Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jesse always knew finding his Soulmate would be a one in a billion chance, most never did when there were so many people in the world.

Most people's soulmarks, once shiny with colors to represent what type of injury their soulmate would have, would become scars on their body as their soulmate would die from that injury. It wasn't uncommon to see scars around the temples or throats of so many people in Los Santos. If you didn't have a soulscar yet and you still haven't found your soulmate, many would start the joke about weather you were the one meant to go first.

In short, soulscars was much more common than ever finding your actual soulmate. Though Jesse always hoped he be one of the lucky few to actually meet their soulmate.

Jesse had even come to Los Santos almost hoping that the crime rate would kill him before he had to think about the person who he would've missed out on scaring his skin instead of one day finding a scar on his skin.

Everytime a bright colored mark appeared on his skin, he would first be thankful that they were still alive, before trying to guess what had hurt them. Jesse also wondered if his soulmate did the same, or if they were more realistic.

Realistic in the way Barry and Dee were.

Barry, to Jesse's knowledge, must have had a hidden soulscar somewhere because Jesse had never seen the man's soulmark appear, but that didn't stop him.

Barry had told Jesse once, “that a soulmate was never an option for him so why wait for it.”

Jesse wished some days he could just ignore it like Barry did, but unfortunately for him, his soulmate just loved getting hurt apparently. Most commonly a little pink crow or raven would decorate his skin, the color for bruising or internal bleeding. Normally the marks would color Jesse's arms and legs, which was easily covered with a hoodie and some long pants, but sometimes the mark would appear on his cheek or around his eye. That would always lead to a morning debate of whether he wanted to put on concealer and makeup that day or if he didn't care enough, It was generally a fifty-fifty on that for Jesse.

It wasn't like Jesse was sure his soulmate was probably dealing with similar things to him, what with him being in a criminal motor club and all. He just hoped his soulmate wasn't in a rival gang. He would hate to snipe a guy and that shot ended up on his skin. It wasn’t unheard-of because even if soulmarks exist, at the end of the day, things happen and the world doesn't stop them for you.

Today, though, Jesse rolled out of bed to find the mark of a little corvid mid-flap in almost half heart position. The little bird was tiny and scattered across Jesse's forearms with pastel pink and red. His soulmate probably had bruising and scrapes acrossed their arms if Jesse had to guess.

Jesse sighed as he pulled out a hoodie to start his day and headed out to get the clubs their supply of guns for the week. He just wished whoever his soulmate was would take better care of themselves at this rate, over meeting them.

---

TJ fucking hated this.

He wrapped his arms in bandages after cleaning the asphalt from his skid across the pavement after a speeding car had knocked him off his bike.

TJ sighed as he slipped back into his long sleeve police uniform and headed back out to the garage.

The dumbass crim had been running from a traffic stop that TJ hadn't even been involved in, but of course they miscalculated their turn. TJ had to dive out of the way to avoid the chase, including the CVPI that also almost hit him. The officer didn't even acknowledge the bike cop until TJ got on the radio to respond that he was alright.

TJ grimaced as he mounted the PD bike as his joints pulled at bruised muscles. TJ watched for a moment as PD cars filtered in and out of the carpool, most having more than one officer in them, but TJ didn't mind not having a backup, he was better alone anyways.

At least that's what the officer told themself.

As TJ drove out of MRPD and back onto patrol he thought about the one group of people and person he didn't mind as much. His dad, Barry, and BBMC had a way with TJ that he would have never imagined.

A criminal and a police officer adopting each other as family, sounded like an actual fairytale in Los Santos. Especially with the criminal being the 2nd in Command of the most proud cop killing Gang in LS.

TJ smiled thinking about Barry asking to ride around the Billabong in his CVPI like an excited five year old, but TJ also knew that man, his father, had hurt so many of his brothers and sisters in arms. Barry was calculated, where the leader, Dundee, was ruthless. It's what made BBMC such a deadly force against the PD.

Irwin Dundee, TJ frowned as he headed through another intersection.

That man was insane, was the simple way to put it, but it was never that simple. Dundee loved Barry, TJ knew, but TJ wasn't sure if Barry truly returned that love the same way Dee gave. Nevertheless Barry and Dee were an unstoppable pair, that much everyone knew. The thing that most unnerved TJ about the two was their soulmarks.

His dad, Barry, had none to what TJ could see. The most he had ever heard about Barry's soulmark was when he had convinced TJ to share a goldfish tattoo with him on their necks.

Barry had said, “It’s like a soulmark, but of someone I actually care about.”

TJ had wanted to ask more, but Barry dodged any further conversation on soulmarks.

Dundee on the other hand, didn't have any soulmarks, but he had hundreds of soulscars. The worst part of the soulscars that Dundee had was that TJ was pretty sure most, if not all, of them were fake soulscars.

TJ had noticed once the soulmark that appeared on Pond scarred onto Dundee's left wrist while arresting him.

TJ had paused a little too long, as his brain started to click pieces together.

Dundee had grinned, “Does Barry's cop son see a mark he recognizes? Maybe I'll have to add your mark to my collection one day too.”

TJ had rushed Dundee through processing that day, no normal bants. TJ needed to think.

TJ, now starting his 2nd pass of patrol route, thoughts rifted to the soulmark that he tried not to think about.

The little wolf curled in on itself sleeping, or what TJ had had always imagined, curling in on itself from the pain. It most commonly appeared on his chest in a bright red and pink. TJ hated seeing it. Some days he would wish he would wake up to it just being a scar. As bad as it is, to hope for someone's death, maybe the little wolf could sleep peacefully then.

TJ cursed himself, that was a shit mindset, but with his luck he would probably never see the scarred wolf.

He somehow even doubted that even if he did die first would his soulmate even notice. With his luck, his soulmate wouldn't even think to look for a soulscar until the other marks disappeared for weeks, then maybe they wouldn't even find it.

Just his luck, to go unnoticed.

---

The boys had a rough day yesterday Jesse knew the moment he woke up to the text of “We need more”.

Jesse groaned as he rolled out of bed and rubbed his face. He blinked a few times, before he noticed the two small black birds on his arm.

Jesse paused.

Black wasn’t a color he knew soulmarks could appear. It's why most tattoos used black ink, so you wouldn't confuse them with your soulmark, but these two marks were definitely black. Jesse traced his fingers over them a few more times before actually getting up for his day.

To say he couldn't stop thinking about the soulmarks was an understatement. To the point that he ended up at the hospital to ask a doctor about it.

Pillbox was nice enough, as he quickly popped in. He had told Edbert he had to go check on a friend and he would be right out, which hadn't been a complete lie he had told himself. These marks have been with him almost his whole life.

The nurse that had pulled him aside to quickly talk to him was young and too nice in Jesse's opinion.

“So you said, you had a question about your soulmarks?”

“What does it mean when they go black?” Jesse asked quietly, no one needed to know in this city how much he cared about this.

The nurse arched up an eyebrow, which was slightly concerning to be honest, “May I see? If it is in an easy spot?”

Jesse sighed looking around the room quickly.

The woman noticed as she spoke, “If you can wait here a minute I can see if I can grab us a quick room for a bit more privacy, if you would like?”

Jesse hummed, “That would be nice, if it isn't too much trouble.”

Less than five minutes later they were in a separate room and Jesse had rolled up his sleeve to show her.

“Alright, do you want the good news or the bad news first?” The nurse said, taking a step back from Jesse.

“Don't care.”

“Well, when the soulmark turns black it means they are very close to death.”

Jesse looked down at the two little birds, eyebrow furrowed, “So they are dying.”

“Well not necessarily, the way your marks are positioned. I would guess your soulmate has a couple IVs in them right now. We have seen cases where the black color will fade into red, meaning they stabilized, or they will become soulscars.”

“How long does that typically happen?” Jesse asked, eyes never leaving the marks.

The nurse pursed her lips, “Could be a couple minutes or years. Since it looks like where IVs would be inserted I assume you probably have another mark somewhere else on you where we could trace a cause too.”

“Alright.” Jesse said quietly, “Thank you.”

“No Problem.” She smiled, to happily for it to be a real smile, Jesse thought as he got back into the car with Ed.

When Jesse finally got back to his house off of Great Ocean, he checked his body for any other marks.

All there was was very faded marks of what he knew previously was the pinks of fading bruisings, nothing new. As Jesse finally decided to finish up he ran his fingers through his hair and felt something new.

Jesse paused. It wasn't quite fear, but a prayer that he didn't feel that.

You couldn't feel soulmarks, but you could feel soulscars.

Jesse checked the space again, it was on the side of his temple and he blinked his eyes a bit before looking to confirm what he thought.

there on the side of his temple was the little bird scarred into his head. Jesse could imagine the gun pointed to his own head as he swallowed deeply.

His Soulmate was dead.

Soulmarks:

(Perks of also being an artist lol)

Chapter Text

Jesse almost wished he hadn't noticed the two black crows on his arm and the new soulscar on his head, because he couldn't stop thinking about them.

He imagined a person laying in a hospital bed, with people around them unknowingly lying to each other that they were going to get better. That Jesse's soulmate, whoever they were, was going to recover.

Or maybe his soulmate was alone and the hospital just hoped they would be well enough to pay the bill soon. When Jesse thought about that idea he couldn't help touch the scar and hoped that his soulmate knew he would have cared.

Or maybe they had one person they cared about and they couldn't comfort their worries as they slowly died.

There was no way of knowing who his soulmate could have been without them actually meeting in person and testing it. Which means Jesse could have met them at some point but neither of them picked up on the other having a mark where they were hurt.

Jesse was just hoping that they went out as peacefully as they could've with a gun, though he doubted it. He was just hoping it wasn't by their own hand.

Jesse shuddered at that idea, but he needed to focus on the club. So he buried himself in the club, keeping his thoughts far away from the two little birds on his skin.

Until, the day when Jesse woke up to the birds gone from his arm.

He just sat there staring at the place they were for so many days. Tears pricked the edges of his eyes, for some reason Jesse couldn't place.

He rubbed a hand over where the soulmarks were, as he whispered, “Goodbye, My little bird. Sorry I couldn't have met you properly.”

Jesse wiped his eyes and briefly touched the soulscar of the bird, before getting ready for the day.

Jesse hoped that the little birdie would get a nice funeral by people who loved them, but this was their last chapter in Jesse's life, he told himself.

That was until he saw the black soulmark of the bird on his ankle.

He had been just going to put on his boots when the black mark had caught his eye, and sure enough the little bird was there.

He paused, more out of confusion, as he looked at his arm again to find no marks, but there was definitely a mark on his ankle, another black one at that.

A thought of his soulmate not really giving him a soulscar crossed his mind as Jesse reached for his phone to reverse the camera to check for the scar, and it was still there.

He paused deep in thought, as he thought about it.

If his soulmate was no longer attached to IVs, got shot in the head, and now had an injury to their ankle, maybe one of those guesses had to be wrong. Maybe they weren't shot, or maybe they were protected from the shot.

Could that happen? Jesse questioned himself. He would have to research this a bit he guessed.

The more important thing about this was for Jesse, was his soulmate, wherever they were, was still alive enough to give him soulmarks.

“Stay alive, little birdie,” Jesse lightly touched to black soulmark, “I will have to meet you now.”

---

The Mayhem war was going smoothly enough for Jesse.

The streets had even started talking about how powerful the club was being, which meant Jesse was doing his job well. The newly patched cowboy had been bringing in not only weapons but strategies lately, and Jesse knew it hadn't gone unnoticed by the way Barry always seemed to pull him aside for opinion before and after a fight.

Jesse's soulmarks were still being confusing though, with them not switching to any colors beside black anymore and the fact that they weren't staying gone either.

Not that he was complaining, Jesse was happy that his little bird was alive, but he had also done a little of his own research on his soulmark situation.

Apparently, having soulmarks and a soulscar wasn't as unusual as he had thought. If your soulmate, say lost an arm in a way then one may have a soulscar around where the arm was cut off and still have soulmarks appearing across the rest of your body. The only problem with that was everyone online said that the soulmarks eventually became colorful again, and Jesse's were definitely not, despite it being at least two weeks since he first noticed the change. The other thing was his soulscar was on his head, which didn't seem great for his soulmate, if the soulscar can outline a part of the body that has died. There wasn't much Jesse could really do about that though, so instead he focused on the black soulmarks.

Today, the soulmarks littered his knuckles and hands, it reminded Jesse of locations injuries from a fist fight, but since he couldn't tell the type of injuries his soulmate had it was a pretty fair guess he thinks.

Jesse was slowly making his way across the Billy rooftops until he saw three of High Command on tiny having what seemed to be a pretty intense conversation from the way Barry was tensed.

Barry had been a bit off to some of the other members, from what Jesse noticed the past couple weeks. Nothing really noticeable but Jesse saw where he let certain people's words sit in the air longer than they should or how he paired up with different people than normal for hunts. It was tiny things, but Jesse valued himself in seeing those things in others.

Pez was saying something to Barry and Dee when Jesse stepped past him, AK drawn pointed at Street Side to watch over them.

But Barry caught his attention with his next statement. “-I don't mind if Jesse hears this.”

Jesse paused, the way Barry was speaking was halted like he was containing so much emotion behind his walls and you weren't sure if you should face it or run for cover.

Dee and Pez seemed to feel it too as they sunk back a bit as Barry continued.

“The biggest thing that happened with that, it's not even about the TJ shit, it's just the respect...”

Oh, It was about TJ, Barry's son. Jesse didn't know what had happened but if Barry was like this it couldn't have been good. Jesse didn't really know TJ, saw him one or twice, but heard more about him in passing from other members then actually talking to the dude. Jesse did know something about TJ though, that he wasn't sure if the majority of the club ever understood, and that is if Barry cared about TJ like family then TJ is family to him, and should be to the club.

“When I asked you to do something and that something happened behind My Back,” Barry let the words hang there for a second, “and wasn't told to me for a week.”

Jesse took in how Pez squirmed and Dee just grimaced like they had both heard him say this before.

“I had to find out from someone outside the club, and yet, nobody seems to think they should get punished for it because it's a cop.”

Barry pushed them hard enough for Dee's eyes to drift to Jesse as Jesse pulled out his own joint to listen to every tone shift in Barry's voice.

“It's not about that. I know you were all just listening to Dee but Dee isn't alway right about things. I would just hope one of you would have enough guts to say something about it…” Barry continued, laying more into Pez than Dee at this point.

It was interesting, though he had zero context for any of this and the conversation was shifting slowly away from a general one. Jesse truthfully didn't care though, he was content to listen until he was either called or sent away.

But the call did come when Dee put a hand on Jesse's shoulder, and motioned behind them.

Jesse nodded quietly and followed, barely hearing Pez's awful apology behind him.

“What's up, Dee?” Jesse asked, eyes scanning the streets below for movement.

“What is that?” Dee's voice made Jesse's mind freeze as he turned to his mentor.

Dee's eyes were locked on Jesse's hands.

“What do you mean?” Jesse truly didn't know what he meant.

“Your marks.” He clipped his words, “When did they turn black?”

“Around two weeks ago Dee. A nurse said they will return to colors eventually.” Jesse left out the soulscar part, something about Dee right now made him not want to tell him that part.

“Two weeks…” Dee echoed, examining Jesse's knuckles.

Jesse shifted slightly, “What's wrong Dee?” Jesse tried.

Dee paused, getting a very far away look in his eye, that made Jesse hesitate.

“Black soulmarks mean you are talking to Death.” Dee's words almost didn't sound like his own to Jesse.

“Ya the nurse said close to death.” Jesse tried to affirm Dee.

“No. No, she's wrong.” Dee sounded haunted, “Death is close to you.”

They were both silent for a moment longer as they both tried to process this conversation, before Dee pulled away with renewed energy.

Fake energy, Jesse noted.

“Well, tell me if anything changes with that, J.”

“Alright Dee,” Jesse responded as he watched Dee rejoin the club below them.

Jesse just stared at his hands for a bit, wondering what the hell his soulmate must've gotten into to get Irwin Dundee so spooked.

Jesse sighed, looking back over his shoulder toward Barry and Pez, before deciding it would probably be better if he just continued his patrol of the Billy. He might be needed there, he wouldn't be needed in that conversation.

---

“You know what Jesse, Vespucci feels so much more alive these past few days, so much more life…” Barry said as they parked in front of UWU café.

Jesse had grabbed a notebook and obviously enough for Barry to see wrote, ‘Barry jinxing it.’

B didn't acknowledge it as he got out of the car, with an AK slung over his shoulder, heading toward the café.

Jesse hurried to catch up with the VP, “We just bringing them in with us?” Jesse nudged his own AK.

“I don't see why not.” was Barry's response as they entered.

The café, Jesse had been in many times before, was decorated with pastel colors and cat toys everywhere. They had little parkour for the sleeping cats, Jesse never saw them doing anything else, across the walls.

“Yo J, What are we supposed to be getting?” Barry had walked over to a waiting register and now were both looking at him.

Jesse quickly joined him. “The curry is what he likes.” The guy they were selling meth to today, Jesse had figured out that if you also gave him curry he would tip a lot for it.

“Would you like a toy with that?” the worker said.

“A Toy?” Barry's voice heightened for a second and Jesse was happy he had his mask on for the smile that creeped onto his face in that moment, “Jesse, you want a toy?”

“No, I don't want a toy, Barry.” Jesse watched the man steel himself and tell the worker “No toy.”

Jesse wanted to almost chastise Barry, they had walked in with AKs on their backs, dressed for war, and he wanted a toy. In Jesse's biased opinion, Barry already had a pretty nice toy on his back.

Barry gathered the food and went to sit down at one of the tables.

“B?” Jesse questioned as he walked over to the man, apparently he had ordered two curries and was opening one of them.

“Come on, share this with me before we head back out.” Barry's smile could convince Jesse to do anything he decided as he sat across from, setting his AK next to him on the table.

“So what's been going on?” Barry asked, taking a bite.

Jesse started to explain war strategies that they had used and the ones he was still planning, anything to keep his mind off his soulmarks.

They still hadn't disappeared after three weeks and they still weren't returning to any colors. Today, he had a large slightly faded soulmark on his forearm. From past experiences with his soulmate, Jesse would assume, that the mark was for a slight bruise his soulmate had, but it also could be for a cut or lack of oxygen or-

“Jesse.” Barry was looking at him, head tilted to one side like a puppy dog. “You good?”

Jesse hesitated, wondering what Barry was talking about until Barry sighed, taking another bite of curry.

“Your words drifted off, then you started rubbing your arm.”

Jesse looked down and sure enough, he was rubbing his arm.

“Oh.”

“You good, J?”

“Ya, just…” He thought about lying, a quick little lie about how he had drifted to more planning for the war, but after overhearing a bit of that Pez and Barry conversation last week.

“My soulmarks have been weird lately, Barry.” Jesse looked up to see the confusion in Barry's eyes. “Three weeks or so now they have been completely black and I have a soulscar.” Jesse slightly cringed that he was telling Barry this. Barry had always had a ‘Don't care’ relationship with soulmates when Jesse had been probably the most interesting in his. Besides Stevie but she had found hers, but Jesse hadn't and probably wouldn't.

Barry stared at Jesse a moment longer, “A soulscar, means they are dead right? So how do you still have soulmarks?”

Jesse nodded, “I asked a nurse the first week and she said they would eventually disappear, but it's been weeks and the soulmarks keep changing locations as well.”

“Is it on your arm today?” Barry gestured with the fork to his sleeve.

Jesse grimaced and pulled back his sleeve to reveal the soulmark. Barry looked at it for a moment before he returned his stare to Jesse.

“Where's the scar?”

Jesse didn't know why he squirmed, it almost felt personal to show him the soulscar, but he had opened this conversation.

Jesse tilted up his hat and pulled back his hair on one side to reveal the little bird to Barry. He cuffed it in a way to hide it from the rest of the café.

Barry had looked at the bird for about thirty seconds before sitting back in his chair and lightly touching the goldfish tattoo on his neck.

“Do you think they were dead? and maybe they came back…” Barry trailed off, like he was thinking about something else.

“Ya well, we got a war to win and this can wait until the club is safe.” Jesse said quickly standing up, pushing his sleeve back down and situating his hat back in place.

“Right.” Barry echoed.

As Barry started the car he easily popped right back in talking about CG pressing them again. Jesse went back and forth a bit with him as they drove to the Billy to pick up the last thing for this job and it was time for Jesse to ask a risky question.

“So how's TJ doing?”

“umm… Better…” Jesse felt Barry let up slightly on the gas before responding. “I've been trying to get Dee to talk to him. Dee is willing to give him a chance again. He's no longer a cop.”

“What?!” Jesse sat up a bit, what the hell had happened. From Jesse's limited knowledge TJ loved being a cop, right?

“I know you weren't really involved in… y’know. A bunch of shit happened-”

“He left the PD?” Jesse didn't mean to cut Barry off, but the shock was still running through him.

“Yea… I don't know if you have heard the full story with the shit that went down, because I know you weren't involved, but to say…” Barry hesitated again as they parked by B's house.

“Not quite, no.” Jesse got out of the car to see Barry slowly doing the same. Jesse's curiosity and respect were fighting each other so much that he settled with. “Is this a story for another time?”

“Ya… Maybe it's a longer story. Let's just say, I was just unhappy with how some other people in the club treated my son.” Barry got a faraway look in his eye, that concerned Jesse. Whatever happened hurt Barry a lot, he realized. “I am only just starting to resolve that.”

Jesse watched as Barry started to turn away, but he wanted to say the truth, at least his, to Barry before he ran off.

“Well Barry he is your son, so he is your blood, and therefore our blood. So keep that in mind.”

Barry turned back to him briefly to give him a small smile that shouted a thousand thank yous to Jesse but Barry's next words were quiet.

“Well, glad someone in this fucking club has a fucking brain, Jesse.”

“I would take a bullet for you any day.” Jesse shouted after Barry as he ran off to get the rest of what they needed for this job.

After Barry left Jesse looked down to the Billy Gate. He wondered what had happened to TJ to make him quit being a cop.

---

It had been a stressful day, welfare checks ringing out for higher ranking officers all night.

TJ had been spending his time guarding Baas in his office. Sergeants coming in to report criminals targeting more and more officers. TJ was contained to the back corner as meetings upon meetings continued to Baas.

He just had to sit and dream of the day he would be that important to the force, to Baas, to be heard out, but for now he waited.

Hours passed until Baas finally called his name.

“Hey TJ,” TJ straightened to attention, ready to answer any question. “Can you go turn those car lights off from outside?”

TJ slightly deflated, but he looked toward where the red and blue car lights were heavily reflecting into the windows of the department.

“Sure thing, Baas.”

TJ trusted Baas, If he was truthful with himself Baas was like a much older brother to him. He looked up to him, wanted to impress him, but that was getting harder and harder as time went on.

TJ was in the backlot now, the last PD cars were towards the back of the lot then he could head back inside.

He didn't even get to the last car before his eye caught movement of someone running through the back gate. TJ paused briefly, before curiosity got the better of him and he ran after them.

“Hey!” TJ yelled out as he pushed open the gate to be greeted by 3 gray cars and a Bondi Boys patched jacket belonging to one Irwin Dundee. TJ stopped in his tracks, and suddenly wished he hadn't gone to the backlot alone because what he was staring at now looked suspiciously like a hunting party.

“Son!” Dundee turned around, arms wide as if a hug would cut the tension suddenly weighing down on all of them.

TJ took a half a step back, “Hey Dundee, what are you guys doing here?” Last time TJ had seen Dundee alone like this it had been when Dundee had blown him up with a C4.

“Hey Son, why don't you come here?” Dundee gestured forward as TJ took another step backwards towards the safety of the PD department. “TJ, I wouldn't do that if I was you.”

“Why not?” TJ asked as he turned on his heel to be faced by a masked man with Uzi pointed at his chest, “Ok.”

TJ felt a strong hand hit his shoulder as Dundee leaned in to talk next to his ear. “Why don't you get in the car, Son?” He said the word ‘Son’ like it was dripping with poison.

“Alright, Alright.” TJ turned back to the cars and swallowed his fear as he climbed in the back of one of the cars.

Chain, his half brother, and Junior were in the front seat. Junior's eyes nervously darted to TJ then focused back on the road, and Chain seemed to be gripping the wheel a bit harder than normal.

“So where are we going guys?” TJ asked, half to comfort his own nerves and half to try to get any info out of them.

“We just going somewhere real quick-”

“It's a Surprise party-”

They both said at the exact same time before both hesitantly looked at each other and agreed on their lie to TJ.

“We are throwing you a surprise party, then we will let you go back.” Junior echoed the silent conversation TJ had just watched.

TJ shuddered, he didn't like this at all. “Well I was surprised, can you guys bring me back now?”

“You haven't even seen the best part yet.” Chain said as they turned into what was commonly referred to as the Vagos Torture area.

TJ sucked in a breath and then heard his radio sound off with,

“Baas this is your ten minute status check, are you all good?”

TJ wanted to scream as the car he was in stopped and Dundee roughly grabbed his arm and pulled him out.

“Ya I am all good, Sergeant.” Baas replied as Dundee sized up TJ with the Bondi Boys standing behind him in a loose semi-circle. “Thanks for the check in. We are all good here.”

The PD radio felt so mocking to TJ's current situation, just another moment of being forgotten about.

Then Dundee started his rant.

“You know Barry loves you fucking dearly, right?”

The comment caused TJ’s shackles to rise with confusion, “Ya, he is my dad. What are you talking about?”

“Ya and he is my husband.” Dee responded by taking a step forward so TJ had to lower his eyes to see him. “What I am trying to get at, mate, is Barry been trying for such a long time to try and convince me to give you an opportunity.”

Dundee reached up to fiddle with his badge, causing TJ to suck in a breath, before Dundee continued. “An opportunity to have you like a real son, but everytime!” Dundee turned taking a step away from TJ again and raising his voice so it echoed around the abandoned warehouses. “Everytime I try the side you choose to enforce FUCKS me over.”

“What? Well, are we just talking in general because I catch you in chases or…”

TJ thought him and Barry had worked this out already. They wouldn't actively target each other but they wouldn't stop doing their jobs. TJ was a cop, and had to still show up when called, and Barry, and all of the club, were still criminals who were going to shoot cops. As long as they weren't targeting each other it was bygones, but right now it definitely seemed like Dundee didn't get that memo.

“Did you shoot me today?”

“Me?” TJ thought back to earlier when one of the Bondi Boys had ran him over while he was on his bike. Frankly, he was too busy dealing with almost being run over to shoot.
“Nope, I did Not.”

“Did you tell your friends to stop shooting at your dad?” The word ‘Dad’ sneered into TJ's mind.

“ummm… was I supposed to?”

“Son, I don't think you fucking understand!” Dundee was definitely scaring him with how the man's eyes started tracing over all of TJ exposed skin, seemingly looking for something.

“I am trying to be logical about this But you aren't being logical!” He had to save this, or he was dead. God, he wished Barry was here. Barry understood and could be reasoned with.

Dundee right now, TJ was trying but he doubted this could end any other way than with him shot.

“I tell my boys not to shoot you, but you don't tell yours!”

“What do you mean?!” They were repeating themselves, “Your boys literally ran me over on a bike!”

“Ya but they wanted to hurt you and I said NO! I tried to love you, Son! I tried to Love you!”

“No! You have NOT!” TJ couldn't contain himself at ‘tried to love you’ anger surged through him. This man had done everything in his power to ruin his and Barry's relationship and tried to kill him multiple times.

“Yes I have, but every single time I try your friends piss me off and I cannot just ignore you anymore, because your my son.” Sounded like a bold faced lie to TJ, if he had to be honest, as they eyed each other dangerously. “You are a cop.”

“Ok? Hi, you have my number call me?”

“Son. You not willing to tell your boys to stand down, I won't either.”

Dee finally gave TJ some breathing room just for the man with the uzi to raise it a bit higher.

“Dee wait!” It was a desperate attempt to stop this, to maybe be heard for once. To be noticed one last time maybe, TJ wasn't sure.

“If there was more time, I would make sure your soulmate would never be alone.”

“What?-”

"Do it.”

“Dee? What is that suppose to mean-”

---

TJ didn't hear the shots, but he heard something else. Something louder.

A head piercing ticking of a clock drilled it way into his skull in a way where his whole body seemed to feel it slowly shaking it.

Then Dee's voice started to echo around TJ.

It was so loud, it hard to move, to think anything besides the words he was saying.

“DO IT”

“DO IT”

“DO IT”

“DO IT”

TJ needed to get out of here. He wanted to claw himself apart.

He forced open his eyes to see thousands upon thousands of doors. Almost all of them had a bright white light glowing from behind them all but one.

TJ tried to take in a breath, but his lungs screamed at him in pain and he curled deeper in on himself.

The words and ticking still pounding in his head, trying to shackle him to the ground, but he had to get out of here.

He couldn't even process where he was. Everything here was just too much, all at once.

He needed to leave.

TJ could focus on that though, He could do this.

TJ struggled to crawl towards the door without a glow for what felt like hours. Taking a few pauses to just writhe in pain as the words and ticking drilled too close to his will to push on.

Each time the pain became too much.

Each time he would just lay there in the darkness, ready to give up.

TJ would feel the warmth of someone touching his arm, someone was waiting for him.

TJ imagined Baas, or even Barry, pushing him forward. Telling him he wasn't alone. That they will be there, if he could just get to the door.

Eventually he got to the door, and TJ's whole being hurt so much, but as he pushed open the door he heard something different than the Tick Tocks or DO IT.

“I will have to meet you now.”

Everything faded to darkness.

TJ opened his eyes to a bright hospital room and the loud beeping of equipment in his ears.

And TJ was alone.

I am impressing myself with another doodle ngl

Chapter Text

Excitement flooded the Billy as Chain, Pez, and Dundee presented new patches and kuttes they had worked on.

Jesse had just enough time to claim a long sleeve white one before Barry practically tossed him in the car and was driving down the beach past Dean's World.

Barry fidgeted as he drove them to the beach. He was nervous, but that wasn't exactly it. Jesse narrowed his eyes slightly as Barry loosely mentioned having to also talk to Chain about this ‘thing’. Barry almost seemed excitedly scared if Jesse had to guess, even that didn't seem quite right to Jesse either, but definitely, he seemed happier than the past month.

“So what's on your mind, Barry?” It seemed to be a fairly good start to Jesse.

“um… So what do you know about the TJ stuff?” Barry started, and Jesse had to think.

“So, what I know seems to be pretty vague. I think at some point…” Jesse sighed. He had picked up on a few things here and there, but nothing he knew for fact. “So from what I gathered a lot of the things that transpired was without my knowledge, I wasn't awake,” It was a fact, and he hated working in anything but facts, “and I once walked in on a conversation about something not being told to someone. I wasn't really into the specifics. I was told later on about the situation, but even then, I wasn't given the full details.”

And all that had mainly been from Barry himself, no one else really talked to him about it, and Jesse guessed it was because he wasn't a patch when it happened. He wasn't one to overstep where he wasn't needed.

Jesse looked down the open but bare beach. It looked a bit sad or maybe a bit empty to him as Barry continued.

“Basically a while ago, the boys were hunting cops, and obviously you boys know my relationship with TJ,” Barry hesitated for a second, and Jesse took that moment to quietly crouch down.

Drawing a few quick sunflowers into the sand, this conversation needed a bit of happiness already he could tell, and Barry seemed ready to continue he stood again.

“They found TJ by himself. They remembered what I said, yet still went ahead and shot my son in the head. It's a miracle he is still alive.”

Jesse froze. A miracle they were alive. Shot in the head. His soulscar itched as Jesse swallowed.

No. No, it had to be a coincidence right? Surely, TJ Walker the cop turned ex-cop, Barry's son, wasn't what his mind was jumping to.

“Ever since that day, He kind of lost any relationship he had. I almost lost him forever,” Barry's eyes carried a sadness that Jesse hoped he never had to understand, “At least with my relationship, but despite what a lot of people in this club think he considered a lot of them part of his family. That was kind of taken away from him.”

Jesse hummed, taking off his mask and folding it into his pocket. Barry was giving Jesse himself without a mask, and Barry deserved the same from him.

If he knew how much TJ meant to Barry, then the club also must know. So the question formed in Jesse's head.

“Now TJ-”

“Why TJ?” Jesse cut Barry off, but he had to ask. “Sorry for interrupting, but why TJ of all people?”

There were so many cops in this city and only one was off limits, and they had grabbed that one?

“Just who they found…” Barry sounded tired but it just confused Jesse even more.

“Why did it have to be him?” Why did they go through with it after knowing that the cop was TJ?

Barry sighed, “They could have gone to anyone else. Trust me I have already asked all the questions. Try to resolve as much as I can.”

Jesse bit his tongue. He didn't like that, didn't like how the club had blatantly disrespected their own so easily. Even if they didn't respect TJ, that was such a huge disrespect to Barry.

“But I talked to TJ today.” Barry took in a breath, “So he is making a big decision tomorrow, which is going to affect his life forever. Tomorrow he is deciding whether or not he wants to stay with the PD or if he wants to come over to our side of life.”

“I thought he was already out?” Barry had said that before, right? or was Jesse misremembering.

“He was, but they offered him a reason to stay and he is considering it.”

His face wrinkled, “Do you think he is going to take it?”

“Well that's the thing,” Jesse buckled in for Barry's pitch, “That's what we are figuring out now, tomorrow is going to be the deciding factor. I have spoken to every other patch member but you and Chain, and so far I have gotten a ‘yes’ from all of them. Before you were in this club there used to be another VP, Riley Carter.”

Jesse had heard vague things about Riley, the most important of them was that she was a snake.

“Riley Carter knew who her soulmate was and for Riley to remain in the club. Since everything she would know her soulmate, Malachi, would have known it was impossible for her to exist in the club without Malachi.”

Jesse hummed understanding.

“So what we came to the decision was if she was going to be in the club he would have to be as well, blooded in as well. When Riley got removed, Malachi had to as well. Malachi still didn't do anything wrong but he was still too loyal to Riley over the club as a whole.”

“Interesting,” Jesse stated.

Barry was always good to Jesse, with giving him context, also Jesse was thinking about if soulmate bonds are truly that influential over each of the soulmates, maybe he doesn't want that.

Jesse's hand subconscious went to touch where the two small birds had sat for so many days. He had wished so much to know them in the weeks since then, but not if they would cause Jesse to leave the club, his family.

“Well yeah, so this is where TJ comes in. I want to give TJ that family he is looking for and I know he still cares about people in this club. I am offering to people to bring TJ into the BBMC, not only does he have skills, before he was a cop, he actually did things we do but decided being a cop life was for him. He got a lot of knowledge of the city. I know he knows how to drive and shoot. Skill wise he is covered.”

“A shooter you say?” Jesse's war mind perked up at that. New strategies running through his mind, plans forming and reforming as Barry continued.

“Ya, from what I have seen. The thing is though, cause of my biases with him, I can't just bring him in as a hangaround.”

Jesse pursed his lips, What is Barry asking?

“It is impossible for me to treat TJ the same way I would treat other hangarounds, he is my son after all. The only way this relationship would work is if he becomes a blooded in prospected member.”

Jesse sat with that idea, eyes flickering down to the sand where he had drawn the sunflowers.

Barry was trying his best, probably better than anyones else's best, to make sure the club was okay with this for sure. The man next to Jesse was so stressed, by the way his hands were still and his eyes were locked on the horizon.

He was focused on this.

“Blooded in, because it will put a bit more stress on him to not fuck up. I need people to know that if he does fuck up he won't be able to walk away, and I know, since I am sticking my neck out so far for him, it will be my responsibility to take care of that.”

“yea…” Jesse echoed, thoughts and the feelings of Cora asking to be a hangaround, Olivia leaving, and Wolfie's blood out, knit Jesse's mind.

“This is why Jesse, I am asking you if you would say yes to him becoming a prospect of this club?” Barry was looking at him now.

Jesse took a moment, getting his thoughts in order before saying anything.

“You think, by you bringing him in, and you are blooding him in. That the club will look at him as if he was curled into the process or…”

“It's more of just an extra reassurance,” Barry responded,
“because I know if he came in as a hangaround. With him having been a cop and how a lot of members see cops he might never be trusted. At least this way we have a bit of a guarantee and his final test would be he would have to execute a cop inside the Billy in front of everybody.” Barry was hard set on his words now.

Jesse thought about it. There were two ways to approach this. The right way and the political way.

“Well to be honest with you Barry. The way I see it, he is your son so it's in your right to pull that card to have him blooded in, and you shouldn't really give a fuck about what anyone else thinks about it aslong as you get your yeses. If we are truly ‘Bondi til we die’ we will trust what you have to say, and if you are willing to stick your neck out, which not that you don't do normally, then why should we not trust you.”

Jesse saw how Barry's eyes drifted for only a moment before snapping back to his patch member, as Jesse continued.

“I mean, you are my VP after all and I have trusted you this far. At the end of the day, all you need is yeses.”

Barry's eyes were searching his face for a trick or a lie. It hurt to see it from someone Jesse put so much trust into, but Jesse suspected that it was more from the month of not knowing if members were lying to him about TJ in general.

“There is only two concerns that came to mind, and I know this is your son so like I said the other day, ‘It's your blood, therefore our blood.’ So do think he would belong. Not that I give a shit on what other gangs or clubs have to say about it, what do you think they will say, or do you even care?”

“Number one, I guess, I don't care.” Barry flatout said, “If I did, BBMC would have probably taken a very different route. Another thing though is I know other people in this club do care, which is why I want proof of him shooting another cop.”

“yeah.” Jesse agreed vaguely, to him it shouldn't matter if Barry trusted TJ that should be enough, but he knows some members are a bit more… untrusting in the whole of the club, if the best way to think about it he thinks.

“I want to document it, like a photo or video, so if we ever need it to prove anything we will have it.”

“Yeah, so your final word is you don't really give a shit about what other clubs have to say about it, right?” Jesse was always one for triple checks, and he wanted to make sure Barry knew his facts.

“No. Not if it doesn't directly affect our dealings.”

“Then neither do I.” Jesse smiled at the relief that crossed Barry's whole body. “I am on board.”

“Ok.” Barry sighed, long and deep, “I appreciate you sticking by me on this, Jesse.”

“I mean I have trusted you this far, if you are willing to stick your neck out then there's no doubt in my mind you don't trust this choice 110%, and if you trust it 110% then there is no reason why I shouldn't.”

“As I have said to the others, and I don't believe this would ever happen, if TJ were to ever truly fuck up it be my responsibility to blood him out pre-say.”

Jesse frowned slightly. The others must have really drilled into Barry that they thought TJ was going to mess up somehow.

“Yeah.” Jesse turned heading back to the car. He trusted Barry and that's all that mattered. “That's why you are sticking your neck out, so I understand there is a lot of pressure on your shoulders too.”

“yeah…” Barry said following him.

They left the sunflowers on the beach hoped that whatever happened tomorrow with TJ's decision, everyone was happier for it.

---

Today was the day, TJ had to decide who his family was.

The people who called him family for years or the group who had shot him but had worked over the past month to at least talk to him.

TJ sighed, closing his eyes and leaning back in the lambo he was borrowing from Marlo.

When he opened his eyes he was staring up at the PD's large department name of Davis made out of metal above the door.

About three and a half weeks ago, he was kidnapped outside of this building and woke up alone in a cold hospital room.

TJ took a breath in, calming himself. This is Baas last chance to talk to him, before he was set to meet with Dundee and bring him to Grapeseed.

TJ breathed in again.

TJ had woken up alone that day in the hospital room, nurses had entered eventually and told him what state his body was in.

Apparently he had no heartbeat for five minutes after being shot in the head four times.

He had been dead for five minutes, but that hellscape in those minutes felt like months, maybe even years, definitely not five minutes.

TJ grimaced at the memory of limping out of the hospital that day, because his calls to Baas had gone unanswered.

TJ had gotten shot, and fucking died, and no one was there. No one would be there for him, TJ had realized as he began the walk down the sidewalk to the apartments.

He twisted his ankle hard enough where he had collapsed in Legion square, he was out of breath from just the short walk from Pillbox to the square. TJ ended up sitting where he fell for around an hour before the ten minute struggle to stand again happened. He had almost blacked out from the pain several times before he finally was able to collapse on his apartment bed that day.

TJ had called Emma, the next day, when his left leg stopped bending and he basically had a panic attack sitting on his bed that morning.

The feeling of not being able to stand, to be forced to crawl, to the door as his head exploded from everything.

TJ remembers that day the only thing to pull him from the memory had been the little red wolf that he had watched faded on to his skin though with tears. The exact place where the warmth was that pushed him forward in that purgatory then, was where his soulmate was hurt now.

TJ had simply traced the outline of the wolf until he calmed down enough to call Emma.

It was going great with Emma for the first few days. She had even offered him a place to stay, which he had accepted after calls to Baas and others he thought he was somewhat close to went unanswered. He was slowly recovering with Emma, until he fell during one of their sessions and he was there again.

The darkness had swallowed him in a single breath. The hallway was back with thousands of doors and his head pounded in so much pain he tried to claw his skull from his head.

Emma had been there when TJ returned to reality, with a raw throat and too tired to move. She had helped him into bed that day, and TJ almost wished he had stayed dead that night, if not for Dundee's words still whispering to him all that night of ‘Do it’.

TJ had just been sick of his mind. Sick of it whispering to him, sick of it screaming at him, just sick of it.

That's how TJ ended up under a bridge exchanging money for a paper bag. He had gone looking for morphine but found a dealer willing to sell him metamorphine instead. TJ had seen plenty of criminals high on metamorphine.

God, it had been so tempting.

Tempting to let something at least care about him more than anyone else seemed too. Something to make the pain he was feeling finally disappeared.

He had no family.

Everyone he thought he had was gone, and even though Barry hadn't been there. TJ knew that Barry cared more about the club than he did about some ‘dumb cop’ that he decided to randomly adopt. TJ knew his place. His place was the unnoticed and forgotten toy at the bottom of the food bag. The one no one asked for, but the employees would sneak in just to get rid of it.

TJ wanted so badly to just let the syringe slide into his arm, pinching his skin as if someone might actually be with him. That maybe someone would care about him enough to stop him, but TJ knew no one would be there. He didn't want to use, but he didn't know what else to do.

At that moment TJ just wanted the pain to end, to find comfort somewhere, anywhere. When he went to finally try to let the drug in he had seen the little wolf there.

The little wolf already curled in on itself in pain, and TJ was about to inject it with more. The little wolf hadn't ever done anything wrong to TJ but it still couldn't escape the pain. TJ felt sorry that whoever's mark it was had such a useless, unlovable, dumb soulmate in himself.

The little wolf didn't deserve him, it deserved so much better, but TJ was all it got.

He had broken down then, he had tossed all the needles back into the paper bag and folded in on himself. Biting into his clothes to muffle his cries inside the car. He hated the BBMC. He hated the PD. He hated everyone.

TJ hated himself.

That day ended with a call to Emma asking what to do with the syringes he had brought and a drive to Bundy's to toss them in his mailbox.

TJ had wanted to throw up, had wanted to scream. TJ wanted to tear himself and everyone apart.

Then he had called Chatter.

At the time he had done it as a warning to Chatter because TJ had liked the clown enough and knew he was close to Barry. He deserved to be warned away from the people who were causing him to rip himself apart.

Chatter had been concerned about TJ at first, and TJ hadn't realized how destroyed he had truly gotten until he saw the fear in Chatter's body while talking to him. He had just laughed.

If Chatterbox feared him, then everyone must. The feeling of rage had surged through him in that first meeting with the clown and he lied and pushed, secretly hoping Chatter would abandon him too.

Unfortunately for TJ, at least at that time, he pushed the clown a little too hard that he ran to Barry. Chatterbox and Barry had planned the trap to talk to him.

Barry had pierced through the fear and rage so easily it was almost unfair.

TJ had escaped that warehouse just to drive until he couldn't run anymore. He had pulled over on the side of the road to just melt into his seat. He didn't have any more energy to rage, to cry, to think, or to react.

Nothing but a ticking filled his mind.

Barry had worked with him for the days after. Barry was patient with him, and TJ could tell he was scared too. It was nice. It was warm to just have Barry look at him, to tell him he will try.

Most people didn't even try for TJ. The PD wasn't trying, besides a single phone call with Bundy and a chat with Brian, but nothing from Baas. Baas the one he would have called as more than a brother in arms before this, but now TJ was left with the only message from him being, ‘Just one more meeting.’

Meanwhile Barry was moving mountains. Barry had gotten each of the members that day to come to talk to him about what had happened, alone added, and none of them had tried to shoot him again. They all were fine, fine enough that TJ missed them. Missed the limited contact they once had.

TJ missed his mismatched family, but he was a cop, right?

The day he asked Barry to meet him at the golf course, was when he finally told his dad he was afraid. Afraid of everything happening around him.

Afraid of himself.

Barry had just said, “End of the day, Son. You just got to follow what your heart tells you. I have this thing when I have to lead my club, and I always say to my boys when someone has to make a decision. It doesn't matter if it's the better decision for you, it's just that you decide on one because if you don't you kind of get stuck in this purgatory. So you shouldn't always consider yourself about about whether ‘this or that is the best’ because we are human. We don't get the luxury of knowing what's best for us, we go with our gut and then make the most out of it.”

TJ wanted so desperately to leave the force, but he feared the streets for what they would do to him knowing he was an ex-cop. The PD always told them that if they ever left the streets, the criminals would eat them alive. TJ just wanted a way out, but he couldn't see one.

TJ walked away from that conversation with the only thought of he needed an actual family, or he was going to destroy himself.

So, TJ pushed open the doors to Davis PD to see if he had any of that left in the shell of his past.

There were about ten officers scattered around and he recognized a few of them, but no one paid TJ any mind as he slipped in with a black hoodie on. No one questioned him or asked for a name.

It was like he didn't exist.

After about twenty minutes, and once the other officers cleared out, he found himself finally returning to the office that he had left twenty six days ago to turn off some police car lights that had reflected into the building. TJ leaned against the same corner that he had been waiting against that night.

TJ darkly smiled to himself. What a small moment, a small favor, a small decision would lead him here. Lead them to an answer he would have never even considered being an option before.

This time he didn't mind waiting. Waiting for a conversation that he's been trying to get since he woke up in that hospital bed.

TJ glanced down to his exposed skin, to see the little wolf wasn't there today, at least not yet, he was alone on this but he never felt so right in his actions. He may be alone right now, but soon he won't be. Soon, either way, he will have a place to belong. A place not to be overlooked, to be noticed.

TJ could see Baas standing outside the room with his normal fleet of officers surrounding him, before him and Bundy pushed open the office doors.

Baas entered with a sigh, “Walker, something more urgent came up. Can you wait?”

TJ half shook his head as he brushed past Baas, “I'm gone Baas, Goodbye.”

“Excuse me?!” Baas shouted after him, “What do you mean you are gone?”

TJ heard the whispers of the officers that had flanked Baas into the office whispering behind him.

“Come back over here!”

“Badge on the desk, Baas.” TJ shouted back, he knew who was backing him now.

“Badge on the desk?” Baas repeated, “Why you quitting?! Why you walking away?! Give me an answer.” His voice echoed around the PD as if trying to fill the gap that had grown bigger than he remembered.

“If you are actually going to quit, Walker, give me a good reason, so I can swallow it.”

TJ turned to face Baas, to see Bundy on Baas’ heels and the other officers still at the door of the office.

Everyone’s eyes were on him. For the first time people wanted to notice, wanted to speak to him. None of these people cared about him though.

“I got one thing to request of you Baas, it's not a reason.” TJ looked directly at Baas, his longtime brother, and knew this was the last time Baas would see friend as an ally. “When the time comes don't hesitate, because I won't.”

TJ turned walking back out to Marlo's Lambo.

“You changed Walker, you changed.” Baas called after him again. “What are you doing? Come back over here!”

“Yeah something is more important, it's fine Baas.” TJ echoed his past self for a moment, “You take care of what you need to. I am done waiting.”

“Done waiting?” Baas and Bundy had caught up to him now, on the other side of the Lambo, “What are you talking about? I am waiting for Brian to be done with his investigation, so we can talk together.”

‘Waiting on this’, ‘Waiting on that’, ‘Have to talk to them first’, ‘Right after this’.

No, TJ was done. He knew who dropped everything, even during a war, for him and it wasn't these people.

“I have already made up my mind.” TJ said while opening the car door, as Baas circled around to his side. “Don't waste any of your effort with it, I am good.”

“Why are you quitting?” and as if finally noticing that a Lamborghini was way out of the price point of a PD salary, “and who's car is this?”

“Marlo's” TJ replied simply.

“So you leaving the police life to go join marlo and them?”

Baas sounded so judgemental over just Marlo that TJ was sure he wouldn't be pleased about where he was going next.

“No.” TJ replies slightly, chuckling at the irony.

“Then what are you going to do Walker? You are an ex-cop.” Baas stated like he needed no further argument. “You know how an ex-cop gets treated around here? Like fucking shit!”

If only PD had talked to him to learn where his head was at TJ thought, as Baas pressed further.

“Do you think anyone is going to let you into their gang? They are not going to like you, They are not going to accept you, not going to trust you. They will probably try and kill you for what you have done to them.”

TJ laughed at Baas’ words. If he only knew ‘They’ had worked for him, and yes TJ knew he would have to earn their trust over time, but at least he could unlike the PD.

“So why walk away now?” Baas asked.

“And you are going to treat me any better here, Baas.” The words slipped out with a cruel smile as TJ turned away from the car to Baas and Bundy.

“What are you talking about?” Confusion written across Baas’ face, “If I didn't care about you, I would have just let you walk, but I give a shit and I do want you in the PD. and I have said that many times to you.”

Bundy cut into the conversation, making both their heads turn to him, “Well ignoring how you will be treated out there, what about all the friendships and relationships built up here over the last, what's it been, 2 years, Walker? You going to throw that all out the window?”

TJ hated how Bundy was trying to play with his words to make it seem like TJ, himself, had asked the question. What did Bundy think this was, an interrogation of TJ?

Baas sighed, “Listen, When it comes to not talking to you and neglecting the issues, you are right, ok? I don't blame you on that part, but I can assure you I wasn't doing it on purpose. I had plans for you, you just don't believe me.”

“No, I don't” sounded like false promises.

“Why not?” Baas had the gall to ask him, after he was ignored for so long.

“Baas you ever get the feeling, when you leave something of freedom?” TJ breathed in. “That's how I feel right now.”

Freedom to finally be seen, to have a place, a real family.

“You truly think that once you leave this police department you will feel more free? Maybe when it comes to doing random shit, probably you are right. Being a Police officer comes with a lot of responsibilities and procedures, I get the freedom side of things, but Walker, there are people out there that hate you. There are people out there that would probably take the opportunity to get rid of you and now the second you leave the PD you will be very vulnerable and I will be worried about you.”

TJ laughs.

“You belong with us.”

‘No Baas,’ TJ thought. ‘No, I never belonged with the PD.’

“Don't worry about me, Baas.” TJ said, turning back to the car.

“I don't know what brainwash, or koolaid they made you drink, but it's not true.” Baas was getting desperate.

“If you are worried about me, it has been twenty six days, Baas.” TJ spit.

Baas had lost him in that office, maybe even twenty six days ago, TJ thought as he continued.

“I have tried to call you, talk to you, how many times? If you were worried about me-”

“No Walker, No you don't-”

“No, No, No.” They wouldn't be able to spin this lie to him anymore soon.

“Here's the thing, you were shot by people you call your family and made this whole thing turn around. If it wasn't for what happened back there by the Barrio Docks, we wouldn't be here.”

The fact sat heavy in the space between all of them, and he was right.

But it did, and he had learned who cared about him.

Barry cared about him, his cop killing criminals dad cared, more than anyone in the PD or elsewhere. Barry cared, and Barry had tried and succeeded in the impossible.

Barry had given TJ a second option, and he was ready to accept it.

To open that door.

TJ paused and smiled, with something not meant to be seen by those around him. “yeah. we wouldn't would we.”

“Right.” Baas relaxed slightly, thinking TJ had finally started to see his ‘reason’, “So the people you should channel your anger to is the people that live by the beach called the BBMC. Those are the people behind the whole thing, those are the people behind all the frustration, all the bullshit, all the pain you feel on the inside. They have caused it.”

‘Oh if he only knew,’ TJ thinks.

TJ's frustration started so long before, but it only just boiled over.

“When I knew what happened to you, We went there and shot every one of them, ok?” Baas placed a hand on him briefly, before TJ shrugged him off, but Baas continued despite that. “And throw them in jail for you. Do I not respond to everybody? probably, but I am sorry that I neglected you for that many days.”

Bundy suddenly cut in again. “Well I am going to be completely honest, if you were reaching out on the PD side of things, if you had concerns with the department. Communication isn't just a one way streak, you don't go straight to Baas. You could have called anyone, me, Martell, you could have called anybody.”

“‘I could have’, What do you mean ‘I could have’?” “That infers I didn't make an effort, just cause I didn't speak to you doesn't mean I didn't speak to others. You are saying there is a lack of effort on my side, here-”

Bass jumped in, “He was saying, you never made it the way of the chain of command, as far as the captains.”

“No no-”

“Who gives a fuck-” TJ cut both of them off, “Don't put this back on me Bundy.”

Bundy sighed at Baas's interjection “I am not putting anything back on you, Walker. I am just saying, just because some people weren't receptive doesn't mean the rest of us aren't.”

“That is also true, and I am sorry I was that way with you. Let's talk it out right now.” Baas stumbled his words, “It's never too late.”

“No Baas, I think it is too late.”

“No it not, You control your own destiny, Walker.”

“I do. That's way I am choosing to walk away. That is my own choice. This isn't against the PD. This isn't against you. This isn't against anyone-”

“This is clearly against the PD.” Baas stated sharply.

“No. This is not-” Tj tried to explain again.

“You don't feel like you belong in the PD.”

“I don't.” It was true, and the fact that these two couldn't see it just cemented TJ's decision more.

“Then it's exactly against the PD then.”

“No it's not about that Baas." Tj sighed, "I have nothing against the people that I work with, this is deeper than that Baas.”

They were just going around and around in circles, TJ thinks. (plus the writer was sick of it, Baas & Bundy just failed at gaslighting so hard here, and the writer didn't want to split this chapter again) Until TJ got a phone call from Irwin Dundee telling him to hurry up. Did TJ finally get into the Lambo and drive to the ‘monster filled’ beach.

---

The Billabong was filled with anxious energy, everyone was masked up with kuttes on as Jesse watched the white aventador pull into the Billy.

The boys were jumpy, even though the ceasefire for the war was active at the moment. Today was the day an ex-cop joined the BBMC.

Jesse eyed the dark haired man that climbed out of the car carefully. He had a black hoodie on, with the sleeves rolled up, and Jesse could see his eye bags from the balcony he had climbed down to.

The man walked a few steps forward until he turned his eyes to the roof tops, where most of the Bondi Boys were positioned.

Jesse heard Barry come up beside him, and even through the mask Jesse could tell the man was fighting the urge to run to his son. By the way his body was relatively still but his fingers and stance flinched, it was impressive for the normal hyper energy of the man.

TJ on the other hand was now being guided into the shed by Pez and Dee, and when they lost sight of him Jesse heard the sharp intake of a breath by Barry, before B jumped down from the balcony to move to have a line of sight on his son.

Jesse sighed, shifting his weight as he waited. He didn't doubt TJ, because Barry didn't doubt TJ, but he knew so many of his fellow brothers did. Today there were constant jokes on the radio about the night of them shooting TJ, which Jesse had watched Barry stiffen at all of them.

After several minutes TJ emerged from the shed with Dundee following.

Dundee paused, calling over Barry briefly to give him his gun before getting into TJ’s car and both of them leaving The Billy.

Jesse looked back to Barry, as now he stood alone, staring after the white aventador. Jesse's eyes knit when the man finally lowered his head and cane to rejoin him on the balcony.

“He's going to go talk to TJ.” Barry's voice was almost a whisper to Jesse that he wasn’t sure if the man actually meant to say it at first, but when Barry shifted slightly toward Jesse he knew he had.

“I imagine it's going to take quite some time.”

Barry just nodded before turning to climb to the rooftop.

Jesse watched the normally loud leader move quietly around the rooftops.

He was very nervous.

“Hey Barry,” Jesse quickly called after Barry, as he jumped up to join him on the roof.

“Ya.” Barry was halted in his speech and turned to Jesse.

“Everything is going to be good. I have full faith everything goes alright tonight.”

Jesse watched as some of the tension left B's shoulders as he talked.

“Might take a little bit of time to get everything organized and whatever they are chatting about, they are chatting about, but at the end of the day. I have full confidence.”

“yeah…” Barry sighed, his eyes locked on the horizon.

“I need you focused.” Jesse said, “I know it's a hard task, even if there was a lot on the line but it's still a very hard task” Jesse let some humor spike his words.

Barry breathed out again, like he was trying to calm himself, and Jesse hoped he was at least somewhat helping. Barry shouldn't feel alone right now, that's why they are in this club.

“When it comes to it, I'll be on my game.” Barry started confident before drifting back into his thoughts.

Jesse frowned slightly, under his mask, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that for sure, I just want to reassure you that I 100% think it will go just fine.”

“yeah…”

“It's going to be difficult, but nothing we can't handle.”

“yeah…”

“It’s not impossible, Barry. Just hard mode.” Jesse said, walking past Barry to survey the streets while they waited.

Half an hour passes before Barry comes on the radio with the announcement that they are moving out and TJ and Dee enter The Billabong again.

Energy sugred as The Billabong filled with the noise of cars moving and shouts over the radio. Jesse hopped down from his perch walking over to where Collin's car was, hopping in and the hunt began.

They had to kidnap a cop, without anyone noticing, get their tracker off them, bring them to The Billy, and then TJ would shoot them. Proving to the club he wasn't an undercover cop and that he was all in.

Jesse readied his AK on his lap, eyes scanning each street they passed. Adrenaline hitting him as radio beeps called out location after location looking for a solo officer.

“Court house, we have eyes on a lone officer.” Dee's voice called out.

Jesse felt Collin spin the car around as they rushed to get eyes on the location.

The court house was crowded to say the least. Jesse glanced at Collin who's grimaced echoed how Jesse felt.

“There is a lot of variables here.” Jesse said absently.

“I don't like this.” Collin echoed as he pulled the car, they were in, closer when Dee ordered.

“Be ready, when me and B get out.” Dee said.

Jesse flicked his safety off, time to focus.

When Collin stopped the car, Jesse hopped out AK immediately out and aiming to control the scene. Lawyers and civilians hands all going up as B and D pushed past them to grab the cop in the center.

“fuck.” Jesse heard the quiet exclaim from Collin behind him as the boys were escorting the cop out and into a car.

Jesse's eyes remained locked on the bystanders, no heroes today thankfully, made this job easier.

When the rolling out order finally came through the comms Jesse easily slipped back into C's car.

“She touched her radio, we are going to have company.” Collin spoke to the radio.

“The cop?” Jesse echoed in the car as he situated himself in the passenger seat. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I saw her touch it.” said to Jesse, before clicking on his own radio, “D?”

And sure enough the next comm they got from D was, “The Cops know! They are on us!”

Collin swore under his breath. “D! Where do you want us?”

“Set up boys! Get to the Billy and Set up! We are doing this now!”

Jesse stiffened and Collin swore again.

Jesse's mind began to run through all strategies again, “Collin, get me to Big White.”

Collin nodded, “I'll go grab the dragunov and meet you up there.”

Jesse nodded, readying himself, as Collin did a rolling stop and he jumped out to climb the ladder up.

Jr had taken Small White, Ed Tiny, B said he was going to take C's house, D was negotiating with the cops, and C was soon going to be on the roof with him.

The sound of a helicopter turned Jesse's head towards the sky as Air 1 circled above. He steadied himself, they were going to have to wipe the PD here.

Jesse heard someone climbing the ladder behind him and whipped around to see Collin there giving him a curt nod before eyeing Air 1 as well.

“When TJ does the Thing, be ready boys…” Dundee called over the radio.

Jesse took a chance glance down to the back of the Billy to see four small figures. Jesse recognized Dundee there pointing his gun at a cop with their hands up, and two other figures. One, from the gun pointed at D, Jesse assumed was another cop and the other was the reason this was all happening, TJ Walker.

Jesse knew this is the moment, He hoped he didn't hesitate, didn't give any reason for Barry’s word to be questioned in the future.

He breathed out and focused on the fight ahead of them as he aimed his gun.

“Bondi til I die.” Collin said across the radio, and everyone joined in with their own. ‘Bondi til I die.’

Then the shots were heard across the beach, and a moment later Dee's voice screamed across the line.

“GO BOYS GO!”

The fight was messy, but they knew their turf.

At some point Jesse scaled down the ladder to try and flank the guy pinning down Collin from another rooftop, but found an officer in the alleyways between the buildings.

Jesse had seen them first, which was the good thing, but Jesse didn't see the guy on his flank until a pain flared right at the edge of his body armor.

Jesse grimaced, turning into the alleyway with the other officer and making two clean shots downing the officer before pressing himself to the wall preparing for the other one from the main street to press him.

“Officer by gym!” Jesse called out, “I don't have a good angle on him!”

The radio buzzed with other callouts and locations, but in short Jesse was alone in this fight.

Jesse sighed. He would like to get a right hand peak on this guy, but then he would risk losing this guy's focus and him go after another one of the boys or maybe he would push more quickly then Jesse predicted.

Jesse weighed his options, then turned to circle around through the alleyways to Beachside. Calling out over radio the last location he had seen the officer.

When Jesse ended his circle he was crouched behind an abandoned cop car, lights still flaring, and he peaked around looking for the cop that had shot him early.

No eyes, “fuck.” Jesse whispered to himself as he scanned the area.

“J! Cop by the gym!” Collin called over the radio from the top of Big White.

Jesse whipped around to see the same cop he was looking for pointing his gun at him.

Jesse rolled as he heard the shots fire, popping up just to have another shot hit him right above the elbow.

Jesse cursed but fired his own, luckily Jesse was a better shot then these guys, as he downed the officer and finding cover.

Jesse breathed out as the pain started to register in his brain.

“J?” Collin asked over the radio.

“I'm good! Tell me if anyone is coming, I need a second.”

“Copy!”

Jesse pulled out a slightly dirty roll on bandages and quickly just wrapped where he thought the wound was, over his clothes. He could wrap in properly once the fight was over but right now he was still needed and he pressed forward.

“I'm good C! How’s you?” Jesse let his eyes drift to the highest rooftop.

“Got my guy, J!”

Jesse nodded, though there was no way Collin could see that as he pressed into the Billy itself to help clear it.

Maybe another fifteen minutes before Jesse was back in a car with Collin and driving up Great Ocean Highway as the Boys fled the scene before more units arrived.

No one but TJ had been downed on their side and Jesse was currently shrugging out of his kutte and hoodie to actually see where the bullets hit him.

He opened the glovebox in the mustang to pull out the alcohol and cleaner wraps.

"How badly did you get hit?” Jesse asked Collin as he noticed the Enforcer stealing glanced at him.

“Eh, I'll be fine until we get up to Grandpa's.” Collin returned his attention to the road, “They should have cleared the gym for you.”

“There were a much of missed comms.” Jesse said as he tightly wrapped his upper arms and shoulder. Luckily all the bullets had gone clean through.

Jesse did notice a few soulmarks along his chest that he hadn't seen this morning, but they still haven't returned to any color besides black yet, which was starting to really bother Jesse.

Collin hummed in thought.

“I guess this means TJ did not hesitate.” Jesse said as they turned onto the dirt path leading to Grandpa's.

“Curious what he said,” Collin humor returning, “Hope he said a badass one liner like: ‘It's all ogre now.’”

Jesse was silent, letting Collin sit with his bad joke for a moment as they pulled up to the spot.

“Maybe not that, maybe a little more badass than that.”

“Ya, not that. Please for the love of god, not that.” Jesse smiled as he handed the med kit to Collin as he got out of the car to overwatch.

Dee was standing at the railing to Grandpa's shack, on the phone with someone, with Barry leaning on the doorframe with his attention on the ones inside.

Jesse smiled to himself, the Bondi Boys were up good and they even had a new member. Soon he finally be able to meet Barry’s son properly.

---

Jesse turned his blue S15 around to head back up the hill. Most of the boys had decided to meet up at The Pond while him and Edbert checked on the warehouses to make sure, if they did get raided they wouldn't of been absolutely fucked.

Now Jesse and Ed had the only two non-hot cars and had to taxi the rest of the boys back to the city. Barry and TJ climbed into Jesse's while Collin, Junior, and Dee got into Ed's Futo.

Jesse was making small talk with Barry as they drove along the ridge, taking a few glances, in the rear view mirror, at the TJ.

The man had deeper eye bags than Jesse first thought and his cheeks were sunken, but his eyes were bright with excitement and nervousness.

Jesse smiled as Barry mentioned something about having to start teaching his son about criminal life. Barry was also much happier Jesse noted as they finally made it to the highway.

“We going by a clothing store first, B? or where are we heading?” Jesse asked as he pushed the car past the speed limit.

“Um, go to the golf course, we will get changed then head over.”

“Understood.” Jesse replied, turning the S15 off the highway a bit early to cut to the golf course. “It is a bit close to a certain turf that we are at war with but we will be careful.”

“The Mayhem.” TJ's eyes were locked on the windshield and his face was bright as he spoke.

“The Mayhem…” Jesse smiled to himself, “Oh! By the way, Welcome glad to have you.”

“Oh Welcome!” Barry sarcastically echoed, “You can get killed by Mayhem at any point.”

“Yes.” Jesse agreed quickly.

Just TJ said his own, “Oh.”

“But they really aren't that much of a threat, they are kind of like the cops.”

“Listen, I haven't been around the cops for the last month, so they are clearly lacking.” TJ jokes, laughing all the while.

“true, true.” Jesse smiles slightly at TJ, “from what I saw down there it's clearly true.”

TJ then asked, “How did you fuck up, bringing Bundy and the entire police force, with a hostage?”

“Well…” Barry started and Jesse looked over at the man trying to make it sound better than them trying to take a cop from a well populated place. “We took a cop from the court house. Once all the other cops cleared out.”

Jesse hummed, goating him on.

“No other cop saw us, but I don't know if they got a panic button or just another civ reported it in-”

“She reported it in.” Jesse added.

“You think so?” Barry questioned

“No, Collin saw her.” Jesse added the context that Barry needed.

“Oh…”

“Ok then…” TJ said quietly as if thinking before saying, “Ya, I should of went after Bundy first.”

“It's fine, it happens.” Barry comforted, turning to the back seat to place a hand on TJ. “You are okay, that's what matters.”

“You are alive.” Jesse added looking in the rear view mirror and catching the newest member's eye “That's what matters.”

“Ya” TJ almost whispered as if he wasn't sure if that was the most important thing, which would be something they would have to work on Jesse decided, but TJ continued,
“Or this entire thing would be for nothing, wouldn't it?”

TJ chuckled which caused Jesse to laugh as well as they turned into the golf course and drove to the club house.

“Yo listen, I will do this everyday, tomorrow, the day after, I guess it's just the way I am.” Jesse said, hoping to reassure TJ.

“Hell ya.” Barry said next to him, and turned back to the front.

“Oh boy.” TJ responded, “Guess that is the way I have to be right?”

“ehhh…” Jesse sighed, “You don't have to be as extreme as me. You don't have to be as soft as Barry-”

Jesse could feel Barry’s side eye as he slowly said “Oh my god.”

“I am just kidding.” Jesse quickly added, smiling softly at Barry.

As Jesse stopped the car in front of the doors of the club house. Barry quickly hopped out and TJ followed him.

“You boys get changed, I'll be here.” Jesse hummed as they disappeared inside.

Jesse had gotten changed before, when he got the car, so now he was just waiting.

He pursed his lips, drumming his fingers against the wheel until he glanced down at his box of sunflowers at the passenger seat feet. He smiled to himself as he grabbed one and got out of the car to place the flower cut into the dirt next to the club door.

He stood up after he planted it, dusting off his hands, just as Barry came out.

Barry was wearing a leather jacket and holding an extra one that he tossed in the back seat. Before turning to Jesse and looking him over, questionably.

“I planted a Sunflower.” Jesse stated, gesturing to the flower as TJ walked out of the club house.

Jesse noticed a few things about TJ that held his eyes.

Firstly, TJ was now wearing a much thinner shirt and without that hoodie Jesse could see how skinny TJ was. It wasn't quite unhealthy looking yet but he suspected any more time without any support TJ would have actually needed medical help. Which worried Jesse as something to note, to keep an eye on in the future, if this was how TJ coped with stress.

Secondly, the t-shirt was cropped weird enough that Jesse noticed TJ's gauze and bandages under it. They were placed exactly where.

Jesse's hand subconscious touched where he had noticed his own soulmarks appear earlier. The black birds seemed to almost burn into Jesse's thoughts as he stared at TJ’s injuries.

But what confirmed it for Jesse was the bright red marks on TJ's upper arms, in the exact spots Jesse had treated on himself earlier in Collin's mustang. He couldn't quite make out what the mark was but it was definitely a soulmark.

Jesse was 90% sure he was staring at his soulmate, TJ Walker. Ex-cop, Barry's son, and newest Bondi Boy.

“What's with you and sunflowers?” Barry spurred Jesse back to the current moment.

“I don't know,” He fumbled his words for a second, before hopping back into the car, “I just like them. They bring happiness.”

“I guess so…” Barry trailed off as he got back in the car. “Come on son, we got to meet the other boys at the VU.”

“I'm coming.” TJ slid into the back seat and struggled with the jacket Barry had brought for him as Jesse drove out of the golf course.

“So what with sunflowers?” TJ continued the conversation, “like putting them in people's hair type of thing? like running in fields of wheat, all happy go lucky types of things or what?”

Jesse breathed out, they didn't need to know he was freaking out. He had always wanted to find his soulmate, but he thought it would happen during a romantic moment maybe, or maybe just not after a shootout, but here they were.

“J?” Barry asked, and Jesse glanced at him, “You good?”

Jesse sighed, this wasn't the right time for this, he decided.

“Well the thing is,” Jesse focused on something he knew for a fact, and maybe he was wrong about the soulmate thing, he lied to himself.
“I was looking down at the Billy one day and it looked all musky and dark. I was like, ‘You know what would really brighten this place up, Sunflowers just about fucking everywhere.’”

Jesse smiled as he turned a corner, glancing in the mirror to catch TJ’s eye as he closely listened to Jesse explained his reasoning, “So I started planting them everywhere, because they can also break concrete right, so why the fuck not. So I started planting sunflowers everywhere, and guess what, no one had a problem with it. It was great.”

“Okay.” TJ said after a long pause, as if realizing for the first time that even though they were cop-killing shooters, they could have soft and kind sides too.

“Yes, that's literally it.” Jesse said, looking at TJ in the mirror again.

TJ's eyes were unfocused, staring straight ahead, before focusing as he nodded. “You know what, I am for it.”

TJ made eye contact in the mirror again and smiled at him “fuck it, I am for it.”

God, did TJ's smile already light his soul like a sunflower could light the Billabong, Jesse thinks.

“Hell yeah.” Jesse said, smiling himself glancing at Barry, to see a similar smile across his face. “See, he is learning fast, Barry. I like it.”

Drew this before I wrote half the fic, so somethings changed but general idea is still the same 

Chapter Text

Jesse almost wanted to convince himself, he didn't see anything. After eleven days of hiding it from the other, letting TJ settle in, knowing TJ Walker was his soulmate had started to wear on Jesse.

Not that he didn't like TJ, no it was the opposite. He felt like he had finally realized he was on a cliff edge and now something seemed to be pushing him closer towards the edge and he wasn't sure if he wanted to know how high up he really was.

Jesse has had other relationships in the past but this felt different, a different pull, that Jesse struggled to put words to. Just the way the newest member would laugh or smile causing a chain reaction in the more experienced member. A quick flutter of breath, a small blush, the want to hold the other, or even just to stay next to TJ.

Jesse guessed that this was just the magical pull about soulmates, but it did cause him to mask up more, to hide the blushing and small smiles. He could cover his reactions to the other man but he couldn't bury the urge to stay next to him.

Jesse had woken up slightly earlier today with a slightly sore chest, that he hadn't known where it had come from. Collin and Fey outside the shed. Fey fidgeted slightly as Jesse moved past them to write his name on the board.

“We tried to save him,” Fey was saying to the Enforcer, “but by the time we realized TJ was down they were moving him.”

Jesse cut in as TJ’s name caught his ear. “What happened?”

Collin sighed, turning to Jesse, “Barry and TJ were doing a boost with the hangies, TJ shot Croc, then the job went to shit. B and TJ got caught.”

Jesse pursed his lips, TJ first arrest. He remembers how TJ had pulled him aside on the a rooftop a few nights ago and admitted how scared he was, of what the PD were going to do to him. If they even let the Ex-cop be sent up alive.

“How long do they have?” Jesse asked, hoping that TJ had already been processed.

Unfortunately with Fey's head shake Jesse knew he would get no luck. “Barry was sent up with 100 months still no word about TJ.”

“If Barry got 100, and Dee got 300 for his half of the ‘TJ warrant’. Then I said he is probably looking at least 400 months” Collin's tone matched Jesse's worried thoughts. “Thank you, Fey.”

“Want me to keep an eye on the newspapers?” Fey asked.

“If you would.” Jesse responded to her this time.

Fey nodded then turned away.

Jesse watched her leave. Being worried about TJ, was an understatement too Jesse right now. He had watched how TJ had sunk away in a car when they drove past cops while calling the officer out by name and badge number. How the fresh Prospect had offered time and time again to turn himself in to stop the PD from pressing down on the club, and how every time the club denied him that plan the tension in TJ’s body would release. Jesse had seen how TJ became so surprised about the tiniest of kindnesses.

The second day of TJ being in the club, TJ had gone to meet with Sam Baas and Brian Knight, thinking he would be alone. It was almost hard for Jesse to hear the rest of the day, TJ endlessly thanked the boys for just watching over him to make sure nothing happened. It hurt Jesse to think that TJ thought of someone watching his back as rare.

Jesse had pulled TJ aside later, and he had been so twitchy when Jesse pulled him a decent distance away from the group. TJ's eyes had darted everywhere until his eyes landed on Jesse’s folded arms and his stance had changed to something more defensive, and it had caught Jesse off guard.

Jesse had started simply with, “You are family now, TJ, you know that?”

TJ had scoffed, “Yeah I know.”

Jesse had watched TJ shift, “We protect family here TJ. You never have to thank us for watching over you.”

TJ had looked away, nerves taking over. “You guys don't have to-”

“We want to.” I want to, Jesse wanted to say. He wanted to pull TJ into a hug. Tell him that there were soulmates and that he was so worried for so many days about him without even knowing him, but Jesse held his tongue.

TJ had eventually agreed with Jesse, but Jesse would continue to watch TJ be continuously surprised at small gestures that made Jesse's heart crack.

Jesse had heard the PD officers pleading with masked up Bondi Boys, on the off chance one of them were their ex-officer, shouting things like

'TJ is family,’ that ‘They are brothers and sisters,’ and ‘They just want TJ to come home,’

But Jesse knew how TJ's eyes brightened with surprise when he experienced a simple ‘Hi TJ’ or ‘how you going?’ made Jesse just want to shoot all the PD even more.

TJ's eye bags had started to disappear and his body started to fill out to a healthier state, but if TJ had gotten caught by those monsters that had allowed him to end up in such a terrible state. Jesse feared what they would do to TJ.

Jesse couldn't lose him after he just found his soulmate, even though TJ didn't even know the full reason why Jesse felt so strongly yet.

“You good Jesse?” Collin cut through Jesse’s thoughts.

“Just thinking.” Jesse pondered, “Worried about what they're going to do.”

Collin nodded and he lit a cigarette, “We should call some of our contacts in prison to make sure he doesn't get ganged up on, being an ex-cop and all.”

Jesse nodded, he hadn't even thought about that until Collin said it. Jesse fidgeted with his hoodie sleeves just enough to catch the sight of his soulmark circling his wrists. The urge to check the rest of his body called to Jesse, but he couldn't right now.

“TJ has been adjusting well, all things considered.” Collin continued after the moment of silence.

“He still needs to realize he's not alone.” Jesse said, “He is very self-sacrificing.”

“Cop brain,” Collin stated, “Value everyone else above even yourself or whatever.”

“Yeah I guess.” Jesse adjusted himself slightly as his joints started to stiffen and Jesse frowned.

“Well he will come around, and we will make sure we destroy that out of him.” Collin went to playfully slap him on the back, just for Jesse to flinch away as if he had hit a still healing wound, but Jesse hadn't been hurt there recently.

Collin's eyebrows knit in concern, “Are you good, brother?

Jesse’s face flashed with his own confusion at his own body. The soreness was lingering around his shoulders and arms.

Jesse stretched his arms out, flexing them. While Collin was watching him closely.

“Mandam got you good, brother.” Collin reasoned.

“No?” Jesse's surprise echoing in his voice. “No, I got hit in the hip a few days ago, I don't know what this is.”

Collin hummed, studying his fellow patch closely.

Jesse just readjusted himself in hopes to clear himself for whatever that was, but as he shifted he found more areas that shouldn't have hurt but did.

His ankle, wrists, forearms, back of his neck, and shoulder all arched.

Confusion knit Jesse's body as he bent down to roll up his pants to check his ankle.

“What's that?” Collin leaned forward to see the black soulmark circling Jesse’s ankle, the image distorted but Jesse knew what he was looking at.

“A soulmark.” Jesse simply stated, as he pulled back his sleeves to his wrists to see the matching marks there too.

“Why is it black?” Collin questioned before seeing the same on his wrists.

“I don't know…” Jesse mumbled to himself as he checked the other places he was sore.

If he was being honest with himself, he didn't start this with checking for soulmarks in mind, but for some reason it didn't surprise Jesse to see the marks there.

“J,” Collin echoed in a realization that Jesse didn't know himself yet as he continued to find soulmarks where his soreness was, “Who's your soulmate?”

Jesse froze. “What?”

“You are looking for marks,” Collin stated.

Jesse just stared at the Enforcer, waiting for him to continue.

“You are feeling their pain, aren't you?” Collin stared down at the cowboy's crouch.

“What?” Jesse broke his silence, “Feel their pain?”

Collin's eyebrows knit in confusion or concern, Jesse couldn't tell.

“Soulpain develops in a person once they know who their soulmate is.” Collin touched the back of his neck, “It's a fraction of the pain the other soulmate feels based on how strong the relationship is between both of the soulmates.”

Jesse stared down at the large black bird mark on his forearm.

“What if the other doesn't know yet?” Jesse asked lightly tracing the soulscar on his forehead with his hand, “and why has no one told me that before?”

“Well,” Collin lit a cigarette before continuing, “No one has told you, cause how rare it is to even find them. Why remember something that you will never have to deal with?”

Jesse stood from his crouch slowly as Collin took a pause to eye the patch.

“Who is it?” Collin wasn't harsh with his tone but commanding as Jesse turned his eyes away slightly.

It shouldn't be a secret, especially to the club, but TJ was still so new and Collin and Barry were still very touching to any conversation surrounding the Prospect.

“Spit it out, Jesse.” Collin asked again.

Jesse realized he had been quiet for too long and faced Collin with the answer.

“TJ,” A weight of a shadow felt like it settled over the Bondi Boy as he spoke, “The day we blooded him in, I figured it out. No one knows yet, I wasn't sure how to bring it up, truthfully.”

“TJ.” Collin's eyes stared out of the shed for a long moment before he loudly sighed out. “I guess be happy he isn't a cop anymore.”

Jesse hardened his eyes staring past the other man. Tension filling the air, not quite uncomfortable but there.

“Barry doesn't know?”

“No, Barry doesn't.” Jesse answered.

“You should tell Barry.” Collin paused, “You said TJ doesn't know either?”

“You are the only other one that knows right now, I was waiting until he settled in mor-”

Jesse was cut off as a massive ache pieced the back of his head causing him to reach out to grab at Collin's arm for balance.

Collin quickly steadied him as Jesse cleared the sharp pain to another dull ache. Jesse hesitantly let go of Collin's arm and widened his stance.

“Are you sure TJ doesn't know? That was a pretty extreme reaction.” Collin said, looking over him.

Jesse just hummed as his head continued to pound, not as bad as the spike of pain was but it was harder to think now.

“TJ was worried.” Jesse said through the headache. “He was worried about what PD would do to-” Jesse fell into a coughing fit, interrupting his words.

It felt like he had swallowed air and was struggling to clear it. Jesse's breath was slowly leaving him and his head was still pounding.

“Easy J.” Collin grabbed him again and slowly lowered him to the ground as Jesse gasped and faint spots began to dance in his eyes.

“Are you sure it's only a fraction?” Jesse hoped Collin would tell him ‘he was unsure,’ because if this was just the smallest fraction of what TJ was experiencing right now.

‘They are killing him.’ A tiny voice in the back of his head whispered to him as pain spiked in his ribs this time.

“Jesse, take these.” Collin offered him a few pills of Oxy, “It will help with the pain, until we can get you some Soulpain suppressors.”

Jesse downed the Oxy, but while he was waiting for the effects of the drug to kick in he noticed how his hands had begun to shake.

“TJ,” He spoke as if he wanted his voice to reach his soulmate. “TJ please…”

Jesse didn't know what he was really asking for as he felt his body tremble with echoes from pain he didn't know the full extent of. Jesse was starting to wonder why even have the soulmarks if all they showed you was another's pain that you could do nothing about.

“TJ, TJ please hold on.” Jesse shut his eyes as if in prayer as Collin knelt next to him.

Jesse stayed on the ground trembling for several more minutes until the shaking stopped and anything else disappeared completely or faded to a very dull ache.

The whole experience took most of Jesse's energy but he eventually stood rubbing his eyes, just in time for Collin's phone to ring and cut through the air.

“Hey Fey.” Collin answered, as he did a visual check over of Jesse leaning against the wall of the shed.

Jesse waved him off, as Fey must have started talking because Collin made a concerned face.

“‘499 months’ you said.”

“TJ?” Jesse whispered to Collin.

The other man nodded, before responding to his hangaround, “Can you head up to Prison and see if any of the lifers can get eyes on him.”

Another pause of silence, “Thanks Fey.”

Then the Enforcer hung up the phone, before turning to Jesse.

“You are going to tell him when he gets out.”

“Yea, Yea I will.”

---

Davis PD, sure had a way of sneaking back into TJ’s life it seemed.

TJ thought as Croc roughly forced him to walk, cuffed, towards the double doors with Bundy following behind like a cat waiting for the perfect time to jump, with its tail swishing in anticipation.

TJ grunted as he tripped over his feet as he was pushed down the stairs, his leg starting to tingling with pain.

TJ had been separated from Barry at the hospital, when Croc had grabbed the back of his neck, forcing him to struggle to keep standing, let alone keep his eye on anything but the ground as another officer had pulled him from the hospital room and down an elevator.

TJ was forced up to a large wooden door before Croc pulled at his neck to roughly stop him from opening the door and forcing him forward again.

TJ gasped as this time he was allowed to fall forward. On instance he tried to throw his arms forward just for the cuffs around his wrists to cut into him and he felt blood run down his hands as his face crashed into the cement floor.

TJ lay there just breathing in and out until hands grabbed at him again forcing him to stand. His world spinned as he leaned against whoever had grabbed him while trying to get the pain to dull.

“If you just needed some support Terrance, you should have asked instead of going rogue.” The thick Australian accent of the officer holding him said, as TJ remembered what was happening.

TJ pushed away from Croc, stumbling for a second before steadying himself. “Fuck you, Croc.” He sneered.

“Stop being so emotional, Croc.” Bundy said as he entered the room behind both of them.

TJ eyed the Captain over his shoulder as Croc stepped aside for his superior.

“Alright, you know the drill better than most people.” Bundy gestured to the lineup graph in front of him, “Line up under the lines. Croc grab me a DNA kit if you would, I'll grab some pictures here.”

“Yes sir.” Croc responded quickly.

TJ walked forward to the height chart in the small room before turning around to face the door. Bundy stood there preparing a camera, a tripod, and the lights as Croc walked in with a DNA kit and placed it on a desk next to Bundy.

TJ grimaced as the PD lights blared into his face.

“Alright, front and center.” Bundy clicked the camera.

It was a boost gone wrong, a shoot out with the cops, lost contact with Barry, an attempt to rescue, and a shot from the opposite building that landed TJ here.

“Face to your left.”

TJ turned his leg slightly dragging behind the motion. The officers manhandling him down here really must have messed with it, but he knew he needed to keep it hidden for as long as possible or he feared what they would do with that weakness.

“Face to your right.”

Croc was now setting the DNA out for easier access.

“Turn and face the board.”

When TJ turned around he heard the cuff of disgust as his Bondi Boys patch was in full view now, and he hoped it would burn into their minds.

“Alright, Croc go ahead and swab his cheek for any DNA, he is getting convicted of several violent offenses today. We got to make sure everything lines up from when we did his background check.”

The larger man approached with a swab and TJ didn't resist as his cheek was swabbed.

“Terrance, is your soulmark visible today?” Bundy said looking up from where he was setting up the ink for recording his finger prints.

TJ had one today, on his lower abdomen. The little wolf had appeared a few days ago in a bright red on his hip, but today TJ had noticed it was mostly faded in the brightness of the color as his soulmate's wound must have been healing.

Once Croc moved away from him, TJ answered, “It's the same as your last record, no soulscars.”

Bundy frowned as he noted something down, “Do you know who your soulmate is?”

It was just another record that the PD loved to keep. Common practice if you were heading to court or being charged with a large crime, but even if TJ did know who they were he wouldn't have told this group of people.

“No known matches.” TJ responded.

“Alright, I am going to uncuff you to take fingerprints, right over there.” Bundy gestured to the desk. “Place each of your designated thumbs into the boxes along with your forefingers.”

When the cuffs fell away, TJ felt the dull pain that he hadn't really noticed until then arch through him and when he saw his wrists he knew why. The cuffs had cut a thin line into his skin that now showed bright red as angry blood pushed out slowly.

TJ pressed his fingers into the ink and onto the sheet rather quickly.

“Alright, let's put these cuffs back on you.” Bundy said not even acknowledging the blood from TJ's wrists dripping to the floor.

Croc walked up, behind TJ and he tensed before roughly shoved him forward and grabbed at his hands. Croc seemed to take pleasure in how TJ seemed to unconsciously squirm as he tightened the cuffs even tighter into the cuts.

“Traitor.” Croc whispered in his ear as he was pushed to follow Bundy through the door.

They walked him across the hall into an interrogation room before cuffing him to the table and starting up a recording.

TJ watches as Croc pulls out his M4 to lean into the corner near the door as Bundy pulls out a notepad. TJ just sat awkwardly with his hands out in front of him as a tiny blood splattered onto the metal table.

“Ok, the date is the 8th of February 2022, 12:37 pm EST. Going clockwise through the room, My name is Captain Jeffrey Bundy with the Los Santos Police Department badge number 451. To my left is, go ahead and read yourself into the record Croc.”

“My name is Crocodile Steve badge number 480 senior officer rank LSPD, primary officer.” The man seemed to have an evil glint in his eye at the last part, before Bundy continued.

“Today we are performing an interview with Terrance “TJ” Walker, former member of the LSPD badge number 499. In relation to an incident which occurred on January 28th 2022.”

TJ scoffed at Bundy's word choice of ‘Interview’ as pain swelled through him and Bundy glanced down to him.

“um… TJ you do have the right to remain silent; anything you say or do will and can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney during questioning at any and all times, if you can not afford one, one will be provided by the state if available.” Bundy looked up from his notes, to make eye contact with TJ, “Do you understand your rights, TJ?”

TJ chuckled, as he shifted to straighten as much as he could to greet Bundy's arrogant eyes.

“Yeah, I understand them.”

“Ok, well I would like to have a conversation with you about what happened eleven days ago. Are you going to be invoking your right to counsel or are you willing to speak to us at this time?”

“Nah, fuck counsel.” TJ flatly stated, “Doesn't mean I'll speak though.”

“Do you want a cigarette, TJ?” Bundy offered while pulling out his own.

“No.”

Bundy was an interrogator at heart, he loved playing with his suspect. TJ knew from Bundy telling him enough times while in the force. The first step was always to make the suspect comfortable.

“Alright, You came to this building eleven days ago with the intention of speaking to Chief Baas, about something, but when you walked out that door you said you already have a plan in place.”

TJ narrowed his eyes at Bundy as the man adopted a non threatening poser, meanwhile TJ knew Croc was standing pointedly behind him with a gun out.

“What the hell did you have to get off your chest TJ?” Bundy used his preferred name for the first time today.

TJ almost wanted to laugh. “To speak to Baas? Is that what you are asking? Why did I want to speak to Baas?”

“Yeah, Why did you want to talk to Baas?” Bundy gave off a calm and caring nature at this moment. Not like TJ currently had his blood dripping from where the cuffs were cutting into his skin onto the sterile clean metal table.

“For twenty eight days, Bundy, Baas ignored me.” TJ started letting venom drip into his voice. “That was going to be the day that we finally had a conversation about the future and if I had one any longer in the PD, and when he walked in that door and said to me, ‘I have something more important.’ I was fully aware of where I was and what I was doing, but at the same time Bundy.”

TJ heard the two officers around him shift around him.

“When you blow someone off for that long and they say that to you. It snaps, real fucking quick.” TJ leaned forward towards Bundy to sneer. “I was fully prepared to have that conversation with him. No, something is more important isn't it though, so Goodbye. That's exactly what happened.”

“So I don't know,” Bundy looked at him just like a disappointed teacher, only moving his eyes to stare down at the ex-cop. “The Chief of Police is too busy to talk with one of his eighty-four officers for three and a half to four weeks, admittedly following some terrible shit TJ, but nevertheless he is too busy. So what happens?”

“What do you mean what happens?”

“Well you asked me, If I knew ‘What happens’.” Bundy raised an eyebrow at him.

“You said you knew ‘What happens’. I didn't ask you, You said you knew.” TJ sat back, as far as he could. “So go ahead, tell me what you think you know.”

TJ smiled at how Bundy straightened taking one last glance at his notes. This was the problem with the PD, caring more about the report than any of the people involved. The people in front of them. All mindless robots.

“Tell me how the events transpired, Bundy.” TJ continued, “Word for word, Step by Step, Process for Process, A through fucking Z, Alpha to Omega. Tick Tock, Bundy, time is ticking.”

“That's a common phase of yours, you texted me that eight days ago.” Bundy goes to write down something, as TJ replies.

“Yes, I did.”

“I got a question for you TJ, I asked you the night you stormed out, Did you ever reach out to Martell about any of this?”

TJ almost rolled his eyes. “Why the Fuck would I reach out to Martell?”

“Alright, fair enough you didn't want to get screamed at or talk about your feelings, that's fine.” Bundy sarcastically says.

“No, I never knew Martell, that's why.”

“Ok, what about Multin?”

“Once again, absent. Go around doing their little interrogation or their undercover shit. You'll see them once, maybe twice a shift, then fucks right off.”

TJ clenched his fists, his rage was building. Bundy thought he understood, but that is it, He ‘thought.’

“No Bundy, I am sorry,” TJ lets poison drip from his words as he narrows his eyes at the detective. “I actually went on patrol and did my fucking duties, and not sat in mission row in fucking meetings all day and understood what the fuck was going on.”

TJ's voice was rising, but he didn't care.

“So you want to ask me ‘Why didn't I talk to any of them?’ respectful Bundy, because I don't know them.”

“Ok, What about me?” Bundy asked, finally pushing his notes away.

“I did have a conversation with you didn't I?” TJ remembers calling Bundy and telling him about the dealer he had found, he remembers Bundy questioning him then.

“You did. You had a very brief conversation with me about a meth dealer under a bridge, that I put two detectives on the night that you called me, and I specifically told you if you needed anything, if you wanted to talk, get shit off your mind, to call me.” Bundy's face changed to something kind again, something fake. “You made it excessively clear that you were mainly interested in getting that individual off the streets because you seemed dangerously close to doing something you didn't want to do.”

“Maybe I needed help, Bundy.” TJ eyed Bundy, tension filled him. He was a fucking dog caught in a trap that there was no getting out of.

“What was I supposed to do other than throw a lifeline out to you, TJ?” Bundy grew defensive, “Other than to tell you that I am there. You want me to scoop you up off the streets, throw you into my patrol car.”

“Funny, because the Mayor did exactly that, The Mayor.” TJ growled, “Not eighty-three, eighty-seven, police officers, the MAYOR did that.” TJ raised himself on to the metal table with elbows to get closer to the man in front of him, but he gave no reaction. “So you want to tell me again, order of importance and how everyone is so fucking busy.”

“I mean everyone is still busy. You, thirty minutes ago, were the cause of everybody being so fucking busy.’”

“No, no, no, no.” TJ felt the cuffs dig further into his skin as he pressed closer to the detective. “Sure, absolutely. Whatever the fuck happened, absolutely. You want to know why that was as big of a shitshow as it was?”

Bundy barely looked up, instead tilted his head for TJ to continue.

“Well go ahead tell him Croc. What did you do, Croc?” TJ sneered, glancing over his shoulder at the now confused officer by the door.

“What did I do?” The larger man shifted his weapon as his eyes flickered between the two in front of him.

“Bundy, explain to me force escalation.” TJ rolled his head back to Bundy, a dark knowing glare casted his way, as TJ finally sat back in his chair.

“Oh TJ,” Bundy said unfazed by his dramatics, “We don't explain our SOPs to people that sit on that side of the table.”

“That's fucking funny.” TJ laughed with poison dripping from every word.

“I don't need to explain my actions to you.” Croc hardened his stance, only once Bundy had laid out the tone, TJ realized disappointedly.

“Oh fuck off Croc. You are the exact reason this started.”

“I'm the reason?!” Croc shouted, stalking forward, “You are the one who started to do crime and shot cops! It's my fault, how?!”

Croc grabbed at TJ’s kutte, lifting him slightly before dropping him back to the metal seat. TJ struggled slightly with balance as he was dropped but recovered. Bundy just stood there, completely unfazed.

“You have completely misunderstood everything!” Croc continued backing up slightly this time. “You were a cop, you should understand how this works, but no, you are like every other cop. You either break bad or do something dumb.”

“Like every other cop, uh? Damn you don't even trust your own department, do you?” TJ latched on to his wording. He knew Croc had struggled in the past, just as he did.

“Does any department trust every single one of their members?” Croc confirmed his own thoughts in one question.

“No. It's actually funny.” TJ turned his eyes briefly to Bundy, “There is no trust in the PD, not even in your own departments, Bundy.”

Bundy seemed unimpressed.

“Do you know what I've been doing, Bundy? Listening to all your officers on hour long phone calls telling me the exact same thing.”

“Ok, where were all those people calling you when you were still an officer? Where was the support they were looking for?” Bundy asked TJ vaguely.

“Exactly because there is none here.” His anger reached out of TJ's control for a moment, before the newest Bondi Boy calmed himself.

TJ watched as Bundy made a note of something before looking towards his fellow officer.

“I think that will be all for me, Croc. If you would give me a moment to record things then you can process him.” Bundy moved towards the door, taking one last look at TJ. Bloody wrists still dripped onto the dull steel table he was cuffed to. “They might call you ‘family’ now, but the grass isn't always as green as it looks on the other side, Walker.”

“Goodbye, Bundy.” TJ's face hardened as Bundy shook his head and left the room.

Croc shut the door quietly behind Bundy and TJ heard the quiet sound of the lock being turned. TJ watched as Croc's movement was more reserved than he had ever seen from the Australian, as he walked to TJ's side, looking down on him.

“You might not care what I have to say.” The officer said as he reached for his flashlight. TJ tensed as the other's voice grew dark, “But you are going to care about what I make you feel.”

The metal head of the flashlight hit TJ first in the head, sending his head and torso straight into the metal table he was still cuffed to. TJ’s vision flickered and tilted when the next hit struck his shoulder.

TJ grunted as he felt his forehead hit the ice cold of the table again while his hands struggled in his cuffs still.

“DIE YOU PIECE OF FUCKING SHIT!” TJ heard through the pounding.

He turned his head to see the man above him posed for another strike.

TJ gritted his teeth as he twisted his leg and kicked the officer with as much strength as he could muster.

Croc shouted in surprise, and for a moment the Bondi Boy smiled in satisfaction through bloody teeth at the officer's pain, but Croc was still here for blood and if TJ had to guess Bundy was probably just on the other side of the glass.

“YOU FUCK.”

TJ felt a rough pull of the back of his head before it was being shoved down again.

TJ coughed as his own blood caught in his throat, then he felt the chair holding his body up disappear from beneath him. He gasped as his knees hit the hard floor and his forehead slipped to the edge of the table, with his arms still being pulled towards the top of the table.

TJ breathing was already ragged when the next couple hits came to his back. The corner of the table and the cuffs dug into his forehead and wrists making it hard to focus on anything, but when the flashlight hit a certain spot on his spine he couldn't help but slump.

The pain took control of his body as it fought his will and adrenaline. TJ shook, his body struggling to function at all.

But the blows didn’t stop for him, as Croc hit him again and again repeating the phrases of “Die piece of Shit!” and “Fucking Traitor!”

TJ focused his energy on breathing as blows continued to rain down on his form. Croc targeted his joints and ribs. TJ is pretty sure something must have cracked at some point, but the pain was too much to pinpoint anything in particular without his vision fading completely.

Breathing was getting harder when the pain suddenly halted and he felt someone mess with his hands. TJ tried to open his eyes to see what was happening, but that was a mistake when he saw the ground swim and the urge to vomit filled him. He let his eyes fall shut again, and in that small moment of peace he could almost feel himself drifting off.

Fortunately, TJ guessed, for him the sudden loss of cuffs bounding him to the table disappeared, sending him hard into the floor and snapping him back awake gasping.

Before TJ could fully get a handle on his surroundings though, Croc had grabbed him again, this time by his now blood stained white kutte and slammed him against the wall. He coughed hard as he felt like one of his lungs was cramping up and TJ's head pounded hard.

“YOU FUCKER,” Croc throw a punch that hit TJ right under the rib, “I LOOKED UP TO YOU! YOU THINK THAT I DON'T, I FUCKING DID! YOU MOTHER FUCKER!”

Croc sent a few more punches his way, and TJ could feel his body start to shake a bit with each impact, until the man finally let go of TJ and he sunk to the ground.

TJ barely had any energy to move or fight, and definitely nothing to stop him from slipping down the wall to the floor. His breathing was loud enough to fill the room and TJ's vision was filled with yellow spots and blurring objects. He tasted the iron in his mouth and felt his warm blood stream down his body in the otherwise freezing room.

TJ blinked as Croc took a half a step back as if admiring an art piece. “See I can be just like you, I can break my morales and go bad as well.” The man crouched down to eye level with TJ then, “and no one is going to care, because Everyone hates you. I can do whatever the fuck I please.” Croc's tone became dangerous as he tapped the metal head of the flashlight against TJ's chin, which even with that small action caused TJ to flinch as he tapped against fleshly made bruises. ”If I did this to anyone else, I would be in deep shit.”

TJ made eye contact, through half lidded eyes, with his old coworker, “Then you are just…” He coughed again, “another criminal playing dress up aren't you.” Anger filtered out of TJ from this whole situation and the criminal laughed, “Same thing as everyone else here.”

Croc's eyes glowed with hatred and he went to grab at TJ's throat, just as the sound of the door unlocking and opening hit both of them. The man before TJ rocked back on his heels before standing to address Bundy as he re-entered the room.

Bundy looked down at TJ with false pity with amused eyes, “Oh My God, What happened?”

“He slipped cuffs and attacked me, Sir.” Croc stated, no longer sparing any glances to the Bondi Boy.

“Alright TJ, are you still with us?” Bundy asked crouching down to cuff him in the front. Bundy struggled for a moment, not from TJ’s lack of resistance but from his blood slicked wrists, before cuffing him.

TJ didn't have the energy anymore to physically resist them as all his energy was being used to keep himself conscious.

Bundy sighed, lifting TJ to his stumbling feet. “Just a few more steps Walker, then we will have you sent up, alright?”

TJ just grunted as he awkwardly walked to a hold cell, before collapsing onto the metal cot.

TJ leaned against the bars watching Bundy and Croc fill out the last of the paperwork. When he said, “Tick Tock, Bundy. Tick Tock.”

“You know there is another guy that says that to me,” Bundy glanced up as he finished and handed his papers to Croc.

“You trying to count the time you have left, buddy?” Croc said.

TJ just laughed darkly, “I am already living on borrowed time there, Buddy. I am not counting anything.”

Silence hung in the air until the sound of two DoC officers, ready to transfer him to Boiling Brook, entered the room with disgusting stares at the beaten criminal.

Croc lowered his head again with a scowl, “Your call sign was #499 ya?”

“Distant memory.” TJ responded trying, but failing to straighten himself.

“Let me give you a good reminder of what you will always be to us.” Croc turned to the DoC officers that had entered and handed them a file, before leaving the room.

The trip to Boiling Brook wasn't as rough as the beating, but the DoC weren't treating him any kinder than normal, even as he struggled to even stand properly. A shove into a prison cell is what finally took TJ.

He knew he probably shouldn't pass out here. As an ex-cop, passing out the first seconds in prison probably wasn't the best option, but his body couldn't take it anymore and this felt like the safest place TJ had been in for hours.

When TJ was stirred again it was to hands grabbing at his shoulders. TJ attempted to pull away, half asleep and everything still hurting.

“Easy man, just trying to help.” A calming male voice spoke as TJ opened his eyes, to what he recognized as another prisoner with glasses, a backwards cap, and a playing card tattoo across his chest with the word ‘Gambit’ across it.

TJ struggled to sit up, and the man had to help him to get to the wall of the cell to lean against. Once there he caught sight of the two other prisoners watching him and the man. One was a lady with gray hair and a cap matching this guy's and the other lady had red hair and was leaning against the door to the cell.

“Who-?” TJ tried to ask before he landed himself in a coughing fit, that hurt much more than it should have.

The guy in front of him steadied him from tipping over and waited until the coughing had finished to respond. “You can call me Eddie, that's Ghost, and by the door is Amelia.”

TJ made eye contact with each of them, caution lining his features, before nodding, “TJ”

“What the hell did you do, man? Even the guards don't want to treat you?”

TJ laughed, and he could feel the confusion coming from Eddie. “They are probably hoping that the traitor just dies.” He sneered.

“Traitor?” Ghost asked as Eddie met TJ’s gaze.

Whatever was on his face that caused the other prisoner to just sigh, TJ didn't know but Eddie waved off the question. “Let's get him mostly patched up, before we start questioning him. Are you good with that TJ?”

He tried to nod before the movement caused a sickening bolt of pain to run through him.

“Don't worry you are under Gambit's protection now, Bondi Boy.”

---

TJ's warrant ended up being closer to 500 months, to Fey's guess of 400.

Jesse had told Collin he would pick up the newest Bondi Boy, and his soulmate, from prison. Collin had offered to go with him, on account that Jesse's soulpains had been so bad earlier that TJ must not have been in the best of shape, but Jesse had refused him. Instead grabbing a fresh med kit and an extra bottle of oxy to throw into his demon, Lilith, before driving up.

Jesse needed some privacy for this conversation and for his thoughts on how to even approach this.

Lilith rumbled beneath Jesse as he turned onto the highway.

How was TJ going to react?

Was the main question he asked himself. He didn't know the prospect that well yet with this being his eleventh day even in the club, but he seemed good to Jesse, plus the fact Barry trusted him.

Jesse breathed out a deep sigh as he arrived at Boiling Brook, pulling into the closest parking space to the doors. The patched hesitated for a moment before getting out, nerves pounding at him.

He reached up to trace the bird-like shaped scar that must have been where the club shot TJ. TJ wasn't the only one that got a second chance. TJ had taken his in stride, it was Jesse’s turn. Jesse grabbed a roll of bandages and some pain meds before going inside.

TJ was just sitting there in the waiting room. His eye lids were fluttering as he drifted, but it looked like someone had at least started medical on him.

Fey and the club weren't able to reach any of their contacts in prison, but Jesse was happy that someone at least helped him to wrap his wounds. Though Jesse was concerned by the amount of wrappings, and the ones already starting to bleed through.

“TJ?” Jesse questioned as he approached.

TJ snapped awake, which Jesse narrowed his eyes at as TJ seemed to instantly regret it. TJ curled in on himself groaning before raising his eyes to meet Jesse's with a half smile.

“Hey J, turns out they really do hate me.” TJ tried for a joke as he also tried to stand.

Jesse just raised an eyebrow and stepped forward, ready to support the already tilting Bondi Boy.

TJ made it to standing but it was obvious he was listing to one side as his eyes seemed to struggle to focus.

“Easy there,” Jesse looped his arm lightly around TJ's arm, avoiding where he knew TJ was hurt. “Falling over isn't going to help those injuries.”

TJ smiled at him, and from this close Jesse could see the lingering of blood that must have strain TJ’s teeth.

‘He needed to tell him.’ his voice whispered to him as he walked TJ to his car.

It was a slow process but they got there. TJ only stopped him once to sit on the planters for a minute, just taking in breaths. Jesse just watched him in silence, letting the anxiety to tell TJ about their soulmarks and the rage at the PD build.

Once Jesse got TJ in Lilith he took a step back, taking in all of the man in front of him. TJ was obviously tired, but Jesse had already waited this long to tell him.

“What wrong J?” TJ's own intelligent eyes caught Jesse's. Curiosity and nervousness quickly flashing across TJ's face for a moment before schooling itself.

“I need to tell you something.”

TJ's eyes narrowed as he waited for Jesse to continue.

Jesse sighed, for TJ, for the club.

“We share Soulmarks, TJ.”

The silence was heavy as TJ’s face turned cautious. “And how would you know that?”

“I figured out at the golf course, the day you joined. A mark had peaked through right where I had been shot and I had a mark where you were shot.” Jesse watched him as TJ seemed to progress that information.

“That doesn't mean much, unless you catch it in the moment.” Jesse could see the thoughts and questions running behind the Prospect's eyes.

Jesse sighed, “Hold out your arm.”

TJ did hesitantly before watching Jesse pull back his own sleeve, revealing the already large black bird across his forearm.

“What are you doing?” TJ said almost to himself.

“Watch your own.” Jesse said as he pulled a switchblade from his pocket.

“Wait! Jesse.” TJ reached out with his own arm as Jesse cut a thin line into his own skin.

Sure enough, a bright red mark faded on to TJ's skin as he reached out to stop Jesse. The mark on TJ's skin looked like a small sleeping wolf pup to Jesse, something peaceful.

TJ had frozen when it appeared for a moment, new questions swirling in his head. When he decided to move again he was silent, thinking.

So Jesse continued, “TJ, I don't expect anything to come of this, if you don't want it. You are part of the club which means you are family despite this, nothing has to change.”

TJ looked up at him with big eyes that made Jesse's heart want to melt but he held strong.

“It's whatever you want to do about it.”

TJ sat looking over his and Jesse's arms, then slowly tracing his eyes to places they both knew TJ was hurt.

“Can… Can you lift your shirt?” TJ asked as of he was scared of over stepping.

Jesse nodded, lifting his shirt so TJ could see his soulmarks painting Jesse's torso.

TJ leaned forward and reached out to touch them, like he couldn't believe it, but quickly leaned back to his place in the car. He was thinking.

“Why are my marks black?” TJ asks as Jesse lowers his shirt back down.

“I don't know, that's a recent thing.” Jesse answered, no point holding back any truth, well except one little scar.

“A recent thing?”

“Doctor said that it was because my Soulmate was close to death, but it should have reverted back to colors by now or turned into a scar.” Jesse explained as TJ developed a very dark expression on his face. It reminded him of how Dee had gotten before as well.

“When did it-?” TJ cut himself off with his own gesture to the black soulmark.

“During the first week of January.” Jesse decided to leave out the ‘when the club shot you,’ but judging by TJ's expression he had figured that out.

“They were colors before then?”

“Yes.”

TJ traced the small red mark on his arm and Jesse waited.

“Who else knows?”

“You, Me, Collin, and I was going to tell Barry tonight.”

“I'll tell Barry,” TJ decided. “and…” TJ fidgeted.

Jesse waited, he had time, and TJ seemed to be fighting with himself on what to say.

“Can we not openly tell everyone else, quite yet?” TJ cringed as if he was expecting Jesse to lash out at him. “Just until I have more time to process it?”

“As long as it's not too long and you tell Barry.” Jesse didn't want to keep anything about his son from Barry so close to the club keeping secrets about TJ being shot.

TJ nodded, “I will tell Barry, just-” TJ looked back down at the fresh soulmark. “Just others knowing your soulmate is dangerous, and until we decide how to move forward. I would like to keep it quiet.” TJ then quickly added, “If the club asks, then no secrets but-”

“Keep it quiet, understood.” Jesse cut TJ’s spiral off, “but no club secrets.”

“No club secrets.” TJ quietly trailed off.

“Alright,” Jesse said, finally rounding the driver's side and getting in, “There is a first aid kit and oxy in the glovebox for you.”

Jesse let Lilith rumble on and slowly spun the car out of the parking lot.

“Are you going to wrap that?” TJ questioned.

“Wrap what?” Jesse asked.

“The cut you made.”

“Oh,” he glanced down at the small cut, “It's pretty much stopped bleeding, I'll be fine.”

“Wrap it please, J.” His voice was small.

Jesse slowed and bandaged the cut, “Now you do the same, or I'll rip this off.”

Jesse heard a small chuckle from his soulmate that warmed his heart, as he brought his Demon up to full speed.

---

After staring out the window in the mostly silent drive back to the Billy and getting out of the demon to just staring at his Pop's house he glances down to the red mark on his lower arm that connected him to the man beside him.

“Jesse, I don't want you to be-” TJ started but the other man cut him off.

“TJ, if you don't want anything more than this, we don't have to do anything. We can just stay club members, nothing more. No one is forcing you into anything.” Jesse's voice sounded tired, almost defeated.

“I just need time, I didn't think I would ever meet them…” TJ looked back to see Jesse staring straight ahead and messing with his hair near his temple. “Wouldn't meet you…”

“I am happy that I got to meet you, too.” The more experienced Bondi Boy trailed off, “Just… Just don't die please. If I don't ask for anything else, just don't die for me.”

The patch seemed more than just concerned, which made TJ uneasy with how he said that, but he just settled with how weird learning how your soulmate was. Today had been so much already, trying to unpack that was not in TJ’s cards tonight.

“I don't plan on it.” TJ responded.

Jesse sighed, exhaustion tracing his face. “Tell Barry and Dee, goodnight for me, and if you need anything call me.” With that Jesse drove off, leaving TJ there outside Barry’s beachside house.

TJ sighed before heading inside. to be greeted with a very sleep deprived Barry, trying to stay awake on the couch.

“Hey B.” TJ whispered, lightly shaking Barry awake.

Barry stirred for a moment before his eyes focused on his son, then focused on the bandages wrapping his son's frame.

Barry stood suddenly like he was never close to almost drifting completely in sleep. “Who did this?” he asked, malicious dripping into his tone.

“Croc and Bundy.” TJ said simply sinking down next to where Barry just was.

Barry looked at him with a curious glare and a slight tilt of his head. “Do you need oxy?”

TJ sighed, eyes flirting with the ground, “B, what do you know about soulmates?” pointedly avoiding his question.

Barry paused. Confusion crossed his face, before glancing toward the bedroom, where TJ assumed Dee was sleeping, before sighing as well and settled next to TJ.

“A little bit. Not too much to be honest, but I know most people do have them.”

“What is the club's stance on Soulmates, B?” TJ asked, carefully. watching his dad for his reactions.

“Inside or Outside the club? Outside the club soulmates, We expect the member to still pick the club over that soulmate every time. They have spent most of their life without the other and they gave their life to the club first, so why does that change anything?” Barry waved his hand in the air loosely as he continued. “Inside the club, well Liv and Stevie did it for a while but you still have to be club first, soulmate second.”

“Makes sense.” TJ replied, studying his father, “What's Dee's thing with soulmarks?”

“ehhhh…” Barry motioned around, “He likes the attention, the shock factor.”

Barry was leaving something out, TJ knew, but right before TJ was going to press him on telling the truth, Barry added to his words.

“If you don't want him to take that,” Barry pointed to the red mark that Jesse had relieved him earlier on his arm. “then I suggest hiding it. At least the more visible ones, he won't try it with something he can't see clearly.”

That made TJ freeze. He thought about Pond's soulmark on Dee he had seen so long ago. TJ suddenly had an intense urge to protect his wolf from Dee. It almosted confused him how much he seemed to suddenly care, having years of not caring about who his soulmate was at all.

But Jesse.

Jesse had been so welcoming to him: no questions on any of his past, no side eyes when TJ walked through the Billy, no sly comments hidden within jokes. No, Jesse had opened his arms up wide and called him family, with no hesitation.

So no, Dee couldn't take his mark. The hurt wolf was his, even if TJ wasn't sure how he currently felt about Jesse being attached to it, it wasn't Dee's for sure.

“B, does Dee have your soulmark?”

Barry looked away, stilling. It was almost unnerving for the normally always moving man. “No. No, he doesn't have any one that belonged to me.”

TJ swallowed and raised himself to meet Barry. Barry shifted with the change in demeanor. “Jesse is my soulmate, he told me today when he picked me up from prison. I asked him to keep it quiet for now until I could process it, but I needed to tell you, B.”

Barry watched TJ like a hawk, it felt almost uncomfortable, but eventually Barry nodded.

“As long as it doesn't get you hurt.”

“It won't.”

“Then do you need any help with those injuries?” Barry nodded, standing up and walking over to where they kept the first aid.

“Sure, Pops.” TJ smiled watching his dad move to set down the first aid box and a box of concealer.

Chapter Text

An off day for BBMC or maybe the PD was just having an amazing day, because that was what landed Jesse and five other Bondi Boys in the cells of MRPD, and the best thing about this day must be how their arresting officers of Brian Knight and Kyle Pred had found this the moment as the perfect time to punish TJ for leaving the PD.

Jesse had promised TJ to keep the knowledge that they were soulmates secret until he was ready to share. Jesse respected the man's choice, but sometimes all Jesse wanted to do was pull the man he seemingly been looking for all his life into his arms.

Not to say there have been moments since that day outside the prison between him and TJ. When The Billy is so quiet you could of heard a mouse or when both of them paired on the same roof top. TJ lightly touched Jesse's hand where the black bird mark would be, or when Jesse had offered his car, Lilith, for TJ to drive up to Grapeseed and TJ had looked at Jesse with so much excitement versus the recent concern and confusion that landed on the Patch.

Jesse treasured though small moments but he hoped that TJ would be comfortable enough to take the next step, to be something maybe a bit closer than friends or club members, but that seemed almost mythical to Jesse.

A cramp of soulpain started to form in Jesse's gut as he watched Pred plant a sharp punch into TJ's gut.

TJ, to his credit, only grimaced as he stumbled back against the brick wall or the main area outside the cells.

The officers had picked out TJ rather quickly from the rest of them and had cuffed him and left him out of a cell until Pred had started poking at him until only now upgrading to actual hits.

Jesse just watched as TJ tried to stay quiet despite the pain. Jordan, Junior, and Chain were the main ones shouting at the officers that were just letting Pred have his way, trying to draw their attention away from TJ. Barry was just silent watching and Jesse could tell the rage was building in the father and VP. Jesse had no doubt that Barry would probably hunt down every cop here later, and Jesse wanted to definitely be part of that squad later.

A quick undercut by Pred finally made TJ gasp out loud, and Jesse gritted his teeth as he felt his own body tense with a nonexisting blow of his own as he imagined the soulmark appearing on his skin.

Pred whistled, “That's all you've reduced to, Walker.”

“This all you are reduced to Pred, beating some incapacitated criminal.” TJ straightened to look Pred in the eye, “Why don't you remove these cuffs and then see if you can restate that with the same confidence?”

Pred laughed, “Ah, Do you think I care, Walker?”

TJ's gaze hardened as he glanced around the room. Jesse tried to catch his eye, if only to check on him, but TJ never even glanced in his direction.

TJ had started avoiding Jesse's eyes whenever he knew Jesse knew he was hurting. It hurt Jesse to see, but he didn't blame TJ. Jesse just wished TJ would let him in a bit more.

Jesse instead looked towards Barry. How many times had he been caught between wanting to tell Barry that his son was his soulmate and knowing TJ wanted to tell Barry.

‘Had he?’ was a question that ran through Jesse’s head every day since they were outside the prison.

The only one Jesse knew for sure knew was Collin, since he had explained and helped with Jesse's soulpain from TJ's interrogation, but beside him. Jesse was pretty sure none of the club had any idea.

Barry's eyes did catch Jesse's and for a brief moment seemed to ask some sort of question before Barry flicked his eyes back to TJ without Jesse knowing how to answer the VP's unknown question.

Jesse's own eyes followed to see TJ struggling against Pred's hands squeezing against his throat. TJ's hands cuffed behind his back struggling to pull forward.

Jesse's eyes hardened and he gritted his teeth as Pred finally let go of his soulmate. TJ pressed himself against the back wall, mostly instinctually it seemed, to pull his body away from the hurt from the man before him.

“Pred this is pathetic even for you…” TJ slurred out, his eyes rapidly blinking.

“Pathetic.” Pred said, grabbing white kutte’s collar, “The only thing I see that is pathetic is you, Walker.” The man processed to tross TJ's already unbalanced weight toward Barry's cell. “This Fuck is who you betrayed everything for, this dumbass Australian FUCK. You thought we just let you go.”

“PD isn't a gang.” TJ struggled to breath out steadily, as he raised himself with the bars separating him from his father.

“No, but you don't deserve rights anymore.” Pred slapped TJ with his ringed hand and TJ finally made a small pained yelp as Pred let go of the ex-officer and TJ's legs slowly sank him to the ground.

Jesse felt a dull headache rack his skull as TJ sank completely to the ground and he saw a line of blood starting to trace itself down the Bondi Boy's cheek from a cut Pred must've caused at some point.

Jesse was never one for outbursts but maybe it wasn't just the build up of this one incident that made him boil over. Maybe it was the weeks of watching TJ struggle to understand what it meant to have someone watch your back, the weeks of TJ hiding, obvious to Jesse, fears at PD interacting with him and the club. Fears of messing up and failing in some way. Jesse's anger had just built too high for the Bondi Boy in that moment, and finally spilled out.

“You aren't quite convincing anyone that you treated him better right now, Pred.” Jesse's voice was calm, for anyone who didn't know him.

When he finished three sets of eyes turned to him. One filled with fear, another showed confusion, and the last one transformed to a satanic joy.

“Pred.” TJ's voice shakes as he struggles to straighten himself. “He isn't part of-”

“Oh. I think he is very much involved, Walker.” Pred tone changed and Jesse vaguely heard the other officers in the room stop their writings of reports to glance up. “Brian I need you to make a note on Walker's and this one's profiles.”

Pred walked over to Jesse, sizing him up with a wicked smile, as Brian joined him at the bars.

“and why is that?” Brian asked almost absent mindedly, not seeming to understand what the sheriff was thinking.

“Walker found a soulmate.”

Jesse paused, as he glanced at TJ for the missing piece of how Pred put it together. Just for TJ to look at him with a deep fear as his eyes flicker between Jesse and the officers. Then the answer hit him just as Pred spoke it.

“That mark appeared after I made that.” He pointed at the cut on TJ's face.

Jesse took a half a step back from the bars instinctively as the sheriff smiled at him.

“Oh, so you both know then.”

“What the hell, you talking about?! You stupid Coppa-dog!” Jordan shouted from the far cell, without a clear view of the trap Jesse had stumbled unknowingly into.

The officers ignored him as Knight glanced between both him and TJ.

The detective pursed his lips, thinking, before looking back to the sheriff. “You have to test both of them for a soulmark.”

“Soulmark?!” Junior now spoke up, “What the hell do you mean soulmark.”

“J.” A sharp tone from Barry shut the whispers from the others off. Barry for his part didn't look surprised, so they had that going for them. Maybe TJ did tell Barry about their soulmarks.

The ‘No secrets amongst club members’ rule was what had hurt Barry so much last month.

Jesse didn't have too much time to ponder his VP before TJ's struggling movement to stand caught his eyes.

“Brian, just check our taser marks and send us up.” TJ was heavily leaning on one leg and had his hand on a bar of Barry's holding cell. TJ looked defeated and scared, Jesse hated that look on the normally over excited prospect.

“Nah, I don't think I will.” Pred said as he reached through the bars of Jesse's cell.

Jesse tried to step out of the man's reach but he was just a bit too slow as the officer's hand tightened around his hoodie’s collar and the bondi boy was pulled against the metal bars hard with a loud slam.

Jesse's vision swam. Yellow spots danced before him. Jesse thought he maybe heard someone call his name, but he definitely felt the metal cuffs re-tightening against his wrists. Training kicked in as he struggled against the officers.

When Jesse finally cleared his vision enough to tell what the hell was happening, he had backed him against the corner with two brick walls backing him, facing the rest of the cell, and room. Pred was in the larger cell with him and Brian had pulled TJ from his spot at Barry's cell to just outside the bars from where Jesse was previously standing.

Jesse blinked again to clear the leftover fuzz from his vision and centered his stance. If he was going into cuffs by the same man that had beaten one of his club members to their knees. He was going to at least get a few swings in.

The large officer smiled cruelly at the challenge Jesse clearly was stating, without any words, and he took the first swing.

Jesse dodged and got his own sharp pained grunt from the sheriff as he stuck him in the gut.

Jesse could vaguely hear a few of the boys shouting words of encouragement through the pounding adrenaline in his head. This wasn't a fight he could win, Jesse knew. Maybe he could take out Kyle Pred, sure, but that wasn't the fight here. The fight was against all the fucks that stood by as TJ got beaten, the fucks that was allowing this fight to happen in the first place.

This fight wasn't winnable, but god damn did it feel good to punch Pred in the face and see the beginnings of a large black eye forming.

The fight wasn't long, comparatively, but Jesse had given the man a few nasty bruises before he was pinned to the ground.

The man slapping him into cuffs now, let out an exhausted humorless laugh. “You Australian Fucks.”

Jesse was stood up with a grunt of his own and pushed back to the bars of the holding cell.

“Knight, bring Walker here.”

TJ was pulled up from the ground with shaking knees and thrusted forward into the bars as well. Jesse got a good look at TJ's tired sweat covered face. Now that they were forced to stand inches away, face to face, on opposition sides of the metal bars.

TJ’s eyes looked almost scared, worried, or panicked but that wasn't quite right, Jesse thought, but coming up with a name for the emotion there didn't feel quite right. Or maybe it just didn't matter to Jesse, as his response was the same.

When Jesse had caught TJ's eyes finally his face softened, and TJ's face became something readable. His face became confused as Jesse smiled at him, reassuringly.

“J, no…” TJ whispered quietly enough for only Jesse to hear.

“Hold his head up Brian, I need to see if a mark appears.” Pred said as he roughly pulled Jesse's head to one side.

Jesse growled lowly, but his eyes never left TJ's even as the flash of metal entered his peripheral and a sharp sting cut across his cheek. Even when he watched the sleeping red pup appear under TJ's left eye. He vaguely heard the officer behind him laugh at the confirmation of their soulmarks, but Jesse's only focus was on his soulmate, on TJ, and TJ looked scared.

Jesse wanted to reach out, wanted to tell him that it was okay, but he didn't get the chance to as the sheriff dragged him out of the large holding cell and toward an interrogation cell.

“Put Walker in the cell, let him out of cuffs, and Bloom you come with me.” Jesse was pushed forward as Pred shouted behind them, “About to teach you all why we really keep track of soulmates.”

“Pred!” TJ's angry shout echoed as Jesse was shoved into the soundproofed room, cutting TJ off.

Jesse was still cuffed as the sheriff locked the door behind him.

Jesse turned the best he could, on the ground to stare up at the officer.

Pred stood with confidence at the entrance, Bloom trailing behind with what looked to be a camera bag before walking past the both of them to start setting out the contents on the interrogation table.

Jesse could hear himself breathing which was a stark contrast to the previous room.

“If you just wanted to get me alone, you could have just asked.” Jesse let a playfully tone creep into his voice.

“No, sadly you aren't my type-” Pred paused thinking, “Which one are you, again? Collin? Barry?”

“His name is Jesse Reed, sir.” Bloom's monotone sounded like an eye roll.

“Of course, Your name would be Jesse.” he laughed, “Sorry Jesse, You aren't my type, but for the report we do need you to take your shirt off.”

“And why is that?”

“To record your soulmarks, PD is required to re-record them to a violent criminal once they find their soulmate.” Pred bent down to eye level with the Bondi Boy, “And I know for a fact there are bigger clearer marks under that hoodie than that tiny one on your cheek.”

Jesse gritted his teeth, they weren't only taking a picture of his soulmarks at this point, they were taking a picture of TJ's pain and recording it for every officer after them to reference and refer to, but Jesse saw no other option. It was either accept it because it was going to happen, or fight it until he couldn't anymore.

TJ’s scared eyes burned, bright and fresh, into his memory.

TJ wanted to avoid this. Outside the prison TJ had told Jesse as much, but Jesse also knew then they couldn't hide it forever.

Jesse narrowed his eyes. “Fine.” He snapped, hopefully giving the show the officers wanted to see. “uncuff me and I will take it off.”

This was the dumb choice he knew, but the Bondi Spirit in the patch was fully guiding him at this point.

Jesse watched the man before him smile, “See that's the spirit. Bloom, get your taser out in case he tries anything.”

Jesse heard the taser cartridge being loaded as Pred reached behind him to loosen the cuffs.

Jesse eyed the other officer as Pred balance shifted around him. Bloom looked lazily at the criminal, taser in his hand but not pointed, and Jesse wanted to smile, as his plan was getting easier.

With a sharp kick at Pred's leg the officer faltered just long enough for the Bondi Boy to roll to put Pred between him and Bloom.

“Fuck.” The sheriff cursed as Jesse grabbed at his gun.

Jesse had played this game with the pigs so long enough to know how to be dangerous no matter the situation.

He had the gun on the kneeling Sheriff just as the other raised the non lethal at him.

“Alright, easy.” Bloom said slowly, eyeing the gun pointed at his other officer's head.

“What the fuck was your plan?!” Pred wasn't so cautious.

“To give you a taste of your own pain.” He pulled the trigger, aiming straight down at the officer's head.

The one under the Demon's eye, barely saved his own life by letting gravity take hold, but the bullet tore through the man's shoulder.

The one with the taser fired it hitting Jesse with a buzz that sent him to the ground as well, but the difference was he was done yet.

“Fuck!” Bloom cursed before reaching for his radio. “I need 77s in interrogation the suspect-”

Jesse interrupted the call with another quick aim and fired the PD pistol to where Bloom's radio was, ripping through not only the radio but Bloom's shoulder too.

The man cried out briefly as Jesse got to his feet, slightly shaking from the electricity still fading from his limbs and the sound of two 13-Alphas going off.

Jesse looked down at Pred who was still conscious but holding his shoulder tightly staring at Jesse with hate.

“This won't save him, if you were thinking that.” Pred smiled like a hungry animal, “You are just painting a more bloody target on the both of you.”

Jesse sighed, the demon in him was grinning with how he returned the barrel of the gun to Pred's head. “You can't do any more harm if you are dead.”

Jesse moved his finger to the trigger as he heard the door behind him open.

He whipped around but he was too late as three bullets planted themselves in Jesse's chest.

The pain wasn't what Jesse thought about first, it was the thought of TJ having a fraction of it that made Jesse whimper when he hit the ground.

“What the hell happened!?” Brian asked when Jesse had been replaced in cuffs.

Pred groaned, “Soulmate wanted revenge. He didn't appreciate my work with the traitor.”

Jesse drifted as he listened to the officers deal with the situation around him, until pain took him into an uncomfortable sleep.

---

“Pred! Your beef is with Me! Leave him alone!” TJ called after the man as soon as Brian had freed him from his cuffs and locked him in the cell Jesse previously was in.

TJ turned his attention to the officers still in the room with him. They once called each other, and him, ‘Family’ but the PD always sounded so god damn hollow when they said it to TJ. Now their actions are telling him he was right to think that. They are confirming to TJ they never once even thought of him like that and now he didn't even deserve a glance or an attempt to stop Kyle Pred, some even smiled and laughed, at what the sheriff was doing to him, to his real family.

TJ stumbled to the bars, Pred had knocked him at some point hard enough to bring his limb back and the sounds of ‘tick tock’ pounded in his head louder than normal.

“Brian please,” TJ applied to the only man he thought he might have a chance with. “This isn't right, and you know it. PD is supposed to be the good guys but you let an officer beat an unarmed prisoner.”

“Shut up Traitor, you had your chance with me and Baas weeks ago.” Brian spit as he returned to finishing his report.

TJ sighed, closing his eyes briefly as he recalled the month earlier this man and Baas were begging him to come back in the Grapeseed torture room. Where they had broken his trust yet again and BBMC had shown him what true loyalty looked like.

TJ's rage built as this man continued to ignore him.

“My chance? What chance? or what about his chance, Brian?”

Brain just shrugged, “Easier to get a message across to the another person through that person's soulmate. Come on, Walker, you know this.”

TJ gritted his teeth as he remembers the less than moral side of his PD training. How the PD would use the information of people being soulmates against them. If the criminal was violent, how he studied techniques and situations to use their known soulmate to track that criminal down with.

Injuries to a person can and will be covered but soulmarks aren't often as heavily covered making it an easier way to Identify a person, and once someone knows their soulmate's identity the soulmarks have a weird way of getting you to check on your soulmate.

‘A perfect way to bait out warrants,’ Baas had once told him.

Not ethnically, but some cases were deemed too important to lock away for a nice little debate on ethics.

TJ had feared the moment Jesse had cut himself and the cry wolf appeared on his skin, not because of Jesse. Jesse was wonderful and was the first one, outside of Barry, that made him feel like actually belonged here, and maybe he even started to look forward to seeing the cowboy each day.

Unfortunately fate had to tie TJ's rope for him. Jesse was his soulmate. They shared marks, and TJ had been so scared for the man since that day. If the PD found out, if criminals found out, they would hurt Jesse instead of TJ to get to him, and it would work.

It would've been like what happened with him and Barry, but now they would each know immediately with colorful marks across their skins. TJ couldn't risk it, knowing those marks were because of him. That the little wolf now cried in pain because of him.

A BANG! and a sharp cramp to TJ's side pulled him from his thoughts.

TJ gasped curling slightly in on himself, trying to avoid aggravating his own injuries.

Brian hummed at TJ, “Seems you finally got something you deserved.”

TJ was about to snap back at him when the PD's radio screamed out Bloom, “I need 77s in interrogation the suspect-”

The radio cut over as another shot rang through the cells.

A few of the PD officers cursed running towards where they took Jesse.

Brian just sneered at TJ as two 13-Alphas sang out and the other Bondi Boys cheered. “I hope they scar your skin one day, Walker.”

Brian left TJ to join his fellow officers and TJ sank against the bench in the cell, taking even breaths waiting for Jesse to be overwhelmed and shot down.

It was quicker than he expected, but three quick shots were heard where they were kept easily, and TJ felt like an invisible knife just stabbed into his shoulders three times.

TJ whimpered in pain and leaned against the cell bars and the wall as his vision danced with yellow spots.

“Son?” Barry's voice cut through the pain in TJ's upper chest. “Hey Son, I need you to look at me.”

TJ blinked his eyes trying to clear them as he took a ragged breath. He wanted to do what Barry asked but his whole body was filled with pain.

TJ heard movement around him but any hint of it in his sight didn't exist.

“Is this one going?” A voice out of nowhere.

“Hold this one back.”

“That one is being sent with the other one.”

TJ thoughts swirled at the conversation, who were they talking about? He assumed THEY were the PD officers and that HE was the ‘One’, but who was the ‘other one’.

“B?...” TJ forced some language out of his mouth, though it wasn't the word he wanted.

“Shit! He is awake.”

“Hey! Shut up dumb fucks! Talking right next to him probably doesn't help.”

TJ blinked again and the spots seemed to clear but he still felt weak, though he wasn't sure if it was from the soulpain or his own injuries. Either way he could see his surroundings again and the holding cells were mostly empty now, except for one lone officer in the corner scrolling on his tablet. Barry and the others were gone.

TJ’s brow knit in confusion as he turned, as much as he could without too much pain, towards the officer. “Where is everyone?”

The officer jumped slightly, before regaining his composure. “OH umm… I need to get your plea, then we are going to send you up.”

TJ rolled his eyes, “Not guilty.”

“umm ok.” The nervous officer reached for his radio as he noted his answer down. “TJ Walker has pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ . Am I good to load him up?”

A minute passed as the officer seemed to be listening intently to the radio, before nodding with another nervous glance towards TJ.

TJ narrowed his eyes as the other asked his question. “What does your soulmate plead?”

“Why don't you ask him, instead of me?” TJ felt his angry rising. If they were asking him this, then it wasn't a good sign for Jesse's state.

“He is still unconscious, and the processing officers would like to send you two up.” The officer peaked over his tablet.

“Not Guilty.” TJ growled.

“Thank you.” The other squeaked.

It was a struggle to get to the loading van but once TJ saw Pred standing at the back of it with a sick smile on his face, anger fueled TJ's energy to meet him with a growl.

TJ pulled away from his nervous officer to march straight up to Pred,

“You Fucking Cunt.” TJ didn't know what exactly to say to the man but he hoped his words were dripping with the venom he felt. “I will kill you.”

Pred just laughed at him, before looking at something in the PD transport behind TJ. “You have bigger problems than me at the moment, Walker.”

TJ turned to see Jesse, droopy eyed and breathing heavily against the back wall of the transport. Jesse caught TJ's eye and his heart ached.

“Get in, Walker.” The whisper in his ear gave no room for argument as TJ climbed in, settling next to Jesse as the doors closed behind him and they were left in the low lighted transport.

“Hey TJ.” Jesse sounded weaker than TJ had ever heard.

“I'm sorry.” TJ simply said, trying not to let his voice crack with worry as the car rumbled to life around them.

Jesse cocked his head to the side slightly, questioning, “What for?”

“For them being so hard on you. I am sorry, it's my fault. You should have just let me take it.” TJ looked over Jesse's body as his eyes’ adjusted to the low light.

Jesse’s hoodie had been scrapped and replaced with bandages, but his black kutte was still on his back. His eyes were deep set with exhaustion and pain, but the eyes that looked at TJ were still a light with the kindness that TJ could feel himself slowly falling for.

Jesse's tone became very serious, “Don't say that.”

TJ sighed, almost melting into the metal seat of the transport. “This is my problem, they have a hard on for me. I shouldn't be dragging any of you into this, and especially you don't deserve to get hurt just because we happen to be soulmates.”

Jesse shifted his weight just slightly enough to rest his head on TJ’s shoulder.

TJ froze for a second looking down at him. Jesse's eyes were locked on TJ's, unknowingly, trembling hands. He quickly sucked in a breath forcing them to stop shaking, but Jesse didn't seem satisfied because he took one of his own hands and laid it on top of TJ's.

“TJ, you don't need to respond, I'm just giving you a word of advice. You are part of a bigger family now. When people do something for you, you got to get used to it. You don't have to do anything in return.” Jesse looked up at him briefly before looking back at their hands.

“Ok.” He felt his voice shake in reply, before Jesse continued.

“If I get you out of a sticky situation, that means I made a choice. If I can get out of it by other means, I will let you know, but if I get you out of it. It essentially means I got you out for a reason. I don't care that we are soulmates with this, I would do it even if we weren't. Just remember that. You didn't do anything wrong, you just have to get used to getting help.”

TJ could feel tears pricking at his eyes, this all just been too much today. TJ turned his own head into Jesse's sweat dried hair and hoped he couldn't hear his barely hidden hitches of breath.

After a few minutes, Jesse spoke again, “What do you want to tell the club?”

TJ turned his head, to just resting his head on Jesse’s. “I don't know.” He was honest. He hadn't planned for this yet, at least not this way.

“Collin already knows, he helped me through my first soulpain experience. Does Barry?”

“Ya, I told Barry that night.” TJ paused, thinking about how badly the soulpain had affected him when Jesse got shot. “How are you dealing with the soulpain?”

“Collin gave me some meds for it. I can give you some.”

“Thanks…” TJ trailed off thinking, “I don't know if I am ready for a full relationship quite yet, J, but maybe we can start small?”

“That's okay. I will be here for you no matter what happens.”

“I guess we just tell them the truth.” TJ landed on his answer, they felt the transport shift to a halt.

TJ straightened, and wiped his hand over his face, as he waited for the officers to open the door. TJ looked back towards Jesse to see he had shifted to leaning against the wall, but his tired eyes were locked on the door as well.

TJ had just enough time to wonder how bad Jesse's state actually was, when he heard the latch click open.

“Alright, one by one.” A DOC said as he peered inside.

TJ looked back toward Jesse, catching his eye and mouthed, ‘You good?’

He nodded and started to move, TJ brows furrowed but he got out with more soreness than anything.

TJ stumbled a bit when he hopped down and a guard had to keep him from falling, before escorting him to the chained door of the prison yard. Once he was uncuffed and pushed through the door he immediately turned around to see how Jesse was doing.

Jesse for his part was walking on his own but TJ didn't like how the man's eyes seemed to unfocus every other step.

“TJ!” The familiar voice of Jordan called to him.

TJ turned around to see Jorden jog up to him, eyes glancing to Jesse then back to TJ.

“Jordan,” TJ sighed at the familiar face. “How long ago were you all sent up?”

“Been here for about 20. You good fam?” His fellow prospect glanced him up and down. “You should probably sit, the rest of the boys are in the cafeteria if you want.”

“Jesse first.” TJ said, looking back to the guards removing Jesse's cuffs and finally pushing him through the door.

Jesse just stood there staring at the ground where he stood. TJ walked over to him and placed a hand on his less injured shoulder.

Jesse jumped as if he wasn't with them mentally for a moment there, TJ and Jordan exchanged a concerned glance before Jordan spoke again.

“Hey J, the boys want to see the both of you two. Do you think you can make it to the cafeteria?”

Jesse’s head picked up at Jordan's voice and he nodded.

“Great!”

It took too long for the two soulmates to make it into the cafeteria and sit down at the table, judging by Barry’s stare. Junior and Jordan helped Jesse get settled against the wall next to their table, while TJ settled into the seat next to Barry. After a few minutes of Jesse fending off Junior fuzzing with his bandages Antonio and Chain came over bringing slushies for everyone, before the questions began.

“So,” Junior started after taking a sip from his slushie. “Did you two know?”

TJ felt all the eyes in the group land on him as he nodded, but Jesse was the one who spoke. “I figured it out the day TJ got blooded in. Outside the golf course, Barry.”

TJ turned to Barry who suddenly became very interested in the conversation.

“TJ only found out the day he got his first arrest.” Jesse looked at him sheepishly, “I had experienced some soulpain from TJ in his interrogation, and Collin had explained to me what was happening.”

“Soulpain?” Antonio asked, eyes flicking between the both of them. “What is that?”

“A connection link once you know who your soulmate is, you start sharing their pain.” Jesse gestured to TJ to confirm it, but TJ just stared at him concerningly.

Jesse frowned at him before continuing, “I got meds for it, so it's not as bad.” Jesse's eyes turned to Barry, “I am giving some to TJ when we get out as well.”

“Why didn't you tell us?” Junior said, looking at Jesse.

“We were confused.” Jesse said simply a quick look to TJ, before looking back at Junior. “Wanted to figure it out for ourselves a bit before trying to explain it to everyone else.”

“TJ did tell me,” Barry added, with a glance towards Jesse, “and you are saying Collin knew?”

Jesse nodded from his place on the ground.

Barry nodded, seeming satisfied enough, and stood, looking toward TJ. “You two are going to be alright though?”

“Ya B.” TJ answered quickly, “I am sorry.”

“Aw no man,” Jordan leaned towards TJ in his chair, “It's not your fault, it's the stupid Coppa-dogs that did this.”

“You know who they were, TJ?” Barry cut Jordan off from continuing.

“Kyle Pred and Brian Knight were the main ones.” TJ said watching his father nod and turn to head off into the larger prison.

The rest of their time in Boiling Brook was spent listening to Jordan and Antonio as Chain looked at both of their wounds. Junior, at some point, left to go find B, with a concerned look in his eye.

TJ fell into easy banter with his new family, but he did catch the tail end of a whispered conversation between Chain and Jesse that made him wonder.

Chain was easing Jesse back against the wall he was leaning against, when Jesse's just a little too loud to be hidden from TJ.

“Chain, that's not club business. Leave it alone.” Jesse looked straight at TJ, catching his staring eyes, and Jesse's face softened.

TJ shifted uncomfortably unsure what to say, when Jesse filled the space for him.

“Don't worry TJ, I am going to be fine.” Jesse let an easy smile slip over the sharp dangerous tone that he had just used with Chain so easily.

So TJ, Filing the question he had away for later, returned with a weak smile of his own.