CHAPTER 13-AND THE FAMILY COMES TOGETHER…

~~Quick note. Would you be so kind to help a sister and drop a review? Pretty please and thank you! Throw me a bone here; I just really want to know your opinion. ~~ Reanna.

After storming out of Baz's house, Jessica didn't want to go home. She had too much on her mind and she couldn't believe what exactly happened.

Her heart had hurt and she wanted to text Pope to meet up with him to apologize. It wasn't her place to say anything but she felt she should. Baz had no right to yell at either of them especially saying what he said. Jessica knew that her life had been hard and she wasn't going to let him rub it in her face.

Having no Father damaged her greatly as she had always fought for love and approval from Smurf. It seemed she only cared for her sons and she didn't matter along with Julia. It was a reason she turned to drugs and for Baz to throw that in her face…

Deciding on heading to Deran's bar, she thought it would be good to see one of her other brothers. She had thought about Craig but remembered what he would be doing and there was no way she was going to subject herself to be around drugs.

Stepping inside, Jessica stood near the doorway just to see if Deran was there. If he wasn't she was going to leave but she could spot him moving around. The crowd was pretty decent, the music wasn't too loud and there was no other Cody member in sight.

Her blonde brother smirked when he saw her and she plopped down onto one of the stools. "I thought you had Lena for the night?" Deran asked.

Shaking her head, she rested her chin on the palm of her hand and placed her elbow on the bar. "I did but Pope decided to take her for a walk or something. Can I have a drink? I don't care what it is…Can you make something fruity?"

"Do I look like I can make you hurricane or whatever the hell you call it? I can see if Stacy can make like a pina colada or something but I have beer back here"

Sighing heavily, she leaned a little to crack her back. "Oh I don't care, give me Bourbon or something. I need to get my mind off of tonight"

Feeling curious about what was going on; he grabbed a shot glass and poured a little into it. No matter how much she wanted to drink, Deran wasn't going to give her a lot. Jessica had taken care of him a lot when they were little and she always looked out for him. It was time for him to do the same especially since she was sober now and needed the extra help.

"So what's making you have the rough night?" He slid the glass and begin wiping the bar down.

Jessica looked at him and debated on telling him exactly what happened. She didn't want him to go off on Baz because she didn't want the extra drama. She was going to the clinic in the morning to get back into her job and that was the last thing that she wanted to do. "Big brother issues…"

Taking a sip, she made a face at the taste. "Deran they need you in the kitchen again. Something is wrong with stove or fryer or something" Stacy had walked by and to the back of the room to people who seemed to be waiting impatiently.

He gave her an apologetic look but Jessica shooed him away. She knew how much the bar meant to him and she didn't want him to worry about her. It also didn't help that she wasn't in the mood to dump her problems on him as he had a lot on his hands as well.

Jessica sat in silence for a few minutes until someone sat next to her. For a moment she thought it was Baz coming to apologize but she was delightful when she saw the familiar face. Adrian had just sat down next to her not realizing it was her sitting there. He offered a faint smile then had done a double take.

"Didn't think it was me or something?" Jessica asked before smiling back. It had been a while since she last saw him and she didn't remember how long it had been. Adrian hugged her faintly before sitting completely in his seat.

"No, I mean last Deran told me you went to rehab and I thought he mentioned you getting out or something. Little did I know I'd see you in a bar...You look good, how have you been?"

Jessica had known Adrian ever since she had met him as a teenager. She was the one who actually introduced him to Deran as they used to surf together every once and a while. Smurf started making her take him with her to the beach and they hit it off as friends. It was good that the two boys were the same age and the three had surfed often back in the day. She knew Deran still hung out with him but she had no idea about their current relationship.

"I'd rather be at home curled in my bed with a good book but I needed a drink. It's been a long night of arguing that I don't even want to deal with" Jessica realized she was rambling and she shook her head out of her thoughts. "You still in college? Please tell me you are surfing because I want to see what skills you have now"

Adrian had laughed faintly. He had pretty much taught her how to surf and she would occasionally show up at his meets. "I'm taking a break from school and surfing isn't really working in my favor...Sponsors aren't working in my favor at the moment.

She had frowned after hearing the bad news. Jessica knew he had potential to get far surfing but it was always going to be a competition. If one didn't have money to travel, it was hard to get sponsors. She never took the sport seriously as she liked doing it more as a hobby but Deran did try it out for a bit.

"Anyway, enough about my sob story. Did you come here to see your brother?" He asked spotting Deran in the kitchen.

Nodding, she took a gulp of her drink but shivered that time once more at the taste. "Well yes and no. Baz was being an asshole so I thought I'd stop by and see what was going on before heading home"

"When isn't he?" Adrian countered and that made her get a good laugh.

Jessica tipped her almost empty glass and wished she had one to click it with. "Wow, I think this stuff is really starting to kick in. See what happens when you don't drink for a while"

He had been amused by her and once she finished the rest Adrian took it upon himself to take the glass when she wasn't looking. He had nodded at Deran and he raised his finger to tell him he'd be out it a second. Jessica may have thought she was getting a buzz but she wasn't stupid enough to be putting two and two together.

"So how long have you and my brother been seeing each other?" She asked loud enough for him to hear but not too loud for everyone else.

Freezing in place, Adrian didn't want to say anything. He wasn't sure if she knew that either of them were gay or if she was going to get offended by it. Jessica and he were always cool but he didn't want to say anything on Deran's part.

"We're not..."

She quickly stopped him before he lied. "Deran told me he was gay and you know what I said? I told him I want to meet one of his boyfriends because what business is it of mine that he dates or even has sex with a guy" Jessica went to take another drink then realized it was empty. "How long have you guys been together?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, Adrian spoke. "Is it really that obvious?" Jessica had smiled and nodding letting him know that if she could see something between them than anyone else could as well. "We're really not together. We like hang out and stuff but things get a little complicated"

"Let me guess, Smurf?" She questioned. With Deran being the youngest, he always seemed to be the most emotional but hid them easily. It wouldn't be a surprise if the whole family was the wedge in their relationship. "Trust me, I know all about that. It's nothing new"

She had taken a pause from what she was saying and glanced to see if he was coming back over. "I think you'll be good for him. Deran needs some sort of stability in his life and you have always been there for him, a good friend that he needs at his side. This bar is important to him and I think you can give him a normal life. After all, he does deserve it"

Adrian had listened closely to her and looked in the same direction she did. The youngest Cody was important to him and they were keeping their relationship hidden away from everyone else. He had urged Deran to stand up for himself and he thought it was good that she would be able to cheer them on without any issue. He had always been close with Jessica even when she was away with her drugs. Deran had been lucky to have her.

"You don't give yourself enough credit, you've been a better friend than I have" He spoke glancing her way. She had given him a skeptical look. "Oh come on, remember when you were always so worried about him drowning at the beach when he couldn't swim? You were the one that helped him with his homework before he dropped out; you taught him how to drive. You've given him stability to a degree, give yourself more credit"

Deran had popped back over once he was finished in the kitchen. Both Adrian and Jessica leaned back in their chairs with her giving her brother a wink. He had no idea what he just walked over to and was confused on the look she was giving him.

"Okay…Um, you don't need anything else to drink apparently. Adrian, you want something?"

"No, I am actually getting ready to leave" He said shaking his head.

"Oh you just got here, why don't you stay for a little bit" Jessica chimed in looking between the two men.

Shaking his head, Adrian stood up from his seat and leaned on the bar towards Deran. "I came by to ask if you wanted to head out Wednesday morning. The water is supposed to get crazy over the next few days which you know means the waves will be killer. You up for it?"

Thinking it over, he had nothing better to do that morning. He had something coming up tomorrow but the next three days were pretty bleak. Agreeing to go, Jessica had watched them intently waiting for them to do something romantic. She wasn't exactly sure how open either of them was but she was hoping it was going to be enough. It seemed that many people ducked out and Deran glanced around the room wanting to make a move. Adrian hesitated as well but leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss. Jessica hardly could contain her excitement.

Once he left, Jessica leaned forward towards her brother who began wiping down the bar again after a nervous reaction. "Oh my God Deran! Why didn't you ever tell me you two were hooking up?"

"Because I told you I'm still not that open about it yet. Adrian and I not really that serious at the moment…" He stopped looking at her then took a step back. "Jesus Jess, you're way too enthusiastic about this. Did someone slip something in your drink?"

"I find it adorable and I'm glad that I can see you happy. Excuse me for caring about my baby brother" Leaning on the bar, Jessica reached forward and ruffled his hair as if he was a child. He pushed her hand away with a faint laugh.

It had made her happy to see him become successful because she knew how much he struggled breaking out of Smurf's grasp. He was always attached to her hip and it was great that he could break free from her grasp. As Jessica thought about it more, it actually started to hit her and make her sad inside. She wished she could have someone as good as Adrian and someone that seemed to care. She pushed her thoughts away from Baz and glanced down at her glass asking him for more.

Deran only poured a little bit in it before leaning on the table top to her left. "I got this idea I've been thinking about and I want to run it over by everyone. You think you could come to Baz's tomorrow?"

Pausing mid drink, Jessica didn't even want to go near there. She was willing to take a break from him for a while. "I don't know, I'm starting back at the clinic early in the morning so I should really focus on that"

He leaned in closer to her and whispered, "It's for another job. I have an idea. If you want to help you can but I just want you to hear it out"

Drinking the rest of the alcohol quickly, Jessica was curious as to what it was. It surprised her honestly because she was never included in any job. She had always gotten a cut whether she did anything or not but it was nice to know Deran wanted her there.

"I mean I can try to come like on a break or something but I'm not entirely sure if I can" Jessica had trailed off wanting to say something about what happened but hesitated doing so. "I'm just having a little trouble right now and I don't know what to do or where it's supposed to go"

He had a feel that he knew what it was about but he didn't want to exactly jump in. Deran stood there silent for a moment and thought it over. "So what's going on between you and Baz?" Jessica had lifted her head to look at him.

"I never said anything about him and this has nothing to do with him either"

"Oh come on Jessica, I know what you're talking about. You guys can't be any more obvious. Maybe the others don't see it but I do. You really think I bought the story of him going out to his car and J watching you get water? You two were fooling around…What happened?"

That was the one thing that Jessica appreciated from her brother was that he didn't step around problems. Sure he did various times but he was almost like her. He wasn't afraid to say certain things and she knew that he was looking out for her. It was just the fact that they were family and it was going to tear at the seams.

"It's nothing really, just something he said really bothered me tonight" Jessica said calmly but Deran knew better.

"You want me to say something to him?" Deran asked. He wasn't going to press her for information if she didn't want to talk. "What did he say?"

Shrugging faintly, it was hard for her to say. She didn't want there to be a confrontation tomorrow since they were all meeting up. "If I tell you will you not say anything tomorrow? I really don't want to be in the middle of some drama…" Deran agreed to stay quiet for the moment. "He just…I don't know. Had a moment and decided to tell me how sucky our parents are and…You know what? It doesn't matter anymore, I gotta get going"

Deran wanted to stop her but he knew better. His sister wasn't going to tell him nor was she going to stay. For now, he'd keep quite but lay low in the background.

The next morning, Deran had hoped that everyone was going to show up at Baz's. He had to wait until Lena had gone to school because they didn't need to talk about this around her. Pope had already been there after dropping her off and J had to get out his classes to show up. Craig was always the late one had shown up twenty minutes after everyone.

"Okay, since everyone is pretty much here. I had an idea for a job and I want to run it by everyone. I know we pulled just pulled in the church money but I know something that will happen probably in weeks to come"

Baz had been standing in the kitchen with Pope sitting on one of the kitchen stools across from him. J sat at the kitchen table towards the window, Craig leaned up against the couch leaving Deran stand almost in the middle of the room. He'd start without Jessica because he honestly didn't think she'd show anyway.

"Is it something good? Or at least something we'll get enough money out of?" Baz asked out of curiosity. The church pulled in a great amount but he wasn't in the mood to do something if it wasn't worth doing.

Nodding faintly, he turned in his direction. "Yeah, it should be a good amount of money. The total right now I'm unsure of but I know it's going to be a lot…There's a wedding party on a yacht…"

Pope had stopped Deran before he finished. "A yacht? You want to rob a yacht?"

"Before anyone jumps down my throat let me finish what I was saying" Flicking his eyes to Pope, he continued on, "I know it sounds ridiculous but there is going to be a lot of money on that ship. It's some millionaire or something that's getting married. All his rich friends will be there but whatever else is on it. We take the money, the cards, jewelry. It's a good deal"

Jessica had busted through the back rushing into Baz's house as if someone was trailing her. They all turned to see what it was and she looked to everyone. "I know I'm late but I had to treat like twenty people and it's not even noon" She pointed over to the coffee asking silently if she could grab a cup.

Not waiting for Baz to answer, she walked over anyway to recharge herself for the day. "You got your job back?" Pope asked now turning completely in his stool.

"Is that a crime?" She asked stepping over and hopping on to the stool next to him. Jessica had her hair tied up into a messy bun and wore dark blue scrubs with a white long sleeve underneath it. Taking a drink, she looked towards Deran. "What am I missing?"

"Deran's genius idea is to rob a yacht during a wedding" Craig said not believing exactly what he was saying. "Either way I'm in on it"

"You didn't even find out anything about it. A yacht? Like you really want us to go onto a yacht will who knows how many guests and rob them while getting away with it? You don't even know the details of the job and you expect us to jump on this idea?"

Being well prepared with skeptical comments, Deran knew Baz would be the one who had the biggest problem with it. A large boat such as that was going to be harder than most jobs due to the fact that it would be harder to get away. They would have to take jet skis to get on and off, move fast and don't do anything dramatic.

"I'm still working through all the details but I know it's a solid deal. I need all of you guys to pull it off. I'm not going to grab some old friends at take hundreds to split between them. I know we've got enough money now but this will always help in the long run"

Jessica had taken a large drink then shook her head faintly. "I love you D but count me out. I just got my job back and my life together, I'm not risking it to go to prison for armed robbery in the middle of the ocean"

"She does have a point…I'm not going back there" Pope chimed in and that pretty much opened up a can of worms.

Every Cody member expressed their opinions which led to argument upon argument. By the end of it, Deran and Craig were agreeing while J was still thinking it over. Jessica was clearly not joining on and Baz was refusing no matter what everyone set. Pope wasn't going to admit it now but he was really debating on helping his brothers out. Prison was terrible for him but if everything was planned out correctly, he believed it was going to be easy.

Craig and Deran had left together due to the fact that he was staying with him at the bar every once and a while. Pope said something about Amy and quietly ducked out leaving the others wonder exactly what he said.

"You're not going anywhere J" Jessica called out as he was making his way towards the door. "You're coming with me to the clinic in order to get your shot that you've been avoiding"

She had been washing the mug in the sink then began drying her hands off. Once she was finished, Jessica was ready to get out of there but Baz had stopped her. "Do you have a second?"

Jessica had hoped that he wasn't going to bother her because she hadn't said a word to him since she walked in. He pointed over to the bedroom in order for J not listen and she had looked between both boys. "You have five minutes, I'll be right back" She threw her keys towards J who caught them effortlessly just in case he wanted to go wait in the car.

Following him into the bedroom, Baz closed the door before turning to her. "Look, I know what I said last night was stupid and I didn't mean it. I had no idea Lucy was going to show up and she had been giving me a hard time"

Crossing her arms, she listened but didn't think much of it. "I don't care what kind of day you had. You should be apologizing to your daughter and Pope instead of me. Any excuse you give me is still an excuse. I don't need you to remind me about Smurf or my Dad. Would you like it if I decided to bring up the time your Dad beat the shit out of you in front of all of us? No you wouldn't"

He wanted to get on better terms with her but knew it was going to be challenging. Jessica was nothing like Catherine and had a better backbone. Cath most of the time hated the things Baz did but she was easier to smooth things over with. The most obvious reason was because of Lena and he didn't have anything tied to the Cody sister. She was very protective of herself because of a past relationship and because she wasn't going to let a man be her weakness.

"I have to get back to make sure J gets his shot and I'm going to be late if I stay and talk" It was the partial truth but he didn't know that.

"I did say I'd make it up to you for taking Lena so at least let me do that"

Unfolding her arms, she began walking slowly towards him who was standing by the door. "What are you going to do? Keep apologizing until I decide to sleep with you? Baz, you can't make it up to me because you hardly even know me anymore"

"Then let me get to know you. Your likes, interests, whatever you want to tell me" He countered back and that made her hold back a faint smile.

"This isn't a romantic comedy so move away from the door before I do it myself. You can't talk to me like I'm a child. It worked when I was sixteen and I see that was probably the biggest mistake of my life. I have to get back to work"

Stopping in front of him, Jessica had reached for the door handle and held onto it. Baz had shifted towards it and placed his hand on hers. She wasn't in the mood to deal with what was going on but that didn't stop him from placing his lips on hers. Freezing in place, the move was unexpected but it took her a moment to warm up to it.

Pulling back, she looked at him then pulled the door open with ease as he moved out of the way. "Look, you figure out your shit before trying to come at me for mine. I'm not doing this if you are going to treat me the same way you did Catherine"

"I know that's why I told Lucy yesterday we were done. We don't have anything stopping us Jess besides Smurf and I'm willing to meet you in the middle"

Thinking it over momentarily, Jessica didn't know what to say. There was a lot at stake and a lot on both of their shoulders to move forward. One was Lena, the second was that their bickering never ended and Smurf was the grandest stage of them all. They would still have to keep their relationship under wrap as long as she was around and that was a lot to ask of her. Jessica wanted to have a normal relationship for once but with Baz it wasn't going to be near that.