DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS...ITV'S PROPERTY

Chapter 8/15

XXX

Ross looked towards the window as the sun was beginning to rise. Reaching out, he grabbed his phone from the side and saw that it was nearly 6.30.

He lifted himself up onto his elbows and turned to see Debbie come in the bedroom with her dressing gown on.

"Morning"

Ross looked at her then jumped out of bed and quickly pulled on his boxers.

"Ohhh don't be shy, I HAVE seen it all before...", Debbie said sitting on the end of the bed.

Ross pushed his hair back with his hands, "I can't Debbie"

Debbie frowned at him, "What?"

Ross motioned the bed with his hands, "THIS...you and me...I'm sorry, but it's just not gonna happen"

Debbie was caught totally off guard, but then again, Ross was really unpredictable at the moment over everything that has happened to him.

"But...", she managed.

Ross was pulling on his T-shirt and grabbing up his jeans from the carpet, "I love her Debbie...I can't do this..what am I playing at"

In this case, Debbie thought the cruel to be kind approach was better, "Ross! There is NO you and her...how can there be"

Ross was looking totally confused at her. He was looking at her all questioningly, "WHY are you being like this? WHY are you trying to turn me against her?"

Debbie bit her bottom lip. She did sound a bit harsh. She changed tactic with him as she watched him sit on the bed slipping on his trainers.

"If I never...you know...messed you around before, did you mean what you said...about us sparking"

Ross was shaking his head and not looking at her, "I'm not listening..."

Debbie jumped up and screamed at him because she wanted to get through that thick skull of his, "ROSS YOU HAVE TOO! Believe me or not, but I actually LIKE Donna...I've known her a long time...BUT THERE IS NO FUTURE WITH HER IS THERE!"

Ross looked totally gutted by the last of that statement, "Thanks for reminding me...it's not that it's been going around and around in my head all day and all night long, is it"

Debbie softened her tone for him, "It's true...and you KNOW it's true"

Ross swallowed down then stood up and faced her, "So what's this then? You and me... are you obsessed with me or sommit?"

Debbie shook her head at him, "What?"

Ross raised his eyebrows at her, "Simple enough question girl...just take a look at yourself, sniffing round me like you've never at it so good...what's changed? Pete not BIG enough for you, is he?", his tone of voice was cutting.

Debbie was already leaving by the door to the landing, "I'm not going there"

Ross was following her down the stairs, "Maybe I should tell him, eh? Make him see that you are a lying cheating bitch!"

Debbie grabbed the post and turned around, "You wouldn't? You'd go to those lengths of hurting your own brother because you are so messed up over your precious dying Donna"

If looks could kill.

"...sorry...Ross...I didn't mean it to come out like that"

Ross hinted a sneery smile, a nasty payback smile, "tell Pete? Maybe I should...I mean, like you said, it's all over between me and Donna now...so it looks like I'm gonna have to get my kicks from somewhere else..."

Ross then was out the front door, Debbie still in her dressing gown hurried after him calling out.

"ROSS! ROSS DON'T! ROSS..."

But he was long gone.

XXX

Donna sat in front of the mirror and sighed, she smiled because she could hear April downstairs telling Laurel what she wanted for breakfast.

She felt tired this morning. She needed another painkiller. One of the stronger ones. Life was running out and there was so much she wanted to do with it.

She turned and reached for her rucksack and put her hand within the folds and pulled out the cash...did Ross still have his share? Did she even need hers? Yes she had done all this for April, but did she really need it when she had Marlon and Laurel to dote on her.

Ross would be the one who would want to run away. Poor bloke. What had she done to him? He looked so distraught.

Ross made her heart miss a beat and you know that feeling. That was when you just knew the feeling in your heart is love...real love.

She swallowed and picked up her phone, she scrolled down to R and pondered what to do...

XXX

Debbie meanwhile had caught up with Ross at the café. Brenda was looking at him a bit strangely and Ross leaned into her barking out, "Why are you looking at me like that for, do you want a picture?"

Debbie pulled him over to the sofa seats and they sat.

"Are you following me...?"

"Ross...I need to know you are not going to do anything stupid"

"Awwwww...look at you", started Ross liking that she was running scared, "...'no please don't tell Pete', look at you...look at you doing all your pleading act at him"

Debbie was about to say something when Ross's phone went off and he pulled it out from his jeans pocket. His eyes sparkled.

"It's Donna..."

Debbie rolled her eyes and sat back as he took the call.

"...Donna? Yeah...you want to meet me? No, I'll pick YOU up...you just say where and when I'm all yours..."

Debbie could see the dig he was having at her...but at least this would distract him from going to Pete and telling him about last night.

Ross ended the call and stood up pocketing the phone, "As much as I love to stay and have a chat with yous Debs...I have better things to do", he flashed her a grin.

Debbie looked up at him, "just don't get your hopes up, Ross...are you determined to keep on torturing yourself?"

Ross paused at the door looking back at her. Food for thought? No, he turned and was gone.

XXX

Donna came down the stairs and glanced at Laurel in the kitchen. She looked at her, both finding it a bit awkward after all what happened the day before.

Donna stroked her daughters head then broke the ice, "do you mind taking April to that painting club..."

Laurel half shook her head, "I'm taking Arthur and Leo anyway"

Donna sat at the table, "thanks..."

Laurel stopped the washing up and turned to her, "Donna, WE need to talk"

Donna knew that was coming, she looked at her, "If this is about me and Ross, I'm..."

Laurel interrupted and sat down, "I just don't understand it Donna, how can you even have feelings for a bloke like him?"

Donna tried to be tactful, "you don't know him like I do..."

Laurel raised her eyebrows, "Marlon isn't happy about it...nor am I...we had such a row"

Donna turned away, "I heard...and I feel so bad...the LAST thing I need is April's future to be jeopardized..."

Laurel sensed the direction this was heading in, "Oh? What do you mean..."

"I've called Ross...I am going to tell him I don't want to see him ever again..."

Laurel seemed happy to hear that, it clearly showed up on the expression on her face, "That would be for the best"

Donna nodded, agreeing, "yes...April comes first...just as long as everybody is happy..."

Laurel got the hint. There was a double meaning in that sentence.

"That's not fair"

Donna shrugged at her tearfully, "No it's not, because the only bit of happiness I get the chance to have...I can't have"

Laurel stood up and went to the sink, she put her back to it and took in a deep breath because she really couldn't believe what she was going to say.

"He means THAT much to you"

Donna sadly smiled at her, "My hearts breaking Laurel...and I still have to tell him I can never see him no more...I never expected to fall for another man again, and here I am"

Laurel couldn't do it. She wasn't that selfish, and it was if you are going to dictate the rules. Donna put her jacket on and went tp the door.

"Donna wait...for the life of me I will never understand what you see in that...man...but what YOU have to face in the near future...the pain and emotion of leaving your little girl behind, I can't even begin to comprehend...look...what I'm saying is...if Ross of all people can ease that pain if for only a little bit...who am I to judge..."

Donna smiled at her and they hugged each other before Donna left by the door.

XXX

At the garage Debbie was running along as Ross reversed the battered Ford Fiesta out of the forecourt.

"Ross! You can't just take somebody's car!"

Ross had the window down and laughed at her, "I can do what I want"

"Pleasse don't tell Pete..."

Ross shrugged and faced front, "what good will it do...I feel sorry for him...I feel SO guilty about what we did because of HOW I feel about Donna...I love her...but you and Pete? You don't love our Pete...not if you don't regret what we did...you're quick to slag what me and Donna ever had...what does that say about yours and Pete's relationship?"

And the he put his foot down and was off with the screech of the tyres. Debbie was left reeling.

XXX

Marlon was coming in through the front door, "Where's Donna going? I've just seen her walking towards the bridge..?"

Laurel took in a deep breath before answering because it was going to go down like a lead balloon.

"She's going to go see Ross"

"What? And YOU let her!"

Laurel was trying to get the kids ready, " Marlon...she's only got a few weeks left and although it sticks in my throat, if Ross of all people can make it easier for her...then why not, crazy as it sounds"

Marlon was thinking this was not about that at all, " are you sure you are not saying that because YOU think I'm still in love with her? She's got Ross and is no threat"

Laurel denied that sharply, "No!"

"Sounds like it to me...because now she thinks we are okay over it...thanks Laurel...you've played a right blinder..."

XXX

Donna waiting by the bridge as Ross pulled up in the battered car. Donna went to the window, both smiling at one another.

"Wow is this the Ferrari !...I wasn't sure you wanted to meet?", Donna said.

At the wheel Ross shrugged at her playfully, "Well I did have to consult my busy diary to see if I could fit you in..."

Donna bounced off that with a return, "...I can always reschedule if you are TOO busy..."

Both of them laughed and Ross nodded his head, "Jump in"

Donna rounded to the passenger side and got in, then belted up. Ross looked at her and became all serious, "I'd gladly just chuck away the diary to spend ALL my time with you"

Donna mesmerised by his dark eyes, "Does that mean you still want to carry on seeing me...?"

"If that's what you are offering"

Donna became sad and looked down to her lap, "I've only got a few weeks, Ross..."

Ross was fully aware of that, "I know"

Donna swallowed down then put her hand on the top of Ross's knee-cap, "Just don't you ever say I never warned you when it's..."

"Shuuushh...does this mean we're back together"

Donna shook a yes at him.

Ross looked pleased as punch, he turned in his seat and leaned in for a kiss...it was warm and lingering. Donna put her hand on his stubble and stroked him.

"Donna you'll never regret this...I'm so made up", there was tears in his eyes.

Donna smiled at him, "So am I...but Ross...please PROMISE me one thing...?"

"ANYTHING FOR YOU"

Donna became a little emotional, "Don't change...don't treat me like I'm ill...treat me the same as you did"

Ross shook his head but was insistent about one thing, "No more dodgy jobs...we play it straight"

"Good, that's that sorted", she sat back in her seat and sighed, she then faced him, her eyes playful, "...Ross have you still got your share of the money?"

Ross pulled her across so she laid her head on his chest, "yeah...it's in my holdal...why?"

Donna looked up at him from where she laid her head, "then lets spend some of it...lets live a bit dangerously...I still want some excitement"

Ross laughed and kissed her forehead, "I'll see what I can do...but in the mean time can I do just ONE thing..."

Her eyes met his, "What?"

"Can I rub Marlon's face in it?"

Donna looked at him like he was being naughty, "You are SO bad", she playfully cooed.

"I know...I just can't help myself..."

XXX

Although I have finished this story and the ending is..?..I like to tease what's to come

Chapter 9: Ross takes Donna to a nightclub.

Chapter 10: Donna is left confused by a confession

Chapter 11: Marlon sticks the knife in at Ross over 'that kiss'

Again, your feedback is important to me, any remaining chapters can be tweaked but not changed, but if it is at all possible I will add things in what you want to see happen.