A/N: Alrighty! Well, this chapter is pretty much the aftermath. You know, that whole 'blah, blah, blah' in between the action—its actually the longest chapter so far. I wanted to have it up before I left for California. I'll be gone for a week, so I wanted those who are following this story (thank you all for real) something to kinda mill over—at least for a few seconds until you jump to the next fic.

A week had passed since the incident—Huey had returned home from the hospital three days ago…and had said nothing to Riley since. Well, he had actually, but nothing outside of small talk—or rather—when he himself was spoken too. Riley found himself, after his brother's return, asking Huey every few hours or so that he was awake if he was alright. On the first day, he never got much of a response, as his brother was still on the pain-killers prescribed to him. The second day, he was awake for longer periods—reading of course. The third day—currently—he was moving a bit on his own now, but not much. He didn't like getting out of the bed because of his head. In the hospital, it was found that Huey suffered four separate bone contusions (bruising of the actual bone itself) a strained back, and a concussion—from Butch's punch to the back of his head. It made him dizzy to be out of the bed for longer than a few minutes.

As for Riley, he had obviously been suspended—for ten days. Truth be told, at the time he had been, the assistant principal had no real grounds to suspend him because it was not clear yet his evolvement in the fight. Of course they did not say they were 'officially' suspending him—politics—just clearing the air until things could be gotten to the bottom of. Riley knew better though—he was next to his brother in the hall when the other adults had finally made it to the battleground. Undoubtedly, authorities were going to question all the children they believed were there and they wanted to make sure that he or any other potential suspects weren't in school biasing the answers of student.

Whatever.

It more than likely wouldn't be long before everything came to light as far as what he, Jazmine and Huey had done—although he wasn't sure exactly what role Huey had played. Either way, somebody was getting expelled, period. And Riley wasn't all too sure he cared. School for him always seemed a never-ending chore, and the thought of class alone was enough to bore him to tears. Still though, could it not have been under different circumstances? As of yet, his grandfather didn't know exactly how to approach the ordeal. Obviously he was much more concerned with the condition of his elder grandson than why they were suspending Riley. As far as he knew, it was for the best, but it didn't stop him from fussing.

"Even out here, yall cain't keep yo'narrow black asses outta damn trouble! Why in da'hell I gotta go down the po-leece station of all places and find out all the negro-blooded children in da'middle'ah all that nonsense?!"

And it was true. After the last of the ambulances had pulled out of the school, Riley and Jazmine had been taken to the police station and placed together in a small room on a bench opposite the door. They were alone there for about a minute before a male officer came in and sat down at a desk over to the right. During that minute though, Jazmine did say something to him, or more accurately, to the floor.

"These cuffs hurt."

He could imagine so; they were hurting him. During that moment, he could have chosen anything as his response—although her observation didn't really require reply. He remained silent though. He figured that there was not much to say then—they could only wait. Not long after the male officer came in, a female officer followed. While she wasn't an overly attractive woman, she did not look like so many of the hard and angry dykes that would patrol the neighborhoods he and his brother once lived in. She was white, with her hair short cropped. Amber in color, it bobbed limply about her jaw-line as she walked, approaching the both of them. Another second passed and it became apparent that her interest lay more with Jazmine.

"Ok, I'm going to take these cuffs off you now." The female officer said as she pulled Jazmine slightly forward so that she could have access to the restraints. When they were off, she told her to stand. As they left the room, he could hear the woman officer tell Jazmine that her parents would be there shortly. If that was so, he could assume that his grandfather would be along as well. Good thing Jazmine's father was a lawyer…

At the time Riley had been sitting in his bed. Huey finally dozed off and was now snoring lightly. It was the only sound in the room before Granddad opened the door and poked his head in, motioning to the younger boy with an old and slender finger for him to follow. Sitting at the kitchen table, Riley couldn't help but notice the deep lines of displeasure folding cleanly into his grandfather's face. So far, he hadn't really said anything to him about what happened that day…Riley supposed that was going to happen now. When his grandfather spoke, the tone was even but weighted.

"Boy, I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am about all of this--" Riley then instinctively had the urge to interject in his defense, but told himself it would be wise to let Granddad say his peace without interruption.

"I was over there talkin' to Tom and Sarah about all of this and I still don't know what to think." When Robert said nothing more, Riley spoke up.

"What did you talk about?"

Robert cut him a stern frown. "Normally I'd say that's not your place, but because I don't entirely agree with why you've been told to stay home, I'll say this much: a hearing over this matter will be taking place early next week, and all the parents of the children involved are going to be there." He sighed heavily and leaned back in the chair. "A lot of young people got hurt that day Riley and litigation doesn't seem out of the question. The only thing I really want to know is to what extent my grand-boys were involved. You don't seem hurt at all, but Huey's upstairs with a concussion and'ah messed up back. I wanna know what the hell is going on, and Riley I want you to tell me what you know."

Shit.

Yeah sure, he could tell him. He could tell him everything. He could tell him about how Rita and her people were fucking with Jazmine and that he suggested to her that she fight them. He could also go on to say that he trained her to brawl and how she tore those bitches a new one. But it was a given he wouldn't do that…everything else he didn't know. Riley knew nothing of just how badly Jazmine had injured Samantha, or how Huey and that other child were very nearly killed by Butch simply because he didn't see. He only knew what his part was, and it was a big one—this was something that he was not ready to reveal to his grandfather just yet…or maybe ever. Putting on the most pitiful face he could muster (which wasn't difficult considering how he felt) he offered his response.

"There's not much ta' tell Granddad, it was happenin' too fast. I jus know that I found Huey in da'middle of the floor all bloody, then some dude put me in cuffs. I sat in'ah police car for a while wit Jazmine and then we was at the police station."

Robert leaned in on the table and raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't do anything?"

Riley froze—big mistake. In just that split second he blew his only chance to say no and still be believed. He thought quickly but carefully.

"Like what?" Lame, sure, but it would buy more time to come up with something better.

"Don't play games with me boy, do you know what's on the line here? Did you contribute anything to the fight that hospitalized all them damn kids!" It was clear Robert was trying to keep his cool, but there was something so enraging about the dumbness of the question, he couldn't help but loose a bit of his temper. Regaining himself quickly, he waited for Riley's answer.

"…I…I threw something…"

Robert's eyes were hard on him now. "What did you throw, Riley?"

"...Ah…ah chair?" It came out more like a question than an answer.

"Boy? What the hell's wrong witchu? Now I dun tol yo ass not'ta be thowin' them damn chairs around all willy-nillie! Did you hit anybody?"

"…Uh, I dunno. Maybe?"

"Maybe? Damnit ta'hell Riley goddamn. I swear if anyone can point a finger at you for thowin' that damn chair and upin' it over someone's head then they really might expel you." He folded his arms and sighed again. "How's Huey?"

"He's a'ight. He was sleep when you called me down."

Robert nodded his head. "I don't really wanna bother him too much cuz his head's ringin' over that concussion, but I'm gunna have to find out something so we can better build a case if we need to."

It was quiet between the two for a second before Riley got up the nerve to ask his grandfather another question.

"Granddad? What's gunna happen wit Jazmine?"

The older man let out yet another tired sigh. "I dunno. Tom says that Jazmine hasn't said anything to either one of them for days—apparently she's been 'unofficially suspended' as well. Either way, it don't sound too good."

Hasn't spoken? Oh God…it was worse than Riley thought.

"Granddad, do you think I could go over'daer an'try'n talk to'er?"

Robert narrowed his eyes behind his glasses. "Boy, what the hell makes you think I'm'll let you outta dis'here house?"

"Cuz Granddad, I gots'ta talk to'er. Please. I don't know how to explain it right, but I gotta try…please?" And it was true; he didn't know how to put it in a way to make him understand. He really didn't understand it himself, but he knew this was important. Upon seeing the worried determination in Riley's normally precocious eyes, Robert wasn't sure how he could tell him no. Besides, if he could get Tom's chatterbox of a daughter to talk after two and a half days of silence, why not?

"Fine, fine, but no pussy-footin' around. I'm gunna call over there to make sure you're there, you understand me?"

When the doorbell rang and the door was opened, Riley was very sure Thomas Lancaster Dubois wasn't expecting to see him standing there, but if he was indeed surprised, he didn't show it. One could say that the seconds that followed their meeting were becoming increasingly awkward. After about the fifth or so second, Tom broke the silence. His face, normally warm and inviting, carried something poorly camouflaged and notably uncharacteristic of Mr. Dubois—something almost accusatory. Or it could have just been Riley's conscience—the level of guilt he had been feeling as of late was both foreign and overwhelming.

"Yes Riley? What are you doing here?" His voice was deeper, serious beyond anything Riley had ever heard from him—like a father whose family's honor had come under attack. Here, Riley needed to tread carefully by being humble and polite.

"Uh, hi Mr. Doubis. I was talkin' ta'Granddad jus a few minutes ago and he had tol me about how Jazmine hadn't been talkin' much. Is—is she a'ight?"

Tom looked down on the aberrantly sheepish Freeman boy. In actuality, Tom didn't know how to feel about Riley just then. As a lawyer, he had always been taught not to make prejudgments on half facts and assumptions, therefore, he had to ignore the gut feeling he had which suggested that Riley had a great deal to do with what happened at the school.

"Well, outside of what Robert told you, there is not much to add. But I will say that her silence does not absolve her from any responsibility she'll have to take for her actions. Riley, Jazmine is in a lot of trouble—as much as I can't believe it, one of the teachers saw her stab another child in the foot with a pencil and literally throw the girl into a fish tank! More than that, the fish tank fell over and the girl was very badly cut on her arms by the tank's glass. The parents of that girl are looking to press charges—not that they can directly because Jazmine is a juvenile—but Sarah and I are going to have bare the ramifications of such if they do." He gave an exasperated sigh. "Honestly, I don't think Jazmine has the right to see anyone due to her incredible behavior. Of course I'd like to think my Jazzy isn't even capable of such violence, but an entire classroom of 6th graders and their teacher can't be wrong."

Tom also had to put off the feeling that Riley prompted her to such—it was unfair to blame him just because of his ill-advised aspirations of becoming a thug, not to mention that Riley was still just a child himself and he and Jazmine just didn't have that kind of relationship. Tom was simply frustrated, and blamed himself more than anything. It was no one's guess that Tom had always thought of himself as a good father who was raising quite the socially responsible young lady—then this. Well, he supposed that spats among growing girls in school couldn't be avoided in all totales, but what Jazmine did was considered assault and battery, maybe even aggravated battery because of the fact she stabbed someone in the foot! It was so unlike his daughter…which probably explained why she hadn't said anything to either he or her mother after all this time—and at last here Riley was inquiring about her. Tom wasn't sure he felt like dealing with him so soon after his grandfather had there. Taking another deep breath, he was preparing to send the boy home when the Freeman child finally spoke up.

"I'd like to talk wit'er, if I can."

All the more reason for Riley to leave.

"No Riley, I don't think so. I think you should go now…"

"Wait Mr. Dubois please. I know you mad and all bout what Jazmine did, but can't you let me talk to'er for jus a bit? Please Mr. Dubois, I got to!"

If Tom hadn't been showing his aggravation before, it was evident now. "What is so important Riley that you have to speak to Jazmine? You know what? No. Whatever you have to say you're gunna say it to me."

"But--"

"Riley if you can't tell me, then you need to just march yourself back across that street mister because I'm not in the mood to deal with any pre-adolescent foolishness!" While he wasn't loud when he was saying this, his voice was raised. It was that same testiness that his grandfather had shown him while they were in the kitchen, although it was obvious that Tom wasn't going to yield like Granddad had without having information worth hearing.

"Mr. Dubois—it ain't my place ta'jus put business out in da'street, but, I know why she was fightin' in the first place." Tom's eyes widened a bit inside his inward sloping brows. That had got his attention. Now if Riley did it right, he could keep himself covered without telling too much of Jazmine's story while getting himself in the house to talk to her.

"You do?"

"Yeah, dats why you gotta let me talk to'er. She oughdda tell you herself, but I know she ain't gunna say nutun at least till I talk to'er. Please Mr. Dubois?"

Tom looked at Riley a while longer before finally agreeing with a sigh to let him in. If getting his little girl to talk to him meant letting Riley of all people talk to her first, then so be it. He told Riley to have a seat in the living room while he got Jazmine—which was him telling, rather than asking, her to come downstairs. After several moments, Riley saw her round the corner to where he was. The bruises on her face were healing, but she gave him such a look that it made Riley wonder if coming to talk was a good idea after all.

"Riley has brought to light something I wasn't originally aware of. It would be in your best interest to speak with him Jazmine." The tone he took with her was odd—not mean, but more like 'do as I say or you're gunna get it'. When he left the room Riley stood and Jazmine crossed the carpeted floor to him, not stopping ahead of him as he thought, but rather right up on him--so close that he could feel the air from her nose on the top of his lip; her eyes were hard and angry.

"What did you tell him Riley Freeman?" Her voice was low and accusing.

"I said I knew why you fought, nothin' else—that's yo'job." He replied, not removing himself from their close proximity. They stood like that for a number of moments, with noses so close they were practically touching. Finally it was Jazmine who turned away, sitting on the couch when she did.

"They're sending me away, Riley."

Riley mentally drew back; this was not something he was expecting to hear.

"Whatchu mean they sendin' you away? Ta'where? When?" He questioned, trying to keep his voice equally as low so that the conversation remained theirs.

"After the hearing, Mommy and Daddy are sending me to Philadelphia so I can stay with my grandmother there. They're already sure that I'm going to be expelled for what I did to Samantha; I guess they don't know about Rita and Julie yet. When they do, I'm outta the Woodcrest School System for sure. My mom says that if she can, she's going to enroll me in a school close to where my grandma lives."

Jazmine stared down into her lap as she gripped the edge of the sofa cushion.

"I—I wanna say it was your fault, but I know its not. There was nothing anywhere saying that I had to fight those girls—but I did, and I have to be responsible for that. I just feel bad for my parents. They don't know what to think." Riley looked at her as she continued to speak.

"But I do. They got what they deserved Riley—and to me that's all that matters. I'm not even sure I care that all those other people were hurt. I mean, I know I do, but I just don't feel like I do…does that make me a bad person Riley?"

Riley let his nostrils flare as he sucked a breath through them. What the hell kind of question was that? How would he know? But then again, he could see where she was coming from—he had felt the same way on day two of Huey being at home.

"Naw, I don't." He wished that Huey was there…he knew that he could offer up some philosophical psycho mind shit neither of them would understand but would somehow help them feel better about all of it.

"Jazmine, how come you haven't been talkin' to yo folks? You got'em, like, all worried'n shit."

She drew her face in. "I can't talk to them Riley. Not about this—they wouldn't understand…not my parents…not even me—I don't get it. I don't understand why I was so angry. But I guess that doesn't matter now."

"It does so matter. Sure, I could see how yo pops wouldn't know—that nigga's a square fo'real, but I cain't see how yo moms cain't feel you neither. Bein' all quiet ain't go'wn do shit…that's prolly why they sendin' you off to Philly witcho gran'ma in da'first place."

She breathed out and spoke seriously. "Riley, I'm very sure that there are things that you know you can't talk to your granddad about just because no matter how hard you try, he's just not going to understand, and if not him, your brother at least. This whole mess at the school is something that my parents won't understand, at least, as much as I would need them to. When you're stuck in the middle of everything that's supposed to define who you are, even the people who are supposed to know you best just don't get it—like parents."

It was a profound statement, one that Riley couldn't really disagree on. It was no secret, at least in the Freeman household, that Jazmine was viewed as an ultra-sheltered, naïve mulatto who didn't know much beyond the sugar-coated fairytales that her parents would feed her (well, according to Huey—Riley didn't give that much of a care at the time). Listening to her right then though, began casting her in a new light—a light that suggested she was smarter than people would give her credit for—including her parents. And it was enough to make is head hurt. Riley couldn't believe how much he just wanted to blink and make it all go the hell away. Pulling up on the thighs of his jeans, he knelt down to the couch next to her and rested his arms there, looking up at her as he did.

"How long you gunna be away?"

"I'm not sure. They were talking maybe three months." She replied, never once actually looking at him.

"Yo dad said that Samantha's parents are gunna try and sue. He told me what you did—that was pretty damn gangsta." Jazmine closed her eyes and snorted through her nose a soundless chuckle. Yeah, she supposed it was pretty gangsta.

"But Jazz, you knew why you was so mad," Riley continued. "…It was what them bitches was doin'. I know Rita was as bad as you was talkin' cuz she was thowin' out dim racial slurs'n shit—dat hoe was bad news, Butch too. I'm sure that other people got yo back on dat. Jazz, you know they goin' down. It ain't gunna take long for folks to start talkin' bout how bad they was—sure you gunna get in some trouble—but they go'wn catch it more. It's gunna be all good."

Jazmine smiled a bit at this. "I hope so Riley. I mean, I still hate the fact that I hafta go to see my grandma like this, but maybe me being outta town is for the best." Jazmine paused for a second, appearing thoughtful. "Hey, would you write back if I sent you a letter while I was away?"

It was Riley's turn to smile then, glad to see that she was perking up. Granted it wasn't his style, but, "Yeah, I'd write you back."

"Ok. Then, I guess I'll tell my parents about Rita and the others."

"Cool, you do that cuz that means I won't have to make up nuthin'. But hey, the only thing is," he leaned in close to her as he said this last part, "you can't say nuthin' bout me teachin' you any of that stuff, got it?"

She nodded. "I promise." Jazmine had hit the nail on the head about there being things that he couldn't bring up to his family—ironically the very reason why she was able to fight and win in the first place. She was trustworthy…something that he would never have expected of a blabbermouth like her.

After this, Mr. Dubois stepped into the living room just as Riley and Jazmine stood.

"Riley, I just got a call from your grandfather; he was checking up on you. Are you two alright?"

"Yeah Mr. Dubois," said Riley. "I was fixin' ta'leave. I'll jus let myself out if it's a'ight witchu."

For the first time since he was over there, Tom gave Riley a smile. "Sure thing Riley, get home safe." Giving them both a quick wave, Riley was out the door and heading back. It was still fairly early in the day and he found himself once again deep in thought. He was debating on when, and if he should tell Huey what the deal was. It seemed only fair that he'd know just exactly why he had to spend three days at Woodcrest hospital. He was worried of course. Knowing Huey, he'd react in one of two ways; sit in displeased contemplation, or try and beat his ass. Hopefully he'd stick to the former—Riley wouldn't want to have to handle Huey when he was all banged up.

A/N: That's right ladies and gents, Jazmine is going bye-bye—at least for a little while. I'm not exactly sure what she'll be doing when she does return—but I can tell you now that she'll have quite the impact on Riley (as if she hasn't had enough on him already). And as for Huey, well, you'll just have to wait till I get back to see!