Ste remained silent feeling the mug slowly decrease to ice cold; the temporary warmth had felt nice against his clammy fingers. He could feel Amy's razor sharp stare pierce him like she could see into his mind and see the conflict and battle in his head. "I was… travelling around. To my clear my head." Amy snorted, slamming her empty mug on the table. "Ste, it doesn't take 'five years to clear your head.'" Her voice was nearly as sharp as her glare. "You left without a word. Leaving me alone to raise Lucas and Leah, and all you can come up with is 'travelling to clear your head.'"

He sat through five years worth of rants each word well deserved. Eventually Amy left to pick the kids up leaving with parting words of needing to get some space. He really didn't blame her, if he was in her shoes he would be pissed if the mother of his children just up and left without a word. He walked around Hollyoaks it was so familiar yet so strange. "Ste?" he froze at the sound of his name, he turned almost cautiously. His body was scared; he could have sworn his heart stopped for a mere second. Bradley moved forward all his instincts told him to run but fear made him stay put. "I thought I told you stay away and never come back."

Five years ago he would have said something to show that nothing could intimidate him but now… He wasn't that same person; he was timid and cautious now always looking over his shoulder, some would say he was paranoid and he would agree. Suddenly his mind jump-started his body and he moved back, as Bradley moved towards him. "Look mate I don't want any trouble." He felt the wall hit his back and realised there was nowhere to escape. "You don't want any trouble? Well you should have thought about that before coming here."

A fight was something past Ste would have loved and almost thrived on but he knew this person was angry and he knew full well he deserved the beating. Soon it became impossible to stand back up, hot tears escaped his eyes, and his ribs ached at every breath. "Funny, I thought this would make me better." He grabbed Ste by his shirt, pulling him forcefully on to his feet. Ste automatically used the wall for support, one arm hugging his stomach. "No matter how much I hit you, it won't bring my brother back." Ste coughed in an attempt to get some oxygen into his lungs. "I-I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't good enough."

He waited for the final blow, which would be the one to knock him out cold, but it never came. He lifted his head to see a tall man holding back Bradley he could visually see Bradley struggle. "Now, now this isn't a fair fight is it?" the man's accent was soft and each word was dangerous. The Irish man looked at Ste, his dark eyes travelling up his body to his face. His mustache twitching a little, he leaned his mouth towards Bradley's ear. "A fair fight would be this young man being able to defend himself. Now get out of here."

He released Bradley who immediately left quickly. "You alright there?" Ste had no idea what to say, if he could talk he would still be silent. Instead he just nodded his head than changed his mind.

"Lost your voice?"


A/N: Hope you like the chapter :) thanks for the feedback.