AN: Alright let's finish this episode 1.

While Addy had tended to the situation with her brothers, Fiona prepared herself to go out for the evening. Knowing Debbie and Liam were already in bed, and Carl was likely causing mischief in the backyard (probably after his next poor victim of a small animal), Fiona left the house, ensuring everyone was taken care of in her absence.

As Addy descended the stairs, she spotted Lip raiding the fridge.

"You know you shouldn't provoke Ian like that," she remarked, her tone carrying a hint of accusation.

"Are you actually taking his side?" Lip retorted, a challenging edge to his voice. "Or were you already aware of that too?"

Addy's glare intensified at his low blow.

"Don't be ridiculous. You know I don't approve of Ian being with Kash. Just figure things out between you two," she sighed, her frustration evident.

Lip shrugged, signaling his willingness to consider her words.

"Why are you all dressed up?" Lip changed the subject, curiosity evident in his voice.

"I'm going out with Emily tonight," Addy replied casually, grabbing a few beers before heading out.

Lip raised an eyebrow, tempted to ask when she started going to parties. However, he restrained himself upon seeing the expression on her face that warned him not to inquire further.

Instead, he offered, "Do you want me to come along?"

He knew it wasn't her usual scene, but he wanted to be there for her nonetheless.

She wasn't expecting that and she almost said yes but refrained, she felt she needed to have her own life outside of her family lately sometimes.

"Nah, I'll be okay," she said, appreciating Lip's concern. The warmth of his protective nature made her feel grateful for having him as a brother. While she hadn't been to many parties before, she knew that if she had gone, it was usually with Lip by her side.

"Alright," Lip replied with a reassuring smile, "Well, you look good sis."

At the Party 6 Blocks Away:

As Addy finished her second beer, she felt a wave of relaxation wash over her. The tension of being uncomfortable began to melt away. Emily's infectious energy on the dance floor kept her spirits high, even if she found some of her friends a bit stuck up. The beers helped her loosen up and enjoy the moment.

The living room pulsated with music as they grooved to the beat, laughing and letting loose. Emily, fueled by her increasing intoxication, started encouraging Addy to drink more. "Come on, let's have some fun! Don't hold back," she slurred, handing Addy another drink.

Addy hesitated for a moment, aware of her limits. She knew that three drinks would be enough to get her pleasantly tipsy, but she didn't want to go overboard. She took the drink from Emily but decided to pace herself. She wanted to stay in control and enjoy the night without any regrets.

Sipping on her third beer, Addy let the buzz settle in. The music seemed to blend with the laughter and chatter around her, creating a vibrant atmosphere. She allowed herself to forget about the responsibilities and worries of her daily life, reveling in the freedom of the moment.

As Addy swayed her hips, her hair flying around her in rhythm with the music, a stranger she didn't recognize brazenly approached, attempting to invade her personal space on the dance floor. Not willing to entertain his advances, Addy swiftly exchanged "save me" glances with Emily, who was quick to respond.

In one fluid motion, Emily pulled Addy closer, their bodies pressing against each other as they continued to dance to the fast-paced beat.

Emily's bold move caught Addy off guard as her hand firmly grasped her behind, sending a clear message to the persistent stranger that he had crossed the line. The unexpected touch stirred a mix of surprise and curiosity within Addy, but as the alcohol coursed through her veins, inhibitions began to fade, and she found herself more open to the unexpected.

As the pulsating music enveloped them, Addy's mind drifted with the rhythm, contemplating the nature of Emily's actions. Was it merely a playful gesture fueled by alcohol, or did it hint at a deeper connection that had eluded Addy's awareness until now? Uncertainty lingered, yet the atmosphere of the party and the buzz of the alcohol urged her to embrace the moment rather than overanalyze it.

Addy's third beer had taken the edge off, allowing her to let loose and surrender to the carefree spirit of the night. Amidst the dim lights and energetic beats, she chose to embrace the spontaneity, keeping an open mind about the intentions behind Emily's actions. The boundaries of their friendship blurred temporarily as they danced with uninhibited fervor.

Perhaps there was a hidden layer of attraction between them, dormant and unexplored until this moment. Or maybe it was simply an uninhibited expression of friendship, amplified by the intoxication of the night. Whichever the case, Addy decided to relinquish her inhibitions and revel in the electric chemistry that flowed between them.

As their bodies moved in sync, fueled by the music and the unspoken connection they shared, Addy allowed herself to be swept away by the exhilaration of the moment. The touch, once surprising, now felt thrilling, igniting a fire within her that burned with newfound desire.

In that pulsating, intoxicating atmosphere, Addy chose not to question or overthink. Instead, she surrendered to the uncharted territory of her emotions and desires, embracing the electrifying energy that passed between her and Emily. It was a night of liberation, of breaking free from the constraints of expectation and letting the currents of passion guide her.

The party raged on, the music echoing in their souls as Addy and Emily danced with an unspoken understanding. The rest of the world faded into the background as they explored the boundaries of their connection, fueled by the raw energy and exhilaration of the moment. For now, they would let the night unfold.

As the night wore on and the clock approached 1 am, Addy felt a twinge of responsibility tugging at her, reminding her that it was time to head home. Despite the reluctance to leave the excitement behind, she knew it was the sensible thing to do.

Navigating through the crowded party, she searched for Emily, as they had separated at some point, she wanted to say goodbye before going back home. The atmosphere had become increasingly raucous as the alcohol flowed freely, blurring the lines of sobriety for many attendees. Amidst the sea of intoxicated partygoers, Addy accidentally collided with someone, causing her to momentarily lose her balance.

Looking up, she was met with an all-too-familiar face—Alex McCready. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips as she inwardly groaned. Their encounters were always filled with tension and annoyance, and tonight seemed to be no exception.

"Watch it, Gallagher," he slurred, his words laced with disdain.

Rolling her eyes, Addy attempted to sidestep him and continue on her way, but he stubbornly blocked her path. Why couldn't he simply leave her alone?

"Get out of my way," she stated firmly, her patience waning and annoyance evident in her voice.

Ignoring her request, he continued to sway and slurred, "Are you a dyke now?"

If Addy had been drinking at that moment, she would have spewed it out in disbelief. Instead, she let out a low, incredulous laugh, the remnants of the alcohol still lingering in her system.

"Would it bother you if I were?" she countered, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

His response was unexpected. Leaning closer, his face mere inches from hers, he whispered, "No, I'd find that increasingly attractive."

Amused by his audacity, Addy leaned in slightly, playing along with the game. "Well, too bad for you, because I'm not going to fuck you, that I know for sure" she whispered back, her voice taking on a sultry tone that she hadn't intended, but it served its purpose in provoking him.

His demeanor swiftly shifted his expression now one of dejection and disappointment. Once again, Addy had managed to undermine his ego, leaving him feeling rejected and deflated.

"You Gallaghers are going to regret messing with me," his voice darkened as he finally stepped aside.

Addy looked at him, unimpressed by his empty threats. "Empty threats don't scare me," she said, patting his shoulder patronizingly before confidently walking away. Oh yeah, the alcohol coursing through her veins added an extra layer of boldness to her actions.

Before Addy left, she spotted her blond friend, Emily, fully straddling some other guy, engaged in a passionate make-out session. A slight twinge of disappointment flashed through Addy, but she quickly brushed it off. She approached them, interrupting their intense moment to let Emily know she was leaving.

"Hey, Em, I'm heading out," Addy said, trying to keep her tone casual despite the small pang of hurt.

Emily barely acknowledged her presence, giving only a brief wave without breaking her intimate connection with the guy. Addy's disappointment deepened, and a feeling of confusion washed over her. She had thought they had shared a good night together, dancing and having fun. But now, it seemed like none of it mattered to Emily.

With a scoff, Addy turned away, feeling a mix of frustration and bafflement. She couldn't understand Emily's behavior, and it left her questioning their friendship. Did their night together mean nothing to Emily? Was their connection merely superficial?

At Home:

When Addy got home she walked into Fiona, Steve, and Frank having a mini party of their own.

Frank was yelling the word 'Continuity' and probably drunkenly going off about how he's such a great father.

Though when she walked in Frank came at her all happy.

"Ah, my middle daughter!" He put her in a side hug making her cringe and try to back away. "Oh, I smell the beer on you, keeping up the family Gallagher name I see, couldn't be more proud."

"Sure, Frank." Addy separated herself from him and made her way to the stairs.

"How'd your night go?" Fiona asked before she could disappear.

"It was fun," Addy said, and it was until the end.

"Good," Fiona gave a firm nod.

When Addy finally arrived home, she was greeted with an unexpected sight. Fiona, Steve, and Frank were having a mini party of their own in the living room. Frank's voice stood out as he passionately yelled the word "Continuity," most likely caught up in one of his drunken rants about his exceptional parenting skills. Addy rolled her eyes, familiar with his delusions.

As she entered the room, Frank noticed her and approached with an overly cheerful demeanor. "Ah, my middle daughter!" he exclaimed, attempting to pull her into a side hug. Addy cringed, instinctively trying to create some distance. "Oh, I smell the beer on you. Keeping up the family Gallagher name, I see. Couldn't be more proud."

Addy gave a half-hearted smile, inwardly sighing at Frank's predictable reaction. She quickly disentangled herself from his embrace. Making her way toward the stairs, she hoped to escape further interactions.

However, Fiona intercepted her before she could disappear completely. "How did your night go?" Fiona inquired, her tone filled with genuine interest.

"It was fun," Addy replied, masking the underlying disappointment that still lingered from her encounter with Emily at the end of the night. She didn't want to burden Fiona with the details or bring down the cheerful mood of the gathering.

"Good," Fiona nodded firmly, seemingly satisfied with the brief response.

Addy's steps faltered as she ascended the stairs. Each step seemed to require a bit more focus than usual. Once at the top, she found herself standing at the crossroads of the familiar hallway, the doors to the rooms she shared with Debbie and Liam on one side, and the boys' room on the other. Fatigue tugged at her, tempting her to retreat to her own room and collapse into her bed. However, the thought of waking up Debbie and enduring a barrage of questions about her night made her hesitate. She couldn't handle that right now. So, she took a chance and headed toward the boys' room.

Slipping inside with a cautious step, she quietly made her way to Lip's top bunk. She stood there for a moment, observing his peaceful form, before gently poking him. "Psst," she whispered, hoping to rouse him from his slumber.

Addy's patience waned as Lip remained undisturbed by her initial gentle poke. Frustration mounting, she mustered a stronger prod, this time punctuating it with a firm call of his name. "Lip."

His eyes fluttered open, his sleep-addled gaze searching for the source of the disturbance. Slowly, recognition washed over his face as he registered Addy's presence. "What?" he mumbled, his voice thick with drowsiness.

Addy leaned closer, her voice hushed. "Can I crash with you?"

"Why're you asking?" He asked suspiciously, she'd usually just crawl in and that'd wake him up and annoy him, the odd time he'd kick her off the bed. But something was clearly up. He patted the spot next to him inviting her up.

She climbed up and nestled in, not caring that she was still in her clothes. Exhaustion weighed heavy beneath her eyes, but her brain yearned for a conversation with her brother, her other half. At first, she remained quiet, both of them lying on their backs and gazing up at the ceiling. Lip had his arms crossed underneath his head, while Addy kept hers at her side.

There was a moment of silence before she finally spoke, her voice barely audible. "I think I might be gay too." Her confession hung in the air, and Lip's head tilted towards her, catching her words just in time. She inwardly groaned, realizing how softly she had spoken. Gathering courage, she continued, "Emily was all up in my business, and... ugh, I didn't want it to stop."

Turning onto her side, facing Lip, she opened up to him. She was sharing because she needed a confident because they had always confided in each other and because she didn't want Lip to be pissy with her like he had been with Ian.

There was another pause, and then Lip shifted onto his side to face her. Addy's nerves fluttered, uncertain of how he would react to her confession.

"So, we're going to have to compete for dates now?" Lip joked his tone light and teasing. His response relieved Addy, knowing that he didn't care about her sexual orientation or Ian's. She felt grateful for his support and acceptance.

She playfully shoved him on his chest, a smirk dancing on her lips. "Oh please, as if I'd steal your girls. Karen's all yours, bro. Not my type."

Lip let out a huff, followed by an amused chuckle. His eyes sparkled with genuine amusement. "Well, that's a relief. I don't need you swooping in and stealing my thunder."

Addy rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. "Oh, don't flatter yourself, Lip. You're not the only Gallagher with game." They both shared a laugh, the tension dissipating as they found comfort in their sibling banter.

"Besides I am still also into guys just for the record. Oh and ugh I ran into Alex again that boy just needs to fuck off, whatever, I think I hurt his ego but oh well." She was whisper-rambling now and Lip had to stop her so they could both get a somewhat good sleep.

"Enough for tonight," he said softly, using that special voice he saved for those he really cared about. Lip gently placed his hand on Addy's arm, offering her a reassuring squeeze. "Your rambling can wait for tomorrow," he said with a comforting smile. "It's been a long night, and we both need some rest. Goodnight, Addy."

"Sorry, goodnight Lip," Addy let out a soft sigh, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the exhaustion that had settled within her. Within moments, she was fast asleep.

Lip watched over her for a brief moment, a protective instinct stirring within him. He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and whispered, "Sleep well, little sis."

AN: More sibling moments to come!