Thank you so much for all your kind reviews. You made me really happy this week! Ha ha! Anyways, keep reviewing please and I hope you enjoy Chapter Seven.

Chapter Seven – The Bond of Brothers

Bobby' veins flowed with an overwhelming amount of rage, a black hole of anger formed in his mind and when he entered it he found it difficult to pull himself back out. He walked the sidewalk with hot fury boiling deep in his eyes. His enraged expression and firmly set jaw kept people away from his simmering presence and got out of his way to avoid being near him. Yeah, Bobby wasn't really a 'people person'. He liked dogs though, there was some humanity still locked away in his soul.

He made it to the school in record breaking time and stalked across the playground, his eyes scanning the area for his chosen prey. He had a vague picture of the head teacher as he had attended some sort of Parent's Evening when Angel was at school. Looking around, he almost licked his lips in satisfaction when he spotted a man similar to his memory search his pockets for his car keys.

"Wing it." He muttered to himself and jogged up to the man.

"Where are these damn keys?" Mr Lescott, Head Master of Del Murie School.

"Say, aren't you the head at this school?" A cheery sounding voice asked behind him.

The man twirled around, a smile planted on his face from being recognised. His happiness quickly diminished into a disapproving frown as he eyed Bobby up and down. The faded, ripped jeans and days old stubble didn't make a very good impression on the immaculately dressed and preened older man.

"Yes, I am. However, I'd be obliged if you could…." Before another word could be exchanged, an iron fist smashed into the man's face. He reeled back, blood already pouring down his nose. The man made some sort of gagging noise and then glared up at Bobby.

"What the hell…" He never got too far in his enquiry, a kick knocked his legs from underneath him. He grunted as he fell onto his back and lay dazed for a second. Then a weight pressed down on his chest and he stared into the eyes of Bobby Mercer. A look that could very well kill you from twenty feet away.

"No one. No one, messes with my family. Do you hear me?" He made his point by punching over and over on the man's face.

"What….What are you talking about?" The question was barely audible. His teeth were stained with his own blood, his eyes swollen and bruised.

"Think back a few months ago. Fifteen year old kid. Went by the name of Jack. Ring any bells?"

The man's eyes went wild and wide. "Nothing happened. What you've been told was a lie."

Bobby stared at the creature beneath him for a few moments and then the black hole in his head exploded and he lost all control.

"You stupid motherfucker! You call my brother a liar! After all that shit you put him through? You sick son of a bitch!" Bobby's hands were coated in hot red blood and the man under him was limp and unresponsive. The oldest Mercer brother fell back and sat on the ground, head in his hands. He had similar memories to Jack and even though it had been almost fifteen years since Evelyn had given him sanctuary from his abusive past, the past never left him, the pain and images still haunted and clouded his mind. He cried out slightly and dropped his head to his chest. He hadn't just beaten that man up to get even for Jack, he had done it to avenge some of his pain and anger too. It was a fact that all the Mercer brothers carried and were burdened with a pain so deep that no matter how far any of them dug, that pain would always be there just below the surface, never to be fully released.

An hour later and Jack jumped as the door opened. SpongeBob Square Pants had kept him amused for a while, but the anxiety had kicked in soon enough and the younger boy breathed a sigh of relief when his oldest brother approached him.

"Bobby, what did you do?" Jack demanded, eyeing the bloody hands.

"Stop being so naïve. You know damn well what I did."

"How could you be so stupid! You're going to go to jail. You're not going to get away with this. Bobby!" Jack whined loudly. Bobby turned when Jack pulled stubbornly on his arm.

"He isn't going to say anything. I know the type. He wouldn't risk being involved with the police again. A Head Teacher doesn't get beaten to a pulp for no good reason and if the law even get a sniff that he abused or intended to abuse any child, his career would get flushed away so fast, he wouldn't even know it."

"Beaten to a pulp?" Jack asked quietly.

Bobby stared at him for a second and then grinned. "Beaten to a bloody, fine pulp."

Jack grinned back and looked up at his brother in complete adoration. He had risked so much just to punish Jack's abuser. In a fleeting moment of affection, Jack threw his arms around Bobby and cuddled in close.

"Thank you." He whispered. "Thank you so much."

Bobby froze from the sudden change of mood and grimaced at the affectionate gesture. He awkwardly hugged back and then pulled out the hold. Jack, sensing this blushed and walked out the room. Bobby waited a few moments and then a change of heart had him chasing his brother into the hall. He grabbed Jack round the waist and picked him clean off his feet hugging him. It was at that moment the real brother bond formed. Each shared their own pain and need to belong and both had just found a safe haven in each other. Jack dangled comfortably in Bobby's grasp and then started to slip to the floor. As his feet touched the carpet he smiled warmly and Bobby ruffled his little brother's hair, turning back into the kitchen. Jack watched him go, knowing instinctively that no words needed to be said. There was that new bond that anchored him and slowly started to scratch away at the surface of his pain. With enough love and care maybe there was hope that one day, not just Jack's pain, but all the Mercer family's pain would be released and they could find that perfect happiness and security that they all so desperately searched for.

A couple of days later and it had been arranged that Jack was going to be home schooled. Jack had waited apprehensively for the police to knock down the front door and drag Bobby away, but they never came, Bobby had been right. It was early that morning when Jack awoke to Angel shaking him roughly.

"Fuck off, Angel." He growled and pulled a pillow over his head.

"What did you just say to me? Jack you're going to pay for that shit." Then the nineteen-year-old grabbed the covers and ripped them from his younger brother's body. The cold draught of the window and opened door slapped at Jack and he tossed a pillow half-heartedly at Angel.

"Leave me alone, you big gimp!" He was already laughing as he said it. Angel laughed loudly and pulled Jack up by one arm.

"Hurry up and get downstairs."

"Yeah, ok." Jack's smile faded. He knew what day it was. He was sweet sixteen at last. He knew his family wouldn't know, he had never told them what day he was born. He didn't care; he didn't feel he was missing anything. He never really did birthdays. Trotting downstairs and into the living room, he blinked in surprise. On the floor were presents and cards and all around them were his family. Angel standing with his hands in his pockets, a grin plastered on his face. Bobby, a party popper hanging from his mouth. Jerry, holding out a card, one arm wrapped around his pregnant girlfriend. His first daughter was nestled into the hip of Evelyn, who was smiling brightly at him.

"Happy Birthday!" They all cheered.

"How did you know?" Jack stuttered in awe. His Ma tapped her nose and giggled. Jack grinned back and took the card offered by Jerry.

Ten minutes later and he had all his cards and presents opened. The biggest thrill came from his new electric guitar.

"I can't believe you got me this." He gushed. "Thank you so much! I love it."

"No problem."

Evelyn made everyone a delicious breakfast. Pancakes and syrup, croissants, eggs and bagels. After eating they all sat back and patted their stomachs contentedly.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. One of you friends from school came round. He wanted to know why you weren't going to school anymore. I think he said his name was Michael."

Jack frowned. "I don't know anyone called Michael."

"Well, whatever. He was short with black hair." Bobby said dismissively, using his finger to scoop up some syrup. Evelyn tutted.

"How the hell did he get my address?"

"Who?"

"Michael!"

"Who?"

"The guy you were just talking about!" Jack explained exasperated.

"Oh, right."

"He's such a poof. He's practically stalking me." Even before the words were out, Jack regretted saying them. All his brothers laughed loudly and Bobby patted him on the back.

"Aww, would you look at little twinkle toes here. Fairy has an admirer."

"He's just some stupid guy in my class." Jack could feel himself red in embarrassment.

"Then why are you blushing?" Angel drawled.

"Sleep with your backs to the walls, boys, Jack looks hungry!" Bobby laughed at his own wit.

"Ha ha." Jack responded moodily. "I'm going for a shower."

"Who with? Lover boy?" Angel folded over in giggles.

"I'm never gonna' hear the end of this." Muttered Jack. He made his way upstairs and into his room. Checking the time on his phone, he noticed he had a message. It was from Heather!

'Hey, its Heather. i got ur number frm Michael in our class without him seeing! he wz bragging that u gave him it! Weird. So, anyway, do u wanna meet up on Sat? We could go 2 the cinema or something. TB. XxX'

Jack felt goose pimples crawl up his arms. How did that guy get his number? He must have stolen his mobile for a minute or two and searched through his phone. What a freak. He had his number and address. This was getting crazier. Whatever, Jack thought. I'm going out on a date with Heather! He smiled and flopped happily back on to his bed. Little did he know, however that this would be the hottest date he would ever be on and maybe that wasn't such a good thing.