A/N: Thank you again for the reviews, especially Reds23, who I must thank so much. It feels amazing to have someone say what you did. So, here's the next chapter, and I hope you all enjoy it. I may go ahead and post Chapter 12 today too. But for now, here is some Mickey and Lip bonding.

When he looked up after hearing the ring signaling someone just walked into the Kash and Grab, Mickey didn't expect to see Lip standing there in front of him.

Sure, Lip had come in a bunch of times when Ian was here or when he had to pick things up for Kev or his own accord. But the look on Lip's face specifically said he was there to see the ex-con.

Mickey quickly thought back to figure out what he'd done. But he couldn't think of anything he'd done recently, unless you counted rigging the shower to spew out freezing cold water when Lip got in. He'd admit Carl was a good help with that one.

But was that really enough for Lip to come down here to see Mickey while was working?

Mickey closed the magazine he was reading and leaned back on the stool, crossing his arms loosely against his chest.

"Need somethin, Lip?" he asked, eyes focused on the Gallagher.

Lip looked like he was a mix of flustered and pissed. The boy pulled lit up a smoke and started pacing like he usually did, his other hand stuffed in his pocket.

"Your sister doesn't know when to stay out of my fucking business."

"Congratulations, it only took you, what, three years to figure work that out?" Mickey rolled his eyes and leaned forward, going back to his magazine.

"Does she not understand that it's my decision? Instead of fucking filling out applications for me and sending them off, the least she could fucking do is talk to me about it!" Lip continued as if Mickey didn't speak, taking a quick drag of his cigarette.

Mickey stared at Lip, wondering why the fuck he thought the ex-con would want to have this conversation.

"She's a Milkovich. We're stubborn. At least with her, she's actually giving a fuck about you. Would you rather she act like your old slut Karen and treat you like nothin?"

Lip glared at Mickey for a long moment, and then slowly it left his face. Obviously, Lip didn't think much for people caring.

Fuck, that blonde bitch must've left a mark on him.

Mickey wouldn't say it, but he'd somewhat paid attention to Firecrotch's ramblings over his family. As much as he'd tried not to give a shit, the ex-con had found himself growing an interest in what Gallagher would talk about. So when car stealing Steve turned out to be rich boy Jimmy, Mickey knew about it. When Fiona would start a new job, Mickey knew about it.

And when Lip got fucked over by Karen, he knew about it.

And when listening wasn't enough anymore, Mickey had nonchalantly started helping Ian with things like his ROTC training. And getting shot in the ass for helping Ian steal shit for that wrinkled old doctor.

Lip stared at the bright cherry of his cigarette. "Why the fuck would she even gives a shit about me and college?"

The ex-con pinched the bridge of his nose. And he thought Lip was supposed to be intelligent.

"Lip, you really don't fucking understand girls, do you?"

"When they're all missing a few screws, it gets pretty hard to."

"Okay, let me put this in a way that we will both understand. Chicks are like your math theorems and equations and shit. They're different, complex, and give you a fucking headache by the time you're done with 'em. "Mickey paused to light up his own cigarette, taking a drag and breathing the smoke out through his nostrils before rubbing his lip and continuing.

"Mandy grew up with a mom who ran off to get high instead of taking care of her children, a father who'd drink and hit us much harder than he fucking should, and three brothers. Of those brothers, only one gave a shit and took care of her."

Lip stared at Mickey, listening, confusion on his face still as he tried to understand where the ex-con was going.

"While I obviously don't give a shit and wouldn't bother to trust anyone, Mandy is the opposite. She knows the good in people. Like Firecrotch. She gives a fuck about other people. No one wants to stay here forever, Lip. She sure as hell doesn't want you to."

Mickey walked out from behind the counter and walked to the cooler, pulling out a beer and opening it. Lip followed and watched, his face channeling several different expressions.

"I don't see why that all fucking ties into why she won't leave me alone about going to college. I have family here. We take care of each other; I'm not fucking bailing like Monica." Lip really didn't see everything, did he?

Mickey took a swallow of beer before looking at the Gallagher.

"Let me put it to you this way. Maybe it'll finally break through that thick ass skull of yours, Gallagher. You fucked around with my sister. She realized she likes you. And I can fucking see that you like her. Only reason she's doing what she did is because she cares about you and wants to get you the fuck out of here where you got a chance to be somethin. Ian got out, why can't you? Instead of being a dumbass prick, go make up with Mandy before I kick the shit out of you for hurting her."

Lip cracked a slight smile. "So Mickey Milkovich does have feelings."

"Tell anyone I do and I'll slit your throat while you sleep."

Lip smirked, stuck his cigarette between his lips and started for the door with his hands in his pockets. Then, suddenly he stopped and turned right around.

"Mickey, how would you be able to see I like her?" he asked.

"'Cause you got that same fucking look on your face that Firecrotch gets." Mickey grumbled.

"What'd you say?"
"I said I'm a fucking telepath. Now get your ass over to my sister." Mickey glared.

"I'm pretty sure that's not what you said." Lip commented, amusement in his eyes.

Mickey flipped Lip off as he laughed and walked out. It was funny, it took at that moment for him to realize Ian and Lip both gave the Milkovich siblings the same look that flat out said "I love you."

The ex-con found himself smiling and quickly put a stop to it by downing the beer in his hand.

Dammit, why did he actually have to give a shit?