Brother's Keeper: Chapter 2

By: The Confused One

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter in this fic. Hopefully this will give everyone a few answers. Hope you enjoy, and please remember to review. Thanks.

Alex took a deep breath and banged on Bobby's door. After a moment, when no one answered, she banged again and yelled, "Don't make use my key Bobby! Let me in! You're not going to hide from me!"

Deciding he wasn't going to get rid of her, Bobby finally answered the door. He stared blankly at her and assured her, "I'm fine, and I don't really want to talk about it."

Irritated, Alex sighed and pushed her way inside. She curtly responded, "Too bad. I want to talk about it."

Closing his eyes, Bobby didn't move. He tried again, "Eames."

Alex shook her head. Turning to face him, she wished he'd turn to face her. She wanted him to look at her. She pushed a little, "What was that Bobby? What happened between you two?"

Taking a deep breath, Bobby finally closed and locked his door. He realized he wasn't going to get her to back off without talking some. Turning to face her, he spoke softly, "I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to scare you. I saw him with you, and I just flipped."

Alex shook her head. She assured him, "I wasn't scared of you. I could never be scared of you. I was scared for you. I've never seen you like that. Talk to me, please. What did he do to get a reaction like that from you?"

Bobby sighed. Rubbing his face, he sat down at his couch. He responded, "It really doesn't matter now. I'm not getting involved again, and I don't want you involved either. Promise me you'll stay away from him."

Alex shook her head. Still confused, she promised, "Alright. I won't see him. Just. Please, tell me what's going on."

Meeting her eyes, Bobby elaborated a little, "David's dangerous. Last time, it was bad. I lost it, thinking of what could happen to you if he got your attention."

Angry and frustrated Alex snapped, "Damn it Bobby! If you don't start being specific I might go find him to get the story."

Bobby's eyes snapped to hers again. Desperate, he practically begged, "Please don't Alex. I'm begging you. People died last time he showed up asking for help. That's why I walked away, and I won't let whatever he's into get you hurt. I won't."

Alex was shocked. She wasn't expecting that. With a nod, she promised, again, "Alright. I'll stay away from him. He said he cleaned up his life Bobby. He said he had a job here in the city, and he said he wanted to make things up to you. Please Bobby. Don't shut me out. I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

Bobby shook his head. He assured her, "I don't need help. I'm not dealing with him anymore. I don't care if he's staying in town and cleaning up his act or not. I'm not talking to him. I'm not reaching out to him."

Alex nodded. She sighed and sat down in front of him on the coffee table. Taking his hands, she tried to calm him down, "Listen to me. Whatever happened, we're OK. I'm worried about you now, not the past. If you want to talk to me, you know where I am."

Bobby nodded. He watched her get up and leave. He took a ragged breath and leaned back on the couch. Getting up, he went to get a beer. He desperately hoped this was as far as it was going to go. He didn't need the past colliding with his present.

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David sighed as he entered his apartment. Depressed, he plopped down on the couch. Things hadn't gone anywhere close to how he had wanted them to. All he wanted was to get his brother back. He mused that he should have known how he'd react. The knock at the door got his attention.

Opening the door, the color drained from his face. He stumbled through is words, "Kane. Hi. I. I didn't, expect to, see you."

Kane punched David in the face. Kane walked in and closed the door. Standing over him, he angrily replied, "I know you didn't. You managed to skip out on your debt for six months Goren. It's time to pay up."

David grunted as Kane kicked in the stomach. He painfully replied, "Please. I can get the money. I just need a little time."

Kane shrugged and argued, "Well, David, you skipped out on your debt six months ago, why should we give you anymore time?"

David struggled to speak. He begged, "Because I can give you double what I owe. My. My brother has money. I'll get it from him."

Kane nodded. Kane liked where this was going. If David didn't come through, well, maybe this brother could be leaned on enough to cough up the money owned to his boss. Kicking David again, he replied, "That's good David. That's a good idea. What's the name of this brother?"

David struggled to breathe now. He wheezed out, "I. I can't. Just. I promise I'll get the money from him."

Kane nodded. Kicking him one more time for good measure, he threatened, "You better not disappear on me again David boy, or you won't survive our next meeting. You have three days to get the money, or you won't like the consequences."

After a few moments, David was able to finally stand up again. He took shallow breaths and sat down on the couch. He put his face in his hands, fearing what might happen next. He didn't know how he was going to get Bobby's help, after everything, but he knew he was going to have to find a way.