A/N- Filler Alert! I'm doing this whenever there's a necessary filler. Sorry guys, I know I drag.

Keep this up for another minute or two and you'll be on your way to losing brain function. Reluctantly, I breathe and follow Scott's movements as he balances himself against the railing, "Come again?" maybe he'll get that this isn't a something I'm willing to discuss.

"Marleene, Marleene…Marleene. We both know you heard," he says knowingly, "Now, tell me, what that 'I don't remember him' thing a lie all along?"

Settling in beside him, "I'll cut story time short, no it wasn't a lie. I wasn't deceiving ya' and I won't now. I've recently recollected important pieces of what was with Punk. I wish I hadn't. The past is better kept like that, in the past," I play with the frayed seams on my babydoll dress to keep busy.

"If Darcy wanted me back, no questions asked, I'd be over there in a minute."

I spasm as if I'd been hit, "Are you…" he simply nods, "Aw, come here. I am so sorry," I reel him into a hug.

"Eh, I understand. It stung like a bitch but I don't hold it against here," pulling away from him, I eye him with confusion, "Her papas constantly hounded her about being with some degreeless schtick," he plays it off coolly but I know it hurts. Heartbreak hurts in general but it's probably his way of coping and I'm not one to splurge people with motivational bullshit, "Now, what's the dealio with you and Phil? He left acting like he was walking off the plank and came on back with that mood he's usually in after he gets laid," I bite my cheek, it's not a time for laughter, "He mentioned that it put him off how you acted as though you'd never even met him."

This is new. My mouth takes the form of an 'O', "It wasn't an act. He was just the brother I never met. I mean, I figured it out during my stay and then it was downhill. I feel bad. I cheated on him with the brother that fucked him over. Thing is, we still have chemistry, I'm not blind but I... I refuse to believe he remembers," I sigh, "I hope he doesn't."

"You two hopeless lovers need to either get it on or get off this boat you guys are sinking in," is he referencing the Titanic? I pinch him and he winces, "I mean it! All these pent up feelings are deadly. You're hurting and he's hurting and don't forget Maria. She's a good girl."

"Are you purposefully trying to make me feel like a homewrecker?"

"No! I'm just telling you how it is. There's bound to be tears and shit, thought I'd let you know as of now."

I groan and whine, "Fuck me!"

"I'd love nothing more but Punk's my main man. I follow the bro code," he chuckles and I whack him.

After that, I steer our conversation to the standard 'What you been on?' and 'What's new?' until Punk and Maria come out announcing their departure. It'd been a hell of a drive for them and they want to catch up on some sleep.

"I'll see you tomorrow but it was a pleasure to finally meet you, Marleene," squeaks the bombshell of a woman before her asshole boyfriend tows her away.

Staring after the duo, "We could work, me and you," I tell Colt as he comes up to hug me goodbye. It'd be better. For one, the man doesn't glare daggers when he catches my eye and he's as single as a dollar bill.

"We would but we know we wouldn't evolve into anything more than fuck buddies," replies messing up my hair.

ΔΔΔΔ

Shutting the door quietly, I slump down on the couch and just take in the moment. I've been handed a renewed life and it's already proving to be a challenge. This homecoming had one too many curve balls that I couldn't miss if I tried. Not to forget the pressure to make ends meet for Christmas which is like days away, last time I checked. Colt's little talk drained me and dried me with all these Punk things coming to light. Maria acting sketchy makes the whole ordeal even worse. The woman's smile is pretentious and she may play a bubble brain but I know better now. Micks shoots me a displeased glare as Wes leads her to her room. What that's all about, I haven't got a clue my brain is on overdrive.

Times like these call for desperate measure, alcoholic measures. I slide off the couch and crouch to the kitchen where I hid my last bottle of wine. Come to momma! I grasp it and chug it down like its distilled water.

"If you're trying to get a buzz, wine ain't the way to go."

"Ave Maria!" I shriek nearly losing my grip, "You son of a…Wesley! What the hell?"

"Excuse me, doll," he helps me up.

I stick out my tongue, "You're a ho. I haven't got any real alcohol. Somebody dumped the stash. Fucking lobster backs recreating the fucking tea party incident…" he rolls his eyes, "Stop with that judgmental shit! I have problems; I love easy solutions, sue me."

"Why don't you take the high road and actually deal with them this time around?" and I know what he's hinting at and absolutely loathing it. Am I really that transparent?

Crossing my arms, "Too many to resolve and it's mid- you know what, I might just take your advice," the light bulb is on. It's midnight. It takes him a moment to sink in for Wes but when he does, it's too late. I'm already on the phone.

"Bueno?" answers just the person I was looking for.

"Tio, it's Marleene," I start out.

"Ah, well isn't it my favorite niece. What can I help you with, mija?" replies my "uncle" in his distinctive accent.

I bite my nail, "Ya sabe que I don't accept freebies, tio, but I was wondering if you have anything open tonight. I need cash," my uncle's a man of business. Money is his kind of talk.

"I'm missing a girl at Las Palmas, si te…" I groan inwardly, I'd been expecting this already, "gustaria, ya sabes."

"Say no more, I'm on it."

I end the call and turn to face Wes who scowls, "No need for explanations, Mar. I'll drive you but…" he shakes his head, "You didn't get admitted into that hospital for nothing and this, this'll send you right back to that state of mind."

ΔΔΔΔ

Before anything jumps anywhere, "Las Palmas" is translation for "Round of Applause". The business isn't exactly a strip bar it's more like a cabaret, supposed to be low key but very well known as it's next to a big theatre in the city. A simple cabaret, you know, where comedians, singers, poets, dancers and such come through. Now, there are girls in somewhat skanky outfits but there mostly just eye-candy to fetch in more paying customers. If it isn't more obvious the location of this cabaret is in the richer, more theatrical part on the city; I've never been there only heard of it through word of mouth.

Being that I've never been there, I'm nervous. My fingers subconsciously drum on my armrest, my heartbeat has elevated, my breath coming in deep, and I'm biting my lip—can already feel it trickle blood. My mind races not knowing what to expect.

"You'll be fine…" says Wesley not taking his eyes of the long winding road

"Dips always said that it could get rowdy. What if they start grabbing on me?" I ask feeling nervous

"No offense…" he looks at me for a millisecond before switching lanes, "but you are or were a prostitute…you should be used to that, shouldn't you?"

I slump in my seat, "Yeah but that doesn't mean I'm okay with men groping me." I begin whispering, "There were times when I would want them to stop…but I was too afraid, too much of a pussy to say so. I did it for the money, and for that solely," flashbacks flood my mind.If Noah hadn't fucked up, hadn't created this new me…if.

Wes takes my hand in his and rubs it, "Babygirl, if you wasn't as stubborn as you are…that could've avoided…"

"I know but taking handouts just ain't me. My old man didn't raise me to depend on others and this is me honoring my upbringing."

He sighs, "I know. We can turn back, you know?"

"We can't," I reply bleakly

"Why you doin' this? Why?" he asks

"I have a sense of responsibility over Dominick. While the grownups are struggling with me, he's fending for himself. He hasn't got word from his daddy and I'll be damned if Christmas comes around and Santa doesn't make it to him," I state. It's true. I love the kid more than I love myself but a part of me also wants to move in with my Pops, Uncle, and sister back in Maryland. I miss the trio. This has been on my mind for the longest - way before I ended it with Noah. I need some sense of normalcy; be with the people closest to my heart. Yeah, Micks, Wesley, and the tattoo co-workers are considered family to me, but never quite like my old man and sister, never.

If I don't leave, I'll go crazy. Too many streets, alleys, and hotel rooms are ridden with ill memories. Too many parks, landmarks, and strolls remind me of days past - days that'll never be. I guess, I'm trying to scoop up enough money to run because that's what I do with most of my problems: run.