For a few days afterwards everything was almost perfect. It was calm as Campbell was, seemingly, preparing to leave town, to what Ekaterina hoped that meant Grace would go as well. She was sick and tired of the barmaid making puppy eyes at Tommy. Everyone was speaking with Tommy again... except for Ada, still. He was in a good mood though, what put her in a good mood as well. Currently they were engaged in their usual round of early morning sex. Ekaterina was on top this time, riding him with passionate thrusts as he was holding her hands to give her the hold she needed. Her eyes were closed and her head laid back. Tommy looked up at her, enjoying the sight of her small but wildly bouncing breasts. He loved that the blonde wasn't shy; neither about her body nor with what she wanted from the sex with him. She even liked to take charge in the bedroom - if he let her, that is. Proof at point was that the little minx had woken him up today with a blowjob. Ekaterina changed the angle of her thrusts a bit and he groaned.

A few moments later she reached her peak, shrieking from ecstasy, and he briefly wondered how much the landlady living in the room under them could actually hear when the rhythmic contractions of her inner muscles send him over the edge as well. When it was over Ekaterina practically fell down on his chest, breathing heavily and slick with sweat. He needed a few moments to catch his breath as well, but he moved his arms to embrace her. Together they came slowly down from their high until they floated in the gentle after glow good sex usually brought with it.

As she laid on his chest, listening to Tommy's slowing heart beat, Ekaterina suddenly began to hum quietly. She felt satisfied and loved up, on top of the world. Never in her life would she have imagined to be together with Tommy Shelby and even have sex with him. Yet, as she felt his fingers gently comb through her hair, she wouldn't trade this place for anything. She felt his chest rumble from his chuckle and she looked up, now placing her chin on his skin. He placed a lock of her hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear. "So I get you are in a good mood today?" The blonde smiled at him tiredly. "Well, yes. Everything is finally going the way I want. Campbell leaves, your family finally speaks to you again... and I'm sure Ada will come around, soon, as well." Her smile turned mischievously. "Also, the sex this morning was quite satisfying."

Again his chest rumbled. Tommy almost couldn't believe that the girl had still been a virgin just a couple weeks ago. And now she initiated the sex between them almost as often as he did. Not that he would ever complain about that. It was really nice to have a partner that you knew wanted you just as bad as you did her. Who wasn't shy to show him her sexual side. He took her chin and placed a gentle kiss on her lips when he suddenly flipped them both over, making her shriek. Tommy deepened the kiss, invading her mouth with his tongue. But before things could get too heated again he let up from her and got out of bed. Ekaterina groaned in annoyance and he smiled as he pulled off the condom from his penis, tying it into a knot and throwing it in the trash. He knew well that they could easily go for another round, but he didn't have the time today.

"We're having a family meeting today." He announced as he pulled on his pants and went to the bowl with water to wash the sweat from his face and upper body a little. The blonde pulled the blanket over her naked body. "Ah, right. It's the day." She nodded knowingly. "Okay. Maybe I'll swing by the Garrison then, while Arthur's not there to annoy me. I haven't looked at the books for a while." Said man didn't really do the books anymore, but sure had a lot to say about the way she was doing it. It was annoying as hell and more than once had she thrown him out of the office for it. It was also irritating that he seemingly had developed the habit to go through the books while she wasn't there, what he vehemently denied. But the books were never in the order she had left them when she came back another time. He probably did it while drunk, so no wonder he didn't remember.

Tommy looked at her in the mirror while putting on his shirt and jacket. "I want you to come as well." She cocked her head. "But I'm not family." He came back to the bed, leaning slightly down to take her chin in his hand and giving her a soft kiss on the lips. "That could change soon. Half ten, in the shop." Then he put on his cap and left the room. The blonde looked after him with a questioning gaze. Did that mean..? But she shook her head as soon as that thought had appeared. The girl didn't want to expect anything only to, possibly, get let down.

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Ekaterina arrived on time with everyone else. She felt a bit insecure, as she knew that family meetings were holy for the people in the know and new people joining them a big affair. But, even though a few people were giving her curious glances, no one said anything and Polly and Esme smiled at her. Tommy explained his plans for the day, what gave her anxieties. So many things could go wrong and if they did, Tommy could get quite hurt in some way or another. But... if they succeeded Shelby Brothers Limited would own one of the biggest race track businesses in the whole country. The girl smiled ironically at that thought, because it didn't even make her feel bad. Tommy and his family were doing illegal business and, probably, planning to kill someone... or even several. At the very least, people would get hurt today. And yet she hoped that he would succeed, because she knew how important this was for him. She only hoped that he would not get hurt in the process. How her conscience had changed since meeting the Shelbys, even though it had never been the most pure in the first place. Ekaterina didn't know if that was good or bad.

When Tommy had finished explaining his plan he asked if anyone had any questions and Polly spoke up. "Yes." She walked over to the double doors leading to their kitchen. "Oh, does anybody object if I bring another newcomer to the meeting?" She said while giving Ekaterina a quick, knowing glance. No one said anything and Polly opened the door a little, whispering "come on." Everyone looked at the door, not sure what to expect. The matriarch fully opened one door and Ekaterina gasped. "I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Shelby clan." Ada came in, carrying her son in her arms. The young mother hesitantly walked into the room and the people started to clap. When it was over Tommy said "welcome home, Ada."

Ada looked at her brother and then at her son. "We named him Karl." She introduced him. "After Karl Marx." Everyone laughed, Arthur muttering "Karl bloody Marx" and Ekaterina huffed with a grin. Of course they had. "Let me get a look at him." Arthur then requested, putting his cap on his baby nephew and holding him up. "Hey, look. He looks just like me!" Everyone laughed again and John joked "that's his arse that looks like you, Arthur." The oldest Shelby lovingly looked at the baby boy. "He's alright. He's a Shelby." Tommy looked at his sister. "Well, Ada. Am I forgiven?" She nodded lightly. "If what Aunt Polly says is true, you are." He nodded as well. "It's true." Ada embraced him happily.

When they separated Ekaterina came over, Karl in her arms, as Ada went over to another family member. "That's your Uncle Thomas, Karl. Say hello!" She cooed, playfully taking his chubby little hand and making him wave at Tommy. He chuckled as the baby looked up at him with huge eyes. "Hey, there." He put a finger to his little hand and he immediately grabbed it. "Isn't he cute?" She sighed, giving the baby a light kiss on the head. "And so big already. You were a lot smaller when you came out of your mama, yes you were!" She smiled down at the little boy and Tommy, in turn, smiled at the pair. Ekaterina looked good holding a baby... really good. It made him want to give her a baby for herself. A baby that was part him and part her.

Ada and Polly looked at the trio from the other side of the room, exchanging knowing glances. "So, is there already a date for the wedding?" The younger woman then asked. Polly sighed. "No. I think he hasn't even asked her yet." She looked at her only niece. "Would you be okay with that?" Polly knew that Ada had always been insecure about girl friends, because a lot of them had fallen for Tommy at some point, ignoring her after that. Some only stayed friends with her or, sometimes, even only befriended her in the first place to get near him. She had hoped that Ekaterina would be different, and she was for most things. But she had fallen for Tommy as well, even if it was mutual. Still, she had never stopped being Adas friend, even though the brunette had, for some time, pushed her away with all her might. "It's not what I would have wished for..." Ada mumbled. "But if they really love each other I won't object. She accepted Freddie, after all; even though I know now why she is so much against communism."

Part of Ekaterinas Russian family had been victims of the Bolsheviks. She hated everything related to communism because of that and yet she had never once spoken bad about her husband... well, except for that one time when they had been fighting, but that had been the brunettes fault. Ada grinned. "Also, I think having Katy as sister in law could pay off in the long run. My best friend Tommy's wife? I'll make him do my bidding in no time." Polly laughed airily. The woman didn't think so, to be honest. After everything she had seen until now they both loved and respected each other too much to just order the other around. Still, imagining the small girl doing that to the "King of Small Heath" and him doing everything she wanted without question was kind of hilarious.

Ekaterina had handed over Karl to John and Esme after a while, who wanted to hold their nephew as well, and Tommy had pulled her to quiet corner of the shop. "Do you have the enclosure tickets and the register of book keepers on the track?" The girl asked to make sure her lover was well prepared. He nodded. "In me coat." He assured and then announced "When I come back today I want to talk to you about something." She perked up, asking "when will that be?" He chuckled, jokingly asking "now is this how you're going to be, eh? You , waiting at home for me, saying 'what time do you call this'?" She looked up at him with earnest eyes. "Well, yes. Because I can't sleep without you and will probably stay awake until you return, even if it's really late."

Tommy fondly looked down at her, her answer making his decision just that much stronger. How long he had waited for a woman like her. After Greta he had earnestly believed there was no hope left for him, having tragically lost his only chance for domestic bliss to death. But then the blonde had stumbled into his life. So sudden and unexpected that he hadn't even noticed what a treasure had accidentally fallen into his hands at first. He planned to make up for that, though. Because he would do anything in his power to make sure Ekaterina stayed by his side from now on.

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Ekaterina paced in the living room, a sleeping Karl in her arms. She had just finally been able to calm him down enough to get lulled to sleep. Now she was hesitant to lay him into his crib because she feared it would wake the baby up again. Ada, meanwhile, was dozing in an armchair. The brunette had nursed her baby before handing the boy over to her friend to get a bit of rest. The Shelby girl was much calmer now after her talk with the blonde girl over the baby's head. "Are you happy with him, Katy?" She had asked her best friend. Said girl had smiled softly and honestly answered "like never before in my life". That had been enough to finally bury all of the brunettes sorrows concerning her best friend and brother... at least for the time being. Now she just had to wait to finally get her husband back.

Tommy suddenly burst into the room and the blonde stopped in her track, a frown on her face. He should be at the Garrison with the others now and go from there straight to Worcester. "Tommy? Did something happen?" She asked with clear worry in her words and said man came to a halt before her, putting his hands on her arms. "Ekaterina. Take Ada and the baby and get into the Bull Ring, where there's lots of people." He urged, before turning to his sister. "Ada! Wake up!" His sister immediately got out of her seat and Polly entered the room. "Tommy." The blonde called his attention back to her. "What happened? You scare me."

The man sight and put a hand on his head, starting to pace the room. "We've been fucking betrayed. Somebody let slip, Kimbers men are on their way here." Polly approached her nephew with wide, shocked eyes. "But you can handle them Tommy." He shook his head slightly. "It's just us. All the Lees are on their way to the Worcester. We're outnumbered." He slapped his hands down on the sidebar, yelling "fuck!" Polly stared at him. "Who else knew today was the day you were moving on Kimber? You said you kept it a secret. Who else did you tell?"

Tommy thought for a moment before his eyes slowly wandered over to Ekaterina. Ada and Polly followed with their gazes. The girl felt her own eyes grow big and the hair on her arm stand up. "I didn't tell anyone, I swear!" She immediately assured. "Our conversation never left the office of the Garrison. Only you and me knew, Tommy, and- and..." she stopped suddenly before she lost all color in her face, quietly murmuring "the books". Her gaze returned to the man. "Tommy... did you ever tell Arthur Grace is not supposed to do the books anymore?" He cocked his head. "Why?" She unconsciously squeezed the baby in her arms a bit stronger, though that thankfully didn't wake him up. "I recently noticed that the books never are where I left them before when I got back. I thought it was Arthur, trying to annoy me... but what if it was Grace? Everything is written in the books..." A sudden realization hit her and she put a hand on her mouth. "I bet that's even how they found the guns. God, I'm so stupid! I should have taken the books with me."

Suddenly, she pushed the baby into a perplexed Adas arms and attempted to leave the room. "I'm going to fucking kill that woman. I've seriously had it with her!" Tommy immediately seized her arm. "Whoa, whoa. You're not going anywhere. If she's really working with the police she is dangerous. I'll go." She shook her head. "No, Tommy. You have to plan what to-" "I will deal with Grace." Polly interrupted them and the couple looked at her questioningly. So she explained "Katy stands no chance against her, especially if she is armed. And you, Tommy, might really kill her if you set eyes on her again. We don't have time for that, though. So I'll just make her leave town." Tommy stared at his aunt for a long moment before finally nodding. Then he looked down at the girl again. "You and Ada will hide, you hear me? No compromises. Don't even set a foot near the Garrison until I come to get you." He leaned down to press a kiss on the girls clammy forehead before leaving the room as suddenly as he had entered.

As bad as it was, the ball had already been dropped. And it was his fault, not Ekaterinas. He should have been much more careful he was forced to realize. He should have gotten rid of the barmaid long ago. Now he had to think about how he could still somehow turn this disaster around and, at least, prevent his family, friends and underlings from dying.

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"Ada! Hurry up, we'll need to go to the Bull Ring before everything starts!" Ekaterina yelled up the stairs, rocking Karl in the stroller before her. He was awake again and getting impatient. But Ada had demanded that she needed to get changed and pack some things for her son before they went anywhere. That had been a while ago and Ekaterina was itching to go. Tommy had told her to take his sister and nephew somewhere with lots of people, where it was impossible to get attacked by Kimber without getting attention. Finally the brunette was coming down the stairs - clad in an completely black outfit. She even wore a black hat with a widows veil. The blonde blinked. Next to her friend her own outfit of a white blouse and beige skirt almost seemed to glow. "Ada, what the hell?"

Said woman took the handle of her baby's stroller, casually walking out of the house. "I'm not going to hide." She announced as the blonde struggled to keep up with her long, hurried steps. "What? What are you going to do? Ada!" The young mother didn't stop. "I'm going to prevent my husband and fucking brothers from getting killed." She calmly proclaimed. "If it's the last thing I do. My son will NOT grow up without a father and uncles other than Finn." Ada breathed out. "And if it doesn't work... well, then I at least already wear the proper clothes for mourning." Ekaterina, trying to keep pace with her, swallowed heavily. She knew that when her friend had made a decision it was almost impossible to make her reconsider. Yet she should probably try, at least for little Karl's sake.

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The men stared at each other, every one but their respective leaders having drawn their weapons. The Peaky Blinders were outnumbered, but the Lewis Gun Freddie was holding was evening out the field at least somewhat. Everything could start the shoot out in a moment, most likely resulting in a massacre. The atmosphere was charged with almost unbearable tension - which was suddenly broken by female voices and a crying baby. "Move!" Ada ordered, followed by Ekaterinas "Ada, wait!" Together they came through Kimbers parting crowd. Tommy blinked and Freddie perplexedly asked "what are you doing!?" Ada explained "I believe you boys call this 'no-man's land'."

"Ada!" Ekaterina pleaded as they came to a stand right between both groups, the blonde moving protectingly before the crying Karl's stroller, shielding him from the eyes of Kimbers men. The brunette turned to her friend and curtly ordered "shut up and listen." Freddie stared at his seemingly crazy wife. "Have you lost your mind?" Now Ada moved her burning gaze to her husband. "I said shut up!" For a few moments it was deathly silent and Tommy stared worryingly at his little lover. They shouldn't be here. Things could go south at a moments notice and then they would be caught in between. And he wasn't sure if he could be at Ekaterinas side quick enough to at least shield her and his nephew. Ada could be Freddie's concern. But if something happened to Ekaterina or Karl he would personally rip off his sisters head... provided they lived long enough to do that.

"Now most of you were in France." Ada started her speech while turning to their enemies. "So you all know what happens next. I've got brothers and a husband here but you've all got somebody waiting for you." Ekaterina looked slightly over her shoulder, meeting Tommy's gaze. "Now I'm wearing black in preparation." The brunette turned to her husband. "I want you to look at me." Karl suddenly started to cry again and Ekaterina tried to rock his stroller with her hands behind her back and shushing him over her shoulder. "I want you all to look at me!" Ada continued passionately. "Who'll be wearing black for you? Think about them. Think about them right now. And fight if you want to. But that baby ain't moving anywhere." Ekaterina looked at her friend in shock. "And neither are we."

What the... How could she just say that? That was not only including her but her own son and best friend as well. She was just opening her mouth to say something when Kimber suddenly spoke up. "She's right, you know. Why should all you men die? It should just be them, who caused it." Then he drew a weapon and Ekaterina immediately turned around and leaned over the stroller to shield Karl with her own body. A shot sounded. Someone screamed and then another shot. For a few moments afterwards everyone screamed at each other. Ekaterina stared down at the baby; praying that Karl, as cute as he was, would not be the last thing she ever saw in this life. Then a third shot and Tommy's voice screaming "enough!"

Ekaterina slowly looked up. Danny was lying on the floor, making her itch to run over to him, but that was probably not a good idea as long as it was still open how this would turn out. She turned around just as slowly and spotted Kimber on the floor as well. "Kimber and me fought this battle one on one." Tommy continued. "It's over..! Go home to your families." Kimbers men looked at each other worriedly. Then they slowly started to retreat, picking up Kimbers corpse. Ekaterina ran over to their own man lying on the floor, kneeling down on the dirty, wet ground without hesitation. Danny's open, unseeing eyes and the puddle of his own blood he was laying in already told her what she needed to know, yet she placed her hand on his carotid artery on his neck and her ear over his nose and mouth anyway; desperately trying to feel a pulse or hear a breath. But it was too late. When Tommy approached her she pulled her upper body back again, sadly announcing "he is dead."

Tommy nodded and ordered "Scudboat, Curly. Pick him up." The blonde looked up at him - and felt her heart stop. "Tommy..." she stammered in shock, getting up on her feet. "You- you've been hit." She touched the fabric of his jacket near the wound, her fingers getting stained by his blood. Almost she could feel her gaze turning black. But then a rage flooded her she had never felt before. And that helped her keep her head clear, switching into her nurse mode. Without hesitation she took the hand Tommy was still holding his gun in, pulling him to the Garrison. Tommy started to protest; he still had to make sure the others were okay. But when the blonde threw him a blazing gaze over her shoulder he thought it wise to shut up.

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Tommy screamed in pain as Ekaterina was feeling around in his gunshot wound with her tweezers in concentration, trying to locate the bullet. She just hoped that it was still in one piece because it would prolong Tommy's pain for who knew how long if she had to search for bullet fragments. But if it was in one piece it was hopefully over quickly. "Hold him still!" She ordered the men holding him down. Ekaterinas heart hurt with everyone of his screams, yet he had to remain still for her to get hold of the damn bullet. "I think... I finally have it."

When they had entered the Garrison some time before Ekaterina had send Finn to get her bag. She didn't have any strong analgesics, so the extraction would hurt like hell and she had told him so. Tommy, though, had just swallowed and told her to get it over with. So now he was sitting on a table with Ekaterina tending to his wound, his brother's holding him down and trying to calm him. "I have it!" She announced, pulling it out with one last yank and letting it fall into a glass of water Jeremiah had brought her. "And it's in one piece." She sighed with relief, before turning to Tommy and putting a hand on his sweaty cheek, looking into his eyes clouded from pain. "One last step, sweetheart." She promised. "One last sting and it's over." Then she snatched the bottle of Whiskey from Arthur's hand he had just given to his brother for an encouraging swig, pulled Tommy's head down to her chest and poured the alcohol over his wound.

Tommy screamed into her bosom, gritting his teeth. "It's over!" She announced, putting the bottle forcefully on the table with a loud clang. She pulled his head up again, now putting both hands on his cheeks. "The worst is over." Tommy breathed heavily and was wet from his sweat, but looked into her eyes without hesitation. Then he even smiled a little.

Half an hour later everyone gathered in the snug, Tommy now properly bandaged and with his shirt and jacket back on. Danny's body was laying on the table. Ekaterina looked down at him sadly and Tommy put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. Another one she hadn't been able to save. "Now we can bury him properly." John mumbled quietly. "In the grave we dug for him." Tommy's hand squeezed her waist. "Yeah." He huffed. "It's high on a hill. He'd like that." He raised the bottle of alcohol to his mouth, uncorking it with his teeth. Then he toasted "to Danny Whizz-Bang. May we all die twice." He took a swig and then handed it down to Ekaterina. She took it, raising it as well. "To Danny Owen." She mumbled with slightly trembling voice, thinking about the family who had now definitely lost a precious person. "A caring husband, loving father... and loyal member of the Peaky Blinders."

She took a healthy swig herself and Tommy placed a gentle kiss on her temple. One after one they toasted to Danny, mourning and wishing him well on his way to the after life... or whatever came after death. Tommy fondly looked around the people standing here, being immensely thankful that the only one lost was Danny, as sad as it was. But it could have ended a lot worse. He could have died, his brothers, sister and nephew could have... Ekaterina... but it was over and they were all okay. His wound would heal and Kimber was dead. Out of the way. Their future looked bright. He sighed. "Come on... the day is ours. Let's celebrate."

Arthur immediately went to the bar, serving alcohol. It didn't take long for the atmosphere to get cheerier. After a while Tommy went out to help get Danny's corpse into the van to get him to the cemetery. So Ekaterina was left alone. She didn't feel in the mood to celebrate, though. Tommy and all of the people important to her had survived. And yet this rage inside her seemingly didn't want to disappear. She went to the table her instruments and medical supplies were still strewn upon - when she spotted Tommy's gun holster hanging from a chair. And that's when she realized why the rage didn't disappear. She wanted - she had to confront Grace to make it disappear. Because this was all the barmaids fault, of that she was sure.

She took the gun and left the pub through the back door.


AN: just one chapter left and season one is over! So, how do you like the story so far? Were there parts you didn't like or think I took too much liberation? Do you even want me to continue the story? Would be cool if you let me know.

Xoxo Lulu