A/N: This one is inspired by an episode of The Sooty Show, hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Penalties

Michael was feeling rather pleased with himself: Jimmy, Nerys and the new baby were all tucked up in bed, fast asleep. Jackie had gone out for the first time since Katrina's birth meaning that, with the children asleep, he had the rest of the night to himself.

He sank into the couch with a grateful sigh as he switched on the TV and settled down to watch a war documentary. He sent a wicked grin in Nelson's direction as he opened up a bag of potato chips – something Jackie never allowed in the lounge room.

His solitude was broken a few minutes later by a loud bump coming from upstairs, he paused for a moment to listen, hearing nothing else he shrugged and turned his attention back to the TV.

At the sound of another bump he turned the volume down and listened again.

Still nothing.

He was just resigning himself to having to leave the couch and find out what was going on when a soccer ball came bouncing down the stairs. He pursed his lips as he watched it come to a stop near the front door.

He stood up and went to lean against the banister, "Jimmy?" he called.

Jimmy's head appeared at the head of stairs, "Can I have my ball back please, Daddy?" he asked, sounding a little sheepish.

"No you can not have your ball back, it's staying over there," Michael told him, "what were you doing with it anyway?"

Jimmy came down the first couple of steps, looking a little sullen, "I was practicing penalties in the hallway."

Michael squeezed the bridge of his nose as he tried not to lose his temper, "You're not meant to be practicing penalties in the hallway you're supposed to be in bed, asleep."

"But I can't sleep," Jimmy complained, sounding a little whiny.

"Jimmy, I realise not being able to sleep is a problem, but you're not even trying are you?" Michael replied.

Jimmy shook his head slowly.

"Go hop into bed, Jimmy, I'll come up and check on you in a minute," Michael told him.

"Couldn't you come up now, Daddy?" Jimmy asked.

Michael sighed, "All right, I'll come up now," he said, resigning himself to the fact that he wasn't going to see the end of his program.

Two hours later Jackie came home to find the TV on and a soccer ball by the front door but no other sign of either her husband or her children.

Concerned, she made her way up the stairs to check on them: seeing the light on in Jimmy's room, she went there first. She stifled a grin as she peeped inside: lying side by side on the bed, both fast asleep, were Michael and Jimmy; Michael with a book resting open on his chest.

Shaking her head, Jackie backed quietly out of the room; she'd wake Michael later, but not before she found the camera.