―

Hannah let out a shriek, giving Kevin the finger, backing away from the pool as he splashed her. The man only laughed before turning to his foster daughter.

"Ethel, come on.  Why don't you go upstairs and borrow a suit from Debbie?"

Ethel shook her head with a smile, "No thank you, Sir. I wouldn't feel comfortable unless I was in my own swimming costume."

"All right. Suit yourself, party pooper." Kevin hummed, flicking water at her.

Seeing the way Kevin glanced over at her, Hannah held up a finger, "Splash me again and I'll cut off your dick." She warned him as Fiona approached the pool. glancing around nervously.

"Coast clear?"

"Yeah," Kevin nodded, "Who we dodging today? Bill collectors? Process servers?"

"Mrs. Craig Heisner." Fiona told him.

Hannah shook her head, "Can't believe you let that bitch take the killing bat."

Kevin raised an eyebrow, "You still got your spikey bat though, right?"

Hannah nodded, "Under my bed."

"Good," Kevin nodded before turning to the eldest Gallagher sibling, "And what are you doing? You've been acting like a dude all summer."

Fiona raised an eyebrow, "It's okay for guys to play the field but not me?"

"It's okay if you want guys running their dicks through the dishwasher after they bone you?" Kevin hummed.

"Shut up," Fiona smiled, the three chuckling as she glanced over at Ethel, "That's some serious UV protection."

Kevin sighed, "I know. She won't loosen up. I worry that she doesn't interact with anybody her own age. Should I force her or what?"

"I don't know. I'm making this shit up as I go along." Fiona shrugged, making her way to the stairs.

"Don't we know it." Hannah chuckled, making Kevin flick water at her.

"What did I say about your dick?"

"How'd she find out?" Debbie called from the ladder of the pool, her two sisters' eyes widening as they saw the girl's arm, "Lucy Joe?"

"Holy shit, Debs." Hannah gasped.

"Jesus, what is that, a rash?" Fiona asked, approaching the young girl.

"What?" Debbie asked, glancing down at her arm, "I think it's from that laundry soap I got at the Family Dollar Store. Made in China. Probably tainted with melamine." She shrugged, going to get in the pool.

"No way." Hannah shook her head, gently grabbing her wrist and pulling away from the pool.

"You're not going in the pool," Fiona greed, "We gotta show that to V."

"What about my kids?" Debbie asked.

"I don't have basketball practice until later," Kevin spoke up, "Me and Ethel can watch them."

Debbie and Hannah sighed, "Ethel and I."

"You and I will are gonna go show this to Veronica. Let's go." Fiona said, she and Hannah dragging her into the house.

"Be careful!"

―

"Veronica's not a real nurse," Debbie sighed as the Gallagher sisters entered Kevin and Veronica's house, "How's she supposed to diagnose this?"

"Because she has medical training." Hannah said, closing the door.

"She can at least tell us if it's worth ponying up for the clinic." Fiona shrugged.

"Uh-oh," Veronica said as she came down the stairs, a pile of towels in her arms, "You came to hide under the bed?"

Fiona sighed, "I know."

"I thought Craig was just about catching up." Veronica said, giving her best friend a look.

"It just sort of happened," Fiona muttered, "Could you check out this rash?"

"Damn, that's nasty," Veronica hummed, putting her towels down and looking at Debbie's arm, "Almost looks like shingles. Scabies maybe? Let's see here," She got a large book off of the shelf, "Been hiking in the woods lately?"

Debbie raised an eyebrow, "What woods?"

"I called Steve." Fiona blurted out.

Heads snapped towards her, "What?"

"Why?" Veronica asked, before turning to Debbie, "Change in your diet?"

Debbie shook her head as Fiona shrugged, "I just wanted to hear his voice, I think."

"Your throat hurt?" Veronica continued.

"No," Debbie said before turning to Fiona, "Where is he?"

"I didn't ask."

"Best guess, stress rash." Veronica told the other two Gallaghers, putting her book away.

"I knew it. Day care's too much for you to handle," Fiona sighed, "This is my fault."

"Why does everything always have to become about you?" Debbie scoffed.

Hannah crossed her arms, "She has a point, Fi."

Fiona sent her younger sisters a look before turning back to Veronica, "So no need for a doctor?"

Veronica shook her head, holding up cream, "Steroid cream first. Should do away with the breakout. But you're gonna have to start relaxing." She aimed the last sentence towards Debbie.

"And to stop itching it." Hannah added, bringing Debbie's hand away from the rash.

"Are we done here? I got a house full of kids I need to get back to." Debbie ignored them both, leaving the house.

"Gonna call Steve again?" Veronica asked Fiona.

Fiona shrugged, "I don't know."

"Might wanna figure out why you wanna talk to him first." Veronica told her.

―

Hannah and Fiona had decided to take Debbie with them to pick up some groceries so that they could talk to her about day care, the three of them eating ice lollies as they walked down the street.

"I should give up some shifts and help more with day care." Fiona decided.

"Your waitress tips are the only thing that's gonna get us through winter." Debbie shook her head.

"You should not be carrying this much." Fiona sighed.

"She's right, Debs," Hannah nodded, "Need me to cut back on the ice cream truck and help you out."

Debbie only shook her head again, "It's only for two more weeks."

Fiona raised an eyebrow, "Two weeks?"

"School starts." Debbie shrugged.

Fiona let out a huff, "Deb, you're 11. You need to start acting like it."

"And to stop scratching." Hannah reminded from once again bringing the girl's hand away from her rash.

"Want me to start collecting stickers and lip gloss?" Debbie rolled her eyes.

Hannah chuckled, "Even I didn't do that."

"Yeah," Fiona nodded, ignoring the girl on the other side of Debbie, "Maybe hang out at the park sometime."

"Loitering." Debbie vetoed the idea.

"How about you invite some friends over and relax in the pool?" Fiona suggested.

"No lifeguard," Debbie denied, "Liability."

"They come over, hang out in the pool, and sleep over," Fiona pushed, It'll be like a birthday-party sleepover-party."

Debbie's eyebrows furrowed, "My birthday is not until October."

"Hey," Fiona lightly grabbed her sister's arm, stopping all three of them from walking, "Well, it's somebody's birthday somewhere, so we'll celebrate that. Make a guest list," She told the youngest, who only sighed, "Make your list or I will."

"Come on, Debs," Hannah said, "It'll be fun."

Debbie let out a groan, "Fine."

Fiona looked over at her sister with a grateful look, which quickly turned into one of shock when a chocolate milkshake collided with her head, making all three of them gasp, Hannah and Debbie taking a step back from their older sister.

"Slut!" Lucy Joe - Craig Heisner's wife yelled ot of the window of her car, Hannah glaring and holding up her middle finger at the car as it drove away.

Debbie looked at Fiona in shock, "Did you know he was married?"

"That's kinda why his wife's mad, Debs." Hannah patted the girl's back.

Fiona only sighed, running a hand through her hair, "At least it's chocolate," She smiled, licking the drink off of her finger, "Come on." She ushered her siblings away.

―

That evening, Hannah was doing her evening shift at the diner, Adam and Elodie joining her.

"Here you go, Hank," Hannah smiled at the old man, "Tuna melt and a diet coke. And don't worry, the tuna and the cheese are not touching."

"You're an angel, Hannah." The man smiled, giving her a ten dollar note in tips.

"Sent from God himself." Hannah smirked as she walked away, both of them laughing.

From behind the counter, Elodie was looking at the logo on top of the menu with narrowed eyes, "Has a person names Jan ever even worked at this diner?" The girl asked.

"Nope," Hannah laughed, sitting on the bar stool across from her, "The guy that your mom bought this place from was called Angus. Thought the idea of a woman's touch in the name would be better."

Elodie hummed, "Angus' diner does sound more like a fish market." She commented as Adam slumped down on the bar stool next to Hannah.

The redhead raised an eyebrow at the boy, "You okay?"

"Mrs. Doberman won't stop trying to get me to go out with her." He huffed, resting his head on Hannah's shoulder.

Elodie cringed, "She's like fifty."

"Well, bitch is in her name," Hannah chuckled, the twins doing the same, "And besides, who can resist Adam in his little bow tie." She smirked, flicking the piece of clothing around Adam's neck, the boy lifting his head off of her shoulder with a scowl, only making the two girls laugh more.

"Hey, I don't pay you three to sit around all shift." Sally told the three as she exited her office with a smile on her face.

"Actually, you don't pay us at all." Adam said, gesturing between himself and his sister.

Hannah let out a laugh, "Losers."

"That's not true," Sally shook her head, "I pay you two with love." She sang, tightly hugging Adam from behind, the boy struggling in her grip.

"Aw, come on Adam, hug your mommy." Hannah mocked him, earning a glare in return.

"Right, you three," Sally said, finally letting go of her blushing son, "Back to work," She told them, making her way back to her office before quickly turning around again, "Oh, Hannah, you need to sleep at our tonight?"

"No thanks, Sally," The redhead shook her head with a smile, "Gotta help Debbie plan her sleepover party."

"No worries." The blonde woman sent her a smile before going back into her office again.

Elodie raised an eyebrow as she wiped down the counter, "Sleepover party."

"Yep," Hannah nodded, leaning against the counter, "Which reminds me, would you two please come. It's the night after tomorrow and right now the guest list is us, Fiona, Veronica and Aunt Ginger."

"Oh yeah, I'll come." Elodie nodded.

"Me too." Adam agreed.

"Thank you," Hannah smiled as the bell by the door dinged, the trio turning to see who came in, "Great," Hannah sighed, turning back around, "Time to go and get almost groped. You think your mom would fire me if I broke a customer's nose?"

"Han, they do anything, we'll kick them out." Elodie assured her best friend.

"That's a shame," Hannah sighed, grabbing a handful of menus to take over to the group of men, "Was looking forward that." 

―

"Thought you and Kevin were doing the truck today?" Debbie raised an eyebrow as Hannah entered the kitchen next morning.

"V's covering for me. I'm gonna stay help with day care today." Hannah told her younger sister, who only nodded.

"Malik may come by today with Tamika, if that's okay." Ethel said as she was making sandwiches.

"Fine. But they eat, we charge them." Debbie told her.

"Ooh, Malik." Hannah teased Ethel as she made her way to the living room with the sandwiches, the brunette blushing.

"Thought you'd still be asleep." Debbie said, making Hannah turn to see Fiona come down the stairs.

"We have a party to plan," Fiona smiled at her, both she and Hannah taking a seat at the bar stools, "Most important part of any birthday celebration: the cake. What are you feeling?"

"Hmm, strawberry and cheese coffee cake from Weber's Bakery. Definitely." Debbie nodded, sorting out more food.

Fiona sighed, "Even your taste in food is like a 40-year old."

"Hey," Hannah pointed at her older sister, "Don't you dare insult Weber's Bakery. Their cakes are crafted by the Gods. Who are also coincidentally also called Tom, Dick and Hershel."

Fiona held her hands up, "Okay, it's your party."

The back door then opened and Jasmine stuck her head into the room, "Four espresso lattes." She sang, placing the coffees on the counter.

"Oh my God." Hannah sighed, putting her head in her hands.

"Hi, Jasmine." Fiona greeted her friend.

"Does she have a key now?" Debbie asked, as annoyed as Hannah was.

"It was open." Jasmine smiled at her.

Debbie moved to stand by Jasmine, studying her face as the woman handed her a coffee, "You really shouldn't sleep in your makeup. Look at Courtney Love." She said, before walking away.

"Ooh, you are so welcome, Miss Debbie." Jasmine called after her with a grin.

"Read the room." Hannah rolled her eyes, grabbing her coffee from the blonde, following after her sister.

―

Ian smirked at his sister as she entered the boys' bedroom, flopping down on Ian's bed, "You had enough of the screaming children?"

"Devil incarnates." She muttered into the pillow.

Ian shook his head with a chuckle, going back to reading his textbook, "Did you know the trigonometric moment problem has infinite solutions if the Toeplitz matrix A is invertible?"

"Don't care." Hannah groaned, her voice still muffled by the pillow.

"Yep," Lip hummed, focused on the papers in his hand, "Nothing but parking tickets. This Choady guy makes vanilla
taste like fucking Thai spice."

Hannah raised her head with a raised eyebrow, "Choady? That Mandy's work?"

"Course it was." Lip nodded.

"You ran a background check?" Ian asked.

"Tony," Lip hummed with a nod, "The only remotely interesting thing is a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend because she threw a camera at him," He told the two redhead, jumping down from his bed and sitting on the desk next to Ian's bed, "He's fucking ridiculous, this guy."

"You're like Liam when someone touches his toys." Ian smirked, Hannah laughing as she turned to lie on her back.

"I don't find any dirt, I'll just make some." Lip sighed, dropping the papers on the bed as Fiona knocked on the frame of the door.

"Think you could hang out Saturday night?" She asked her brothers, "Deb's sleepover. Fill out the guest list."

"Sure." Ian nodded, handing Hannah the lit cigarette in his hand, which she took a large drag of.

"I'll bring strippers and a hookah pipe," Lip said, making Fiona send him a look, "I'm kidding," He added, Fiona only rolling her eyes as she walked away, "I thought it was funny."

Hannah let out a huff of air, handing Ian back the cigarette and getting off of his bed, "Wish me luck." She said, going to leave the room.

"You going to perform a séance?" Lip called after her.

"More like an exorcism."

―

Hannah came into the kitchen after day care had ended, throwing all the trash that had been left out into a trash bag, "Thanks for helping." She said to Adam, who put the bag into the trash.

"Well, when I got your text that said 'SOS, I'm locked in a closet and there are kids trying to eat me', I kinds wanted to see what the fuck was going on." The boy shrugged, the pair chuckling as they leant against the washing machine.

"I think you should expand your social circle a little." Fiona told Debbie

"Why?" Debbie scoffed, "You have us, and V, and your pushy friend Jasmine," She said, Hannah having to hide her smile at the Jasmine comment, "And that seems to be enough."

"I'm trying to expand my circle too," Fiona shrugged, "Meet new people."

When Fiona glanced over at her, Hannah crossed her arms, shaking her head, "Nope. Enough people know too much about me already. Don't need more friends, thanks."

Suddenly, the window by the table then smashed, the four of them gasping as Fiona grabbed onto Debbie and Adam did the same to Hannah as they all ducked down, cradling her head.

"You okay?" Adam asked the redhead as Fiona picked up a brick that had been thrown through the window 'HOMEWRECKER' written on it.

"Yeah." Hannah breathed out as they stood up.

"What about Ethel? Why not invite her?" Fiona moved on as she and Fiona swept up the glass.

"She's more of a colleague." Debbie said.

"Come on." Fiona sighed.

"Okay, fine," Debbie nodded, "So it'll be you, me, Hannah, the twins and Ethel." She listed off.

"Is that how you guys refer to us?" Adam asked the girl next to him.

"Yep."

"Good to know."

"And Carl." Fiona added the boy to the guest list as he entered the kitchen.

His face scrunched up, "What?"

"You're coming to Deb's sleepover." Fiona told him.

"Sounds gay."

"You can bring a friend." Fiona said.

"Okay." Carl shrugged, walking up the stairs.

"I want you to invite two kids from your class you like." Fiona told Debbie.

"I don't like any kids in my class." Debbie said.

"Then two more you sort of like." Fiona shrugged, Debbie only giving her a blank stare.

"Or can stand to be around." Hannah piped up, Fiona nodding to her in agreement.

"Or think are cool, or think maybe might like you," Fiona added, "Hey, you're a good kid, Deb, you deserve friends."

―

"This the house?" Mandy asked, looking up at the building.

"Looks like it." Hannah nodded, checking the address that she had written down on her hand.

"Let's fuck some shit up, then." Mandy smirked, the pair walking up the steps, Hannah pounding on the door.

After a few moments, the door swung open, Craig's wife stood in front of them, "Yes?"

"Lucy Joe?" Mandy asked.

"Yeah?"

"You messed with the wrong people," Mandy smirked, "You see my friend here?" She gestured over to Hannah.

The redhead smirked, swinging her spikey bat in her hands, giving the woman a little wave, "Hi."

"Well, you threw a rock through her window," Mandy continued, "A window which her eleven year old sister was standing at just moments before, simply cause your husband couldn't keep his micro dick in his pants."

Lucy Joe glared at the two girls, "Now listen here-"

"No. You listen," Hannah said with a strong glare, stepping forwards and pushing her bat underneath the woman's chin, "You fuck with my family, then you fuck with me. And trust me, you do not want to fuck with me."

"You're gonna call off your banners and your brick and milkshake throwing," Mandy told her, "And then your gonna sort out your mess of a marriage with your husband in your own home, leaving Fiona out of it all."

Lucy Joe's jaw clenched, glancing between the two girls, the bat still being pushed menacingly under chin, "Or?"

"Or, I bash your ugly face in with my bat." Hannah smiled.

The woman sighed, "Fine."

"Good," Hannah hummed, removing the bat, holding it by her side again, "Oh, and while we're on the topic of bats. You have until tomorrow to bring it back, or the next brick is going through your skull, bitch." She glared, her and Mandy turning on their heels and walking away from the scared woman.

"Nice job." Mandy smirked, high-fiving her.

"You too."

―

Lip and Hannah sat on the floor of the living room, sorting out the TV for Debbie's party, Adam stood awkwardly to the side, pole dancing playing on the screen.

Seeing the look on the boy's face, Hannah smirked, "Yo, sweater boy. Go sit with Fi and Debs in the hookers make you uncomfortable."

Adam nodded, walking past them, "Good idea."

Lip and Hannah shared a look as Ian walked over to them with three beers, "Linda doesn't know, but she letting me
borrow her kids' Kinect for Deb's party." He said, handing his siblings a beer each.

"Sweet." Lip nodded.

"How generous of her." Hannah smirked, taking a sip of her beer.

"What are you two watching?" Ian asked them, seeing the pole dancers.

"Some shit on The Learning Channel about pole dancers." Lip said.

"Speaking of hookers, how's Karen?" Ian cocked his head to the side.

"Fuck off." Lip said with a slight chuckle.

"Nice one." Hannah nodded, high-fiving Ian.

"Still working on Operation Choady," Lip told them as they all fiddled with unravelling wires, "Got a couple ideas on how to lose the guy."

"Why don't we just kill him?" Ian asked.

"I can get the spikey bat." Hannah smiled.

"So not worth the time in jail," Lip shook his head, moving behind the TV to hook up the device, "Thinking more along the lines of planting naked photos of Liam on his laptop."

"Oh, good one." Ian nodded.

"Classy." Hannah agreed.

"Yeah, I thought so. Thanks," Lip said as he finished plugging in the Kinect, leaning over the TV to look at the pole dancers, "Now, seriously, this does nothing for you?" He asked his brother.

Ian studied the screen, before shaking his head, "Still gay."

Lip let out a hum, "Still gay."

Hannah cocked her head to the side as she watched the screen, "Yeah, I'm straight. I think." She muttered, before standing up and joining her sisters and Adam in the kitchen.

"Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! is X-rated," Fiona said as Hannah joined her, Debbie and Adam around the dining table, "I said you can watch something R-rated."

"It's gotta be edgy and cool." Debbie said, holding the DVD up to Fiona, who took it from her.

"The object is to be scared, not scarred."

"I watched that two years ago," Hannah hummed, taking a sip of her beer, "You'll piss your pants, Debs."

"I think I'll piss my pants at the movie before Debbie does." Adam commented.

Fiona raised an eyebrow at the girl, "You watched this at thirteen?"

"What would you rather me be doing, watching that or robbing a bank?" Hannah rolled her eyes.

Fiona only sighed, "Maybe Lip and Ian have something. I have a feeling Hannah's horror stash is gonna be a little too much for tomorrow night."

Hannah scoffed with a small smile, "No horror movie is ever too much."

Veronica then came in through the back door with a frown on her face, "You are not gonna be happy. We gotta work tomorrow night."

"I can't. Deb's party's tomorrow night." Fiona said.

"Ivan rented the place for a party." Veronica sighed.

"You're the one who made me have this stupid party. If you flake it's gonna suck." Debbie groaned, slamming her hand on the table.

"No, it won't."

"Yes, it will." Debbie huffed.

"Can somebody take my shift?" Fiona asked her friend.

Veronica shook her head with a shrug, "Some hall of fame party. Anybody who doesn't work is fired."

Fiona frowned, turning to Debbie, "Maybe we can make the party another night."

"Work your shift." Hannah shook her head, standing up and moving next to the fridge.

Lip nodded as he and Ian entered the kitchen, "Yeah. We got the party."

"You can be here all night?" Fiona asked them.

Hannah shrugged, "Twins and I were coming anyway."

"Of course," Ian nodded, "It's gonna be the hottest party ever. Mandy's coming, too."

A grin lit up Debbie's face as she ran to hug her three siblings, "Oh, my God, this is gonna be so cool!"

"Oh, my God. Oh, my God." Lip mimicked as they all picked her up.

"This is gonna be so cool." Ian mock squealed.

Debbie let out a shriek as they carried her into the living room, "Don't kill me."

"Oh, God. We almost dropped you." Lip chuckled.

"Almost dropped you on your head." Hannah nodded with a laugh.

―

"What do you think?" Elodie asked, letting Debbie stand up and look in the mirror after finishing the girl's hair for her party.

"Woah. It looks so good," Debbie grinned, hugging the older girl, "Thank you." She squealed, before rushing out of her and Hannah's room.

"Looking good, Deb." Hannah smiled as she passed the girl in the hallway.

"I know." Debbie giggled, rushing down the stairs.

Hannah only chuckled as she entered her room, seeing Elodie packing up her straightener and the small amount of make up she put on Debbie.

"Thanks for doing that," The redhead said, sitting down on her bed, "We all know how hopeless I am at that kind of stuff."

Elodie smiled, "No problem. I could always teach you."

"But that would mean that you'd stop doing it all for me." Hannah smirked, Elodie laughing.

"Fair point," She nodded, "You know you secretly love to be pampered."

"There's no secret about it," Hannah shrugged, "Getting someone to do my hair for free while I sit and read a book. Who would pass that up?"

"Yo, Hannah," Lip popped his head in the door, "You got some Fiona approved horror movies we can sift through."

"Yeah." Hannah nodded, reaching under the bed and pulling out a small pile of DVDs, handing them to her brother.

"Come on. We'll ask Ian what he thinks." Lip said, gesturing for her to leave.

"See you at the party." Elodie sang as the siblings left, Hannah sending her a smile.

"So you're kind of like a 12-year-old girl. Which flick do you think we should watch at Deb's party?" Lip asked Ian as he and Hannah sat on the redhead's bed.

Ian gave his brother the finger, before pointing at one of the movies with said finger, "Nightmare on Elm Street. Remake, still scary as shit."

"At least I've got one brother who has good taste." Hannah smirked, high-fiving Ian as Carl came in the room, standing in front of his eldest brother.

"Karen got ready with the drapes open, which was awesome," The boy recited, "Then stopped for some cigarette's
and went to work at the movies. Be there till late. Last show gets out at, like, 1:00, plus clean up."

"Thanks, buddy." Lip said, giving him some cash, Carl grinning and sitting on the other side of Hannah.

"You got Carl following her around now?" Ian raised an eyebrow, not looking up from his school work, "Can't believe you're cock-blocking Karen."

"She has no cock. How am I blocking it?" Lip scoffed.

"Let her go, man," Ian told Lip, only for him to roll his eyes as he stood up, taking off his shirt. Ian sighed, moving to stand next to him, "What do you want? Huh? You wanna marry her? Be with her forever?"

"I'm looking out for her. She's my best friend." Lip muttered, throwing his shirt over his shoulder.

"I'm your best friend. She's your fuck buddy." Ian corrected him.

Lip turned to the redhead, "No, you're my brother who should shut the fuck up."

"Friends want what's best for each other," Ian said, "This could be the best thing for Karen."

"You know what's best for everyone?" Lip raised an eyebrow, "The kid who wants to die for a country that thinks he's one of God's mistakes?"

"A shrink said I'm one of God's mistakes." Carl said with a smile.

"Not now, Asswipe." Hannah told him gently.

"The girl has 'whore' tattooed on her arm," Ian said as Lip struggled to contain his anger, struggling to light his cigarette, "She put my dick in her mouth cause you told her too."

"What?" Carl shrieked.

Lip pointed in his face, "You need to shut the fuck up."

"So what? You get her to dump the guy stick around for when Carl gets his first woody, so she can work him too?" Ian asked.

Lip only glared at his brother, grabbing the boy's shoulder and shoving him away before he stormed out of the room, anger rolling off his body.

Elodie appeared then appeared at the doorway, a worried look on her face, "Everything okay?"

"I already had my first woody. In history class," Carl grinned, "Talking about how Marie Antoinette's head got chopped off."

Ian, Hannah and Elodie all stared at the boy.

"I always enter the conversation at the worst times." Elodie muttered, walking away.

Ian turned to look at his sister, seeing the look she sent him, "What? You don't agree with me."

"Oh, I agree with you," Hannah nodded, standing up, "But getting him riled up isn't the best way to talk about the situation. You know that." She said, before leaving the bedroom, following after her best friend.

―

Hannah grinned, walking down the stairs an hour later to see Mandy sitting on the couch, "Hey, slut."

"Bitch." Mandy smirked as Hannah leaned against the kitchen archway.

"That shirt gets any lower it'll be underwear." Lip told Fiona as he passed her.

"More skin, more skins." Fiona patted his shoulder.

"Ding Dongs. Awesome." Carl told Debbie.

"Carl, those are for guests." Debbie groaned.

"Good, I brought one." The boy gestured the blonde boy behind him.

"Hey, birthday girl, I'm Little Hank." The boy greeted.

Debbie turned around, face flushing red, "Hi, I'm Debbie," She giggled, "And it's not really my birthday."

"Good, because I didn't really bring you a present." Little Hank said, chucking down his sleeping bag and flopping down onto the couch.

"Oh my God," Elodie chuckled as she and Adam stood by Hannah, "Debbie's got a crush."

Hannah hummed, arms crossed as she eyed Little Hank, "She can do better."

Adam smiled, lightly nudging her, "Okay, miss protective."

Hannah rolled her eyes, "Shut up." She said, going over to the fridge to get herself a beer.

"You invited Holly Herkimer? She's like 15." She heard Fiona say to Debbie, making her join the pair by the soda.

"I went to kindergarten with her," Hannah said, "Bitch stole my juice box."

"You said anyone from class. It's not her fault she's still in fourth grade." Debbie shrugged.

"Yes, it is." Fiona nodded, moving to grab her stuff for work.

Hannah patted her younger sister's shoulder, "It really is, Debs."

"Still got sparklers from the fourth," Lip called out as he jogged down the stairs, "Make sparkler bombs. Where's the duct tape?"

"In my kidnap kit in the van. I'll get it." Carl jumped up.

"Let's go." Lip nodded, getting stopped by Fiona.

"You sure you got this?" She asked him.

"Yeah, no problem."

"Okay, have fun. Not too much fun." Fiona muttered, looking back at Holly and seeing how she was looking at Lip, making the boy scoff and roll his eyes before leaving to go to the van.

"This is gonna be fun." Hannah whispered to herself.

―

After the movie and pizza, people were scattered around the house, asleep. Hannah decided to take advantage of having the bed to herself for the first time in a very long time, snuggled under the covers, a copy of The Great Gatsby in her hands. A knock on the door brought her out of her fictional world, the girl look up to see Adam poking his head through open door.

"Hey." He whispered.

"Hey," She whispered, putting her book on the bedside table, "You okay?"

"Couldn't sleep," Adam shrugged, closing the door behind him, "Little Hank snores."

Hannah raised a knowing eyebrow, "The movie scared you too much, didn't it?"

Adam nodded with a blush, "I think I peed a little at the jump scares."

Hannah shook head at the boy stood by her bed in his matching pyjama set, before pulling back the covers, "Get in."

"You sure?"

"Yes, get in, fuckwad," Hannah smiled, making Adam let out a small chuckle, getting under the covers with him, "Can you turn the lamp off?"

"Yeah." Adam whispered, reaching over and turning it off, before lying on his back again, a hand behind his head.

"Thanks." Hannah muttered, resting her head on his chest.

Adam let out a shaky breath, before he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, slowly easing into the hug.

"Night, Adam."

"Night, Han."

―

It was rare for Hannah to get a good night's sleep, what with her insomnia mixed with Debbie's night kicking - or when Liam was in the room with them, his crying. And for the first time in months, wrapped in her friend's arms, she slept soundly. Until shouting from Lip's room and then downstairs woke her up.

"What's that?" Hannah muttered, feeling Adam move underneath her.

"I don't know."

The redhead let out a groan, throwing the covers off of her and grabbing Adam's hand to stand him up with her, "Come on," She sighed, the pair tiredly walking to stand on the stairs, seeing that half of the party guests had left, "The fuck is going on?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.

Fiona then entered the house, "What is going on?"

"Holly left my party because of something Lip did." Debbie pouted.

Fiona looked at him in shock, "You didn't."

"No, I didn't," Lip shook his head, "I blew her off and she split."

"You could have done her so my party wouldn't suck." Debbie cried, hitting her brother with a pillow.

"Deb, she's 14!" Lip exclaimed.

"Oh, it's way too early for this." Hannah groaned, sitting next to Elodie on the stairs, rubbing her temples.

"Which one's Holly?" A random man behind Fiona asked.

"She left," Debbie yelled, "And then Little Hank left too." She frowned, sitting on the couch.

"Deb, I'm sure the rest of the party was awesome." Fiona smiled, crouching in front of the girl.

Debbie narrowed her eyes at Fiona, "How would you know? You weren't here," She said, before turning to the new guy, "You Craig?"

"Who?"

"No." Fiona shook her head.

"Come on," Adam tapped Hannah's shoulder, "Let's get back to bed. Fiona can deal with this, you're knackered."

"Okay," Hannah tiredly nodded, glancing at Elodie, "There's a mattress under my bed."

"Then I call dibs." Elodie said, the three of them standing up and lugging themselves up to Hannah and Debbie's room.

―

The next morning, Hannah woke up to the feeling of fingers running through her hair.

"Hi." She yawned, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Morning," Adam sighed, putting his book aside, "You looked really tired. Thought I'd let you sleep in."

"Thanks," Hannah muttered, glancing down at the empty mattress on the floor, "Where's Ellie?"

"In the pool with Kev, V and Ian." Adam told her.

"Oh." She hummed.

"You wanna get up?"

Hannah shook her head, nuzzling further into the boy's chest, "Not just yet."

"Okay."

―

After an extra hour of lying in bed, Adam and Hannah got ready for the day, walking down to the kitchen, pausing when they saw Lucy Joe stood at the open back door, the bat hanging by her side.

Hannah's jaw clenched, walking over to the washing machine and picking up her spikey bat, "The hell did I tell you would happen the other day?"

Fiona stopped Hannah mid swing, rolling her eyes, "Hit me with the bat already, I don't have time for this."

"Wasn't my idea to come to an adulterer's house." Lucy Joe glared as Fiona kept holding Hannah back.

Craig appeared at the door, "It was mine. Well, actually, our priest."

Hannah let out a sigh, letting the bat fall to her side, glancing up to her sister, "You got a brick thrown at us for that?"

Fiona only sent the redhead a warning look, shoving her to go and stand by Adam.

"He thinks we can put this whole thing behind us," Craig continued, "But we need your help."

Fiona raised an eyebrow, "My help?"

Craig's eyes travelled to the new guy from last night, who leant against the fridge, cup of coffee in his hand, "Who the hell is this?"

"Hi, I'm Aaron." The man waved

"Just go do what you came here to do." Lucy Joe glared, shoving him into the kitchen, following him.

"I'll be taking that, thank you," Hannah said, taking the killing bat from the woman, "Oh, would you look at that you're going to continue to have a face." She smiled sarcastically, before putting both bats on top of the washing machine.

"l am asking," Craig got onto his knees, taking both of the women's hands, "Both of you for your forgiveness."

"I forgive you. We done now?" Fiona nodded, glancing over at Lucy Joe.

Craig turned to look at his wife, "Do you forgive me?"

"I want to. I really do," Lucy Joe nodded, "But every time I start to picture it, I just want to rip your head off and I wanna shit down your neck."

"Nice," Hannah nodded, "Gonna use that one in the future."

"Okay, what I hear you saying is that you want to forgive me, you just need a little bit more time." Craig said as Fiona pushed past the couple and went to hide in the bathroom.

"I can't watch this sober." Hannah muttered, going ot the fridge and pulling out a beer.

"Make that two." Adam said, Hannah nodding and throwing him one.

―

Hannah let out a shriek as she stood by the pool, after watching Kevin and Veronica play chicken against Lip and Debbie, the Gallaghers having lost.

"What did I say about you splashing me?" She chuckled, wiping the water off of her face.

"Uh, something about cutting off my dick, but it's worth it." The man laughed, splashing the girl with even more making her retreat to stand by Elodie's side of the pool, who was not splashing.

"Looks like your rash is clearing up." Debbie commented as she and Aaron stood by the pool, cups of coffee in their hands.

"Yeah," Debbie nodded, glancing back at the house, "You guys done with your therapy?"

"They're still in the house," Fiona told her as Lip got out of the pool, grabbing himself a towel, "He's singing Your Body Is a Wonderland."

"Romantic." Hannah nodded, Adam chuckling.

"Who's this?" Kevin asked, gesturing to the man next to Fiona.

"Oh. Kevin, Aaron. Aaron, Kevin." Fiona introduced.

"Nice to meet you." Aaron went to shake his hand, Kevin doing so, splashing him and Fiona as he brought his hand out of the water.

"Oh, sorry, bro." Kevin laughed.

"Welcome." Fiona chuckled.

Lip looked up from where he stood, seeing Karen walking over to him, an angry look on her face, "Hey, you okay?" He asked.

Karen replied with a swift kick to his balls and shoving him to the ground, "Why the fuck was Mandy Milkovich at my house trying to screw Jody?" She cried, "He turned her down and told me what happened."

"Because he's a fucking pussy." Lip panted out.

Karen glared, kicking him in the stomach, sending him down again, "Fuck you."

"Hey, hey." Fiona ran in between the pair as Ian held Karen back, Adam having to do the same to Hannah so she wouldn't beat up the blonde.

"Stay the fuck away from me. Stay the fuck away from Jody. And stay the fuck away from this baby!" She shouted, fighting her way out of Ian's grip, everyone freezing at what she said, watching the frustrated girl storm off.