A/N: Helloooo! I know its been a very long time, so to those still with me, thank you so much for waiting! I had an extremely busy & emotionally draining beginning to 2018 & to add to that I've had my first case of writers block, which I'm trying to work through. Getting the block at such a crucial point in the story made it really hard to keep writing (v's writing some fluff chapter), but I think I'm getting there. I really hope this chapter is ok!
Enjoy! Let's see how my boy Nix is going...
Nix blinked, he could have sworn he heard the man say.. he shook his head, he was hearing things, he had to be! "sorry, who are you?" he asked again, praying for a better answer.
Alex smiled "my name is….. Alexander, and well….. I am your… maternal grandfather" explained, he was glad he could speak as he felt his throat tense up. His heart was breaking, no his heart had already broken many a times, he knew this latest sequence would shatter the remaining parts of his heart that he had. He just had to get through this & get these 2 boys out of this situation.
Nix sat himself up & leaned against the wall, he was still really sore, he ached everywhere! he knew he had some broken or at least fractured bones, definitely his ribs, maybe his knee & shoulder too, but he was also totally & utterly confused! He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts "my maternal grandfather died when my mother was a little kid, and her stepfather.. well that arsehole died a year ago" he finished in a spat.
Alex let his head drop, he was responsible for so much hurt towards the people he cared for more than anything that he could barely cope with. He lifted his head & looked at a young man who he wished he'd had known since birth "I know that's what you think, I'm afraid though it's not quite true"
Nix had no idea what that meant & he was too sore to even try to understand it! "look I have no idea what you're talking about but I need to find a way to get a message to my dad" he was really confused, but there was one thing he knew, he had to find a way to contact his dad, he knew his dad would be looking for him & if he could contact him, he knew his dad would get him out of this mess "is there anything in here that I could use?"
Alex knew his grandson was not only confused but in substantial pain, he wouldn't be surprised if he had a couple of fractured or maybe even some broken bones, and he would bet he had a concussion too. He shifted backwards to give him some space "There are a few power outlets, and I have yet to go through those 2 remaining boxes" he said waving to 2 boxes stacked on top of each other in the far corner. He saw the boy go to get up "now just hold up a moment please, I know you want to contact your father but you're sporting some injuries & I'd like to see if we can't do something about them" he requested, he had managed to find a small first aid kit.
"I have to see what's in those boxes, the sooner I contact my dad the sooner he can get to us" Nix responded as he tried to get up, yes he hurt, but this couldn't wait.
"And we will, but give me 10 minutes to at least stabilise that knee and clean some of your cuts, this one here on your arm looks nasty & I don't want it to get infected, please, I'm sure your father would understand" Alex remarked gently.
Nix couldn't say the guy wasn't right, so letting out a breath he sighed "fine, 10 minutes" he laid back down, but he saw the boy on the other cot just staring at him, he looked back at the older man "who's the kid?"
Alex finished wiping the cut, it was quite bad, he knew it would need stiches but the best he could do was wrap it, so he grabbed a small amount of bandage & wrapped his upper arm wound. He then took a look at the knee, his jeans had been ripped in numerous places especially around the knee cap & he could see a fair amount of blood. He knew he couldn't get the jeans off the boy, but he managed to rip away a section of the material from the knee cap, he took another alcohol swab "this will sting" he warned, he saw the slight nod as well as his grandson clenched his teeth. He carefully but as quickly as he could clean the area as best as he could.
Nix flinched, his arm cuts weren't all that pleasant, but this was a pain on another level "oww! I think its broken" he groaned as he felt the guy pressing into his knee.
"I'm afraid I think you're right, I don't believe the cap his broken though which is a good thing. I am going to strap it as tight as I can, try to keep your weight off this knee as much as you can" Alex agreed as he finished bandaging it up.
"Ok" Nix conceded, yea weight on that knee would be a bad thing, he watched the elder man continued to tend to his injuries as he let his mind drift, was this man really his grandfather? He could scarcely believe it, the man was tending to him in a very caring manner he really couldn't make sense of anything! He waited until his wounds were taken care of as best as possible, including somehow managing to wrap the elder man's under shirt around his chest to secure his ribs, this guy really seemed to care about him!
Alex finished tending to the injuries that he could, he wished he could do more "that's all I can do I'm afraid, I wish I had something for the pain" he was heartbroken many times over but it was continuing to break, this boy had clearly taken a beating, and he was upset as well as downright furious at that! At Liam yes, but at himself for allowing this entire situation to happen even more.
Alex closed his eyes trying to refocus, he had to keep his wits about him, he needed to get both of these boys out of here if it was the last thing he did. He looked to his grandson, his grandson on the other cot that was "Jake, come here" he requested quietly with an outstretched hand.
Alex watched as the young boy moved slowly across the basement, he knew Jake wasn't feeling well, he knew he was extremely scared and not to mention confused too. Bringing him onto his lap he wrapped his arms securely around the young boy hoping to bring some comfort to him "Jake, this is Phoenix, Phoenix this is Jake, the two of you are cousins" he finished quietly looking between the pair.
Jake was confused, not to mention scared beyond anything & he really wasn't feeling well, his pop was acting really strange too, he definitely knew there was something that his pop wasn't telling him. His pop knew some of the men who'd taken them, he still didn't understand why they were taken in the first place, he just wanted to go home, he just wanted his mum! For now though he'd take comfort from his pop, he just didn't understand why his pop thought this boy was his cousin and his own grandson? What did that make him? He was just scared & confused, and he really wasn't feeling well! Looking at this older boy he couldn't say he looked scary or anything, in fact he looked scared as well!
Nix's eyes widened, what on earth did that mean? Wait a sec… Jake… not.. "you're Jake.. Jake Kaplan?" he asked Alex, but looked at the young boy, he had light brown scruffy hair and bright green eyes, he was a little on the slimmer side but the thing that got him the most was how scared he looked. He wondered if he'd been subjected to similar treatment that he got, though looking at him he couldn't see any outwards sign of injury, but still…
Jake couldn't help but nod at the question about his name "hi" he whispered
"Hi" Nix replied, he got confused all over again, if this was Jake Kaplan & this was the kid's grandfather, or adopted grandfather.. "your Patricia's…"
"I am her father" Alex answered quickly, he didn't know what this boy knew but wanted to stop one particular word from coming out.
Nix's eyebrow rose, apparently the kid didn't know about the adoption, ok this would make things awkward! "Right, so these men… who are they exactly & what do they want?" he may as well try to get some answers if this man wasn't going to let him up.
"They…" Alex took a breath, what could he say? He was shaken from his thoughts by his grandson's cough, another coughing fit had started again. He pushed him slightly forward & gently rubbed his back "deep breaths Jake, you're ok my boy, just deep breaths"
Nix watched as the young boy went through a coughing fit, he watched as the older man calmed him, gentled him through it until it went away. He watched as the older man, Alex, lifted & carried him across to the other cot, gently placing him down and lulled him into a sleep.
Nix waited until he had come back to his own cot before speaking "he's sick"
"Yes he is" Alex sighed looking upon the small frame of a boy, he shifted his gaze to Nix "you are not so well either Phoenix, and for all the hurt you have suffered I am so ever sorry" he was so desperately sorry for the hurt that had befallen him, but he wasn't quite sure how it had happened.
Nix could see that the man was truly sorry, there was one thing he wanted, needed to ask "why should I believe you're my grandfather?"
Alex gave him a smile "Well, I know that your mother's true maiden name is McLowry & her birth name was Shannon Marie McLowry was it not?"
"Ah, yea" Nix nodded slowly, ok, this guy knew his mum's birth name, that was a little odd..
Alex smiled "my full name is Alexander Killian McLowry, I was named after my great grandfather Killian, my wife, your grandmother, Joanne Burns & I named our daughter Shannon Marie McLowry after her great grandmother's on both of our sides, Shannon on Joanne's & Marie on mine. Marie was my maternal grandmother."
Nix was just wide eyed as he thought about the name, could he really be his own flesh & blood? This guy did know a fair bit!
"You Phoenix Leroy, were named after your father Leroy Jethro, he was named after his parent's best friend, Leroy Jethro Moore" Alex added
"How do you know all of this?" Nix asked, he was dumbfounded!
"Because, though you may not believe me, I am your mother's father, I am your grandfather" Alex remarked, he then considered something "your first year in the varsity football team your college attended a pre-season tournament where you played the Xavier University of Louisiana, amongst other teams, you won man of the match. You scored a hat-trick, the first in the 31st minute from open play, the second in the 61st minute with a volley from outside the area & 3rd & match winning goal was in the 87th minute with a header off a free kick that you won just outside of the area, right before you provided a goal line clearance to maintain your result"
"How?" Nix remained dumbfounded, what the?
"Because I was there, I watched the whole game, I was sitting with the Xavier supports, as I am a teacher there" Alex answered "do you remember?" he was hoping beyond anything that his grandson did.
Nix thought about it as hard as he could, he closed his eyes trying to concentrate but it was hard, he was hurting so bad, he was beyond confused, he just wanted to go home, he closed his eyes trying to picture his sister, his dad & his mum… but he concentrated on trying to remember that day…
Flashback (from both POV's)
Nix was ecstatic, he'd just played his first full game for the varsity team, he'd scored a hat-trick, a hat-trick! He couldn't wait to tell his sister! She would be the first person he'd call as soon as he could. He took a moment and looked skyward "I did it mum! I did it! I made the team & scored my first hat-trick! Wish you could be here to see it" he said quietly to himself "you too dad" he added with a small smile, he wished his mum was still here & he would have loved to have been able to share this moment with her. As for his dad, he'd just wished he'd had the chance to know him for himself, he knew though that his dad would be standing right there watching & cheering him on right next to his mum.
He was pulled from his musing by one of his mates "Nix!" Dean yelled as he came running up to his teammate
Nix couldn't help but laugh as Dean launched himself at him.
"You rocked!" Dean "you won it for us!"
"And you almost cost us a penalty!" Nix laughed as he dropped his friend.
"Ass!" Dean laughed, he gripped his friend's shoulder "you played a great game Phoenix, coach was really impressed, I know!"
"Thanks De" Nix smiled as they headed for their lap to thank the crowd that had watched their game.
Nix & Dean were joined by a few other of their teammates as they spoke with a few a people near the entrance to the tunnel that lead to the change rooms, he was really enjoying himself.
He'd worked hard doing 3 years working his way up through the JV squad, now though him & his mates had finally made it into the varsity team, they weren't letting the chance go by, they were going to fight for their spot, he was going to fight, not just for a spot on the team, but he'd make the starting line-up.
"You boys played quite the game" came a voice to Nix's left.
"Thanks" Dean replied to the man.
"Thank you, Mr?" Nix added, he looked to the man that had spoken, he was fairly tall, fair hair, green eyes, he felt rude to speak to a guy without knowing his name.
"Call me Alex" Alex remarked, gosh what he wouldn't give to be able to take the young man into his embrace, he knew he was pushing it just being here, but he also knew where all the players were & knew none were in the region.
"Well then thank you Alex" Dean remarked "your boys gave us a good fight, they're a good side"
"That they are" Alex agreed "I suspect you will do quite well in the season ahead, we may even see you in the playoffs"
"Wouldn't that be nice" Dean remarked
"Indeed" Alex smiled "That's quite the right foot you've got on you Mr Jackson"
"Thanks Alex, my name's Phoenix though, Phoenix Leroy" Nix remarked, he wasn't sure why he said his middle name, he rarely introduced himself with his full name, he even got a weird sidewards look from Dean for it but there was something about, well he didn't know what, but it just came out.
"It's a great pleasure to meet you Phoenix Leroy" Alex smiled "I quite like the name Leroy, I know its old fashioned, I guess I am too. But it's a solid name for a solid young man"
"I was named after my father" Nix remarked quietly, wait, why did he just say that? He rarely brought up his parents to total strangers?
"And I'm sure he would be proud of what you're achieving here, I'm sure your parents would be very proud of everything you've achieved" Alex remarked, he knew that Phoenix was named after his father & what he wouldn't give to be able to breakdown and tell this boy everything, but there was too much at stake, too many lives at risk & he hated it!
"Ah thanks" Nix remarked not quite sure what else to say to that. He saw the strange look that Dean & Jimmy were both giving him, he wasn't alone in thinking this guy was speaking some weird stuff.
"All the best for the future Phoenix Leroy, I have a feeling great things will come your way & you will make your entire family so very proud in every endeavour" Alex remarked, he knew he was making the boy feel weird, but he had to say it.
Nix flashed a look at his friends, this guy was a little weird "thanks, but we need to get going, need to do our warm down"
"Of course, don't forget to ice that ankle, I saw the knock you took, wouldn't want it to swell, have a good evening, enjoy your dinner, I know the raspberry cheesecake at the steak house is just divine, you must try it" Alex remarked before heading off
Nix stared after the guy, huh? What on earth was that about? why tell him about a raspberry cheesecake at the place they were having dinner? He had to give a small smile though, that dish was his mum's favourite dessert, maybe he would have it if it was on offer, but why would this man tell him that? He was pulled from his thoughts though by his mates.
"Come on GM, shower time!" Jimmy called
End of Flashback
Nix shook his head as he lifted his head to look at the man, it was him, the same man. The cheesecake comment now makes sense, as does the others but "if you knew back then, why didn't you say anything? Did you know my parents were alive back then?"
"Yes I knew" Alex admitted, he took a breath "I couldn't do anything because, …. because there were too many lives at stake, I was afraid & I am so very sorry!"
Alex could see the pain in his grandson's eyes, he deserved to know, but where did he start? He didn't even know what the boy knew about his family "these men…. they wish to cause pain to many people, but mainly me, I am afraid" he said honestly
"Why would they want to do that?" Nix asked, he was so confused
"There is a great family feud at the heart of it, it's a very long story I'm afraid" Alex conceded "could you possibly tell me what happened to yourself? How did they get you? It may help me understand the whole situation & explain it to you"
Nix still wasn't convinced that this man was his grandfather, but there were pieces that could fit, maybe he could get more information if he gave some, so he nodded "I was out with my sister & some friends, while I was outside on the phone, a friend, or a guy I thought was my friend told me he had some football boots for me in his car. I went around to get them, I had a friend with me Mike, as well as 2 others, whilst we were waiting for him to get his keys we got set upon by these men, there were like a dozen of them, we tried to get them off us, we had no clue why they attached us." Nix took a breath "we were just no match, Mike & the others they, they did their best & that's saying something but these guys, they… they had crowbars, wrenches, one guy even had a gun, I think he shot Mike" he finished he closed his eyes trying to hold back to tears that threatened to escape, he'd seen Mike get shot, and after the fight they'd been through, he really hoped he'd be ok!
Alex sighed "I'm sorry Phoenix, so very sorry. You had 3 people with you that could take care of their own I take it?"
"Yea I did, my friend Mike, he's a U.S. marine, Jonas is an NCIS Agent & Joyce, she's Navy & a kickass martial arts expert & even they, we, struggled to get rid of them."
Alex was surprised at that "Could I ask do you go out regularly with…" he knew where his grandson lived, but it still didn't sound right
"We hang out" Nix admitted "but this time no, my dad was a little concerned about us being away from him.. he's pretty protective, I should have listened to him! To stay on base!" he vented as he turned his head & banged his fist into the pillow.
"I will get you back to him Phoenix, I promise you" Alex said as he tried to sooth his grandson, he knew the underlying reason for the protectiveness of the boy's father "I will get you back to your father, your mother & your sister, I promise you" he repeated as he rubbed his back.
Nix took a breath trying to calm down, he knew he was scared there was no doubt about that, he was utterly petrified in fact, he'd give anything to turn back the clock & agree to going to the base club. If he'd done that he'd be home & Mike wouldn't have been hurt! He took another breath, there was something else he knew, he knew his dad would find him, he was certain of that, his dad wouldn't rest until he was found, he actually pitted these guys, well.. no he didn't, these bastards would get what was coming! But he had to hang on, he had to keep his wits about him! He had to try to stay calm, get some kind of message or signal out so he could be found & his dad could kick these guys butts!
Nix took a final breath before opening his eyes, he could do this! Focus! He looked to the man sitting there trying to comfort him, he couldn't help but feel soothed by this man, it was a really odd feeling.
"That's better" Alex soothed, glad to see the young man calming down "I'll get you out of here champ, but could I ask you to tell me why your father was overly protective, more so than usual? Quietly perhaps"
Nix realised that Alex didn't want Jake to hear them in their discussion, he wondered which part of this the kid didn't know "Things were pretty tense, these guys showed up pretending to be INTERPOL agents, they were there seeing if Tony knew where….." he took a moment & flashed a look to Jake "Patricia was" he finally said before taking another breath "thing is, Tony didn't even know he had a sister to begin with!"
Alex took the information on board, he knew that Anthony wasn't aware of his sister but why would Liam have people go interrogate Anthony "how long ago did they visit Anthony?"
"Not sure, maybe about 4 days" Nix guessed
Alex considered it, there was a lot that just was not making any sense, the biggest one was why this started in the first place.
"So could you please tell me what's going on? What do these men want? Why'd they take me? Why'd they attach me & Mike so violently?" Nix asked, he wanted an answer for a change instead of giving them.
"Mike, your friend, the marine, do you by any chance mean Michael Bond, from Texas?" Alex asked
"Yea him, how do you know his name & where he's from?" Nix asked, this man seemed to know a hell of a lot!
"I will answer your questions, but can you describe the man that you took you, the lead man" Alex asked, he wanted to confirm something.
"Tall, dark hair, tattoos, thick Scottish accent and…" Nix considered it before continuing "he was really wanting to cause pain to Mike, almost like he knew him, wait a sec, Mike said something to the guy too. I can't remember what, but I think they'd met before, what is going on?" he finished as demanding as he could.
Alex dropped his head, he couldn't believe it had come to this, he lifted his head "I'm afraid this entire mess, the situation you & your family went through for all those years Phoenix, it's….. it's all my fault & you can't imagine how sorry I am about it" he knew he couldn't be forgiven, the best he could hope for was that he reunites these boys with their families.
"What do you mean?" Nix asked, he was getting overwhelmed, this was all getting too much "can you please tell me what's going on?"
Alex wasn't sure where to begin, one thing he knew was that he had to make it quick "I will try to keep it brief, the man that took you, his name is Loch Lancert, the Lancerts are first cousins of the Fielding's"
Nix's eyes widened, Fielding? Not….
Alex saw the recognition in Phoenix's eyes "yes, as in MacDonald, the man that was your mother's step-father. I am aware that he is deceased, but he has 2 sisters, Susan & Jessica as well as a brother, Liam, he was the man that took myself & Jake"
Nix's eyes stayed wide-eyed, Mac had a brother? And 2 sisters? That couldn't be a good thing!
"My family, the McLowry's and the Fielding family have been at odds with the other for generations, there is genuine hatred between the families." Alex started, this was going to painful to explain "for a while it had calmed down and we lived in relative peace. But when your mother was 5 I had brought her over to the UK for one last family visit before she started school. Whilst we were over there was an unfortunate accident that I allowed to occur, it involved myself, your mother & Patty, Tony's mother..."
"wait, why was Tony's mum there if you were visiting your family?" Nix asked, he had to interrupt the man.
"Because Patty, Anthony & Patricia's mother was my first cousin" Alex answered with a smile
Nix was getting confused on a whole other level! "You're saying…"
"I am saying that we, myself, your mother, your family, you are related to Anthony, Tony. The McLowry's & Paddington's are related, my mother's brother is Anthony's grandfather" Alex finished for him
"Wow" Nix whispered, really? Was all of this true?
"Yes indeed" Alex nodded "as I was saying, there was unfortunate accident that occurred on the border of the Paddington estate with the Fielding's estate. As a result of the accident MacDonald lost both of his parents as well as his 2 youngest siblings. It was a tragic accident one I am sorry for every moment of my life, I caused an immense amount of pain as a result of the accident to more than just those who lost their lives"
Nix wasn't sure what to think "you killed Mac's parents and siblings? How?"
"I was responsible for their deaths" Alex remarked "though they also blamed Patty and your mother, I was the one responsible for the entire mess, they wanted payback against the entire family. I decided to leave the UK and distance myself from the rest of my family to try to protect them, though I counselled Patty on staying and letting me shoulder the responsibility, she refused and left as well. We were both trying to protect the rest of our families from being exposed to the Fielding's need for vengeance in the feud."
Nix had no idea where to go with any of this! "I'm really not understanding much of this, but I need to find some way to contact my dad, can you cut to the chase?"
"Of course" Alex nodded, he took a deep breath "I walked away from my family in a deal I made with MacDonald & Liam, I did it to try to ensure that my entire family was safe from retribution, to enable them to live in peace, even if it was without me, I regret every moment of pain that I caused after I left your mother & grandmother, every moment from then until now! As time went on though they, MacDonald & Liam, made more & more demands that forced me to make some incredibly painful decisions, decisions I regret more than anything." Alex could feel himself choking up but he had to finish "in more recent times though Liam became incensed when your father had discovered that you, your sister & more so your mother were still alive, his anger went onto another level when his brother died. Regardless that he was killed by Trent Quinn, Liam still blamed me & his need for retaliation went through the roof. Even more recently, Jake fell ill and I believe Patricia started to try to look for her real family, yes I kept everything a secret from her, I am hazarding a guess that she started getting close, too close for Liam's liking and that's why he's done what he's done. Taking Jake and you, in the manner he did not only brought you hurt and Patricia hurt, but a great deal of pain to me. Pain I know I deserve, but that I never wanted shared with anyone else."
Nix looked on as Alex finished his explanation in all but a whisper as he let his head fall into his hands, he could see the man was looking devastated at what he'd just said, almost like it was the first time he had said all of this out loud. Could what he was hearing be real? Could this guy be his grandfather? Was everything a result of this accident, whatever kind of accident it was? And how did his mum, who was 5!, fit into the accident? Could everything he was hearing be real? Had his life been screwed up because of whatever deal this man made? He was mid thought when he heard a noise & it sounded like it was coming from the far end where there were some stairs & a door.
Alex heard the noise & knew it was someone about to enter, he banished his emotions to the ends of his mind as he took a deep breath & turned to Nix "I want you to stay on this cot & lie down, do not utter a word, no matter what you see or hear I want you to stay here & be quiet, can you do that for me?"
Nix could only nod, he had realised that Alex had heard the same noise, though he had looked devastated moments earlier, he'd gotten a steel look in his eyes & he could even tell that the look did not bode well for whomever was on the other side. And if it didn't bode well for that person, what did that mean for him? For them? Could they get out of this & get back to his family? Their family?
A/N: So Nix is a little worse for wear, not to mentioned confused! Alex seems to be struggling too, but who's at the door? Will we find out? Can they get out of there & back to the rest of their family?
Reviews are food for my writing soul, so please review away & let me know that you're still with me on this journey. For those also following ACE know that I will be looking to get back to updating both as I go, so please bare with me as I work through the final stages of unblocking this writers block.
More coming soon!