Sorry guys, I know this is day later than promised. I did a lot of re-writing with this chapter as the influx of Natalie hatred was waaaaaaaaaaay more than what I had been bracing myself for so I'll be honest with you, I re-wrote this to limit her presence in this chapter. That's not me dismissing your feedback, you guys know reviews and constructive criticism from people who have followed my work for nearly 9 years now(!) means the actual world. You have no idea how much of a skippity jump (medical term) my heart does when I see reviews come through so thank you thank you thank you times a million.

Read, hopefully enjoy and please review. Those of you who have waited patiently for 11 chapters for the Pallie express to come in...brace yourselves.

"And pissing well stay out!"

Benjamin glanced up from his steaming cup of watery coffee just in time to see Pete Dunham stumbling backward down the steps of Vauxhall Youth Centre, a woman easily in her seventies waving a shaking finger at him.

"Absolutely vile!"

"Christ alive, alright love!" the blonde shouted back, shaking his head as the chipped and beaten green door slammed hard enough to shake the railings either side of the steps. "I thought you lot were supposed to help the needy,"

"Yeah, the needy, not the fuckin' desperate," Benjamin snorted, pulling a second cup of coffee from the wall behind his back and handing it to him. "No luck?"

"Nah," Pete breathed, nodding his thanks and taking a long sip. "Mate, I can't think of anywhere else she'd be,"

Sighing, he glanced behind him at the river, watching as the early morning rays of sunlight gently kissed its surface, turning the usually brown, murky water of the Thames a thousand colours. There was a mist in the air that promised warmth, the first day of what would likely be England's token week of summer. He and Benjamin had been wandering around the city since 3am and it was now nearly 7…and still no sign of Natalie Dunham.

"Should we call the police?" Benjamin asked, having avoided the question for most of the morning.

"Nah," Pete shook his head vehemently. "I bet my arse she's face down on a park bench somewhere. We just 'ave to find her before her mum does,"

"And this is a habit of hers, huh?" the Scot asked quietly, trying to remember if he had been such a liability at the age of sixteen.

"I love the girl like a sister," Pete scoffed. "But she's a fuckin' liability if ever there was one. Its nothin' to write home about, she's a good girl in the wrong crowd but fuck me….she ain't one from learning from her mistakes."

Benjamin nodded, thinking instantly of Chris and understanding completely. As much as he loved his brother, the kid spent half his life begging for Benjamin to beat the shit out of him. All bollocks and no common sense: that was Chris Ellis.

"Your hangover kickin' in yet?" he asked, wanting to break the tension and succeeding when a smirk instantly appeared on Pete's face.

"Mate, I can't even begin to explain to ya how fuckin' rough I feel," he sniffed at the air and let out a long breath.

"If its half as bad as you smell then I might have an idea," Benjamin grimaced, gesturing to Pete's sweater which was still covered in dried vomit.

"Oh fuck," Pete stopped suddenly, looking down at himself and shaking his head. "No wonder that old dear was beating me out of the fuckin' door with a broom."

"Aye," the dark haired man raised an eyebrow. "Don't suppose you thought to wear a t-shirt underneath?"

"No, mum," Pete chuckled. "Fuckin' ell."

"What?" Benjamin exclaimed. "I'm Scottish. We always dress like winter is coming and death is imminent. I'm wearing about 8 fuckin' layers right now,"

"Well then share the love, you cheeky bitch," Pete laughed, shoving him and almost spilling his coffee.

Flipping him the finger in response, Benjamin stopped to take a leisurely sip of coffee, a smirk that instantly made Pete feel uneasy spreading over his features.

"I may have a better solution, brother," he grinned. "One that doesn't involve me getting done for public indecency and having my clothes end up smelling of your chunder, sweat and shame,"

Turning slowly and following the direction in which Benjamin was pointing, Pete let out a short, hard laugh and turned back to face his friend.

"Fuck off, you absolute cunt," he choked out.

"Petey pie, no one is going to help us if we're stumbling along the Thames looking like a youth theatre cast of Trainspotting," Benjamin nodded. "Find your balls, go over there and get one,"

"Ellis, I don't care if we end up walking to fuckin' Canada," Pete shook his head, his blue eyes narrowed and hard. "I ain't wearing that. So. Go. Fuck. Yourself,"

...

"Aye, aye, darlin'! Give us a twirl!"

"How's about you fuck off?" Pete shouted, glaring at the bin men hanging off the back of their truck, their day clearly made as they doubled over with laughter, one of the bastards even getting his phone out to take a picture. Feeling Benjamin shaking next to him, Pete snapped his head around and shoved him hard.

"Somethin' funny, you shit?" he demanded.

"Not at all, brother," Benjamin shook his head, wiping a tear from his eye as he continued to chuckle, his laughter turning into a full blown bellow as Pete took a few steps in front of him.

It had taken exactly eight minutes, one not so playful shove, enough swear words to make Tarantino blush and £25.00 of Benjamin Ellis' money but here they were walking down Lambeth North just two eighteen year old guys one of which happened to be wearing a "Backstreet's Back, Alright!" t-shirt with "I heart Nick" written on the back of it.

"I actually preferred smelling of vomit," Pete mumbled, forcing himself not to look down. It was bad enough the guy who sold it to them from his cart who spoke no English had pissed himself when Pete had asked him for it but the fact someone might potentially see the nephew of Pat Dunham walking through London in a Backstreet Boys t shirt was something he would honest to God never live down.

"At least you went with the white one," Benjamin coughed, his stomach starting to ache. "It brings out your eyes,"

"I fuckin' knew you was trouble," Pete shoved him, unable to help the laugh that spilled from his own mouth as the Scotsman only laughed harder. "I should 'ave just puked on your floor, beat the shit out of ya, stolen your beer and been done with it,"

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Benjamin feigned offense as he clasped his chest in outrage.

"Nah mate, just yours," Pete smirked.

"Cheap shot," the Scot laughed. "Come on, beautiful, turn that frown upside down. Things could be much worse,"

Pete rolled his eyes as they turned the corner, letting out a grunt when he accidentally brushed shoulders with another man.

"Easy sunshine," Pete clapped him on the back, moving around him and stopping only when he heard an all too familiar bout of laughter.

Oh for fuck sake.

"What in fucks name 'appened to you?" Bovver just about managed to choke out as he clasped his stomach and attempted to take another pull of his cigarette, stopping only when he found himself unable to actually catch his breath long enough to inhale.

Before Pete could answer, Bovver stuck two fingers into his mouth and whistled, still laughing as he did so. Not needing to turn around to know that the rest of the boys were on their way over, he merely dropped his head down to his chest and sighed. It was either too early or too late for all this shit, his body didn't know which anymore.

"Aye, aye!" Dave called, jogging over to what he could see was Bovver, Pete and a guy he'd never seen before. "Mate, Steve mentioned he 'ad you on the case n'all," he sniffed, coming to a stop and shoving his hands into his pockets. "You have any lucking finding 'er or shall we just piss off h-…"

He stopped and Pete watched as his eyes widened, highlighting the little indented scar above his eyebrow where Swill had accidentally hit him with a golf club last Christmas when they broke onto the driving range near Allie's house.

"Don't. Say. A. Fuckin'. Word," Pete spat, clenching his fists.

"Mate, I don't know what the fuck to say," Dave shook his head. "I always had you pegged as more of a Hanson fan,"

"Alright," Swill mumbled, coming to a stop next to them all and popping a cigarette into the corner of his mouth.

They all stared at him as he glanced about the circle, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he dug around in his pocket for a lighter.

"Really?" Pete shrugged emphatically. "You of all fuckin' people are stayin' schtum about this?"

"About what?" Swill froze.

Pete gestured to himself and watched as something of a light appeared behind his friends eyes.

"Oh yeah," Swill frowned, gesturing to Benjamin. "Who's this cunt?"

"Christ," Pete laughed, pinching the bridge of his nose and letting his laughter get lost in the fray of the others. "I'd say at least you've got your looks but that ain't exactly a consolation prize, is it you fuck?"

"I'm still better looking than that thing you took home last night," Swill reached out and slapped him playfully. "Absolute filth."

Pete's eyes widened and he stared around at his friends, wondering what the hell they knew that he didn't. It had only been a matter of hours since Kylie-gate, how the hell had word gotten out?

"Who gave you that golden nugget of wisdom?" Pete frowned, ignoring the panic in his veins as he briefly wondered if there was any way this had gotten back to Allie.

"Who else?" Dave snorted. "My little shit of a brother is going out with one of her mates. Apparently she was texting the 'ole of East London and their mother last night goin' on about how you were back at hers swapping fluids,"

"Jesus Christ," Bovver cried, a look of utter repulsion on his face as he held up his coffee to signal that he was drinking. "That ain't what I need to hear,"

"Its bollocks n'all," Pete rolled his eyes.

"Oh I don't know about that, brother," Benjamin piped up, unable to help himself. "Think its safe to say she needed a wipe down when you were done with her,"

Pete dropped his head into his hands and laughed, successfully avoiding the stares of his friends.

"Oh you nasty bastard," Swill scrunched up his nose. "How desperate can you be?"

"Nothin' happened," Pete snapped, his voice muffled by his hands.

"But he just said…"

"I fuckin' know what he said," the blonde looked up, scrubbing his face with his hands and looking up at the sky for a short moment before meeting their eyes.

"I chucked my guts on her,"

All three men simply stared at him for a long moment, slow, deliberate grins spreading across their faces as the reality of what Pete had just said sank in.

"Oh mate," Swill shook his head. "Repeat that for me?"

"She 'ad me against the door, tryna get my fuckin' jeans off and in the middle of shovin' her away," Pete sighed. "I threw up on 'er,"

The laughter that filled the air for the next minute solid was loud enough to wake a few people, of that much Pete Dunham was certain.

"And that," he spoke loudly, trying to get them to shut up. "Is where this prick comes into the picture?"

"You were the consolation prize, were ya?" Dave laughed, wiping a tear from his eye.

"He fuckin' wishes," Benjamin smirked. "He fell into my flat with her screaming at him like a fuckin' banshee and being the good Samaritan that I am, I took him in, gave him food and beer," he grinned and clapped Pete on the shoulder. "Even treated him to this little number this morning,"

"You," Bovver laughed. "Are a fuckin' hero," he stuck his hand out in an extremely un-Bovver like gesture. "Name's Bov,"

"Benjamin," the Scot replied, shaking his hand and following suit with the rest.

"Yeah, alright." Pete took a last gulp of coffee and threw the cup into the hedge behind him. "If you lot are all done swapping numbers and planning sleepovers, we've got bigger problems than my close call with the clap," he raised an eyebrow. "You lot find Natalie or what?"

"Nada," Dave shrugged. "We tried all the usual haunts but we ain't got…"

"Well there is one place we ain't looked," Swill interrupted, a twinkle in his eye as he looked directly at Pete. "Anyone tried Harding yet?"

Pete felt his stomach clench and instantly regretted not dedicating his life to religion; if he had there might be more of a solid chance that someone was listening to his prayers to be struck down dead.

"She won't be there," Pete mumbled.

"Harding?" Benjamin frowned, then raised his eyebrows. "As in your girl Harding?"

"Allie ain't that," he snapped. "I reckon we established that last night, don't you?"

"Ah, you know n'all, do ya?" Bovver pursed his lips, eyeing up the Scotsman warily. "Welcome to the eternal bullshit that is Pete and Allie dancing around the fact they want to get their leg over,"

"I'm too sober for this," Pete whispered, rubbing his temples slowly.

"'ere, don't Allie's folks 'ave a wine cellar?" Swill shrugged. "If you feel like you're too sober, maybe we should head to hers and see what we can do about that,"

"You lot are getting on my tits," Pete grumbled, wanting to go anywhere but there. He couldn't face her after what happened last night. How was he supposed to look at her knowing that he had almost kissed her, completely blown it and then found out that she only saw him as a mate? Sod it, maybe they did need to stock up on the wine first. "I ain't goin' there dressed like this,"

"Oh cut it out, you tart," Benjamin smirked. "From I what I gather she's a top lass. She won't care what you're wearing. Or who you are…where you're from…as long as you love her,"

"I will hand on heart make sure they never find your body," Pete told him deadpanned as the rest of the boys collapsed into laughter once again.

"Come on, lover boy," Dave shouted. "My motor is around the corner, let's see if we can find ourselves a street urchin and get you a nice girl to vomit over while we're at it,"

Following their laughter down the street, Pete shook his head, hating himself for laughing along with them but unable to help it. He had to face her whether he liked it or not, all he could do now was pray he survived it.

It was the gentle clanking of cutlery and glass that woke Allie Harding. Desperately attempting to unfurl her body from the foetal position where she had been forced to sleep on her chez lounge, she blinked twice into the barely there sunlight and raised an eyebrow as she watch Natalie Dunham tip toeing about the room, gently pushing various bottles of perfume and potions to the side on her dresser so she could slip the tray down onto it, spilling just a drop of orange juice as she did so.

"The last time you brought me breakfast, it was a half-eaten McMuffin and a Ribena carton with no straw," she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep but loud enough to startle the brunette a few feet away from her.

"Yeah well," Natalie shrugged somewhat bashfully. "Last time I didn't scale your house at 1am and kick you outta your own bed,"

Laughing, Allie sat up slowly, rubbing the soreness out of her neck as she yawned.

"What time is it?"

"Just gone eight," Natalie squinted at the clock before leaning back against the vanity and gesturing to the tray. "Don't let it go cold,"

Raising her eyebrows in shock, Allie leaned forward, biting her lip to keep from smiling when she saw the bowl of coco pops, slice of blackened toast barely disguised by an immense layer of jam and a mug of hot chocolate.

"That toast looks as though you cooked it in the fires of the underworld," Allie smirked. "I could probably go to uni and graduate and it would still be at least luke warm,"

"Well if you're gonna be a bitch about it," Natalie huffed, wondering why the hell she had ever let her cousin convince her the blonde elf was anything but a pain in the arse.

Truth be told, despite their backgrounds, Natalie and Allie had hit it off straight away. Natalie had been sick of being the only girl in the Dunham army and aside from her pain in the arse red head mate, Natalie had taken to Allie quicker than most people thought she would. It helped that whilst Pete would come down on her like a ton of bricks every time she messed up, Allie would at least listen to her side of the story.

Also it helped that she came from a family with more money that God.

"Oh stop pouting," the blonde grinned, picking up the piece of toast and biting into it with gusto.

"Haffy?" she mumbled with her mouth full.

"Ecstatic," Natalie rolled her eyes, casting a glance out onto the balcony where the remnants of one of Allie's plant pots still lay.

"So what was last night in aid of?" Allie asked once she had forced the unholy union of burnt bread and thick jam down her gullet.

"It was a Saturday," she shrugged as though that was enough of an explanation.

Allie frowned but didn't say anything; she knew how hard Natalie had it. They didn't need to talk about it openly for Allie to understand that her family had no money, that she had no hope of getting into university and even if she did, had no intention of putting her intellect to good use. Natalie had been dealt a rough hand and whilst others would rally against it, her attitude had been to flip the finger to the world and go on a lifelong bender as a 'fuck you, too' to the powers that be.

"Did you take anything?"

The question wasn't exactly unexpected but it still stung like hell. Only two people knew about her dabble with ecstasy last year: one being paramedic who had dutifully rolled her onto her side when she was vomiting and shoved every needle and vitamin under the sun into her veins.

The other one was sat right in front of her.

"Harding, my head is banging around 260bpm right now," Natalie shook her head. "I really ain't in the mood for this argument,"

"Who's arguing?" Allie shrugged, taking a sip of hot chocolate. "I'm not asking so I can take notes or tell anyone. I just want to know,"

"Why?" she snorted. "Decided you've got room for one more on your Help A Dunham charity program?"

"Now who's being a bitch?" Allie raised an eyebrow, not letting the hurt show on her face even though deep down, those words hurt like hell. Natalie knew better than anyone that she had never seen Pete as less than her and whilst yes, her family had helped his in a lot of ways, it had more than been reciprocated. They were friends, not carers.

Yeah right, her brain snorted at her. Friends.

Not wanting to get into that right now, Allie shook her head as though physically trying to remove the annoying voice from her mind and brushed some crumbs off of her pyjama bottoms before walking over to Natalie and gently placing her hands on her shoulders.

"Please, Nat?" she half whispered. "Just bloody tell me."

The response caused her insides to go cold and she allowed herself the luxury of briefly closing her eyes.

"Just pills?" she whispered.

Allie's bright green eyes darted down to Natalie's arms so fast that she almost didn't notice; but she did. And it broke her heart.

"I told you I would never touch needles," she whispered back. "I promised you,"

"I know," Allie nodded, gently pushing her hair away from her face. "I know you did. And I'm not saying I don't believe you. I just needed to check, to make sure you were ok. You understand that, right?"

"Harding, your parents were hippies," she snorted, trying to bring some light back into the room. "If there's anyone you should be doing a drug screen on…"

"My mother was an animal rights activist who spent her time getting arrested for jumping over the Downing Street barrier and saving whales and children," she giggled. "And my dad openly admitted he only got into law because he wants an OBE. They're yuppie sell outs who thought hash brownies were as hard-core as it got."

"I'll have you know I saved at least three whales in my time," Poppy Harding's voice echoed around the room. "I spent half a months' wages going out to SeaWorld to petition against that weird film about the boy and the whale who form that homoerotic Bates motel-esque friendship. The one your brother thought was a legitimate porno and was devastated when we brought it home from Blockbuster,"

"Free Willy," Allie giggled, shaking her head at the memory of Harry running through the house shouting 'it's actually about a fucking whale?!'.

Natalie turned to look at the woman who was basically Allie with an extra 20 years on her. Poppy Harding was and always had been since the first time Natalie had met her, a movie star. Even now, she had clearly just woken up but there she was all silk robes and pearl earrings, gleaming eyes and cherry lips. The kind of woman you so desperately wanted to hate but the moment she spoke you were hooked.

"I found the cat dragging this through the flower bed," Poppy held up a ragged ballet pump and Allie laughed at the blush that covered Natalie's whole face. "Figured the owner had to be in the house somewhere."

"Y'know normal people tend to call the pigs if they find someone's shoe under a window in the garden of their mansion," Natalie rolled her eyes.

"Normal people don't find it par for the course to wake up with a Dunham of some variety in their home," she smirked with a wink. "Which reminds me, give my love to your mum. She missed lunch with me and Moira last week. Again,"

Natalie sent something of an apologetic smile her way but it was hard to keep it when she remembered the reason her mother hadn't gone was down to the fact they had no electricity or hot water and she hadn't been able to have a bath for six days.

"Oh and darling?" Poppy narrowed her eyes at Allie. "Your birthday came early, there's five burly men downstairs looking for you,"

Frowning at her mother as though she was mad, she quickly felt her heart leap then drop when she realised who she was likely referring to.

"Oh shit,"

"Indeed," Poppy took a sip of tea and smiled. "I have to say, Pete looks quite dashing with short hair,"

Allie narrowed her eyes and pointed to the door, not letting a shred of humour show in her eyes.

"Get out," she snapped.

"Oh darling, have I upset you?" Poppy feigned alarm. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea it was such a touchy subject,"

"Maybe if it got touchy, they'd both stop moping around like bitches," Natalie muttered, seemingly forgetting who she was talking in front of then frowning when the blonde gave out a hearty laugh.

"I agree with Natalie," Poppy pointed at her. "Whole heartedly. See, its not just your mother who thinks you should wake up and smell the puberty,"

"I honest to God hope I'm adopted," Allie groaned, giving up on elegance and trying to physically force her mother out of the door. "There must have been a mistake,"

"You'd make such gorgeous babies," Poppy giggled as her daughter wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her out into the hallway. "Natalie, back me up on this!"

"You're supposed to be my mother," Allie laughed, playfully slapping her arm. "You're supposed to help me through emotional turmoil, not bloody cause it!"

Downstairs she could hear her father laughing, his voice booming and loud, mixing with a few she recognised just as well. There was only one missing…the one that had the ability to make her heart stop.

"Alright, Harding?"

And there it was. Her heart began to pound thick and fast in her chest, her hands which had immediately begun pooling with sweat relinquishing their hold on her mother as she stood up straight, suddenly wishing she hadn't changed into her Seth Cohen is My Homeboy t-shirt and flannel shorts and kept the peachy coloured slip. Not that it would matter. Clearly he didn't feel all that much for her or let's face it, he would have come back last night. Turning to meet his eyes, Allie felt her breath catch; Christ, he was gorgeous. Like old movie star, catch me when I fall, tear me off a chunk of that kind of gorgeous. Even in a…

"Is that a Backstreet Boys shirt?" she frowned, looking at him as though he was crazy.

"It's a really long fuckin' story is what it is," he chuckled, rubbing his jaw tiredly before his eyes sought out hers once more. "Nat's here then I take it?"

"In there," Allie jerked her chin towards her bedroom. "Probably trying to scrub cat crap off of one of her shoes,"

Pete cocked his head and she giggled, the noise resonating in his chest along with other parts of his body as he resisted the urge to let his eyes slip down her body. Really? All the clothes the girl owns and she had to wear the tiniest shorts known to man?

"Don't ask," she advised him.

"Laugh it up, blondie, I'm using your toothbrush to get this off!" the girl in question shouted from the bedroom, too happy to tuck into the bowl of coco pops and T4 marathon to care what was going on in the hallway.

"Well if she's alright, I guess I can leave you to it," Pete smiled tightly, giving Allie a nod that felt way too much like a goodbye.

Panic filled her and she looked about the hallway frantically as he turned and headed back towards the grand staircase. Catching her mother's eye from where Poppy was poking her head around the door mouthing something that looked suspiciously like 'Are you shitting crazy? Stop him!'

"You didn't come back last night,"

Pete froze, his body which upon hearing Natalie was safe and well had started to shut down, allowing him to recover from a whole night of drinking, revving itself back to life as her gentle voice enveloped him.

He didn't turn around, partly because he didn't know what to say and partly because looking at her right now would probably destroy him.

"Pete," she pushed.

Fuck.

That name on those lips had never been anything short of a weapon. From the first day she said it until this moment right now, there was nothing he could deny her when she asked him for it. Nothing.

"I waited for you," Allie swallowed hard, not sure where she was going with this but willing to just enjoy the out of body experience. She would deal with the fall out later, all she knew is that she couldn't let him leave. Not without knowing what had changed. "I wanted you to…"

"To what?" Pete asked her, turning to face her once more.

Their eyes met and for whatever reason, Allie felt hers sting with tears; he was looking at her like he didn't know her.

"To come back so we could watch films all night? Take the piss out of each other playing PlayStation? Order a shit ton of pizza and have you fight me for the last piece? What?"

"What's…" Allie cringed when her voice trembled and broke so cleared her throat and began again. "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothin'," Pete shrugged. "Nothin's wrong with it." He smiled tightly. Brokenly. "That's what mates do, ain't it?"

"Ok," Allie spoke slowly, not trusting her voice anymore. The way he was speaking to her, the way he was looking at her, looking through her, was honest to God breaking her inside. Maybe she read it wrong. Maybe it was all wrong. "I'll see you later then, I guess?"

Pete blinked at her, the laughter coming from his mouth surprising them both as he shook his head in amazement.

"That's it?" he frowned. "The girl who's nearly 'ad my eye out over the battle for the last Pringle in the can is bowing out with 'I'll see you later'?"

"Christ, are you having a stroke or something?" Allie snapped at him, the same fire he knew coming back into her eyes and making him smirk. This Allie he could handle. "I don't know what crawled up your arse and died in the last eight hours but it's got fuck all to do with me so go or stay. Your choice."

"My choice?" Pete pointed to himself and lifted an eyebrow, smirking at her.

Fuck she hated how good he looked when he did that.

"Yes,"

"You think I 'ave a choice here?" he cocked his head.

"What are you the fucking Riddler?" she cried. "Yes, you have a choice. I know you came her to see if Natalie was…"

"I didn't come 'ere for that," he snorted. "And as for me having a choice…don't make me laugh, Harding. I ain't had a choice in seven years,"

Allie opened her mouth to shout at him, her temper on its last legs when he shook his head at her, stopping her in her tracks. Something changed in his eyes, the coldness and defensiveness slipping away from the bright blue orbs she knew so well as Pete let out a laugh and dropped his hands to his sides with a loud smack.

"You still don't get it do ya?" he shook his head. "I don't have a choice in any of this. See my fate was sealed a long fuckin' time ago." He took a step towards her but daren't let himself go any closer for fear of losing control. If this backfired, he needed time to run.

"Because I am gone with the wind, utterly fucked, balls to the wall in love with you."

He watched as her peachy coloured lips, the same lips that had been a hairs breath from his last night, parted as her jaw fell open. Downstairs, the noise coming from the boys stopped dead, the faint sound of a cup smashing and Swill muttering "well fuck me," drifting up the stairs.

"You…" Allie spoke slowly as though suddenly she had lost all concept of the English language.

"I'm in love with you," Pete shrugged. "And its shit. Because I don't have a choice in it. So it ain't about staying or going. I hate the fact you don't see me that way; I hate the fact I know by spouting all this bullshit I'm ruining the best friendship I ever had. I hate that I'll probably still see you every now and then and one day you'll be with a bloke and I'll have to do everything in my power not to beat the shit out of him because honest to fuck, the guy could cure cancer and I'd still hate him. I hate that I didn't kiss you last night and I really fuckin' hate that I can't kiss you now."

Pete looked down at his hands and laughed sadly, knowing that in the grand scheme of things, this would likely be the last time he saw her, for a long while at least.

"So tell me I'm embarrassing myself, tell me I'm a twat," he met her eyes once last time and tried to memorise as much as he could about them; the different shades of green and the gold flecks around the iris. Her long dark lashes sparkling with what he knew were tears. She was beautiful.

"But don't tell me I 'ave a choice," he turned and started on the stairs, leaving Allie staring after him desperately, shaking her head slowly as she tried to process what the hell had just happened and what she could do to fix it.

So the worst kept secret in fanfiction is out. Pete Loves Allie. I'll have part 3 up by Sunday as to leave it here would be a level of evil that even I'm not capable of. And we all know I'm capable of evil...see previous stories ;)