Jack rubbed both his hands over his face as he leaned his head back against the driver's seat. He had parked the Evo near the bay and the house boat his brother apparently lived in was docked not that far away. It hadn't been easy to find the address, but when he wanted to be he was inventive enough and he had gotten a hold of it anyway. But now he was doubting whether he should even be here. A couple of nights ago he had run in to Brian, or Brian had run in to him, at the races. A great way to reunite after years and as expected the conversation between them was anything but smooth. The reason? The same old as always. He had gotten himself head first in to shit, this time in the shape of car jacking, and not just any cars... He wouldn't admit it out loud even now, but he needed help and it didn't matter in what kind in came. The threat had been clear: 'Make the deadline or you're fucked.'. Awesome, wasn't it?

"Fuck.." He cursed under his breath just before he got out of his car. He just had to swallow his pride, that was all.. He snorted at the thought as he made his way towards the boat house. Charming, really. He just hoped his brother was home and in a better mood than he had been at the races. He stepped on to the small deck where he figured the 'front door' was located and took a big breath before he knocked on the glass.

"Yo, bro! You home? It's me, Jack." He snorted and shook his head as he waited for an answer. He really shouldn't have came here. He was 99% sure Brian wouldn't help him anyway. His brother had made it clear he wouldn't wipe his prints off of that damned NSX, the only time he had made the mistake of leaving any behind in the first place. And why would he after all those years of strained, barely there contact. Nope, Brian would just rub it in his face that he was an idiot, always had been, and tell him that he should clean up his own shit for a change. Oh well, it still wouldn't hurt to try... Anything for a good laugh from Brian, right?

Somebody was standing on is boat. When he approached from a jog along the ocean front Brian could spot some figure on the small deck of his home. The guy was pretty tall. Did he know him or was he trying to break in?
Brian picked up his pace until he made out who the stranger was.
Out of breath and sweat soaked he arrived at the residence and looked Jack up and down.
"You look like shit....beer?" He offered while he unlocked the front door.

Grabbing a bottle of water for himself he came back outside and flopped down on the deckchair to catch his breath.
If Jack really made the effort to locate him he'd better not kick him to the curb right away. This should be good and amusing.
Taking a few long gulps of ice water he eyed his brother without a word.

The longer he waited, the more impatient he got, even if it had only been a minute or so since his first knock. He knocked again before trying to peer inside through one of the windows. No sounds, no movement.. Awesome. "Come on, man." He grumbled as the palm of his hand hit the metal plating next to the door. He had pushed aside his pride by coming here and now his brother didn't even appear to be home.

He ran both his hands through his hair before he turned around when he heard the sounds of footsteps and heavy breathing behind him. He could only let out a laugh at the sight that presented itself there, but he wisely kept his mouth shut in order not to provoke anything. Really though.. if Brian thought he looked like shit, than his brother needed a goddamned mirror.

He leaned himself against the deck railing as Brian came back outside, and he looked at anything but his brother. Here came the awkward silence.. It had to be quite obvious why he was here though. Especially after their conversation, or whatever it was, at the races a few nights ago. Finally he budged under the silent stare of his brother and cleared his throat as he turned his eyes on Brian. He might as well just get straight to the point now that he was here, get it over with.

"About those cars.." He drew his tongue over his lower lip before he smiled briefly, yet without humor. "I'm pretty sure I'm fucked, Brian. And I'm not talking about 'fucked by some willing piece of ass' fucked. I'm talking about 'bullet between the eyes, dumped in the ocean' fucked." And there it was, the reason why he was here. Like old times, he needed his older brother to help him out of the shit he had gotten himself in to.

OOC: Whoa, long ass posts, what's going on?

There were only two reasons that Jack could be here....to revive some old brotherly feelings and maybe apologize or to convince Brian to get rid of his prints. Since option A wasn't very likely Brian was pretty sure Jack was here for option B.

When he was actually admitting that he had mingled with the wrong crowd and was literally fucked Brian had to work a little not to show his surprise to obviously. And then on top of it all he was asking for help. "Where's you pride, bro?" He asked sarcastically. "Coming to a pig to ask for help?"

He didn't want to scare his brother off. Brian would never give up on Jack no matter how badly he screwed up but he would tell him his opinion without holding back.

Without a word he went back inside just to come back a moment later with the promised beer. "Sounds like it's going to be a long story."

OOC: Lol, I dunno?

Jack took the beer from his brother and screwed the cap off. He brought the bottle to his lips and seemed to drain it to almost empty before he lowered the bottle back down. Even if it was still early in the morning, and for most people not a time to be drinking, he needed it. Hell, he could've gone for something stronger. But really, he was already making a shit ass impression. He didn't yet want to add 'potential alcoholic' to the list.

He let a short unamused laugh fall from his lips as he shrugged. "A pig who is also still my brother, right?" For some things he was willing to let go of his pride, just for a little bit. He had to. He needed help, and not knowing many other people he could trust, well.. as much as he hated it, the only option to go to was Brian.

He brought the beer back up to his lips and drank down the last bit before he let the bottle hang down in his hand by his side. "It's not really that long of a story. See, our little chase? It caught someone's attention.. They don't trust me as much anymore." Whoever 'they' were. He had been dealing with a middle man. "Short story even shorter, I have the barrel of a gun breathing down my neck for when I screw up." He snorted and shrugged like it was nothing.

Almost like on cue slight drizzle started to fall and caused ripples on the before smooth water. Brian felt it on his skin but was listening too intently to Jack. His brother wasn't giving up much information but apparently he needed help.

"So what do you want me to do?" It wasn't rethorical. The question was meant to be a legit question.
"Catch him before he catches you? Cause you are going to screw up sooner or later." He raised his brows before he admitted. "Although I must say you've become a pretty good driver." That jump was some impressive stupid ass shit but right now he didn't want to encourage Jack.
"Why don't you just tell them that you're quitting? And who they heck are THEY?"

Jack looked up at the sky and lifted his hand, palm up, when drizzle started to fall down. He couldn't help but snort at himself. What did he want Brian to do? Now there was a good question. Too be honest he hadn't actually thought about much of anything. He had gotten himself in to this shit chin deep, he couldn't very well ask Brian to do the same. Brian was his older brother, yes, but still a goddamned cop, through and through. Than still.. Why was he here?

His eyes shot back on to his brother and he raised his eyebrows a bit in disbelieve towards Brian's suggestion. He shook his head. "No. Hell no. Are you crazy? You try going after the main man and we'll both end up in a casket." His jaws tightened as he swallowed down his growing frustration. He knew it. He shouldn't have fucking come here.

"I already told you, Brian. I can't quit. Fuck!" He threw the empty beer bottle over the railing before he ran his hands through his, by now, damp hair. "I don't know who 'they' are. I deal with a middle man, alright? But I can tell you these guys are untouchable. They've got cops, lawyers.. you name it, in their pockets. They made it crystal clear they won't have a problem with making whoever they need to, disappear." He didn't quite care about what could happen to himself, though. No, it was someone else he was worried about.

"Then why the heck did you agree to take the job?" Brian snapped angrily before he could stop himself. He knew how fragile Jack's trust was and that he came to him in the first place was a miracle. Of course he wanted to help but Jack needed to learn his lesson, too.

"Allright." He swallowed and looked up at the grey skies. The rain provided some cool releif after the long run but not enough for his heated temper.

"Give me name of your middle man and I see what I can pull up on him. Maybe I can get my boss to make you an informant, give you a little security that way and get more people on the case. That would give you a better chance of getting off and of surviving." The thought alone of finding Jack in the gutter one day with a bullet between the eyes was making Brian choke up.

He turned to face his brother and gave him a long an good stare.
"Your prints came back and I couldn't keep them secret. You have a record little brother. The cops know they are after you and ...well, I'm not one of their favorite members of the force so they'll be looking at me, too."

His shirt was clinging to him by now but the cool wet fabric felt nice. Brian brushed his hand over his fairly short hair and sighed.
"I'm not going to let anybody put you six feet under if you promise me to quit."

"I took it because I thought I could pull it off. You know how it is..." He shrugged half heartedly and turned around, leaning with his arms on the railing as he watched the drizzle land on the water below. Arrogance was how it was. Arrogance and greed. He thought he was hot shit, and he was until he made that one mistake with the NSX. Now he had the pleasure of cops on his ass, the job was going to be twice as difficult, and he wanted to drag his brother down further with him than he already had. Yeah, he was a bastard.. a bastard and an idiot.

He could feel Brian's harsh stare burn deeper in to his back the longer he kept his back turned, but he made no effort to face his brother. In fact, he was avoiding it at all costs. He drew his tongue over his lower lip in thought before he shook his head. "I'm not going to give you the name. I don't want the cops involved, I don't want more people on the case. Hell, as far as I'm concerned, there is no case. I just can't risk it, bro." He mumbled.

"Look.. I'm sorry, alright? I shouldn't even have tried to drag you in to this." He finally turned back around and managed to pull fake smile on to his face. "You know what? Don't worry about me. I'll figure something out, get this shit under control. I'll send you a nice bonus when it's over, huh?" He didn't talk about quiting the job, no way... He had most of the preparation work done already, and half a million was too much to just try and walk away from now, death thread (or jail sentence) or no.

it wasn't a big surprise that Jack didn't want the cops involved. He despised them including his brother. Nevertheless had he come to Brian for help which must have taken a lot of getting over himself. If Jack didn't agree to becoming an informant Brian couldn't force him, so that option didn't work.

The older O'Conner was pretty sure that Jack wouldn't simply walk away again because he was desperate and Brian was pretty good with guns. He wasn't sure how much Jack knew about his past and how many times he had actually walked the line between right and wrong occassionally crossing over to the forbidden side.

"Alright. Suit yourself, walk away, it's what you do best but don't send me anything. I don't need your dirty money. I really just want you alive."
He turned around and waved. "You can take the beer with you."

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose while he closed his eyes for a moment in frustration. This visit wasn't exactly how he had planned it on going. He couldn't do this job alone, nor could he walk away from it. In both situations he would end up with an extra ventilation hole in his skull. He needed help, but not the type Brian was offering. So should he start begging? Nah.. he wasn't good at begging, but he couldn't just turn and leave without changing his tactics either.

"Wait..." He waited for Brian to stop walking and let out a breath. "Can't you just look the other way for a change? I remember you not always being this squeaky clean, huh? Hell, when we were kids it was you who encouraged me to try and hotwire Mrs. Kramer's new car! And now all of a sudden you're too good for it, for me?" He had started off calm, but the longer he spoke, the louder his voice became. It was no secret he hated, not his brother, but the cop Brian had become. It was like he heard their old man talking.

"What's so wrong about taking a few cars from some rich fucks anyway, huh? They get their insurance money and they'll just buy a new one the next day without loosing any sleep. You wanna live in this boat house for the rest of your life? Because I sure as hell don't want to be stuck to some shitty apartment, overpaying rent just to have a roof over my head, bro." He raised his eyebrows in expectation of Brian's answer. If his brother still wanted to play the good guy, fine, he'd turn and leave, but if Brian took the bait...

Brian knew that Jack couldn't simply walk away. If he was coming to him than he was grasping for straws. He was desperate and Brian could clearly see it.
When his brother was starting to talk about looking the other way an inner wall came up. "Sure, Jack. I encouraged you...I was what...17? I've grown up since then and figured out that hot wiring a teachers car isn't exactly the coolest thing on the planet." Again he neglected to admit that he'd flipped on a case, that he was engaging in illegal street racing on a regular basis and most of the modifications on his car weren't exactly road worthy either. On top of that he'd stolen money from a criminal, Verone. Jack didn't need to know this though.

"The problem with stealing from rich fucks is...it's still stealing, sorry but I take my job serious. The insurance will pay and then all those little guys like you and me have to pay a little more when they put the rates up." Brian was still speaking in a very calm voice. Maybe a little too calm to be for real.

"What's wrong with my boat house? I like it. I own a cool car...what more do I need? I bullett in the head? Some weights tied to my feet? Somebody threatening my girlfriend? No thank you!"

He moved a little closer now and looked his brother in the eyes. "None of that will tempt me but if you simply ask me and promise me to drop this shit then I'll help you....because whether I like it or not, you arrogant, greedy brat are my brother."
After a moment he added. "Without the knowledge of the department."

Jack snorted. "You've grown up since then? You're 30 something, you live in a boat house, you work a crappy job.. Ohoh yeah, bro. You just reek of maturity. And when's the last time you've even gotten laid?" He raised his eyebrows before he shook his head dismissively. He was resorting to insults now, and really, that was not the best way to go at it if he wanted to get Brian on his side. So far he'd already been doing a shit-tastic job.

"So? After this job we won't be those little guys anymore. I'm tired of slaving in some shit ass garage for minimum wage, man!" He hadn't gone to college after high school, he didn't go to the police academy like his brother. He had nothing to fall back on other than his automotive skills, in and outside any type of vehicle. So really.. why shouldn't he play a little Robin Hood?.. Without the tight tights of course.. There wouldn't be no bullets in anyone's head, or weights tied around anyone's feet as long as the cars were delivered on time and on place.

He lifted his chin a little as Brian came closer, defying the look his brother was giving him before he smirked slightly. "I'll drop this shit as soon as I've got that cold hard cash in my hand, bro. Cross my heart..." He grinned, leaving out the 'hope to die' for obvious reasons. He was walking a thin line here, both with Brian and the job, but if his promise was what it took to get Brian to help him.. than so be it.

"Thanks, man. I owe you. Big time." He mumbled as he clapped Brian on the shoulder before pulling him in to a brotherly hug. One that didn't last long, because... well, he just wasn't a fan of hugging, or even touching, other guys. At least he could feel some of the weight fall from his shoulders now that he, if he understood right, had Brian on board.

Brian shook his head at Jack. "I'm not sure what has gone wrong in your education but you surely have some twisted ideas of right and wrong."
In his book Jack should get a job and if it didn't pay enough take out a loan and go to college but knowing his brother he wouldn't last one semester.

He hugged him back and clapped him on the back but before he let Jack get out of his grasp he grabbed his arm and stated. "No matter whether you get the money or not. You walk away and never take a job like that again, understood?"
His expression stated clearly that he wasn't joking and wouldn't take no for an answer.

"So what do you need me to do?" Brian was still trying to figure out whether he could actually do what he might have to to help Jack out.

Jack was somewhat aware he didn't look too convincing when he nodded. He understood alright, but whether he would keep his promise in the end was a different matter. He'd always been easily tempted to get drawn to the wrong side of the line and the easy money that came with it. If an offer came his way...

He slowly ran his hand through his hair when Brian finally asked the question. He already knew what he wanted from his brother. For now.. "Your department impounds cars practically every day, don't they?" He paused for a moment as he thought his next words through once more. Should he really be asking this though? He was bringing this very close to home for Brian work-wise, and Brian being his, the main suspect's, brother, the cops would be looking at him first if even as much as one car magically disappeared from the lot. Than again.. he'd already been planning on hitting the impound lot. Brian's help could make it a whole lot easier.

"I want you to give me the police impound inventory list." He finally stated. "And since you most likely can't give me the grand tour there, I want you to get me a layout of the place, where the more expensive cars are parked, where the keys are kept, time schedules of the guards and information on security cameras, like where they are and how many there are.. Maybe even get me a quick way in and out when the time comes, since I'd rather not have the cops on my ass half way through." It was a long list, and how Brian was supposed to do the last part, he hadn't figured out yet. But the smoother this whole thing could go, the better.

"I know I'm asking a lot and if you decide now you can't or won't do it after all, I want to hear it now. I'm already on a tight schedule as it is, bro." He leaned back against the railing as he waited for Brian's answer. He'd understand if Brian would want to kick him off his boat, he had given him every reason to. But hey... at least he hadn't asked his brother to steal any of the cars, right?

His jaw dropped open. What Jack had just said to him but was not only incredible, it was also absolutely radical.
"Are you shitting me?" He said absolutely serious. Brian was waiting for his brother to break out into hysterical laughter but it just didn't come.
"You're serious about this? Are you completely nuts?"
Brian gasp for air.
"That's the worst, most stupid plan I've ever heard. I thought you wanted me to watch your back not help you steal from the people I work from!" By now he was actually yelling at Jack. Some spit hit his brother in the face to his content.

Was Jack simply making use of him now, trying to make him an accomplice because he was under time pressure, abuse his loyality...maybe there wasn't even anybody after the lazy bastard.

"So you have a freaking list of cars you need to steal or ...what?"

Brian swallowed hard. "Jack, I think you better run and hide now because not only your big boss but also the whole police force of Miami is going to be after you."

Jack raised his eyebrows. Plan? He didn't even have a plan yet, not a real and fully worked out one anyway. He was simply keeping all options open, doing the groundwork and making sure everything that needed to be done, could be done. It included the police impound lot. And the more he knew about the place, the easier he could asses whether it was worth the risk. Hell, he didn't even know if any of the cars he'd need were impounded, which was why he needed at least a damned inventory to begin with!

He slowly and carefully wiped the spit from his face and he didn't even flinch as his brother continued to yell at him. Was he serious? Yes. Was he completely nuts? Probably. Did any of that matter? Not really. Because, unless he wanted to know what his own insides looked like, which he didn't, he was stuck to the job whether he still liked it or not.

"Like I said, bro. You can still back out now, but you have to do it now. I know this is my own shit.." Despite Brian's outburst, he remained surprisingly calm as he pulled the printed list of the 50 cars out of his ass pocket. He held it between his fingers, but didn't hand it over as he watched Brian. He figured that, for the time being, the less his brother knew about the specific details, the better it was for the both of them.

He snorted and shrugged Brian's next words away. "I'm not all that worried about the law part of this. If you don't have my back, I still got my little 'to be' lawyer. She knows every damned legal system loophole there is." It was a stretch of course. If he got caught red handed there wasn't much Faye, or even the best lawyer in the world, could do. But who cared... He still wasn't going to run and hide. He couldn't even if he wanted to.

"Heck yeah, I'm going to back out. Who do you think they'll be looking at when a car thief takes only the best ones and knows all the cameras and shifts?"
He pointed at himself. Until a few days ago his life had been so easy and now Jack had to drag him down. Would he really allow him to?

Snorting he snatched the list. "You even have a list prepared and happened to bring it along...Brian let his eyes roam over a few cars and laughed out loud but without any humor. "What have you gotten yourself into. Good luck. Would you to pick a coffin right now or later?"

"Okay, just to get this straight. I'm not going to become a criminal because of you but if a inventory list just happens to fall into my hands where would I drop it off."

A plan was forming in his head.

Jack dragged both his hands heavily through his hair and blew out a long breath. He knew it. He fucking knew it. He had given too much information and now Brian was backing out. It didn't help matters when his brother's eyes roamed over the piece of paper with nothing but top-end, hard to get cars on the list. "Anything with velvet on the inside will do..." He mumbled as he dropped his hands back to his sides. He had gotten himself in some serious shit, he knew that by now.

His eyes shot back up to Brian and he furrowed his brow. "I'm not asking you to become a criminal, I'm asking you to be my brother and help me out here." Sure, he was doing it in a selfish way for selfish reasons, but... fuck it. If getting a little inside information was too much to ask, than he was done here. He might as well go. He pushed himself away from the railing and took the first step back to the dock, but stopped when he heard Brian finish the sentence. An inventory list... Was his brother budging just a little?

He turned towards Brian once more and shrugged. "If and when you happen to get your hands on one, you can drop it off at 1002 SW 7th Ave. You can't miss it, it's a shit hole." He smiled, partly as an expression of thanks. "I'm surprised you don't know my address already though. I figured you being a cop, you would have ran a full check on me the moment you found out those prints were mine." He added, and for once without a sign of resentment towards Brian's choice of career in his voice.

"well then, be surprised." Brian commented. He'd been trying to keep the prints off everybody's desk as long as possible and didn't want to go pick up his own brother so he never bothered to find out his address.
"By the way. I didn't need the prints to know who stole that car. I saw you!" He was pretty sure Jack had seen him as well that night when they connected fenders.
"You owe me a new fender and paint job by the way."
Brian tried to lighten the mood.

Then he waved his hand and motioned for Jack to get a move on. "Now get off my boat."

Without goodbye or futher notice Brian turned around and went inside where he stood for a moment hoping Jack wouldn't come back...never. What should he do now? What he believed in or what could safe his fucked up brother and land his own ass in jail?

He sat down and started flicking through channels but he didn't see any of it. Inwardly he resented Jack and wanted to see him pay for his stupidity but a part of him didn't want the younger sibling to go down in a blaze of glory or end up as some big dude's new toy in jail.