6

Chapter 16

Reese was released from the hospital in a few days to go home. He was happy to find his room just as he remembered it, with all of his possessions returned to their proper places. That small gesture from his family was enough to make him want to cry. It was proof that they really wanted him home again. Rather than shed tears, he simply uttered "thanks for putting my stuff back" instead.

After Reese returned home, he was still very weak and tired easily so his parents didn't push the issue of punishment. The just told him that he wasn't permitted to go anywhere other than school for a month, which was a surprisingly mild sentence considering everything. He was fine with that, he didn't have the energy to do much but lie in his bed or watch TV on the couch for the first week anyway. During this time, everyone was unusually nice to him, including Malcolm and Dewey. They were constantly asking if he needed anything, or offering to let him watch what he wanted on the TV. Reese didn't really know how he should react to this odd behavior. He could have milked it for all it was worth and kept them hopping around for him like servants. That's what the old Reese would have done. Instead, he decided to be nice and only ask them for something once in awhile. He was just glad to be home—there would be plenty of time to be a bully and take advantage of his brothers later.

The doctors said that it would be at least two weeks before Reese was well enough to return to school so he ended up being out for a month anyway, just as Mr. Herkabe wanted. The only difference was that he still had a chance to graduate because the last two weeks wouldn't count against him with notes from his doctors. With Malcolm's help, he was able to catch up on some of the assignments that he was missing in class so he wouldn't be too far behind when he returned. He was determined that he was going to try harder to do better in school because his recovery had left him with a lot of time to think about what he wanted to do with his life. It didn't take long for him to decide that he would like to go to a cooking school after graduation and become a master chef one day. For the first time in his life, he believed that he could actually amount to something in the future.

Malcolm told him that everyone at school was really worried when they heard about what happened. Some people even wanted to come by and visit later in the week. Reese thought it was funny how they could all treat him like dirt one day, then suddenly want to be his best friend just because he almost died. He asked Malcolm to pass the word for them not to bother, but quickly changed his mind when his brother informed him that the girls who were coming were "hotties."

Reese had done such a good job at convincing his parents that he never wanted to do drugs again that they decided not to put him in a rehab program. They believed that what he'd been through was more persuasion to quit than any kind of therapy would ever be. It was true; Reese no longer had a desire to be anywhere near the stuff. The very thought of drugs made his heart beat faster in panic because his mind directly associated them with the pain of a bullet searing through his flesh. He also decided that smoking was a really stupid idea and vowed to never do that again either, even though he still craved a cigarette every once in awhile.

When some of his strength returned, he asked his mom if he could leave the house for a few hours even though he was supposed to be grounded. When he explained the situation, she was actually very understanding and said he could go. There was something that he needed closure for.

XXXXX

Reese waited nervously at a table in the visiting area of the Tri-County jail. He looked up when the guard opened the door and escorted Jade into the room in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, then returned to his post in front of the door. She looked rough with her hair disheveled and no makeup. The look of desperation in her eyes was likely caused by her sudden withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.

"I didn't expect to see you again." She took a seat across the table from him. "I guess you're here to rub it in that you were right."

"No, I don't need to tell you that. Looks like you already found out the hard way." Reese said harshly. "I just came to see how you're holding up in here."

"I'm dying for a cigarette. Do you have any on you?" Jade changed the subject.

"No, I quit. I quit doing drugs too ever since your dealer almost killed me."

"What are you talking about?" Jade asked.

"I went to your house the day after you kicked me out and he was there. He was pissed because you never showed up with the money so he shot me. They said I'm lucky to be alive." Reese explained with a somber expression on his face.

"I'm sorry." She said with sincerity.

"It would have been you if I wasn't there to take the fall instead."

"I said I'm sorry. What else do you want from me?" Jade asked hatefully.

"Promise that when you get out of here you won't go back to that life. Get help, Jade."

"By the time I get out of here, it won't matter anyway. My life will be over."

"You won't be here that long. It's only your first offence. They'll go easy on you. I know from experience." Reese said.

"Whatever. Who the hell are you to tell me what to do with my life anyway? I'll do what the hell I want just like I always have." Jade sneered.

"Yeah, look where that got you." Reese motioned toward her handcuffs.

"Screw you." Jade spat spitefully.

"Look, nothing I say is going to matter to you, but just listen anyway. I've done a lot of reckless and irresponsible stuff in my life, but getting involved with drugs was the stupidest thing I ever did. It almost got me killed, but I was given a second chance to start over. When I got shot and I thought I was dying it scared the hell outta me, but it ended up changing my life. I've made plans for the future now and I'm going to do better in school. For the first time in my life, I want to make something of myself." Reese explained. "This is your second chance, Jade. It blows right now, but when you get out you can start a new life. Don't screw it up. I don't want hear about you OD-ing or getting shot some day when you can't pay up. I did care about you, whether you believe it or not."

"You're right, nothing you say matters. You and I come from two different worlds. It's easy for you to sit here and say all these things because you're lucky enough to have a family that cares about you and supports you. I have nothing. I've basically been on my own since mom decided that I was old enough to stay home by myself." Jade said sadly. "But I'll think about what you said. I guess I've got plenty of time to do that now. Maybe that kind of life really isn't what I want. It's just that... I don't know if I can start over from scratch when I get outta here without something familiar to fall back on. That's the only kind of life I know."

"You could have a life better than the one you know without the drugs." Reese said.

"I guess." She muttered.

"I gotta go now. My brothers are waiting for me outside. Take care." He said, then rose to his feet.

"Can I look you up and give you a call when I'm out?" Jade asked as he walked toward the door. The guard moved aside so he could pass.

"Sure, if you want." Reese paused as if giving it some thought, then turned to face her again. "But you can forget about us ever getting back together. I'm not letting you drag me down with you again."

"Drag you down again? What about all that stuff you just said about how I can change my life!" She stood up and shouted, furious about his cutting remark.

"You can, but I know you won't. You'll never change, Jade. You think I'm full of shit and you'll forget everything I said as soon as I walk out this door. You won't even say that you want to change. You just said you'll think about it. Yeah, right! Just don't call me when you eventually end up on the street selling your body so you can buy more drugs. Like you said—it's your life so do what you want with it. Nothing I say matters…But hey, at least I gave it my best shot. Good luck anyway." Reese walked through the door and closed it behind him without looking back. He felt bad for being so cruel, but he was only trying to help her. Reverse psychology always seemed to work for his mother so he figured that it was worth a try. Hopefully, his harsh words would make her determined to turn her life around—even if it was for no other reason than to prove him wrong.

Reese exited the jail building and found Malcolm and Dewey waiting on the steps for him. They had offered to walk there with him after they got out of school so he wouldn't have to go alone. "How'd it go?" Malcolm asked, rising to his feet.

"I don't know." Reese sighed. "I don't think I got through to her. She'll probably start using again as soon as she's out."

"At least you tried. That's all you can do, Reese." Dewey said. Malcolm shook his head in agreement.

"Yeah, I know." Reese muttered.

The three brothers started to walk toward home in silence. On the way, Malcolm paused to look at a flyer that was attached to a street lamp pole. "Hey, what's this?"

"Holiday Crafts Festival Friday thru Sunday. Come join us for Christmas crafts, food and fun. Entertainment includes Santa's Dancing Elves." Reese read the flyer. "It starts today."

A mischievous smile crept across Dewey's face. "Remember the time we used balloons to bomb people with Jamie's dirty diapers at the Art Fair? That was so awesome!"

"Yeah, we should totally do that again!" Malcolm exclaimed.

"I'm grounded, remember?" Reese pointed out. "I promised mom I'd be back before she gets home. I don't want to piss her off the first time she lets me leave the house! She'll kill me! Besides, I feel like I've grown up a lot after everything that happened. I think I'm more mature now."

"Come on, Reese! You can't be serious! What the hell is wrong with you? This is the kind of thing you live for!" Malcolm looked shocked at what he was hearing.

"Yeah, we'll cover for you with mom. We'll say it's our fault you were late. Please? It'll make you feel better!" Dewey looked up at him hopefully.

Reese appeared to think about the situation for a few seconds. "What the hell!" He finally said. "I'll be mature tomorrow. Let's do it!"

"Yeah! Reese is back!" Dewey jumped with excitement.

"I'll get the balloons!" Malcolm said eagerly.

"I'll get the remote!" Reese grinned.

"I guess I'm stuck with getting the diapers." Dewey sulked. "That's okay though. Reese is back!"

The End

XXXXX

A/N: There you have it. I thought it should end on a light note since most of it was so serious. I hope you enjoyed it! It's something we'll never see on the show so I thought it would be interesting to put them in that type of situation. Reese is a little out of character in this chapter on purpose. I was trying to show that he's changed somewhat from his experience. He goes back to normal at the very end though. Maybe I'll write another MITM fic soon if I can come up with something good. :-)

Thanks so much to all who reviewed. If you're reading this for the first time after it's complete, I still hope to hear your thoughts! A special thanks to MysticDreamer673, Ruperts-a-Honey, Skat8erchick1435, QK, Cargarbinx, Aniki19 and KoolKerry25 who reviewed regularly:-)