Fiona stood outside the police station, because the hallway walls were closing in on her. Over 11 hours she'd been waiting. Veronica had stopped by with a thermos of coffee and two sandwiches. The coffee had helped, but she'd not touched the food.

These boys were too smart for this shit. What were they thinking! Fiona wanted to kick something and scream, but she just breathed deeply in the cold air and looked at the dark sky.

The door before her opened and, to her complete shock, out walked her two younger brothers. Lip greeted her with a quick peace sign. Fiona grabbed Ian and hugged him close before smacking him repeatedly. He stood there taking the hits, which landed on his chest and upper arms. He felt no pain due to the layers of clothes and Fiona's obvious exhaustion. He whispered repeatedly, "I'm sorry, Fiona. I'm sorry."

When his older sister turned on him, Lip could see her eyes blazing and pinkness in her cheeks. The hail of blows she launched at him fell indiscriminately. Clearly, Fiona knew who the guiltier party was. Lip, too, let her smack him, but eventually blocked his head and face, saying, "Whoa. Come on…." in a voice suggesting that he was close to laughing.

Then Fiona pulled both boys to her and they stood huddled together against the Chicago winter.

"Okay, let's go home," she murmured. Over her shoulder, she smiled at Tony, who stood behind them beaming.

They walked home in silence, arm-in-arm.

On their street, their next-door neighbor, Kevin, caught up with them. He hugged them all and jovially congratulated Ian on his first arrest.

"So, did you see my dad inside?" Kevin asked the boys. They all laughed, tension from the night's events fading.

"What do you have in the bag, Kev? Any food? I'm starving," Lip declared.

"Have no fear, V to the rescue. She's making a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free feast. She just sent me out to get some much-needed supplies. Cigarettes, alcohol, and condoms."

Everyone laughed again.

As soon as they walked through the door, Debbie, Carl, Veronica, who had baby Liam in her arms, crowded around. Everyone hugged and laughed and talked all at once.

"Food will be ready in 30 minutes!" V called over the raucousness.

The boys stomped up stairs, and Fiona followed her friend to the kitchen.

"God, V, thanks for everything. What a nightmare! …I suppose I'll have to marry Tony now." The girls laughed and V passed the girl a glass of wine, which Fiona downed like a shot.

Carl wandered in and started picking from the large salad on the counter. "You figured out what you're going to do to them?"

"Huh?" Fiona said, confused.

"Punishment. Ground them for a year?"

"Nah, I don't think so."

"Cool! So I can steal a car and nothing will happen to me?"

"If you steal a car," the older sister said sternly, "I will smother you in your sleep, after I beat your ass black and blue. Now, help V with the food." She quickly turned and ascended the backstairs. Grabbing towels, she entered the boys' room.

"Clean towels." Fiona announced. "You both need showers. You're rank." The boys were each stretched out on their beds.

"I'll go first," answered Lip, hopping off the top bunk. He took the towel and left the room.

With Lip gone, Fiona stared down at Ian, "So…"

"Sorry, Fiona."

"It was stupid. You could have ended up in prison." After a moment, she added, "Where'd you get the stolen car?" Her brother simply stared at the carpet.

"Lip's not here, okay? I'm asking you. Was it from Steve?" Steve was Fiona's sometimes boyfriend. As she expected, Ian made no answer.

"Okay, well, on to the next segment of the show, I guess…. The part where I whip your ass."

"Not necessary, Fiona!" Ian's voice was getting higher as he spoke. "Tony already took care of that for you."

"Oh, no-no. That was to get you outta there. This one's for everything else. Pull down your pants," she said firmly.

"Really? My second whipping in like 4 hours?"

"If you find this day's not living up to your expectations, might I suggest that you don't get arrested again," Fiona snarled. After digging through the boys' closet, she finally found a rarely-used leather belt.

Her brother was too scared to argue more, so he lowered his pants and bent over the bed.

"Boxers too." Ian complied without remark. He wanted to ask her how many swats she would give him, but he had no voice.

The boy knew his bare behind would hardly withstand this next assault. He started crying before the first blow fell, and he counted each time the belt met its target. In between smacks, he promised himself that he'd never be in this position again. Three. Jesus, Fiona had an arm on her. Four. He'd never piss her off again. Five. Come on, God, get this over before anyone walks in. Six. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Seven. Don't scream. You can do this. Eight. Help me. Help me. Help me. Nine. One more only. Gotta be just one more. Ten. Please be done. Come on, Fiona. Be done. Eleven.

"Enough!" Ian gasped. "Please, Fiona! Sorry."

At these words, she dropped the belt on the bed. Ian grabbed his boxers and pulled them up, but kicked off his jeans. Before he could move, his sister had her arms around him for another hug. He could feel her ragged breathing and realized she'd been crying too.

"God, Fiona, I'm so sorry."

"It's ok, ya big dummy. This time. But never again. Promise me?"

"I promise." They hugged again.

"Rest until Lip is finished," Fiona suggested and then added firmly, "But leave the belt out. I'll be needing it."