Return to the Bay

[ldscott]

Brilliant chapter!

Please post again soon!

[I love music]

Wow, that was an excellent chapter! Loved the Kane/Sutty interaction and the way martha got drunk and Jack's reaction was so realistic. Compulsive reading! And a helluva lot better than the actual H&A is these days... (I tried watching an episode one day this week and there wasn't any story, the only thing anyone was talking about was who was going out with who so I switched to The Simpsons after 10 minutes of it.) Looking forward to the next chapter, especially as this version of H&A has actual stories to it as well! .

[Jazer]

I wish they do this on H&A as that party wasn't meant to have so much drama. lol

I think there are going to be alot of sore heads the next day as everyone (especially Martha) drank heap of wine!!

Great chapter SKYKAT!!!!!!

Jazer (Jarad)

[Skykat]

Thanks Jess. Thanks also to everyone who is still reading and reviewing. There's so many fics on here at the moment it's hard to keep track and I know I've lost a fair few readers over the past few months so will people please let me know if they're still enjoying this? I have lots of storylines in mind but if there's only one or two people reading it hardly seems worthwhile. Thanks so much to those people who regulary read and review, it means a lot.xx

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

The waves rolled gently onto the beach, consuming the sand and then retreating. As Angel watched she felt almost hypnotised by them, and she smiled. It was so peaceful here, so beautiful, there really was nowhere else she would rather be. But could she really stay here now, after everything?

“Isn’t it beautiful? The beach I mean.” Peter seated himself on the sand beside her and Angel made a move to stand up but he took a firm grip on her arm.

“Let me go!” she demanded.

“Not until you listen to me,” he replied.

“Fine.” Angel took in a deep breath and let it out in puffs. Peter watched her as the wind brushed at her blonde waves, causing them to rise and fall in time with the tide and though she was not looking at him, he knew that if she were he would be looking into eyes the colour of the ocean. They sat there in silence for a while, both deep in their own thoughts, Angel with her eyes on the beach and Peter with her eyes on her.

“You know before when I was talking to Leah?” he asked.

“I tell you I’m pregnant with your baby and you want to talk to me about the woman you’re in love with?” Angel demanded, furiously.

“Yes, I need to explain, please just hear me out,” Peter begged, Angel said nothing, her face retained its angry expression but she did not move so Peter took that as a good sign.

“She was hinting just then that she might have feelings for me,” Peter replied.

“I’m delighted for you,” Angel replied sarcastically.

“See that’s just it, I wasn’t. When she was talking something snapped inside of me, these past few weeks I’ve been caught up in a fantasy Angel. I was so hurt after Claire, after the way she treated me, that I came straight back to the Bay and when I got here Leah was vulnerable, she needed me. She and Dan were separated, she’d been held hostage by Dudley, I mean I was the one who was there for her, not him and then I found out she was pregnant.” Peter paused, he noticed Angel’s involuntary intake of breath and the pained expression on her face but decided this was not the time to comment on it. “I was being all supportive but really I was happy, what sort of brother does that make me?” Peter demanded.

“I don’t see what this has to do with anything,” Angel snapped.

“Just listen. I was happy she was having trouble with Dan because I was jealous. I’ve been so jealous of Dan all this time,” Peter admitted.

“Because he had Leah?”

“I thought that was what it was at first, but I realised tonight that it’s not Leah I envy Dan for.” Peter said.

“So what then?” Angel asked, curious now.

“It was his family,” Peter replied and Angel looked at him baffled. “I guess you could say it started with Claire. I mean when I was with Claire the first time around, I really loved her and she was the woman I wanted to settle down with. Dan was married to Amanda, they had Ryan and I wanted that with Claire but it was never what she wanted and when Amanda turned on the charm I fell for it. Not because I wanted Amanda but because I wanted what Dan had, that whole family thing and when he got with Leah it was the same thing all over again. When I first met her I admired her courage. She had lost Vinnie but she was still so together, you know, she ran the Diner, looked after VJ, carried a baby for Sally, offered her house without question when we were all in danger because of Sarah. I really admired her and sure she was pretty and funny and sweet but more than anything she was that family sort of girl, from a big family and wanted nothing more than a secure family environment, exactly what I wanted. She got with Dan and Claire came back and I fell for her all over again but the same problems still surfaced. Claire was willing to do anything for her career, she didn’t want a family and I did, I still do,” Peter explained.

“I don’t understand what this has to do with me,” Angel told him.

“What I’m saying is that I’ve realised I never really loved Leah, I was just confusing my feelings. The past few weeks, with you, your family, your children. It’s the happiest I’ve been in such a long time,” Peter told her.

“So you don’t want Leah, you want Claire?” Angel demanded.

“No that’s not what I’m saying, Claire’s in the past, if she turned up here tomorrow and begged me to get back with her I wouldn’t. I want you Angel, all these months I’ve spent thinking it was the woman in Dan’s life I wanted but really it was the family. What I really want is a family Angel. I want our family, you, Dylan, Shane, our baby and me. I’m in love with you and I want us to bring up this baby together,” Peter told her. Angel said nothing, she could not even bring herself to look at him.

“I don’t know what to think,” Angel remarked, breaking the silence. “Yesterday you were telling me you were in love with Leah, you’ve just told me you still love Claire but you love me as well, it’s so confusing!” Angel admitted.

“No it’s not. You’ve told me repeatedly that you’ve never stopped loving Shane, you thought you were in love with Simon but you realised you weren’t, how am I any different to you?” Peter demanded.

“Because Shane’s dead!” Angel snapped, “Claire’s not.”

“But I don’t see how that makes a difference, I’ve just told you I wouldn’t get back with Claire. Even if she apologised a million times and promised me the Earth I still wouldn’t do it. She hurt me too much,” Peter explained.

“What if she offered you a baby?” Angel asked, quietly.

“What?”

“If Claire turned up tomorrow and said she would quit her job and have a baby, start a family with you then what would you do?”

“I’d turn her down because I’ve already got a baby, our baby,” Peter replied, Angel shook her head.

“I don’t believe you. Okay if Claire turned up tomorrow and said she’s pregnant with your baby, then what would you do?” Angel demanded.

“This is all speculation Angel, it’s never going to happen is it? Just like Shane’s not going to turn up tomorrow and offer to raise my child with you,” Peter told her.

“The difference is that Shane can never come back. Claire can and you never answered my question so I guess I was right on that score. I’m sorry Peter but I am not willing to put Dylan and Shane through having another father figure run out on them, they’re barely over Simon leaving yet. I will not do that to them, I’m sorry Peter the answer’s no. I’m keeping this baby but I’ll raise it alone. Hopefully we can stay friends and I’ll never prevent you from seeing the baby but I can’t let you into my family, not when there’s a risk that you might leave us. I will not let my children lose another father figure.” Angel stood up and as fast as she could, raced down the beach away from him so he would not see the tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Angel!” Peter called after her, “Angel!” but she was already long gone, Peter thumped the sand with anger, wondering how on earth he had managed to make such a mess of things.

“Oi Blubster!” Tim Lake was one of Gus Philip’s chief henchmen so it was with anticipation that Blubber turned around to face him. “I’ve got a message for yer.”

“Okay.” Blubber looked at the ground, unable to meet the other man’s eyes.

“You need to tell McGregor to come to the laundry in five minutes time,” Tim explained.

“H…how am I meant to do that?” Blubber asked, his voice shaky with fear.

“I don’t know, use your brain. That’s if you have one you thick bugger!” Tim administered a sharp clip around the ears. “Tell him he’s to meet you or something.”

“Okay,” Blubber managed as Tim waltzed off. He watched the other prisoner’s retreating back and his mind was in complete confusion. It had been a terrible few weeks for Blubber. A mild man by nature he had been imprisoned for tax evasion, made an example of and the mere thought of prison had given him nightmares. Arriving here had been just as bad as he had expected but he was under no doubt that if it had not have been for Jesse McGregor, his experience would have been far worse. Sure Jesse had his faults, he wasn’t the friendliest of guys and his temper was shocking, but he had stuck up for Blubber from day one and hadn’t let Gus Philips and his bully boys anywhere near him. All in all Jesse had been a good friend and although he had only been inside a few weeks Blubber wasn’t quite as wet behind the ears as people seemed to think. He knew full well that Philips had it in for McGregor and that he was prepared to kill to get rid of him. One thing was for certain, whatever was waiting in the laundry room would not be a pleasant experience for Jesse. How could Blubber knowingly subject someone who had been so good to him to that kind of torture? On the flip side though, was what Philips and his gang would do to Blubber if he didn’t pass the message on. He couldn't bare to think about it. Then again, if Jesse was still around he would still be able to defend Blubber from retribution wouldn’t he? Blubber dismissed that idea as quickly as it had come to him. Philips and his crew would only get hold of him when Jesse wasn't around and what about when they finally caught up with Jesse? Blubber shuddered at the thought of it. No he had to be smarter than that. In a flash it came to him, the answer to his problem. If he couldn’t find Jesse then no harm could come to him and Philips crew wouldn’t be able to blame him, would they? Except…what if one of Philip’s lot checked the cell and found Jesse there, they’d know Blubber had lied and then there’d be trouble. Unless…if he was to send Jesse on an errand, say to the gym, that was the other side of the wing from the laundry then he wouldn’t be in his cell when Philip’s crew came looking, would he? Smiling to himself at finally hitting on a solution Blubber headed in the direction of his cell.

“Jesse, Tom Masters asked if maybe you’d go help him with his new fitness regime in the gym,” Blubber announced as he entered the cell. Jesse looked up from the book he was reading to glower at his cellmate.

“Can’t the guy do anything for himself?” he muttered, but he stood up and headed off nonetheless. Blubber rubbed his hands together. Phase one was complete, now he just had to get to the laundry room and tell Gus’s lot that he couldn’t find Jesse before Jesse returned to the cell and was found. Quickly he hurried off in the direction of the laundry room and gingerly pushed open the door.

“I’m sorry I…” he began but his words were instantly cut off by something large and heavy connecting with the back of his head and Blubber saw no more.

“Atwood you idiot! What have you done? That’s not McGregor!” Paul Jefferson, Gus’s second in command exclaimed.

“Well how was I meant to know? You said get him the minute he pushes open the door, which is what I did. How was I meant to know it wasn’t McGregor?” Robin Atwood demanded, his huge face holding a look of complete horror.

“Philips is going to spew!” Tim Lake remarked.

“Sod Philips! I’ve got someone’s blood on my hands!” Atwood cried.

“You didn’t care when it was McGregor we were killing,” Paul shot back.

“Philips would have given us alibis if it was McGregor but he ain’t going to now, and you realise that if the screws don’t catch us for this McGregor sure as hell won’t let this go. We’re going to have to make sure we get him as well!” Atwood was seriously panicking now.

“One thing at a time. First we have to get away from here, get rid of any evidence and go beg Philips to cover for us. We’ll just have to keep out of McGregor’s way for a while or think of a way to get him sent to solitary until this all dies down and we can take care of him.” Paul, the most logical of the three, decided.

“Yeah okay, I reckon if we wind him up enough about Blubber’s accident he’ll blow and we’ll get him sent down the block. Especially if we do it in front of old kiwi, he can’t stand McGregor,” Tim suggested, referring to the New Zealand Prison Officer who had always managed to bring out the worst in Jesse.

“Well that’s the plan then so lets get the hell out of here,” Atwood replied and the three made a hasty retreat leaving Blubber lying, lifeless on the floor, in a pool of his own blood.

“Irene can I just say I am so sorry about how Jack and Martha behaved tonight,” Beth apologised.

“Ah darl don’t worry about it, they provided the entertainment!” Irene laughed.

“Seriously though it’s nice of you to make light of it, but Tony was mortified, Morag too and me, for that matter,” Beth replied.

“Don’t worry darl I’m sure the pair of them will wake up with major headaches in the morning and not remember a thing,” Irene reassured her.

“Oh don’t worry if they don’t remember I’m sure Tony will remind them pretty quickly. Thanks for a great party Irene.”

“No worries love, night.”

“Mattie come on sweets time to go,” Beth urged.

“Actually Mum I was going to stick around here a bit longer,” Matilda replied, linking her arm through Dylan’s.

“What Matilda means Mrs Hunter is that I’m staying a bit longer to help Irene clear up and she’d like to ask your permission to stay with me. I’ll walk her home when we’re done here and I promise we won’t be more than another hour,” Dylan asked.

“Oh really?” Beth had to admit she was mildly amused by Dylan’s polite but to the point way of putting things.

“Please Mum?” Matilda begged.

“Go on then,” Beth conceded, “one hour.”

“Scouts honour.” Dylan saluted her with a grin and Beth smiled as she left the Beach House.

“Hey let me do that,” Robbie offered, taking the bin bag from Tasha, who had been hastily throwing empty cans into it.

“I’m okay Rob,” Tasha told him.

“You might well be okay but you’re not long out of hospital so let me help,” Robbie insisted.

“Okay.” Tasha smiled and handed him the bin bag then her face fell as she looked at him. “I’m a bit worried about Jack and Martha, I’ve never seen them like that before.”

“I know, me neither. I guess they’ve got big issues going on,” Robbie remarked.

“Yeah they seemed to really be fighting, I hope they’re okay,” Tasha replied.

“They will be, they love each other and when people love each other they can get past anything,” Robbie remarked, he met Tasha’s eyes and something passed between them.

“I guess we should get cleared up then,” Tasha replied, breaking the moment.

“Yeah,” Robbie replied.

“Dan are you okay?” Kane asked as Dan sat alone on the sofa, head in his hands.

“No not really,” Dan admitted.

“Want an ear?” Kane offered.

“Doubt it’ll help,” Dan replied, he looked up at Kane, “Leah and I are over.”

“I’m sorry mate, is there anything I can do?” Kane asked.

“Sort me a new wife, one that isn’t in love with my brother,” Dan replied.

“You’re kidding?” Kane was shocked, “Mate I don’t know what to say.”

“Not much to say is there?” Dan asked, forlornly.

“Well if you need somewhere to crash tonight you’re welcome to use our place. Kirst and I are staying here tonight and Sutty’s already there, I think he and Rachel have fallen out so maybe you two can keep each other company,” Kane suggested.

“Do you know what? That actually sounds appealing, do you mind?” Dan asked.

“No knock yourself out.”

Leah wordlessly took a seat beside Rachel on the couch and Rachel looked up, almost surprised to see her.

“Hey,” she greeted.

“Hey,” Leah replied.

“You look like you’re in as good a mood as me,” Rachel remarked, Leah shrugged. “Dan?

“I think it’s over, Sutty?” Leah asked in response.

“I think that’s over too,” Rachel replied.

“Want to talk about it?” Leah asked, Rachel shook her head. “No, me neither.” The two sat there in silence for a few minutes before Leah’s emotions got the better of her and she began to cry.

“Hey,” Rachel soothed, pulling her friend into her arms.

“I’m sorry,” Leah sobbed.

“Don’t be because I’m going to cry too and that way you have nothing to be sorry for,” Rachel replied, bursting into tears.

“Cassie! Are you asleep?” Sally called upstairs and received no answer. “Must be,” she replied.

“Sounds like a good idea, think I’ll head up too. Night Sal,” Ric said.

“Yeah, night Ric.” Sally locked up the house and made her way to her bedroom. She paused for a second outside Cassie’s door debating whether or not to attempt to speak to her, but in the end she decided against it and headed to her own room. Beyond the door, if she had have looked, she would have seen Cassie’s bed, empty and untouched with Cassie nowhere to be seen.

“Dan, what are you doing here?” Sutty asked.

“Fancy a lodger. I’ve split up with Leah and Kane said I could stop here. Do you mind?” Dan asked, “I bought alcohol,” he added.

“Then come right in, I warn you I’m not great company though,” Sutty replied.

“No worries me neither but we have beer and a TV and a house free of women so I’m thinking lets make the most of it,” Dan suggested.

“Sounds like a plan,” Sutty agreed admitting Dan into the house.

Jesse sat in his cell fuming at Blubber. He had been sent on a wild goose chase to the gym, Tom Master’s had never wanted to see him in the first place. For some reason Blubber had lied and Jesse wanted to know why. “Okay McGregor stand up put your hands behind your head,” Jesse’s favourite prison officer performed a body search on him.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded angrily.

“Our job McGregor,” came back the New Zealand drawl.

“Hey!” Jesse fumed as his cell was overturned. “What the hell are you looking for?” he demanded.

“A murder weapon McGregor. So how about you just tell us where you hid it?”

“A murder weapon? What the hell? Who’s dead?” Jesse asked, baffled.

“Your cellmate and according to Atwood and Jefferson you were last seen heading in the direction of the laundry. The very place we just found your pal with his head smashed in.”

“What? Blubber’s dead!?” Jesse was horrified.

“Don’t act all innocent McGregor, how about you just admit to it?”

“I haven’t done anything!” Jesse lashed out against his tormentor.

“You saw that didn’t you Officer Harris? Violence against a prison officer will not be tolerated. I think a little spell down the block might refresh your memory.”

“I haven’t done anything!” Jesse protested but his pleas fell on deaf ears as he was forcibly led towards the punishment block past cells of prisoners shouting and screaming.

“That was easy wasn’t it?” Atwood remarked to Jefferson as they watched Jesse go past.

“Yeah it was wasn’t it? At least now we can tell Philips that McGregor’s out the way until the heat dies down,” Jefferson replied.

“Yeah, still not sure he’ll be too pleased with us though,” Atwood replied and Jefferson was forced to agree that he probably wasn’t.

POST EDIT: Something that was said in a different thread got me thinking. When a story is as long as this it can get quite difficult to follow and a bit confusing and messy with all the updates. At least I think it does so I decided to put all chapters of the story in a different colour (blue) to make the actual updates easier to follow. I don't know if people like this idea or not or if they don't mind either way. It's just an experiment and can be easily changed if people don't like it. What does everyone think?

[Gypsy & Will Fan]

That was brilliant more soon please! I'm still loving this!

[I love music]

Thanks Jess. Thanks also to everyone who is still reading and reviewing. There's so many fics on here at the moment it's hard to keep track and I know I've lost a fair few readers over the past few months so will people please let me know if they're still enjoying this? I have lots of storylines in mind but if there's only one or two people reading it hardly seems worthwhile. Thanks so much to those people who regulary read and review, it means a lot.xx

There are a few fics on here that I read now and again but there are only two fics on here that I never, ever miss reading updates on and this is one of them. I am totally immersed in this story, it's like reading a book. I was like OMG when Blubber was found lifeless in the pool of blood! And that's not the first time I've been taken by surprise by some event. It's a great fic, full of twists and turns, and I seriously don't know HOW you're managing to come up with so many ideas for so many different characters. H&A could save themselves a fortune, they could get in touch with you and have the whole storylines panned out and written for the next twelve months! Keep writing.

[Sunny Girl]

Thanks Jess. Thanks also to everyone who is still reading and reviewing. There's so many fics on here at the moment it's hard to keep track and I know I've lost a fair few readers over the past few months so will people please let me know if they're still enjoying this? I have lots of storylines in mind but if there's only one or two people reading it hardly seems worthwhile. Thanks so much to those people who regulary read and review, it means a lot.xx

I love your story SKY KAT, you have a real way with words and stories with the characters from yesteryear are the ones I can really get my teeth into. I too second everything that ILM said. I only keep up with around four stories these days...

[sevenpuddings]

I guess it can't hurt me saying that I'm completely addicted to your story SKYKAT. The way you mould the characters, write their stories, its like watching a TV show being played out in front of me. Not to mention your ability to include old and new characters, and give everyone their own story line. I'm always so impressed by your writing too! I really hope you continue writing this story, because it really is brilliant !

[ldscott]

Fantastic chapter!

Good idea with the different colour, will make it much easier to see what is updates and what is feedback!

[tasha7905]

I too am completey hooked on your story Skykat . I love the way each character has a storyline yet they all still interact as a group at times. The pairings are great too Angel/Peter, Maddie/Drew etc. Evil Cassie is fabulous and I kind of hope we get to see her downfall. Hope you update soon I cant wait to see where Cass has gone or maybe its who she has gone to.