"You little bitch!"

Ian was on the phone with Kira. "Sorry! We wanted to keep it quiet."

"And yet I had to find out with the rest of New York, through the society pages," Kira teased.

"Yeah his mom kinda made a scene out of it all," Ian sighed, turning his focus back to the road.

"Hey, I'm down at that cafe you love. C'mon down and you can tell me all about the proposal! I want details, Ian," Kira said sipping her coffee.

"Can't."

"Why? You in the middle of thanking Linus with your body?" the girl laughed.

Ian smirked. "Yeah I wish. I'm in Chicago."

"Oh god. Best of luck." Kira didn't know how much Ian was going to need it.

After the gala Ian had returned home to find that his phone was full of voice mails from different magazines and newspapers. After dealing with the press the best he could, he was exhausted and decided to call it an early night. The following day he packed a small overnight bag, he was going home. In the back of his closet he found an old hoodie and a pair of torn skinny jeans. It had been awhile since he had been to Canaryville, but he knew better than to show up in a button down and tie. The twelve and a half hour drive had given him plenty of time to think just what he was going to say to his 'husband'.

Soon enough Ian began to recognize his neighborhood. He passed under the L getting closer and closer to the Milkovich home. Ian didn't have time to be nervous, or to consider how late in the evening it was. Confidently he got out of the car and made his way to the front porch. He wasn't surprised to see Mickey sitting on the steps smoking a joint.

"Mickey," he called out.

"Do I know you, fucker?" In five years Mickey's tone hadn't change. "Look, I don't sell that shit anymore. If you're looking for a dealer, try any other street corner."

Ian didn't have time to let the words sink in as he pulled off his hood. "It's Ian. And I want a divorce."

Mickey stubbed out his joint before standing up and coming down the stairs. "Gallagher? Thought you disappeared to have a fancy real life in New York. Been five years. Least you could do is say hi, ask how everyone's been."

"Mick. Sign the damn papers." Ian was tired from the drive, tired of having this conversation for years...or not having it. He had sent Mickey the papers several times, each time they had been mailed back unsigned. "And don't pretend you've missed me."

Mickey was close, and Ian could smell the pot on his breath. "Oh I missed you, but at this range my aim is bound to improve."

Ian rolled his eyes at the cheeky smirk on Mickey's lips. "You always were a thug."

"Southside, born and raised. But then again, so were you. Once upon a time." Mickey said still not getting out of Ian's space.

"I got out," Ian said coolly.

Mickey backed away, hands raised, and started heading back into the house.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Leaving. I think you're familiar with the gesture." Mickey said icily.

Ian sighed. "Look, it's late. Just sign the papers and then I can go home."

"Home? What do you know about home? Does Fi know you're here?" Mickey asked already knowing the answer.

"No, she doesn't. And it's none of your business how I deal with my family, Mick!" Ian huffed.

Mickey glared at him. "They're my family too. Course I didn't abandon them."

"Ugh! I got out. Can't you just be happy for me?" Ian hissed.

"Visit Fi, Ian. She'd love to see you," Mickey said. "Then maybe we'll talk."

Ian watched Mickey go inside, closing the door behind him. "Ugh!" he screamed not caring if the neighbors heard. "You fucker! The only reason you aren't signing these papers is because I want you to!"

Mickey turned on his heel, still glaring at Ian. "I'm not signing until you get your fancy New Yorker ass over to see your family. Aight, Gallagher? And yeah, when you act like a little bitch it makes me want to PISS YOU OFF!"

Mickey slammed the door on Ian, and he could here the bolt click. It didn't take long for Ian to find the spare key they had hidden away for the days Ian was out working and had forgotten a key. It happened often enough when he was manic, and because of his strange working hours it was easier to have an extra key laying about than to try and wake up Mickey. Ian entered his old home to see that little had changed. There was still the lumpy sofa with the stained blanket in the middle of the living room. Beer bottles littered nearly every surface, and one would assume that Terry or Mickey's other brothers were still living at home...although Ian knew that that wasn't exactly true...And then there was Mickey, standing in the kitchen having a beer...It was a familiar sight, and Ian almost felt nostalgia creeping in.

"Next time you try and lock someone out, make sure they don't know where the spare key is," Ian said.

Mickey's brows furrowed as he turned to look at Ian. "If my husband had just told me where he hid it-"

"Husband?" Ian sounded disgusted. "We were just fuck buddies that got married too young."

A look crossed Mickey's phase that Ian couldn't read. So the redhead continued. "My meds have me stabilized. I'm not that boy anymore."

Ian pulled out the papers. But Mickey backed away, retreating into his room. And Ian was left alone to think. And then there was that familiar sound that any Southside boy new to run from, police sirens. Ian could see the blue and red lights stopping outside the Milkovich home.

"Shit! You called the cops on me?" Ian asked.

Mickey was back, a bag of chips in his hand. He raised his eyebrows, eating the food slowly. He sauntered over to the door opening it.

"Evening Mr. Milkovich, what seems to be the problem?"

"Tony?"

"Ian Gallagher? What are you doing back in town? Have you seen Fiona yet?" the kind officer asked, a smile ever present on his face.

Ian shook his head.

"Ay, Markovich, be a bit more professional. I called you didn't I?" Mickey said, keeping his distance.

Tony sighed. "Ian you can't just break into people's houses..."

"I didn't break in. I used a key. My key." Ian explained, holding it out to show the officer.

Tony looked torn. "It's not your house, Ian. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to escort you-"

"Use the cuffs, he likes that," Mickey said, his mouth full of chips.

"Tony, get him to sign my papers and I'll leave," Ian said getting the papers from the table.

"Ay, pig, that's none of your concerns. Aight? It's between me and Firecrotch," Mickey started protesting.

Tony took them and began to read. "These are divorce papers. If you're still married, then it's Ian's house too. Nothing but a domestic argument."

Mickey let out a groan. "Look I called you instead of taking a bat to his head-"

"He hasn't hit you. Cause if he has I can-"

"No Tony, he hasn't hit me," Ian sighed.

"-so you need to get him out of my house," Mickey continued.

Tony sighed. "You two have got a lot to work out. I'm just going to leave you to it."

"Tony there's got to be something you can do," Mickey complained.

"The law is the law-"

Mickey's eyebrows shot towards his hairline. "Who do you think was drinking at the Alibi since the age of twelve?"

"We all did that. And I paid for my drinks, unlike somebody," Ian said.

"Public indecency? Fourth of July couple years back? Totally him."

Ian snorted, "You were with me, dumbass. No way I would've been making those noises by myself."

"Aight, what about that outstanding warrant for a stolen water heater?" Mickey smirked, knowing he had won.

Tony sighed. "Sorry, Ian."

Ian let the officer cuff him, hating the grin that Mickey was now sporting. He was taken down to the station where he was processed.

"Look we're only going to hold you overnight," explained Tony. "It was a long time ago...you were a kid."

Ian sighed. "Yeah alright."

"And Ian?"

"Hm?"

"Call Fiona. She'd really like to know you were in town."

And Ian spent the night thinking. So many if onlys flooded through his mind. If only he weren't bipolar...that would simplify a lot of things. If only he hadn't gotten married at 18...that would simplify things too. If only he had gotten into the army...but then he wouldn't have met Linus, so maybe it was a good thing he hadn't gotten into West Point. Linus was good for him. He was like the medicine that Ian took everyday. He was a constant in Ian's life, supporting him and helping him remain in balance. He was glad to have someone like Linus in his life, he knew it had taken years for Fiona to find someone like that. Just thinking about his family made him realize how much he missed them. When morning came, Ian was released. Taking his phone he dialed a number he hadn't used in a very long time.

"Ian? Is everything alright?" Fiona was always one to worry first and get angry later.

"Hey Fi." Ian choked a bit. "I'm back."

"Back?"

"In Chicago."

He could hear her scream. "That's great! You need a place to stay? I'm sure we can find a bed for you here, unless you'd prefer to stay with Mick-"

"There sounds lovely," Ian assured.

He could hear Fiona's smile through the phone. "When will you be gettin' in? I'll have some food ready for ya."

"Couple minutes. I'm coming from the precinct," Ian felt blush bloom across his cheeks.

"Ian? What did you do to get yourself thrown in jail already?" Fi asked, partially serious and partially joking.

Ian smiled. "Just Mickey and his big mouth."

Fiona sighed. "It'll be nice to have you back, kiddo."

Ian couldn't help but agree.

It wasn't long before he was pulling up in front of his childhood home. Not a lot changed. Standing on the porch smoking was Fi. It had been five years since he had last seen her, and she looked good. She didn't seem as tired looking as she was in all his memories of her. There was a smile on her lips, and god did she look pretty that way. If it were up to Ian she would always be smiling.

"Hey you," she said softly as he came up the path. "It's been awhile, huh?"

And that's when Ian ran into her arms. He had missed her more than he realized. "There's a lot I need to tell you," he confessed.

Fi rubbed his back. "There's time for that. We've got time."

And Ian was ushered back into the chaotic mess of what it meant to be a Gallagher.

Basically feeling super inspired by this story, and decided to post another chapter. Please leave a comment! ~T.W.o.W.