~@~@ Fallen Ch. 27
~~~

“What are YOU doing here?” There was an accusation in Simone’s voice that if anything, just served to piss off Jody more. ‘what was she doing here’, she was here to get mind numbing drunk, do something extremely stupid, that would ruin everything she’d so far accomplished in Harmony, namely friendships, and a small budding relationship with Hank, but she wasn’t going to tell Simone’ that.

“I’M a legal adult, minding my own business.” She pointed an accusing finger at the younger girl.” YOU however are a semi-legal adult, which is not allowed to set foot in any drinking establishment, especially this one.”

“Excuse me darling, just who are you?” Jody eyed the shortest of the two speculatively, he was handsome, blond hair blue eyes, with a great body, had she been alone, he was probably who she would have ended up spending the night with, but she wasn’t alone, and he was definitely losing points. First off he was using a really annoying southern accent, that she could tell wasn’t real, second he was hitting on a child, but filling her with alcohol, and most disturbing off all, is that the ‘child’ was technically her sister.

“I’m her sister.”

The statement, caused Simone’s face to darken with angry, making her every bit her father’s daughter.” You’re not my sister, just because my whore of a mother sleep with your drunk of a father doesn’t make you my sister.”

“Actually Einstein, that’s exactly what it means.”

~~~

“Julian, you and Eve?”

“Yes, why is that so hard to believe?”

“Because well, Eve’s…

“An angel.”

“Yes, and you’re well….you’re…”

“The devil.”

Sheridan nodded regretfully, she knew deep down that Julian wasn’t all even, not even partially evil, but their father’s influence had taken it’s toll on her hero once called merely ‘Jules’” I guess it’s possible… I mean obviously it’s possible, I mean I just saw the proof, but…My God Julian…. You and Eve have a child together.” She shook her head in amazement, if she hadn’t seen the women with her own eyes , she wouldn’t have believe it, and even picturing it caused her to feel somewhat awed. A feeling she could tell was shared by her older brother.

He gazed at the tabloid, listening intently to Sheridan but not taking his eyes off the centered photo.” I know.”

“What are you going to do now?”

Darkness clouded the joy in his eyes, as he moved toward the large picture window overlooking the Crane estates. “Protect my family at any and all cost.” He turned and caught her eye.” Will you help me?”

~~~

“You’re not my sister.”

Jody nodded and rolled her eyes. “Oh so you’re so powerful that you can change and deny DNA and the laws of genetics, interesting power you have there, can you see dead people too?”

“Sisters, of course that explains why I was struck dumb by beauty for the second time in my life.” The smaller of the two, gives Jody and appreciative gaze, and nudges his friend. “I never thought I’d ever see a face this pretty, and then poof, then there’s’ another.”

In the first and probably last sisterly moment she was sure she’d ever share with Jody, they simultaneously rolled their eyes at the lame come one. Beau, as he asked her to call him, was at best obnoxious and stupid, two traits that she had always tried desperately to avoid, but tonight was different. After returning for what would now be referred to as ‘the worst night of her life’, she had felt empty and alone. Her father gone directly to his shed, rebuffing all of Liz’s not so subtle come ons, when her ‘friend’ Liz started asking if there was any way she come help he, Simone had plead tired, and run to her room, before ditching her clothes and sneaking out the window.

Her original intention had been to leave town, just leave it all behind and start someplace new, but the reality of only thirteen dollars in her checking account had killed that dream. The bar had been her second option, someplace to kill the pain this night had brought her, makes her forget the thousands of lies she had been told during her life. Obviously Jody had the same idea.

“Hey Tex, I realize that probably one of three witty and charming things you have in you little repertoire, but could you shut it, we’re having a moment.” Simone held back the laugh at Jody’s statement; she did at least have a sense of humor, something that was definitely needed to survive in this insane little burg. “Simone get your stuff, we’re going.”

“Now wait just a minute here, little sister and us were in the middle of a conversation.” Beau said, as he stood awkwardly trying for intimidating and failing miserably.

“Spell conversation…no forget that spell underage… hey just say ‘contributing to the delinquency of a minor’.” Jody took a chair form a nearby table and hoped onto it, standing tall over both men. “Or hope bout this, how bout you look me in the eye, and see if I give a damn.”

~~~

The sincerity in his eyes pulled her in, it wasn’t Julian Crane asking, it was her brother.” Of course.”

“Thank you,” Julian released a breath he was holding, and looked away. “I’ve done very few good things in my life, and all of them are canceled out by the bad, and I know I haven’t shown it, but I do love you I’ve wronged you Sheridan, and sorry won’t cut it….”

“Yes it will.” Right now she could see it clearly, what her other saw every time she looked into his eyes, that quality that drew Eve to him, ‘The real Julian.’ And he wasn’t this larger then life Crane, he was just a boy, older then most, but just a naïve and shy as others, he was just a boy, who had be made a man , by someone who had thought the job require he be cold and ruthless, and this man, this boy, she could forgive. “Trust me Julian I know the damage ‘Father’ can cause.”

“Sheridan you don’t…”

“Yes, Julian I do…” At her tone, he raised his heard and stared at her accepting her nod as what it was, an acknowledgement of his guilt.

“Then why are you helping me?”

“Because you’re my brother, and if we don’t stop this cycle, Alistair’s sick little cycle will continue, and destroy the next generation of Cranes’, no one will be safe, Fox the girls, Jody, little Ethan everyone will be affected.”

“He’s already started on Fox…” The thought made him slightly ill, that his son was almost exactly like him at that age, already on hiss way to destruction.

“But it’s not too late, not if we determined to end t, and we are so how can I help?”

The answer was interrupted, by the entrance of Jack Barns head of Crane security; he gave Sheridan a small nod of recognition, before, turning to Julian.” Mr. Crane, we have a slight problem with the situation we’re handling.”

Julian gave the guard a chilling glare at the interruption, but nodded.” I have no secrets from my sister, speak freely.”

The guard looked surprised at the statement, and stared at Julian in shock, the first and most important lesson he ever learned at Crane Mansion, the were tons secrets in Crane Manor, and none of the Crane women by blood or marriage suppose to find them out. Mr. Crane didn’t trust women he said they were too hormonal, but maybe he should have had his oldest checked out too. “Sir it has been reported that the uh…subject along with a girl identify... as Simone Russell are engaged in a situation at the ‘Desperate Times Saloon’, that could most likely become violent, her guards wish to know if you’d like them to intercede.”

The guard was once again the subject of a dirty look, as Julian stared at the man annoyed beyond belief.” Of course you dolt, what’s the point of having guards if at the very least you protect her from herself.” Jack took out a cell phone, and began speaking quietly.” Get the car ready, I’m on my way.” Julian turned and gave his sister a small apologetic smile.” I’m sorry can we do this later, I want to be on hand for this.”

Sheridan shook her head, and began walking ahead of him. “Don’t worry, we can continue on the way.”

“May I enquire why you’re accompanying me?”

“Well, from what I briefly saw, you seem to have some sort of tentative relationship with Jody, but I doubt on your charming day, you could handle Simone Russell.”

Julian paused just inside the door, the memory of the angry young lady that stormed out earlier, caused him to give a slight shiver, too much like her mother AND father. “Good Point.”

~~~

The moment that Jody jumped on the chair, any conversation and other activity in the small bar stopped dead. Couples paused mid dance to stare at the foursome, in the corner.

Simone cowered at the attention, the last thing she needed was a spotlight on another dysfunctional part of her screwed up life, unfortunately her new found ‘sister’, had no such problems.

“Hey now….’ Beau’s companion started to speak up as he rose, but when Jody pointed a finger at him, he quickly retook his seat.

“No you hear.” Jody’s eyes narrowed and she clinched her fist to her side, to keep form swinging. “I’m having what has to be the worst day in the history of bad days.” “I’ve found birth parents that I WASN’T searching for, one that I can’t stand, and the other that according to town gossip cant stand on his own two feet, my stepfather is psychotic, and one of my POSSILBE Step-mother’s, can’t even legally drink.” “I come in here in hopes of relieving some stress, only to find you and Woody Allen over here trying to pick up my half-sister with alcohol, and lame come ons.” The breath she took was supposed to becalming, but it merely came out like a hiss, of annoyance. “Now I’m not a violent person, but you folks are pushing my pass my freaking breaking point.”

Simone removed her head form her hands, and watched the scene with growing horror, she hadn’t ever seen Jody McKoy upset, but for some reason she was getting the feeling it would be like watching an episode of ‘The Hulk’. In fact she was sure of it, every time the older woman tightened her jaw it was like hearing her say ’You wouldn’t like me, when I’m angry.’ She felt it so strongly she was sure she was sure she was passing it on to the other companions in the corner, because every time Jody did it, they took a step back, but her ‘big sister’ was far from finished.

“Now you and tweedle dumber have exactly three seconds to get out my face, cause the second I get off this chair, I’m going to be set to break stuff, and my top priority is your big dumb a@#, got me?”

Simone horror turned to humor, as she watched the men give a shaky nod, and clear off. She personally wasn’t scared of Jody but she could see how it could happen. The strange combination of the look in her eye, the tone of her voice , and more importantly the two foreboding men that arrived mid-rant wearing Crane Security Blazers, and the their oh so noticeable bulges on the their right sides, created an intimidating picture, while at the same time killing her plans. “Happy now?”

The sarcasm was heavy almost as heavy as her anger mounting against the younger woman. This evening was all kinds of aggravating. “Yes and you’re welcome.” Jody said as she prepared to step down form the chair only to have two sets of hand lift her down, she turned quickly one hand raised in fist, and asked with narrowed eyes. “Who the HELL are you?”

“Crane Security.”

Jody caught what she was sure, delight in the Simone's eyes, as she said the statement, and asked cautiously.” How do you know that?”

“The badge on their blazers, oh… and Julian and Sheridan Crane walking thought the door, is also a large hint.”

Jody turned and looked heavenward, before groaning out loud. “This night couldn’t get any worse could it?”