Chapter 3 - A disturbance occurs

James had frowned at her mention of a hangover - it seemed unusual to him for friends to spike each others drinks, especially women. Or perhaps he had just been raised too strictly, or perhaps we had become old fashioned whilst away in war. However his thoughts had been distracted by an interruption from Jamie Stewart. "If you do decide to come and visit London, I'm sure Jimmy here can give you somewhere to stay." Charlie and Jamie began to laugh, but James gave him an obviously dirty glare and they both silenced immediately.
"Stewart, are you always such a ruffian?" James whispered.
"Oh dear," Charlie interrupted, "Sugar, you've gone all cold!"
James smirked. "Shut up."

Alice looked across toward James, giving him just a gentle smile. Her head suddenly turned toward the door upon hearing it open quite dramatically. Her eyes instantly widened upon seeing her sister being held captive with a older man, a pistol to her sister's head. Lucy looked absolutely terrified, sobbing,shaking, crying, she had a few bruises on her, probably from the struggle. "Lucy.." She whispered, walking forward slowly.
Only when Charlie mentioned her scar did James look back at Alice. Though he was also intrigued by the mark, he hated his friends inquisitive nature. He remained silent through the conversation, keeping his eyes to the floor. He had finally gone to ask his friend to quieten when the man had burst into the room.

"Let her go.." Alice explained, her voice strong, although she recognised him instantly, she stepped backward as the memory flooded to her. "You killed them.. they said the police had caught both of you" Alice explained, he smirked a rather sinister smirk. "And they were easy as well" He paused "I want the money Alice."

Upon the sight of him James had immediately raised his hand to his pocket, but he found no gun there. Through the war he had always been armed, and now he rather strange being stood unarmed in a threatened environment.
He watched silently as Alice approached the man. Jamie and Charlie had stood up to interfere but James' stopped them with his arm. He felt Alice needed to face this situation alone, though it filled him with fear to let her.

"What is he talking about?" Lucy sobbed,
"It doesn't matter" She informed her sister, her attention now going back to the man with the weapon "because I have no idea what he is talking about" Alice finished,
"Yes you do-"
"I was thirteen! I was thirteen when you shot them. I know nothing." She suddenly snapped, anger now clear in her voice. "Someone ring the police" A voice called.
"No! No police or the girl gets it. You will tell me!" He shouted, making Alice jump. She stepped forward again, her arm now extending, "Give me the gun.. there has been enough killing." Alice stated calmly, she was brave to step forward yet she would not risk her sister being shot.
It took him a while, but finally he removed the gun from Lucy's head, his hand shaking as he slowly gave it to Alice. Whilst she could she quickly put him in an arm lock, taking the bullets out of the gun instantly, chucking the pistol to the side. Lucy ran away from the man as quickly as she could, running toward James, holding onto his leg. "They screamed, do you remember that? We nearly got you too, until you escaped from us." he laughed, clearly he was psychotic.

Lucy looked over towards Alice, her arms still wrapped around James's leg. Holding onto him rather tightly, Ginny looked over towards Lucy, then to Alice. She got up from her seat, heading over to the child. James held out an arm, placing a soft hand on Lucy's head as she ran to him, stroking her blonde hair in comfort, his eyes still on Alice, listening to the words between to them.

Upon seeing Ginny, Lucy let go of James running to Alice's closest friend, Ginny picked Lucy up, holding her in her arms. "You're safe now.." She whispered, trying to soothe the frightened child.
Alice put her attention back upon the man she had kept in an arm lock, he was unable to move, if he moved he would break an arm, or at least dislocate it. "Of course I remember, I remember everything which happened that day, and I am constantly reminded every night." She growled, so much hatred in her voice. "If you hate me so much, why don't you pick up the gun and shoot me? Or are you too afraid to do it? He mocked, making Alice frown.
"Because I am not so stupid to do so, as I said, there has been enough killing. I would rather hand you over to the police, where you can be locked up in a cell to rot." She replied. Ginny slowly walked over towards James, Lucy still in her arms. "I think you should go over there, before she snaps. She will be angry for a while before, she will suddenly cower and become afraid. I have seen it happen in the past." She said in a hushed voice towards the Captain. "Alice?" Lucy questioned, upon hearing her name, Alice looked up, something had suddenly changed, her eyes met her little sister's, and the anger, the hatred had completely vanished.

Just then the Police had turned up, "Ma'am?" The police officer questioned, his grip now upon her wrist. Alice let go slowly, her hand rather shaky. "You just saved your sister's life, and probably a lot of other people by disarming him." Alice did not reply, she just gave a nod of her head. They took the man away, although even that was a bit of a struggle, sending him off in the van. Alice had only just noticed what had been going on, that the room had become silent as death itself. She rushed towards Ginny, her focus on her sister.

"Are you hurt?" She asked, her voice sounding so panicked, yet Lucy gave a shake of her head. "I am fine" She replied, Alice placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Ginny, would you take Lucy home? Perhaps stay with her until I am back?" She asked, Ginny gave a nod of her head quickly. "Of course" She replied. Alice sat down at the bar, hearing a glass hit the wood in front of her. James wanted to go over and comfort her, something kept him stood still, allowing her space. He hardly knew this woman - was it his place to be a word of comfort? He listened to Alice's friends words and they confirmed his thoughts. He remained where he was, until she came to him

"I think you need this" Charlie explained, Alice looked up, giving a quick smile. Confusion, pain, fear and anxiousness seemed to be jumbled up inside of her, yet those specific emotions were so clear in her eyes, even if her vacant expression did not show it. He followed as she sat herself at the bar and Charlie gave her a drink. He placed himself beside her, pulling out a cigarette and placing one beside her for if she wanted it. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly, instinctively placing a hand on the small of her back, "You can tell me anything you know, I couldn't judge you." he lit his cigarette, glancing at his friends who shuffled away. "Or not. We can drop the subject completely if you'd rather."