AN: Uwaah! Finally! *wipes sweat from forehead* Trying to write even this short chapter between feeding, changing dirty nappies and constantly washing off baby sick was a challenge and a half. Well, here is the Thirteenth chapter of this tumultuous story. I do hope you enjoy and I can only aplogise for its length and if there are any glaring mistakes, I've just been so busy in the real world that any kind of writing or creative pursuit has had to be put on the back burner so to speak. Anyway, please enjoy what I have managed to get out and any reviews are as always very welcome. :)

Chapter Thirteen: I Can't Quit You Baby

"James, why don't you go outside or something and get some fresh air?"

James looked up at his mother listlessly from where he lay on their overstuffed sofa, he returned his tired eyes to the TV where Top of the Pops was blaring various music. He shrugged and pulled a cushion closer to his chest. His mother sighed and shook her head. "Moping around the house isn't going to get Lily back, dear. I'm sure if you only talked to her-"

James cut her off, "Don't, mum. I…I don't think she'll even want me back…not now."

Dorea Potter looked down at her teenage son and sighed, she gently ruffled his hair and smiled as he shrugged out of her reach with an angry huff. "Oh I think you're underestimating her feelings for you, James. It won't do any harm if you at least try to make up with her and it will get you off of the sofa and out of my way, you're cluttering the place up."

Sirius stumbled over the threshold of The Three Moons door, he cursed loudly before righting himself and staring blearily up at the morning sky. He rummaged in his pocket, blinking in the bright sunlight as he tried to wake up a little before getting on his bike. Finally he found his cigarettes but before he could light one a hand knocked the lighter from his shaking fingers, he frowned angrily and lifted his head to find himself looking at several men with shaved heads. Sirius felt his fingers go numb and he took an involuntary step backwards as his eyes scanned these new comers, they had tattoos that blatantly displayed their political affiliations, their pale jeans were tucked into the tops of bright yellow Doc Martins and military style boots and their broad chests were covered by white t-shirts. He felt his stomach sinking even as he reached casually into his pocket and withdrew a book of matches, he struck one and somehow managed to hold the flame to the tip of his cigarette. Slowly he lifted his eyes back to the three men blocking his path. "Hey, do me a favour and move out of my way, I've had a really long night." He said in a carefully modulated tone that he hoped wouldn't incite these men to anger.

The leader sneered at him and folded heavy set arms across his chest. "I bet you've had a long night, going around and getting fucked up the arse must really take it out of you."

Sirius took a deep drag on his cigarette and slowly blew the smoke out into the frigid air. "Look mate, I don't want any trouble I jus-" The man slammed his fist into the door behind Sirius' head making him flinch a little, he felt the wood pressing against his jacket as fear twisted his belly and made his breath hitch. He had heard the stories, he read the news papers. Gay-bashing was a very popular past time for men like these and Sirius knew with a rapidly growing sense of dread that he had been chosen as their latest victim, with difficulty he pushed away the mental image of his own obituary and took a breath. He straightened his shoulders and tried to look unafraid.

"What you want aint got nuffin' to do with us, and don't call me 'mate'…I aint no fucking Pouf-lover."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Really now? You do know what kind of club this is, don't you? If not I believe you've got the wrong place."

"'Course we know what kind of place this is! It's where all you fudge-packers go to fuck each other's arse's. I aint stupid."

"No, of course not." Sirius said, his voice dripping sarcasm like poison. His face darkened as he drew in the acrid smoke of his cigarette. "Anyway, if you boys would kindly move aside so I can go on my merry way…"

"Oi, boys, this fucking Queer is tryin' to tell us what to do! What do we do to little cock suckers like 'im?" The leader said as he looked at his two friends who grinned like apes and cracked their knuckles menacingly. One of them pulled out a small crow bar from where he had stuck it in the back of his jeans, his smile was wide and Sirius could almost smell the blood lust. "We're gunna shove this thing so far up your arse you'll be spittin' out all that cum that your boyfriends've pumped up there for weeks."

Sirius grimaced as he eyed the crow bar warily. "Considering how much you profess to hate the idea of things being inserted into ones rectal area, you certainly seem to take great delight in the idea of actually putting that crow bar up there." He instantly regretted opening his mouth when a large, pale fist connected with his jaw and he was thrown brutally back into the huge wooden door. There was a bang and light burst across his vision as he slid to his knees, his cigarette fell from numb fingers to burn sluggishly on the tarmac.

"Fucking filthy bum-boy! We'll teach you to cheek us." Sirius felt one of those large boots crash into his ribs with the force of a freight train, he grunted as the wind rushed out of his lungs.

"Yeah, faggot's aint worth shit. Tryin' to act all smart."

Someone grabbed a handful of Sirius' hair and yanked his head back as another one of the men took hold of his right arm and twisted it violently up his back, Sirius' eyes snapped shut and he bit down hard on his bottom lip to prevent a scream from escaping. He was out the back of the club and too far away from the main street and even if he was right in the middle of the road he knew no one would stop these men. He would simply become yet another sad figure in a sea of little numbers.

"Trev, lay 'im out flat, I'm gunna smash his balls so 'e'll never fuck anyfin' again."

Sirius' eyes flew open when he heard that, his breathing came in gasping rasps and, as he was pushed onto his back, he lashed out with his own heavily booted foot. He felt it connect with someone's shin and heard a yelp. He rolled onto his front and pushed himself up, he stumbled as pain lanced into his ribs but when he had regained his balance he turned to face his attackers. A grin spread across his face and he spat blood to the floor. "Alright, come and get it you fucking sick bastards!"

XXX

Remus was stood at the sink with his hands wrist-deep in warm foamy bubbles when he heard the door, he turned and watched as the handle depressed and jumped back again, he heard a weak mutter from behind the wood and a soft clatter. Remus frowned and dried his hands on a clean tea-towel before walking over to the door and pulling it open, he cried out as something heavy fell into his arms, he stumbled to his knees beneath the weight and realised he was holding Sirius. "Sirius!" He cried in alarm and rolled his friend over onto his back, Sirius made a strangled noise and wrapped his arms around his ribs.

"Fuck Remmy…don't…bloody…do…that…" He gasped through tightly gritted teeth. His eyes were screwed shut and his whole body throbbed but he felt rather pleased with himself.

"Jesus! What happened to you?!" Remus stared at Sirius' battered face, his jacket was torn at the shoulder and his t-shirt had been ripped open to reveal several huge bruises on his rib cage.

"Got into a…spot of…bother…" Sirius managed to grunt as he attempted to stand. "Group of blokes…Skinheads…cornered me…I fought back and eventually they got tired of…of beating me…I…I gave them as…good as I got…ow, fuck!" Sirius winced in agony as he limped over to his liquor cabinet and withdrew a bottle of vodka, he upended it and took two deep swallows. "Fucking bastards nearly knocked out all my teeth." He muttered angrily as he limped back over to where he slept and collapsed onto the duvet.

Remus frowned before moving to the kitchenette and rummaging around in one of the cupboards, he withdrew a white box that displayed a big green cross. "Lie still and I'll fix you up." He said softly and saw Sirius smile weakly at him.

"You're too good to me…I don't deserve you."

Remus shook his head as he removed ointments and bandages. "Don't be a prat, we're friends."

XXX

"Lily I…I'm sorry…"

Lily stared at James from her place on her porch, he looked too pale and he had two dark shadows beneath his eyes that made him look much skinnier. She tried and failed not to feel pity for him, he looked like a puppy that had crapped on the carpet, with difficulty she managed to keep the smile that the image conjured off her face. "Sorry isn't good enough James, I need more than that. What you did…well, it hurt."

James looked away, his eyes growing darker as he stared down the deserted street. "I know…but what can I do? Tell me how I can make it up to you and I'll do it!" He turned to face her, his hands taking hers, she allowed it reluctantly. She knew her friends would call her stupid to be considering taking him back, she knew that this wouldn't be the last time he cheated on her but she couldn't bring herself to turn him away. "Lily…I…I love you. I really, really love you and I…" he paused and his eyes widened, she watched in numb fascination as he fell to one knee. "I know this isn't the proper way to do this but…but I need to ask…Lily Evans…Will…will you consent to becoming my wife?"