A/N - Hi. I'm on my mum's computer and I just had to write this cause it's been bugging me. It's a step away from my usual Harry Stories, just a little something to keep you going. There's no real reason behind it, just some thoughts which I think Sean would be feeling after everything which happened.

And into the darkness he walked.

He didn't know where he was going, what he was going to do, why he was doing it but that didn't matter. For him all that matter, truly in the bottom of his heart, was that Amy and Roxy were safe. There was nothing left for him back in Walford, everything he knew or believed was either gone or different. Going back would only ever serve as a reminder to the pain and suffering he had been through.

They could have survived, there was a chance it would have all been sorted out. He could have sat down and understood why things had turned out the way they had. He didn't blame Roxy. They'd only been messing around at the start, having a bit of fun. He got that but what he couldn't understand was why she hadn't told him the moment they'd decided to become a family, she knew how much it meant. Sure he might not have handled it well, he might have shouted and raged but he would have known. He wouldn't feel betrayed.

But it wasn't even all the pain of finding out that Amy wasn't his, that was breaking his heart the most. It was his Stacey. He loved her beyond all else, and despite the fact that she was only doing what she knew was right, she ultimately betrayed him like everyone else. She'd never hurt him or hated him, she'd welcomed him back into her life when he hadn't meant to show up and she never blamed him but that only made it worse because she was the one he trusted to stay on his side. He knew her heart was in the right place but it didn't stop his from hurting.

It was his chance for a new beginning. The best he could hope for was that everyone would believe him dead. No one other then Roxy saw him leave the lake and by the look she had worn he believed she wouldn't tell otherwise. And it was for the best. He was free to try and move on, as someone new. It was his chance to make a fresh and sort everything out but he knew there would be one last thing he needed to do before that could happen, he'd have to wait a while until it was time but when it was right he'd do it.

And so he continued off into the dark, alone and sad but ultimately set upon a fresh life. He'd never stop being Sean Slater but it was time to lay the bad stuff to rest.

**************************************************************************

One Year Later

As long as he kept hidden he'd be okay. All had gone to plan after the lake. Everyone believed he'd passed and his memory had been laid to rest. They'd done their grieving and now on Christmas Day he stood tucked away by the garden gate which lead into the Slater's house. Through the gap he could see the family, and most of all he could see his Stacey. She looked older, aged from all the pain but happy. And that was what he needed to see, a happy Stacey. A happy Stacey was the final thing which would make everything feel right. And with a nod and a smile, he turned away towards what would be his new life.

Back inside the kitchen, the family were getting ready to head to the pub but something stopped Stacey were she stood. A sense came across her, that someone was watching her, someone was close by. And as they headed across the square she caught sight of something which made her heart spring back to life, a familiar face heading away but safe and alive.

" You alright love?" asked Jean

" Yeah - yeah I am now. Happy Christmas mum."