This chapter is kind of a jump in time, but not really. It briefly touches stuff and then moves on, and that's cause I had trouble moving the story forward for some reason. It was kind of a block right there in the story and I couldn't get past it, very strange hang up thing, and I felt it was time to move forward cause we have a lot ahead of us here he. Lucy, thank you so much for taking the time to review every chapter, it makes me want to write as good as Bobby punches people :) I don't own four brothers.

The wait is always the worst. Not knowing what's happening or what's going to happen next.

And wait they did. It seemed just like it was yesterday when they sat here, in this exact place and waited to hear if their brother was dead or alive, if he was gone forever. Now they sat here and waited for that same thing. The odds were better now of course, there was no immediate danger to Bobby's life but still... You never know, and Jack was almost to afraid to hope for a happy ending. He touched the rosary along his neck lightly, wondering if God was listening to him. Did he even know that he, Jack Mercer was willing to do anything, if his brother made it through this?

The relief that flooded his body when the doctor told them that everything had gone according to plan was out of this world. He leaned his head down and closed his eyes, releasing a deep sigh of relief. The next few minutes were a blur, he was unable to focus on anything except the fact that his brother had made it through another surgery. He snapped back in time to hear the doc explain that Bobby was still sedated and would probably be asleep until the next day. They could see him if they wanted. That last part was only a formality. The doctor knew that nothing could have kept them from Bobby's room.

He was pale, and still, and looked like he didn't have a care in the world. And again they waited. They didn't speak much, content just to be near each other. They didn't know how this would affect Bobby's recovery, only time could tell, but they tried to push those thoughts from their minds and focus on the now, focus on the fact that Bobby was still alive.

It hurt, Jack mused, to see his oldest brother, the Bobby Mercer so, well, weak. Though he would never tempt fate by mentioning that to Bobby. Knowing him he would find a way to kick his ass from that hospital bed.

As the days after the surgery passed so did Bobby's patience. He was livid when the doctor told him that he couldn't go home yet and threw a fit that almost made the staff call for security. In the end the doctor relented, if no complications arose Bobby would be able to leave in a weeks time, provided that he had someone at home taking care at him. He had three, but they all knew that getting him to accept the help would be harder than cleaning up Detroit.

Bobby was very weak. They all knew it, probably even Bobby even though he would die before admitting it. Bobby's doctor called them to a meeting to inform them of his limitations, what he could do, what he shouldn't do, things that were good for him to eat, what he couldn't eat, or in some cases, shouldn't eat. The "no alcohol" rule while the patient is on pain medication seemed to laugh at them.

Then the day came when Bobby was going to go home. They had finished the house a few days earlier and it now looked exactly the same, except for some changes for Bobby's benefit, as it had when Evelyn lived, before the shooting that changed their lives. They had talked about making some changes while they were fixing it up, but in the end they weren't ready to let that part of their lives go just yet. They might never be.

Bobby, despite his new improved mood since he was going home, snapped at everyone who tried to help him dress. He refused the wheelchair and pushed it across the room when the nurse insisted. She then left the brothers alone to deal with their ill tempered oldest brother. In the end, Bobby walked in the middle of Angel and Jerry, altough they at times supported most of his weight. Jack had offered, but Bobby had declared his shoulder as unhealed and that ended that discussion.

Jack thought the doctor looked somewhat relieved when he said goodbye, for now, he added, since Bobby was scheduled for regular checkups and training. Jack chuckled softly at the look of relief on the hospital staffs faces when they entered the elevator. On their way out they passed a door that made him look twice, and he stopped as the memory played up like a movie in his head.

He followed him down silently. So far he'd gone undetected. Years of trying to be invincble had taught him everything there was to know about not being detected when trying not to be seen. He came up behind him and he didn't hesitate when he lifted the ironpipe and hit the guard in the back of his head. He went down silently, his body only making a slight thud as he hit the floor. For a few seconds he just stood there, looking down, his heart pumping wildly in his chest. Then he turned and quickly went back the same way he came. He walked casually through the hospital until he arrived outside.

"Jack?"

Jack's eyes left the door to focus on Bobby. He blinked and realized that the others were waiting on him, Bobby with questions in his eyes, Jerry with a soft look in his, and Angel's eyes shone with understanding.

"Sorry" He muttered and taking one last glance at the door which he knew led to another one, that led to the dark basement where he had left the guard, he quickly walked up to his brothers, ignoring their looks and led the way outside.

Pulling up outside the house they helped Bobby out, not the easiest thing to do since his whole upper body was wrapped, but they managed. Bobby stopped and suddenly leaned heavily on Jerry, his eyes fixed on the spot in the snow where he and Jack had been, not far from where Jack had been when he'd been shot. Bobby heard the shot in his head, felt the panic, saw Jack drag himself up and move towards the house, he saw one of the unnamed men raise his gun, it played out in his head even before he moved. He ran without thought and felt the bullets hit him, felt the impact. He felt Jack holding on to him. He remembered feeling like he was dying.

Looking up at the house no one could tell that there had been a battle in front of it, in it. It looked the way it always had, nothing at all like it did in his nightmares where Jack was dead, and he was alone.

"You okay?" Jack murmured. He too felt the tension. Difference was he had seen that spot several times now since it happened. But it didn't block out the memories. If he could he would wipe away that spot from the face of the earth, just so that he never had to look at the place where his brother almost died saving him.

Bobby took a deep breath and stepped forward with the help of Angel and Jerry. "I'm fine".

Bobby didn't know what to say when he took in the corner of the livingroom which now served as bedroom for him. He felt his heart swell when he saw the anxious looks on his brothers faces.

"It's just until your a little better, I know you want your own room but the stairs is too long for you right now, and we'll help of course, but until your better we thought you could sleep down here" Jerry told him, a soft look on his face and unsure eyes.

"I promise I'll keep it down if I watch TV" Jack said, a small tired smile on his young face. "I can keep you company down here, maybe sleep on the couch, in case you need anything" He added.

"Thanks" Bobby spoke slowly, his voice filled with emotion. "It's great. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine".

Soon after they'd helped Bobby over to the bed had he fallen asleep, exhausted from the car ride and the small amount of walking that he'd done. Angel went upstairs to call Sofi while Jack started with dinner. He'd carefully read the instructions the doctor had left them, or rather him, since he was usually the one who cooked anyway. Picking down the ingredients he needed he noticed the lack of food in the fridge, they'd manage today, but he needed to go shopping soon, possibly tomorrow. As he prepared the meal he remembered another time when he'd stood in this exact spot preparing another dinner for the same person...

"When's Bobby coming?" Jack asked.

Evelyn smiled. Jack had asked that same question several times since the week before when Bobby had called and said he'd be home in time for his birthday. Evelyn had been thrilled, happy that he was coming home to celebrate with his family. He was traveling with his team and sometimes he could be gone for longer periods. It was hard for all of them when he was gone, but especially for Jack.

"Early tonight honey" She smiled patiently, having already told him this.

Jack continued chopping carrots with a practiced hand while Evelyn smiled proudly.

"I hope he's not to late for dinner" Jack mumbled.

"Don't worry honey, he'll be here, he said he would"

Too lost in his thoughts Jack didn't hear Jerry come in and take a seat at the table.

"Need any help?"

Jack jumped and dropped the plate he was holding, it turned into bits as it made contact with the floor. "Shit!" He bent down and started collecting the pieces after shooting a look at the livingroom, trying to hear if the sound had woken Bobby up.

"Careful, wait I'll get it" Jerry bent down next to him but Jack quickly collected the rest of the broken plate and rose.

"I got it". Dumping the pieces in the thrashcan he washed his hands and braced himself against the counter as he took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you" Jerry's voice was full of apology.

"Not your fault, I'm jumpy today" Jack mumbled and turned to face his brother.

"Big day for all of us" Jerry nodded, waiting to see if Jack would continue. He didn't. "So, do ya need help?"

"Nah I got it, need to go to the store soon though"

"Yeah, guess we kind of forgot about that"

Jerry sounded guilty. Jack knew all about that. "Big day for all of us" He smiled to ease his brothers worries.

They were silent as Jack continued preparing the meal, both of them lost in thoughts, one in the past and the other one in the future.

Jerry could feel the hurt rise in his chest. He didn't want to burden his little brother any more, he was struggling enough as it was, but he needed to talk to someone, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they figured it out. He could talk to Angel, he would understand, but for some reason he wanted to talk to Jack. He needed his kind little brother right now, but he felt like he shouldn't ask, like it was his own problem, his own mess to deal with. Jack had enough problems right now, anyone could see that. Jerry knew all that, still he couldn't stop the words that spilled from his mouth.

"Camille threw me out".

Jack froze, unsure if he'd heard right. He looked over his shoulder at his brother who was staring down at the table. "Jerry..."

"I... I thinks she's going to leave me Jack".

Jack put down the milk he'd been about to pour and turned around to face Jerry, who refused to meet his eyes. His brothers pain was visible all over his face. He took a seat next to him at the table, his thoughts jumping around in his head. Had he really been this occupied with himself that he didn't see what was happening right in front of him?

The sympathy Jerry felt from his brother pushed him over the edge and he let out a sob, tears trailing down his cheeks. Jack reached out and placed an arm around his shoulders. Jerry hung his head low and let the tears fall faster, trying to keep quiet as to not alert the others in the house.

"I don't know what to do" Jerry mumbled, wiping at his eyes.

Jack didn't need to think. "You'll stay here"

Sorry for the short chappie, next one will be longer promise. Hope you liked it anyway :D