Mickey had just gotten home. Why had he waited so long to get Gallagher a phone? He was still buzzing off the look on his face. He hadn't bought it, he stole it from someone coming out of some shop, still with the receipt in the bag! That didn't matter, what mattered was that he could now talk with Gallagher when he would answer. He was still waiting on his response about coming around tonight. Although Mickey had asked Gallagher to come around and join Lip and Mandy, he didn't think that either would want to stay too long.

Both Lip and Mandy knew that Mickey and Ian had a lot of issues to discuss. They'd hang around and make their excuses halfway through the film. Although Lip in particular was very wary of going along with Mickey's plan, he knew that he couldn't keep Ian locked up much longer. He'd eventually need to discover why he'd wanted to run off, and deal with it like a man.

Still nothing, Mickey had his phone in his hand, already put drinks and snacks out on the table. He wasn't sure they'd actually get around to having any of them, but he seemed happy in the knowledge that he'd made an effort. Terry had been walking through, looking at the scene, looking at his son. He soon moved past it when Mandy came in and told him it was for her and Lip.

Still with a smile on his face, and a bounce in his step he headed to the shower to get ready. He'd never made this sort of effort before, well with the exception of his wedding. He knew it, he could feel that everything was in hand, everything would go to plan. He was going to tell Gallagher how he felt. Sorry. He was going to tell Gallagher... Ian how he felt. It was such an effort to remember his name, he was so used to just Gallagher.

.

Ian had gotten home, taken his painkillers, had a shower and sat down to watch some TV with Debbie and Carl. This, this was one of the many things that he took for granted over the years. He didn't need to speak with them, just being with them showed that they cared. Ian knew that wasn't strictly correct, after the experience of the last few weeks he'd learnt that talking was a very important part of expressing himself.

Carl had been playing with his new phone for an hour, before Ian realised the time. He was supposed to let Mickey know his decision, he was supposed to be there in an hour. It took him long enough to get around in the cold weather outside with his crutches.

"Carl, sorry dude. Phone." Ian said to his brother, who was still a bit wary of him.

"5 more minutes." Carl said, still playing one of the games on the phone. Ian still hadn't actually looked through it himself yet.

"Need to call Lip." Ian said as Carl threw his phone at him, he had to stretch to get it. As he was looking through his phone, he suddenly realised that he didn't have any number other than Mickey's. He wasn't going to be able to check that Lip and Mandy were certain to be there, he only had Mickey's word.

.

As Mickey was getting out of the shower he could hear something coming from his room. Shit, it was his phone. He hoped beyond all hope that his Dad didn't suddenly find him something to be doing to ruin his evening's entertainment. Mickey got most of his work done dealing and debt collection. Best time to collect, when they were still asleep... Best time to deal, when they wish they didn't have to sleep... Simple. As he picked up his phone he saw it was Gallagher. He allowed himself a small smile before he worried he would be getting blown off.

"Hey Gallagher. So what's this maybe business?" Mickey said as cool as he could.

"Is Lip there?" Was Gallagher checking up on his story? Or just making him wait for it.

"No, he's with Mandy someplace. They should be here soon."

"Can you call me when he gets there?" Ian was starting to be a little worried that Mickey would think he was being rejected.

"Honestly, they're on their way. Are you coming?" Mickey's smile had disappeared. "Do you not have his number at home? Is everything alright?"

"Don't have it, wanted to ask him something. Nothing bad here, just needed to ask him a favour." Ian wasn't giving anything away, he'd have to work for it.

"Whatever I have to do to get you to come here tonight, I will." Mickey said, hoping to retake the upper hand.

"Well, I can't exactly walk to yours."

"And that's why you can't come?" Mickey was really being slow.

"No, well sort of. I was hoping for a lift." Ian said as his hand subconsciously rubbed the back of his neck. After a moments silence, Mickey laughed.

"Well at least that isn't a no. I'll be over in 15. Be ready outside." With that Mickey threw on some clothes and headed past Lip and Mandy who had finally arrived.

.

Ian was stood outside... 15 minutes, 16, 17... Where was he? He was only counting so intently because it was freezing outside. Before he knew it Mickey had showed up. He'd gotten in slowly, "Don't let all the heat out", was all that Mickey said. They'd driven to the Milkovich house. It seemed as quiet as it always did from the outside, so different to the Gallaghers where you could tell from outside what the mood of the party was.

There it was, he could see Mandy looking out by the edge of the curtain. It somehow didn't help Ian relax, it was Lip he wanted to see. It was Lip that would get him home if he didn't want to stay. It was Lip that would know how to put Mickey in his place if he wasn't completely comfortable here.

He hadn't been here since, since...

"You ok?" Mickey said switching off the car, he looked at Gallagher he seemed tense. "Lip is in there, come on."

Mickey got out of the car, he certainly wasn't the bitch. He captain chivalry. He opened Gallagher's door, closed it, opened the front door and got him to sit down in the middle of the Sofa. Though rethinking it, this was probably the worst place for him to be sitting. He'd have to rely on someone to get him up and down.

"You want a drink dude?" Lip called from the Kitchen.

It took a few moments silence for his to realise that his brother hadn't heard him. He came in, saw the back of his head and walked around the front to ask him. As he did, he noticed that he wasn't looking at the TV. He was looking at the wall. The dents in the wall and his back pack still ready for a swift exit. It was as if no one else was in the room. Mickey suddenly realised what was happening, this was certainly not how he thought it was all going to go.

"Ian." Lip called again. As he said it, Ian turned his head in slow motion towards him.

"Yeah" was all that he could say, he hadn't heard anything that he'd been told.

"You want a drink dude?"

"I'll get it" Mickey said as he walked into the kitchen. This, he hadn't expected this. Gallagher had seemed normal again, maybe he was kidding himself.

"Ian, are you ok?" The worry in Lips voice brought Ian back to his senses.

"I'm fine, it's just the painkillers." Ian said to convince himself as he looked at the wall from the corner of his eye.

I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine...