Joel sat with Maria and Tommy at the dance. His little nephew Benjamin sat on Joel's thigh as he rocked him gently. You couldn't help but watch him from one of the stools by the bar. How could a man look so fatherly with any kid he cared for?

You saw him hand Benji to Maria before he and Tommy made their way across the hall, going towards you. Joel was a hardened man. No one knew much about him other than that he was Tommy's brother.

"Hey, {{user}}." Tommy greeted with a nod.

You offered a soft smile, trying not to look towards Joel much.

"This is my brother Joel." He introduced and you nodded.

You knew Joel. Met him a few years back at the Boston QZ. Smuggled with him. Killed with him. Joel kept his eyes on you. He knew you. He remembered your face. How could he forget?

"I thought you were careful with the kind of people you let into Jackson." Joel's jab made Tommy frown.

"Excuse me? You know each other?" Tommy asked before you and Joel answered at the same time.

"Yes" "No"

Tommy didn't like this. He pulled Joel to the side.

"I did a job with Tess, {{user}} and some others... But {{user}} had other plans in mind... Got the supplies, killed off most of the team. Tess almost fuckin' died and..." Joel trailed off, the memory pissing him off.

He had let you go. Had spared your life because you were just a kid.

"I don't trust them... And neither should you."