A/N: Yea, I know I haven't updated in awhile. So shoot me. Not really. Lol. Arg, this site has a death wish, it wouldn't let me log in or review for two days, but FINALLY they fixed it. Thanks to all the people who didn't give up and still reviewed!
DeadPoetic-Yes, MCR rocks! You met Frank? You're so lucky! Lol-if I ever met Gerard Way, I would just stare at him too. He's so freakin' sexy! XD You went through that many emotions from just that one chapter? That's great! I love reviews like that cause they tell me what I'm good at and what I need to fix. I love violence too-Braveheart is a freakin' awesome movie. By the way, Chinese water Torture was meant to drive you insane….I don't know if it could kill you….Lol. Name your other kitten Will!
TriGemini-Wow, another long review. Lol. I love your reviews, but I better make this response short—I don't mind that your reviews are long, I'm glad you're enjoying my story. XD I'm also going to add in some things about Jack's past that will hopefully explain why he hates his family so much. And yes, Jack was planning to try and spend most of the evening with Elli, but he couldn't work up the nerve until the very end of the ball and by that time it was kind of too late. And that whole thing with Elli and Adam, well-I'm all about adding tension. Lol. Thanks for reviewing!
The Future Mrs. Jack Sparrow-Yay! Another fan of MCR! They rock! Lol-You smiled a bit when Jack punched Adam? And I thought I was morbid. XD No, I understand. I'm glad you liked this chapter—hearing people say that makes me feel good about my writing, you know? Congratulations on making 300 reviews! And thanks for reviewing!
Katweenathesmiley-Yea, Chinese water torture is freaky…..(shudders) What's with the guy in the bushes? Well, you'll find out later. And Adam is naive, he doesn't understand things sometimes. But he's my character and so I love him anyways. Lol. Thanks for reviewing!
The White Masque-Your new penname rocks! I love it! Lol-at least someone loves my poor Adam. As for Jack and Elli getting together…..I think you'll find that out in this chapter. Lol-thanks for reviewing!
Mouse10-You're so nice! I will finish this story. Actually, I am pretty close to being finished. (I have this all typed out ahead of time and am in the process of retyping it) So I'm gonnafinish it! Thanks for reviewing!
Jinxeh-Yea, Elli needs to get with Jack before 'someone else' steals him. I think we all know who THAT is. Lol. You were quoting scriptures while wearing a pink bunny suit? Oh the randomness. I pity those kids at the camp. Lol. Yea, your brother is a freak. He just needs to move out of the house huh? Thanks for that piece you sent me. I was having a really, really bad day that day and then I got your review and it made me laugh, so yay! Now make me really happy and post it! XD I'm glad you don't completely hate Adam. That makes him feel better. Lol. Woot for updating! Thanks for reviewing!
Incubus2074-I've always been wondering, is your screen name based of the band Incubus or is it just something you came up with? Anyways-I love MCR! As you can tell. Lol. And don't worry about not updating or reviewing, I know the system was messed up and you went on vacation too, so don't worry. Yea, Adam needs to back off, but what can he do? He's in love. Thanks for reviewing!
Note-Flashbacks are in Italics
Chapter Seven-Tangled
And maybe there's a God above, but the only thing I've learned from love is how to shoot somebody who out drew you. It's not a cry you hear at night, it's not somebody who's see the light, it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.-Hallelujah, Richard Wainwright
"Adamཀ Don't do that! What if mom and dad found out?" Nine year old Jack called out to his older brother who was making his way towards the docks. Their parents had told them to never venture near the docks, because all kinds of 'bad people' lingered there and it was 'no place for young boys.' But Adam wasn't heeding his parent's words and that worried Jack.
"They won't find out if you won't tell them!" Adam replied, turning around and fixing his younger brother with a dark glare.
"I won't, but what if something happens?" Jack protested.
"Like what?" Adam countered. Jack fell silent at this. He never knew exactly why the docks were so dangerous, just that his parents told them not to go to them. Not having a good reason, Adam turned around again and stalked off towards the docks, Jack running up behind him.
"Don't!" He shouted. Adam just looked over his shoulder at Jack and continued to run on, not aware of how close to the edge of the docks he was. But Jack saw. "Adam!" He cried, but before he could reach him, Adam lost his footing and slipped, falling over the side of the docks and into the clear blue waters. Jack stood still, horrified by the sight. Adam didn't know how to swim- their parents saw no reason to teach them. But fortunately, Jack had the sense enough to determine that one day he might need to know how to swim, seeing as he lived so close to the water and learned to swim over the summer by the teachings of his fifteen year old friend David, who lived down the road.
So, gathering his courage, Jack ran to the edge of the dock and jumped into the water. The chill of it shocked him, but once he saw Adam not but five feet away from him, his normally pale face almost deadly pale, Jack overcame the shock of the temperature and swam forward, diving down to grab his brother around the chest. He neared the surface again, forcing Adam's head up above the water, but feeling his own lungs close up. Jack felt as if he was drowning himself, but he tried to swim for shore, tightening his grip on Adam. He began to feel weak and the world was slowly turning black and fuzzy, when Jack heard a man's voice cry-
"Oy, what do we have here?" There was a splash next to him and Adam was taken from his arms. Jack tried to protest, not knowing who was trying to take Adam from him, but the grip was strong and Jack was just a small boy, so he let Adam go and soon felt two strong hands haul him up out of the water and lay him on the ground. Jack opened his eyes to find himself staring into the face of a young man with sparkling dark eyes and a leathery, worn face. He sat up quickly and looked around to find Adam laying on the ground with another man leaning over him, listening for a heart beat. His attention was turned back to the man before him. "How are ye feeling lad? Twas a brave thing ye did, saving the boy." The man said.
"He's my brother." Jack corrected, not sure what else to say.
"Is he now? Well, good thing ye were here for him, he woulda been a dead man fo' sure." The man nodded as he spoke.
"Is he dead?" Jack asked in a panicked voice, his eyes wandering over to Adam again. He still looked so pale and his eyes were closed. Jack would've thought him dead, but the man started laughing softly.
"No, he ain't dead. Thanks to ye o' course." The man replied and then stood up, helping Jack to his feet. "What's yer name boy?"
"Jack." He replied, unsure if this was a wise thing to do, telling a complete stranger his name, but he seemed nice enough and he saved him after all.
"Well Jack, ye best be on yer way. Docks are no place for ye-or yer brother." The man said, looking down at him.
"That's what my parents said." Jack exclaimed in a soft voice.
"They were right, weren't they?" The man asked, winking at Jack. "Now go on, get outta 'ere." He gave Jack a gentle shove and Jack looked over his shoulder at the man one last time before making his way over to Adam who was now sitting up, looking around with a confused expression on his face.
"That man said you saved me from the water. Is it true?" Adam asked Jack, standing up to look him in the eyes.
"Yes." Jack replied firmly. He thought Adam would be upset or embarrassed and yell at him, but instead Adam caught him in a short, fierce hug, releasing him before Jack could hug him back.
"Thanks." He muttered. "And don't tell mom and dad." He added.
"Never." Jack promised. Adam smiled at his younger brother and ruffled his hair
It was countless things like that which lead Jack to harbor such a anger towards Adam. Because believe it or not, Jack was the 'good son' when he was younger. Adam was the reckless one who stayed out long past their curfew, whom Jack would often find at some of the local taverns, Adam was the one who also irritated the tutors that they had by hiding from them out in the gardens, refusing to do his daily lessons and Adam was the was who was cold and distant to their parents-hardly talking to either of them.
And every time Jack caught him in the middle of such acts, Adam would always say the same thing-'Don't tell mom and dad'(which was often followed by a threat if Adam was uncertain that Jack would agree) and Jack would always reply-'never' and walk off, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.
But as they grew older, it was as if they switched places. Adam became more mature and apologized often for the way he had treated Jack, but Jack shrugged it off because he wasn't sure if Adam really meant it. He wasn't sure of what to make of Adam. But Adam was sincere and whenever he tried to convince Jack of this, he just stared at him with a dull look in his eyes. After awhile Adam learned that all the years he had tormented Jack, made him lie for him or threatened him, teased him and utterly disregarded his feelings-made Jack unsure of who he was. Adam wished he could convince Jack that wasn't like that anymore, but he knew it was too far gone. Jack had this mental fixation of Adam that was too strong to be altered by anything the 'new' Adam did or said to make him realize that he did care, he was sorry and that he meant it.
And over the months and the years, Jack became all the things that Adam was, reckless, adventurous, sullen, angry, careless, bitter, conniving-everything that Adam had been. Until at last Jack closed himself off from everyone in his family. He didn't want to be with any of them because in his mind, they had changed. In his mind, they were wrong, they were inferior and he knew more than they did He grew sick of being 'the good son' and he was tired of being taken advantage of by Adam and even though Adam had apologized many times and even though Jack finally realized that Adam had changed, he still wouldn't forgive him because they were brothers and how on earth could Adam treat his own brother the way he did. So, the dinner parties and balls were only part of the reason Jack wanted to leave, but Adam was the key factor.
Finally, it grew so bad that Jack considered running way for good. The thought had crossed his mind many times, but one day he realized that he had to get away and that he was going to go insane if he stayed there any longer.
Reluctantly, Adam made his way up the stairs to call Jack down for dinner. It had been one of those days where Jack had stayed in his room for hours, not coming down for anyone or any reason. Adam was growing worried about his younger brother and was desperately thinking of ways to help him change back into the kind little boy he used to be, but it didn't seem as if that was going to happen.
Adam blamed himself for the drastic change in Jack, because it had to be said that he hadn't set the best example for his younger brother and sure enough-Jack had become all the things that Adam was, all the things Adam wished he had never become because look where it landed all of them.
He carefully knocked on Jack's door, which was always locked now a days. For a long time there was no answer and so Adam sighed deeply and pulled one of their mother's sewing needles from his pocket and stuck it in the lock, which clicked and was released.
"I'm starting to get tired of that little trick." Came Jack's even, cold voice.
"Then find a better way to lock your door." Adam replied. Jack looked up, gave Adam a twisted smile and bent over the suitcase on his bed again. "What are you doing?" Adam inquired.
"Going away dear brother." Jack replied.
"Going away?" Adam repeated, his eyes wide and disbelieving. Jack nodded, not looking up from his packing. "But why?" At that Jack gave a short, bitter laugh.
"Why do you think?" He asked, closing the suitcase with a smart snap and made his way over to a chest in the corner, pulling out a saber and a pistol, strapping them on.
"I don't know what to think anymore. You've changed so much Jack. It worries mom and dad...and me." Adam said softly, feeling like he was pleading, but he supposed he was. He was pleading for his brother to listen, to stay, to not be so reckless.
"I'm touched. Now Adam–I have a ship to catch." Jack answered in reply and stalked to the balcony, opening the windows and tying a rope around the railings, throwing it over to side to lower himself down with.
"What are you doing? Becoming a sailor?" Adam demanded, roughly grabbing Jack by his forearm to keep him from climbing out of the window. Jack jerked his arm out of Adam's grip.
"I was thinking more along the lines of becoming a pirate." Jack answered casually. Adam's eyes grew even wider.
"Are you mad?" He nearly shouted. Jack shrugged and grinned.
"Maybe." He replied simply and lowered himself down the rope carefully. He looked up to see Adam staring down at him, calling his name, calling for him to come back. But Jack wouldn't. He landed on the ground with a soft thud and walked through the hedges until he came to the edge of his property, the edge of his home. He looked over his shoulder, and saw a dark shape standing in a window. He knew it must be Adam, watching him, seeing if he would really go through with it, but Jack was-nothing could change his mind now. He turned his gaze to the dark, glittering ocean and smiled to himself before walking to the docks.
Jack opened his eyes and slowly the memories that had been floating around in his head faded. Revisiting these memories of his childhood was not helping the situation he was in, nor was it making him keen to forgive Adam any time soon.
It was still dark outside, but Jack had no idea how late at night it was. All he knew was that he had been up for hours and it didn't look as if he was going to get some sleep anytime soon. He slowly sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, resting his feet on the cool tile. A dull throbbing sensation started up and he kneaded his temples with his fingers, closing his eyes to will the pain away.
In his mind's eye, he saw Adam standing before him, his amber eyes wide with shock and stabbed with pain. He felt his knuckles collide with his brother's soft eye, turning it purple and swollen. Jack winced and then let out a deep sigh.
Never before had hit punched Adam, never before had he physically hurt him in any way. When he was younger, he adored his brother-when he grew older, he was above hitting someone to make them feel pain.
But Jack had always had anger problems. Sometimes it was hard for him to control these wild emotions, his rage, his frustration. Tonight proved this. But still, he had never physically hurt Adam before...and even though people say it all the time without meaning it, it hurt him more than it hurt Adam. The bruise would fade with time and the swelling would go down. Shock, guilt, anger...those were the things that would never fade.
xXx
Like Will had promised, this time I was sleeping on the bed. Well, I wasn't really sleeping. How on earth could I? With what happened this evening-how could anyone? It had been a long time since I first tried to go to sleep, but I knew I wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. I was too worried and this whole ordeal really didn't concern me. I noticed that about myself. I worry about things that don't even concern me much. People call it being sensitive, but I find it annoying, especially if it's the reason why you can't sleep at night.
But there were many reasons why I couldn't sleep at night, so even if I wasn't worried about what happened this evening, I would worry about something else or have another one of my nightmares those are the worst. Basically, I hate trying to fall asleep.
I sighed deeply and rolled onto my side, curling my knees up against me and tucking my hands under my chin. I always sleep like this. It makes me feel protected-like nothing can reach me. I close my eyes and listen to the sounds in the night. After deciding that I don't want to lay here in the dark all 'alone'- I sit up and look over at the couch. In the moonlight, I can dimly see Will's sleeping form and I set my feet on the floor.
"Willཀ" I hissed. Almost instantly he sits up in bed and looks over at me, a worried expression on his face.
"Yes? Are you alright?" He whispered, coming over to sit on the bed next to me.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't feel like being alone. You weren't asleep, were you?" I asked, feeling slightly guilty for waking him up-if he even was asleep.
"No. I don't think anyone is asleep tonight." He replied, taking my hand in his.
"True." I muttered in agreement. "I still can't believe Jack punched Adam like that."
"Neither can I. As long as I've known him, he's never hit anyone like that before." Will noted.
"Adam must feel terrible, he doesn't even know why Jack hit him." I whispered.
"I think he does. He knows that Jack loves Elli-it's not that hard to see anymore." Will countered.
"Yea. You were right." I replied, laying my head on his shoulder. He sighed and put an arm around my waist. "Now I wonder how and if all of this is going to work out. Elli seemed pretty upset. She's not going to be too quick to forgive Jack."
"I don't understand why she dislikes him so much." Will murmured.
"I don't understand it either. She's a complicated person."
"But she's your friend." Will protested.
"That doesn't mean I understand her." I countered. "Sometimes I don't even understand why the hell I'm the way I am."
"Now don't you start feeling that way about yourself." Will admonished me, pulling me close to him. I smiled up at him before laying my head against his chest again.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." I murmured.
"Be miserable." He teased and I laughed a little.
"Yes, I suppose I would." I agreed softly.
xXx
Elli sat on her bed staring out the window. She, like everyone else was finding it hard to sleep tonight. She kept playing tonight's events over and over again in her mind. Adam dancing with her, Jack dancing with her, Adam kissing her and Jack finding out...It was safe to say that tonight had been one of the most eventful nights she has had in along time.
But now Elli felt so confused. It seemed as if Jack really cared about her, but why. He hasn't been acting like that.
'That's not true.' Elli thought to herself. 'What about wanting to dance with me? And saying all those nice things?'
"So, he could just be acting friendly." Elli said aloud.
'Well, that's part of showing someone you care about them.'
"But why, damn it?" Elli demanded, clenching her fists in frustration. Obviously, she received no answer. Elli sighed deeply and flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Jack obviously had strong feelings for her, why else would he punch Adam when he found that he had kissed her. Why would he care?
"Because...he loves me." Elli said slowly, still uncertain if this was true or not. But it had to be true, after all that Jack had done, after all the things he said...she knew he had to love her. And this frightened her because she wasn't sure of how she felt. Elli kind of knew all along that Jack loved her, but she just didn't want to know. She didn't want to know because she was still uncertain.
Meeting Adam had not helped either because it just made her even more uncertain of her feelings. He was nice and sweet and she was starting to wonder if she was falling in love with him. Or maybe it was just some simple infatuation. Well, she knew the way Jack felt about her wasn't infatuation because it had been going on for awhile now. Elli hated being stuck in the middle.
Just then a soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in?" She called, somewhat apprehensive, wondering who wanted to see her. Slowly the door opened and it was Adam who was standing in her doorway. "Oh...hey Adam." She said softly.
"I'm sorry to bother you so late at night, but I really wanted to talk to you." He said, his voice just as soft.
"Oh, sure. What about?" She asked. Adam closed the door behind him and came to sit on a chair next to Elli's bed.
"About the ball...and what happened." He replied. Elli winced inwardly-this wasn't what she wanted to talk to Adam about, but he continued on anyways. "I'm sorry for...well...I feel like what I did at the ball was too...forward...and I'd like to apologize...it seems it just made things uncomfortable and now I'm certain that Jack hates me."
"He doesn't hate you." Was the only thing Elli could think of to say. Adam smiled at her softly and looked out the window.
"I'm afraid he does. You see, he really cares about you-more than I've ever seen him care about someone." Adam said gently.
"Oh..." Elli whispered, feeling at a loss for words. Adam turned back to her and his smile looked awfully sad.
"I knew by the way he often looked at you...or didn't look at you. He seemed so happy at the ball, when you two were dancing. I knew he loved you...but...I didn't want to know...it's horrible, really. I feel awful...and confused..." Adam murmured.
"So do I." Elli whispered.
"You shouldn't Elli. You're caught in the middle, I know. None of this is your fault...you just became tangled in it." He assured her. Elli smiled gently at him and reached up, lightly brushing her hand over his eye, which was still slightly swollen and had a dark purple right around it. Adam winced and Elli drew her hand away.
"I'm sorry."
"I should go. I need to try and sleep some." He murmured, standing up. Elli nodded, watching him as he left.
Adam really hadn't helped her feel any better. In fact, he made her feel even more confused because now she felt even more depressed and confused.
Elli looked out the window and saw that the sky was growing lighter. She sighed with relief-it was almost morning.
But she wouldn't be relieved if she knew how many new problems the next day would bring her.
A/N: Yea, I know it's short and angstyand I know it's a cliff hanger, but this is the best I could come up with right now. The next chapter is very, very interesting...as Jack would say. No, I mean it. XDNow, go push the little review button... something cool happens. Lol.