Stacey turned and stared at Ronnie open mouthed. Her eyes flickered between Danielle and Ronnie. Danielle was completely oblivious to what had just been blurted out and Ronnie, her face had gone pale and her eyes narrowed but in a second it was like it had never happened.
Ronnie: Right. Get off her. Danielle, come on. We're taking you home.
Ronnie pushed Adam away and pulled one of Danielle's arms around her shoulder. She only now realised just how drunk Danielle was as Ronnie was supporting all of her weight. Danielle couldn't even keep herself upright.
Ronnie: Stacey she's your friend are you going to help or just stand there?
Stacey moved to the other side of Danielle and pulled Danielle's free arm around her shoulders as Ronnie had.
Stacey: I dunno how strong you are but I can't carry her all the way back to mine like this.
Stacey was already faltering in her slightly drunken state and her knees began to shake. Ronnie looked around the club.
Ronnie: Fine, we can let her sit in the office for a bit. Give her some water and hope she sobers up.
Stacey and Ronnie between them, half carry and half drag Danielle into the office. They tried to manouver Danielle onto the sofa there but Ronnie ended up trapped under her. Ronnie was sat leaning against the arm, one leg stretched out of her on the sofa and the other bending down to the floor. Danielle was sprawled on her back, her head on Ronnie's chest and her body leaning against Ronnie, completely trapping her.
Stacey: You want me to help move her so you can get up?
Stacey was only just managing to contain the smile that she felt creeping onto her face at the sight of the drunken Danielle sprawled on top of her bemused and fairly unimpressed looking mother. Obviously she didn't hide her smile as well as she thought as she caught Ronnie's eyes narrowing at her.
Ronnie: If I move she's going to end up on the floor and in the state she's in we'll probably never get her back up. Why don't you make yourself useful and just go and get her some water to try and sober her up?
Part of Stacey wanted to shout back to Ronnie, to tell her she's a stupid cow but the sight in front of her was too ironic to take seriously so more than anything, just to stop herself from laughing she left the room without a word.
Ronnie peered around the door as far as her entrapment would allow and once she was satisfied Stacey had gone she led out a sigh and slumped back into the chair.
Ronnie: Do you have any idea how heavy you are?
She smiled at the sleeping figure stretched out on her. It was almost like talking to Roxy after a big night. Ronnie reached her hand around and stroked Danielle's hair away from her face. Danielle's eyes twitched in her sleep but she was far too out of it to respond to anything.
Ronnie: What are you doing to yourself Danielle? Eh? You could have got hurt tonight, you know that. You can't let that happen to you.
Her voice was soothing, a gentle murmur. Her fingers still stroked the hair out of Danielle's face. She felt so protective of this little girl, this fragile child that it shook her.
Ronnie: I can't let that happen to you.
She whispered the words into Danielle's ear and kissed her forehead.
Stacey walked back into the office, a large glass of water clasped in each hand. She passed one to Ronnie and started to drink from the other.
Ronnie: What's got into her Stacey?
Stacey: Look, it's just since the whole abortion, she hasn't been right. It's nothing more ok, nothing else.
Stacey was too adamant, too defiant.
Ronnie: What aren't you telling me?
Stacey: Why do you even want to know? She's nothing to do with you is she?
Stacey's avoidance and refusal to meet her eyes didn't get past Ronnie.
Ronnie: When she ends up getting molested in my club and then passed out on top of me, yes. I'd say it's something to do with me.
Stacey looked awkwardly at the floor, this wasn't the time or place for this.
Stacey: Leave it. This is between me and Dan and right now you digging isn't going to help anyone.
Still Stacey couldn't meet Ronnie's eyes. They sat in silence for what seemed like hours. Ronnie began absentmindedly stroking Danielle's face as she stared into space. Stacey couldn't help sneaking glances at her. They looked like everything that Danielle had been looking for. The 'Ice Queen' was just…human. Stacey saw it from the moment she had stepped in to help Danielle, but the tears forming in her eyes shocked Stacey. Before she had a chance to think about it though, Ronnie turned her face downwards and rubbed her eyes feigning tiredness.