Boys and girls this is the build up. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter…the return of the Pete/Benjamin friendship is something that I'll never get bored of, even when I'm sure you lot do! :D

Anyway, the next chapter holds all the physical action, this is just the pre-match warm up if you like :D

Hope you like it!

"Right, so what you 'ave 'ere is your striker…arguably the most important member of the team," Pete Dunham spoke slowly and seriously, holding up the teddy bear and waving it back and forth in front of his sons face.

"Everyone yammers on about the captain…truth is, he's not worth shit if you ain't got a decent striker,"

Placing the teddy bear as though it was standing up on the table top of Alex's high chair, Pete swung its legs back and then pushed forward so its padded paws kicked a stray grape across the floor, all the way to the other side of the kitchen.

His son squealed in delight and bounced clumsily in his seat, leaning over to get a look at where the grape had disappeared to.

"So, to recap, what 'ave we learnt today?" Pete held up the bear. "Who's this?"

Alex made a loud gurgling noise and burped, banging his pudgy fists on the table.

"That's right, the striker," he grinned proudly and leant forward to kiss his forehead, wiping a smudge of apple sauce off of his cheek when he pulled back.

"Right ol' mucky pup, you are," he laughed. "You get that from your mum because we Dunham's are nothing but classy,"

"Tell that to the grapes littering my kitchen floor," Allie raised an eyebrow as she stepped into the room and bent down to pick one up, examining it as though she'd never seen one before. "Football lessons?"

"How'd you guess?" Pete smiled crookedly at her and winked.

Pulling his face down to hers, she kissed him softly before walking around him to the back door which was open just enough to allow the cold March breeze to enter the room.

"Poppy Scarlet Dunham!" she shouted. "You've got ten seconds to get in here and I mean now…one…"

"You're actually quite sexy when you get like that," Pete smirked, laughing when she flipped him the finger without turning around.

"Three…Four…"

The tiny figure running towards her up the huge garden got bigger and bigger until her daughter practically collapsed at her feet, panting and tugging her bright red coat tighter around her body.

"Can I take Bovver to school today?" she breathed excitedly.

Allie laughed as she bent down to button up her daughter's coat; Bovver was Poppy's pet bunny rabbit, named after her uncle for his unsociable behaviour and unmistakable scowl. Crazy as it sounded, Allie was certain she's even seen the animal giving her the same look of disdain that Bovver had been famous for when they first met.

"No, honey," she shook her head. "I think we better leave Bunny Bovver in his hutch, don't you?"

"Fine," Poppy pouted. "But next week…"

"We'll see," Allie kissed her nose. "Now come on, you're going to be late and Uncle Harry's taking you to school today,"

"He is!" Poppy screeched excitedly.

"Yeah!" Allie grinned back at her. "So go, get your hat and your gloves,"

"Ok!" Poppy tripped over her own feet and fell, pulling herself back up a split second later and smiling sheepishly at her father. "Hi Daddy,"

"Alright, monster?" he winked, ruffling her hair as she ran past him. "That kid's a liability," he told Allie as he straightened up from talking to Alex and reached for his coffee.

"Wonder where she gets that from," Allie raised her eyebrows, smiling when Pete glared at her. "So what are you doing for lunch today?" she asked, zipping up her daughters back pack and placing it on the counter.

"Nothin'," Pete shrugged. "I was thinking about comin' over to see you,"

"Ah," she bit her lip. "I uh…I said I'd go out with Nathan today, there's this new sushi bar round the corner and he really wants to try it."

Nathan.

Shuddering at the surge of anger he felt just from hearing the name, Pete pasted a smile on his face and tried not to think back to the events of the other night when that prick had had dinner with them.

"Is that ok?" Allie asked as she straightened his tie.

"What?" Pete snapped, making her jump. "Oh, yeah, 'course it is, babe," he amended, leaning down to kiss her gently.

"I'll make it up to you later though," she whispered, tugging playfully on his bottom lip with her teeth.

"You damn well better," he growled, making her laugh as he hugged her tighter.

"Christ, do you two have to do that in front of the innocents?" Harry Harding demanded as he strolled into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of orange juice out of the fridge.

"Poppy's still putting her coat on," Allie pointed out, wrinkling her nose in disgust at her brother when she watched him wipe up some jam on the counter with his finger before licking it off.

"I was talking about me," he interjected. "My stomach isn't built to witness shit like that first thing in the morning,"

"Shut up," Pete smirked. "Do something useful and hand me that book,"

Picking up the heavy looking exercise book that had something to do with the Tudors, Harry smirked at his brother in law.

"I didn't know you could read, Dunham," he pursed his lips. "I'm impressed,"

"Yep," Pete nodded seriously. "I tie my own shoe laces n' all,"

Harry laughed, shaking his head and noting his sister was doing the same; after a moment he remembered why he had initially wanted to call round this morning, the notion of taking his niece to school turning out to be an added bonus.

"Uh…actually, while you're both here," he cleared his throat, suddenly very nervous. "I wanted to talk to you,"

"I thought this might 'appen," Pete shook his head sadly. "Look mate, I know this is a really difficult time for you,"

Harry blinked, shocked at how intuitive Pete could be at times; or had he just been too obvious?

"I know it's weird, all these changes happening," Pete met his eyes seriously. "First your voice breaks…now you're noticing the girls in the play ground,"

Behind him, Allie burst out laughing and hopped up onto the counter, swinging her legs and pulling a face at Alex which made him laugh.

"You've reached puberty, Harding," Pete placed a hand on his shoulder and pretended to wipe away a tear. "I've never been so proud,"

"Dick," Harry shot back, shrugging his arm off but unable to stop the laugh that came with it.

"Alright," Pete laughed in return. "Let's 'ave it,"

"I uh," Harry wiped his hands on his trousers and wrinkled his nose, wondering how much it would cost to get sweat stains out of an Armani tux.

"I'm selling the apartment," he blurted suddenly, his voice coming out a tad louder than necessary.

"What? Allie gasped, her eyes wide.

"I…Lara and I bought that place together," he ignored the slight tremble in his voice that occurred every time he said her name. "And it was meant to be the start of…something more. And since that isn't going to happen," he felt his chest start to ache and quickly moved on. "I'm selling it,"

"Shit," Pete half whispered, his hand finding its way back to Harry's shoulder. "Mate, you should 'ave told us sooner,"

"No, no I'm ok," he breathed. "Well not really but you know what I mean…" he shook his head. "Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about…what I wanted was…I mean if its ok with you guys…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Allie slid off of the counter and walked over to her older brother, slipping the key to the garage in his hand and closing his fingers around it.

"You're room is still a total sty, none of us ever bothered cleaning it," she smiled. "And as for that monster you call your car, you can park it in the far garage with Pete's old VW because it isn't coming within 20 feet of my Porsche, got it?"

Harry shook his head, his mouth hanging open in shock.

"This is still your house, too," she explained. "We're just keeping it warm for you,"

A huge smile pulled at Harry's lips and he choked out a somewhat emotional laugh.

"You sure about this?" he asked.

"Sure," Allie grinned. "I think between me and Nat being here its getting a little too female intensive for Petey pie," she winked, using Benjamin's nick name for him. "Saying that, you got on really well with Nathan, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Pete smiled a little too widely. "He's…super,"

Harry concealed his laugh with a small coughing fit, slapping his fist against his chest as his sister looked at him with concern.

"Choked on my own air," he rolled his eyes. "So I should get madam to school soon…"

"Right," Allie nodded. "I'll go check on her,"

Both men watched her go, standing in silence for a short moment before Harry spoke up.

"So who's Nathan?" he rubbed his hands together. "He must really be something if the almighty Pete Dunham described him as 'super,"

"Some Prada wearing tart from Allie's office," Pete answered immediately. "He's a fuckin' Yank as well so I don't trust the bastard as far as I can throw him,"

"What is it with you and Americans?" Harry frowned. "Are they all out to get you or is it the other way around?"

"I dunno," Pete snorted. "Does it matter? You should 'ave fuckin' seen him, he was all over her like a rash,"

"I've heard this before," Harry nodded. "Wasn't this level of paranoia on the cards when Matt first moved here?"

"Yeah and look what happened there!" Pete half shouted, sighing when Harry shushed him.

"Alright, I get it, the guy's a dick," he smirked. "But that doesn't mean anything, mate, you've got nothing to worry about,"

"Oh my God, really?" Allie laughed as she stepped back into the room holding Poppy's hand. "Are you serious?"

Pete noticed she was on her phone and frowned as she jumped up and down and mouthed 'oh my God' at him.

"Ok, so I'll talk to you about this when I get to the office! Right…oh, yeah um, double shot latte, please. God you're an angel, I'll speak to you soon,"

She hung up the phone and squealed, hugging her mobile to her chest.

"What happened?" her brother raised an eyebrow. "Did someone fax your office letting them know they have a sale on souls going on?"

"Funny," she shot back. "That was Nathan and he's got tickets to the Fashion Rocks party on Friday! Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to go to Fashion Rocks?"

"The Swarovski thing in Birmingham?" Harry frowned. "The Ad agency next door to us handles all their PR, it's huge."

"I know!" Allie shrieked. "And I'm going!"

"So the whole office is taking the weekend off and going to Birmingham?" Pete snorted. "How will the world cope?"

"No, are you crazy?" she laughed. "Its just me and Nathan going, Jack wanted to come but he's got a meeting in Paris the morning after and doesn't actually think he'll make it alive,"

Pete stared at her in horror for a long moment, trying desperately to curb the pure fury that was rushing through his veins.

"You and Nathan…" he stuttered. "Are going to this thing on your own…over night?"

"Yeah," she bit her lip. "Baby, I know its short notice but it'll only be for one night and Sinead can help you out if the kids get…"

"Hey, you've got me," Harry jumped in, slugging his arm around Pete's shoulders and smiling. "We've got you covered, sis,"

"Really?" she grinned. "Oh my God! I'm going to a Swarovski party! Holy shit, I need to get a dress! I need to…right, ok, ok…I'm ok…this is just…Ahhhh!"

She jumped and kissed Pete quickly on the lips before rocking back on her high heels and smiling dreamily.

"I can't wait to talk to Nathan and find out what the line up is!" she picked up Poppy and nuzzled her excitedly. "Ready to say goodbye to Alex and get in the car?"

"Yep," Poppy grinned, almost hitting Allie over the head with her lunch box as she wrapped her pudgy arms around her neck.

Harry watched Pete who was still staring at Allie with an eerie calmness that he hadn't seen in a long time.

"You alright, mate?" he whispered.

Pete nodded slowly, but the way his was clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides was unmistakeable.

"You're going to wait until she's gone and then break shit, aren't you?" Harry whispered again, smirking slightly when he got the same slow nod in response.

"Just don't break anything of mine," he clapped him on the shoulder. "If you really need to let loose, try and aim for Natalie's stuff,"

Pete watched him as she grabbed his car keys and picked Poppy out of Allie's arms, saying something to her to make her laugh as he carried her out to his car. He felt numb, he was so angry, so frightened that he didn't know what to do or say.

"Bye baby!" Allie called, waving to Poppy as she smiled against the car window.

Sighing and shivering as the cold enveloped her, she stepped back inside the house, happy that she had enough time to have one more cup of coffee with Pete before either of them had to leave.

"So Dunham, about tonight," she smiled, pushing back into the kitchen and laughing at Alex who was bouncing in his chair, gurgling excitedly at the brightly coloured creatures dancing on the TV screen.

"Pete?" she called, craning her head around to look into the huge room. "Pete?"

Blinking in surprise, she noted that the house was empty, its silence enveloping her as she registered that both his coat and bag were now gone from the counter. And it was only a second later when she heard the roar of his engine as his car pulled out of the drive way a lot faster than usual that she realised he had left her without saying goodbye.

"Steady on, sweetheart," Benjamin frowned at Pete as he downed another pint and coughed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You'll give yourself a nosebleed,"

"Another," Pete grimaced at the barman as he held up his empty glass.

"You do realise we have a class to teach after lunch, right?" the Scotsman raised an eyebrow.

Pete had been in a strange mood ever since he came into work this morning, his movements hurried and clumsy, his patience practically non existent. Every time he tried to broach the subject, Pete would get edgy and shut down.

"You hungry?" Pete asked suddenly.

"Starving actually," Benjamin nodded, picking up the bar menu and frowning when Pete slapped it out of his hand.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Half one," Benjamin snorted. "Brother what the fuck has got your panties in a twist because you've been acting like a right retard today,"

"Half one?" Pete repeated. "Right then…how'd you fancy some sushi for lunch?"

It took them less than 20 minutes to reach the Soba Bar in Chelsea; Benjamin was still confused as to what the hell was going on but having realised about three tube stops back that Pete wasn't about to give him any answers, he'd just gone with it.

Pete strolled past the queue of people outside the restaurant until he got to the front and smiled somewhat lazily at the waiter.

"Alright?" he hiccupped, cringing when he realised that that fourth beer may not have been particularly wise.

"Do you have a reservation, sir?" the man asked, looking him up and down.

"Hillard," he smirked. "Nathan Hillard,"

"That table has already arrived sir," the maitre'd told him curtly.

"It's my brother," Pete shrugged. "Stupid arse must have forgotten about his own boyfriend coming along,"

He gestured to Benjamin behind him whose eyes widened as he shook his head.

"Oi, hold on a second…" he stuttered.

"We'll just be a minute," Pete smiled, pushing past the maitre'd who, to give him credit made no effort to stop him.

"Dunham, what the fuck is going on?" Benjamin hissed. "And why does it mean I have to be gay?"

"Just play along," Pete shot back. "Go order the most expensive bottle of wine they have and send it to his table,"

"What?" Benjamin shook his head. "Are you-…"

He was cut short when Pete shoved him forward to the bar and carried on walking.

To his relief, Pete saw as he approached the table that Nathan was sat on his own, drumming his fingers on the table top as he chatted to someone on his phone.

He spotted Pete and his expression changed from one of boredom to amusement.

"Right…uh, Jack I have to go…the waiter's here to take my order," he smirked, flipping the phone shut.

"Very cute," Pete snorted in disgust. "Where's Allie?"

"Running late," Nathan informed him, resting his elbows on the table. "But then they always say good things come to those who wait, don't they?"

Pete glared at him and yanked the chair back, flopping down into it and meeting the American's gaze.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure?" Nathan smiled. "We only had dinner last night, Pete…I had you figured as being the kind of guy that doesn't call straight away,"

"The day you have me figured, sweetheart," Pete snorted, leaning forward. "Don't think I ain't copped on to what you're doing,"

"And what exactly would that be?" Nathan whispered back.

"I'm more than aware that just because you look like a retard doesn't mean you are one," Pete informed him.

"Have you ever heard of the phrase 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?'?" Nathan cocked an eyebrow.

"Have you ever heard of the phrase 'fuck off back to the states before I beat the shit out of you for flirting with my wife?'?" Pete answered just as calmly.

"No, actually," Nathan laughed. "Must be a British thing,"

"You lay so much as a finger on her…"

"Oh relax, Blondie," he sighed. "No one's laying anything on anyone,"

"I know that," Pete barked. "It's not like you have a fucking hope in hell, is it?"

"Well, see I don't know…" Nathan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?" Pete snapped, his eyes flaring dangerously.

"It means, pretty boy," Nathan grinned arrogantly. "If you honestly thought that I didn't have a hope in hell, then you wouldn't be here right now, would you?"

"I trust Allie," Pete snarled. "I know she loves me but its pieces of shit like you I tend to have issues with."

"Such a charmer," Nathan pointed at him with a chopstick. "And to think I was starting to wonder what the hell she'd ever seen in you,"

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Pete smirked, sitting back in his chair.

"What?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"Pete?" Allie frowned as she came to a stop at the table. "What're you doing here?"

"Nathan gave me a call and asked me to come," Pete shrugged, grinning smugly when he saw the look of fury on the American's face. "Something about footing the bill to say thanks for last night,"

"Nate," Allie nudged his shoulder. "That's so nice of you,"

"Yeah, Nate," Pete grasped his chest as though emotional. "And I brought Benjamin with me, we said we'd pay for ourselves but Nathan was so insistent…"

Pete grinned to himself, knowing damn well how expensive the food was here. From the way the American was gripping the table top hard enough to turn his knuckles white, Pete could see he was furious.

"What can I say?" Nathan forced a smile. "The more the merrier,"

It was at that moment that a waiter appeared at the side of their table, holding an ice bucket and sporting a huge grin.

"Uh, the Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill, sir," he shakily placed the bottle of champagne down on the table and practically ran away.

"Holy shit," Allie laughed. "Since when do you order £165 bottles of champagne for lunch?"

Nathan glared at Pete who simply smiled and poured himself a generous glass which he handed to Allie.

"I just thought the occasion called for it," he snapped bitterly before looking purposefully at Allie knowing that Pete was watching him. "That's the thing about finding something you really want, most men worth their salt won't stop until its theirs," he raised his glass. "No matter how much it costs,"

Pete shook his head and kicked him hard under the table, cringing when Benjamin let out a loud shout.

"Fuck!" he snapped, rubbing his leg and catching Allie's look of confusion. "Cramp," he shrugged lamely before whipping Pete on the back of the head with his chopsticks.

"So," Allie smiled, sliding in the seat next to Pete and leaning her head against his shoulder. "I missed you this morning," she whispered against his cheek. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," he breathed, their faces only millimetres apart. "You don't mind that I tagged along, do you? I would 'ave called but…"

She smiled at him, bringing her hand up to rest against his face, her thumb brushing over his lips.

"When do I ever not want you with me?" she asked softly. "I was worried after this morning that…I don't know…are you ok with Harry moving back home?"

Pete laughed and shook his head; that was what she thought he had been pissed about?

"Course I am," he kissed her nose lightly. "There's something I need to talk to you about but…" he trailed off and immediately she understood.

"Talk to me later?" she asked hopefully.

"Always," he winked at her, kissing her lips gently before pulling back and meeting Nathan's eyes, ignoring his death glare.

"So," he breathed, opening the menu. "Tell me this place sells burgers,"

"The train leaves at midday on Saturday," Adam Courden shouted to his brother through the living room.

"I know, I heard you the first four times you dumb fuck!" Daniel shouted back as he yanked the name badge off of his shirt and threw it carelessly onto his bed. "See what I 'ave to put up with?" he smirked at Natalie as she stood looking somewhat nervous in his hallway.

"You're still going to the match then?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"'Course I am," he nodded, unbuttoning his shirt and displaying the Hammers crest on his skin.

Allie had told her once that she hated looking at Pete's because it reminded her of everything she had almost lost, the other side of his chest sporting the scar that he had earned years ago when Tommy Hatcher had beaten him to the point of death she had said reminded her of everything she had won.

Looking at it a few seconds longer, she visibly shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself.

"You're not worried about me, are ya?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"Someone has to," she shot back, more annoyed than concerned.

"Oh come on, babe," Daniel practically whined. "Don't be like that,"

"Can you just do me a favour and call me when you get there?" she asked, taking a step back from him. "I'm working till then so…"

"Come with us," he shrugged.

"I just told you I was working," she shot back.

"Nat, you're a waitress," he snorted. "I think the world will survive for one afternoon without coffee refills,"

Shaking her head at him in disgust, she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder.

"Just call me when you get there," she repeated, though there was much less patience in her voice this time.

"Oi, Dan," Adam shouted as he skidded into the room, a grin erupting on his face when he saw Natalie. "Ay, ay, not interrupting am I?"

"What'd you want, Adam?" Daniel asked tiredly.

"I've called you about five fucking times," his brother frowned.

"Yeah and I told you five fucking times that I was busy, so if you don't want anything then piss off," Daniel growled.

"Shit me, someone's got a case of PMS," the younger man laughed. "Look mate, I was only passing on the news…"

"What news?"

Natalie watched the exchange with little interest and debated as to whether now would be a good moment to sneak out. But then the next sentence stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I 'eard from Dom's mate down the Arms that the Major and his boys are goin' to this match," Adam blurted excitedly.

Daniel stared at his brother for a moment before shaking his head.

"Nah, fuck off," he grinned. "Pete Dunham is going to the United game on Saturday?"

"That's what's goin' round," Adam shrugged. "About time n' all, that bastard ain't showed his face at a match in over three years,"

"Mate, what I wouldn't give for two minutes with him," Daniel scratched his eyebrow. "Blokes as 'ard as nails,"

Natalie raised an eyebrow and wondered if they'd still agree with that statement if they could have seen Pete this morning playing football with a teddy bear to amuse his son.

Truth be told that was the version of Pete that she had always loved; the same Pete who had acted as her big brother and taken her to her first match, the same brother who had saved her life and made more of his own life than even she had hoped for him.

"So, we're definitely going then, yeah?" Adam's voice broke her out of her reverie.

"If Pete Dunham's going then fuck yeah," Daniel winked at her as he pulled his West Ham shirt on and grinned. "Something tells me this weekend's going to be fun."

You don't actually think I'll leave you hanging for that long do you…well, it depends on how nice the reviews are I supposed…*hint* :D