(Major credit goes to Jason Isaacs Fangirl on tumblr for helping me out on this one. Fair warning; it will get weird in places. Obviously, warning for language, violence and disturbing content at times. All sex "scenes" are pretty well implied aside from a few.)

Brotherhood S4

Tommy: (V/O) Previously, on Brotherhood.

Tommy stood as the newly-elected Speaker, saying, "Ok. The House will come to order"

Meanwhile, at Rose's house, the phone rang, then went to answering machine; it was Michael. "I just wanted to let you know…I'm ok, Ma…and I love you…I guess that's it…"

…..

Ch. 1: Homecoming.

It had been a few weeks since Michael Caffee had left after the shootout in the street by Rose's house. He'd been shaken like never before, and figured it'd be best for everyone if he left for a while. Now, he'd come back, assuming that the heat on him had gone down, and returned to 'district headquarters'. He'd be more careful as to whom he trusted, and who he stayed with. He'd heard through reliable sources; eavesdropping on police officers; that Freddie Cork had, once again, taken over the 'mob' behind Michael's back. Boss or not, Michael was going to make sure that everyone knew the real boss was back in town.

Michael slunk quietly inside, undetected. Freddie stood, currently facing away from him, talking to Smallface Brennan. Silent John was keeping watch, and saw Michael approaching. He was about to say something, when Michael gave him a look that said 'Don't say a word'. Staying true to him moniker, he kept quiet as Michael stalked up behind Freddie. Before Smallface Brennan could warn him, Michael had Freddie in a near-inescapable chokehold, walking him backwards, away from any possible help he might receive; knife to his throat. He took Freddie a few feet out of anyone's reach, but still in everyone's sight, growling, "You running things behind my back, you fucking rat?!"

Freddie gave a gasp of air, trying to stand as Michael dragged him on his heels; his hands clawing at Michael's arms, trying to get a grip on him. It served no purpose, as Michael had his jacket on; he couldn't get at any skin on his arms, at least. The closest skin he could get to was at neck-level, around his face.

But Michael was two steps ahead of him, flipping him onto his back, on the floor, before he could even reach up. He knelt down, over Freddie, purring, "Thanks for holding the fort while I was gone," in a heavily sarcastic manner. "Consider yourself relieved of the burden." He left Freddie on the floor, and stood, looking to Silent John; who'd grabbed a rather large chain; saying, "Don't…" pulling a gun from inside his jacket and aiming at him. Silent John subconsciously took a step forward, testing Michael; who shot him in the thigh. When John stumbled to the ground, clutching his leg, Michael shrugged, "Told you not to…" He stepped over John, kicking the chain out of reach, then said to the rest of the guys that were in the room, "Let that be a lesson to the rest of you…don't test me." Silent John gave a groan of pain, and Michael scoffed, "You're fine, you fuckin' pussy…You've got one good leg; drive yourself to the hospital…Mention my name, you won't have a good leg."

With that, Michael left. Freddie sat up, muttering, "Fucking cunt, Caffee!"

Michael's next stop was Rose's house. The whole family was in the middle of dinner; Colin included. Tommy was seated at the head of the table, Eileen across from him. Rose had taken the chair she'd always sat in; the chair that she could see the door from in case Michael came home. The kids were at their own table, which was actually closer to the door; which was why Mary Rose was the one to get up when there was a knock at the door.

Mary Rose was surprised when she opened the door, gasping, "Uncle Michael?"

"Hey kiddo" Michael smiled. When Rose heard Michael's voice, she pretty well jumped from her chair as he came inside, embracing him in a bone-crushing hug. As their embrace broke, Michael sighed, "I'm…not staying…"

"Don't be silly!" Rose laughed, "Stay for dinner! We've only just started." She started toward the table, and frowned when Michael remained in place.

Michael's attention was now toward Tommy; who looked up at him with a smile. Michael shared a brief smile, nodding, "Mr. Speaker," then looked back to Rose, "…Colin here?" He couldn't see the entire table from his current angle. Rose, Tommy, and Eileen all looked to the far side of the table, to Colin; who was still sporting a black eye from when Michael had last seen him. Colin's heart sunk. He knew exactly why Michael was asking for him. He sat still for a moment, until urged by Rose to stand. "Tell 'im to meet me outside." Michael growled; a lack of patience when it came to his cousin. Colin joined him outside, and Michael ordered, "Get in the car" opening the passenger side door.

"Where're we goin'?" Colin asked with a nervous chuckle.

"We're goin' for a drive" Michael stated, choosing not to tell him where they were really going. After a quiet drive, Michael stopped in the middle of nowhere; the same middle of nowhere he'd brought Pete when he'd gotten drunk for the first time since getting clean, and threatened to kill him if he screwed up again.

"Where are we?" Colin asked, looking around at the area.

"Get out the car" Michael ordered, ignoring Colin's question. When Colin seemed confused, Michael repeated his order, putting direct emphasis on each word, "Get. Out. Of. The. Car"

Colin took off his seatbelt as slow as possible, and did the same as he opened the door and got out. Michael had gotten out and stood at his door, waiting. "So…" Colin stammered, not knowing what else to say or do, "Now what?"

"Start walking" Michael said, giving another order.

"Wha…?"

"Start walking…I'll catch up to you"

"Any specific direction?...Landmark?"

"Nope…Just walk" Michael commanded, quietly placing a silencer on the muzzle of his gun. Michael caught up to Colin, kicked him in the back, getting him down, and held him by the collar, throwing a few good punches to his face as he turned him over. "You fuckin' left Kath in Ohio, you fucking cunt?!" He threw a few more punches to his jaw, smiling, "Didn't think I'd hear about it?!" He straddled Colin's waist, then held him by the jaw, leaning in close, "I don't know what's worse…That, or fucking her behind my back"

"We never fucked" Colin stammered, putting his hands up to protect his face against any new blows, "Honest"

Michael ignored Colin's comment, purring in his ear, "Pack whatever bags you brought…and go the fuck back to Belfast." As he stood, Colin figured he had nothing left to lose, and aimed a kick directly for Michael's groin. Michael buckled in immediate pain, ending up in a ball on the floor; Colin backing away, in too much pain to stand up. Michael; trying to see through tearing eyes; groaned, looking for Colin. "Make your own way back…I'll see ya when I see ya," he let out a pained groan, holding his legs together, then said, "If not, good fucking riddance."

Colin stood slowly, staggering away with a headache. Michael remained on the floor, still in agony. It was then that Declan Giggs approached, laughing as he crouched next to Michael. "D'ya get nutted, Mikey?"

"Fuck off…" Michael groaned.

"Hey," Declan laughed, "I'm not the one that kicked you in the balls"

Michael groaned, "Ugh…fuck" As he stood up from the ground, he stood still for a moment, bent at the waist.

Declan laughed again, walking around Michael, behind him, and patted him on the butt; to which, Michael stiffened slightly; saying, "Might wanna ice that when you get home." Michael gave another groan, staggering to the car. He sat in the car for a while, watching Declan head to a pub, then figured he'd do the same. He hadn't eaten in a while.

After he'd eaten, he headed back to the bunker that he'd stayed in before he'd left; the one that he'd taken Eddie to and stabbed him in the leg about a month ago. in a fit of rage.