Walking into The Garrison, Tommy looked at his wife as she frowned. Pulling her gloves from her fingers, she tossed them into her purse. Walking in front of Arthur and her husband, she looked around, alarmed by the mess. Frowning and pursing her lips, she picked up a glass of water and moved over to the booth where the boy was sleeping. Standing over him, she felt anger inside of her at the sight of him. Pouring the water over him, she slammed the glass down on the table as he startled, screaming and cursing loudly.

"Watch your language, Finn Shelby," Elizabeth snapped at him as he sat up and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, shaking his head and causing water droplets to pool around him.

The girl he was with also awoke from the other side of the booth. She was dressed in nothing but a slip and her shoes. No doubt she must have been freezing. Elizabeth groaned and moved her arms from her own coat. Handing it to the girl, she looked her in the eye, wondering who she was. How old was she? Did she have anywhere to go? Did her parents know where she was?

"Go home," Elizabeth said and pulled a few notes from her purse, handing them to the girl as Arthur chuckled and sat on a bar stool.

"That's it, love, run on," Arthur said as the girl scurried away.

"What the bloody 'ell was that about?" Finn snapped as he finally came to his senses. He stood up, tugging on his shirt and buttoning it up. "What yer playin' at, Liz?"

"Eh!" Tommy snapped at his younger brother, pointing at him. "Yer don't talk to 'er like that, alright? Not after everythin' she 'as done for yer."

Finn had the grace to look slightly embarrassed and peered down. "Sorry, Liz," he mumbled, still knowing that he had to respect his brother and his wife. Liz had done a lot for him, he would never deny that. But he had changed. He wasn't the same boy she had seen grow up.

"Come 'ere," Tommy said and Finn moved closer to him.

Looking down at him, Tommy continued staring at Finn. The younger Shelby looked slightly apprehensive as he felt Tommy's glare increase on him. Moving into his pocket, Tommy took hold of a cigarette from its case and lit it up. He blew out a puff of smoke to the side, letting Finn wallow.

"So why are we wasin' our time on you, eh?" Tommy asked from his smaller brother who was barely able to stand after being drunk. "What do I 'ave to do to make yer listen to me? You took a bullet and 'ave been runnin' around the streets with a gun in yer 'and."

"Somebody 'as to," Finn said.

"Someone has to?" Elizabeth was the one to snap then as Arthur went and sat in the booth and Tommy pushed Finn to sit down across from him, the younger boy almost collapsing back in his seat. Elizabeth went to stand next to her husband as Tommy continued looming over Finn. "What is wrong with you, Finn? Do you want to get yourself killed?"

"Well I 'ave to do somethin'," Finn said. "I'm the brother no one bothered with."

"Do not say that," Elizabeth snapped.

"But I am," Finn said. "No one got round to me, did they? I was the one who came last."

"And what about me?" Elizabeth asked him. "What about what I did for you, Finn? I spent hours listening to you…telling you that you can do whatever you want. I was the one who did that…who wanted you to make something of yourself because you wanted to do that."

"Well I've changed."

"Clearly," Elizabeth said.

"Yer don't know me anymore, Liz," Finn responded. "And yer not my mother. Yer can barely look after the child yer 'ave. I know about the drinking and the hiding."

"What the hell did yer just say?" Tommy demanded then, picking his brother up as Elizabeth recoiled from his words. She was hurt and Tommy could tell. Grabbing hold of Finn by the collar, he looked down at him and the young Shelby knew that he had gone too far. "What the hell did yer say?" he snapped louder.

"Tommy," Arthur warned him.

"Leave it," Elizabeth urged her husband. "He clearly doesn't want my help."

"No," Tommy said, looking to his wife and then back to Finn. "I am not leavin' it. People are goin' to start listenin' to me. Now, Finn, what are yer goin' to say to Liz, hmm? After everythin' she did for yer...yer talk to 'er like that."

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Finn said, sounding slightly apologetic. All Elizabeth could do was offer a curt nod in his direction.

"Now go and get dressed," Tommy demanded from his brother, pushing him to the back of the pub.

"I am sorry," Finn said, walking backwards. "I've…I've met a girl too. I want to get married…please, Tommy, I want yer blessin'."

"A girl?" Arthur checked.

"Yeah," Finn said and looked to Liz, trying to get on her side. "She is nice, just meet her, please."

Elizabeth looked away as Tommy sat down at the end of the booth Finn had vacated. "Does she like the life you live?"

"Loves it," Finn said.

"Well find one who hates it," Tommy said, looking to Elizabeth, "they'll keep yer in check and grounded."

Elizabeth's lips picked up sadly for a moment at hearing him as he managed a wink in her direction. Finn traipsed off then and Elizabeth sat down next to her husband. Tommy moved his arm over the back of the seat as she slumped against his side. Tommy bent down and kissed the top of her head.

"He didn't mean it," Tommy said to his wife.

"He's lashin' out," Arthur spoke. "He's just angry."

"What are you going to do about him?" Elizabeth asked the brothers.

"I 'ave somethin' to keep 'im away from London," Arthur said. "Don't worry, Liz. He won't be goin' back down there. I'll keep an eye on 'im."

"Good," Elizabeth responded. "Look, Arthur, I don't like this anymore than either of you two do, but please, just…look out for him. He's a good kid really."

"Aye," Arthur agreed. "Anyway, don't yer 'ave a train to catch, Tom?"

"Yeah," Tommy said. "Listen, Michael's train gets in from Liverpool at three. Pol is goin' to be there and I want yer to be there too. Take a weapon and make sure he's scared. I want the truth from 'im."

"Got it," Arthur said.

Elizabeth moved from the seat and to her feet. She walked with Tommy out of The Garrison. Once in the street, she looked to his car that he had one of his men driving. He pulled his suitcase from the backseat and looked to his wife. He bent down and kissed his wife, a hand going to her cheek. Dropping his suitcase onto the floor, he began moving from his coat.

"What are you doing?" she asked him.

"Yer goin' to be cold," Tommy said to her and she rolled her eyes.

"You are going to London, Tommy. You need your coat."

"I'll manage," Tommy replied and draped it over her shoulders, holding the lapels of it as he pulled her body flush against his. "I don't want to go. I'd rather stay here…go 'ome with yer."

"Then come home," she said to him, moving to her toes as she held his waist. "Just come home, Tommy. Come back to the house."

"I want to," he whispered, "but I 'ave work to do. I'll be back before yer know it, I promise. You'll be safe at home, I promise."

"I know," she responded, "but I'd rather you were there with me."

"I want that too," Tommy said, "I'll be 'ome soon. Give Charlotte a kiss for me, alright?"

"Of course," she replied and kissed him. "I love you, Tommy."

"I love you too," Tommy said, "now go 'ome and don't lose my coat, alright?"

Elizabeth laughed at that and climbed into the car, leaving her husband behind to go to London.

….

Sitting in the bar area, Tommy didn't particularly want to go and meet Oswald Mosley. He could think of so many other things he would rather do with his time. He could have taken the last train back to Birmingham. He could have snuck into the manor and climbed into bed beside his wife, his arms wrapping around her as she stirred, silently surprised that he was back. But that scenario hadn't worked out. Instead he had asked Ada to come with him to meet Mosley, wanting some kind of support.

"Mr Shelby," Mosley said as they approached and sat down. "I have to say you are rather impressive in the House. You sing like a songbird. And who is this finch?"

"My sister, Ada," Tommy said.

"Who is pregnant," Ada added on, not wanting him getting any ideas.

"I had hoped that your wife might be here with you," Mosley said. "Have you left her back home, Mr Shelby? She was ever so charming. I have to say that I had hoped to get to know her a bit better. As a Kimber we have many mutual acquaintances. Speaking of, I was conversing with May Carleton and she said she remembered you…well…barely remembered you."

"What is it you are getting at, Mr Mosley?"

"Well, just that I had thought that you might make more of her Kimber name…connections…it might have gotten you here quicker."

"Well, I did what I had to do," Tommy said. "What do yer want?"

"Help with the Irish," Mosley said. "We need someone to begin dialogue with certain elements in Belfast with whom we do not have dealings."

"I am too busy."

"It would involve a promotion," he said to him. "Your wife would have some of her status back that she lost when she married you. People spoke, Mr Shelby. I doubt their talk concerned you, but she was…well…the names, Mr Shelby, were not pleasant."

"I've had enough," Ada said, knowing that bringing Elizabeth back into the conversation was not going to solve anything. No one spoke about her, especially not like Mosley was doing.

"I have no interest in a promotion," Tommy said. "My interest is in Birmingham and my family."

"As you say, but people change," Mosley said and Tommy moved to his feet. "Next time we meet, do bring your little wife."

"No," Tommy said and turned and walked away as Mosley chuckled.

Leaving the bar and walking down the corridors, Tommy knew that he had to get back to Birmingham. He wanted his wife. He needed her. He needed to see that she was safe and well. He wanted to kiss their daughter goodnight.

"What the hell was that about?" Ada demanded from her brother.

"Ireland," Tommy grunted. "Everything 'as been happening in Ireland. Listen, Ada, I need yer to talk to anyone from the Boston branch of the company who might 'ave 'ad dealings with Michael. I think he is betrayin' me."

"What?" Ada demanded. "What is goin' on?"

"Someone called me from Belfast sayin' that Michael intended to betray me. He says they were lyin', but I need to know," Tommy said to his sister. "I need to get back home to Birmingham. I need to go back to Liz."

"What he said in there…about her…" Ada said. "Do not let him get to you."

"He won't."

"But he might one day," Ada said and took her brother's shoulder. "She's your one weakness, Tommy. She always has been. Listen to me, Tommy, her and Charlotte are your number one priority."

"I know that."

"Do you?" Ada asked him. "Because sometimes I don't know what is going on in your head. Elizabeth is the only one who can get close, but sometimes I worry you get too deep into things and I don't want it to be like it was in the past. Elizabeth has been through enough. She doesn't need anything else."

"Nothin' is going to 'appen," Tommy said to his sister. "Now, go 'ome and do as I asked, okay?"

Ada had no time to reply as Tommy swept away, fully intending on going home.

…..

Moving into the bedroom after going to see Charlotte, Tommy had kissed his daughter goodnight. She hadn't even stirred as he swept her hair from her face. She rolled over and cuddled up to her teddy bear even more as Tommy smiled. He went to his bedroom, finding Elizabeth already in bed. He removed his jacket and waistcoat, placing his pocket watch on top of his dresser. He dumped his clothes on the floor until he was only in his underwear. Climbing into bed, the mattress dipped and Elizabeth stirred.

Turning onto her side, she opened her eyes groggily as she looked to her husband. "You're home," she whispered.

"I'm 'ome," he responded.

"You were only gone a day. I thought you would be back tomorrow."

"I couldn't wait," Tommy responded and moved a hand to push her hair behind her ear. "I wanted to come back to yer."

"I'm glad," she mumbled and nestled against his side, her warm breath hitting his neck. "You must be tired."

"I am," Tommy lied and closed his eyes, his mind still whirling.

"Get some sleep," Elizabeth urged her husband. "Goodnight, Tommy."

"Night, Liz."

Tommy listened as Elizabeth dozed off, her breathing becoming heavier as her weight against him became heavier. He stayed awake, his mind whirling about what was going on. He had too much on his mind. He always did.

….

A/N: Do let me know what you think!