"Now the drugs don't work. They just make you worse. But I know I'll see your face again"~The Drugs Don't Work-The Verve

New York, 17 October 1966

Lily smoked a cigarette, leaning on the kitchen counter as Mina sipped a coffee.

There was a retching sound coming from Charli's room, they both grimaced at the sound.

Eddie stepped out of the room with a waste bin and took it into the bathroom where they could hear the sounds of him washing it out before he brought it back into Charli's room.

Eddie stepped out of the room again, closing the door quietly behind him.

"She eat anything?" Lily asked.

Eddie shook his head.

"She's pretty sick," he advised "withdrawal from that shit is terrible at the best of times, she had a heavier dose than she used to...If I ever see Max again, I swear I'll kill him"

"What happened?" Mina asked. "I mean...why'd she do it?"

"Not sure," Eddie shrugged "My guess, since she's sporting a shiner it's to do with her fucking parents...she isn't talking much yet, she's in a lot of pain right now"

Lily hung his head sadly.

Mina lit a cigarette.

"How's Sophie?" Eddie asked. His room was next to Mina and Toni's where Sophie had stayed the previous night, she had been in and out of panic attacks the entire night, sobbing and screaming from nightmares.

"Sleeping right now," Mina exhaled her cigarette "Toni called in for Sophie, she's with her now. Sophie is pretty pissed off."

"Pissed off?" Eddie said defensively "Why is she pissed off?"

"Well, Eddie..."Mina said coolly "She spent all last night in a panic because she found someone she cares about overdosed on heroin, it brought back some bad memories."

"She doesn't get to be pissed off, dammit!" Eddie yelled.

"She can feel however the fuck she wants" Mina yelled back "You weren't there. She found her brother dead! She found him. Not her mother. Not her dad. She found him. She was 16! She was afraid to even be friends with Charli when she found out she used..."

"Charli didn't mean to do it!" Eddie said slamming a fist on the counter "Fuck! She's been my best friend since high school, her dad beat the shit out of her and her mom doesn't care...she can't help it, there's so much hurt.."

Eddie didn't stop the tears from falling as Lily cut into the argument.

"Enough!" Lily said stepping in "Both of you are acting like children! Mina, Charli has some demons she needs to put behind her, okay? She didn't do this in spite of any of us. Eddie, Sophie is valid in her feelings, she was very close to her brother. We could have lost one of our family last night, but we didn't. I refuse to let this destroy my friends, what both of them need right now is our support."

Eddie and Mina were silent. They both knew Lily was right. Lily had always taken it upon himself to act as the parent figure of the group when necessary, he was older than the rest by a couple years but took it upon himself to care about each of them, it was a quality they loved about Lily.

"Now, I'm going to see how Charli is doing," he said sternly "When I come out, I don't want to hear any arguments."

They heard the door to Charli's bedroom close as Lily disappeared.

"I'm sorry Mina," Eddie said quietly.

"I'm sorry too Eddie," She said "I hate that this happened."

"Me too," Eddie said.

The phone rang, much as neither was in the mood to talk it was Eddie who decided to answer.

"Hullo Eddie," a thick Liverpudlian accent came over the phone "I haven't heard from Charli since she got back...is she around?"

Eddie looked to Mina and mouthed "Its Paul"

"Hey Paul," Eddie said "Um...Charli isn't well..."

"Oh?" Paul questioned. He had been worried since he knew she would be seeing her parents, the fact she was unwell didn't sit right.

Mina mouthed "Tell him".

"Yeah..." Eddie began "Listen Paul, something happened..."

"Eddie, what's going on?" Paul asked the tone in his voice changed suddenly.

Eddie gripped the back of his neck, how do you tell your best friend's soon to be partner overseas 'oh, she relapsed...it's bad'? He thought.

"Look, I'm just going to be honest" Eddie gulped "She relapsed last night...she had a bad hit...we had to call a doctor in...she could have died...but she's okay now...she's recovering, but she's really sick" Eddie realised he was rambling and closed his eyes tight expecting the worst.

There was a click and the line went dead.

"Fuck," eddie sighed.

"What happened?" Mina said anxiously.

"He hung up..." Eddie ran a hand through his hair "She can't lose him too..."

"We can't lose her," Mina said "Whatever happens, we're going to get her through it"

Eddie nodded. "Just don't say anything about Paul until she's recovered."

**

"Fuck," Paul said running a hand through his hair after hanging up the phone. He couldn't speak after Eddie told him about Charli's relapse, he didn't want to accept it, but it was slowly sinking in.

He looked at the photo of himself and Charli from her birthday only 2 months previous.

"Love," he said "I wish you'd called me..."

His hands were shaking as Martha nudged her head under one hand to distract him, she knew something was wrong.

He absentmindedly scratched her ears, a million thoughts were running through his head.

He picked up the phone.

"Yeah?" a deep voice answered the other line.

"Mal?" Paul said "I need you to do me a favour"

**

Another day had gone by, the arguments had ceased but the worry was still hanging in the air. It was a cold autumn day as the afternoon sun peered through the small gap in the curtains of Charli's room.

"Think you'll be able to keep anything down?" Eddie said sitting on the bed next to Charli, she was shaking violently.

"I don't know.." she croaked.

"Lily made some toast," Eddie said sliding a small plate toward her "Eat what you can"

"I feel like it's just going to come back up..." Charli said closing her eyes. "I forgot how bad this is.."

"Cheer up," Eddie half smiled "Sue said, it shouldn't be as bad...or at least not last as long as when you were on it before"

"What's sick?....I want more..." Charli admitted quietly as tears came to her eyes. She knew the cravings lied, she didn't need more, she also knew she hurt her friends and potentially destroyed her friendship with Sophie.

"Charli," Eddie said reading her mind as he pushed a strand of hear from her face "Its going to be okay, your friends still love you."

Charli yawned and shook harder, pulling the blanket over her tight.

"I'm tired..." she sighed.

"Get some sleep," Eddie said standing up, he glanced at the bucket near the bedside noting it needed emptying "I'll...um...clean out the bucket"

"How is she?" Toni asked. Lily sat on the couch reading Howl and Other Poems by Alan Ginsburg as Sophie entered the kitchen, grabbed a soda, but said nothing.

"Alright" Eddie shrugged sitting on one of the bar stools at the kitchen counter. "She's still sick, will be for a few days...Sue is coming to check on her tonight"

Sophie grunted angrily.

"You know she's sorry Soph, don't you?" Eddie asked.

"Sure...sorry" Sophie huffed angrily before going back to Toni and Mina's room.

The door slammed behind her.

"Leave it to me Eddie," Toni smiled "She'll come around, she's just....scared..."

"I know.." Eddie sighed, lighting a cigarette.

There was a knock at the door, Toni, Eddie and Lily looked at each other confused. They weren't expecting company, in fact, they didn't want any company unless it was their neighbor Sue later that evening checking up on Charli.

"I'll get it," Lily said getting up from the couch as Eddie and Toni watched.

Lily answered the door only to be shocked by 2 men in very haphazardly assembled disguises.

"I came as soon as I could," Paul said taking off his hat and glasses. "Is she alright? Where is she?"

"Paul?" Eddie said curiously "What are you doing here?"

"Bloody hell!" Paul sighed anxiously "What do ya's think I'm doing here?"

"Calm down Paulie" Mal reassured "We caught the first flight we could" He explained to the rest.

"Don't fuckin' tell me to calm down!" Paul snapped. None of the flat had ever seen him snap. Mal remained calm.

"He's been stressed since we landed," he shrugged.

"Paul," Lily said "She's going to be ok and I'm sure she'll be happy to see you, but what I need is for you to calm down before you see her. She's sick, there's no other way to put it.."

"She feels pretty terrible about what happened" Eddie added "We're trying to be gentle with her until she's ok to tell us what happened to cause her relapse"

Paul was quiet a moment. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to calm down. He hadn't been calm since he learned she'd relapsed, he had called Mal to arrange a flight to New York as soon as possible on the stipulation that Brian mustn't know, he hadn't even told John, George or Ringo. Before he knew it, he was packing as much as he could and as little as he could remember and on a flight in the middle of the night with Mal.He hadn't slept more than a few minutes at a time on the flight over, he had practically chewed all of his fingernails off on the ride from the airport. 

"It's been a rough couple days" Lily said finally "For everyone, we were just going to have a late lunch...I'll make something up. You should join us"

Lily wasn't so much asking Paul as demanding he eat something.

"Yeah, you're probably right" Paul said finally realising he was famished.

"She should be a bit rested by then," Eddie added.

After an amusing lunch, Lily popped in to see how Charli was.

"She's asleep," he whispered as he closed the door softly "She might not be very with it, but you can see her if you want"

He patted Paul's shoulder as he went back to his book on the couch.

Paul wasted no time.

Paul entered the room quietly, closing the door behind him The same room they had escaped to only a couple months earlier, the same room they made love for the first time in years, the same room he woke up to see her next to him and realised he wanted to see her next to him in bed every morning.

However, there was a sadness to the room now, it seemed more dim, but he smiled seeing her sleeping soundly on the bed. Stepping closer, he cringed slightly at the bucket knowing what it was used for. He crouched down beside the bed and watched her sleep, she was pale, her hair was damp from sweat, but she clung to Rocky tightly, he smiled slightly that she had kept Rocky with her through everything.

Her eyes flitted open, then fully opened realising he was in front of her.

"Paul?" she whispered as her eyes opened fully.

"Hey baby girl," he smiled reaching a hand to caress her cheek.

"Oh god," Charli said in a panic "I don't want you to see me like this...I never wanted you to know.."

"Shh.." Paul soothed "Its okay, kitten."

"I couldn't help it," she choked as tears came to her eyes "I tried fighting it, I really did..."

"It's alright," he tried calming her "I don't want to upset ya's, ok? I'm here if you need me."

She nodded as tears streamed down her face, she was already upset she'd hurt her friends, she never wanted him to see her this way. Her body ached, she was cold and everything made her nauseous she knew the quickest fix for it...but there was a reason she'd been confined to her bedroom, and she saw Eddie removing her old jacket and clothes with her old needles as she drifted in and out of sleep the day before.

She reached to touch his face, questioning if he was real.

"Blimey!" Paul exclaimed, as she reached she missed and caught him in the eye.

"Sorry..." she sighed "I'm real grotty..."

"It's alright" Paul laughed softly as he rubbed his eye "I'll just hafta' be a bit careful...ya' might blind me"

He glimpsed at her hand seeing the familiar small gold ring.

"What's this?" he asked holding her hand to see the ring.

"I found it..." she began "and all the letters...."

She began sobbing.

"Shh.." Paul said stroking her hair "Don't cry luv, do ya' want me to hold ya's til ya' sleep?"

Charli nodded.

Paul smiled and climbed into the bed next to her, she laid her head on his chest, he held her hand and looked at the ring.

"Someday," he said fiddling with the ring softly "I'm going to get ya' a nicer one"

Charli was already half asleep.

"Then ye'd have ta' marry me" she said groggily.

"That's always been the plan" he laughed softly "I'll leave the details up to you luv"

"Ya' have to ask me," she said in her sleepy state "not now..later... Sleep now."

He smiled and kissed her forehead. The exhaustion of the last couple days finally caught up with him and soon he was asleep as well.

"Oh shite.." Charli groaned waking up and rolling over, the movement woke Paul and the sound of her retching fully woke him up as he placed a hand at her back.

She wiped at her mouth with a small washcloth Eddie had left that afternoon.

"I'm sorry luv," she apologised "I really never wanted you to see this side of me"

"Stop apologising" Paul scolded lightly "I just want ya's to get better, if I have to see ya' at less than yer best sometimes, that's fine."

There was a soft knock on the door before Eddie entered.

"You're both awake!" he smiled. "I came in a bit ago and you were both sound asleep"

"Me getting sick woke us up" Charli admitted as she pulled the covers up again for warmth.

"I'll get that cleaned up again." Eddie said "Actually, Lily, Mal and me are going for Thai. Did you want anything Paul?"

"I could use a nosh" Paul realised "Bit hungry, could do with a bit of satay"

Eddie grinned "Perfect"

"I want spring rolls!" Charli demanded, she'd started falling asleep again, but somehow managed to demand food.

"You my dear," Eddie chided "have to be able to keep down toast before you can have spring rolls"

"Sod off" Charli muttered as she shook.

"I'll get you spring rolls when you're better" Paul teased.

"Promise?" she yawned.

"She'll fucking hold you to it" Eddie laughed "Right, we should go. Charli, we'll be back soon...when we're back, Susan is coming to check on you."

Charli groaned, she was feeling nauseous after talking about food.

**

"Make sure she takes these twice a day" Susan said as the group ate dinner "It will help with the symptoms and getting it out of her system"

She had finished her check in with Charli, who she advised for the dosage she took and its potency, was recovering well.

"Ta luv," Paul said amiably before the rest could say anything. Sue blushed, she'd had no warning a Beatle would be part of the crowd that night, she had tried keeping her professionalism, she didn't want him to know she'd been following their music since they hit the US.

"Sue, would you like to join us?" Lily asked happily "We have plenty of sweet and sour chicken and a few money bags left"

Sue nodded nervously and sat among the flat 2 floors down from her.

"It's our way of saying thank you for helping Charli" Mina said.

"It's alright," Sue said quietly. "Its what I trained for"

Sue had always been shy, she was very blunt and to the point and wasn't used to others in the apartment building wanting friendship.

Eventually, Sue felt more at ease among the group of friends. They thanked her numerous times and laughed at her timid sense of humour.

"I really should be going," she said as she grabbed her bag, she quickly dug in her bag finding a small piece of paper. "Um...before I do, Mr. McCartney, would you mind signing this?"

Paul smiled "It's Paul luv," he said taking the paper and grabbing a pen from Mal "And its the least I can do for the girl helping the love of me life"

"Aw, C'mon Sue..." Eddie laughed "We know you like The Beatles...you've been listening to them every time I've stopped by. Why not bring your LPs down? I'm sure Paul wouldn't mind"

Sue's face turned bright red "I couldn't..."

"It's fine luv," Paul grinned "I'd be happy to sign them for ya's"

"Oh..um...can I bring them by tomorrow?" Sue asked "I just...really need to get some sleep, I've got an early start at the clinic"

"EDDIE!" they heard Charli scream from the bedroom "EDDIE!! WHERE THE FUCK IS ME CASE!!"

"Nevermind, I'm needed here" Sue said rushing into the bedroom.

"Sorry Paul," Eddie said "You get to see the ugly side of withdrawal..."

Charli sat on the bed her knees against her chest, hands tangled in her hair, shaking and occasionally screaming for her case.

"Charli," Sue said calmly "Lay back down"

"WHERE'S ME FUCKING CASE?!?" Charli demanded.

"It's gone," Sue said sternly "And you need to lay back down. Now"

"Where's Paul?" Charli yelled.

"He's right at the door," Sue said trying to guide Charli to lay down.

"I don't want ta' lay down!" Charli panicked as Sue held her gently down.

"Paul, make her stop!" Charli pleaded as Paul sat on the other side of the bed.

"Sue is only trying to help," Paul said quietly.

"Then why does it hurt?!?" She cried. Paul cringed away slightly, he didn't want to see her in such pain.

"This is normal," Sue advised him sensing his worry "The craving can get really intense a couple days after"

"It was a LOT worse 2 years ago" Eddie added "She threw shit at me then"

Charli sobbed.

"Why don't they love me?" She said suddenly.

"Aw, kitten" Paul said brushing her hair from her face "Your friends love you more than you realise, that's why they're trying to help you"

"No," she said "Not my friends..."

The room was quiet.

"Why didn't they love me," Charli sobbed again "Why did they do this to me?"

Eddie wiped at his eyes as Lily hugged his shoulders.

"Why did they hate me so much?" Charli said as her arms went around Paul, who instinctively held her close.

"I think she'll be fine.." Sue whispered to Lily, Mal and Eddie "Best we don't crowd her"

They were alone, Charli continued sobbing.

"What's wrong with me, Paul?" She asked "Why didn't they love me?"

"Charlotte, love...nothing is wrong with you" he said lifting her face to his "Your parents are bloody fucking twats for how they treated you"

"But why? Why did they do it?" She implored. Paul had never seen this side of her before, she usually came across more bitter than anything at how her parents had treated her, he'd never seen the actual sadness she felt for what they did to her.  He wished he had a better answer for her, but he didn't understand himself.

"I..I don't know luv," he said stroking her hair "they don't deserve you"

He was silent for a few moments, allowing her to cry.

"I just...I don't understand" she said finally "What did I do?"

"Nothing." Paul said abruptly "You are fine just as you are..fuck, I've been trying to either replace you with girls similar to you or change them to be like you"

"That's a bit shit of you," Charli laughed slightly. Paul laughed as well.

"It was...Jane didn't put up with my shite" he admitted.

"And you think I will?" Charli asked half in jest.

"I know you won't, I'm well aware what I'm getting myself into" Paul admitted.

Charli smiled weakly, she still was figuring out all of her thoughts, the cravings, everything had hit her hard that night.

"Charli, I don't know what's wrong with your parents" Paul sighed "I really don't. I'll be honest, I've hated them most of me life"

Charli nodded, more tears filled her eyes "They completely fucked me up."

"You're not fucked up," Paul assured.

She calmed down slightly, the exhaustion of everything was hitting her suddenly as she yawned.

"Sing me to sleep, luv" she sighed.

"Just like when we were younger," Paul laughed softly. He thought momentarily on a the sheet music his step-sister Ruth had left on the piano at his father's home while he was visiting only a few weeks earlier and began singing softly

Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home

Sleep, pretty darling do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby

Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles await you when you rise
Sleep, pretty darling do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby...

"It's not much," he said "I want ta' make the middle part stronger..."

He stopped his train of thought realising Charli had fallen asleep soundly in his arms.

**

A few days had passed, Paul had rarely left Charli's side. Each day she seemed more herself but said she still wasn't feeling totally herself just yet.

"Ugh..." she groaned waking up "I need a shower"

It was the first day she felt the need for a shower or to get out of bed.

Paul yawned waking up "Morning luv"

"Morning yerself" Charli said groggily "Surprised ya' can stand being next to me...I look pretty rank..."

Paul laughed slightly. "I'm not going to say anything...other than you're gorgeous even when you're a bit rank"
She sat up slapping his shoulder playfully.

They noticed it was quiet in the apartment.

"Is anyone up yet?" Paul asked curiously.

"They should be..." Charli answered as she stood unsteadily. Her hair was a mess and after getting out of bed she felt more than ever she could shower the rest of the day and still feel gritty.

As Charli made her way outside her room for the first time in days, it was still, quiet. The autumn sun shone through the windows inside the silent apartment. She glanced around wondering where anyone was.

"Mal isn't even here," she called to Paul, who soon joined her curious where everyone could be.

"Ah ha," Charli said finding a note on the kitchen counter.

Paul,

We took Mal out to experience the best breakfast (aside from Lily's cooking) in The Village! Lily is at work and Sophie is still at her parents' house, she's planning to come back tonight. Hopefully, we can mend the bridge between her and Charli soon.

If Charli is more with it this morning, make sure she eats something. She seemed a little better yesterday!

We'll be back at some point today, we thought we'd take Mal for a bit of village shopping as well since he hasn't had a lot to do since he got here. Hope you don't mind!

Eddie

"Looks like we're alone" Paul smirked as his arms went around her waist.

"Don't get yerself too worked up" Charli laughed "I am a bit desperate for a shower before anything!"

"I need one meself" Paul winked. Charli grinned and bit her lip before wiggling out of his grasp.

"Well, you're free to join me if ya' like" she said walking toward the bathroom.

**

"That had to be the most enjoyable shower I've ever had" Charli laughed as she ate an apple. She and Paul stood together in the kitchen still in the afterglow of their shower together. Paul had changed into a pair of jeans and a black tshirt, his hair still damp. Charli wore a pair of jeans as well and a loose fitting green sweater, which hung off her shoulder slightly.

"Not sure how clean either of us got" Paul said leaning against the counter "But it was fun"

She smirked as she put her still damp hair into a loose plait.

"C'mere luv," Paul said. Charli happily obliged and made her way into his arms. It had been nice having the apartment to themselves for the morning that was quickly becoming afternoon.

"I've been thinking" he announced. "Rather than have you move in with me in February, what if you came to stay at Christmas?"

"Stay?" Charli questioned as she cocked her head.

"For good," Paul answered "Look, Charli...I knew if I saw you again, I would want you by my side everyday. It's been Hell being without you even for 2 months...after all this, maybe it's best?"

"Are you sure?" She asked "I mean, yer the one who has to deal with the bleeding press"

"I don't care anymore," Paul admitted "My da' gave me some good advice during me last visit to Liverpool, that I should be the one making decisions about my life...not me mates, note Bri, not the press. I'm just worried about you luv...."

"You're worried I'll start using again if I stay here," she said.

"Well, um.." Paul nervously tried to explain himself. Charli smirked at his nervousness.

"I would love to tell you you're wrong luv," she sighed "But...I can't, I desperately want to never do that shite again...but I can't deny, I have a wee while before I'll be okay"

She couldn't blame him, much as she wanted to argue, much as she was feeling more herself....her body was still craving the drug.

"It would be nice to start a new year....and a new life..." Charli thought out loud "Let me talk to me flatmates...and the show...they expected me to stay until February"

Paul smiled before kissing her warmly.

The door opened and they could hear the group of flatmates entering happily.

"Hey!" Eddie said running into the kitchen and hugging Charli and Paul as well by accident "She's up!"

"Oh sod off!" Charli laughed "I'm going to need a nap soon..."

"I like this," Eddie said resting his head on her shoulder "triple hugs are the best"

Paul laughed.

"Really though," Eddie asked ending the hug "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," Charli shrugged "Tired....and starving..."

Suddenly a realisation from a few nights ago dawned on her.

"You promised me spring rolls!" She said tapping Paul on the chest slightly.

"Fuck me," he laughed "You were half awake! How did you remember that??"

"If spring rolls were involved, she'll never forget" Toni laughed.

"Right, I'll pick up dinner tonight for everyone then" Paul said looking to Mal, who had various shopping bags in his hands. "Alright, Mal?"

"Alright, mate" Mal smiled "They decided I needed a few updates to me wardrobe"

**

"Alright luv, we'll be back in a bit" Paul smiled as he donned his fedora and thick rimmed glasses and he and Mal left to get dinner for Charli and her flatmates. They had spoken before Charli had taken a nap most of the afternoon that she needed time to speak with her flatmates regarding her change of plans, she was a bit sad that Sophie wasn't there and hoped she could patch things with her soon.

"Paul didn't have to get us dinner" Lily said as they sat together at the kitchen counter.

"He wanted to and he promised me spring rolls days ago" Charli grinned to the laughter of her friends.

"I just wish Sophie was here..." Charli said sadly.

"Cheer up," Mina said "She should be coming home from her parents' tonight"

"Right, so...there's a reason Paul offered to grab dinner" Charli said suddenly "I needed to talk with all of you..."

She bit her lip nervously as she tried to find the words. Eddie picked up on her behaviour.

"C'mon Charli," he encouraged "You can tell us anything"

"I hope so," she said quietly before taking a deep breath.

"Paul and I were talking this afternoon," She began "And.....I think rather than waiting to move to London in February, I'm going to move when I go back at Christmas. We think it might be best"

She finished what she thought was going to turn into an argument as it would make things a little difficult. Charli closed her eyes waiting for the arguments until she felt a pair of arms around her shoulders.

"Honey," Eddie said warmly "I am going to miss you more than you know no matter when you go, do what you think is right"

"We love you Charli," Lily added "If you this is what you want, go for it girly"

Tears came to Charli's eyes at the kindness she felt in the room.

"This little apartment won't be the same without you" Toni added "But you're always a part of our family"

"And it just means we get to throw the biggest Christmas/going away party Greenwich Village has ever seen" Mina laughed.

After Paul and Mal arrived with a veritable feast, and plenty of spring rolls; there were many laughs, Charli had started forgetting the craving in the back of her head and was happy to be with her friends and her love.

The door opened and Sophie entered the flat.

"Sophie!" Lily exclaimed "Just in time for dinner dah-ling!"

Charli looked away nervously, she knew out of all her friends, she had hurt Sophie the worst.

"Lily!" Sophie giggled "Its good to be home! Paul, Mal, I didn't get to say it before but it's fab to see you both again!"

She reached each of them and hugged them warmly. Charli bit her lip anxiously. Sophie was suddenly right in front of her.

"Ho-how..was your visit?" Charli said quietly. Sophie pulled her into a strong hug.

"I'm so happy you're okay Charli" she said. Charli couldn't hold back the tears.

"Sophie," she sobbed into Sophie's shoulder "I'm so sorry, I know how it must've felt when you found me....I promised that wouldn't happen....I just...I wasn't thinking..."

"I know it's not your fault," Sophie cried. "I missed you, I was so worried about you."

"I know I hurt you..." Charli said quietly.

"I'm okay," Sophie siad "My mom reminded me how much Daniel cared about us, but he just couldn't let go of his addictions, it wasn't his fault. I just...I don't want to see the same happen to you."

"It won't!" Charli laughed slightly, simply happy they were having this conversation.

**

"I feel a little bad luv," Paul said exhaling his cigarette.

"Why?" Charli asked as she traced small circles on his chest and stomach.

"You built such a strong group of friends here" he answered "And I'm taking you away from that..."

"If you want to wait until February to move, I can wait" he added. Charli smiled, she knew she would miss her New York friends, but she also knew, she wanted to start life in England again, she wanted to start a life with him without having to worry about her parents.

"I am going to miss them," She admitted with a sigh "But, there hasn't been a day I don't think back on where I'm from...and I want to be with you"

Paul smiled and kissed her.

Charli snatched his cigarette away from him and took a drag herself, Paul smirked realising some things never changed.

"I'm going to have to leave in a couple days," He said suddenly as he faced her.

"I know..." Charli said sadly "couldn't you just stay a wee bit longer? We have an amazing show on Halloween, the Village goes nuts at Halloween, you'd love it"

She knew the 31st was the hardest day of the year on him and had hoped she could share it with him and distract him for a moment from remembering his mother's death, she often did her best to make the day better when they lived near each other.

"I just know...it's not an easy time of the year for ya's" she said "I missed being there for ya' for too long..."

Paul smiled at the gesture and kissed her forehead.

"Ta luv," he said softly "I'll be okay. I really do need to get back to London, our manager is probably going insane not knowing where I've run off to...despite all of us needing time off for a bit. But, I'm itching to record soon, I have a brilliant idea for an album."

"Oh?" Charli said positioning herself almost on top of him "Do tell!"

"Shhh.." he hushed with a mischievous look before she stole a kiss from him.

"'Fraid not luv," he laughed "Kissing me isn't always going to get you what you want!"

Charli pouted her lip before he kissed her again

"I could do other things..." she hinted.

"I'm sure you can.." he said in a voice that drove her wild "Maybe you should show me..."

He kissed her deeply. She broke away.

"Only if you give me a hint..." Charli demanded playfully.

"Fine," Paul said between kisses "Have you heard The Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds'?"

Charli nodded and soon was too focused on Paul kissing along her neck as his hands moved over her body to care about any future albums, no matter how much she'd wanted to know a moment ago. She knew in the back of her mind, something major was going to happen and she couldn't wait to experience it, with him.

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https://youtu.be/ToQ0n3itoII

A/N:  Sorry for the wait!  I took forever editing this for some reason....I sort of wanted to show the different affects the relapse had on various characters.

Also, there's quite a bit with songs being introduced much earlier than they were released publically (Golden Slumbers, etc.  No..I won't change the albums or anything like that and I'm aware of when most songs were written)

As always, your comments, votes and follows...just general love mean the world to me!  I've got big plans for this...and more works as well :)