Recap:

Jordan was taken to jail after being caught painting a picture for Declan's newborn baby sister, Delilah. As Bennett tries to see what he can do, Declan and Naomi go to see Jordan behind bars. The reunion is cut short when someone from the Musketeers', and specifically Declan's, past appears: Gio. He tells them that people are out for the fourth musketeer before being knocked down by Jordan when he sexually harassed Naomi.

And that's what you missed on GLEE!

~

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay, Naomi?" Declan asked me, wearing a concerned, pained look on his face. "I'm sorry. I should've reacted faster."

"No, it's my fault," Jordan interjected, shooting a glare at the unmoving body. "The guy was right next to me."

I gave him a smile. "Don't worry. I'm sure he regrets it. And I can defend myself given the chance. I have to show I'm worth something for once."

"Not for once," Bennett muttered.

"I hope I get out of here before he gains consciousness," Jordan grumbled as he looked down at his hand with the knuckles red.

"You might be able to," Bennett told him.

Jordan's face brightened which was a sight I felt I haven't seen for a while. "Really? Thank you so much Bennett. I can't-" Jordan stopped. "Thank you. I'm sorry about everything."

Bennett smiled. "It's ok. I couldn't say anything because of Gio, but I was able to-"

"What happened here?" The officer exclaimed, pushing past us.

"Sexual harassment?" I offered.

"I mean, but- Whatever." the officer opened the cell door then said with a sigh, "Hale, call yourself lucky."

"Hale?" I asked, looking at meditation dude, the other guy in the holding cell with Jordan and Gio.

"Not me, sweetheart," the guy said with his eyes closed and still in a meditation position.

"Jordan Hale, you're getting out of here."

The officer went into the cell to check on Gio, smacked the side of his face and was able to wake him up. As Gio started to pull himself together, the officer took Jordan out of the cell with him and locked the door behind him. We walked away with Gio's shouts of "Long live the King" echoed throughout the corridor.

"Don't give me that look, Naomi," Jordan told me. "I changed my name years ago, at least not legally yet. I hope to change it to Beyoncé or-" Jordan suddenly stopped. "Dad?"

Jordan's father gave him a worn out smile. "I don't think this is the best place to have our reunion, but hey, second time's the charm."

"What's he doing here?" Jordan demanded.

"Only a parent or guardian can take you out of custody," Bennett explained. "You mentioned you tracked him down and I was right checking your room to see you had a file on him with his contact information. I believed you'd rather have your father than your-"

"Believe!" He exclaimed, grabbing Bennett by the collar. "You don't know anything! How could you?"

Declan and I tore him from the calm Bennett who took Jordan's action without any retaliation. Bennett knew full well the response he was going to get from Jordan once he learned what he did.

Jordan backed off still glaring at Bennett. The police chief beside Jordan's father motioned him to come to them. They talked to each other and ended with Jordan walking off to the side having finished his part of the conversation.

"Thanks again, Bob," Jordan father told the police chief. "I promise you this will be the last time my kid will do something like that."

Jordan tsked at that, but his father either didn't hear it or ignored it.

"It's good to have you back in the city. Let's grab a drink some time."

"You got yourself a deal."

Jordan's father smiled at his son, but Jordan pushed past him to leave the police station. Declan, Bennett and I awkwardly walked past him and followed after Jordan.

"Jordan!" Jordan's father called out, jogging out to us from the station. He interrupted us from scolding Jordan some more.

Jordan glanced at us then walked to his father.

"Look, kid," he began.

"I'm not a..." Jordan faltered then muttered, "Continue."

He chuckled at that then let out huge a sigh. "I know I'm the last person you wanted to see. And I don't deserve to give you some big lecture- and honestly, I don't wanna give you one anyway given you know how stupid that was of you."

"Just say it already."

"I know you don't want me to ask for a chance, but I'm still gonna ask for it."

Jordan looked back at us, and I saw his eyes glance at Declan.

"You're right, I don't want to give you a chance. But..." Jordan's father looked surprised. "If you don't tell mom about this then..."

He laughed. "You think I'm gonna sell you out on that? Some kind of blackmail? I was fine buying back your love with bail money."

Jordan let out a chuckle. "Thanks..." He hesitated as if he wanted to add something else, but decided against it. "I'm gonna go somewhere with my friends."

With that, we parted ways.

An hour later, the four of us stood in front of the abandoned apartment building's wall. Jordan's artwork was a teddy bear with headphones on with the listening device showing a picture of a T-shirt. I was thankful Jordan thought as much as to not include Delilah's name or any sign that the art was related to the Musketeers.

"It's... corny, I know," Jordan muttered, kicking an empty spray-can on the ground.

"It's not," I assured him. "It's really sweet."

"Sweet enough to get arrested for," Bennett said.

We all laughed at that.

"Don't think any of you guys can get away with not telling me what Gio was talking about," I told them. "It's getting more frustrating that I'm still learning things about you."

"Don't worry, Naomi, we will," Bennett said.

"It's honestly the least we can do for our incompetence for not being able to protect you back there," Declan told me.

Jordan snorted. "Declan said a big word."

"Why you-"

"Well," Jordan suddenly said, moving away from Declan. "You should take a picture or something because-"

He was interrupted when I actually did take a photo of it.

"Ah right-" he grinned at me "-I forgot I got a fangirl."

"Of Graea," I told him, giving a shove while he was doubled over laughing. "Not of you."

At that, Jordan clutched his chest and staggered back from what I said.

"Hey," I said, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. "I'm really glad you're ok."

Jordan smiled at me, beginning to spread his arms out for a hug. "Na-"

Suddenly, I gave him a harder punch on the shoulder. "But never do that again! No more painting for a month either! You're stuck on an easel young man!"

Nursing his shoulder, Jordan was about to whine to Bennett but Bennett only gave him a solemn nod of approval.

Jordan sighed at that, accepting his fate. "Well, then at least make this the last time I'll be out painting for a while. Thanks for dropping me off. I'll take care of painting over my masterpiece," he said, setting down a can of white paint and a paint roller.

"You're lucky your dad was able to strike a deal of you only having to paint over your artwork compared to the alternative of paying the fine," I told him.

"But don't think you're doing it alone, Jordan," Declan told him as Bennett began handing paint-rollers to the rest of us.

"When did you buy that?" Jordan asked in amazement.

"Rich people powers," Bennett said as he opened a soda and handed it to me.

In actuality, we took advantage of Jordan being lost in his thoughts Bennett bought the extra rollers.

"I'm sorry, Bennett," Jordan said. "I really would have rather have my... dad pick me up rather than my mom. Thank you for doing that."

Bennett surprised Jordan by tossing him a can of soda. "It's all your fault that it feels weird when you don't call me Bent."

Jordan smiled and opened his soda.

"I don't want to encourage you for your stupidity but... thanks for this." Declan motioning his head to the artwork then looked away to take a sip of his drink.

Jordan nodded and was about to open the paint can when Declan said something that stopped him.

"I think Delilah would appreciate a smaller painting in her bedroom. You wouldn't want her to admire her big brother's art in some alley."

Jordan looked at Declan then turned back at his artwork with a small smile. "Yeah, you're right."

Oh man, that hit even me right in the feels.

Sorry for the late update once again guys. School just started this week -last Wednesday- and it was hectic trying to deal with the transition. For those who don't know, I'm a freshman in UC-Berkeley majoring in Civil Engineering. Go Bears! I'm going to work on my schedule - classes, job, and clubs- and I'm going to do my best to find times dedicated only for writing, but please know that my academics come first.

Thank you all for understanding!

And tell me about how you thought about this chapter. Though I just want to note that Jeclan is not canon. I know, I know. BUT it can be in your hearts (and fanfictions cough). However, the bromance is still there and these past chapters showed the real heart of it. Family is a significant theme for this book so keep that in mind as you continue to read this story- once I update it of course. Ha ha ha....

Until next time!

Rubix