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Linda and her brother arrived at 1800 on Monday. Matty greeted his mother warmly; but his uncle with a surprising amount of veiled contempt, for an eight-year-old, it seems that somehow the boy picked up his uncles true character.

When asked, Matty said he would like Chinese for dinner; so, Jim asked Joe if he would go pick up the take-out and take Matty along to show him where the restaurant was located. He gave Joe money and sent them on their way.

Jim wanted to start a conversation with Linda; so, he pulled her into a hug. She stiffened and backed away from him.

"Okay, Linda, could you please tell me what is up with you right now," Jim asked with as much control of his emotions as he could muster.

"Jim, I'm not going to argue; I have not been happy for years. Like I've told you before, I'm fed up living with the Corps. I'm tired of moving, and I'm tired of being third in your life, after your son and the Corps," Linda said with not a little acrimony in her words.

"Fine, Linda; but, I can't believe how cold you're being. We've just lost a child and we haven't even had any time to grieve. I would have thought you would wait a bit before hitting me with this.

If you're expecting a fight about the divorce, you won't get it; but, you can be sure that Matty is my number-one concern in all this. And you are not taking him back to Jersey," Jim said as firmly as possible, without anger. He didn't want to give her ammunition for any future confrontations.

"We'll just see about that," she said.

The conversation ended in a stalemate. Linda stormed off to her bedroom and Jim took Ian out in the backyard to let off some steam. It wasn't too much later when Joe and Matty returned with dinner, and they all sat down to eat. Conversation was confined to niceties, and both Jim and Linda tried to be as pleasant as possible, for Matty's sake. Matty filled in his mom in all the events of the weekend, the new puppies, the trip to the beach, and the boat ride.

"And Jimmy's papa is moving down to the beach into a huge house, and it has an elevator, a dock...oh, and a pool and hot tub...and he said we could pick whatever bedroom we want for when we come to visit him. Even Uncle Matt doesn't get to pick a room like us," Matty gloated.

"It's Uncle Matt, already, huh?" Joe asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Joe, try to remember you're a guest in my house; I expect you to conduct yourself in that manner," Jim said with a stern look at his brother-in-law.

Joe made no comment; he simply tried to give Jim an intimidating look. Of course it failed and Jim continued to stare back at his brother-in-law, daring him to open his mouth again.

It was already close to 2000; so Jim told Matty to get his things together and say goodnight to his mom and uncle. He headed out the door to Matt's house, with Matty and Ian in tow.

When he returned, he noticed sheets and a pillow lying on the couch. He picked them up and walked into the bedroom, where he found Linda going through clothes in her closet.

"What are you doing in here?" she snapped.

"I'm going to bed; I have to be up at 0500 hours to run, and then I have work to do," Jim replied.

"Then sleep on the couch," she snapped again.

"Okay, let's get this straight, right now," he replied. "This is what you want... not me. I'm not leaving my house, my bed, or anything else. So, if you don't want to sleep with me, fine. You can have the couch or Matty's bed; but, I'm not leaving mine," he said as he went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. When he came back into the bedroom, she was gone, along with the pillow and sheets.

Jim slipped into bed. He needed something to think about to block out the events of the evening; and he knew just the thing. With a satisfied grin, he fell asleep thinking about Matt's hot, naked, muscled body.

The next morning, Jim got up and went on his usual run with Matt. Afterwards, he stopped in and joined Matty, Jimmy, Frank, and Matt for a quick breakfast. When he finished eating, he went home to dress for work. He found Linda drinking coffee in the kitchen.

"Good morning," Jim said, but received no response from her.

"So, that's how it's going to be; oh well. I told Matty to come home after breakfast to see you. What are your plans today?"

"I'll be packing my things and getting ready to leave tomorrow. I will also be making an appointment with a lawyer. Can you arrange for Matty to stay with his 'Uncle Matt' today? I really don't want him with me when I go to the lawyer," she said with the caustic tone that she always seemed to reserve for Matt.

"That's no problem; just send him and Ian over when you're ready to leave," he answered with a level tone in his voice. Jim showered, dressed, and headed off to work.

In the short time that he had been at his new job, he had made quite a favorable impression on his boss, especially by giving up his leave to help the boss out of a jam the previous week. After checking to see if everything was running smoothly, he knocked on his CO's door and was told to enter. Jim explained the situation with his wife and the need to meet with the attorneys that morning.

Luck was on Jim's side; the Major had once been through a similar divorce and sympathized with him. He gave Jim the day off plus the use of the conference room to conduct the consultation by phone with the attorney, so Jim wouldn't have to drive all the way to Wilmington.

With all the attorney meetings over within a surprisingly short amount of time, Jim headed home around 1300 to check on things there. He had called Finn and brought him up to date; and he had also checked with Matt to make sure all was well with the boys. When he pulled up to the house, he noticed that Linda's car was not there; but didn't think much about it.

Grabbing the lunch he had picked up on the drive home, he started to enter through the front door, but his key didn't work. "That fucking bitch," he said to himself as he checked the doors from the garage and the mud room in the back of the house. She had changed all the locks.

This was something Finn had said might happen. Apparently, Finn told him at the time, she found a lawyer, albeit not one of the good ones, and followed the attorney's advice. What puzzled him was why she would change all the locks if she was planning to leave so quickly? He immediately called Finn to relate what happened and posed the same question. Finn's best guess was that she might only be trying to provoke him.

"Well, Marine, you're going to have to do what every man does when he locks himself out of his house, break a window," Finn said; "and by the way, the judge has signed the standing order. I'm on the way to pick it up and I'll deliver it to you within the hour."

"Thanks, Finn; you're a life saver," Jim said and hung up. Finding an old rag in the garage to protect his hand, Jim broke a windowpane in the back door and let himself in. He called Matt and filled him in and told Matt to keep Matty indoors and not release him to anyone but Jim.

Jim was sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich when Linda and Joe burst through the door. "What the FUCK are you doing in here?" she screamed, looking like a crazed animal.

"Eating my lunch," Jim said calmly; "and, by the way, I left my house keys at work, so I had to break a window in the back door. I'll fix it after lunch." He could hardly stop himself from laughing when he saw the look of consternation on her face, and the look on her brother's face was even funnier.

"Well, you'll have to deal with that yourself; I'll be packing everything into the van that I want to take for myself and Matty. We'll be leaving this afternoon. I'll leave you my house keys and the name of my lawyer," she said smugly, thinking she had pulled one over on him. Not realizing that he knew she had changed the locks.

"Linda, we've been over this; you are not taking my son from this house. I don't see how I can make myself any clearer," Matt said with his jaw locked, trying to maintain his composure.

"She'll do whatever she wants, and you'll have to go through..." Joe began retorting, when Jim cut him off.

"Joe, I think you need to close your mouth and mind your own business; this has nothing to do with you," Jim said, remembering to control his temper and not give them any ammunition.

"Joe, just shut up and start loading those boxes in the van," Linda told her brother.

Jim knew that Finn was on his way with the paperwork; but, he chose not to mention that. While Joe and Linda were loading the van; he went into the back yard and made a quick call to Matt.

"Listen, Matt, if Joe or Linda comes over there to get Matty, don't let him go. She's loading up and wants to leave today. Finn is on his way with the injunction; so I want to stall her."

"No problem; I'll send the boys on a hike in the woods with the puppies and tell them not to come home until one of us calls them," Matt said.

"Great plan, Captain, replied Jim. "That way, if there's any scene, the kids won't be there to see it."

He concluded the call and went back into the house. Linda and Joe were busy packing the car; so, he left them to it and began to check his email. While reading through a few unimportant notes, his mind began to wander. He was not looking forward to fighting Linda for custody of his son; but, the idea of being rid of her greatly appealed to him. The funny thing was, in retrospect, he could see clearly how manipulative she had been throughout their entire marriage. He also realized that, because of the situation between them, he had compensated by spending more time at work than at home, just so he wouldn't have to deal with her.

He was so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed how quiet it had become. He walked into the living room, looked out the front window, and saw Linda sitting behind the wheel of the van. Across the street, he saw Joe at Matt's door. He decided to remain at the window and just observe, knowing that Matty wasn't anywhere around.

At that same moment, Finn and Frank were approaching the houses. They noticed Joe and Matt having a very animated discussion.

"Who's that?" Finn asked.

"That's Linda's twin brother, Joe," Frank told him.

Finn didn't hesitate. He called the police immediately, identified himself, told the dispatcher he was there to serve a judge's injunction, and requested the presence of an officer.

They parked in front of the house next door and lowered the windows. They could hear the two talking loudly; but they couldn't quite hear everything being said.

The scene was almost funny. There stood Matt, six feet of solid muscle in a pair of gym shorts and sleeveless tee shirt, looking like a Marine recruiting poster, and facing his former classmate, the once young and handsome star quarterback at Matt's high school, who was now a balding, fat slob trying to intimidate Matt like he did when they were teenagers. Of course, just like everything else in his life, Joe was failing here, as well.

Because he was an ex-trooper, Frank had a license to carry a concealed weapon, which was locked in a strong-box bolted to the floor of his trunk. He exited the car and quietly moved around to the trunk, retrieved the gun, and placed it in the waistband of his pants.

Finn left the car at the same time and silently walked toward the arguing duo. Signaling Matt not to alert Joe about his presence, he positioned himself behind Joe and began recording the confrontation with his cell phone.

By that time, Frank was walking towards the scene. He got close enough to hear what was being said and, as he had already surmised, the argument was about Matty. Joe was demanding that Matt let him take the boy.

"Not going to happen, Joe," Matt said with a clenched jaw.

By that time, Finbar had moved a bit to the right for a better viewing angle. Joe was so intensely focused on berating Matt that he wasn't aware of Finn's presence.

"Listen, Captain Leo," Joe spat out, "you may be some hot-shot Marine Captain with a little extra muscle; but, all I see is the same little faggot you've always been. So, I suggest you get my nephew out here, this minute, because I'm done playing with your pansy ass."

"Like I said, Joe, it's not going to happen; so I suggest you remove yourself from my property," Matt replied calmly. He looked down at Joe, knowing full well that he could swat Joe like a mosquito, if he chose to. At the same time, Matt was trying his best not to alert Joe about the two men nearing them.

Joe was so angry that his face had flushed a dark red, and he was beginning to hyperventilate. He reached under his shirt and quickly, but clumsily, pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Matt.

"You heard me, faggot; you got one minute to get my nephew out here or...," Joe screamed, shaking with nerves and anger.

Frank's commanding voice abruptly interrupted his tirade.

"I suggest you drop your weapon and get down on the ground, Joe," Frank said in his best trooper voice; "because, believe me, my gun is bigger than yours, and I'm not shaking."

Joe's voice stilled and his eyes widened when he turned his head toward Frank. With Finn recording the entire scene, Joe's shoulders slumped as he lowered the gun and collapsed to his knees.

At that moment, the police arrived with guns drawn and ordered Frank to lower his weapon, which he did promptly.

He looked toward the police and said, "Officers, my name is Frank Leo, and I am a retired New Jersey State Trooper, licensed to carry in both New Jersey and North Carolina. If you'll permit me to get my wallet, I'll show you my license," Frank said, knowing that police officers respond well to that type of request.

"That will be fine, sir; but, I need to take your weapon, for the time being." With no hesitation, Frank handed his gun to the young officer, while the other trooper hand-cuffed the still-kneeling Joe and brought him to his feet.

Linda and Jim, both of whom had been watching what was going on, rushed across the street at the same time.

Jim went to Finn. Linda rushed to her brother and began screaming at him. "What the fuck were you thinking, Joe!?! You have screwed things up for me royally!" She stared with fury as the cop guided her brother to the patrol car.

"Apparently, Mrs. Flannery, he wasn't thinking clearly," Finn said, startling Linda, who hadn't seen him approach her. He extended his hand and said, "My name is Finbar Burns, and I represent your husband." She refused his hand, and Finn simply smiled. He reached inside his coat to remove an envelope, and handed it to Linda. "This is a temporary injunction preventing you from removing your son from your home or the state until the hearing set for next Tuesday, before Judge Robertson. All the information is in the envelope." Linda snatched the envelope from Finn's hand; she was so angry she was shaking.

Finn couldn't help himself, and added, "I was lucky enough to film almost all of your brother's performance, at least the best parts, and I'll be providing a copy to the police. If your attorney would like a copy, please feel free to contact my office," he said, then smiled and walked away.

Furious, Linda stormed over to Jim, who was standing with Matt as the police took his statement. She put her face inches from his and screamed, "I'm not done with you yet, you fucking ass-hole; and if you think I'm going to let you keep my son, you've got another think coming! You can get all the court orders you want; but it still won't stop me. I'll take him anyway!" she continued to scream, until the policeman interrupted her.

"Ma'am, you do realize I will have to add your threat to my report," he said calmly.

Linda looked around in shock at what the officer had just said; she seemed to lose touch with reality for a moment, as her anger continued to increase. She looked from the policeman to Jim, then to Matt and Frank, and finally to Finn, who was still filming her tirade.

When she realized what Finn was doing, she snapped and ran towards him, screaming "I'm going to shove that phone down your throat, you fucking piece of shit." The police officer grabbed her just before she reached Finn. Looking at Finn, the officer asked if he would like to press charges.

"No; that won't be necessary, officer. I think Mrs. Flannery is just a bit upset," Finn replied calmly as he handed the cell phone over to Matt to resume the filming. The officer released Linda, who ran to the patrol car to confer with her brother.

The police completed their interviews and returned Frank's gun. Linda followed her brother to the police station, probably to bail him out, Jim surmised. Jim laughed silently to himself, because he had closed all the joint credit cards earlier that day and removed half the money from their shared savings account, leaving Linda with probably much less than she had counted on.

After everyone settled down, the four men met in Matt's kitchen to make plans for the next few days. Finn advised them to keep everything the way it was and let Linda make all the moves, until their hearing with the judge; but, he added that Jim should keep detailed notes of everything that happened, to include time and date plus a diary of where he was at all times.

With business finished, they called the boys back from their hike. After giving each puppy a bowl of water, the first thing the boys wanted to do was jump in the pool. After a quick swim, Jim told Matty it was time to head home for dinner. If Linda came home, fine; if not, at least he was continuing as normally as possible.

Linda did arrive; just as they were sitting down to eat. Her mood was dark; but, for Matty's sake, she pretended nothing was wrong and ate dinner with them. After the meal, she disappeared into the guest room. Jim could hear her talking to her family in Jersey; but, he didn't hang around to listen too closely.

Jim and his son sat on the couch and watched a baseball game until it was time for the boy to go to bed. Once Matty was asleep, Jim knocked on the guest room door and asked Linda to open the door. She did, with a scowl on her face.

"What the fuck do you want?" she whispered.

"Just wanted to talk; but, it seems that you're not interested. Goodnight."

The next morning Jim met Matt for their run. He had begun leaving his clothes at Matt's, so he could shower and get dressed for work there. After their run, they were in the shower, talking about the events of the previous day. Jim was stealing looks at Matt's body and ended up with a hard-on that Matt could hardly ignore.

"Looks like your little buddy is crying out for attention," Matt commented.

"You're right; but, watch who you're calling little," Jim said as he grabbed his hard cock and stroked it.

"Go ahead, Jim, finish it off. I'm sure you're not getting anything at home."

Jim looked over at Matt and noticed that his cock was on the rise as well. "Only if you join me," Jim said.

"Sure, why not. I'd be doing it after you left anyway," Matt said, as he grabbed his cock and began stroking with Jim.

The guys stood together under the shower head, enjoying their mutual jack-off session and never taking their eyes off each other's cock. They both began to breathe hard and, as if it were planned, they shot ropes of cum on each other's stomach. After their almost simultaneous orgasms, they looked in each other's eyes and smiled.

"Just like old times," Jim said.

"Yeah, I guess," Matt responded, with a somewhat wistful smile on his face.

They dried themselves and Jim dressed, then headed home to check on Matty

When he walked in, he was surprised to see Linda cooking breakfast, and even more surprised when she offered him some. After breakfast, Jim thanked Linda and prepared for work. As he was leaving, he asked Matty to come out to the car, on the pretext of making plans for the afternoon when he got home.

Once outside at the car, Jim asked his son if he still had his phone.

"Yeah Dad, I got it on vibrate; and I didn't tell anybody I had it," Matty replied.

"Good boy," Jim said, as he hugged his son; "you're going to make a great Marine someday."

"Really, Dad, you really think so?" the excited boy asked.

"I sure do. The most important thing about being a Marine is to follow orders; and you're doing it very well."

Later that day, Jim's phone beeped while he was in the middle of a training session. He took a quick peak at the screen and saw that it was Matty calling. He excused himself and went out into the hall to answer.

"Dad, mom got Uncle Joe out of jail, and they got me in the car, and they're takin' me with 'em to go back to grandmom's house," Matty blurted out as soon as he heard his Dad's voice.

"Where are you now," Jim asked, trying to remain calm.

"We're at a McDonald's in New Bern. I told 'em I had to pee, and I'm hiding in the bathroom."

"Okay, buddy, you did good. Don't worry about anything; I'll take care of it all. Just pretend to go along with them," Matt told him.

His first stop was his CO to let him know the situation and secure permission to leave. Next he called Finn to let him know the latest. Then he called Matt and explained the situation; Frank was there and told Jim to stop by and pick him up. Jim drove as fast as he could and reached Matt's house in record time. Frank took over driving, and they headed north on route 17, pushing the speed limits all the way. Jim's phone rang again as they drove into New Bern.

"Daddy, we're at the Dismal Swamp rest stop. I'm pretending I have a stomach ache, and I'm in the bathroom," his son said.

"Good work, son. Me and Uncle Frank are on the way; so, just play along with 'em and don't let 'em find out you called me," Jim said.

"Hurry, Daddy. Uncle Joe is scaring me; he's acting, like, really weird or something," Matty told him.

With Frank driving, Jim was free to work the phone. He called Finn with the latest news plus the location and description of the car to give to the police. They pressed on and Frank kept talking to Jim trying to keep him calmed. Frank empathized with Matt; he could only imagine, if he were chasing his own son who was being kidnapped.

The Dismal Swamp was just a few miles south of the Virginia state line; so, if Linda and her brother crossed the state line, it would be kidnapping, which would involve the FBI. But that was the least of Jim's worries at the moment; he just wanted his son back.

As they were approaching the Dismal Swamp rest stop, they saw smoke, miles ahead down 17.