Gerard's POV

"Cant believe I'm actually in Washington..."Pete grinned at me in the rear view mirror,"Lets go see the president!"
"Yeah I dont think we can do that,"I smiled as Frank followed Linda around a corner onto a Stepford suburbia area.

The drive had taken what felt like forever. I had slept through most of it but now that we were a minute away from Linda's Mum's house I was wide awake and was desperate for a piss. We were in Frank's car and I was already missing my car, knowing that I wasnt gonna see it again until we go back for Frank's birthday in a week and a bit.

Linda pulled into a wide driveway up ahead so Frank pulled up alongside the gutter.
"Fuck I'm desperate to pee,"Frank muttered as he turned the car off and we all undid our seatbelts.
"I'm going first!"Mikey shouted as he fought Pete to get out first. I got out and watched as they tumbled out next to me, giggling about 3 nights ago.

"Alright guys come on, get up and lets go inside,"Linda called,"You have to leave soon for your flights."
"Fuck I just wanna sleep,"I moaned as we all trudged towards the front door.
"I know. Me too. At least you havent been driving,"Frank sighed.

A good half hour later Linda had settled Lily and Claire who were upstairs unpacking, and we were all sitting in the lounge having a coffee before we went to the airport. Linda's Mum was not what I imagined. The way Linda had described her, she had made her sound like one of those sweet quite little old ladies that could barely see. The ones who put out a plate of biscuits and some tea when she had guests.

Instead, we found that Linda's Mum, Kat, was the most awesomely hardcore, tough and batshit crazy old woman ever. When we had walked in, Linda had given her a hug and then introduced us. Kat had seemed quite sweet as she scolded Linda for not calling her often enough. Then Pete had strollen forward to shake her hand and she had started laughing at him, told him to 'calm the fuck down' and had walked into the lounge shouting about how gorgeous Lily and Claire were.

Linda had locked an unconscious Chloe in the car with the window cracked. Right now her Mum was telling us a story of how she stole a gun from someone who was about to mug her. I couldnt figure out if she was joking or not. She was funny and just- just awesome.
"So anyway, he was standing there with this gun against my head shouting at me to give him my money. Now, back in those days, I was always made to earn my own money. I wasn't a spoilt brat like this one here,"She nodded to Linda,"I was very-"

"I'm not a spoilt brat. You and Dad made me do chores all the time,"She smiled, slapping her leg playfully.
"Oh quit complaining,"Kat swatted her away and crossed her legs,"Now. As I was saying. He asked me for my money with the gun in my face and I told him to get fucked. He was so shocked that a ten year old had said that to him that I was able to grab the gun out of his hands and point it at him, asking him for his money. Naturally he freaked out and ran away, leaving me with my first gun ever."

"First?"Bob looked at her.
Linda wriggled in her seat, shooting a furtive glance at Kat as she said,"Yup. My first. I've still got it if you boys want to see,"She started to get up.
"No- no thats fine I uh- I think the boys need to get-"

"Mummy! Nanna has a big room full of guns!"Claire screeched as she ran into the room holding a pistol or something.
"Jesus christ! Claire stop running!"Frank jumped to his feet as Claire skidded to a halt, almost falling onto the coffee table.

"Claire gimme the gun,"Kat stood up and reached over for it. Claire reluctantly let go and sat down on the floor looking glum.
"Thats a toy for another day my girl,"Kat smiled and flicked it open and took the shots out.
"No way. Mum. I told you on the phone that I- Claire do you want to go see if Lily needs help unpacling?"Linda sighed.

"Okay Mummy,"Claire smiled and went running out of the room again.
Everyone stayed quiet as Linda looked at Kat angrily and said,"I told you on the phone that I dont want them having anything to do with this. If I had it my way none of these boys would be. Lily already knows whats going on and I'll be damned if Claire is gonna find out. She is only 5."

I cleared my throat and nudged Frank. He looked at me and nodded, somehow reading my mind,"So uh Kat."
"Oh please Frankie. Call me Nanna,"She smiled and stood up.
"Um. Nanna... Why do you have a gun room?"Frank ignored the look from Linda and waited.

Kat looked at Linda who shook her head, before shrugging and looking at Frank,"Your mother doesnt want me to to tell you but I'm going to. Dont think I dont know what you've been doing. Leading this fight from San Diego. Batshit crazy you are,"She started giggling as she walked into the kitchen.

"Um..."
"Frank please just- dont,"Linda groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose,"There isnt time anyway. We need to get you boys to the airport before you miss your flight."
"Nonsense! They can go tomorrow. I'll move their flights forward. Let them stay a night. They've been in the car all day,"Kat said as she came out with a tray full of more coffee,"You dont want them driving all day then going on a flight overnight then trying to fit back into Jersey straight away do you? They'll drop dead girl!"

"Mum. We're leaving. Boys go get in the car,"Linda glared at Kat, not looking away for a second,"I'd like to have a serious talk to you when I get back. Okay,"Kat nodded and opened her mouth to say something but Linda stopped her,"Nope. Quiet until I get back."

"Bye Nanna,"Frank sighed and leant down for a hug,"It was nice meeting you for once."
"You too love. You better be back here for your birthday. Last time I saw you was your 1st birthday. Chubby little thing you were,"Kat chuckled.
"Frank. Chubby. I find that hard to imagine,"I smiled as we all started walking out.

"Hold on I need to say bye to Claire and Lily!"Frank shouted suddenly, stopping walking and making me walk into him. I moved to the side to let him go back but he looked at me and said,"You should say goodbye to Claire as well."
I nodded and followed him back through the lounge and up the stairs.

"Claire?"Frank called.
"Frank?"Claire replied in a simliar tone.
"Where are you kiddo? I'm leaving,"Frank strolled down the hallway, peering into every room. He stopped at one and whispered,"Jackpot."

I rushed down to him and looked inside,"Holy shit."
All along the walls were all sorts of different guns. In the middle was a huge box full of different compartments filled with ammo.
"What the fuck..."Frank breathed out and walked in properly. He twirled around and looked at it all with a whistle as Claire came in.

"Isnt it awesome,"Claire giggled.
"Uh- its like the ammo warehouse in Farcry 2,"I smiled and picked Claire up before she could grab a gun.
"I wanna shoot one. Can I shoot one Frankie?"She asked, making grabby hands for Frank.

"I dont think so Claire,"Frank took her from me and walked out,"You'll have to ask Mum and Nanna. You wanna show me your new room then?"
"Frank! Gerard! Hurry the fuck up! I can only move your flight so many times you know!"Linda shouted from downstairs.

"We'll be down in a minute!"Frank rolled his eyes at me and followed Claires pointed finger. I walked after them and into Claires bright pink room.
"Look at the toys Frank,"Claire slipped out of his arms and jumped up onto the bed.

"Goodness arent you a lucky girl!"Frank smiled and sat down next to her.
"Will you be back in time for dinner tonight Frankie?"Claire asked as she started setting up her soft toys on her bed.
"Uh... Claire. I wont be back until my birthday. Remember? I have to go stop the people that want to kill me and Gerard,"Frank said softly.

"How long is it until your birthday?"She looked up at Frank, tears forming in her eyes.
"Just over a week. So its not that long,"Frank smiled at her sadly.
"And then you'll stay with us for good?"She nodded at him.
"Um no sweetie. I might have to go back and make sure its all fine,"Frank sniffed. He was crying now.

I pushed away from the doorway and sat down on Claires other side,"It'll be okay though because I'm gonna make sure he comes back and visits you whenever he can and we'll be back for christmas and your birthday so you dont need to worry at all okay?"
"But I- I dont w-want you to g-go,"Claire sobbed and grabbed onto Frank, crying into his side.

"Frank! Gerard! Come on!"Linda yelled.
"We've got a bit of a situation up here!"I shouted back,"Claire doesnt want Frank to go!"
"Hold on I'm coming,"She grumbled loudly and started stomping up the stairs. I moved out of the way as Linda walked into the room.

Claire wailed even louder as Frank tried to stand up,"I dont want you to go!"
"Claire sweetie I dont want to go either but I have to okay? Claire please dont make this any harder,"Frank cried.
"Claire? Do you wanna come with us to the airport?"Linda asked quietly.
Claire stopped crying and looked at Linda,"Mmm hmm,"She sniffed.

"Right come on then. Frank just has to say goodbye to Lily and then we'll get going okay?"Linda picked Claire up and rushed her out of the room.
"God this is gonna be hard,"Frank sighed. He fell into my side as we walked out and into the next room where Lily was makign a racket.

"What the hell are you doing?"Frank looked at her. She was standing on the window ledge slapping the roof with a shoe.
"Killing a spider. He was fucking gross,"Lily panted and jumped down onto the floor.
"Oh. Good. Dont want them in here,"Frank muttered.

We stayed silent for a moment. Lily leaning awkwardly against the wall while we stood in the doorway.
"Frank I-"
"I'm sorry for shouting at you so much and getting so angry with you,"Frank cut over her.
"Frank you dont need to be sorry. I;ve been such a bitch to everyone. I- You have no idea how bad I feel for the things I said..."Lily looked down at her feet, picking at her nails.

Frank strode forward and hugged her.
"I didnt mean anything I said Frank. I know its not your fault for anything. Its Cole's And now you're gonna go over there and you guys are gonna kill him. So its all gonna be okay,"Lily whispered.
"I just worry about you so much,"Frank said quietly,"I know you didnt mean anything you said. But I meant what I said when I told you that you cant be a part of this."

"Frank I-"
"Lily. Its something you have to deal with. Maybe you can help from here but I dont want you in Jersey and I dont want you knowing anything important enough for the dickheads to care about.
"I know. I just wanted to tell you to be careful. I want you alive for your 18th you know"She pulled away and smiled at him.

"Frank we have to go,"I said quietly. Frank nodded at me then joined my side.
"You take care of him Gerard,"Lily hugged the breath out of me suddenly.
"I intend to. Dont you worry about that,"I smiled.

Frank gave her one last hug, tears falling down his cheeks, and then we were going downstairs to find a very pissed off looking Linda standing outside the front door.
"Sorry Mum. I sorted everything with Lily though,"Frank smiled and dragged me to his car.

"Claire wants to go in your car,"Linda smiled back and got in her car.
"Gerard can you drive then?"Frank asked as we walked to the car. Claire was sitting in the backseat looking sad and Bob was in the front seat patiently waiting.

"Yeah yeah no problem,"I smiled and caught the keys from him before getting in the car.
"You guys took your time,"Bob grumbled.
"Fuck off,"I muttered and started the car,"Everyone buckled in?"
"Yup. Lets get going,"Frank said.