To anyone who was reading this story, hoping for an update, I'm sorry! Its crazy how once you stop writing, it's so hard to start back up. But I read through some old ideas I have for fics, and realized it wouldn't be right for me to write something new without finishing this! I wrote this in a single night, at the wee hours of the morning, so I apologize if it's awful.

Cheryl awoke in the morning with a pit in her stomach. The events from the night before had left her sleep restless. Crawling out of bed, she reached for her phone on the dresser that she had discarded before heading to the club; no new notifications besides a few missed calls from Nate the night before. She knew she had to make things right with him. He had been right about everything, about Brendan and her father. She shuddered at the thought as she descended the stairs looking for Nate.

Nate was busy in the kitchen making breakfast when Cheryl snuck behind him, sitting at the dining table. Hearing the chair pull out behind him, he spoke up.

"Cheryl, hoping that's you beautiful. Did you have a good bon voyage night out with the girls and Ste? I've made us a going away breakfast with what was left in the pantry." Nate turned with two coffees in his hands, before seeing Cheryl's crestfallen face. "Are you alright darling? Got a bit of a hangover there? You didn't get back til late, I tried to stay up."

Cheryl accepted the coffee Nate offered, "Bit, ta." Cheryl's eyes stayed lowered, unable to meet Nate's worried glance. Luckily, he turned back to the kitchen and continued making breakfast.

"I hope you're not having second thoughts about the move. Everything's packed and ready to go. Is your dad going to be staying in this flat or is he going to be getting his own place? I know Brendan's been staying with Ste, but I want to leave some things for Seamus if he plans on staying here." Nate took Cheryl's continued silence for uncertainty, so he kept rambling. "I know you still feel bad about leaving your dad and Brendan, but they'll have each other. Your dad isn't the easiest man to get along with, but I know you love him, and he and Brendan will have to get over whatever it is between them—"

"Stop! Please Nate, just stop." Cheryl interrupted. "You were right."

"What? Cheryl how do you mean?" Nate came over to the table wiping his hands on the tea towel that hung on his shoulder.

"You were right about my Da, and about Brendan." She paused to take a sip from the mug she held with both hands, hoping to steady their shaking. "So, what are you making me in there? A royal that can cook, ey. I must have hit the jackpot." Cheryl feigned a smile.

"Cheryl, stop, don't worry about breakfast. What are you talking about?" Nate asked as he took a seat across the table from her. He reached for her hands, but she pulled them back. "Is this about what happened at the engagement party? I told you, I must have misunderstood what Brendan was saying, I'm sure he didn't mean—"

"No." Cheryl cut him off again. "No, he did mean it. You were right. My da, that monster took away my sweet wee brother's innocence. How could I not see it? How could I not see what my dad was doing to him?" Cheryl began to breakdown as tears streamed down her face. "Say something, please."

"You didn't see because you loved your dad, and because you're sweet, and kind." Nate found her eyes then, and attempted to wipe away the tears that fell. "How did you find all this out Cheryl? Did Brendan tell you?"

It was then that Cheryl realized she had said far too much, Brendan had told her to just pretend everything was fine and get back to her life. But how could everything be fine when her whole world had just been turned on its axis? How could she move on and start a life with Nate if she didn't tell him the truth? She stifled her tears and breathed out.

"It doesn't matter, yeah. What matters now, is that we leave this horrible place and that horrible man behind."

"But what about Brendan, we should go see him, talk to him, make sure he's okay now that this is out in the open. Have you spoken to him, or your dad?"

"Please Nate, Brendan's got Ste. And my dad is going to burn in hell for what he's done," her sobs began again as she cleared her eyes with her sleeves. "I just need to go, move on. Brendan was right, if we go on to start a family, I don't even wish them to know his name. Please, I don't want to talk about this ugliness anymore. This is our chance, please Nate."

"Yeah, absolutely Cheryl, whatever you want."

"What I want, it to eat that breakfast you've prepared, and then get the hell out of this god forsaken village." She tried a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Nate swallowed his thoughts and smiled back. If this is what Cheryl wanted, this is what he was going to do for her. They ate breakfast in forced conversation about the drive ahead of them, and about the work they'd probably have to do at the manor, as it had been vacant some time. Cheryl mostly just pushed the food around her plate, but managed to get a few bites down as Nate continued his watchful stare. As he cleaned up the plates and cookery, Cheryl got the last of her things together, including the washings from the dryer that she immediately threw into a large black trash bag.

"I thought you loved that outfit." Cheryl nearly jumped out of her skin as Nate joined her in the laundry room.

"Jesus Nate!"

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Why are you so jumpy, is it this business with your dad?"

"No, stop. I don't want to talk about him anymore," there was a noticeable frustration in her voice before she composed herself. "This jumper is just tacky. Not posh enough for 'the manor' as you called it." This time her smile was genuine, she really was excited to be starting fresh after all the turmoil and pain over that last few hours and days.

"Ah, yes. The lady of the manor must have a sophisticated wardrobe, better than all the other ladies of the land." Nate put on his posh-est voice before hugging behind Cheryl and kissing at the nape of her neck, and whispering, "Not the pants though. They make your bum look divine, and besides, you know what they say. Lady in the streets, freak in the sheets."

"Nathan!" Cheryl giggled and gave him a loving nudge in the side before taking the pants out of the bag. "Well you are right about my bum, though it looks good in just about anything. Anyway, this is the last of the packing and we are ready to go!"

"Don't you want to stop off in the village to say goodbye to folks?"

"Nope, anyone I wanted to say goodbye to I already have. I am ready to get out of here."

It was a long journey ahead of them, but they figured driving was best, as Nathan had driven his red convertible over to Chester to begin with. Before leaving, they had sent most of Cheryl's belongings through the post, so that they would be there in a few days. All they had needed were a last few items and some clothes to change into after the long ferry ride.

Cheryl was excited to be leaving, but she still wasn't certain of what was happening with Brendan and Ste. When she and Nate had left the flat, the club still appeared closed, and only Doug and Leanne were working in the deli. She gave a slight wave through the window, before tying a scarf on her head and getting into the passenger seat. She still hadn't heard off Brendan, but she assumed he would take care of things as she had seen him do so in the past. The thought sent chills through her spine, but she knew it was all to protect her and the ones he loves. She understood Brendan's motives now more than ever.

While the drive out of the village was uneventful, the pair hit standstill traffic within about forty minutes of being on the A55. Cheryl was anxious about missing their ferry and noticing the emergency vehicles, she forced Nate to pull over. Being curious she shouted out to an officer close by.

"Eh, what's happened here? We're trying to catch the ferry, and we'll miss it if we're stuck in this traffic."

"Nothing to be concerned here ma'am. There was a single car collision, but we should have the road cleared shortly." Cheryl nodded, while looking over past the officer into the slightly wooded area roadside.

The remnants of a car were smashed into a tree, with the whole interior burnt out. Cheryl didn't think much of it, until she noticed crews working around the scene pull a burnt piece of tapestry from the boot. It was the same color and pattern as the material that had once adorned the floor of the office of Chez Chez. As Nate pulled back onto the road, Cheryl reached for her phone while holding her breath. She tried to ring Brendan and Ste both but got no answer. Nate looked to her curiously, as expletives left her mouth one after another.

"Jeeze Cheryl, calm down. Who are you trying to call?"

She stumbled to answer. She didn't want to lie to Nathan, but revealing even a bit of her concern would reveal a reality she wasn't prepared for.

"Just the ferry company, I wanted to confirm the times of departure but no one's bloody answering."

"It's no worry. If we miss it, we can stop for dinner and make the next, yeah? I know you're ready to jog on, but we'll get there. I promise."

Well there it is! Sorry for the bit of a cliff-hanger, but I will complete this story (and I won't wait 6 months this time :x promise).