Chapter Twenty-Three
Bobby burst into hysterical laughter when he saw Cracker Jack. Lock smirked proudly, patting his shoulder, and vanished down to her room. Jack huffed and collapsed to the couch, giving his new 'tatts' a good look.
"She's good," Bobby snickered as he observed her work.
"Yeah," Jackie smirked. "I've pretty much started a war. . ."
"That's not a shock," he rolled his eyes. "Hey, do you think she'd design a new tatt for me?"
"Piss her off and she'll give you some new ones," he laughed, tracing 'fairy' on his stomach.
"For real, Cracker Jack," he examined his brother closely, seeing just how much talent Stray had. "I've been thinkin' about gettin' a new one. . ."
"What, you don't like the barbed wire on your arm?" his little brother teased. "Or the flames up your side? Or 'Mauler' on your stomach?"
"You have more tatts in weirder places, fairy," he nodded his head toward his hips. "So don't even start."
"Jesus," hazel eyes rolled sarcastically, "bitchy. . .she might. . .What were you thinking?"
"Something on my back. . .between the shoulders. . ."
"Like?" Jack asked, shaking his head as he saw 'Cracker Jack' on his other side.
"She can choose. . .as long as it ain't nothing like 'fairy'. . ."
"Hey, princess!" Lock teased Jack as she appeared with the camera. "Stand up, so the drawings aren't all messed up. . ."
"Fine," Jack growled, standing and holding his arms out.
"Thank you," Stray said sweetly, taking a few pictures.
"Stray," Bobby smirked, watching the two teens, "think I could talk you into designin' me a tattoo?"
"Depends on what you want. . ." she said, moving Jack's arms to get those drawings.
"Well, what can you do?" he asked.
"A little of everything really," she smirked. "Where are you plannin' on getting the new one?"
"Here," he said, touching between his shoulders.
"Hmmmm. . ." she took a second to think. "I think I have an idea. . .Hang on. . ."
Good, now I can have a talk with her. . .Though Jackie's 'talk' seemed to do the trick. . .he smirked.
Stray smiled at Jack, playfully tapping his face, and disappeared back to her room before he could get her back. Jack went to chase her, but Bobby hooked his arm and yanked him back.
"Leave it, princess," he said firmly. "Go see if you can wash some of that shit off. . ."
"What's you deal, Bobby?" Jack twisted away from him.
"You two and your damn cuddlin'," he growled, grinning. "Makes me sick."
"And?" Jack knew Bobby too well.
"And I'm plannin' on having my chat with Stray, you nosy little son of a bitch," he grumbled, playfully shoving his brother toward the stairs.
"All right! All right!" Jack whined. "I'm goin'! I'm goin'!"
Jack trudged up the steps, stripping his clothes on the way, and Bobby thanked heaven Stray didn't happen to walk into the living room. After he heard Jackie turn on the water, and he was positive the brat was in the shower, he walked down to Stray's room.
"Kiddo, can I come in?" he asked as he knocked.
"Sure," she said. "Here, look. . .This is what I was thinking. . ."
He walked over, sitting next to her on the bed, and took her sketch. It was perfect, just the thing he wanted, and he grinned at her.
"Perfect!" he handed it back. "That's great, Stray. . .would you--uhh--" he trailed off, not really knowing how to ask the question.
"Want me to draw it on you?" she asked casually.
"Yeah," he snickered, pulling his shirt off. "I mean. . . that way we can see how it'll look. . ." he still felt odd.
"No issue," she said, grabbing a marker and sitting behind him. "Sorry if it tickles. . ."
"If it makes you uncomfortable, Stray. . .just say so and stop. . ."
"Bobby, to me you're just another human sketch. . .Why would I feel uncomfortable?" she leaned around to look at him. "You're like a big brother to me. . ."
Bobby positively melted when the girl said that, feeling warm and fuzzy all over, and more than anything: accomplished. He'd reached the girl on the level he wanted, as a family member--as a protector.
God, I remember when she wouldn't let me within three feet of her. . .he thought. And now look at her: drawing on my back. . .
"All right, Stray," he grinned. "I'm just coverin' my ass. . ."
"I know. . ."
"Can I ask you somethin' about this tatt idea?"
"Sure," she said, starting on him.
"Are you implying something with the whole 'No Mercy' bit?"
"I've heard the tales, Bobby," she snickered. "I just thought it was a cool idea. . ."
"I'm not complainin', Stray," he laughed. "I love it! It's ironic. . .perfect for me. . ."
"Bobby. . .Angel tells me that you used to be in ballet. . .that true?" she teased.
"That fucker!" he growled.
"So, it is!" she giggled, rubbing his shoulder. "It's all right, Bobby. . .I won't tease you that much. . ."
"Well, thanks for that I guess. . ." he grumbled. "Stray, I need to have a serious talk with you. . ."
"Am I in trouble?" she whispered.
"No, kiddo," he assured her. "It's about your situation here, with us. . .that's all. . ."
"Oh," she sounded relieved. "Fine then."
"If you ever think of runnin'. . .first think of me an' Jackie. . .what it would do to us. . ." he sucked with words. "Come talk to us, Lock. . .please. . ."
He paused to see if she would respond, but it was clear that she wasn't going to. He took a breath, got his head together, and dove back in.
"We will not hurt you, Stray. Ever. I'm actually doing all I can to protect you. . .Lemme tell you, I never thought I'd enjoy being on probation and havin' to stay within a ten mile radius of my house as much as I am. . .and I honestly think it's cuz of you being here. . ."
Talking is definitely not my specialty. . .besides with Cracker Jack. . .shit. . .
"Me?" she mumbled. "Why me? All I do is start problems, push you guys away, pull you close, shove you away again. . .I'm fucked up. . ."
"In case you haven't noticed who you're livin' with," he said. "Let me refresh your memory. Jerry is the only successful one out of us, he's got a family and a steady, legal job. Angel was a Marine straight outta high school, he's still livin' at home, and he's seen his fair share of time in a cell. Cracker Jack came from shit like you. . .he had to be 're-trained' if you get me. . .I made him finish high school, he went on tour, got booted for being himself, fell in 'love' with Kett. . .he was a mini-me in his younger years, but I got him set straight, although he has seen a fair amount of cell bars too. . ." he trailed off, thinking of his baby brother.
"Don't forget you. . ." she breathed quietly.
"Me," he snickered, "I'm the worst of all us fucks. Been in and outta jail for as long as I can remember, for B and E's, assault, robbery. . You name it. . .No one wanted me but Ma. . .and I made her life hell for a long time. . .I've done two stretches in prison, so far. . .more if I don't straighten my dumb ass up. This is the longest I've stayed home in fucking years, Lock. . .I never finished high school. . .dropped out 'fore I flunked out, but that don't mean I'm an idiot. . .I just don't care. . ."
"Evelyn always forgives you?" she whispered.
"Every damn time, kiddo. No matter what sorta mess I get myself into, she's there with open arms and open heart afterwards. . .And I've done some bad shit. . ." he sighed, feeling odd for spilling so much about himself and Jackie.
"Bobby?" she murmured, done with his back.
"What, Stray?" he turned and looked into those phantom eyes.
"I'm still. . .wanting to run. . .Even though I told Jackie boy I'd stay. . .I'm fucking scared, Bobby. . .the urge to run is first nature to me. . .I'm having a hard time. . ." she wiped at tears that formed.
"You do wanna stay, right?" he asked, slowly offering her a hug. "Even though part of you wants to bolt, part wants to stay too, correct?"
"Bobby, I'm so terrified. . ." she cried, accepting his embrace.
"Tell me, Stray," he whispered, rubbing her back. "Tell me what's goin' on in that head of yours. . ."
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Lock felt Bobby's strong arms go around her, protecting her, comforting her, and she snuggled into him, bare chest or no. She could hear the big heart beating in his ribs, thudding a steady beat, and she relaxed a little. Bobby was nice, protective, strong, loving, caring, he was a big brother to her.
"Bobby," she murmured. "I'm scared that if I get close to you guys. . .something will happen and take it all away. . .like my parents. . .or that. . .I don't know. . ."
"Stray. . .why would you think that?" he asked, strong hands starting to massage her shoulders.
"I don't know. . .I've never let anyone this close to me. . .I'm in a new fucking world here. . .it's scary as shit. . .With all the stuff I've lived through. . ."
"Stray," he muttered, voice full of sympathy, "ain't nothing gonna happen to you here. . .I swear. . ."
Ask about Jackie. . .is he really so good. . .instinct whispered. Settle that battle in your mind. . .
"Bobby. . .is Jackie really a good guy?"
"The motherfucking best for you, kiddo," he soothed. "Has he ever done anything to suggest otherwise?"
"No. . .but it always started that way in the foster homes too. . .the guys--," she wasn't going to tell him that shit.
'See?' a boy panted, hand in her pants. 'Feels good, doesn't it?'
Lock growled, fighting the memories, and buried herself into Bobby's chest. He held her, stroking her hair, and absently rubbing her back. She managed to stop the flood this time, accidentally biting Bobby and gouging him to do it. Yet, Bobby still held onto her, giving her the comfort she needed.
"Trust me, Stray," he said firmly. "Jackie ain't no scumbag."
"No, I'm not," Jack muttered, making her jump.
"Cracker Jack," Bobby scolded. "I swore I told you to stay upstairs. . ."
"No, it's all right. . .he can stay down here. . .please. . ." she whispered into his chest.
"You sure?" he muttered.
She nodded into him, un-hiding her face, and curling on her side against the man. Jack sat on the bed, swinging his legs up, and leaned back against the wall at the head of her bed. She couldn't look at him, not with what she had just asked about him, but did want his hand. He seemed to somehow know this, his warm hand slowly finding hers, and she laced their fingers together.
"So, Lock," Bobby said. "You stayin' or what?"
"If I run, what'll you do?" she felt better, taunting him.
"Hunt you down and drag your ass back here," he growled playfully. "Don't think I won't!"
"I believe you would hunt me down, Bobby," she snickered a little. "But what about you Jackie?"
"Tinkerbell?" Bobby laughed. "He'd be the first one to sic me on ya'! Trust me, he'd be right out there with me. . ."
"Bet your ass I would be!" Jack snickered. "And don't call me 'Tinkerbell'! You know I hate that shit!"
"Sorry, Cracker Jack," Bobby was honest. "It slipped."
"Yeah," he muttered.
I guess I will stick around here. . .I fit right in. . .but. . .maybe they'll let me stay with Ransom or somethin. . .just so I can get out sometimes. . .
"Princess is still all right?" she teased.
"And Cracker Jack? And Fairy?" Bobby joined.
"Yeah," he growled, brining Lock's hand to his mouth and gently biting it. "Don't forget Jackie boy."
"OW!" she giggled. "I won't! Don't bite!"
"Enough of that 'cute' shit, you two," Bobby said. "You'll make me fucking sick."
"I think you're jealous," she teased him now.
"Nah, I think you're too young, Stray," he messed up her hair. "Sides, you're like my baby sister. . .well, aside from princess over there!" he messed up Jack's hair now.
"I didn't mean like that," she moved to the foot of the bed, ready to run. "I meant that you'd rather Jackie boy be chewin' on your hand!"
"Why you!" he hollered, chasing after her as she ran.
She laughed and flew up the steps, Bobby close behind her, and thought that this must be what it feels like to be home. He caught her at the top step, quickly hooking her arms behind her back, and pinned her.
"Jack!" he yelled, laughing. "Get up here and tickle her!"
"Don't you fucking dare!" she giggled as he appeared, and struggled against Bobby. "You will so be in--!"
She was cut short as Jack's expert hands attacked her sides, yelping and laughing all at the same time. She squirmed hard in Bobby's grasp, really trying to get free, but he was too strong for her. Evelyn walked into the kitchen to see what all the noise was, laughing as she witnessed Lock being part of a 'family'.
"All right!" she called. "That's more than enough you three."
Jack let up immediately, loyally obeying him mother, but Bobby got in a few tickles of his own, making her shriek and squirm. Evelyn gave him a stern warning look and he released her, still laughing.
"Jack Mercer!" she cried, seeing his chest. "What happened to you?!"
"I'm at war," he laughed, pointing to Lock. "By the way, that doesn't count as part of our little war. No family involved, member?"
"You're still dead meat, Jackie boy," she growled with a smile.
He stuck his tongue out at her, then walked upstairs to put a shirt on. Bobby shook his head, pushing his dark brown hair from his face, and smiled at her.
"Stray, mind grabbing me my shirt?" he asked.
"No problem," she grinned, bounding down the steps to retrieve her brother's shirt.