A/n: violent scenes.
It was somewhat of a miserable journey back to Weatherfield, a definitely air of 'back to reality' as Carla pulled into her designated parking space at Victoria Court. The sun had left the building and the grey, drizzly day was definitely reflective of Michelle's mood. The windscreen wipers had only just stilled the scraping of moisture from the glass, but already specks of rain were beginning to splash across the surface.
The younger woman didn't even attempt to leave the car, instead letting out a longing sigh, flopping back against the seat with her arms folded over her chest. Carla couldn't help the chuckle that escaped.
"What?"
"You, you look like Liam does when Maria tells him he can't have any sweets from he shop." She jibed, giving her a gentle poke.
"Well, it was such a good weekend. It flew." She murmured glancing out of the window with a hint of a point across her face.
Carla nodded in agreement. Truth be told, she wasn't particularly looking forward to heading back to the Factory either, which made her feel guilty considering the fuss she'd made about it. It wasn't that she hate it, she just wished she'd obtained it through better circumstances, wished that she'd have been able to get the place herself. And, admittedly, the weekend had raced by far too fast. What she wouldn't give to be back in that queen sized bed with room service, a sauna two floors below and Michelle. Especially Michelle. Sat against the tiles with a fluffy white towel around her tanned frame, hair slicked back from her face, beads of perspiration causing her skin to glitter even through the haze of steam.
"Carla?"
She was jolted back to reality, releasing her lower lip which she'd bit down against, a smirk twisting across her face. The older woman hadn't even realised she'd been staring at Michelle, who had was looking straight back with narrowed eyes.
"Sorry. I was lost in thought."
"About?"
"Last night," her voice low, husky, causing goosebumps to erupt over Michelle's arms at the mere sound of it.
"Yeah, it was pretty intense wasn't it?" She nodded, already able to feel the heat creeping to her cheeks.
"You can say that again," Carla laughed. She looked mesmerising when she laughed; her head tipped back, chestnut hair rippling down her back, emerald eyes glittering, alight with joy, managing to display almost very single one of her pearly white teeth. The older brunette rolled her shoulder, as though easing a cramp, a slight frown creasing her brow though her expression was still full of mischief. "I swear I've pulled something in my shoulder, you're insatiable."
"Aww, I'm sorry," Michelle grinned, looking anything but as she leaned across the car, placing light fingertips against the affected area, squeezing gently. "I'll give you a massage."
Carla let out a scoff of disbelief, batting the other woman away. "You keep those hands where I can see them, I know your game."
The younger woman's mouth fell open in offence, though she quickly rearranged her features and became a picture of innocence; hazel eyes widening, a hint of a coy smile across her lips, head tilted to the side indifferently. "I don't know what you mean." She tried, instead dropping her head down so that her mouth was flush to the exposed skin of the other woman's shoulder, starting to scatter light kisses against her.
"And your mouth. That's even more dangerous." Carla reprimanded, though allowed the other woman to linger there for a moment longer, before somewhat reluctantly pulling away. Her sigh mirrored Michelle's. "We'll go away again. Soon." She promised, leaning over to press a quick kiss against her lips before unclipping her belt and pulling the car door open.
They had to make a dash for it, the rain was lashing down a lot heavier than it had been. Thankfully they were only exposed to the elements for mere seconds. Carla reached out to gently brush over the raindrops that had gathered in the younger woman's hair, grazing over the silky tresses affectionately.
"Hey, you know what's next on your 'to do' list, don't you?" Carla informed, pressing her finger against the button to call the lift down to them. She caught Michelle's eye, quickly clapping her hand over the younger woman's mouth before she could formulate the inappropriate response that had clearly been in the tip of her tongue, judging from the lustrous glint in her eye. "Pack it in, I'm serious!" Shaking her head, she ushered the other women into the lift, jabbing her finger against the button for their floor. "Well, I suppose it's both our jobs, but, we need to tell your parents."
At her suggestion, Michelle's body sagged, the brunette woman letting out a groan as dropped against the wall of the elevator defeatedly. "Carla!" She whined, tipping her head back in annoyance. "Why did you have to ruin the last ten minutes of bliss?"
"All I'm saying is we can't keep putting it off." She shrugged, linking their fingers once more to pull the defiant woman down the corridor.
"I know," Michelle finally mumbled, digging around her in bag for the keys to their apartment. "Can I at least have a brew first? I'm absolutely gasp-"
She broke off on entering the apartment, her reason becoming apparent when Carla slipped in after her. The place was in the far from pristine condition of that they'd left it. Sprawled across the sofa, I'm nothing but a stained hoodie and pair of boxers, Ryan was snoring peacefully, a games console resting on his chest. The television was playing to itself, repeating the introduction of the start screen to whatever game her son had been playing before passing out. Crumpled beer cans were scattered across the coffee table, among bags of crisps, some crumpled up, some left open and only half eaten. Piled at the end were stacks of pizza boxes, and judging from the smell emanating from the living area, there were definitely remnants of food trapped inside the cardboard. Carla wrinkled her nose distasteful, striding across the apartment purposefully. She'd just wrenched open the curtains and pulled the window open when Michelle's splitting roar cut through the air.
"Ryan!"
Boy was Carla glad she wasn't in his shoes. He jolted awake at the noise, almost falling off the sofa in fright. His hair was stuck up in different directions as he scrambled to his feet, staring dazedly around the room.
"You're back early. Good weekend?" He yawned, scrubbing his fists against his eyes, trying to dislodge the sleep from them.
"What the hell have you been doing? Look at the state of this place!" Michelle cried, glancing around the flat in dismay. "And have you had that blasting out all hours of the day and night?" She demanded, jabbing her thumb towards the speaker that he'd dragged from his own bedroom and placed in the corner beside the television. "You know Ali is on nights!"
As though the sound of his name had summoned his presence, the Doctor appeared in the living room, shuffling his feet slightly. To both of the women's surprise, he looked just as bad as Ryan, pale faced, a half empty can on lager swinging limply from his hand. "Rematch, Ry- Oh."
He'd picked up the console, before finally realising his mother and Carla were both stood with their arms folded; the former looking downright murderous while the latter had her eyebrow raised in bemusement.
"Did you have a good-"
"Mate," Ryan interjected, shaking his head rapidly, drawing an imaginary line across his own neck with his fingertip. "We'll today it up."
"Damn right you will." Michelle thundered, waving her finger between the pair of them. "I don't know if I'm glad you're getting on or fuming that you've lead your broth-" she broke off suddenly, her eyes widening, looking horrified at the slip of tongue. Michelle held her breath, as though waiting for the onslaught of backlash from the pair at her mistake.
"Why don't we head to the cafe for a brew and leave these two to sort this place out?" Carla interjected quickly, cutting through what she realised wasn't the tense silence she'd been anticipating. In fact, neither of the two men looked angry over the collective term she'd used for the pair of them and the look of offence across Ryan's face was for a different reason entirely.
"Ey, ill have you know that this one," he nodded towards Ali, who had dutifully began to gather up the beer cans from the coffee table. "Is just as bad as me. No, he's worse, because he pretends he's sensible." He affirmed, pointing his thumb over on Ali's direction. "I'm upfront about it."
"Grass." Ali tutted, scowling at Ryan, who looked pleased with himself. Evidently they were no longer in trouble. Michelle's glare had faltered, she was struggling to keep up the pretence of being furious with the pair of them. In fact, her expression has softened and it looked as though she as struggling to keep the emotion from her eyes. Latching onto her weakened state, Ryan grinned cunningly, giving Ali a nudge with his elbow.
"We're sorry, mum, aren't we Ali?"
"Yeah," The other man agreed, nodding earnestly at the both of them. "Sorry, mum. And Carla. We'll get this place looking spotless. We just got carried away; I haven't had a weekend off for ages." He threw in for added effect, realising that Carla probably wasn't as easy to get around as Michelle. The older brunette raised her eyebrow, shaking her head at the both of them. She knew exactly what they were doing, but she couldn't been the smirk from her face, it was exactly the sort of stunt Michelle's own brothers would have pulled.
"Come on, 'Chelle," Carla tugged on the other woman's hand gently.
"Yeah, take your girlfriend-"
"Fiancée." Carla interjected, pointing her finger warningly at Ryan.
"Take her for a brew and leave this to us."
"What was that?" Michelle whispered to herself as they closed the apartment door behind them, looking as though in a state of shock. She'd allowed Carla to pull her from their flat and out into the corridor, but she looked extremely shell-shocked still.
"Progress, sweetheart." The other brunette assured her, leaning in to deliver a lingering kiss against her cheek. "I think you've got them both back."
IXIXIXI
"Right, right I'm going to do it now." Michelle braced herself, picking up her mobile that was resting on a coaster in the Rovers Return. She'd agreed to tell her parents about her engagement, realising she really couldn't put off the chore any longer. A pit of nervous snakes squirmed in her stomach, she'd only come along to the pub for a bit of liquid courage and now, three glasses of wine in, she'd decided it was the right time. She hoped their reaction wouldn't be as bad as she was anticipating, Michelle wasn't sure how prepared to be polite she was. The previous evening had caused her enough stress.
One of her clients had phoned her just as she was settling down to bed. The woman had been in hysterics, drunk, claiming her fiancé had cheated on her and the wedding was off, demanding that Michelle pull all the arrangements. Although she'd tried her best to talk the distraught woman down, urging her to get all the facts once she'd sobered up, she'd been insistent to the point of downright unpleasant that Michelle would do as she was paid to. After tossing and turning all night with stress and a whole range of phone calls with the disgruntled owners of the businesses involved, her mood was somewhat sour that day.
She was tired and her nightmare client didn't seem to understand that any security deposits paid were non-refundable, as she'd been told at the time of booking flowers, catering services and music. The page she'd set up on social media advertising her services had now been tainted with a series of negative comments that she'd kept having to remove throughout the day. All in all, she felt miserable and wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with something full of calories and escape reality just for a few hours.
"It might not be as bad as you think." Carla assured her, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. She'd left her precious Factory in the eager hands of Sally Metcalfe after taking an early dart in order to support her fiancée, who seemed to be having the day from hell.
"This is my mother we're talking about." Michelle grumbled, opening her contacts and beginning the scroll through them. The list has expanded drastically since she'd started up her business; she was considering taking Carla's advice of purchasing an 'office' phone.
"Yeah, and you never know. She might just be willing to-"
"Oh yeah, and our Ry will become a brain surgeon and you'll give up with the booze." She scoffed angrily, jabbing her finger towards the large glass of red beside Carla.
"Er, alright! Don't take it out on me." Carla frowned, her hands sliding around her glass defensively. "I was only trying to make you feel better, it's not my fault your mother's a sanctimonious, self-righteous, uptight, interfering-"
"Oi, that's still my parent you're talking about." Michelle snapped, her lip curling, eyes dark and dangerous, anger twinkling in the brown-green hues.
"Oh is it? I don't know, I could be describing you right now." Carla pointed out smartly, purposefully taking an extra large swing of the deep burgundy liquid in her glass, almost draining it entirely. "You're just like her at times."
Michelle slammed her phone down hard against the wooden surface, letting out an incredulous scoff at her cheek. "Alright then, well if I'm so much like her, you won't want to marry me before the year's out, will you? Saves me a job, that does." She pointedly pushed the phone further away from her, making it obvious that she had no intention of calling her parents.
"Alright then. Suit yourself." Carla snapped, her own lips pushed into an agitated pout. Michelle noticed they were stained a deep purple from the wine she'd been drinking, mentally scolding herself for the way her eyes had flickered down to them, the way part of her still urged her to lean in and kiss them despite how angry she was.
"Fine."
"Fine!"
Michelle turned away from her, folding her arms across her chest. Carla mirrored her actions right down to the way they both turned their noses up in the air.
"'Ey, kids, pack it in!" Johnny called over from where he was watching them behind the bar, fighting like cat and dog. He gestured obviously to the other punters that were in the pub, trying to have a quiet pint or a late lunch.
"She started it, she's tapped in the head." Carla dared to mutter, causing Michelle's eyes to widen, her head flying back around to face the other woman, mouth opening to fire back.
"And I'm finishing it!" The landlord warned them. "If you want to behave like a pair of six year olds, then do it somewhere else. The pub is a place for adults only, I'm afraid." He watched the two women turn in opposite directions once more, both of them letting out huffs of an annoyance. Rolling his eyes, he decided to add, "Ive got Suzie in the back with Jenny and she's being better behaved than the pair of you."
That sparked both of the brunette's attention.
"Suzie's here?" Michelle questioned, while Carla rose to her feet.
"Yeah, but you're not going through if you're going to argue around her."
"We'll be on our best behaviour." Carla promised, making her way towards the bar.
"Yeah, brownie's honour." Michelle nodded earnestly, following the older woman through into the back room.
Jenny was sat with Suzie in her arms, rocking her gently while singing to her, trying to calm the grizzly mood she'd woken up in. It was apparent that Eva had dressed her that morning, she was clad in a short sleeved floral baby grow, coral coloured puffy shorts and an oversized matching floral bow in her hair. It might have been slightly too much, but there was no denying that she looked utterly adorable. With Aidan's eyes and chubby cheeks, even a grumpy Suzie was an extremely endearing Suzie. Although Jenny didn't look too sure, her face slackening with relief when the other two women came through the door.
"Oh, you're just in time. She won't settle and I never got around to bringing up more mixers for Johnny." Standing up from the sofa, she offered her arms out to the pair, gesturing for one of them to take her. Initially it was Carla who gathered the squirming bundle in her arms, though when Jenny disappeared and both herself and Michelle took seats on the sofa, she passed the baby over to a surprised Michelle, who complied and took Suzie into her arms, cradling the little girl against her chest.
"Yeah, you give Aunty Michelle a cuddle. See if you can cheer her up. Much like you, she's feeling a little grumpy herself."
Michelle's mouth fell open again, though she knew Carla was only joking this time. Rolling her eyes, she shuffled Suzie over to rest in the crook of her elbow, leaning it comfortably against the cushion before holding out her free arm, gesturing for Carla to shuffle closer. When the other brunette was tucked up into her, she pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
"Sorry," She murmured softly, giving her a gentle squeeze. "I didn't mean to snap, I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
"Because I've never done that, have I?" Carla smiled up at her, wrapping an arm across her waist, absentmindedly fiddling with the lace frill on one of Suzie's pristine white socks. "You can handle one nightmare client, 'Chelle. You're a tough cookie." The older woman assured her, stretching towards Michelle. "And we'll tell your parents together, when you're ready. Whatever happens, we've still got this, haven't we? A family here, us, a future...I sincerely doubt Helen won't want to be part of that. She loves you. It's actually the one thing her and I have in common."
The younger woman's expression softened, an adoring smile spreading across her face as she dipped her head, connecting it against Carla's. "You always know exactly how to make me feel better." She murmured, lightly nudging their noses together.
"You've got a knack for that yourself, she's settled right down." Carla's eyes had flickered towards Suzie, whose own were drooping, blinking slowly as the infant started to settle down to sleep, quiet gurgles issuing from her tiny red mouth.
Michelle followed Carla's gaze, letting out a gentle hum of awe, her chest feeling so much lighter than it had done fifteen minute previous. It was hard to feel down when she had Suzie under one arm and Carla under the other, an infinite amount of love connecting them all. Making sure the little girl was comfortable and secure against her, she turned her head back to the other brunette and moved in for a kiss.
It was soft, sweet, her hand trailing up from where it was wrapped around Carla's waist and tangling in her hair, holding the back of her head. The older woman responded just as gently, taking Michelle's lower lip between her own and tugging against her, earning herself a gentle hum of approval that sounded from the other brunette's.
"Wow, I think I just had a heart palpitation." They both twisted their heads to the doorway, where Kate was leant up against the frame, her eyebrow raised with a cocky smirk across her face. "You guys are just so cute." She teased, gesturing to the three of them. Taking a step back, she leaned out of the doorway and called through to the bar. "Yeah, they're friends again. Don't worry!" Stepping back through into the room, she made a beeline for the arm on Michelle's side, carefully perching herself on it and stroking a gentle fingertip down a sleeping Suzie's cheek.
"How long were you stood there watching us you weirdo?" Carla sassed, glancing up from where she was tucked beneath her fiancée once more.
"Not long," she shrugged, flashing her sister a knowing grin. "I came over to see Suzie, I was going to have a drink but dad said to check to make sure you were both still alive."
"Oh, it was only a tiff." Carla murmured, her head lolling contently against Michelle's shoulder, a happy little grin on her face as she pecked the younger woman's cheek. "She's hot headed, this one."
"Er, pot and kettle, sweetheart." Michelle smirked, using her knee to gently nudge the other woman's thigh, being conscious not to jolt the sleeping girl in the crook of her arm.
"All that time we thought you were bickering when you were really just flirting with one another." Kate pointed out, wrinkling her nose slightly, trying to wind the two of them up again.
Carla glanced slyly at Michelle, raising her brow as she contemplated Kate's words, giving a small nod. "You did say, if you were that way inclined, you'd marry me instead." She reasoned, shrugging her shoulder.
"See, that in itself. I mean, even if I were straight, there's no way I'd marry Daniel. He's my best pal, it'd be weird." Kate insisted, shuffling from the arm of the sofa when Michelle made to get up.
She'd seen the younger girl eyeing Suzie longingly and so nodded for her to sit beside her sister. Once settled against the cushions Michelle had vacated, she carefully passed the infant over to her eager cousin.
"I thought Ryan was your best mate?"
A small pout formed across the younger girls mouth. "Haven't had a look in since he started chumming up with his brother." She emphasised, looking wistful. "Neither of them invited me over for pizza and games when you two went away. I've fallen in the pecking order."
Carla rolled her eyes at her sister's amateur dramatics, pulling herself up from where she was sitting. Though Michelle was acting like she hadn't forgiven her two sons for making a complete mess of the apartment, Carla could see right through her chilly demeanour. She knew full well the younger woman was absolutely ecstatic that they were finally getting along. What shocked her most was how much she didn't mind, herself. She'd slotted into this little family life without even meaning to, without feeling suffocated or out of her depth, without once thinking that she had bitten off more than she could chew. It was working great, with Ryan and Ali's alternating shifts meaning they could happily share a room and on the Doctors days off, Ryan was more than happy to take the sofa, sprawling out with his games console until the early hours.
All that time she'd spent thinking maybe she just wasn't cut out for family life; maybe she just hadn't realised she'd already got one. A good one.
"Right, come on you. We can go and sort out this nightmare client of yours, get to the bottom of it." Carla squared her shoulders, preparing herself for a night of deal making and mentally pushing a few sharp, choice phrases to the front of her mind. If the woman wasn't prepared to back down, she was going to face her wrath.
"We?" Michelle frowned, turning to Carla with confusion across her features. "Don't you have to get back to Underworld?"
"I'm sure they'll manage. I don't want you having this over your shoulders, you've got enough on." She spoke firmly, she'd made her decision. Leaning down, she stroked her fingertip across Suzie's cheek, smiling warmly at her before delivering a quick kiss to her sisters.
"You don't have to, I'm sure I'll manage-"
"Hey, I don't mind. I quite fancy a spot of role play; we can do good cop, bad cop."
"Is that one of your kinky bedroom games?" Kate quipped, earning herself a prod from Carla, who suddenly turned to Michelle, her gaze dropping to the leather skirt that was hugging her frame.
"Now, there's an idea." She smirked, causing Kate to scoff in disgust and Michelle's cheeks to take on a fiery red hue.
"Carla!" The other brunette flashed her cousin an apologetic smile, rolling her eyes as she held out her hand for the older woman to take.
Merely chuckling darkly in response, Carla bypassed Michelle's hand and slid her arm around her fiancées waist, her fingertips grazing against her hip. "I was just joking...I think."
The younger woman shot her a look, catching the fire in her green eyes, which were glittering with mischief. She was pulling subtly on the lower lip, one eyebrow just slightly cocked. Carla stared the younger woman, unblinkingly, watching the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, watching her fight against it as she tried to keep up an air of disapproval.
"Oh stop with the eye sex and get out. You knock me sick, the pair of you." Kate grimaced, effectively breaking the battle of wits between the two older women.
They bid Kate goodbye, repeating the gesture with Johnny and Jenny as they vacated the Rovers, lacing their fingers together. Carla noticed Michelle looking at her quizzically, her head tilted to the side.
"What?"
The younger woman have a casual shrug, trying to act nonchalant, even though she had that same wicked glint her eye from not five minutes before.
"Is your shoulder any better?"
IXIXIXI
"Hero of the hour, you, rescuing damsels in distress." Michelle teased, nodding over to where the older woman had just left Sinead and Daniel. "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, I think so. What are you doing in here?" The Bistro was the last place she'd ever expected to find Michelle and had been mildly surprised to find her propping up the bar, chatting to Kate, another one who she thought wouldn't be back.
"Well, Kate was just telling me this place is being sold." She shrugged, moving to slide an arm around Carla's waist. "We don't know whose bought it, but apparently it's business as usual."
"And since I'm not lining that scumbags pockets, I thought I might as well stay here." Kate added, clearing her throat pointedly when it was clear that Carla wasn't taking in a word either of the two were saying. She seemed distracted, her hand clutched firmly around her phone.
"Babe, are you alright?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, sorry," Carla sighed, patting Kate's hand apologetically, before stretching up to press a swift kiss against Michelle's lips. "I can't stay, I've left Simon in the Factory, I promised Peter I'd keep an eye on him. Those lads are giving him grief."
"Ugh, why are you stuck childminding baby Fred West?" Michelle grimaced, causing Carla to tap her shoulder in disapproval.
"Hey, he's alright." She defended, though couldn't stop the small chuckle escaping her lips. "He's just-" She was cut off by the sound of her phone ringing. When Simon's name flashed up on the screen, she seized in terror, pressing the phone against her ear.
"I bet he wants to know the WiFi pass-"
"Don't you dare move I'm on my way." Carla commanded, suddenly bolting for the exit.
Looking thoroughly confused but concerned about whatever trouble her fiancée had managed to get caught up in, Michelle ran after Carla, almost tripping up over the cobbles and wondering if she should just take a leaf out of the older woman's book and start donning flat shoes once in a while.
"Carla, wait up!" She called out, attracting Peter's attention who suddenly looked outraged that the Factory boss hadn't kept her word and had neglected Simon for a moment. He bounded up towards the two women, watching Carla try to extract her keys with some difficulty, her hands clumsy with worry.
"Why the hell did you leave him?!"
"Don't you dare shout at her like that!" Michelle snapped, rounding on Peter furiously, but the screech of tyres against the cobbles caught all their attention before the argument could escalate. Michelle saw the window roll down, the glint of the barrel that was suddenly peeking out at them. It was aimed at Peter, of course it was, but Carla was stood right next to him, she'd run over to break up the duo's impending row and unless the kid in the car was an expert aim, the older brunette was right in the firing line.
It happened way too fast, fast but slow. It was over on a split second, but time had stood still and Carla saw it all as though in slow motion.
The deafening bang ripped through the air, a flurry of pigeons instantly shooting up from where they were pecking hopefully between the cracks of the cobbles, flapping their wings manically as they rose to higher grounds, finding purchase on the Factory roof, the grey feathers on their fronts ruffled in distress. Her ears were ringing and she was on the floor. She'd hit the ground heavily, it had knocked the wind out of her, pain pulsating from her lower back, her elbow grazed. She could still feel the heavy handprint against her chest, the one that had forced her to the concrete. She'd been pushed. Why had she been pushed?
"Michelle!" Peter's gruff voice had cut through the high pitched alarm that was causing her ear drums to throb. He sounded panicked. Carla shook her head, trying to clear her vision which had become blurred from the disorientation, her eyes screwed up tight as she blinked twice, trying to force them to focus.
Finally, when she was able to see, she turned her head towards the direction his shout had sounded from and her heartbeat froze inside her chest.
He was crouched over a figure on the floor. Michelle's figure. The younger woman was laying limp gainst the hard ground.
"She just ran out in front of us, I-" Peter broke off, watching as the older brunette pulled herself to her feet. She'd only walked three paces before her knees gave out and she was on the floor again. It was only that morning Carla had made a comment about how it was nice to see her in some colour. The blue, lace top Michelle was wearing now had a gaping, black stain over the side of it, one that was wet, widening, seeping further into the fibres of the material. Blood was dripping down her side, spreading into the intricate crevices of the cobbles, a maze of scarlet twisting around each stone. Her eyes were closed.
"No...NO!" A blood curdling scream pierced the air, it made the tiny hairs on the back of Carla's neck stand on end. She only realised it had torn from her own throat when she fell onto all fours with a gasp, breathless, as she crawled towards the lifeless brunette. The jagged pavement scraped against her denim clad knees, smearing dirt across the rough material. She collapsed across the younger woman, her hand falling to the wound by her hip where she attempted to press against it. Hot, thick blood instantly oozed from between her fingers, the sheer amount of it causing her stomach to flip with panic.
"'Chelle," Carla choked out, leaning over her still form. Her other hand dropped to her shoulder, giving it the tiniest of shakes. "Baby, wake up... Come on, wake up..."
"She's alive." Her head snapped up to where Peter was crouched, Michelle's hand clasped in his own, his fingertips pressed lightly against the inside of her wrist. Carla had to bite back the urge to tell him not to touch her.
"Of course she's alive!" She barked, as though it had been completely ridiculous of him to insinuate otherwise, like there wasn't a thick pool of blood emanating across the dusty cobbles. It was then she realised Peter hadn't even been speaking to her, his head was bent to the side, shoulder pressing his mobile to his ear. Her lower lip trembled, but she refused to go to pieces, not when Michelle needed her.
"The ambulance is on its way." Peter assured her gently, taking off his jacket and folding it roughly. He walked around to where Michelle's head was resting against the ground, but before he could reach out to her again, Carla stopped him.
"No. No I'll hold her." Why had she let Peter do it? Why had he been the one to call the ambulance? He'd been the first one to reach Michelle, it should have been her. Carla hadn't done anything aside from panic. Her head span dangerously and she mentally snapped to pull herself together. "Let me..."
She allowed ex husband to help her gently lift Michelle into her lap, cradling her head in her arms, holding her carefully as though she were as little as Suzie. She moved her hand back down to Michelle's side, attempting to stem the blood flow once more.
"I've got it," Peter nodded, using the jacket he'd intended to slide under Michelle's head. The man had guilt plastered across his features as he bundled the material firmly against the blood flow, his worried gaze swivelling to Michelle, who seemed to be growing paler by the second.
Carla had been about to brush a through Michelle's hair before she realised it was still coated in red, half dried and sticky. Impatiently, she scrubbed her hand down against her front, the blood looked even more stark and horrific against the white chiffon of her blouse and there was no way she'd ever be able to wear it again, but she didn't care. Her heart leapt; just as she'd brushed one of the silky strands from the younger woman's face, her eyelashes flickered, a quiet whimper escaping her lips.
"Michelle?"
There was a second cry, this one louder, as the younger woman's eyes opened fully, her face screwing up in agony.
"It's okay, it's okay baby." Carla's hand moved from her hair to her cheek, cupping it gently, tilting her own head so that her eyes were directly above Michelle's. "I'm here, everything's going to be alright I promise."
"He...He didn't get you." To Carla's surprise, a faint smile formed across the younger woman's white face. She sounded relieved as she forced out the choked whisper. Carla pressed her lips together, unable to stop the tears which blurred her vision. They slipped down her cheeks, dripping onto the younger woman's, who tried her best to reach up, her own fingers cold and trembling when they wrapped around the side of the older brunette's neck. "Don't cry, Carla."
"Well it's hardly an occasion for laughter, is it?" The other woman tried to inject sarcasm into her tone, but her voice was still heavy with tears she'd yet to shed, a lump wedged firmly in her throat that she couldn't swallow down. "Oh, god 'Chelle... why did you-?" The rest of her sentence was drowned out by the sob she hadn't been able to hold back.
"I didn't want you hurt." Michelle's eyes had fallen closed again, the younger woman letting out a hum of pain. She was taking short, sharp breaths, panting against the searing fire that was radiating through her body, unable to stop herself from crying out again.
The sound cut through Carla, almost causing physical pain to her own body. She felt so completely helpless, wishing beyond anything that she could trade places with Michelle. If she could turn back time and keep her out of danger, she'd do it in a heartbeat. Whoever that bullet had been aimed at, it should never have hit her. Not Michelle. Dipping her head, Carla lightly touched her own against the younger brunette's. The implication of her actions was only just beginning to hit her fully. It was an expression that she'd heard being used carelessly all the time. It was never one she'd ever wanted Michelle to take literally. White hot panic was still burning in her chest, spiking across her shoulders and down her back. The younger woman was shivering in her arms and Carla held her closer, dropping a light kiss against her forehead.
"You're going to be okay, 'Chelle, just stay with me." She pleaded, tears flowing thick and fast once more.
There was a crowd by this time, of course there was. The sound alone had probably attracted half the street and it had never taken long for bad news to travel around. Carla wished they lived somewhere quiet, somewhere they couldn't be gawped at like their misfortune was a circus attraction. Then again, there wouldn't be anything to stare at if they moved to an area where they could walk down the street without having to hop over bullets. Only Michelle had hopped straight in front of it, for no other reason than to keep her safe.
"Oh my god, are you okay Peter?" Carla's head shot up angrily, the man himself looking incredulous as Tracy hurried towards the three of them.
"Are you completely thick?" The factory boss snapped, her face glazed with tears as she gestured obviously to the woman in her arms.
"He is my brother." She tried to defend, having the decency to at least arrange her features into a look of concern as she dared to move closer to them.
"Yeah and your brother is fine thanks to my fiancée and the bullet currently lodged inside her." She spat viciously, her harsh tone contrasting vastly with the gentleness of her actions. Her fingertips were brushing lightly over Michelle's forehead, pushing her hair back before trailing them tenderly down her cheek, trying to deliver what little comfort she could to the younger woman.
"The lad who was after Simon," Peter informed his confused sister before she could open her mouth to ask. "Pulled up with a gun."
"Well we're all alright stood here, aren't we?" Tracy muttered, glancing around the street uncertainly. "They might well drive back around the corner and take us all out!"
None of them had even contemplated that thought.
"Tracy," Carla hissed through clenched teeth, her panicked state causing her to allow anger to get the better of her. "I swear to God if anything happens to Michelle and all you've come over to do is stand and make useless comments, I'll personally put an end to your existence on this planet."
"Well, what can I do? I'm not a Doctor!" Tracy cried, her mouth falling open at the other woman's threat, an incredulous scoff leaving her mouth.
"Grab my phone from my bag, call Ali." She suddenly demanded, nodding behind her to where it lay forgotten. Looking thoroughly unimpressed with Carla barking orders at her but complying anyway, Tracy yanked on the silver chain handle, pulling the black leather bag into her clutches.
"It says I need a password." She called, causing Carla to growl in frustration. It wasn't like Tracy was being deliberately annoying this time, but it agitated her all the same. "Two, one...zero, four...seven, six." Her voice shook as she forced herself to recite the digits calmly, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment.
"That's...That's my birthday." Michelle's voice was so weak, she'd coughed lightly at the end, as though the words had caused her great effort. Carla's eyes popped open, her expression softening, her thumb resuming gentle circles against her pale cheek.
"No flies on you, hey?" The older brunette smiled, compelling her features to remain passive, as though she wasn't completely terrified about the other woman's dwindling state. "At least you know I'll never forget."
IXI
"I'm sure it was a gunshot. It sounded like one." Jenny mused from where she was stood behind the bar with Johnny, the pair of them debating the noise they'd heard moments previous.
"Nah, it'll have been a firework." Johnny shrugged, glancing towards the booth directly in front of them, where Ryan and Ali were getting on suspiciously well.
"It's the middle of summer in broad daylight!"
"Yeah but it's the school holidays, kids are bored."
"Right, so," Ryan began loudly, his conversation audible to the whole of the pub. "Heads, I buy next round. Tails, you do." He held out his hand, waiting for Ali to shake it. The other man had just stretched his fingertips towards him, when his phone vibrated on the table. Ignoring Ryan's protests, he picked the device up, a small frown marring his features.
"Carla?" He was confused as to why she'd be calling him and not Michelle. Maybe his mother had forgotten her phone and wanted him for something. He was even more confused when the voice of Tracy Barlow echoed down the line.
Ryan watched the Doctor's eyes widen, before he leapt up from his seat, knocking the rest of his drink over in his haste. The pint of bitter spilled across the table, soaking into the sleeve of the other mans hoodie.
"Watch it, you daft apath!" Ryan cried out, shaking his arm in frustration, drops of liquid flying from the material. "Oh, nice one. Good going A-"
"Mum's been shot." Ali whispered, his face rapidly draining of colour.
"What? Shot? Eh?"
"Shot?" Jenny called over, throwing her hand up in front of her husbands face to stop him talking. "Who?"
"Michelle."
It was completely silent in the Rovers, the news echoing around the walls, confused murmurs rippling through the air.
"But- how?"
"'How'! What do you mean how? How do you think?" Ali snapped, stuffing his phone into his pocket as he bolted towards the door, only stopping to bark and a shell-shocked Ryan. "Come on then, soft lad. Shift!"
"Right, out!" Johnny shouted, pulling up the latch of the bar, almost taking it off its hinges in his haste. "Everyone out, we need to close up."
Like they'd even needed telling. They were out of the door almost as fast as Ali and Ryan, eager for a bit of drama to help eat away at their meagre, miserable days. The crowd surrounding the factory had grown and the doctor had to angrily force his way past those who had decided to completely hinder the situation by standing directly in the way.
"Let me through, I'm a Doctor." He demanded authoritatively, effectively parting the residents with his appearance.
Carla looked weak with relief when he ushered Peter out of the way. She watched the him dig his own set of keys from his pocket and head off towards the factory steps, clearly going to free Simon from the confines of the premises. He'd been the safest of them all.
"Has she been awake at all?" Ali asked her, cautiously peeling away the jacket Peter had used to compress against the wound.
"Yeah, she's been talking." Carla nodded, jumping slightly at the sudden pressure of a hand on her shoulder. Peering up, she saw Ryan's apologetic smile as Michelle's other son sat behind her, giving his Aunt what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze. Gazing back down at the younger woman, she lowered her head once more and whispered softly to her.
"Michelle, can you open your eyes for us?"
The series of shallow breaths, which she'd continued to exhale through her nose, paused for a moment, a low grumble sounding in the back of her throat. Ali increased the pressure, pushing down firmly against the bullet wound and she gasped, her eyes screwing up tighter.
"Mm...Hurts." Was all she managed to wheeze, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes and disappearing into her hair.
"I know, I know," Carla murmured, her own expression pained as she continued to whisper soothingly to her. The younger woman's hand had long since slackened from where she'd initially been resting it against her neck and had dropped back by her side. Reaching out, Carla took Michelle's hand in her own, lacing their fingers together, renewed worry flooding through her when she realised her palm felt clammy.
"Ali, she's cold," she whispered, her eyes flickering to his, dread settling heavy in her stomach when she noticed the hint of distress in the Doctor's own.
"She's lost a lot of blood." It had already seeped into the knee of his trousers after spreading over the ground. "See if you can keep her talking." His tone gave no indication as to how dire the situation was, his professional mask had probably slipped into place to distract them all from the worst possible outcome.
"'Chelle," Carla squeezed her hand, trying to ignore her pulsing fear and grappling around for anything that might be successful in engaging the younger woman in conversation. "Hey, where do you fancy honeymooning?" She had no idea why she'd asked that, perhaps she'd just needed to reaffirm that they were getting married; there was no way she was going to lose her when they'd come this far. "If we could go anywhere in the world?"
They were waiting on baited breath, praying Michelle would respond. Just as her hope had started to dwindle, the younger woman's brow twitched, as though she was trying to frown. Her eyes were bleary and unfocused, only just peeking through her half open lids, but she was there.
"We're not...mm...married yet." She croaked, her teeth starting to chatter when she spoke.
Carla felt her heart crack, she must have been in so much pain. Her own insides felt like ice, every fibre of her being frozen in terror, it was making it difficult to think. All she wanted to do was throw herself down next to the younger woman and cry, beg her to be okay.
"But we will be. I mean, unless you didn't take that bullet for me. Hey, it's not Peter you've got a thing for is it?" She teased, her voice shaking with the amount of effort it was taking to hold off an impending breakdown.
"Gross," was all Michelle whispered, though there was a hint of a smile across her lips. Her body was starting to shiver violently in the other woman's arms and Carla pulled her closer, as though she was merely cold and keeping her warm would help. "Carla?" Her voice was growing faint, her eyes flickering as she tried to keep the other brunette in sight.
"What, baby?"
"I-I love you."
"Don't you start with all that, now," Carla sniffed. She was shaking too, her grip steadfast around the other woman, her heart working rapidly in her chest, blood pulsing in her ears. "You flippin' drama Queen."
"I do...I love you and I'm pr-" she broke off, coughing dryly, taking a moment to catch her breath, which was still shallow, hitching in the back of her throat, "proud...to love you. And of you."
Carla's resolve broke, she couldn't hold back a second longer. Leaning down once more to that they were nose to nose, she struggled through the fit of sobs that were wracking her body. She let go of Michelle's hand only so she could cup her cheek, stroking her thumb against clammy skin. "I love you, too." Her voice cracked, her fingertip now trailing across the younger woman's lower lip. They were cold, tinged with blue, but that didn't stop Carla from pressing her warmer ones against them. Michelle exhaled softly through her nose, but had lost the energy to respond, her eyes fluttering shut.
There were sirens, growing louder and Carla pulled back, face slick with tears. She could see the neon vehicle racing towards them, blue lights flashing urgently. She turned back towards the younger woman and have her a gentle shake, frowning when she didn't even utter a sound of protest.
"'Chelle," She whispered, lightly grazing the side of her face. The other woman was still. A thick blanket of terror wrapped itself around the older brunette, restricting her air, suffocating her. "No, come on, they're here now. Michelle, please wake up."
Ryan's arm was wrapped around her own shoulders, she could feel him gripping her tightly while she held onto the other woman. A cry of anguish tore from her throat, she refused to believe their time together was up. Not by a long chalk.
"You listen to me, baby," she choked, clutching her still form against her chest, lacing kisses into her hair. The paramedics had dismounted from the ambulance and were rushing towards the scene. Ali gestured for Ryan to take over his futile attempt to keep the blood from draining out of Michelle's body entirely. There were tears on his cheeks, but he stood up determinedly, meeting the emergency service team and firing off everything they needed to know before they'd even got to where the brunette woman lay.
"You never gave up on me, ever." Carla whispered, rocking her gently, wetting her hair with salty tears, tears that had clumped the lashes framing her glassy, green eyes. "There's not a chance in hell that I'm going to give up on you, Michelle Connor."
A/n: They literally have the worst of luck, don't they? Damn. Hope this was okay, I stole it from the show but put my own twist on it!