'Twas the night before Christmas...

Ha! not really, but tonight was still a night before a big event. After two days of making arrangements, tomorrow would determine whether his life was going to end, or whether he would walk away from everything a rather rich man. The Challenger was ready for it, waiting inside a container at the docks, completely overhauled on both the inside and out; new interior, new tires, the bodywork fixed up and repainted, the engine tuned to perfection. The old Dodge was in a better shape now than when it rolled off the assembly line back in the seventies, if he did say so himself, but he was digressing, because before all shit was going to hit the fan, there was still one thing he needed to do...

His Evo (hot damn, had he missed that car) pulled up in front of the motel Brian was now staying at with Mira and their new born babies. Apparently Dieseli's goons had been kind enough to extend the threat from him to his brother. Jack wasn't too pleased that more and more people were getting sucked into this (the mob must be getting really desperate), but there was nothing he could do about that right now. He just hoped Brian's first reaction would be of a less violent one when his brother opened the door to him. His ribs were still slightly bruised from their last encounter, and this was his last chance to say goodbye, and maybe even make some sort of amends to his family.

The two envelopes were tucked in the back of his jeans under his shirt as Jack made his way to the motel room door, hesitantly knocking before he stepped back out of punching distance and waited.

Brian was weary to say the least. He hadn't slept properly in days because of worry for his borthers life and the newborns, who kept everybody up. Having to live in a motel under these circumstances didn't really do anything for his nerves either.

When an unexpected knock on the door came he was quick to reach for his gun, that he had bought on the black market in case he needed it, and peep through the gap in the closed curtains.

To his surprise his brother was standing outside. For days Brian had tried to find him and left messages and here he was, still in one piece.

With a mixture of worry, anger and relief rushing through his body he opened the door and quickly stepped outside pulling Jack around the corner where nobody could see him.

His reaction this time was much milder due to his worries for Jacks well being. He let his eyes scan his brother quickly but he couldn't make out any injuries other than the black eye he had caused.
"Are you alright?" His voice was almost soft and caring.
Then he quickly shot a glance around the corner to make sure Jack had none of Staphanos men in tow.
"Did you sort things out? Man, I'm worried sick!"

Okay, so maybe he wasn't as out of reach as he thought he was, because the moment the motel room door opened, Jack was grabbed and pulled around the corner by his brother. Thankfully though, it wasn't because Brian wanted to have another go at him; the bruises on both his skin and his ego were only just beginning to fade.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered, smiling a lop-sided smile despite the situation. "You can't get rid of me this easily. Sorry, bro."

His slightly inappropriate smile died however, at Brian's next question. Should he tell the truth on what he was planning? Hell, should he tell his brother anything at all? His plan was going to be a hit or miss (and they all knew who was going to get hit if things turned sour), the last thing he wanted was for Brian to try and talk him out of it. In any case, it was too late for 'talk' now anyway.

"Soon enough..." he said vaguely. "Listen, I know things haven't been exactly peachy keen between us lately, so I came here to make some sort of amends."

He pulled out the two envelopes from his jeans, one for his brother, the other for their parents, both containing 25 grand, and gave them to Brian. The money was clean. Or as clean as one could call it, considering it had been earned through street racing. He'd never good with words, at least not when it came to apologizing or admitting he was wrong, and this was the only other way he could think of to pay off some of his guilty conscious. Whether Brian would accept it though, was up to him.

So things hadn't been straightened out yet, which was foreseeable. Jack's 'sort of apology' caught Brian completely by surprise. He couldn't remember one time when Jack had said sorry for something he'd messed up and his brother messed up a lot.
It even put a faint smile on his lips.
"I just don't want you to die." He admitted. "Couldn't care less if anybody hurts that pretty face of yours." It was a half assed attempt of a joke to lightened the heavy hearted mood.

The envelopes Jack took from his belt made Brian cringe. At first he expected some sort of goodbye letter or written apology but when he weighed it in his hand he knew it contained more than a sheet of paper.
"What's this?" He slid his finger into the gap of his envelope and tore it open just to gaze at a whole bunch of cash.
Brian didn't even want to know whether the money was clean or where it came from. He didn't want it-period. Because Jack giving away money meant that he might not see his next birthday.
Getting joked up Brian averted his gaze but shook his head. "Don't do this, man. I don't want your money."
He had a hard time fighting his own emotions because deep down he felt like this was goodbye.
"Just keep it and get on a plane to somewhere far away."
His eyes briefly met Jacks to check whether he was listening at all.
"What good is all that cash you're going to make on whatever it is you're doing if you can't spend it?"

Without warning he pulled his brother in a hug. "I hate what you're doing but I love you. You have to run, Jack."

And here it came. Just like he'd expected, Brian didn't accept the money. Instead, his brother had that look in his eyes like he was about to bare his soul and Jack wasn't sure he wanted to hear it. Whatever Brian was about to say to him, he knew he wasn't going to like it, mainly because it would put him so much closer to what could happen tomorrow if things went wrong; he could die. Jack opened his mouth, ready to tell Brian to stop before he could continue but the unexpected bear hug from his older brother caught him by surprise.

Right now, Brian was gripping the back of his shirt like this was some sort of goodbye, like this was their one final moment to be brothers, and for once in his life, Jack could actually feel a lump forming in his throat. Fucking hell, he couldn't grow soft now. He couldn't back out. And besides, even if he did, even if he'd run, Dieseli would just kill everyone he'd ever known and cared about before he'd track him down and put a bullet in his head. No, he couldn't let his family and friends suffer in his stead. This was his doing, his responsibility, and he was going to end it. One way or another.

"You know I can't run, Brian. I gotta finish what I started," he said when his brother finally let go of him. "Now stop being so melodramatic before we both grow tits, huh?" he joked, placing his hand on his brother's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze before his eyes turned toward the motel room Brian was staying at.

"Are they inside? I haven't seen my niece and nephew yet since they've been born. Mind if I take a look?"

For the longest time Brian had thought Jack didn't give a shit about him , especially after blowing up his place while Brian was still in the house.
The few small thing Jack did now proofed otherwise: The envelope, his want to see the kids, even coming here in the first place showed that he did care about Brian and confirmed the ex-cops bond with his brother even it it was small.

"They are in the other room." Brian motioned towards the room where Mira and the twins were having a nap.
"Just be really quiet. They're all exhausted. They aren't even supposed to be out of the hospital yet."
He followed Jack to the door and quietly pushed it open. Inside Mira was asleep with one of the twins on either side keeping them warm under her blanket. Their bodies were so small that the pillow could have easily served as a cover for both. Their tiny little face showed only from crown to chin because everything else was covered.

"There they are, uncle Jack. I bet they'd love for you to show them how to boost a car one day...if you're still around." Brian sincerely hoped his brother would back out of the mess he was in.