Note: Use and listen to the music whenever you feel like using it, or when you think it would be best to use it. 

Also, warning: this will not be like most of my chapters, and there will violence and blood mentioned in the story, and you will see more on both how Jack's mindset works, even despite the people he cares about, and how dark he can get when provoked into it. This chapter will also be/possibly get rather dark at times at times as well.

I placed the part where we see what goes on with him - him speaking his mindset - because I feel it is important to relay how important mental health and self-confidence can be a problem, even for those that somebody would believe is a strong person, and how much it damages the lives of those who go through it...And, honestly, I wasn't sure in this case when writing it how much of it was Jack talking, or myself.

It's not perfect, just like this chapter, and no doubt you will see and notice that because nothing ever is, and I do worry the message doesn't come across the way I hope it does or the way I had wanted it to go, but I hope you can understand at the very least what darkness Jack goes through in his mind, and get an understanding as to why Jack is...what's the word for it...complicated? I'm sure you can think of a better word to describe him.

Apart from that, I hope you read this chapter with an open mind and with both caution and interest as to this side of Jack unfolds.

Jack's Personal Observation:

Just when I thought things were going well in my life for once, minus my...problems...something always comes around to really f*** everything up and cause me and my family problems! Or in this case...someone!

And, oh boy, did this one REALLY get under my skin! 

I suppose I had better explain what is going on though...well, it's going to happen sooner or later, so best to get it over and done with now...

Since retaining the North American Championship against Tyler Breeze a couple of weeks ago at NXT TakeOver: XXV - my eldest sister, Caitlin, has been looking distraught, visibly upset, and extremely concerned as well. But every time I tried to ask about it; she would just pretend that everything was fine.

I may not be very good at figuring out when a person is lying or not, even more so in my sisters case when they actually try to hide it from me...but I could tell immediately that something was definitely off with Cait. 

I couldn't ask Lexi what was wrong with Cait, because she herself (Alexa) didn't even know what was going on. That was when I started to get more concerned...well, that's a bit of an understatement since I was ALREADY F***ING WORRIED ABOUT MY SISTER!!!

Calm down Jack...calm down...don't lose control again....

*Takes a deep breath* Okay...back on topic...

Anyway, I soon found out what was going on, and it was when it was before the god knows number of time of trying when I got in from the gym with Gargano and Michelle (who were catching a ride with us to the next show) and I heard the sound of Caitlin crying in the next room.

This set off massive warning signs for me in my mind, since the only times when Caitlin cries is when something has happened to a family member, myself included, or a close friend that, be it good or bad, when...the past...is brought up for any reason, at least in terms of the bad parts of our past...or, on extremely rare occasions...when something is going on with her that she doesn't want me to know...

That was when I decided that enough was enough, and that whatever was going on with sis was far more serious than she was feigning. So I knocked on the door, only to hear Caitlin to muffle out the words 'come in...' through her cries.

I slowly opened the door and saw her on her bed, curled up tightly with tears streaming down her face, and her phone on the other side of the bed. I walked over to her and slowly sat on her bed, before softly saying, cautiously but with concern, "Cait...? What's wrong...?" 

I was not expecting the reaction I got: as soon as I had asked that, she immediately went over to me and held on to me tightly in a vice-like bear hug as she cried into my chest. 

Surprised by this, I immediately wrapped my arms around her both protectively and for comfort, attempting to calm her down as I hummed a little tune softly that both of us often did whenever something was wrong with the other.

For those who are curious as to what I was humming, it was the song "Ain't No Grave" by Johnny Cash. Don't ask why we hum that song, it just seems to help calm us down weirdly.

https://youtu.be/o0MIFHLIzZY

"Jack...he's back..." she started to say, and I raised my eyebrow to that in confusion. "Who's back?" I asked...I honestly wish I never heard the name she gave me...

"It's...it's David, Jack...! He's back, and...and he's threatened to hurt us all if I don't do as I say! I don't know what to do!" And she buried herself into my chest - warm tears staining her face and my shirt as I let her do so.

David is and was a scumbag, in every sense of the word. He relentlessly stalked Caitlin when we were younger, because she point blank rejected him - the popular guy - in front of a large crowd of people. And no, it wasn't in school, but when we were heading off to a store to get medication for our mum whilst he was out with a group of college kids.

However, his obsession ended up costing him...especially when he ran into me when he attempted to break into our then home at the time! I was on my own - because my sisters and Mum were out - but the creep didn't know it...nor did he know about the camera's in the house at the time either...Trust me, my family was very safety conscious.

When he did find out though...well, let's just say he released how big of a mistake it was to go and break into my families home, and go after my family! 

He ended losing 3 teeth, and feeling in his left arm, and got sent to prison upon the police hearing both my recorded confession, the security feeds of him breaking him...and a raid on his place revealing his plans on what he had in mind for Caitlin...

How he got out of jail, I'll never know...but now, I'll make him regret going after my sister again! This much I swear...or die trying...

I got Cait to explain to me what was going on, and what he was after. Although I wasn't really told what it was he was after - and somehow I think I don't want to know. Even after this, I can't actually remember what it was that he was after, nor do I care now....but...I did learn where he was going to be...and the time and date!

Needless to say...this whole situation was about to get...interesting...

Three Days Later:

It did not take me too long to get that son of a bitch to fall for the little trick...either way, I was going to make him pay for putting my sister and family under so much stress and mental pain!

The meeting point was in a stingy dark alley way in the dead of night whilst it was pouring it down with rain, though whether or not David had predicted the rain was something that I didn't really care about. Alley ways like these - from what I've seen in the past - are either places that an unfortunate soul who has nowhere to go would probably stay out in, or would be the place for people to do dodgy business or...worse...

And then, he arrived...and what he said absolutely infuriated and disgusted me!

[Note: What is said next made me cringe when I wrote it...though I suppose that was the point...and I hated writing it, but it was to serve a purpose for the chapter and for David's character].

"Oh Caitlin! Get ya fat ass out 'ere ya stupid whore! Unless you want something worse to happen to ya sister!" 

He passed me as I was in the shadows of a corner - the rain not seeming to bother him at all, and a sadistic and sickening smirk was on his face...And then, I came out of the shadows wearing all dark clothing and a trench coat with a hood that would make me look like a Sith Lord from Star Wars...possibly...

It must have not taken him too long to figure out that Caitlin wasn't here after he passed me, but by that point it was already far too late! Something that was reinforced when I appeared behind him and begin viciously choking him out and preventing him from breathing as my arms tightly and quickly wrapped around his throat and neck - blocking off the flow of air and his breathing as I brought him down to the ground, occasionally smashing the back of my elbow into his face as I did so!

Needless to say, the face of David was a bloody mess by the time he passed out from the hold and elbow smashes to the face. So much so that I think it would take a bucket of water to fully recognise him, even though it's not too hard to tell him out despite the amount of blood on his face.

I then slowly dragged him to the car, and saw that the car itself had numerous files and pictures scattered across the numerous sets of his car. And it wasn't just solely based on Caitlin...but also on Barbara, Angel, AND myself...with one thing in particular saying "How I destroy Jack Ryan's life!"

He clearly wasn't a smart person by keeping all of this damning stuff and more in his possession that hadn't even been mentioned in his car - which I wouldn't have at all been surprised if it had been stolen - and soon enough I handcuffed David to the car with his own handcuffs, and soon called the authorities/police, letting them know David's location and even sending a picture to confirm it.

After the call ended, I glared down at David with a look that - if looks could kill - would have killed him. I grabbed David by the hair roughly and spoke to his slowly stirring form with nothing but venom in my voice. 

"I don't care if you can hear me or not...but I EXPECT you to hear this and keep this through your damn skull! You're not gonna hurt them, or anyone else, ever again! And if I ever find out that you either go after ANY of my family, or anyone else for that matter...then what has happened this night, or whatever terrible things you go through and have gone through in jail will seem like a picture when I get done with you! 

"The only reason you are still breathing right now is because, unlike you, I'm not yet completely the monster you've turned into! But I won't hesitate next time if it means protecting them!" I then finished David off by knocking him out with a swift kick of my knee into his skull, busting his nose open even more as this occurred, if that was even possible!

By the time the police did arrive in the location: I was already gone, and any trace that I was there was gone as well...

Somehow, despite possible evidence to the contrary I suspect, I was never connected to the events of what happened to David. 

But considering what was in his (David's) car, as well as the recording that I had left behind at the scene of my anger itself, it did not take long for news to circulate that David had been arrested again, and was looking at life in prison for both escape prison and for what he had both in his car and at his hiding spot in regards of causing harm and worse to my family, and no doubt other potential crimes he had schemed as well.

I wouldn't at all be surprised if the police did ask me and my family any questions on the matter, and I had a sneaking suspicion that it would be a talking point in the locker rooms at work for some time...for good and for bad...but I could not care at this point. I had done what I thought was right to protect my family and loved ones...and if there were any consequences to bare, then I will take them if need be...

As night was slowly becoming day: I stood alone, leaning against the vehicle as I looked out to the change, thinking about how I helped my sister today, and possibly others who were in the same situation with that son of a bitch...And yet when I did, I felt tears slowly falling down my face...and I just stood there...letting the tears fall down...

"I'm no hero..." I muttered, barely audible to anyone but myself...and yet, sadly, I believed in every word I said...I'm no hero...least of all when it comes to my family and loved ones...I'm just a man, nothing special. And I'm sure that if the universe wished it: I would fade away out of history into the nothingness as a mere blimp...

I sighed a little as I looked outwards to the world, thinking about my sisters...my daughter...the ones who stole my heart, Amy and Alexa...they deserved better than me...

If only I knew that day just how much I actually meant to everyone...or during those few minutes...

Caitlin's Personal Observation:

I hadn't long woken up as the morning sun began to rise, wanting to try and find Jack, to talk to him and see how he was. To thank him for what he did for me, for us, even despite the threat that David posed and for helping deal with David when he no doubt assumed we were none-the-wiser...but when I got outside, I saw him with an almost vacant look as he stared out to the rise of the morning sun, and muttering to himself on how he believed that he was no hero.

To anyone else who didn't know him, or who didn't know that he was dealing with David, then I suspect his words would hold some truth to other people. 

But to me, and those he cares about, he was. And he always would be, even if he himself doesn't believe it or chooses never to believe it.

I walked up to him quietly - though even if he did hear me making any noises, he clearly didn't react to it or was too lost in his own thoughts to notice too much - and slowly wrapped my arms around him, much to his surprise. I was quick to cut off whatever reaction he was likely going to have. 

"You always will be our hero, Jack. And don't bother trying to argue otherwise, it's only an argument you'd lose again." I couldn't help but briefly smile a victorious smirk on my face when he sighed in defeat, before I ruffled his hair and parted from the hug before standing next to him as I spoke again.

"We know you were the one who dealt with David, Jack. And I know how that mind of yours works, we all do...but you're my hero Jack. Not just because you stopped him...but because you're my brother, and because you try to protect us and help us, even when sometimes it's not needed or when it seems like nothing can be done to help...

"Now, yes, your actions could be seen as...extreme...by others. But honestly...even despite that, you're still my hero, and you always will be. 

"You're Angel's hero because you have fought to protect and look after her since day one, even when your overwhelmed and exhausted, and because you are there for her. You're Barbara's hero because you still treat her as a sister when others wouldn't after our mum died, and because you've always treated her as one of us ever since she came into the family, so much so that you've broken the noses of anyone who caused her grief."

I took a moment to collect myself and think of the right words to use as I thought on this next one...but I knew I had to say it.

"And...and you were Amy's hero too...before her passing. You always made her happy and brought her joy, even when the days got harder and darker, and her...condition worsened...You were her light in the darkness, when nothing else could be Jack. You were, and no doubt still are, her hero. You're a good man, Jack. And there is nothing we would do or want to replace you or lose you."

Silence was all that filled the air for a time. But, eventually, he slowly managed a small smile on his face, and tried to hide the wiping of a few tears from his eyes as he spoke. 

"You don't half know how to make a speech, Cait...even if sometimes you do go on a bit sis." He slowly walked over to me, before pulling me into a hug and brushing a hand slowly over my hair. "Thank you sis..." Was all he said afterwards. And to be honest, it was all he ever needed to say to get his meaning across. As vague as it could often be behind his overly shy exterior. 

He never will be fully forgiving of himself, or fully see what we and others do see - from one point of view and opinion or another. But, at the very least, he at least knows for now, and hopefully for a long time providing he doesn't forget again, that he is needed and important to those who care for him. 

I just hope that nothing else goes wrong....

Author's Note: Sooo...yeah. That was the chapter. I know it's not my best, and probably not my finest work - similar to the next chapter that will be posted the same night this one is, though not at the same time - but I hope an important one in telling his character. 

I do want to say though, I am so sorry for the wait on the chapters, and if this chapter makes anybody uncomfortable. Hell, I was incredibly conflicted and uncomfortable when I created this chapter, and almost on so many occasions considered scrapping the story over. 

It was not easy at all to come up with, or trying to create and connect all of the pieces - and to be honest I still don't think it fully succeeded - but I have managed to do what I can with this chapter as best as I can to give off the intended desire, I hope. It was also part of the reasons why it took so long to update this story, that I will describe underneath here. Though slight spoiler, this caused mostly mental problems for me.

As for why it took so long to update? Through a combination of personal issues, mental issues such as depression and my anxieties, hectic schedules, and the lock-down's during this s*** show of a year (2020), I had to take a leave of absence from writing stories on wattpad and try to find some way to find a balance. 

Anyway, let me know what you think of this chapter, and this look into Jack outside of the ring on a more...darker side. I hope you are all doing well, staying safe, and I hope you all have an amazing day!