Disclosure- I still don't own them. In fact I probably cause them far more trouble than they deserve!

Tom wakes him at nearly 5:30 am. He wakes with a start and glances around the room taking in his surroundings.

"Uhm… Mums still out. I tried to call Olly but his mobile is off so I called Reverend Coates. He's gonna be here in a few to pick me up, I asked him to bring some food cause I saw there was nothing here. Told him you were gonna take care of things what with Joe and all. Just..just wanted you to know." Tom's whispered ramblings came far too quickly, far too soon after he'd opened his eyes.

"Thank you Tom. I'll catch him. Make things right again yeah? I'll come by later and check in on you." The knock on the door brought him up out of his seat and he let Tom lead the way. There was no sudden hug this morning, he gave the boy's shoulder a squeeze and nodded at the Reverend. "You did the right thing. Calling me. I'm proud of you."

He watched as they left and locked the door behind them. Changing out the laundry he started another load and lugged the bin of dry clean clothes up stairs. He sat in the rocking chair and folded them all neatly, trying to avoid pawing at Ellies underthings too much. In fact he didn't bother to fold them, just shoved them into a pile that he then pushed into the basket when it was empty, the folded clothes being stacked on top.

Checking the time he resumed his earlier position, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together out in front of him and his head hanging as he waited.

She could smell him, still mostly asleep her mind went to the shirt she'd been wearing and she shifted a bit. She didn't want to wake up like this, nor did she want to wake up yet period. He'd left. Made his choice and gone with it. Tears pricked her eyes before she even opened them, she blindly reached for the pill she'd left on the nightstand.

He had straightened up when she began shifting about, he didn't want to wake her until she was ready. The look on her face though was killing him, even with her eyes closed she looked so...pained. So sad. When she reached for the pill he'd swept away hours ago he reached out, capturing her wrist with his hand. It was a dangerous move, the woman had broken her ex husband's ribs. He knew she could break him without a second thought. When he spoke he kept his voice soft, just loud enough for her to hear it...he hoped. "Ellie...wake up. It's time to wake up now."

She yelped, and scattered away from him across the bed, very nearly falling off the other side. Wide eyed she stared at him as he sat there in the chair. "What… why… for fucks sake what is going on here?!"

"Tom called me last night." He held up a hand to stop her interrupting, "he came to get something and you wouldn't wake up and then he saw Joe outside. Don't panic now Ellie…"

She interrupted him then, "Don't call me that! You don't call me that! Where's Tom? Where's Joe?" Scrambling out of the bed she stumbled over the pile of dirty clothes on the floor and cried out as a pair of strong arms came around her waist keeping her upright. She hadn't seen or heard him move.

"The boys are fine Miller. They're safe. I've got surveliance outside here and Lucy's. Coates picked Tom up this morning, he wanted to get back to Fred so you wouldn't worry. He's worried about you, and he is damn right to as well." He kept hold of her even as she struggled against him.

"Let go of me! Let me go! I need to go!"

"No. Miller no. You're going to get your arse in that bathroom and shower. After you shower you're going to sit down and eat something and we are going to talk." He felt her sag against him. The fact that she'd given in so quickly worried him. "Do ye need me to stand outside the door to make certain you do it? Or can I get breakfast on?"

"Just go. I'll shower I promise."

He nodded, taking a few moments before loosening his arms, "There are clean clothes in the basket there. Didn't fold yer knickers though that's on you." Turning her to face him he searched her face intently, "We're going to fixt his Miller. We're going to get this shit sorted. You have my word."

She squirmed under his gaze and then nodded. Slipping out of his arms she poked through the basket for a change of clothes, heat rising to her face as it dawned on her that he'd washed her clothes. It didn't help when she heard him scoop her clothes off the floor and head down stairs either.

Alec stood in the kitchen scrubbing at his face with both hands. He could tell things were bad, but seeing her awake had confirmed they were worse than he thought. He got the laundry swapped around and waited for the shower to shut off before starting the wash again. Coates had brought groceries at least, he had oatmeal going on the stove and was currently folding the laundry he'd taken out from the last load he swapped around. He didn't rightly care if she was offended or embarrassed, he would deal with that later.

When she finally began descending the stairs he pulled a clean bowl out and began spooning a healthy serving into it before doing the same with a second bowl. "How do you like your oatmeal Miller?"

"I don't. Where are my car keys?"

"Not a bloody clue, with any luck Tom took them with him. SIt down." He added milk and a bit of butter to both bowls and turned, waiting for her to sit as he'd told her to with a raised brow. When she sat he set her bowl in front of her and sat down in the next chair. "Eat. We've got things to deal with and work to do."

Alec watched as she moved the cereal around the bowl, "I'll feed you if I must. I've dealt with a toddler refusing to eat before."

He saw a fire light in her eyes, and carefully hid his grin. She threw daggers at him as she began eating. It only took two bites before it seemed she realized she was starving and began eating with a bit more zeal.

"Right then. Joe's back. Got people on that. Tom and Fred are taken care of and under watch. Just you to worry about now. Talk to me?"

"Sod off Hardy. Thanks for all this, you can go now tho. Leave again." She refused to look at him. Refused to meet his gaze. When his hand came across the table to raise her chin she flinched away from him.

He hated it. Pulling his hand back he simply stood and collected their bowls and began washing them. He didn't expect her attack from behind. His breath left him with an oof as she hit him full on with her own body. Turning around he grabbed hold of her, stopping her hands from beating on him as he slid them both down to the floor. Her on her knees between his long legs, his arms wrapping around her tightly and pulling her to his chest. "It's okay Ellie. Let it out."

"I hate you! God I hate you!" She stopped trying to hit him as soon as he'd turned and taken hold of her, "I want to hate you so badly. You left me! You left us!"

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He rocked her gently, letting his cheek come to rest on the top of her head. After a few moments he shifted them, lifting her far too easily to set her legs across his lap making it more comfortable for both of them. "Dinnae know you wanted me to stay."

Bringing a hand up he brushed her damp curls back before turning her face up so he could meet her gaze. "I'm here now." When she tried to kiss him, he gently denied her. "No. Not like this." He could see the hurt pass across her face and he brought his forehead down to hers again, "Don't think I don't want to, but it needs to wait until we're in a better place."

She fought to pull away from him and he eased his grip, but didn't let go all the way. "I mean it Ellie. I do want very much to kiss you, but we need to get things right first."

With a nod she reached forward to pluck at the wet spot she'd left on his shirt. "Sorry…"

"Ach, shut up Miller. Get up then so I can get off this floor. We need to finish cleaning up, and get some food in your cupboards. And we need to visit the station."

Once she was up he got himself up off the floor as well, "You know I've been lookin' everywhere for that shirt you had on earlier. Thought I must've left it in a hotel somewhere, but no. Ellie bloody Miller knicked it and never gave it back."

Another mental high five for himself as he saw another familiar old look cross her face if only briefly. Moving to the door he pulled his trainers on, the only pair of shoes he brought. They clashed horribly with his trousers, but they would do. "Snap to it Miller. Shoes on let's go!" Grabbing his keys and wallet he waited for her on the porch.