Lol. Ok. So, I'll find a plot for this story eventually, just keep with it! Ha ha. Thanks for the reviews again, guys. Hope you like Chapter Four!

Chapter Four – Flashback Blues

After dinner, the Mercer family watched some television, the boys groaning all the way through a soap opera Evelyn loved watching, and then finally it was back to the sports channel with the woman surrendering to bed.

"I don't want you boys staying up all night now. Oh, and Jerry shouldn't you call Camille?" Evelyn asked, kissing Bobby's cheek. She winked at Angel and walked over to Jack.

"Yeah, Ma. I'll call her in a minute." Angel made a whipping gesture.

"Night, night sweetheart." She bent down and kissed Jack's cheek.

"Night." He said, his cheeks flushing under his brothers' heated looks.

"And you said there was no favouritism in this family, Ma." Bobby teased and she hit him on his arm.

"That was before Jack came." She replied, smiling coyly at her boys and walking out of the living room. Bobby feigned being hurt and held his hands over his heart. Jerry's knees cracked as he stood up from his chair and moved to the phone.

"Bitch-whipped!" Angel drawled and chucked a little plastic game chip at him. Jerry glowered at his brother and stalked out of the room. The nineteen year old then began chucking them at Bobby and Jack.

"Angel, I'm going to stick this up your ass if you don't stop."

One of the chips hit off of Bobby's head. The man dived for Angel and the two fought playfully, rolling over each other on the floor and pulling each others' jumpers over their head.

Jack laughed at first, but got bored of seeing Angel lose every round and dodged his head around them trying to see the television.

"Hey, dick heads. Move over." He ordered. They stopped like someone had froze them in a picture. Angel drooped in Bobby's headlock.

"What did he just call us?" Angel asked dangerously looking up at his big brother.

Bobby released him instantaneously and Jack sprang to his feet, knowing that he was done for.

"Guys," he tried, "You know I was only playing." He waved his hands in front of him, but yelped as Angel and Bobby made a move for him. Leaping over the sofa he let out a cry of victory as Angel tripped over the arm and Bobby went sprawling on top of him. He darted into the kitchen and through the hall where Jerry stood sweet talking his girl. He wound the phone cord around his finger.

"I love you too, baby."

"Jerry!" Jack screamed, sprinting past, his two brothers hot on his trail. "What the hell?" He demanded. "Sorry Cam, I need to go. Yeah, uh huh. I'll be back home tomorrow, early. Give her a kiss for me."

Jack made it back into the living room, but having the shortest legs, he couldn't keep up the pace and was rugby tackled by both of them to the ground. His bruised body cried in protest, but he was more fearful of Bobby and Angel than the pain he was enduring.

"Help! Jerry!" Jack squealed as Bobby flipped him over and straddled him. Angel grabbed his hands above his head and no amount bucking or wriggling could free him. Panting, the boy watched his oldest brother wag a finger in front of his nose.

"Now, have you ever heard of pecking order, Jackie? No? Well, this family has a pecking order. You being the youngest are at the bottom, then Angel and then Jeremiah. Me? I'm at the top. Which means I call the shots and expect a little respect from my younger brothers, especially you."

Jack tried pulling his hands free, but Angel had him in an iron grip.

"I'm not finished yet." Bobby tormented, a wicked smile enveloping his face. He took hold of Jack's wrists.

"Go get some ice, Angel."

Jack's eyes went wide.

"No, no, no! I'm sorry, man. Jerry! Jerry!" He hollered. Jerry ran through, red faced.

"What the…? Bobby! Get off of him." Jerry raged. He pulled at Bobby's shoulder and suddenly the grasp around Jack's wrists was free. The teenager wriggled out from underneath his brother as Bobby started laying into Jerry. Angel walked back into the kitchen.

"There's no ice…Ha ha! Get him Bobby!" Angel cheered.

The boys all froze when a loud knock came from up above.

"If you don't keep the noise down, so help you." Evelyn's voice called from her bedroom upstairs.

The guys all stopped and grumbled to each other about someone in particular being a kill-joy. Bobby pulled Jerry to his feet.

"We're going to stop?" Jack questioned, hands on hips.

"Ma told us to." Bobby explained. Jack raised an eyebrow.

"Look who's at the top of the pecking order now. An old lady."

Bobby clenched his fists and glared threateningly towards the adolescent.

"Jackie, you're pushing it."

The boy just laughed and sat beside Bobby on the sofa.

"And there's nothing you can do about it." He said simply, swiping the remote and flicking through channels. Jerry and Angel stifled laughs at Bobby's exasperated look.

The next morning, Evelyn awoke early, but lay smiling on her bed for a while. Jack was making a lot of improvement fairly quickly. He was interacting with his brothers normally and they all seemed to be getting on amazingly. She hadn't failed to notice the looks of concern Bobby sent Jack or the way he would hover round him, like he felt he needed his protection. It was true, Jack did need a little more tender loving care right now. After all he was just accepting Mercer as his last name and being part of a family. Feeling a little restless and hungry, the woman decided to rise from her bed and start a new day.

She tied the robe of her dressing gown round her waist tightly and snuggled her toes into her slippers. Walking out of her room she noticed Angel's bedroom empty, the bed hadn't been slept in. The woman pushed Jack's bedroom door open and peered inside, finding the room in the same state. Frowning at the abnormal silence of her home and her missing kids, she made her way downstairs. It was only seven thirty in the morning, but she had work today and grimaced at the thought. Winter was fast approaching Detroit and the temperatures were dropping quickly. Evelyn hated the long, dark nights and cold days. She wrapped her arms around her body and wondered again where all her boys were. Ambling into the living room a deep rooted sense of love and happiness spread around her and a hand flew up to her mouth, shielding her affectionate smile as she gazed at the sight before her.

All four Mercer brothers were asleep beside one another on the sofa. Bobby, head held in one hand, whilst resting his elbow on the arm at the end of the couch, snored softly. His legs were stretched out in front of him, crossed loosely at the ankles. Huddled beside him was Jack, hands hidden in the long sleeves of a jumper as he curled into a ball, head nestled into Bobby. Angel had one arm flung out behind him, down the back of the sofa, completely stretched and relaxed, a content, tranquil look on his sleeping face. Jerry was half covered in a jacket, his head resting on his younger brother's shoulder and his own arm lay lazily across Angel's chest. The older woman gushed at the sight and felt tears in her eyes. It just made her so happy to see them all feeling so relaxed and safe in her house to fall asleep in such a vulnerable state.

She started the fire that had died out hours ago. The noises made Bobby stir and his nose twitched. His eyes slowly opened and he moaned as his wrist throbbed in a dull pain from leaning on it. He went to move as he watched his mom start a fire, but realised his little brother was completely asleep on top of him. He shifted in his seat and Jack groaned, moving on top of him more. Jack accidentally kicked Angel where it hurts and he bolted up with a cry. Jerry went tumbling to the floor, smacking his side into the coffee table. Bobby laughed and the vibrating from his chest caused Jack to wake up fully.

"Jack, you idiot! You kicked me right in the jewels." Angel complained, doubling over.

Jerry mumbled under his breath and climbed to his feet.

"You sent me crashing into the table, Angel." He said with a scowl, a hand pressing on to his side. Jack stretched and yawned, taking up the length of the sofa. He adjusted himself into a comfortable position and closed his eyes again, head still resting on Bobby.

"Uh uh. I don't think so, fairy." Bobby slid out from underneath him and Jack's head fell to the sofa below. He groaned again and turned on his side away from them all.

"Can you believe him?" Angel panted, his face contorted in pain.

"Let him sleep. You guys come on and help me make breakfast." Evelyn ushered them into the kitchen.

"Ma, I really should get home. I told Camille I'd be back early."

"No problem. You go right ahead. I'll be over after work to see Daniela."

Jerry kissed her on the cheek quickly and smiled at his two brothers before slinging on his jacket and escaping out the back door.

Jack's brow creased as a long suppressed memory floated to the surface. His peaceful sleep was disturbed by a sudden flashback, too quick to resurrect that he had no time to wake before it drew him in.

The man backhanded the boy and grabbed his short, fluffy hair in one dirty great paw.

"I said shut up! Stop your crying, you fucking nuisance." The man was clearly drunk and wore a stained wife-beater. He hadn't shaved in a while and the stubble made his face look even grubbier. His dark eyes were burning in an uncontrolled rage and his words were slurred as he screamed at the youngster. The boy sniffled and wiped at his filthy, tear-stained face harshly. The sting of the slap threatened more tears to overflow, but he gasped and swallowed, digesting his pain and emotion. He was grabbed roughly by the scruff of the neck and thrown towards the cluttered, soiled kitchen.

"Get me another beer." The man ordered. The boy scrambled to his feet and, trembling he climbed on a chair to reach a beer that sat on top of a counter. Pulling himself up, his hand touched something sticky and slimy. He gagged and shut his eyes, wiping his hand on his too-short jeans. Grabbing the beer he jumped down and began walking back towards the creature that had the audacity to call himself a man.

The young boy was shaking so hysterically that as he approached the monster, the beer bottle slipped from his hands and smashed on the cold, damp floorboards below.

"Sorry! I'm sorry." He immediately whimpered, knowing what fate lay in front of him now.

The man roared in anger and kicked the boy on the chest away from him. Swinging his arms like a story tale troll, he marched over to the cowering ball. He slammed a fist down on his side and the boy screamed out.

"Shut up!" The man hollered and grabbed his son by the front of his t-shirt. "You're fucking useless. You little, stupid shit!"

He slapped him again and this time the youngsters head snapped back and his vision went blurry with the force. The man released him and stormed over to a fish tank. With a clenched fist he punched the plastic tank and two little fish and a litre of water fell to the floor below.

"Noo!" The boy cried, diving forward to catch his beloved pets. Everyday he would sit in front of them and talk or cry or on the rare occasion smile at them. They were the only little swimming hope that he clung to that his life was actually worth living. They were the only thing he owned and protected and loved. They were all he had – two little fish. And now he watched them flop and squirm, suffocating on the wood under his feet. He rushed to them.

"Please. Water. They need water." He begged, tears splashing on to cheeks. "Water….Get them water." He tried to pick one of them up gently into his hands, sobbing. The man smacked the fish out of his hand and laughed maliciously. He held the boy close to him and whispered into his ear.

"Watch them, Jack. Watch them die. They can't breath." He smiled and his breath stank with the smell of alcohol. The boy struggled against him, his eyes wide as they were frozen to his dying fish.

"Please." He pleaded, heartbroken, knowing they were seconds away from death. "Please."

The man let out another cruel laugh and pushed Jack away as the fish stopped flopping and lay motionless.

"Now, see what I can do? Well, your fish won't be the only ones who stop breathing if you don't get me another fucking beer and clean up this mess." He drawled. Jack stared at his feet, tears dripping from his cheeks.

"Did you not hear me!" The man screeched. Jack couldn't move, he felt like he had just been halved down the middle. He felt his air way blocked by his grief. Suddenly a hand was closed round his mouth and nose and he really couldn't breathe. He started kicking and pried desperately at the hand, eyes wide in panic. His heart raced and his mind was spinning. Help me! He cried to anyone. Don't let me die here, please, please! Spots were appearing in front of his eyes and his legs stopped kicking. His arms fell limp at his side and his head dropped down, blackness smothered him…..

Jack woke up with a scream and tumbled off the sofa. Gasping and tears rolling down his face, he pushed himself to his feet. Feeling the sick pit forming in his stomach and dangerously working his way up his throat he sprinted to the front door. Vomiting violently outside, he doubled over and collapsed to his knees. Hearing the commotion, Bobby, Angel and Evelyn ran outside.

"Jack? Jack? What's wrong?" Bobby asked frantically, running over to him. He threw an arm around the teenager's shoulders. Jack wiped his mouth and spat on to the grass and for the first time noticed his brother beside him, face full of concern.

"Don't touch me!" Jack screamed, leaping to his feet. "Get away from me!" And with that he tore away from the house and sprinted as fast as he could down the street, out of sight before any of his family had time to react.