Chapter 8

Bobby walked down the steps, almost dying of shock when he saw the two teens. They were covered in paint: red, neon green, orange, purple, hot pink, silver! He could only guess they had a paint fight, seeing the hand prints on Lock's face and Jack's face and his stomach. Jack was leaning on the far wall, he looked about ready to pass out or something.

"I thought you said you were painting you room, Stray," he smiled. "Not each other. Jesus, look at you two! You look like someone puked Skittles or somethin'."

"Taste the rainbow!" Lock laughed, wiping a purple hand on his face.

"Don't get me all dirty damn it!" he snapped, still smiling. "These are my good clothes."

"Oh, oops. Sorry, Bobby."

"No big thing," he grinned. "Just keep away from me with those nasty hands."

"What do you think of my room?" she asked, gesturing the place with her arm.

"Looks good," he looked the teens over again. "But you both need to get cleaned up 'fore Ma sees this. She will flip! Lock, go get a shower. Don't touch nothin'!"

Jackie boy, what is your issue? You look embarrassed. . .terrified. . .

"All right," she smirked. "I'll be quick so Jack can get one too."

He watched her jog up the steps, she had paint all over her back too, and her-.

"Lock! Boots! They're fucking covered in paint!" he bellowed.

"Oh shit!" she froze at the top step. "Watch out!"

Her combat boots sailed down the stairs, landing on the floor, and she hurried on to her shower. Bobby turned his focus to Jackie.

"Cracker Jack, you okay?"

The young teen raised his head, looking almost confused, then stared at his bare, paint covered, feet. He shifted nervously, blushing a deep red, and bit his lip. Bobby took a closer look at the paint on his baby brother and realization bitch slapped him in the face.

Dude, they fuckin' did something! Those have got to be her hands on his stomach and face. . .NAH! Cracker Jack ain't that bold. . .or is he?

"Jackie," he couldn't help but grin, "you kissed her, didn't you?"

Hazel eyes went wide, strong jaw clenched, and the youngest looked as if he were an animal in a trap. The teen shifted, looking for a way out, and Bobby saw just how scared he was. This was a "Big Brother" moment if the teen ever needed one.

"A'ight fairy," he laughed, "fess up! C'mon, it's written all over that face of yours--in paint. Spill."

"Bobby. . .please. . .man, don't tell Ma," the teen pleaded. "Or Lock that you know, please!"

He thinks I'm gonna pound him. . .for what? Liking Lock? Jesus, he's more fucked in the head than I ever thought. . .

"Cracker Jack," he laughed, shaking his head, "man, you crack me up."

"What?"

"Kid, I know you kissed her. It's obvious."

"It wasn't like that. . .it was innocent. . ." Jack muttered to his feet. "I swear!"

"Jackie, look at me," hazel eyes slowly met his. "I'm not pissed that you kissed her. I know damn well that Stray would have kicked your ass, had she not kissed you back."

"How did you know?"

"I'm your big brother, stupid!" he laughed. "It's my job to know this stuff, came in the description."

Jack stayed silent, shuffling his bare feet, and staring at the paint patterns on them. Bobby didn't want to embarrass the kid any more, but it really couldn't be avoided- it was a big brother thing to do.

"So, how was it, Jackie boy?" he smiled.

Jack blushed a deep maroon, a shy yet cocky grin slowly spread on his mouth, and he glanced up at Bobby. He shook his head, grinning, and pressed his lips together in an "I'm not telling" manner.

"Jack Mercer! Don't be a fuckin' brat!" he growled with a grin.

"It was amazing, Bobby!" Jack glowed. "Absolutely mind blowing. . .but innocent, understand?"

"Yeah, I get it," he laughed. "Don't push your luck with this one, Jack. . .she's uhhh. . .well. . .fragile in a sense. . ."

"I know that. . .it's funny to think of Lock as fragile. . ." Jack snickered.

"Hey, Jackie!" Lock called down the steps.

"What Lock?" he called back, avoiding Bobby's eyes again.

"Would you mind," she walked into her room, clad in her paint covered clothes, "if I took some pictures of you while you're still covered in paint? I think it'd look cool. . ."

Jack gave Bobby a nervous look while Lock was busy looking through all her stuff under her bed for the camera. The teen had a thing about getting his picture taken, he didn't hate it, but didn't love it either. Most of the pictures Ma had were of the kid when he wasn't aware that his photo was being taken, but they looked nice--hell, they were very artistic looking.

"God dammit, where the hell is my camera?" Lock growled, laying on the floor and searching deeper under her bed.

Bobby gave Jack a sympathetic look, shrugged his shoulders, and walked upstairs. This was one thing that his little brother would have to decide on his own.

---------------------------------------------------

"Jack, do you mind?" Lock asked, holding her camera up.

The hazel-eyed teen looked at her shyly, biting his lip, and shifting uncomfortably. He put his thumbs in his belt loops and seemed to think things over.

"You don't even have to look at the camera," she murmured. "I mean. . ."

"If I can take some pictures of you," he smirked, "then sure."

What does he mean by that? Take pictures of me?. . .

Jack picked up a brush, dipped it in the silver paint, and looked at her. He smiled playfully, but didn't move from where he was. Lock felt a slight panic take hold of her chest, but reminded herself that this was Jack-- not Kett or someone else.

"Jack, I just took a shower," she eyed him nervously.

"So? You can take another one. . ." he trailed off, seemingly realizing his mistake. "Shit, I'm sorry, Lock. . ."

"Hell, you know what?" she set the camera to 'color' and looked for a place to put it. "I'm already back in the clothes, so why not?"

She looked at him with a smile, his hazel eyes glinted playfully, and he smirked back. She found a spot to place the camera, checking to see if it was in the right position, and set it to automatic. Now, it would take pictures constantly, until the film was used up, and they could both be in the pictures.

"So, that's a yes?" he smiled as she grabbed her own 'weapon' and dipped it in the hot pink.

"I hope you like pink," she giggle, darting over to him. "The camera's on automatic. . .so we're set, just stay-."

The paint brush stopped her as it was drug across her face- just as the first flash went off. Jack laughed, head tipping back, and Lock put an X on his exposed throat. It was like being a child, one who's allowed to be a kid, and she relished the feeling. They laughed and attacked each other with paint, circling one another. Lock saw Bobby come back downstairs, in different clothes, and eventually the oldest Mercer joined the teens.

Lock, what are you doing her instinct shouted. This is not how you stay distant from these guys! You've already kissed Jack!

Her screaming mind was cut short when Jack wrapped around her from behind. The teen held her as Bobby picked up a nearly empty paint can and a brush, he stalked toward them with a childish smirk on his face. Jack laughed, tightening his grip, and Lock giggled and squirmed.

"Bobby! No! Don't!" she laughed as he put the brush in the can. "Bobby! You're the grown-up here!"

"Get her, Bobby!" Jack's deep voice laughed in her ear- sending a bolt of tingles down her spine.

She squeaked as the oldest man moved in, an evil grin on his face, and backed into Jack. It was a sorry excuse at escape, but she didn't really want to get away. Bobby put the paint-filled brush to her face, laughing, and put a streak on her cheek.

"Bobby!" she giggled, shrinking into Jack even more.

"Yeah, Stray?" the blue eyes sparkled.

"I think she wants a mark on the other side," Jack snickered, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"Oh, is that so?"

"No! Bobby, stop!" she begged between giggles.

The older man ignored her plea and put the paint on the other side of her face. She squirmed and laughed, her heart racing as Jack's arms tightened slightly. His deep laugh vibrated in his chest and against her back, making her shiver pleasantly.

"Oh, oops, Jackie boy," Bobby smiled, dragging the brush on his little brother's face. "Didn't see you there."

Lock looked at Jack's stunned face, as he rested on her shoulder, and burst into gales of laughter. Her sides were starting to burn from laughing so much, but it felt good. Her head went back onto Jack's shoulder as she laughed and one of his arms released her.

"Think this is funny?" he growled, grabbing the brush from Bobby.

Lock nodded, still giggling, and squirmed against his iron grip. Jack snickered and she felt him paint her neck, slowly dragging the brush down her skin. She squealed as the cold paint trickled under her shirt, shrinking into Jack's chest. Bobby stood, shaking his head and smiling as he watched them.

"Oh my lord!" Evelyn cried, staring at the three of them.

Oh shit! We're in so much trouble! She's gonna whip the hell outta me. . .or worse. . .she thought, cringing into Jack.

"Look at this room!" the woman laughed, turning and seeing it in it's entirety. "It's fantastic! Lock, was this your idea?"

She's trying to trick you with that laugh and smile. . .just like the others. . .she's furious under that grin. . .

"Stray," Bobby muttered, "she's not mad. . .it's all right."

Liar!! Liar!!!

She sank farther into Jackie, wishing desperately that she could vanish, and slowly nodded her head. Her heart pounded in her chest and she searched for an escape. Jack slowly put his mouth to her ear and she whimpered, squeezing her eyes closed.

"Lock, she's not pissed at us," he murmured. "Please, trust me when I tell you that she will not hurt you."

"Boys, would you please go upstairs and get cleaned up?" Evelyn asked, holding the door open.

Oh fuck. . .No guys, please don't leave me. . .her brain whispered.

Bobby nodded and moved to the door, looking at Lock and smiled a warm smile. Jack hugged her briefly, as Evelyn spoke to Bobby, and she felt his lips behind her ear.

"You'll be fine, Lock," he breathed. "Trust me."

Trust. . .that's the fucking issue! I don't trust people. . .at all. . .How can I? With the life I've led?