He looked at Jax. “It’s probably nothing.â€?

“You sure? You know I got your back, right?â€?

“Yeah, I know. For almost a decade now,â€? Marlo gave Jax a thin, weary smile. “Let’s go look at that tape.â€?

Jax slapped him on the back. “You know for a minute there Sparky, I thought you was kinda going girly on me.â€?

“Oh, yeah?â€? Marlo replied with a raised eyebrow, ready to beat Jax to the punchline he knew was coming.

“Yeah,â€? Jax snorted. “And you’d make one ugly chick, hombre.â€?

But Marlo was ready, his mood had lifted marginally. “I hear that’s what your dad told your mother last night, ya clown.â€?

“Oh… good one,â€? Jax grinned. “You got jokes…â€?

The last of Jackson’s snappy comeback was drowned out by a loud boom. His eyes were suddenly as round and as large as the proverbial saucers; his mouth was a perfect “Oâ€?. He looked at Marlo with hurt and confusion before slowly falling, one clumsy hand unsuccessfully attempting to cover a dark, wet stain blooming on the left side of his chest.