AUTHORS NOTE:

Ummm…. ok, do not be alarmed- but I have started writing another story.

REMAIN CALM! I will still concentrate long and hard on 'when you want something bad enough'………and I will continue to do so until the very last goddam chapter 

Read on and enjoy- review – have a good day!


"He's here" Zoe announced, walking into the kitchen.

"Ok, Eli's here- he's home" Lily muttered to herself, wiping her dirty hands on the apron she was wearing- "go and fetch Jessie and Grace hun" she asked Zoe.

A moment later Lily heard her scream "ELI'S HERE", and she sighed with frustration.

"They're coming down," Zoe explained, walking back into the kitchen.

"Thanks for that tremendous effort" Lily said sarcastically, while rushing around the kitchen.

Zoe shrugged "No problem" she smiled.

The doorbell rang and Lily took another deep breath "this is his home, why is he ringing the doorbell?" she muttered to herself as she took out the casserole from the fridge.

A moment passed and the doorbell rang again, Lily looked up from the fridge to see Zoe staring at her happily, still sitting at the kitchen bench, none the wise; "why isn't anyone answering the door?" Lily asked.

Zoe shrugged, and it took a cold stare from Lily to make her scramble out of the chair and run for the front door.

She opened it and Eli stood before her, wearing baggy denim jeans and a mooks shirt, holding his guitar case in hand; he hadn't gone to any tremendous effort to look good (I guess it just comes naturally!).

"Hey Zoe" he smiled down at her, and she returned the grin, wrapping her arms around his middle.

Eli was a little taken aback, and looked down at her curiously as she pulled away; "Mum and Rick told me to make you feel at home" she explained, and Eli nodded slowly "thanks" he muttered, stepping into the house and closing the door behind him.

"Uhu" she said over her shoulder, heading back into the kitchen.

Eli scanned the house;

ELI everything looked the same.

He strained his ears, listening out for Grace's voice; but he heard nothing.

He propped his guitar against the staircase and tentatively headed for the kitchen, where, as he got closer, he heard Lily working away.

"Hey" he said flatly, standing in the kitchen doorway.

Lily stopped adding salt to the casserole and looked up, smiling brightly.

"Eli!" she exclaimed, walking around to greet him.

They stood in front of each other, awkwardly for a moment.

ELI don't hug me don't hug me don't hug me

LILY do I hug him?

Lily took a step forward and Eli flinched, so she stepped back again and outstretched her hand.

ELI are you serious?

LILY seriously stupid!

Eli stook it and they shook for only a moment, before releasing each other's grip; and then they were back to standing awkwardly again.

"Well-" Lily broke the silence "-Rick and the girls have gone out to get a few things-" Lily explained, noticing Eli was having a hard time looking her in the eye.

"Ok" he muttered.

"So, err, make yourself at home-" Lily instantly winced at her comment.

"I mean, don't MAKE yourself at home……….you are home, this IS you're home- I just thought you should-" she began to stumble over her words.

Eli raised a hand, "It's cool," he said, trying a faint smile.

Lily let out a nervous chuckle, and returned the grin "good to see you Eli" she said honestly.

Eli nodded and turned, walking into the lounge room where he sat down heavily on the couch.

Discovery channel, history channel, fox 8, comedy channel- MTV- he fixed his eyes on the screen, letting the song wash over him-

There was a time when

I would go walking backwards

Round the world if you said you're mine

And I'd run blindfold down the

Kings Road Monday morning

If you'd just for once arrive on time

But you turned into another liar

And you came on like a new Messiah

So before you say what you desire

I'm telling you now?

It was Hepburn- 'I quit'- Eli tapped his foot in time with the song, focussing all his attention on the video clip of the band turning into vampires.

I Quit! I Quit!

'Cos loving you's a job I don't need

Ain't gonna go to work no more

I Quit! I Quit!

The situation's vacant for me

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work

Zoe came into the room and took a seat next to Eli- watching the t.v.

I got my hands dirty whole you rolled cigarettes

With one eye on the time

I tried my hardest, I've been conscientious

But I'm taking back that heart of mine

You can't roll me round your tongue no more baby

It's time to clear up your emotional debris

And if I'm falling overboard, please don't save me

'Cos I'm telling you now?

"Change channels" Zoe demanded, eyes still fixed on the television.

ELI so much for a warm welcome

"No, just wait" Eli replied, clutching the remote.

I Quit! I Quit!

'Cos loving you's a job I don't need

Ain't gonna go to work no more

I Quit! I Quit!

The situation's vacant for me

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work

Zoe sighed and crossed her arms angrily "fine, listen to you're stupid song!" she said bitterly.

It's too late to say you're sorry

You're just like every other lover

A shot rings out and you go running for cover

And I'm so sorry that I can't be your mother

And I'm telling you now?

Eli glanced down at her pouty face "I really miss this place" he said sarcastically, focussing back on the t.v.

I Quit! I Quit!

'Cos loving you's a job I don't need

Ain't gonna go to work no more

I Quit! I Quit!

The situation's vacant for me

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work

I Quit! I Quit! I Quit! I Quit! I Quit! I Quit!

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work no more

Ain't gonna go to work

Just as Zoe was about to wrestle Eli for the remote, the front door swung open and Rick, Jessie and Grace walked in.

"Eli!" Rick announced, his hands full with three plastic bags of groceries.

"Hey dad" Eli walked towards them, noticing that Grace had her hands full with a cake box, and Jessie only carrying a bag from blockbuster.

"Want some help with that?" Eli asked, veering towards Grace.

She gave him a bright smile; it was nice to see Eli at home again-

GRACE hell, its nice to see Eli anywhere at anytime!

"Yeah- thanks for that Eli" Jessie intervened, thrusting her blockbuster bag in his face; before Eli could relieve Grace's hands from the cake she was carrying.

He gave her a quizzical look, and Jessie nodded towards Rick, who was staring at them curiously.

"No problem" Eli said finally, and turned around, flashing a big smile at his father.

"Good to see you E" Rick returned the grin, and walked into the kitchen.

"Hey" Grace whispered as she walked in front of Eli.

He smiled back, "hey" he replied, and followed them into the kitchen.

Lily looked up- her eyes firmly fixed on Eli and Grace's expression- but there seemed to be no innuendo!

"Dinner will be ready in 5" Lily smiled.

"Great I'm starving" Rick glided past Lily, planting as kiss on her forehead.

"I'm going to go watch some t.v" Grace announced, and turned to walk into the lounge room, Eli did the same.

"Actually!" Grace and Eli both stopped and turned around "I need you to help in here" Lily smiled at Grace.

GRACE Paranoia!

Grace sighed, flashing a sympathetic glance at Eli who only smiled weakly as he went into the lounge room.

Grace tucked a piece of loose hair firmly behind her ear, smiling at her mother through gritted teeth; "what do you want me to do?" she asked politely.

GRACE sit, beg- roll over?

"Well, err" Lily scratched her head, scanning around the kitchen for a chore to keep Grace busy

LILY and away from Eli.

"Pour drinks for everyone" Lily smiled, and nodded towards the glass cabinet.

GRACE good cover mum!

LILY none the wiser!

"Ok" Grace walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a few glasses, walked over to the fridge, got out a few bottles of soda, and began 'pouring drinks'……….all the time muttering harsh words under her breath.