There weren't many people at the bar that night. A few couples, some bussiness men an elderly man in the corner and two young men talking to eachother.
"He's been avoiding me." The first man said gloomily.
The second man chuckled.
"Can you blame him? You did hurt him fairly badly last time you met."
The first man shrugged.
"I suppose you're right. I'm suprised he's so calm about this."
The second man took a sip of his drink.
"You never did tell me what happened that night."
The first man glared at the other.
"This isn't the place to talk about it. There's too many who might hear."
The second man scanned the room and found that few could actually hear their conversation but he didn't blame the other for being careful.
"Let's just say that I scarred him for life."
There was a moment of silence as the first man went back to looking like someone just took his favorite toy, which actually was fairly accurate in this sithuation.
"Don't look so gloomy." the second man said. "He can't hide from you forever."
The first man downed his drink.
"He's been doing so the last 10 years."
The second man shrugged.
"True as that might be, now you know where he lives. You are making this far harder than it needs to be. Why haven't you just walked in there and taken him the way you want?"
The first man growled.
"I told you to keep it down. Do you want me to get arrested?"
"Fine, fine." the second man said dismisively. " So what are you going to do."
"He can't run forever." the first man whispered. "I'll get him back one day."
"Perhaps I can help you some." the second man offered. "I do know where he works."
The first man looked up from his glass to stare at his company.
"What are you sugesting?" he asked.
The second man leaned closer to the other.
"He doesn't work in this town," he began. "On his way home after work is the only time ever that he's alone. It will be dark, he works late on Thurstdays, no one will notice a someone being pulled into a dark alley or hear him begging."
For a moment it was deadsilent between the two men. Then the first man leaned back in his chair with a slight smile.
"I think I might pay my darling Arthur a little visit then."

James POV

KNOCK KNOCK!

I sat up in my bed with a start the moment I heard the pounding sound. The first thing I did was look at the clock.

01.34

He could me bothering us at this time of the night? I almost tripped as I stepped out of bed. To my surprise I found Arthur and Logan sleeping on the floor next to my bed. What the hell happened last night? My brain felt foggy so I couldn't figure out much about anything so I just left it for now to get the pounding on the door to stop for a moment. I had to dodge slightly to avoid a fist in the face when I opened. The man in front of me was tall with fiery red hair and the same green as Arthur had. He also had the same eyebrows I noted vaguely but my brain really wasn't up for logic at the moment. The man smiled sheepishly.
" Sorry laddie. Ah mist huv taken th' wrong hoose. Dae ye ken whaur Arthur Kirkland bides?"
It was a good thing our old drama teacher was scottish otherwise, zero of that would have made sense.
"I'll go wake him up." I mumbled.
The man seemed surprised to hear that he was living in this house.
"Do come in." I added on the way. Carefull not to step on Logan I kneeled in front of Arthur and shook him slightly.
"Arthur, you have visitors." I whispered.
No reaction. It seemed as Arthur was a more heavy sleeper than I thought. I shook him a little harder this time but still no reaction. I really didn't want to resort to this but what options did I have? I pinched his eyebrow. Arthur was awake in a matter of seconds with a dangerous look on his face. The look changed to confusion and worry once he noticed me.
"Jamie? What are you doing up? Are you feeling alright? By god it's not even 3 in the morning, you should be asleep."
"You have a visitor." I whispered.
Arthur frowned but got up.
"Stay in here." he ordered quickly before leaving the room.
I did just that. I got off the floor and sneaked after Arthur.
"I can't believe it. Is it bloody you, Scott?" Something else was said but it was muffled when the man reffered to as Scott pulled him into a tight embrace.
" Thank god yer a'richt. Ah wis sae worried aboot ye. Dae ye realize howfur lang A've bin searching fur you?" the taller muttered with tears present in his eyes.
It took a moment but then I saw Arthur relaxing and hugging the other back.
"I've missed you too." he said quietly.
For god knows how long they just stood there and I wondered if I was wasting my time out here but then they let go and went to sit in the kitchen. I could no longer see them now but I heard them perfectly well.
" Whit's up wi' th' lassie that opened th' door. Huv ye finally moved oan wi' yer lee?"
I pouted. Was it me that he mistook for a girl?
"That is my son." Arthur growled lowly. "He is not a girl."
There was a moment of stunned silence before Scott spoke.
" Ye huv kids?" he asked. " Howfur th' hell's bells did ye dae that? Did ye kidnap thaim aff th' wynd or something?"
"No you dimwit. I adopted them of course! How else do you think one would get children?"
" Weel th' usuall wey is huvin throwing a sausage up a close.." Scott retorted. " Bit I'm sure ye ken a' aboot that. Howfur th' hell wid a'body let ye near bairns anyway? Ye aren't exactly parent material."
"Do I look like I'm a punk any longer? I'm 30 years old Scott! I left that behind when I relized it was just Peter and I."
Once again there was silence and then the scraping of chairs and heavy footfalls comming my way. I just barely managed to tumble away and hide in a closet before they both walked past me.
"Don't be so bloody loud you wanker." Arthur whispered. "Peter isn't even home. He's staying over with a friend.
Scott had yet to answer but footfalls stopped so I guessed he'd found Peters room.
" He's grown sae muckle."Scott whispered suddenly so I guessed he'd found the family picture.
"You didn't exactly think he'd shrinked did you?" Arthur scoffed.
" Ah thought… bit he… howfur?" he finally settled on asking.
"This isn't the time nor place to talk about that. He's alright, that's all you need to know."
The two started to descend the stairs again and ended up just outside my closet.
"How did you find me?" Arthur asked all of the sudden.
Scott let out an awkward laugh.
" It wasn't easy, I'll tell ye that muckle. I've bin keekin fur ye fur mair than 10 years damit bit a' three o' yer damn guid at hiding whin yi'll waant tae."
"All three of us?" Arthur asked.
" Shamus git lagged doon by Patrick bit he said he'd fin' us efter oan 'n' Uilleam said he'd gang back 'n' fin' ye. Th' neist thing ah knew, ye wur a' gaen.
At foremaist ah thought ye micht huv bin taken bit whin ah returned hame, thare wis hee haw mair than flames. Th' polis confirmed that na yin hud bin hurt in th' fire. Da wis gaen. I've bin keekin fur th' five o' ye ever sin." Scott finished followed by a dead silence.
"He's looking for us, isn't he?" Arthur said finally almost quiet enough for me not to hear him.
" Th' ainlie reason ah fun ye wis fur ah cried Francis. Ah think I've cried him a thousand times 'n' asked if he knew 'n' this time he tellt me th' truth."
"The frog gave me away?" Arthur growled.
" Relax Arthur. Ye shuid be glad he did."
Yet again there was silence before Scott continued.
" Ah fun Shamus." he said finally.
"You found him?"
" Yup he'd bin hiding at a boozer in Dublin wi' Patrick."
"That's wonderfull, is it not?" there was a hint of hessitation in Arthurs voice.
" Unfortunately ah wasn't th' foremaist tae fin' thaim."
"What happened and why are you here?"
" Ah fun Shamus in his appartment tied up 'n' a'maist gubbed tae death. He's in th' hospital noo wi' police-men patrolling th' area in trial he'd shaw up tae finish him o'."
"And Patrick?" Arthur asked lowly.
" That's how come I'm 'ere. Shamus is in a coma 'n' Patrick needs somewhere safe tae bade until…"
"Where is he now?" Arthur interupted.
" Ah asked th' polis tae stairt keekin fur him th' moment ah relized he wis missing 'n' thay fun him in some alley doon toun. He's wi' th' polis noo talking tae psychiatrist. "
"When can you get him here?" Arthur asked, his voice stronger now than before.
" Ah, uh, as soon as Tuesday ah think. Bit urr ye sure ye kin handle it. He's a lot lik' ye whin ye wur young 'n' ye'v awready git twa kids tae tak' care o'"
"I don't care if he's a punk, nerd, goth or jock. He's my brother and if taking care of another young man in the family means I can help him, I'll do it."
There was the sound of moving and I guessed Scott hugged Arthur again.
"I'll be back soon."
"Alright take care of yourself until then."
There was some moving and then the door was closed and a car was turned on outside. I listened carefully and heard Arthur move up the stairs and in the blink of an eye, I bolted out of the closet and into my bed. I just barely managed to get the covers up before the sound of footsteps in the hall came again and my door creaked open. Footfalls and then a hand running through my hair. I heard Arthur sigh deeply and then felt him press a kiss to my hair.
"I love you kids so much." he whispered. "Please forgive me."

I barely got any sleep that night. How could I after what I heard? For 10 years my life had been fairly normal, not counted my constant illness, and now it appeared that we lived that life because dad had been hiding from someone the past years who might want to hurt him. I guessed he'd get hurt concidering what happened to his brother and how scared he'd sounded. I'd never heard him that scared. Yes, worried sick about someone, but never scared. And what was Mr. Bonnefoys part in all this. I didn't even know the two of them were friends. Now an uncle (I guessed) who also was hunted was coming to our house and was probably mentally scared for life and a complete nutcase. And then something else had dawned on me. We only had 6 real bedrooms. Logan was cool with sleeping in the attick but where would this Patrick sleep? Nearing 5 in the morning I finally managed to fall asleep again, lulled to sleep by Logan's snoring.

I woke up again around 10 with a growling stomach and warm sun hitting my face. The quick moment of serenity vanished however when I noticed what was going on in my room. There was Logan. Sitting on a chair. Reading a poem. MY poem. That I wrote about him. A few months ago. And complete forgotten. I couldn't move. My body was frozen in it's place, allowing Logan to read my feelings. Suddenly he looked up and smiled widely at me.
"Great, you're up! Artie wants us all in the kitchen for some family meetings."
"Why are you reading that… thing." I breathed out finally.
For a moment Logan looked confused but then hiss mile widened.
"This? Found it in your drawer. It's really good! Kinda dark but it's good. I especially like the last part. I feel you, holding me near. I feel you, drying each tear. I feel you taking all fear. I feel you and I hold you dear. It's nice, but is this the end? Don't get me wrong it's great but it's seems kind of like you're accepting that you can't have her. Who is she by the way?"

Finally my body reacted. Logan didn't know it was him. How could he? I'd never mentioned anything about her.

"It… It…" I wracked my brain for a name. "It's none of your bussiness." I finally chocked out and lunged for the poem. Logan was quick to avoid and prevent me from colliding with the desk.
"Relax bro, no need to get pissy. I was just curious. It's a great poem."
I allowed him to help me up in his big arms before shooting him what I hoped looked like a glare and headed for the kitchen.

Logans POV.

To think that Jamie had written that poem was amazing but to think he could look so absolutely adorable while pouting was just beyond comprehension. It was like watching a hamster trying to look mad. Ignoring the blush spreading on my cheeks I followed Jamie to the kitchen where the rest of my family was gathered. Arthur smiled when we entered but it seemed tense.
"There you boys are. Sit down will you?"
I did as told and much to my disdain Jamie made it his point to sit as far away from me as possible.
"So what's up Artie?" I asked hoping the use of his nickname could ease the tension a bit. It didn't.
"Well I have some news for you." Arthur said with a somewhat forced smile.
"What's the matter Arthur?" Marie asked kindly. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh no, not at all. My brother is coming over for a longer visit, that's all."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I didn't even know he had any brothers other than Peter. Judging by the surprised looks on everyones features, neither did they. Peter tilted his head in confusion.
"I didn't know I had any other brothers." He said with a pout.
Arthur responded by stroking his hair like he tended to do whenever someone was upset.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about them. We aren't that close I'm afraid so I rarely see them either."
"If you're not close, then why is one of them coming here?" Charlie asked bluntly.
"Well my youngest brother, other than Peter, is going through a rough patch and so my dad asked if he could stay here for a while to catch up on life."

I couldn't help but frown a little at that. Judging by what I heard of the dude last night he didn't sound like the guy who cared about his kids or talked to Arthur on regular basis.

"Where will he sleep?" Jamie asked.
That was a question to ponder. Arthur seemed to ponder it as well. It would be hard nut to crack.
"Isn't it obvious?" Unless you're Marie of course.
Arthur looked at her questionly motioning to continue.
"Well he can't sleep in Peters room, it's a warzone and would take too long to clean. I'm sure he wouldn't want to sleep in Wy's room with all the pink and stuff, we have to make him feel at home, Charlie's room smells like firecrackers and I doubt he wants share room with a girl."
"Nor will I let him." Arthur added.
"So the options are following. Either you let him sleep in the attick with Logan, or you let him sleep in your room, something I doubt you want, or you let him sleep in Jamies room. I'd say Jamies room is the best. It's clean and normal and not creepy. I mean you can't send the poor guy to sleep in the attic."
"Your plan is quiete excelent Marie, but you forget that there is no room for two people in James' room." Arthur reasoned softly but the almost crazy smile on Marie's face didn't falter.
"That's no problem! Jamie can sleep with Logan!"
I almost choked on my own spit and felt my cheeks burn.
"Why the fuck does me and Jamie having sex got to do with anything?" I yelled out causing Arthur to shoot me a glare. Marie giggled.
"Talk about a dirty mind. I meant that the best solution would be to put another bed in the attic and let Jamie sleep there. There's plenty of space, Logan's made it all cozy and stuff, if anything happened Logan would be there to save the day and carry Jamie down the stairs in the blink of an eye. Now you don't have to worry that something might happen when Jamie is alone in his room any longer!"
I listened to this explanation and felt my cheeks burn red. How could I possibly have thought Marie was talking about sex between me and Jamie? And how on earth did I even make that conclution rather than sleeping in the same room? And most importantly, why did the thought affect me the way it did. I really needed a cold shower for some reason. Suddenly there were the sounds of footsteps in the stairs and then a girls voice.
"Baby, my head hurts."
Both Arthur and I froze. How, how, how, had I forgotten that my girlfriend was sleeping uppstairs in nothing but my jacket. Fuck. Far too soon in my oppinion she appeared in the kitchen in nothing but my jacket. Jamie was quick to cover Peters eyes as did Marie with Wy and Arthur with Charlie. I just sat the frozen gazing at the countless of hikeys. Carrie looked at us in confusion.
"Whatcha doin?"
Finally reacting I got up and pulled of my T-shirt.
"Put something on Carrie, there's children here."
"I'm not a kid." Charlie muttered but it went unheard.
Carrie giggled stupidly but accepted the shirt.
"Oh wearing your clothes Logie, you must really like me!"
I just rolled my eyes.
"Are you still drunk?" I asked tiredly while searching for aspirin in the cabinets. I knew Arthur kept a box there in case of headache.
Carrie giggled again.
"Totally not, I'm soo sober. Hey where's Kevin?"
I looked at her in cofusion.
"Kevin? Why would Kevin be here?"
Carrie sunk down in a chair, completely disregarding the fact that I'd sitten there moments before.
"He picked me up last night so I figured he'd stay here as well."
"I was the one to pick you up, Kevin didn't do a thing." I tried to supress my irritation and not to curse. I'd promised I'd try and make things work but to do that I needed to remain calm. Carrie smirked at me while accepting the cup of water and aspirin.
"Oh I wouldn't say that if I were you. He did me pretty good last night."
Arthur choked on his tea.
"Do forgive me Caroline. It is as always a delight to have you over but we are in the middle of a family crisis so if you could perhaps gather your stuff and allow Logan to drive you home, it would be a great joy to all of us."
I blinked in surprise. Well that was unexpected. Not to say that I was glad to have Carrie out of my hair for a day or so but still.
"Like, I don't know how it happened, but I don't really have any clothes."
This morning was really not in my favor.
"Don't worry about it." Marie said pleasantly. "Most guys in town has already seen you naked anyway."
I choked on what I was drinking. Did Marie just said that?
Carrie glared at her.
"Bitch, did you just call me a slut?"
"You made that conclusion not me." Marie snapped back.
For a moment Carrie was silent then she let out a soft laugh.
"That's so sweet. You think that since you're Logans sister you can talk to me however you like." Her face soured again. "But let me make it clear to you. I don't care if I was actually having sex with your brother,"
I watched with a sinking feeling how Arthur's face grew colder and darker.
" unless your freaky dad suddenly turns into the king of France,"
His eyebrows twitched dangerously.
"you are nothing but the school freak."
I noted with with a soar heart the hurt look on Maries face.
"That's it." Finally Arthur stood up with his face a deep red.
"Logan take Caroline home now then you will come right back home do you understand?"
I swallowed. Arthur wasn't one to get angry at us but this was scaring me.
Without further ado I grabbed Carrie by the wrist and pulled her to the door grabbing carkeys on the way. I had no idea how I'd be able to keep this relationship intact.

The moment we got into the car I recieved a hard punch to the shoulder from Carrie.
"What the hell was that for!" I yelped, rubbing the spot. Who'd have thought a girl like her could hit so hard? Carrie glared at me.
"I can't believe you didn't defend me in there! She fucking called me a slut!"
I shot her a glare back as I started the car.
"You weren't exactly nice either. Just because she acted poorly doesn't mean you have to."
Carrie groaned in annoyance.
"OMG Logan stop acting like you're an adult or anything! You're starting to sound like your dad."
I shot her a quick glare.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is it bad that I don't have the maturity of a 5 year old any longer? For gods sake Carrie! We're a one and a half year from gradutation! You have to stop acting like a spoiled brat and grow up!"
Carrie pouted (as usual).
"I'm sorry Mr. Kirkland. Have I been a naughty girl? Do I need a spanking perhaps?"
I almost choked on my own spit.
"What the hell is wrong with you!? Can't you just shut up!?"
For a moment I thought she'd actually listen and be quiet. I hoped for that so that we could calm down and talk things over properly. Unfortunately she wasn't planning on it. I yelped in surprise when I found a hand travelling a little far south for my comfort.
"K-knock it of Carrie." I almost stuttered. "I'm trying to drive you home."
Carrie pouted.
"You're so boring, when are you going to have sex with me? We've been dating for 3 months already!"
I shot her a glare through the rearview mirror.
"I've told you I'm not ready and wanted to wait."
"Wait for what? You're acting like some fucking virgin!" she snapped back.
I didn't respond to that. A mocking laugh erupted from her.
"You are a virgin, aren't you? That's why you're so scared."
I glared darkly at her.
"You certainly aren't." I muttered.
Carrie rolled her eyes.
"Are you still on about that? I slept with Simon, so what?"
"Simon?" I asked in confusion. "You were with Eric at Halloween and Luke last night! What the fuck! And you asked for Dave last night and Kevin this morning!"
At that moment we finally reached her house.
"Get out. We're here." I muttered without looking at her.
Carrie groaned in annoyance.
"I have no idea what's wrong with you but have better straightened out until the dance! We have the chance of becoming the star couple and I will not let you ruin that for me."
With those words she slammed the door shut and walked of to her house. I knew Arthur wanted me back at once but I needed some time to think. With a tired sigh I pressed my forehead to the steeringwheel. I loved Carrie, I think, but each moment I spend with her gave me more pain than joy. It was obvious she was still a kid while I had somehow grown up the past few months with Jamie being sick all the time and Arthur acting strange. It was a bittersweet moment to know that he at least still took the parenting seriously. I startled when there was a buzzing in my pocket. I checked the phone and gave a small smile to see Estebans name on the screen.
"Hey Es, wazup?" I asked tiredly. I didn't feel like lying to him about my feelings at the moment.
"Is everything okay amigo?" I heard him ask worriedly. "I never saw you come home last night but then there was this dude at your door and then you just walked of."
"We brought Carrie to our place during the night but Arthur sent her home this morning." I paused with a frown. "There was a dude at our door last night?" I asked.
"Si, couldn't tell what he looked like but he stood there like ten minutes and then he just walked off."
"When the hell was this?"
"Not sure really, maybe around 3 I think. I woke up feeling hungry so I went to the kitchen for some ice-cream and when I looked out the window he was just standing there."
"Creepy." I said with a shrug. "Maybe it was just some neighbour who was talking a walk then thought, hey those are nice stars lets watch." I suggested with a nervous laugh.
Esteban laughed nervously as well.
"Yeah, maybe... Sorry I gotta go, I'm meeting up with hermano I just wanted to know that you were okay."
I smiled warmly, the first real smile in what felt like forever.
"Yeah thanks mate. Take care you too."
"Adios amigo."
And the line went dead. I heaved a great sigh before turning on the engine. Arthur was going to kill me if I was any more late than I already were.

Arthur's POV

It broke my heart to come to the second floor only to find Marie crying in her bed. Very seldom had I seen her upset and I'd be damned to allow it to go on for long. Carefully I sat myself down next to her on the bed.
"Marie?" I said softly while running my fingers through her soft hair.
"Go away." she cried, her voice muffled from the pillow. "I don't want to hear it."
"Hear what?" I asked even though I had my guessings.
Marie moved for a moment to glare at me with watery eyes.
"All that stupid parenting stuff about how to treat other
"Aren't you gonna start the worlds longest lecture on how rude I was towards our guest and how unladylike I'm behaving.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise and couldn't help but chukle.
"Dear not at all. Quite frankly I'm thankfull you said the things you did before I did. Could you imagine the chaos if I were to call my sons girlfriend a slut?"
Marie looked at me in stunned silence. I smiled
"I think we can all agree that Caroline is an godawfull bitch and should not be let into this house."
"So why do you let her?" Marie asked, yet again with her head in the pillow.
I hessitated. I'd told Logan far too much last night. The fewer who knew the better.
"My lecture can't be the only thing getting you this upset." I said gently hoping to divert her attention elsewhere. Truth was that I wanted to kick her out and forbid Logan from ever seeing her again, seeing as she was nowhere near good enough for him. But that meant doing the exact thing my father had done to me when he found out about my relationship. How could I know if she was the one or not?
"I hate her." Marie said softly. "She does everything she can to humiliate me and now she's turning Logan against me. Why wasn't he supporting me? Do I mean that little to him?"
I felt my heart grow heavy hearing her words.
"I think Logan is extremely confused about life right now and he needs some guidance in order to find his way. He does love you very dearly and I'm sure that once he's found his place on earth, he'll prove it to you as well."
There was a moment of silence and I rubbed her back soothingly while the sobbings calmed down. I was sure there was more to hear grief but I wasn't going to be the one pushing her.
"Please tell me if there's something else bothering you." I whispered. "I love you so much and all I truly want is your happiness."
"It still feels like I disgraced the family though." Marie whispered.
I chuckled softly and couldn't resist the urge to kiss her on top of her head.

"Darling angel." I murmured. "I have no idea who made you think that you could ever disgrace me but know this. I am never more proud of you than next second."
"That doesn't even make sense."
I tried my hardest not to smile.
"Of course it does. Because whatever you do with your life each second of it will make me prouder and prouder.

A/N Mission of the day: Make you hate Carrie! Did I succeed? Please review!