Outfits Link:

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Opening Montage (Day One)

Chicago, Illinois

Night - Tracks by the L

(Song:) Offer Refusal - Extreme Music

Several people on the Southside of Chicago were gathered around at night around a bonfire to warm them through the cold night of December, having a mini party.

Frank: (voice over) "Nobody's saving our neighborhood's the Garden of Eden. Hell, some people say God avoids this place altogether."

Among the people there, Ian, Carl and Lip Gallagher were gathered around a fire, partying and having fun, ages 15, 8 and 16.

Frank: (voice over) "But it's been a good home to us, to me and my kids, who I'm proud of."

Elsewhere in the crowd, Fiona, Kimberly, Debbie and Zia Gallagher were also dancing around and singing with the rest of the crowd, ages 21, 15, 11, and 6.

Frank: (voice over) "Because every single one of them reminds me a little bit of me."

Of course, Frank was in the crowd, looking over to his kids in the crowd.

Fiona was smoking a cigarette, smiling.

Frank: (voice over) "Fiona, my rock, huge help. Has all the best qualities of her mother... except she's not a raging psycho bitch."

In a flash to the Gallagher house earlier that day, Fiona took three tissues and held them in front of Zia, Carl and Debbie's noses, as all three of them had a cold. "Blow."

Back at the party, Lip took a drink of beer.

Frank: (voice over) "Lip, smart as a whip. Straight A's and the honor roll. Boy's definitely going somewhere."

In a flash to earlier that day, Lip was running from the sound of the cop sirens, as two security guards were chasing him.

Back at the party, Ian was smiling, laughing.

Frank: (voice over) "Ian. Industrious, conscientious, ambitious, incredible work ethic. Don't have a clue where he got that from."

In a flash to school earlier that day, Ian was in ROTC, training with his class, wearing uniforms, moving their guns around.

Frank: (voice over) "Wants to be a paratrooper. Knows how to disembowel an enemy with a roll of dimes and an old gym sock."

Back at the party, Kimberly was dancing around, drinking.

Frank: (voice over) "Kimberly. Dear Kim. Basically a mini, less bitchy Fiona in the way she helps take charge of taking care of the kids. Not as smart as her twin brother Ian or older brother Lip, but she's a wild one, and possibly could have some of Monica's crazy genes, who knows?"

In a flash to the Gallagher house earlier that day, Kimberly was helping Carl, Zia and Debbie, but having fun with them as they slid down the laundry chute one by one and into the kitchen, landing on a big pile of clothes and bubble wrap, all of them laughing.

Back at the party, Debbie was sitting next to Fiona, watching the party.

Frank: (voice over) "Ah, Debbie. Total sweetheart."

In a flash back to the Gallagher house earlier that day, Debbie sat in the girls' room, counting change that she had collected.

Frank: (voice over) "Raises money for UNICEF year-round, some of which she actually turns in."

Back at the party, Carl stood by the fire, staring into the flames with an evil grin on his face. Ian and Lip stood with him, messing around with him.

Frank: (voice over) "Carl. Um, I don't really know that much about Carl. Oh, loves animals. Always dragging home some poor stray he found."

In a flash back to the Gallagher house earlier that day, Carl was holding a stray cat, wearing a welding helmet and a blow torch in his other hand.

Frank: (voice over) "Taking them up to his room."

Back at the party, Zia was dancing around and having fun, giggling as Fiona and Kimberly were tickling her on the sides, running away.

Frank: (voice over) "Zia. Sent by God. Total angel."

In a flash back to the Gallagher house earlier that day, Zia had stopped Carl from using the blow torch on the cat and sent the cat on its way, hitting Carl in the shoulder for trying to use a blow torch on the cat.

When Carl tried to go after the cat, Zia took the blow torch from him and turned it on, sending Carl running instead.

Frank: (voice over) "If angels were sometimes violent with doing what she thinks is right. Zia looks most like their mother, which I hate, but hey, if that's the only thing she gets from Monica, more power to her."

Back at the party, Zia and Debbie were doting over baby Liam in his stroller.

Liam was looking around at the party in awe.

Frank: (voice over) "Liam, gonna be a star."

In a flash back to the Gallagher house earlier that day, Liam was playing around with his toys, which included a toy car and a small inflatable basketball.

Frank: (voice over) "I'm no biologist, but he looks a little bit like my first sponsor. He and the ex were close."

Back at the party, JJ Fisher was sitting down, having a beer.

Kimberly walked by to get a beer from JJ.

JJ smirked a slight smile, handing Kimberly a beer as they clinked their beers and drank.

Frank: (voice over) "Jeremiah Jordan Fisher. JJ. Nice enough kid. Runs from the cops a lot. And his drug dealer of a father. Constantly stays with his aunt and her boyfriend. Huge huge crush on Kimberly. Super obvious. They get in a lot of trouble together."

In a flash back to earlier that day, JJ and Kimberly had just jacked some liquor from a store and took off running down the street, laughing as they were dodging getting in trouble with the owner and escaping before cops could have the chance to be called.

Back at the party, Natalia Milkovich was sitting down by the fire, drinking.

Lip walked closer to hand Natalia another beer.

Natalia smirked, taking the beer, taking a drink.

Frank: (voice over) "Natalia Milkovich. Kimberly, Ian, JJ and Lip's best friend. The only Milkovich any of us like. Huge help whenever you need her. Massive heart."

In a flash back to earlier that day, Natalia was caught sleeping in a house that she wasn't supposed to be in, since it was mostly empty and she was squatting, but she instantly climbed out the window, jumped down, and when she almost got caught, she smiled slyly and smooth talked her way out of it, and when the person who almost caught her turned their back, Natalia took off running down the street.

Frank: (voice over) "Natalia has a habit for bending the rules until they snap completely, but the girl could talk her way out of anything."

Back at the party, Veronica Fisher and Kevin Ball were in each other's arms, kissing, laughing along with the party.

Frank: (voice over) "Kevin and Veronica. Fantastic neighbors. V is JJ's aunt, so when JJ stays with them, he's literally one house down from ours. There's nothing Kev and V won't do for each other."

In a flash back to earlier that day, in the Fisher-Ball house, Veronica was dressed like a Dominatrix, while having sex with Kevin from behind with a strap on, as Kevin had a ball gang in his mouth.

Frank: (voice over) "Or too each other."

Kevin pulled the ball gag out of his mouth. "That didn't hurt half as much as I thought it would."

(Song Ends)

(Song:) The Stars Just Blink For Us - Say Hi

Back at the party, JJ brought another beer over for Kevin and Veronica, as the three of them smiled. Veronica wrapped an arm around JJ to pull him into a hug.

Frank: (voice over) "I never realized how little sex I was having till V and Kev moved next door. As you can imagine, JJ comes to our house when they do the dirty, but that doesn't stop us all from hearing them."

Frank finished looking over all his children, plus JJ, Natalia, Veronica and JJ, as he returned to partying himself, drinking, smoking a cigarette.

Frank: (voice over) "And me, Frank Gallagher, father, teacher, mentor. Captain of our little ship. We may not have much, but all of us, to a man, knows the most important thing in this life. We know how to fucking party. Wa-ha!"

(Song Ends)

(Song:) Trouble Comes Running - Spoon

Police cars pulled up to the party, sires blaring and lights flashing.

Natalia stood, tossing down her empty beer can in complaint. "No!" She held up both her arms to flip off the cops with both hands. "Fuck you, pigs!"

Kimberly, JJ, Lip and Ian laughed lightly.

The cops started to break up the party and tried to get people to go home or they would be arrested.

Kimberly was completely unbothered, taking a drink of beer.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Worlds Colliding (Shameless)

⫷⑅⫸

Day Two

Morning - Gallagher House - Upstairs Bathroom

Fiona wiped the condensation away from the mirror in the bathroom, fixing up her hair, having just woken up.

⫷⑅⫸

Hallway

Fiona walked out of the bathroom, toward the boys' room, knocking on the door, stepping inside. "7:15, monkeys. Come on." She walked down the hallway past a mess of toys and other belongings, reaching the girls' room, knocking on it, opening the door to look inside at Zia, Kimberly and Debbie, as Debbie was standing over Liam's bed and reading to him, while Kimberly was helping Zia with her spelling homework leading up to a test. "7:15."

Kimberly gave Fiona a peace sign. "Got it, Fi. We'll bring Liam out for breakfast in a minute. Debbie's got him, and I've been helping Zia."

Zia was way too mature for her age. At six years old, and despite being dyslexic, she did great in school, always helped around the house, never really complained about anything. On the other hand, Debbie was the opposite, always coming up with a million excuses as to why she couldn't do her homework, or wash the dishes, or make her bed in the morning, but she was still a decently good kid, knowing the difference between right and wrong. Kimberly was somewhere in the middle. She was responsible, but she complained sometimes, but never about taking care of her little siblings, as she loved them so much and had a great bond with each of them. She did great in school, helped when asked to around the house even when she didn't want to even if it took a little while to get around to it.

Zia groaned, walking toward her dresser. "School sucks."

Fiona chuckled. "I know, but you gotta go, Zia. Besides, don't you have a spelling test today? You can't miss it."

"It's so hard," Zia admitted, frustrated because of her dyslexia.

Fiona put an arm around Zia. "Yeah, but Lip, Ian and Kimberly were helping you out with spelling, right?"

"Yeah," Zia answered. "Oh, and JJ."

"Come on, you know you can do it," Kimberly told her, walking past. "Diagram, go."

Zia sighed, tilting her head back while thinking. "D-i-e-a-g-r-a-m. Diagram."

"What's not supposed to be in there?" Kimberly asked.

Zia frowned, looking to the side. "E?"

Kimberly smiled. "That's right."

"Then why does it sound like die-a-gram?" Zia asked.

Kimberly looked at Fiona, who shook her head, before looking at Zia. "That I couldn't tell you, Z."

Fiona smiled, walking out of the room down the hallway to continue getting dressed.

Debbie read the story to Liam. "Oh, no, I fell down."

Zia and Kimberly continued to get dressed as well.

Kimberly also did her hair and makeup.

Fiona reached the hallway closet, opening the door, looking at the mirror, pulling on her over shirt.

She heard two of her brothers arguing from the boys' room.

"First shower," Ian claimed.

"You had it yesterday," Lip complained. Ian bolted to the bathroom, closing and locking the door before Lip could stop him. Lip ran up to the door, too late to stop him, hitting the door. "Fuck! Asshole!"

Ian laughed.

Kimberly walked out of her room to see and hear this. "Lip. Ian." Lip turned his head to look at Kimberly. Kimberly put her hand against the wall, tilting her head, clearly not being serious. "If you two don't calm the hell down, I will kick both your asses. It's too early in the morning for this shit."

Ian and Lip both spoke at the same time, though Ian was still in the bathroom, both knowing not to test their sister. "Sorry, Kimberly."

Kimberly smirked, looking at Fiona. "You're welcome."

Fiona smiled, thankful for having the backup. "Thank you, Kim. Where's Carl?"

Carl walked out of the boys' room, pulling on a shirt. "Getting ready."

Fiona nodded, turning toward the girls' room. "Z, Debs, let's go."

⫷⑅⫸

Fisher-Ball House - Kev and V's Room

Veronica and Kevin were asleep in their pajamas.

JJ knocked on their bedroom door. "Breakfast is on the table. Get it while it's hot."

Veronica let out a loud groan, rolling over on her bed, sitting up. "How the fuck are you so ready for the day every day?"

JJ shrugged. "Practice makes perfect and all that bullshit, right?"

JJ walked out of the room and toward the kitchen.

Veronica and Kevin reluctantly rolled out of bed.

"I swear the kid's like an alien," Kevin remarked. "A cool one though."

Veronica chuckled.

⫷⑅⫸

Kitchen

When JJ, Kevin and Veronica were eating in the kitchen, it was silent as it normally was, but it wasn't an awkward silence.

It was more of a comfortable silence, since Veronica didn't like needless and forced small talk, and JJ was kind of quiet so she knew that he hated it even more than she did, and Kevin was okay with the silence when it wasn't awkward or forced, smiling slightly since they all seemed calm, content and relaxed. They let the breakfast past by without speaking more than they wished to, which was better than forcing conversation. Once done, they finished up and did their dishes.

Veronica looked over at JJ. "All right, get to going. Have a good day."

JJ grabbed his jacket, pulling it on, smirking slightly. "Yeah, right. Whatever. I'll try." Veronica smirked, almost smiling. Kevin smiled. "Thanks for letting me stay the night, V. I couldn't handle sleeping at home when Dad got home with another hookup."

"No problem, JJ," Veronica told him. "You know that you can stay over whenever you like."

"Yeah, anything to get away from Tristan," Kevin answered. "No offense, V, but your brother is a psycho."

"You think I don't know that?" Veronica asked. "Basically both my brothers are. Tristan's a hundred times worse than Marty though."

"Later, JJ," Kevin told him.

"Yep," JJ agreed. "Thank you too, Kev."

Nodding, JJ slung his backpack over his shoulder, turning around, walking out.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Zia skipped down the stairs to join the rest of her family at the kitchen table.

Kimberly placed Liam in his high chair for breakfast.

Fiona pulled milk out of the fridge, closing the door, looking at the calendar on the refrigerator door, which was covered in notes and sticky-notes for all the appointments and bills for the month. She noticed that the electric was due that day. "Shit."

(The date said December 15th of 2010).

Fiona brought the milk to the table where the kids were.

Ian walked through the kitchen while giving Carl a piggy back right toward the table. "Coming through."

Ian placed Carl down so they could sit down with their siblings.

Kimberly took the milk to pour into her cereal, as the boys were digging into their food, handing the milk to Zia.

Zia poured milk into her bowl, before handing it to Debbie, to which Debbie did the same, before Debbie set the milk on the table for the boys to get. Ian did first, then Lip, then Carl. Once they were done, Fiona took the milk back to the fridge to put it up.

JJ walked into the Gallagher kitchen, giving a sarcastic bow. "Good morning, Gallaghers."

Debbie waved. "Hi."

Kimberly waved. "Morning, JJ."

"Sup, Kimberly?" JJ asked.

"What's up?" Lip asked, doing a fist bump with JJ.

Ian did a hand shake with JJ. "Hey, man."

"All ready to go?" JJ asked.

"Yep, after we eat," Carl answered.

Zia gave a smile, jumping up before landing lightly on her feet. "I got my spelling test today."

JJ smiled. "That's right, I forgot. You're gonna do great, Zia."

Zia shrugged. "Hope so."

Fiona walked closer with an empty, cut up cereal box on the kitchen table, tousling Zia's hair. "You will, don't worry."

JJ leaned against the counter. "What's with the box?"

"Electric," Fiona answered, handing the box to Kimberly.

Kimberly put money in the box, handing it to Ian. "Electric."

Ian put money in the box, handing it to Lip. "Electric."

Lip put money in the box, handing it to Carl. "Electric."

Carl handed the box to Debbie without putting money in. "Electric."

Debbie put some money in.

Zia looked up from studying her spelling words, having a tough time because of her dyslexia, but still trying. She frowned at the money in the box.

Fiona pointed to the front of the green shirt Carl was wearing since he had a stain on it. "No, you got a Happy Meal on the front of that shirt."

Zia couldn't help but smile. "Happy Meal. I'm gonna call you that from now on."

"Don't you dare," Carl replied. "I hate that nickname."

Zia stuck her tongue out at Carl. "Too bad for you."

The others smirked or smiled.

Fiona quickly walked over to Carl, pulling his shirt off, flipping it inside out before sliding it back on over his head.

Ian pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket before handing it to Debbie. "Field trip, need Dad's signature."

Debbie could easily forge their father's signature perfectly.

"Wow, Deb, that's getting really good," Lip complimented.

Debbie handed the paper back to Ian. "Thanks."

Fiona knelt down in front of the washing machine to do some laundry. "Who's got the phone?"

Kimberly pulled out the phone. "I got it."

"Any minutes left?" Fiona asked.

"Uh, 14," Kimberly answered, tossing the phone over to Fiona.

Fiona caught the phone swiftly. "14? There was over 30 yesterday."

"My fault," JJ commented. "I called Kimberly last night. Sorry, Fi. I can throw in a 20 for the electric."

Fiona waved off his offer. "No, no, no. It's fine, JJ."

Fiona put a chair against the water machine to keep it closed as the machine started to run, before walking toward the kitchen table.

"Hey, I need something for show and tell," Debbie said.

Fiona grabbed the cereal box off the table. "How much are we short?"

"18 dollars and 30 cents," Kimberly answered, feeding Liam his baby food for breakfast.

"I'm tutoring after school," Lip explained. "Should be able to kick in 10 more."

"Wait, did Carl put in any?" Ian asked.

Debbie looked at Carl. "You're almost 9. You're gonna have to start pulling your weight."

JJ pushed away from the counter, walking closer, digging into his pocket, grabbing 20 dollars. "Here. Let Carl be an 8 year old for a little while longer."

JJ held the bill out to Fiona.

Fiona put the cereal back on top of the fridge, shaking her head. "No, JJ, it's fine."

JJ tilted his head. "Come on, I used up like half of your minutes on your phone complaining to Kimberly about Grey's Anatomy." Kimberly smiled. "Plus you let me stay over whenever Kev and V get too into their shit. Let me help out."

JJ smiled, wiggling the 20 dollar bill.

Fiona smiled gratefully, taking the money, throwing it into the box. "Thank you. Somebody's gotta take Liam."

Fiona picked up the baby Gallagher, placing him on her lap as she sat down next to Zia.

"Uh, I got a calculus test," Lip responded quickly, standing up from the table.

"I'm working after school," Ian agreed, picking up his empty bowl and walking away from the table.

Kimberly stood to take her bowl to the sink and rinse it out. "Same here."

"You know I would totally help out, but I got a chemistry lab today, so no babies allowed," JJ agreed.

Zia was still studying the words on a paper for her spelling test.

Kimberly placed a hand on Zia and Carl's shoulders. "Come on, kiddos."

Fiona remembered something, reaching into her bag to pull out an inhaler, tossing it to Zia. "Zia, catch." Zia caught the inhaler, relieved to see that it was an inhaler. "Almost forgot."

"When did you get a new inhaler?" Kimberly asked.

"Just last night," Fiona answered. "Couldn't afford a new one, but Rita at work had an extra."

Zia gave Fiona a hug in relief. "Thanks, Fi."

Fiona put her arm around Zia, smiling softly. "'Course, Z. Now go."

Zia and Carl stood, taking their bowls to the sink, walking away with Kimberly and JJ as they followed Ian and Lip out of the kitchen.

Debbie looked at Fiona, offering to take Liam. "Show and tell? I can hand him off to Zia after she's done with her test since I got gym right after."

Fiona looked at Liam, who was smiling. "Show them the birthmark on his back. It looks like Latvia."

Debbie held out her hands so that Fiona could hand Liam to her. Debbie took Liam to hold, standing up to leave, picking up her bowl to put it in the sink, walking out of the kitchen to leave with her other siblings and JJ.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

(Song:) Survive - The Moog

Debbie caught up with the others, holding Liam. "Wait!"

"Then hurry up," Lip told her.

"Yeah, don't wanna be late," Ian said mockingly. "Your time in sixth grade is almost over and all, so can't miss that."

JJ shook his head, smirking, just as sarcastic. "Oh, no, of course not."

Carl blew a raspberry. "Ugh."

The girls smiled.

Down the street, Natalia had snagged a couple hot dogs from a hot dog vendor without him noticing, walking off while starting to eat, meeting up with the Gallaghers and JJ.

Zia smiled. "Natalia!"

"Hey, Zia," Natalia replied. "What's up, guys?"

"Stealing from the hot dog guy again?" Lip asked in amusement.

Natalia shrugged. "Girl's gotta eat. Fucking starving."

JJ took out a package of Pop-Tarts to toss it to Natalia. "Figured you would say that."

Natalia caught the Pop-Tart pack, smiling slightly. "Thanks, JJ."

"I thought you were staying at a friend's," Ian told her in confusion, concern.

Natalia nodded, clearly having kept most of her struggles a secret from her friends so they didn't worry. "Yeah, I was. Place fell through though, so gotta couch surf again."

"You know you can stay with us," Kimberly told her. "If you need to. Kev and V love you."

"Fiona doesn't," Natalia replied.

"She doesn't hate you though," Lip told her. "She just hates your family. We can talk to her, if you want."

"Guys, I'm fine," Natalia told them. "Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out. Always do."

Zia frowned, nodding. "Okay."

Natalia and Carl did a hand shake as Natalia ruffled Zia and Debbie's hair with her other hand, causing the older teens to smile.

In their true chaotic form, the Gallaghers, JJ and Natalia made their way to their schools.

Zia stole a girl's bike on the way to school, getting on, riding away.

The girl chased after her. "That's my fucking bike!"

Zia laughed, as did the others.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Hockey Ring

During the hockey season, a big game was going on, causing the pretzel vending restaurant in the building to be super busy.

Fiona had made it to work.

"No Candi again?" another woman asked.

"Bobby's got a bail hearing," Fiona explained, putting on her head.

"That kid's gonna be the death of her," the woman told her. "What is it this time?"

"Tried tagging a cop car with the cop still in it," Fiona answered, grabbing a big pretzel and a hot dog, turning to the line waiting for their food. "Who's got the jumbo dog?"

Fiona glanced at the man in front.

"How'd you know?" the man asked.

Fiona smiled sarcastically, handing the food over. "X-ray vision."

The man paid for the food, speaking to a guy next to him. "Hey, would you tap that ass?"

"Once, if I double bagged it," the second man replied. "Project girls don't abort."

Fiona glared at them.

⫷⑅⫸

Elementary School - Outside

It was Zia's recess, and she was looking around, waiting for a friend.

Debbie walked toward Zia with Liam. "Hey, Zia. How'd your spelling test go?"

"I'm not sure," Zia admitted. "We just finished and we get them back at the end of the day."

"Oh, that sucks," Debbie said. "Hey, can you watch Liam? I got gym right now."

"Yeah, sure," Zia answered.

Debbie smiled, handing Liam over to Zia. "Thanks."

Debbie ran off to go to gym.

Zia held Liam in her arms, smiling. "Hi, Liam."

Zia's friend Micah Maxfield walked closer, sitting on the bench nearby. "So that's your baby brother?"

"The youngest, while I'm second youngest," Zia answered. "Hey, Micah."

"Hey," Micah replied. "Hi, Liam."

Zia took Liam's arm to wave at Micah, smiling. "Say hi, Micah."

Liam, shy, buried his head into the crook of Zia's neck, as she smiled.

Micah smiled. "Cute."

"Who, me or him?" Zia asked.

"Both," Micah replied.

Zia blushed, looking down. "Shut up."

Carl was watching while he was playing tag with other boys, hearing what Micah said.

Micah handed a drawing to Zia. "Here."

Zia took the drawing to look at it, smiling. "That is so cool."

"You want it?" Micah asked.

Zia smiled, nodding. "How are you so good?"

Micah shrugged. "I don't know. I learned it from my brother. I want to be an artist when I grow up. What do you want to be?"

"I don't know," Zia admitted. "But my family doesn't really get to do much, I think."

The bell rang to signal that recess was over, so Micah stood and grabbed his bag.

Zia grabbed her bag with one arm, and holding Liam in the other, but since she was only six, and she was also holding the drawing from Micah, when she tried to stand, it was pretty hard to do.

Micah took Zia's bag and held her now-free hand to help steady her so that she and Liam didn't fall. "Hey, I can help."

Zia looked down at Micah holding her hand, which didn't seem to bother her, but it didn't make her excited like other girls would be, nodding in appreciation. "Thanks." She kissed Liam's head. "You okay, Liam?" Liam giggled against Zia's head, causing Zia to smile. "Yeah, you're okay."

Zia was having a tough time breathing because of how cold it was, taking out her inhaler from her bag, using a puff of the inhaler.

"You okay?" Micah asked, concerned.

Zia nodded. "Yeah. Just... cold kills."

"Right," Micah agreed.

Zia took another puff of the inhaler before putting it into her bag again.

A kid their age, a bully, walked toward them, snatching the drawing that Micah gave to Zia out of her hand as he walked past, pushing past her and nearly making her and Liam fall, but Micah helped her get her balance before she could fall. "Hey, Micah. Zia. Been looking for you two."

"Get out of here, Barry," Micah told him.

"You want to go?" Barry asked threateningly.

"I'm not gonna fight you," Micah told him.

"Why not?" Barry asked. "You chicken?" Everyone else outside was now watching, including Carl. "Come on!"

"No," Micah replied, turning to Zia. "Come on."

Zia reached for the drawing that Barry had taken from her.

Barry took it out of her reach tauntingly. "Not so fast."

"Give it back," Zia told him.

"Why, because Micah gave it to you?" Barry asked mockingly. "Aw, so sweet."

"Leave her alone, Barry," Micah snapped. "Give it back."

Barry held up the drawing. "What, this?"

"Yeah, that," Micah answered.

"Mm, let me think about that," Barry said, tearing the drawing down the middle, letting the pieces fall over Zia and Liam. "No."

Micah and Zia glared at Barry.

"Fuck off, Barry," Zia told him.

"Is that how you ended up with a baby on your hip?" Barry asked tauntingly. "Aren't you like six? And you already have a baby? A black one at that?"

"Shut up, asshole," Zia told him. "He's my brother."

Barry nodded sarcastically, getting into their faces. "And you have your baby brother here with you? Nice cover story."

Micah pushed Barry back out of their faces, punching Barry in the face, making the crowd gasp. "I said leave her alone."

Barry punched punched Micah in the face, making him fall to the ground, causing the crowd to groan, including Zia. "Someone's gotta defend a slut, right? You never learn, do you, midget?" As Micah tried to get up, Barry kicked Micah in the side and stomach, making him roll back to the ground. "What's the matter? You scared? Don't worry, I'll go easy on you this time."

Zia glared at him angrily. "I swear, if I wasn't holding Liam, I would kick your ass. I wouldn't be going easy on you."

"So, what a baby's stopping you?" Barry asked mockingly.

Carl spoke up, angry and protective of his younger by two years sister. "Yeah. But nothing's stopping me."

Carl had had it, running closer with a yell as he pushed Barry back.

Zia had known that this would happen, backing away with Liam so that neither of them got hurt during the fight.

Barry tried to punch Carl. Carl ducked, punching Barry in the stomach, then the chest, kneeing him in the chest, punching him in the face repeatedly, tackling him to the ground, punching him in the face.

The entire crowd gasped.

Zia stepped toward Micah, holding out her free hand. "You okay?"

Micah took Zia's hand so that he could stand up. "Yeah. Thanks."

"Thank you for standing up for me," Zia told him. Micah nodded. A teacher stormed outside. Zia saw the teacher and instantly took Carl by the jacket and pulled him away from Barry before he could get in trouble. "Oh, shit."

"Why'd you stop me?" Carl asked.

"You gonna get in trouble," Zia answered.

The teacher reached them, as Zia and Carl both tried to act as innocent as possible. "What is going on here?"

Zia and Carl both shrugged, as Zia held Liam with both arms.

⫷⑅⫸

High School - Classroom

It was the last class of the day.

Kimberly and JJ were sitting together.

"Thank God Mr. Shultz isn't here," Kimberly remarked.

"Right?" JJ asked. "I swear he doesn't want any of his students to succeed in life."

Kimberly chuckled. "You're telling me."

"Every day, he has the worst attitude," JJ told her. "Constantly complaining about how his students don't want to learn anything."

Kimberly nodded. "Yet he's the one who didn't teach us because he was too busy complaining."

JJ pointed to Kimberly, snapping his fingers. "Exactly. Then when the tests come and we would all fail because he didn't teach us anything, he yells at us for not trying."

"Like it's our fucking fault when he's not doing what he's supposed to be doing," Kimberly went on.

JJ nodded sarcastically. "Perfect candidate for Teacher of the Year."

Kimberly scoffed. "Knowing our school, they would fucking give him that award."

JJ nodded. "Sad fucking truth."

Since it was the last class of the day, the students were itching to go home, including JJ and Kimberly.

"What are you doing after school?" Kimberly asked.

"Working at the diner," JJ answered. "Veronica's going out with Fiona tonight."

"I know," Kimberly agreed. "Fiona asked me if I could help watch the kids. After our shifts end too, obviously."

"You want me to come over after my shift to help out?" JJ asked.

Kimberly smiled. "Yeah, that would be great, thanks."

JJ smiled.

⫷⑅⫸

Hallway

Natalia was at her locker, finishing up the Pop-Tarts that JJ had given her that morning.

Lip walked over to Natalia. "Hey, birthday girl."

"My birthday's not for another five days," Natalia replied. "Chill out."

"Whatever you say, 15 year old," Lip replied.

Natalia scoffed in amusement. "You just barely turned 16, Lip. I turn 16 in five days."

"And I'm guessing Natalia Milkovich can't have a decked out sweet 16 like any girl's dream," Lip taunted.

Natalia pushed Lip lightly in the shoulder, causing him to smirk. "Not my dream, dumbass. I'd just be happy with a Southside party reserved for me, JJ, V, Kev, and your family. Mickey and Mandy hopefully too, but I doubt that's gonna happen."

Lip nodded knowingly, smirking. "Hey, what are you doing after school?"

"Working at the dinner with JJ," Natalia answered. "You?"

"Tutoring Karen Jackson," Lip answered.

Natalia let out a laugh. "Karen Jackson? You can catch an STD just by being in the same vicinity as her. Good luck with that one, Phillip."

"Would you stop calling me Phillip?" Lip asked.

Natalia smirked, tilting her head. "Hmm, no. I do it because you hate it, and I just love to annoy you. You better wear a radioactive suit when you enter Karen's house, just for precautions."

Lip snorted. "You're a real bitch, Natalia."

Natalia smiled, since this seemed to be a regular, lighthearted thing for them, by calling each other bitch/asshole. "You just now figuring that out, asshole?"

Lip smirked sarcastically, flipping Natalia off.

Natalia smirked in amusement, winking teasingly in return, blowing a sarcastic kiss as she flipped him off in response, turning around, walking away.

⫷⑅⫸

Street

Kimberly was on her way to the elementary school.

Natalia walked down the street on the way to the diner, seeing Kimberly, walking up to her. "Hey, Gallagher."

"Milkobitch," Kimberly replied.

Natalia smirked. "How's it hanging?"

Kimberly shrugged. "Eh, not any better or any worse than any other day, so... you?"

Natalia crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head. "Same shit, different day."

Kimberly nodded, completely agreeing with her. "You doing okay?"

Natalia shrugged. "Guess so. I just can't wait to get the hell out of this place."

"Same here," Kimberly agreed.

"JJ head home before heading to the diner?" Natalia asked.

"Yeah," Kimberly answered. "Lip head for tutoring?"

"Yep," Natalia answered. "Ian?"

"Already left for Kash and Grab," Kimberly answered. "I was just gonna pick Zia, Carl, Debbie and Liam up from elementary before heading to McDonald's for work."

"Well, since I have a little time before my shift, I can drop the kids off for you, since I know yours starts in like half an hour," Natalia offered.

Kimberly smiled, nodding. "Yeah, thanks."

⫷⑅⫸

Elementary School - Outside

Natalia and Kimberly reached the elementary school.

Zia ran outside, holding Liam. "Kimberly! Kim! You won't believe it."

"What?" Kimberly asked.

Zia handed Liam to Kimberly so that she could pull a paper out of her bag, shoving the paper at her big sister, proud for even doing as well as she did. "I got a 85 on my spelling test. I even got the bonus word right that wasn't even on our study guide!"

Zia pointed at the bottom word that had a check mark next to it, followed by a ladybug sticker.

Kimberly smiled, bringing Zia into a short hug with her free arm, the other one holding Liam. "Wow, good job, Zia."

Natalia smiled softly. "Way to go."

Zia smiled, startled upon seeing and hearing from her. "Oh, hey, Natalia."

"Hey, Zia," Natalia replied. "Ian, Kimberly, JJ and Lip know their stuff, huh?"

"Yep," Zia answered, breathing heavily.

"You have your inhaler?" Kimberly asked in concern.

Zia nodded, taking out the inhaler, taking a puff.

"You good?" Natalia asked.

Zia nodded, putting the inhaler away.

Carl walked out of the school next to them, looking at Zia. "So what was that about at recess?"

Zia frowned. "What?"

"Yeah, what, Carl?" Natalia asked.

"That guy that likes Zia grabbed her hand while we were playing tag at recess," Carl answered. "Called her cute, gave her a drawing and everything."

Zia tilted her head, not happy. "Carl!"

Kimberly covered her mouth with her hand in a dramatic way. "No way."

Carl laughed.

Natalia smirked, shaking her head.

Zia blushed, looking away, though she wasn't happy about the conversation, and not about earlier at recess either. "Micah is a friend, and he was calling Liam cute too, so shut up." She looked at Carl. "Is this you paying me back for calling you Happy Meal?"

"Hell yeah," Carl answered. "Don't do it again."

Zia narrowed her eyes to glare at Carl, tilting her head. "Fine."

"What's the matter, Zia?" Natalia asked.

"Do you like Micah?" Kimberly asked.

"No!" Zia replied in a tone that signified that it should have been obvious. "He's just a friend."

"Yeah, a friend that punched a bully for you," Carl replied. "That's not counting what I had to do to that asshole--"

Zia swatted Carl on the shoulder to shut him up, and Carl instantly shut up so that he didn't get in trouble.

Kimberly and Natalia both frowned.

"Had to what to what asshole?" Natalia asked.

"What bully?" Kimberly asked.

Zia and Carl both shook their heads. "Nothing."

Debbie walked outside to join them. "Hey, Zia, sorry about leaving Liam with you after show and tell. Gym was busy. Can we go home now?"

"Yeah, but Kimberly has to head to work," Natalia answered. "I'll take you kids home before I have to head to the diner."

"Thanks, Natalia," Zia, Debbie and Carl chorused.

Natalia smirked, ruffling the hair on each of their heads. "You got it."

Kimberly smiled, handing Liam to Natalia. "Let's go."

Natalia took Liam to hold, gasping teasingly. "Hi, Liam."

Liam smiled, giggling.

Kimberly headed to work, giving Natalia another "Thank you" before taking off before she could be late.

Natalia held Liam in one hand, and Zia held Natalia's free hand as Natalia, Zia, Carl and Debbie walked down the street.

⫷⑅⫸

Jackson House - Outside

The Jackson household was right next to the tracks, as the L train barreled past.

Lip walked up to the two story house, walking up the steps, knocking.

The door peaked open just a bit, as Mrs. Sheila Jackson peaked out through the crack in the door.

"Uh, hi," Lip greeted. "I'm here to help Karen study for her midterm."

"Okay," Sheila said. "You'll have to take your shoes off."

"What?" Lip asked.

Sheila gave a smile. "I'll get you a plastic bag." The door closed long enough for Sheila to grab the plastic bag, opening once more so that Sheila could reach through the small opening and hand Lip the bag. "Here you go."

⫷⑅⫸

Inside - Living Room

Lip was sitting at the table with Karen Jackson.

"She's got this thing about people bringing dirt in the house," Karen explained. "Melissomophobia."

"Oh, right," Lip said. They saw Sheila in the kitchen, cutting up food while watching TV. "Okay, so, um, if you remember it like this, the formula's completely visible. Okay. Midget naked witch is bending over, and she's crying because she lost one ear and she can't find it."

Karen smiled flirtatiously. "How do you know all this?"

Lip shrugged. "Just something I like to fool around with."

"Like a hobby?" Karen asked.

"No, more like a plan," Lip answered.

"Physics?" Karen asked.

Lip nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Have you done Newton's first? I've got a great one for that. Um, everybody continues..." While Lip was completely focused on tutoring, Karen had other things on her mind, smiling, biting her lip, and sliding under the table. "In a state of rest or uniform motion, unless acted upon by an external..." Lip jumped in shock when he felt Karen unzipping his jeans. "Force." He saw Sheila right in the kitchen, but that didn't seem to stop Karen from doing what she was doing. "Uh, hang on, Karen. I'm--I'm still gonna have to charge you for this."

Karen peaked her head out from under the table. "Charge me?"

"Yeah, this isn't charity," Lip answered. "I get paid for tutoring."

Karen smiled. "I know. Science just turns me on."

Karen slipped back under the table.

Lip was completely stunned, not knowing how to react to that, whispering to himself. "Okay."

(Song:) Panic - The Moog

Lip was completely tense as Karen continued to give him a blow job from underneath the table, putting his hand to his mouth to stop himself from making any sound.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

JJ's House - JJ's room

JJ was home, packing another bag for him to stay the night over at Veronica's, or at the Gallaghers if he stayed over too late helping Kimberly, Ian and Lip watch the kids. 

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

JJ walked into the living room with his bag, about to leave.

Tristan Fisher was laying on the couch, his clothes covered in dirt and reeking of meth.

JJ rolled his eyes, walking past him and toward the closet to grab a bag to put his clothes in.

Tristan mumbled, his eyes barely open as he spoke. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

JJ looked over his shoulder at Tristan, raising his eyebrows skeptically. "Oh, so now you care enough to be a parent?"

"Watch your tone, you little prick," Tristan grumbled.

JJ sighed. "I've got work, and then V's hanging out with Fiona tonight, so Kimberly asked me if I could help watch the other Gallagher kids tonight."

Tristan opened his eyes, sitting up on the couch. "And who gave you permission to do that?"

JJ turned to face him, closing the closet door behind him with his foot, glaring at Tristan. "I gave myself permission since you don't give two shits about me or what I do."

JJ walked past Tristan to the door.

Tristan grabbed JJ's arm harshly, pulling him back. "Do not talk to me like that. I am the man of the house. Show me some respect."

JJ ripped his arm out of his grasp, hissing his words just as Tristan did to him. "Maybe when you show me some, I'll return the favor."

Tristan didn't even hesitate before throwing a punch and hitting JJ in the face, making him fall to the floor, swinging his leg, his steel-toed boot connecting with JJ's face, ranting and raging, but JJ couldn't hear; all he could hear was ringing from being beaten by his own father so viciously like this.

After a few more kicks, Tristan bent down to look at JJ, making sure that he could focus enough to hear what he said. "That should teach you to respect me, you little shit. You disrespect me again, and I might not stop."

Tristan stepped over JJ and settled back down on the couch like nothing happened.

JJ took a few deep breaths, wiping his face with his jacket sleeve, trying to collect himself, pushing himself up. "Fuck you."

JJ picked up his bag from the floor, storming out of the house, slamming the door behind him, taking off without looking back.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Living Room

Natalia and the younger four Gallagher kids arrived back to the house as Natalia was holding Liam.

Since Zia was having issues with asthma because of the long walk home on top of it being so cold, Zia took a puff of her inhaler.

Fiona walked in from the kitchen, not the nicest she could be to the Milkovich girl, but also not hateful. "Natalia."

"Fiona," Natalia replied. "Uh, Kimberly was gonna be late for work, so I offered to bring Zia, Carl, Debbie and Liam home."

"Thank you," Fiona told her. "You didn't have to do that. I thought you worked tonight with JJ."

"I do," Natalia answered, handing Liam over to Fiona, who held her baby brother close. "I don't mind."

Zia grinned at Fiona as she showed her her spelling test. "85!"

Fiona smiled, gasping softly to tease Zia, putting an arm around her as Zia hugged her. "Oh, I'm so proud of you. Knew you could do it, Zia. But now you and Carl get to tell me why a teacher called me today."

Carl's eyes went wide as he took off upstairs, much to the confusion of Natalia, Fiona and Debbie.

Zia smiled sheepishly, innocently.

"What just happened?" Debbie asked.

"Nothing," Zia denied.

They heard the door burst open, and Lip stopped short when he ran inside when he saw the girls, freezing. "Uh, hi."

"Thought you were tutoring," Natalia remarked.

"Thought you were working," Lip replied.

"Kimberly was running late so I took the kids home before my shift," Natalia clarified.

Lip nodded. "Ah, cool, thanks."

"What happened to you?" Zia asked.

"Nothing," Lip denied, walking to the stairs, up the steps. "Be right back."

Lip disappeared upstairs.

Fiona shook her head. "What the fuck is going on with you kids today?"

"Just today?" Natalia replied.

Fiona couldn't help but chuckle. "True."

"I've gotta head to the diner, but see ya guys," Natalia told them.

Zia poked Natalia in the side in goodbye. "Bye, Lia."

Natalia smiled. "Bye, Zia."

Debbie waved. "Thanks for walking us home."

Fiona nodded. "Yeah, thanks." Natalia nodded, turning around, walking out of the house. "Z, seriously, what happened at school today?"

Zia pressed her lips together to form an innocent smile, tilting her head.

⫷⑅⫸

Lip's Room

Lip took off his jeans, noticing the white stain on his boxers. "Jesus."

Lip took off his boxers, walking to his dresser drawers underneath the bunk bed, which had a desk for his computer, taking out another pair of boxers, pulling them on, getting dressed again.

In the process of moving a dresser to get to some of his things, some magazines fell to the floor.

Lip knelt down to pick up the magazines, seeing they were gay magazines, confused.

He heard Ian's voice from the hallway. "Hey, Veronica." In a hurry, Lip threw the magazines back into their place, dashing up to the bunk bed over his desk. Ian walked in, seeing Lip. "Hey."

"Hey," Lip replied.

While Lip was confused and surprised, and a little awkward and weird, he wasn't being hateful, but just looked at Ian.

⫷⑅⫸

Diner

JJ was already at the diner, recovering from his beating by his father, sighing, cleaning himself up.

Natalia was just now getting to the diner after leaving the Gallagher house, seeing JJ and the state he was in, walking closer. "Whoa. JJ, what the fuck?"

"Don't worry about it," JJ told her, going back to work. "I'm fine."

JJ wasn't fine. His whole face and torso hurt like hell, and he was almost positive his nose was broken, but he kept a strong face.

"You're not fine," Natalia told him. "Your nose is all lopsided and funky looking."

JJ sighed. "I'm fine, okay? Just stop worrying, Natalia."

Natalia gazed at him critically, crossing her arms over her chest. "What the fuck happened?"

"I was jumped, and before you ask, no, I didn't see their faces," JJ lied; the lie was so convincing, like JJ had to say this a thousand times. Like he said before, practice made perfect. "Just drop it, please."

Natalia sighed, giving in. "Fine, but what..."

"I'm gonna go watch the kids with Kimberly at the Gallaghers," JJ explained. "I'll be fine."

Natalia frowned, but decided to let it go for now, sighing. She knew from experience that when someone was trying to force their help onto someone who needed the help, it would do the opposite of what they were trying to do, even if they had the best intentions.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Girls' Room

Kimberly walked into the room after her shift at McDonald's was over, starting to take off her uniform.

Zia and Debbie were sitting on their beds, while Debbie was playing around with Liam.

"How was work?" Debbie asked.

"Just fine," Kimberly answered. "Luckily didn't have to deal with any bitches today."

Zia smiled.

She heard Fiona's voice from the hallway. "Kimberly, you in there? Kim?"

Kimberly pulled on her clothes from earlier that day. "Yup."

Fiona walked in; wearing a nice, expensive looking blue dress with a dangly gold chain necklace, a towel wrapped around her head to dry her hair after her shower, and brushing her teach. "Can I borrow your deodorant?"

"Yeah, sure," Kimberly answered, picking up the deodorant and tossing it to Fiona.

Fiona used the deodorant on herself, picking up a bag of clothes. "If I stick this in the wash before I go, keep an eye on it?"

"Yep," Kimberly replied.

Zia reached out to touch Fiona's dress. "Pretty blue."

Fiona smiled, turning her back to Kimberly. "Zip me up?"

Kimberly walked over to Fiona so she could zip up her dress. "Yeah, of course."

"Fiona!" Veronica called from outside the room. "We need to go if we're gonna get a ride to the club."

Veronica walked into the room.

"V!" Zia cheered.

Veronica smiled. "Hey, Z." She noticed that Zia was constantly wearing her animal print winter coat even when she didn't need to, smiling. "Oh, can't take off the coat I got you for your birthday, can you?"

Zia smiled, shaking her head. "I love it, V." Veronica smiled. "Fi, can I go shopping for clothes with V more?"

Fiona smiled. "I get it, Z. She's more fashionable than us."

"And can still get these looks for a damn good price," Veronica remarked. "Let's go."

"Five minutes," Fiona told her.

Veronica walked closer to take Fiona's tag off of the back of her dress. "Look at me."

"No, this has gotta go back tomorrow," Fiona told her.

"I'll put it back on later," Veronica assured. "I have a tag gun."

Kimberly looked at Veronica in amusement. "You got a tag gun?"

Veronica ripped the tag off of Fiona's dress. "From when I worked at TJ Maxx. Let's go."

"Where are you two going?" Debbie asked.

Kimberly smiled at Fiona. "You look nice."

"Hey!" Veronica complained sassily, dramatically. "What about me?"

Kimberly laughed. "Oh, I thought you looking fabulous was a given. I didn't think I had to say it."

"So pretty," Zia agreed.

Veronica smiled, playfully pushing Kimberly and Zia away with a laugh. "You two are definitely my favorite Gallaghers."

Fiona and Debbie gasped in mock offense. "Hey!"

Zia giggled. "You look pretty too, Fiona."

Fiona smiled. "You already said that, but thanks, Zia." She looked at Debbie to answer her question. "And we're going clubbing. And there's dinner from Candi in the fridge. Ian's already cooking it up. Hot dogs and nachos."

Zia smiled. "Yay!"

"Yum!" Debbie said.

"Okay," Kimberly agreed with a smile. "Have fun, you two. Don't do anything Frank would do."

Veronica pretended to shiver in disgust. "Ugh, wouldn't dream of it."

Kimberly tilted her head with a smirk. "Do what Veronica would do. Anything and everything else."

Veronica laughed. "Ha! You got it, girl."

Zia beamed. "Have fun!"

Fiona and Veronica smiled, ruffling Zia's hair, as Zia brushed their hands off with a grin.

Debbie smiled, waving.

Fiona and Veronica waved to Debbie, walking out of the room.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

Fiona and Veronica walked past Carl on the way to the door, messing with Carl's hair before they walked out of the house.

Kimberly and Zia walked downstairs.

"Hey, Kim," Carl greeted. "Zia."

"Hey, Carl," Kimberly told him. "You two have a good day?"

"After Debbie dropped Liam off with me so she could do gym, Liam got to meet Micah," Zia explained. "He's been super nice."

"The Micah that Carl thinks likes you and stood up for you against a bully?" Kimberly asked.

Zia and Carl were busted, knowing that they had to come clean more.

"Yeah," Zia answered.

"What happened?" Kimberly asked.

Carl grinned wickedly. "I gave the jackass a black eye."

"Carl!" Kimberly exclaimed. "Did they deserve it?"

Carl nodded. "He called Zia a slut for having Liam with her at school, saying it was her baby." Kimberly looked at Zia in concern, but Zia avoided her gaze. "He was being rude about us."

"Us being the Gallaghers?" Kimberly asked.

"Yeah," Zia answered.

"Zia, why didn't you tell us about what he said to you?" Kimberly asked. Zia shrugged. "Well, Carl, you did the right thing. Punch the little fucker till they say sorry. But don't tell Fiona I said that, and don't let any teachers see you, or let anyone tell a teacher or parent."

Carl perked up with a grin. "Okay."

"And Zia, don't let those assholes do that to you," Kimberly told her. "Kick them in the balls the next time they mess with you. But same rules apply to not getting caught."

Zia smiled. "I would've if I wasn't holding Liam."

Kimberly nodded. "Fair enough. Good point."

"Thanks, Kim," Zia told her.

Zia and Carl both hugged Kimberly. Kimberly smiled, holding them close.

Lip stood in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen with a cigarette, smirking, taking a hit. "You're such a bad influence, Kim."

Zia, Kimberly and Carl looked up at Lip, as Ian walked into the room with a smile.

"Says the underage guy smoking with no windows open and kids in the room," Kimberly replied.

"She's got you there," Ian pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah," Lip replied, putting the cigarette out when done.

Debbie walked downstairs with Liam. "He's hungry."

"Well, I'm making the hot dogs and nachos," Ian explained. "I'll get Liam's food ready too."

Ian walked into the kitchen.

Lip watched Ian, still thinking about what he found earlier, but didn't let that affect the sibling moment, as he walked closer to the others. "No, but Kimberly's right, Zia. If anyone messes with you like that again, you let one of us know, okay?"

Zia tilted her head with a cheeky grin, teasing sassily, but purely and innocently. "Yes, Dad."

"Smartass," Lip replied.

The other siblings smiled.

"Give her a break," Kimberly replied. "She's a little angel. She's the only one in this house who won't give anyone sass, just to tease a little bit. But even Liam has his sassy streaks."

Zia grinned. "Yeah, Lip."

"True," Lip agreed. "And Carl, while the bullying of other kids is not something you should be doing, this guy you punched was a good thing for once."

Lip and Carl fist bumped.

Carl grinned.

Debbie sat in front of them with Liam.

Ian walked in. "Liam's food's ready. Oh, Debbie, how was your show and tell?"

Zia reached out to tickle Liam.

"It went good," Debbie answered. "My teacher said Liam was too adorable to be mad at me for bringing him in."

Kimberly grinned. "Yeah, that's my boy." She reached out to tickle Liam, making him laugh. "Thank you for taking him though, Debbie. And you, Zia, after Debs had to go to gym. It's not fair on either of you. But you still do it, so thank you."

Kimberly brushed back Zia and Debbie's hair and kissed their heads, causing Zia and Debbie to smile.

"Dinner should be ready any minute, okay?" Ian asked.

The kids nodded.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

JJ thought that by the time he headed to the Gallaghers that Fiona and Veronica would already be gone, but he was in for a disappointment when he saw the two walking toward a car outside their houses just as he got there. "Fucking hell."

JJ tried to turn away before they could see his face, but it was already too late.

"Holy shit," Fiona mumbled. "JJ?"

Veronica rushed over to JJ. "What the hell happened to you?"

JJ turned to face them, sighing. "I'm fine, V. I swear. I just got jumped on my way here."

Veronica shook his head. "You are so not fine, JJ. Fi, can you run over to my house and grab some painkillers in the kitchen? Second cupboard above the sink."

Fiona nodded in agreement. "Got it."

Fiona jogged two houses down toward Veronica's house.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Living Room

Veronica helped JJ inside, where the Gallagher kids still were, as all the kids looked over to the front door, but didn't see Veronica and JJ yet since they were still in the foyer.

"V, I'm telling you I'm okay," JJ told her.

"Kimberly, get me a face cloth, an ice pack and some bandages," Veronica instructed.

Kimberly turned to face them. "Sure, wh--" Veronica and JJ walked into the living room, now in their sight. Kimberly was shocked and horrified by JJ's state, running to his side. "Holy shit."

"Now, please," Veronica told her.

Kimberly nodded, running up the stairs

The kids were stunned to see JJ's face like that, raising their eyebrows in shock and concern.

"JJ, what the hell?" Ian asked.

JJ didn't know where to begin.

Zia frowned in worry. "Is JJ okay?"

Lip took Liam from Debbie. "Debbie, can you get Zia and Carl to the kitchen, please?"

"Yeah," Debbie answered, standing, taking Zia and Carl by the hands to take them to the kitchen.

Lip carried Liam into the kitchen to place him down in his high chair.

"What's going on with JJ?" Carl asked.

"I don't know, okay?" Lip asked. "Just... stay here, wait for dinner."

Lip turned the stove off so that the food didn't burn, as it was already done, and walked into the living room again.

While this was going on, Debbie and Zia were taking turns in feeding Liam his baby food, while they and Carl were still watching everything in the living room intently.

Veronica led JJ to the couch. "Here, sit." JJ sighed, sitting down. "Your nose is definitely broken."

JJ closed his eyes. "Shit. I don't have enough money to go to the hospital."

"Don't you worry," Veronica assured. "I got some good meds at my place and we can make a makeshift splint for it. You'll be fine."

Fiona walked in, handing Veronica a bottle of pills. "You think you got enough pills over there? Took me fucking forever to find this." JJ stifled a laugh, but then groaned as pain erupted in his nose. "Yeah, you might want to try to not move any of your facial muscles for a couple hours."

Kimberly jogged down the stairs with the stuff that Veronica asked for, in her arms.

Lip stood by Ian, both standing back, out of the way, but wishing they could help.

Kimberly placed the items on the coffee table where Veronica was sitting. "Here."

"Jesus Christ, JJ," Lip mumbled.

"Who the hell did this to you?" Ian asked.

JJ shrugged as Veronica started to wipe the blood off his face with the wet face cloth. "No idea. I was on my way here when these two guys just started throwing punches."

JJ could not look any of them in the eye.

"And you have no idea who they were and why they did it?" Kimberly asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

JJ shook his head. "It might've had something to do with my dad." He looked up to meet Kimberly's gaze, which was narrowed at him. "I mean, something might've went wrong during a deal or something and since they couldn't get to him, why not get me?"

JJ was worried Kimberly could tell he was lying. When they were younger, Kimberly could always point out when JJ said something that wasn't true, saying it had to do something to do with his body posture and how he avoided meeting eyes at all costs, so as he lied to them, he tried to sit straight and meet as many eyes as possible.

"Well, do you know what they look like?" Fiona asked. "Maybe we could report it to Tony or something."

JJ's gaze fell as he tried to think of a description, but he couldn't think. "I, uh... I didn't get a really good look at them." His fingers were tapping on his knee as Veronica started making the split for his nose. "My eyes were closed most of the time they were hitting me. When I opened them again, they were gone."

Veronica placed the split on JJ's nose, lightly resetting it, making JJ wince in pain. "Sorry, it's gonna hurt for a while, but make sure to take these every three hours or so, okay?"

JJ nodded. "Thanks, V."

Veronica gave JJ a small smile, standing, brushing off her outfit. "No problem. Do you want me to stay?"

"No, no," JJ answered. "Just go, Veronica. Have fun. You and Fiona deserve the night off."

"JJ will be fine here," Kimberly assured, turning to Ian and Lip, arms still crossed over her chest. "Right, guys?"

Ian and Lip nodded.

"Right, yeah," Ian answered.

"'Course," Lip answered. "We're about to have dinner."

"Good, I'm starving," JJ said. "V, go, seriously. I'll be fine."

Veronica sighed, nodding. "Fine, okay." She turned to Fiona. "Then we gotta go, or we're gonna be late."

"Wait, Fi," JJ said. "If you guys get back after we fall asleep, you mind if I stay the night?"

Fiona grabbed her purse from the chair. "Yeah, of course. It's no problem, JJ."

Fiona and Veronica made sure that JJ was okay, looking at Kimberly, Ian and Lip, glancing over to Zia, Carl, Debbie and Liam in the kitchen, as Zia, Carl and Debbie were watching everything, before walking out of the house.

JJ sighed, leaning his head back against the couch, looking into the kitchen to see the three kids watching. "Damn it. I was hoping Zia, Carl and Debbie wouldn't see me like this. Luckily Liam doesn't know what's going on."

"It's not like they haven't seen Frank worse, but..." Kimberly trailed off.

"I'll get you a beer," Lip offered.

"Thanks, guys," JJ told them.

Lip and Ian walked into the kitchen.

Kimberly walked over to JJ, sitting next to him, using a cloth to clean some of the blood from his face, being careful with his nose and the splint. "So how much of that story was true?"

JJ sighed, making sure to look her in the eye. "All of it."

Kimberly didn't buy that, watching intently as JJ's shoulders slouched a little. "Hmm. Okay, so if I called Natalia, who I know works with you at the diner, will she say something along those lines?"

JJ winced as he remembered that Natalia saw him like this while at work, and he just told the Gallaghers that he got beaten after leaving work, but made it seem like the wince was from the pain. "Drop it, Kimberly."

JJ didn't want to be interrogated, standing, walking to the recliner.

Lip walked in with the beer, handing it to JJ. "Here."

"Thanks, Lip," JJ told him, opening the beer, taking a drink. "Yeah, I'm gonna need like six more of these to get me through the night."

Lip let out a nose laugh, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Coming right up. You want one, Kimberly?"

Kimberly watched them from the couch, leaning back in her seat, as she watched JJ in concern, but knowing that if she kept pushing, it would just push him away, sighing. "Yeah, sure. Come on, eat dinner with us at least, please? You said you were starving."

"Yeah, I am," JJ agreed. "And if master chef Ian's cooking, I'm definitely eating."

"I'm not a master chef," Ian called.

"Yet," Kimberly replied.

Lip chuckled, nodding to Kimberly and JJ. "Come on."

JJ and Kimberly stood, walking with Lip into the kitchen to join the other kids.

⫷⑅⫸

Kitchen

As soon as JJ, Kimberly and Lip walked into the kitchen, Zia walked over to hug JJ instantly, making him stop in surprise, but only a little.

The other kids weren't surprised at all, knowing how sweet Zia was and how much she cared about JJ and Kimberly, just like the older siblings.

"Hey, Zia," JJ said.

Zia pulled away. "You okay, JJ?"

JJ nodded. "Yeah, I'll be okay. Hey, Carl. Debbie."

"Hey," Carl replied.

Debbie waved sheepishly. "Hi."

Liam babbled excitedly.

JJ chuckled, walking over to Liam, as Liam was reaching up, lifting him up. "Hey, there, Liam."

With Liam facing away from him, JJ walked along, swinging him side to side, making 'ssshhhhhoooo' sounds to imitate a plane.

As JJ hoped, this got all the kids to relax more and smile, laughing lightly at the sound of Liam laughing happily.

Kimberly loved seeing JJ get along with all of her siblings like this, and how he just wanted them to have a nice, normalish evening and be happy for once, but she was still worried, which Lip and Ian could very well tell, exchanging a look.

JJ 'flew' Liam over to Kimberly to get her to stop worrying, which worked a bit, as Kimberly smiled, taking hold of Liam's tiny hands gently between her thumbs and forefingers, as Liam gripped tightly to Kimberly's fingers. Kimberly alternated one arm up and down with the other arm, making Liam giggle once again, the little bundle of joy. When Kimberly let go, JJ 'flew' Liam over to his high chair and sat him down in it again.

Ian gestured to the hot dogs and nachos. "Food's done."

"Thank God," Lip said.

Kimberly shrugged with a slight smile. "Bon appetit."

Kimberly and Lip got down the plates so that Ian could dish out the food on each plate, while JJ grabbed the chips they needed for nachos, enough for the four teenagers, and the three kids. The four teens brought the plates over to the table, setting them out around the table.

Carl instantly dug into his food, while Zia and Debbie were patiently starting to eat.

Kimberly got juice drinks for the kids, setting out a juice for Zia, Debbie and Carl, and diluting Liam's juice with water so they didn't have a hyper baby on their hands at night.

Lip got four beers for himself, Kimberly, JJ and Ian.

Once everything was done, Kimberly, Lip, Ian and JJ all sat at the table with the kids, starting to eat and drink.

Zia noticed that Liam hadn't finished his food, and while she was still eating, she also fed Liam the last bit of his food to make sure that he was full for the night.

"Hey, what do we say to Ian?" Kimberly asked.

Zia, Debbie and Carl looked up in confusion.

Lip smirked, knowing what Kimberly was going for. "'Thank you, Ian'?"

Zia nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Ian."

Ian smiled.

Debbie shrugged, eating. "Thanks, Ian."

"Yeah, thanks," Carl mumbled, more focused on setting the record for fastest possible eating ever.

Kimberly laughed lightly. "Carl, slow down. You're gonna make yourself sick, silly."

JJ smirked teasingly, taking a drink. "You're such a mom."

"Shut up," Kimberly replied.

They all began talking, different conversations overlapping others, laughing at various things that had happened during their days at school.

"Wait, Carl seriously punched the kid that said that to Zia?" JJ asked. "Go, Carl. I would've done the same."

Ian gave Kimberly and JJ an exasperated, amused look. "How can you two simultaneously be the best but worst examples to kids?"

Kimberly smirked, taking a drink.

JJ shrugged. "It's a gift."

Lip laughed lightly.

Once they were finished, the kids chatted for about half an hour before clearing the table.

"Ian, you cooked, so go sit down or something," Kimberly told him. Ian saluted Kimberly, walking back to the table to sit down. "Lip, Carl, you do dishes. Debs and Zia, you dry. I'll put away."

Lip and Carl knew better than to argue with Kimberly, turning to do the dishes. Zia and Debbie smiled, waiting for their turn to dry.

JJ finished putting the leftovers in the fridge, turning to Kimberly with a smirk, holding a hand up in salute. "What about me, Captain?"

Kimberly picked Liam up from his high chair. "You can take Liam up for bed."

JJ smiled at Liam, taking him from Kimberly. "Hey, little guy."

Liam laughed.

JJ turned around, carrying Liam upstairs to put him in his crib.

As Lip and Carl were done washing each dish, Zia and Debbie kept up with their pace by drying each dish that came, before handing them off to Kimberly, so that Kimberly could put each one away, having a fairly effective system to get this done as fast as possible without it relying on just one kid. They could even make it fun while waiting, while Lip and Carl splashed each other with water, and Zia and Debbie hit each other with their towels lightly, laughing a bit. Kimberly smiled, shaking her head.

Ian watched from the table, smiling, walking toward the siblings to help out Kimberly with putting the dishes away, since with two other kids with washing and drying each, Kimberly was a little outnumbered and falling a bit behind.

Kimberly swatted Ian on the arm. "You cooked, you don't have to help."

"Yeah, and miss out on all this fun?" Ian replied sarcastically. "Plus, it's one against four right now. You're getting your ass kicked, Kim."

"It's not a race," Debbie said.

"Yeah, it is," Lip and Carl retorted.

"It is?" Zia asked innocently, confused.

The kids burst into laughter.

JJ returned to the kitchen from upstairs, seeing them like this, chuckling lightly. "Who knew that doing dishes with siblings could be so much fun?"

"Yeah, when we're not at each other's throats," Lip agreed.

Once they finished up, Kimberly turned to Zia, Carl and Debbie. "All right, monkeys, you're free to go. It's..." She glanced at the clock. "Half past eight now, so at quarter to, I want you ready for bed, but you don't have to start going to bed until nine, okay?"

"Okay, Kim," Zia, Carl and Debbie chorused in reply.

Kimberly held out her arms toward them. "Now come on." Zia, Carl and Debbie gave Kimberly a tight hug, knocking her back slightly from the force. Kimberly wrapped her arms around them with a content smile on her face. Lip, Ian and JJ exchanged a look, chuckling. When Kimberly and the kids pulled away, Kimberly gave them a nod and a smile. "Okay, off you go."

Zia, Carl and Debbie ran off upstairs.

Kimberly sighed, exhausted, leaning back against the counter behind her.

"You're so good with them," Lip said.

"You are," Ian agreed.

Kimberly brushed it off. "So are both of you. Fiona's best with them."

"They adore you," JJ told her. "Especially Zia and Carl."

Kimberly smiled a bit. "Shut up. Now, are my two other brothers and guy best friend gonna watch a film with me until we make sure that they're going to sleep?"

Ian, Lip and JJ smiled.

Ian looked at JJ. "Natalia didn't want to come over?"

"She said that she had to look for a new place to stay since she got kicked out of the last house she couch surfed to," JJ explained. "She didn't really tell me much more than that."

Ian, Lip and Kimberly nodded in understanding.

Lip sighed. "Let's watch a movie then."

⫷⑅⫸

Street

Natalia was walking with her bag, trying to find another place to crash, but she didn't find much of anything, sighing heavily, hugging her coat around her tightly, as she was freezing, but didn't really have anywhere to go.

She appreciated the Gallaghers and Fisher-Balls for offering her a place to stay, but she couldn't risk that given her own home situation and how sometimes, the people that she stayed with ended up getting hurt if her father found her.

Natalia continued walking, but was deeply certain that she wouldn't be able to find a place tonight.

⫷⑅⫸

Club (Purgatory)

(Song:) My First Kiss - 3!OH!3

Veronica and Fiona were dancing the night away in the club.

A man going by the name of Steve was watching from the balcony over the club, beer in his hand, eyes only on Fiona.

Fiona was dancing like no one was watching, not caring if no one was dancing like she was.

Steve smiled at this, and took a drink.

A hot guy walked up to Fiona to dance with her.

Fiona smiled. "Hi." But soon it was revealed to be a ruse, as the guy snatched Fiona's purse  and took off running. "My purse!" Steve wasted no time in running down from the balcony. "Fuck! My purse. That bastard took my purse."

Steve ran toward the guy with Fiona's purse, diving through the air to try and get to him, but the guy knocked over a waitress to push her into Steve's way, knocking the tray and every drink on the tray over, as water and glass bottles and cups soared through the air and hit the floor, most of the liquor landing on Steve as he hit the ground. Steve had a cut on his head which was bleeding.

The guy took advantage of the distraction and took off running out of the club.

Fiona and Veronica ran past Steve to try and go after the guy themselves.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

Fiona and Veronica ran outside.

"Shit!" Fiona complained. "Hey! Hey!" The guy bolted past the bouncer who was manning the line outside the club, and got into his car, taking off down the road. "Asshole!"

Steve ran outside to join them. "Ah, sorry."

Veronica laughed lightly, pointing at Steve. "That was fucking incredible." Fiona laughed. "Truly, honestly, one of the most heroic things I've ever seen." Veronica looked at Fiona. "Did you see him?"

"Yeah," Fiona answered.

"Stupid, but man, heroic," Veronica remarked.

Fiona nodded in agreement, smiling.

Steve offered a hand. "Steve. My name is Steve. Uh, I was gonna offer to buy you a drink anyway."

Veronica smiled. "Oh, she'll take a drink."

They turned to walk back inside.

The bouncer stopped them. "Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"Are you serious?" Veronica asked.

"Where's his stamp?" the bouncer asked.

"Can you believe this joker?" Veronica asked. "If you were doing your job, he wouldn't have had to."

"No stamp, no re-entry," the bouncer told them.

Veronica turned to Fiona incredulously. "Is he for real?" She glared at the bouncer. "Fat prick."

Steve smiled.

The bouncer laughed mockingly. "Fine, you're all barred."

"For what?" Fiona asked incredulously.

The bouncer shrugged. "Drugs."

"What?" Veronica demanded.

Fiona scoffed. "He probably let him get away. He knows him."

The bouncer got into Fiona's face. "Shut up, skank."

"Watch your mouth," Steve warned.

The bouncer turned to get into Steve's face. "Or you're gonna do what?"

Steve held up his hands harmlessly.

Fiona was fed up. "Okay, forget it. Please, forget it." She looked at Veronica. "Okay, come on. Let's get a cab." She nodded to Steve. "Thank you." She took Veronica's hand to lead her away. "Come on."

Fiona and Veronica started to walk away.

Steve hesitated for a moment, checking the time on his watch, before suddenly swinging around toward the bouncer, punching him viciously in the face, knocking him down.

Everyone watched in shock, including Veronica and Fiona.

"Oh, shit!" Veronica exclaimed. Steve backed away, hands held up, shrugging slightly. As the bouncer got up to go after him, Steve ran into the street, avoiding getting hit by two cars, running across the street toward his car. Fiona and Veronica ran across the street. Veronica mockingly called to the bouncer. "Hey, fucker!"

Steve pulled down his pants to flash his ass at the bouncer, patting his ass.

Fiona laughed. "You motherfucker!"

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Living Room

JJ, Ian and Lip were drinking, smoking a joint.

"How did tutoring Karen go?" JJ asked. "Is she as dumb as rock like everybody says?"

Lip tilted his head a little. "Well, I'll just say she didn't do any learning."

Ian took a drink.

JJ raised an eyebrow. "Please don't tell me you slept with her."

Lip shook his head. "Got a hummer."

Ian laughed, taking a hit of the joint. "No way."

Ian handed the joint back to Lip.

Lip nodded. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. She got a C in physics, needed a B."

"Yeah, you wouldn't have waited this long to tell," Ian told him.

Lip quickly brought the joint to his mouth to take a hit. "Oh, five hours."

JJ snorted. "Okay, you're full of shit."

Lip smiled. "Fuck you." The three boys laughed, as Lip handed the joint to JJ. "You two ever have a knob-job?"

"Once or twice," JJ answered, taking a hit.

Ian nodded. "A couple times."

"Just saying, if you got a hummer from Karen Jackson, better check yourself for an STD then," JJ told him, chugging the rest of his beer, sighing.

"You can't get an STD from a hummer," Lip told him.

JJ stood, walking over to the kitchen, turning back. "Ever heard of syphilis?"

JJ leaned against the doorframe.

Lip looked down. "Shit."

Ian let out a laugh, placing his empty beer on the coffee table that was filled with about a dozen other empty bottles.

Kimberly walked downstairs. "Okay, so Deb and I just put Zia, Carl and Liam to bed. We should get to bed soon too. If Fiona gets home at midnight, which is like in 30 minutes, and she sees this mess, she'll flip."

"Yeah, yeah, Mom," Ian said.

"Fuck off, dipshit," Kimberly replied.

JJ smirked, looking down.

Lip chuckled.

⫷⑅⫸

Street

Natalia was still on the move, knowing that she couldn't go home. She walked along the street with her bag of belongings, not having much, reaching the Alibi Room, walking into the bar, needing the warmth.

⫷⑅⫸

The Alibi Room

Kevin was working from behind the bar.

Natalia walked in. "Hey, Kev."

"Hey, Natalia," Kevin replied. "What are you doing here so late? And with your stuff?"

"Got kicked out of my latest crash pad," Natalia answered.

Kevin frowned in concern. "Do you need help or something?"

Natalia shook her head. "No, I'm good. I... actually, I could use something. What's the strongest drink you've got here?"

"You're trying to get drunk?" Kevin asked. "No way. I just barely avoided getting busted for serving you, Kim, JJ and Lip before."

Natalia tilted her head. "The liquor license people already checked here, they're not gonna check again when they didn't find anything worth busting. Nobody here cares. What's the strongest drink you've got? I'm a paying customer." She crossed her arms, leaning back in her seat. "And I have an ID."

Natalia pulled out some cash and her fake ID, placing them on the counter.

"A fake ID," Kevin corrected, crossing his arms. "I'll give you a beer, and that's all."

Natalia scoffed, shaking her head, grabbing her ID and the cash. "Fuck that. See ya, Kev."

Natalia grabbed her bag.

Kevin sighed, tilting his head. "Come on, Natalia. What's going--" Natalia walked off to the door, opening it to leave. "On?"

Natalia walked out.

⫷⑅⫸

Kash and Grab

Natalia quickly found herself at the Kash and Grab, praying that Ian's shift was over by now, as she knew she could scare Kash into selling her some alcohol. Thankfully, she saw that Ian wasn't there, and that Kash was behind the counter.

Natalia moved to the liquor section, grabbing a bottle of whiskey along with a beer, carrying them over the counter, throwing the money down onto the counter, waiting for Kash to ring it up.

"What are you doing?" Kash asked.

"Buying some drinks," Natalia answered, raising an eyebrow. "Let me buy. I don't think I have to remind you what family I come from, Kash." Kash was definitely intimidated, even if Natalia wasn't even really threatening him, and rung up the whiskey and beer, taking the cash. Natalia smiled sarcastically. "You have a good night."

Natalia put the drinks into the paper bag herself, walking out of the store with her bag of liquor.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside - Alley

Natalia headed into an alley to sit down, ripping open the bag and pulling out the beer, opening it, and downed it within about 20 seconds, breathing out, the relief of the drink already starting to hit her.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Kimberly was carrying beers to the kitchen to clean up, though she herself was kind of intoxicated, so she ended up dropping a bottle, which landed on the floor, resulting in a loud noise that made her cringe. "Shit."

Kimberly leaned down to pick it up, but leaned a little too far forward and almost fell over.

Thankfully, JJ was right next to her and quickly grabbed her waist to steady her. "You good?"

Kimberly took a deep breath, meeting his eyes. "Yeah, I'm good."

Kimberly stood up, shaking her head. JJ gave a nod, as the two looked at each other intensely before JJ walked away. Kimberly sighed heavily, tilting her head back.

⫷⑅⫸

Boys' Room

Lip and Ian returned to the boys' room, making sure that Carl was still asleep.

"So you give me shit about not believing about my hummer because I didn't rush to tell you, right?" Lip asked.

"Yeah, so?" Ian asked.

"You didn't rush to tell me," Lip answered.

Ian tilted his head. "Yeah, well..."

Lip sighed. "I mean, I thought we told each other everything." He walked over to his bed, taking out the magazines he found earlier on accident. "Unless..." He turned to Ian, holding up the folder with the magazines. "You got sucked off by a guy." He tossed the folder to Ian. "For instance."

Ian frowned.

Before either of them could say anything else, they heard Veronica's voice from downstairs. "No way, Lake Forest? Lake Forest is not Chicago."

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

The kids walked downstairs after hearing Veronica's voices, seeing Fiona sitting on a chair, and Veronica sitting on the couch with Veronica sitting on the ground in front of her, blood on his head.

"I'm not kidding, Steve," Fiona told him. "You are dead if he ever lays eyes on you. And I mean dead."

Veronica was cleaning the blood off of his head. "I nearly peed myself when you hit him." She let out another loud laugh as the kids walked in. "Well, I did a little."

"Hey," Fiona greeted the kids.

"Hi," Zia replied.

JJ sat down in a chair next to Veronica. Kimberly sat on the arm rest next to JJ, looking at Steve and the blood on his head.

"Wait, how many of you guys live here?" Steve asked, looking around the kids.

"Not me," Veronica answered. "I'm one down. But the guys next door died in March, which I guess technically makes us neighbors. And my nephew JJ here sometimes stays with me and my boyfriend Kev."

"But I also live with my dad," JJ added. "I'm just here for the night."

Steve nodded. "Well, nice to meet you, JJ. So you're a nurse, Veronica?"

"Used to be," Veronica replied, dabbing the paper towel on his head.

"Lying bitch," Fiona mumbled, a stifled laugh escaping her mouth.

Kimberly smiled.

JJ smirked. "She worked housekeeping at Cook County, bed pans and shit sheets."

Veronica rolled her eyes, speaking sassily. "Fine, but I was offered a place in the nursing school."

"Fine, but it never happened," Fiona replied, mimicking Veronica. "They fired her for selling medical supplies on eBay."

Veronica gave her a look. "Will you shut up? We don't even know him."

Steve reached out to shake Carl's hand. "Steve."

Carl smiled as he shook his hand. "Carl."

Zia eyed Steve suspiciously but smiled and shook his hand. "Zia."

"Zia?" Steve repeated.

"Faouzia," Fiona explained. 

"Faouzia?" Steve repeated, laughing lightly. "Sorry, what kind of name is that?" Zia gestured to Steve. "I'm not even sure how to spell that."

"Imagine how she feels, six and dyslexic," Fiona replied. Steve winced, nodding. "That's why she likes to go by Zia."

"Because Mom and Dad wanted to torture me with Faouzia," Zia replied.

Lip chuckled. "The way I feel about Phillip. So call me Lip."

Kimberly raised a beer. "Kimberly. You can call me either that or Kim, I don't care."

Steve took the beer out of Kimberly's hands, taking a short swig before handing it back to her with a small smirk on his lips. "How you doing, Kimberly?"

Kimberly took the beer bottle from him as she wiped the mouth piece. "Do that again and I'll use this to bash right on your head."

JJ smirked, as the other siblings smiled because they weren't the least bit surprised.

Veronica laughed lightly, stifling it.

Fiona was the only one that didn't smile, giving her a look. "Kimberly." Debbie was writing something down in a little notebook. Fiona gave Debbie a little push on her shoulder to gain her attention. "Debbie."

Debbie looked up.

"Hi, Debbie," Steve told her.

Debbie's eyes fell upon Steve's watch that was placed on the coffee table rather than him. "Nice watch."

Steve looked down at his watch. "Thanks, Panerai."

"What that set you back, about six bills?" Debbie asked.

Kimberly smirked, while Zia laughed at Steve's look of pure confusion.

Fiona pointed to the stairs where Ian had just walked down. "Plus, Ian."

Ian gave Steve a little wave.

"So why do they call you JJ, JJ?" Steve asked. "Got Faouzia, Philip and Deborah as the full names for Zia, Lip and Debbie, so..."

"Jeremiah Jordan," JJ answered.

Zia jumped up to give JJ a hug, singing a very old song to tease him. "Jeremiah was a bullfrog..."

The others laughed lightly.

JJ patted Zia's arms. "Thanks for that, Zia. How the hell do you even know that song?"

"We showed it to her when she asked why we used to call you bullfrog when we were kids," Lip answered.

JJ scoffed. "Of course you did."

They all laughed at this, as Zia pulled away from hugging JJ.

"We?" Steve repeated.

"Yeah, me, Kimberly, Ian and our friend Natalia," Lip answered.

"Natalia," Steve mused. "Sounds badass."

"Oh, she is," Ian answered.

They heard the front door open.

Kevin walked in. "Yo, Veronica. You got my keys?" He frowned as he saw Steve sitting between Veronica's legs. "What's going on here?"

"This is Steve," Veronica introduced, looking up at Kevin. "Decked the bouncer at Purgatory to defend my honor."

"My honor," Fiona corrected.

"Yeah, which bouncer?" Kevin asked.

Fiona leaned forward in her chair. "Jimmy Clifton."

Kevin's eyes widened. "Jimmy Clif--well, Jesus, man, put it there." He reached his hand out. "Respect."

Steve shook Kevin's hand. "Guy just stands there, doesn't really do anything."

Kevin leaned against the radiator. "Yeah, you'll be his third. Third or forth conviction. Fourth, yeah."

"Huh," Steve mumbled, looking over at Fiona with a confused look on his face.

Fiona gave him a comforting smile.

Carl was trying to sneak JJ's beer away from him so that he could drink it.

JJ noticed and took the beer away. "Oh, hey, nice try, little dude. This is mine."

Carl pouted, which caused Zia, Kimberly, Ian and Lip to smirk.

"And I mean after that much practice, you'd think the man would have manslaughter down by now," Kevin rambled. Steve grew nervous. "No more fuck ups like leaving his dad still breathing."

Steve's eyes went wide. "His dad?"

"Yeah, five years over an '87 Monte Carlo with 200,000 miles on the odometer," Kevin went on. "A fucking Monte Carlo."

JJ smirked. "I think he gets it, Kev."

Kevin looked at JJ, Kimberly, Lip and Ian. "Hey, have you guys talked to Natalia all that much today?"

"Not really for me," Ian answered.

"Natalia dropped the kids off for me when I headed for work," Kimberly answered.

"Saw before, at and after school, but she took off pretty quickly for work," Lip answered.

"Saw her at the diner," JJ answered. "Why?"

"She was just really off," Kevin answered. "She tell you that she lost her 'latest crash pad' as she put it?"

The kids nodded, including the younger three since they remembered that from this morning. "Yeah."

"Yeah, what about it?" Ian asked.

"I don't know," Kevin admitted. "She just looked really off at the Alibi."

"You saw Natalia at the Alibi?" Veronica asked.

"Yeah, trying to get drunk," Kevin answered. "She took off though."

The teens frowned in concern for their friend.

Fiona looked at the kids. "Hey, you can figure it out tomorrow. It's too late to figure it out now. I'm sure Natalia's fine. Okay, time to bed. Up the wooden hill, come on."

"It's not even midnight," Carl groaned as he got up.

The other kids groaned.

"Man, already?" Zia complained.

"Move, move, move," Fiona told them.

Kimberly stood, reaching her hand out to help JJ up. JJ gave her a small smile, grabbing her hand, standing up from the chair.

Lip took Zia by the hand, while Ian took Debbie's. "Come on."

Lip and Ian led Zia and Debbie upstairs, but Carl didn't wanna go.

Kimberly turned to Carl. "Come on, buddy." She lifted Carl up and placed him on the sofa. "I'll give you a piggy back, how about that?"

Carl nodded with a grin, and Kimberly turned around, grabbing his legs as he jumped onto her back, carrying him upstairs.

JJ watched the younger Gallaghers walk upstairs, while staying downstairs with the adults, turning to look at Steve. "Yeah, let me just take one last look at you while you're still alive."

JJ laughed along with Kevin and Veronica.

Fiona gave the three of them a look for messing with Steve like that. "All right, all right."

Steve pursed his lips, nervous.

"You coming back with us, JJ?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah, might as well," JJ answered, glancing at Fiona and Steve. "I mean, not like I can sleep on the couch now, is it?"

Fiona blushed, looking away, running a hand through her hair, knowing that JJ was playfully teasing but that he was right; they would end up hooking up and JJ didn't want to listen to all that.

Veronica and Kevin laughed lightly.

"All right," Kevin agreed. He sighed. "Let's go."

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

JJ, Veronica and Kevin walked outside, seeing Steve's car out front while they were on the way to Veronica and Kevin's place.

"What, that's his?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah," Veronica answered. "Well, company car."

"What kind of company?" JJ asked.

Veronica dropped her bag. "Internet startup."

Kevin walked up to the car curiously. "Earning what?"

"A couple mil a year," Veronica replied. "High school drop out. Got a job as a janitor in this small tech firm... within a year, he owned it." JJ picked up Veronica's bag. "Made his first billion by 20. Two jets, controlling interest in the Red Wings..." The three of them walked down the sidewalk toward V's house. "10,000 employees kissing his ass. 'Yes, boss. No, boss.' Why shouldn't he ride around in style?"

JJ knew what she was doing, nodding sarcastically. "Mm-hmm. And how much of that bullshit is actually true?"

Veronica laughed, putting an arm around JJ.

Kevin shook his head in amusement. "Why do you do that?"

Veronica pointed at Kevin with a smile. "Your face."

JJ even couldn't help but smile.

"How is that funny?" Kevin asked. "It's not even funny."

"How the fuck would I know how much he earns, you twisted dumb prick?" Veronica asked.

"I'm not a dumb prick," Kevin told her.

"Kevin, I just met the guy an hour ago," Veronica told him.

"Take back dumb prick," Kevin told her.

JJ rolled his eyes, ducking out of Veronica's hold, walking toward the house.

Veronica was still teasing Kevin. "Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Veronica. What's your pre-tax income?"

"You sure didn't mind watching him take his shirt off now, did you?" Kevin asked. "Huh?"

Veronica walked toward the house, following JJ. "Not one bit. In fact, JJ, if you kids hadn't walked in..."

JJ walked up onto the porch, turning to look at Veronica behind him. "I'm just gonna stop you right the fuck there."

Veronica laughed.

Kevin chuckled, walking closer, looking up at JJ, seeing his face, but knowing that he didn't like people pushing or making things a big deal even if it was, just checking in without pushing like others. "You good, JJ?"

JJ gestured to his face. "Yeah, this? This is nothing. Goodnight, guys."

Veronica sobered up a bit. "Night, JJ."

They walked inside.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Steve was still shirtless, looking over the kitchen.

Fiona walked downstairs into the kitchen.

Steve turned to face her. "All quiet up the wooden hill?"

Fiona chuckled. "As quiet as it ever gets."

Steve looked at her in intrigue. "Straight answer, if I hadn't busted my skull for you tonight, would you have even looked at me twice?"

Fiona looked at him skeptically. "Who's saying that I looked twice?"

Steve smiled. "Oh, you did, then?"

As Fiona started to go around to clean up the rest of the kitchen (though most of it had already been done by the kids), Steve pulled Fiona toward him so suddenly that she dropped the items in her hand to the floor, cupping her cheeks and kissing her heatedly.

Fiona kissed him back, but pulled away nervously, chuckling. "We can't."

Steve turned off the kitchen light. "90 percent of the world's problems are caused by tiny words that come in pairs. I mean, we're healthy and we're happy, but when people ask, we say, 'not bad'. You know, the first time that I saw you dancing..." Fiona took an unconscious step toward Steve. "About a month back at Crobar, I was desperate to buy you a drink. You know, normally I'm shy, so I told myself, 'I can't. She won't. We wouldn't.' And then tonight, I see you there again. All the indications being that I'm getting a second chance to make a good impression." He had his hand underneath Fiona's dress, and she had an expression of pleasure. "Tell me to stop and I'll stop." Fiona instead cupped Steve's neck with both hands and pulled him into a heated kiss, both wild with lust and sexual desire, making out. Fiona grabbed onto his head to speed the kiss, but Steve slowed the pace just a bit. "Slower, slower, slower. Slower."

Fiona chuckled, and this time, the kiss was slow, still filled with passion and desire, sexual need, but nothing more at this point. As Steve pulled Fiona up from the floor, he slammed her on the counter, and Fiona gasped loudly as some kitchen stuff fell to the ground, hitting the floor with a crash. Steve instantly pulled Fiona's underwear off, and pulled down his pants, so that he could drive his erection into Fiona. Fiona gasped loudly, arm clinging around Steve's neck for stability and balance. Both started to thrust in a rhythm matching each other's, needy and sloppy, as Fiona was knocking down more things around her. Fiona pushed herself away from the counter so that she would stop knocking things over and making such a noise, basically throwing herself at Steve and knocking them both to the floor, now riding him, as they were making the table behind Steve move with each thrust they both made, breathing heavily. Their tryst was nearly animalistic in their need. Steve pulled down the top of Fiona's dress to expose her breasts, grabbing them, burying his face in them. One of his hands gripped a drawer over his head. Fiona slammed the drawer closed without meaning to, slamming the drawer on his fingers without realizing.

Steve shook his hand out in pain. "Ow, ow, ow!"

Fiona could only go faster. "Almost, almost."

Fiona squealed, almost screaming as she tried to bite in the sound.

Suddenly, there was a knocking at the back door, making both Fiona and Steve freeze.

Officer Tony's voice came from outside. "Fiona?"

Fiona panicked, pulling herself off of Steve. "Shit, shit, shit."

Fiona pulled the top of her dress over her chest, putting it on right, and lowering the skirt of the dress to cover herself, though she still didn't have her underwear on, running to the stairs.

In just as much of a mad dash to cover himself, Steve pulled on his pants.

"Fiona," Tony called.

Steve tried to stand, but in his hurry, he fell to the floor.

Fiona ran upstairs. "Shit."

"Fiona, are you home?" Tony called. Once Steve had his pants on, he went to answer the back door, pulling it open. "Is Fiona in?"

Steve nodded awkwardly. "She's upstairs." Tony just gave him an expectant look. Steve pointed to the stairs. "I'll go get her."

⫷⑅⫸

Upstairs Hallway

Steve ran upstairs, down the hallway.

Fiona walked out of her room, no longer wearing her heels, and wearing a hoodie over her dress, jumping when she saw Steve. "Oh!"

"Yeah, cops looking for you," Steve explained.

Fiona sighed. "Stay here."

Fiona walked toward the stairs.

Steve chuckled nervously.

Fiona ran downstairs.

The girls' room door opened.

Liam toddled out of the girls' room, having a toy in his hand, smiling at Steve.

"Liam," Debbie called.

Kimberly walked out of the girls' room to go get Liam. "Hey, Liam."

Zia darted out of the girls' room on her way to the bathroom, brushing past Steve on her way. "Excuse me, sorry."

Kimberly picked Liam up. "Where you think you're going?"

Liam grinned.

Steve realized that with the kids all awake, that it meant they heard everything downstairs, and was mortified.

⫷⑅⫸

Kitchen

Frank was pulled inside by Tony and his cop partner, drunk and rambling. "You--you think you can't be--you think little guys can't be fucking faulting you--"

Fiona sighed, rolling her eyes.

The two officers put Frank down by the counter, walking past Fiona to head outside.

"I wouldn't put him near a carpet till his pants dry a bit," Tony told her.

Fiona nodded. "Thanks, Tony."

Tony handed Frank's shoe to her. "See you, Fiona."

Steve walked downstairs, completely confused.

Once the cops left, Fiona closed the door behind them, turning around.

"Who the hell is that?" Steve asked.

Fiona shrugged. "My dad."

Fiona put Frank's shoe on the floor next to him, walking out of the kitchen.

Steve frowned, following her.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

Fiona stood alone in the living room, sighing.

Steve walked toward her. "You just leave him there all night?"

Fiona picked up Steve's shirt, walking toward him. "He's never there when I get up."

Steve turned his back to Fiona so that he could put his arms through the sleeves and pull the shirt on, turning to face Fiona, buttoning his shirt. "So who's the little guy? Liam?"

Fiona walked over to hand Steve's jacket to him. "Liam's my brother."

Steve pulled on his jacket. Both of them were really awkward because of what had just happened.

Steve walked out of the house, closing the door behind him.

Fiona sighed, shaking her head, mouthing the word 'Fuck'.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

Steve walked outside toward his car, turning to look at the house.

What he didn't expect to see was all of the under age Gallagher kids watching him through the windows of the house on the second floor.

Steve nodded awkwardly, waving to the kids with a smile, getting into the car, driving away.

⫷⑅⫸

Building Rooftop

Still drinking the liquor she got from Kash and Grab, Natalia made her way to an abandoned building, where she, Mandy and Mickey used to hang out, either drinking, smoking, chilling, shooting bottles or all of the above.

When Natalia finally got to the roof, she had a good fifth of the whiskey, stumbling a bit by the last steps up to the roof. She sat on the raised edge of the roof, taking out a cigarette, lighting it, taking a hit, releasing the smoke. She alternated her drinking with her smoking, looking out over the city in the darkness. She was about halfway through the bottle, and completely shitfaced when she decided it would be a good idea to stand on the raised edge of the building. It was windy, which only added to her drunken swaying. Part of her worried that she would fall, but the other part of her didn't care if she did.

Mickey and Mandy Milkovich had just gotten to the rooftop, seeing Natalia and what she was doing. "Natalia!"

Natalia jumped, dropping the bottle, as it fell so far to the ground and shattered on the concrete on impact. She nearly fell off the edge of the building, but Mickey and Mandy caught her by the arms and pulled her up over the edge of the building.

Natalia leaned back against the edge, but held herself steady, shaking violently, the reality of what almost happened crashing down on her like a tidal wave, dragging her back to being somewhat sober, as she looked broken and defeated. She looked up at Mickey and Mandy, realizing that it was her brother and sister that saved her, but also had scared her so much she almost fell. "Dumbasses. Ever hear of not yelling the name of someone standing on the edge of a building?"

"Hey, bigger dumbass, ever hear of not standing on the fucking edge of a goddamn building?" Mickey replied, using his usual tough, stone cold exterior as a cover for how worried he actually was. "What the hell do you think you're doing anyway, Lia?"

Natalia swallowed, looking down, shaking her head. "I don't know, Mick. Okay? I've been on my own for a while now, and so have you. And Mandy."

"Yeah, because it's better than being at home with those pricks after what happened to you and Mandy," Mickey replied. Natalia and Mandy nodded. "None of those motherfuckers did anything to stop it. I wasn't gonna let it keep happening. It's not our fault that we had to split up to keep them from finding us all the fucking time and beating us all half to death."

Natalia gazed off at nothing, letting out a shaky breath. "A couple of them stood up for us, at least."

"Oh, what, they deserve a fucking medal?" Mandy asked sarcastically. "Are you okay?"

Natalia sighed. "Not really. How did you know that I was gonna end up here?"

"This is our spot from when we were kids," Mandy answered. "And your birthday's coming up. Of course you would come here." While both siblings were very worried with what they just saw, Mandy was more obvious about her worry. "Jesus, don't scare us like that again. What the hell happened, Lia?"

"The same old shit," Natalia answered. "I just... got drunk and wasn't thinking straight."

"No shit," Mickey replied, before closing his eyes and sighing heavily. "Damn it, Lia. You can't do that shit."

Natalia looked down. "I know. Sorry."

Mickey ran a hand through his hair in frustration, but wasn't really mad at Natalia, given the circumstances, more worried than anything, even if he wasn't great at showing it the right way. "I'm guessing I'm not the only one that lost my place to stay if you're up here doing this shit."

Natalia exhaled. "No. You're not the only one."

"I lost my place too," Mandy agreed. "And Dad threatened the friends that were willing to give me a place to stay so that he could find me, so..."

"Yeah, he threatened the people who gave me a stay too, so now no one else will," Natalia agreed.

Mickey let out an angry breath. "We shouldn't even have to look for new places to stay because of what that bastard did to both of you. We should've just killed the prick."

"Oh, yeah, good luck getting past all the brothers and cousins that would protect him," Mandy said sarcastically. "He's not worth going to jail for the rest of our lives, Mickey."

"She's right," Natalia agreed. "As much as I would love revenge, if we did that, either we get killed or thrown in jail, and he's already taken so much from us that I don't want him to be responsible for ruining our lives even more."

Mickey knew they were right, but still wanted to do something, even if they were just kids at this point and didn't know what to do to make it stop. "Come on. We'll find somewhere else to stay, even if we can't crash together." Natalia swallowed, nodding, pushing away from the ledge, swaying slightly from being so drunk. Mandy put her arm around Natalia to steady her. Mickey put a hand on Natalia's arm. "Come on, lush."

Natalia pushed him lightly. "Fuck off."

They all managed a small chuckle. 

Mandy smiled. "I know that you don't want to do anything special on your birthday. But do you wanna come up here and shoot some cans with us? Like we used to do?"

"Yeah," Natalia answered. "I do. What time?"

Mickey shrugged. "Pick the damn time yourself. We don't fucking know."

Natalia smiled slightly.

⫷⑅⫸

Day Three

Morning - Motel - Housekeeping Room

Fiona wheeled Liam's stroller into the housekeeping room at the motel, looking at the housekeeper there. "Rita."

"Anne's school called," Rita explained. "She's sick. Everything up to 204 is clean. I should be back in a couple of hours."

"Raul won't care?" Fiona asked.

Rita handed Fiona an apron. "He smoked his lunch again. He won't even know." Fiona put the apron on. "I'm making tamales tonight. I'll drop off a dozen. Oh, and take all the toilet paper you need."

Fiona smiled. "Okay. Thanks for the inhaler, by the way. Zia really needed it."

"It's no problem," Rita assured. "I know how bad cold gets for asthma. Then again, how bad how the heat gets too."

Fiona nodded in agreement.

Rita gave Liam a kiss on the head, speaking softly in Spanish before leaving the room.

Fiona picked Liam up, putting him into a basket of laundry. "Okay, you ready, big man? Let's do it. Come on, here we go."

⫷⑅⫸

The Alibi Room

Kevin was working behind the bar.

Frank walked in. "Kevin, did you miss me, dear? A beer and a bump, and... Billy, you having one? Have one."

Frank sat at the bar.

Kevin was annoyed. "Go away, Frank."

Frank had an envelope in his hand. "A pen, Mr. Beerkeep. It is disability day."

Kevin was surprised. "Disability people haven't caught up with you yet? I thought they had some guy following you around with a camera."

"They can follow me around all they want to," Frank replied, opening the envelope, taking a pen to write something on the check. "But they have to actually catch me doing something." He handed the check to Kevin, as Kevin put a drink in front of him. "What's with the crowd?"

"Layoff at the Chrysler plant," Kevin answered.

"You see?" Frank asked. "That's the problem with working. Too much instability. Stress." Kevin put out very little cash in front of Frank. "What the fuck is this?"

"What's left, after I settled out last month's bar tab," Kevin answered.

Frank groaned. "Better start a new one, then." He looked around at all the laid off people around the bar. "Oh, and a round for all my friends from the UAW."

The crowd cheered.

Kevin looked surprised and touched by the gesture, smiling. "Wow, really?"

Frank gave Kevin a look like he was stupid. "Fuck no."

Kevin took the beer away from Frank. "Then no beer or tab for you."

Frank tilted his head, annoyed.

⫷⑅⫸

Diner

Natalia and JJ were both working.

JJ looked at Natalia curiously. "So I talked to Kev last night."

Natalia sighed, knowing that this was coming. "And he told you that I tried to buy from the Alibi last night? Don't worry about it."

"You okay?" JJ asked.

Natalia nodded, having practiced lies just as well as JJ had. "Yeah. Fine."

Working at the diner was JJ's escape from his home life, so when Tristan walked into the diner, JJ looked like he was mentally shooting himself in the head.

"Shit," JJ whispered.

Natalia was working nearby, seeing JJ and his reaction. "Hey, if you want, I can take that table."

"Are you sure?" JJ asked, glancing back over to Tristan who was looking around the diner.

"Yeah, I don't mind," Natalia answered, taking the menus from JJ's hands, walking over to the group. JJ let out a sigh of relief, as he was in no mood to deal with his father right then, so he went back to serving his regular tables, avoiding his father at all costs. "What do you want?"

"That's not very customer friendly," Tristan told her.

"Well, I wouldn't be, to you," Natalia replied.

"Where's JJ?" Tristan asked.

"Far away from you, as he should be," Natalia answered.

Tristan glared at her. "I don't like you."

Natalia smirked sarcastically. "Fun. I don't remember asking or giving a damn. But since we're being truthful, I don't like you either. Especially after what you did JJ."

"He told you I did that?" the father asked.

"No, he lied about it and said that he got jumped, but I don't believe that for a second, and I'm pretty sure that Veronica, Kevin and none of the Gallaghers do either," Natalia replied. "What they couldn't figure out is why JJ would lie, but then I remember how he acts when you walk in here looking for him every time he shows up with a new beating, so..."

"Maybe he was telling the truth about being jumped," Tristan told her.

Natalia scoffed. "Yeah, by you. I'm no fucking stranger to cruelty of a father, and I know abuse from a parent when I see it."

Tristan was trying to remain unfazed. "It was an innocent mistake."

Natalia was only more furious by those words, but tried to keep hold of her patience and temper so that she didn't snap and get herself in trouble and fired, or JJ. "And what if I were to innocently murder you? I'd still have to go to trial. Probably get off with justifiable homicide. Now either order some fucking food, or get the hell out of this diner."

Tristan just glared, before smirking. "Say hi to your father for me, Natalia."

Natalia glared at Tristan in fury.

Tristan smirked, standing, walking out of the diner.

Natalia walked toward JJ, who was finishing up with a table across the restaurant.

"Did he say anything?" JJ asked.

"No, but I sure the hell did," Natalia answered.

JJ tilted his head. "Please tell me you didn't go full bitch town express on him."

Natalia shrugged. "Can't."

"That's gonna end up coming back to bite me in the ass," JJ told her. "Thanks a lot, Natalia. And it could come back to bite you in the ass. You shouldn't have done that."

"I was defending you, because I know that he's the one that did this to you," Natalia told him. JJ looked stunned by that admission, looking like he was about to deny it, but couldn't find the words. "I know what abuse looks like, okay? Especially from a parent. So don't keep lying to me." JJ sighed, looking down, not knowing what to say. "He can't keep doing this to you, JJ. And you can't keep protecting him, because he's not the same dad you used to know."

"It's more about protecting myself from how bad he can get," JJ admitted. "He's a fucking drug dealer, for crying out."

Natalia nodded a bit. "And that's why you didn't tell V, Kev and the Gallaghers, right? Because you wanted to protect them, even though Veronica is his sister. It's why you lied to them, and to me."

"Yeah," JJ answered. "I can't have them involved, and I didn't want you involved, because I don't want any of you hurt."

"I appreciate that, but you are literally always taking care of everybody but yourself," Natalia told him. "One of these days, you're gonna have to let somebody help you. Especially if it means saving you from something like this."

"I don't need to be saved," JJ told her.

Natalia shook her head. "Now that is some bullshit. He could end up killing you, JJ. Just... don't let that happen. Please."

JJ sighed heavily, not having the energy to be angry or defensive, especially when Natalia was trying to help him; he knew that she was right and that her heart was in the right place. He just didn't want this to come back to bite either of them in the ass, or come back to haunt the Veronica, Kevin or the Gallaghers because his father knew how much all of them meant to JJ.

JJ looked at Natalia. "Fine. But then you have to make the same promise too."

"What do you mean?" Natalia asked.

"Your dad," JJ answered. "I don't know what all he does to you, Natalia. But you even admitted that you know what it's like. And I know that you don't ask for help from me, Kev, V or the Gallaghers for the same reasons I don't. Because you want to protect us because Terry's a fucking psychopath." Natalia swallowed, looking away, but nodded in agreement. "You'd tell us if he found you again, right?"

Natalia nodded barely. "Yeah. But he hasn't. I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" JJ asked.

Natalia knew that JJ was just as worried about her as she was about him, and wanted to help her just as much, but Natalia couldn't really talk about it, just like JJ couldn't really either. "Yeah. Everything's fine."

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Fiona was leaning against the washer machine to keep it closed while it was running.

When there was a knock on the door, Fiona moved away from the washer, placing down her coffee cup, walking to the back door, opening it.

Steve was there, much to her surprise. "Hi. Wondering what your schedule's like on Friday."

"Uh, I've got a party," Fiona answered.

"Want a chaperone?" Steve asked.

"Natalia's birthday party, and since you don't know her, you're not invited," Fiona answered.

Steve stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Who's all gonna be there?"

"Just my family, JJ, Kev and V," Fiona answered. "Natalia doesn't have a lot of friends. She has a huge family, but they're all psychopaths. So, no, you're not going. You're not that desperate."

"Wanting to see you again is desperate?" Steve asked.

"No, feeling like you have to, that's desperate," Fiona answered, walking past Steve toward the counter. "Come on, you can get laid anywhere."

Steve put a hand against the table next to the counter. "Oh, so I'm only here for a fuck?"

"Never crossed your mind?" Fiona asked, turning her back to the washer, leaning against it so she could keep the door closed so the washer would run.

"Just when you think you've collared your dream girl, her incontinent, alcoholic father appears, wrecks everything, and she's blaming you?" Steve asked.

Fiona went to make some chicken nuggets for the kids, smiling in disbelief. "Your dream girl? We had drunken sex on my kitchen floor."

As Fiona went to go stand by the washer again, Steve stood in her way. "Quit pretending you don't even know me. You weren't that drunk." Kimberly walked downstairs from the living room, looking into the kitchen to see Fiona and Steve, who both turned their heads to see her. "Hey, it's Kimberly."

"Hey, it's dead man walking," Kimberly replied. "Jimmy Clifton called looking for you."

"No school?" Steve asked.

Kimberly walked to the kitchen, placing her plate in the sink. "No, got some teeth pulled today."

"Wisdom teeth?" Steve asked.

Kimberly turned to face him, tilting her head, shrugging. "Sugar rot."

Steve clicked his tongue. "Ah. Little known fact. Don't just chew your food on one side. It can buckle your jaw which will buckle your hips and affect your posture."

Kimberly nodded skeptically. "Oh, that's a fact?"

Steve nodded. "Skeletal fact."

"Kimberly," Fiona said. Kimberly turned her head to look at her. "Where's Lip and Ian?"

"Lip took Ian somewhere, I guess," Kimberly answered.

Fiona nodded, before mouthing for her to leave, 'Fuck off'.

Kimberly grabbed a Gatorade, walking toward the door, looking over her shoulder at Steve. "Hey, talk out of your ass with that much conviction, you end up needing a much bigger toothbrush. That's an anal fact."

Fiona couldn't help a smile.

Kimberly walked out of the room to leave them to talk.

Fiona leaned against the washer, looking at Steve. "Listen, thank you for trying to get my purse back and stuff."

"Stuff?" Steve repeated.

"I'm not looking," Fiona told him. "Not right now."

Steve glanced down at the washer, noticing that Fiona had her foot against the door to keep it closed as she leaned against the machine. "Okay. Is it all right if I leave my number for when you might be?"

Fiona shrugged.

Steve walked to the board on the wall, writing his number on a piece of paper, putting the paper up on the board.

Once Steve had left his number there, he walked out of the house.

Zia walked downstairs.

Fiona looked up to notice Zia, walking toward her, concerned. "Hey, Zia."

Zia smiled slightly to see her older sister. "Hi, Fi."

"Come here," Fiona told her, taking Zia by the hand, leading her to the table. "I wanna talk to you." Zia sat down with Fiona at the table. "So, um... Lip and Ian might have told me about what happened at recess yesterday." Zia looked away. "Look, you're not in trouble."

"Carl?" Zia asked.

Fiona shook her head. "No, Carl's not in trouble either. He did what he did standing up for you and your friend." Zia nodded in agreement. "And I know that Lip, Ian and Kim already gave you this talk last night, but you can tell us about these things, okay? I want you to tell me at least. Why didn't you?"

"What?" Zia asked.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Fiona asked.

Zia shrugged sheepishly. "You got too much going on. You already take care of everything else."

Fiona realized what Zia meant, sighing heavily. "And you didn't want to give me something else to take care of?" Zia nodded barely. "Z, I love you for that, okay? I do. But with something like this? You gotta tell us."

"But Carl took care of it," Zia said, confused as to why it was such a big deal to Fiona.

"Yes, he did, but he got in trouble at school for it," Fiona pointed out. "And you two aren't in trouble with us, but that kid is trying to get both of you in trouble at school, and your friend Micah since he punched him first."

"Because of what he called me and ripped up Micah's drawing," Zia replied.

"I know that," Fiona agreed. "But it's gonna be a little more difficult in getting the teachers to understand that. And since Liam was there, they could get you and Debbie in a lot of trouble for having a baby at school, and that kid trying to pin the blame on Carl and Micah. Do you understand?"

"I think so," Zia answered. "Barry's a bitch."

Fiona couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Yeah, he is. And I'm proud of you and Carl for standing up for yourselves like that."

"But we got in trouble at school," Zia finished.

"Yeah," Fiona answered. "But I'm gonna try and make sure that you kids don't get in too much trouble, okay?"

Zia nodded.

Fiona stood, walking into the living room.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

Kimberly was sitting on the stairs, having heard the conversation between Zia and Fiona.

Fiona sighed. "You heard?"

"Yeah," Kimberly answered, standing, walking closer, speaking softly so that Zia didn't hear. "You were talking about child services, weren't you?"

"If that Barry kid keeps running his mouth about how he thinks a six year old has a son instead of a baby brother, and they realize that Debbie and Zia were both watching a kid at school, and Carl got into a fight because of that little shit..." Fiona trailed off. "Yeah. And Zia's friend might get into a lot of trouble for it too because he threw the first punch even though Barry provoked them first."

Kimberly sighed worriedly. "Shit." Fiona nodded in agreement. "You didn't wanna tell Zia, Carl and Debbie because you don't want them to worry."

"Yeah," Fiona answered. "The last time we went to foster care, it wasn't a walk through the park. All of us got messed up by it last time." Kimberly sighed, nodding. "But I'm gonna figure it out. I have to."

"What can I do?" Kimberly asked.

"I'm not sure there's anything you can do," Fiona admitted. "Just... don't worry about it, Kim. I've got it. It's gonna be okay. I'm sure it's gonna blow over once I explain everything."

Fiona walked away.

Kimberly watched Fiona go in concern, before turning to look into the kitchen toward Zia, who was still sitting at the table.

Carl and Debbie walked downstairs to sit with Zia as they were waiting for chicken nuggets to be done.

Kimberly watched them in worry, not knowing what to do, hoping that this entire situation would blow over without anything else happening.

⫷⑅⫸

Jackson House - Outside

Lip led Ian to the Jackson house, hands on both his shoulders in a brotherly gesture. "No, no, no. You're gonna like it."

"What am I even gonna say?" Ian asked.

"You just gotta keep talking about science," Lip answered, letting one hand down by his side, the other hand still on Ian's shoulder.

Ian frowned. "I don't know anything about science."

"Okay, so just read from the table of elements," Lip told him. "Cerium, erbium, praseodymium." They walked up to the Jackson house, standing on the porch. Lip left one hand on Ian's shoulder as he used his other hand to knock on the door. The door opened a crack, and Lip greeted the mother inside with a smile. "Mrs. Jackson."

Sheila was much less nervous, more excited to have visitors when she saw that it was Lip, smiling, opening the door as far as it would open while it was chained shut. "Oh! Karen is thrilled with you. She got an A on her physics midterm." She turned to call for her daughter. "Karen. Honey, your little helper is here."

Lip gave Ian a reassuring smile. "This is my brother, Ian."

Sheila looked outside at both boys. "Um... I'm out of plastic bags. Why don't you leave your shoes out here where they can breathe?"

"Sure," Lip answered, finally letting his hand drop from Ian's shoulder.

Sheila closed the door to unlock the chain.

Lip and Ian took off their shoes, leaving them outside.

⫷⑅⫸

Inside - Living Room

Ian and Lip were sitting at the table with tutoring stuff all over the table.

Ian was trying to focus on the science. "Erbium, cerium, praseodymium, magnesium."

Sheila was in the kitchen, watching TV, cooking. "You kids what some homemade lime chicken chimichangas?"

"No, thanks, Sheila," Lip answered, as Ian was shaking his head in a panic, looking to be a nervous wreck. "I think we're fine."

"No?" Sheila asked. "All right."

Ian struggled to continue. "Praseodymium, uh, magnesium, sulfur--"

Karen was clearly under the table, giving Ian a blow job.

Mr. Eddie Jackson walked downstairs. "All right, I'm off to work." He looked at Ian and Lip at the table. "Oh, hey, fellas. Where's Karen?"

Ian looked at to Lip in a panic.

Lip remained mostly calm. "Her room, I think. Google Earth for a GPS reference on where Isaac Newton was born."

Ian nodded, face twisted in discomfort, looking down.

Lip lowered his head.

Eddie walked toward Sheila.

"Guess what I made for your lunch," Sheila said.

"Cornish game hen with Asian pear?" Eddie asked.

"No," Sheila answered.

"Wild salmon with baby carrots?" Eddie asked.

"No," Sheila answered, leaning closer. "Kiss and I'll tell."

Eddie just glared. "I'll find out what I got when I open the damn box, all right?" He reached for his lunch box, picking it up, but in the process, knocked over an apple from the bowl on the counter, which fell over the counter that connected the kitchen to the living room, hitting the floor by the table where Ian and Lip were sitting (and Karen was underneath). Ian and Lip both tried not to panic as they watched the apple roll underneath the table and out into the open on the other side of the table. Eddie walked past the boys at the table, calling out. "I'm late, Karen, honey. I guess I'll see you in the morning." Eddie leaned down to pick up the apple, in the process seeing Karen underneath the table, but not seeing what she was doing. "What's she hiding for?" Ian and Lip both froze, panicking in silence. Eddie lifted up the cloth on the table to reveal Karen in between Ian's legs, wiping her lip. "What are you hiding... for?" Eddie stood straight when he realized. "Oh, sweet Jesus."

(Song:) Get Free - The Vines

Ian and Lip both instantly stood, preparing to take off.

Eddie screamed in anger. "No!"

Eddie flipped over the table, making Karen scream and cringe in on herself.

Ian and Lip ran away in opposite directions.

Lip ran to the front door, but it was locked. 

Eddie ran up to Lip to attack.

Lip ran around Eddie and jumped over the couch, leaping onto the stairs, running upstairs as fast as he could, with Eddie right behind him.

Karen ran to Sheila's side.

Sheila put her arm around Karen, having no idea what was going on. "It's just a study group." She put her other arm around Karen to embrace her, leaning Karen's head on her shoulder. "Oh, honey."

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

Ian ran outside through the back of the house, running toward the front.

Lip jumped from the second story window with a yell, hitting the ground and twisting his ankle badly.

Ian ran to Lip to help him up. "Come on!"

Eddie yelled out of the window that Lip had jumped out of. "The further you run, the more I will kill you!"

Ian grabbed their shoes from the porch as the two started to run down the street with just their socks on their feet, with Lip limping the entire time.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Living Room

Kimberly and Zia were working on Zia's homework, as Kimberly was helping Zia with spelling again, given her dyslexia.

When Lip and Ian ran inside, Lip nearly collapsed each time he stepped on his right foot.

"Jesus," Kimberly scoffed.

"Lip, what happened?" Zia asked in concern, sounding cute and innocent.

"Long story," Lip groaned.

"A little help here?" Ian asked.

Kimberly and Zia walked over to Lip and Ian, so they could help Ian walk Lip up the stairs.

⫷⑅⫸

Boys' Room

Kimberly, Zia and Ian got Lip up to Carl's bed, having Lip lay on Carl's bed, while Carl sat nearby, and Ian sat up on Lip's bed up above.

Kimberly pulled Lip's sock off to try and help.

Fiona walked by the doorway, seeing what was happening, walking in. "What the hell happened?"

Ian looked over at Lip for a split second, a look of panic washing over his face. "Well, uh, there was this old lady on the train--"

Kimberly looked between Lip and Ian, obviously not believing the story. "Really? An old lady on the train?"

"Oh, yeah, the doors were closing on her walker," Ian extended the lie. "Lip barely got his footing there in time to stop--"

Lip yelled in pain when Kimberly was trying to help. "Ow! Jesus, Kim!"

Kimberly quickly removed her hands from Lip's foot, turning to Fiona. "Is that good or bad?"

Zia gave Kimberly a look. "Duh, bad!"

Debbie walked in from hearing Lip yell.

Fiona sighed, walking closer to check. "More than likely, you jumped the turnstiles and he twisted it trying to outrun the transit cops."

JJ and Veronica walked in.

Veronica shook her head. "No! Always elevate extremities. Move before you give him a fucking embolism."

Fiona put her hands up in defense before moving and letting Veronica sit down to look at his foot.

"You okay, Lip?" JJ asked.

Veronica put a pillow under Lip's calf, elevating his ankle.

"Please don't touch it," Lip begged.

"Okay, wiggle your toes," Veronica told him. Lip let out a loud grunt as he tried to. Veronica turned to her nephew. "JJ, go to my house, top of the freezer. Two ice packs." JJ nodded. "Second cupboard above the sink, liquid ibuprofen, freeze spray, ace bandages."

"Should we get it X-rayed?" Fiona asked.

Veronica shook her head. "Fuck no, you'll be in the ER forever. For what, sub-metatarsal hematoma? Thanks. Tell us something we didn't know five hours ago, fuck off." JJ turned around, walking out, but Veronica called after him. "My bedroom, top of the TV."

JJ popped his head back into the room. "Yeah?"

"Pack of smokes and the lighter," Veronica answered.

JJ gave a thumbs up. "Got it."

JJ turned to walk out of the room, just when they heard a loud knocking downstairs, causing Lip and Ian to jump and try and fumble to hide, much to the confusion and suspicion of the other siblings, JJ and Veronica.

Lip covered himself up with a blanket. "Shit. I'm not here, I'm not here."

Ian tucked behind Kimberly to hide, picking up Zia to hold her on his lap in front of his face to hide, looking toward JJ at the door. "You don't know us, JJ!"

"Hey!" Zia complained in surprise from being lifted up so suddenly and hid behind like a shield. "Ian!"

"Ian, Lip, what the fuck?" Kimberly asked.

Fiona stood, speaking monosyllabically. "Oh, what. have. you. done?" Now, she spoke the words very quickly, almost comedically. "What have you done?"

JJ and Kimberly exchanged a confused look.

JJ sighed, walking out of the room and out of the house, with Fiona following to see if the boys were really in trouble.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

When JJ and Fiona walked outside, it was only to see that a delivery truck was waiting outside.

"Can I get it through here, or is it better around the back?" the delivery man asked. "Samsung washer?"

JJ and Fiona exchanged a confused look.

"You got a new washer?" JJ asked. "I thought you were broke."

Fiona shook her head. "No, it's not me."

"Gallagher, number 2119?" the delivery man asked.

"Yeah, but that's not ours," Fiona answered.

"Well, it's paid for," the delivery man stated. "You want me to hook it up or not?"

JJ looked at Fiona. "The fuck?"

Fiona realized, sighing heavily. "Steve. Look, JJ, just get the stuff for V and Lip, okay? I'll deal with this."

"Sure," JJ replied, walking away toward Veronica's house.

Fiona sighed.

⫷⑅⫸

Fisher-Ball House - Kev and V's Room

JJ was getting the stuff for Lip, and getting the cigarettes for Veronica from her room, where Kevin was sleeping naked in bed under the covers.

Kevin was starting to wake up, seeing JJ with the cigarettes. "Where are you going with those?"

"For Veronica," JJ answered. "We're over at the Gallaghers help Lip, so..."

"Well, let me get one," Kevin told him.

JJ opened the cigarette pack, taking out a cigarette, handing it to Kevin, tossing him the lighter.

Kevin lit the lighter, tossing it back to JJ.

As soon as JJ caught the lighter with one hand, JJ turned around, walking out.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Kimberly, Ian and Zia were helping Lip down stairs after Veronica made him a little split for his ankle.

"Easy does it," Kimberly told them.

Zia looked up at her brothers. "What the hell, dudes?"

"Tell you later," Lip replied.

Kimberly raised an eyebrow.

Veronica walked downstairs with them. "Got it? Okay. Ice and Advil. And keep your weight off of it."

They were stunned to see the delivery guy moving in the new washer machine, as Debbie, Carl and Fiona stood around the kitchen.

JJ walked in with the stuff.

"I thought you were broke," Veronica said in confusion.

JJ gestured to Veronica. "That's what I said."

Kimberly pulled out a chair so that Lip could sit down. "Sit."

Lip let out a small groan as he plopped down on the chair. "Thanks."

Fiona picked up a large red bouquet of flowers from the sink, showing Veronica with a wide smile on her lips. "These were in the washer."

Veronica walked over to her, grabbing the little red card that was placed on the flowers. "Steve? No." She looked up at Fiona. "Who's Steve?"

"Steve from the club?" Zia asked, leaning against the counter.

Fiona nodded, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Yeah."

Veronica's eyes widened, shocked. "No."

"I know," Fiona agreed.

Veronica let out a small laugh as she looked back over at the washing machine, obviously shocked that Steve had done this for Fiona.

All the kids were shocked too.

⫷⑅⫸

Evening - Jackson House - Living Room

The Jacksons were gathered.

Eddie was yelling at Sheila while packing a box with his creepy clown doll collection. "15 years. 15 years. I've done everything in my control. What did I say? What did I tell you? Sow and thou shall reap." He walked past Karen with a glare, still yelling at Sheila. "She didn't reap this from me. I'll tell you that."

Sheila stood in the kitchen, holding a pot of coffee. "Reap what? What are you reaping now?" She turned to her husband. "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. Whatever it is, I'll try. I'll really try."

Karen was sitting at the table. "Mom, don't beg him. If he can do this..." She turned to yell after her father as he was walking outside. "Then the bastard's not worth it!"

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

Eddie walked outside with his creepy clown doll collection, most of them small and in the box, the other a huge one he had to carry in his other arm. "Hey, you honor thy father."

Karen stood in the doorway of the house, screaming. "Get fucked!"

Eddie turned to run back up the porch steps. "Don't try blaming me for this." Karen slammed the door in his face, locking the door. Eddie turned to walk downstairs. "You're your own worse enemy, you two. They say bad things happen in three. They don't. Twos. You two." Karen threw a clown lamp out through the window, shattering it, nearly hitting her father with the lamp. Eddie ducked, making the lamp fall to the ground. "Insane."

Eddie turned to pick up the clown lamp, putting it in the box, walking away to his car, putting the box and the other doll in the trunk of his car, which was already filled with other boxes of creepy clown dolls and huge clown shoes.

⫷⑅⫸

Day Four

Morning - Motel - Outside

Fiona was at work again, calling Steve.

"Hello?" Steve asked.

"How much did you pay for it?" Fiona asked.

On the other line, Steve was in a garage with expensive looking cars. "I'm not telling you that. It's a gift. So you remembered the phone number, which obviously worked."

"Your washer's in the yard," Fiona said. "We don't need it. I don't want it. So you gotta come pick it up before it starts rusting."

Steve knew better. "Oh, is it?"

"No," Fiona answered, hating it.

"Did the guy connect it?" Steve asked.

Fiona turned to the motel room behind her, checking on Liam, who was sitting on the bed inside. "Yes."

"It's working okay?" Steve asked.

Fiona just wanted to be stubborn. "It's not my favorite color."

Steve smiled. "Oh, so you've tried it."

Fiona quickly hung up.

Steve chuckled, hanging up as well.

⫷⑅⫸

Rooftop

Natalia was once again on the rooftop, this time just having a beer.

Mickey and Mandy were with her.

"Hey," Mandy greeted.

"Hey," Natalia replied.

"At least this time you're not standing on a literal fucking edge," Mickey remarked.

"Let it go," Natalia replied.

"You good?" Mandy asked.

Natalia nodded. "Yeah."

"I just mean that..." Mandy trailed off. "Your birthday and all, your mom..."

"I know," Natalia agreed. "What you meant, I mean. I just... I'm fine. Promise."

"Lying bitch," Mickey quipped, taking a drink.

"Fuck off, dick," Natalia replied. The three siblings couldn't help but smirk slight smiles. "So I pissed off a drug dealer."

Mickey and Mandy looked over, surprised but not shocked by her remark.

"What the fuck did you do, Natalia?" Mandy asked.

Natalia gave her a duh look, smirking. "I just told you, Mandy. I pissed off a drug dealer."

"Yeah, we got that, genius," Mickey told her. "How the hell did you piss off a drug dealer, and why? Are you that fucking stupid?"

"That fucking loyal, actually," Natalia answered. "The dealer is JJ Fisher's father."

"JJ who works with you at the diner?" Mandy asked. "Your, Kimberly, Lip and Ian's friend."

"Yeah," Natalia answered.

"And the dealer is JJ's dad?" Mickey asked.

"Are you two just gonna keep repeating whatever I say to you?" Natalia asked.

Mandy gave Natalia a slight push.

"This isn't fucking funny, Lia," Mickey told her. "I don't care what is going down with JJ and his dad, but how could you be so stupid to get in the middle?"

"So smart actually to try and save a best friend's life, thank you very much, you fucking prick," Natalia replied.

Mickey rolled his eyes.

Mandy was concerned. "How dangerous is JJ's dad?"

"I'm not sure," Natalia admitted. "But whatever the case, I'm prepared to handle it."

"Yeah, and how is that?" Mickey asked.

"I'm a fucking Milkovich," Natalia answered. "We can handle anything, Mickey."

Mickey shook his head at Natalia, but also couldn't help smirk at what she said, knowing it was the truth.

⫷⑅⫸

Kash and Grab

(Song:) Alagy Rohi - APM Music

Ian was working, stacking fruit.

Kash was standing behind the counter.

His wife, Linda, walked up to Kash. "Let me smell your breath." Kash exhaled. "Pork rinds?"

"No," Kash denied.

"Those are mine," Ian told her.

"See?" Kash asked. "And since when do pork rinds come from a pig?"

Linda turned to give Ian a look, pointing at him. "Ian, I am the one who signs your check. What's bad for him is really bad for you. If you are stupid enough to start lying for him--"

"They're just corn chips with fake hair," Ian told her. "Fake corn, even."

Linda walked around the counter to confront Kash. "Last warning. Get yourself to that mosque so your dad stops blaming me for the fact that we're going to hell, and talk to your mother."

"She won't talk to me," Kash told her. "I can't force her to take her meds."

Linda started to count the cash in the register. "I don't want the cops dragging me out of bed at 4 AM because she's out in the alley yelling that the CIA is stealing her trash."

"But that happened, didn't it?" Ian asked.

Linda looked up in annoyance, closing the register. "Once, four years ago, yes. But now she's locked in the basement making a helmet out of tinfoil. Enough's enough." She turned to her and Kash's children. "Boys, let's go. Get in the car." She turned to Kash. "I have to take the boys to Cub Scouts at the mosque before all the carpets are taken." The boys walked past. "She's your mother, get her to take her Thorazine." Linda turned to see the boys trying to get candy. "No, boys, no candy. Come on, let's go. We're gonna be late. Go, go, go." She held up the empty bag of pork rinds, throwing it away. "No more." She turned to the boys. "Come on, we're gonna be late. Hurry up."

Linda and the boys left the store.

Ian laughed lightly.

Kash looked at him. "Hey, can you tell your friend Natalia not to come buying alcohol from here anymore? I could get into serious trouble for selling to a minor. At least all of her brothers just steal so I don't get in trouble with authorities... just my wife."

"Natalia was buying from you?" Ian asked, frowning.

Kash nodded. "I didn't want to, but she can be just as scary as her family when she wants to be."

Ian was concerned, confused.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Kimberly walked into the kitchen, turning on the light, seeing that Frank was passed out on the floor of the kitchen, rolling her eyes, walking away, trying to call Natalia, but she didn't answer, sighing, leaving a voicemail. "For the love of God, Lia, call me back, please. You can't keep ghosting us. We're worried about you. Just talk to us, please." Kimberly hung up, opening the fridge to get some food. When the phone rang, Kimberly answered instantly, hopeful. "Natalia?"

JJ was walking to Veronica and Kevin's for the night. "Sorry to disappoint."

Kimberly sighed. "Did you find her?"

"Nah, haven't seen her since yesterday morning at the diner," JJ answered. "She ripped a new one into my dad, that's for sure."

Kimberly hung her head. "Where the fuck is she?"

"I don't know," JJ admitted. "But I'll keep looking, just to make sure she's okay. If you can't keep calling because of minutes, I can keep calling."

"Thanks, JJ," Kimberly told him.

"Yeah," JJ agreed. "Ian and Lip hear anything?"

"Nothing that's helpful," Kimberly answered. "And it's not like Lip could go looking for her today because of his busted ankle."

"True," JJ mused. "Guessing that he tried though."

"Yep," Kimberly answered. "Fiona stopped him before she went to work. You heading to Kev and V's?"

"Yeah," JJ answered. "Pretty sure everyone's too tired for an attempted party tonight."

"Yep," Kimberly agreed. "See you tomorrow?"

JJ nodded. "Count on it. Bye, Kimberly."

"Bye, J," Kimberly replied.

They hung up, both sighing heavily.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

Kimberly walked into the living room, seeing Ian, walking closer. "Hey."

"Trying to call Natalia again?" Ian asked.

"Yeah," Kimberly answered. "You heard anything?"

"Just that she scared Kash into selling her liquor at Kash and Grab," Ian answered. "He said the same thing that Kev said. She wasn't looking too good."

Kimberly frowned in concern, sitting down on the couch. "I just wish that she would talk to us. And that we knew where to find her when she's not at school or at the diner, or skipping out at both places."

Ian sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, me too. But, I mean, if she wants to be found, then she would let us find her. But she doesn't, so..."

"Yeah," Kimberly agreed sadly, noticing that Ian was distracted. "Are you okay?" Ian looked up at her, sighing. "Is this about what happened last night? 'Cause I really can't help when I don't know what went down."

"Lip took me to Karen Jackson's house to get a blow job," Ian explained, not meeting her eyes.

Kimberly frowned. "I--no, y..." She looked away, not knowing what to say for a moment. "Why?"

"I didn't want to, but he insisted," Ian explained. "Guess he was trying to help me figure myself out or some shit. Her dad caught her in the, uh, in the middle of it and tried to kill us. Lip had to jump from the upstairs window, that's how he hurt his foot."

Kimberly nodded. "See, I knew that old lady on the train story was bullshit. You're a terrible liar, by the way. But seriously, though, why Karen Jackson? Lip couldn't have gotten someone less of a bitch to give you a blowjob?"

Ian sighed, looking over at his twin. "Listen, I have to tell you something, and you can't hate me for it."

Kimberly studied his face for a moment, wondering if this was a serious or joking thing. "Oh, shit, what did you do? Don't tell me you fucked her after."

"Oh, God, no, of course not," Ian replied with a shake of his head.

"Do you have an STD or get somebody pregnant?" Kimberly asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ian shook his head. "Uh, no."

"That didn't sound assuring," Kimberly pointed out. Ian gave her a look. Kimberly put her hands up in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. Okay, did you and or Lip kill her dad?"

Ian scoffed softly, knowing the last question was a joke to try and make him feel better, but it wasn't working. "Jesus, Kimberly. No, it's nothing like that."

Kimberly smirked. "Good, because I didn't want to have to bury a dead body tonight. So, what the hell is it, then?"

Ian hesitated, but did come clean. "I'm gay."

Kimberly turned her head to meet his eyes, able to tell how nervous he was by just looking at him, as it was clear that Ian was scared that his twin would hate him when he made the confession. She quickly swatted his shoulder. "You dumbass."

"Ow!" Ian groaned. "What?"

"I already knew that," Kimberly told him.

Ian frowned. "Wait, you did?"

"Yes, doofus," Kimberly answered. "You're my twin brother. What kind of twin do you take me for?"

Ian started to smile, but then stopped. "Wait, so if you knew, and you didn't care, then why--"

"I knew that you would tell me on your own time," Kimberly answered. "And no, I didn't care. But you seriously thought I would hate you because you're gay? Dude, do you not know me at all?" Ian looked back down at his hands. "Here I was thinking you were gonna tell me that you gang-banged some chick or that you fucking killed someone, neither of which I would hate you for, by the way. But, still, you'd think I'd hate you because you like guys?" Ian looked at her. "Ian, I couldn't care less about who the hell you like. You're my brother. My twin brother. I wouldn't care if you were straight, bi, or if you wanted to become a fucking woman. I love you, you big goddamn idiot."

Ian was relieved that in her own way, Kimberly was completely accepting his confession especially after she had already known all along, and was only ranting because of his fear that she would hate him for it, smiling. "I love you too."

"But seriously, don't be scared to tell me anything, because I'll always be here for you," Kimberly told him. "No matter what goes down in your life." They both smiled. Kimberly brought Ian into a hug. "Dude, no matter what, you are stuck with me until one of us dies, and if I die first, I'm haunting your sorry ass."

Ian laughed. "Same goes for you. Best twin in the world, Kim."

Kimberly smirked. "That I know. That's a given."

Ian nodded in agreement. "It is a given."

They pulled away from the embrace, laughing lightly.

⫷⑅⫸

Kitchen

(Song:) The Takers - Takka Takka

Frank was passed out in the kitchen.

Zia walked down the kitchen stairs from her room with a pink pillow in her hands from her bed, walking into the kitchen, kneeling next to Frank, lifting his head up so that she could put the pillow underneath his head, popping his head up in his sleep. "Goodnight, Daddy."

Zia sat back on the floor next to Frank, looking at him sadly, confused.

Fiona walked into the kitchen, seeing Zia next to Frank, sighing worriedly since she never wanted the kids to see Frank like this more than they had to and she didn't want them to have to take care of Frank like she had to growing up, walking closer. "Zia, what are you doing? Why aren't you up in bed?"

Zia didn't answer, just looking at her father. Even so young and small, she was so observant and smart, even with her learning disorder. She looked from Frank to Fiona. "Why does Dad hate me?"

Fiona was startled by the question from the six year old girl, kneeling next to Zia in concern, hurt that she had to ask that at such a young age. "He doesn't hate you. Okay? You just.., look more like Mom than any of the rest of us. I mean, you look exactly like her. Lot of memories, you know?" Zia nodded, looking down. "You probably scare him."

Zia looked up, kind of finding that amusing, even though she looked numb and distant. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Fiona answered.

Zia forced a smile. "He ain't seen nothing yet." Fiona looked hurt that Zia had to force smiles like that so young, even when it was obvious she was hurting, and Fiona didn't know what to do to help stop the hurt. Zia sighed heavily. "You always take care of everyone."

"Yeah," Fiona agreed. "At least I can. Proves I'm wanted."

Zia bit her lip. "You are, Fi. Am I?"

Fiona brushed back Zia's hair. "Of course you are. Don't ever think you're not." Zia sniffled, and when a tear fell down her cheek, she wiped it away. Fiona wrapped an arm around Zia's shoulders, holding her as Zia laid her head on Fiona's shoulder. Fiona continued to trail her fingers through Zia's hair comfortingly, kissing her head. "Come on. Let's get you up to bed, okay?"

Zia nodded. Fiona stood, picking up Zia with her.

Zia couldn't help a small nose laugh. "I can walk."

"I know you can," Fiona replied, walking with Zia up the stairs.

Zia was holding onto Fiona tightly the entire way.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

Ian and Kimberly had heard some of what was said in the living room, and were both hurt to hear that Fiona had to have a conversation like that with Zia who was only six, exchanging a look.

Kimberly shook her head. "I don't know how Fiona does it all the time."

"Me neither," Ian agreed. "And we all had it rough growing up. But Zia knowing that Dad treats her different just because she looks like Mom... thinking he hates her."

"Yeah," Kimberly agreed sadly. "I definitely didn't know what to say. Or how to help."

Ian shook his head in agreement. "No. But Fiona did."

Kimberly sighed. "Come on. Let's get some sleep."

Ian nodded. The two twins stood, walking away to the stairs, heading up for the night.

⫷⑅⫸

Kitchen

After putting Zia down for bed, Fiona walked downstairs, making sure that Ian and Kimberly had gone upstairs, before turning her attention to Frank, kicking him to try and wake him, upset and angry because of the conversation she just had to have with Zia and everything the kids had to deal with because of Frank. "Hey, get up. Dad, get up. Get up!" She looked like she could cry, kneeling next to Frank, taking the beer bottle out of his hand, before using his hand to pat herself on the shoulder. "'Good job, Fiona. I don't know how I could do this without you. Thanks for all your hard work.' You're welcome, Dad. My pleasure."

Fiona shrugged, putting Frank's hand down, standing, walking away, throwing the beer bottle away, walking upstairs.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Day Five

Morning - Street

(Song:) Never Too Late - The Rescues

Fiona was walking down the street, calling Steve again.

Steve answered. "Hello?"

"If that wasn't bullshit, what was I wearing?" Fiona asked. "First time you saw me, if that wasn't a lie."

Steve was taking his car through the car wash, speaking on the phone through Bluetooth. "Black top with gold trim, black shiny jeans, thin shoes, straps. Sandals. With your hair pinned high." Fiona stopped walking, already knowing that he was telling the truth. "Dangly gold earrings that made me smile." Steve remembered seeing Fiona dancing, looking beautiful. "A big watch, too big... so it slid up your arm, but it looked great." Fiona chuckled. "And you were dancing next to a red-haired girl in a green dress."

Fiona sat down. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, Jenna. It was Jenna's birthday. So you were watching her, who's a lot better looking than me."

"You think so?" Steve asked. "Really?"

"How come you're not stalking Jenna?" Fiona asked.

"Because you think like that and Jenna doesn't," Steve answered. "Jenna dances for an audience. You dance like there's no one else in the room. Your life's not simple, Fiona, and you can't stop it from showing because you're no fake. You're not lost. You don't need finding. This whole city belongs to the Jennas. I'm sick of them. I swear, Fiona, you're nothing like anyone I've ever met. You make me want to enjoy life again." Fiona smiled, chuckling a bit, but still thought that it was too good to be true. "Are you there? Fiona?"

⫷⑅⫸

Night - Train Tracks

Steve ran down the sidewalk as fast as he could, reaching the train station, running up the steps, looking around for Fiona, but he didn't see her anywhere on this side of the tracks, as a train was driving by right in front of him.

When the train passed, Steve saw Fiona on the other side, who had been looking for him too. They both looked stunned but happy to see each other.

(Song Ends)

Fiona gestured for Steve to come over to this side, as they walked along the platform, down some steps on either side, meeting on the sidewalk, smiling at each other.

(Song:) The Takers - Takka Takka

Steve walked up to Fiona, cupping her cheek as they kissed softly, sweetly, as Fiona wrapped an arm around his neck to pull him closer.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Restaurant

Though the restaurant was kind of fancy, Fiona and Steve were still in their clothes from before to have dinner and wine.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait," Steve said. "What have I ever done to anybody, never mind you, that made me look unreliable? Unreliable?"

Fiona took a bite of chocolate pudding, licking the spoon clean. "People like you are used to getting your own way."

"And by 'people like me', you mean people like what?" Steve asked. Fiona shrugged, taking another bite. "Okay, wait. All right. Yes, no. All you gotta do is agree or disagree. 'He thinks the sun shines out of his own ass'." Fiona laughed. "Agree or disagree?"

"Agree," Fiona answered.

"'He's overly generous and that bugs me'," Steve went on.

Fiona nodded, placing down her spoon. "Agree. Actually, very agree."

Steve spoke as Fiona. "'Because I'm not used to getting spoiled'." Fiona smiled. "'Okay, so I lose respect for guys like Steve, because people unlike Steve...or people diametrically opposite to Steve have always let me down.'" Fiona's smile faded. "'So deciding he's overeducated and has more money than sense is somehow more socially acceptable than asking myself, for instance, why do the men I always date treat me like shit?'"

Fiona glared. "Fuck you."

"It's a question," Steve pointed out.

Fiona stood as if to leave. "Fuck you."

Steve shrugged. "Either or."

Fiona turned back, deciding to sit down. "Agree."

Steve nodded, going on. "'He's had an easy life'."

"Definitely," Fiona answered.

"And you prefer a guy who's been around the block," Steve went on.

"What if I do?" Fiona asked.

"Say, D-Block of a maximum-security prison?" Steve asked.

Fiona laughed sarcastically, leaning forward. "If he knew how to have fun, sure."

"Fiona, I can't help my upbringing," Steve pointed out.

"So how come it's me having to apologize for mine?" Fiona asked.

"Who's asking you to?" Steve asked, genuinely confused since that came out of nowhere.

A waitress walked closer. "We finished here, guys?"

"We're working on it," Steve answered, getting an idea, smirking. "You wanna wait outside while I pay the bill?"

"Sure," Fiona replied, taking, grabbing her jacket, turning to leave.

Steve looked at the waitress's watch as she was starting to gather their dishes. "He's on break?"

"Any second now," the waitress answered.

Steve passed an envelope of cash to the waitress, who then walked away.

(Song:) Devil In Me - 22-20's

A man walked by, taking off his valet jacket, wearing the uniform of the other workers in the restaurant.

The waitress walked toward Steve, handing him another valet jacket.

Steve took the jacket, walking to the door.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

Fiona was waiting outside by a red carpet leading up to the restaurant, smoking a cigarette.

A car drove up to the restaurant.

Steve walked outside, pulling on the valet jacket, walking toward the car, while passing by Fiona on his way, draping his own jacket over her arm as he walked past, much to her confusion.

Steve took the keys of the man who had just drove his car up to the restaurant. "Good evening, sir."

"Thanks," the man told him, walking inside.

Fiona was completely confused, watching the man walk inside, before looking at Steve.

Steve got into the car, starting it, driving it away.

All the more confused, Fiona took out her phone as it started to ring, answering.

Steve's voice was on the other line. "I don't buy and sell cars. I just sell them. But the cars I sell are mainly not mine." Steve backed the car up in front of the restaurant, waiting for Fiona. "Still looking for fun, Fiona?"

Fiona smiled, hanging up, walking up to the car, getting into the passenger seat, closing the door. "Go."

Steve drove the car away, swerving through traffic, narrowly avoiding getting hit by two cars as they made their getaway.

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Jackson House - Living Room

Lip was using a box of tools to fix some of the damage from the other day, using a saw on a board.

Sheila was pacing back and forth, a bag in her hand with her shoes.

"Mom, we have to wear our shoes," Karen pointed out. "There's bits of glass on the floor. Maybe Lip could use a drink."

"Oh, yes," Sheila agreed, walking into the kitchen. "Sorry, Lip."

"It's okay," Lip assured.

"I'm a bit off today, aren't I, Karen?" Sheila asked. "So vodka? I could do Sloe Comfortable Screws. Plenty of tequila. I think I'm out of lime. Definitely Gin Fizz."

"Just a couple of Cokes, Mom," Karen told her.

"And some beers?" Sheila asked.

Lip smiled awkwardly. "Beer is great, Sheila. Thanks."

Sheila went to get those. "Okay."

Lip picked up the board, carrying it over to the broken window. "So what if your dad comes back and sees me here?"

"He won't," Karen replied.

"It's my fault?" Lip asked.

Karen rolled her eyes. "He's been looking for an excuse for months."

Lip put up the board on the window to nail it over the broken glass. "What kind of impression did you get from my brother?"

"Ian?" Karen asked.

"Yeah," Lip answered.

Karen smiled awkwardly. "Seems nice."

"Right, but did he pitch a tent?" Lip asked.

"Huh?" Karen asked.

Annoyed, Lip tried to make it as clear as he could. "Did you make him hard?"

Karen bit her lip, shaking her head. "Ever try to play pool with a rope?"

Sheila brought over two beers in fancy glasses with limes on the rims.

⫷⑅⫸

Street

JJ was walking on the way to Veronica and Kevin's, but was stopped on the way home from the diner.

Tristan walked toward him from his car down the street, clearly overly drunk. "JJ. Where the fuck have you been?"

JJ became nervous upon seeing Tristan, sighing heavily. "Dad, look--"

"I try to talk to you yesterday to apologize, and yet your bitch of a friend, that Natalia Milkovich, fucking embarrasses me because of you," Tristan told him angrily.

"Because of you," JJ replied. "Because of what you did."

"Well, you'll be happy that I might have spoken to Terry about Natalia and her little attitude problem, and where he might find her," Tristan remarked mockingly. "Guess she'd better be careful with trying to cross me again."

JJ was absolutely worried and horrified, furious. "What the fuck did you do?" Tristan smirked, shrugging. "If Terry finds her, and Natalia gets hurt because of you, I'm going to fucking kill you."

Tristian scoffed. "You can try. It's not gonna be because of me, son. It's gonna be because you couldn't keep your fucking mouth shut."

JJ pushed Tristan furiously out of his face, raising his voice. "I didn't tell anybody shit, but they're not fucking dumb like you want them to be. Like you are."

Tristan suddenly punched JJ in the face, hard enough to make him hit his head on the car window next to them, and for some blood to splatter on the window, slamming JJ against the car door in rage, beating him. "You think it's fucking funny?! Do you know what you did to me?! Fucking--"

Tristan continued to beat JJ.

JJ was groaning in pain and trying to cover himself for protection, managing to push Tristan off him to the ground. "Fucking stop!"

"I'm gonna tell you right now!" Tristan yelled. "You are a worthless piece of shit! Just like your mother!"

JJ pushed himself up, tackling Tristan down, taking him off guard and starting to punch him repeatedly, never endingly. "Shut up! Just shut the fuck up! I can't take this shit no more!"

Kimberly was walking down the street, stopping in horror when she saw JJ and Tristan like this, shocked but like all of the pieces were falling into place, looking sick.

Tristan, even while bloody and beaten, managed to push JJ off of him to the ground, getting up to continue the beating around on his son again.

Kimberly ran closer instantly, tapping Tristan on the shoulder. "Hi, Mr. Fisher, haven't seen you for a while." When Tristan turned to face her, Kimberly immediately punched him in the face, kneeing him in the stomach, making him double over, pushing him to the ground. "Could definitely go another decade without having to look at your fucking face." Kimberly delivered a vicious kick to his stomach and face. "Motherfucker!"

JJ was stunned to see that it was Kimberly that was there, though not surprised in the least about the lengths she would go to protect the ones she cared about. "Kimberly..."

Kimberly punched Tristan one more time in the face for good measure, before turning to JJ. "Come on. We're getting out of here."

Kimberly walked toward JJ, helping him up, holding him steady.

Tristan was pushing himself up. "Like hell you are, you little bitch."

Tristan tried to attack Kimberly.

JJ instantly lunged forward and punched his father in the face with a right hook so strong that his father fell into the car and bashed his head on the window before falling. "I don't care how many fucking times you come at me. Don't you dare fucking hurt anyone I care about."

Kimberly looked at JJ in worry and concern, eyes glistening with tears at seeing the state he was in. "JJ?"

Tristan was barely conscious.

JJ turned to Kimberly, reaching toward her to lead her away. "Come on."

Kimberly wrapped JJ's arm around her shoulders to help steady him as the two walked down the street together, leaving his father bloody and beaten in the road behind them.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Frank walked into the house from the back door, starting to walk toward the sink, but stopped when he noticed the brand new washing machine, confused, walking closer to look at it closely, putting on a pair of glasses, before taking them off, backing away.

When he heard the front door open, Frank looked toward the living room.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

Kimberly and JJ walked into the house.

"I don't want Veronica and Kevin seeing me like this," JJ told her. "Or your family."

"Fiona's out with Steve, plus Debbie, Zia and Carl are playing in the backyard, and I already texted Ian and Lip to look for Natalia," Kimberly explained. "My house is safe."

Frank walked into the living room. "Safe, huh?" Kimberly and JJ both jumped at the sound of his voice, looking toward him. "Unlike JJ's face, apparently."

"Fuck off, Frank," JJ replied, looking at Kimberly, tilting his head. "You were saying?"

"How was I supposed to know he was still here?" Kimberly replied. "He usually disappears off the face of the earth, which we actually prefer."

"What the hell happened to you two?" Frank asked.

"We could ask the same about you basically every day," JJ retorted.

"Turns out, JJ's dad is an even worse piece of shit father than you," Kimberly told him.

"That's not a nice way to talk to your dad, Kimberly," Frank pointed out mockingly. "And talking poorly about JJ's dad isn't really fair either."

"Great, have you seen an actual dad?" Kimberly returned tauntingly. "Just because you two dipshits fathered us doesn't make you dads with the fucking way you treat us and didn't raise us."

Not wanting Frank to tell anyone about what happened, JJ stopped Kimberly from telling anymore, not that she would tell Frank anymore than she needed to in order to insult both their fathers after the way they had treated their kids. "Okay, Kim, let's go."

"Where you going?" Frank asked.

"Now you care about what we do?" JJ replied. "Just forget about it."

"Why, so you can keep your little secret?" Frank asked. "Either you two are hooking up or you just don't want Veronica to go crazy when she hears what happened."

"I swear to God, Frank," JJ said.

Kimberly sighed, frustrated. "What do you want?"

Frank smiled.

⫷⑅⫸

Girls' Room

Kimberly and JJ walked into the room, since Zia and Debbie weren't in here.

"You don't think Frank's gonna say anything, do you?" Kimberly asked.

"Not if I get Kev to open another tab for him at the Alibi like he wanted," JJ answered. "Why are you taking me to your room? Zia and Debbie could walk in any second."

"It's the best option we got," Kimberly replied.

"We need to be looking for Natalia," JJ told her.

"I texted Ian and Lip to look for Natalia, but you know that you're not in the shape to look for her yourself," Kimberly told him. "As soon as I help you, we'll look for her, okay? I texted her even, hoping that she'll finally answer me. Maybe your dad was bluffing."

"My dad doesn't bluff about that shit," JJ told her.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now if you've got broken bones that we need to take care of," Kimberly pointed out. "Now sit down."

Giving in, since he knew that he didn't have another choice, JJ sat down, holding his head, tears in his eyes from the fury and agony of what his father put him through again, though too numb to ever really express that pain, clearly on the verge of a panic attack. "Damn it."

Kimberly sat down in front of JJ with the med kit, seeing how bad he was and that he was on the verge of a panic attack, which was starting to become a full blown one, and she hoped that she could help stop it before it became out of control, pulling JJ into her arms as he cried into her shoulder. "It's okay. I've got you. You're okay."

Kimberly ran her fingers through his hair to try and calm him down.

JJ wrapped his arms around Kimberly, laying his head in the crook of her shoulder as she rubbed his back soothingly, his body shaking with sobs as he started to break down. "Kimberly." He lifted his head. "You really shouldn't have been there."

Kimberly shook her head, her own tears threatening to escape to see what he had to go through, to see him in so much pain. "I couldn't leave you like that. I wouldn't leave. I would never leave you." JJ was more calmer, still in contact with Kimberly, still so upset and angry. "It's okay, it's okay. You're not with him anymore, okay? You're right here. With me. Not him. You're safe." JJ sighed heavily, nodding, taking the words in, starting to breathe a little easier. Kimberly was heartbroken by the state he was in. "My God. JJ, your face."

"It's okay," JJ tried to assure her. "I'm okay."

Kimberly shook her head worriedly. "No, it's not okay."

JJ sighed. "It's nothing that hasn't happened before."

Kimberly was even more crushed by those words. "When you said you were jumped. That was him, wasn't it?" JJ didn't answer, looking down. "All the other times you got hurt and you made some excuse. It was never as bad as today and the other night. But you made up some excuse that you were in a fight with some kid at school or thug coming after you because of your dad drug dealing. But it was your dad all along. Wasn't it?"

JJ swallowed, looking away. "Don't ask questions you already know the answer to."

Kimberly nodded like she expected that response, sighing heavily, shakily. "And Veronica doesn't know either. Or Kevin."

"No," JJ answered. "No one. I mean, Natalia figured it out after the other night because Dad stopped by the diner and threatened me and her and she threatened to kick his ass, and that's... kind of what led up to him and me today, but that would've happened either way, so it wasn't Natalia's fault. She was trying to help."

"Natalia didn't tell me," Kimberly told him.

"I begged her not too, and that was just yesterday that she figured it out," JJ explained. "Don't be mad at her for not telling. Same about Natalia's dad."

"I'm not mad at anyone but your fathers," Kimberly told him. "Not you or Natalia. But why didn't you guys tell?"

JJ sighed. "We didn't want anyone to worry. We didn't want anyone to know because it could put you guys in danger, because the way our dads are."

"You shouldn't be worried about us when you're the ones that are in danger," Kimberly told him. "Can we at least tell Veronica? Get you away from your dad completely? He's gonna end up killing you, JJ. Terry's gonna end up killing Natalia."

JJ looked down. "Even if we told Veronica, she'd still have to try and get actual custody. Which my dad would never sign over. And he'd still come after me like he did today. And if V found out, then she would try something against him, and then she could get hurt, either because of him or because of someone working with or for him. And I don't want that to happen. And Natalia doesn't want this getting out about her father either because of this shit. You have to promise me, Kimberly. You can't tell anyone. Not V, not Kev, not your other siblings. I know you had to tell Ian and Lip because of Natalia and making sure she's okay, but you can't tell Fiona, Zia, Carl and Debbie. And I don't wanna make you make that promise, Kim, but I can't have anyone else get hurt because of me. I couldn't live with that."

Kimberly knew the conflict for him was so dividing, splitting and agonizing hell, sniffling, put in the same position now because she wanted to help JJ get out of this, but she didn't know how to do that without telling, which would result in things leading to another, and getting someone hurt or worse, sighing. "God. You really can be fucked if you do and fucked if you don't."

JJ nodded barely. "Yeah. Promise me."

Kimberly looked at JJ sadly, nodding in agreement. "I promise. As long as you promise me to stay away from him as much as possible. Even if it means staying with V and Kev more, or with me and my family here so he doesn't find you there. We can find somewhere safe for Natalia to stay too. And we'll keep the secret so that your dads don't know. We'll figure out how to keep you away from them until we can figure out a better solution. But you promise me that you won't go back to your house."

JJ knew that it was a fair deal, sighing heavily, nodding in agreement. "Deal." Kimberly sighed in relief. JJ tried to make a joke. "But I still need my clothes."

Kimberly smiled sadly at JJ, kissing him on the forehead, a tear falling down her cheek. JJ closed his eyes, not used to the tenderness or the gentle caring from anyone other than Veronica really, but he really needed it now, from his best friend, finally feeling a bit at ease, like things could finally get better, no matter how slowly.

Kimberly was still treating JJ's wounds and bruises from his father, checking his nose. "Your nose seems to be good, but we might want to check with V. Even if we don't tell her about today, she could see if it needs resetting." JJ nodded in agreement. "Does it hurt?"

"No more than before the fight," JJ answered.

"Okay," Kimberly said, making sure most of the blood was cleaned up from his wounds on his arms, neck and face. "I think I got all that."

"Yep," JJ answered.

When Kimberly reached over JJ to throw the bloody used cleaning and antibacterial stuff away, her knee nudged JJ's side, and he groaned, making Kimberly look at him, then down at his torso, wondering how bad the bruises were on his abdomen if a brush caused that much pain. JJ looked sheepish and busted since he wasn't trying to let her know about that because those were wounds that she couldn't really help, and wanted to prevent more worry and pain for both of them.

Kimberly gave JJ a look, tilting her head, biting her lip, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Lift up your shirt."

JJ, trying to make a joke and deflect, smirked. "Oh, so it's like that."

"Shut up," Kimberly told him, not tolerating deflection anymore. "Let me see."

"Why?" JJ asked. "It's not like you can do anything for the bruises there."

Kimberly tilted her head, sighing. "Maybe not, but I'm worried, and..."

"You're worried about me," JJ repeated. "Like always."

Kimberly raised an eyebrow, giving him a look. "Duh." They both chuckled. "Now take off your shirt."

JJ smirked. "How long have you been waiting to say that to me?"

Kimberly gave him a sarcastic smile. "When you're healed, I'll pay you back for that comment." JJ smiled softly. "For now, just come on."

JJ sighed, not wanting to lift his shirt because of how bad it had been, but knowing that Kimberly wanted to help him, raising his shirt. Kimberly looked at the bruise on his torso, looking like she was trying not to cry.

JJ put a finger under Kimberly's chin, lifting her head up. "Don't worry. I'm fine."

Kimberly wrapped her arms around him to pull JJ into a hug. "I'm so sorry." They pulled away. Kimberly finished helping his wounds. "There. All done."

"Thanks," JJ told her.

Kimberly nodded. "No problem. It's gonna be okay, JJ."

JJ scoffed softly. "Really?"

Kimberly gave a determined look and nod. "I will make it my personal mission to make sure everything gets better, for all of us. My family, you, V, Kev."

JJ chuckled. "You think so?"

Kimberly nodded. "It might take a while. Hell, might take years. But we're gonna get out of this hell rut eventually. Somehow. You're gonna get away from your father. You're gonna live in a big house and you'll have your whole future in front of you with whoever you want. You will get to be happy. Just like you should be. Like you deserve to be. I promise."

"Yeah," JJ whispered.

Kimberly brushed a little of JJ's hair back out of his eyes, looking at him sadly. JJ looked Kimberly in the eyes, as both seemed drawn in for a second, but not knowing what it meant, since before now, they were both just best friends, and not knowing that something was changing between the two, and neither of them were in a space mentally to figure it out or make a move.

Kimberly changed the subject to cheer him up, knowing that he needed that more than to be trapped longer than he needed to in a sad sympathetic moment. "Did you watch last night's episode?"

JJ tilted his head back. "Shit, no. I forgot."

Kimberly gasped teasingly. "Jeremiah Jordan Fisher, it was the mid season finale. How could you not watch?" JJ couldn't help but smile, which was Kimberly's goal, and JJ knew it, causing Kimberly to smile in return. "It was literally epic. Shane went full psycho on everybody, and you'll never guess what happened."

JJ smirked. "Did George O'Malley rise from the dead?"

Kimberly flicked JJ in the head. "Okay, one, wrong show, dumbass. And two, do not make me kick your ass, because I will. That still hurts, and it's been almost two seasons."

"I don't understand all the useless drama and I can't keep up with the changing love interests of each character, so..." JJ trailed off.

"Yeah, some of them can be a little slutty," Kimberly agreed.

They both laughed, starting to cheer up from the heaviness of what happened that day. It was easier to talk about something they normally did, and loved, instead, to distract themselves and make themselves happy again, even for a moment.

⫷⑅⫸

Street

Natalia was even more on the low after seeing Kimberly's texts about JJ's father telling her father about where he might be able to find her, and she made sure that she wasn't found, nearby the Kash and Grab so that she could get more booze, since by now, she knew that Ian normally wasn't there so late.

What she didn't expect to see was Lip walking down the street with the tool box.

Lip was relieved when he saw Natalia, exasperated. "Natalia!"

Natalia waved, knowing that she was going to get a lecture. "Hey, Lip."

Lip's voice was filled with relief, but still firm, stern. "Where the fuck have you been?" They pulled away. "Ian, Kim and JJ were going nuts worrying about you. So was I. Do you have any idea--"

Natalia cut his rant off. "I know. I'm sorry. I just... I needed some space. I didn't mean to scare you guys."

"Did you get any of our messages, especially about earlier?" Lip asked.

"Yeah, I just saw them," Natalia answered.

"Did your dad--" Lip started.

"No," Natalia answered. "I'm fine, Lip. Promise, so spare the lecture, please."

Lip sighed in relief, still frustrated beyond belief. "Fucking hell, Lia." He dropped the tool box so that he could embrace Natalia in relief, slightly surprising her, but not much, as she was very close to Lip, Kimberly, JJ and Ian. "Don't do that again."

Natalia nodded barely, feeling guilty for worrying them to the point of being scared for her, having gone through hell the last couple of days, but more at ease now than she had been in a long time, returning the embrace. "Promise." They pulled away, and Lip picked up the tool box. To lighten the mood and distract them both, Natalia glanced at the tool box in Lip's hand. "What are you, Bob the Builder? Can you fix it? No, you can't."

"Ha ha," Lip replied. "Very funny. No, I just had to go fix a window that Karen broke because her father decided to leave after he saw his precious daughter giving Ian a blowjob." Natalia's eyes widened at the statement. "Yeah, I know. Long story. Do you wanna walk with me to Kash's store? These tools are his. Ian's there too, I think."

"Yeah, sure," Natalia replied. "Going that way anyway."

"You know you're not gonna get any more booze out of Kash," Lip told her.

Natalia sighed. "Kash told Ian?"

"And Ian told us," Lip answered.

Natalia nodded. "Figures."

For a while, they walked in a comfortable silence, the only sound being the snow crunching under their boots.

More often than not, Natalia found herself kicking snow patches at Lip's leg, to see if he would notice.

Eventually, Lip noticed. "Oh, you're on."

Natalia smiled, as they both went to grab a snowball and threw it at each other, hitting each other as much as they could.

Lip smacked snow against Natalia's neck, and it slid down her back, making her fidget in cold as she tried to get it out.

"You prick!" Natalia complained.

Lip grinned. "Does this mean I win?"

Natalia rolled her eyes. "Not entirely."

Lip blinked in confusion. "What does that mean?"

With a sly smile, Natalia revealed the snowball she had been hiding in her fist, and threw it at his face. "It means I win." Lip laughed, wiping the snow away. "Hit the face. That's ten points, remember?"

Lip rolled his eyes in teasing return. "Yeah, yeah." They continued down the street. "Whatever."

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Kitchen

Debbie, Zia and Carl walked into the kitchen from outside, while Zia had to use her inhaler again.

Frank was sitting at the table, and when he spoke up, his voice made the three younger siblings jump in surprise. "There you three are. Where you been?"

"Played outside for a while, walked around the street and to the park before coming back," Zia answered.

Frank raised a skeptical eyebrow. "In this cold?"

Zia shrugged. "We would've stayed out longer, but..."

"Zia's asthma started acting up," Carl finished, teasing his sister.

Zia elbowed him. "Shut up, Carl."

Debbie stepped between them. "Hey, hey."

"I'm sure that your older siblings won't like that you stayed out so long in the cold," Frank told them.

"Like you care?" Carl asked.

Frank glanced at Zia, who had to take a puff of her inhaler, shrugging. "Be my guest to do whatever the hell you wanna do."

Zia looked down, since this just reaffirmed what they already knew about Frank not caring about what they did, even in serious situations. He didn't even look bothered by Zia's quick, unsteady breaths as she was struggling not to have an asthma attack.

Debbie took Zia by the arm. "Come on, let's go get you warmed up."

Zia nodded in agreement, as the siblings walked upstairs.

⫷⑅⫸

Upstairs Hallway

Kimberly walked into the hallway when she heard her three younger siblings walking upstairs, closing the door to her room behind her so they didn't see JJ. "Hey, why were you three out for so long?"

"Sorry, Kim," Carl said.

Kimberly took one look at Zia and saw how hard it was for her to breathe. "Guys!"

"We didn't mean to be out for so long," Debbie admitted. "I was just gonna get Zia warmed up and we can go to bed."

Kimberly nodded in agreement, kneeling in front of the three, pulling Zia's jacket on more around her. "Come on, I can start a warm bath for you, okay?"

Zia nodded, looking guilty. "I'm sorry, Kim. I just wanted to have fun."

Kimberly shook her head in concern. "It's not your fault, Z. Promise. Come on."

Zia nodded.

Kimberly stood, holding Zia's freezing hand, leading her to the bathroom to start the bath.

"I can get Zia's clothes," Debbie offered.

"No, I'll get those," Kimberly told her, since JJ didn't want the kids to see how bad he was now, for good reason. "Debs, can you stay in here with her?" Debbie nodded, walking into the bathroom. Carl frowned, looking a little worried, but not fully understanding how bad it could've been, which Kimberly noticed. "It's okay, Carl. You're kids. I know you guys just wanna have fun, but you gotta be more careful, okay?"

Zia, Debbie and Carl nodded in understanding.

Kimberly drew a warm bath for Zia.

Carl walked into the boys' room.

Debbie and Kimberly helped Zia take off her jacket and gloves.

Kimberly knew that Zia could handle the rest to get into the bath, walking toward the girls' room.

⫷⑅⫸

Girls' Room

Kimberly walked into the girls' room to get Zia her pajamas.

JJ was concerned. "Everything okay?"

"Zia just had a really bad asthma attack since they stayed out in the cold for too long," Kimberly explained. "The last time that happened, she almost had to go to the hospital because it almost killed her. When she was four, which Zia and Carl would hardly remember, but..."

"My God," JJ said, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to distract you from the kids."

"It's not your fault," Kimberly told him. "Neither of us would've known even if this wasn't going on."

"Is Zia okay?" JJ asked.

"Getting her into a bath now," Kimberly answered. "Debbie's with her. She'll be okay." JJ sighed in relief. "I'll be right back."

JJ nodded in agreement. "I'll head downstairs so the kids don't see me like this."

"Okay," Kimberly agreed. "Yeah, Carl's in the boys' room, so now would be the chance. Just... take it easy, okay?"

"Yeah," JJ agreed.

Kimberly helped JJ up from her bed, making sure that he was okay. "You got it?"

"I got it," JJ answered. "Thanks."

Kimberly nodded in agreement, concerned about both JJ and her younger siblings, focused on helping Zia at the moment, since she had already helped JJ as much as she could. "I'll be down there as soon as I get them to bed."

JJ nodded in agreement.

⫷⑅⫸

Kash and Grab - Outside

When Natalia and Lip finally made it to the store, they were both soaking wet from their snowball fight. Luckily, Natalia's jacket was enough to keep out of the cold, but that didn't stop her legs from shivering.

Lip pounded on the door, but there was no answer. After a few minutes, he gave up.

"Back entrance?" Natalia suggested.

They walked to the back entrance.

⫷⑅⫸

Inside

Lip and Natalia walked in, looking around.

Natalia called out. "Ian? Kash?" Lip and Natalia shared a brief, confused look, as the store seemed to be completely empty, the only sound ringing from the fridges in the back. "Where are they?"

"All right, you stack the butter, I'll get the snacks," Kash's voice said out of nowhere. Lip and Natalia turned to see Ian and Kash walk in with boxes and bags in hand. Kash jumped in fright when he saw Lip and Natalia there. "Jesus Christ."

"Sorry, Kash," Lip apologized. "I just... thanks for the tools."

Kash nodded. "Any time, as long as I get them back."

"Right," Lip agreed with a nod of his head.

Ian sighed in relief to see their friend there. "Natalia, where the hell have you been?"

"I already gave her the lecture," Lip assured.

"Yeah, don't need another," Natalia agreed.

Ian sighed, dropping the box in his hand, nodding, walking closer to give Natalia a hug. "Just glad you're okay. I literally just saw Kim's text."

Natalia nodded in understanding, returning the hug. "I'm okay."

Ian pulled away.

As they looked down, Lip and Natalia both noticed that Kash and Ian were wearing each other's shoes, one of each pair on both of their feet.

Lip's entire body became tense. "You must be joking."

Natalia closed her eyes. "Lip..."

"What?" Lip asked. "You're fucking him?"

Ian and Kash shared a panicked look, before Lip angrily dropped the tool bag on the floor and stormed past them.

"Lip!" Natalia called, glaring at Kash, and tilting her head at Ian, shaking her head slightly, not mad at Ian, but knowing how bad this actually was for Ian, even if he didn't. "Seriously, Ian?"

Ian didn't get the big deal, frowning. "Natalia..."

Natalia sighed, walking out of the store.

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

Lip was walking away from the store.

Natalia ran outside. "Lip! Wait."

"Lia, he's fucking married," Lip told her. "Married."

"Yeah, and an adult," Natalia told him. "I think you're mad at the wrong person here. Ian's a kid."

"Yeah, that's also why I'm fucking mad," Lip told her. "But Ian knows better. I mean, he always knew better, and--"

"Knowing better and avoiding something like this are two very different things," Natalia pointed out. "You probably just made him feel so bad."

"He has kids, Natalia," Lip told her. "He's a married man with a family, and he's fucking my little brother who is just 15. He should feel bad!"

"I was talking about Ian, not Kash," Natalia told him. "Fuck Kash. And yeah, Ian knows better. He totally messed up, but that's not the point. The point is that I'm pretty sure Kash is the one screwing Ian over, in more than just the traditional sense. Ian's more of a victim here than anything, you know that, right? And the way you stormed out, you probably crushed his soul. You need to talk to him it."

Lip sighed, his gaze falling to the ground. "Yeah, I know. You're right. I'll talk to him."

Natalia gave him a pointed look, making Lip glance up. The moonlight caught his eyes, making them look brighter, exposing the flecks of green in them.

Natalia gave Lip a push in the shoulder. "Well, duh. There's only one person who's always correct in this friendship, and it's me."

Lip managed to chuckle, returning serious. "Look, with your dad out there looking for you, would you just consider staying at one of the houses tonight? Please? JJ just got his ass kicked by his dad, apparently not for the first time, either. We don't wanna let the same thing happen to you. Plus, Kimberly and JJ are still going nuts with worry."

Natalia looked down, sighing. "Okay. Fine. I can't promise about staying the night, but I'll go check on JJ, and get him and Kim to stop worrying. Is that enough for you guys?"

Lip nodded barely.

⫷⑅⫸

Gallagher House - Living Room

Kimberly and JJ were sitting on the couch, looking toward the door when they heard the door open.

Natalia and Lip walked in, causing Kimberly and JJ both to sigh in relief when they saw Natalia.

Kimberly instantly stood, bolting over to Natalia. "Fuck's sake, Lia."

Natalia managed a slight chuckle, as she and Kimberly embraced. "Hey, Kim."

Kimberly pulled away, pushing Natalia's shoulder lightly. "I was scared out of my fucking mind."

Natalia sighed heavily. "I know, I'm sorry. Lip already gave me an earful about it, so you don't have to."

Kimberly shook her head. "I'm not gonna give you any lecture. I just wanna make sure that you and JJ are safe."

Natalia nodded in understanding, gratefully, swallowing, hating to feel so vulnerable and exposed even to her closest friends.

Lip looked at her in concern. "You good?"

Natalia nodded. "Yeah." JJ pushed himself up unsteadily from the couch, stepping closer. Natalia and Lip both looked worried concerned by his state. "Jesus, JJ. You okay?"

"Not really," JJ answered. "You?"

"Not really," Natalia answered. "But, uh, better than you at the moment. Thank you. For warning me."

Kimberly and JJ nodded in agreement.

Natalia and JJ embraced, as Natalia was careful not to hurt him more.

Lip patted JJ on the shoulder. "You good?"

JJ sighed. "As good as I can be."

Lip nodded, looking between Natalia and JJ. "You two need a beer."

"We all do," Kimberly replied.

Lip pointed to Kimberly. "Be right back." He walked into the kitchen, jumping when he saw Frank sitting on the washing machine by the door. "Fuck, Frank."

Frank laughed lightly. "Hello there, Lip."

Lip went to the fridge to get the beer. "Asshole."

Frank peered at Natalia, JJ and Kimberly from the kitchen.

"Zia and Debbie are already upstairs asleep in our room," Kimberly explained. "We can talk up there, or in the boys' room. Carl's asleep too. Or not talk, if that's what you guys want."

Natalia and JJ nodded in understanding.

"Going so soon?" Frank asked. Natalia, Kimberly and JJ looked toward him in annoyance. "Certainly had everyone worried for you, didn't you, Natalia?"

"Unlike you, who worries and cares for anyone but himself," Natalia replied.

"No need to be so hostile," Frank remarked. "I'm keeping JJ's secret, but maybe you want me to keep yours too."

"I already told you that I would get Kev to renew your tab," JJ told him. "Don't push your luck."

"I don't owe you anything, Frank," Natalia told him. "Most people know about some of the issues with my dad, and there's no reason to buy you off not to run your mouth about shit that you don't even fucking understand, so butt out."

Frank shrugged. "Fine, fine. Just curious, since your fathers and I used to be enemies and all. Now here you and JJ are friends with my children."

"And all three of you are gunning for worst fathers of the year," Kimberly told him.

Lip walked past Frank with the beers. "You're just lucky that Tristan and Terry are winning against you in that race, for once."

Frank shrugged slightly.

Natalia flipped Frank off, walking upstairs. Kimberly, JJ and Lip followed.

Frank watched them go curiously.

⫷⑅⫸

Girls' Room

Zia and Debbie were sleeping in Zia's bed, in their pajamas.

Kimberly and JJ were sitting on Kimberly's bed, while Natalia and Lip were sitting on Debbie's bed, all four having a drink.

JJ was in a change of clothes now, which were not bloody thanks to Tristan's attack earlier, and his wounds were cleaner as well, which made them look less bad than they had earlier.

"You're looking better," Lip pointed out. "Should be able to show your face to the kids, V and Kev without them asking more questions."

"Yep," JJ agreed. "Thank God."

Kimberly looked at JJ and Natalia in concern. "I know why we have to keep this secret, mostly because of Tristan and how dangerous he is, but eventually, we might have to tell them, guys."

"Yeah, well, eventually better be when Tristan's not a powerful as hell drug dealer in Chicago, and my dad's not a complete psychopath who's basically his friend so he can help him get out of jail whenever he gets arrested," Natalia replied.

"That explains why your dad never stays in jail long, even when he's supposed to," Lip admitted.

"Yep," Natalia agreed.

Ian walked by the room, stopping when he saw the four of them there. "Hey. You guys okay?"

"Mostly," JJ answered.

Ian was stunned by the sight of JJ, worried for both him and Natalia. "Okay. Um, just let us know if you guys need anything. You don't have to keep it secret anymore."

"I was never really keeping a secret," Natalia pointed out. "I told you guys it was bad enough for me, Mickey and Mandy to have to find places to stay away from home."

"Yeah, well, you didn't say how bad it was, either," Lip replied.

Natalia looked down, since they still didn't even know the worst part for her.

Natalia and Lip both looked at Ian.

Kimberly and JJ looked at them in confusion.

"What's going on?" Kimberly asked.

Ian shook his head. "Nothing. I gotta get changed. You guys should get some rest. It's been a long day."

"You can say that again," JJ replied, taking a drink.

Ian looked at Natalia and Lip, begging them not to say anything yet, walking away.

Natalia gave Lip a look so that he wouldn't get angry again like earlier.

Lip handed his beer to Natalia, standing, walking out of the room.

⫷⑅⫸

Boys' Room

Ian walked into the room, seeing that Carl was asleep, sitting down on his bed, starting to take off his shoes.

Lip walked up to the doorway. "He bought them for you, didn't he? Those shoes." Ian didn't answer. "He's married, with kids. What else did he buy you, Ian?"

Ian looked emotional. "Stuff. Now and again."

"And you're happy with that?" Lip asked. "He's a grown ass man, and you're 15. You know what that means?"

Ian shook his head. "He's not like that."

"So he's not a pedophile?" Lip asked.

Ian, already on edge, lashed out, lunging at Lip, trying to fight, pushing him against the wall by his throat. "Listen to me, asshole. You think you know everything, but you know shit. Ask me what I got him, huh? Ask me. CDs, dozens of CDs." Lip pushed Ian off of him. Ian pushed Lip toward Ian's bed. "Stuff he's never heard of, stuff he might like because I want him to like the same things I do. And a couple Sox tickets for his birthday. I'm old enough to know what I want, and who I get to be with. So what does that make you, Lip? Huh? It makes you wrong, you fucking smart asshole. Now, go back to Kash and promise him that you're not gonna tell anybody. And I'll tell Natalia not to either. Because he's done nothing to be sorry for. Nothing."

Lip pushed Ian off of him again. "Fake Muslim cheats on white fundamentalist wife with underage gay boy." Ian glared at him, not hearing what was being said. "Nothing to be sorry for, huh?"

⫷⑅⫸

Kitchen

Fiona and Steve walked into the dark kitchen.

Fiona closed the door, smiling, turning to Steve. "I think they're all asleep."

Fiona started to kiss Steve.

Frank turned the light on, sitting on top of the new washing machine, making Fiona jump away from Steve in surprise. "Gotcha." Fiona chuckled nervously. Frank crossed his legs and arms. "Who's been eating my porridge?"

"Hey, Dad," Fiona greeted. "This is Steve."

"Oh, no, no, no," Steve said. "We've met before, but you weren't exactly--"

Frank patted the machine, sliding down off of it, walking toward the pair, pointing at Steve. "How much do you weigh?"

"Uh, I don't know," Steve admitted.

Frank was looking at Steve's jacket, stepping around him. "That would fit me."

"You can just ignore him," Fiona advised, before giving Frank a death glare. "And you, move."

Fiona walked past them toward the sink.

Frank stayed in front of Steve, looking over him quizzically.

Steve stepped around Frank, looking at Fiona. "You know what? I'd better let you get to bed. Um, but thanks. It was nice. Nice, right?"

"Yeah," Fiona answered.

Steve turned to leave.

Frank quickly dashed in front of the door to block his path, laughing, taking Steve's keys. "Oh, no, no." He waved the keys in front of Steve's face, backing away, leaning against the washing machine. "Who paid for this? Hmm?'

Frank backed away into the living room.

Fiona pressed her lips together, sitting on the counter.

Steve walked up to Fiona. "What? What the hell's he on?"

Fiona glanced over at Frank in the living room. "Uh, he thinks he bought ecstasy, but the only dealer he gets credit from is a schizophrenic."

Steve chuckled.

⫷⑅⫸

Living Room

(Song:) Pride of Austin - John Butcher

Steve and Frank were sitting across from each other at the coffee table, drinking.

Fiona was pacing around, checking her phone.

"It's not a case of whether or not I agree, it's a fact," Frank told him. "If I were a single parent--"

"Aren't you a single parent?" Steve asked.

Fiona walked closer, sitting down, speaking at the same time as Frank to mock him. "Yeah, but if I had tits..."

Frank continued on without acknowledgement of Fiona's mockery. "They would double the money." Fiona looked at Steve, pointing at Frank. "If you're a guy, they don't wanna fucking hear it."

"No, I get it, Frank," Steve told him. "It's, 'prove you're looking for work'--"

Fiona shook her head. "He's on disability."

"Yeah, for what?" Steve asked.

"A tragedy, really," Frank told him. "I gave my life to that company."

Fiona scoffed. "You worked there for a week."

"What happened?" Steve asked.

Frank poured them each a glass of liquor. "Slaughterhouse, poultry. Dangerous work. Doing my job, unsuspecting, when out of nowhere, I am slammed in the ribs by a headless flying chicken." Steve looked at Fiona in disbelief, laughing. Fiona shrugged. "I was lucky, it almost killed me. And what do I get for my pain and suffering?" Frank and Steve clinked their shots. "Followed around by a video camera. Where's the trust, Steve? The sacred bond between employer and employee. Gone, Steve. It's gone."

"How's a guy supposed to work, hurt, with kids?" Steve went along with it.

Frank stood, gesturing to Steve with both hands. "Hello, thank you, exactly." Fiona put a cigarette in her mouth, about to light it. "Excellent, excellent." Frank sat down, pointing at Fiona. "And her mother... God rest her soul."

Fiona smacked him. "Dad, stop it."

"She better be dead, that bitch," Frank said.

"Cut it out!" Fiona warned.

Frank listed the ages that the kids were when Monica abandoned them, but getting Fiona's age gap between her and Lip, showing her how bad he was at even caring about the littlest details about his kids. "Four month old baby Liam, 14 year old girl just had her appendix out." Fiona was not surprised that Frank got her age wrong, lighting a cigarette. Frank stood, pacing. "11 year old Lip, 10 year old Kimberly and Ian, 7 year old Debbie, 5 year old Carl, 3 year old Zia." Fiona tilted her head at the fact that Frank got the rest of the ages right for the rest of the kids when Monica abandoned them, shrugging. "And--oh!" Fiona offered her cigarette to Frank, who took it. "And a Dodge Astro van. Calypso--"

"No," Steve said.

Frank nodded. "Yes, calypso blue. What's the one thing that we needed? One word, one thing."

"Sterilization?" Steve suggested, causing Fiona to laugh.

Frank sat next to Steve on the couch. "Continuity."

"Continuity," Steve repeated.

Frank nodded, taking a hit of the cigarette. "Continuity." Fiona took a shot. "I--I--what could I..."

(Song Ends)

(Song:) White Room - Cream

Frank got distracted when he heard the song on the radio change. "Oh, my God, I love this song." Frank stood, walking around, humming. Steve sat back on the couch, laughing. Fiona couldn't help but smile. Frank started to sing. "You said no strings could--" He turned to Steve. "I--I--what could I do, Steve? I--I--"

"Disappear for three weeks?" Fiona asked.

"I had a breakdown," Frank told her.

"You went on a bender," Fiona replied.

"Fuck off," Frank replied. "Nervous breakdown."

They heard a pounding on the back door.

Steve looked around, standing, walking away from the couch.

Fiona held her hand toward Frank. "Dad, come on, keys."

Frank took out Steve's keys. "If this is--okay. This is..." He tossed the keys to Steve, but missed him, and the keys fell to the floor. "Sorry." Steve picked up the keys. Frank sat next to Fiona. "I like him."

In the kitchen, Steve opened the back door.

Kevin immediately walked in. "You got any idea what time it is?"

"Sorry, it's Frank," Steve apologized. "It's--"

Steve started to close the door.

Veronica pushed the door back open, walking in. "Yo."

Steve closed the door, as the three of them returned to the living room.

"Frank, what did I tell you?" Kevin asked.

Frank sighed. "Here we go. Neighbors of Satan."

"The day you start paying rent like the rest of us, you can play whatever shit you want," Kevin told him. Frank was mocking him, while Veronica was grabbing a couple glasses in the kitchen before walking back into the living room. "But if you're gonna bump this time of night..."

(Song Ends)

Kevin stopped the music on the radio and put in another CD. "You're gonna pump out the stuff that we like, okay?"

"Besides, it's after midnight," Veronica added. "You know what that means?"

Fiona's eyes widened in surprise, like she had forgotten. "It's Friday."

Veronica smiled, nodding. "Natalia's birthday."

"She's not even here, is she?" Fiona asked.

"Natalia?" Frank asked. "Yeah, she is. JJ too. Upstairs with the kids."

The adults were surprised by this, but good with that, and knowing that the kids would already be up as it was, since Frank had been playing music so loud to bring Kevin and Veronica over, so they knew the music would have been loud enough to keep the kids awake.

Fiona called upstairs. "Kids, get down here!"

(Song:) Shots - LMFAO feat Lil Jon

Kevin and Veronica instantly started to dance.

Fiona smiled, throwing her arm up. "Oh!"

Steve, surprised that Kevin and Veronica had just come to change the music instead of stopping the fun, smiled, moving his head to the beat of the song.

Lyrics: "If you not drunk, ladies and gentlemen, get ready to get fucked up / Let's do it, ha ha / LMFAO / You know what? / Lil' Jon / Yeah / All of the alcoholics / Where you at, let's go."

Now that a song that all the kids liked was playing as well, Natalia, Lip, Kimberly, JJ, Ian, Zia, Debbie and Carl ran down both sets of stairs, with Natalia, Lip, Kimberly and JJ coming down the stairs in the living room, and Ian, Zia, Debbie and Carl coming down the stairs in the kitchen, but going straight to the living room.

Kimberly was already singing to the song. "When I walk in the club / All eyes on me / I'm with the party rock crew / All drinks are free / We like Ciroc / We love Patron / We came to party rock / Everybody, it's on."

As the first chorus of repeated "Shots" played, Veronica took Natalia by the hand, spinning her around, making her laugh lightly. "After midnight, girlie."

Kevin smiled. "Spontaneous sweet 16."

"Just like you wanted," Lip pointed out. "Nothing special."

Natalia shrugged. "It's good as it is."

Kimberly, JJ, Ian, Lip, Zia, Debbie and Carl exchanged a knowing look like they practiced this, smiling as they said, "Happy birthday, Natalia!"

Natalia laughed lightly, looking a little more relaxed, but for the first time in a while, really happy. "Thanks, guys."

Kimberly started to dance, taking Natalia by the hands, dancing with her best friend. "Yeah, come on. You can do better than that."

Natalia smiled, giving in and dancing a bit more.

Zia, Kimberly, Carl and Debbie were singing. "Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots / Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots / Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots / Everybody."

Natalia and JJ had to let go of most of what was hurting them the past couple of days, and for much longer before that, in order to let loose and have fun, but they did it to dance and make sure that no one was worried about them.

JJ was a little hurt to be dancing, but not overly much, as he didn't really give much effort into dancing, just enough to have fun.

Lip and Ian were still awkward and intense with each other, but let the earlier drama go in order to have fun and celebrate Natalia's birthday after everything that had been going on, supportive and being there for their friend, dancing along with the other teens.

Out of the younger kids, Zia started dancing first, very happy since she felt closer to Natalia than Carl and Debbie did, and went to dance with Natalia and Kimberly, who both smiled at her, taking Zia by the hands to spin her around, making her laugh.

Debbie swayed back and forth to the music, dancing around with Ian, who smiled.

Carl did a head-banging, fist pumping dance.

Frank started to dance in his seat to the song, before standing up and starting to dance.

Kevin, Fiona and Veronica were all dancing already.

Steve started to dance robotically.

Fiona sat down to dance around, kicking her feet up in the air.

Carl started to flip the lights on and off, making the room go dark back to light constantly, adding an effect of fun.

JJ spun around Kimberly, making her smile, though she was still concerned about him, though glad that they could still have fun like this.

Lip stepped closer to Natalia, chuckling lightly. "Happy birthday."

Natalia chuckled, giving a small smile. "Thanks."

Everyone was just having fun and a good time, dancing around, most carefree and upbeat than they had been in so long.

Everyone continued to dance and sing the next chorus, repeating, "Shots" over and over. "Everybody! / La da da da / La da da da da da..."

(Song Ends)

⫷⑅⫸

Day Six

Morning - Gallagher House - Fiona's Room

Fiona and Steve were laying in bed, looking at each other, naked under the covers.

"Your dad made me follow you up," Steve explained. "Gave me a condom."

Fiona nodded, unsurprised. "He must really like you. He usually just gives my boyfriends a dental dam."

They held each other's hands, smiling slightly.

⫷⑅⫸

Girls' Room

Zia and Debbie had slept in Zia's bed, so that Natalia could crash on Debbie's bed, while Kimberly slept in her own, but now they were all awake.

"I did not plan on staying the night, but guess the party and getting drunk didn't really give me much choice in that," Natalia remarked.

Kimberly smirked. "Nope. And neither did we."

Natalia chuckled.

Zia smiled, looking toward Liam's crib. "Liam crawled out of his crib again. I'll find him."

⫷⑅⫸

Boys' Room

Zia walked down the hallway.

Liam had crawled out of his crib in the boys' room and was crawling after Zia. "Hi!"

Zia smiled. "Hi, Liam!"

Zia picked up Liam from the floor, holding him, spinning around slightly to make him laugh.

Lip, Carl and JJ were in the boys' room, looking out into the hallway when they heard Liam and Zia. Lip and JJ chuckled slightly.

Lip stood, walking into the hallway. "Hey, Zia. Liam, buddy."

Zia smiled, waving Liam's arm at Lip. "Say hi, Lip."

Liam grinned.

Lip chuckled.

Kimberly and Natalia stepped out of the girls' room.

"Natalia," Lip said. "Kim."

"Hey," Natalia replied.

"Half expected you to take off in the middle of the night after the party," Lip admitted.

Natalia shrugged. "Probably would have if I hadn't passed out."

Lip was not surprised by that.

Zia waved Liam's hand at Natalia. "Can you say, 'happy birthday, Natalia'?"

Liam babbled, giggling.

Natalia smiled at the cuteness of Zia and Liam like that. "Don't worry, Liam. I'll take that as a happy birthday."

Lip smiled at that, before turning to the older sister in the hallway. "Hey, Kimberly."

"Yeah, Lip?" Kimberly asked.

"You seen Ian?" Lip asked.

"Outside in the van," Kimberly answered. Lip sighed, turning back to his room. Kimberly grabbed Lip by the arm. "Hey." Lip turned to face her. Kimberly glanced at Natalia, Zia and Liam, before leading Lip aside to talk alone away from Zia and Liam's ears. "I know you got pissed and protective last night, but stop being a dick to Ian."

Lip sighed. "Kim--"

"I'm not done," Kimberly told him. "He is literally going through a crisis, which he told me that you're aware about because of something about gay porn. I don't know. But he also told me about Kash and that you and Lia found out about them. And I know it's wrong, I hate it as much as you two do, but we're not gonna convince Ian that it's wrong by being judgmental about it. He doesn't believe he's a victim, and we can't force him to accept that he is."

"Could get Kash thrown in jail," Lip pointed out.

"And while that's a very tempting idea, do you want Ian to hate you for the rest of your life?" Kimberly asked. "Because that's exactly what's gonna happen. And I don't want Ian to hate me."

Lip knew that she was right, and hated it, sighing, closing his eyes. "What are we supposed to do then, Kim?"

"I don't know," Kimberly admitted. "Right now, I think that Ian's just trying to figure himself out, having a self-finding identity crisis, and Kash took advantage of that, but he's acting like he's treating Ian so good by getting him things that Ian doesn't feel like there's anything wrong with it. And trying to prove to him that there is, that's just gonna push him further away, like what happened with you two last night. He's more upset about the fact that you're upset. And when he's upset, I'm upset, and when I'm upset, Zia, Carl and Debbie sense it and get upset, and then it would get back to Fiona who would get doubly upset, and we all can't be upset at the same time because then all hell breaks loose. Especially with everything already going on with JJ and Natalia and their dads, and Zia and Carl at risk of getting in trouble at school because that dick kid Barry has it out for them and Micah." Lip tilted his head in acknowledgement. "Just make up with Ian, and don't push hard again like last night, please. For me."

Lip sighed. "Fine."

"Now you need to go out there so you two and go make up," Kimberly told him. "Before I kick your ass."

Lip gave Kimberly a salute, smirking, walking away to the stairs, walking downstairs.

JJ walked up from behind Kimberly, sighing. "Never a dull moment with any of us, is there?"

Kimberly shook her head in agreement. "Not at fucking all."

⫷⑅⫸

Outside

(Song:) Make Up - Tim Mosher

Ian was sitting outside in the van, just like Kimberly had said.

Lip walked out of the house, walking down the stairs, toward the van, getting into the passenger seat.

Ian sighed, pulling out his earbuds, turning off his music.

(Song Ends)

Lip offered his cigarette to Ian.

Ian took a hit, before handing it back to Lip, avoiding his gaze. He looked ashamed but in denial about what Lip said last night, and completely vulnerable, in the midst of a crisis.

Just by the way Ian looked, Lip knew that both Natalia and Kimberly had been right about the entire situation and how it felt for Ian, not wanting to make it worse, sighing heavily, trying to be there for him. "Anybody before Kash?"

"One," Ian answered.

Lip turned to Ian in interest. "Yeah, who?"

"I'm not telling you, all right?" Ian asked.

Lip sighed. "All right, name a single time I've let you down."

Ian let out a breath. "It was a kid at school."

"Yeah?" Lip asked.

Ian ran a hand over his hair. "All right, I guess it doesn't really matter, because, I mean, he's long gone by now anyways, but... Roger Spikey."

Lip smirked slightly in amusement. "Roger Spikey? Fucking donkey dick Roger Spikey? The original beef meister? Did he start that rumor?"

Ian raised his eyebrows, shaking his head with a slight smirk. "Not a rumor."

"Well, that was a bit gay," Lip teased. "What you just did there with your eyebrows... you wanna watch that."

Ian couldn't help a small laugh. "All right, fuck off, all right?"

Lip frowned, curious. "But seriously though. Like, up the ass? Do you get used to that? Can someone get used to that? I mean--I mean, the whole point of the digestive system is one-way traffic." He took a hit of his cigarette, too focused on the logic of it. "It just is." Ian gave Lip an amused look, before bursting into laughter. "What? What?"

"Just is," Ian repeated. "Like we're only given our lungs to fricking smoke, right?" They both laughed, since Lip knew that he had a point. Ian looked at Lip, relieved that they made up, but gave him a knowing look. "Natalia and Kimberly give you a lecture?"

"More than one," Lip answered. "But they were right."

"They usually are," Ian mused.

Lip nodded, raising his eyebrows. "Yeah. Usually."

Lip and Ian smiled.

⫷⑅⫸

Inside - Kitchen

(Song:) Fractures in Plaster - Superchunk

Now, there was a big breakfast in the kitchen of the Gallagher house, since Kimberly, Ian, Lip and JJ definitely wanted to give Natalia a good birthday after everything.

Zia, Debbie and Carl loved helping out.

Steve and Fiona walked downstairs to see the kids gathered around for breakfast, knowing it was a birthday breakfast for Natalia, smiling in amusement.

Veronica and Kevin walked in from the back door to bring some soda and juice for breakfast, all of them smiling.

Everyone was chatting, having fun, all laughing lightly.

Kimberly handed food to Zia. "That's hot, don't drop it."

JJ followed Zia to teasingly act like he would make her drop it, tickling her sides, making Zia laugh. "Please don't drop it! Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God."

Zia swatted JJ on the arm. "Stop it."

Lip looked at Ian, smirking. "That sausage is great, huh?"

Ian gave Lip a push, smiling. "Shut up."

Kimberly and Natalia smirked in amusement, exchanging a look, smug at their victory to get them to make up, also rolling their eyes at Lip teasing Ian like that.

"Aw, did you two kiss and make up?" Natalia asked teasingly.

Ian threw some eggs at Natalia. "You shh too."

Natalia gasped mockingly as she ducked to the side. "You missed."

JJ smirked. "Nice."

The kids laughed, taking a seat around the table with their food.

(Song Ends)

"Haven't had eggs in a while," Debbie pointed out.

"Pancakes?" Carl asked.

Fiona grabbed the pancakes from the stove, bringing them over to the kids. "I got them. You kids did great with this."

"Thanks," the kids replied.

"You kids still gotta go to school though," Veronica pointed out.

"Boo!" Zia, Carl and Debbie complained, causing the teens and adults to laugh lightly.

"At least it's Friday," Kevin pointed out. "Weekend up ahead. At least you get a good breakfast for your birthday, Natalia."

Natalia waved her fork around with a slight smile. "Yep. Thanks, guys."

(Song:) The Way We Get By - Spoon

Fiona chuckled. "15 minutes before school, tops. Kim, Debs and Zia, dishes soon as you're done."

Zia waved her off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Fiona took a seat at the table. "Ian, Lip and Carl."

"Yeah?" Carl asked.

"You forgot to take the trash out," Fiona answered. "JJ, Natalia, you wanna help?"

"Sure thing," JJ answered.

Natalia shrugged. "Least we could do."

"It's your birthday," Lip replied. "After yesterday, you two get to take a day off."

Natalia and JJ gave him a look, but were glad that Lip, Ian and Kimberly didn't tell anyone about what actually happened.

Kevin and Veronica sat in chairs a bit away from the table since there wasn't enough room for all of them.

Veronica looked at JJ. "You okay? You look..."

"I'm good," JJ replied. "No worries."

As they continued to eat and talk happily all the while, Steve watched with a smile and walked over them, placing down his food, looking down at Frank asleep on the kitchen floor, but ignored him and sat down.

Zia's pillow was underneath Frank's head for comfort, as Frank remained asleep all the while that the Gallaghers, Fisher-Balls, Natalia and Steve were eating breakfast and chatting away happily, perfectly content.