I DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR THE CHARACTERS BLAR BLAR BLAR...IT'S ALL THE PROPERTY OF ITV.

Thanks for the reviews.

XXX

Ross Barton rubbed his hands in the November Cold. He was waiting for Bob to unlock the cafe. Pearl was then next to him and tried the door.

"It's locked you silly cow, why do you think I'm stood standing here for!"

Pearl felt silly, "Ohhhhh, it must be all that business from yesterday...Bob had to rush off"

Ross looked at her, "rush off? Why was that, Brenda promise him a night to remember did she, you have to watch her", he joked.

"Noooo...it's Donna...awful business...even that poor old fellow who went into her...he died you know"

Ross was at twos and eights now, "Donna? What are you on about...Donna's back down in London, isn't she?"

Pearl shook her head, "No! She may of well been on her WAY down to London...you know...when it happened"

Ross felt like throttling her, "when WHAT happened...and tell me the short version please because i'm freezing my balls of here and starting to lose the will..."

Pearl gave him the short answer, "Errrrr...Donna...car crash...hospital...that's why Bob's not..."

Ross shoved her out of the way and hared off, Pearl shook herself down, "Well really...how rude!"

XXX

Marlon was eating his breakfast when the banging on the door started, Laurel was on her way down the stairs with the washing basket, "Ohhhh I'll get it shall I, it's not that I've got anything else to do round here, is it"

Marlon looked up as Laurel opened the door and Ross stepped in and as Marlon stood and went to point the finger for him to leave, Ross had him up against the wall, "WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL ME? COME ON WHY DIDN'T YA?"

Laurel turned, "I told him to, Marlon I thought you told him"

Marlon managed to squirm out of Ross's grip, "I thought it best not to...last thing Donna needed was you getting all worked up around her...just look at you now"

Ross was fuming, "YOU don't get to decide whether I am there or not there, do you get me? Anything could have happened to her and I wasn't even there"

Marlon spat back at him, "and WHY do you need to be there anyway? What's it to you?"

Ross thumped his chest own chest and talked to him like he was a complete moron, "because, you might not know this because you are such a boring twat, but I'm the father of that kid she's carrying"

Marlon shook his head, "Yeah I do know actually...and you can call me all the names under the sun as much as you like, but it's obvious now WHY she ran to London in the first place...it was to get clean away from you!"

Ross shook his head, "you know jack all pal"

"Yeah I do...", he glanced at Laurel because he knew what he was going to say was a big fat lie, "The reason WHY we never called you, is because SHE...Donna...didn't want you there...am I making things clearer for you know, am I"

"Marlon..."

Marlon gave Laurel a look as to say 'shut your mouth'

Ross backed away, he turned and went to the door, he glanced at back at Marlon before opening it, "is she alright...she's not hurt? Is the bub alright?"

Marlon was looking satisfied, "sorry...but I can't tell you anything...with YOU not being family or anything..."

Ross was out the door and it slammed behind him, Laurel was now in Marlon's face, "How COULD you! Why lie to him like that...YOU promised Donna last night that you would tell him..."

Marlon rested his hands on her shoulders, "But she doesn't need him Laurel...all she needs is you me Bob and April...speaking of which...I need to get her ready to go see her mum...anyway...when have YOU ever been his greatest fan...it's not as if YOU owe him anything after what he did to you..."

He then went up the stairs, Laurel sighed and sat on the sofa. Why did he have to get so involved for...

XXX

Donna sat up in the hospital ward in maternity. She wanted to go home, she had enough of this place already.

She rested her head back on the pillow and sighed. She then looked across to the door to see a sunflower poke through. She smiled and sat herself up, Ross was in through the door a nurse pointing her out for him, the nurse was looking at the bent sunflower suspiciously.

Ross came over. Donna thought he looked smart in his dark jumper and jeans, she liked him in that get up.

"The nursie over there said I shouldn't be bringing in any flowers for ya, germs or something, but I had to promise her that I'd take her out for a drink after work and show her a good time"

Donna broke into a laugh, "you are terrible...", she took the flower and sniffed it, "My favourite as usual"

Ross sat on the bed and grabbed her hand, "you don't know WHAT i was thinking when I heard only this morning of what happened to ya"

Donna frowned, "But I told Marlon last night to call you...he didn't I suppose"

Ross shrugged, "guess he had too much on his tiny little mind...never mind...I'm here now"

"I'm glad you came..."

Ross pulled a face at her, then smiled, " listen, if you were planning to do somersaults in your car, girl, then you should have come to me...I would've shown ya how it's done properly"

Donna laughed, she then swallowed and rubbed her belly, "I was scared I might of hurt our baby...but I had a scan and they said it's okay"

Ross laughed as he took her arm and rubbed it, "hey...if your baby takes after me in any way shape or form, it will pretty much be indestructable, I'd say"

Donna met his gaze, "It is YOUR baby"

He nodded, keeping hold the gaze, "I know..."

The door opened and Marlon was standing there. He paused and stood there watching them. Ross looked back at him...he gave him a cheeky smile, "Ohhh look who's here...he can't keep away, can he"

Donna breezed out a laugh, "He's just worried about me, that's all...he was so good when I had the scan"

Ross's head swung back round, "Oh was he now...that was good...I'm so glad that another bloke can show concern to ANOTHER blokes kid...even it's mine"

He said that as a dig to Marlon as he came to their side.

"If you want to get off...I can stay with her", said Marlon.

Ross shook his head, "nah...I'm okay thanks...I've called Debs and said to her not to expect me in today anytime soon...I need to be here with Donna and OUR baby"

Marlon got the message loud and clear. Ross didn't want him there. He made his excuses.

"Just call me or Laurel if you need owt"

"She won't"

"Ross..."

Ross turned to her, "I'll be back in two ticks"

Donna screwed her face up, "Where are you going?"

Ross pulled her a face, "I need a waz, don't I...I won't be long..."

Donna knew that was a load of bull, "Ross...do you have to wind him up ALL the time?"

Ross shrugged a smile at her, "Errrrr, yeah"

He then was chased Marlon up the corridor, "Oi Marlon...next time you want Donna to yourself you might have to book an appointment because I'm going nowhere, pal"

Marlon shook his head, "You WILL let her down...and when you do...I WILL BE THERE... to pick up the pieces"

Ross watched him go, "well, we can't all be perfect like you can we!"

Marlon was out the doors, Ross turned and looked at the floor. He was far from perfect and could only hope that he didn't let her down, because if he did..Marlon would be waiting to catch him out...

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