Wild At Heart (Robert/Connor)

{ooc - sorry both of these posts took so long}

Connor had been asked to see a band that was playing in Los Angeles to interview them, and when he was told he could choose his photographer, he hadn’t hesitated and asked Bobby right away. Bobby was a good friend to Connor and in many ways he looked to him as a father figure, even taking to call him ‘old man’ from time to time. Connor was glad when Bobby said he would go with him. Once Connor had finished the interview and Bobby had taken all the photographs he needed, he smiled at him. “Thanks old man, I need to go to the library before we head back to the office though, that cool?” He asked Bobby having a feeling it would be alright with him, but Connor never took anything for granted. So when Bobby said it was fine, he smiled at him, “Cheers, let’s go then.”

It didn’t take them too long to reach the library and once they were inside, Connor turned to Bobby, “I won’t be too long.” So off Connor went to get what he was needing, and left Bobby to have a look around. Connor had probably only been about five minutes when he made his way toward Bobby and said he was ready to go. However, Bobby put his arm up stopping him from going anywhere, and he frowned wondering what was wrong. Bobby soon spoke saying he spotted someone he really needed to speak to. “Who is it Bobby?” Then Bobby said he was to go over with him as he probably should meet him. This intrigued Connor as he couldn’t think who it could be. He knew Bobby had a son but he didn’t speak of him too often.

Bobby didn’t say anything else as he walked off and Connor followed him, he soon stopped and Connor watched as he patted this guy on the shoulder with his hand, Connor’s curiosity started getting the better of him now and he asked again, “Who is it Bobby?” Although when Bobby spoke next, his question was soon answered as Bobby spoke of his elusive and troublesome son. Oh thought Connor, so this is Jake. Bobby then turned and introduced them, although when Bobby told Jake who he was, and how he wished Jake could be more like him, he wasn’t too sure where to look, as he just gave Jake a rather sheepish smile and ran his hand through his hair rather sloppily. “Hi Jake, it’s good to finally meet you.” Although was it really? Bobby hadn’t spoken of his son Jake often, but of the times he had, he didn’t have many glowing things to say about him. Awkward, thought Connor, as he just stood there now with his arms by his side, wondering what Jake was going to say to what his father had said.

Bobby hadn’t expected much of a reception from Jake, after all he was his somewhat estranged son. Bobby was a good man, and yet somehow his son had managed to go down some very dark paths. He knew all about the drugs, and he had even heard about the young girl he had forced himself on, news spread fast when you worked for a newspaper, in many ways Robert was disgusted with his son, but at the end of the day, blood is thicker than water, and he had made it his mission to set his son on the right path, or at least do everything he could to at least get him in the right direction. So when Jake gave him his smart mouth reply of great to see you too, Bobby lifted his hand and smacked him on the back of the head. “Quit the smart mouth Jake, remember who I am.” He hadn’t intentionally set out to find his son, but he was glad he did. Maybe now he could try and get him on the right path.

He had then introduced Jake and Connor, but that apparently didn’t seem to go down too well either, he saw that look on Connor’s face as he told Jake he wished he could be more like Connor, he didn’t really think how he would have made him feel by saying that, he would apologise to Connor later, but really he had only been telling the truth, Connor was the son he never had in so many ways. Of course telling Jake he wished he could be more like Connor just earned Bobby another piece of his smart mouth. He shook his head, “What did I tell you about that smart mouth of yours Jake? Stop talking to me like I’m dirt on your shoe. I know you might rather forget the fact, but I am your father, and I think it’s time you listened to me son.”

The next thing he knew Jake was saying he didn’t need the father son talk right now and turned his back on them and began to walk away. Bobby turned to Connor. “See, this is exactly what irritates the hell out of me about him. I’m going after him, you’re welcome to come with me or wait in the car if you want to stay out of any confrontation.” Bobby then gave Connor a gentle slap on the shoulder and began to make his way after Jake. He didn’t let his son get too far away from him, before he grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him back around to face him. “Not so fast Jake. There are things you and I need to talk about. I have heard such terrible things, and as much as I sadly do believe them, I want to hear them straight from the horse’s mouth.” Bobby then began to push Jake in the direction of the door to exit the library, “I think a nice coffee while we sit it out is in order.”

Bobby knew of a small cafe close by which wouldn’t be overly busy at this time of the day, and they could get a booth at the back away from everybody else. He needed to get his son sorted, he just had to pray that Jake would eventually bring down his walls and let him in, and with a bit of luck, maybe Connor might actually be able to knock some sense into him too. Hell he’d ask Connor to go wolf on his son if need be, although he knew Connor didn’t like that side of himself, so he actually would never ask that of Connor.

Jake had never gotten a hit by his father, unless you count the times when he got in trouble as a young boy, but that was it. But now, here he was, a man, and still getting hit by his father. He gasped, allowing his mouth to hang open at his father. Maybe he did deserve what he got from his old man, but maybe not. And maybe he hadn't heard what his father just said. "I haven't forgotten... dad. But where was my so-called dad when I was in jail, huh? Answer me that one." Jake didn't care if he got another smack across the head, or a hit. Didn't really matter either way. If it made his father feel good, then why was he to deny him that.

Jake hadn't missed that smirk come from Connor. So it seemed that he was liking what he was hearing from Robert, and from himself. Jake so wanted to smack that smirk off of his face. But again his mouth ran away with him, when he turned his attention to Connor. "Do you think that this is funny? What, seeing our dysfunctional family having an argument?" Jake then just glared at Connor, and attempted to turn his attnetion back to his father.

All Jake could do was just roll his eyes, and shake his head, when Robert spoke about what he told Jake about his smart mouth. Jake always had something to say, and it didn't worry him in the slightest if he got in trouble. But just not the trouble that would land him in jail again. He so wanted to just tell his father off for what he said about talking down to him, and reminding him that he was his father, and that it was time he honestly listened. Jake then just told him he didn't need the father son talk, and walked off.

Jake soon felt his father's hand on his shoulder, and stopped on the stairs outside. He was soon turned around, facing Robert, who didn't look impressed with Jake right now. So what is new, he thought. Jake kind of half listened to what his father was saying, glancing ever so often at Connor, who was right behind Robert. Once he finished talking, Jake was pushed, and he soon heard his father talk about getting a coffee. He rolled his eyes, at the same time Connor mentioned that the coffee sounded good 'old man'.

Jake's defenses came up again, not liking what he just heard. He turned around, and glared at Connor. "What did you just call my dad?" He so wanted to punch this guy's lights out. Who did he think he was? Jake soon got a handle of himself, and continued to walk in the direction that his father was pushing him in. He just wanted to get this over and done with, so he could go back, and see if he could find that blonde that he had seen in the library.

Connor was suddenly beginning to feel a little bit like a third wheel between Bobby and his actual son, especially when the talk got heated between the two of them. Connor felt like he was now imposing on the father/son time they so both obviously needed. However Connor didn’t make things any easier for himself when he had smirked after Bobby had hit his son on the back of the head, which resulted in Jake going off at him. Connor put both his hands up, “No, no there is no problem here, but at least you’ve got a dad, you should be thankful and grateful for that, not smart mouthing him all the time.” No sooner had he said those words he regretted them, it really wasn’t any of his business was it? But he and Bobby were close friends, and Connor didn’t like it when people spoke to him like that, even if it was his own son. The simple fact that Jake had a dad and didn’t want to know was enough to send Connor off on one, as he really missed his parents and wished they were still in his life now.

Bobby then stuck up for him by having another go at Jake, which Connor didn’t think was a good thing, between what he had just said and Bobby having a go back at Jake, it was probably just going to fuel the fire which was already there. He looked at Bobby awkwardly, “Uhm, thanks Bobby, but it’s alright, just let him get out what he thinks he needs to get out, I can take, I’ve dealt with worse than your son, believe me.” Bobby had then suggested about going for a coffee to sit and talk it out, well for he and Jake to sit and talk it out, Connor would just be that third wheel again, but he had told Bobby it sounded good, adding in his affection term for him, ‘old man’. That was a mistake he soon realised, as Jake went off at him again.

He was about to speak up but Bobby got in pretty quick again and spoke his son down over it, making Connor smirk once more. When Bobby was finished, Connor decided to speak some more, maybe it was going to be his turn to be smart mouthed, but he and Bobby didn’t deserve to be spoken that way, Jake did. “Come on Jake, you’re having a go at me for calling him ‘old man’ in an affectionate way, and you ask me what I’m calling your dad? So he’s only your dad when it suits you, is that it? You’re pathetic Jake.” He then turned to Bobby with an apologetic look on his face, as he shouldn’t talk to Bobby’s son like that, but he found he couldn’t help himself. “Sorry about that Bobby, but he’s annoying me.”

Bobby then marched Jake out of the library and toward the cafe they had passed on their way into the library earlier. Connor followed them both, still feeling like a third wheel, but feeling like he had to be there for Bobby’s benefit, you never knew if Jake would just suddenly up and leave, given his attitude so far it was a high probability. Once they were inside and Bobby called the waitress over he immediately asked for his latte and Connor’s own drink the cappuccino with marshmallows, he loved how Bobby never forgot the coffee he liked the most. He was now waiting for Jake to have another go at his dad knowing exactly what Connor would like to drink without even asking him. Connor had always hoped if he’d ever met Jake that he and Bobby’s son could become friends, like brothers, but looking at him just now, that was the farthest thought from Connor’s mind.

Bobby was truly sick of Jake’s attitude, was it really any wonder he had hardly any time for the one who was his real son? Connor was most definitely the son he wished he’d had. However he wasn’t, his son was Jake and unfortunately you were stuck with your family. When Jake said that he had done things he wasn’t proud of and they all had to live with it, Bobby began to shake his head. But then Jake added that he had to live with it more. “Damn right you have to live with it more. I actually don’t know how you can live with yourself. You raped a girl Jake, it’s disgusting, I don’t even know if she was the only one and that horrifies me.” His voice was low so as not to alert too many people to what he was saying, but he knew it was Jake who had raped that girl, because Jonathan had spoken about it at work. He didn’t know the girl’s name, nor did Jonathan know that it was his son, probably just as well really. “I don’t really know you at all.” What if he had gotten this girl pregnant? She could be carrying his grandchild, not that he was over the moon about that, he’d only be happy to have a grandchild when it was born out of love.

Bobby was quite glad when Connor spoke up saying Jake at least had a dad; he instinctively put his hand on Connor’s arm and gave it a gentle tap. Jakes smart mouth just got in the way again. Bobby just shook his head wondering if there really was any point in trying to talk to his son; it would seem the old saying about a leopard never changing its spots might be true of his son. Yet something was telling Bobby to keep at it, he was his son, his flesh and blood. “Maybe you are old enough to do what you want, but you’re still not too old to get a telling off. Take a good look at yourself Jake. Take a good look at what you’ve become.” Bobby just shook his head again, he was getting somewhat sick of Jake and his fiery attitude, and it had to stop.

When Bobby then told Jake about Connor losing his parents a few years ago he saw that downcast look on Jake’s face for a few seconds. He honestly thought he might have struck home then, but no, the hard exterior was back. Could nothing penetrate through to Jake? It seemed to Bobby that it couldn’t. When Jake said he was sorry about Connor’s parents but wasn’t going to apologise for anything he said, Bobby could feel the anger build within him. “You know Jake when I saw you I thought I would try to help you, but it’s not going to work if you can’t even begin to help yourself. Why get defensive over the terms of endearment? It’s not as if you’ve been around much recently to have the ‘father/son’ relationship that you seem to be protecting so much right now.” Bobby’s voice was raised because he was truly angry with Jake know. How could he show no compassion toward Connor? It was sick. What kind of man had he raised, or at least tried to?

When Connor spoke up about Jake having a go at him, when it was obvious Jake only saw Bobby as a dad when it suited him, he had added that Jake was pathetic and then turned to Bobby to apologise. Bobby just side glanced at him, with a sigh, “It’s alright son, you’re the not the only one he’s annoying.” Bobby then took a hold of Jake and virtually grabbed a hold of him to make sure he’d go to the cafe with them. Once they were in the booth at the cafe and the waitress came over Bobby saw the smile on his son’s face and he just let out a heavy sigh. Maybe his son would never learn. Bobby also caught Jake glaring at Connor, probably because Bobby knew what Connor liked to drink, well tough. Once Jake placed his order and the waitress left, Bobby fired right in asking Jake what the hell he had been playing at and that he thought they had raised him better him. Bobby frowned when Jake began to speak especially when he mentioned about his mum Claudia passing away. Bobby’s heart sank, he still missed Claudia dearly.

“Your mom may have passed away when you were ten Jake, but we still raised you together for ten years, fair enough I was on my own the rest of those years but I still figured I did a good enough job.” Maybe Jake was right, maybe he did do something wrong along the way, how else did he turn out the way he had. He had wanted to shake the life out of Jake, tell him he was a good for nothing, but really when it came to it, some of what Jake was saying was hitting a nerve. Maybe it was his fault, maybe the whole thing was his fault. “Maybe you’re right, maybe this is all a waste of time.” Bobby was going to get up and just leave, but then he stopped himself, he wanted to help Jake, and if he walked away now, then he wasn’t going to do that, was he? “I just want you to start behaving like a decent human being, is that too much to ask for Jake? How do you think your mom would feel knowing you had turned out this way?” He decided to bring in his mom again but use a slightly different approach, maybe that would get Jake thinking, or at least he hoped it would.

So it seemed that his father knew about his other thing that he did. In Jake's eyes he didn't think it was that, but later on after the deed was done, he knew that he had just committed a crime. So in one way he had hoped that no one would find out. He hadn't told anyone, unless that little bitch did, that he had sex with twice. But then he remember all of the drug related news about him getting caught, so she had probably seen his picture, then told someone. Though he wondered why he didn't get busted for the rape. That was a mystery and a grateful thing on his part. The time in jail was enough to deter him from doing anything to put him back in there.

Jake just shook his head slightly, not bothering to look at his father. He was kind of glad that Robert was not raising his voice. But he knew that he would definately cop it later when they weren't in such a public place. Just hearing his father say he didn't know Jake at all, kind of hurt him, but that feeling soon subsided. He could feel the anger inside him a little, hearing what he father said, in his head again. Jake so wanted to just yell at him, but he knew well enough to not bring attention to himself.

Jake then had told them that he was old enough to do what he wanted. His father replied back, and once again Jake just rolled his eyes. He just was getting sick of saying the same things over and over, and he just wished that his father would just disappear, leave him alone, and let him get back to finding that girl that he had spotted before he got interrupted. Jake shifted on his feet, and put his hands on his waist. He was certainly hearing what Robert was saying, and in someways he knew he should listen, but then his smart ass personality would get in the way. Then Connor put his hands up, and commented on what Jake was in his eyes. Jake looked up and kind of glared at Connor, but then looked away, wishing for this nighmare to be over.

After Jake said that he wasn't going to apologise for anything that he had said, he coped it from both angles. Firstly, his father spoke about trying to help him, but it wasn't going to work if Jake couldn't help himself. Then it sounded like he was blaming Jake for not being around. Secondly, Connor put his two cents in, talking about jealousy, and about how he should have been in Robert's life, and about being brothers. Jake just shook his head, smirking at that one. This Connor guy was definately not his brother, and would never be. He was too much a goody-two-shoes in his book. "Fine. If you don't think you can cure me, then go and be his father. Seems that you want him more than you want me right now." Jake turned and really looked at Robert. "So if that is all you are wanting right now, all that heart to heart stuff, you aren't going to get it here."

After Robert commented to what Connor said, about Jake annoying him, Jake was virtually grabbed and pushed towards the cafe. Jake knew this wasn't the end of it. He would have to go along with whatever his father wanted to do right now, and live with this day, the longest day in his life. Once the waitress to their orders, his father began to lay into him again. Jake just wanted to bury his head in the ground, or somehow just disappear from this current situation. Why did he not get an ability like his father?

Jake was waiting for his father to speak, after Jake had mentioned his mother. He had turned away, feeling the emotions from that time when he was ten. Instead of hearing his father's voice, he heard Connors. Jake continued to stare out the window trying so hard to ignore what he was saying. But of cause he couldn't, and as he turned, he could feel his eyes misting up, which he knew that both his father and Connor would see. "Well maybe you deserve each other. If you want to leave, just leave." Jake looked at Connor more, then looked at his father briefly, but then he turned to look out the window again. He tried to hard to hold back the tears, but it wasn't working. Soon Jake felt them fall, and that was the end of it. His walls were crashing down.

Jake tried to listen what his father was saying. He spoke about Claudia, and about his he thought he had done a good job without her. Then a few seconds later, Robert added that maybe Jake was right, and that maybe it was a waste of time, basically talking to Jake. Jake hung his head, still unable to look at his father, knowing that what he might look like now, what with getting so upset. He let out a breath as he thought he felt his father get up, but then he was back, talking more. Jake raised his head at this point, still unable to look at either of them. Then the mention of his mother came into the conversation, and that just did it. The tears just started to flow more. Jake slowly turned, eyes closed, but then opened them to look at his Robert, swallowing some of the tears back. "I'm sorry."