Hey all, here's the next chapter. A huge thankyou to Amy, Mystery00Meat and AntisepticThroatLozenges for their amazing reviews. I honestly cannot thank you guys enough. Sorry it's taken a while to update, been ill. Read, review and enjoy.

Chapter 2- Footsteps

Harry was first awake the next morning. He'd lain awake for half the night with the sound of Dougie's running footsteps on the floor and other noises he didn't like. Walking down stairs, he smiled as he thought of the girls again. It had been ages, and maybe, hopefully, they'd be happier. It was only five-thirty, so outside the windows was still pitch black, with a few stars still dotting the sky and the moon beginning to hide behind a cloud. Harry sat on the couch, chucked the TV on a movie channel and watched, not even knowing what movie it was.

Another thump, thump, thump on the stairs meant Tom was now awake and hobbling down them. He would not use his crutches inside the house unless he had to, so he would hobble everywhere, using his cast as a weapon against things and most importantly, Danny and Harry.

'Morning Tom,' Harry yawned.

'Mate, how long you been awake? It's only six-thirty!' Tom said in disbelief, hobbling to the couch and dropping onto the cushions.

'An hour I guess. Couldn't sleep,' Harry shrugged.

'Dougie?' Tom asked and he nodded.

'Ah. Worse than the other night?'

'Much worse. He hasn't gotten up in about two hours though, so that's good I guess.'

There was silence for a while as Tom watched the movie with Harry, cringing at the ridiculously bad gory parts.

'How is the ankle going Tom?' Harry asked curiously.

'Aches now and then, but I think it's getting better,' Tom shrugged.

'Are you up to going out there?' Harry asked and Tom nodded.

'Of course I am. I just won't be helping very much.'

'Yeah, that's fine.'

There was more silence, until heavy and tired footsteps on the stairs interrupted.

'Morning Dougie,' Tom said without turning around.

'Morning,' he said huskily, moving into the lounge room and sprawling out onto the armchair.

'How you feeling?' Tom asked.

'Well I haven't been a mother bird and regurgitated my food into my toilet baby in about three hours. So that's good,' he yawned.

'You do actually look better today come to think of it,' Harry added and Tom nodded.

'Good. Because I want to come out with you guys. I don't care if I'm sick, I'll just take the medicine the doctor gave me,' Dougie shrugged.

'But Dougie; all you did was complain about how you couldn't keep it down,' Harry pointed out.

'I'll be fine guys, really,' he said, trying to use a reassuring voice. But it really just sounded plain broken and sick.

'Well it's up to you. We take you and you take it easy and keep away from Harriet so you don't make her sick too, and you must start eating a little bit,' Tom reasoned and Dougie nodded. 'I will.'

'Good little sick boy,' Tom said, patting his fringe. Dougie forced a smile at Tom and looked back at the carpet, swallowing deeply. He wouldn't let them know how sick he really felt. How every movement made him want to vomit. But he really wanted to see the girls again. Especially Margaret.

'I'm gonna go wake Danny up. We can pack and leave now,' Tom said, standing up and leaving the room.

'Give it up Doug,' Harry said once Tom was out of earshot.

'Give what up?' Dougie asked nervously.

'I know you feel shit,' Harry shrugged, standing up and walking into the kitchen.

Dougie followed, yelling 'I don't know what you're talking about!'

'You do mate. I'm gonna make some toast. Want some?'

'Yeah,' Dougie sighed, sitting on one of the kitchen chairs.

'Good boy. Now I want you to go upstairs and start packing. Do you want some help?' Harry asked.

'I can do it,' Dougie grumbled, standing up and turning to stomp up the stairs, before making a mad dash for the bathroom, the sudden movement upsetting his stomach.

An hour later, the car was packed with clothes, a tent (even though they didn't think they needed it), blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, two guitars, food (as they didn't want to eat all of Harriet's), and other random things they thought they might need. With Dougie in the front seat, Harry in the driver's seat and Danny and Tom bundled in the backseat with Tom's crutches in between them, they set off for the two hour drive to the house.

'Now Dougie, please tell me when you're gonna throw up,' Harry pleaded.

'Harry of course,' Dougie sighed. Harry, not concentrating on the road hit a pothole, sending them all bouncing nearly into the roof.

'Harry stop!' Dougie shouted as Harry slammed on the brakes, Dougie making a break from the car onto the side of the road.

'What do you think it's gonna be like now?' Danny piped up, ignoring Dougie out the window.

'It's only been two months Danny. It's probably just gonna be more tidy,' Tom shrugged, also ignoring him.