Disclaimer: I do not own the Four Brother or anything affiliated with the film.

Chapter Ten…Favors

- Jessica's POV -

In all my years of being an agent nothing prepares you for watching a child pass away right before your eyes. I had been sitting in the house trying to get some work done when I got the call. Everything else was a blur until I was standing at the end of hall watching Elliot be rolled off. He wasn't breathing and his face was pale. Jerry and Angel had been here for a moment but apparently their brother had woken up. That was more important to them than this and I couldn't blame them. However, I was attached to this boy more than anything in my life. He was more constant than my job and had become more important than the original task.

I was gripping a cup of coffee because it was late when Dr. Mendez finally reached me. Only than had I noticed that I hadn't drank a drip from the cup. "Miss Arpole" She started, and I could already feel the tears start to accumulate.

"How is he?" I swallowed hard.

"He needs a blood transfusion now" Dr. Mendez stated, "But he isn't making it easy. His blood is rare, do you have a list of relatives we could contact?"

"He doesn't have blood relatives, doctor. He's adopted, don't you have his blood type here" I asked. There had to be a bag lying around somewhere in the back with the others.

"I don't know if you noticed Ms. Arpole, but we're a not a wealthy hospital. We can't afford to have piles of every type of rare blood there is" She retorted.

"Than go find one! Stop standing here talking to me, it's not helping him!" I shouted, losing my cool. It wasn't her fault the only relative Elliot had was a man we couldn't find. I caught myself putting both my hands on my head, "Just do what you can" I said softly. Dr. Mendez nodded not taking my shouting personal she probably dealt with it a lot. She flipped a paper on her clipboard, "He's been adopted by the Mercers, has he not?"

"Yeah" I muttered dejectedly, not that I didn't like them. I just didn't like one of them.

"Well one of them matches with Elliot's blood type." And all I could think was not Bobby. Please not Bobby. Anyone but Bobby.

- Jack's Room -

I had to get to the room before one of the doctor's did so Camille let me take Amelia and Danielle up to the room. Both of them seemed pretty worried about Elliot, I felt for them. I opened the door facing all four Mercer brother's at the same time.

"Jessica" Jerry questioned, "Girls?"

Amelia and Danielle both ran up to get close to their newly awoken uncle. "Jeremiah can I speak to you in the hall?"

"How is El?" Angel asked. I sighed, "He's been better" I glared at Bobby. He looked unaffected sitting there just glancing at me smugly.

"If only I had a social worker like you" Bobby started, sarcastically "I could of ended up so much better." I wanted to break his smug face but I had to focus on Elliot who needed blood.

"I don't work miracles; Jeremiah, word" I bit down my usual abrasive nature towards assholes. Than I left the room waiting in the hall for Jeremiah who was about to saying something but I cut him off.

"Elliot needs a blood transfusion and Jack is that match" I laid it out plainly.

"Jack?" Jerry murmured.

"I need this for Elliot, you don't even have to keep him after this. Just do this for Elliot, please" I rambled on. I was trying to keep from falling on my knees and groveling for Elliot. He was just a kid that didn't deserve any of this at all. He deserved a normal shot at life with a family that cared for him. He deserved to be safe. If my career with the bureau culminated into one act then this is what I wanted it to be. I wanted to save this child's life.

"Yes, of course. He's family when it comes down to it" Jerry smiled up at me. A breathe of relief escaped me as I met Jerry's reassuring glance. We went back into the room where Jack was immediately glanced from Jerry to me.

"Ma adopted someone else" Jack was stunned. I assumed Angel and Bobby told him while we were out in the hall. Jerry nodded, "Elliot. He's about eight. Good kid which is saying something compared to us".

"He must have some kind of history" Bobby shot me a glance. I ignored him glancing at Jack with sympathy since he had just come back. Now all of this was being shoved at him to digest.

"Is there something wrong with him?" Jack glanced around the room.

"He's in critical care right now and he needs a blood transfusion. Jack you're the only blood match" Jerry told him. The room went kind of silent but not for long.

"You saying out of everyone in this hospital Cracker Jack is the match" Bobby snapped. He stood up glancing directly at me as if this was all my fault. There was obviously some deep seated hate Bobby had for me which was probably because I refused to be scared of him.

"In these situations family is usually checked first" I voiced, "Your Elliot's only family".

"Man, that's some real heavy sh-stuff" Angel remembered Amelia and Daniella were still in the room. Also Jerry had shot him a quick look.

"I'll do it. Where is he?" Jack struggled, as he sat up a bit. Bobby interjected, "Listen Jackie-"

"He's one of us, and I'm awake now. He needs us, all of us" Jack said quietly. Now was a perfect time for the doctor to come in to find out Jack's decision. Only Jack was allowed to go into the section where they were trying to stabilize Elliot. The rest of the of us had to wait in the waiting room where I settled down in a chair with a cup of coffee. Across from me Jeremiah with Amelia on his lap and Daniella seated between him and Camille. Several chairs away Angel was standing by the vending machine while Bobby spoke to him quietly. For once he seemed genuinely agitated which was probably due to the fact he was the last one to step up.

All of the brothers except him had come to terms with the fact his mother had rescued one last child. It was apparent to everyone that he was protective of his family but at what expense. He may be right in his suspicions but the history Elliot had was none of his business. I had to admit I was reluctant to put them in danger but the bureau was working every angle they had to catch Stevens.

Five years was a long time to be doing anything especially working a case such as this. My first big case. I took on this life and identity so my superiors could catch a murderer. After this I would probably go back to Washington for another case. Elliot would then be put in the hands of a real social worker who would place him with a real family. But for now his father was still looming in the shadows so Elliot still needed me.

"Hey!" Bobby snapped his fingers in my face. Obviously, I had placed myself in position where the eldest Mercer now find it appropriate to annoy me. I lifted my gaze to meet his hoping mine was as cold and bitter as I meant it to be. I had no respect for bullies.

"Bobby" Camille hissed, "Be nice". Bobby straightened with a frown fixed on his face at me.

"Can I talk to you?" Bobby nodded off. I could of easily ignored Bobby since my focus was to make sure Elliot took to the treatment.

"Excuse my brother Miss Arpole" Jerry told me. I waved my hand plastering a big smile on my face to show I was amused. "It's fine. I'm sure it relates to Elliot and his situation. There are a few things I have to ask of him to especially if Elliot is going to be staying with him" I smiled while I stood.

"Bobby…" Jerry warned him. A warning that probably went ignored as I round the corner into an empty corridor. When I turned to face Bobby he started me straight in the eyes. A maneuver of intimidation I guessed.

"Give me your bag" He barked. I clenched my bag under my arm backing into the wall even though I really wanted to break his nose with the handbag. Bobby yanked the bag from my arm opening it and taking out my wallet.

"Excuse me, what are you doing? I sounded exasperated. This guy was really a piece of work. Bobby took out my driver's license and my social worker ID glancing at them curiously. "Who the hell are you?" He asked me angrily.

"You know who I am Mr. Mercer. Jessica Arpole, social worker who is making sure Elliot's transition into your family is smooth" I sighed, "And the money is in the top part of the wallet". Bobby snapped his head up at me tossing my wallet at me.

"I don't want your money" He growled. My bag was shoved at me but he held onto my identification for a while longer.

"Then I don't understand why you asked me over here. What do you want from me?" I tried to sound a bit panicked. But really I was assessing the fact that I could easily kick him between the legs and punch him in the throat. Bobby advanced me so I backed into the wall placing my hands up in front of me. Even a jerk like him couldn't harass a woman who was 'scared out of her wits'.

"I have a taser!" I squeaked. Bobby pulled the taser out of my bag pocketing it. "What you really need is a gun Miss Arpole. Stand up I'm not going to hurt you. Just tell me why my mother adopted Elliot and tell me the truth" He said mockingly. As I pretended to compose myself I got a glimpse of his face seeing he wasn't really going to hurt me. Fear is what Bobby used as a motivator which was product of his past.

I looked away from him the down giving a signal that I was looking to run. This couldn't be more easier and he played right into my hands. His hand smacked down on the wall beside my head so now his arm was blocking my way.

"He's a handful!" I whimpered, then choked. "His illnesses make it hard for most people. He needs a lot of attention and she knew that. All he needed was love which she was willing to provide". Now was a good time to start the water works so I gasped then started to sob. "She really took to him and I know he isn't a difficult case emotionally which she was known for!"

"Alright, alright. Don't cry…calm down" Bobby hesitated. I wiped my face frantically then nodded, "Anything else?" I stuttered. At this point I clutched closed my sweater sniffling heavily which is when Bobby backed away.

"No, just keep doing your job" Bobby said pointedly. He held out my identification to me which I took shakily. For a second more he stood there glancing at me then walked away back around the corner.

"Dick" I breathed. Once I managed to place everything back in my bag I brought myself back to the waiting room. Bobby was nowhere to be found however Angel, Jeremiah, and the girls were still here though. Now that he didn't see me as a threat I could do my job.

As I was about to return to the waiting room my phone went off. I stepped back for a moment since it was Davis. "Are you alone?" He asked me. The hallway I was in was still empty but I withdrew behind a door that led to an empty room.

"Yes" I replied.

"Local PD found a empty cop car with a dead officer stashed in the trunk a few miles into town. Looks like Stevens, I need you down there to handle it" Davis told me. As if the day couldn't get any worst.

"I'm on it". I accepted the fact that I could do nothing here but wallow in my fears. At least out there I could be useful in catching Elliot's father.

"How is Elliot? Davis asked me.

"They just started the transfusion" I reported.

"He'll be fine Jessica, he's a fighter" Davis reassured me. Those words helped ease some of my anxiety because Davis was right. Thus far Elliot had been able to beat his worst periods of being sick. This was just like any other hospital visit.

"Thanks Davis. What were those coordinates?" I asked him. After I got the location I went back to the waiting room to inform the family I was leaving. As long as they were all there when Elliot woke up I could feel a bit better about leaving but not by much.