that wavered between shock and disgust. Mikey grabbed Jet by the shoulders and dragged him away from Ashley.

"Dude I knew you like Spinelli back in the day but did you have to knock up her mother. I mean come on. That's just sick." Mikey said in disgust.

Jet shoved Mikey's hands off of him. "I didn't knock up Spin's mother. What you don't know is that Spinelli's whole family is involved in the Underground. Spin has an older pair of brothers, Vito and Joey who are the major crime lords in two near by towns. What you also don't know is that Spinelli has an older sister as well. She just so happens to have her mother's name." Jet explained.

"Oh my god." Mikey exclaimed.

"You understand you can't tell Spinelli."

"But it's her family."

"She knows this is what her family does. What she doesn't know is that I'm Jet and that I knock up her sister. Who do you think my Ashley is named after?" Jet went on.

"Oh."

The three waited in silence that was only broken by the occasional bubble being blown and popped by Ashley. Finally an Asian looking woman emerged from the secret room clad in leather, tight fitting leather that really accented her curves. Her eyes carried the trademark of the east, the slanted back eyes along with the creamy white skin. The woman looked so much like Spinelli Mikey could see why Jet had knocked her up but at the same time she was different. She was like some sexy leather clad angel.

"Stop drooling. She's gay." Jet said shaking his head and shutting Mikey's gaping trap. "Flo, this is Mikey Blumberg. He's gonna be Ashley's bodyguard from now on. On my payroll." Jet added.

"Nice to meet you Doña Spinelli." Mikey said as he quickly shook the Doña hand.

So 6 pages. Well actually 5 pages and a little bit but who cares. Enjoy the bombshells? Two things though; In all honesty I just picked Florence and the Dread Eaters out of the air. I was not even thinking Harry Potter or trying to throw you guys off. Plus any guess as to who kissed Spinelli way back when…

LockDown over and out…

PS. One more chapter is guarantied. I'm thinking of possible putting this on hold indefinitely even though it is the best fic I have produced to date. Just seems like no one is there and I'm running out of steam for this one. You'll all love the next chapter though, I promise.