A/N: Sorry for taking so unbelievably long with this chapter! I've been held up in Real Life! However, I've got the next few chapters already written and waiting in the shadows so the gap should NOT be so long next time! Sorry again!

Disclaimer: Still don't own Christian or Syed :( Just having some twisted fun with them! All rights to the respective owners (BBC)

This is a direct continuation from the previous chapter ..

Please review whether or not you like the chapter.. they bring a smile to my face and I love reading them!

Love CC xx

Christian's POV:

"You're joking"?

"I wish I was Christian".

I ran my hands along the back of my neck. A clear sign when I was either stressed or worried. Of all the people in the world.. it had to be Syed's mother who could help us. We had no contact with Masood or Zainab at all but Syed did occasionally stay in touch with Tamwar who was studying for his final year in university. Tamwar…

"Tamwar".

"What"?

"We can get Tamwar to help us, he could get the number out of your evil mother's phone and she'll never know either way". I stare excitedly at him. It was a fool proof plan.

"No"

"Why not? This way none of us have to go through the Wicked Witch of the East and everyone's happy".

"Christian, Tamwar is doing his final exams in less than 2 weeks. He needs to focus on revision and not me. It's fine".

"How is it fine Syed? You said so yourself that the only person who can help us get the number is Zainab."

"I know"

"You're not actually going to ask her for it are you"?

"I have no choice".

"You do realise that will actually involve speaking to her"

"Yeah I do"

"And talking to her".

"Yes"

"And she'll probably expect you to grovel at her feet again"

"Chri-"

"Not to mention the fact, she'll hold it over your head like some kind of demented executioner for the rest of your life".

"CHRISTIAN".

I stopped. His eyes filled with tears and he turned his back away from me. I immediately felt guilty and mentally kicked myself for not knowing when to shut up. Walking towards the bed, I sat down on the pillow next to him, I touched him lightly on the shoulder.

"Sy, I'm sorry. I just got carried away at the thought of having to get in contact with your mother again".

"Hmm hmm".

"Listen, do you want me to speak to her"?

He turned around in the bed so fast, I'm surprised he didn't burn himself.

"YOU want to speak to MY mother? You hate her, why on earth would you want to speak to her for?"

"I don't hate you"

"I'd hope not".

We share a smile.

"I mean, yeah I'm not gonna deny that I wouldn't stay in a room with your mother if it was the only place in the world, but you need her help and you're too ill to be dealing with her. I can talk to her".

He didn't even contemplate the thought for a second.

"No way".

"Why not?"

"Because you'd kill each other within moments of setting sights on each other".

"I can play nice… when I want to". I added more as an afterthought.

"Christian it's fine. I just want to get some sleep. We'll discuss it later".

I nodded at him and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Get some rest babe and I'll be home when you wake up".

We smile at each other, lost in our little world for a few moments. Eventually he snuggles down on the bed, yawning. Leaning down onto my elbow, I stroke his hair softly, playing with it. I found his hand with my right hand and entwined our fingers together. Bringing them to my lips, I softly kiss his hand. I smile as I watched him fall asleep. I love him just as much as I did all those years ago, if not more.

"I'm just going to have a shower". I whisper into his ear softly placing a small kiss on his lips. I really need one.

Shutting the bathroom door behind me, I walked across the padded floor in the direction of the bedroom. I tightened my towel around me and smiled as I saw Syed with his back to me, by the kitchen sink.

I quietly crept up behind him, slipped my hands around his waist and kissed his neck.

"You're awake fast". I murmured into his neck.

It took me a couple of seconds to realise that he was pulling out of my grip.

"What's wrong"?

He turned to me, his face like thunder.

"Where were you"?

"I went to go and have a shower Sy".

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'"?"

He glared at me and I realised that was not in fact a rhetorical question.

"I needed one".

"Where are you going"?

"No where. I'm spending the rest of the afternoon here before I have to go to work".

He laughed mirthlessly.

"That explains it".

"Explains what"?

"It doesn't matter". I could only watch in shock as he pushed past me and walked back to our bedroom. I couldn't understand why he'd flipped out at me.

The following day:

Christian's POV:

"I'm not going to be long Sy. Just popping out to get some milk".

"Why didn't you get some when you were out earlier"?

"Because it totally slipped my mind and I wanted to get home to you".

"Typical Christian isn't it? I told you this morning that we needed more milk."

"Sy, you'd phoned me up asking me to come straight home so-"

"So its my fault now is it"?

"I'm not saying that. Do you know what. I'm going out to get the milk and hopefully you'll stop biting my head off when I get back".

Picking my keys and wallet up, I left to go to the shops.

The same evening:

Christian's POV:

"Sy have you thought any more about getting the number from your mum"?

"You just can't leave it alone can you"?

"I'm sorry?"

"I told you already that I'll deal with it".

"How many times? You're not well enough to do this alone".

"Maybe I don't need your help".

"And why's that then"?

"You and my mum are going to be snapping at each other's throats. I don't need that from either of you".

"I've already promised you that I wouldn't".

"Yeah well I don't want to take the risk".

"Gee that feels good to hear Sy".

"I-"

"What makes you think she'll play nice with you Sy"?

"Sorry"?

"Exactly what I said. You haven't spoken to her for 3 years. She's hardly going to welcome you back with open arms is she"?

"Yeah well that's my problem Christian".

"Why are you acting like this?"

"Acting like what"?

"This. I can't even breathe without you jumping down my throat at the first opportunity".

"That's not true".

"It is. Stop pushing me away Sy. Talk to me, please".

I held onto his gaze for as long as I could before he looked away.

"I'm going to sleep. See you in the morning".

I looked away from him, biting my lip, as he walked out the lounge. I shook my head at him unable to believe his behaviour. I breathed in deeply, before picking up our plates and taking them to the kitchen.

The next afternoon:

Christian's POV:

"Sy, Doctor Kyle wants you to make another appointment with him".

"Tell him that I don't need to see him. I'm fine".

I bit my lip, debating whether or not to take it up with him. In less than 48 hours, the tension in the house was bubbling away. I couldn't say or do anything right. I'd left Syed to make the decision on whether or not he was going to get in contact with his mum, but short of calling her up myself, there really wasn't much for me to do. The 'caring' side of me won over.

"Sy, you need to see him. You're wasting away to a pile of bones".

It was true. His face was slowly sinking in. He had no energy to do anything, and wasn't eating anything either. It hurt me so much to see the person I loved more than anything like this.

"Christian I'm fine, stop fussing. I didn't know you were my mother".

"Speaking of your mother, are you going to get the number from her anytime soon or do you want me to drive down to Walford"?

"NO! Christian, I forbid you from driving down to Walford".

I raise my eyebrow instead at him, smirking.

"Are you grounding me Sy? I didn't know you were my mother".

I smile at him as his eyes reach mine. His lips curve upwards as he attempts a smile. It's been so long since I've seen him smile that I whisper without realising.

"Hallelujah.. he smiles".

"Ha ha. That's SO funny".

I grin at him.

"So, number? Otherwise I'll get Tamwar's help. So you have until tomorrow evening to get me the number or I'm getting it myself".

He opens his mouth to speak but I shake my head at him.

"24 hours and not a minute later".

He nods meekly at me.

"Now. I'm going to ring Doctor Kyle and see if he give you anything to help your weight come back up and I want you to eat some food. I'm bringing some soup and bread over and you're going to eat it- er don't even try that with my Sy, you asked me to make you that this morning when I said I'll cook you some proper food".

"It is proper food and-" I move forward and catch the rest of the sentence on my lips. His lips are soft. It feels like an age has passed since I last kissed him. I smile against his lips as he tries to probe my mouth open. Instead I pull back from him, smirking.

"You need to eat babe".

I turn from his, despite his groans and walk in the direction of the kitchen.

"Oh and please try and keep it down this time. My cooking's not that bad" I call over my shoulder as an afterthought. I notice the half formed smile on his face and blow him a kiss. My heart quickens as he pretends to catch it and brings it to his cheek.