"So about those 'sailing lessons'..." Killian let his voice trail off. Liam scoffed and rested his head on the steering wheel while they waited at the red light. With a sly grin, Killian looked at his brother and prodded him with his elbow.

"It hasn't even been a half hour and already you're trying to con me into something." Sitting up, Liam continued driving. "Let's have it then."

"Well… Father's boat is still moored at the local arena, I was just wondering if we could ever take it out. You know, just us."

Liam nodded hesitantly. "I think that is a good plan, in theory, especially with the sailing lessons you want. You could brag to me and show me how good you are. But a lot of that will depend on how much I work and to keep up with school. You might get summer vacation, but I don't." Killian's shoulders sagged in disappointment. Not wanting to upset his brother too much he added, "however, the boat has been dry docked for far too long. We should get her back on the water."

Killian's face brightened and he hid a sigh of relief. Liam knew that their father's boat was home to the few happy memories Killian could recall of their parents. In the year since their passing, this is the first time he has asked to take it out. Come hell or high water, Liam vowed to himself to get the boat back on the water. If only just to make Kilian happy.

"Here's good, I can walk the rest of the way."

"Alright," Liam pulled the car over, and Killian quickly hopped out.

"See ya later brother," as the car door shut, Liam rolled the window down.

"I'll pick you up after school, make sure to wait for me!" Not turning back, Killian just waved his arm in the air to acknowledge he heard.

With a chuckle, Liam pulled back into traffic and continued on to the high school. Despite the nightmare of last night, things were looking up.

Taking a steadying breath, Killian hiked his pack farther into his shoulder. In all honesty, he hated this school, the teachers, the students, definitely the principle, but mostly he hated the bullies. Picking on someone smaller than you, just to make yourself feel better, was an atrocity. Most days, he kept his head down and tried to get into school without getting involved.

Today it seemed, lady luck had it out for him.

The school yard bully, Felix, was pushing around a smaller boy, who couldn't have been more than 7. The way the smaller boy was just accepting the teasing, Killian knew this was not the first time. It wasn't until Felix tried to take the boy's backpack, that the boy protested.

"Please don't." The boy pleaded. Felix and his caggle of friends just laughed as they held the pack out of the boys shorter reach and started pulling papers out.

"What's this then?" Felix taunted holding up one of the sheets. "Oy look it here boys! Little Roland here thinks he's an artist."

"Please, just give it back." His pleas were met with more laughter. Finally, Killian sighed and turned to them.

"Enough Felix, you've had your fun, now give the boy back his stuff." The looks he received from the lackeys were a mixture of amusement and astonishment that he would say something. Felix looked murderous.

Killian wondered how they were ever friends.

"Stay out of this Jones if you know what's good for you." Felix threatened.

Ignoring him, he walked over and started collecting the papers from the group, none put up a fight. Stopping in front of Felix he held out his hand for the pack. Grudgingly he handed it over. With a nod of appreciation, Killian turned back to Roland and handed him the pack after he carefully put the paper back in.

"Those are some very beautiful drawings Roland. You're very talented." He told the boy. The boy smiled up at him.

"Thank you, for everything."

"Of course, now run along quickly. Don't be late for class." Not needing to be told twice, the boy took off, full sprint down the block. Killian didn't take his eyes off him until he was out of sight.

"How noble of you, coming to the rescue of someone smaller and more pathetic than you." Felix sneered.

Ignoring him, Killian finished the half block walk to the front of the school, hearing the caggle of idiots following him, and their never-ending taunts. In his opinion, it wasn't worth a confrontation. Felix and the posse had other plans.

Lady luck definitely had it out for him today.

"Stop walking away while I'm talking to you!" He jolted backwards as someone grabbed onto his pack, forcing him to turn around and stare Felix in the eyes.

"When you have something actually worth saying, then I'll pay attention to you, until then would you please leave me alone so I can get to class?"

"Cute, very cute." Felix shoved him and Killian just let him. It was then he realized the other boys had surrounded him, and they were drawing a crowd. "What's the matter Jones, big and tough enough to protect little boys, but not man enough to stand up for yourself?"

"Just let it be, Felix. This isn't worth it. When did you become this way?" Killian wondered. The friend he remembered would never have resorted to such bullying. But then, maybe they'd never really known each other.

Without warning, a shove from behind sent Killian flying. Barely enough time to break his fall, the side of his face still connected with the concrete. Dazed and confused, he slowly pushed off from the ground.

"Isn't that just grand? You can protect little boys, but you're not man enough to take care of yourself. Must run in the family."

Wiping at his nose with the back of his good hand he looked at Felix. "What are you talking about?"

"Your father." Killian stopped trying to brush of his legs and glared at Felix. "I heard he was drunk that night. So drunk that he was speeding on the highway. It wasn't even the trucker's fault your car flipped and landed in the ravine. He killed himself and your mother and maimed you in the process."

When asked later, he couldn't say exactly what happened, only that he was so enraged, his fist connected with the side of Felix's face. It was the last thing he could coherently remember before Ms. Blanchard was pulling them apart. For a petite woman, she had incredible strength and was able to hold Killian back when Felix spit a mouthful of blood at him.

"What is going on?" The normally soft spoken teacher snapped.

"He started it. He attacked Felix for no reason." One of the posse pointed at Killian. He just hung his head in resignation. There was no way he could get out of trouble for this one.

"Killian, is that true?" Not verbalizing an answer, he just shrugged a shoulder and tried to hide a wince of pain. "Ok, to the principle's office." Ms Blanchard looked over at Felix, who had a grin of triumph. "Both of you." She added on and Felix's face fell.

Killian did not rejoice, the principle was Felix's stepfather.