FicWad

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters, don't own the basic plot and quotes you recognise from Californication.

WARNINGS: This story is based on the television series "Californication", if you didn't like it or were offended by it, please do not read. I have changed a lot of the plot to suit my own wicked ways but it still includes a lot of swearing, alcohol and drug use, sex in every shape and form and some volgarity. Please do not read if this offends.

Chapter Seven - Nobody likes you! Now smile pansy-boy.


Frank bounced around on one leg, the other raised so that he could wrestle on his shoe.

"Oh fuck!" he cried out as he lost his balance when his ankle became tangled in a discarded pair of pants. Unable to put his other foot down in time, he tumbled rather ungracefully to the floor of his bedroom.

"You alright Frank? What the hell are you doing?" Max asked, poking his head out of the bathroom to check on him.

"I'm trying to break-dance - what the hell does it look like I'm doing?" he yelled out, waving his shoe around to show he was being sarcastic.

Not bothering to get himself back up onto his feet, Frank just twisted his body around, tongue sticking out between his teeth in concentration, as he finally shoved the offending shoe on. Worn out, he took a moment to just rest his head on the floor. He really hated dressing up, suits were so uncomfortable.

"What are you doing down there?" Max said, giggling as he stuck out a hand. Frank took it and was lifted to his feet.

"I was looking for a bobby-pin, my hair won’t sit straight."

"You're such a liar." Max rolled his eyes and reached out to tuck Frank's shirt into his pants.

"Aw, but I don't want it tucked in ... it's uncomfortable," Frank whined, trying to pull his shirt out whilst Max still wrestled with him, trying to shove it down his pants where it should be.

"You're such a baby," Max complained, getting frustrated and stamping his foot dramatically.

"Am not," Frank shot back, sticking his tongue out.

Sighing out of impatience Max finally gave up trying to dress Frank and went about trying to locate his shoes amongst the mess that was Frank's bedroom.

"You ready to go now?" Max asked as he found his shoes and pulled them on with much more ease then Frank had managed.

"Yeah, yeah. Lets do this thing," Frank replied, scratching himself out of irritation. He really, really hated wearing suits.

Finally collecting themselves enough to walk out the door and into Frank's car, they were off to Lindsey's record label's charity function ... an hour late.

"God, I feel like someone put ants in this thing - did you put ants in my suit?" Frank asked, one hand on the steering wheel so that the other could scratch at certain parts of his body that were uncomfortable.

"You're impossible," Max said, but he still smiled fondly at the wriggling Frank.

The event was so fancy that Frank pulled up his car and immediately had a man approach him to take his keys and proceed to park the car around the back for him. He couldn't remember ever having that luxury, not even when 'My Chemical Romance' had been at their greatest. They didn't have that sort of fame, they never wanted it.

"I need beer," he announced, the moment they walked in the door and saw hundreds of over-dressed people look them up and down.

"I second that," Max said, surprising Frank slightly.

Sure, Frank may have hated big fancy functions, but at least he knew people at this one. As far as he was concerned, Max knew no one. He certainly felt like a jerk for spending half an hour trying to convince Max that they shouldn't go.

"Frank ... you look nice."

Immediately Frank spun around, grinning when he saw who had just complimented him.

"Speak for yourself Gee, where did you get the outfit?"

Gerard had on a black suit; the pin-strips in it were a deep red. The white shirt underneath and the red tie certainly made the outfit stand out from everyone else's traditional boring gray suits. If anything, it made Frank almost sigh. He looked about as good as he used to when they would dress up for photo shoots back in the 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge' days.

"Oh, um Gee, this is Max," Frank announced, shaking his head to stop his mind from wondering.

Max smiled his perfectly white teeth and took Gerard's hand to initiate in a firm hand shake. Gerard smiled back, but there was a slight fakeness behind it that gave Frank a small shiver of delight. Was Gerard jealous?

"Nice to meet you. Glad to see you managed to drag Frank's lazy ass out of the house," Gerard said, making Max laugh and dig his elbow into Frank's arm playfully.

"Oh ha, ha, ha, you're both hilarious," Frank whined, scratching his unusually perfect hair as the gel he had found last minute was reacting badly with his scalp.

At that moment, as though sensing Frank's discomfort, Max's hand gently brushed against his before taking it completely and holding it. Gerard's eyes fluttered downwards briefly before he rubbed at the back of his neck and quickly looked away. Frank grinned, pleased at the reaction, but it was short lived as a women made her way gracefully towards Gerard, wrapping her tattooed arm around him and kissing him briefly.

"Lindsey," Frank said shortly, nodding his head in her direction.

"Frank. You came! I must say I'm quite surprised," Lindsey said, looking from Frank to Max wide-eyed. "And you brought someone?"

"Yes I did ... this is Max, my date," he announced, over emphasizing the word as he glanced in Gerard's direction. There was a reaction, but he couldn't quite pick what it was. Lindsey barely noticed.

"A date? My, my Frank, you really have changed."

She smiled as she greeted Max with a hand shake. As far as women went, Lindsey looked extremely nice. He hated that.

"Is there a bar? Please tell me there's a bar," Frank said, looking anywhere but at Lindsey and Gerard.

"Over there Frank. It seems some things never change," she said, squeezing Gerard tightly as she just rolled her eyes.

Frank followed her pointing finger, said a rather forced thank you and then dragged Max with him as he made a quick escape towards the alcohol.

"Two beers please," Frank ordered, holding onto Max tightly as several more well-dressed people walked past, taking small sips of their expensive wine. It felt good to know he hadn't come here alone.

"Frank, am I hallucinating? Are you really here?" a male voice called out.

For a moment Frank thought Gerard was messing with his head, he was sure it was his voice. But, turning around he came face to face with a smiling Mikey.

"Mikes! What are you doing here?" Frank asked, letting go of Max's hand so that he could pull Mikey into a tight hug. For some reason he was thrilled to see another friendly face.

"Gerard practically begged me to come; he said Lindsey was going to be doing work stuff so he basically needed someone to hold his hand whilst she wasn't there. Plus, Lindsey might be giving me a job with the company, just something simple. Still, who knows, might even end up owning my own band."

Mikey spoke rather quickly, his eyes darting around the room as though keeping an eye out for a serial killer of some kind. Frank recognized the look, it was clear that Mikey was as uncomfortable with the formality of the party as he himself was.

"So - um Frank, this Max?" Mikey asked quietly, noting the man standing close to Frank with two beers in his hand.

"Oh shit, sorry man. Yeah, this is Max," he said, taking one beer from Max so he had a free hand to greet Mikey.

"I've heard way too much about you," Mikey admitted, his eyes widening as though trying to exaggerate what he meant by "way too much".

"Max this is Gerard's brother," Frank continued, if anything, just to make conversation as he took a sip from his beer.

"Yeah, I remember Frank. Believe it or not, I had actually heard of My Chemical Romance before I met you." Max laughed as Frank just looked slightly foolish. He really wasn't good at the whole introducing people thing.

Taking another sip from his beer, Frank's attention was diverted from the conversation Mikey and Max were now having as an attractive blonde-haired women approached them. She was wearing a tight black dress that barely covered her ass and a gold necklace that looked so expensive that he was certain it was a sign that she was taken by a man who liked to buy her extravagant gifts.

For a moment, he seriously thought she was lost. There was no way someone like that would seek them out at a party like this.

"Michael, it's so good to see you again," she drawled in a perfected English accent. Mikey, apparently not noticing her arrival, spun around, his face lighting up when he recognized her.

"Kate - Wow! You look - fantastic," he stuttered, his eyes involuntarily looking her up and down.

Immediately Frank recognized the look that Mikey was giving her and his eyes widened in surprise. If he didn't know any better, he'd say there was some serious eye fucking going on between his friend and this rather random, in his opinion anyway, women.

"You going to introduce us Mikes?" Frank asked, curious to find out who this sex on legs really was.

"Um - yeah, sure," Mikey said, apparently collecting himself enough to realize they were still there. "This is Kate. Kate, this is Frank and Max."

"Pleasure to meet you," Frank responded, taking her hand after Max had given his own rather clumsy greeting. This women certainly brought out a wild side in all of them.

Frank was experienced in these matters, he knew what was happening. They were all giving her the same look, slowly undressing her with their eyes; she could have any man she wanted tonight. For some reason, that didn't quite impress him.

"Frank?" she repeated, inspecting him closely. "Frank Iero? It certainly is a pleasure to meet you."

"You've heard of me?" he said rather stupidly. It was clear she had.

"Of course I have. I was a huge fan of My Chemical Romance, made me want to join the record label industry actually. I knew Lindsey for years; when she started her own label she gave me a job. That's how I met Michael here and naturally the fan girl in me came rushing out."

Every word was so clear and concise that the three of them were just staring at her lips in wonder and amazement. As she spoke, she put her arm around 'Michael' and rested her head on his shoulder briefly.

Frank looked on suspiciously. Mikey cleared his throat and stepped away from Kate slightly.

"First thing she did when she saw me was ask for my autograph," Mikey threw in, continuing the story as though trying to attempt to distract Frank. It wasn't working.

"How nice," Frank said, still inspecting Mikey closely.

"Well, I've got to work the room," Kate said, laughing at the formality of her words. "But I'll definitely come back around to this group."

She winked at Frank before gently brushing her hand along Mikey's arm as a way of saying goodbye. Finally she walked away. They all watched her leave, Frank secretly wondering what he would see if the dress rose up just a little bit higher...

"Take a photo Mikey, it'll last longer," he said, pushing Mikey slightly.

"What? Me? You were checking her out too Frank."

"Yes but ... I'm not married," Frank whispered. Secretly, he was glad he was able to subtly remind Mikey that he was in fact taken. For some reason the exchange between Mikey and Kate bothered him immensely.

"Whatever Frank, you don't know what you're talking about. If I get a job here, I'll be her boss; I'm just getting to know my employers."

"Sure you are Mikes. What do you want a job here for anyways?" Frank eyed Mikey suspiciously.

Mikey hadn't worked since My Chemical Romance broke up. It was his own choice, he never seemed to mind all that much. He was supposed to be settling down with Alicia, taking time out to start a family; they were certainly financially covered to do whatever they wanted until they were old and grey. Yet, a few years on and that family he always seemed to want so much still wasn't happening. Frank always found it strange but avoided the subject as it only seemed to aggravate Mikey.

"I don't know. I just, want to work again," he said, shrugging off the question.

Frank watched him closely but sensed that the conversation was over. There was no point in pushing Mikey further, he was done.

"Whatever. I'll be right back, I've seriously got to take a leak," Frank announced, sculling the rest of his beer and placing the empty glass on the bar as he walked away.

He hated thinking about Mikey whilst he was taking a piss, but he couldn't really help where his thoughts wondered at that moment. Something was definitely bothering him. Still, he knew Mikey and he knew he wasn't willingly going to talk about it. Taking a deep breath, he zipped up and went to wash his hands.

"God, what happened to you? You look so uncool," he said to his reflection, tugging at his suit jacket as though trying to make it sit better.

He looked like some punk kid who had borrowed his father's suit in an attempt to look nice for the evening. Even though he had owned that suit for years, the back of the pants still dragged along the ground and the sleeves still fell over his hands. He hated being fucking short.

"No fucking way, what are you doing here?"

Frank stopped inspecting his hair in the mirror and immediately spun around, raising his hands almost defensively when he saw who was standing behind him. It was the one, the only, Benjamin Torwin. The devil himself. The man who turned his album into a shit movie. The man who fought with him at his most recent interview. The man responsible for him being in a cell for a day.

"Relax Iero; I'm over your childish shit. How was the police station?"

Benjamin unzipped and went about his business as Frank continued to keep his guard up. After all, he had confessed to sleeping with this guy’s wife, that in itself was reason enough for him to cop another beating.

"It was terrific. A real vacation, actually." It was then that another thought seemed to reach Frank's brain and he cringed as he spoke his next few words. "Your wife here?"

"Yup, she's just outside. Wont be my wife for much longer though. Truth is, the relationship's been going down hill for months now. Her fucking you was the last straw. Fact of the matter is, I actually have you to thank Frank, at least now I have an excuse to dump her. Thanks man."

Frank tried to smile, but he knew what Benjamin was doing. Cleo, his wife soon to be ex-wife, was a tough nut. She really knew how to pack a punch.

When Frank had broken up with her that morning after Jack had walked in on her lying naked on his bed, she had been furious with him. And why wouldn't she be? She knew Frank had only been getting back at the man that single handedly fucked up his dream to ever want to write another concept album ever again. It was all to crush Benjamin.

Now however, the tables had turned. When Benjamin broke up with Cleo because Frank had opened his big fat mouth and spilled the beans, she would not be a happy camper. Sure, he could spend his days forever avoiding her, that wouldn't be difficult, but it wasn't the rest of his life he was worried about, he was more concerned with tonight.

If she saw him here, she would make a scene. He didn't want to be the cause of a fight at Lindsey's fancy charity ball. What would Gerard thing of him then?

Secretly, he had made a promise to himself before he came. He was going to try hard to be on his best behavior. Part of that was because he wanted to do everything right with Max and staring a scene on their first big date wasn't really a good idea. But, a bigger part of it was also because Frank still wanted to impress Gerard. He wanted to show him how much he had grown up, how much he had changed. Frank had worked so hard, he wasn't going to let some bimbo who couldn't resist his charms get in the way of that.

"She's outside hey? That's just grand," he muttered sarcastically. Benjamin just smiled wikedly as he dried off his hands and left the toilets.

Taking a deep breath, Frank looked at himself in the mirror again to make sure he didn't look too flustered.

"You're a fucking ass-hole and nobody likes you. Now smile pansy-boy." Smiling at his reflection as it spoke the words; he flattened his tie and left the bathroom.

The first thing he noticed was that Mikey and Max were no longer in the spot they had been in before. Freaking out slightly, he was positively relieved when somebody grabbed his arm and pulled him to a quieter location.

"You looked lost, thought I'd rescue you," Gerard said, letting go of Frank's arm as he sat down onto an expensive looking lounge. "God I hate these things."

"You look a little tense, how often does Lindsey throw one of these events?"

Frank smiled despite himself, glad to be dragged away from anything, so long as it was Gerard who was doing the dragging. He sat down on the seat next to Gerard, their knees brushing against one another slightly.

"Whenever she feels like it really. If she has some extra money or if she's back from a long tour or something, she'll throw one." He loosened his tie as he spoke, as though the mere thought of another function such as this was going to drive him into insanity.

"Sounds like your life is bags full of crazy! If I remember correctly, you didn't like the crazy, it was the downtime you lived for," Frank announced, proud to remember an important detail from their relationship.

Gerard seemed just as surprised. He looked up as though he was slightly suspicious as to how Frank even remembered something like that. Their eye's lingered on each others' for a while before Gerard finally cleared his throat and looked away.

"So - um - where's the boy friend?" he suddenly asked, changing the topic of conversation completely.

"Dunno, I think he ran off with your brother actually," Frank said, shrugging his shoulders as he looked around for Max's black suit and blonde hair.

"Well, he seems very nice Frank, I'm happy for you," Gerard announced, moving his legs closer together so that their knees were no longer touching.

Frank inspected Gerard closely. Maybe it was his own wishful imagination, but he was positive he sensed bitterness in Gerard's tone.

"Anyway, I better get back to Lindsey. Just ... you're doing well Frank - please, be on your best behavior tonight. Promise me?"

Gerard rose up from the seat, buttoning up his jacket and re-tightening his tie. For some reason the movements only made Frank sigh as he remembered that once, Gerard had been his.

"I promise Gee. Best behavior! Just for you."

He smiled and winked. Gerard swallowed long and hard, forcing a smile as he tore he took a deep breath and tore his eyes away to go and look for Lindsey. Frank just slouched lower into the lounge, pissed off at how life loved to fuck him around constantly.

It was at that moment, he spotted Max. He wasn't still with Mikey like he had figured he would be, he was standing by the bar, laughing and chatting heatedly with an older man. An older man Frank recognized immediately. He was the guy from the bar on that day fate had let him run into Max again. The older guy that Max had been seeing before. It was Bill, the man Frank had stolen not only a puppy from, but an expensive piece of art.

Fury ran through his veins as he watched Max place a hand on Bill's arm, laughing playfully. He felt foolish that he had been so caught up in himself that he hadn't even seen this coming. Max had been very fond of his ex, even if he had treated him like shit, was he even really over him?

Getting up from the lounge, he made a direct bee-line for the two conversing men.

"Frank? Frank Iero?" a female voice called out to him.

He stopped, spinning around to try and find the source of the voice. Finally a hand grabbed hold of his and pulled him downwards until he found himself seated at a small table for two. An aging, dark haired woman was staring at him mystified.

"Do I know you," he asked, taking her in, trying to remember if he had ever seen her before.

"No, no. I've just heard about you of course. Seen a few of your shows lately, you have a lot of talent." She sipped at her wine with one hand, the other still resting on Franks.

"Well thank you very much, excuse me, I really have to get back to -" he gestured towards Max and Bill, but the women’s hand immediately tightened on his and he knew he wasn't going to get away so easily.

"My husband," the women said bitterly as she tossed her head in Bill's direction.

"Y-your husband?" he repeated. The memories of the moans and groans coming from the other room as he snatched their puppy came rushing back to him and he shuddered in disgust. This woman was the screamer.

"Yes. Not for much longer though I daresay. Women aren't enough to satisfy him anymore, he'll take anything," she confessed, lowering her voice to a whisper. "That one he's over there talking to now, they've been playing grab-ass on and off for years now. I'm not stupid."

"Is that so?" Frank said, side-glancing at his boyfriend as he still giggled at his much older ex.

"But enough about that, because I'm dying to know, what's a good looking young man like you doing on your own on a night like tonight? Do you need company?" Her hand rubbed along his again in a suggestive manner and he politely pulled it away from her.

"No, I've got more then enough on my plate tonight thank you. Plus, I promised someone I'd be on my best behavior."

With that the women sipped her wine as she continued to eye him with great interest. Free of her firm grip, he wasted no time in slipping from the chair and heading straight back over to Max.

"There you are," he said loudly, breaking up the conversation Max was having with Bill rather crudely. He really didn't care though.

"Frank? Where'd you go to?" Max asked, about to introduce Bill, but Frank was too quick and he smiled and nodded at Bill before he grabbed Max's arm and led him away.

"What the hell are you doing talking to him?" Frank spilled out as he continued to clasp Max's arm firmly, dragging him to a location far from where Bill still stood staring after them.

"I didn't know he was going to be here," Max said, trying to wrestle his arm free.

Finally letting go, Frank turned to face the flustered looking Max, talking softly so that only he could hear.

"I stole a dog and a million dollar painting from that guy! For you I might add, even though you didn't really end up with either of them, but that's beside the point. I thought you hated that guy!"

"I do!" Max practically yelled out. Somehow managing to calm himself, Max took a deep breath and simply looked Frank right in the eye. "I do Frank, I really do. I was just, I dunno, trying to be friendly. A part of me feels bad, you know?"

Frank wanted to be mad, he wanted to be furious. Mainly because he had gone far and beyond for Max, stealing from somebody he didn't even know simply because he hurt him in some way or other. Yet, how could he be mad at Max for still talking to an ex, wasn't that exactly what Frank had just been doing with Gerard?

"Yeah, I know. But, just stay away from him okay. Last thing I need tonight is for everyone to find out I robbed that guy."

"I wont let that happen Frank, don't worry," Max said and to Frank's great surprise, he lowered himself slightly to his height and kissed him.

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

Gerard hated these big charity events more then anything else in the world. Sure, it was for a great cause, sure it made Lindsey happy but fuck, he hated them.

He couldn't understand why she couldn't just have a simple dinner or a live music night or a games night or something. It always had to be big, it always had to be expensive and it always had to be fucking fancy.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you, having fun?" Lindsey asked, pulling him into a rather rushed kiss as she waved to several people she was yet to greet properly.

"Time of my life," he said sarcastically, fiddling with his collar. He hated wearing ties that tight.

"Where did Mikey go?" She looked around frantically as though concerned that the only way he would start to enjoy himself was if she could locate Mikey.

"I dunno, ran off somewhere. Just, do your rounds, I'm alright," he sighed, shooing her away.

"Thank you. I'm sorry Gee; I promise I'll have a drink with you in a few minutes."

With that she kissed him again and scurried away. Defeated, he flopped back down into the lounge chair he seemed to have taken a liking to tonight.

Over near the bar he could see Frank chatting away happily with his latest boy toy. It was still all a little surreal.

Gerard was the one to move on first, he was the one with the family and the plan and the apparent life. Yet, Frank was the one enjoying himself, surrounded by friends whilst Gerard sat all on his own. Story of his life really.

It felt all he had ever wanted was to be with somebody. It wasn't much to ask, he just needed companionship, he hated being alone. It was funny how no matter how much he struggled with it over the years; he still couldn't get it right.

He had broken up with Lindsey so he could be with Frank, mainly because he was there. He was always there. Every memory he had of his twenties, Frank was there. The good times, the bad times, everything. Being with him just felt like the right thing to do, they would be together forever.

Then, when he finally had Frank, he was never there and Gerard felt truly alone again. Only this time, he didn't even have his son to keep him company. Deciding it was better with Lindsey he ran back to her. It was all little fucked up. The quest for life-long companionship, it was all he had ever wanted, all he had ever needed and he was struggling. Why didn't anyone help him? Didn't anyone understand him anymore?

Still, he couldn't help but wonder every now and again. Was it really the right choice this time? Was Lindsey really the one or was he going to continuously go around in circles until he just couldn't take it anymore?

Moments like these made Gerard wish that he could just march up to the bar and drink all his problems away. Lately things had away of just not working out at all liked he planned. Tonight, watching Frank find happiness again whilst he still wasn't sure if he was even happy, made him want to drown his sorrows in beer.

And at that moment, it was all he could think to do to solve his problems.

He hadn't drunk in almost 9 years! That was fucking impressive, what would it matter if he had one or two? He was bored, he was alone and he was fucking miserable. Wasn't that the reason he had started drinking excessively in the first place?

Gerard knew it was terrible to even think it, but at that moment he wondered, if by getting drunk would he cause enough of a scene for everyone to start paying attention to him again. It was being constantly drunk and needing supervision that had brought him so many close friends in the first place.

Was drinking really the solution to all of his problems? It was so simple.

Sighing heavily he got up from his seat and made his way to the bar. Just a coke, he told himself, he wasn't going to throw everything away over a little insecurity. Was he?

He was walking so purposefully, buried deep inside his own head, that he didn't quite see where he was going until it was too late. Crashing into another human being, he felt their drink spill down the front of his shirt and he groaned in annoyance. It was the last thing he needed at that moment.

"Great, thanks a lot," he said, shaking his head at the moron who had ran into him. Sure, he hadn't really even seen where he was going, but this other guy had clearly been paying just as little attention otherwise he never would have crashed into him.

"You fucking spilt my drink," the other man shouted, waving his glass around in annoyance.

"I think you'll find that it's my wife paying for those drinks, ass hole. Maybe if you watch where you're going you wont need to make so many trips to the bar."

He hadn't meant to sound so angry, but whenever he got an old craving back for alcohol, he always got snappy.

"You're Lindsey’s husband? The one from My Chemical Romance ... I remember you. You're the fucking faggot that ruined that band!"

Just like that, the fury bubbled over and Gerard snapped. Mustering all the strength he could, he shoved the smart-ass that stood gloating in front of him. The man cried out in annoyance but did little to defend himself as Gerard pushed him again.

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Settle down," a soothing voice said as Gerard felt himself being grabbed around the shoulders and pulled away from the offending jerk.

"Guys a fucking unstable moron," the other man said, adjusting his suit and looking around nervously as though worried someone had heard what he had said.

Gerard calmed himself enough to realize that it was Lindsey holding him around the shoulders. Her eyes stared into his, asking a million questions.

"He called me a faggot," he explained to her softly as she just shut her eyes and shook her head in disbelief.

"I did not!" the guy yelled out. Gerard laughed, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Yes you did! Everyone heard you!"

"Gee ... come on, calm down. Walk away, alright, let's just walk away," Lindsey instructed, trying to drag him away. "This isn't the time or the place."

"But Lynz, how am I supposed to let him get away with saying shit like that?" he asked, desperate to resume the fight, if only to defend what little dignity he had left. But Lindsey was persistent.

"Gerard please! Not here, not now!" She stared deep into his eyes, secretly pleading. He knew she didn't want her soon to be husband of all people starting a scene at one of her big events, but he couldn't help it. That guy just really got under his skin.

"Fine, I'll just go back to fucking sitting here on my own then shall I."

Annoyed, he pulled away from her, giving the guy one last death-stare before marching back over to the lounge he had already befriended. He sunk into it as the gathering crowd went back to the conversations they had been having before the small fight.

"What the hells gotten into you?" Lindsey asked, making her way over to him.

"Nothing. I just need a fucking drink that's all and I can't fucking have one!" With that he crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance and looked away from her. Their conversation was over; he didn't want to talk to her anymore.

"I'm going to find Mikey; he'll know what to do with you. I can't deal with this right now," she said, walking away.

He snickered quietly to himself, shaking his head. It was typical; she couldn't even deal with him on her own. Instead, she just ran off to Mikey, passing her problems off to somebody else.

Gerard didn't like being passed on to somebody else. He didn't like it at all.

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

"Where the hell is Mikey?" Frank asked, glancing around at every woman that was in their range praying to whoever would listen that it wasn't Cleo.

He hated being afraid of a girl, but a women in scorn was a terrible thing. Frank couldn't even begin to comprehend how far she would go to get back at him. After all, he had single-handedly ripped apart her happy little marriage to a millionaire. She would be pissed.

"Who knows, want another drink?" Max didn't wait for an answer; he just raised two fingers to the bartender and sighed.

The party was getting old, they were sick of socializing; they both agreed that fancy occasions just didn't work for them. The moment it had started wearing thin they grabbed two stools and headed for the bar. It seemed the bartender didn't mind the company, because he didn't complain or tell them they weren't supposed to sit there, he just kept filling up their glasses whenever they got particularly low.

"I think I'm going to go find him, he could be trapped in some dangerously boring conversation. I'm concerned," Frank said, making Max laugh into his glass of Vodka and coke. They had grown tired of the beer hours ago, it was time for the stronger stuff.

"Okay, don't take too long or I'll be passed out by the time you get back," Max warned, downing the drink he currently had only to have it replaced immediately by the smiling bartender. Maybe he was bored too, Frank wondered.

Grabbing his drink, Frank worked his way around the room, careful to avoid Cleo and Benjamin at all costs. Mikey was nowhere to be seen. Deciding that he didn't really want to get caught up in small talk with some other fan, or other, he ventured away from the function hall and found himself in a long corridor full of large, exquisite offices.

Intrigued, he kept walking, peering into each room as he passed. The office's got bigger and more elaborate as he continued on and he couldn't help but wonder which one was Lindsey's and if it would be at all childish if he threw toilet paper all around the inside of it.

When he walked past the only office with a light on, he stopped immediately as he caught site of something that made his whole body just freeze up.

There, locked in a passionate embrace on top of an expensive looking desk was Mikey and Kate; the blonde he had been introduced to earlier. Her poor excuse for a dress was rolled up to reveal her legs and her stomach. Mikey was leaning over the top of her, his hair a complete mess as he kissed her hungrily. He hadn't done anything he'd really regret just just, but Frank knew if he had of left his search for Mikey any longer a different chain of events would definitely have played out.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he shouted, finally finding his voice.

It was as though Mikey had been electrocuted. His lips broke away from Kate's as his body threw itself up against the far wall. Kate sat up looking disappointed and confused.

"F-Frank ..." Mikey tried to speak, but his breathing was erratic, he no longer seemed capable of anything but hyperventilation. Kate still just sat there, shaking her head at Frank as though she couldn't believe he had interrupted them.

"Could you excuse us for a moment Kate, I need to have a word with my friend here," Frank said, showing her the door.

Clearly she didn't like being told what to do, especially not by him, but there wasn't another option for her. Mikey was in no state to continue whatever they had been doing before and Frank had no intention of staying in that room if she refused to leave.

Defeated, she slid off the desk and rolled her skirt down as far as it would go. Fixing her hair, she marched out of the room, giving Frank the finger as she passed him. The moment she was gone, Frank moved over to Mikey.

"Come on buddy, breath, it's alright," Frank reassured him, grabbing Mikey by the shoulders and leading him over to a black leather lounge that sat opposite the door.

"C-can't - fucking heart attack - shit."

Mikey continued to clutch at his chest as he struggled to catch his breath. Frank just wrapped an arm around his shoulder, trying hard not to laugh. Sure, the situation in itself wasn't all that funny, but Mikey panicking so much was. It had been a while since Frank had seen him so flustered, usually Mikey was the level-headed one.

Finally calming down, Mikey's breathing steadied and he smiled and nodded at Frank to show him he was okay. The moment he was convinced that his friend was fine he raised his hand and slapped Mikey hard over the back of the head.

"What the fuck is wrong with you Mikey? You're fucking married!"

Frank hadn't meant to sound so angry, but Mikey was Gerard's little brother and therefore, a part of him felt like it was his little brother he was sitting there with as well. Both he and Gerard had already thrown their lives away once before, there was no way Frank was going to watch Mikey do it to.

"I should have seen this coming; I could tell something was wrong with you. But seriously, what were you thinking? You love Alicia, this is fucking ridiculous," Frank continued, his words calmer this time as he realised how much he had upset Mikey.

"I know, I fucking know Frank! I love her so much ... but - shit - it's just too much, you know?" he stuttered, looking slightly wild.

"No, I don't know. Explain it to me," Frank pushed, eager to let Mikey open up. It seemed he had something on his mind.

"I can't ... I'm happy - well, I was - I thought I was ... I just don't know anymore. What's wrong with me Frank? I wasn't even fucking attracted to that girl. I fucking love Alicia, god I love her so much. B-but, there's so much pressure."

Mikey ran a shaky hand through his already messed up hair, his eyes slightly unfocused as though he had only just realised what he had done.

"Pressure? What sort of pressure? You and Alicia are the most relaxed people I know," Frank said, forcing Mikey to continue.

"She wants kids Frank! Fuck, I thought I did to. But that was before - now ... I have nothing! I don't want to bring up a kid Frank, I'm a failure. I'll fail at that too, I know I will. Alicia was so set on starting a family, I ... Fuck Frank I - I just couldn't perform under the pressure she was putting me through."

Frank shook his head at Mikey's words, hardly believing what he was listening to. Why the hell did Mikey think he was a failure?

"You're not a failure Mikey, where's this coming from? And what do you mean you couldn't perform under the pressure? Talk to me man, you know I'm stupid, spell it out for me."

"Fuck Frank, what's there to spell out? Alicia and I haven't had sex in a whole fucking year! I - I can't get it up! And I refused to take Viagra and shit like that because I knew what the problem was. She was putting too much stress on me! She didn't stop to listen to me, she just kept pushing and pushing and it's driving me away. But I don't want to be driven away Frank, I really don't - I love her!"

Apparently slightly embarrassed, Mikey just buried his head in his hands, refusing to make eye contact with Frank.

"A whole fucking year? My god, how do you pass the time?" Frank practically shouted, amazed that Mikey had prevented an event like the one he had witnessed tonight from happening for so long. He couldn't imagine an entire year without sex, especially not if he was married and had someone he was obviously attracted to around him every day.

"See, I know you wouldn't understand," Mikey whined, finding his feet and finally standing up.

"Woah, woah! Wait a second Mikes, I'm just being a prick, sit back down." Frank tugged on the back of Mikey's suit jacket causing him to flop back down onto the lounge rather messily. "You need to talk to your wife Mikey! Explain it to her. You're in love, she'll understand. Just explain to her you need to sort your own life out before you bring a kid into this fucked up mess that is all of our lives."

Mikey bit his lip and nodded, his eyes still slightly distant. Even though he had finally opened up, Frank still wasn't happy. Mikey was holding something back, he had claimed he was a failure, he wasn't ready for kids, clearly there was some underlying problem that was causing his distress.

"What's bothering you Mikes? You always wanted a family before, what's changed?"

Mikey's sad eyes finally locked with Frank's again. He smiled, because god he loved those eyes. Gerard had them, Jack had them, Mikey, his best friend, had them to.

"I miss the band Frank. I miss playing and I miss hanging out in a stinky fucking tour bus. I miss getting out and just jumping around on a stage all day playing my bass. I can't deal with this retired shit, I'm too young! I don't want to join a label; I don't want to watch other bands begin their careers when mine has ended. I want to fucking play again! Please Frank ... fix this!"

Frank cringed at Mikey's final words. A last desperate plea for help. It was suddenly as though the world was asking too much of him. He couldn't help Mikey, even though he knew that everyone felt the same way he did. He couldn't help any of them.

"Fuck Mikes ... j-just - fuck!"

With those words Mikey's bottom lip trembled and he threw himself around Frank's neck a little unexpectedly. Frank hugged him back, muttering words of reassurance until he heard Mikey sob into his shoulder.

"You crying man?"

"NO!"

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

After making sure Mikey made it back to his car without bursting into tears again, Frank walked back into the hall to find his date.

The conversation with Mikey had left him slightly hollow. He knew that it was time to go, he had definitely had enough for one night.

Finally, he found Max, still by the bar. His suit jacket was tossed over the stool Frank had been sitting at before; his sleeves rolled up as he lounged over the bar and sipped at another drink. Max looked officially wasted.

"Hey! I think it's time I got you home," Frank said, grabbing the drink from Max's hand and sculling it. It was straight vodka this time; Max was hitting the strong shit.

"Frankie, Frankie, Frank," he sung in a pleasant enough voice as he struggled to stand up.

"Easy does it," Frank chimed in, reaching out his arms to help steady him. Max just fell into them, giggling as his fingers curled around Frank's collar.

"You love me don't you Frank?"

The question threw Frank off completely. He hated those words. There were only three people he had ever said them to. One was a girl he had met in sixth grade; she had braided black hair and big green eyes and he didn't even know her name, yet he could still remember the day he had marched up to her and boldly shouted "I love you!" The second was Jamia, the third was Gerard. Nothing good had come from saying those words.

"I've certainly grown fond of you yes, but I don't think -"

"Let me guess," Max slurred, still clutching tightly onto Frank. "You like my company, but you don't exactly like me. Am I right?"

"Come on Max, this really isn't a good time. Where's this coming from anyway?"

Max's sad eyes flickered towards an aging man standing over in the far corner. It was Bill and he was now chatting with some other rather nice looking young guy. Frank just sighed.

"I loved that guy for years Frank and he just used me and used me until I couldn't take it anymore. It hurts. Every once and a while I just like to feel that somebody cares enough about me to make an effort."

Smiling kindly, Frank pulled Max closer until he could successfully lean forward and kiss him briefly on the lips.

"Stay here."

With that, he helped Max back into his stool, ordered him a water and marched straight over to Bill. The fucking ex who was making Frank look bad.

"Excuse me, can I borrow this wanker - I mean, guy for a second," Frank asked the young man who was stepping closer and closer to Bill, hanging off every word. The guy looked Frank once over, shrugged and then walked away.

"I was about to make my move," Bill protested, looking Frank up and down.

"I bet you where. That what your good at? Going for men half your age just because it makes you feel better about yourself. Here's a tip, stop stringing people along, it just makes everyone realize that they were right about you, you really are a fucking tool!"

At those words Bill drew himself up to his full height. It was clear he wasn't impressed by Frank's bullying.

"Who the hell do you think you are? I know who you are, Frank isn't it? Max's newest arm candy. I wouldn't be so quick to defend his honour if I were you, especially considering the way he talks about you..."

Frank bit his tongue. Part of him wanted to punch the fucking smirk right off the old man's face and yet, part of him actually wanted to hear with Bill had to say, because he didn't look like a liar. What if Max had really been saying stuff about him to his ex?

As though sensing it was safe to continue, Bill kept on speaking.

"We're not technically broken up just yet you see, so I had to ask about you. I needed to know if you were any sort of threat to me Frank. And you know what Max said? He told me I had nothing to worry about; you were just some fucking washed up guitar player who happened to be good in bed. Sounds to me like you're the third wheel here pal, why don't you just scurry on home to you're eye liner and emo music?"

For a moment, Frank was speechless. The words hit hard, he couldn't pretend they didn't. The only instinct he had was to beat the living shit out of the guy in front of him until all his hurt and insecurities just washed away. He stepped forward, fist at the ready ... but he thought of his promise and he stopped.

"You're fucking lucky, you know that right?"

Bill just laughed. "Oh yeah? And why's that?"

"Because I promised someone very special that I'd behave myself tonight."

With that Frank turned, ready to walk away. It was at that moment though that his eyes locked with Cleo. It became immediately clear to Frank that Benjamin had already broken it off with her or at least told her how Frank had spilled the beans, she looked about ready to rip of his balls and serve them to a crocodile.

"You fucking bastard!" she shouted as she came at him with her drink.

Somehow, he wasn't even sure how, he managed to duck out of her way just in time. The drink she had tried to throw at him hit Bill instead and he let out a small cry of surprise as the red wine spilled down his shirt. Unable to help himself Frank started laughed and once he started he couldn't stop.

"Little fuck!" Bill shouted, trying to step around the apologizing Cleo to get to him.

Not wanting to cause a scene as he had been so good so far, Frank turned around quickly and hurried away.

"Come on, come on, we're leaving," he shouted at Max, grabbing his jacket and his arm and rushing towards the exit.

"Did you see that Frank? She spilt her drink on him, pure genius," Max shouted at him as though he was miles away. He laughed loudly as he gripped tighter to Frank's hand. "I'm so glad we came!"

The moment they got outside Frank was glad to see his car parked and waiting for him. It was clear the party had well and truly ended, which was just fine by him. He helped the stumbling Max into the car but quickly excused himself as he noticed someone he recognized leaning against one of the buildings perfectly decorated poles, puffing away on a cigarette.

"So? You proud of me?" Frank asked, sneaking up on the unsuspecting Gerard.

"Shit Frank, you scared me," he said, spinning around almost immediately.

Frank noticed the distant look in Gerard's eyes. The way he sucked on his cigarette like it was his life-line, the way the unused hand by his side twitched like it used to when Gerard needed a fucking drink. Something was definitely up.

"You alright?" he questioned, tilting his head to get a better look at Gerard's eyes through his thick black fringe.

"Me? Yeah, of course. And in answer to your question Frank. I guess I'm proud of you ... Max seems really nice."

"No, no, no. I'm not talking about Max, Gee. I'm talking about my behavior. Not one fight, not one argument, I was a saint."

The distant look in Gerard's eyes faded as he let out a small laugh and nodded his head.

"Yeah Frank, you did good. You keep this up and I'm going to start to get worried. I barely even know you any more."

It was meant as a compliment but Frank felt his heart drop. He wasn't sure what he wanted to hear, but that wasn't it. He wanted Gerard to know him, he wanted Gerard to recognize that he was the old Frank again. The one that used to help him get home when he was drunk, the one that used to discuss his high morals and strong beliefs in interviews, the one that used to make teenagers everywhere want to look up to him. He wanted Gerard to see that he was the same old Frank, the one he still knew from long ago. The one he fell in love with.

"So, did you have a good time?" Frank decided on asking, but Gerard never got a chance to answer because at that moment he was distracted by a tall, imposing looking man who walked down the steps and shoved past him rather rudely.

"Fuck off," Gerard snapped at the retreating man, clearly not pleased about being run into.

"See you next function," the guy said, exaggerating each word. It was clear it wasn't meant to be a nice parting comment, it was crude and sarcastic.

"What the hell's his problem?" Frank asked, watching the rather rude ass-hole walk towards his car.

"Nothing, guys just a fucking moron."

"Why? What'd he do?" Frank pushed, noticing how much the guy had gotten under Gerard's skin.

"He just - called me a faggot, that's all. And he said it was my fault the band broke up. It's stupid, don't worry about it," he said, hanging his head slightly as though he felt quite foolish about the whole thing.

But Frank didn't feel foolish and he didn't think it was stupid at all. That guy had no right to open up his big fucking mouth and say anything at all. Frank was furious and he knew that he had behaved himself long enough. One instinct took over, the instinct to fight all of his problems away.

"Right ... wait here," Frank announced, immediately walking towards the guy that had spoken so rudely to Gerard.

"No Frank, forget about it! Frank!" Gerard called after him, but it was too late.

Walking up to the man he patted him on the shoulder until he turned around. The second he did Frank put every ounce of strength and every single bit of anger he felt coursing through him into his fist. Raising it up, he brought it down so hard against the other man's face that he was knocked to the floor in a sobbing, moaning mess.

Satisfied, Frank stuck his tongue out and gave the guy the finger before walking back to Gerard.

"Night Gee, give Jacky a good-night kiss for me," Frank said, smiling shyly as though he hadn't just a knocked a guy out.

Secretly, he felt fucking fantastic because he was sure that Gerard would recognize him as the same old Frank now.

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

Despite himself, Gerard couldn't stop grinning all the way home.

Lindsey sat as silent as a grave next to him, clearly still not impressed at the argument that they had earlier that night. He wasn't going to apologize though because he believed he hadn't been out of line.

The night had been all about her and whilst he usually didn't mind, he needed her tonight. Some jerk off had insulted him, crushed his spirit and all she had said was walk away. He still wasn't sure what he expected her to do, but he knew that wasn't it.

Frank.

It was all he could think about. No matter how much he thought he had the guy figured, he always managed to surprise him. He hated himself for thinking about him the whole drive home, but at that moment it was the only thing that made him happy.

"I'm going to say goodnight to Jack, can you pay the babysitter?" Lindsey instructed, rather then asked as she got out of the car and slammed the door.

That was another reason Gerard hated thinking about Frank. To him, Frank always equaled the band. When he thought about Frank/The band, he didn't want to hear things like "can you pay the babysitter". It just reminded him that he wasn't the same person anymore. It made him feel like the whole thing had just been some very good and very vivid dream.

"Did you have a good night Mr. Way?" Sandy, the babysitter, asked as Gerard handed over her pay. He cringed at the name she used. It made him feel so fucking old.

"Not really. How was Jack?"

"Great, he's a good kid. Too much energy though, I think he wore me out," Sandy admitted, yawning as she spoke.

Gerard just laughed slightly and nodded his head.

"Yeah, he doesn't get that from me or Lindsey I'm afraid. We can't keep up with him."

Sandy looked confused but didn't bother asking where the hell Jack got his energy from if it wasn't from his parents. It was a good thing, Gerard didn't like explaining to people that Jack technically had two fathers; it brought up too many awkward questions.

When they said their goodbyes and Sandy was out the door, Gerard finally undid his tie and tossed it onto the kitchen bench along with his suit jacket. He prayed that he would never have to put either of them on ever again.

A few minutes passed and Lindsey finally emerged from the staircase. Immediately Gerard knew something was up. Even though she had just said goodnight to her son, she seemed more pissed off then ever before, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Lynz? What's wrong?" he asked, following her into the lounge room. The moment she got there she collapsed onto the lounge and buried her head in her hands. Seconds later she began to cry.

"I can't fucking win Gerard! I hate you for doing this to me!"

Startled, Gerard didn't sit with her, nor did he move to comfort her. How the fuck could she blame him? What did he do now?

"What happened? What did I do?" he asked, trying to keep his anger at bay.

"What did you do? What did you do? Figure it out! Why the fuck did you have to be with Frank for? Why? My own son doesn't even love me anymore," she shouted, tears pouring down her face as she turned away from him again.

Gerard pitied her, how could he not. He loved her, he knew he did and he fucking hated to see her so upset. But her words worried him. Why had she brought all this up now? Had Jack just done something wrong?

He let out a heavy sigh as he stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. Immediately she shrugged it off.

"Just leave me alone," she commanded, moving away from him.

Gerard definitely didn't feel like playing her little games tonight, so he did as she instructed and left her alone. He knew "leave me alone" usually meant "make more of an effort to comfort me" but he wasn't in the mood. At that moment, he figured Jack - a fucking six year old - would answer his questions more civil then she would.

As he crept into his son’s room, he could tell by the shuffling of blankets and heavy breathing that Jack wasn't asleep. Moving into the small bedroom, he sat on the side of the bed and switched on the little 'Nightmare Before Christmas' lamp that Frank had brought Jack two Christmas' ago.

"Hey daddy," he said groggily as he rubbed at his eyes, squinting slightly under the harsh light of the lamp.

"Hey Jack. Did you say something to make mummy cry?" Gerard asked, brushing his son's fringe out of his eyes as he spoke.

He hated to sound so blunt, but he was too tired to beat around the bush. Immediately he wished he had of gone about it a different way because the moment Jack heard the words "did you say something to make mummy cry", he looked away and picked at the corner of his pillow as though trying to distract himself from the guilt he felt.

"You told Sandy I could have a present if I behaved myself when she took me shopping," he said slowly, still not making eye contact with Gerard.

"And?" Gerard pressed him, wondering what on earth this had to do with his question. As much as he loved his son, he wasn't in the mood for another tall-story by an over imaginative six year old.

"I was good, so Sandy let me pick out what I wanted..."

Gerard waited and waited until he realised that Jack had stopped, he wasn't going to go any further. Sighing loudly, he decided to play along.

"What did you pick out Jack?"

"Promise you won’t get upset," Jack asked, his big brown eyes boring into Gerard's. For some reason, at that moment, Jack reminded him of Mikey. When they were little, Mikey had broken one of Gerard's favorite cassettes; he remembered the same look in his brother's eyes that day.

"I promise Jack."

With those words Jack took a deep breath and lifted his head off the pillow. He turned it slightly and pulled down the color of his pajama top to reveal a small scorpion tattoo printed high on his slightly grubby little neck. Even though half the tail was missing and it was on an odd angle Gerard knew what it was supposed to look like. Jack had been trying to recreate the scorpion tattoo Frank sported high on his own neck, using the cheap 'insect' fake-tattoo's that rested on his bedside table.

Gerard swallowed hard, as he stared at his son. Now he knew why Lindsey was so upset.

"Aw Jacky, why'd you put that tattoo on?" he asked, resting a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. If anything, just to let him know he wasn't mad, just confused.

To his great surprise, Jack's hand dropped from his collar as his whole body trembled and he burst into tears. The weak sobs and cry's shattered Gerard's heart into a million pieces and all he could do was reach out and pull his small son to his chest as he tried desperately to comfort him, to somehow just fight all his troubles away. Unfortunately, he wasn't that strong, he had no idea how to stop Jack from hurting.

The tiny dark-haired boy was weak in his arms; it was almost as though all the fight and all the life had washed out of him. Gerard bit his lip and simply clutched onto his baby boy tighter as his own tears started to form in his eyes.

"Come on Jacky, please stop crying, you're going to make me start to," he said, hoping that in some way his words would settle him down. But Jack only cried more and a stray tear fell down Gerard's cheek as he kissed the top of Jack's head.

"I - thought - it - would - make - Frankie - love - me - again," he managed to say as his crying stopped but his sobbing continued. His chest heaved as though he was fighting some great inner battle with himself, urging himself not to cry anymore.

At these words Gerard felt completely defeated. It hurt, so much more then he could have ever imagined, to hear his son say those words. Because, no matter how hard he tried, he knew he couldn't fix this, he knew he couldn't fix what Jack felt. Never in his whole life could he have imagined this kind of pain. To have his baby, his one and only child cry in his arms almost begging him to make everything okay. Gerard couldn't do that, and it killed him.

"Jacky, he still loves you. God, he loves you so dam much. What in the world would make you think he doesn't?" He had to try and fix this. He just had to.

"He doesn't want to see me anymore daddy!" he sobbed, stopping to catch his breath as a few stray tears rolled down his damp checks. "He doesn't play with my anymore and he doesn't take me with him anywhere anymore."

Gerard felt himself go cold. Frank didn't see Jack as much as he used to because Lindsey and Gerard had agreed on only very short visitations. After all, Jack wasn't legally Frank's son; they technically didn't have to give him any rights. Gerard had been the one to slowly make the visitations less and less, mainly because he couldn't trust himself to see Frank that often. It was his fault Jack hadn't been spending as much time with Frank. It was all his fault that Jack felt neglected. Everything was all his fault.

"But Frankie got you a puppy and a guitar Jack, he's going to take you and Pansy to the park and he's going to teach you how to play. He hasn't forgotten about you," Gerard tried to reassure him as he buried his check into the top of his dark hair.

"I don't want all that stuff, I just want Frank!" he squealed as his body went weak again and the crying resumed. "I - miss - him."

Finally, Gerard couldn't take it anymore. He didn't know how to make it better, but he had an idea. Jack was a good kid. He didn't care about material things; he cared about things that were real. Straight from the heart. There was one thing Gerard knew he could tell his son, one thing he remembered about Frank that could make Gerard smile even at the darkest of times. It was time he shared it with Jack.

"Hey, that's enough now Jack. I need you to stop crying, because I need to tell you a secret about Frank okay."

It took a few moments, but his words caught the boy’s interest. Once the crying had stopped and the sobbing was only an odd chest spasm now and then, Gerard let Jack wriggle away slightly so they were no longer clutching onto one another. His shirt was saturated from Jack's tears, but he barely noticed as he reached up a palm to his eyes in order to wipe the slight trickle of water from his own checks.

"You know how Frankie has a lot of tattoo's," Gerard began, as Jack listened intently, sniffing occasionally.

"Yeah, he's covered in them," Jack joined in.

It was amazing how a six year olds mind worked. One minute Jack had been heart broken, completely crushed, the next he was sitting up, listening intently to what could very well be a simple bed-time story. It was a shame the adult mind couldn't be distracted so easily.

"One thing you've got to understand about Frankie, Jack, he never had a lot. When we first started in a band together he was already pretty poor, he preferred to play music and party rather then get a real job. He was convinced if he had a full time job that sure, he'd be rich, but he'd be miserable. So, when he finally did get money, he decided he didn't need things like fancy cars and expensive clothes, all he wanted was to buy things he could take with him everywhere."

"Is that why he got tattoo's daddy? Cause he can take them everywhere?" Jack asked, apparently catching on.

"Exactly. Tattoo's to Frank were like his most prized possessions. Whatever he gets tattooed, he loves so much that he wants to have it permanently on his skin forever. Across his heart he has a small tat with 'hope' written above it -"

"I haven't seen that one," Jack interrupted, eyes wide as he was entranced by the story.

"I know you haven't. If you had, you would have seen what he has tattooed above that word. Can you guess what it is?" Gerard asked, apparently loosing himself in the story too. He could just imagine Frank rolling his eyes in annoyance at having him make Jack guess the ending.

"I don't know ... what is it? Please tell me," he pleaded, his large brown eyes full of excitement.

"It's your name Jack. Frank got it put there, right on his heart, right above 'hope', because he believed it was where you would stay for the rest of his life. Now you try and tell me that what I just told you isn't love."

Jack was quite, his eyes still wide with wonder. He lifted his fingers to trace at the fake scorpion tattoo on his neck.

"Is that a real secret daddy?" he asked, as he rubbed at his eyes and yawned.

"I swear to you Jack, every word of its true. Now, go to sleep and ... please, no more tattoos," Gerard threw in, grabbing the rest of the fake one's and tossing them in the bin.

Jack just nodded, apparently satisfied. Gerard got up and pulled the blankets back, ready to help his son into bed. Jack jumped under the covers and waited until he was kissed one last time before he put his head onto the pillow and sniffed for the last time.

"Night daddy. Tell mummy I'm sorry for making her cry. I love her, I swear I do."

Gerard smiled warmly at him before switching off his bedside light and heading out the door.

One crying family member down, one more to go. Somehow he knew Lindsey couldn't be as easily won over as Jack.

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

Frank's arms cried out in delight what he finally placed the practically passed out Max onto his bed. He had to shake them around stupidly just to get the blood flowing back through them. Max was heavier then he looked.

"There you go, sleep it off," he said, watching the drunken smile spread across Max's sleepy features.

"I had fun tonight Frank, thanks for taking me out," he muttered, drooling slightly onto the pillow.

"Yeah yeah, go to sleep."

With that, Frank kissed Max on the forehead and made to walk away to get himself ready for bed. But, at that moment, his phone started ringing.

He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen, surprised to see Gerard's name flashing across it.

"I'm just going to take this outside," he began to tell Max, but he really shouldn't have bothered because he was already asleep.

Stepping out onto his verandah, he was hit by the cool and breezy night air that only the beach-side could provide. Clicking the green button, he placed the phone to his ear.

"Gee, what are you doing up so late?" he asked curiously as he sat himself into his favorite outdoor cane-lounge chair.

"No Frankie, it's me," a sleepy voice said into his ear. It made him smile and his heart swell, it had been a while since Jack had called him.

"Does your dad know you've got his phone?"

"No," Jack admitted quietly.

"Good boy. So what's with the very late night call?" he had to ask.

"I had a feeling you couldn't sleep Frankie," Jack practically whispered. Frank closed his eyes, in doing so; it almost felt like the boy was right there with him.

"Right as always. How'd you know?" he said, playing along.

"Because I can't sleep either and I knew you'd be up. Do you remember when I was really little and you would play the guitar for me whilst daddy sang?"

The question made Frank laugh. Of course he remembered, how could he forget. They would sit around for hours trying to come up with some child friendly song that didn't involve flesh eating vampires. When they finally did it was such a disaster that they almost gave up straight away. Jack had loved the crap about dogs wearing underpants and monkeys in spacesuits that they had come up with, so they kept going. If anything, just to keep him happy.

"Yeah, I remember those. Have you finally realised how terrible they were? If it damaged you in anyway Jacky, I'm sorry."

Jack's musical laugh sounded out into his ear. He missed it.

"No silly, I was hoping you could play me something now. I will hear it ... maybe it will help me sleep."

It was such an innocent question that Frank didn't have the heart to tell Jack no. Somehow, he wasn't even sure how, he managed to get his exhausted body off the lounge and back into his room. Locating his forgotten guitar under a pile of clothes, he gripped it tightly and headed back out onto the verandah.

"Just so you know Jack, it's been a while since I've played. I can't promise it will sound very good. But I'm doing it 'cause I love you ... remember that when your brain explodes from the horrible noises I'm about to make," Frank explained, if anything just to cover some stupid insecurity he still had.

As he lay back down onto his favorite lounge, resting the phone between shoulder and ear so that both hands could cradle the guitar, he suddenly felt quit comfortable. The guitar felt right for a change. In fact, it felt magnificent.

And ... just like that, he started playing.

He had no clue what he was playing, there was no sense of rhythm or anything, he just played for the hell of it. And it sounded brilliant. Jack muttered small words of encouragement, but eventually his voice drifted away entirely and Frank could tell he was getting sleepy. He kept playing, his fingers sliding around the neck of the instrument as though it was what they were born to do.

There was no pressure; he was just playing to send Jack off to sleep. When he finally heard the familiar gentle breathing of a sleeping Jack in his ear, he smiled to himself, but he didn't stop playing.

And he kept going and going until the sounds of Jack's breathing sent Frank's eyes fluttering closed. Even then, he still kept playing until his mind finally went blank and the guitar simply slipped from his limp arms.

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AN: See I told you it would be huge. HE HE! That was way too long, I need a rest. Hope you like it. I loved it. My fave part was with Jack and Gee, I've been waiting for ever to write that. He he. Love you all for reading xxx