I'm Just Passing The Time (Peterick Stripper AU)

This Was No Accident

"Why are we checking on the kid?"

"Because he's in the same hospital as Ray and the kid nearly died in Pete's arms, now hush it."

Mikey frowned at the way Frank spoke to him, but grew quiet. Gerard had wanted us to see how Ray was doing. Mikey wanted to see Ray, so he tagged along.

"If you want to stay in Ray's room,be my guest." I said, following Frank down the crowded hall. Mikey nodded, slowing his pace and turning back from where we came.

Frank and I continued forward. It had been about a week since the scene at Max's speakeasy, but the kid had barely been in and out of consciousness from what doctors we talked to had said. When we found his room, he was looking around, dizzily.

"Frank?.." He asked, squinting his eyes. His voice was hoarse and tired as well. "Pete?.."

"Hey, Max." I smiled at him, "How you feeling?"

He just shook his head slowly. "I don't feel okay." He said.

"Well, you got shot, kid." Frank said, looking him over. "I wouldn't feel okay either."

"It feels wrong..." Max brought his hand up to his chest, wincing at the bandaged wound. He looked around the room again with a small frown on his face. "Where's St-Hoodie?" He asked lowly.

Frank and I exchanged looks. "Kid... What do you remember from that night?" Frank asked, cautiously.

Max closed his eyes for a moment before responding. "We were just fixing to open. He kissed my cheek before going around back and I was just leaving the room when..." He winced again, shutting his eyes tighter. When he opened them again, he looked straight at me. "Where's Hoodie?"

"Aahhh..." I didn't know how to respond. How could I tell him?

Max's eyes grew wide. "Wait..." He whispered, "Wait... That man he... Oh no..." Max's hand went up quickly to cover his mouth. Tears began to brim in his eyes. I looked over at Frank, who was watching Max with a sad expression.

"He was all I got..." Max whispered as tears began to fall from his eyes. He shook his head and looked between Frank and I. "He was my everything..." He rested his head on the pillow and closed his eyes tightly.

"Not true." Frank said, reaching out and putting his hand on Max's shoulder. "You got us too, kid."

I knew Frank was trying to comfort him, but I didn't think Max was quite ready for it. He just let out another quiet sob, keeping his eyes shut.

---

"The bulls are dangerous." Gerard's eyes were furrowed as he looked down at some papers in one hand, while messing with Frank's hair with his other hand. I was sitting in a meeting with the two of them about the recent events that had taken place. From Max, to the Trohman place.

"They've already convinced Joe to buy from them, now." Frank sighed, "Death of your partner is a pretty convincing threat..."

"It's a coward's threat." Gerard said, angrily. "That's all the bulls are, cowards."

"Cowards that follow through." Frank said quietly, looking Gerard over. "That's why I didn't take the shot."

Gerard looked at Frank with a mixture of affection, worry, and disappointment. "How would they have known right away?" He asked, trailing his hand down Frank's cheek. "It could of been a bluff."

"Or it could of been dead on and Jaime wouldn't have missed the same way he missed with Ray." Frank argued. He avoided Gerard's gaze, now, instead looking at the papers in Gerard's hand.

Gerard leaned his head on Frank's arm for a moment with a frown. He quickly sat up and kissed Frank's cheek. "We would of dealt with it." He said, quietly. He then layed the papers out on the table and pushed some towards me. "Just like we'll deal with the bulls. We have other locations, but I'm sure the bulls will be after Dallon's place soon enough."

"Until there's nothing left..." I nodded. I felt worried at the mention of Dallon's speakeasy. The Punk stayed there... As well as Brendon's Hershey Eyes... I was worried of the possible collateral damage if Vic was to send his men to that place...

"They'll encourage their complete cooperation..." Gerard trailed off.

"As long as they comply, no one gets hurt. Like the Trohman place." Frank responded softly.

"Hoodie must of talked back." I said, remembering the first experience at Max's place. How Hoodie had refused to move the gun from pointing at the two before confirming the identity. "He wouldn't of taken Vic's shit..."

"He was just a kid..." Gerard muttered, "And Max was almost in the same boat. That's what bothers me the most. Whoever's idea it was to make basic pleasures illegal should be punished, not some kids trying to make it..."

"What are we going to do?" I asked. I looked at the paper Gerard had passed me. It was a list of names. Some were complete, while others had the full names scribbled or smudged away.

Vic Fuentes
Mike Fu es
Ja m e
Tony P

"The list got smudged up by the little girl from 221." Gerard nodded towards it, "But those are the known members of the bulls. Could be more since then, though, but those guys are at the top."

"We looking at a family business?" I asked, noting the similarities in Mike and Vic's names.

Gerard nodded. "Brothers. The others are pretty much just as close. They used to assist us, but the money got to their heads."

"So they started trying to destroy us..." Frank muttered, an angry expression on his face. "All because they felt Gee was holding out."

I shook my head, looking at the short list. What had I done to myself? I just wanted money for a stripper, possibly some booze. How did a lap dance turn to bootlegging? Then how did bootlegging turn into this?

What's worse is that ever since I had woken up next to the stripper and began to observe more about him, it was even harder for me to push him out of my mind.

How did it even get to this point? It felt like someone was turning my life into some elaborate story for the entertainment of others. I could sure use some more of the entertainment part over this...

"Pete."

I looked up at Gerard when he said my name. He was restacking the papers while he continued.

"I want you to go to Weekes' bar. Warn him about the bulls. Hopefully, they aren't already there."

"Yes, sir." I nodded. I stood, passing the paper I had back to Gerard, before leaving the small office and hurrying up the stairs to grab my coat. When I got to the apartment, I could hear a light banging against the wall.

"Please don't be what I think that is..." I muttered before unlocking the door and stepping inside.

Brendon was banging his head against the wall by the door. He leaned back just slightly before letting himself fall forward, creating the light thudding sound.

"Brend." I sighed, grabbing hold of his shoulder and spinning him. "What are you doing?"

"If I hit my head hard enough I won't remember all the bullshit going on in my life right now." He replied simply.

"Brend, no. Grab your coat, we're going to Dallon's." I instructed with the shake of my head. I released my grip on his shoulder and walked into my room to grab my jacket.

"Why now? There's still light out."

"No time like the present." I replied simply, tugging my jacket into place and looking over at him. "Wouldn't you like to see your Hershey Eyes?"

Brendon rolled his eyes. "This all to see your stripper again?"

"Oh, I wish it could just be for that..." I laughed, "I wish..."