Warrior

Violent Delights: Triumph

: you take the breath right outta me, you've gotta fight just to make it through 'cause I will be the death of you :

Chapter 20: I Technically Didn't Steal Tommy's Car

'What does that mean?'

Tommy wasn't the easiest person to talk to. Especially when you're the bearer of bad news and he doesn't like what you're saying.

Dr Greene looked sheepish. He wrang his hands on the desk. He was just as fidgety as Tommy and I took his hand in mine. Tommy's obviously. Not the doctors. Gross.

'Tuberculosis is lethal. If left untreated it can prove fatal.'

Tommy leaned forward and sniffed, licking his teeth. Putting up a front, I figured. But the state of his father devastated him no matter he can try and deny it with his nonchalant attitude. I cut in.

'Is it treatable?'

Dr Greene looked wary but nodded. 'Treatment is...difficult but when sustained can be beneficial and successful.'

I cast a look out the window in the screen door to see Patrick being led down on a hospital bed, a nurse was checking his pulse and he struggled to keep his head up.

I was brought back into the room when Tommy was raising his voice. 'What the fuck do you get paid for?'

'Tommy,' I warned and sparing me only a glance, he settled into his seat.

Dr Greene cleared his throat and seemed to look longingly at the door as if he wanted out of this room ASAP.

'Antibiotics?' I cut in and both men looked at me. 'Injections, etc?'

He paused. Tommy then looked at the doctor expectantly as well.

'Frequently administered antibiotics. Takes time and work.' He glanced at my hands, specifically my left, 'do either of you live with Mr Conlon?'

I shook my head and Tommy scoffed, 'he can't do it himself?'

Looking at him incredulously I asked, 'are you kidding me?'

He didn't even look at me. I ran a hand through my hair. 'He didn't mean-'

'I'm just sayin' I don't have time to give up work.'

There it was. The front he had to put up around strangers when it concerns showing affection for his dad. 'You don't even work.'

'I get paid.' He bit back.

'For beating people up in a ring? Awesome profession. What qualifications you need for that?'

He glared at me and Dr Greene cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. He obviously wanted to disappear into the smoke filled, caffeine stocked staff room.

'Sorry,' I smiled wide, 'is moving in mandatory?'

'Mr Conlon is very sick. He can't manage to administer his medication daily. He might forget or overdose.'

Tommy tensed and I rubbed his back, our previous lovers tiff forgotten. Grinning I slapped Tommy on the back, hard, 'call us roomies.'

~VD:T~

As we prepared to leave, a hospital assistant was helping a fragile Patrick into the back of Tommy's car. Tommy and I hovered by the doors for a moment longer.

'His...' Tommy swallowed and caught the attention of Dr Greene who was handing me Patrick's prescription. 'he used to drink. Alot. Can that...'

Dr Greene nodded.

I winced.

'Alcoholism is proven to be a main cause of TB, yes.'

Tommy looked away and slammed his hand against the glass door. It jerked and both me and the doctor jumped. 'Mr Riordan...'

Tommy stormed away and I sighed. 'I got it.'

He was pacing by his car when I reached him. Patrick sat quietly, half laying half sitting in the back seat, his eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly. I thanked the assistant and waited until he disappeared inside before I slapped Tommy on his bicep.

It was nearing evening and the carpark was empty. 'Don't do this.'

He scowled and leaned against the car. 'Do what?'

Always plays this stupid game. 'Forget he's your father. He's sick Tommy.'

'Whose fault is that?' He narrowed his eyes at me as if I was the villain in this mind game of his.

I pursed my lips, 'at the house you told me you didn't want him to die.' His posture softened momentarily, 'he won't. Not if you stay with him and forget this.'

He didn't move a muscle and I shook my head absolutely bewildered at his change in attitude. 'Alright, give me your keys.' I held out my hand.

Furrowing his brows my boyfriend asked, 'what?'

'You heard me.'

He fumbled in his pockets before putting his keys in my hand. 'What for?'

I didn't answer him and instead, rounded the car and got in the drivers side. Tommy reached for the passenger door but I leaned over and locked it before he could open it. I started the engine ignoring the rather forceful taps against the window.

Winding the window down, he poked his head in.

'Can I help you?' I asked sweetly.

'What the fuck are you doin' Lana?'

'Being a friend.'

'You're my girlfriend.' He growled.

My stomach flipped and I looked down, 'before my dad left, he tried to kill himself with vodka and ibuprofen. Didn't stop me working in AA or helping your dad.'

Tommy braced his arms on the car, 'you had no choice to work in AA. You're stuck in a dead end job and Pop probably complimented you. Did your daddy slap you about?'

I widened my eyes in utter shock at his words and stamped on the gas, 'fuck you Tommy.' And off I sped.

~VD:T~

I'd been at Patrick's home for an hour before the prick of the season stepped through the door. He looked tired and... guilty?

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and silence fell between us. I fiddled with the packet of pills in my hand and stepped down the last step. Tommy broke the silence.

'Where is he?'

'Upstairs.' I sat down on the foot of the stairs and Tommy slowly made his way to sit beside me.

'What I said-'

'Doesn't matter.' I offered him a small smile, it didn't reach my eyes and it must've looked more sad that I thought because Tommy wrung his head and tentively reached out with his hand to place it on my thigh.

'What did you study?'

'Sorry?'

'At University.'

I grinned, 'psychology.'

He nodded, might I say he looked a little impressed, 'you're good at your job. Even if you don't like people.'

I laughed and put my head on his broad shoulder, 'you can do this, y'know.'

'Look after Pop or forgive him?'

'Both. You already forgive him, all this' I tapped his built chest, 'is just front. Call Brendan?'

'Yeah. Had an hour to kill, my girlfriend stole my car.'

Vicious coughing from upstairs jerked us and Tommy sprinted up the stairs before I could even stand up. I decided to leave them alone and placed the pills on the kitchen counter. I began cleaning up a little and before long, Tommy appeared at the living room door.

'He okay?'

He nodded slowly. 'I can move back in.'

'Good.'

'If you do.'

I stopped what I was doing and did a double take at him, 'excuse me?'

He leaned against the door, crossing his arms across his chest, 'be a live in carer for him or something. I still got my training to do.'

'I have a job too.'

'Do both.'

I flopped on the armchair, 'this wasn't the best preposition of asking me to move in with you.'

Tommy widened his eyes a little, obviously he hadn't thought about it like that. 'I didn't mean-'

'I know,' I stood, crossed the room and kissed him chastely on the lips, without me being on my tiptoes he was significantly taller than me and I head to raise my head to meet his eyes, 'besides, we gonna sleep in that single Action Man quilt bed of yours?'

Tommy paused, 'we should move your bed in here.'

'Mmm,' I kissed him again and smiled.

Sorry for the delay, guys.
Hope you like this chapter even though it's short. Christmas soon.
Song is Breath by Breaking Benjamin - it doesn't match Lana as much, but Tommy for sure.
Thank you to everyone who is reviewing. I was thinking to responding to any reviews in the next chapters, so any questions or queries and I can answer them in the next chapter :)