Nate took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. He knew he shouldn't really be nervous – he knew everything by now, and he'd even made a checklist for closing. But his stomach was dancing.

He turned Peter's keys in the lock and pushed the doors wide open, heading straight to the heaters. Even though winter had been a little late this year – the first real snow had only fallen a week or so ago – it was still freezing inside the old building.

As he looked around, the latest additions to the ceiling caught his eye, and he looked up.

Well, nobody could accuse the building of being lifeless. The advertisements were colourful. And bright. Nate knew Peter only tolerated them because it kept the centre open. And after all he'd given up…

Nate wondered if he'd ever be able to give up as much as Peter had for something so…intangible. Sure, the building was real, but it wasn't really the building he was fighting for.

Peter certainly had a tight relationship with those boys, particularly Michael and his group. He wasn't privy to the whole story, but as far as he knew, Peter had done a deal to keep the boys out of official trouble. It wouldn't have been easy for Peter either, keeping an eye on them. Again, he'd staked a lot on something that could backfire spectacularly, and painfully.

'Hey,' said a voice, and Nate turned his head to see Michael.

'Hey!' Nate said back, grinning. 'How's it going?'

'Yeah,' Michael answered noncommittally. 'You?'

'Good, yeah. Want to get set up?'

Michael nodded and headed over to the storeroom. Nate turned around to push some of the chairs away when he heard Michael swear. He turned around to see him crouched down and peering at the lock on the door. Nate walked over quickly, fearing the worst.

'What's wrong?' he called.

'Ah, someone's had a go at the lock,' Michael said blandly. 'Didn't get in, obviously.'

Nate crouched down to have a look. Someone had certainly had a good go at the base of the padlock, but without much success.

'Excellent,' he muttered under his breath. His eyes narrowed. 'How did they get in?' he asked, looking up at Michael, but Michael was gone. He turned to see him standing on a set of chairs across the hall, looking out through a window.

'Here,' he called. Nate walked over to where he was standing, and climbed on the set of chairs next to him. Michael slid the window open with a single hand – the lock was completely worn. Nate peered out the window as Michael jumped down off the chairs.

'How did they get up here? It's got to be thirty feet!' He looked down the alleyway, but he couldn't see much; his shoulders were too broad to fit out the window, and the window ledge blocked his view.

Suddenly a voice sounded from below.

'Here.' Nate forced his head out as far as he could and looked down over the windowsill. He could just make out Michael standing in front of what he guessed was an industrial waste bin.

'Kids,' Michael said, turning and walking back down the alleyway.

Nate pulled his head back and jumped down off the chairs, wiping the dust from his hands. 'We'll tape it up for now,' he said to Michael, who had just walked back inside. 'A bit of gaffa tape will keep them out until we can get it fixed.'

Michael nodded. Nate turned and looked back up at the tiny window. Despite his tall, slim frame, there was no way he was fitting his shoulders through that window. The question must have appeared on his face, because Michael answered it.

'It's not that hard. You just have to angle it right, and then do a forward roll on to the floor,' he explained. Nate looked back at him, eyebrows raised. Michael shrugged.

'Had some experience at this,' he said simply, before turning and heading back over to the storeroom. Nate stared after him, not really sure what to say.

'I'm going to ring the police and report it,' he called, and Michael turned and nodded.

'Not much they'll do, but I guess Peter would want it reported,' he agreed, before turning back to the storeroom.

Nate took a deep breath in and exhaled quietly. It was going to be an interesting day.


'And I suppose you want me to forgive you,' Padraig said, sipping his whiskey.

'I would like that, yes, but I understand if you don't want to,' Peter replied, sipping his own lager.

'A lot of people were pretty upset with you. Confused, mostly, but upset nonetheless.'

'I know. And I'm sorry.' Peter sighed and looked down at the golden liquid in the glass in front of him. He didn't usually make a habit of drinking at midnight, but when he'd seen Padraig sitting at the end of the bar, alone, he'd realised he'd need something to get him through. Especially if Padraig's response was on par with Siobhan's, something for which Peter had spent most of the last twenty minutes praying.

Padraig sighed next to him, and clapped him on the back.

'Ah, I know you are. I didn't think you'd have just walked out on us for nothing,' he said, smiling at the young man sitting next to him. Peter returned the smile, and nodded.

'Thanks, Padraig.'

'Ah, you're all right. But thanks,' he said quietly. 'Thanks for explaining. Was a bit of a rough time,' he said, motioning towards the kitchen, and Peter frowned. 'But you know that,' Padraig added. He downed the remainder of his scotch in one swig. 'Will I see you around?' he asked, standing to leave.

Peter nodded tentatively. 'Yeah. I just have a couple more calls to make, but then I'll be free as a bird.'

Padraig grimaced. 'Mmm, Siobhan was pretty upset.'

Peter frowned again. 'I heard.'

'She'll come around. It'll take time, but she'll get there,' he said, clapping Peter on the back again. 'Not jealous of you, though,' he muttered. Peter stood as Padraig whispered. 'I knew something was up. She was humming Carols in November. Her! Humming!' Padraig grinned and winked at him as Peter smiled awkwardly. 'Night,' he said, walking happily out of the pub, calling goodbye to Assumpta, who had strategically retreated to the kitchen early on.

She emerged from the kitchen calling goodbye in return, and looked down the bar at the approaching figure.

'You ok?'

'Yeah. He's good. I think, like most people, he just wanted an explanation,' Peter said, looking out the door Padraig had just left by.

'You're just lucky they loved you so much,' Assumpta muttered before turning and heading back into the kitchen.

'They?' Peter said, following her. She turned, her eyebrow raised. He held his arms wide, expecting an answer. She swatted at him, a wry grin on her face, and grabbed a glass to dry.

Assumpta stared at the dying embers in the fireplace in front of her, her head resting against Peter's shoulder. Occasionally the embers would spark and flicker; last ditch attempts at staying alive. She ran her hand over his plastic brace, shaking her head.

'Boys,' she muttered, and he poked her with his finger. 'When does it come off?'

'In a couple of weeks' time, hopefully. The doctor was not as…sympathetic…this time,' he added, and she smiled.

'I'm not surprised. I wouldn't have been either.'

'Of course not.'

She chuckled at his response, before her minded drifted back to Ballyk.

'Who else are you going to visit?' she asked, not moving. She was far too comfortable lying against him, his arms wrapped around her, to move.

'I'll visit Siobhan first, I think,' Peter mused. 'I thought of visiting Brian, but then I thought I'd really like to see his expression when he walks into the bar next and I'm sitting here, sipping a lager,' he added mischievously. Assumpta let out a small giggle at the thought, and Peter smiled to hear her laugh. 'I couldn't really think of anyone else.'

She bit back a laugh. He looked down at her, curious. 'Just imagine Father Mac's face when he sees you,' Assumpta said, unable to stop the smug laughter that particular image inspired. Peter grinned.

'Yes, that should be interesting,' he said, craning his head to study the almost vengeful look on Assumpta's face. It seemed to carry a little more weight than usual. 'But I sense there's more to this than I know.'

Assumpta grimaced. 'You won't have the opportunity any time soon,' she said tentatively. 'He's been barred,' she added, and Peter stared at her.

'What did he do?'

'Oh, the usual. Opened his mouth,' she replied.

'Assumpta,' Peter started, his voice full of concern and his mind jumping to all kinds of conclusions.

'Ah, leave it,' she said, shaking her head. She stopped for a second, shaking her head and chuckling. 'Since when am I the one telling you to calm down?'

Her laughter did little to assuage his concern, but he did as she asked and let it go. For now.

He was sure Father Mac knew already; the church grapevine being what it was, he'd be surprised if he didn't know. But seeing him again in Ballyk…well, it wasn't a meeting he was concerned about, but he wasn't particularly looking forward to it either.

'Oh, speaking of visits,' Assumpta started, sitting up and turning to face him. 'Uh, I have a hospital appointment tomorrow, in Cildargan…' She trailed off. Peter studied her face for a second, trying to gauge what she wanted him to do. He'd had nothing to do with her treatment at all, he realised sadly.

She looked down at her hands, suddenly nervous. She started absent-mindedly fiddling with her fingers. 'I thought you might want to come.'

Peter's mouth opened slightly, surprised. He hadn't expected her to invite him along to such a…personal…thing. Assumpta took his split-second silence as disinterest, and continued on.

'You don't have to, I know you're busy. I just thought it might be nice to have lunch or something afterwards, but it's fine, really.' She babbled on, eventually stopping when Peter grabbed her hands. She forced herself to look up at him. He was smiling, his eyes wide.

'I'd love to come,' he said quietly. 'Lunch sounds great.'

Assumpta smiled, partially in relief, and let out a breath.

'It'll probably be pretty boring. They do all these tests, and it takes ages to get the results; you'll probably want to bring a book or something,' she rambled, and Peter just grinned. She was adorable when she was flustered. He waited for her to finish.

'What time?'

'Pick you up at 10?'

'I'll be ready.' She smiled at him, and he grinned, pulling her back into his arms.

'I feel sorry for you, really,' he started. She looked up at him, confused. 'Stuck with me for the whole day. How will you survive?' he joked, and she laughed.

'I'll be sure to take my medication, then,' she joked back, and he chuckled, pulling her close again.

They were both silent for a few minutes, before Assumpta let out a yawn. Peter looked at his watch.

'It's half-past twelve,' he commented nonchalantly. Assumpta groaned. 'I should go,' he said, slowly and unwillingly unwrapping his arms from around Assumpta. Assumpta stood up and walked over to the bar with their empty wine glasses.

'Sorry I kept you up so late,' he said.

'Ah, you'll be the death of me,' she muttered, before she realised what she'd said. Her wide eyes flicked up to Peter's, who looked slightly bemused.

'I hope not,' he muttered, pulling her close. She buried her face in his chest.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean-'

He cut her off. 'Assumpta, I know.' He kissed the top of her head, pulling her back so he could see her face. He studied her face for a second, before leaning down to kiss her gently. She kissed him back, drowning in the feeling. She'd missed him so much. She'd missed this. She'd only had it for a few short days, but those days were permanently imprinted on her memory.

The longer he kissed her the more he didn't want to stop, but the more he knew he had to. He eventually pulled away, slightly breathless, resting his forehead on hers, his hands cupping her face.

'I have to go,' he said, and Assumpta sighed.

'I know.'

Peter heard the pain in her voice. 'I'm sorry, it's just…'

'No, you're right.' She sighed again, knowing he was right. She wasn't interested in giving the town gossips any more fuel to add to the fire that was sure to start in just a few short hours. Besides, they weren't really ready for that just yet, she felt. She realised that she didn't even know how he felt about the whole idea, and her mind went wild at that point. She forced herself to focus on him; those questions would keep her mind more than entertained later, she knew.

'I'll see you tomorrow,' he said, his voice full of promise. 'No more hiding,' he said. She looked up into his bright green eyes, the intensity of his gaze briefly taking her breath away. He kissed her again, as deeply and forcefully as before, and Assumpta felt herself melt.

He pulled away, sliding his hands down her arms and wrapping her fingers in his, pulling her with him towards the door, before stopping and staring at the open door.

'How are you going to close this without waking up half the town?' he asked.

'Oh, there's a trick to it.' She let go of his hands and grabbed the door, lifting it slightly and pushing it forward. It obeyed noiselessly. Peter just stared at Assumpta, whose tongue was firmly planted in her cheek. She took a few steps forward so she was out of the doorway, but his hand snaked out and grabbed hers, pulling her close to him. His mouth crashed down on hers, and he was kissing her with such passion that she felt her mind start spinning. After a few moments he pulled away, surveying his work – a thoroughly kissed Assumpta, who only opened her eyes after a second.

'I win,' he whispered conspiratorially before walking out the door.

Assumpta grinned wryly and shook her head. Of course he'd use those tactics. And, of course, she'd fall for them.

For now.

Well, to be fair, she'd fall for them as long as she wanted to be kissed like that. Which, in fact, she was happy to admit to herself, was a very, very long time.

He turned and grinned at her before turning and walking down the street.


If you guessed Padriag, well done! (And I know at least one of you did!)

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback - the fact that you took the time to type even a few quick words means so much. Extra special thanks to those who keep sending feedback so constantly - it really is very helpful!

Someone asked me how many more chapters I envisage, and I have to say, probably a few yet. We're definitely past halfway, but I get the sense that this could go on almost forever if I let it...I promise we're on the downhill run now. Just a few more key events I'd like to reach... ;)