Okay, so um. This was never meant to see the light of day outside the tumblr-verse but i have been persuaded by the wonderfully talented Eich (enchanteob on tumblr) who also writes for this fandom. If you haven't checked out her work already, I suggest you do so, she's super amazing and as much as she will deny it, she's the reason this exists past chapter two. This whole thing will be dedicated to her, because I've been sat in the darkness for a little over a year, and when she came into my life in December, she didn't come charging in with lights, she simply sat next to me, and kept me company. This is for her x

Enjoy

Lifes Uncertainties

She hates the hustle and bustle of the busy diners on Main and 5th, so she tries to avoid the lunch hour rush by never eating out. But she hasn't eaten since last night, and the left over Chinese had been from the night before and had left her far from satisfied.

With Steve away and her having the apartment to herself she's been reluctant to head back over to Peck Manor for meals, despite not being as functional in the kitchen as she would like to be.

Frowning at her stomach as it protests her dislike of regular mealtimes she pulled her jacket tighter and scrunched her nose, her mind pleading with the hunger pains that are causing her stomach to cramp so hard she's having to rock back and forth in an attempt to soothe away the pain. Her body steadies for a moment and she lets out a sigh of relief, reaching into her pocket she pulls out her phone and notices with sadness that he hasn't text yet. He promised he would get in touch as soon as he could and so she sighs knowing there is an explanation. She knows that barracks is a busy place and he will be up to his elbows in shiny shoes and cot inspections and so she forgives his inability to stick to a time schedule. She slips her phone back between the denim snug of her jeans pocket but not before glancing at the time, just as another shooting pain ripples through her midsection followed by a growl so loud she almost blushes in embarrassment before she remembers she's alone.

Standing up from the park bench, she unravels the tangled wire from her pocket, plugging it into her phone, swiping with her thumb and pressing play. A soft smile gracing her face as a the melody fills her ears, a soft beat and whispered lyrics of a song that reminds her of her brother. She began to walk, unconsciously her legs had taken her three blocks before she realised where she was, the song switching as she come to a halt outside a small mom and pop restaurant. The lime and lemon striped awning hanging over a fogged up window that claimed in gold letters that 'Baileys Boys' sold 'the best milkshakes in town'. Her stomach inched her feet closer to the door, her cold hands pulling the door open and her eyes doing a quick sweep of the near empty tables before she stepped inside. She removed her headphones and swiped her thumb on the screen to silence them as an older woman approached her.

"Table for one?" She asked assumingly, and it took all Gail had to bite back a snarky comment.

"Yeah, it's just me..." She smiled through gritted teeth, her hands clenching at her sides as the idle woman showed her to a booth in the corner. Sliding along the red faux leather seat she glanced at the Menu as the lady declared she would allow her time to think about what she wanted.

When she was sure the woman was out of earshot she snorted and muttered a profanity that helped ease the perpetual ache that her stomach had adopted.

"My mommy says cussing is bad..." A voice informed her, and she scanned the room for the owner but the tables close by were empty.

Shrugging it off she continued to read the lunchtime options her stomach grumbling as she decided on a spinach and mozzarella panini and some fries, and a banana milkshake. Waiting for the lady to approach her she settled back in her seat and slipped her coat off her shoulders. Her stomach growling so loud in protest she found herself thankful no one was around.

"My mommy says when your body makes that sound, You're either really hungry or you have a lion in your tummy!" The voice came back, giggling this time, and Gails gaze shot upwards, a pair of bright green eyes watched her from behind the large seat opposite her.

"It's a lion ..." She joked, watching the boys eyes widen as she leaned in a little closer and whispered "... Sometimes a tiger, sometimes a cheetah, But today, definitely a lion"

"You're funny" the boy giggled, lifting his head up further to reveal a gappy grin and a smattering of freckles across his nose and dimple adorned cheeks.

"And you're adorable, but didn't your mommy ever tell you not to talk to strangers?" She asked, watching as she boys mouth screwed up in a pensive pout, his head tilting slightly as he pondered this question.

"What's your name?" He asked, the slightest hint of a lisp lingered between the space where his two front teeth had once been.

"I'm Gail..." she smiled, her eyes taking in his appearance. Sun kissed olive skin, sea green eyes and tousled shoulder length brown hair, she made up her mind that his parents were some sort of new age hippies.

"I'm Seth Alexander Stewart, and I'm nearly 6 years old" he stated informatively. Watching as a smile appeared on Gail's face "... Now we're not strangers" he finished, the dimples becoming more defined in his cheeks as he grinned at her knowingly.

"You're smart too..." Gail stated, her eyebrows raised '... where's your mom and dad?" She asked, scanning the room, a young woman three tables over fussed over a toddler in a pram. A man bent over the counter trying to get the waitresses attention, his ripped jeans , leather jacket and long silver hair scooped back into a braid told her he wasn't who she was looking for.

"My mommy is over there ordering me another milkshake," he informed her, lifting his hand and pointing to where a tall woman stood, her dark hair splayed over her shoulders and down her back hiding her face from view as she nodded along to the light sounds emitting from the radio in the kitchen "... I don't have a dad, I used to have a Katie, but she left... " his smile fell from his face, snatching away his dimple and replacing it with a sadness that pulled Gail's attention back to him.

I'm sorry to hear that..." She said softly, her mouth bunching up the in corner, keeping her silent as he continued.

"It's okay, she used to make my mommy sad sometimes, and now My mommy says..."

"Seth... " he was interrupted. Gail noticed his eyes widen with the notion that he was about to get into trouble and she watched him bite down on his bottom lip and stare at the woman who had approached the table, "...Seth what have i told you about interrupting people when they're eating...I'm so sorry" she said, turning to Gail and shaking her head apologetically.

Gail felt her jaw drop, the woman in front of her was tired, the thick rimmed glasses she wore couldn't hide the light purple shadows under her eyes, and the corners of her lips dropped like she hadn't smiled in a while, but she was beautiful.

Breathtakingly stunning.

Gail waved her hand and shook her head in dismissal, she hadn't actually minded the interaction, she smiled as she heard the boys protest.

"But mommy, Gail doesn't have her food yet, so I wasn't interrupting. And she's not a stranger, she's my friend, and she has a lion in her tummy" he rambled, his fingers still clinging to the back of the chair and his eyes hopefully flickering back between Gail and his mother, she guessed in the hopes that his explanation would be the end of her anger.

"Seth..." The woman warned, and without any feather instructions his fingers unclenched and he turned around in his seat, dropping down to a sitting position and propping his elbows on the tabletop, dropping his head into his hands.

"But i was going to share my fries with her, mommy"

Gail felt something tighten in her chest at the boys admission, a small smile found it's way to her face as she stared up at the woman who was still watching her. Lifting a hand in front of her she shook her head as she addressed his mother.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make him upset"

"You didn't, it's okay it's just been a rough couple of weeks who am I kidding, it's been a rough couple of years," she laughed softly and Gail felt her stomach flip, she clutched at herself thankful it was a flip and not a growl "...I just... Would you like to join us?" The woman asked gesturing to the booth in front of her while catching her bottom lip between her top one. Gail mirrored the image a little unnerved by the hold the dark haired woman had over her already.

"Oh that's okay, I um..."

A small head peered around the side of the booth, and she knew before he spoke that she was going to be persuaded quite easily. "Please Gail, you can share my fries with me.. you can even sit with me..."

"Seth, Gail might be busy sweetheart, she may be meeting someone for lunch. Let's leave her alone okay buddy" his mother said softly, the tension her voice held before has disappeared and instead was replaced by a loving tone that told Gail all she needed to know.

"You know what... I'd really love to join you both" she smiled, pushing her way along the chair and slipping out from her booth, heading towards theirs she thought for a moment about which seat to choose and she slipped in comfortably next to Seth who was patting the red leather with his hand.

"You're sure?"

"Who could say no to that ..." She pointed to the smile on Seth's face, his gappy grin melting her heart.

"You'd be surprised... I'm sorry, he is at that stage where he's very demanding and he's insistent, and he's so sociable"

"And I'm adorable... Gail said so" he quipped, pushing his plate of fries towards the blonde, and shaking his head happily when Gail reached and took one.

"He really is adorable... And clearly modest" Gail stated, watching the corners of the dark haired woman's mouth lift slightly. The waitress approached slowly,

"Banana milkshake for you... And a Caesar salad for you..." She said, putting the drink in front of Seth and the plate of leafy greens in front of his mother "... Can I get you anything else?" She asked Pulling a pen from Behind her ear and a small notepad out of her apron pocket.

"I'll have a banana milkshake also, please" Gail stated, swallowing the soft potato and reaching into the pocket of her jeans.

"I got it... Put it on my bill" Seth's mom nodded, and watched as the older woman walked away.

"You didn't have to do that..." Gail felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, sure she was a struggling artist, living in her brothers apartment while he was away in deployment, and sure she was often stuck eating leftovers from the nights before but she could definitely afford a milkshake.

"Seriously, it's the least I can do, this may be the first meal I actually get to finish while it's still edible... Thank you" her voice was warm and welcoming, and so Gail let out a small breath and sunk back in her seat.

"You're welcome..." She said, her statement more of a question as she realised she didn't know this woman's name yet.

"Holly ... My name is Holly"

Gail let the word linger for a moment before she whispered it softly, feeling it as it ghosted over her lips, her tongue peeking out just a little before she bit her bottom lip and nodded.

"Gail my fries are hot, can you cool them down for me?" He asked, as the older woman approached and placed another glass of yellow substance in front of them.

"How about you have some of your milkshake while we wait for them to cool down?" She suggested, pulling the tall glass towards herself, her fingers reaching for and tentatively unwrapping the straw from its paper casing, noticing the boys eyes on her she threw caution to the wind and brought the glass to her mouth, taking a small amount of the liquid between her lips but finding a considerable amount cooling the skin between her nose and smile. Putting the glass back on the table, and turning to face the young boy she was greeted with squeals of delight.

"You're so silly!" He giggled, holding his stomach as he leaned his head on the table and laughed louder.

"Excuse me young sir, what exactly about me is 'silly?" She asked feigning innocence and when he lifted his head and another stream of giggles fell from his mouth she couldn't help but laugh along with him.

"You have a milk moustache, look mommy she has a yellow milk moustache"

"I think Gail is aware of that sweetie" she smiled softly, content with watching this interaction between her boy and this girl, woman... Beautiful woman. She shook her head, mouth open softly as she watched him bring his glass to his mouth and within seconds there were two bright yellow moustaches staring back at her.

"Mommy look I have one too" he laughed, wrapping an arm around Gail's shoulders and pressing their heads together, like they were posing for a picture.

"You are a goofball" his mother declared, watching as they both scrunched their noses up and stated at each other before setting back to eating fries like nothing was wrong with the dripping liquid on their faces.

"Gail too?!"

She paused for a moment, watching bright blue eyes glance up at her and for a moment she felt the words pause on her tongue, and as they fell into the air before them she didn't shift her gaze, instead she watched a small smile form on the blondes face as she nodded "Yeah sweetie... Gail's a goofball too..."

I hope you liked :)