I've been doing my part and writing, you guys do yours and review. Give me some constructive criticism. I can take it. I'm shocked no one has pointed out some of the obvious plot holes that I've left. Where does Kylie get her money? Etc, etc. Give me some feedback!

I awoke relatively early considering my late night with the boys. My surroundings were quite nice, Jack had his arm wrapped around my waist, and my entire backside was pressed against him: all in all not a bad way to wake up. I quietly and slowly turned around in his embrace and snuggled closer, placing my arm over his. I traced his tattoos with my index finger and watched his face as he slept. It's amazing how peaceful people look when they sleep, like all the burdens of daily life are forgotten and in dreams they can truly relax. People also look that way after they die. I figured that the only two real releases in life are sleep and death. They are the only escape.

Jack pulled me closer in his sleep. He had taken his shirt and pants off before he had gotten in bed. I had woken to an amazing view, one that needed to be explored and plundered. That's the thing about unclaimed, untamed territory; someone always wants to own it. Hopeful Bobby was still asleep. It just wouldn't do to have him interrupt us again. I could always kill him, but I think that would get Jack a little upset and out of the mood.

Now was a time to work quickly. I stretched up and started kissing Jack's neck and shoulders. He wasn't awake yet, but he would be soon. I rubbed my hands over his chest and brushed his nipples with my thumbs. He moaned in his sleep, and I had to grin. It's always good to know you can drive a man to distraction even when he isn't conscious. I continued my subtle ministrations until Jackie boy started moving against my hands and mouth. One of his eyes cracked open and a lazy smile covered his face, "This is my favorite way to wake up."

I smiled back, it was hard not to. Every time that boy's face twisted into a semblance of happiness you just knew that it was one of the greatest sights on this earth. He was like a masterpiece in the essence of humanity; no paint required.

"You keep treating me this good and I might never leave," Jack threatened.

"I could get used to that. Are you potty trained?" I teased.

Jack had the audacity to look shocked; "I'll have you know that I've been pissing by myself for many years."

I laughed, "Good for you, sweetie." I couldn't help myself; sarcasm was a huge part of my vernacular.

Jack rolled on top of me and smirked, "You're in for it now." He proceeded to tickle me mercilessly. Eventually the tickling lead to him copping a feel, and that lead to a heavy make out session. We had to cut that short though, as neither of us had brushed out teeth yet, and dragon breath wasn't fun. I raced Jack to the bathroom and squealed as he picked me up and moved me out of his way. His victory was foiled though as we soon found out that Bobby was in the bathroom. There was another one upstairs, but I wasn't about to tell Jackie that.

Instead I quietly walked away as he yelled at Bobby and made a mad dash for the staircase. I got up the stairs without incident and walked toward the coveted restroom when I heard footsteps coming up behind me. Instead of turning and being thrown around again I raced for the door, and got there in one piece. Unfortunately I didn't have time to close the door before Jack was in there with me. I couldn't suppress my grin; he sure was playful, among other things.

I reached into a cabinet underneath the sink and pulled out my toothbrush and another, still in the package. I handed it to Jack absentmindedly and put toothpaste on my own, and began to brush. When I turned to look at him he was just holding it in his hand, staring at it. I stopped brushing for a moment and put my hand on his arm. His head jerked up and his eyes had tears in them.

This is where I panicked, internally. I've always been around strong manly men. I've never seen a man cry and really didn't have a clue why Jack would get so upset over something so simple. I didn't have to wait long for an explanation.

"You know Evelyn adopted me, right?"

I just nodded and kept my mouth shut. I wouldn't have known what to say anyway.

"Before I lived with her…I lived with some other people."

Realization dawned on me. Jack had been in some of the places that I'd been trying to protect Tyler from. Jesus, the things I had heard about…

"When my case worker was still around everything was great, but when he left… Anyway, I used to have to hide my toothbrush, but when I came to live with Mom she found it. She would tell me, 'Jackie boy, you don't have to hide your brush in your sock drawer anymore. It's yours to keep.' You just gave me more than most people ever have."

I still didn't know what to say. As he had been speaking the tears had overflowed from Jack's eyes and spilled down the front of his face. Instead of saying something cliché and tripe I moved forward and wiped the liquid away with my thumbs and hugged him. His arms engulfed me and held me so tight that it was difficult to breath. We must have stayed like that for five minutes or so. We finally pulled apart when we heard Bobby yelling something about breakfast and beer.

I smiled at Jack, determined to show him that I didn't think of him any differently despite his brutal past. He moved toward me again and raised his hands to the sides of my face. He used his nimble fingers to rub under my eyes. I reached up confused, and touched my cheeks. They were wet. I had been crying with him. Jack must have noted my confusion, "You didn't know you were crying?"

"No, I haven't cried in years."

I recognized the weakness in my voice and resented it. I couldn't resent the look in Jack's eyes though. He looked at me like I was his missing link. I don't know if I liked the feeling or not, it was confusing. We heard Bobby yelling again, but we both just turned around and started brushing our teeth. By the time we were done Bobby had come charging up the stairs for Jack. I intercepted him at the door, "Where's the fire Bobster?"

He didn't look pleased with his new nickname, "Bobster? That's the best you could come up with?"

I frowned for a moment before looking over him with a smirk, "It was either that or Booby. You pick."

Bobby's face started to get red and his nostrils flared out, all in all it was a funny sight to behold. Especially when you could hear Jack's laughter from his position in the bathroom. Bobby didn't look amused, "Will you just get out of my way so I can talk to the fairy?"

I smiled and stepped aside, waving my arm in front of him. Instead of listening in to the conversation I went downstairs to get dressed, I could always watch the surveillance tapes later. Yes, I bugged my own home. If anyone went snooping through my stuff I had to know who, so I could convince him or her to keep their mouths shut.

I had my pants most of the way on when Jack stalked into my bedroom where he had thrown his clothes the previous night. Something Bobby had said had upset him.

"What's wrong?"

Jack looked up from buttoning his pants; "Tyler set something on fire. Mom wants us to come over and have a man to man with him."

That little shit, I had told him to be good. Preteen kids these days have no morals. Well, most people don't either.

"He set something on fire? Is that normal?"

I had to play the perfect stranger. I didn't really want to anymore, but in six more months Tyler would be his parents' problem once again, and maybe I could get my life back on track. Hopefully Jack could be part of that track, if he could get past the lies. That was a soul-searching inner dialogue for another time.

"He just likes fire. Tyler's a pretty normal kid, all things considered." Jack pulled his shirt over his head and threw me an apologetic look.

I didn't know what he meant by that last remark, but I'd find out. "Are we going to try the date thing again tonight."

Then Jack's face lit up, "Yeah, I mean, if you wanna…yeah."

"Great, what time are we leaving?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment, "Let's play it by ear. You never know what might come up."

I nodded in agreement and walked him to the door where we could hear Bobby cursing from outside. "You better go before he has a coronary."

He smiled and pecked me on the cheek, and headed out to face an irate child and his mother.

During his parental conference with the incredible flaming child Evelyn decided to come visit me. She thought a heart to heart was in order. The Saint was worried about my intentions with her son. I knew there was a reason that I liked her.

I fixed some coffee and we sat down to enjoy the hot beverage. When I was about halfway through with my cup the small talk ran out. Evelyn decided to get down to brass tacks.

"Kylie, what are you doing with Jack?"

I was confused for a moment; didn't she want me to go out with him? Wasn't she the one pushing us together from the start?

My questions were put to rest soon, as Evelyn continued, "I mean, you two haven't even gone on a proper date yet, but you've already been…quite carnal with each other. Purely sexual relationships don't last sweetheart, and Jack has a lot more to offer than that, and so do you."

Crazy saintly Evelyn, I admired her more right then than I ever have anyone before. While others wouldn't have come right out with something like that, she did.

"Ms. Mercer, if I could explain it I would. I enjoy Jack's company, but it seems like every time I'm around him I can't keep my hands to myself. I'm at a loss here. I've never been a promiscuous girl before, but with him it's different."

She beamed at that moment, patted my hand and said, "That's good dear, that's good."