Beer bottles clanked together as Malcolm set them on the table in the kitchen. Cara toddled after him, eager to help her daddy. "Is this all we brought, Linda?" he called to the living room.

"That's all," she replied. "Georganne said she would bring the food but then she also said she had a job interview at one so maybe she's not coming."

"Cliff's probably got it then," Malcolm answered taking a beer bottle for himself. He turned around to see Cara at his feet, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Come 'ere, babe," he said picking her up. "You're gettin' heavy, no, that's Daddy's beer, you can't have this." Cara pouted and tried reaching for it again. "Bon!"

A man yelled from the bathroom, the faucet running.

"Better grab a drink while you can, Cara's gettin' thirsty!" Malcolm laughed while Cara babbled at him, trying to reason with him that she was old enough for a cold one with the boys. Bon left the bathroom wiping his hands on a towel and toothpaste on his chin.

"Offer the lady a drink, Mal," Bon smiled. "How much did you bring?"

"There's two cases on the table an' I'm sure Phil's got one."

"That should hold us till dinner," said Bon throwing the towel over his left shoulder. "Maybe I should have offered a place to Sil an' Alistair, they could put back a few."

"Do you know how long they're staying out?" Malcolm asked setting the bottle down on the table to open it. Bon took it from him and handed it back. "Thanks."

"Not sure 'bout that," Bon said furrowing his brows. "They said they'd be back before midnight, but you never know when you go out drinkin' with them, midnight could be midnight the next day." Cara once again tried reaching for the bottle. "I'm goin' out with them next week, maybe Sunday, Monday night."

"You'll be here on time for work, won't ya'?" Malcolm asked taking a drink.

"Course I will, gotta have a song done." After holding the bottle a whole arm's length away, Malcolm brought it back and held it up to his daughter.

"Here, take a whiff. No, don't drink it," he said holding it away from Cara's open mouth. "Jus' sniff it." Cara did just that, and made the cutest little grimace and turned her head away. "See, it tastes a hundred times worse, you wouldn't want one."

"But I do," Bon said reaching for one himself. "The heaviest one in the pack--the bottle's so big I can't get it out..." Bon struggled for a moment to release the bottle from the slot. "There we go, nice an' cold." He took a long drink then looked at the label. "You think Ang will want some?"

"If he does he'll have to drink it all, I don't want to waste any of it." He took another sip. "An' Hannah's a stubborn lady, you'll never get her to drink some."

"Can't I?" asked Bon tilting his head. "I got the Queen to sing a little song with me after dinner, ya' know? Hannah ain't much different."

"I've known her since I was ten, Bon, she'll never cave." Malcolm checked his watch, careful not to spill any beer from the bottle. "They should be here any minute...Linda? They're showin' up any time, if you wanted to talk to Hannah."

"I don't need to speak to her right away, Mal, she can see everybody first." Linda came to stand by her husband taking Cara from his arms.

"I can hold her for a bit," Malcolm said.

"Oh, but I hear Cara has been wanting a few drinks, is that right?" she asked kissing her daughter's cheek. Cara smiled and put a finger in her mouth. "And Daddy's been handing them out?"

"I let her smell one, to show her how gross they are," Malcolm said taking a drink and nodding appreciatively. "I'll let her have one when she's older."

The doorbell rang, Bon leaving the kitchen to answer it. Rather than Angus it was Phil, who like Malcolm predicted, had his own case of beer. "Great, we've got a real oasis now," Bon said closing the door.

"They were almost out of Coors, I figured Malcolm got enough of that anyway," Phil said setting the case on the table. He wrenched a bottle from the case. "Got Budweiser instead."

"I'll have to break out the fancy stuff as the day goes on," Bon said. "Should have some whiskey left over, or one of us can get some champagne downtown?"

"Got any milk in there?" Phil asked pointing at the fridge. "You know Ang won't have any of this."

"He might," Malcolm said catching a bit that spilled on his chin. "I jus' don't want him drinkin' half a bottle then dumpin' the rest down the sink, he's gotta finish it. I paid a lot for these buggers."

"Burned a hole in my pocket too, Mal. Us three can finish a few, an' if Lisa decides to show up she'll have one. Cliff...is he comin'?"

"Georganne said she had an interview today so she might not be able to come with him, but Cliff should still be here," Linda said adjusting her hold on Cara. Her mother's necklace was much more fascinating than that stinky beer. "He might bring food."

"Good, 'cause I don't have the money right now to eat out," Phil said helping himself to a drink. Another ring at the doorbell and Bon was at his feet in an instant to answer it. There was Cliff holding a brown paper bag.

"Where's the picnic basket, Cliff?" he asked closing the door.

"Here." He lifted the bag up taking his scarf off. "Went shopping an hour ago, help yourself." Bon took the bag and set it on the table pulling out its contents. Cliff stomped his shoes free of snow on Bon's entry way, the man giving him a sideways look.

"Leave your puddle outside, Cliff," he mumbled pulling out a loaf of bread. Bon inspected it. "Are we a flock of ducks?"

"It's for sandwiches," Cliff explained. "Pull the other stuff out." Without waiting for Bon Cliff grabbed a package from the bag, one containing flattened slices of cheddar cheese.

"Oh, Cliff, you shouldn't have," said Bon taking the package between two fingers. "I would have worn my best suit had I known you were bringin' such gourmet ingredients!"

"There's more, there's more." Bon set the cheese on the table and removed from the bag a head of lettuce. "Iceberg an' Romaine."

"Ah, I see," Bon said feigning impression. "And uh-what, what do we have here, eh? Ah! Boxed macaroni!"

"For Cara," Cliff said rubbing her head.

"Thank you, Cliff," Linda accepted sweetly.

"None for me?" Bon asked pouting. "But-I was gonna make a necklace out of it!" Malcolm, curious himself, rifled through the bag and pulled out a package of hot dogs.

"Here, roast these over a fire out back," he said handing them to Bon. "An' you brought buns for these dogs, I take it?" Malcolm asked looking for them.

"Yeah, they're under the carton of chocolate milk. For the kids, ya' know?" Cliff said, wrinkling his nose over a grin. "An' here's mustard, mayonnaise, an' a jar of pickles for your hiccups."

"Real feast we got, lads. Let's get to eatin' it all before Ang shows up," Bon said taking the hot dogs to the stove, ripping open the package with his fingers. At that moment the doorbell rang again, Malcolm hurrying to answer it. On the other side stood two shivering, pink-faced kids huddling together.

"Hey, Bon! You're too late, the vacuum's here!" Malcolm yelled over his shoulder.

"Damn it!" he heard along with a clanging pot.

"Come on in, Ang, hello, Han-"

"Malcolm!" After spending so much time away from her other best friend, Hannah thought it best to greet him properly. Malcolm stumbled backward from the hug. Angus smiled, closing the door behind him.

"Good to see you too, sweetheart," Malcolm coughed.

"Everybody here?" Bon asked entering the living room. He took the towel off his shoulder and placed it over Angus' head, who grabbed it and threw it back at him. "You're supposed to cover your head for dinner, Ang."

"Where the hell has that thing been?" Angus asked removing his coat. Bon's heating, though not broken, was enough to keep him comfortable.

"Washin' my hands," Bon said innocently. "After scratchin' my balls of course." He laughed at Angus' face, the younger man swatting him with his jacket. "Hey, Mal, ain't ya' gonna share?"

Malcolm released his hold on Hannah, who then saw Bon over his shoulder. "Bon!" In an instant she was in his arms, Bon lifting her off the ground like a feather.

"You, Little Lady, have got some explainin' to do," Bon said in a serious tone. Hannah took a minute to look at him, then at Angus, then back at him.

"Uh oh," she joked, her feet soon touching the floor.

"Me an' the boys, mostly me, were wonderin' why you haven't been around to see us lately," Bon said slinging the towel around his neck. "It's gettin' lonely in the studio all day, an' with Harry an' George as substitutes, it's quite the stag party, ya' know?"

"Oh!" Hannah's eyes smiled. "I've been sick lately, I haven't been able to come." She took her coat off, Angus taking it and setting it down with his own. She glanced toward the kitchen to see Linda, eyes directly on hers as she bounced Cara in her arms.

"Sick? Contagious?"

"I hope not."

"Hungover?"

"Not even close."

"Hmm." Bon grinned and ruffled her hair. "Well, good to see ya' now all the same, yeah? Go on in the kitchen, Cliff's brought food. And there's beer if either of you two are interested." Angus craned his neck to see the three cases of beer on the table, already indulged in.

"What kind is it?"

"Coors an' Bud, nothin' but the most typical. Though I've probably got a bottle of Daniel's around here somewhere, but eh...that's mine," Bon tittered.

"An' you're drinkin' the whole thing, Ang," Malcolm reminded. "No half-assin' it." Angus approached the table where Hannah had already greeted Cliff and Phil with hugs of their own. Linda offered her a one arm hug, Cara getting another kiss to her head. Being the kind man he is, Cliff pulled the carton of chocolate milk out of the bag and set it on the table.

"Here, Ang, I didn't forget you two." Angus made his way over and checked it, setting it down appearing satisfied.

"Right little banquet you guys have set up here," he commented. Instantly he looked to Hannah, making sure she was even hungry when he saw her and Linda leave the kitchen and head for the hallway, Linda carrying a diaper bag over her shoulder, Cara babbling. "Sure there's enough?"

"That's why I wanted to eat before you got here," Bon said returning to his place at the stove. "I don't know where it all goes but you sure pack it away."

"Your towel ain't drippin' in the pot, is it?" Phil asked amused.

"Little flavorin' is all," Bon said not bothering to remove it. "Nice an' salty."

"Disgustin'," Malcolm muttered. He finished off the last of his beer, setting it down and helping himself to another one. "Calm your tits, Ang, it's only beer."

"I wasn't-" Cliff slapped him on the back and laughed with Malcolm. "Ya' pricks," Angus muttered.

"I know, it's alright, I won't get smashed," Malcolm said taking a quick sip. "I still need to drive my ladies home, ya' know? But you-" Malcolm placed one hand on the side of a case and pushed it toward him. "are walkin'. An' surely one ought to warm you up for the snow outside?"

"If I have one it won't be the full bottle, so someone would have to finish it for me," Angus said reaching his hand for one, looking around. Phil gave in and raised his hand.

"I'll take it for you, I don't mind wipin' the spout off." Angus grinned and took a bottle.

"Thanks, Phil."

"Speakin' of which, you two walked all the way here?" Cliff asked pulling out a small bag of chips from the paper bag. Phil took them from him and opened them, grabbing a few. "It's freezin' out there, I'm surprised your arse is still attached."

"It's not too bad out there, it ain't snowin' or anything." Angus took a small drink, grimacing. "Saw a huge car accident on the way over, luckily there was a hospital right across the street."

"What happened?" asked Cliff.

"Well, one car was overturned," Angus said holding his hand in midair. "and another was dented up real bad in front, ya' know. Don't think anyone was hurt, but a few people were arguin' with the officer over who did what." He covered his mouth, feeling the alcohol burn in his chest. "I don't think Hannah liked the yellin' an' I hurried her out of there."

"Good she didn't see our little dispute the other day," Malcolm said.

"Your little dispute, I was a model citizen," Bon said pouring hot dogs into the pot. "Hey, Ang. Ever go to a doctor or somethin'? Hannah says she's been sick?"

"Yeah, Linda said somethin' about Hannah bein' sick but she wouldn't tell me about it. Ang?" Angus grew hot feeling all eyes on him. Hannah was probably in the bathroom right now with Linda telling her everything. In that case, it wouldn't hurt to tell the guys, right? They'd find out soon enough anyway, being nosy stinkers. But this was meant to be a fun get together with close friends, not a funeral service. Now was a day to be young and have fun, not to mention Hannah wouldn't love having all the attention on her, attention out of pity at that. No, he'd keep quiet for now.

"Well, she's been a bit under the weather for a few days now, but she seems to be gettin' better," Angus said. "Doctor said...everything came back negative, so..." He swished the beer around. "Maybe there's nothin' wrong at all, ya' know?"

"What kinds of tests did they run?"

Angus shrugged, tapping his heel to the floor. "The same ones as always, even if all you got is a small fever. You know how doctors are an' Hannah hated every second of it."

"An' they still haven't found anything wrong?" Cliff asked grabbing a beer and a chip.

"No, no. I'm sure it's nothin', we'll see." The men seemed satisfied with that answer. Bon was quietly standing by the hot dogs, turning them around in the water. The bathroom door opened and soon enough two women and a little girl came into the kitchen, one of them with slightly red eyes. She stood next to Angus and leaned on him, the man immediately putting an arm over her shoulders.

"What's wrong?" Cliff asked.

"Nothing, nothing," Linda answered for her. She appeared to be holding a tissue in one hand, the slipping the diaper bag off her shoulder onto the floor. "Is the food ready yet?"

"I don't know, Bon?" Bon watched the water boil, mind elsewhere. "Bon! Food!"

"Hmm?" he asked not looking up.

"How's the food comin'?"

"Not quite done, kids, you'll have to wait five more minutes." He nodded toward the chips on the table. "Eat some chips if you're hungry, or has Phil devoured them all?"

Cliff took the bag back, Phil grabbing a napkin to wipe his hands on. "Make yourself a sandwich, Phil, save some for us."

Angus looked up from Hannah's tear dried face and scanned the room. He found the clock on the wall, then checked around the corner for the front door. "Hey, Bon, where's everyone else?"

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't anyone else comin'?"

Bon checked the hot dogs again. "Uh, Georganne's got an interview," he recounted. "Lisa's somewhere we don't know, an' Sil an' Al are in town today, they were gonna have a few drinks later." Angus raised his eyebrows, glancing at Malcolm.

"You didn't go with them?"

"Actually, Ang, I did. As a matter of fact I'm there right now." The look on Angus' face was enough to make anybody laugh, and somebody did. Angus tickled her neck and shifted his weight to his other foot. "I told them I'd meet up with them in a couple of days, it's not a big deal."

"You'll stay safe then won't you?"

Bon scoffed. "Course I will, I'll be fine. I'm not goin' shootin', we're just havin' a drink, spendin' time with friends ain't a crime. Don't worry, Mal's already put a flame on my ass, didn't you, Mal?"

"Keepin' the lads in line," he said taking another drink. He walked to the cupboard and grabbed a couple of plates and a bowl, setting them on the counter. "Have a seat, Linda, I'll get the food."

"Hey, you want anything?" Angus asked quietly to Hannah. Hannah eyed the food spread out on the table.

"I'll have a bit," she answered, suddenly feeling slightly hungry.

"Here, have a few chips," Cliff said handing her the bag. "I had to wrench them from Phil but I got 'em," he smiled.

"Thank you," Hannah said smiling back. She took a few, Angus helping himself to more than a few.

"Food's done, grab a plate," Bon said turning the stove off. Malcolm grabbed a second pot from the cupboards closer to the ground and filled it with water, Bon taking his own plate and spearing a hot dog. "What's this for?" he asked pointing at the second pot.

"My daughter," Malcolm answered. "An' for any one who wants to make a necklace later."

Soon enough everyone found a seat around the small table and ate their lunch. Hannah's chips were gone, replaced by a small half sandwich and two bare hot dogs. Bon looked up from his food across the table, noticing how she cut them up with a fork. Angus noticed Bon staring and followed his gaze, shook his head, and waved his hand. Bon nodded and kept eating.

Malcolm poured some macaroni in a bowl, then mashed it all up with a spoon. Taking it to the table he set it in front of Linda, taking his turn with Cara. "Macaroni's done if anyone wants any." Hannah stood up, Bon following. "Would you like me to mash yours up too, Bon?" Malcolm asked.

"No thanks, I'll use my fists," Bon answered. Hannah took her bowl and spooned in some noodles, Bon following suit. "How's the food so far?" he asked.

"It tastes good," Hannah shrugged. Then with a smirk said, "Hot dogs are a little dodgy."

"You sure ripped them apart over there," Bon said nodding at the table. "Like you had a bone to pick with 'em or somethin'."

Hannah's smirk vanished. "Oh, that's just how I eat them, I guess." Bon looked at the table toward Angus who was pouring them both a glass of chocolate milk, Angus' beer bottle half gone beside him.

"That's alright then. I hear you went to the doctor a few days ago?"

She nodded.

"How'd that go? Ang said everything came back negative, but he didn't say what they did."

Hannah looked at the chattering group, wishing so much to engage in their laughter and joy. The smell of food replacing the smell of cigarette smoke was inviting, as was a glass of cold chocolate milk. But seeing Bon's worried face...she took his hand and pulled him out of earshot of the table. "Linda told me to get a test done," she admitted.

"What kind?"

She took a deep breath. "Pregnancy."

Bon's eyes widened, looking down for a split second. "Are you?"

Hannah shook her head. "I took a test at home, and it said no. So Ang and I went to see a doctor, and...that one said no too."

"Oh, Jesus, I-" Bon shrugged. "Sorry to hear that...did you want to be?"

"I didn't think I did, and I still think it's best if I'm not, but...hearing the news that you're barren really puts things in perspective." Taking a minute to register what he heard, he shifted his weight, furrowing his brow.

"What?" he asked. He looked to the table, no one seeming to have heard him. Lowering his voice, he continued. "You can't have kids?" Hannah ate a bit of macaroni hoping she wouldn't have to give a direct answer. "Does Angus know?"

"He was there with me," she explained, her mouth full. "And I told Linda and you."

"But-"

"Please don't tell anyone else," she asked grabbing his hand. "I don't want to ruin the mood, please?"

Bon looked down at her pleading eyes. How could he say no to that? Barren. That word seemed so final. A sweet woman like that, perfect for raising a child...best if she's not? Did she believe she wasn't fit? Rubbish. Surely... "How did Angus take it?"

"I...he seemed okay with it. He said he still loved me..."

"Of course he still loves you," Bon interrupted. "Why wouldn't he?"

"...I know he wants kids."

"Did you two ever talk about it?"

"Well, no. But you see the way he looks at Cara, and loves to hold her, and coddle her, of course he wants kids. His own, not just his niece." Bon sighed and stirred the noodles around in his bowl. Suddenly he didn't feel as hungry as before. "I never really thought I wanted any, knowing I'm much better with animals anyway...and Angus said we can get a dog."

"Well, if Ang ever gets stupid enough to decide he doesn't love you over that, he'll have me to answer to," Bon said quietly but firmly. "An' I know he ain't that stupid. You can always adopt, or get a dog like you said. It ain't the end of the world, an' he always has Cara. He'll always have Cara, or their new baby, or Cliff's kids or Phil's or..." Bon stopped talking.

"Or...?"

"Uh-" He cleared his throat. "You'd better get back to the table, Ang will come wanderin' over here." Hannah frowned at Bon, his mess of brown hair hiding his face. "I won't tell anyone the news, okay? I promise. You tell them when you're ready." He smiled and ruffled Hannah's hair again, Hannah grinning widely back at him. She turned to leave when Bon stopped her. "You're a sweet kid, ya' know?" he said. "Don't ever change."

"You're a good man, Bon Scott. Don't ever forget it."

After lunch the group joined up in the living room. Linda had Cara sitting on the floor on a blanket, giving her a few toys to play with. Malcolm sat in a chair beside them fiddling with his guitar he brought. Cliff, Phil, and Bon were in the middle of a card game, poker it might have been. Angus watched Malcolm play, wishing he had found the time to fix his strings. His hands felt a lot better, with nothing more than his usual callouses.

Bon had a Little Richard album playing in the corner, Hannah listening intently to it. She still had her glass of chocolate milk in her hand, and even a slight chocolate mustache on her upper lip. She tapped her fingers to the glass, tapping her feet to the ground. Angus, looking up from his brother's playing, noticed her quirk and smiled. She'd spent too much time with him.

With nothing else to do but spectate a poker game, Angus made his way to the record player, the bottle of beer still in his hand. He hadn't drank from it since lunch. "Keen music taste you've got," he commented.

"Learned it from the best," Hannah replied. Angus watched her feet for a few seconds.

"Interesting dance, you learn that from me too?"

"Well, at first I thought I had something stuck on my shoe, but then once I started I couldn't stop." Angus grinned with mischievous intent.

"Now that, you learned from me," he said giggling to himself. "You have to be begging me to stop, eh?"

Pausing her rhythm keeping Hannah looked at him with wide eyes, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink. Looking around, she lowered her voice. "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"First mothers then lovers," he said.

Unable to hide the grin, Hannah took a drink of milk. "I'm gonna call the police when we get home, 'cause you're certainly not my husband."

"Must have had a bit too much to drink," Angus said holding up his bottle. "Don't usually flirt when I drink, just get a bit chatty."

"You'd flirt, grope under shirt, and squirt had you finished that bottle." Rather than a light pink, Angus' cheeks turned bright red.

"When we get home I'm handin' you into custody myself, 'cause I think you kidnapped my wife." Hannah held up her glass of milk, the contents almost gone.

"Let's face it, Ang. We're pirates."

"Have you ever tasted beer?" he asked.

"Sorry, Ang, I refuse to try anything that looks like it tastes like battery acid," she answered as the next song began to play. Angus inspected the liquid in the bottle.

"Fair enough," he shrugged. "I've never been a big man about beer myself, but it's better than the harder stuff."

"Have you ever gotten drunk before?" Hannah asked. It came to her mind that she had never really seen him as intoxicated as the other lads. "I mean, other than...that party we went to?"

Angus knew better than to ask, figuring it had something to do with Travis. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, a few times. Almost missed a gig because of it. You should have smelled me room, it was a real beauty of a barn."

"What happened before then, were you dancing on the table?" Hannah began to laugh harder the longer it took Angus to answer.

"No, not really," he admitted. "I might have sang a ditty or two. Not well, mind you. But truth is I can't remember much aside from tryin' to impress the cutie across the room from me." Hannah's laugh subsided to a pout. "No worries, love, she didn't pay too much attention to me, she kept lookin' at Mal instead. An' I paid for it the next day, no girl is worth that misery. Unless of course, you really love 'em," he added looking at Hannah.

"I beg you, Ang. Don't ever get drunk for me," Hannah smiled.

"Better dispose of this then," he said holding up his bottle. "Phil! You still want this? I'm done with it!"

Phil held up a hand, looking back and forth between the cards on the table and the cards in his hands. Taking a few chips from his pile he set them down then beckoned Angus to join him. "Thanks," he said wiping off the spout. "A little warm."

"I drank the whole thing, Phil, that's my own recipe," Angus said turning to leave. Phil, after choking on the warm beer for a few seconds gave Angus a rather mean finger gesture but the younger man didn't see him. Bon threw his head back in laughter, Cliff quietly laughing into his hand. Angus took the cup from Hannah's hand and set it by the record player. "Now then, my love. I'm not as good at the bar scene as old Bon over there, but I know the formula." He held his hand up. "May I have a dance?"

Grinning like a schoolgirl, Hannah accepted his hand. "Of course you may, my love," she said exaggerating an English accent. With hardly any room for a dance floor, the two young kids improvised.Grand sweeping motions reserved for ballrooms were executed by tiny, careful baby steps. There was plenty of stepping on each other's feet, followed by loud giggling and snorting. Attempting to pick Hannah up with a couch in the way was a bad idea on Angus' part, the man stumbling into the armrest and flinging the small woman onto the cushions. He turned to find her face buried into the fabric of the couch, nothing so much as a laugh coming from her.

The crash got everyone's attention, all except Little Richard who sang the evening away as usual. "Are you okay?" Angus asked putting a hand to her shoulder. Her voice was muffled.

"Make a wish, dear."

"What?"

Rather than answering, Hannah began laughing. Seeing she was okay the men resumed their game, exchanging looks as they tried to understand the joke. Hannah lifted her head, her eyes crinkled with mirth. "Like a damn shooting star, Angus. You almost threw me out the window!"

Unable to help himself, Angus reluctantly laughed as well, holding a hand out to help her up. Rather than taking his offer, she pulled him on the couch with her. In seconds a wrestling match ensued, cheers and yells coming from the table.

"Take him down!"

Angus tried wrenching his wrists free of Hannah's hold but she pinned his arms to the floor. "Come on, big boy!" she taunted, Angus holding his breath trying to push her off. Finally he mustered the strength to reverse their positions, straddling her.

"The long awaited sequel for stealin' your cookie? Is that was this is?" Hannah laughed from his wandering tickling fingers. "Seekin' vengeance?"

"Get off!"

"Quit your squirmin', you're like a newborn!" Eventually Hannah tired out from fighting Angus off, who with the help of a sudden burst of testosterone, was able to pin her to the floor. Not to say she didn't put up one hell of a struggle. "Now then. Truce?"

"...truce." Kissing her on the lip to boast his victory, he heard a few complaints from the poker table.

"No mushy crap, if yous two are gonna play strip, get a room, like!" Bon laid down his cards and grabbed his beer bottle.

Malcolm snickered from behind his guitar. "An' on your right if you'll look, Cara, you'll see two unmonitored wildebeests dukin' it out. Get a picture, Linda, that's our next Christmas card."

Tuesday

Five o' clock A.M.

London, England

A rogue dog barked at the frost bitten shadows outside, the streetlamps barely guiding his way. A car drove down the street, shining its headlights on it, pushing the brake just in time. The mutt, with its tongue hanging out, turned tail and trotted onto the sidewalk, licking his chops. The car was lost in the fog a minute later.

A few cold drops of mist doused London in an icy bath, with even the nocturnal creatures staying inside for once. There were a few clouds out, dull grey compared to the dark, inky sky. The few stars visible sparkled as best as they could, knowing good and well they'd have to leave soon. It was just as well; it was too cold to be out on a morning like this.

However, this was not the case in apartment number forty four. With the heating still broken, the window was opened a crack, letting in the cool breeze. Pushing the curtains out of its way, it swallowed the room in a thin sheet, making sleeping comfortable.

A brown ball moved slowly up and down, covered in a thick layer of pine shavings. A few blankets had been set around, under, and on the cage to keep her warm. It must have worked, for the rabbit dreamed of nothing but hot carrots that night.

In the living room the phone rang. And rang. And rang again.

The man in the bed, still very much asleep, lay with his face buried in his companion's hair, a woman by chance. Strands of brown locks tickled his cheeks and filled his nose with a watermelon shampoo. He stirred, losing himself deeper in her warm embrace. Sharp ringing hit his ears in a way unpleasant, forcing his eyes open. Both of them were crusty with sleep.

He shifted on the bed, one arm caught under the sleeping woman, the other hanging over her waist. He gently removed himself from her, her face slightly buried against his chest. Rubbing his eyes, he thought the ringing had been a dream, until it began ringing again. Louder.

Hannah didn't wake up.

Grabbing his flannel shirt off the bedpost he shoved his arm through it, the cuff inside out. In went the other arm, Angus pulling the fabric over his shoulders. He hastened to button it, the phone beginning to drive him nuts.His sweatpants had been thrown carelessly to the floor, and he toppled out of bed reaching for them. "For fuck's sake," he muttered slipping them on. The room was nearly pitch black, and Angus stumbled around this way and that trying to find the damn door. Before leaving he pulled the covers over Hannah's sleeping form, kissing her bare shoulder. "Be right back," he whispered.

Hannah only stirred when she heard a light crash. Almost as if something had fallen off the counter or a shelf. She curled deeper under the covers, drifting off to sleep again. The second crash, the louder and more damaging one, scared her back awake. She sat up, reaching across the bed to check on Angus. Under her hand she felt nothing but empty sheets. Something in the living room shattered against the wall, Hermione appearing to have awoken as well. Hannah pushed the mountain of covers off and grabbed her bathrobe off the floor.

The bedroom door was open, and the light in the hallway was on. Turning every corner with caution, she approached the living room where a hurricane had struck. The small couch had been turned on its side, the cushions scattered two feet away. A few chairs from the kitchen table had been thrown against the counter, both of them missing a leg. Hannah ventured further, her heart racing against her chest. The fridge was open; the yellow light glowing upon a puddle of milk on the floor with the shattered remains of the glass bottle reflecting the light, glittering on the kitchen floor. She heard another crash behind her, and she quickly ran behind the counter. An empty bathroom drawer slammed against the window, a few pieces breaking off and cutting the wood. It hit the radiator, the sound ricocheting around the apartment. Hannah stood up, terrified to see what had ransacked her house.

And there Angus stood, regaining his balance from throwing the drawer and other various pieces of furniture. He spun around, scanning the room for anything he had yet to destroy. There on the floor lay his guitar case, Angus taking only a second to think about it. Picking it up by the handle with one hand, he supported the side of it with his other and threw it against the wall. Something inside the case broke, the case itself cracking one of the latches.

Hannah lifted her foot to remove some stray pieces of glass she had stepped on. One of them made a slight cut, hurting to pull out and leaving a little blood. She stepped out from behind the counter, Angus grabbing a cushion off the floor and throwing it in her direction, unaware she was even there. It hit her shoulder, right where he had kissed it moments before. Seeing Hannah standing there in the shadows startled him, yet he didn't apologize. "Angus?"

"Go back to bed, Hannah." Hannah kicked the cushion off her foot and followed Angus to the living room where he sat on the floor, his back to the wall. "I said go back to fuckin' bed."

"No, Angus," she said firmly, stepping closer. Kneeling to his level she pushed the long hair out of his eyes, fresh tears clearly visible. Her heart wretched. "What happened?"

"Nothin', jus' go to bed."

"Not until you tell me what's wrong." She grabbed his arms from around his knees attempting to hold his hands until he yanked them away. "What happened?"

"Jus' get back in fuckin' bed, Hannah!"

"Angus McKinnon Young, look at me!" He did as she asked, her eyes brimming with tears and anger, worry most of all. Angus swallowed, unable to answer right away. More tears flowed out of his eyes, and he ran a hand over his face to clean them. Hannah passed a hand over his face, collecting some tears on her fingers. After wheezing a few times, his body shaking and contracting with fits, he allowed Hannah to embrace him and press her forehead against his. A few tears spilled out of her eyes pooling on her chapped lips. "What happened?"

"It's--Alistair was on the phone-" He inhaled sharply. "He said he--he left him alone for the night--he left him in the fuckin' c-car..."

"Who?"

"An' now he's dead--he died in his sleep, in his fuckin' sleep..." Hannah held Angus as tight as she could, her tears beginning to mix with his. Never, not once had she seen Angus cry like this. That alone was enough to break her apart. "An' I dunno what to do, or--who to tell, they're all probably as-sleep." He began to hyperventilate. "I dunno what--what to do--"

"Shh..." Hannah's body shook with silent tears while Angus hiccuped. He didn't bother wiping any more tears away, letting them roll down his neck, wetting his shirt.

"H-he's dead, he's f...fuckin' d-dead..."

"Who?"

Angus swallowed a few times, doing all he could to control his breathing. Hannah could see his hands were cut again, some skin rubbed raw, and a few traces of blood smeared on his face. With a few more hiccups, he spoke.

"Bon."