If Shannon thought that this response would make Jackie back off or think twice about his methods, then he thought wrong. There was a short pause before Jackie laughed at what he said, not at all bothered by his words. If there was one thing Shannon was going to learn before the day was done, it was that it took a lot to mess with an old drag queen and make her crumble before someone.

"Now that's what I wanted to hear. With you, I don't have to worry about him," he said, his tone more like a gentle mother's more than anything. "He's been through a lot, more than you probably realize, and I don't want him to go through anything like that ever again. Keep that fire directed at anyone who wants to hurt him and you'll be fine."