Hey Guys! :) I'd like to start off with I hope I've made these characters as real and enjoyable as possible. That's what I'm after. Before the bloodshed and the super awesome stuff, I want you guys to feel even more for these characters like they COULD be your neighbors or you could be the Brewsters.

A/N: Tonight there's going to be a Third Person POV in the story. It'll happen in the middle so we can basically get Jerry and Charley's POVs for a change.

Also be sure to check out the kickass banner my lovely Wonder Twin made for me! It's beautiful and on my homepage :) You guys will love it I know!

DEDICATED TO ALL MY READERS AND REVIEWERS. WITHOUT ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND INPUT THIS STORY WOULDNT BE. I LOVE YOU.

I was grouchy.

There I'd admitted it.

Sitting at the kitchen's island I took a sip of my coffee and grimaced at the bitterness and moved to pick up the sugar. Fitting how it seemed to match my mood like a missing puzzle piece.

LaLa had found himself happily in front of my mother's stove cooking what smelt like an amazing breakfast. On that note it was unfortunate that I was having such a hard time keeping just my coffee down. It's probably why I was in such a sour mood. As long as I got my early morning coffee I was perfectly happy. The world could end and I'd be content as long as I could enjoy my wonderful, refreshing, coffee.

With my elbows on the island, my hands clasped tightly around my mug, I eyed LaLa suspiciously as he glanced over at me moving the spatula around the pan.

"Would you please fuckin' cheer up already," he spoke waving a disgusted hand in my direction, indicating all of me. "Your bad juju is going to ruin what's supposed to be a fantastic mini-vacation."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"I do not have bad juju," I pouted.

He shot me a scrupulous look as he seamlessly flipped the pancakes, emptied out the scrambled eggs onto a hot plate, and went back to the bacon.

I was still in my pout when my mother entered the room. A happy smile of surprise at the mini-buffet that LaLa had prepared.

"Well isn't this lovely," she beamed.

"Morning Jane," he cooed back at her.

I could feel my face rise in shock as I coughed my coffee back into the mug; my mouth hung open in a mixture of horror and surprise as she gently squeezed his shoulder as she passed by.

When in the hell did they become butt buddies? Sleep was looking more and more like a treacherous thing.

LaLa patted her hand before she removed it and turned to give me a not so loving look. It made my face turn frumpy as I set down my mug and crossed my arms on the island.

"Morning Kaylee."

"Morning Warden."

That earned me not only a glare from her but also one from LaLa. It was like a two for one.

"Don't mind her Jane. She's just being a bitch 'cause her ass is hung over."

He looked at me his eyes tightening while his mouth set in a deep frown. I knew he wasn't pleased lying about what really happened last night but he didn't have a choice. He didn't really believe either that Jerry had rufied me or that I was under any kind of drug; I was just reacting badly to blood loss.

Playing with my mug I shot him a death glare.

"No. It's more like I'm hurt that my own mother treats you with more affection than I."

My voice had taken on a mocking tone as I clasped my hands over my chest, pretending heartache. They both looked at me like I was an idiot.

"Kaylee he is a guest in our home."

"A guest who you wanted to have arrested last night if I'm not mistaken."

Dismissing me with a wave LaLa turned to my mom with a warm plate in hand.

"That's all water under the bridge. Breakfast?"

She beamed another goofy smile at him as she gathered her purse and keys.

"Thank you but I can't. I'm already going to be late."

Quickly she slung her purse over her arm and headed towards the garage, spinning on her heels to face me.

"Oh I almost forgot to tell you," she said pointing her keys at me. "You don't have to drop your brother off anymore. He called Amy so she should be on her way."

"Oh-kay," I shrugged.

I'd completely forgotten he'd asked the previous night. Not like I'd actually taken him anywhere now though. I turned back around on the stool, meeting the watchful and strained smiling face of LaLa. The minute the door clicked shut behind her he immediately started in on me.

"Why you gotta act like you've got a stick shoved up your ass?" he barked.

"I am not acting like that at all; I'd be walking bow-legged."

His eyes narrowed in on me like daggers as he reluctantly turned around to flip the remaining bacon.

"Stop deflecting my questions -"

"I'm not deflecting."

"And stop interrupting me," he quipped.

"I'm definitely not doing that either," I teased.

Leaning over the island I quickly poked him on his hip. He let out a grunt of surprise and whirled around, spatula in hand, and swung violently out trying to catch the back of my hand. Naturally he missed but it had scraped the tops of knuckles, so more like he'd barely missed. Nevertheless I sat there with my legs crossed and a pleased smirk on my face, willing him to dispute my victory but instead of being angry, irritated, or even annoyed, LaLa looked petrified. My smirk grew slack as I leaned forward a little, my arms unfolding slightly, as I was now confused.

"La what's wrong?"

"Bitch I'm gonna ask you this one time and you're gonna be straight with me." His voice was ice; he's eyes void of any warmth. "How the fuck did you just do that?"

I watched him a few more cautious seconds before I erupted in uneasy giggles, figuring he was playing some sort of trick on me.

"This is a joke, right?" I tested.

But he wasn't buying into it. It seemed my laughing had only hardened his features making his eyes glint with a feverish look of terror.

"I ain't fucking playing with you, Kaylee. How did you just do that?"

"Do what?"

"Move like that."

"I have no fucking idea what you're talking about! I just poked you and then sat back in the chair. There was nothing special about it."

He shook his head wildly his right hand clenching to the spatula for support.

"No that was unnaturally fast, Kay. I felt you poke me and when I turned around you…" He licked his lips nervously as he eyed me completely freaked out. "You were just sitting there like that."

I wanted to laugh in his face and call him out on the fact that he was being ridiculous and was just trying to scare me. I'd known him for a long time and never once in that whole time was he looking at me the way he was now; terrified. I noticed now that he hadn't gripped the spatula for support but for protection…against me. I desperately wanted to believe he was just making this all up but in the pit of my stomach I just knew that wasn't going to happen; that deep down I knew the truth.

I uncrossed my arms and let them fall limply to my sides. I did so carefully so as not too spook him. Jesus, what the fuck was I saying? Spook him? Like he was some easily spooked cattle.

My mind was racing with things to say to him, as we were locked in our heated staring contest, but my nose had caught a vile scent in the air. It was so bad I fought not to gag as I exhaled sharply through my nose hoping to push the scent away. Finally I broke the stare and looked behind him to the billowing smoke cloud that had formed over the stove.

"Your bacon's burning."

My voice was flat and empty of emotion as I spoke to him; I felt absolutely numb with my brain turning into putty. He eyed me warily not wanting to turn his back to me. Something in me broke at the distrust that I read all over his face, the skeptical gleam in his eyes wondering if I was being truthful. When he did finally look behind him he jumped into action taking the frying pan off of the heat cursing loudly as he did so. His shoulders relaxed some as he removed the salvageable bacon from the pan. It didn't matter though he probably would never forget what he saw.

"La-"His shoulders tightened as my voice filled the room and I felt a small piece of my heart chip away again. "Did I- Did I sleep last night?"

Uneasily he glanced over his shoulder at me; hurriedly looking forward right after.

"I wouldn't really know for sure. You were still awake when I closed my eyes but when I woke up this morning you were sleeping like you were dead."

My body shivered in revulsion at that word: dead.

"Why you askin'?"

"Either I had a really awful dream last night or I had a legit panic attack."

Leaning against the counter he gave me a once over, decided on whatever he thought on, shrugged his shoulders and went back to his business.

"You seem fine too me."

"Gee, thanks for the concern their asshole," I snorted.

"Anytime, Convict."

Ugh I really hated that nickname.

"Whore," I shot back.

"Bitch."

"Hoochie."

"Who's a hoochie?" Charley asked as he entered the room.

He was still buttoning the cuff of his black and grey plaid shirt as he stood between the counter and island, looking from LaLa to me. He shot me a tight smile the look in his eyes stating plainly he was unsure what he was supposed to be doing here or how things were between us. When I didn't give him a smile back in return, he got his answer.

I wasn't ready to have a heart to heart decision with the kid just yet and too be honest, I was still so angry with him about yesterday. Even seeing him caused my lips to pucker like I'd just tasted something sour. He gave me one last brief look before he made his way over to the fridge and opened it, examining its contents. Quickly LaLa lashed out and hit my shoulder hard with the spatula.

"Ouch!"

Charley looked back at us, suspicion furrowing his brow, but LaLa didn't miss a beat as he simply waved at him while I pouted, rubbing my now throbbing arm. When he turned back to the fridge I mouthed, "WHAT THE FUCK?" to him but he simply waved me off with his spatula of brutality.

"Good morning sugar britches," he cooed. "You want some breakfast?"

He moved his hand around the waiting platters of food like he was showing a brand new car. Charley let out a whistle and his eyes hungrily ran across the mini-buffet.

"Wow this kitchen has gotten a lot more early morning action since you've been here."

"That ain't the only thing that can get more action while I'm here, sweetcakes."

Charley was oblivious to La's flirtations as he moved around him and took a pancake off of the plate. I was glad the kid hadn't noticed.

"I can make you a plate," he offered.

Mouth full, Charley waved him off and replied, "It's cool man."

The look on LaLa's face was priceless and instantly I burst into laughter that earned me a glare. Charley made his way back around the island until he was standing at my side nervously moving from foot to foot.

"What?"

"I, uhm, my bags at your feet."

Leaning back I looked down, double checking, and found that he was indeed correct. I was in the way and so instead of getting up I bent down to retrieve it for him. As I did my hair fell in what felt like slow motion across my opposite shoulder leaving my neck with its strangely fast healing wound out in the open. He took in a hissing shot of breath as he went to move towards me but stopped himself short.

"Jesus, Kay what happened? Are you okay?"

I didn't know what to say to the kid; so I just looked at him. Silently I placed his backpack on the counter and looked up at him his face creased with lines of worry. What could I really tell him? The only person that knew about what happened last night was LaLa himself but not even he really believed anything I'd told him.

I must have been taking too long because LaLa's voice cut across the silence.

"She got that from playing sex games with your new neighbor."

That was a definite over share and they weren't sex games.

Giving him an exasperated look I was consumed with the overwhelming urge to punch him when I caught sight of my brother's eyes. A mixture of shock and remembrance was in those eyes and instantly I knew he was thinking back to what I had: Ed believing beyond a doubt Jerry was a vampire. But at the thought of Ed, who was like family too me, I was instantly thrown back into that room watching the brother I thought I knew say words so hurtful he scarily reminded me of our dad. No…his dad.

Instantaneously I was brought back into that sour mood from earlier but this time I was pissed. It took everything I had not too reach out for him, to scream and shake some sense into him. This isn't who he should've become.

"Bet I know what you're thinking."

His words stopped my train of thought on its tracks. Meeting his eyes I cocked my head to the side, eyeing him like some sort of foreign creature.

"Yeah? Too bad you're illiterate," I snapped.

The hurt that flashed in his eyes…my heart caved in more as I wanted to take it back. I tried to reason that this is what siblings do. They fight with each other and bicker and somewhere along the line they make up and act like nothing ever happened; but there was a point in time when you crossed a line into something else. Something more treacherous and bond breaking.

LaLa had made his way around the island and was now sitting next to me, dropping a plate full of breakfast in front of me. While he straightened out he kicked me hard under the table causing me to go cross-eyed for a split second as I placed my head down on the islands.

"You have a good day at school, puddin'?" he purred.

When I glanced up from the island Charley had already grabbed his backpack and was out the front door. Turning my attention to La I gave him a funny look as he poured some maple syrup over his pancakes and bacon.

"Sugar britches? Sweetcakes? Puddin'?" I mocked. "What the fuck is he a dessert?"

"He could be," he replied petting the air.

"Dude, he's underage."

"Ne he ain't."

"Fine then how about, off-limits?"

"Convict," he muttered.

"Ru Paul lookin' motherfucker."

"The fuck you just did!"

"I did! So bring it!"

We both started laughing as I looked back down at the over flooded plate in front of me. My stomach rumbled but none of the food looked appetizing, not even my blessed coffee tasted good. I was just so hungry…

"Do I gotta eat this?" I asked sheepishly.

"What is with you Brewster's not wanting to eat my goddamn breakfast?"

"I'm just not hungry!"

My stomach gave a loud protest and looking from it back to LaLa I prayed he didn't hear it.

"Look bitch just eat what's on the plate."

"There's a mountain on the plate."

"There's going to be left over's!"

"We have Tupperware."

Letting out an agitated sigh he turned away from me digging his fork into the pancakes. I was satisfied that I'd won this argument and pushed my plate further away from me. I caught myself sneering at it in disgust as my stomach growled yet again.

"So why were you treating Charley that way?"

I tore my eyes away from the mound of food in front of me and focused on him.

"It's complicated."

"Enlighten me."

He took a sip of his orange juice, waiting for me to begin but this was a subject that wasn't open for discussion. I didn't want to talk about it period.

"What do you want me to say La?" I asked irritated.

"Just tell me why all of the sudden your baby brother became your enemy."

I swallowed hard as my eyes stung. Leave it to LaLa to just tell it too you like it is, I guess.

"He isn't my enemy he's just…I'm just not happy with him."

"Why?"

"Because you didn't see him last night La. The way he treated Ed; Ed has been like family since I could remember. I've looked out for that kid like I would look out for Charley. I protected them from assholes like the one he is now. I played their games with them and drove them to their Farscape conventions when no one else would. I taught them to play the only song I knew on guitar because they thought it would help them get girls. I just don't understand how Charley could just forget about that; forget about the only person in the world who truly fucking worshiped him and would do anything for him."

He sat there listening to me rant, calmly taking in every word I said, and rubbing my back when I'd started crying. Angrily I wiped the tears away as I fought to regain my cool.

"Kaylee whether you like it or not he's your brother. You knew that in coming back that there were going to be things that had changed, for better or worse."

"Yeah but I didn't expect this."

"Can I ask you something?"

Oh damn.

"What?"

"When you were his age did you know without a doubt who you were going to be? I'll take your silence as a no. You of all people should remember Kay how difficult it is at seventeen; eighteen years old, how hard it can be to figure out what you want out of your life and if you're making the right decisions. Charley may not be making the choices you think are right, but he's learning baby girl; just like we all gotta learn some things on our own."

Man, did I feel like such a lousy sister. I had been so caught up in the memory of the things I'd left behind that I'd forgotten that Charley hadn't frozen in time as the baby brother I'd left behind. He'd grown up without me and, like LaLa had said, I needed to trust he'd make the right decision on his own.

"You know I didn't ask to be evaluated, Dr. Phil," I teased.

"Consider it a free consultation. I'm sure your crazy ass will be back again."

Shaking my head I watched him go back to his breakfast and wondered where the hell Ed was. The next time I saw the little bastard I was going to put him in a headlock for giving me nightmares.

Third POV

Charley crossed the street with his hands bundled tightly in the pockets of his sweater. He moved fast, his eyes glued to Jerry's house as he tried to fight off the overwhelming fear that was spreading like a wild fire in his chest.

He'd gone directly over to Ed's after school. When Mrs. Hazen had called his name and he hadn't answered, it had been a little weird. At first Charley had thought Ed was just trying to teach him a lesson but when he'd arrived at his house and Mr. and Mrs. Lee had informed him Ed had already left he could feel the paranoia begin to seep in.

And then there were the videos. Those fucking video diaries filled with nothing but of his missing neighbor Jerry. Wheel barrels, his pickup door opening and closing, and even a video were you could blatantly hear Jerry's voice talking to Doris. While he'd been walking home he had tried to come up with a million different explanations on why exactly Jerry hadn't been seen in any of them. Maybe Ed had photo shopped him out? That was the biggest possibility and the one that Charley thought was most possible. Ed had been desperate to get him and Kaylee to believe that Jerry was a living, non-breathing, freaking vampire.

Charley wondered what lengths he would go to just to prove his point.

When he reached his house he tore his eyes away from Jerry's and made his way for the backyard. He didn't even think about it until he had passed it but had he just walked past the garbage can? Turning around he got his answer.

Did he really want to worry about getting the trash right now? No. His mind was racing with too many thoughts all of which made him want to fly into a panic. He needed to talk to Kay.

Flipping the lid closed he grabbed the handle and started hauling it behind the fence.

Would Kaylee even want to talk to him right now? All day two things had plagued him when he wasn't around Amy. One, the fact that Ed was missing and he could only wonder if he was doing it as some sick joke and two, what had haunted him the previous night: Kaylee and him fighting.

He hadn't meant to say what he'd told her. Yeah, he'd been thinking it at the time but he was just so mad and then bam it'd slipped out.

She had left him. She had left him behind with nothing more than a stupid note apologizing over and over, saying that she loved him but she had to do this. He had cried for weeks thinking for the longest time that he had done something wrong. If she had loved him as much as she said she did she should've stayed at least for him but she hadn't.

His hands clenched into fists at his side as he kicked the trashcan hard trying to get rid of all his frustration and confusion. Without a doubt he was glad to have her home and at the thought of her leaving…he couldn't bear it. But it didn't make the years of hurt and anger disappear like magic. Fixing the strap of his backpack he moved to close the gate and damn near jumped out of his skin when Jerry appeared at its entrance.

"Hey guy."

Jerry placed his forearms against the doorway of the entrance leaning in closer to the scent he knew all too well.

"Hey…guy," Charley replied.

As smooth as he could he briefly glanced past him hoping to see any of the neighbors out but there was no such luck. Maybe Kay was inside?

"You could really do me a solid-"Jerry began.

He left it open drawing out the exchange for as long as he could.

"What's that?"

Charley rubbed his hands against his jeans trying desperately to get rid of the sweat.

"Well I got a girl coming over for a beer and I'm all out of beer."

Girl.

A girl just like his sister? He shot back to the memory of earlier that morning and the marks that had been left all over Kay's neck. Instantly Charley's hands clenched for a different reason than fear and when Jerry's eyes squinted just a little he had a sudden wondering if the other man knew what he had been thinking. With a new since of strength he replied smugly, "Sucks."

But Jerry wasn't giving up.

"Set me up. I'll pay you back two times, a sixer for your mom and one for you what do you say?"

He watched as it barely took the kid two seconds before he came to a decision.

"Uh, yeah let me do that. Uh, right now I'll go…right now and check what we got in the fridge."

"Okay."

"Cool."

"Cool."

Too say that by the end of the exchange he was amused would've been an understatement. The kid was having these highs and lows of emotions. One minute he was strong and the next consumed with fear. When he turned his back and headed down the paved pathway he inhaled the scent deeply. The delicious scents mixed together to cause a hunger so deep he had to stifle it down quickly as he felt his fangs begin to take shape.

He wondered if he'd taste just as good as his sister had.

The boy quickly unlocked the kitchen's back door and hurried into the safety of the house.

"Let me just see what she's got alright. Mom's kind of ah, light domestic kind of mother."

Charley paused as he watched Jerry's boots stop perfect just behind the frame of the door. What had Ed said? They had to be invited in. If they weren't invited in they couldn't come in period. Charley watched him for a few seconds longer before he tossed his backpack onto the island and made his way over to the fridge. He'd left the door wide open to see if he'd maybe enter later; maybe the dude was just being polite.

Jerry just stood inside the frame and took inventory of the house.

"Nice kitchen," pointing rather awkwardly he continued, "Good cabinet work."

What the fuck? Charley thought.

The only thing he had noticed was that every move Jerry had made was well behind the bounds of the doorframe. He was being meticulous in making sure he did just that. Giving him a brief shake of the head he moved into the now open fridge to grab what appeared to be a six pack in the fridge.

"Thanks."

Grabbing it by its handle he hauled it out of the fridge noticing that two of the bottles had been placed out. Also, that the beer was Budweiser. Charley had a split second thought that maybe these were Kaylee's beers but he quickly shoved the thought away. Jerry said he'd pay who's ever they were, back.

"You cool with Budweiser?"

Jerry shot him a way to friendly, almost practiced smile.

"Yeah, yeah that works."

For a second Charley froze up again; six pack in his right hand holding up one of the bottles to the man still stealthy placed behind the doorframe. Uncomfortable at his staring he quickly set the beer down in its holder and went in to fetch the rest. He just couldn't understand what any of them found so attractive about him; the guy was a creeper. Trying to catch another glance to see if Jerry had moved at all, the last beer slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

"Oh shit!"

"Can I help you with that?" Jerry asked eagerly from the door.

"No! No, no, no." Shit! If that hadn't been super obvious. "I-I mean I got it."

Inside Jerry was laughing. It was all too typical; smelling like the same old song and dance he'd been a part of for centuries and in the end it had all ended the same. Taking his arms gradually off of the edges of the frame he moved back from the door and waited out on the patio for the boy to bring it to him.

Quickly Charley scooped up the broken bottle and tossed it in the sink.

"Charley?" Kaylee's voice called. "Is everything okay down there?"

His heart began to thunder madly in his chest as he felt like he was moving in slow motion as he turned to look at Jerry. There was no doubt in his mind that he hadn't heard her. His stance outside the doorframe had taken on a completely different feel as his eyes roamed around the kitchen and around the open hallways. The asshole was looking for his sister. He snatched the remaining beers off of the counter and made his way over to the door fast.

"Was that your sister?" he asked him calmly.

Charley knew he was just playing games. He'd heard his sister just as clearly as he had.

"Do you think I could talk to her for a minute?"

"No," he shot out fast. "Here are you beers. Sorry it's not a sixer."

He held it evenly inside the frame and waited for him to grab it. Jerry didn't look as friendly as he had before even if it had been faked, Charley would have preferred that too what he saw now. Jerry's eyes had seemed to take on a dangerous quality that only seemed to promise violence. He fought not to shake as he reached out, those cool eyes unwavering as they watched him. At the last minute he tugged back a little only causing Jerry to give him a fierce look that made him quickly hand the beers over.

That should've been it and he wanted it to be it but that wasn't anything close to what Jerry had in mind apparently. He watched him closely his chest swelling with panic at the idea that Kay could walk down those stairs any minute and come into the kitchen and he'd see her but he realized as Jerry pretended to look around that that's what he wanted. He was trying to bide his time until Kaylee did come down those stairs.

"This girl tonight she's a handful, you know? Women who look a certain way they-"he laughed into his fist but it didn't sound genuine. "They need to be managed it's true."He leaned his arm back on the sides of the doorframe giving Charley his full attention. "Your dad ducked out on ya, huh? Your mom…she didn't exactly say but there's this, well, kind of neglect: gives off a scent. You don't mind my saying you got a lot on your shoulders for a kid the three of you alone and your sister, Kaylee; she's ripe. I bet there are a line of guys just dying to pluck that; your mom too. You don't see it, or maybe you do but, she's putting it out. It's on you to look out for them. Think you can handle that, guy?"

He struggled to read between the lines of every word that he was saying. In there somewhere was a threat; he could feel it. All he wanted was for this asshole to get off of his back porch and go mess with some other family and that other girl who WAS NOT his sister.

"I think I can manage."

"Good because there are a lot of bad people out there Charley. Everyone's gotta look after his own business."

And there it was; exactly what he had suspected and just like Jerry had wanted he'd bided just enough time.

He could hear her coming down the stairs and her calling out to him. He wanted to answer, to tell her to go back upstairs and that it was nothing but he couldn't. He was so paralyzed with fear he couldn't make himself do any of the things he thought of.

No; Jerry was not going to have his sister.

"Hey Charley is everything okay down here?"

A twisted smile lifted Jerry's lips as he looked past Charley with victory written all over his face. He didn't have to turn around to see she was already there.

How was that? Was it intense? This is basically the last chapter before they go breaking into his house to save the stripper. Yup yup. This chapter signifies the Sh*t hitting the fan and Jerry being the main part of the story :)

As always, reviews brighten my day

~Much love, Jeneane~