This is a Tommy/OC story because I couldn't and I mean I could NOT stand Grace. I really, really hate her.

For the sake of my story - it will start a couple of weeks after the first world war ended. I will also be changing the timeline of the story - so the plot that happens in the TV show will happen but later on in the year (it will be obvious with all the changes so please bear with me).

This story starts late November/early December of 1918 - Please enjoy the story xx

Comet96 xx

I'm currently editing this piece of work - when I mean editing, I mean I'll be adapting the story and plot, and I will be checking for grammar and spelling mistakes, but I may miss some as my main focus is on shaping the story so it flows well before I continue adding more chapters. I am sorry if it takes a while, but I do hope you'll all be patient with me.

I would recommend re-reading each new edited chapter as there may be changes that would fit in with future chapter and future edits.

Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy.

If you do have any problems or any suggestions, please let me know.

Edited 05/02/18

The wind was whipping through my hair as I ran through the streets as fast as I could. I knew I shouldn't have left Donnie there, but I couldn't move him, and he needed help I couldn't give him at the docks. We were too far from the farm to get help, it was easier to go to The Garrison. Harry would help me, he knew me, and I trusted him and any help he offered. Donnie told me to go to Harry and I was only doing what Donnie told me to do.

Turning a corner, The Garrison came into view causing me to pick up my pace. I ignored the looks I received from some of the men, I had no time to worry about what they thought of me. I must look a mess, blood staining my peach dress, my hair falling out of my braid and my face streaked with tears and blood. I knew I was not what you would expect to see a young woman, but right now I couldn't care. Donnie needed help and I was the only one able to get it for him.

Pushing against the pub doors I overlooked the stares the drinking men gave me as I rushed to the bar where Harry stood serving someone. Both pairs of eyes settled on me as I took in a deep breath, resting lighting on the bar counter.

"Jesus Edith! What happened?" Harry exclaimed, dropping the white rag he was holding as he rushed around the bar, taking my hand in his as he stood before me. I watched as his eyes took in my clothes, looking for any sign of injury

"Robbie and the boys beat Donnie. I left him by the docks. Harry," I blinked quickly, bringing my hand up to my face to wipe away the tears as I looked at the older man. "I left him by the docks," I whispered the fear of Donnie dying set in now. How could I have left him there? He could have bled out or Robbie and the boys could have come back for him.

"It's okay Edith," Harry mumbled, bringing his hands to my face as he wiped away my tears giving me a tight smile. "We'll sort it out. Daniel, Edward, go to the docks, bring Donnie back here. Charlie, run and get a doctor." Harry ordered three of the younger lads, all of them jumping out of their seats and doing as the older man said.

"No, no doctors," I called out stopping Charlie from leaving. We didn't need a doctor, Mah-mee would heal Donnie as soon as we got back to the farm.

Now that I had managed to get help for Donnie it seemed everything set in. My hands started to shake, my breath speeding up as I thought of Donnie dead in the docks. It had been my fault after all.

"What's going on 'ere?" a stern voice called from the doors of the pub, taking all attention from me and to the figures standing there. I turned to look at the others, my eyes roaming over the three men as they looked at Harry and me.

"Mr Shelby," Harry muttered weakly, the strong voice he used moments ago ordering the boys around gone now in the presence of these new men. I only knew John as he stood there, toothpick in mouth, his cap slung over his head. I could only assume that the two men with him were Arthur and Tommy.

They all wore similar clothing, nice grey suits, tailored to perfection. Just from looking at them I could tell they had more money than most around here; I knew they had more money than most. All three of them were also wearing caps, the peaks glinting, and it took me a moment to realise they had what seemed like razor blades sewn into the peaks. Although they all looked different I could tell they must have been related.

"What's going on 'ere Harry?" the same voice that spoke before asked as he stepped forward, closer to the bar. Out of the three of them, this was the one that held my attention the most.

I couldn't tell if it had to do with his looks or the demanding aura around him that commanded my attention. I could tell that everyone else in the pub gave him their attention as well. His presence demanded the attention of everyone around him. He was dangerous, that much I could tell from looking at him. From looking at everyone else in the pub and taking a glance at Harry I already knew that these men were feared.

"Eddie!" a young voice called, pushing the man that had spoken and the man with the moustache. Finn's familiar round face looked me over before he rushed to me, his hands pushing Harry away as he climbed up onto the stool beside me.

"Finn!" the moustached man yelled, calling out a warning to the boy as he lifted his hands, resting them on my face.

"What 'appened Eddie?" Finn asked, ignoring the warning as his blue eyes took in my face. I knew there was blood smeared on my face, from Donnie and myself. I also knew there would be a mark on my cheek from where Robbie smacked me.

"Don't worry Finn," I mumbled to the boy, taking his hands in mine and away from my face. "I'm fine," I assured him only for the boy to frown. I felt him standing behind me then. The man that demanded the attention. Everything in my body screamed at me to turn around and obey him.

"Who's this, Finn?" his voice asked, his eyes burning into my back as he stared at me. I wanted to turn around, I should have, but I wasn't going to give into the burning feeling that told me to give him what he wanted.

"It's Eddie, Tommy." The boy explained as if he should have known. So, his name was Tommy? Was this Finn's brother Tommy? The Thomas Shelby I had heard so much about? I assumed so, I couldn't see Finn with anyone else but his brothers.

"Who the fuck's Eddie?" the moustached man shouted stepping next to Finn, looking between me and him, his eyes glaring at me.

"The girl, Arthur," Tommy spoke, a tone to his voice that made me think he was rolling his eyes at Arthur. If that was Arthur, these must be Finn's older brothers. "Turn and look at me." He ordered, the tone he used making it every bit of an order as it was meant to be. I glanced at Harry, seeing the man nod at me. If Harry was telling me to do it then Tommy must have really scared him. I knew the stories behind the Shelby brothers from Polly and the stories John told me.

Slowly turning away from Finn, I lowered my eyes, taking in the shoes and neat trousers of Thomas Shelby. I kept my eyes on his shoes, something in me not wanting to lift my head and look him in the eye. Part of me knew that he wouldn't like that. I saw his hand move from the corner of my eye, reaching towards me.

"Mr Shelby," Harry warned, stopping when Tommy's fingers gripped my chin lightly, lifting my head until my eyes were locked with his. Just like Finn, he had blue eyes but his were brighter. If I wasn't already struggling for my breath I would have lost it when I looked at him now. Up close I couldn't deny that Thomas Shelby was beautiful for a man. Piercing blue eyes, sharp cheekbones that could cut and full, strong lips.

"What's your name?" he asked although he already knew. He was intelligent as well. He must have known Finn wasn't calling me by my real name.

"Edith," I whispered, my throat rough from the crying and running before he entered the pub. I felt slightly bad that I wasn't telling the complete truth, but I couldn't give everything away. The corner of his mouth twitched at my reply. The silence in the pub was horrible as Tommy kept his eyes on me. It was as if they were all waiting for something.

"Last name?" he questioned, the same tone as before as his eyes flickered around my face before resting on my eyes.

"O'Connell," I mumbled, feeling my face flush at his look. How could he gaze at someone so intently and not seem affected? A look of surprise flashed across his face for a moment before the blank look came again.

"What happened to you, Edith O'Connell?" He didn't ask, more like demanded to know. His fingers brushed over my chin, his hand forcing my head to lift slowly as his thumb rubbed over the mark on my cheek. Matched with my bloody dress and messy hair, I bet I was a sight.

"We were attacked," I muttered, feeling my eyes blur at the thought of Donnie, but I bit my bottom lip to stop the tears from falling. I knew he wouldn't like it if I cried. He was a man of war, a dangerous man.

"By who?" Tommy asked, a frown on his face as he tried to figure out who would do such a thing in his city. And it was his city if the stories were anything to go by.

As I went to answer him the doors slammed open took everyone's attention from us, my eyes also leaving Tommy as I glanced to the door just like he did. I sucked in a breath as Daniel and Edward carried in Donnie, a bloody mess, and moaning. The two young lads looked around the pub quickly before lowering Donnie to the floor.

"El," Donnie whispered out when his eyes locked with mine and I could see the concern in them. There he was bleeding out and in pain but all he could do was worry for me. I was almost pissed that he used my nickname in front of everyone, but he was dying so I'd let him off.

"Donnie," I cried out, pulling away from Tommy and his light touch on my face as I rushed to Donnie, dropping to the floor.

My hands rested over the cuts on his face before I dropped my hands to the stab wound on his side. It wasn't as bad as I thought now that I had a clear head. He would live.

"Aww," he grunted, and I rolled my eyes.

"Harry, can I have some whiskey?" I called to the barman as I ripped Donnie's shirt, getting to the wound. It wasn't too deep, but it was still bleeding. The whiskey would help to stop that.

Finn's small hand held the bottle of whiskey in front of my face and I quickly grabbed it from his hand. Pulling the cork from the bottle I shared a look with Donnie, pouring the brown liquid over the wound.

"Fuck!" Donnie grunted withering on the floor, trying to move away from me as he clenched his teeth at the burning pain.

"I'm sorry," I whimpered pressing down on the wound with his ripped shirt before grabbing Finn's hands. "Press down on the wound Finn," I ordered as I shot to my feet, looking around the pub for a candle. My eyes swept the pub quickly before setting on the candlestick on the bar between Arthur and Tommy.

My fingers trembled as I fumbled with the pack of matches next to the candle. The tiny sticks slipping from my shaking fingers as I bit my lip as tears of frustration threatened to slip down my cheeks. Long fingers pushed my hands away, pulling a match out, striking it and then lighting the candle. Sharing a look with the middle Shelby brother I carefully took the candle from the bar and made my way back to Finn and Donnie.

"Ellie!" Donnie warned seeing the candle in my hands. I could tell from the look he was giving me that he didn't want me to do this.

"Shut up Donnie," I growled, setting the candle on the floor before pulling Finn's hands away. Looking to Daniel and Edward, the two having stayed close I gave them both a sharp look. "Hold him down for me," I ordered, picking up the candle again, giving Donnie a soft look as I watched him tense up. "I'm sorry," I added to him as I brought the candle closer to his wound. Tipping the candle slightly, I let the wax drop onto the stab wound.

Donnie screamed out, the wax sizzling as it hit his skin, cooling into the wound. It wasn't a very pleasant thing, but it would keep the wound cleaned and closed until we got back to the farm. Hating that I was bringing more pain to him, I grabbed the whiskey bottle, passing it over as I titled the candle more, allowing more wax to fall onto the gash.

"No more," Donnie begged, his voice weak as he tipped his head back, gulping at the whiskey. I pulled the candle away at his words, knowing that there was enough wax to keep the wound sealed. A slight smile curled my lips as I thought how proud Mah-mee would be that I had been listening to her when she taught me about healing.

"Mah-mee's gonna gut you," I mumbled to him at the thought of our grandmother. The grimace on his face let me know he heard. "Rest Donnie, I'll send for Maddox and Hugo," I added letting him know I wouldn't just leave him here to make his way back to the farm alone.

"What the fuck's going on?" Arthur Shelby demanded as I turned to face the Shelby men, all three of them stood at the bar having watched me patch Donnie up. I could tell from the look Tommy was giving me that I had a lot of explaining to do.

Thank you for reading xx Comet96 xx