I've never written any stories about Brendan and Ste, but this idea was stuck in my head for the last three months and I finally decided to write it down and publish. Not sure if you'd like it, since it's going to be way different story than the usually once you can read on the site, but well, I decided to risk ;)

Steam of mist loomed in the acute light of the lamps on the railway station, when man slowly released the air from his mouth. His blue eyes carefully watched travelers gathering around the modern and shine train on the platform two, while his fingers linger on the metal zip of his travel bag. He flickered it playfully between his long fingers, before he finally caught it by two fingers and slowly pulled it forward, until he zipped up the bag. He took the last long look at the train and popped a chewing gum into his mouth as he noticed not barred by anyone door, at the end of train. He quickly threw a bag over his right shoulder and with a slight flicker of his fingers, moved toward his destination.

He chose the empty compartment at the same end, didn't want to be disturb by anyone. The window was out on the other side of the railway station, slowly fading in the darkness, where the lamps weren't working anymore. It was already midnight and although he knew it wasn't ideal time for visit, Ellie has to understands his situation and let him stay at her house for few days, before he makes his way back to Hollyoaks. His favorite boy in blue seems to remind himself what exactly he's doing in village and recently become very noisy. Sticking his nose to his business, watching his every move, like he was in control of situation. He doesn't like it. He's the only one in control, not this silly boy who tries to impress his new, blonde girl from McQueen's household. Even Foxy and Anne were panting over his back like pair of vultures observing their prey slowly dying, wishing he'd make some mistake and root in prison for the rest of his days…But he's not going to give them this satisfaction, he just needs to take a few days off, and then comes back in a big style. Just like always he does.

He needed to get away and he was exactly doing it right now. He even didn't bother to inform Cheryl he's going be away for few days, and he was sure she's going to make a hell of it, but still he could always says her he's going for Duncan's birthday. It wasn't a lie, at least not at all. His son's birthday is for three days, but he was sure Cheryl doesn't remember the date and she'd buy his lie, if he says he has them tomorrow…Yea, he'd phone to her tomorrow morning and tell her about birthday party. Maybe even asks Ellie to cover him, but probably he just exceed the limit she had for him, and well, he doesn't blame her. His whole life consisted of another lies, dirty business and pretending he's someone else. There were times when he was tired of it and just wished he could disappeared for good or start his life with a blank card.

Some young, skinny lad with pair of intensive blue eyes passed by his compartment and if he didn't come back to senses in the right moment, he'd jump from his seat and shout after him to come back to him. The problem was, it wasn't the same young, beautiful lad he has in his mind instantly, haunting him at nights. The one he wanted to see right now. Steven. He licked his lips unconsciously, hands tightened in fists with frustration. He hated him for what he was doing to him. He seems to take the whole control on him, he was seeing him everywhere, dying to kiss his lips, touch him. But this bastard doesn't let him. He's just teasing him, playing with him like he was some fucking toy, parade around the village with gym bunny Noel, Noah, or whatever his name is. But it's only matter of time before he comes back to him. They both know that, although Steven trying to play tough and kept saying everything's over between them. He'd do anything to win him back, but for now he just needs to make a really good plan. He'd has time for it. A lot of time.

He glanced at the door of his compartment as suddenly it has been opened up and tall, slim man about his thirties slipped inside his small space with big grin on the face. He could sense a strong smell of alcohol filling slowly the room as the man threw himself down in front of him and put his rucksack straight onto Brendan's feet, making him wince. Perfect. Just what's he needed right now.

'This place is free?' He asked with this silly grin and Brendan felt an urge to say Mr. Whiskey to get the fuck out of here, but instead he just reluctantly nodded his head and fixed his eyes at the view outside the window, with hope the guy would take a hint and leave him on his own. 'It's quite warm night, isn't?' He rolled the gum in his mouth, didn't bother to reply. 'On business?'

'Yer can say that.' He replied reluctantly, knowing that if he doesn't say anything to the guy, he'd never leave him.

'Ha! Irish guy! I knew that when I only saw you.' Brendan moved slowly his eyes at the man.

'Do I know you?' He asked sharply, suddenly alarmed. He took a long look at man's short, brown hair, before his eyes moved down at his blue eyes and then face covered with two-day stubble. No, he didn't recognize him, but still, he just could not remember him. He's not that kind of person who fall into a memory, he stated.

'Don't think so. I don't know you.' He shrugged. 'I'm Peter O'Malley, and you?' He stretched his hand out, but it has been openly ignored.

'Brady. Brendan Brady.' He again rolled the gum in his mouth as with boring, tired eyes glanced at the irate man.

'Bren? Nice name. Very Irish!' Mr. Whiskey exclaimed loudly, making the other man wince.

'It's Brendan.' He corrected him sharply, didn't want to befriend with Mr. Whiskey. It's enough they need to share this little space.

'Like you want.' He grinned as he looked at the window. 'It looks like we're moving.'

'Good.' Brendan said shortly and leaned more comfortably on his seat, as he watched the passing away landscapes behind the window. He was thinking about taking a nap, when irate man spoke up again.

'So, where do you heading?'

It was late night when Peter O'Malley grabbed his rucksack and gulped down his last drink. He giggled when someone grabbed him for shoulder and pulled back straight into someone's arms. Someone laughed behind his back, and he barely could stand straight on his feet. The whole world seems to be so wonderful.

'Are you sure you want to come back to home, tonight? You can stay here, like I said there'd be enough place for everyone.' The man who was holding him in arms slurred to his ear.

'I need to come back. Tomorrow I need to go to work.' He said firmly, before he giggled again. 'But thanks.'

'Oh, come on, Peter! You don't have wife and kids to cry for you, so where's the rush? I'm sure Marie can give you a lift tomorrow.' He pointed an pretty brunette standing in doors of living room.

'I'd be late.' He argued. 'I can't be late. My boss is going to stay with us for all day, seeing how we work.'

'That's fuck up, mate. I feel sorry for you.' He clapped his shoulder before he let Peter pulled back from him.

'Yea, I know. I need to change a job.'

'Yea, somewhere near us.' He agreed.

'Do you have a ticket, Peter?' Marie asked softly as she handed him his blouse and helped him to wear it.

'Yes, babe. I have everything.' He grinned and gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. 'Have nice the rest of the night.'

'We will.' The man mirrored his grin. 'Give us a call when you'd be already in home.'

'Sure, thing. See you all next week.' He waved a hand as he tried to pass by threshold.

'We can't wait.' Marie winked. 'And don't forget to phone to us!' She called after him, but man was already marching down the patio, didn't hear anything she said. 'All Peter!' She shook her head, before she closed the door with a loud slam.

'We can play word scramble.' Mr. Whiskey suggested, while his body was shifting uncontrollably from one side to other. 'What do think you about that?'

'Yer can shut up. What do you think about that?' He raised up his eyebrows. He was really getting on his nerves. Half hour more and he'd has Brendan's fist in mouth if he doesn't see what's good for him and shut up.

'Nah, it's boring.' He stated, unaware of threatens in man's voice. 'But maybe you'd suggest something?' He turned his attention at young couple sitting close to the door and watching him with growing anxiety.

'No, mate. Sorry.'

'That's shame. It's going to be a very boring trip.' He almost whined, fixing his eyes again at Brendan, who glanced at the ceiling as for short moment lamps turn off with rumble sound.

'I don't mind.' He thought that travelling at so late night, he'd have the whole compartment for himself, but it turned out very quickly, that not only him thought the same. Now he needed to deal with this young couple looking like deer caught in headlights and drunk guy who caught on him as a chewing gum. He wish he could threw it out the same way like the one he's keeping in mouth from the good hour or more.

'But maybe…'

'Will you just shut up?' He snapped at him, losing his patience. 'I swear that if you say one word more, I'll…'

'What the hell was that?' The other guy came into his word, as mighty bang rang in the train and everything shook violently. Brendan fizzled with pain as Mr. Whiskey's body collided painfully with his and he almost was sitting on his laps now.

'Probably something was lying on the tracks.' The drunk shrugged and glanced over the window, but it was so dark outside, he didn't see anything. 'See? Now everything's fine.'

'So why everything's shaking?' He snapped and helped his girlfriend to raised up from the floor.

'Like I said, it's probably…' But he didn't has chance to finish. In one moment Brendan felt how compartment tilted to the right and suddenly he was in the air, along with this irate guy. Someone was shouting, when his back met painfully with one of the walls. The lights turn off as another bang rang very close to them.

'Are you okay?' The drunken guy asked with shaking voice, his body on top of Brendan. Normally he'd yell at him and push him from himself, but in this circumstances he didn't mind, surely as he understood that their compartment just overturned.

'We need to get out.' Brendan said as he looked around. 'We need to break the window.' Someone screamed on the corridor. 'Come on.'

'What's going on?' The girl asked through the tears, her hands like claws were holding on her boy's jumper. 'I don't want to die…'

'No one will die, sweetie. I'm sure everything's gonna be okay...' He assured her, but his words faded in the screams of other people as the powerful blast of fire moved toward the compartment. The last thing Brendan saw was leaning toward him the opposite wall, terrified blue eyes of irate guy on top of him and first flames of fire before he hid his face in hands and suddenly everything become black.

'You're in big troubles, Brendan Brady.' Cheryl mumbled to herself as for the fifth time she dialed his number. She slammed her mobile phone on the counter as again he didn't answer and she lost her whole patient to the man. She couldn't believe he just had left her alone with whole business without word and now he had an audience to not pick up his phone. This time he'll need to come with some really good excuse.

'Hi, Cheryl. You saw Brendan somewhere?' She glanced up at Ste in his chez chez uniform, putting a grating next to her phone.

'He's gone.' She replied sharply and walked around the counter.

'Gone?' Ste repeated, frowning his eyebrows.

'Yes. He packed his things up last night and left the house in the middle of night like a thief.' She was shaking with anger. 'Didn't even bother to inform me where he's going, so now all business is on my head. Who knows where he can be right now.'

'Maybe he's visiting his kids.' He suggested. 'For the last days he kept saying how much he misses them.' He even said twice about taking Duncan for few days to Hollyoaks. The change of climate could be good for him, at least Ellie claimed that.

'Maybe you're right.' She said softer this time, calming down a bit. 'I'll call Ellie and ask her if Brendan stays over her home.'

'Good idea.' He smiled slightly.

'Anyway, what do you need from Brendan?' She tiredly ran a hand over her face. 'Maybe I can help you?'

'No, it's nothing. I just wanted to ask him about one thing, but it doesn't matter now.' He replied quickly. 'Really.' He assured her nervously as she gave him suspicious glance.

'Fine.' She shrugged. 'Now, excuse me, but I need to phone to Ellie and check if my prodigal brother is there.' She sighed and glanced sadly over Ste. 'Sometimes I wish he could disappear for some time from my life. He's a troublemaker and no one ever put so many worries on my head, than him.' Ste didn't say a word only watched in silence Cheryl walking out of the club.

'Who we have here?' The doctor asked as paramedics came back with another sufferer on the stretcher.

'Brendan Brady, age thirty two. Severe head injury and internal injuries. Also second-degree burns on the face, chest, hands and arms. He stopped breathing in ambulance so we needed to intubate him. He doesn't respond to any signals.'

'Okay, give him on the surgery. We try to fix him up.' The doctor sighed and moved up one of the eyelid to might look at blue eye. 'Although I don't give him too much chance.'

'I don't understand why it's so quiet here, tonight.' Cheryl sighed as she looked around two occupied tables in the corner and Carl sitting on the tool, as he waited for his drink. 'It's Friday night.'

'There's no Brendan around with his new scandals, so there's nothing interesting going on.' Rhys replied with cheeky grin, which quickly disappeared as he felt at himself Cheryl's heavy look. 'I was kidding…' She raised her hand to quiet him.

'I think everyone understood your joke, Rhys.'

'Sorry.' He mumbled and smiled sheepishly as Jackie appeared next to him and measured him unfriendly.

'There was some accident last night.' Jackie informed them as she handed a drink to Carl. 'Collision of two trains, I think. Talking about that on every TV program.'

'Passenger train with freight train.' Carl chimed in above his glass. 'They don't say what goods or material it was transported, but when it collided with passenger one, there were three huge explosions. When I saw it in news, I felt like I was watching some action film.'

'Oh, my God.' Cheryl said shocked. 'How it happened? They were on the same track?'

'It looks like that. Someone didn't do his work properly…Anyway, maybe that's the reason why it's so quiet here. Everyone sitting in front of TV and watching the news.'

'What a tragedy.'

'Indeed.'

'Anyway, did you contact with Brendan?' Rhys asked curious and leaned against the counter to make a place for Ste.

'I phoned to Ellie. She said she didn't see Brendan, but she wouldn't be surprised to see him for two days, on Duncan's birthday party.' She rolled her eyes, irate. 'Like he couldn't tell me he's coming over Duncan's birthday. I would buy a present for him or even go to see him…Now, Ellie knows I didn't remember about his birthday and she thinks what kind of cow I am for not buying a present for my brother's son.'

'I'm sure she doesn't think that.' Rhys stated, but Cheryl only laughed shortly and shook her head.

'Trust me, she is. And when Brendan only comes back, I'm gonna say him a few words about this whole awkward situation.'

'I really don't think it's going to bother him.'

'Well, this time it will.' She said firmly.

'Anyway I was right.' Ste chimed in with a slight smile, wanting to change the subject. 'I knew he's going to visit his kids. You shouldn't be worrying, Cheryl. It's not the first time Brendan disappeared without word.' Just like that night he said he's going to the loo, but it had turned out he just had ran away and left him without word in a gay club. It's not like you're going to forget about things like that very quickly.

'I really don't have strength to him.' She sighed tiredly. 'Does he really think I wouldn't be bother where he is?'

'It's Brendan. He has a different look at some things.' Ste gave her a knowingly look.

'Maybe he needs to cool down a bit after what happened here recently.' Jackie suggested. 'Since we don't have too much work tonight, can I go back to home earlier?'

'Sure. Me and Rhys will take care about everything.' Cheryl agreed with a small smile. 'Ste you can go also.'

'No, I need to finish collecting gratings…' He pointed at the stairs leading to the cellar.

'Rhys will do it.' She ordered and showed him to go off. 'I'm sure Noah would appreciate it. Recently you didn't see each other too often.'

'Yea, we didn't.' Because Brendan was choosing the shifts for him to make sure he and Noah will pass by each other for the last days. 'Fine, I'm heading off, before you change your mind.' He grinned and clapped his hands.

'Have a nice night.' Her smile dead on her lips, face coagulated as she noticed someone behind Ste's back. 'Not again.' She mumbled quietly before she walked around the counter with angry face.

'What's happened?' Ste turned around and frowned as he noticed two policemen coming in to the club and looking around like they were searching for someone. Ste already knows for whom exactly.

'Mrs. Brady?' One of them asked as he noticed a tall woman coming across the club toward them.

'So what this time my dearest brother has done?' She asked sharply, shaking with anger.

'Brendan Brady is your brother?' He raised his eyebrow questioningly before he glanced at him small notes.

'Yes. And I'm not going to pay any bail for him. Whatever he did, I'm sure he deserves to stay for a night in the cell.' Policemen exchange the looks. 'What? You arrested him, didn't you?' She demanded the answer, didn't understand what else they could want from Brendan. He wasn't charge for Danny's and India's deaths. No one found anything on him.

'I'm sorry, but we have bad news for you, Mrs. Brady.' The man said gently.

'What you mean by bad news?' She asked quietly, not sure if she heard good. 'Did he hurt someone?'

'Maybe you sit down, Cheryl?' Ste suggested softly as he approached her and gently grabbed her for elbow as he noticed how pale she was.

'No, I need to know what's happened. Right now!' She almost screamed, catching everyone's attention.

'Your brother, Brendan Brady, had an accident last night. The train he was travelling in…' She didn't feel anything, any more words came to her ears anymore. She just felt like she died in this moment.

'I don't understand why they didn't call me yesterday. He's here completely alone, scared.' Ste was panting heavily trying to caught Cheryl, but she was moving so fast, he was practically running after her.

'The policeman said they had problems with identification the sufferers. Most of them have burn skin…'

'They have to have him on some list.' She didn't listen him only moving along corridors, checking every room. 'Oh, my God!' She cried as her eyes stopped at some man lying unconscious on the stretcher with face and chest totally burn.

'Don't look at him, Cheryl.' Ste gently touched her elbows and dragged her out of the sufferer. 'It's Brendan we're talking about. I'm sure he's fine. He wouldn't let himself die in simple accident.' He wanted to believe in that. He just couldn't… 'There's reception.' Cheryl ran toward the white desk and put her hands on it as she tilted above some nurse sitting down there.

'I'm searching for my brother, Brendan Brady. He was in the train which…'

'There's a nurse who was taking care about Mr. Brady last night.' She pointed at some small woman talking with a doctor outside the wardroom. 'She should has information about his health condition.' Cheryl moved quickly toward her and practically grabbed the nurse for the elbow and forced her to face her.

'Cheryl, calm down.' Ste tried to calm her, but nothing works on her. She was in different world now.

'You need my help?' The nurse asked puzzled, staring at woman with anxiety.

'The nurse in reception said you were taking care about my brother when he was brought here.'

'I was taking care about a lot of people last night.' She said softly. 'What's your brother name?'

'Brendan. Brendan Brady.' Her voice was shaking. 'Where is he? Can I see him now?'

'No one inform you, yet?' She glanced at her shocked.

'Inform about what? They just informed me that my brother is here and I want to see him.' She repeated, didn't want to listen to nurse.

'Cheryl…' Ste called her name quietly, his hand gently moved along her forearm.

'No, tell me where is my brother.' She almost begged her, tears falling down from her eyes. 'Please.'

The doctor put down the electrodes on their old place, listening to languorous screech coming out from one of the machines. He threw his plastic gloves to the bin, while the nurse removed a tube from man's mouth.

'Time of death?' He broke the silence when surgeon turn off the machine.

'3.40.' The nurse replied and took a last glance at man's face before hid it under material.

'Do we know his name?'

'Brendan Brady.' She answered as she glanced at documents.

'Call his family.' He ordered and without second look at the body, he marched out, and moved toward another surgery room. 'Okay, what we have, here?' He asked the surgeons crowding around patient.

'The girl died ten minutes ago, but her fiancé is still fighting.'

'It's him?' He pointed at the man lying in front of him.

'No, he's on the other ward. Here, it's Peter O'Malley.' He informed him. 'What about your patient?'

'Died.' He replied without emotions. 'I'm gonna take care about this guy, go to fiancé. And call girl's family.'

Noah was trying to contact with him from few good minutes, but he didn't has strength to answer, let alone say anything to him. He was blankly staring at the opposite, white wall, listening to Cheryl's cry, trying to process in mind what just happened. He was numb. He didn't cry, didn't do anything to conform Brendan's sister, although he knew he should do it. He should be the stronger one, but now he felt empty, like someone just stole his soul.

'Can I see him?' Cheryl asked through the tears, while nurses trying to calm her down.

'Mr. Brady had very serious injuries. Better for you if you don't see him in such state.'

'But I need to see him, it's my brother…Only for moment.' She begged and finally one of them agreed.

'Fine, Ms. Brady, but only for moment.' Ste didn't move when she passed by him, didn't think about going there with her. He wanted to remember him as he was alive. Maybe earlier, Ste wanted him to disappear from his life for good, and never come back. But now, he'd give anything to turn back the time and see him again. Until today he understood that without him he doesn't exist.

Cheryl wrapped her coat around herself when they leaded her to the mortuary. She didn't see how they've been removing the body and she was thankful for that. She didn't want to see her Brendan, her brother, being pulled out from the metallic drawer in a black bag like he was a thing, not a human.

'Only for moment.' The nurse warned her as she pushed the door and gave her a sign to come in. Cheryl took a deep breath and came inside the cold room alone. When she approached the table, she could see his burn hands and arms, his chest was bearing traces of cuts. The face…if not one blue eyes staring deadly on the ceiling and his dark hair plastered to his skull she probably would has a problem with recognize him. But still he was the same tall and slim man she remembered from two days ago. The same shine white teeth, which he was showing every time he laughed or smiled, this time shone as his lips curled into grimace. She could feel like his all body was steeped by fear, pain, and slow agony. She gently touched his long fingers and burst in hysterical cry as she understood he wasn't going to go back to home, that she'd never sees him again…Brendan Brady disappeared from her life just like she wanted it.