Sorry for the such late update, my laptop broke then i had to go down to London anyway i won't get in to details, i hope you enjoy.

I haven't proof-read this so their might be a few silly spelling errors, ignore them.

M x

Ste took a deep breath taking all the air from the car and still he was breatheless, Brendan spoke to him calmly he saw how terrified Ste was.

''Steven, i'll go in by myself if you want? I know this'll be hard for you.''

''No Brendan! I have to know they're okay.''

''I understand.'' Brendan took a deep breathe and pressed down on the door handle, he stretch over to get out of the car. His wound still aching when he moved. He shouldn't of left the hospital, not really. Ste was shaking, he wasn't sure what from whether it was anger or concern or sadness or scared probably a bit of everything. Brendan limped round to get Ste's door but he'd already got out. Ste grabbed hold of Brendan's hand pulling him towards the block of flats. Kevin said flat 6, and he wasn't lying. That's a first for the wee cunt. There was 8 flats, they looked for the 6 it had a sticker across it 'Simon Walker.'.

''Didn't think Walker was that stupid, you know being an ex cop.''

''Yeah, thats great Bren. But how the fuck do we get in there? He won't opne the door to us will he? Oh yeah, Brendan Brady come in for a cuppa? Ste heres your kids. It's not like his baby sitting is it?'' He still had his sass even in the darkest of times.

''Steven, you've got a similiar voice to Kevin haven't you?''

''Well no not really, i'm from Manchester and he's from um fuck knows.'' Ste said confused at what Brendan was going to make him do.

''Yeah, well he's definetly not Irish is he? So just try talk like Kevin, Steven.'' He said, he was getting angry now. Brendan could feel his heart beat getting faster stronger. He was scared, when was Brendan Brady ever scared. Fearless thats how people described him. A syco, maniac, damaged, a mess. That's how other people saw him. But he did have a loving side even if it was small, it was getting bigger.

''How was that?'' Ste said. Brendan hadn't been listening, but it'd do. The sound isn't very good on these things anyway.

''Yeah, its fine. Just say the jobs done, i want the money.''

''Money?'' Ste said, really confused now.

''You really think he'd do this for free?''

''Hmm.'' Ste said, making sense of it all now. Brendan pressed the buzzer.

''Hello?'' His voice made Brendan's blood boil, he was sweating now. Ste was shaking, he didn't say a word. ''Hello?'' Simon repeated.

''Yeah, it's me Kevin.'' Ste said. It was strange, he sounded just like him. ''I'e done the job, i want my money.''

''Really?'' Leah screamed in the background. Ste yelped, Brendan put his hand over his mouth. He held Ste in to his shoulder so his cried where muffled by his big coat.

''Shh, we'll get them back soon. Shh.''

''Well, you better come up then hadn't you.'' Simon carried on. The door buzzed and opened for them. Brendan held Ste in his arms, carrying him towards the lift. His wound stinging and hurting. Brendan wincing at the pain. The lift was old and not very stable, but neither of them were able to climb the stairs to the sixth floor. The lift doors opened, and an old man stepped out alchol in hand swaying. Looked at Brendan and Ste in disgust and Brendan could just make out his slurred words

''Faggots.'' Normally, Brendan would of reacted punched him into next week. Taught him a simple lesson. He didn't have time for that now, they needed to get to Leah and Lucas. He shuffled Ste into the lift and cupped his cheeks.

''Hey, hey. Look at me, Steven.'' He whispered, tilting Ste's head so he was looking him straight in the eyes. He bowed his head and kissed him delicately. ''We are going to get them back, we're only a floor away. I promise you. Nothing will happen to them, not whilst i'm here.''

''I love you.'' Ste squeezed out through his sobs.

''I love you too. This is the plan okay? He'll answer the door, i'll surprise him with a lovely punch to the gut.'' He smiled at this thought. ''You run to the kids.''

''Okay, we're at the sixth floor now, Bren.'' He sniffled.

''Lets go then, ey.'' They stepped out. A door separting them from their kids. Brendan thought of them as his own now. He was more of a Dad to them then he ever was his own. He wanted a second chance. This was his second chance. Brendan placed his big hand on the door, took a deep breath inhaling and exhaling slowly then he banged on the door. The door shook. They could hear footsteps, hear cries of the children. Brendan tensed up Ste was shaking anger this time it was anger pure rage. He wanted to beat Walker up, how could he do that to two innocent children? How? The door knob turned and the door clicked and it was opened slowly. Walker's hair over his face, Brendan threw a punch right in to his lower stomach. Walker's abs tensed, his face clenched. Winded. Ste ran past him, barging his shoulder.

''Daddy! Help.''

''I'm coming, darling. I'm coming.'' Ste shouted back.

''Hello Brendan, how lovely to see you Bra-'' Before he could finish his sentence Brendan delivered another punch to the stomach winding him more. He kicked him and pushed hikm aside. His wound was hurting now and Walker could see where Kevin had tried and failed. Leah and Lucas were tied p to the side of the bed, hands bound together by thick rope. Ste hurried to untie them.

''Brendan, the knots to tight.''

''Try to loosen it.''

''I'm trying.'' Ste was panicking now, he kissed their foreheads as he tried to untie the knot.

Walker came closer to Brendan. Brendan grabbed Simon by the collar and drove him in to the wall, smashing his head into a picture frame. Walker looked over at Ste and the kids.

''I fed them, and kept them warm.'' He said with a smirk, Brendan kneed him in the balls. Walker let out a scream in pain and returned Brendan a punch in the wound he'd recieved only a day ago. Brendan gritted his teeth trying his best to hide his weaknesses. He carried on giving Walker blows to the face and lower stomach, winding him. Walker returning them. Ste had untied Leah, when Walker through a huge side blow to Brendan's head. Ste turned to look around as Brendan's knees went and the rest of his body clattered to the floor.

''Leah, darling. You try untie your brother. It's just like a shoelace, remember pull both sides for the knot to come out. Eh?'' He kissed he forehead and got up. He pushed Walker in to the wall.

''Aw, isn't this lovely. The boyfriend sticking up for his..boyfriend.'' Walker was almost enjoying this.

''Steven, careful. Walker don't..don't touch him'' Brendan's voice was slurred.

''Aw, how..um lovely.'' Walker smiled again. Ste looked at Brendan, then his kids. Leah trying so hard to untie her brother from the bedside table leg. His face turned. Angry again, full of rage. He wasn't bigger then Walker nor stronger but he pulled out the knife, the knife Kevin dropped after he'd stabbed Brendan. Brendan hadn't even noticed he'd picked it up before they left. Ste grabbed Walker's hand and drove it through not only his hand but the wall to leaving his hand stook to the wall. Ste leant into Walker, so close he could smell his breath. Walker was panting in pain, his had squirming. Ste spoke three simple words into his ear.

''Rot in hell.''

Brendan got back to his feet, his fists clenched ready for the fight. But there wasn't one. Ste had done it. His scrawny Steven. Brendan turned to face the kids, Leah had untied the knot. Lucas was hugging Leah, sobbing. Brendan ran over to comfort them, hugging both of them in this big arms. Steven ran over to.

''I love you Daddy Brendan.'' Leah whispered through her tears.

''I love you too beautiful'' He said wiping away her tears and letting Ste hold them.

''Daddy i love you'' They both echoed to Ste, he was smiling. Happy again. Brendan felt a smile on his face, forgetting that Walker was only a step away. He grabbed Ste and held him in a passionate embrace. Ran his fingers through his hair, pulling his head away and pushing his lips on to Ste's. Ste kissed back, their heads moving together in time. Toungues colliding and hearts beating fast. Brendan pulled away.

''You're my everything'' He whispered softly.

''Ew Daddies, get a room.'' Leah squeaked.

Cheryl was waiting for them outside with Nate, she beamed as she saw them. They looked like a family again.