Thanks for all the comments on last chap everyone! They all mean a lot to me and I appreciate every single one of them! You guys rock!

Here's the next one, so I hope you all enjoy it :D xo

~ ~ Chapter Twenty Nine ~ ~

"Ouch!" I shouted out, turning to glare at Phil before looking back to the road, "Don't hit the driver!" rubbing the back of my head where he had just smacked me, it wasn't hard but it was unexpected.

"That's for driving in there! What the hell were you thinking Lee?" he had his arms now folded angrily over his chest and that was his telltale sign he was furious but trying to keep his cool, so I didn't yell back at him, just spoke as calmly as I could which was a little hard with my heart pounding like crazy from the adrenalin rush I had just experienced.

"I got your butt out safely, didn't I?" I took a quick sharp turn right as headlights appeared behind me in the mirror, I didn't know if we were being followed or not but I wasn't risking it.

"Pull over!" Caveman suddenly barked, I glanced back at him for a second with surprise and nodded, pulling over to the kerb in the worst parking style ever since I was at least a metre away but who cares? Climbing out of the driver's seat as he jumped out his door and ran around, I jumped through the middle of the two front seats and into the back, half landing on Baden.

"Sorry." I mumbled as I watched him wince but he made no sounds of pain and then we were jerked forward as Caveman took off down the road, making a sharp left turn and sending me across the seat away from Baden, where I quickly buckled my seatbelt in. "Crazy driver." I muttered to myself.

Baden groaned as he shifted in his seat slightly, "His crazy driving always gets us away and home."

"Did you get shot?" I asked; trying to eye him up and down in the semi darkness, and as a street light flashed by I could see deep stains on his arms and small splatters across his face but not much else before we were back in the darkness again.

He started to chuckle but then grabbed his side and hissed in pain, "No." He grunted, "I think I might have a few broken ribs though."

My heart dropped down into my stomach and I think I was going to be sick as I just stared at him, and then slowly turned to look at each of them. They had come close tonight, it was obvious with the way they looked beat up, all sitting uncomfortably and in pain one way or another.

If Darcy hadn't rang me, I would have stayed sitting out in the car like Baden and told me to do and not moved until they came back but would they have even came back? They were pretty outnumbered in there. Silent tears blurred my vision and I turned to look out the window, not wanting any of them to see.

"I'll check it out when we get back." Phil muttered, out of the corner of my eye I could see and hear him ripping the sleeve of his shirt, he groaned with annoyance, "Some bastard gave me a fleshy shot."

Caveman held back a laugh and it sounded like a snort, "Now you know how I felt when Shorty shot me in the guts."

"Did you ever find him?" Phil asked, turning to look over at Caveman but he shook his head.

"Not yet, we've had bigger issues at hand since then but I know where the weasel is hiding now."

"Go pay him a visit tomorrow then." Phil commented in a casual way then groaned when he looked down at his arm again, "I look like a baby shark took a bite out of me."

I know I just pulled the most WTF face just then, who compares that to a 'baby shark bite'? Well, I guess Phil does but still. Baden laughed from the side of me and it ended in a groan again but he still smiled when I looked over to see if he was okay, even though it was obviously none of them aren't.

"Your face was funny just then." He smirked.

Frowning I looked over at Caveman, "How much longer 'til we're home?"

"Just around the corner now." He replied and I looked out the front window to see us on the familiar street and watched as our neighbouring houses came into view, then our large driveway and he pulled in slowly, deciding to park right alongside the trees to cover the car up a bit.

Opening my door I jumped out and stretched, waiting for Phil to climb out so I could grab my phone but he ended up handing it to me in the process, smiling I took it and sent a quick text to Darcy saying 'we made it back safely, thanks, and I'll call you later'

"You guys got another spare car cover?" Caveman called out as Phil walked towards the front door.

"Yeah, check my backseat."

I bet Caveman to Phil's car and opened up his back door, which he hadn't locked, the stupid fool, does he want his car to get stolen? Grabbing the car cover I headed back over to our car and froze. My eyes went wide; man they really were shooting at the car flat out weren't they? It's kind of scary to realise I wasn't paying that much attention to my own safety.

"Pass it here Leila." Caveman held up one arm but he looked to be in pain, so I shook my head and told him I would do it while they head inside but Baden refused to leave me outside alone, so all three of them waited for me.

Eventually I had to get Caveman to hold the front down for me since every time I tried to pull the back end down, the front would slip back off again and I was getting ready to start ripping the stupid cover up into pieces from pure frustration with it.

"About time!" I snapped as I huffed loudly, Caveman shook his head at me and muttered 'women' under his breath but I heard him and he wonders why I call him Caveman all the time? But secretly, I think he likes his special nickname.

"Ready to go in now?" Phil called from near the front door, I nodded and we walked over to him, Baden was a few steps ahead of me as he walked through the door after Phil unlocked it, so I never seen it coming but I don't think he did either with the way he stumbled backwards and almost squished me.

He was holding his nose, then his ribs and groaning in pain as he straightened up and turned to see if I was okay, I nodded quickly and turned to glare at the one who had just punched him in the face, my heart pounding away because Amberly would never do that.

"You bloody idiot! How dare you take my sister to something like!" Dougy roared, standing there in normal looking clothes, fist clenched, veins getting ready to burst out of his neck and temple and so furious looking but I screamed with excitement and ran at him, hugging my arms tight around his waist, not wanting to let him go again.

"I knew that was coming when you got back." Baden muttered then walked passed as Dougy hugged me back.

"I'm not done with you Baden! I'm not done with all of you - except you Jeff man, your cool, oh and Amber." He nodded at Caveman who smirked back and went to find Amberly. "Phil, Lee. Kitchen - now." Dougy growled as he pulled away and gave Phil one of those man hugs before storming off into the kitchen.

I closed the door behind us and looked over at Phil, trying to not smile but he grinned at me and took hold of my hand, "We're in so much trouble." He whispered with a laugh, making me laugh.

"You better not be laughing in there!" Dougy suddenly shouted from the kitchen, making both of us stop.

Dougy was leaning against the counter; Baden was next to the fridge, holding a pack of frozen vegies on his left ribs and a wet cloth to his bleeding nose as he looked down at the ground and I'm pretty sure it isn't because Dougy just punched him, I'm positive he is thinking about what just happened back there at the warehouse, since I'm thinking the same thing. Though I'm surprised he didn't hit Dougy back but then again, he is pretty bruised up and probably in more pain than he is willing to let on.

"Lee, you're to cut this out right now. No more tagging along, no more guns, no more nothing! I'm in charge of you and you're not to argue!" he started yelling instantly, only stopping because Baden interrupted him.

"She's my girlfriend and last time I checked, I'm officially in charge of the gang, not you." He glanced up to make sure Dougy was listening and he was and he didn't look any happier than he had at first sight.

"The gang, Baden, not my family - Lee and Phil are the only family I have, so when I get back to find out Lee is out on a job with you all, I'm pissed off." Then he looked over at us two, I moved to hide a little behind Phil, feeling like a child right about now under Dougy's penetrating stare. "You are being stupid!" he pointed at Phil and then to me next, "And you're being reckless and it needs to stop right now!"

"How the hell am I stupid?" Phil defended himself but his voice sounded so soft compared to Dougy yelling and I bit my lip to not smile.

"What have we always said comes first? Even before the gang?" he spun to face Baden who was about to say something, "You heard right, not that we put the gang in danger or anything-."

"Family." Phil muttered.

Dougy nodded, "Yeah, family comes first over everything, so why the hell are you giving your son up?" he suddenly demanded and I swear my eyes popped out my head, how on earth did he find out? Looking up at Phil, I could see he was thinking the same thing.

"What the hell man, how am I supposed to raise him? Care for him? Keep him safe? Huh? Tell me." He fired at Dougy.

"Your mum would gladly take her grandson in and you know it."

Phil looked away, "I don't need it getting out and putting her in danger too."

"It won't happen! How many years did you live at home and do all this stuff? No one ever found out where you lived or who you lived with, everyone still believes we lived on the streets back then! It's a win win situation Phil, you still get to see him and watch him grow and your mum gets someone to care for again."

Phil slowly looked up at Dougy, "You already asked her, didn't you?"

Dougy glanced away guiltily for a second, "Maybe I stopped in and seen her on my way back."

Tugging on Phil's hand he looked down at me and I could see the pain in his eyes what this was causing him but I smiled, "I think you should Philly, you know you want to be there for him and this way you can be still, besides, I want someone to spoil."

He sighed loudly, and then looked back over at Dougy, "I'll think about it."

Dougy nodded, "It's all I can ask man, since at the end of the day it is your decision but now, topic number two - Lee." And he looked over at me as I shrunk further into Phil's side; he chuckled quietly and pushed me away while I shot him daggers.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? I told you I knew what you were up to in prison, why the hell haven't you stopped? Do you want to get killed - shut it Baden, no one is talking to you here!" he snapped as Baden started to say something, "You're my only sister Lee and I don't think I could handle having to bury you first."

"I didn't use a gun though, I only drove the car." I muttered and even to my ears it sounded like the world's most pathetic excuse and the look Dougy gave me told me I was correct. "I'm glad your home." I smiled.

"Don't change the subject on me, it has never worked before and it's not about to start." He snapped lightly, "I will send you away if you don't cut this crap out." And he shot Baden a warning look as he growled at him, "And to think you actually cared about her, if you did, you wouldn't put her in any danger."

"Fuck off Dougy." Baden spat back, finally had enough, "I love Leila, probably too much because I gave in and let her have her own way but I would never let any harm come to her!"

"Stop it!" I shouted above them both as Dougy started to snap back, they both stayed glaring at each other, "Enough, I don't want you both fighting, so let's just drop it for tonight. You, Phil and Caveman all need to be cleaned and probably stitched up, so drop it." I muttered the end little part, hoping they would just listen to me.

Baden grumbled something under his breath and Dougy shot him daggers, so I'm guessing my brother heard what he had said. I just chose to ignore it as I walked off to find the first aid kit in the bathroom upstairs.

~~

"Spread your legs a little." Baden instructed, groaning, I did as he said and looked straight ahead again, "Don't hold your arms so tight, slack them a little - not that much!" he shouted from behind me.

Turning my head to glare at him, "I have shot a gun before, so back off a little." I snapped; he was frustrating me by treating me like a child, every tiny thing I do is all wrong according to him. I was mostly angry because he had told me and everyone else he was taking me out, and he made it sound like a date but no, he had to take me out into the middle of nowhere to practice shooting at rusty old beer cans.

"Worst. Date. Ever." I muttered to myself as I took another shot, it echoed all around us and the stubborn beer can stayed in the same spot. He was making me too angry and putting me under pressure right now to hit it, so naturally I just kept missing.

"Get this right and I will take you out for dinner."

I looked over at him, he was standing a few feet away, arms folded casually over his chest and he was looking straight ahead at the cans, I noticed he leant slightly to one side because he's ribs were still giving him grief but maybe if he hadn't persisted in being intimate last night, they wouldn't be as sore today.

Looking back over at the cans, I closed my eyes for a minute and took a long slow deep breath in and blew it back out just as slow, then opened my eyes and shot once, twice, three times and smiled. Not one can left sitting on the thick tree branch.

"So now you hit them all perfectly?" he raised an eyebrow as he looked over at me, I smiled and shrugged my shoulders as I flicked the safety back on and handed the gun over to him.

"What can I say? I'm hungry." And I really wanted to go on another date, even if it's not an official one for him because just being able to spend alone time together that didn't involve anything gang or dangerous related was a date in my mind.

"Let's go then." He smirked.

Turns out his idea of taking me 'out for dinner' was driving through Hungry Jacks, which I didn't mind so much because I love their burgers but still, I thought we were going to eat inside somewhere, not in the parked car at some random deserted football oval with takeout.

"Do you ever worry about our future?" I was staring out the window at the big fat grey clouds looming overhead. The news had forecasted a major storm tonight which is meant to last until later tomorrow afternoon.

"All the time." Baden muttered back quietly, taking my hand into his and playing gently with my fingers before twisting the bracelet he gave me around my wrist.

"Do you ever regret choosing this path in life?" I was now watching him draw circles on the back of my hand with his thumb as he slowly ate his chips still. I was starving and had finished my meal minutes ago.

"Yes and no. Yes since I've met you and no because I love this life, it's in my blood, it's who I am, it's what I'm good at but I can never have a normal relationship or life with you because of it though." He was smiling slightly to himself and I was about to answer but my mobile rang.

Pulling it out of my pocket, I glanced at Phil's number on the screen and answered it, "Hey Phil."

"Ashford Hospital now, Amber's been in a car accident and we need Baden to calm Jeff the fuck down!" he shouted loudly, I had to pull the phone away from my ear so he wouldn't burst an eardrum.

"What? Is she okay, what happened?" I demanded, shouting at my phone in my hands and trying to be heard over top of him.

"Just get here now!" and he hung up, I didn't even have time for it all to sink it before Baden had the car flying down the road and away from the oval. I looked up to watch the road ahead of us but I felt numb all over, not Amberly again, she didn't deserve any of this.

By the time we reached the hospital, I had snapped out of it and was flying towards the front doors, shoving people out of my way as Baden stayed one step behind me, glancing at the front reception desk I was about to head over there when I heard Caveman's loud booming voice, shouting about killing someone to a uniformed officer.

Then I noticed Phil and Dougy, quickly heading in their direction while Baden went for Caveman, "Where is she?" I demanded the second I got close enough, they both sighed loudly with relief.

"About time you got here, Jeff's going to get arrested if Baden doesn't get him out of here." Dougy growled, and I just noticed his swollen eye - that was going to leave a wicked bruise. "None of us are allowed in to see her, so you're going to have to try."

"What happened? Ambos' never even scratched her car before." I frowned, trying to think back to any time she had been even close to being in an accident and I couldn't think of one, that girl drove like safety freak everywhere.

"Apparently it was a hit and run but we know better, someone targeted her and for a reason and there is one person behind it too." He sneered.

"Paul's going to regret starting this war." Phil grunted as he stepped up behind me, sharing a look with Dougy.

Turning away from then, I jogged quickly over to the front desk and looked down at receptionist tapping away on the keyboard, "Amberly Gianni, thanks." Amberly hasn't officially changed her last name on hospital records, mainly because she didn't need too since she hasn't been in one ever since I've known her.

"Room five oh four, the doctors with her at the moment, so please wait outside until he leaves." The entire time she didn't even look up at me but I didn't care, I was already off and running down the hall to her room and you can bet I didn't wait outside; I knocked once and walked straight in.

The doctor looked up at me and frowned, "Are you family?"

Nodding, "I'm her sister." And I headed to the side of her bed, she slowly opened her eyes and tried to smile up at me but the tears started pouring out, taking her hand into mine I pulled a chair up close, "It's going to be alright Ambo, I promise. I'll keep you safe myself if I have to." I whispered, stroking the hair off her face gently.

She was badly bruised and covered in cuts, some deep and needed stitches, some just minor, her left arm was in a cast and her leg was in a cast as well, but she was alive.

"I've given her some morphine but she needs to stay in here for a few days at least while we run some tests. Is there a parent we can call for you?" the doctor asked in a warm tone.

Shaking my head, "No, our mother is dead."

"You're father perhaps?" he prodded.

"Nope."

"Anyone?"

"Look, what's the problem?" I growled, turning to face him, "I'm more than capable of taking care of her, it's not like I'm a damn child."

His face paled slightly and he quickly walked out, muttering something about 'teenagers these days' I'm not even a teenager, I'm twenty! Turning back to look down at Amberly, I cringed at the sight of needles sticking out of her arm but ignored it.

"P-Paul did it." She whispered her voice croaky and only just understandable.

Nodding slowly, "I know, so do the boys."

She shook her head, and more tears came out, "H-he said, I g-go home or he k-kill you."

I smiled down at her, wiping her tears away, "The best he can do is try, I'm not scared of him, and you just concentrate on yourself, okay?"

"B-but-."

"No buts Ambo; don't worry about a thing. You're not going back there and definitely not for me, I'd rather die than let you."

She closed her eyes, squeezing out a few last stray tears, "That's what I-I'm afraid of." She whispered ever so softly, making me smile slightly to myself.

Ambo had fallen asleep over an hour ago; I was relaxing in the chair but had moved it to the other side of her bed so I was facing the door, just in case we were to get any nasty unwanted visitors and so they couldn't sneak up behind me. I didn't like the fact she was in here under her real name since Paul could possible access those records if he had the skills too, which I'm guessing he does and that thought alone made me feel uneasy.

"Hey. How's she doing?"

I watched Baden walk in from the corner of my eye, "Good, terrified, scared for herself and me." I muttered back in a lifeless tone.

"You?"

Looking up at him, I smiled slightly, "Paul told her to go home or he will kill me, I say bring it on."

"What the hell Leila? Are you suicidal now?" he shouted but Amberly stirred, so he quietened his voice down a little, "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing!" I hissed, "What's wrong with you? Ever since all you guys came back my life has gone to shit and you're all dragging Ambo down with me and now you're getting all defensive because I want to fight back, because I want to stand up for myself?" turning and glaring at Amberly's arm, I felt the guilt from what I had said right away, "Sorry, I didn't mean it, I'm just stressed and worried." I muttered.

Baden sighed loudly, running his hand through his hair as he stood on the opposite side of the bed from me, "No, you're right. You were doing well staying out of this life until we came along. Once this is all finished, we'll leave you alone."

I scoffed loudly at that, "What? You're trying to guilt trip me now? Because you damn well know I don't want you leaving me, not now and not ever. We'll stick through it 'til the end Baden, I'm just having a hissy fit, so ignore what I said before."

He smiled at me but it didn't reach his eyes, "I'll do whatever you want but if you change your mind and what us to go-."

"I won't." I cut him off.

Picking up her medical chart at the foot of her bed, Baden walked over to me and nodded for me to get off the chair, so I stood up and let him sit down, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me down with him.  Laying my head down on his shoulder I stared blankly at the folder in his hands, "Do you understand doctor jumble?"

He chuckled softly, "Actually, I do."

"Have you figured out a way to take Paul out yet?"

"We're working on it, we don't want to go in blind and lose half our guys though."

"Huh." I mumbled, "I was thinking of just arming up and attacking with brute force...." I trailed off, knowing it won't work because of what he had just said.

Baden rolled his eyes at me, "It's all about strategy Leila, about coming up on top."

We both fell silent for awhile; I looked over and watched Amberly sleeping peacefully while he read through her folder. Dougy came in and checked up on us, saying Caveman took off in his car but Baden wasn't concerned, saying he only needed to let some steam off and he won't do anything reckless.

Naturally I questioned that, if it were Baden in the hospital and me out there, I would head straight for the source and attack blindly but Baden pointed out that Caveman was no use to Amberly if he were dead and that he knew this too.

"We're sending Amberly to go stay with Phil's mum." Baden spoke up after awhile of more relaxing silence, raising my head to look up at him, I frowned, "She will be safe there and Jeff wants her out of the picture until Paul is taken care of but he will see her daily."

"Did Phil agree on Cole going there too?" I asked hopefully and by Baden's smile I knew he had, go Dougy and his power of persuasion, "When do I get to see him then? Has Phil seen him yet? Dougy? You? I better not be the last person but then again, everyone always saves the best for last. Oh man, I can't believe Phil is a dad, how strange but good, it's about time something good happened, don't you think?"

"Wow! Be quiet for a minute Leila." Baden laughed, "I don't know when you get to see him, I don't know if Phil has seen him or Dougy, I haven't yet but we'll go as soon as Cole is there, okay?" then he grinned, "Never pictured you as the type to love little kids so much."

Shaking my head, "Hell no, but this is my nephew, how could I not love him?"

"Who's your nephew?"

We both turned to face Amberly who was blinking her eyes and licking her lips as she woke up slowly, jumping off Baden's lap I grabbed the jug of water and poured her a drink quickly, then tilted her head slightly up for her so she could drink it without straining herself too much.

"You going to answer my question?" she smiled.

"Cole? Remember, Phil's son?" I asked as I sat down on the edge of her bed, Baden stood up and said he was going to find the others and let Jeff know she was awake now.

"Yeah."

"Well, Phil agreed to let his mum take him in, so we get to see him whenever we want now. How cool is that?" I gushed, Baden is right, I'm not the type to love little kids but I was right too, how could I not love this little boy? One look at his photo and I was hooked.

"How exciting for Phil, do I get to meet him too?"

"Of course, you're his Aunty Ambo, second favourite Aunt because I'll be his first." I teased as she pushed me lightly, but no way near enough to do anything.

We talked for about half an hour about anything and everything that didn't have anything to do with the war, Paul or gangs. I even talked about clothes, all just to keep her distracted from everything around us, until Caveman came barging through the door, looking like crap but Amberly didn't care. Her face lit up at the first glance of him and he pushed me out the way to take my spot on her bed as he wrapped her up in his arms.

"Eh, I'll go find someone else." I muttered, Amberly gave me a grateful smile as I left, I glanced back to see Caveman kissing her all over her face with her giant smile glued there. She was going to be okay, we all were going to be okay.

We just had to be.