A/N: Nope, you're not imagining it, this is an actual update. I know it's nearly been a year, and I have no idea if there are any readers left. But after the Roscoe-packed New Year episode, I couldn't leave this hanging any longer. I hope you forgive me!

As you all know, I have two young children now, so my writing time is very limited, but I'm going to try and update as fast as I can now I've finished my other writing projects. Hope you all have a wonderful 2015 and thank you, if you are still here.

The Unexpected Acquaintance
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Man Who Comes Around

Part I

'Wake up.'

The room was still dark when Gabby was woken, the birds yet to even stir for their joyous dawn chorus, and for a moment, she could only blink in confusion at the shadowy face of Craig above.

'Come on,' he hissed impaitently, shaking her roughly by the shoulder. 'Get up.' Gabby eased her thin and aching frame from the bed, pulling on the blue denim jeans and pink tee he'd tossed at her. She said nothing as she dressed.

Craig was pacing towards the window, peeking out from behind the curtains of the small bedroom in which she'd been imprisoned. He rubbed the back of his neck, fingers snagging in thick black curls, and when he turned to face her, his expression was strained.

His bottom lip was swollen, bust from a fight.

He'd changed a lot in the year since she'd last seen him; when they'd first met, he'd been charming and funny, a professional boxer with his whole career just opening in front of him. She'd been faithful , going to every match, cheering him on as a good girlfriend should. She'd ditch girlie days with Mel just to sit and watch him train. Things had been good, for a little while...

It started with her friends. Craig had hated Mel from day dot, convinced Gabby that she was a bad influence . Then, he'd get jealous of anything that took her time and attention from him. He'd get angry if she wasn't home exactly when he wanted and overtime, his temper grew into violence. The muscled body she'd once much admired was nothing but a tool to brutalise and demean her.

If Mel hadn't come to her rescue when she did, Gabby was positive she'd already be dead.

'We need to leave.' Craig's barked words brought her out of her thoughts as he strode forward and bundled her out the bedroom door.

'Why? What's going on?' She spoke the words before she could stop herself, an odd leap in her heart at the fact that he looked genuinely worried. Maybe that was a good sign?

He didn't reply for a minute, as he shoved her towards the narrow staircase and followed her down. 'I think I'm being followed,' he grunted, as she entered the front room; two grotty once-beige sofas, a small coffee table littered with beer cans and cigarette packets, a small TV box in the corner. Besides that, the walls were bare and the brown carpet worn underfoot.

The TV was on, turned low, the flickering light the only thing brightening the room. Craig, once again, moved to the window and peeked out. There was sweat on his brow.

Gabby stood still, not daring to move unless instructed. He let the curtain drop and strode to the coffee table, snatching up an open packet of fags. He slid one out and fumbled in his pocket for a lighter.

There was a crash behind them, sounding loudly from the back of the house. Craig froze, tossing the cigarette aside.

'Come with me.' He snagged her arm as he passed, dragging her through into the kitchen. There was a shadow behind the glass of the back door; whoever it was tried the handle.

Craig left her stood, shivering in the cold kitchen, before moving to hide behind the door. He reached behind him and pulled a hammer from the back of his trousers. Then, looking hard at Gabby, he placed a finger to his lips.

The person behind the door had disappeared and for a moment, she feared they'd left. But, after a second, the shadow figure reappeared and she heard a key turn in the lock.

Her heart was pounding, palms sweaty and her chest felt so tight, she could barely breathe.

Craig braced himself with the hammer as the door swung open and her potential saviour walked in...

Nineteen hours earlier

Emmy sat in the nurse's office, hands laced together on her lap, her schoolbag set down by her feet. Her therapist, Michelle, sat opposite, clipboard resting on her knees. She watched Emmy carefully, the end of her pen caught between thin lips. 'So, Emily, please tell me again why you've decided to drop your medication?'

Emmy shifted in the seat, giving a shrug. 'They don't seem to be helping.' What else could she say? That each of her pill bottles screamed that they shouldn't taken during pregnancy, that she'd read countless horror stories online about birth defects and disabilities... Emmy pushed these thoughts away, looking up as the therapist spoke.

'You've not had any problems with them before.' Michelle was eyeing her up like a hawk to a mouse. 'Has Robert Roscoe got anything to do with this?'

Yes, his penis is completely to blame, she thought miserably. 'No. I just don't know why I'm still on Prozac when I'm not depressed.'

'I'm afraid that's not your decision to make, Emily. I'll have to inform Mr Greene on your feelings, though you know as well as I do that he'll want to keep you on the high dosage for your bi-polar disorder-' Emmy sighed, frustrated. Michelle's eyes narrowed cooly. 'You do want to get better, dont you?'

'Of course I do, but I want to be off the drugs as well.' She tried her best to look confident, while trying to ignore her churning stomach. 'I just want to be normal.'

Michelle set the clipboard aside. 'Emily, I've recently noticed a change in your behaviour over the past few weeks and I'm convinced it's got something to do with your relationship with Mister Roscoe. I can only advise you keep your distance from him and focus on your own recovery. There'll be time for boys later.'

'Robbie has nothing to do with this-'

The bell rang, shrill above her head, interrupting them. Michelle leaned back in her chair, seated behind the desk. 'I'll be having a word with Mr Greene before the end of the day.' She watched Emmy grab her bag, swinging it over her shoulder as she stood. The teen left the room without another word, the door clicking shut behind her. Michelle stood, moving around the desk. Emmy still wasn't confident talking to her, was still holding things back about herself and her father.

Trevor Royle. How long had it been since she'd set eyes on the man who'd destroyed her sister's life. Ruined her very being, roping her into drink, drugs and God knew what else. Heather had been young and care-free, ready to start her University degree with her whole future mapped out, until Trevor had come and stolen it away.

Michelle looked down at her niece's case file, her every trauma laid before her in print. If only she could get Emily to trust her, then she could put her plan into motion, could avenge her sister and hit Trevor where it really hurt.

She left the office, heels clicking as she strode down the corridor. Students flooded the hallways, jostling each other to get to their next classes. It wasn't hard to spot him though, loitering by the exit with a packet of fags, waiting for the right opportunity to sneak out.

'Robbie Roscoe.' His head snapped up, frowning as the woman came to a stop in front of him.

'What?'

'I want to talk about Emily.'

His frown deepened, studying her cautiously. 'What about her?'

Michelle picked a bit of lint from her grey sweater, before folding her arms over her chest. 'She's gotten it into her head that she doesn't need her medication. That she's stable enough without it.'

'What's that got to do with me?' He looked annoyed now.

'I think it would be in her best interest if you discontinued the relationship. You are a particularly bad influence.'

Robbie blinked up at her. 'Are you serious?'

Michelle smirked, raising an eyebrow. 'Your school report from the past year certainly is interesting.' He stared unflinchingly at her. 'You're racist, homophobic. You led a campaigne of abuse against a gay teacher and there's been various complaints of harrassment from female students in your year.'

'What's any of this got to do with you?' Robbie snapped, cheeks flushed. Michelle pursed her lips, leaning close to him. He held his ground, which she admired slightly.

'Stay away from Emily. I know bad eggs when I see them, and if you really cared for her, you'd take a step back. She's a very unstable young woman.' Robbie was shaking his head, brown eyes burning. 'You can't fix her,' she added, voice soft and mocking.

'And you think you can?' He turned and stalked off down the corridor, shouldering students out the way as he passed. Michelle watched him go, a glint in her eyes. She'd be keeping an eye on him, that was for sure.

And as soon as he was out the picture, her game would begin.

'Are you all right with that?' Cindy called from the doorway of Price Slice, watching in amusement as Joe, arms laden with a large box, slipped on the ice.

'I'm fine, unless I fall on my arse,' he smiled, finally reaching the safety of the shop. He moved to the counter and set the box down. 'I've had some fliers printed for Gabby. I was wondering if I could put a few up in your window?'

'Of course.' Cindy moved behind the counter. 'I'll fetch some sticky tape.' As she entered the back room, the bell above the front door rang as someone stepped in. Joe glanced up, the blood in his veins turning to ice as he realised who he was looking at.

Craig froze, stalling on the threshold and a long moment stretched out between them.

He bolted. Joe was after him in an instance, shoving him in the middle of the square and sending him sprawling to the ground. 'Where is she?' He snarled. 'You came to the garage, you've done something!' His fists connected hard against Craig's torso, the smaller man cowering beneath him with arms raised above his head.

'I don't know what you mean!' Craig yelled, struggling.

'Joe!' There was a shout to his left as Freddie left the alleyway and caught sight of the scrapping duo. He raced over, somehow managing to haul a raging Joe to his feet. 'What's going on?'

'It's him!' Joe watched as Craig climbed to his feet, nursing a bust lip. He stared back, features dark. 'He came to the garage and saw the photo of Gabby.'

'I told you; I don't know what you mean,' he spat, glaring at Joe. 'You're a nutcase.'

Freddie glanced at Joe, muttering quietly. 'You can't go around accusing people, Joe.'

'I swear, it's him!'

Craig gave a harsh laugh. 'Well, when you've got some evidence, let me know.' He turned, stalking off towards the arch with Joe staring after him.

'I swear he has something to do with it; I can feel it. Why would he run?'

Freddie sighed. 'You have to let the police do their job-'

'Don't give me that shit, Fred,' he growled, expression dark. 'You owe me. You have to help me find her.' He watched his younger brother mull this over. 'Please. I can't let her down.'

Freddie nodded, giving his shoulder a squeeze. 'Leave this to me, all right? Do you know his name?'

'He wrote it down when he booked in his car,' Joe replied. 'Craig Dobson. Find that bastard, Fred, and you'll find Gabby.'

Holly had made up her mind.

She'd thought long and hard about it, spent many sleepless nights pondering the various outcomes and scenarios, as dreadful as some of them would be.

But, she couldn't live in fear anymore. She knew how Dr. Browning's attack had affected her mum and she didn't want to live like that, didn't want to be afraid every time she left the house. Terrified in case she saw him.

Finn O'Connor. The name made her sick.

By that afternoon, she'd made up her mind. He was going to pay for what he did. But, there was something she needed to do first.

The bell rang shrill above the heads of students, signalling the end of the day. There was a mass exodus of teenagers all trying to leave out the same double doors, shouts, screams and yells echoing through the hallways. Finn fought through the crowds towards his locker, shoving the key in the lock and opening it up.

The note fluttered out and he barely caught it before it disappeared beneath the feet of passing students. His frown deepened as his eyes scanned the scribbled words. His face began to redden and he crunched the paper in a fist.

Slamming his locker shut, he pushed past a group of loitering year eights and left out the double doors. Stepping out into the cold playground, he broke into a run, not stopping until he reached the village square. He spotted Robbie standing beside the fountain with a fag.

He frowned when he saw Finn approach. 'Oi, you ain't seen Emmy, have ya?'

Finn ignored him, shoving the note into his hands. 'I'm fucked, mate. Holly's going to the police, she's going to tell them everything!'

'Chill, she's probably just threatening,' Robbie replied, tossing the fag aside as he read the note. He could see Finn's agitation, a vein straining in his throat.

'I'm going to kill her,' Finn hissed, pacing in front of him. 'That little whore is going to pay for everything.' Robbie frowned, passing the note back.

'I think you need to calm down a bit,' he muttered, but his attention was diverted at the sight of Emmy walking past The Hutch towards Price Slice. He'd barely seen her all day, and she'd been mysteriously absent from all their lessons; he wondered briefly if it was anything to do with that loopy therapist of hers.

A shove to the shoulder broke his thoughts. 'Are you listening? I need to shut Holly up once and for all. Are you with me?'

Robbie pulled a face, shaking his head. 'Am I fuck. I was in enough trouble with Emmy last time 'cause you couldnt keep your dick in your pants.'

Finn's face darkened. 'It's your fault I had to do that. Just because you've gone soft over some tart.'

Robbie turned on him, feeling at hot flare of defensive anger in his chest. He stared hard at the younger boy. 'You what?'

'You heard me,' Finn snapped, standing his ground as the Robbie squared up to him. 'Ever since you met her, its been 'Emmy this' and 'Emmy that'. You've turned into a right sap and it makes me sick.'

'Do you know what makes me sick?' Robbie growled, giving his chest a firm shove. 'Dirty little rapists.'

Finn pushed him back, hard. 'Don't call me that.'

'Why not, Finn?' Robbie gave a bitter laugh, but his brown eyes were smouldering in his anger. 'It's the truth. You're disgusting.' The punch caught Robbie by surprise, glancing his jaw. He stumbled back, as much shocked at being hit as Finn was at hitting him. Robbie launched himself forward, tackling the Scouse to the ground.

'Robbie!' Emmy was running towards the fighting pair, pushing through the crowd of students that had gathered. Robbie had Finn pinned to the ground, raining punches down. 'Robbie, stop it!'

'Yeah, Robbie,' Finn sneered, blood dripping from his nose as he fought to get him off. 'Listen to your bitch.' Robbie punched him again, Emmy tugging frantically at his shoulder.

'Don't you speak about her like that!'

'Robbie!' She finally managed to pull him off, Robbie clambering to his feet and dabbing his bleeding brow. Finn sat up on his elbows, uniform in disarray.

'You best keep an eye on her, mate, 'cause the minute your back's turned...' His lip curled as he leered at her. Robbie growled, surging forward, with Emmy clinging to his arm and doing her best to hold him back.

'Just leave it,' she muttered. He spat at Finn's feet, before turning and stalking off.

Finn blew her a kiss, watching with a bloody grin as she hurried off, cheeks flushed. Robbie was nursing bruised knuckles when she finally caught up with him, rubbing her gloved hands together in an attempt to warm up. 'What was all that about?'

Robbie didn't look at her. 'The little prick was just shouting his mouth off about things that don't concern him.' They continued to walk in silence for a few minutes, until they reached the folly. There he stopped and sat, the stone bench cold through his jeans. Emmy hovered in front of him; a red beanie, dark fringe falling into those piercing blue eyes. She looked so beautiful, standing there in the dying sunlight of a winter day.

He felt so sure of that moment, something he'd never felt in his entire life. He stood, bringing her close to kiss her hard. Emmy clung to him in surprise, hands gripping his forearms as she pressed herself against him.

One hand rested on her hip, the other coming up to curl in the soft hair beneath her hat. He deepened the kiss, suddenly desperate in his need for her. Emmy gasped as he pressed her against the cool stone wall, lips and teeth moving along her throat and marking the pale flesh.

'Robbie...' She uttered softly, long dark lashes brushing high cheekbones as she shut her eyes. His fingers worked the buttons on her jeans easily, the bitingly crisp air raising goose bumps on her legs as he shimmied them down.

Emmy flushed, eyes bright when she looked at him. He paused, fingers rubbing the lace of her underwear. 'Do you want to stop?'

She shook her head, drawing him closer to kiss him again. Robbie pushed at her underwear, his fingers seeking the warmth of her most private area, and one only he'd had the luxery of divulging. He reached to unzip his own jeans, slipping them down with his boxers.

Emmy sank her teeth into his bottom lip, sending a surge of arousal to his manhood. Then, with a cheeky gleam in her eye, she turned and braced herself against the wall.

Robbie could barely focus on anything now, but the sight of her body, exposed and flush and open for him. The scars that made her insecure only served to make her more beautiful and more interesting than anyone he knew.

And as he moved behind her, entering her with the cold dark winter night drawing in around them, nothing but stifled gasps and hushed moans breaking the icy silence that cocooned them, Robbie knew that he loved her.

Now she'd entered his life, he couldn't imagine it without her.

Emmy gave a soft groan, easing back against him as he continued to thrust, the feeling of her tightening around him sending them both closer to the edge. He nipped her throat, kissed the winding scar that ran down to her collarbone and reached between her thighs to rub her clit.

Emmy gasped and rocked back, body stiffening as the orgasm hit, whimpering softly as he continued to move within her. After a few minutes, he felt his own release nearing, fingers gripping her hips as he came. They stood, gasping, sweat cooling rapidly until they were both quickly redressing from the chill.

She grinned at him as she swiftly rebuttoned her jeans and straightened her jacket. 'That was a little sudden.'

Robbie looked at her, all his anger about Finn earlier completely evaporated. Then, he moved closer, reaching up to cup her jaw. 'I love you, Emmy Royle.' The words hung in the air between them, her smile fading slightly. She took a step back, eyes losing the sparkle that had adorned them moments ago. He frowned, letting his hand fall. 'Emmy?'

She wasn't looking at him now, instead moving towards the stone steps, fiddling with the sleeve of her jacket. 'I need to get back.'

'Emmy, wait. What's going on?' His mind was racing, trying to work out exactly what he'd done wrong, but Emmy was already hurrying up the steps, nearly tripping in her efforts to escape him. He quickly followed her. 'Wait!'

'I'm sorry, Robbie-'

He grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. 'Em, you can't just run out on me like that.'

'And you can't just drop something like that on me,' she snapped, glaring at him as snow slowly started to spiral downwards. Robbie was silent, unsure of what to say to her, though his ears were burning a furious red. 'You don't know what you're talking about.'

'I don't know what I'm talking about?' He shook his head with a bitter laugh. 'I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it.' Emmy stared hard at the floor and Robbie gave a soft sigh; this was not going at all as planned. 'You've been acting weird for weeks. Is it because you've stopped taking your pills?'

Her head snapped up, the mask slipping into place, and he noticed her fists clench. 'How do you know about that?'

He stared back, unabashed. 'Your therapist told me.' Emmy muttered something beneath her breath, not moving as Robbie approached. 'Why didn't you tell me you were off them?'

'It doesn't matter. I need to get home.' She turned away, but he halted her once more.

'I thought you could trust me.' He met her eye, desperate to know why she was reacting this way. But, she said nothing and pushed away from him once more.

'I'm sorry, Robbie.'

He watched as she climbed the steps and disappeared into the snowy darkness, a weighty dispair in his chest.

Freddie had tried everything.

Every contact he had, he'd called with the name, yet nobody had heard of him. A search on google brought up articles of a potential boxer, whose career had fallen victim to a spiral into drink and drugs.

And domestic abuse, it would seem. He'd recently been released and the more Freddie had read, the more he believed Joe.

But, other than the little bit of information, he had no known whereabouts and his frustrations were growing. He did owe Joe and he had to find her.

It seemed something was on his side that night. Freddie was in a town, twenty miles from Hollyoaks, driving slowly down a residential street. He was tired, an ache in his chest when he thought of Lindsey and Lily snuggled up at home, and wishing to be there too, when someone caught his eye.

A man pulling a crate of beer out his boot, sporting a familiar head of curls. Freddie slowed as he passed, and the man turned, briefly meeting his eye.

'Found ya.' Freddie turned off down the next street, parking up and checking his watch. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it properly. He couldn't afford for Gabby to get hurt.

He waited five hours before he finally left the car, legs aching from being in the same cramped position, and his phone battery long since dead.

Freddie crept towards the house; all was dark, besides a dull glow in the front room window. The car was still in the drive. He hurried up the path, following it behind the back of the house until he reached a six-foot fence. Clambering onto a wheelie bin, Freddie swung his leg over the fence and jumped down, sending a large potted plant rolling acres the icy wooden decking.

Freddie winced, crouching for a minute without daring to breathe.

There was no movement from the house.

He moved closer to the back door, boots crunching beneath the snow which was been graciously dumped hours before. The handle was cool to the touch as he tried it. Locked.

He scanned about, moving away from the door to upturn the garden ornaments in search of a key. No luck there. Frowning, he turned and kicked aside the door mat; the key lay glistening beneath it and with a triumphant smile, he snatched it up.

Freddie unlocked the door and pushed it open; his heart leapt in his chest when he realised someone was standing there.

She looked completely different; her hair was lank and hanging past her shoulders, her clothes dirty and blooded. She was thin, eyes sunken and where they were once full of life, were now full of terror.

Freddie swallowed hard and stepped inside. 'Gabby?'

'Freddie, no!' She cried out, but it was too late. The hammer knocked the back of his head, sending him stumbling, bright sparks erupting in his vision. He heard the back door slam and, dazed and bleeding, he looked up to see Craig towering above him, the hammer clenched tightly in two hands.

Gabby sank down beside him, sobbing, and trying to stop the flow of blood.

Craig smirked down at them, reaching behind to lock the door. 'Bad move, mate.'

It had started to snow as Holly left the flat that evening, clutching her coat tightly around herself to try and beat the chill. She kept her head low as she crossed the streets, not stopping until she reached a house.

She stood outside, staring for a moment as snowflakes swirled around her. Then, she slowly approached, trembling, yet not from the cold.

Swallowing hard, she knocked. There were shouts from behind the door, music being turned down, and then finally, it swung open.

Sandy beamed at her, tucking a loose blonde strand behind her ear. 'Holly! One minute, I'll call Jason down-'

'No,' Holly interrupted her. 'Actually, it's Ziggy I need to speak too.' Sandy frowned, but took a step back, calling him. He appeared from the kitchen; dark hair uncombed, jaw unshaven. Holly felt her stomach turn and for a breathless moment she couldn't speak. Only Sandy and Ziggy's confused stares spurned her on.

She dampened her dry bottom lip and looked him in the eyes. 'Finn O'Connor was driving the car that night. He killed Ruby.'

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