Yay! A new chapter to start off the new month! And, thus, the start of the Libby/Swill boat rocking mwuhaha. Is it me, or do i actually enjoy causing trouble for that couple? Ah, i'm sure it'll all end well... maybe _

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The Dragon and the Rose

Chapter Four

Chloe arrives and Don comes to visit

'Carling?' Pete asked Bov, as the two sat in Pete's front room.

'Yeah.' The blonde got to his feet and moved into the small kitchen area. Opening the fridge, he pulled out two cans, before kicking it shut behind him. Tossing a can to him, Bov caught it in two hands. 'So, Chelsea away,' Bov muttered, cracking open the can and scowling when it fizzed and dripped over his hands.

'Chelsea away,' beamed Pete, sitting back down and cracking open his can. 'We're hiring a minivan. Keith's bringing it 'round tonight, all ready for tomorrow morning.' Bov took a sip of lager.

''Ave you got the tickets?'

'Yup,' Pete replied. Bov opened his mouth to ask something, but his phone began to ring loudly. With a sigh, he flipped it open.

'What?'

'You coming down boozer, mate?' Ned asked. 'There's fuck all else to do.'

'Alright, son. See you there.' Bov pocketed the mobile. 'Ned wants us to come down the Abbey,' he said, answering Pete's questioning look. Pete nodded.

'Alright, c'mon then.' He switched off the TV, grabbing his jacket and slinging it on. Draining his can, he crunched it in a fist and chucked it into the bin. Bovver followed him out, waiting as Pete locked the door.

'So, who's this bird that you've been talking incessantly about?' he asked, flashing Pete a smirk.

'Big word, mate.'

'Full of surprises, bruv. Who is she?'

'Tegan,' Pete replied, a smile coming to his face. Bov rolled his eyes.

'Jesus, I leave you for five minutes and you turn into a soppy cunt that's fallen in love.' Pete laughed.

'You aint seen 'er yet,' he replied. 'You'd fall in love too.'

'Pete?' The two males turned at the screech of his name. A tall woman with short blonde hair stared back at them, full lips pink and wet with gloss, blue eyes huge and looking slightly out of proportion to her thin face. 'Oh, it is you!'

'Chloe?' he frowned. The girl nodded eagerly, before bouncing forwards and wrapping her arms around his waist.

'Pete!' she beamed. Bov stared at her in disbelief as she cupped Pete's face and planted a big kiss on his lips. Pete pulled himself away, flushed.

'It's been a while,' he replied.

'Can somebody fill me in on this love story, please?' Bov put in. Chloe turned to him.

'Pete and I dated for a few weeks last year.' She gave a loud, dreamy sigh. 'They were the best few weeks of my life.' She looked back at Pete. 'They really were!'

'That's er… nice,' he replied. 'We best be of-'

'Who's your friend?' she asked sweetly.

'That's Bovver,' Pete replied. Chloe turned to him, stepping forward and linking his arm in hers.

'Are you single, Bovver?' she asked, raising a neatly trimmed eyebrow.

'Nah, I'm married. I 'ave a kid,' Bov replied, not hiding the disgust in his voice. He slipped his arm out of hers and stepped back. 'In fact, 'ere she is now.' The trio looked up as Lucy appeared around the corner, pushing Charlie along in his buggy. She frowned slightly as she caught sight of Chloe, but didn't stop until she'd reached them.

'Hey,' she smiled. Chloe stared at her for a moment, eyes cold.

'Alright?' smiled Bov, bending down to see Charlie. Lucy shifted uncomfortably under the woman's unblinking gaze, before looking at Pete.

'Are you going to introduce us?' she asked.

'This is Chloe. Chloe, this is my sister, Lucy.'

'I see. So, you're all just together yeah,' she said. 'No room for new comers?'

'Not really,' Lucy replied coldly. She recalled a Chloe in one of Pete's many relationships and one-nighters. She also recalled the clinginess and the 'please-Pete-ask-me-to-marry-you-I-want-your-babies-ness'. Chloe gave an odd snort and blinked for the first time since Lucy had arrived.

'Nice baby.'

'Thanks.'

'Can I hold him?'

'No.'

'Didn't want to anyway.'

Bovver straightened up, looking from one angry blonde to the other. 'We best be off,' he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Pete nodded.

'See you around, Chloe,' he said, before the three turned and made their way towards the Abbey. Chloe folded her arms over her chest, watching them go.

'How rude,' she muttered. 'How very rude.' Lucy waited until they were out of sight, before exhaling with a small laugh.

'Where did she come from?' Lucy demanded, looking up.

'Did you invite 'er down?' Bov asked.

'Did I fuck!' Pete replied. 'She just turned up. She aint even from around 'ere.'

'Well, I hope that's the last we see of 'er,' Lucy smiled. 'I got some news for you guys,' she added. 'I got the job at the library. I know it aint much, but it's a start.' Bov grinned, putting a hand on the small of her back and kissing her cheek.

'Does that been you'll pay for the next round?' he asked.

'Cheeky sod,' she muttered, pushing open the door to the pub and wheeling Charlie inside. 'But yeah; just this once I will.'

--

Libby smiled when she heard the bangs on the door. Slipping off the sofa, she hurried over and pulled the door open.

'Alright?' asked Don. Behind him, Rick, James, Scott and Peter stood, grinning. Libby beamed, stepping aside to let them in.

'How are you all?' she asked, shutting the door behind them as they piled into the front room.

'I'm good,' Rick grinned, jumping on the sofa, before the sight of the Moses Basket made him sit up. 'This the little 'un?' he asked, pulling a pink bear out from his jacket. Libby's smile broadened, as she moved over. Lifting the baby out, she looked up.

'This is Jenny,' she beamed.

'Aw, she's well cute!' laughed Rick, stroking her warm cheek. They crowded around, all making comments in low voices as not to wake her.

'Is she sleeping through the night yet?' Peter frowned, eyebrows puckered in thought.

'I wish,' Libby said, giving her tinkling laugh. 'Not for another couple of months.' Peter nodded, before pulling a book out of the gift bag he had brought with him. 'Could you hold her a minute?' she asked Don. He looked at her surprised.

'What?'

'Just… hold her,' she said, sliding the baby into his arms. Don stared uncertainly down at her for a moment, as Peter handed Libby the book.

'It's from pregnancy all the way through to teenagers,' he added, running a hand through his mousey brown hair.

'Thanks,' she beamed. 'I hope the gifts don't stop there,' she added, with a cheeky grin. Scott shifted in front of her with a smile. His red hair looked darker than last time she'd seen him, but his eyes still sparkled as he looked at her. Stepping forward, she gave him a hug.

'Hey, mister,' she laughed.

'I got you a present too,' he winked.

'I bet you have.' Scott held up the gift bag and she took it with a smile. Inside was a collection of teddies and fluffy items, a book that you wrote in about your baby's progress, a baby bath set and a rubber duck. Rick put his hand in and took the duck out.

'From my personal collection,' he laughed, squeaking the yellow object.

--

'Remember when I had that big fall out with Swill and came to yours, Don?' asked Libby as she sat on the sofa beside Scott, leaning against his arm. 'And we had pizza and watching Jeremy Kyle every morning?'

'Yeah,' Don laughed.

'That was fun,' she smiled. Jenny was upstairs in her cot, the rest of the guys all lounging around on the chairs. Scott shifted beside her and Libs curled up. Slowly putting his arm around her, he smiled when she cuddled into it.

'Where's Swill?' Don asked, popping a crisp into his mouth.

'Work, or at the Abbey,' she replied. 'Chuck us a crisp.' He handed her the bowl and she dipped her hand in. Taking one, she popped it in Scott's mouth, before getting one for herself. 'You know what?' she said, after a moment, sitting up. 'I think we should go clubbing!' Scott frowned.

'You have a baby now, Libby,' she reminded her.

'Oh, yeah,' she said, remembering. She sunk back against the sofa. 'Maybe another time, yeah?'

Don grinned. 'Another time.' Scott pulled her back against him with a smile.

--

'Don, can I talk to you?' Scott asked later that night as the two walked alone towards Don's apartment.

'Sure,' the blonde replied, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

'Do you think Swill and Libby will last?' he asked. Don glanced at him.

'What are you getting at Scott?' he asked, caution in his voice.

'Well, she is pretty. And a really nice girl.'

'Bad idea, mate,' he replied. 'I wouldn't even go there.'

'But-'

'No, Scott,' he said, shaking his head as he observed the redhead. 'It's a bad idea. For one, she's married with a kid. Secondly, Swill can pack a punch. I know that from experience.' Scott nodded.

'I was just curious, that's all,' he replied. 'Nothing else.'

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