Wow, it has definitley been a while, and hopefully this story still has a few interested readers out there...

Sorry about the delay, I'm hoping to be able to write more often now that I have better acess to computers and more time to sit down and write.

To the reviewers: You guys are awesome and you make me blush. I'm totally excited that my story had generated an interest and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.

Enjoy:

Upon entering his room, Jack had quickly jumped for his cheap stereo, turning on the harsh metal rock beats that had the walls vibrating. Then, Jack had moved to his full length mirror to get a good look at the damage Damien had done.

The bruise on his neck was ugly and looked like it was about to bleed, but as far as Jack knew, it could have been worse. He knew he'd gotten off easy when Bobby had created the story of his missing hours for him, but he could only imagine what would happen when he saw Damien again.

There was a soft knocking at the door, but Jack couldn't hear it over his music and immense fear that had his mind wandering. So when his mother lightly touched his arm, he sprung like a freaking animal, his arms out, ready to be defensive.

"Calm down Jack!" Evelyn shouted over the music, taking Jack by the forearms to stare at the panicked look covering her adopted sons face. "What's wrong?"

Jack's heart thrummed harshly against his ribcage and he breathed heavily. "You scared me," he told her breathlessly. He slowly shook Evelyn off, taking a heavy seat on the bed, watching uncaringly as his mother walked over to the stereo and turning it off.

"Talk to me," she coaxed as she took a seat behind him. She knowingly kept her eyes off of him, taking in the sight of his room. There were clothes everywhere but they seemed to be the only thing really making his room appear dirty.

Incense was thick in the air and Evelyn could only wonder what smell the fragrance was supposed to be covering up. "What happened tonight Jack, you had me and your brothers scared to death."

Jack thought about making a crude comment about his brothers but he bit his tongue in hopes of getting this lecture over with so he could hide under his covers until he was able to fall asleep. "I lost track of time," he lied easily.

"Jack," Evelyn began. "Is that the truth?" She stared at her youngest. She saw the uncertainty pass through his eyes making her throw her arm over his shoulder and pull him close. "I know you're not a child, and that's why you need to start taking responsibility for yourself."

Jack nodded, his mind wandering again. He really hoped his mother would let him stay home from school. That way he'd be able to avoid Damien until Monday… then, well he didn't exactly know, but he opted that if being a pussy saved his ass then he'd go chill with Barbara Streisand.

"Do you understand honey?"

Jack pulled himself back into awareness and looked up at Evelyn who was looking right back with an incredibly serious face. "Uh… yeah," he replied, not knowing what the hell she was talking about. He didn't think he could deal with an argument right now so he'd just play along.

"You know Bobby," Evelyn explained. "He says the things he says because he doesn't know how to say what he really wants to."

Jack remained docile and nodded. Yeah he knew Bobby's ways of dealing with things. Beating somebody up, shooting them, being sarcastic… it was just… Bobby. "Yeah…"

"He's protective of his brothers, he's protective of you."

Jack gave a half smile to himself. "I know."

"Good," Evelyn agreed. She kissed her youngest on the forehead and smoothed back his hair. "Now you get some sleep."

Jack answered her with a yawn. His rampage had ended for the night and he'd fake sick if that's what it took to stay home. Tomorrow was Friday, and he knew he needed to take some time to get his head on straight. Now that Bobby was back he'd have to be careful of when and where he did his drugs, not to mention the entire ordeal with Damien.

Through the time that Bobby had been missing, Jack had allowed himself to get encompassed in all of the people that gave him attention when Bobby had been gone. The drugs had been a big deal, and Jack did love the way he felt after taking them. His problems didn't exist when he was high, everything was just… wonderful.

Oh yeah, he was definitely screwed.

"Jackie, get up!"

Jack snorted loudly as he was shaken awake.

The teenager turned his head to see Bobby standing over him with a hockey stick, Angel and Jeremiah standing beside them looking as equally rumpled as Jack felt.

"Go 'way," he mumbled as he turned his head back into his pillow. Jack definitely wasn't in the mood to go out and play hockey. He'd be there until Bobby had made someone from the other team bleed.

"Come on, we're going down to the lot for a game and we have to have our little fairy cheering us on," Bobby grinned the best way he knew how.

"Go without me, I'm not in the mood to see you make an ass out of yourself cause the other team can play better than you," Jack spit out. He could almost feel Jeremiah and Angel tensing behind the newly pissed Bobby.

Jack was a little more shocked when the covers were suddenly ripped off of him and the chilly air hit his shirtless skin. "Wha…" The youngest Mercer was slung over Bobby's shoulder, the oldest taking charge.

"Jer, grab this little shits shirt and jacket would you? We'll be waiting in the car."

"Wait," Jeremiah halted. "What about shoes?"

Bobby turned back to his brother and shrugged. "Fine, bring those too."

Jack squirmed viciously, his eyes finding the red letters of the clock sitting on his headboard. 2:37, he'd slept through school. Jack sighed in relief and once again picked up his struggle to get out of his brothers arms. "Bobby let go you stupid prick."

Bobby ignored the curses his younger brother spat at him as he carried him the stairs. He whistled jovially as he threw open the screen door and walked down the steps.

"Shit!" Jack squealed. "It's freezing out here," he yelled and his struggle became more violent.

"Okay Jackie," Bobby conceded. In one long motion, Bobby had his hands wrapped up around his little brother's torso and flipped him onto the snow covered ground.

"Ow!" Jack screamed after his body came in contact with the white ice. He quickly scrambled to his feet and ran for the house. Jack even managed to make it halfway before Bobby slammed into him and pushed his face into the ground.

"I'll give you a couple of options little brother," Bobby started pleasantly. "You take back what you said about me and admit that you're so wrong about my hockey skills and I'll let you up."

Jack flailed under his brother's weight, the coldness from the snow penetrating his skin and he began shaking. "Nneevveeer," Jack shivered.

Bobby smiled and increased his pressure until Jack made pronounced 'oomph' sound. "That I guess we'll be sitting here for a while," Bobby paused. "How long do you think it will take for hypothermia to set in anyway?"

Jack growled and then went limp in defeat. "Fine."

Bobby's smile grew wider. "What was that fairy?"

Jack sighed. "I said fine."

"I want to hear it."

"You're the best at hockey, and I take back what I said about the other team playing better," Jack muttered.

A frown covered Bobby's face. "I'm sorry Jackie; I didn't hear what you said do you think can you speak a little louder?"

Jack snarled but sighed and lifted his head to say the words that made him cringe, louder. "You're the best at hockey, and I take back what I said about the other team playing better."

Bobby laughed and turned his head to see his two other brothers standing outside of the screen door, smiling at Jack's torture. "Why thank you fairy, but I've got to tell you I don't swing that…"

Before Bobby could get another word out Jack managed to shake himself out from under Bobby while the older Mercer was distracted. "Bitch," Jack called Bobby in victory as the white ball of snow he'd made connected with Bobby's face.

"Don't make me kick your ass Jack," Bobby warned, climbing to his feet. The older Mercer quickly wiped himself off and made his way to his car. "Are you sissy's coming? Or do I have to carry the name of our family myself?"

Both Jeremiah and Angel groaned as they made their ways down the steps and over to Bobby's black classic.

Jack caught his clothes as Jeremiah threw them at him. "I don't want to go," he told them.

The youngest Mercer watched as Bobby's face hardened. "Well that's too damn bad fairy 'cause I'm not leaving you home by yourself."

Jack's teenage hormones freaked at the way he was being referred back to a child. "I'm not a baby Bobby; I've stayed home by myself before."

Bobby grunted and bit back a sarcastic comment. "Just get in the car."

Jack shook his head.

"What? You think I'm joking; do you really want me to drag your ass to the car? If I have to I swear to god I'm putting you in the trunk," Bobby threatened.

Jack's face showed his anger. "Fuck you," he spat angrily. "You think that after being gone for six months you can just come back and act like nothing happened."

Bobby's mask slipped slightly at the words, but he managed to shrug them off. "I'm not telling you again Jack, get in the car."

This time Jack managed to swallow his pride as he seethed. He didn't want there to be a big scene with his whole neighborhood watching, they'd eventually get back to the argument later. The youngest Mercer walked slowly to the car and hopped in the back with Jeremiah.

The car ride was incredibly quiet. Thoughts were spinning through everyone's mind, but no words were spoken.

There was a lot to be said, and fought, but no one had the guts to come out and get the conversation going. Nobody really wanted to know, they just wanted things to go back to the way they were before.

TBC... Not so much angst here, but we'll be getting to the nitty gritty soon enough ;D