*Hi all, again I want to thank you all for your amazing comments/reviews. I love to read them and know you still like this story :)

I want to try to reply to every review personally, so to the guest who asked about Ste's boss being after Brendan,No,but he has a secret. :)

And the other guest who mentioned continuity. Brendan and Ste's phone call has been addressed (chapter 9),and won't be too awkward :)

A sprinkling of smut in this.*

Chapter 8

Brendan felt the grip of his arm loosen behind his back, his ears were ringing with the sound of gun fire, and his body was shaking. The quickness in that moment flushed over his mind, as he turned to watch Danny slump to the floor, his eyes fading as the light went out. Brendan moved then winced grabbing hold of his sore body, his ribs ached from the kicking he'd received at Danny's beating moments before. He didn't feel much remorse looking down at him, he'd threatened Cheryl, and he'd pointed a gun at Ste...Shit Steven!

Brendan looked over to where Ste had been stood, he was on the floor too, Brendan's heart ripped apart as he forgot how to breathe, gathering all his strength he tried to walk over to him, ending up in a crawl, his legs given way to the pain, he fought to drag his body over to him.

"Steven" he said over and over again, his ears were still ringing so his voice sounded distorted.
He made it over to him, and put a hand under his head and tilted him up, and put his other on his chest.

"Steven, don't do this too me, ye gotta be okay"
Brendan took his hand and shook his chest. "Come on, Wake up ye daft sod!"

His hearing slowly started to come back and he could hear the distorted cries of Warren and Walker shouting at him. He wasn't bothered, only about Steven; he looked at him, and moved down to whisper in his ear.

"Ye gotta wake up; I know you can hear me Steven." Brendan leaned over and kissed him soft on his lips, pressing in his mouth firm on Steven's as if to give him the magic strength to open his eyes. As Brendan pulled back he noticed Ste's lips move, he was trying to say something to him. Brendan moved his ear right up to Ste's mouth and he felt his warm breath touch his cheek.

"Don't stop". Ste purred in Brendan's ear.

Brendan turned back to look at him, he saw a wide smile on Ste's mouth as he opened his eyes and gazed at him with those beautiful blue eyes.

"Ye absolute swine!" Brendan exclaimed as he beamed and kissed Ste again, deep and longing. Ste put his arm around his neck and pulled him into his face and kissed him right back.

"Do you think we'll be tied up like this all day now?" Walker asked Warren as they were knelt down in the same position.

Warren looked at Walker then at Ste and Brendan in their clinch.

"By the looks of those two, I'd say forever mate" Oi, Love birds! Some of us want to go home! Warren shouted.

Brendan reluctantly looked up at them. "A lot of good you two turned out to be!" Shouted Brendan.

"Oh I'm sorry, Brendan, if our being tied up and manhandled onto the floor fucked up your plans!" Warren replied.

"Very drowl Foxy" Brendan held onto his ribs, they were hurting a lot right now.

Ste moved to stand up, his suit had blood on it. Danny had shot him in the arm and knocked him down. Ste had shot Danny too, only his was fatal. He moved away from Brendan as he watched him. Ste walked over to Danny and knelt down at him.

"I told you I'd use this if necessary" Ste said as he holstered his gun back in his jacket. He grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

"Yeah it's me, gonna need a cleaner here, can you sort it out?" Ste continued to look at Danny.

"Yep, I'll sort out the paperwork, see you when I get back"and he ended the call.

Steven walked past a disheveled Brendan who was still slumped on the floor, not daring to move as he watched Ste. Ste walked over to Walker and untied him then Warren as well, they both got up with a nasty case of cramp, they did a strange dance round the room getting back their blood circulation.

"Nice moves" Ste smirked.

"Cheers mate" Said Warren. "So who the hell are you?!"

Ste walked over to Brendan and lifted him up and lent him on to his good arm

"Just a friend" Ste replied.

"Let's go shall we? Hospital?" Ste looked at Brendan for an answer.

"Hospital" Brendan agreed, as his body groaned at him.

Walker took Brendan's car and Warren drove Ste's car with him and Brendan. Ste's arm was too sore to drive to the hospital. Brendan sat in the back with Ste and he lay out as much as he could on the back seat laying his head on Ste's lap. Ste gently stroked his fingers through Brendan's hair trying to soothe him through his pain. He moved his hands over to Brendan's shirt and lifted it up to look at his chest. Danny had given Brendan a good kicking,he had nasty bruises forming there.

Ste moved his hand gently over his bruises,he wished he could kiss them away. As he looked back at him he noticed Brendan was watching smiling. He traced his finger over Brendan's moustache and grinned. Brendan moved his hand and tangled up their fingers together,he moved his hand down over his chest and stomach and put Ste's hand over his groin,pushing Ste down onto him he let out a long sigh.

Ste shook his head at Brendan as he looked up and gestured to Warren,indicating they weren't alone. Didn't stop Brendan keeping up his strokes,hinting to Ste what he wanted.

Ste took his jacket and used it to cover over Brendan from the waist down,moved under with his hand, he undid Brendan's trousers and wrapped his hand around Brendan's cock and squeezed. Brendan keened and thrust his groin up into his fist. Ste Moved his fingers from base to tip over and over,squeezing under the rim of the head each time he moved up. Brendan was moaning loudly now,using his injuries as a excuse When Warren asked if he was okay.

Ste kept Brendan's eye contact throughout ,watching him writhe in pleasure, Ste moved his hand tightly over Brendan very slowly taking his damn time over it. Ste pushed into the slit rubbing on it,not stopping he felt the pre cum,and Brendan's body jerk as his orgasm ripped through his body he climaxed.

"You taste amazing" he whispered to Brendan,licking his hand after he made Brendan cum hard in his trousers.

"You are fucking filthy Steven" Brendan whispered back and pulled them into a long kiss

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It was afternoon now, and the day had flown past what with the events of that morning, the sky was still grey and was a slight chill in the air. Warren closed his window. He noticed Brendan's moaning had settled down now,as the mood was quieter.

"Brr", he shivered, "Is it just me or has it gone really cold in here?" He broke the silence, he had too as he was strangling on the tension.

"So, Ste is it? Interesting how you were just there to save the day huh?" Warren questioned Ste, as he turned to look at him.

"Anyone would think this whole thing had been planned,hmm?" Warren said.

Ste looked at Warren through the mirror, eyes studying him.

"I was just there at the right time I guess" Ste replied.

"And now there's a dead body back there, and we just drove off without a care? Warren kept his eyes at Ste.

"It's being dealt with; don't worry yourself over it, yeah?"Ste replied.

Brendan shuffled uncomfortably in the back.

"Just leave it Foxy, It's done now, lets get to the hospital and me some painkillers. Oh and Steven, nice car by the way, interesting, I saw one just like this driving from my club in Ireland the other day" Brendan caught Ste's gaze,as Ste looked away

"Coincidence is it?" Brendan pushed.

"Brendan, there are probably hundreds of these cars around, who said it was mine the other day?" Ste coughed to clear the lump in his throat as they arrived at the hospital.

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Brendan found himself once again in a hospital bed. The room stank of bleach as a cleaner had just gone round with a mop to the floor. Once he was checked over and settled Ste and Warren came into the room. Ste had a bandage on his arm,and was carrying his suit jacket. His shirt was stained a deep blood red. Ste started to pace the room, as Warren sat on the bed. He elbowed Brendan playfully in the ribs

"Hey that nurse was a bit of alright; get me her number will ya?" Warren said with a big grin.

"What makes ye think she would give me her number Foxy?" Brendan sighed as he closed his eyes. The painkillers were working through his system and making him feel a bit drowsy.

"Just use ya Irish charm Brady!" smirked Warren.

Ste let out a strangled huff, as he walked over to the window staring down at the car park below.

Walker finally arrived after finding a parking space. Warren got up to join him.

"Right, let's go get a coffee, leave these two alone" He winked at Walker who understood immediately and they both left.

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"Well?" asked Brendan.

"Yes I am, thanks for asking" Ste folded his arms and pouted, he looked like a child who couldn't get his own way.

"No, that's not what I meant! Why were you at Danny's place?" Brendan said while rolling his eyes.

"Think that's bloody obvious Brendan" Replied Ste" trying to save your arse, while compromising my job!" "You know he could've..."

A loud sucking noise interrupted them as the same cleaner from before started to Hoover the room. Oblivious to the daggers she was getting off Ste she hummed to herself finding ever knuck and cranny of the room to clean. After what seemed a lifetime of loud monotonous noise she finally left the room. Ste rolled his eyes and came to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled, I am mad you put yourself in such danger that's all" "Danny would've killed you if I'd not arrived when I did" He grabbed hold of Brendan's hand, brought it up to his cheek and stroked it against him, while closing his eyes.

"How's your arm?" Brendan asked as he stroked gently over his bandage.

"Sore as hell,replied Ste,"but I'll live" Ste winced slightly.

Ste started to bite down on his bottom lip he wanted to stay so much to Brendan,he decided honesty best policy.

"I am worried now, as I fear if I leave this room, go back to London, I won't be able to live without you" Ste sighed

Brendan moved his hand to cup Ste's cheek and Ste opened his eyes. Brendan then gestured to the both of them.

"This, whatever this is between us, It's never happened to me before" "I don't know how to handle it, and your job, it's all just crazy" he pulled Ste towards his lips, needing to feel him, moving closer he licked his lips and opened his mouth to Ste.

Dr browning came bounding into the room.

"Well, you didn't stay discharged long Mr Brady! You do seem to get into a lot of scrapes eh?"
Ste quickly moved from Brendan and stood up to walk out.

"Wow, it's like a revolving door in here, I'm gonna get off now anyway. I've a flight booked to London this evening" He said.

Ste looked at Brendan for any reaction. Brendan just stared at him, mouth open, he wanted to say a million things but nothing came out.

"Thought as much" Sighed Ste "Goodbye Brendan" And Ste left the room.

Ste strode down the corridor and out towards the exit. He came to where Warren and Walker were stood, chatting to some nurses.

"Hey" Called Ste as they took the ladies' numbers and walked over.

"Looks like we're well in there!" nudged Warren to Walker smiling.

"You off Ste? How's the big man doing?" Warren asked.

"I wouldn't know, he isn't my problem anymore, I cannot wait to see the back off this place" Ste retorted.

"Laters" and with that Ste Walker and Warren wondering what had happened now.

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Dr Browning finished talking with Brendan, although he wasn't really listening, mind too focused on the fact Ste was going back to London. He thought maybe this was the best thing to happen, despite the stomach ache he had that never left when thinking about him. He closed his eyes and grimaced to himself, he was fighting a battle with his feelings.

"Well bro, you're back I see" Sighed Cheryl.

Brendan hadn't even heard her come in and plant herself on the edge of his bed. He wasn't really in any mood to talk and shifted onto his side looking out towards the grey clouds through the window, he sighed.

"Brendan, love, come on, what's wrong? I know something is troubling you" Cheryl spoke with concern.

When Brendan didn't answer Cheryl looked at him through her eye lashes cautiously.

"Um, is it something to do with that Steven you mentioned...?" Cheryl quizzed

Brendan shifted his gaze to her, then back again at the window as he let out a long breath.

"Chez, seriously I don't know what to do; I can't think straight with him, I can't think straight without him. Only just met, he's an enigma, and a fucking spy!? It's just..."Brendan sighed again and closed his eyes, the painkillers were really kicking in now and he was finding it difficult to stay awake.

Cheryl's eyes opened wide, she hadn't expected that response, she'd never seen Brendan so lost, and he's always been her strong brother, hard man who never let anyone get close. Cheryl took Brendan's hand in hers as she watched him give in to sleep finally.

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As Cheryl watched her brother sleep, Walker and Warren came back in.

"Cheryl, still looking gorgeous as ever" Flirted Warren

"I'm taken now Warren, Nate remember? Cheryl screwed up her nose at him.

"God what is it with you Bradys? Always flying off the handle, seriously, chill pills yeah? Get some!" Warren replied.

"Oh I'm sorry love, just concerned about him" As Cheryl nodded to the sleeping Brendan.

"Look, do you want me to stick around? I will, just need a place to crash? Warren said while smiling wide.

"Would you love? Just till he's better? You can crash at ours, just no funny business!" Cheryl smirked.

Then she turned to Walker who seemed deep in thought. He'd walked over to the window staring out.

"Um, Simon? What are you going to do, staying or back to Ireland? Cheryl asked

Walker turned round and smiled, looked over at Brendan then back to the window.

"I will stay at Chez,chez for now, help to run the place with Joel. Just need to call up Kevin and sort out permanent management at Bradys" Walker replied.

He then left the room and the hospital. He carried on to the car park and got into Brendan's car. Walker took his fists to the steering wheel and pounded them at it grunting loudly. Running his throbbing hands through his hair, he scratched at his scalp vigorously before smoothing it out again and taking a deep breath to compose himself.

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Ste's drive was slow on the way to the airport. His arm was throabing slightly. Ste had put on some music, his usual Cheryl Cole, and was wearing his sunglasses, even though it was getting late in the day and the evening was drawing in. Ste just wanted to go back to normal, the person he'd been before going to Ireland, and before meeting the Irish man.

Ste didn't even want to think his name anymore, as he could barely handle his heart aching over him. Just had to put it down to one of those things, a holiday fling maybe, not even a holiday though really. He looked over to the mission file that was on the passenger seat, wishing he'd never been given the stupid assignment. And wondered why the name couldn't have been Danny Houston instead,Brendan was just a small time criminal anyway,compared to him. More like a police operation.

Ste started to over think in that moment, why had he been given this mission? The more he thought about it the more it puzzled him. Why wasn't it a police investigation?

He arrived at the airport, left his car in the airport car park. He knew it would find its way home; it was like a posh version of Herbie. Although perhaps not as cool. Ste made his way to check in and boarded the flight back to London. He looked out from the plane window, sadness in his eyes.

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"You know, when I told you all that information about Brady, you promised me it would be dealt with swiftly. Instead you send over a pretty love sick boy instead of a man, seriously, have I to do everything?" Walker had arrived back at Chez,Chez and was sat in Brendan's chair lent back his feet on the desk. He leaned over to the jar of lollies, and took one out, put it in his mouth and smiled as he put his head back and listened to the man on the other end.

"He is one of our best agents Simon, I am confident he will have completed his assignment to the best of his ability. I will look at his report once he returns to H.Q's". The man replied.

"The best of his ability?! HA! What, does that include fuckin his assignment too? His head is clouded!"shouted Walker.

"I have spent too much time gaining his trust to have you and that spy fuck it up. Sort it out,if you want me to keep your sordid secret quiet" promised Walker.

"Don't think you can continue this blackmail to your pleasure Simon,revenge or not,one day you're gonna be found out,and I for one will make sure they throw the key away" The man hung up.

Walker put down the phone, and leaned back into the chair, he heard a noise behind him, and footsteps running down the club stairs. He quickly jumped from the chair and ran into the club, no one there. He went out on to the balcony and looked around Hollyoaks village, there were people dotted around. Doug was talking with Tony outside the deli. A few of the students were also walking past. He didn't see who had been in the club, or who had run off, and whether they had heard his conversation.

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He ran out of the blue doors to the club and down the alleyway, he didn't stop running until he was at the skate park. He sat down and tried to catch his breath. Trying to process everything he had heard Walker saying in the office. Teresa was walking nearby, she saw the man crouched over struggling to breath, she went over to him.

"Joel, are you alright? You look knackered!" Teresa asked

"Teresa,I need to see Brendan, it's walker He breathed heavy. "He's up to something"