*sigh* god-damnit. Why can't I quit you, ?

*Tweek's P.O.V.*

With Craig asleep on my couch in the basement, (I didn't watch him sleep. At all. That would be creepy) I snuck up to my room and made a quick dial to a certain blonde boy.

Briing.

"Good morning, sunshine. How is Boy Toy this morning?"

He and Sam stayed in touch way too often.

"Sleeping. Tell me about last night."

"Exactly what he said. I was making my rounds through town, when I saw a couple shady-looking fuckers surrounding Craig's house. Approximately six guys all in black with switchblades and handguns, one guy had a bat. I took 'em out, got Craig out of the house, and dropped them off at the station."

I was at my computer now, logging on. "You didn't find out who sent them?"

"Of course I did, Cherry." His nickname for me. Ever since he found out I'm a virgin….ugh. "Is Jazz on?"

"Here," Kyle chirped over the line.

"Jesus, when are you not in my ear?" I exclaimed.

"What did you find?" Kyle asked, ignoring my outburst.

"Okay, get this. Remember that guy you out'ed last week? Marc, um, Marc Dillons?"

I closed my eyes and remembered last week. Physics test, history paper, driving to Denver, Subway stop, strangling a curly-haired guy in a motel, watching the Walking Dead, new coffee beans at Harbuck's.

"Yeah."

"Yes."

"Dude, it's his sister, Norah Dillons. Apparently she's taken over the family business since her dad's bedridden. I was told that Craig's dad asked them for a loan here and there and didn't pay up soon enough."

"Jazz?"

"I got it," Kyle said. "Norah Silvia Dillons, 24, born December 12. Arrested twice for charges of arson and battery. Father is Antony Dillons II. Currently Norah's got control over three different gangs." I could hear his fingers tapping the keys methodically. "These gangs are named Los Tigres, Black Teeth, and a branch of the Cosa Nostra. Spazz, you and Nadia have taken out at least 12 guys from these groups. There's probably a bounty on your heads. Though, now that I'm looking at what Craig's father did, its nothing compared to the bounty on his head.

"His dad borrowed $6,500 dollars all together with first transaction taking place in May. He had five months to repay it with a 5% monthly interest and never did. When they sent over a 'persuasive meeting group' he shot two of them and busted another one's head open in the alleyway by his work."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Not only did this asshole kill three of their members, but he put his son in danger because he owed them—

"Jazz?" I asked quietly. "How much does he owe them by now?"

Kyle was quiet for a minute. "$8775."

Silence.

"That is," Kyle continued uncomfortably, "if they aren't looking for compensation for their dead members or a late fee."

I felt my insides drop. They were definitely going to be looking for Craig's father. And what was the best way to fish out a parent? Hold their crying kid in front of them with a gun at their head. There were two problems with this logic, however. One, Craig's dad didn't give a shit about anyone but himself, and it didn't look like his mother was that different.

And two, Craig didn't cry.

I got on my laptop and looked through my schedule. In the next three weeks I had four missions planned. Two were in Colorado, one in Utah and another in Arizona.

"Jazz, cancel these missions. We've got a new objective."

I heard the tapping stop. "What?" Kyle asked, low and dangerous.

"Our new mission is to get Craig out of danger. Permanently."

"What?!" Kyle's voice rose to a snarl. "What makes you think you can just rewrite our entire schedule for him? Do you know what this means? Refunds, recalls, Nadia will have to track down our clients and inform them that we can't carry out their requests because one of our employees is having relationship troubles—"

"Then get Nadia to do them on her own again!" I retorted. "I'm not abandoning Craig right now."

"So you're going to track down the head of a gang, shut down her resources, and use up our time to help out your crush?"

"What if it was Stan?"

Kyle grew quiet. "It's different."

"Think what you want. But be sure you let Nadia know that I won't be going with her again until Dillons is shut down."

"Tweek—"

"Kyle!"

The creak of the basement door opening made me hit 'end' on my phone and slip into the kitchen, getting out two bowls and reaching for the fridge. I heard Craig shuffle into the room and felt my heart speed up a little, making my hands shake.

I turned my head and said, "G-good morning, Craig."

He gave me a 'humph' and stretched. I watched sneakily out of my peripheral as his loose black tee moved up to reveal a slice of pale, taught skin. The morning sun outlined his profile in a golden light, making his fair skin glow.

He walked over to the pantry. "You want Cherios or Lucky Charms?"

I looked up and thought about it a little too much. "Lucky Charms I g-guess."

"I'll have those too," his sleep-laced voice rumbled. I poured the cereal and milk and handed him a spoon, blushing when my fingers barely brushed against his. Stop acting like a girl, I chided myself, following him into the living room.

"Where are your parents?" Craig asked, turning on the TV.

"Hrk, at the c-café. 5:30 to 9 is the most profitable time for coffee p-purchases."

"Hm," he hummed, spooning the marshmallows and grains into his mouth. As he lifted the spoon, his short sleeves slid to remove the purple bruises on his biceps. I found I couldn't look away and was caught staring, his piercing eyes fixed on me.

"Gah! U-um, how are you feeling?"

He shrugged. "Fine, I guess. As good as I can be feeling after nearly getting kidnapped." He abruptly set down the bowl and turned to face me full-on, his face stony. "Tweek, I'm sorry I involved you in this. I don't want you to worry about this…thing. We only have a week more of school before break, so when we get out I'll fly out to my mom and figure out something from there…"

He trailed off uncertainly, leaning closer to me. I could see individual lashes lining those shifting blue eyes, the line of dark stubble on his chin and upper lip. His hair still smelled like shampoo. I felt dizzy.

"Promise me you won't get worked up over this. It's not that bad, so don't worry." He gave me a rare sight: a full-blown smile. "Got it, Tweekers?"

I swallowed. "I-I promise, Craig."

I'm so going to Hell.