Steve was shocked at what he had seen. He turned and walked out of the room. "Steve wait" Maria shouted, looking at Tom with a worried expression on her face "get dressed" she said to him and quickly put on her dressing gown and followed Steve out of the room.

When Maria got downstairs, Steve was in the lounge walking back and forth, what was he supposed to do? This would just make Liam's condition worsen if he found out that his wife separated or not, was sleeping with his cousin.

"Look, I know you're shocked and most probably surprised but…". "What? It's not what it look like?" Steve said sarcastically. Maria sighed, not knowing what to say.

"Maria, I know it must have been difficult for you last night but I don't think that was the best way to deal with it" Steve said. Maria brought face up and looked at him with quite an angry look "I'm not the one you should be lecturing, it should be them pair" she said still disgusted at Carla and Liam for what they had done.

Steve let out a breath, not knowing how to defend Liam and Carla "I'm not saying what they did was right…" just then Tom came downstairs and stood behind Maria putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Oh and by the way, Liam's been released from hospital, not that you would be interested" Steve said and walked past them to the front door. "Steve, don't tell anyone…I don't think it would be the best thing right now what with Liam and that…" Maria said to before he nodded his head in agreement and left, leaving Tom and Maria by themselves.

Tom put his arms around her abdomen and held her close. Maria lent into him and stayed in his embrace. "Everything will be fine" Tom whispered in her ear, and being with him she was positive everything would be.

Carla had her arm around Liam's shoulders as he leaned his head on hers in front of the television. She was not used to seeing Liam so dependent on anyone but she was just happy that it was her he was leaning on.

She had wanted this for so long and now it was here, but she knew Liam had a lot of recovering to do until he was back to his best. Just then the phone went and Carla went to answer it. "I'll be back in minute leebugs" Carla said to him.

She looked at the caller ID. It was Michelle. She picked up the phone "hello" "hey…it's me. Look I'm sorry about last night…I just…" "It's alright chelle, it must have been a shock…I understand" Carla said trying to settle their differences.

"Thanks, I was just wondering if it's a good time to come and see Liam, My mum and dad are here and Ryan's taking the day off school" "yeah that would be nice. It might do him some good seeing them".

Michelle told her they would be there shortly and Carla hung up the phone. She went back to the sofa and sat down next to Liam, she took his hand in hers "your mum and dad are coming to see you, I think Ryan is coming as well".

He smiled at her and then sighed, not wanting his parents to see him in such a state. "Hey, what's the matter? Don't you want to see them?" Carla asked, noticing his expression.

"No…no I do…it's just…not when I'm like this" he confessed, it was hard enough having Carla seeing him like this. Her heart ached for him and she held his hand tighter, trying to comfort him "Liam honey it'll be alright, you'll get better and your mum and dad just want to see that you're ok".

"But I'm not ok, look at me…I can hardly move without feeling pain. I might not be able to walk properly again…" he said, struggling to put his words together, sobbing a little.

Carla pulled him into a much needed embrace and he fell into her arms, she was the only thing keeping him going at the moment. If he didn't have her then he knew wouldn't be able to get through this.

Steve walked through the doors of the rovers just as Michelle was coming through from the back with Ryan and her parents, he wasn't going to tell them about Tom and Maria, at least not until Liam was better.

"Hey, we're off to see Liam" Michelle said to him and he just smiled back. "How was Maria?" "Yeah she was alright, she's calmed down from last night anyway" he replied. "Oh well that's good to hear" Barry said.

"Are you wanting to come with us or are you just going to stay here" Michelle asked him. "No, I'll just stay here and look after the pub while you're gone" "ok babe" Michelle said and kissed him on the cheek before leaving.

Maria and Tom were now dressed and were in Roy's have some breakfast, Maria didn't feel the slightest bit guilty about her 'encounter' with Tom. Liam and Carla were now officially together and she really liked Tom.

She rubbed his leg with her foot under the table, teasing him. He looked at her with a smile and she put her hand over his "so, what do you want to do today?" she asked him, hoping that he would just want to go back to hers.

"Well I want to go and see Liam at some point" he replied, leaving Maria disappointed, which he noticed. "Maria, I know you don't want to see him but he is my cousin and…" "Well you weren't thinking about that earlier were you? Not when you were in my bed" she said, quite angry with him.

"Keep your voice down will you" Tom said as he looked round about the café nervously. "Tom, I'm finished with Liam, I don't want to see him, hear him, or hear from him ever again. Understand?"

"Maria…" he tried. "Tom, its either me or him, it's your choice" she said and walked out of the café. Tom put the money on the table and quickly followed her out.

"Maria, wait" he said and pulled her back by her arm. "Get off me!" she shouted as he took her somewhere quiet where they wouldn't be seen.

He pushed her against the wall "are you serious?" he asked. "About what?" Maria replied, trying to get her breath back after practically being dragged down the street. "If I make a go of it with you, I can't see Liam again?"

"Never more" Maria said, she really liked Tom but she would give him up if he was going to see Liam again. "I can't believe you're doing this to me" he said.

"Oh what's the point, it's obvious that you're going to see him" Maria said and tried to push past him but he stopped her and pressed her against the wall, he pressed his lips against hers and kissed her roughly.

She responded enthusiastically and wrapped her arms around his waist. He began to tear at her clothes but she stopped him "we're going back to mine" she said and took his hand and this time it was her dragging him.

Suggestions? R&R