Title:The Unexpected Acquaintance

Pairings/Characters:Joe/OC, Fred/Lindsey, Ziggy/Ruby

Rated:M for language and sexual situations

Disclaimer:I own nothing, besides Gabby Castillo. Everything else is purely from the C4 show Hollyoaks (which is the best thing on TV, ever.)

A/N:I've not written fanfiction for many years now, but recently the Hollyoaks SL has got me thinking. I'm a huge fan of Fred/Lindsey, but feel Joe is getting neglected in the fandom xD So this is a fic for him, with a side dish of Frindsey and Ruggy Enjoy! And review, because they make everything worth it.

The Unexpected Acquaintance

Chapter One

The Betrayed

"It's over, Joe. I'm sorry."

The words went around and around his mind, as he sat in the bedsit, a can of Heineken clenched in a large fist.

"Me and Freddie love each other... it just happened... after the miscarriage...'

Joe drained the can, and squashed the metal in his palm.

A loud knocking on the door broke the silence. He debated on not answering, wanting nothing but to be alone in his self-pity, nursing his hatred.

Whoever it was knocked again, impatiently and Joe finally heaved himself out the armchair with a sigh. He tossed the crushed can towards the bin, and it bounced off the pile of others and rattled to the floor.

Sandy was staring with a worried expression when he answered. 'Don't you ever answer your phone?' She pushed her way inside, blue eyes darting around; the place was a mess, and it smelt of week old pizza boxes and stale lager.

'What are you doing here, Mum?' Joe asked, shutting the door behind her and scratching the stubble on his jaw.

'Have you even changed your vest?' she demanded, raising a blonde eyebrow. 'Look at this place, Joe. It isn't right.'

'Want to know what else isn't right?' he snapped, irritation getting the better of him. 'My missus running off with my brother.'

At this, Sandy's expression softened. 'Oh, Joe.'

And then, the anger came spilling from him, fists tightening at his sides. 'She was all I had! How could she could this to me, Mum? How could they do it?'

Sandy came forward, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. Tears stung his eyes and he did his best to fight them back.

'What am I going to do without her, Mum? I have nothing!'

'We'll get through this,' Sandy soothed, rubbing his back. 'But, you have to get out of this bedsit. It isn't good for you.'

Joe shrugged weakly, stepping back and wiping his eyes. A flush had risen up the back of his neck; the last time he'd cried in front of his mother was probably when he was about ten.

'What about the garage? You could go back to work, get back into a routine,' she suggested. Joe glared at the floor.

'And see Fred's smarmy mug every day? No thanks.'

She sighed, hitching her bag further up her shoulder. 'Look, I have to get to work. But, I expect you out of this place today, okay?'

'Mum-'

'I'm not listening to it! I'll send Ziggy around later, and I want you washed and dressed. All right?'

Joe heaved the biggest sigh he could muster. 'Fine. Not like it's gonna change anything.'

She smiled, leaned forward and kissed his cheek. 'And get this place cleaned up, it stinks.'

'All right, Mum.'

Moving towards the door, she put her hand on the handle and looked back at him. 'This will get easier, Joe. Give it time.'

He shrugged and said nothing. With a last smile, Sandy turned and left. The door clicked shut behind her. Joe sighed, running a hand over his face. If he had his way, he'd never leave this flat again. There was no need to, in all honesty.

He turned and cast around for another beer.

Ziggy arrived that evening, wearing his best suit. He stepped in, casting a glance around the flat; it was tidier than the other day, a pile of pizza boxes waiting by the back door.

He shut the door behind him, frowning. 'Joe?'

Joe appeared from the kitchen, beer in hand. Ziggy grinned when he saw him. 'Joe! Get your glam rags on, bruv, cause tonight we're going out.'

'I ain't going anywhere,' Joe scowled, throwing himself in the armchair and flicking through the TV channels. Ziggy sighed, moving to lean against the arm of the chair.

'C'mon, it'll be good for you.'

'Look, I know Mum set you up to this. But, I'm fine, believe me.'

'You ain't fine,' muttered Ziggy, eyes on his older brother. 'It's Ruby's birthday. She'll be disappointed if you're not there.'

'No, she won't. She won't even notice.' Ziggy sighed, moving to the TV and pulling the plug at the wall. Joe glared at him, brown eyes brooding. 'I was watching that.'

'Well, I ain't taking no for an answer. So, come on. Get dressed.' He gave Joe a look. 'Now, come on. The party will be starting without us.'

'Will they be there?' His eyes darkened. Ziggy shook his head.

'No. Ruby wouldn't have it.'

Finally, after a few mumbled obscenities, Joe hauled himself out the armchair, tossing the remote aside. He drained the can. 'Fine, but don't expect me to enjoy myself.'

'I don't, bruv,' Zig grinned, waiting as Joe left the room. He returns a few minutes later in fresh jeans and a shirt. 'You ready?'

'No,' he grumbled, following Ziggy out the flat. He locked up behind him, leaving the apartment block and heading down the stairs. It was already dark, the moon hidden partly by cloud. Joe sighed, feeling uneasy as he looked about the dark streets of Hollyoaks village. What if he saw them? How would he control himself?

He wanted nothing more than to beat Freddie black and blue. He'd had a lucky escape last time.

Joe grabbed his collar, punching him square in the jaw. Lindsey was screaming, pulling his arm, begging him to stop, but he couldn't. Joe physically couldn't stop himself punching Fred again, the red mist well and truly descended.

'Joe, stop it, please!'

'Ziggy!' Ruby, wearing a short dress of black lace, bounded over to them with a broad smile. She slung her arms around Ziggy and Joe turned away, sour, as they started to kiss. Ruby smiled, stepping away and glancing at Joe. 'Thank you for coming. It's good to see you out.'

Joe grunted.

'I'm really sorry about what happened.'

'I don't want to talk about it,' Joe muttered, pushing past them and heading up the stairs to the club. Ruby glanced at Ziggy. He shrugged.

'Let's get a beer,' he said, wrapping an arm around Ruby's waist and following Joe inside.

Gabriella Castillo was having a bad day. In the eight months she'd been living in Chester, she'd lost three jobs, two boyfriends and her pet cat. Today, she'd been fired from yet another job, for being late. Again.

Punctuality wasn't her best attribute.

So, here she was, in the club with her closest friends, drowning herself with martinis.

Her hips swayed to the music, the mint green dress clinging to her slim waist as she danced, draining yet another glass. Her dark hair, curled, fell over her shoulders and down her back.

'Gabby!' Mel fought her way through the crowd towards her best friend. 'It's your round, girl!'

'I'm too poor,' Gabby grinned. 'I am jobless. And soon to be homeless, if I don't pay this rent.'

Mel rolled her eyes. 'Your round! Now, go! I want tequila.'

'Eugh.' Gabby pulled a face, but turned and made her way through the throng of sweaty dancers to the bar. She leaned against the polished wood, waiting to be served.

Someone bumped into her from behind. 'Sorry, love.'

She turned around, meeting a pair of incredible dark eyes. He was overdue a shave, though that just seemed to enhance his strong jawline. Her eyes wandered down, admiring the way his muscles bulged against his white shirt.

Gabby forced her gaze back to his face. 'Don't worry about it.'

'Are you waiting to be served?' he asked. She nodded, and the two of them leaned into the bar.

'Are you here with your friends?' Gabby asked, shifting a little under his intense stare. He hardly looked like he was enjoying himself here.

In fact, he looked damn right miserable.

The man shook his head. 'Just my brother. It's his girlfriend's birthday.'

'Cool.' Gabby forced a smile, just as the bartender appeared in front of them.

'Can I help?'

'I'll take a tequila and a martini.' She glanced at Joe, her moss green eyes steady. 'What would you like?'

'I'll take a beer if you're offering,' he shrugged.

'And a beer, please.'

The bartender moved away to pour the drinks. Gabby leaned with her hip against the wood, giving him a small smile. 'I'm Gabby, by the way.'

'I'm Joe.' He forced a smile, but it didn't meet his eyes.

Gabby opened her mouth to add some witty remark, but the bartender returned, slamming glasses on the bar. Gabby shoved Joe's beer towards him. 'Enjoy your night,' she said, pushing her hair over her shoulder before picking up her two drinks. Her hip nudged Joe as she strode away from the bar, disappearing into the ground.

Joe watched her go, sipping the froth from his beer.

A hand slammed on his shoulder, making him jump. 'And who was that?' Ziggy was staring intently in the direction Gabby had disappeared. Joe uttered a soft groan.

'It doesn't matter. I ain't in the mood tonight.'

Ziggy gave him a pointed look. 'It wouldn't hurt to have a little fun, Joe.' He grinned, before walking off with a wink.

Joe sighed, taking another sip of his beer. But, already, his eyes were wandering to where Gabby was stood, their gazes meeting.

He looked away. Maybe. Just maybe.

Gabby woke with a groggy head and a fuzzy memory of the night before. She stretched, groaning as her skull throbbed along with the sound of road works outside her window. She yawned, rubbing her eyes. What time was it? Not that she had anything to wake up for, she had been fired.

Gabby rolled over, wanting nothing more than to snuggle down and go back to sleep. But, as her body collided with a warm back... Gabby sat up and screamed, staring at the strange man sprawled in her bed.

The duvet barely covered his behind. His very naked behind.

He jerked awake at her squeal of terror, as Gabby flung herself out the bed, grabbing the first thing she got her hands on. She pulled the white shirt over her head and hurried to the other side of the room.

Did she have a weapon? She cast around, fingers scrambling for her lamp. She ripped the plug from the wall and held it between two hands.

The man looked at her, confused for a moment. 'Gabby?'

'Joe?'

This couldn't be happening. Since when did she start picking up random men? Not that he wasn't nice to look at, with his hardened muscles and toned body.

It took all Gabby had not to let her gaze wander further down than his belly-button. 'Y-you need to leave.'

Joe grabbed his boxers and pulled them on. 'You're wearing my shirt.'

Gabby scowled down at herself, before brandishing the lamp. 'Get out!'

Now, it was Joe's turn to scowl. He yanked on his jeans, searching for his wallet and keys. She watched him carefully as he left the bedroom, following him with the lamp held aloft.

He reached the front door, opening it and turning to her. 'I don't normally do this.'

'You think I do?'

He shrugged and she felt a surge of annoyance. 'Out!' He left, and she slammed the door behind him, leaning against it.

What the hell had happened last night?