The Great War had been over for some time now, and (Y/n) had been working in a big hospital in London since she had returned from France. She loved the job but thirsted for a new adventure. For something that would instill the same passion in her, as her work during the war.

She had never forgotten Tommy or Arthur and remembered the older Shelby's last words about Birmingham and Small Heath. It wasn't that she needed anything from them, she had a large inheritance from when her parents had passed away, which guaranteed that she was able to live quite comfortably. It was just a need to know that the Shelby boys had both got through that hell alive. Just a need to once more see the only man that she had kissed.

So now, (Y/n) found herself on a train with a few belongings, on her way to Birmingham. Not knowing where she was going, and only having two names to go on.

Stepping off the train at the station, she took a deep breath as she made her way to a cab of some kind, and having managed to find a respectable place to stay, she dropped off her luggage, and ventured out onto the streets of the dark, smoky town.

Birmingham wasn't too different from London. Same kind of dirt, same kind of people milling round going about their business. (Y/n) wandering aimlessly, as she wondered where to start looking for two men in such a big place. The nurse finally stumbling across a pub called 'The Garrison', and she couldn't help but smile, as she remembered the boys always saying that they would give anything for a drink while they had been at the hospital. How they would talk about getting a good whisky when they got back home. So, what better place to start her search, than a pub?

Taking a deep breath, (Y/n) pushed open the doors. The place as she had expected it to be, a little dark, with the smell of cigars, whisky and sweat hanging heavily in the air; but she had certainly seen worse.

"Can I help ya lass? Ya don't look like ya really belong in a place like this." The barman asked, seeming a little confused about her presence. (Y/n) smiling softly at the man as she made her way over to the bar.

"H-hello, I know that this is a little strange but I'm looking for a couple of friends of mine. I was wondering if you would know them. Their names are Arthur and Tommy Shelby." (Y/n) explained, her brows furrowing as the man gave her a shocked look.

"What would you want with the Shelby's miss?" The man continued, as he took his cloth and wiped the top of the bar.

"Well, you see, I was their nurse during the war, and I've really just came to find them and see if they are alright." (Y/n) informed the man; but before he could say anything in reply, there was a commotion from outside, the doors being violently flung open, as a few young men rushed in, dragging another man inside, with blood pouring from the arm.

"John's been shot." Yelled one of the men, as he tried to stop the bleeding. (Y/n) finding herself pushing her way through the mass of bodies, as she fought to get to the injured man.

"I'm a nurse, I can help." She shouted, as she got to the young man, and dropped to her knees by his side.

"Hello, so you're John, yes?" (Y/n) asked, smiling as the young man nodded.

"Well, my name is (Y/n), I'm a nurse, I'll look at that for you." She informed John, as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"(Y/n), is that you? Is that really you? What are ya doin here.......?" A familiar voice called out from behind her, her eyes widening as she looked up to see the worried face of Tommy.

"Tommy?! Is that.........? Yes, it's me. Let me sort out my patient, then I'll explain everything." (Y/n) told the younger of the Shelby boys she had come to find. The nurse turning her attention back to the man on the ground and carefully examining the wound in John's arm.

"Ok boys get out of the lady's way; she knows what she's doing." Tommy yelled at the others. The usually stoic Tommy, smiling softly as he watched (Y/n) rush over to her bag and get out a medical kit.

"Tommy, I need a bottle of whisky, a bowl of hot water, some soap and a clean towel." (Y/n) ordered. Tommy nodding his head and sending one of the boys off to get what she needed. The nurse taking off her hat and coat and throwing then to the floor before rolling up her sleeves.

"You need to help me take his jacket off." The nurse continued, as she turned to the dark boy next to John. The young man helping (Y/n), as the other boy rushed in with everything she needed. (Y/n) washing her hands and sterilising the equipment, before she handed a wincing John the bottle of whisky.

"Here drink this, this is probably going to hurt a bit." She informed her patient, as he took the bottle from her hands and gulped the liqueur down. (Y/n) happy to see that on closer inspection of the wound, that the bullet hadn't hit bone, and wasn't too far in. Sure, that she could probably remove the bullet with her eyes closed if she had to, given that she had seen this kind of wound too many times before.

"You're lucky John it's not as bad as it looks, but I still need to get the bullet out and you'll need stitches, it will hurt a little." She explained to the young man before her. John grumbling slightly as she grabbed the bottle of whisky from his hand and poured a good amount on the wound making him hiss. Then, taking the scissors from her kit, she carefully cut his shirt to allow better access to the wound.

"Hold onto his shoulders." (Y/n) told the dark boy to John's side. The man doing as she had instructed, placing his hands firmly on Johns shoulders, as (Y/n) sat herself on John's lap making sure that his legs didn't move. Then slowly and as carefully she could she removing the bullet. John grimacing as he felt the small pair of forceps moving around under his skin. The younger Shelby breathing a sigh of relief as the bullet was finally dropped it into a bowl. (Y/n) threading a needle, and giving John six stitches, before securing his arm in a makeshift sling.

"Now you have to rest this. I don't want you ripping my stitches, they are some of the best I've ever done." (Y/n) told him with a smile, as she brushed some of John's sweat-soaked hair back over his head.

"Thanks, miss, I'm glad you were er." John replied, smiling softly at her as Isiah helped him pull his jacket back over his shoulders.

As (Y/n) tried to clean herself up, two strong arms pulled her into a warm embrace; Tommy smiling down at her, as she turned around to look at him.

"Well hello to you too, Tommy Shelby. I didn't expect this kind of greeting." (Y/n) chuckled, as Tommy pushed away slightly to get a better look at her.

"Thanks for helping my brother. But...........(Y/n), I can't believe it's you, it's been so long. What ya doing in Small Heath? Are you alright...........?" Tommy asked. (Y/n) looking at the young man that was being help from the floor.

"Well, that's another Shelby I've had to look after. Anymore I should know about just in case I have to look after them too?" She replied with a chuckle. The nurse continuing to smile as she looked into the face of one of the men she had thought about for the last two years.

"Come sit down, and talk to me?" Tommy continued as he pulled (Y/n) over to one of the tables.

"Well, I never forgot you or Arthur. And it sounds strange, but I needed to know that my two favourite boys were alright. Is Arthur still.... is Arthur still alive?" She tentatively asked, suddenly finding that she didn't want Tommy to answer.

"Arthur is still alive, he's back at the house. But I have to tell you he's not doing the best. He seems to struggle more than most with what happened in the war. But maybe if he saw you, it might help him." Tommy explained as he took (Y/n)'s hands in his.

"I'd love to see Arthur, and I'll do anything I can to help him if that's what you want. I've seen lots of men that have struggled since the war. Lots of men that still deal with scars that are left in their minds." (Y/n) tried to reassure him, giving Tommy a sympathetic smile.

Quickly Tommy jumped to his feet. Grabbed (Y/n)'s coat and helped her put on it back on, before picking up her bag and pulling her out to a car. (Y/n) feeling as though she had been caught up in some kind of Shelby whirlwind, as her feet tried to keep up with him.

The drive wasn't a long one, but it was quiet. It was obvious that Tommy was thinking about something, and (Y/n) had no intention of disturbing him. She would find out what it was if he ever needed to tell her. She had learnt quickly while the two brothers were in the hospital, that Tommy was the thinker, and it was best to just let him get on with it.

As the car pulled up at a house, Tommy gripped her hand and rushed (Y/n) inside. There was Arthur stretched out on a chair, his head rolling backwards as he tried to stay in his seat. (Y/n) rushed up to him, he was sweating, eyes rolling, and his heart was pounding out of his chest. The nurse falling to her knees next to Arthur, as she took hold of his hand.

"GOD TOMMY, WHAT IS HE TAKING?" (Y/n) shouted. Arthur's arms and legs beginning to spasm as she tried her best to look in his eyes, but finding his movements made it impossible.

"TOMMY! What is he taking? TELL ME!" (Y/n) shouted again. Tommy looking stunned by her outburst.

"He takes cocaine (Y/n), he has done since he got back." The younger of the two Shelby's confessed, as he slumped into a nearby chair.

Standing in front of Arthur, (Y/n) slapped his face a few times trying to get some sign, a flicker that he knew where he was.

"Arthur Shelby, don't you do this to me, I came all the way to Birmingham to find you and look what you've done to yourself." She told the older man, as she cupped his face in her hands.

"Tommy, I need help getting him to bed." (Y/n) continued, Tommy nodding and rushing over. Both taking one side and putting their arms under Arthur's shoulders. Moving him to the nearest bed.

"I'm sorry (Y/n), I should have told you he was this bad, I was just worried that you wouldn't come. He needs help, we've all tried but nothing has worked." Tommy explained, as he brushed his fingers through his hair. Concern etched in his features.

"It's ok Tommy. But I can't leave him like this. Bring me some cold water and a clean cloth, I'll stay with him tonight and we'll go from there." (Y/n) said, as for the second time that day, she took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and prepared to look after a Shelby.

"Arthur Selby, how could you be so stupid? I didn't look after you in that hospital so you could do something like this to yourself." She scolded, grabbing hold of his hands, as Tommy left the room.

"Arthur, come back to me, it's safe, I won't let anything happen to you." (Y/n) promised as she leant down and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"Come back to me."

"Tommy, go get some rest, you look exhausted. Leave Arthur to me, I'll look after him." The nurse told Tommy as he came rushing back into the room, bowl of water in hand. (Y/n) turning her attention back to Arthur, as she wet the cloth and dabbed his face, trying to cool him.

                                                         >>-----------------------------<<

(Y/n) looked out of the window. The sky now dark. The nurse wondering what had happened to the day.

"Arthur, I'll make you a deal." (Y/n) yawned as her eyes grew heavy, Arthur still not having stirred.

"You come around and I'll stay and help you if you want. And all I ask in return is another kiss like that day in the grounds of the hospital." She told the unconscious man, as she squeezed his hand and settled her head down on their interlocked fingers, her eyes closing as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

                                                           >>----------------------------<<

(Y/n) woke with a start, as a hand under her head moved. The nurse sitting bolt upright as she looked at Arthur.

"(Y/n), is that you luv? What are ya doin er?" Arthur asked, his voice raspy and deep. His eyes looking deep into hers as she sat next to him on the bed.

"It's me Arthur." (Y/n) reassured, as she held her patience' hand tightly.

"And it looks like I'm here looking after you again. I walked into a place called the Garrison yesterday looking for you and Tommy. I ended up digging a bullet out of your little brother John's arm, and then Tommy brought me here to see you. It was quite an eventful day for my first day in Birmingham." She chuckled softly. As without warning Arthur tried to jump to his feet.

"John was shot?" Arthur asked, finding himself pushed back down on the bed by the surprisingly strong (Y/n).

"Yes, but he's fine I took care of him. You, young man need to rest. You look like hell Arthur; you need a good meal inside you. When was the last time someone looked after you?" She asked, brushing the hair from his face and backwards over his head.

"It's been quite a while since anyone looked after me. Last time was this lovely nurse in France. I think she had a thing for me." He chuckled after he had mussed for a moment. Feigning injury as (Y/n) punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"Ow! What was that for?" Arthur asked, rubbing dramatically at the spot on his shoulder.

"That Arthur Shelby is for not looking after yourself. For not contacting me after you'd left the hospital. For making me believe that you might be dead, and for what happened last night." (Y/n) announced, as Arthur looked guiltily down at their intertwined fingers.

"And this Arthur Shelby is for still being alive." She told him, as she placed her fingers underneath his chin and raised his face so that she could gently kiss him on the lips. Arthur bringing his hand up to her cheek and gently caressing it. The warmth of his hand sent a strange shiver down her spine.

"Can ya stay lass? I mean, are ya planning on staying er in Birmingham?" Arthur asked. His eyes staring deeply into hers. (Y/n) sure that she could feel a sense of despair that made her want to pull the older Shelby into her arms, to hold him and never let go.

"Well, I got bored down in London and decided I needed a bit of adventure. And I remembered that my two favourite boys were here in Birmingham, and that there was always some sort of mischief when you were around. Also, I wanted to make sure that you and Tommy were safe. So yes, I'm planning on staying. I don't have a job or a place to live yet, as I only got here yesterday, but I'm planning on making a new life here. And if you want me around, I'll be here for you Arthur." (Y/n) told him, as Arthur's arms moved around her waist, and pulled her into him.

"I'd like that lass; I'd like ya to stay."