A/N Long chapter ahead, I've listened to 'Natural' from Imagine Dragons while writing this chapter. I think the song suits Tommy a lot, anyway enjoy!

Chapter 7) The Garrison

.-.-.

"So what do people do for fun around here?" Her question startled him, lost in thoughts he'd been chopping wood behind the stables. Hard labour made him sleep better at night. Well, it was opium that worked miracles but muscle ache and exhaustion made a good second and third.

He turned around, frowning with an axe in his hands cocking his head up.

"For fun," she repeated with an empty bucket in her hands, "you know, after work. For fun, at the weekends."

There ain't anything fun in Small Heath, he signed after chopping the axe deep into a thick log. He'd done enough simple minded chores for today, it would be a godsend if Curly recovered soon.

A little taken aback she continued, "Then what do you do during the weekends?"

Survive. What he did any other day, trying to get through it. Getting piss drunk in the evening, then on lonely nights visit the Chinese brothel. Most of them didn't know a word of English to begin with so the whole encounter felt less awkward. And then during the days walk off the hangover, eat something from time to time, although he tended to forget the basic human need if the Whiskey was running through his veins.

I used to go out, he shared with her. Oh, he remembered the countless nights he'd spend with his brothers being stupid bastards. Drinking until the early morning, an occasional barfight mostly evoked by Arthur, for the rush. Laughing every time his youngest brother John got sick. The good old days.

Before the war.

"Where did you go?" Her questions continued.

It annoyed him, little miss Goldilocks was digging into old wounds with her prying innocent eyes.

Pubs, I used to go to pubs, he signed back agitated.

"Which one?"

Is this the Spanish inquisition? He signed, placing his weight on one foot and crossing his arms.

"No. I'm sorry, it's just… I'm from a small town, there was a lot to do on the weekends. We had fishing competitions, church meetings, sometimes I went with my mum to another town to get groceries," she babbled on then noticed his bored expression and cut to the chase. "I don't want to sit inside the entire weekend. I can't stand being home."

'Well that makes two of us,' Tommy thought and softened a little. In a way she was just as cut off from the world as he was, stranded in this damned city.

The Garrison, he motioned. I used to go to The Garrison most of the time. Get piss drunk on cheap Whiskey.

"Why don't you go anymore?"

He failed to reply, how was he going to explain to anyone what he was going through every damn day. He couldn't bring himself to start up a conversation with his brothers that had been there.

Luckily for him and herself she did not press the matter and quietly continued the chores he'd ordered her to do. That was her good quality, she grew up on a farm so he didn't have to explain every damn thing in detail. If he motioned to a pitchfork she knew to clean the boxes. He didn't have to tell her to refresh the water, or how to scrape the hooves.

He hated to admit it but he was glad his aunt picked this girl.

Because this one didn't know the Tommy from before. All the other lasses knew, the beauties, the rich, the whores, every damn one of them knew The Tommy Shelby. It was like competing with your worst enemy, a better version of yourself.

Every damn day he watched himself in the mirror, putting his hat back on to cover up the scars. Every damn day was a reminder of what he'd become and everyone else a firm reminder of what he wasn't anymore. She only knew Tommy the stable boy and she seemed alright with that. She didn't have expectations and that made her presence so much easier to bear.

The entire morning and afternoon he was tossing and turning with his thoughts. She must have noticed him brooding and luckily tried to stay out of his way.

Eventually curiosity got the best of him and really, what did he have to lose?

Come with me to the Garrison, he signed deliberately not putting it into a questioning context.

She blinked her blue doo-eyes a few times, unsure if she heard him correctly.

It's friday, it's not raining, let's get a drink.

" I don't drink really," she reminded him muttering.

There is tea, God he couldn't believe he was doing this but there was no way back now that he let it out in the open.

"I need to be home before ten, else I will get into trouble," she told him, which he took as a yes to his first demand.

Great, so now he was going to a pub with a curfew. For the last fifteen years of his life he'd never bothered to head home early. Never cared for his mother's tears, his father's fists, or aunt Pol's loud curses.

But this evening he could act like a normal guy, taking out a normal girl to a pub, and that was the best thing that had happened to him in months.

.-.-.

The Garrison pub was an ornate cathedral build to combat the gloom of poverty, located on the far end of Garrison Lane. It was an old saloon, with class, leather booths and wooden bar stools that occasionally shattered a window or two. Harry Fenton, the owner and barman of the pub saluted him at the door.

"Good seeing you back, Tommy," the barman flat out lied, heading directly to the tabs to pour him a Scottish whiskey. Tommy honestly couldn't stand a Scot's any longer but took the drink anyway, it was easier than signing for another drink.

It was still quiet at the early bar hour of seven o'clock. Only a few old men sat at the back in one of the booths playing cards. It visually relieved Maria, the lack of people. And although he didn't like to admit it, he felt relieved too.

For about a good ten seconds.

Arthur, the eldest of the Shelby siblings and toughest member of the peaky Blinders bursted through the ebony doors.

"Brother!" Arthur exclaimed, his face a pallet of mixed emotions; smudges of sorrow, melancholy and torn between dejection and hope.

Tommy got wrapped by two strong arms and lifted from the floor. His older brother had always been the emotional one, unable to suppress his feelings. Anger, sadness, it always fueled out. That made Arthur a good right hand and a damn bad lair.

Behind him their younger brother marched in joined with a little gang of Blinder's.

"Good seeing ya here, Tom," John greeted a little uneased, "we heard people say they saw you heading to the Garrison, didn't believe it at first."

Johnny Dogs eyed him up and then looked at Maria.

"Now who have we here now?" The gypsy questioned interested, flickering his eyes up and down her body. As a pack of wolves the group of five men circled around her.

Tommy started to regret his bold decision and motioned to the girl to introduce herself.

"I'm Maria Lehman," she said with a tiny voice, intimidated by the new intruders.

To prevent a very unmannered event, Tommy took out his notebook and scribbled down: She's with me, back off. He held it up and turned towards her for a moment, Go to the barman, order a drink, wait there.

As he had expected he got a familiar stare from Arthur, wiggling his brows. Arthur had more brawn than brains and could be an enormous twat from time to time.

Drinks arrived by a rather nervous Harry, there were a lot of Blinder's in his bar and tension rose noticeable. Poor lad just paid off his last windows.

"So ya taking girls out again hah?" Arthur joked and laughed loudly, "doin' better Tom?" He added softer, more concerned.

And this was exactly the reason he tried to avoid any family meetings. Because of the fucking ticked in the head, mute, elephant in the room no-one wanted to address.

Luckily his younger brother John could be less theatrical and cut to the chase. "Now you're here, we need to talk business. We have problems with the Lee's."

This surprised Tommy, last time they had settled the damage with the Lee's by giving them a fair share of money from their fixed boxing games.

John noticed Tommy's surprise and glared at Arthur who seemed extremely occupied with staring at the tips of his shoes "That fucking bloke called Zilpha Lee a cunt, to her face!"

'Fuck…!' Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose and felt the sudden urge to headbutt his brother.

In his defence Arthur apologetically added, "She did call me a stubborn twat."

That's because you ARE a fucking stubborn twat, with a tiny dick when it comes to insults! He gestured angrily to his brother ready to hit him in the face.

In the back, at the bar sounded a soft giggle. Maria had turned around and watched the spectacle of Shelby fury being unleashed. When she noticed his agitated glare she quickly drew her face down at her cup of tea.

"What?"Arthur snapped confused but aware he was being mocked. "What did he just say to me?"

Shyly she blushed all up to her ears and politely answered, "Tommy mentioned you have a rather small penis when it comes to dealing with a woman's grudge."

That being said the entire Blinder's crowd bursted into laughter, all but Arthur who's mood dropped far below zero.

.-.-.

They'd settled in the backroom of the Garrison, Tommy, John, sourmooded Arthur, Johnny Dogs, and a few other men Tommy didn't recall hiring. He'd kept Maria at the bar with another cup of tea, informing her it wouldn't take long and that he'd walk her home before her curfew.

So far everything John told him was not good. The Lee's spread through Small Heath as a group of sloggers, throwing stones and bricks through Blinder's related businesses and stores. The Lee's weren't strongly armed and tended to keep on the road rather than being stuck in a city. But they were in great numbers and angry. To them this was a matter of honour, no-one spoke with such disrespect to their leading lady.

Tommy briefly made an calculation, his gang was outnumbered and the Lee's had always been good allies. Stubborn fuckers, but honorable fighters and gunmen.

You need to apologize, he signed to his oldest brother. When he didn't get a spark of understanding he dug out his notebook and wrote down, Apologize to Zilpha.

As expected Arthur exploded, because apparently 'no respectable man would apologize to that bitch'. Arthur's rage endured until Tommy had enough. He slammed his hands flat on the table, stared his brother down and wrote, Get the girl.

Johnny Dogs hurried to the bar to get Maria who seemed terrified to walk into the belly of the beast. Tommy could understand why, half of the men were drunk, Arthur seemed ready to rip off someone's -his- head and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

He pointed at his eyes and signed, I need you to translate to that thick stubborn fuck over there.

She nodded and cleared her throat, observing his angered motiones. "Tommy wants to tell you-," she directed herself to Arthur, "-that if you don't settle this, the Lee family won't let this go, and that it will end up badly for both sides. The Lee's are good allies and horrible opponents. They are like cockroaches. You kill one, ten come back. So you need to-" She eyed Tommy unsure to repeat what he was signing. He nodded to her bluntly and she continued with a tiny voice. "-Suck up your godforsaken pride unless you want another fucking war. Apologize to Zilpha, or unnecessary blood will be on your hands."

Silence filled the crowded backroom and everyone was waiting for Arthur to respond. Their leader seemed torn between throwing himself on his middle brother or slamming down a whole bottle of whiskey. After a few moments he settled with something entirely different.

"Fine, I'll say sorry to the wench."

That answer cleared the air for a bit and Tommy gave him an affirmative nod. Good, at least one problem was fixed. He took a swig of whiskey and didn't want to know how many more lay ahead.

"Then I guess that settles it," John said, slapping his hand down on Arthur's back. "Let's buy Zilpha a bouquet of flowers so you can kiss and make up!" He earned a harsh elbow between the ribs by the oldest and he sniggered. All the men got up to either run errands or spend time in the pub a little longer.

"Join us for another drink, Tom?" John continued, picking up a bottle of fine whiskey from their table and holding it up as a white flag, a peace offer.

He nodded his head briefly, sure why not. Making a piss of Arthur, drinking with the boys at the Garrison, he almost felt a bit like his old self again. He caughted Maria's hesitant gaze and reassured her, just one drink.

.-.-.

One drink turned out to be a second one, and another one, and another one. Maria sat on the side of one of the booths while the Shelby boys roared about their victories. Well, mainly Arthur did the roaring. As far as she'd understood he was the oldest of the three and in charge of their family business.

Maria did not fully understood what that 'business' was but she wasn't stupid, it was something illegal and big. A drunken man's tongue tells the truth and she'd picked up enough of their conversation: extortion, gambling, rigged games, blackmailing. Their trademark hats hid a secret weapon; a razorblade sowed into their peaks. That was how they got their infamous name, The Peaky Blinders. These men were wicked.

And she served as a little marionette, being a voice for one of the crooks. How on earth did she get herself in so much trouble? She'd signed up for her job as a stablemaid, not for this; sitting in a bar after curfew with a bunch of drunks.

I need to go home, she signed to Tommy who ruffled viciously through John's immaculately groomed hair, pissing him off.

I will get in very deep trouble if I'm late sir, she signed again now pleading to her intoxicated boss. It was dark outside and she didn't feel like running through the streets on her own. Her aunt Mirjam had informed her what happened to young lasses who walked the streets after sunset.

Fine, fine, his insobriety making his motions groggy. It made her wonder if it was safe to walk through the dark allies with him. He'd never lay a hand on her during their work and he'd had plenty of opportunities, if he had wanted he could have easily overpowered her and take his advantage.

But she wasn't sure about his motives now, drunk and spurred up by the rants and shouts of his brothers. Still she'd settled with his company, at least she had the advantage of screaming her guts out if she had too.

I'll be right back, Tommy stood up stumbling and headed to the men's room.

Arthur leaned forward over the round table when he left and said,"Polly was right 'bout ya lass, doing a fine job."

John took a toothpick from his lips and gave her a very long stern look then eyed back at Arthur. "We'll see about that."

Maria's heart sank, as a good Christian she should not take part in this. With her eyes drawn down she remained seated until Tommy returned and motioned his goodbyes.

Walking home was more of a waltzing home. Her so called dance partner stumbled on his feet, his buzz cut messy and sweaty.

I don't think I have to tell you this but forget everything you heard this evening, he informed her, nobody likes a snitch.

She bit her lip and felt like a fraude, keeping her deal with Polly a secret. For a moment she wanted to confess and make her conscience clear.

But instead she walked by him in silent, because she had a lot to lose. Her job, her income, her way out of the house and the humble bit of joy she received from the horses.

I missed this, Tommy confessed crossing the street.

She gave him a puzzled look and he smiled sluggish, motioning to their surroundings, This, as if that explained it all. He hooked their arms and guided her around a street post, nearly bumping into it himself. It was the first time she recalled hearing him laugh out loud and shaking his head over his own stupidity he signed, Right now you are walking with a million dollar man. His grip around her arm tightened and through the fabric of their coats she could feel his warmth.

He eyed widely at her, nervously she smiled back, unable to come up with a better response.

"I'm almost home, it's better if I walk the rest by myself," she told him quietly.

He paused abruptly, jerking her back by his sudden action and he stared at her, Why, ashamed to be seen with a Blinder?

"No sir, it's not that," She immediately said,"I don't want to be seen with any man at this hour. My uncle will be very mad at me and I can't afford to be cross with him."

Tommy's stirred up anger disappeared and he nodded, Smart girl, stay out of trouble.

"It's already very late. I really need to go," she pressed again, carefully unhooking her arm from his grip.

He took a step back, realising how close they had been. The space created some relieve in her bearing and although his drunken state of mind, he must have noticed that too. To distance himself even more he took out his cigarettes and lit one up. For a moment his gaze dropped down and dejected he inhaled a whiff of nicotine.

You did good today, he signed to her, hesitant for a moment, looked at her and then exhaled the smoke from his lungs in a long sigh. He held his thumb up and signed, See you monday at the stables. Without giving her enough time to respond he turned around and walked away, as a thief in the night.

.-.-.

A/N it took me some time to write this last chapter, but it was a very long one so I hope that makes it up. I like how Tommy is working out and how his interaction went with his brothers. And gosh, I love Arthur to bits.

Thank you all for adding my story to your favorites or follows, many thanks to my reviewers. Please be so kind to leave your thoughts for me, it's been so long since I wrote anything down and to make it extra hard it's around 1920, not familiar with that era, at all. So what do you like, what do you dislike, feedback will be loved but please be kind.

Xoxox Nukyster