Title: Downfall
Type: 7th Heaven Fan Fiction
Rating: PG-13 (Sex, Alcohol, possible drug content)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of 7th Heaven. I do own all my original characters and this story, though. Don't take.
Summary: Tragedy strikes Lucy and Kevin, who then must decide what to do with their lives.

Notes: Thanks for the positive reviews! To those who don't like it, I'm sorry that you don't like it. To those that do, here's another chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Downfall

Chapter Fifteen: Incidents of Innocence

Jake arrived that night at around six pm. He said he's sleep on the floor and wouldn't stay for more than two days. Nichol and Amelia kept their secret hidden from Kevin, Lucy, and Ruthie.

The six of them went out to dinner at a steak house called The Terry Yacht. Ruthie picked at her food; she was never a big fan of steak. Jake talked while everyone listened.

"Where's Jessica?" Nichol asked. Jake, who's British accent was more distinct and heavy than his brother's, shook his head.

"We broke up. She wasn't right for me, you know?" Jake explained. Nichol nodded. Jake was practically a giant compared to Nichol, who stood at only around 5'7". Jake was easily 5'11" or maybe 6'. Apart from the height, Jake and Nichol looked remarkably similar. Jake's smile was less genuine and more devious than Nichol's, and he lacked the sparkle in his eye that Nichol usually had, but it was obvious that they were brothers.

With his attitude, Jake made Nichol feel like a little kid. Amelia and Lucy both noticed this and felt for him, even though Amelia was more afraid for herself. Kevin, who had also noticed Jake's egotistical attitude, felt that Nichol got what he deserved. Ruthie hadn't noticed.

"Where do you live now, Jake?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling.

"Why? Do you want to come visit me?" Jake asked, then laughed like there was no tomorrow. He grabbed her leg under the table, which made Amelia jump.

"No," Amelia replied, distinctively, "I was just making conversation." She slapped his hand off of her thigh, then breathed deep.

"If you must know, Mrs. Smith, I live about two hours from here," Jake informed them, then took another drink of beer.

"Does the town have a name?" Amelia asked, her teeth gritted.

"You want to get in my pants, don't you?" Jake asked, still laughing.

"Been there, done that. There's nothing special down there, Jake. I don't see why you brag," Amelia's words cut like ice throughout the table. Nichol didn't dare crack a smile, though he felt like it. Lucy and Kevin stared at Amelia. They knew she'd once been Jake's girlfriend, but her words stopped them in their tracks. Ruthie, unbeknownst to everything, was shocked to her bone and back.

"Amelia, are you trying to say something?" Jake asked, mocking her. Nichol glared at him.

"Don't provoke my wife," He warned.

"I'm not provoking anyone, little bro," Jake replied, laughing.

"Act like you've got some sense," Nichol demanded.

"Or what?" Jake wanted to know.

"You're a bastard, you know that?" Nichol asked.

"Ooh, you hear that? Guys, I'm a bastard!" Jake exclaimed, then broke into a fit of laughter.

"Now you're provoking me, you hyena," Nichol seethed. He felt like reaching over the table and grabbing his brother by the throat, then slicing him open in front of everyone. It would prove that Jake didn't have the power to make Nichol cower.

Amelia glanced at Nichol, her eyes filled with worry. She knew he was about to blow a gasket, and she knew that she'd do something if Jake grabbed her inappropriately one more time. Jake was a joker, but he was the only one who laughed at his jokes.

The rest of dinner went that way, with Nichol and Amelia trying to put up with Jake, who would continually intimidate them. When they arrived back, Lucy and Kevin went straight to sleep. Both were exhausted from dinner and trying to keep their distance from Jake. Nichol and Amelia met in their room to have a heated argument about Jake. Jake was left in the living room with Ruthie, who sat on her mattress, looking very uncomfortable.

"So how old did you say you were, Ruthie?" Jake asked, sitting beside her. Ruthie scooted away a bit, then glared at him.

"I didn't," She shot, "But I'm fifteen."

"You're a pretty girl," Jake commented, innocently. The air stiffened and time seemed to stop.

"Thank you," Ruthie replied, softly. She looked away. Her mind told her to go into Lucy and Kevin's room and lay between them until he leaves. She felt like running away, but knew she couldn't. She wondered how Nichol could have such an asshole for a brother, but she didn't say anything. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but no matter how hard she tried, it stayed.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Jake asked.

"Uh, why?" Ruthie wanted to know. She could barely breathe.

"Just making conversation," Jake replied, repeating Amelia's line from earlier that night. Ruthie picked up on the hint of anger in his voice.

"I did, but we broke up," Ruthie explained, referring to Vincent.

"You'd probably have guys fighting over you," Jake stated, inching closer to her. Ruthie's hands began to shake slightly as she tried to remain calm.

"Not really," She told him.

"You know who you remind me of?" Jake asked, smiling a little. Ruthie breathed out.

"Who?" She asked, immediately regretting asking. She knew the answer already.

"A young Amelia. You look like she did before I first corrupted her," Jake explained. Ruthie blinked. She was more afraid than ever. "Before Nichol stole her from me."

"You know, I think I need to use the bathroom," Ruthie lied, and tried to get up. Jake pushed her back down.

"Do you know what he did to me?" Jake asked her. Tears welled up in Ruthie's eyes. She didn't know what to say. She felt like screaming, but felt like it'd do no good. Nothing would help her out of this.

"What?" Ruthie whispered. He jerked her neck back so that she was looking directly into his eyes and completely under his control.

"He slept with her. He told her that he loved her. He kissed her with the gentle passion and brutal intensity of a teenager first in love. Have you ever felt that, Ruthie?" Jake wanted to know. He practically spit in her face with the last syllable. She shook fiercely, and finally managed to shake her head as if to shout 'no'. "Good. I can be your first."

"I'm fifteen," Ruthie croaked out. He didn't listen.

"You're beautiful," Jake told her, then threw her onto the mattress and began working at her belt. Ruthie let out tiny sobs, but he covered her mouth. He took off her pants, then tore open her shirt. He fumbled with her bra for a moment, but removed it quickly. He threw it to the side and adjusted his own pants. He didn't listen as Ruthie cried, and just continued with his own fantasy. He called her Amelia and cursed at Nichol, then finished and locked himself in the bathroom. Ruthie found her clothes, got dressed, and ran out of the house. She got into Nichol's truck and locked herself in. She found no sleep, just cried all night.