I struggled quite a bit with Tam's dialogue and way of thinking in this chapter, I was trying to make it funny in Tam's unique way, but I'm not sure if it really works in translation! However I'll tweak it to death if I don't post it, so I'll just get it out the way and move on to the next chapter!

Syed walked confidently down Turpin Road on his way to work at the salon, he had a full list of clients today. As he passed the war memorial he caught sight of Tam & Afia, probably on their way to the Argee Bhajee, he thought.

"Tam!" he called out good-naturedly, half-jogging over to his brother. His brother was the one member of his family who had consistently stood by him, who had even accepted him before he had accepted himself. In some ways Tamwar was still very young and inexperienced, yet he had a reason, an insight and a sense of what was right and wrong that went beyond his tender years.

"Syed." Tam said in his monotone voice, a lopsided smirk breaking up his serious face. Afia smiled a greeting beside him.

"Hi." Syed looked from his brother to his young wife and back again. It was still hard to believe they were actually married. It was still a closely guarded secret of course, Tam's hand had been pushed by the failings of their parents yet again. He looked weary, Syed thought, he knew Tamwar didn't like lying to their parents. Lying didn't come as naturally to Tamwar as it had to Syed, after having to hide who he was for all those years, but now even his little brother had somehow found himself entangled in their family's continual web of lies and deceit. He couldn't help but feel the familiar pangs of guilt eating away at him. Was he partly to blame for Tam ending up in the position he was in? It had been hard for Tam, living with the day to day results of the turmoil Syed had brought upon their family.

"So, how does it feel?" Tamwar asked, raising his eyebrows questioningly at Syed, "Your temporary state of one-leggedness, now back to it's normal state of bi-leggedness?" Then he suddenly got that embarrassed comical expression on his face, caused by a seemingly contradicting concoction of confuzzlement and over-thinking. "Er... not that I mean that you are in any way bi, of course, I was just referring to the fact that you are now back to being a a fully fledged bipod, you know, completely homo erectus."

His words fell like a dead weight, and his eyes suddenly widened in the bemused silence that ensued, "No!, that's not what I meant… I mean now that you, your leg, is set... straight." he faltered once more and gave an aghast grimace.

Afia rolled her eyes at him, "Oh Tam, shut up!" she blurted, shaking her head in mock exasperation, but she couldn't stifle her smile.

Syed laughed, "It's alright Tam, I know what you mean… I think, and thanks."

"Yeah." Tam said, like he knew exactly what he was saying, before looking confused again, "What for?" he asked.

Syed looked at him, a history of words, of feelings, of support and understanding conveyed in his eyes.

"You know... Everything."

Tam's expression took on a seriousness, a resolute clarity and certainty, he nodded his acknowledgement.

"How are you two holding up?" Syed asked, looking towards Afia.

"Oh it's great, must be the only newly weds still in single beds, planning for a wedding that's already taken place, and with families that make the Montagues and the Capulets look like the Waltons." She drolled dramatically, before grabbing Tamwar's arm, "C'mon Tam, we'll miss the delivery at the restaurant," she pulled him by the arm in an attempt to drag him away.

"Things can work out in the end, no matter how bad they seem at the time." Syed said with a reassuring knowledge, looking across to his little brother. Tam looked back at him and gave a small half smile.

Then there was the sound of footfalls, and a tall shadow suddenly loomed over them, a smooth voice interrupting, "Hello."

Syed glanced up apprehensively to see Yusef. He didn't trust the man after he had lied about his parents wanting him at Tamwar's engagement party, but it was more than that, he knew his father didn't trust him either, there was still a question mark over his part in the fire all those years ago, and in the way he had wheedled his way back into their lives, so easily and yet so completely. Syed was also concerned for his brother, Tam was a part of Yusef's family now, how would Yusef react when he inevitably discovered that he and his daughter were already married? He seemed such an unknown quantity. There was something about him that unsettled Syed, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was. It was like it was there, lurking round a corner, it's presence felt, but out of sight.

"Dad!" Afia exclaimed, a little too loudly, had her father heard what she'd said? He bent down and kissed her tenderly on the cheek, his eyes softening, as they always seemed to when he saw her. His face broke into a relaxed smile, no, she thought, everything was ok, for now. But how long could they keep this up?

"Mr. Khan," Tam said formerly, he shuffled his feet slightly and looked away, trying to hide the nervous guilt he always felt in Yusef's presence. He felt uneasy lying to him, he was his father-in-law after all, he'd taken his little girl and yet Yusef didn't even know it. "I'm sorry, I've got to go, we're expecting a delivery at the restaurant any minute." Tamwar said hurriedly, Afia looked up at him, "It's ok," he said to her, "Meet me there," he bent down to kiss her, hesitating, feeling uncomfortable under Yusef's gaze, before giving her a chaste peck on the temple. He gave Syed a farewell nod and smile, before rushing off in the direction of the Argee Bhajee.

Yusef turned his beguiling smile to Syed, his unyielding eyes intently searching Syed's, as if silently trying to bend him to his will. "Syed, how are you?" he asked in all genuineness, but Syed frowned, and couldn't escape the feeling that Yusef's calming voice was lulling them all into a false sense of security, of trust.

"I'm Fine." Syed said brusquely, "I have to go to work," and with that he put his head down and headed off to Booty.

Yusef thoughtfully watched Syed's retreating from, "Family should stick together..." he said to Afia, but only when Syed was out of sight did his eyes turn back to his daughter, "It's good Tam has his brother around, especially when Zainab and Masood are having difficulties. For Syed too, must have been terrible being cast out by his family like that."

"They do seem close," Afia pondered, "Syed, and Christian, have always been supportive of me and Tam." she smiled innocently up at her father.

"You should encourage that bond, for Tamwar's sake." Yusef continued, his eyes carefully surveying Afia's face. "It can't have been easy for Tamwar, trying to keep in contact with his brother, despite his parents reluctance."

"You're right, I think Tam missed him terribly, especially in the beginning, and even now, it can still be awkward. Maybe I could arrange for them to spend some quality time together?" Afia asked her father, he always seemed to know just what people needed she thought, was always trying to put things right.

"How about dinner?" Yusef suggested, his eyes showing his pleasure, "You and Tamwar, Syed and Christian. I'm sure Tamwar would really appreciate you making the effort for him."

"Oh that sounds great, Tam would love it.. " Afia smiled, "But after we've taken the delivery, I'll be running errands for the restaurant all day, won't be back until 6 at the earliest."

"Don't worry, I'll book it for you, table for four, 7pm, at Elliott's, the new place off the high street, all you have to do is show up when you've finished for the day." Yusef gave a considered pause before continuing, "But you needn't mention my involvement, the credit should fall to you my dear, after all it was your idea really, wasn't it?" Yusef said altruistically.

"Oh would you!" Afia gushed, throwing her arms around her father, "Thanks so much dad, you're so thoughtful! I'll go and tell Tam now…"

"Hold on.." Yusef interrupted, "Maybe you could make it even more special for Tamwar by not mentioning that Syed will be there too, imagine what a lovely surprise it would be…"

"Yes! That would make it even more memorable, I can't wait to see Tamwar's face! For now.. I'll just tell him it's me and him, yeh?" She squealed in excitement as she reached up and kissed her father on the cheek, before skipping off to tell Tam that they had a date tonight.

Yusef smiled to himself, his eyes cool and calculating as he watched his daughter bounce off in the direction on the Argee Bhajee.

During his lunch break from the surgery, Yusef walked purposefully past the playground, under the bridge and onto George Street. He stood outside the Argee Bhajee, and as he went to open the door was met by Tamwar.

"Oh, Afia's not here," Tamwar said and then started rambling to cover his awkwardness, which only made him look even more awkward, "She's visiting suppliers and goodness knows what else all day, whizzing around on that moped of hers…"

"It's ok, I've spoken to her." Yusef said matter-of-factly, "I came to see you."

"Oh?" Tamwar was suddenly lost for words and raised his eyebrows at Yusef. Why did he want to see him? Did he know something? Had he come to exact his revenge by dissecting him, and performing needless and endless medical procedures on him using the contents of his General Practioners medical bag? Tamwar glanced down. No, he didn't have his bag with him, at least that was something.

"Yes. Afia told me the two of you are going out for dinner tonight." Yusef stated.

Tamwar nodded his reply, was Yusef keeping tabs on them now? Let's hope he didn't want a step by step detailed account of everything they got up too, starters, main course and dessert. But of course they were a married couple, Tamwar told himself, it was perfectly natural, perfectly normal, for them to get up to the things married couples got up to, natural for them of course, not for Afia's father, to know the details, to know the ins and outs of their relationship. Stop. Breathe Tamwar, he told himself, feeling a warm heat colour his cheeks.

Yusef's intense gaze bore into Tamwar as he continued in his smooth tone, "She didn't have time to tell you herself, but she has been thinking and thought it would be nice if you invited your parents along to join in too."

Tamwar looked a bit taken aback "Really?" he exclaimed, an unwelcome image of his parents inbetween him and Afia entering his head, before he quickly chased it away and composed himself again.

"Afia is going to be part of your family soon, Tamwar." Yusef continued in his reasoned and rational manner, "She still has concerns about whether your parents have truly accepted her. She wants to get to know them better, let them see her for the genuine, sweet girl she is. It would mean a lot to her, help to allay her fears a little bit." His melodic words washed over Tamwar, heavy with meaning and persuasion, "She's going to book the table for four, she wants you to invite your parents personally. You'll do this for her won't you Tamwar? She is your future wife and their future daughter-in-law after all."

"Er… yeah, of course." Tamwar replied, how could he not? The idea of being in the same room as his warring parents was not exactly a joyous prospect, he'd rather spend the time alone with Afia, but if that is what she wanted, what she needed, how could he refuse?

"Excellent." Yusef said in self-satisfaction. "That's everything sorted then. Tonight, 7pm" he couldn't stop the sly smile from crossing his lips as he walked away.

Christian came home to the flat to find Syed putting on his smart black shirt.

"What you getting all dressed up for?" he asked surprised, tossing his keys into the fruit bowl, before smooching over to Syed, his eyes lasciviously drinking in the sight of his lover. As he drew near, his arms slid around Syed's waist and he pulled him towards him, heat passing from one body to the other one, pressed tightly against it. Christian leant it, his breath brushing across Syed's cheek before he purred into his ear, "You'll only have to take it off again." his voice was low and suggestive.

"Hey, there'll be none of that!" Syed chastised, but his lips broke into a grin and his eyes lit up with a youthful excitement. "Afia called," he said brightly, whilst extraditing himself from Christian's embrace. "We've been invited out to dinner tonight at that new place, Elliott's, near the high street, the four of us. We have to be there at 7pm, so you better get a move on…"

Christian gave an outward groan, but was secretly happy at seeing Syed so exuberant at spending some time with his brother. It was what normal families did after all wasn't it? Spending time together, going out together, chatting in a relaxed and informal way, having a laugh, enjoying each other's company. Syed hadn't had that for so long.

"You could have warned me," Christian frowned, "I mean, I like your brother, but he can come over like a cross between Lurch and Carol Vorderman."

"What?" Syed guffawed, and desperately tried to stifle his laughter.

Christian grinned, "And you said yourself, Afia's a chav."

"Aaaw, she kind of grows on you." Syed relented.

"Yeah, like a contagious disease." Christian smirked.

"Christian!" Syed berated, and gave him a playful thump on the arm.

"Ok, ok, I'm joking! I like them, I really do. The way Tam stood up for you, for us, at his engagement party… he was, amazing." Christian reached out and ran stroking fingers down Syed's arm, there was a sadness in his face, as he looked into Syed's eyes. Syed smiled gratefully at him, his ease of manner reassuring Christian and his face brightened.

"I love how you've still got that family connection," Christian enthused heartily, "And now Afia too… why, our family's just getting bigger every day!" he teased, but there was a truth in his words, and they grinned at each other.

Our family. Syed smiled, his eyes trawling lovingly over Christian's cheerful, optimistic face. They were a family.

Christian glanced down at his watch, "Seven, you say? Ages yet." he looked up mischievously, his eyes playing their own private game with Syed's.

"You need to get ready!" Syed intoned seriously, but his eyes told another story.

"I can be be ready in 20 minutes." Christian informed him, "Taking into account the time to get there… that gives us precisely…" he paused in exaggerated thought, "18 minutes and 24 seconds of time to kill."

"That accurate eh? Well, what can we do in 18 minutes, 24 seconds?" Syed played along.

"You'd be surprised." Christians voice lowered again.

"Well, whatever we do, we better hurry up and get started, we've now got…" Syed looked at his own watch in an dramatic fashion, "17 minutes 31 seconds left."

"In that case..." Christian said huskily, his arms finding their way around Syed again, snaking around his back, pulling him in. Christian's head tilted into the warm crook of Syed's neck, and his lips found the smooth curve of skin hidden there.

Syed let out a small sigh and leant into Christian as he felt his warm mouth sucking against his skin, moist air and wet tongue gently caressing, hard, blunt teeth, nipping and teasing, sending shivers down his spine. He slipped his hands round Christian's waist and let them slide down to cup his arse, eager fingers squeezing and pulling Christian towards him, his own groin pushing forward until they were pressed together, he could feel Christian's growing hardness against him.

Christian let out a low moan and rubbed himself against Syed, the friction causing shocks of pleasure and a rush of blood to his nether regions. His lips quickly found Syed's in an urgent need, and they shared a long, breathless kiss, tongue wrapping around tongue, driving deeply into the warm wetness of welcoming mouths.

They parted for air, the sound of deep gasps and beating hearts in their ears. Christian bit his lower lip, and smiled seductively, his face a picture of pure wanton wickedness. He peered round Syed and looked at his watch again, "Right… 13 minutes and counting…" he said with a glib smugness and unspoken demand.

Syed laughed, and reached between them, pulling down Christian's tracksuit bottoms, "We better make it quick then," he chuckled breathlessly. Their movements soon became a frantic blur of hands pulling at clothes, frenzied fingers grasping thrusting need and demanding lips crushing open mouths. Until finally, the spiralling sensations reached their dizzying crescendo and erupted in a fountain of stars and shooting sparks that left them reeling and clinging on to each other for support. Their legs almost giving way as if the shuddering shocks were coming from the very foundations beneath their feet.

Syed walked out into the stairwell, closely followed by Christian, his hair still damp from his hasty shower. He closed and locked the door to their flat behind him, before raising his wrist to look at his watch and tapping the glass face lightly with his index finger. "5 seconds to spare!" he announced proudly, grinning from ear to ear. Whilst Syed looked up at him belligerently, but there was a tell-tale twinkle in his eyes.