Disclaimer: I don't own Shameless.
A/N: I know that I have a bunch of WIP's out there, but this idea came to me when I was rewatching season three in preparation for the upcoming season. I just couldn't help myself. With that said this story contains spoilers for season three and is major AU after 3.06. I hope you guys enjoy!
Never Look Back-Chapter 1
As he felt the blood dripping down his face and felt his father's relentless beating fists, Mickey knew that he made the right call by jumping on his father's back to save Gallagher. Neither of them deserved this, but especially not Gallagher. Not when he had the chance and will to get away from this shithole. Mickey on the other hand was born Southside and will die in the Southside, when was the only question. And at the moment it looks like it may very well be right now. But, as long as his father is distracted by beating the shit out of him, then Gallagher would be safe. He'd have a fighting chance to get away.
He continues to take the hits as a sense of calm overcomes him when he hears the sound of the younger boy's retreating feet. Good, Gallagher's taking advantage of the brief window of opportunity. Then the hits stop. He no longer feels his father's weight dangerously close to him. Shit.
"Sit your ass down," His father orders.
But instead of hearing the noise of Gallagher's approaching feet, the ex-con hears the feet moving away from them. Gallagher must be trying to make a run from it. Maybe to go find Mandy or Lip or even Tony. Mickey's dealt with his dad for years, he knows it's all about waiting him out, waiting for the booze, drugs, and anger to work out of his father's system. He can hold on until reinforcements arrive or at least until he has the opportunity to regroup and think of what he's going to do next to get out of this clusterfuck.
BANG! BANG!
Mickey's eyes instantly open. He sees his father's arm is still raised, smoking gun in hand. The unmistakable smell of gun powder taking over that of the odd mix of sex, cigarette smoke, and slightly burnt pizza bagels. But, through all that…it's the sound of Gallagher's hitching breaths that propel Mickey into motion. Not daring enough to look at Gallagher, Mickey's cold stare remains on his father. But, his father isn't aware that he is not in his own son's crosshairs.
"That's what you get you fucking fairy," his father yells.
With his father's attention still on the injured redhead, Mickey takes the opportunity to push himself off the couch and charges at his father. His momentum causes them to crash to the floor, the gun sliding under the battered couch. He gives his father no time to recover, instantaneously his fists are slamming into his father's face, without mercy. Like a man on a mission, he doesn't lead up. Something stronger than the high he gets from running from a fight or from any drug pushes him to continue to beat his father, even after his father's arms fall lifelessly to his side. Even after his father's eyes roll in the back of his head. He doesn't even feel the pain in his no doubt broken knuckles.
But then something finally breaks through his tunnel vision. A broken voice. "Mick. Mick."
Mickey stops and looks down at the unrecognizable face of his father. The man who has made his mother and siblings' lives a living hell. The same man who shot Gallagher. Fuck the same man who shot Gallagher.
"Mick…Mick," Gallagher slurs.
Mickey goes to get up and lands one more punch for good measure and makes his way to the redhead's side. Gallagher's normally pale skin is about ten shades paler than it usually is. It sharply contrasts with the amount of bright red blood that is covering Gallagher's right side.
"Fuck, Gallagher!" Mickey swears as he kneels down besides the younger boy. He reaches out for the dingy blanket that is on the back of his couch and pushes it firmly to the other's chest. Ian tries to move away from the pressure, but the ex-con won't let him.
"Don't! leave it!" Mickey orders.
"Mick," Ian gasps as he opens his pain filled eyes. Mickey can't help but shudder when he sees blood trickling out of Gallagher's mouth. Shit. Bullet must have gotten a lung. Without warning, he maneuvers Gallagher so he is now against the wall.
"Is he-"Gallagher starts but stops when he starts to cough. More blood dropping down his colorless face.
"Fuck! Don't! Don't worry about that. Just keep breathing," Mickey says as he pushes down harder on Gallagher's chest, even as the younger boy moans loudly in pain. He sees Ian's hand moving desperately, clawing on the thread barren rug as he tries to calm his breathing. With his free hand, he grips Gallagher's flailing hand. "You're gonna be fine. Think of this as training for when you're in the army," Mickey tries to reassure the bleeding boy in front of him. His eyes briefly scans the living room. Where the fuck did he put his phone. And more importantly how the fuck can he leave Gallagher when he has a death grip on his hand. He's so busy trying to remember where the fuck his phone is, Gallagher's gasping breaths fucking with his concentration, that he doesn't even hear the door open.
"What the fuck?!"
Mickey looks up when he hears the exclamation and the all too familiar gasp. He looks up to see Mandy and Lip standing in the entryway. Fuck.
I know it's short, but I did pack in a lot in this short little chapter. I hope you guys liked it! I already have a pretty good outline for chapter two so an update should come fairly quickly.
