A/N: I really have too much time on my hands. The next chapter will be in a few days. Thank you for reading. I always appreciate feedback. Thank you: Judgin. All Day Every Day. burgessinthestreets, and Guest for the reviews. Please read and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own what is mine.

Chapter Ten

Past

"It's fine"

Nell glared up at Tommy as she tilted his head to the side to get a better look at his face. His left cheek was swollen with bruising and he could barely open his eye. The gash above his brow looked like it needed stitches, but of course he wasn't about to go to a bloody doctor. Nell sighed worriedly, "You told me, you weren't collectin' no more."

"I'm not." Tommy muttered as he pulled a cigarette from his inner pocket. He caught Nell's disbelieving glance and put a little more force behind his words, "I'm not, Nell."

It was true, he hadn't done any money collecting since he had found out that his mum was pregnant again. He had been doing more work inside the betting house, incase his mother or Aunt Poll needed him to get home quick or run an errand. Arthur had been too busy learning the finer points of the family business to be of much help and John-Boy still had school.

She huffed slightly as she demanded, "Then what 'appened?"

"Nothin'." Tommy answered sullenly, not willing to talk about what had occurred just yet. He lit his smoke and waited, knowing that Nell wouldn't just let it go.

Sure enough, the wildfire he so loved sprung to Nell's eyes as she forced back her worry to lecture him, "Thomas Michael Shelby, are you tryin' to tell me that you just mysteriously woke up this mornin' to find half your face tenderized by what looks like a bloody 'ammer?"

He would have smile if it didn't hurt so damn much. Instead, he cocked an amused brow as he replied cheekily, "Sounds about right."

Nell fairly growled in disgust as she reached up to gently prodded the bruising again. Tommy hissed as she touched a particularly sensitive spot, though Nell didn't look repentant as she continued to check the swelling. He could see there was more she wanted to say to him, but was putting in an extreme effort to bite her tongue. Nell's silences never boded well for him.

As he opened his mouth to tease her into an argument, John-Boy skirted passed them to go into the betting house. He didn't make it to the door before Nell latched onto the back of his coat to yank him to where they were standing. Tommy winced as he anticipated the explosion about to occur.

John let loose a wild curse as he twisted around to scowl up at an unamused Nell, "Christ! I'm not a fuckin' rag doll."

"Still child size, though." Nell murmured as she glanced over the angry fifteen-year-old. To be fair, John was barely an inch shorter than the nineteen-year-old Nell and was due for a growth-spurt.

Tommy nearly groaned as he watched his little brother vibrate in fury, but to his surprise Nell wasn't paying John any mind as she studied him. The usual cat and dog fight between his girlfriend and brother wasn't occurring. What was even more surprising was the way John stilled after a moment to look at her quizzically, "What ya lookin' at?"

Nell didn't answer as she snatched his cap off his head to reveal a three inch gash that went from the top side of his forehead to the right side of his head. A light yellow patterning of bruising surround the gash and Nell cursed under her breath. Tommy blinked in astonishment as he watched his usually aggressively bratty brother soften under Nell's worried gaze and put up with her careful examination of his wound. It was a rare moment when the two before him weren't tearing each other to pieces, "You need stitches."

"It's fine." John muttered as he reached out for his cap.

"Been hearin' that a lot." Nell murmured unhappily as she relinquished her grip on his hat, "It's gonna get infected and then you'll be sick and even more moody than usual."

"I'm not moody." John snapped back, though the effect was lost as he had to gently place his cap back on.

Tommy rubbed at the back of his neck as he tried to forestall a headache he could feel coming. Whatever temporary truce had been called was at an end, "How'd you know 'e was hurt?"

Nell arched a brow as she turned back to her boyfriend, "He didn't make a snide comment as he passed us, he's only quiet when 'e tryin' to 'ide somethin."

"I am not." John declared, slightly unnerved that Nell knew him so well.

"Are too." Nell didn't turn to him as she kept her gaze locked on Tommy, "Why didn't you say it was 'im?"

John objected, "I didn't -"

"Not you, ya bloody genius." Nell retorted tiredly.

Tommy sighed, cursing Nell for figuring it out so quickly. He wasn't in the mood to have a conversation about his father. He put out his smoke against the wall, "Come on, John-Boy. Looks like we're paying the doctor a visit."

John squawked in protest as Tommy gave him a silencing glare. He turned back to his girlfriend and pressed a light kiss to her cheek, "We'll talk about it later, eh?"

Nell's frown only deepened as she nodded in agreement, "Get yourself looked at, as well."

"Yes, dear." Tommy drolly, his blue eyes twinkling as she scowled after him.

xXx

Tommy found Nell hours later at Charlie's stable talking with Curly. Neither had noticed his quiet approach, but he could hear Curly telling her about the birth of a new foal that one of the mare's had given a few days prior. The older man was absolutely jubilant about the new addition.

Tommy smiled faintly as he called out, "You flirtin' with my girl, Curly."

Curly turned red as he sputtered shyly, "O'course not, Tommy."

Nell grinned at the blushing man, "Oh, but I was definitely flirtin' with you, Curly."

Tommy couldn't help his chuckle as Curly smiled bashfully at his girlfriend. Charlie stood off in the background, saddling a horse, he near rolled his eyes at the trio's antics as he called out, "If you three are done, Tommy, I need Merlin's Magic taken out for a stretch, eh."

Curly hurried over to help Charlie at that pronouncement as Tommy nodded in acquiesces before turning back to Nell's curious gaze. He held in a long suffering sigh as she looked over his face with a criticalness that was impressive, as it was unnerving, "Nell, I'm fine."

"Hmmm." Nell hummed as she took note of the bandage on the gash above his brow. She nearly sighed in relief, simply happy that he had done as she asked, "Is John alright?"

"Yea, he's fine. Cursin' you somethin' silly, right now." Tommy replied a little amused. His brother had not been happy about having a needle driven into his aching head and was fully blaming Nell for his pain, though the painkillers the doctor had given them was more than making up for it.

Nell rolled her eyes, "When isn't he?"

Tommy shook his head in exasperation, wondering if Nell and John would ever get along. He nudged toward her toward Charlie, wanting to be somewhere private for the conversation Nell would be pushing in a moment,"Come on, you can go for ride with me."

"Oh I can, can I?" Nell drawled sarcastically. It drove her mad when Tommy never asked if she wanted to something. He would just grab her hand and throw her into whatever half-thought out plan that he had created. It was an argument that they had gotten into far too many times.

Tommy sighed as he took the reins from Charlie, "Nell, don't start."

She stared at him petulantly as he offer her a hand, "Please?"

They stared at each other for a beat before Nell gave in and grasped his hand to swing up onto the horse. He followed behind a moment later, barely paying attention as Charlie order them back before nightfall. The couple didn't speak as Tommy had the horse trot around Small Heath. He didn't really have a direction in mind and found himself enjoying the way Nell leaned back into his chest, "You goin' to sleep on me?"

A breathy chuckle was his reply as Nell shook her head, "No... Go to the pasture, we 'aven't been there in ages."

"There's a word missing there." Tommy felt his lips twitch as Nell tilted her head back to glare up at him, "If I 'ave to do it, then so do you."

"Tommy, will you please go to the pasture?" Nell replied drolly.

He chuckled and kissed the side of her head, "O'course, luv."

"You're such a brat." Nell murmured fondly as she practically felt his amusement. Despite his joking, Tommy guided the horse out of Small Heath towards the old pasture. It didn't take them long to get settled after Tommy had released the reins to let the horse roam free. He was rather sure that Charlie had wanted more of a workout for the horse and made a note to really get Merlin to run before they left.

He moved to sit against the stone wall as Nell leaned into his side, both watched as Merlin trotted about the pasture curiously. Normally, they would be making out by now, but he knew Nell hadn't made any move to kiss him today to keep from hurting him. And aside from her earlier question, she hadn't pushed him for answers to his wounds. He was both grateful and frustrated by her tact, but unsurprised when a few moments later she suddenly whispered, "So...what happened?"

Tommy sighed as he gave her a quick glance, "He was drunk, as per usual."

Nell's lips pressed into a firm line as she held in a curse, "And?"

"And 'e went after John-Boy. Yellin' something about 'im pesterin' mum too much...I don't know" He answered with a shake of his head.

Anger was still brewing in his veins as he thought of his father's recklessness. His mother had been screaming something awful when Arthur Sr. had thrown a bottle at her baby boy. Tommy had been frozen in surprise before he had barreled forward to keep his dad from doing more harm.

"And you protected lil' brother." Nell muttered sagely as she rubbed his arm, "Where was Arthur?"

Tommy shrugged, not wanting to admit Arthur had been passed out in the other room. The commotion had woken the older boy too late and he had only been able to pull Senior off Tommy before he would have been killed, "Out and about."

"Liar." Nell whispered knowingly and by his exasperated stare she knew she was right. She sighed and linked her fingers through his as she cursed Arthur Senior's name, "When we 'ave kids, your father is not allowed to be left alone with 'em."

Tommy snorted and tugged her to lean against his chest as he traced patterns into her back, "Done...You're not pregnant, now are you?"

A devious grin crossed Nell's face though Tommy couldn't see it as she said as lightly as she could, "Don't think so, I'm only a week late so far."

Tommy stilled as he stared down at the top of her head for a long moment, "Liar."

Nell couldn't help her giggling as she pulled away to glance at him, "Yea, but you were nervous there for a second."

"Such a terror, you are." Tommy said as he prodded her side teasingly, making her laugh that much harder.

Nell calmed a few seconds later as she made to straddle his lap. Tommy raised a suggestive brow that made her roll her eyes, though she did lean forward to brush her lips gently over his bruised cheek. His small smile turned affectionate as he teased her, "Don't know if you can kiss it all better, luv. We're not four anymore."

"Still works." She murmured back softly. Her finger traced where her lips just were as she said sadly, "Anything that will make it heal faster, so I can see your cheeky smile again."

Tommy huffed fondly, but leaned away from her touch as he slipped his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. He fiddle with the box for a moment before noticing Nell's dry stare. He smirked before holding his hand out to her, "Let me see your hand."

"Tommy, I don't want a smoke." Nell said tiredly as she shifted to sit next to him. Tommy grasped onto her hip to keep her from moving, however, as he pointedly snatched up her hand. She leaned back on her heels, watching him curiously, "What are you doin'? I swear if I 'ave to spit on my hand and do some strange shake that you boys do -"

Tommy snorted as he grabbed his pack again, "No, no spit. I promise."

Nell gasped a second later as she saw a silver ring slide from his cigarette pack and watched as he slid it onto her ring finger. He was almost shy as he met her startled eyes, "I meant to ask you on your birthday last month, but I didn't 'ave the ring then. Will you marry me, Helen Dahlia Donovan?"

A slow smile spread across her lips as she leaned in to gently claim his lips. She pulled back a moment later with a slightly mocking twinkle in her eye, "Yes, I will Thomas Michael Shelby."

He chuckled lightly at her use of his full name, but couldn't deny the relief that was rushing through his body. He knew Nell loved him, but he hadn't been sure she'd say yes, "Good."

"Did you really carry an engagement ring around in an empty cigarette pack?" Nell asked suddenly as she gazed down at her hand.

Tommy shrugged, "Had to keep you from findin' it, didn't I?"

Present

"Well, we 'aven't done that in a while." Nell whispered sagely as Tommy slid off her to lie on the bed next to her.

He huffed a low laugh as his eyes found hers, "Six years, give or take."

There was a pause as Nell did the math, "Christ, it 'as been that long. We've gotten old."

"Speak for yourself, woman." Tommy said shrewdly as he watched her moved from the bed to the washroom. The sound of running water met his ears and he sighed. She wasn't going to make this easy.

He shifted to grab his slacks from the floor, meeting a pair of curious yellow eyes as he did. Tommy pulled back as the cat watched him fascinated. A paw came out to bat at the hand grasping his clothes, "You must be, Specter."

The cat's ears went back and he darted under the wardrobe as Tommy reached out to pet him. His yellow eyes never really moving from him. Tommy snorted and pulled on his trousers before meandering into the washroom. He found Nell wiping down her leg before reaching up to start pinning her hair. The love bit on her neck was more pronounced now, and he couldn't help his prideful grin as he looked at his handiwork.

Nell shook her head as she caught his gaze in the mirror, "You're such a possessive bastard."

"You say that like it's a bad thing." He murmured as he watched her get ready. She wasn't panicking, she wasn't smiling, but she wasn't frowning either. He had to step back as she moved to head back to the bedroom, her eyes on her wardrobe as kicked his shirt to the side. He tilted his head, "We gonna talk about this?"

"No." She tossed over her shoulder as she pulled out a clean dress.

He raised a brow at her indifferent attitude, "Nell..."

She sighed and turned to look at him almost angrily, "Just because we fucked, doesn't mean we're back to where we were, Tommy. We're not those kids anymore."

"I know." He said lowly as he moved to stand before her, "Believe me, I know."

There was a heavy silence as they studied each other, both looking for the people that they had been. Nell looked away first, biting her lip as she asked quietly, "Then what do you want, Tommy?"

He tilted her chin back towards him as he replied, "I want you to talk to me, because I miss talking to you."

Nell shook her head, feeling too weary for someone who had woken not even an hour ago, "I hate it when you do that."

"Do what?"

She stared at him sadly, "Say somethin' that makes my heart ache."

"Funny, I could say the same about you." He returned as he thought of all the things she had said in the past twenty-four hours that had nearly destroyed him.

Nell smiled bitterly and tossed her dress onto the bed, "I don't know that I'm ready to tell you everthin'. Don't know if I ever will be."

"That's fine. I don't need to know everthin'." Tommy assured, a small smirk coating his face at her deadpan expression, "Not all at one, at least."

Nell snorted, feeling crazy as she contemplated giving him what he wanted. Six years of silence was a long time, but she did miss him, "We'll see. I 'ave to get ready and you probably 'ave things to do."

"I can put it off." Tommy said loftily as he waited for her to give in, not liking the distance he could already feel building, but she didn't as she raised a curious brow at him.

"Tommy, just give me some time, eh?" She pressed firmly. She needed him to be away. She could never think straight when he was around and there was so much he didn't know...she had too much to do.

He sighed disgruntled, but gave a quick nod, "Fine."

The two dressed quickly, not leaving much room for more talk. She walked him downstairs to the door at a loss for what to do. She was unsurprised when he paused before leaving, "Why Charlotte, Nell?"

She blinked not expecting the question. His blue eyes glanced sharply at her and she shrugged, "A way of naming her after Charlie, I suppose. He was good to me after I told mum I was pregnant."

Tommy frowned, wanting to ask what had happen with her mother, but knew he would be rebuffed. He would get the whole story out of her eventually, but for now he wouldn't push. Though he did make a note to see Charlie, as well as John, "I'll be by later."

Nell nodded as she watched him leave. The moment the door closed behind him, she lean against the door and unleashed the panic she had been holding in. Things were about to become complicated. And she needed to decide which Shelby she was going to kill for spilling her secrets to Tommy. Huffing, she pulled herself together and made for the basement. She had to clean house.