Slowly edging them together :)

Sian trudged along at work in a dour mood. She smiled when she needed to and brought people their hot pots and drinks in a timely manner but, looking for the elder Webster sister to walk in the Rover's was proving daunting since it was Friday night and it was getting more and more packed. Her heart skipped a beat when she overheard Tyrone mentioning that he was waiting on Jason, which then would mean Rosie would probably soon follow.

Sian didn't know how to start a conversation with Rosie about something of significance, not just the weather or hair care tips. She was tempted to have a drink her own self as her nerves were all over the place. If Sophie was going to in turn reject her, she didn't know how she would feel. From what Sian could gather about Soph and Erinn, they had a lot of history and a lot of drama and she couldn't see how that would be good for Sophie in the long run. But she understood. Sophie had to try, and Sian didn't blame her for that. She told the brunette how she felt and that was that. She didn't want to force the issue and embarrass herself further but she wanted some facts and that's why she waited on flamin' Rosie Webster of all people. Sian felt Rosie was opposed to Erinn in general, so maybe this could be an informative if a little awkward conversation. She wasn't going to let Sophie be the one that got away though. Not if she could help it.

Just then Jason walked in and walked over to Tyrone. Sian instantly started sweating, and smiled blankly at the lad. She then ran through every scenario. What if Sophie showed up? She couldn't talk to Rosie then. She wanted to talk to Sophie too but not until she had some answers. Sophie ran away last time, and that wasn't a good sign was it?

"Alright Sian? Pint of lager please and one for my friend Tyrone here," said Jason.

"Thanks mate," replied Tyrone. Sian handed the men their drinks with a nervous smile. "Thanks Sian. Getting busy in here aye?" asked Tyrone taking a sip.

"It's not too bad yet," answered Sian trying to form words in a cognitive sentence. She hated the thought of watching the door for a glimpse of Rosie, so was hoping it would pick up in there so she could be distracted.

And pick up it did. Since Becky skipped town they were short staffed that night, and had to get Steve and Sean behind the bar to help. Sian was grateful for the help but didn't want to seem like she couldn't handle the rush. Also, she realized how annoying it was sharing a name with someone else behind the bar. Sian gladly took a minute to take an empty box out back and grabbed some fresh air and a drink of water while she was at it. When she got back inside to the crowded and noisy bar, she caught sight of the elder Webster sister entering in all her perfumed and made up glory. She eyeballed the room for her boyfriend, and in scanning the room made eye contact with Sian.

Sian was still sort of open mouthed and nervous about seeing Rosie amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded bar, but her determination to get to the bottom of all this Sophie/Erinn business made her take a deep breath and walk toward Rosie.

Rosie had a small smile for the blonde, which then turned into a sympathetic look.

"Alright Sian, how.. how are you?" asked a concerned Rosie.

"I'm…. well...I don't..." stammered Sian. She wanted to be strong and get right down to it, but when Rosie asked in such a way, it brought some emotions forward. Her tears began to well up a bit. This was all frustration, this was. Darren coming back and maybe losing something exciting and new because of his reappearance…. it hit Sian like a ton of bricks just then. Rosie and Sophie didn't look that much alike but were similar in features and Rosie's big blue eyes struck Sian right in the heart. She wanted Sophie like no other.

"Can we talk later?" Sian managed to get out.

"Of course! I want this to happen for you...for Soph. Hell, for all of us!" Rosie yelled the last part over the sudden boisterous laughing that came from by the dart board. Sian felt relieved that she would at least have Rosie on her side and that maybe they could make some headway into getting Sophie back where they both seemed to want her.

A few feet away, Sophie was getting off of her short shift at work and wanted to pack an overnight bag for Erinn's house, so she headed home. Sophie and Erinn had been sexting for the last hour and Sophie had an embarrassed smile on her face walking the short distance She glanced at the Rover's as she walked. Thinking of what was contained in that silly old bar. Soph stopped. This was like the fork in the road. Although Erinn and Sophie had a difficult past, this was feeling so comfortable at the moment. Sophie was in the driver's seat and Erinn seemed grateful for the ride. Almost like when you take a dog out for a drive. Just so happy. "Did you just compare her to a dog? You're losing it." She chuckled at herself, but couldn't help but feel a bit of the ol' butterflies when looking at the Rover's. Sian was so attractive and so.. well… charming, and there was a connection. One so strong that Sophie couldn't help but feel like she would be missing out. She knew better however than to start another thing when she didn't even know what the current thing she had even was. Should she go in and take a look? Talk to Sian?

Just then Chesney walked out of the Rover's and behind him Sophie could see how packed it was in there and thought she wouldn't be able to catch some time with Sian at that particular time anyway.

"Heya Sophie!" Chesney said as she ran over to her.

"Hey Ches," Sophie answered reaching in for a hug. "How are ya?"

"I'm good actually, going to meet Katy at the Bistro. She said she wanted to 'talk'. Kinda not looking forward to it to be honest," Chesney said looking down.

"I'm sure it's fine Ches. You two are good together."

"Cheers Soph. Hey are you going into the Rover's? Sian's in there talking to Rosie.."

"Wait, they're talking? Oh no. Umm…"

"What? What did I say now?"

"Oh nothing. I just feel like those two might conspire against me and my situation…" Sophie looked at Chesney. She hadn't told him yet about Erinn. "Erinn and I… we are sort of. Doing a thing."

"Doing a thing? Is that even English? What thing are you two doing?" Chesney smiled and looked at Sophie. Then just as soon as the smile appeared, it disappeared. "You aren't! You aren't doing THAT thing? Are yous two back at it?"

"Chesney.. wait. I swear it's different now. It's hard to explain, and I will, l but we both have hot girls waiting for us. We should get a move on," said Sophie trying to get out of explaining yet again her deal with Erinn.

"Okay but Sophie, what are you doing? You didn't care if you lived or died when she was through with you. Over and over. I can't in my good conscience let you back with her. I say no. Katy can wait."

"No no Chesney, it IS different. I'm calling the shots. I mean look she's even texting me now asking if it's okay if she orders takeaway for dinner. It's all so weird man, but it's so hot. She's totally submissive right now. And I dig it. It's something I've wanted from her for a long long time. Well… something like this.. not exactly this. I don't want to choose what she wears and stuff but, yeah it's totally strange and hot and I'm doing this."

"Okay.. what? What are you on about? What about Sian in all this?"

"Sian well.. she.." Sophie didn't know what to say. "She has some issues I guess. I mean she told me she wanted me.."

"WHAT? Then why aren't you in there right now with her? Sophie this is crazy. Domination games? What is going on?"

"Lower your voice please Ches." Sophie grabbed Chesney out of the middle of the walkway where everyone could see and hear them. "I know but look." Sophie was stalling. Then it sort of dawned on her. "I don't know if I can trust Sian. I don't know her.."

"And you can trust Erinn? Really?" Ches interrupted the brunette. His face was matching his red hair as he was getting more and more agitated.

"Look, I have control over this with Erinn. I have no control over anything with Sian. She was hitting me up, leading me on. Kissing a guy and then telling me she wants me. I don't know what to think about any of that. With Erinn it's been easier. I wear the pants. FINALLY, for once! Don't you know what a big deal this is? And plus it's all new. We've only been at it a couple of days."

"I'm sure in your weird thing you have, or should I say HAD with Erinn, this is big, but not to anyone that has had to watch you pick up the pieces so many times. And I'm sorry I'm so angry right now but this isn't right Soph. You know it isn't."

Sophie knew that Ches wouldn't be as easily persuaded to let it drop as Ryan was, and even Rosie had sort of let it go, but she was suspicious of Rosie and Sian talking in the Rover's. She could only imagine what those two were on about.

"Okay I seriously need to go, and so do you." Sophie heard Chesney's phone buzzing in his coat pocket.

"Sophie I'm not done talking about this. We will talk more later. We better," said Chesney putting his phone away after typing for a second.

"Okay we will. Now scoot. It'll be okay Ches, don't be annoyed."

"Sophie, just be careful. I mean I love ya and I don't want her to mess you about again. Or I'll just have to kill her."

Sophie heard Chesney's words and couldn't help but smile. She went in for another hug. "Thanks Ches. You know you're my best mate."

"Same here. Keep in touch!" said Chesney starting to walk quickly away from Sophie to a waiting Katy.

Sophie waved bye to Ches, and couldn't help but look back at the Rover's. She was curious as to what was happening in there. Sophie stood and stared for a few seconds. It was almost like she was waiting for a sign, something to tell her to come in. Just then her phone buzzed.

From Erinn S:

"How long you going to be? I don't want to have to take care of myself yanno ;)"

Sophie's level of blushing and shyness was off the charts as of late with Erinn texting her like that non-stop. And while it does make her want to run to Erinn's bed, she still couldn't shake off the feeling of unease at Sian and Rosie chatting. She couldn't explain why, but she was curious. Being a nosey person had it's drawbacks that's for sure. Sophie continued home when she felt her phone buzzing again. She sighed when she saw it was from Erinn. First order of business was to be the ground rules for Erinn. She liked the adventure of it, trying things for the first time, and sleeping with Erinn countless times but she kind of felt like she was being nagged a bit right now.

To Erinn S:

"Listen babe, I'll be there soon okay, let me use the restroom in peace please"

Sophie hated lying but it was a little white lie, not going to hurt anybody. She went about packing and got a response text.

From Erinn S:

":("

"What is going on?" Sophie thought. Normally she'd drop everything and run to be with Erinn. Countless times she'd ditched her friends on a night out because Erinn called her and wanted her to hang out with her friends. Now it's like.. almost like.. a chore. She couldn't figure out why. She looked out her window towards the Rover's building and sat down on her bed. "What a mess," she thought.

Sian asked Sean if she could be let off first since both Steve and Sean started working later than she, and Sean rolled his eyes but replied with "Sure love. Nice work tonight."

"Thanks Sean and I'll wait around for my tips if you all don't mind." Sian motioned for Rosie to come join her at the seats near the jukebox.

Rosie wasn't drinking but was looking as exasperated as ever at Jason and Tyrone's conversation. When Sian waved her over she looked relieved to be away from so much testosterone.

"Hi babe. How you holding up? It was like totes hectic in here earlier," said Rosie looking around.

Sian stifled a giggle at Rosie's lingo. "Yeah. Totes." Sian was going to need a drink if she was going to talk about this stuff. Her stomach was in knots and her head ached. She was about to get up to order one when Rosie offered to get a round in.

"What'll you have?" asked Rosie at the bar.

"Whiskey and seven please. Make it a double."

Rosie's eyes widened but she nodded. She understood that this was stressful. From what she noticed, when she was paying attention that is, was that Sian looked nervous around Sophie, and so she wanted to assist Sian in any way she could. Sophie had always been her own person. Not really flummoxed by Rosie or her mum's constant arguing or constant judging of each other and things. Now that they were all older, Rosie genuinely cared for Sophie and saw the damage that redheaded girl had done to her, and when she saw someone as nice and normal as Sian she wanted to push Soph in the right direction. She paid for the drinks and sat down.

Both girls were anxious to start but didn't know exactly what to discuss first.

"So how's Soph…" started Sian.

"I'm sorry for Soph…" began Rosie.

"Go on," said Sian. She would let Rosie start since she was feeling like she could throw up at any minute.

"What I was going to say was that I'm sorry for Sophie and how she's acting. She wouldn't know a good thing if it like...ran her over. I'm so so mad that she's with that Erinn again after all that she's put Sophie through."

Sian nodded. Hearing that her and Erinn were "with" each other made Sian's queasiness worse and it was all she could do to stay there, and not run and throw up in the ginnel again.

"What's with them anyway?" was all Sian could manage to squeak out in between gulps of a too strong drink.

"Oh sweetheart, where should I even start?" said Rosie with a dramatic flourish. "Those two are like oil and water, but always seem to go back to each other. Well in a way… I mean Erinn is so confusing and childish.. and Sophie just really really liked her and cared for her. Sophie wanted to fix her, or well.. help her so bad that it ultimately led to many tear streaked, blow out, drunken nights. Erinn doesn't think she needs fixing so it's almost like… um.. Erinn is like mocking Sophie. Taking the attention and then turning it around so our Sophie is left with the shit end of the stick. Make sense?"

"I think so," said Sian listening so intently that she was leaning forward without even knowing it. She reached for her drink, she was draining it pretty quick.

"Whoa babe, take it easy," said Rosie. "To top it off, Erinn had a girlfriend that whole time, and she was doing the same exact thing to Erinn. It was like her way of feeling better. Treating Sophie as her girlfriend was treating her. So childish, wouldn't you agree?"

Sian nodded. She felt bad for Sophie. She could see why if Erinn wanted to give it a go with Sophie that Sophie should take that chance. She felt that way already but it really sunk in the more Rosie talked. Sian's giddiness was being replaced with dread and sadness now. How would she have a chance against that? Years of angst versus a few nights of drinking and a kiss or two. And looking back, Sophie did turn her down a few weeks ago. "Probably because of Erinn I bet," thought Sian. She blushed at the thought of throwing herself at Sophie after getting so drunk, but it seemed harmless at the time. She liked Sophie a lot and saw fun times ahead with her, but she would have to switch gears and hope for a civil, friendly relationship. One that didn't have Sophie running away so often.

After about another half an hour of Rosie telling horror stories about Sophie's near mental collapse, Sian really had nothing to say. It was like David vs Goliath.

"So why talk to me Rosie? You know Sophie is going to go through with this no matter what anyone says or offers her."

"Babe, this isn't going to last. Erinn and Sophie are not built to last. It's way too intense.."

"Exactly Rosie, it's too intense…" interrupted Sian.

"Hang on. What I was saying is that yes, it's too intense, but it's never them at the same time. Like before it was Sophie following her around and begging and pleading for Erinn to just like.. acknowledge her. Now it's the other way. Sophie is into Erinn I guess, but because she's the one in charge now. It's totally like a game. I was talking to Sophie that other night and Erinn texted her at least 4 times asking her crazy silly questions. Like could she take a shower now, or what she should wear for bed. Soph was getting well annoyed. They are playing some sort of domination game and Sophie's just not that into it. I mean… she's getting what she wanted from Erinn, you know.. attention. But it's truly bothering her how much attention it is now. She doesn't seem that into this game, but she says the sex is good so…"

"STOP. Stop please Rosie. I'll be right back." Sian got up from the table and ran to the loo. She ran into the stall in case she started throwing up. She didn't but the whiskey was hitting her all at once. She walked to the sink to splash water on her face. Sian looked up at the mirror. She studied herself. "What a mess," she thought. She composed herself and walked back into the bar.

Sophie gathered up her stuff and walked out of her house. She was looking at her phone as Erinn had sent a picture of a candlelit table with flowers and place settings. Sophie smiled. Now this is what she really wanted. A nice romantic meal.

To Erinn S:

"Nice babe. See you in a few :)"

Sophie looked up at the Rover's sign again. She had been distracted for the past 30 mins packing and straightening up her room, but there it was again. That nagging feeling she was getting, knowing that Sian and Rosie were at least in the same building. And Ches had said they were talking, and that means probably more than just "What'll you have?" Curiosity was getting the best of her and she was contemplating peering through the glass to get a looksee. Just as she was debating with herself, the door opened as Norris, Rita and Emily slowly made their way out of the Rover's. While they were jibing each other, they held the door open for a longer than normal and Sophie couldn't help but look past them and right at Rosie and Sian sitting near the jukebox against the wall.

Sophie's mouth dropped open. The only things they have in common from what she knew was place of residence and Soph. She had to do something. Soph didn't want those two discussing her private life and she hated to think that they were. Sophie wasn't conceited in the least but had a feeling she had to break this up. She ran to the Rover's ready to tear into Rosie. She knew what she was doing with Erinn, she finally had her where she wanted her and nothing is going to stop her from doing this. Not Rosie and not the gnawing feeling in her gut that this was all wrong. Sophie wanted it to be her decision this once and she was going to go out of her way to let everyone know she was running the show. Especially hurricane Rosie Webster.