"Brotherly Love"

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Drake and Josh". The characters belong to their creators and Nickolodian, but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)

Mike hugged Jennifer close. "So, what about this guy you've been seeing? Has he kissed you yet?"

Jennifer laughed as she snuggled closer to Mike's chest. "Of course he's kissed me. Are you jealous?"

Mike kissed her lips softly. "Of course I'm jealous." He smiled. "Has he mentioned his step-dad's coin collection?"

"No. It's not really something he'd be into. Now his step-brother Josh, on the other hand, would be the type."

"Looks like you may have hooked up with the wrong brother." Mike laughed.

Jennifer shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm meeting Drake at his house tonight at 6:00. I'll case the place and let you know where the coins are. Drake has already said that his parents won't be home tonight. His little sister is spending the night with one of her friends and I'm sure Josh will be at The Cave, so once Drake and I leave, the house will be empty."

"Good. From what I hear Walter has quite the coin collection and it should be worth quite a bit."

"Just get in and out without anyone getting hurt." She paused. "Including yourself."

"Oh Jen, I can't promise you that, but you just do your part and get loverboy out of the house so we can get in, OK?"

Jennifer nodded. "I've got to go if I'm going to meet him at 6:00."

"I'll be watching." Mike replied, kissing her one more time.

Josh pulled into the garage and the two boys went into the house. "Hey, could you see if we have anything to eat while I go grab a shower?" Drake shouted to Josh as he bolted up the stairs.

Josh muttered a few words under his breath and began to search the 'fridge for sandwich makings.

Drake quickly took a shower and re-dressed, then bounded back down the stairs, looking at his watch. "Geez, it's already 4:30. I was hoping to go over a couple of the tunes with the guys here before we left."

"Why not just go over them at the club?" Josh asked.

"Can't. They won't let us in until 6:30 and that will give us just enough time to set-up and do a sound check. You are coming, right?"

"I don't know yet. I've got a paper that due Monday and I haven't even started it, so I was thinking about . . . "

"You have all weekend to work on the paper." Drake interrupted.

"I know." He thought for a moment. "Oh what the heck. Yeah, I'll be there."

"Good! You can help us unload the car." Drake laughed and threw a pillow at his brother.

Josh threw the pillow back. "Ha, ha, ha." He mocked. "I don't think so."

"I'm kidding. We can handle out own equipment."

"If I'm going, I'd better go get changed."

"Cool. I'll go over the sets while you get ready." Drake grabbed his guitar and pulled out his music portfolio and began to review the songs planned for the night.

The band had been standing around in the living room for ten minutes when the doorbell rang. "That'll be Jennifer. You guys ready?" Drake asked.

"We'll be in the car, but hurry it up."

Drake opened the door and was met with a kiss from Jennifer, bringing a smile to his face. "You look great."

"So do you." She came into the house and looked around. "Great house."

"How about I give you a full tour when we get back?" He asked.

"How about now?" She replied, pulling him into another kiss.

"Sure, now is good." He said dreamily and then pointed towards each room. "That's the kitchen, this is the living room, that's mom and dad's room. Megan's room, the bathroom and mine and Josh's room are all upstairs. That's the fifty cent tour and we've got to go." He said, looking at his watch.

Jennifer stepped closer to the mantel, where Walter kept a replica of a rare Spanish doubloon in a glass case. "Oh my gosh, that's beautiful!" She exclaimed.

Drake's face scrunched. "It's a coin." He replied.

"It's a Spanish doubloon. Is it yours?" She asked.

Drake shook his head. "No. It's my dad's, well my step-dad's. He collects coins."

"Really? I'd love to see them." She replied with mock interest.

"Some other time maybe."

"Where does he keep them? In a safe deposit box, or here at home?" She asked.

"Here. They're in his bedroom in a safe." Drake said as he grabbed his coat. "Jennifer, the band's waiting. We've got to go." He yelled up the stairs. "Josh! Get a move on. We're leaving now. See you at The Cave."

"Ok, see you in a few." Josh called back.

Jennifer's face turned slightly ashen as she realized that Josh was still in the house. She knew if he didn't get out soon, he'd still be there when Mike and his brother broke in.

Josh slicked his hair back and grabbed his coat. Looking in the mirror once more he smiled at himself. "You're ready for anything tonight Josh, my boy." He bounded down the stairs and grabbed his keys from the counter just as he heard the glass in the front window break. "What the . . .? He whispered as he ducked behind the kitchen counter, watching into the living room.

As the band headed towards The Cave, Drake's heart half sank. "Oh man!"

"What's wrong?" Jennifer asked.

"I forgot the music portfolio. We've got to go back."

"We can't go back!" Jennifer said hastily.

Drake raised his eyebrows. "Why not?" He asked.

"There's not enough time. You'll be late for your gig."

Drake shook his head as they turned the car around. "Jennifer, without the music, there won't be a gig."

She began to bite her nails all the way back. If Drake walked in on Mike and his brother, there was no telling what Mike would do.

Mike found the replica of the Spanish doubloon and snatched it up, placing it in his pocket. Josh peeked from his hiding place and immediately recognized Mike. "I've got to get out of here and call the police." He thought as he watched the two older boys go into his mom and dad's bedroom.

Just as he started to get up, he heard the key in the front door. "Josh! It's just me." Drake shouted as he entered the living room.

Before he could make it to the staircase, Mike whirled him around by his shoulder and punched him in the jaw.

"What the . . .?" Drake cried out as Mike hit him again, this time in the ribs.

Drake threw a punch, hitting Mike in his iron-hard stomach and then drew back his hand. "Owww." He said, trying to shake the feeling back into his hand.

"I work out. Obviously, you don't." Mike said as he punched Drake in the face again and then grabbed his arm, twisting it hard behind his back until it popped, he then slammed Drake against the wall and laughed as he sank to the floor. "I'm not through with you yet Parker. You don't kiss my girl and get away with it." Mike picked Drake up off of the floor and slammed the back of his head against the wall.

Drake could feel the room spinning. His arm was throbbing and he was almost grateful when his world went dark.

Josh wasn't sure what to do. If he made his presence known, Mike would probably kill he and Drake both, but if he didn't do something soon, he would certainly beat Drake to death. He sat down and cupped his hand over his mouth. "Rrrrrrrowww!" He began to mimic his best siren imitation.

"Come on Mike, it's the cops!" Mike's brother shouted.

Mike slammed his fist into Drake's jaw one more time and let him drop to the floor. "Let's go!" He shouted and the two ran for the door.

Josh ran to Drake's side and felt for a pulse. "Drake!" He shouted. "Drake!" The older of the two lay in a motionless heap on the floor. Josh grabbed the phone and dialed 9-1-1 and then their parent's cell number.

Moments after Josh's call, an ambulance pulled up and the paramedics loaded Drake onto a stretcher. "Where are you taking him?" Josh asked, his voice full of emotion.

"Mercy Hospital. Son, where are you parents?" One of the paramedics asked.

"I called them. They're on their way. They should be here any minute."

As if on cue, Audrey and Walter pulled up on the curb, not wanting to block the ambulance. "Drake! Josh!" Audrey shouted as they ran to the house. The color drained from her face as she saw Drake lying on the stretcher, unconscious and bruised. "What happened?" She shouted.

A police officer laid his hand, gently on her shoulder. "Your house was broken into and it looks like your sons surprised the thief."

"Thieves." Josh replied, his eyes never leaving Drake. "It was Mike Wilson and his brother."

Walter placed his hands on Josh's shoulder and stared into his eyes. "Josh, how do you know this?"

All at once, he blurted out; "Because, I was cowering behind the kitchen counter. I was frozen with fear and I couldn't move! Drake and Jennifer had left with the band and I was on my way out when I heard the window break in the living room. I hid behind the counter and saw Mike and his brother come in. They took the coin from the mantle and before they could do anything else, I heard a key in the lock. I should have moved then, but I couldn't." His eyes pleaded with his dad to not be angry with him.

"Drake called out my name and started up the stairs, but before he could get here, Mike grabbed him from behind and started beating him up." He looked towards Audrey who was holding Drake's still motionless hand. "Dad, I didn't know what to do. If I had stood up and let them know I was there, they would have killed me and Drake both." Tears were streaming down his face. "I made a sound like a siren and it was enough to scare them into leaving."

"It's OK son." Walter replied, pulling Josh into a bear hug. "I'm glad you aren't hurt."

Josh's eyes rested on Drake. "But Drake is and it's my fault."

To be continued . . .