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Nick walked along the cobbled street, it had stopped raining and the side lights were twinkling as they reflected from the puddled ground, creating a surprisingly beautiful sight. He thought about Carla; he apologised and left her a couple of hours ago. She was slumped on the sofa, annoyed that he had to leave for the Bistro at such short notice. They were supposed to be enjoying their own date night and instead he was forced to serve other people's. He only hoped he could make it up to her.

If she shut her eyes tightly enough, it tasted like old times. The feel of his skin felt familiar. Lasting for four seconds, maybe even five until she came to her senses and pulled herself away. Striking her hand across his face, nothing had felt more exhilarating. He finally tried to avoid her gaze.

"I still love you," Peter said it so quietly to her and she almost felt sorry for him. Were his feelings reciprocated? Carla couldn't think.

"Want my advice?" She asked as she grabbed hold of the door, pushing him completely out. "Go back to Antigua and don't give this place a second glance."

"I won't give up on you,"

It wasn't close to adequate and neither wanted or needed it. But she could hear the genuineness in his voice.

"Well, I think you should." She swung it shut and collapsed to the floor. He hadn't succeeded, she wasn't reduced to a snivelling wreck. Though she was angry, her pulse erratic. But she'd partly managed to keep a strong resolve; this was not a defeat for Carla. She just couldn't imagine what Peter was going to do next, she knew what he had subjected Nick to in the past and now she'd possibly made the situation far worse. Lifting herself up, she found the phone she tossed aside moments ago and hastily messaged her boyfriend.

Of course, after all the time apart, he needed to talk about more to her than Nick. He hadn't thought things through. But she definitely kissed him back, Peter wouldn't forget that. For the shortest period of time, she didn't completely hate him. It was progress. He carried himself down the flights of stairs. If this meant he had even a slight chance with Carla then he was going to take it with both hands, he couldn't fly back to Antigua now.

Nick felt his phone vibrate in his chest pocket, taking it out to find a text from Carla.

Peter's back

A simple message that felt more like a gunshot to his stomach. Quickening his pace to the flat, he tried to fumble a reply.

Are you okay?

It was clumsy but Nick couldn't control his spinning mind, he needed to know why the man he detested had returned and how Carla knew. The black hole in his head achingly reappeared; he wanted to know how his girlfriend felt for him. But perhaps that was something he could never ask, for everybody's sake. He finally looked up as he put his phone away, his shoulders falling. Standing at the building entrance, it was Peter.

The kiss, it wouldn't escape Carla's mind. Light to heavy, slow to fast and her guilt was unimaginable. It had been a long time since she had been that close to Peter and maybe she did miss his feel, momentarily at least. No, she loves Nick not the man that ruined her world. This is why she had blanked him from her memory. She found the last of her red wine before dropping back into the sofa, where he sat.

It took all his strength not to kill Nick there and then. But for now Peter knew; he had to go the long way.

"What've you done?"

Nick's face is a picture, all crumpled up and concerned. He surely knew how stupid his question was, as if Peter would ever purposely do anything to hurt Carla. Nick must have known it was him that he wanted to destroy.

He snarled at the other man's smug look, pushing past his shoulder. Nick recognized that look, all those years before, whether it was something to do with Leanne or Simon. It was a look of silent victory, an expression he had also used many times himself. He hated that Peter had been to see Carla, he hated that he didn't know what happened next and he hated that he was nearly starting to doubt his own girlfriend.

"I kissed her," Peter said quickly before Nick could get inside the building, "And yeah, she did respond."

Carla at last realised she didn't reply to Nick's message. It had been a few minutes and she didn't know if she was okay. Yes, she was physically okay. But she was mentally shaken up. No, he didn't particularly do anything out of line. Just Peter being Peter. The only problem was that Carla wasn't being Carla. She grabbed her phone and proceeded to write him a new text.

He amusedly watched Nick's reaction, exactly how he visioned: pathetic. His eyes were circling the ground and seemed to water. Funny really, Peter reacted similarly when he discovered their relationship in the first place, over the phone with Tracy. And then the anger hit in.

Nick couldn't comprehend his words. He didn't believe it, she despised him. Carla wouldn't go near that again. Or possibly she did, for the tiniest little moment before she realised. That is why he's stood there now. It was forgivable. He took a deep breath.

"Go home, Peter," Nick said it in his calmest tone.

With a forced grin, "I am home."

Nick had a new message, he probably shouldn't have but he took his phone out. "Carla needs me," he gloats before showing him the screen.

Carla's anxiousness was getting the better of her. She couldn't merely sit around waiting for Nick, worried about what her ex husband might do. Hell, she even felt a little nervous if Peter did catch the first plane out of Manchester. That wasn't really the end, was it? There was more that needed to be said. She picked up her coat and slipped on her black boots, slamming the door behind her.

Peter could see the text in bold letters, he could see their whole conversation before him. Something about it rubbed him the wrong way; how she had contacted Nick as soon as he left the room, warning him like he was some sort of monster. It was impulsive but Peter grabbed the mobile from Nick's hands and dropped it to the floor, letting it break to pieces.

She stormed through the halls. He wasn't picking up and she was getting more and more impatient. He should be back now, something didn't feel right. There was a bitter uncertainty thick in the air.

"Idiot,"

He smirked again then turned away. "I'll see you and Carla around,"

How dare he say her name, coming back purely to antagonise him. The rage built up inside Nick, he couldn't help it. He didn't want to, it just happened; he found himself swinging his fist to the back of Peter's head.

He lost his footing and fell to the ground, smashing with impact. Seeing the speckles of blood dripping onto the concrete, he knew his skull had ripped. Nearly inaudible, Peter managed a promise as he tried to stand back to his feet, "You'll regret that."

Nick watched him stagger away. His rival didn't look good, clearly needing an ambulance but his phone was in several pieces. Cursing himself, he should have known better and kept his self control; now Peter would think he had the upper hand. Nick squinted his eyes, only to look on in horror as he lost his balance again, crashing down.

Peter could only see black. Then white. And then nothing.

Carla had seen everything.

...okay, okay, I got a bit carried away! I really don't know but please tell me what you thought? I did try to keep it balanced between Narla/Carter but I guess that's up to you, thanks for reading!