A/N: I am not American. Mother will be shortened to "mum" not "mom". Sorry to the people this will annoy.

Also, this chapter will be moved later when I've filled in the gaps. I was struck by a temporary flash of inspiration. (if anyone can find the post where Rainbow came up with Levi's last name, or what his mother's name is, please tell me in reviews - preferably with a link to where you found it) ***UPDATE: I have found his last name that Rainbow came up with! Levi Stewart. Thank you to Guest who helped!***

- set just after Cath has arrived at Levi's house, she's having dinner with his family -

The tension was so thick a chainsaw wouldn't dent it. Cath stared at the table in front of her, feeling all the pairs of eyes around the table watching her. She couldn't bring herself to eat. Underneath the table, she screwed up her hands into tiny fists, wishing it could be over. Glancing at her subtly, Levi could tell she was at tipping point of melt down. His poker face didn't waver, he only ran his fingers through his soft, yellowy-white receding hair.

"Catherine-" Levi's mother began.

"Mum," Levi hissed under his breath, reaching over under the table to wrap one of his large, warm, slightly calloused hands over Cath's. He could feel her fist relaxing at his touch, sending a half smile her way as she glanced at him as means of thanks. Levi was worried about this too, but he wasn't worried about his mother's wrath upon him - it was Cath he worried about.

"Sorry, Cath," she corrected herself, glaring at him between blinks before composing herself to re-commence the grilling. Who names their daughter Cather? What a... modern... name! Ridiculous, really. she thought to herself. "Do you go to Church?" Cath could hear everyone around the table hold their breaths. One second... two seconds... Maybe if I don't say anything she'll forget I'm here and not want to talk to me? she reasoned meekly before mentally slapping herself. Answer or she'll think I'm rude. She can't think I'm rude. She mustn't think I'm rude.

Opening her mouth, Cath coughed. Levi patted her back, pouring more water into her glass and handing it to her. "Thanks," she whispered to him, taking a sip. Swallowing, she cleared her throat and tried again. "No. We don't attend a Church."

"You are Christian though?" Levi's mother persisted.

"Mum, is this really necessary?" Levi interjected. She looked at him like a surprised owl, large eyes blinking as if to say Did he really just say that? To me?!

"Levi, I don't know what you're talking about," she stuck her chin up proudly. All he had to do was raise one eyebrow up his colossal forehead for her to get the message. One eye twitched.

"I believe how we act upon our beliefs is more important than our beliefs themselves," Cath started speaking words she was pretty sure she'd written into Simon or Baz's mouth many times before. "A Muslim can be a good person, as can an atheist or anyone for that matter. A Christian can be a bad person, as can anyone else. Your religion doesn't define you, how you live defines you." She looked up at the worst possible moment. Everyone was staring at her, transfixed upon this strange new person. Steeling her courage, she ventured to look at Levi's mother. Her head was tilted slightly to one side, turned so show slightly more of one side of her face, her lips pursed in thought, eyebrows threateningly close to frowning.

"She's right, Mum," one of Levi's younger sisters ventured, gaining the attention of the table. Cath breathed an inner sigh of relief. She wasn't the centre of the grilling anymore. "The kids at school, I talked to some of the atheist kids and they were really nice. They're not corrupting or evil. They still think that all people should be equal and that everyone should treat each other how they want to be treated, with respect." The conversation moved on to what Levi's sister was doing playing with the atheist children at school and away from Cath's little speech. Soon enough the family had turned into a bustle of voices.

"You're right," Levi whispered in Cath's ear. Surprised, she gasped and turned to face him. She hadn't realised he'd been holding her hand the entire time. Glancing down, embarrassed, she bit her lip. "You did well Cath." He winked and she blushed.

"Thanks," she told him quietly. Standing up to people was a habit she'd been starting to make that year. First Nick, now Levi's mother. The little shy girl was finding her voice.

I hope you all enjoyed that! Please don't take this as a sign I'll be posting regularly again for a while - possibly in December, but please don't kill me if I don't appear during November. (I have loads of stuff happening in November. NaNoWriMo isn't one of them sadly :( Good luck to anyone who is!)

I hope you all have a wonderful day!