chapter one
Summary: Its been 5 years since Brendan got sent down, Ste has finally got his life on track but what happens when a blast from the past turns up and certain events happen to have them running for lives on the run? Rated T.
Chapter one
Ste got up that morning feeling refreshed after good nights sleep something he hadn't had in a long time but recently he had been getting himself back together. He felt he reason to, like he had a purpose. He would never have anyone like Brendan in his life again but he was starting to manage life without him five years after it all happened. He shuddered as he remembered being dragged away from his lover crying and screaming out his name so much that he couldn't breathe. He had not coped at the beginning drinking himself stupid. He had nightmares of being locked in that airtight fridge by Walker but in the nightmares no one had come to rescue them and nightmares of that night where Brendan had confessed everything to the police. He always used to wake up screaming and would drink more to blot that out. Only when he had ended in hospital after alcohol poisoning (two years in) did he stop to look at himself and decide that he needed some professional help because he wasn't coping. At this point Amy had moved back in with the kids to help Ste because he was obviously not coping.
Towards the end of the third year he had started to open up about the feelings he had suppressed to Amy and the counselors that he was seeing. He was on an upward spiral but he felt completely useless. He had sent visitation requests to Brendan but all of them got turned down. He just gave up in the end. Brendan obviously didn't love him as much as he said he did.
In the fourth year Ste had decided he needed to get back in the dating game and not wait around for Brendan. It broke his heart and one of the dates he set up he nearly cancelled feeling like he was betraying Brendan. Amy had given him a pep talk about it all so he ended up going. None of the dates were boyfriend material unfortunately being with Brendan had raised his standards too high for anyone ever to reach it but he did not want to lower his standards, why should he? Unfortunately nobody ever came to his standards so he gave up and started to focus on other aspects of his life. Soon he had all the friends he lost due to his meltdown back this included Doug, the Osbournes and the McQueen's even made a friendship with John Paul, got his divorce with Doug finally finalised and was even best man at Doug and John Paul's wedding.
Now he was in the fifth year and he had finally got his life back on track. He got up, washed and dressed and then walked in to the kitchen to where Amy was making herself a cup of tea, she turned round as he entered the room. "Morning Ames" said Ste. He checked his watch. "Ah shit should have been at work two hours ago"
"Get going I'll pop in with the kids later" said Amy. Ste pecked her on the cheek and ran out. He jumped into his car and got going.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
It had a quiet day in the deli; the only customers had been a couple of the new college students. John Paul had popped in a couple of times today to talk to Doug. The last time he had five year old Mathew with him. Ste had been keeping himself busy as the day had gone on restocking the fridge and bringing the deliveries in. He settled himself on one of the sofas for his break, there was a commotion coming from outside. Ste looked out the window. Some big bouncer like men were cornering a small lad didn't look older than nineteen his blond hair glinting in the sunlight. Ste gasped as he realized who it was, it was Declan and he marched outside. He wasn't going to let the lad get harmed not on his watch.
"Oi get away him now" shouted Ste. He got in front Declan.
"And who are you getting into our business" said one of them.
"Doesn't matter but you stay away from him" said Ste slowly and clearly squaring up to them.
"Leave now or I'll call the police" said Doug. Ste turned round to see Doug in the doorway of the Deli his phone ready to call. The men stepped back and glared at them. "This isn't over" shouted one of the men.
"We'll come after you, both you" shouted the other man. They marched away. Ste looked round at Declan he was shaking. Ste put his arm round his shoulders.
"Doug can you hold the fort, I got some catching up to do" said Ste. Doug nodded and went back in. Ste walked Declan in the direction of his car.
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
They got to the flat, the place was empty. Amy had probably taken the kids out somewhere. Ste pointed to the seat signalling Declan to sit down. He did like he was about to get told of. A similar expression to how Brendan used to look when he was apologetic. That stung Ste but he ignored it and busied himself with making a cup of tea. He finally sat down and faced Declan.
"So what was that all about?" asked Ste. Declan looked at him.
"Right Deccy, I can't help you if you don't talk".
"It's a long story" said Declan. Ste sighed and sat forward giving Declan his full attention.
"Well tell this long story, you have my undivided attention" said Ste.
TBC