"How do you fancy going into town for dinner tonight?" Nick suggested. It was a slow night at The Bistro thanks to 'Crazy Mary' and her bloody theme nights at The Café. He was eager to put business out of his mind for a few hours and concentrate on spending some much needed quality time with the love of his life.

"Hmm? Yeah, sure fine. Let's go." Leanne replied, obviously distracted.

"Everything alright?" Nick inquired. She had been acting rather strangely for the past few days and he was determined to figure out why.

"Of course, yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"

"You haven't seemed like yourself lately. " Nick explained, concerned by her sudden change in behaviour. "Are we okay?"

"We're more than okay, don't be silly!" Leanne assured him, leaning forward over the bar to place a gentle kiss on his lips. Nick smiled in relief. He loved Leanne so much and things had been going great between them lately. Simon had really taken to him as well and the three of them were finally starting to get on as a proper little family. Nick had even begun to contemplate taking their relationship to the next level, but he wanted to make sure that he and Leanne were both on the same page before he made his proposal.

"Something is obviously troubling you, Lea. I wish you'd tell me what it is." Nick declared, wanting to get to the bottom of things.

"It's Peter." She finally admitted with a sigh of defeat, unable to meet his gaze.

"What about him?" Nick asked, his defences going up immediately at the mention of her ex's name. It had been months since Barlow had up and left town. He knew it had been wishful thinking, but Nick had hoped he'd never have to hear the man's name again.

"I got notice from me solicitor the other day that our divorce has been finalized." Leanne explained, her attention suddenly focussed on the large glass of wine in front of her.

"Well, that's good news. Isn't it?" Nick pointed out, unnerved by her somber attitude. Surely she didn't still carry a torch for the pathetic drunk?

"Yeah, of course it is. I'm glad it's finally official." Leanne declared, and Nick could tell she were telling the truth. "I just worry about him, that's all. For Simon's sake."

"Does he still ask about him?" Nick wondered. Whenever he spent time with the little lad, he never really talked about Peter anymore.

"Not really, and that worries me." Leanne explained, her love and concern for her son was evident. "Peter was a lousy husband, but he really did try his best to be a good father. I hope Simon never forgets that."

"I'm sure he…" Nick's eyes widened in disbelief as he noticed a familiar face had entered the bar.

"That's real touching, Leanne. But I'm not dead, ya know. Sorry to disappoint ya."

"Peter!" Leanne gasped as she spun around in her seat and came face to face with her ex-husband.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, still in shock.

"I live here. Well, at least I thought I did. Who the hell gave you permission to move into my flat?" Peter asked, his anger evident.

"And where did you expect me to live while I was raising your son?" Leanne hissed. Obviously the months they'd spent apart had done nothing to diminish the animosity that still existed between them.

"I thought you would have shacked up with loverboy over there the minute I left!" Peter accused, glaring at Nick with contempt.

"Unlike you, Peter, I care too much about our son's wellbeing to disrupt his life like that. And speaking of shacking up with people, where's Carla? I thought you two would be inseparable after being away together for so long. Don't tell me there's trouble in paradise?"

"My relationship with Carla is none of your business." Peter replied defensively.

"And my relationship with Nick is none of your business - especially now that we are officially divorced." Leanne declared resolutely, reaching across the bar to take Nick's hand in a show of solidarity.

"About damn time," Peter muttered under his breath. "I'm just as anxious as you are to put our farce of a marriage behind us. Look, Leanne I didn't come back here to fight with you. I just want to see my son."

"You mean the little boy who you haven't bothered to call or write to in months?" Leanne hissed, not ready to let the issue drop.

"I was in a really bad place when I left, you know that. I needed some time away to get my life in order. I haven't had a drink in months!" Peter declared, obviously proud of his accomplishment.

"Even if I did believe that, it's only a matter of time before you fall off the wagon again."

"Thank you so much for your vote of confidence." He growled, obviously trying to keep his temper under control.

"I know you, Peter. Don't forget that."

"You can think whatever you like, Leanne. I really don't care. Now, I came here to see my son. Where is he?"

"He's sleeping over at a mate's tonight." Leanne explained, still eyeing her ex-husband warily. "You can see him tomorrow – but only if he wants to see you."

"Why wouldn't he want to see me?" Peter asked, obviously hurt by her implication.

"Do you really want me to answer that?" Leanne declared, not bothering to mask her opinion of him.

"Obviously you've wasted no time in turning my son against me." Peter accused, glaring at them both in anger.

"You did a pretty good job of that all by yourself, Peter." Nick chimed in, squeezing Leanne's hand in a show of support.

"I'll come by and pick him up at the flat tomorrow morning. Make sure he's ready." Peter declared resolutely, ignoring Nick's comment as he zipped up his leather jacket and prepared to leave.

"I don't take orders from you, Peter. Like I said, if Simon wants to see you – he will. End of story."

Peter stormed out of The Bistro without further comment.

"Well, he sure knows how to ruin an evening." Nick sighed, unnerved by Peter Barlow's sudden reappearance in their lives. He had planned on asking Leanne to move in with him tonight.

"He can ruin a lot more than that." Leanne replied, her thoughts now consumed with fear of once again losing her son. Now that Peter was back in their lives, Leanne knew it was only a matter of time before the issue of Simon's custody reared its ugly head. But now more than ever, she was determined to make sure that her son continued to live a normal and happy life – with her and Nick as his primary guardians.

Peter was more than welcome to see his son, but it would be on her terms.

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