CHAPTER 11-THE TROUBLE WITH BAZ BLACKWELL IS…

~~Sorry for a long update. I had been working my ass off lately and didn't have time to jump on and type this thing out. Anywho, thank you for the favorites and follows. I know I always ask/want reviews but those still are good for me~~Reanna

Pope had planned on going to his not so secret church group until he got a call from Baz. He didn't know exactly why they were meeting but he changed his plans for the night. They had met at a bar in town and now he didn't know why they didn't just go to Deran's.

The two had been sitting at a table in the middle of the room. The place was filled to a degree but wasn't overcrowded. That was probably the reason Baz picked it because Pope wouldn't want to sit around a group of people. "Why are we even here?" Pope asked leaning back in his seat.

"I can't hang out with my brother?" Baz commented. "We hardly see each other because of Smurf and the tension between everyone so I thought we could just hang out. Look, if you had other plans, I get it"

"I did but I changed them for you" Pope had glanced at the waitress who brought them their drinks before continuing on. "The church group meets a couple days a week so it's fine"

He had been reaching for his beer but did so slowly. Baz didn't realize that he had been going back there because it had slipped his mind about Amy. After the church heist was over and done with, he thought Pope stopped hanging around there because it would obviously be stupid to keep going back. Baz also didn't know he was really going to church groups, he had thought it was a cover for something but the look on Pope's face was serious.

"And how's that going for you?" Getting a famous Pope glare, Baz threw his hands up with a faint laugh. "All I asked was how that church thing was working for you man, I didn't mean it any other way"

"It's fine…It helps me bring peace with the various problems I have in my life" It was a simple and short answer but Pope was always answered like that when he didn't want anyone to know anything.

"You still seeing that blonde chick or whatever? She's pretty cute" He was only joking on the last part because he wouldn't ever date someone like that. He liked women who could hold their ground, challenge anyone and on top of it be good in bed. Amy didn't look like the type.

His older brother had been drinking his own beer and debated on answering him. He didn't want anyone in the family to know but they all already saw and met her. Smurf would be the biggest problem and that was why he wanted to keep it quiet. "Her name is Amy and yeah, she's the one that runs the group"

Baz had been looking past Pope for a moment before turning back to him. "I'm not judging you or anything; I've just never really saw you with anyone. I'm not counting the crush on Cath or anything but go for it…Does Smurf know?"

Shaking his head heavily he answered, "No so why don't we keep it that way…Don't you have to pick up Lena tonight?"

He had been looking past him again which made glance around confused on what she was doing. "Yeah but Smurf said she's keeping her for the night so I don't have to worry about it…Those two over there keeping looking here, the blonde and brunette"

"Just because she's with Smurf doesn't mean anything, she needs her Father…" He had stopped talking when he spoke up so Pope turned completely around to see who he was talking about. Narrowing his eyes, he turned back around right as Baz spoke.

"Take your pick. The blonde who looks like a Sarah or the brunette who is some sort of J name like Jennifer"

Pope had been taken back a little by his remark. Sure Baz was a cheater considering he had still seen Lucy on the side while dating Catherine but once a cheater, always a cheater. He wasn't like his brothers especially Craig who would jump on the chance and he was starting to get serious with Amy. Besides that, a familiar blonde had popped into his head which bothered him.

"Speaking of names that start with J, what about Jessica?" He asked ignoring him.

Baz had been in the middle of a drink waiting him to answer. He shifted in his seat better to see him then spoke, "What about Jess?" He asked simply.

Still feeling somewhat out of loop, Pope was now officially confused. "I thought you two were…Whatever you two are doing. It's obvious to all of us, well most of us anyway"

It would be walking a thin line talking to Pope. The fact of the matter was Jessica and Pope were half siblings and her older brother. With Julia it was a bit different because the two of them were close. Pope loved his sister and would do anything for her but they weren't exactly close. They had two completely different personalities but they still would guard each other to death. Baz wanted to be careful of his words to not anger Pope.

"It's not even anything. Nothing's going to come out of it if Smurf's around. Besides, it's not even a big deal, she won't find out unless one of us say something" He had given him a look and that made Pope look away.

Standing up from his seat, Baz grabbed his beer and began making his way towards the two women. Pope had sat there silently annoyed and honestly just lost in his thoughts. It wasn't going to be fair to her and he wouldn't say anything because he felt it wasn't his place. Jessica wasn't stupid though, she'd do her digging.

"Thank you for the ice cream, chocolate is my favorite" Lena had said once Jessica got the door open to Baz's house.

She had to act like Pope earlier and use her picking lock technique to get inside since she didn't have a key. She really wasn't sure where she should have taken Lena but it was her house so she didn't go to Smurf's.

"My favorite is mint with chocolate chips, never been a fan of chocolate though" She had been in the process of turning on a few lights while Lena plopped down on the couch.

It was been a long, fun and interesting day for the both of them. She had taken her niece to the park, then the beach, they ended up getting lunch on the pier which then turned into ice cream and finally back home. Jessica didn't realize how exhausting it was and she hoped Baz was home but the house was completely silent.

"How can you hate chocolate? That's Uncle Pope's favorite, we always get it before we go to church"

That made Jessica pause with a faint laugh. "No one in the family liked mint except me and your dad. Grandma Smurf used to buy us ice cream but we had to hurry up and eat it before everyone else found out because she only bought like vanilla all the time but we sometimes got treated"

Tossing their bags to the corner by the TV, she made her way to the kitchen. Jessica had no choice but to make Lena dinner since she broke the rule of dessert before actual food. Searching around, it wasn't going to be hard to whip up something since she enjoyed cooking. She just didn't know what was in the house that she could work with.

"Why don't you take a bath while I get dinner started? I'll call your Dad to see where he is and we can go from there?"

Lena nodded, got up and began making her way towards the bathroom. "Can you help me? What if I make the water too hot?"

It was now time for Jessica to nod and help her into the bath. The reason she had been good with her and had an easy time was because of Deran. Since he was her younger brother, she used watch over him as any big sister would do. Even if she fell out from the family or had her drug habits kick back up, she still made time to check on him.

After helping her with the bath, Jessica typed the number on her phone and placed it on the counter. She began pulling out ingredients and listened to the other line keep ringing. Jessica knew for a fact that he wasn't going to answer. "Um, you better call me back Baz because I broke in your house and I'm taking care of your child. Where the hell are you?"

Everything was going smoothly but she just didn't plan on having Lena all day long. She wasn't sure what to do so now she started think she should call Pope. It was her brothers' responsibly to take care of her either so it was time to just worry about getting dinner made.

"When is Daddy coming home?" Lena asked fresh faced and in pajamas. She struggled getting onto the stool at the counter but once she got up she began watching her Aunt.

"That's a pretty good question because I've been wondering that myself" She said looking around for plates. Jessica made something simple such as a chicken pasta dish and knew it was something a kid would eat. Piling it onto the plate, she handed it to her before getting Lena a drink and utensils.

She eager dug into but paused looking around. Jessica had been making herself a plate and leaned up against the small island in the kitchen. She wanted to keep her eyes on the front door to see if he was going to come home. It was silent for a few minutes. "So Uncle Pope has been taking you to church and what not I see, are you having fun with him?"

"Yeah he's always taking me places and getting me ice cream…" Lena had trailed off for a second and just stared at her.

Jessica had been taking a drink but knew there was a pair of eyes on her. Setting her drink down, she looked at the plate then back at the girl. "What's wrong? Do you miss your Mom and Dad?" It was just a guess that she assumed was the answer.

Nodding, she picked her fork back up and began to eat again. Sighing, she set her things down and stepped towards the counter in front of her. "You know, I didn't have a Dad growing up. I had Grandma Smurf and your Uncles but I didn't know what it was like to grow up with one…" She stopped realizing that she was going through the same thing. "How about we finish this, watch some cartoons, color in one of your books and I'll get you to bed"

The next morning Baz had gotten over his fling he had the night before. The blonde he named Sarah ended up turning into an ice queen and nothing really came out of it. IT was time to go to Smurf's in order to pick up his daughter.

He didn't have much on his mind walking into her home but he had to prepare himself. He figured that she was going to give him a hard time because of Lena so he wanted to stay in and out of line with her.

"Smurf, are you here?" He called out after closing the front door and glancing into the living room. He expected Lena to be watching TV so he thought maybe she took her out for something. Moving into the kitchen, he saw her walking into the kitchen with her arms crossed. "What did I do now? Where's Lena?"

Smurf had been walking over to the coffee pot without answering and began to pour herself a cup. "She's not here" She answered him simply before facing him.

"What do you mean she's not here? Did Pope take her to the beach again or something?" Baz pulled his phone out to check the time; it was only going on ten in the morning.

"She's with your sister at your house. You didn't get her phone call?" She questioned and that made him look up from his phone. He rubbed the back of his neck slowly. "Well she came over here yesterday and I had her take your daughter because Javi showed back up.

"Javi? Why is he coming around here now?" He asked her wanting to move the conversation that way and because he was curious.

She hadn't answered him and instead walked closer towards the sink. Smurf had been keeping a weird distance from him than usual and that meant she was pissed at him for some reason. It could have been a variety of things with Baz but there were ones right in front of him.

"You need to answer your phone more often because your sister wasn't planning on babysitting her all night, you know that right?"

Shrugging faintly he shook his head, "Why do you keep saying my sister and I know I do. I didn't even know you didn't have her but I had things to take care of"

"She is your sister, isn't she?" Smurf asked then turned around to face him. "I mean, you two were brought up together and raised that way. I don't see an issue unless you do?"

That was the thing with Smurf; no one could just have an honest conversation with her. It was either her making comments to get information or just to push someone's buttons. She had stared at him intently then raised her eyebrow for a response.

Baz wasn't stupid as she had done the same thing when Julia was alive. She had wanted them to be brother and sister even though the two of them started to develop feelings for one another. They didn't want it but they had to fall in line with Smurf. When he and Jessica slept together for the first time, it was a mutual decision. Julia had been so caught up in drugs that Baz was less of a priority whereas he thought of her more often. Jessica was having a hard time and just turned to him due to him listening and being the most logical out of he, Pope and Craig.

When Smurf took it upon herself to tell Julia, she ended up getting into a rage which led to them being kicked out. Jessica had stayed with a couple friends before living at times on the streets and Julia's whereabouts unknown. Baz felt guilty over what happened and the next thing they knew, she came back with a child named Joshua. That was also the first time that Jessica really tried anything and that started her addiction at the time.

"This isn't going to become another Julia situation I hope. Cath is still missing and your priorities should be focused on finding the mother of your child, not trying to tear this family apart again. I mean, you did cause it the first time"

Blinking, he watched her move past him and over to the sitting room. She began to clean up after Craig stayed the night and decided to make a mess as usual. Baz was prepared to say something but he wasn't willing to get into a fight so earlier. It took him a moment to decide on it and it came to a decision of opening his mouth.

"Why didn't you kick me out then? They are your daughters and you instead kept me around. Julia comes back with a baby how many years later and Jess is so wrapped in coke that she's out of her mind. Don't question my actions when you weren't even holding up being a mother"

Turning sharply on her heel, she wasn't expecting that at all. Tossing the pillow back onto the couch, she scoffed faintly and watched him again. "I'm sorry, but didn't I save you from your Father beating the shit out of you every night? I gave you a home, a family and everything you ever wanted. Now you want to complain about me raising you? You knew better than to mess with them when I told you time and time again. Julia didn't remember because she was high all the time and Jessica just turned into a teenager. They had everything and decided to go against my rules and they paid for it"

"I came here for Lena, not into some argument of the past" Baz said then took a deep breath. Every time he was around Smurf it had ended up in a huge argument and frankly he was getting tired of it. Sighing heavily, he couldn't figure out something to say.

"You didn't learn your lesson the first time so why should I expect you to now?" Smurf question after watching him start to walk away. "She's not good for you and you know that. How long until she gets her fix and tosses you to the side, hm?"

"Goodbye Smurf, I'll have Lena come back when I say she can" Going towards the front door, he really wanted to get out because his head was starting to pound. It was going to be a nightmare once he got home and he'd rather face Jessica because she wasn't going to throw anything in his face.

"Baz?" She called out and he turned slightly to face her. "She's not going to be the stepmother to your daughter"

Jessica had been going through Lena's clothes to figure out an outfit for her. They had been going through her things but Lena wasn't willing to wear anything she was choosing. "Okay, what about this cute little romper thing?" She asked but her niece shook her head. "C'mon kid work with me here. I'm out of loop here and I'm trying"

"I want to wear my shirt with the teddy bear on it" She commented sitting on the bed.

"Okay, where is that?" Jessica asked then caught on it was at Smurf's. A good chunk of her clothes were over there and she had no idea. Sighing, she placed the dress down and stood up. "Well when your Dad or Uncle get here I'm sure you can wear your shirt. I have to clean up the kitchen so just stay in your pajamas and the problem will be solved hopefully by noon"

It was frustrating for her because she hadn't taken care of a kid in so long. The last time she actually did was when she babysat J and he wasn't as difficult as Lena. It wasn't that she was that bad, it was the fact that Jessica knew how sad she was. There were times that she picked up on and with Baz being gone didn't help. Moving back out into the kitchen, she had made them breakfast but didn't even eat herself as she was worried on getting Lena taken care of.

She had made only eggs and French toast but right now that sounded like a masterpiece to her. Making a plate, Jessica balanced eating and cleaning everything up. Baz could see her through the door and braced himself before stepping inside. Glancing at the door, she didn't say anything but glared in his direction. Jessica continued what she was doing and he walked over to her.

"I know you're pissed at me because Smurf already told me that you called and everything. I was out with Pope and then I had some things to take care of" He said glancing into Lena's room as she was already running out to see him. She was clearly excited and jumped forward to hug him. Baz had asked her to go play in her room for a few minutes while he talked to Jessica. "Am I getting the silent treatment now? Are those my clothes?"

Jessica had been wiping her hands in a towel and glanced down at herself. "Yeah, I took a pair of your sweatpants and a t-shirt because I didn't bring an overnight bag with me. The least you could have done was call me" Crossing her arms, she leaned against the sink.

Baz had been looking her over then spoke, "Wear them more often, you look good in my clothes" He joked but she didn't find it funny. "Okay, I will. I got caught up in something and didn't realize how much time went by"

Leaning back towards Lena's room, he wanted to make sure she wasn't going to pop out but she was instead playing with her dollhouse. Moving forward, he placed his hands on her hips but she tried pushing them off of her.

"I'm not Catherine Baz. You could fool around on her all you wanted but I'm not oblivious" He had given her a look of surprise for a moment. "You might want to take a shower because you smell like perfume and if it's not mine I don't care"

Squirming out from his grip, Baz reached for her wrist but she tugged away. "Are you jealous?" He asked finding it amused.

Jessica had moved over to the couch where she slept last night to fold the blanket and her clothes. "I'm not jealous; you just need to let people know you're going to sleep with a girl while they are taking care of your child"

Shaking his head with a laugh, he found it hilarious. "That's someone's reply when they are guilty. Admit it, you are jealous and that's why I'm getting the cold shoulder"

Mocking a fake laugh at him, she wasn't going to admit that she was. It was only in the slightest sense but it did bother her. She wasn't going to be made out a fool and Jessica wasn't going to stay there taking care of Lena while he went off and did that like Catherine did. "Go take your damn shower"

He disappeared after a few minutes of playing around with her and Jessica had to check on Lena. That was rudely interrupted with a knock at the front door. She had believed it to be Pope since he had been taking care of her lately. Putting a doll down, Jessica got up and opened the door much to her surprise.

"Oh, hello…" She spoke softly but with curiosity in her voice.

The female had stared back at her equally in surprise. "Um…Is Baz home?" She had looked Jessica up and down taking in a few things herself.

"He's in the shower but you're welcome to come in" She thought it was the girl that he had just slept with and figured she should just step inside.

The brunette had offered a faint smile and walked inside of the Blackwell home. Glancing around, she didn't have any idea who she was and she felt very uncomfortable. "I'm Lucy…"

Closing the door, she crossed her arms and walked back over to her clothes. "I'm Jessica, I don't think we've met before, have we?"

"You're Baz's sister right?" Lucy asked and got confirmation. She thought that it was another woman that Baz was seeing but with her being his sister that was proven wrong or at least she thought. "No, I live down in Mexico and I'm just here for a visit before going back home"

Nodding, she told her that she would go get him and she waited until she heard the water turn off. Whipping the door open, he had just been getting out and nearly stumbled when he saw her. "There's a woman here to see you"

After getting dressed and ready, Baz stepped out into the living room where he saw Jessica and Lucy in awkward silence. Lucy's face had lit up when she saw him and she walked over to give him a hug and a kiss.

Jessica watched quietly then quickly grabbed her clothes and moved past them for her keys that were lying on the kitchen counter. It was best to just leave because she wasn't going to be stuck in this conversation. Stepping toward the door, she heard Baz call out to her.

"Can you take Lena with you?"

Pausing at the thought, she looked at him. "Are you serious? I just took care of her all day yesterday, all night and this morning. I have to go to the clinic; I have to go grocery shopping among other things"

"So take her with you. I've got some things to do and I'll be here tonight so just bring her back then. I promise I'll make it up to you"

"She's not my responsibility Baz, she's your child and not mine" Jessica stopped talking when Lena came out from her bedroom and stared down Lucy. She had believed it to be Cath but there was now disappointment that read on her face. "Lena, get some of your things and I'll take you to Grandma Smurf's for your clothes"

Hesitating, she did what she asked and Jessica told her to go ahead and climb into her jeep. Seething inside, she was furious but not enough to cause a scene in front of another girl that Baz slept with.

"Word of advice, don't let her grow up without a Father. You see how well I turned out without one and she needs you more than ever. Stop pawning her off on all of us and become a damn parent already"

Storming out, Lucy looked between the door and Baz. He on the other hand remembered what Smurf had told him earlier about her not wanting to be a stepmother. He didn't want to admit it but maybe for once she had been telling the truth.