Once more, like I say EVERYtime, you guys are amazing. Your reviews make me happier than you know. I love hearing your opinions.

So here's chapter 12:

Enjoy.

Joe glared at Cane, the threatening tone he used toward Nick did not sit well with the older brother. His whole body ached but he held his head high, not letting Cane see the damage he had done. He felt Nick move closer to him and it hurt to know that he could do nothing more to help his little brother while he was tied to a chair.

"It's okay Nicky," Joe whispered into Nick's ear.

Nick closed his eyes tightly, mentally kicking himself for still trying to get Joe to protect him after all he had done for him.

"Isn't that just the cutest thing you ever did see?" Cane looked at them, a smile that laid somewhere between amused and sadistic played across his face.

"Are you gonna save him Joe? Huh? Are ya?" Cane taunted him. Joe's bruised face became red with anger. He pulled at the ropes binding his hands but then winced and gasped for breath as the movement sent sharp pains through his rib cage.

Nick put a steady hand on Joe's shoulder, trying to calm him down, trying to keep him from hurting himself.

"I'll kill you," Joe said, his voice laced with hatred. Nick had never heard any tone of voice anywhere near that come out of his brother's mouth.

"I'm sure you'd like to kid," Cane said with a wry smile. "But ya see, the only problem with that is that your tied to a chair, and you can barely move."

"For now," Joe said simply.

"What makes you think I won't just kill you now? Huh?" Cane crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the two boys.

"Cause you would have done it already."

"You may be right, but what about Nick here? You think I won't kill him?"

Joe clenched his jaw at the thought of Cane touching his brother, "You think he's the reason your daughter's dead. Even though your wrong, it's still what you think, and that's why you won't kill him."

Nick looked at Joe, wondering what in the world he was talking about, also notcing how each word Joe spoke seemed to be more painful than the last.

"You wanna make our family suffer. That's why your doing this so slow."

"Your pretty smart, ya know that kid?" Cane said, rubbing his jaw, thinking over Joe's explanation.

"I don't need to hear it from an insane peace of white trash to know it's true," Joe said in that smart-ass way that always got him in trouble.

Cane glared, "What did you say to me?"

"I said-"

Nick cut him off, "He didn't say anything." Joe turned his head to look at him and saw fear in Nick's eyes. The last thing Nick wanted was to watch Joe get hurt just because he doesn't know how to keep his mouth closed.

"That's a good answer Nick," Cane said to him. "I've got some phone calls to make, I'll be back to deal with you two in a little while." Cane turned and exited the room, slaming the door behind him as he went.

The second he was gone Nick sank to the floor, tired of putting on a semi-brave face. He put his head in his hands and cried. Joe looked down at his little brother.

"Nick? You okay?" He was answered with a shake of curly hair.

"No? Well uh, me either, so do you think you could maybe, oh, i don't know, untie me?" Nick shot his head up, feeling like a jerk for not worrying after his brother first. He quickly moved behind Joe and made fast work of the knots. Moments later Joe's hands were free and he brought them immediatly to his chest, trying to subdue the pain that was gathered their.

"God the man has some hard boots," Joe said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Don't joke about this Joe. Your hurt, and this guys going to kill us," Nick said seriously, looking into his brother's pain filled eyes.

Joe sighed, "Yeah Nick, I'm hurt, but I'll survive. And he's not going to kill you. I won't let him."

"No," Nick said quickly. "I don't want you doing anything else for me. You almost got killed because you were protecting me."

Joe was about to respond when he started coughing. Each one sent a wave of pain through his chest and he could taste the blood in his mouth. He knew something was seriously wrong, but he was going to try his best to be strong for Nick's sake.

"Joe!" Nick put his hands on Joe's arm, trying in any way he could to sooothe his older brother's pain. Joe seemed to sense that he was scaring Nick, because a moment later his coughing was under control.

Nick stared at him, eyes wide with fear. Joe's eyes were clenched shut and his face was lined with pain. He opened his mouth and spit blood to the floor. When he opened his eyes, Nick was looking at him horrified.

"W-why is their blood Joe?"

Joe shook his head slightly, "I dunno bro, but don't worry about it. I'll be fine."

Nick just stared at him disbelievingly. He felt something in his bocket vibrate and formed a slight smile on his face.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Ray is so stupid," Nick said matter of factly.

"What do ya mean?"

Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

Joe formed a smile as well, "Well what are waiting for. Call someone."

Nick took a second, debating whether to call the police, Big Rob, his parents, or the person he wanted to see most. He finally decided that the police would make things messy, and that the other four people were all in the same place, so he flipped his phone open. He looked at Joe as he pressed the number 4 on his speed dial.

Joe knew already who Nick was calling. The person who would save them no matter what.

Their older brother.

Okay so this was really short and I'm sorry if it wasn't my best, but I'm going to update again this weekend.

I promise.

I'm just in a hurry right now cause I'm going to see the 3D hannah montana/jonas brothers movie concert thing right now.

So please tell me what you think.

[and I've had a few reviewers asking me to put Miley in the story more. I'm willing to do it if it's what you want to read about. So tell me if I should please.