Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm poor don't sue.

A/N: Thanks to caligrl14 and sadvirtue. I'll keep writing as long as I continue getting reviews. I need more reviews!

I have a busy schedual as as much as I love doing this I feel like I'm turning crazy if I write and there are no reviews.

R&R

Always yours, Fallen

As dumb as it was for me to walk home I did just that. It wasn't too far and it was still light out. Plus as bad as Detroit is everyone has enough respect not to mug you as you're coming out a cemetery. Go figure, muggers have standards. I looked at my watch and sighed. Two more hours until work. At least I had the holiday weekend off. For some reason Johnny had been generous to me. Maybe because he knew Evelyn died. Or maybe he realized I was at the bar more than he was, working more shifts than people who'd been there for over seven years. Yeah I was a bartender as Lion's Gate Club. Not a strip club, I still wasn't that far gone. It was just a regular club that made enough money for me to keep my house and lived somewhat comfortable. All I had to do was pour drinks, keep pouring them, and look away while certain 'business' transactions were made. I was good at what I did. I cut people off before there were any brawls. Convinced out of state guys that the most expensive whisky was the best. Of course when they couldn't tell the difference between water and whisky I just poured out the cheap stuff and charged them for the expensive. Saved us time and money and I never got caught. Plus this was only for the out-of-state visitors. I knew better than to con one of Detroit's finest. I liked my breathing habit thank you.

My hand rummaged through my pocket and found my lighter. I didn't smoke but my brother had and I kept his lighter. I get twitchy sometimes and flicking that lighter always calmed me down. It was smooth silver with etching up the sides. Rob had etched on the names of everyone who meant something to him, even put in little memorials. I sat on my front steps taking a look at the surfaced I was so familiar with.

Lily October, our mothers name was on the top of the lighter with a single lily next to it. I was always amazed at the delicacy and precision Rob had. Evelyn Mercer's name was above four names. Bobby, Angel, Jerry and Jack floated beneath Evelyn's name. Each name had a little picture above it. I laughed remember Rob hovering over his lighter with a magnifying glass making sure he got everything just right. Above Bobby there was a small hockey stick. Angel had a pair of handcuffs, which were there for two different reasons. Jerry had a little pair of brass knuckles above his name. Jack had a stick figure of a girl.

"You know I never really thought that looked like you." A husky voice said above me.

"Fuck off Jack." I didn't even bother looking up. Rob had etched a little girl above Jack. Bobby always took it to mean that Jack acted like a little girl but I knew better. Rob had known how much I cared about Jack, and always joked about an arranged marriage so he and Bobby really would be family.

Jack ignored my words and sat next to me. "Luce I wanted to talk to you. Don't try getting rid of me."

I slid a glance in his direction. I didn't want to give him my full attention. Then he'd realize he had my full attention. "Really because I never seemed to need to try to get rid of you. You just left."

"Luce. That's not fair." He placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me to look at him. I was still surprised at how strong he was. He was leaner than his brothers but than again who didn't look small compared to the Mercer boys.

I faced him glaring into his eyes. Shit shit shit. Those eyes had, on more than one occasion, made me feel like I'd do anything as long as I could continue looking at them. "Not fair? Well la de fucking da, Cracker Jack. I didn't exactly get the fair life here. And as soon as you got the chance you ran like hell out of here." I bit back what else I wanted to say. And you left me here. Damnit Jack, you didn't take me with you.

Jack stood up waving a finger at me. "Jesus Lucia. You had every chance to get out of here. You could have done something with yourself. Don't blame me just because you're wasting your whole life staying here." He rummaged through his pocket for a cigarette and slipped it between his lips looking at my lighter.

What I wouldn't give to be that ciggy right now.

WHAT THE FUCK? Grab a hold of yourself girl.

I yanked the cig from his lips a look of shock spreading over his face. "There are better ways to die moron." I stuffed the cig in my pocket and walked in the house slamming the door behind me.

What that boy did to me was not right. I worked at a bar damnit. I should be used to very attractive guys being inches away from me. Why did I always let this one get to me?

Because you still love him

No I don't.

Yes you do.

But I can't he left.

He's back.

I shook my head to end my argument with myself. I walked up the stairs to the bathroom. I unlaced my boots and threw my clothes into the hamper and hopped into the shower. I washed my hair and thought about what the Mercers would do. I realized that was a stupid question. I knew exactly what they were going to do. They were going to track down Evelyn's killer. I knew that, they knew that and we all knew the police knew that. I had seen Detective Green talking to Bobby. Damn, it was still hard to believe Green was all grown up and working for the police.

I leaned my head forward letting the water wash away the conditioner and my troubles. I had work to do; I needed to clear my mind. Wonder what the guys were doing to clear their heads. It was too late for them to play hockey. What else were the guys good at? Well they beat the shit out of people, Jack played guitar, they wrestled, and they drank. THEY DRANK.

I jumped out of the shower wrapping a towel around myself. "Luce you fuckhead. You really need to realize what's going on. But maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe they'll go to a strip club. Oh god let them go to a strip club."

I ran into the bedroom and tossed around some clothes. Jeans.

Low rise.

So?

You're hoping he comes. You want him to see.

That's not a crime.

My lovely uniform top. I sighed at I pulled it over my head. As Johnny said, drunk guys give bigger tips the hotter you looked. A silver paw print hovered over my heart while maximum cleavage could be viewed from the middle. I told myself if the time ever came where Johnny ordered shirts with two paw prints that rested on my breasts I'd quit. Not like Johnny was sleazy but it felt better if I pretended to have standards.

Double D's, oh la la what will he think of you.

I was seriously starting to believe my conscience was a pervert. No, it was a never ending sexually frustrated teenage girl that's all. Okay so at 21 I wasn't old but I should know better. After working at a bar for 5 years I really should know how frustrated I got while I watched couple after couple come and go. I needed to get a cat or something.

You need a man.

I need a dog.

You need love.

I can get love from a dog.

Not the kind of love I was thinking of.

I ran out of the house before I let myself think of anything else.

Of course. Why wouldn't my life be easy? Why wouldn't the gods want to punish me? The Mercer's pulled up stools while I had my back turned. The mirror behind the bar showed the strained looks on their faces. Jerry wasn't there, just Bobby, Jack and Angel.

"Damn can you see the ass on this one?" I heard Bobby's voice say. Okay maybe he wasn't strained. Wonder what girl he had found. I hadn't seen too many lookers so far. Well none that were Bobby's taste.

"Tattoo on her lower back. Damn she looks good." Angel said in a matter of fact tome. "You're closer Jack; can you tell what it is?"

I was searching for more Grey Goose. Damn it where had Johnny hid it all? My nosey side was coming out I wanted to see this girl. Usually Angel's type is loud and Hispanic. And where was little miss Sofi? Had he met up with her yet?

"There's a pair of dice and a shamrock," Jack said. "There are words too but I can't read them they go beneath the jeans."

My eyes widened and I straightened up and turned to face them. I think I managed an impassive face. At least I hope I did. "It says Lucky and it's probably best if you all don't look at me for a few minutes."

Bobby winced and I heard him mutter something that sounded like Rob's baby sister's ass. Angel choked back a swing of beer and turned toward the crowd. Jack stared at me like a deer in the headlights.

"You added to the tattoo." He sounded surprised.

It wasn't worth it to stay cold towards him. That didn't mean I'd forgiven him. It just made things slightly simpler. "Yeah, got two new ones after…a while back too."

I saw him smile when I corrected myself. He knew I wasn't accepting defeat. But he wasn't either.

I was whipping down the bar as Johnny closed the doors. The guys were still inside and he gave me the keys to close up.

Johnny was a good guy and had known Evelyn for longer than anyone. "Luce, I know you got in a fight a while back but watch out for them. You knew Evelyn, these are her boys. They need to wind down and you're the only one I trust watching them, just don't stay too late." He waited a moment before nodding his head. "Enjoy the holiday; drop the keys off in the mailbox next door. Berne will get them to me tomorrow."

With that he walked out leaving me behind with three guys who had just lost their mother and were left in a bar where the liquor was endless. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I was going to need a drink.

Bobby watched silently as I took out four shot glasses and poured whiskey in each. He took his hand held it in a toast. "To Evelyn Mercer. The greatest mother four degenerate bastards ever had."

We rose our glasses and shot them back. Bobby looked at his brother and laughed. "Well what do we know? My little sister thinks he can drink."

Jack held up a stiff middle finger. "I could drink you under the table Bobby boy."

Angel snorted. "Silly white boys think they can out drink each other."

I crossed my arms. "You know Angel that sounds like a challenge."

Angel looked as me with a grin. "Oh I think I hear a challenge." He went though his pocket and found a twenty. "All four of us, first to fall loses it all. Last standing gets the money."

I grinned; oh they obviously forgot who I was. "Oh I'm in, I don't take checks boys."

Bobby shook his head as he took out his money. "Yeah well let's see the money missy. And I expect the real stuff none of that cheap shit."

I grabbed two bottles of Jack Daniels. Well that was only the start, we'd go through more. Even I knew that. I reached to the center of my shirt and pulled a twenty from the front of my bra. Hey it was easier than stuffing money in my pockets. Plus so many people handled me while I moved around anyone could pickpocket.

Jack let out a low whistle. I flipped him the bird and swung myself over the counter. "Ready to lose boys?"

Over an hour later we were on our 5th bottle. I finally said this was the last bottle because if someone didn't pass out we would all die of alcohol poisoning.

Bobby took another shot and slammed the glass down watching Jack refill his glass. "Jackie, Jackie, Jack likes to lick ball sacks."

Jack shook his head shooting back his drink. We were the only two still in a better focused state, although Jack was looking a little blurred. "Jack likes boobs. Jack's got fans. Jack's got lots of fans." He swung an arm around my shoulders and leaned his head against mine. "Lucia's one of Jack's biggest fans."

Bobby laughed and he helped Angel up. "Okay fairy boy. Let's go, we got a lot of shit to do tomorrow. Cooking and all for your little fan there. Thanksgiving and our hockey game."

Jack got up behind me and pulled me next to him. Mmm, he was warm and oh he smelled yummy.

Oh yeah I had enough to drink. I leaned over and grabbed the money. It was going to replacing the whiskey we knocked back and go to whatever I needed to bring over tomorrow. Probably my famous hang over remedy. A chocolate milkshake from McDonalds. It's not a joke, it really does work.

We left the cars in the parking lot resolving to get them in the morning. I knew better than to drive and I figured Bobby probably had a warrant on him for something and didn't want to get pulled over for DUI and some cop get lucky and arrest him.

We were getting close to the houses and Bobby and Angel were far ahead of us singing some song that was so off key I wouldn't have been able to guess what it actually was.

Jack and I were walking together and he kept nudging me. "Luce you know what we should have done?"

"Stopped after three bottles?"

"Uh uh." He shook his head like a little kid, expertly ruffling his hair to early morning state. He moved closer to me bringing his head down to my level. His voice grew low and husky. "Body shots."

At that moment his hands were on my waist where the end of my jacket met bare shin. Every part of my body was immediately on fire. Jack still wore those fingerless gloves he used to wear. Damnit he was drawing circles on my waist. I abruptly took my hands off of his chest. When the hell did they get there? I walked forward faster watching as Bobby shut the door behind him. Damn, what was I doing? I wasn't sixteen anymore I didn't do stupid things like this so quickly. My hands closed over something smooth in my pocket. I pulled it all and found the cig I had grabbed from Jack. I leaned against the Mercer's garage as I put it too my lips and went to grab my lighter.

"I thought there were better ways to die." Jack reached over and took the cig from my lips just as I had done to him and stuck it behind his ear.

I crossed my arms. "Well." My mind drew a blank. Shit.

Jack leaned his arms on either side of me and looked shocked. "Why look here I believe Lucia October has lost her train of though. Dare I say I may have rendered her speechless?"

Wouldn't be the first time. I realized that jack had been moving closer to me as he spoke. "Jack…don't."

He lifted on arm and brushed some stray strands of hair out of my face. "I have no idea what you're talking about Luce." His fingers traced the side of my face before tracing down my neck. Shivers went up my spine, and damn him he knew. I always had a weakness when it came to my neck. Touch my leg, rub my thigh, I was fine. Touch my neck and I was gone.

"Jack." I was surprised as the tone of my voice. It was pure lust. Crap, crap, crap.

He moved in closer so that he was pressed up against me. "You know, I think I remember you saying something about anyone who touched your neck." He gently nuzzled my neck. Oh gods help me. "I believe it was, 'Don't touch my neck unless you plan on doing something about it.'" I swallowed hard as his face returned to mine. "Well I plan on doing something about it." His face returned to my neck and I felt butterfly kisses on my neck.

I gasped as I felt teeth bite the side of my neck. Oh gods I was going to lose it if he didn't stop. "Jack." I sounded more urgent this time.

He returned to my face and now pressed my entire body against the garage door. Before I could protest he covered my mouth with his. I felt his tongue brush across my bottom lip begging for entry. I let him in grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer. Oh this was what I had been missing. I felt him nip my lip as he drew back.

He grinned. I think that was what brought me back to reality. I moved out of his arms and slapped him. I ran to my house unlocked the door and slammed it behind me. I slid down the door holding my head in my hands. The worst part was I had wanted that so badly. Also if I had really wanted to hurt him I would have backhanded him. I glanced down as my hands. Every finger was covered by a ring. Damn, I was doing the one thing I promised not to do again. I was going soft. All because Jack Mercer kissed me.