A Family Stolen

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: I'm giving this to you now tonight before I go to bed, because I will be training at my job all day tomorrow and won't update. So here is the rest of Jesse's plan. Enjoy.

Chapter 18 (Cain and Abel: Grey Area)

"Do you know what revenge does to you?" Jesse stood before the Vega family, arms crossed and poise strong. Trina was standing now, but leaning against a wall for balance. Tori was beside her, kneeling before Gary, who had an arm around her shoulders.

David seemed never to budge from the wall he continued to hug, speaking little and his only movement was his guilt and pain-ridden eyes. "What?" Tori asked. Jesse looked to the shattered camera, almost excited that part of his plan went without a hitch. "Why do you want to move Gary?"

"I'll get to that." Jesse looked over his shoulder with a sigh. "Revenge destroys you, blackens the soul and darkens the heart." David shot him a glare, but he shrugged, unfazed. "Like hatred, it clouds the judgement and leaves a thin line between right and wrong. Taking advantage of Rocky like I did; it wasn't just, but I saw no better-or swifter-course of action."

Trina huffed. "Sounds like justification." He furrowed his brow at her and let the corners of his lips slide down. "You sent him to his death, for what? He shot out the camera…why do that?"

"The audio was in there as well." Leaning over, he picked up part of the metallic remains of the camera. He studied it momentarily and shook his head. "I don't want your captors to see or hear anything. Because the last they saw was, and with Jerome's witness, was Rocky shooting out the camera…I won't be removed from my post as your guard. It also allows me to pull more strings and do the things that must be done to ensure your survival."

"So that guy, drunk and idiotic as he was, was murdered for your agenda?"

"With him out of the way, as well as Hayley, I will be able to take over the Knights when I unseat my brother." Trina studied him, but she said nothing more. It was Gary who spoke, for the first time Jesse heard the man's rough and deep voice; and it was intimidating enough to ensure he would hang on the man's every word.

"Will you murder your brother?"

A lump formed in his throat and a tightness spread across his chest. "I…" Death was the only way Jerome would leave his position. "I've done things. I killed my father in cold blood as an act of retaliation for his murdering my beloved." He dropped the piece of camera, his face tightening. "I know what revenge does to you, but this isn't revenge. Jerome has destroyed the Knights. He's become a monster, and I'm the only one willing and capable of stopping him."

Tori helped Gary to his feet. The man took a trembling step forward, but seemed to gain his footing rather easily. He raised his hands to the bars and tightened his fingers around them. "But tell me, who's stopping you?" Gary's eyes burned into Jesse's, his expression stern. "What will keep you from turning into the monster your father and brother became?"

"I know the difference between right and wrong."

"So did David." Gary looked at David, shaking his head with disapproval. "Took an oath on it when he became a sworn officer of the law, but lost himself making some of the justifications you would." Gary pressed his lips together and slid his hands downward. "If given the chance, would you spare your brother?"

Jesse started to answer, but hesitated. Doubt filled his head and his heart brewed with uncertainty. Thinking of how twisted Jerome made his very gang, his blood boiled with rage. "I can't answer that question right now."

"Sometimes right and wrong isn't black and white. Life is full of choices, and the right decision is not always easy or clear."

Hearing a noise from behind, Jesse leapt and twisted around, his muscles tensing and his hand reaching for the gun at his hip. "Whoa!" Sinjin raised his hands and looked back with wide eyes. "It's just me, Jess!" Jesse scowled and relaxed himself, letting Sinjin relax and look to the remains of the camera. "I wanted to see what happened. I heard old Rocky bit the bullet."

"Jerome killed him." He couldn't bring himself to tell Sinjin the hit was a result of his own actions. "I don't know what happened." The lie paralyzed him, causing him to avert his eyes. Gary made a grunting noise and Jesse balled his hands up. "I…I need to request something of you Sinjin."

"Anything man." Sinjin smiled and Jesse closed his eyes. "You have only to ask." It couldn't be said now, there was little time for chitchat and he needed to move Gary to the basement location urgently. Sinjin's brow furrowed with worry and he leaned forward. "What's going on, man?"

"I'll talk to you about it later. First off, Gary's being moved to the basement. It's all a part of the plan going on. It's also the safest course of action at the moment." He turned to face the family, looking at their concerned gazes. "I can pass for one person being moved, and that's Gary…I can influence them to say it'll be less of a risk to have him down there and to keep him there so he doesn't have to be drugged anymore."

"A better alternative, Jess?"

"Yeah." Jesse crossed his arms and cocked his head to the right. "Ross is calling for Gary to die next because the drugging was stopped." Tori gasped aloud and Gary sneered.

"Let them try!" Gary barked. Jesse chuckled and bowed his head.

"And that's exactly why. The bad guys view you as the greatest threat." Gary was the only member of the family that had the capability and skills to take out many people; so Ross was afraid Gary getting loose meant a destruction of the operation. "However, the basement is considered isolated and secure to the point Ross doesn't feel you'll be able to escape."

"Why the hell do you want me in the basement?" He extended his hands to the girls, growling and intensifying his voice. "If anything, I should be here making sure they're safe."

"Did you not hear me? Ross wants you dead next if you stay up here." Jesse met Gary's glare and took a step forward. "Now I've had Sinjin putting some boosters in your food as well as medicine, trying to heal you up as much as possible. For the girls, the basement will be the best place for you."

"What are you talking about?"

"When the rescue operation starts, where do you think we're going in first?" Gary paused, his eyebrows rising slowly. "I am on your side. Everything I'm doing is for you guys. There has never been a single moment where I wasn't trying to help you…" He trailed off, glancing at the girls with a distant memory forming in his mind. "You remember when you girls dated Jerome?" Trina frowned and Tori ran her hand up along her left shoulder and arm.

"What about it?" Trina asked.

"Remember the anonymous letter?" They looked to him curiously and he pat his chest. "I sent it. I couldn't stand seeing Jerome playing two sisters and wanted to stop him. I didn't know how, and it was Sasha that told me how. Now, Jerome's hurting you again, and again it falls on me to stop him. So trust me, I'm going to stop him one way or another."

Jesse unlocked the cell door and pulled it open, motioning for Gary. "Come on, I'll fill you in on what's going to happen as we go." Gary moved forward, looking at the girls once more. "The girls will be safe."

"Ross hurt Trina again while I was out, didn't he?" Trina bit her lip and looked away, her eyes glistening with pain and tears. Gary sneered and growled. Jesse pressed his lips together, smacking them after a second and letting out a heavy sigh.

"He took advantage. Tricked her. Sinjin and I didn't know what to expect, but we certainly won't allow him to do it again."

Trina looked up, trembling as her sister threw arms around her. "What can you do?" The elder sibling asked. "What could you possibly do to him? Don't try and kill him just because of what he did to me. If something happened because of me…"

"No, he's going to be stopped because his role in what's happening to you and your family is disgusting, despicable and wrong. I wouldn't search for humanity in him, however." Jesse sneered as the others looked to him, as though expecting answers for a question they didn't know. "If he'd be so willing to follow his father blindly like this, to take joy out of hurting you when you can't defend yourself, then he has no humanity. No, Trina." He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "I'd fully expect him to be put down like a savage beast."

Trina remained quiet, watching as Gary slid out and Jesse closed the cell door. "Keep Gary safe," she said finally as the trio started moving to the door. "Whatever happens, don't let him die." Jesse paused, turning narrowed eyes over his left shoulder.

"Gary's my ace in the hole. Nothing will happen to him." He looked to Sinjin and motioned to the cell. "Stand guard for me, Sinjin." Sinjin frowned and returned to the cell without question. "Thanks. I'll be back shortly."

Gary took a breath and locked his wrists behind his back, allowing Jesse to grip them firmly with his left hand and grab Gary's shoulder with his right. "Okay, let's go." He guided the man out, leaning close to him to whisper while scanning the corridors with his eyes. "There is an entrance to the basement from the outside. We have allies who are building a task force to infiltrate the building."

"So they'll come in through the basement?" Gary was eyeballing the corridors as well, giving Jesse some comfort in knowing he wouldn't be alone if something went south from here. "Good. I assume the police won't be a party to this?"

"You know Beck Oliver?"

"How would I not?" Gary rolled his eyes and Jesse smirked.

"His family is pretty high up in the LAPD apparently, and they're unhappy with the Chief. So you'll have a few cops coming to help."

"I see. You're moving me to the basement as well to help the fight?"

"Exactly."

They entered an elevator and moved to the very back, facing the doors and watching close. "What does this have to do with your plan regarding Jerome?"

"I am going to send him to you." Jesse breathed heavily, his conflicted feelings once more returning to him. He didn't feel he was as bad as his brother or his father, but now he was beginning to question. They knew no mercy, but did he? Thinking on the question, all he could see was Rocky's dead eyes staring back at him. "I want you to hold on to him. I'll be right behind him, waiting for you to pin him."

"What makes you certain I'll be able to?"

"You're a navy seal. Jerome thinks he's a badass, but he's never looked at the records we have on you and your time with the military." Gary smirked and a proud look flashed in his eyes. "Now, that said, once we've dealt with Jerome…I'm going to need you to stay in the basement until our guys come in. Okay?"

"Seriously? I'm to be confined?"

"You'll have free reign down there, I'll ensure that." The elevator doors slid open and the two waited for a few seconds, making sure it was clear before stepping out. "I've also smuggled in a stash of weaponry down there in case you need weapons."

"I don't need weapons." Gary laughed once and narrowed his eyes at a door they were approaching. "There's a bolt on the door. Will you be locking it?"

"I'll leave it unlocked once the raid starts."

"Got it."

Once Jesse guided Gary down the concrete steps into the darkened dungeon, he left fully comfortable and confident in the man's prowess. He returned to the family's cell where Sinjin was sitting on a chair with his arms crossed and head bowed in a drowsy position.

"Sinin?" Jesse waited for a response, watching as Sinjin's chest expanded and sank in. He rolled his eyes and shook the man until he woke. "Dude!" Sinjin rubbed his eyes and coughed.

"Sorry, I wasn't asleep I swear."

Jesse folded his arms and chuckled. "Uh huh." Sinjin rose to his feet and Jesse studied him for a few short moments. The worried look returned to his best friend's face, so he turned towards the metal door and closed it gently. "Look man, I need you to do something. When all this is over."

"What's that?"

"I'm going to try and reclaim the Knights. Maybe I can talk some sense into my brother."

"Want me there?"

"No. It's safer for you if you're not." Jesse breathed in slow and glanced to the family. They were studying him, as though expecting him to say something that might unlock his greatest secrets. "Whenever we can fix the Knights. If they can even be reformed…I need you to take over. I will step down and let you lead them." Sinjin started to pale, his blue eyes widening with shock and some horror.

"What?" The man shook his head and tensed his forehead. "Why? That's your place. You've always wanted to reclaim the knights."

"I can try and save them, but once I fix them, I can't lead them…"

"Why not?"

"Because." Jesse shut his eyes and scoffed. "Even saving this family doesn't change what I've done in the past. I wanted what our original founder wanted, a group of people that are good. No murders, no drugs or other criminal activity. The leader should embody the principles they're expected to follow." He withheld the tears that stung his eyes and quickly cleared his throat. "I would be a hypocrite."

"Dude, no you wouldn't. You're not a monster."

"Am I not?" Jesse motioned to the pool of blood nearby, scoffing loudly. "I lied to you man. I feel like shit about it, but I lied." Sinjin stepped back, holding his breath. "I tricked Rocky. I got him to shoot out the camera and convinced Jerome to kill him, thinking that he wanted to kill him. Jerome killed Rocky because of me."

"Jess…"

"I slaughtered my own father because of what he did to Sasha; and never once did I stand up to Jerome for destroying the knights. Now is that chance, if I can convince him of anything…" He frowned. "I'm sorry man. I know you must be upset. I want you to know, no matter what you are my best friend; and probably the closest to Sasha in knowing what's right. I don't deserve to have a friend like you."

Sinjin balled up his hands. "Dude, I don't care." A wrinkle popped up between Sinjin's eyebrows. "I'll stand behind you either way, but you've been a good friend. You're a good person too, whether you think so or not. I mean, if you weren't, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even be trying to help the Vegas." Jesse chuckled, still doubting himself. "You're nothing like your father or your brother, just so you know. You're no monster."

"I guess we'll have to see…just keep watch over the family for now."

"What's going to happen?"

"Dunno." He shrugged. "I'm going to try and reason with my brother." It wasn't a lie. He wanted to try and either lock Jerome up or reason with him; but it didn't feel like either was going to happen.

Stepping out of the cell room, he made his way towards Jerome's room. Each step felt like his last, and every breath he took seemed harder to take. "Jerome." He opened the door to Jerome's room and saw the man reclining at his desk. "There's noises coming from the basement."

"Seriously?" Jerome raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Noises? What are you, a pansy? Go check it out."

"I would, but you're head of security. I've heard reports of a potential intruder. There's another report I thought I should bring to your attention, and you definitely will want to investigate. There might be a way in from the basement."

Jerome leaned forward, sweeping his feet off the desk and narrowing his eyes. "Okay, you've got my attention."

"There's a hole or something, I'm not sure fully what was in this report, as it was a bit hazy."

"Fine. I'll go check it out. God knows I'd have to report yet another troublesome incident to Ross and his shithead father." Jesse crossed his arms and waited for Jerome to get up and walk out. As Jerome passed, he narrowed his eyes and glanced to the gun at his waist. It felt heavy against his hip.

He followed after Jerome, waiting outside the door as Jerome moved down the steps carefully. "Come on," Jesse whispered. Anticipation and frustration swelled within him. He growled and slowly clenched his fists. "Get him, Gary."

"What the fuck!" A loud banging noise echoed from within, followed by two gunshots. A clattering sound followed the shots, and Jerome cried out in surprise. "Shit, let me go!"

Taking that as a cue, Jesse grabbed his gun and ran down the steps. Gary stood in the center of the room, his legs spread wide for support and his arms buckled upwards. Jerome was in front of him, struggling while Gary had a shirt wrapped tightly around his throat.

"Enough, Jerome." Jesse aimed his pistol, growling angrily as his brother stopped struggling and stared back at him with surprise. Jesse heard clattering from above and sighed. There had been several Knights on the floor at the time, but the ones on this floor were loyal to him rather than Jerome.

"Jess? What is this? You tricked me?"

"I did this because we need to talk." Jesse lowered the pistol a bit. "There's no other way. You've become a monster, you're not fit to lead the Knights any longer. I need you to hand them over to me."

Jerome blinked several times, then belted out with laughter. "Are you insane? Tell this asshole to release me." Jesse nodded at Gary, knowing full well the man could protect himself in the event Jerome tried to turn on him. Gary released his grip and Jerome walked forward, rubbing his throat. "I gotta hand it to you. Clever trick." Jerome's eyes flashed with venom and his lip twisted into a cold smirk. "Just like what Dad and I would do."

His heart stopped and his glare remained unflinching. "I'm nothing like you."

"No? Then what's this pointing a gun at your own brother? Or did you plan on murdering me like you did dad?"

"I only planned to talk."

"Oh? That's right, I'm in charge because you're the weaker one." Jerome clasped his hands together and locked eyes with Jesse. "You couldn't pull that trigger on me if you tried. I'm the only one that has the balls to do what is needed."

"What you've done is destroy the Knights! You ruined everything that they were meant to be, Jerome."

"I've lifted them from proverbial ruin." Jerome put his hands to his chest and mocked him with laughter. "You would have sent them to their grave with all the 'goody-goody, no drugs or illegal activity' bullshit. I made them strong."

"You made them weak. You're forcing them to do things that are inhumane, things they would not do otherwise. They've lost their true purpose. The knights were never intended to be another criminal organization."

"If you wanted a bunch of pussy motorcycle lovers, you could go to a biker bar. I won't apologize for bringing home the bacon where you failed."

Jesse's teeth ground together and he was seething with rage. Every fiber in his body wanted to pull the trigger, prove himself unworthy of the Knights that were watching him, waiting to see what he might do.

Jerome tapped his chin. "I wonder. Why do this now?" Jesse narrowed his eyes as Jerome took another step to the right. At Jerome's feet was his own gun, having been knocked away at some point by Gary. "Could it be you're against what Chief Ross is doing? So, you're betraying the Knights?"

"You're the one betraying them, forcing them in the pocket of a monster. You're no better, though."

"So you're here to, what, gun me down in cold blood?"

"No." Jesse took several deep breaths, then holstered his pistol with a frustrated groan. "I'm not like you and I'm not like Dad. I won't kill you. The Knights are watching, however, and I'll let them decide who is better fit to lead them. It won't be you, however."

Jerome sneered, the corner of his lip twitching as he started to growl. "Dad was right about you. You've become a pussy ever since that Sasha bitch." Jesse twitched and froze, his entire body burning at this point. "That best friend of yours is no different. You're no good, Jesse. Father should have put you down instead of that whore. You don't have the balls to pull the trigger, but I do."

Jesse's eyes widened as Jerome picked up the gun and aimed quickly. Just as Jerome pulled the trigger, Gary hit him from behind and Jesse ducked to the right in time to avoid getting shot. On reflex, he grabbed his gun and fired a shot in defense, striking Jerome in the center of his chest.

"Shit! I didn't want to do that!" He holstered his gun as Jerome crumpled to the ground. He ran to his brother's side and knelt, tears filling his eyes as he stared at the man. Jerome gasped for air, his eyes wide and trembling. Blood drizzled from his mouth as he stared back at Jesse. "Goddamn it Jerome, I wasn't going to do it. I wasn't going to shoot."

Jerome's fingers clutched Jesse's jacket. He choked, trying to speak. He watched in horror as the life faded from his brother's eyes. His hands began to tremble as they became soaked with blood.

Jesse looked at the doorway, staring at the knights that were watching him. There was respect and acceptance in their eyes. He rose to his feet, trembling as he stared down at his brother's body. "Fine. It comes to this…" He inhaled deep and looked at the group. "Then from this point, I am your leader."

The knights nodded their heads, each turning their eyes from Jerome's body to Gary. Jesse motioned his hand to Gary, narrowing his eyes.

"He is a friend. My order to you is this: We are not servants. We are the sword and shield, protectors and defenders of those who would become victims of the cruelty of humanity." He took a step forward, raising his voice with determination. "The purpose of the Black Knights was never and is not evil. We do not embrace drugs, we do not embrace gambling or the sex trade. We do not take gratification from criminal acts. Our founder wanted us to be like minded individuals who enjoyed motorcycles and other vehicles without being a stereotypical biker gang…"

He looked down at his brother's body, his heart filling with sadness and grief. "It was not my plan to take my brother's life today. I was afraid there was no other choice, but I wanted to save him. He…took things too far."

"What will we do now, then?" One knight inquired. "We can't just betray the Chief, can we?"

"No, not quite yet. We must play along until the time is right. I will handle this." He swept his hand through the air, tensing his brow. "However no further harm from the Knights to the Vega family will be allowed from this point on. If I find any of you engaging in criminal activity, you will be expunged from the Black Knights."

There was little time to grieve for his brother. Jerome's death, while unnecessary, had to happen. He needed to be stopped, and had already become a monster. Now Jesse had to make sure he didn't become just as bad.

"Gary?" He turned to the Navy Seal, looking up at the man with hope. "Do you mind doing something with Jerome? Bury him or something. I have to attend to the allies, I…I want to at least give Jerome a funeral."

"I'll see what I can do to preserve him," Gary replied, "But I can't promise anything. He'll decompose if you take too long, but I can at least clean him up."

"Thank you…" Now he needed to figure out the next step. He had the Knights, but it was too soon to pull away from the Chief without retaliation. At the very least, a task force could enter and he could order the Knights to turn a blind eye.

Just then the radio on the other side of hip went off, and Sinjin's voice rang out. "Jesse, we have a problem." He frowned and looked to his radio. "Um, Marcus and Stephen are on the floor, Marcus came into the cell area and I think he's up to something."

"Fuck…" From what he could tell, Marcus solely hated David. If anyone would take advantage of the busted camera, it would be Marcus; and he would be the one to try and take David out without hesitation. "Get off that floor. Get to the kitchen or something. I'll see what I can do."

"On it."

What do you Think? So he was going to spare his brother. Well, what happens from here? What predictondo you make? Do tell