Yesterday Once More

"Whe…where…whereyoubeen!"

Mickey swallowed as he stopped at the front of the stairs, face to face with his father. He instinctively took a step back and looked up at the figure towering over him, able to smell the alcohol on him a mile off. "I went out, Dad." He said softly. "I went to see my friends."

"Friends." James Webb snorted, "You don't have any friends!"

Mickey scowled and he opened his mouth, despite knowing he shouldn't. "I do!" He insisted. "You're the-"

"Don't backchat me!" James pulled his fist back and punched his son's stomach, sending him flying to the floor after hitting him a few more times. He glared, managing to steady himself and continue back down the stairs.

Mickey stayed where he was on the floor, his face against the carpet, not daring to move until he'd heard the front door slam behind his father, the signal that he'd left the house and his mother was safe. He pushed himself up, ignoring the pain in his wrist, managing to slip out the window, clutching his ribs as he climbed over the neighbouring fences, coming to a stop in Charlie's garden. He paused for breath, leaning against the shed, before carefully swinging himself up onto the bathroom roof with help from the trellis, knocking quietly on the window.

Charlie raised her head and listened, frowning. She pulled her dressing gown on and opened the curtains, letting Mickey in through the window. "Micks!" She pouted, cupping his face in her hands as she looked him over. "What-"

"…Dad." He answered monotone, wincing as he held his stomach.

"Oh Mickey…" she sighed and hugged him gently, immediately apologising as he yelped. "Stay there…" She whispered, slipping out the room and along to the bathroom, bringing back a small bowl of water and some cotton wool, setting about cleaning him up.

"Why not?" Sam continued the conversation they'd started earlier, resting her head against the pillow as she watched her friend.

"Sam, you're not gay!" Jo sounded bored.

"Am I your type?" Sam pouted, shuffling so she was laying against Jo, her hand on the other girls hip.

Jo sighed and rolled her eyes, having been asked that question repeatedly during the day. "Sam, you're my-"

Sam smirked a little and leant forward, pressing her lips against Jo's, smirking at the lack of resistance from the other girl.

Jo enjoyed the kiss whilst it lasted, before pulling her head back and sighing, resting it on the pillow besides Sam. "Feel better for that?"

"It's not like I thought it would be…" Sam mused.

"…Thanks?"

"No, I mean…" She tilted her head. "It's just like kissing Phil."

"What did you expect? Flashing lights and fanfares?"

"Thank you…" Gina smiled slightly, raising her glass as she toasted the small group around them. "I appreciate all your help."

"Anytime." Tony smiled, gently clinking his glass against hers.

Gina smiled at him and turned her head, more than a little aware of Jonathan's arm around the back of her chair.

"When do you find out the results?" Jonathan asked softly, sipping from his drink.

"Tomorrow hopefully." Gina sighed a little. "I'd quite like to get it all over and done with."

June nodded, smiling at Jim as his hand closed over hers. "The waiting is the hardest part." She said sympathetically. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Anyone knows you work hard." Jim nodded.

"Harder than us lot put together." Roger laughed heartily.

Sam watched Jo, her hand resting on the other girls stomach. "Would you go out with me?"

Jo sighed, knowing if she didn't answer she'd never be allowed to sleep. "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Sam pouted, looking put out.

"Fine." She sighed, "Yeah, I would."

"Then let's do it…"

"I thought you were hung up on Phil?"

"It'll-"

"Sam!" Jo raised her hand. "You're not using me to get at him!"

"I wouldn't be using you!" Sam insisted, resting her head just above Jo's cleavage. "It'd just be a bit of fun…y'know."

Jo sighed, raised her eyes skywards, before closing them again. "We'll see in the morning, now shut up."

Charlie finished clearing Mickey up and quietly slipped back to the bathroom, pouring the water away. She washed her hands and headed down to the kitchen, returning with some food for Mickey. "You're staying here tonight…" she whispered, closing the door behind her so her parents and sister couldn't hear.

"Chaz-" Mickey trailed off, eating hungrily, practically tearing into the food.

"I insist." Charlie told him quietly, sitting beside him as she rested her head on his shoulder, cuddling into him. "Do as you're told, Webb." She smiled softly.