-----

~The Plan~

!TW! !Strong Language and Violence!

-----

Ivy had had enough hearing the name 'Ollie' coming out of everyone's mouths. It reminded her of when nobody would stop talking about Billy Kimber. She got that her sister was in danger but nobody had even mentioned a plan, the no plan was what was bothering her the most. She didn't see Tommy for the rest of the night so therefore she was unable to even discuss one. Eventually she stood from the table she was sat at; for what felt like hours. Ivy grabbed her coat, which caught John's attention.
"Its getting late, I wanna head back home." Ivy said while putting her coat on.
"yeah, yeah." John stood, necking back the last of his whisky.
"Night Poll," John added, brushing his hand over her shoulder. She nodded at John with a smile.
"I give you all my luv' and for Christ sake keep them bloody doors locked!"
"We will," Ivy smiled.
"Come on Liz, you'll be staying with us for now." Ivy said grabbing her sisters coat, wrapping it over her sisters shoulders.

-----

Moments later they made it home. Ivy ensured she locked the front door like Polly had asked them to. Ivy didn't feel scared about the situation, in fact she believed John was the one who was. It wasn't Ivy with the bad feeling this time, it was John who did.
Some time had past, Ivy had showed Elizabeth where she would be staying, it was in the spear bedroom. So Liz was unpacking her belongings, making herself at home. Ivy and John sat downstairs, light music playing in the background.
"So, how long have ya' known?" John asked, who took sips of his whiskey.
Ivy reajusted herself, making herself comfy on John.
"A few years, my mother told me before we all left." Ivy replied.
"Why, why didn't she tell any of us?" John swished his whisky around the glass, in deep thought.
Ivy who was also in deep thought stared at his hand while he did so.
"She was scared but she's also selfish for not telling anyone, but then again I am to. She knew if she had of told one of you, a war would've happened." Ivy explained, with no emotion.
She felt almost guilty herself for not telling a Shelby, but what's done is done.
"Your not selfish, I'm the only selfish one in this marriage." John almost joked, but he was only speaking the truth.
Ivy pulled a face at him, almost like a smirk.
"Your not wrong," she joked.
John only smiled back.
The song 'We'll Meet Again' had began to play. John knew it was one of Ivy's favourite songs. He stood from the sofa, placing his whiskey onto the table. He walked towards the record player, turning the volume up. Ivy let out a small giggle. John then held a hand out, indicating Ivy to dance with him. Ivy shook her head.
"I'm not dancing John." She said trying to cover her smile.
"Come on luv', I know you want to." He smiled at her, gradually getting closer with his hand still out.
She looked up at him, she could've swarn his eyes were twinkling at her. She sighed out with a smile. How could she say no?

Grabbing his hand, she stood from the sofa. He genuinely placed both his hands around her waist. Ivy wrapped her arms around his shoulders, they begin to slow dance. Her head rested on John's shoulder, he only held her close.
They stayed close until the song had finished, Ivy lifting her head with another smile. He kissed her forehead gently and smirked back. They peered into each other's eyes for moment, John then leaning into Ivy for a kiss. What they thought was a simple kiss quickly turned into more lustful makeout. Seconds later both pulling away, breathing heavily. Talking with their eyes, John lead Ivy upstairs into their bedroom. Closing the door behind them...

-----

The following morning came quicker than Ivy had expected. The both of them had been at it most hours through the night.
Ivy woke up to a loud bang downstairs. Rubbing her eyes, she squinted them open looking across the room to see the time. It was ten o'clock in the morning. Ivy shook John, waking him up.
"What luv'?" John groaned half asleep.
"I heard a sound coming from downstairs." Ivy answered.
"It's probably Elizabeth." John tried rolling over but footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs.
"She left an hour ago." Ivy whispered now afraid of who it could be.
John rolled out of bed. Untangling himself from the duvet that covered him. Putting his boxers on and grabbing his gun from the bedside table. Ivy sat up half asleep, watching John as he stood by the door. Waiting for him to open it.
"Go," Ivy snapped.
John pulled a frustrated face at Ivy as he began to twist the door handle.
"The frount door was unlocked," Tommy said barging through the bedroom door.
John had cooked his gun ready to shoot.
Ivy quickly pulled the duvet over herself more, as she felt exposed.
"Elizabeth told ya' this morning family meeting at ten." Tommy explained, looking John up and down as he uncocked his gun.
"Well she didn't," Ivy snapped laying back down.
"Comon' everyone is waiting," Thomas said bluntly.
John sat down onto the bed huffing, nodding at his brother as he left.
"You could at least-" Ivy was unable to finish what she was saying as Tommy had already left the room.

John climbed back into bed pulling the covers over himself. Ivy placed her head on Johns chest, looking up at him.
A smirk curled on Johns lips. Ivy smiled back.
"I quite enjoyed last night." John admitted, placing a hand to Ivy cheek.
"Oh yeah?" Ivy joked.
"It made me realize, how much I love you." He said in a serious tone, no longer smirking.
Ivys face lighted. Another smile curling on her lips. It was like a whole weight had been lifted off of her.
"And you know I love you," She replied in an over exited tone.
"I promise I'll always look after ya'," John said, placing a kiss to her forhead.

-----

Just like yesterday, everyone gathered around the table in Pollys kitchen. This time without Ada because she didn't want to be apart of the plan. Elizabeth sat next to Polly at the table, wearing rather posh clothes. Ivy sat with Arthur, John leaning on the back of her chair. As Tommy was the one who planned the meeting he was standing.
"The Lee's have made their way to London, early this morning. They'll be our eye up there for now. Some of Ollies men are already in Birmingham, they've been spotted in the Garrison so they're close." Thomas explained.
He Bagan lighting his cigarette as everyone shared worried looks around the room.
"So what the bloody hell we gonna do Tommy, ey?" Arthur scoffed.
"At this moment in time, I don't have a plan." Thomas admitted, taking drags of his cigarette.
Ivy shook her head, almost in disbelief. If he was the one that was in danger he would've come up with one by now.
"Do they know Elizabeth is accosted with us?" Polly asked as she put her hand to her mouth.
"More than likely, the word would've been put 'round that I'm a Shelby now."
Ivy replied.
She was in mid deep thought so she didn't look up at anyone.
"So there's no plan, yet you've sent the Lees to London? For fuckin' what Tommy? You've fucked it!" John said raising his voice in a snarky tone.
"What would you like me to do John? He's been running that business for over twenty years, if the police can't stop him. You think we can?" Thomas snapped back, waving his cigarette around.
"The police haven't got a clue what they're dealing with." Polly added into the conversation.
"I don't think you know what we're dealing with Poll, her mother lied to you for years. None of us knew her blood line came from that side!"
"It doesn't make a difference Thomas, she's already here. So don't you dare sit there and indicate you regret her having our last name!" Polly raised her voice making the room go silent.
"If theres no plan then Elizabeth will have to go with em'." John explained, pushing himself to stand up as he was leaning on the chair.
"Can you all just shut up, Tommy may not have a plan but I do." Ivy rushed sharing looks.
John shook his head, he knew it was going to involve Ivy herself. He didn't want that, he'd rather it be him. He'd do anything to make sure she'd be safe.

Everyone looked at Ivy waiting for her to speak.
"My half of the family would've been useful for my original plan but you've already sent them to London. So this plan may be more risky...
Ollie owns a bar in London. From what Elizabeth has told me, him and a few of his men go every Friday."
John sniffed, clenching his jaw. Not wanting Ivy to continue what she was saying.
"So we'll get the Lees to arrange a meeting with him, 'to make a deal'. The deal will be if we give Elizabeth back, he gives us money. But he has to come to Birmingham to collect her himself, we'll finish him off there and then."
"Bloody hell Ivy," Arthur laughed, putting his hand to his head.
"He don't let other people arrange meetings for him." Elizabeth announced.
Ivy looked at her sister and then at John.
"Then I'll go, I'll make the arrangements. He knows I'm a Lee." Ivy gulped instantly regretting what she said.
"No." John said firmly, from across the room.
Who then put a tooth pick in his mouth.
"John, she's right." Thomas nodded.
"Yeah she might be, but what if she gets hurt? What then Tommy? You got a plan for that?" He snapped, giving his brother daggers.
Thomas stayed silent as he finished his cigarette off.
"That's the plan, Ivy you'll go to London. Send half the Lees back 'ere and the peakys will have you protected. We'll decide who goes later, while I have time to think."
"There's no time for thinking, we decide who goes tonight." John demanded.
Ivy sighed burying her head into hands. She knew John would've acted this way.
"Johnny dogs, Arthur and I'll be going, the rest of you can stay to keep the business running. Polly you'll be looking after Elizabeth."
John let out a sarcastic laugh.
"So you expect me to stay 'ere while you all go gallivanting to London? With my Wife?"
Thomas looked at John, who didn't feel like arguing.
"John, you can come." Tommy huffed.
He nodded at Tommy. He was on his way out but John stoped him.

"Promise me Tom, promise me that Ivy won't get hurt if she helps you." John said in a demanding tone.
"I promise you John, she won't get hurt. Alright?" Thomas reassured, taping his brothers shoulder.
John huffed, wanting to throw a punch at Tommy. He couldn't believe his own brother had let his wife be part of a dangerous plan. But he just bit his tongue, stopping his words from coming out sharp and cutting people.

-----

That evening John stayed at Pollys with Tommy and Arthur, to go through the plan. Ivy who had gone home, later that day was preparing dinner. Elizabeth was upstairs, doing her own thing.
Ivy had a wave of anxiety swarm over her as she heard the front door open, she knew it was only John...
"Dinners almost ready." Ivy called out from the kitchen.
"Hmm, sounds nice." An unfamiliar replied back from the living room.
Ivys heart sunk, her stomach tieing nots. Making her want to throw up. She held a knife in her hand, holding it behind her back she walked into the living room. Blinking the nerves away from her eyes, she sighed heavily.
"Get out!" She demanded, cocking her head over to the door.
Ivy inspected the two men, both wearing a black bowler hats, with long black waist coats. Covering their clothes underneath. One investigating around the room, the other only stood.
"I said get out!" Ivy demanded once again, this time holding the knife out.
Showing the both of them she has a weapon.
"That's not a nice way to talk to a guests." The other man laughed at his remark.
"Drop the knife." He said, nodding his head at it.
Ivy shook her head.
"We just want to talk, do you know where Elizabeth-Marie is?"
"Never heard of her." She replied back bluntly.
Ivy could hear light footsteps coming down the stairs, Elizabeth suddenly poped her head around the corner. Luckily the two men didn't hear her coming. Ivy slightly looked over at the stairs to where Liz was peeping, she slightly tilted her head indicating her to go back upstairs. But the man that stood in front of her noticed, he cocked his head back quickly. Elizabeth was already gone, she had snuck back upstairs.
"Oi Bern, Burnie!" The man who stood in front of her called out, taping the other man's shoulder who she presumed was called Burnie.
"What Nelson!" Burnie had snapped back.
"Upstairs, check upstairs."
They both smiled at each other like a big chocolate cake had been put in front of a fat kid.
The man who was called Burnie started to make his way upstairs. The other man who was called Nelson pulled out a pocket knife. He began walking closer to Ivy. She gulped in fear, taking steps back. Making her fall into a wall. She dropped her knife as she fell. Ivy tried to reach out and get it but Nelson had pulled her by the back of her hair, her eyes began to sting as tear drops fell from her eyes. She put her hands over his, trying to loosen his grip, he only pulled tighter. Flashbacks began to play repeatedly in her head. Nelson brung the pocket knife to her face, ready to cut a smile. He was awfully amused. Ivy had pulled a hand down, grabbing his crotch area, hitting it as hard as she could. He squealed in pain. He had finally lost his grip, she was now free from him. Ivy quickly crawled across the floor, grabbing the kitchen knife. Nelson swiftly realised she had gotten her weapon. He let out a sarcastic laugh, presumeing she wasn't going to do anything. Ivy stood from the floor giving him dirty looks. She lounged, trying to get to the stairs. He yet again pulled her back, but this time Ivy was prepared. Elbowing him full force in the face, he fell back. His nose instantly bleeding.
"You bastard whore!" he yelled.
"Got her!" Burnie yelled from upstairs.
"To late princess," He said filled with excitement.
Ivy shook her head. Nelson put his pocket knife away. However that was a mistake he should never have made. He bagan walking to the stairs not looking back, Ivy took that opertunity and stabbed him in the back. She pulled the knife out as he screamed in pain, stabbing his once again. Anger washed over her as she watched him staggered to the floor, onto his knees as he bled out. He tried to hold his wounds.
"It's never to late and I ain't your princess!" Ivy yelled, stabbing him another time. But this time in the chest.
He bagan to gargal blood, some trickling out of his mouth. She left the knife in him this time, she was covered in blood herself. His body making a loud bang from falling to the floor.

Ivy ran to the stairs again, Elizabeth was being held at gun point. Which he then forced Ivy back into the living room.
"Look what you did to my Nelson!" Burnie cried.
He looked Ivy up and down as blood covered her hands and clothes. He pointed the gun away from Elizabeths temple, aiming it right at Ivy.
"No!" Elizabeth yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She was unable to move to even save her sister.
"Your going to Hell for what you did!"
Ivy squinted her eyes shut as she heard a gun shot. Her eyes darted back open, Burnies body fell to the floor, he instantly died. Thomas stood inches away, blood splattered across his face. Stood next to him was John and Arthur. John's face was filled with mixed emotions.
Ivy's heart quickened as John met her teary gaze. The silance that filled the room told him everything he needed to know. She ran to his arms, seaking comfort, slowing her heavy breathing.
He was the only one who could.