Mild themes of sexual assault at the end.

"Right, are you going to be okay alone?" Peter hesitated.

As much as he wanted to wrap Carla in cotton wool and watch her every move, she was a grown woman and he had to start working more often. As well as being a taxi driver, he was taking on even more shifts at the Rovers in Carla's absence so he didn't have any other choice but to leave Carla by herself.

She was recovering well, although it would be a while until her ribs were healed so until then, it would be quite painful to move about.

"Peter, I'm fine. Stop fussing." Carla deadpanned, glancing up from the magazine she was currently reading on the sofa.

"Do you need anything before I go?" He checked, putting his jacket on and grabbing his keys.

"Nope."

"Have you taken your meds?"

"Yeah." She sighed, assuming he is referring to her painkillers.

"Even the anti-psychotics?" He asked, causing her to look up and frown at him.

"Obviously," She paused. "Why'd you ask that?"

"I was just checking, that's all." He shrugged, bending down to peck her on the lips.

She responded to his kiss, before nudging him away and going back to her magazine.

"Why are you so engrossed in your magazine?" He questioned.

"Peter, what is this?" She snapped.

"What?"

"You're acting weird," She narrowed her eyes. "I'm looking at a magazine because I can't do anything else and I'm bored out of my skull, is that enough for you?"

"Alright, don't bite by head off." He mumbled.

"I'm not. But, baby, I'm okay and you need to go to work. I am fine." She sighed.

"Okay," He nodded. "I'll see you later. Love you."

"Love you too."

"Hey," Peter spotted Tina at Street Cars, jogging over to her. "I have a question for you."

"So you're allowed to talk to me today then? Haven't got your guard dog after you?" She stared at him, pointedly.

"What? No," He rolled his eyes. "I want to know why you think Carla is paranoid again-..."

"I thought it was none of my business," she cut him off.

"It isn't. But it hasn't left my head since you mentioned it, and you know how you get under my skin." He said, quietly.

"I told you, Peter, she is way too paranoid. It's a joke."

"Nothing about this is a joke, Tina." He snapped. "I hope this isn't one of your tricks."

"Look, I have somewhere to be." She interrupted, smiling at the newcomer behind Peter.

"Whose this?" Peter frowned, watching as the man stepped forwards and placed his arm around the woman. He looked a lot older than her, the white hair giving him that impression.

"None of your business." Tina mimicked him.

"Right, you ready?" The man asked.

"Yep," Her eyes glinted before turning to Peter. "Are you our driver?"

Peter groaned; this wasn't going to be a good shift.

Later that day, Peter was leaning against the bar in a daze. His mind kept wandering to the man Tina was with earlier, and who he was to Tina. Although he had the right idea after driving them to their destination, the constant sound of them kissing and giggling was almost too much to bare.

He wasn't jealous in any shape or form, he didn't like Tina anymore and he was desperate for her to move on, so why did he feel this way? He could read her like a book, and he knew her feelings were not genuine towards him. And as much as Peter tried to reassure himself that this meant Tina was over him, he was aware that this involved him still. She was trying to get back at him.

"Hello?" Sally waved her hand in the mans face, tutting as he continued to stare ahead.

"Oh," He jumped. "Sorry, Sal. What are you having?"

"A red wine and pint please," She raised her eyebrows. "Away with the fairy's were you?"

"Something like that, yeah." Peter chuckled.

"I must say, you look exhausted." She pointed out.

"Well, that's what happens when you got to run after Carla. You know, whilst she's out of action."

"I've been meaning to ask actually," Sally said. "How is Mrs Connor?"

"She's getting there, Sal. Back to pecking my head so she's definitely more herself."

Sally laughed, before pausing when Carla walked into the pub area.

"Hello, Mrs Connor." Sally smiled.

"Sal, I've told you, it's Carla." Carla shook her head.

"Hey," Peter turned around and frowned. "What are you doing out here? You're supposed to be resting."

"I got bored." She shrugged.

Peter handed Sally her drinks before leaning against the bar again, facing Carla.

"So does that mean you're going to stay out here and annoy me?"

"Mm-Hmm," She nodded, playfully. "So get us that stool and let me sit down."

"You were sleeping last time I checked on you."

"Exactly, so now I'm wide awake and in desperate need of some entertainment." She bit her lip, sitting down behind the bar and watching as Peter continued to serve more people.

"Oh, hello." Scott looked at Carla, pointedly. "What are you doing out here?"

"I wanted to keep Peter company." She replied.

"I thought you'd be spending time with you father now he's back. He is back, right?"

"Yeah, he is. I'm guessing that's who you're looking for?" She said, noticing the way he was looking around.

"Ah, speaking of the devil." Scott looked pointedly as the man walked into the pub, his eyes immediately wide.

"Scott." Johnny nodded, distantly, before trying to escape to the back room.

"He was asking after you." Carla piped up.

"I'm surprised you can show your face in here after what you did." Johnny sniped.

"Woah, Johnny!" Carla frowned.

"I've apologised to Carla. It's not as if she hasn't made mistakes whilst driving-..."

"Oi!" Johnny cut him off.

"How'd you know about all that?" Peter said.

"It doesn't matter," Scott paused. "I just wanted a catch up, Johnny. It's been ages."

"I'm busy." He muttered.

"Oh, hi." Jenny skipped over to her husband, from where she'd been out the back beforehand. "You know, you can spend time with him if you want. I'll help Peter out here."

"I'm tired, love." Johnny sighed, excusing himself and swiftly walking away.

"Sorry about him, Scott. I have no idea why he's like that." Jenny said.

"Ah, no worries. I'll come back when he's in a better mood."

"Men, Ey?" Jenny laughed, turning to Carla as the man walked out the pub.

"Tell me about it."

"Eh, you'll never guess what I saw earlier." Jenny's eyes glinted.

"Go on then."

"So I was out shopping with Rita earlier and she was adamant that we got a taxi. I offered to drive but she wanted us to make a day of it and-..."

"Get to the point, Jenny." Carla rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure I saw Tina kissing some random man in town."

"Really?" Carla sat up straighter. "Are you sure it was her?"

"It was her alright," Jenny scoffed. "I was staring and she noticed, she's got a right mouth on her."

"And they were definitely kissing?"

"Carla, she was biting his face off!" Jenny exclaimed.

"Did you hear that, Peter?" She grabbed his attention, staring at him knowingly.

"Hear what?"

"Jenny saw Tina kissing some random guy."

"Mmm." Peter mumbled.

"Is that it?" Carla narrowed her eyes.

"What?"

"She might've finally moved on, Peter." She raised her eyebrows.

"What do you want me to say?" He snapped, causing her to frown.

"I thought you'd be relieved. She could finally back off and leave us alone. Why are you in a strop?"

"In a strop? I'm not in a strop. Would you prefer me to be upset?" He shrugged.

"Oh, forget it." Carla rolled her eyes, standing up to walk away.

Walking into the hallway, she tried to gather her thoughts. Why the sudden mood change? What was the reason he was suddenly so annoyed and abrupt? She tried to reassure herself that it was just a bad mood, but she couldn't help but worry that it was something more.

Perhaps he was jealous and unhappy about the fact she was with a different man. If he was happy at home, he wouldn't have that issue.

Maybe he liked having that option of another woman, it flattered his ego. The fact he has a young and beautiful woman pining after him when things go wrong.

She tried to brush off the negative thoughts and trust Peter on this one, after all he had been acting perfect since she got out of hospital.

"Hi." Peter walked into the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Hey," She murmured, pausing the Netflix show that displayed itself on her laptop. "I'm sorry if I annoyed you earlier."

"You didn't annoy me, love. I was in the wrong. I was in a bad mood and took it out on you when you didn't deserve it. I'm sorry." He sighed.

"Apology accepted." She smiled, coyly.

Crawling down the bed, she placed herself onto Peter's lap and straddled him as she stared into his eyes.

"Have you had a good evening?" He asked, placing a strand of hair behind her ear, her breath hot against his face.

"Yeah, I was missing you though." She bit her lip.

She knew Johnny and Jenny would be asleep by now, Peter insisted they had an early night and he'd lock up the pub. And whilst they were alone, what better way to take advantage of that and truly enjoy each other's company.

"I missed you too. I'm going to have a shower and then we can chill in bed, yeah?" He suggested.

"I've got a better idea," She whispered, seductively. "Why don't I join you in the shower?"

"Are you sure?" He stopped what he was doing, she hadn't been the one to instigate sex in a long time now and as much as he tried to embrace the experience, he knew it felt forced.

"Mm-Hmm." She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Responding to the kiss, he placed his hands up her top as he began to undress her.

Things began getting hot and passionate, before he felt Carla tense up and shift uncomfortably.

That confirmed it for him.

She was trying to impress him, to make him feel happier in the relationship. But it had the opposite effect. She was doing something that she felt uncomfortable doing for him. She felt pressured.

Gently pushing her away, he looked at her, knowingly.

She tried to go back in with a kiss, but when Peter moved his head, that's when her heart sunk.

"You don't want me?" The rejection was overpowering, she could feel her heart pumping in her chest.

"No, I do," He exhaled. "But I know you don't want me."

"What do you mean?" She stood up, pulling her top down from where Peter had lifted it.

"You felt forced because of me. You wanted to impress me."

"What?" Her eyes glazed over, looking downcast all of a sudden.

"Car, I don't know how many times I have to tell you this. Just because we're not having sex at the moment, it doesn't mean I'm going to run off with Tina or any other woman for that matter." He stood up, tilting her head upwards.

"But I know you want it. And I can't give you that." Her voice croaked, holding onto his hand.

"I want you feeling comfortable, baby. I want you feeling happy and relaxed in my company. I know what the meds are doing to you, and that's perfectly okay. It isn't going to be like that forever." He reassured her.

"It's not just the meds," She gulped, tearfully. "Ever since I found out what Jordan did to me, I just feel sick. I hate myself, Peter. And I feel so guilty. It's horrible to think what I was reduced to."

"Oh, love." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "It wasn't your fault so you have nothing to feel guilty about. When that happened, it wasn't you. It wasn't the Carla we all know. You need to try and separate those two people, and focus on who you are now."

"I know, but it's so hard. It's on my mind all the time. And it makes me think..." She paused, breaking eye contact with Peter.

"Think what, baby?"

"Well," She swallowed. "If I slept with Jordan whilst we were together, then what's stopping you from sleeping with Tina? I deserve it after what I did."

"They're two completely different things. I'd never ever cheat on you again because I love you and I know what I have to lose. And you didn't cheat, you were raped. You didn't consent."

"I hate that word," She squirmed. "It doesn't feel right. What Frank did was rape but Jordan-..."

"They're the same thing in two different scenarios. We don't have to call it that but that's what it is." He cut her off, gently.

"Twice," She shook her head, a tear cascading down her cheek. "Twice this has happened. Why?"

"Come here." He engulfed her into a hug, a hug full of nothing but love and care. And in that moment, she knew this man would never hurt her.

Let me know what you think! I took this opportunity to focus on the whole Jordan storyline as I think it was definitely pushed aside in actual corrie, they should've spent a longer time focusing on Carla's struggles after finding out something so horrible. So I hope this fic is doing it justice in some sort of way?