Okay, so this is just something that popped into my head. It starts in sometime in 2002. There will be lots of B&B comments made in later chapters, but for now its more focused on B&B's brothers.

Russ Brennan entered Frati Gasi, a local bar in the area. Russ had decided to try and find work in North Carolina, since out West was a bust. He had spent the past decade trying to find a job in a number of cities, and had come out with almost zero job experience. Sure, it made it a lot harder to get a job without a college diploma, but life didn't really give him that opportunity.

Russ wasn't one to go drink away his sorrows, but today was Tempe's birthday. His little sister was twenty-six today. Like always, he called her to wish her a happy birthday, and like always, he ended up talking to an answering machine. He still felt bad leaving her after Mom and Dad left, but she didn't want him around and kept blaming him for their parents' disappearance. And then, with everyone hinting that she would do better if she were in foster care, he figured she'd do better without him. He just didn't realize that she would completely cut him out of his life because of it.

After ordering a beer, Russ turned his attention to the football game that was on. Steelers were playing Bengals. At least until a younger guy came and sat down next to him. Russ took a quick glance at the guy. He was fairly tall, with light brown eyes. He had a thinner face than Russ, and a military style hair cut. "Who's winning?" the younger guy asked.

"Steelers are killing us," Russ replied, his eyes never leaving the screen.

"Bengals fan, huh?"

"Born in Ohio. You're a Steelers' fan, then?"

"Entire family is. Always have been as far as I know."

The two sat there watching the game for a while; ordering a new beer whenever their bottles became empty. Russ couldn't help but notice his drinking buddy was going through beers about three times faster than he was. Eventually, half time rolled around.

"So, if you're from Ohio, why are you here?"

"Looking for work. Doesn't seem like there's enough of it anywhere in this country."

"Always join the military. They're always looking for people." Russ let out a small laugh at his companion's idea.

"Not much for rules. I tend to end breaking them. "

"Well, then I don't have any suggestions."

"What do you do?"

"I'm in the Navy. Stationed at Cheery Point. Not quite sure how I ended up at a marine base, though."

"That's only a few miles from here, right?"

"Yeah, which is why I'm here. They've got the best beer on tap." Russ gave a half smile towards the kid. He had to admit, the beer selection was pretty good. The Navy man reached out his hand. "I'm Jared, by the way."

"Russ." There was no reason to give last names to a stranger in a bar.

The two men sat there for a minute watching a few commercials, before Russ asked, "So, you couldn't get any of the other sailors to come grab a drink with you?"

"Nah, most of us went out last night too. Serge was going to be on our asses tonight if we weren't there."

"How'd you get out of it?"

"Claimed I was sick."

"Sounds like you don't follow the rules much either."

Jared gave a smirk. "Probably more than you."

"I haven't pulled any stunts like that since I was nineteen. Oh, the game's back on," Russ pointed out.

Then men watched as the Bengals got slaughtered by the Steelers; Jared was cheering them on as Russ complained about the terrible offense. Eventually though, the game came to a close.

"That was a good game," Jared said as he stood up, an arrogant grin spreading across his face.

"Only because you destroyed us. But we'll get you back next game."

"Yeah, right," Jared answered dismissively.

"I'm serious, Jared. We've got a good line up this year."

"I can tell from that game." Jared was about to head out when he realized that Russ had yet to move from his seat. "You're sticking around for awhile?"

"Yeah. I got some things I need to sort out."

"You didn't just come here for the game did you?" Jared asked sitting back down.

"Nah. Honestly, I forgot it was on until I got here."

"Wanna talk about why you're here?"

"It's my little sister's birthday. And she's not answering the phone… again."

"You guys don't get along."

"We used to," Russ shrugged. "But then some stuff came up, and now she won't talk to me; no matter how many times I call her." Russ didn't think it was fair to dump his entire life story on Jared. Kid seemed nice enough, but not something he needed to carry around. He wasn't even sure why he was telling him about Tempe.

"She still loves you." There was no doubt in the Navy officer's voice.

"You seem pretty sure about that one."

"You're her big brother. No matter what happens, part of her will always still care about you. Even if you kill someone, she'll stick behind you."

"How can you be so sure?"

"With all the stuff my big brother and I have gone through, I've wanted to kick his ass a couple of time. But I've always loved him, just because he's my big brother."

"No, I'm pretty sure that she hates me," Russ informed his knew friend. "If I'm lucky, she'll eventually forgive me."

"She will. It must be tough on your parents. Having you two fighting all the time."

"They don't know about it." Russ hoped that Jared would just assume that his parents were oblivious or that he and Tempe were good hiding their disagreements, and just not ask any more questions about it.

Suddenly a beeper went off. It seemed as though everyone in the bar immediate went to check their own. It was Jared's however. "My CO wants me back ASAP. Apparently, he found out I was just skipping out. I'm gonna pay for this tomorrow."

"Well, it was good talking to you." Russ stuck out a hand, and Jared shook it. "Thanks for the advice with my sister."

"Thanks for watching the game with me. We should do it again." Russ nodded and immediately grabbed a napkin and wrote down his current cell phone number.

"For the next Bengal/ Steelers game."

"Why do I feel like you're hitting on me?" Jared asked.

"I don't go that way. Way more interested in woman."

Jared smiled. "Good to know we can agree on at least one thing. See you around, man."

"See ya."

So, what do you guys think? Good, bad, okay? Let me know if you have any ideas about where this story should go. I have a general idea, but that's about it.