Disclaimer: I don't own Skins or the characters from the show, I do, however, own a man called Howard, a girl called Lexie and the contents of this story.

Author Notes: This is part five of the Naomily series I have been writing since earlier in the year, so if you haven't read the others, look up Trying To Forget (part one). It's taken me a while to find an idea I was happy with. I've also been ill, which is why I haven't updated my other story yet. I hope you enjoy this first chapter.

Without Warning

Chapter One

The room was filled with her possessions. Her favourite chair was pride of place in front of the television, the coffee table carefully angled in front of it; close enough that she could rest her legs on the side, but far enough away that she could manoeuvre the vacuum cleaner around it. Home comforts were dotted around and boxes overflowed with old and new belongings. Despite everything she loved occupying the spaces, it didn't quite feel like home.

"Is this the last of it?"

Emily turned around and nodded at the removal men. They exchanged money and gratitude before they left her to her thoughts. Instantly she wished they would return; not because she wanted their company, but because she wanted any company. She was excited. The new apartment was brand new, recently developed from an old factory building, it had the latest electrics and gas. But she dreaded the prospect of lonely nights in front of the television with nobody there to share the emptiness with.

"Knock, knock," came a voice from the doorway.

It was unexpected. She'd barely moved in, the place was a mess and she was already going to have to start entertaining? She wondered if it was somebody's evil plan, give her the company she so desired just moments before, when really she wanted a bit of time to herself.

"Oh, you're early," she said, carefully considering the blonde haired woman staring back at her.

"I have a hair appointment, I thought it'd be fine," Naomi replied, her voice unsure, but seemingly strong.

"I've barely just moved in, but okay," Emily replied, glancing behind Naomi, "Where are they?"

"Lexie thought it fun to count the stairs and take Harley with her,"

A smile spread across her face at the thought of eighteen month old Harley walking up two flights of stairs. She'd not seen him in three days, what with moving and their custody arrangements. The excitement she felt was electrifying. When he was born she didn't expect to feel so in love with their son, but the more she looked into his sparkling blue eyes, the more she was reminded of the love that brought him into their lives.

"Nice place," Naomi muttered, looking around with curiosity.

"It's not much at the moment, but once it's sorted out, it'll be home."

The two women shared a look, their eyes staying on each other past the acceptable time. They both glanced away, both feeling how awkward it had become so quickly.

"You sure you can drop them off at your parents before the reunion?" Naomi checked, staring at a pile of boxes labelled "the kids".

It was difficult to see a box that contained items belonging to their son, particularly when such items had never crossed Naomi's path before. He'd arrive home in a new outfit once in a while or clutching a new toy, but it had never crossed her mind that he'd have a whole host of items at his other home.

"It's fine," Emily mumbled.

Naomi could sense inhospitality in Emily's response. A sign that she knew meant she had to leave, as quickly as possible. She took another fleeting look around the apartment, and on hearing the sound of the children approaching the door, she smiled faintly at Emily.

"Okay well, I should go."

"Guess I'll see you tonight," Emily replied.

"Yeah," Naomi sighed.

It suddenly occurred to her that she had to inform Emily, she had to tell her now before she found out by herself. It made her nervous, but she pushed it aside, biting her lip.

"I'm, I thought you should know that I'm bringing someone."

It was difficult not to watch those familiar lips; one tucking the other into her mouth, creating a temporary crevice as Naomi's teeth dug into the skin. It was a common feature of Naomi's sexual handbook for flirting, but most of the time it was unintentional. Regardless of whether she meant it or not, it never failed to promote a reaction from Emily.

"Oh," Emily gasped, taken aback by Naomi's revelation and her unwanted desire, "I didn't know you were seeing anyone."

"Yeah, for three months now," she replied, throwing the final piece of information into the mix as though it was merely an afterthought.

"Does she know about Lexie and Harley?"

"Of course she does," Naomi mumbled, "She loves them."

She was jumping into hot water; risking burning herself from head to toe as she answered Emily's queries. But she always did have a terrible problem with foot-in-mouth disease. Emily's reaction, to what she considered a stupid and pointless attempt to make her estranged wife jealous, certainly didn't shock her.

"When, why did, why didn't you tell me?"

Nor did she bite her tongue as her mouth continued to do the talking, before her brain did the thinking.

"Keep your knickers on Emily, I didn't introduce them if that's what you're worried about, we bumped into her at a cafe."

Anger. That's what she thought she felt, but she wasn't sure. It was difficult for Emily to distinguish her feelings since they'd broken up. So much so that she'd confused lust with love on one occasion and jealousy with hate on multiple. She could feel her words slipping from her lips unaided.

"That is besides the point and you know it," Emily snapped, "I have a right to know if my son is going to meet your latest floozy."

Naomi scoffed, "This isn't the time nor the place to be discussing this, you'll meet Juliet tonight."

"You think that's going to make this more acceptable?" Emily grumbled.

"Don't you dare make me out to be the bad guy, I'm not the one who left, or slept with someone else. I wasn't the first one to move on, how is Alyson?"

It was a low blow and one that Naomi had used again and again. She wasn't willing to let Emily forget that she knew and that she was still upset about it. It made her feel powerful, knowing she could whip out her weapon at any time and knock Emily for six.

"How am I supposed to know? That was over eight months ago, you have no right bringing it up now."

There was a silence, another shared glance, a moment where both women knew they were on the verge of a major argument if they didn't nip it in the bud. Thankfully the little blonde haired boy that belonged to both of them came running into the room, his hands clinging instantly to Emily's legs as he burrowed his face between them.

"Mummy!"

"Hey there little man," Emily cooed, "I've missed you."

It was the chance they'd both wanted for the discussion to be over and Naomi took it quickly, using it as her opportunity to escape. She kissed her son and Lexie goodbye. The door slowly came to a complete close and Emily felt herself let out a breath she'd held in since the children entered the apartment. She looked at the two of them, a huge smile spreading from ear to ear.

"We've both missed you, haven't we Harls?" Lexie informed her, giving her a hug.

"Yeah," Harley grinned.

The apartment was new for all of them, which made it difficult for her son to adapt. She pulled out a number of his things as soon as he'd grown fussy, settling him on the floor with his favourite toys. Lexie, however, was excited by the new adventure, taking herself off on a tour of the three bedrooms, one of which she knew would be her own.

"How is school?" Emily asked as the two of them sat down with Harley.

"It's okay," Lexie shrugged, "Miss Higgins is really nice."

"Was she the year six teacher last year?"

Lexie nodded. Emily hated the small talk. She wished she could be there every day, watching the girl she'd known most of her life flourish in her academic achievements. It had been months since the little girl had come home, full of excitement over something she'd done or was going to do at school. Emily knew it was because Naomi got all the best stories and by the time she asked, the excitement was gone.

"I remember meeting her, nice lady."

They sat in silence for a few minutes as Emily watched Harley play; it thrilled her to see him settle into the new house. She'd spent weeks agonising over the purchase. He was used to a garden and plenty of space; she'd hoped it would be enough. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lexie, her wandering mind making Emily feel instantly at ease.

"What are you wearing tonight? Naomi's dress is amazing and if you want to compete with Juliet you'll have to have a pretty amazing one too."

She chuckled, wondering how Lexie had gotten so grown up in the year they'd not lived so closely together. Despite the girl's talent for being spot on, Emily still felt the need to correct her.

"I don't want to compete."

"Well you should," she replied, a disappointment in her eyes, "I'd much rather live with you than that bitch."

"Lexie!" Emily gasped, shocked by the eight year olds choice of words.

"What? You said that word the other day,"

"When?"

"On the phone to Auntie Katie."

She wanted to laugh again, but stopped herself. She knew Naomi would kill her if she accepted Lexie's use of the word. Her lips curled slightly, before she pulled them back into a straight line.

"That doesn't count, you shouldn't be saying it."

"You always say that," Lexie complained.

Emily felt herself growing with elation, thankful to Lexie for making their new home feel like it was a home and not just a new apartment they happened to inhabit. They were already building small memories that she hoped would never be forgotten. She thought carefully about Lexie's suggestion.

"What exactly is Naomi wearing tonight?"

Author Notes: Did you enjoy this chapter? Please review. :)