Hannah Beth: What if we just stopped talking about it? Maybe that might help.

Isabel came downstairs from Hannah's room.

Guy and Tyler walk in, grave faced and order a drink, talking quietly about Raven, and about how they can't believe he was actually gone. Barely ten minutes later, Gemma and Dean walk into the pub. Gemma runs straight into Guy's open arms as he pulls her into a deep hug.

Guy: I can't believe you guys came back! Gem, I'm so sorry to find out...
Gemma: I had to, once I heard. I needed to be with everybody. I can't believe he's really gone, Guy. I mean why? Why did he do it?!
*She angrily pounds her fists against his chest and he fights to grab hold of her arms*
Guy: It's the way it goes, sometimes, hun. It's not always fair, but it's the way life goes. It's the way he wanted it. Could you really have imagined Raven, of all people, passing quietly in his sleep of old age? No, because that just wasn't him.

*Gemma begins sobbing quietly against Guy's chest as Tyler greets Dean*

Tyler: How are you doing, man?
Dean: I'm in shock. But whatever we're feeling, she's feeling it worse. *points at Gemma*
Tyler: Where's Billy?
Dean: He's taken the kids back to his. Thank God.
Tyler: Don't tell me you two are still at each other's throats?!
Dean: *whispering* Oh, dude, you should have seen him, seriously. He flies out then gets busy playing the doting father like nothing fucking happened. He's still dating that bitch Brisky, yet comes over playing happy families: showering Gemma with gifts, doing "family things", acting as if nothing is wrong. Then this happens.
Tyler: You're not...
Dean: Blaming him?! Hell yes, I am!
Tyler: He wasn't responsible for Raven, Dean, come on!
Dean: No, no he is. Think about it. If Gemma never met him Gemma would still be with Raven. He wouldn't have gone of the rails, and wouldn't have decided to do his little superhero stunt. He wouldn't be dead right now.
Tyler: Yeah, and if she never met Billy, we wouldn't have Kai!
Dean: I know that, and God knows I love that little boy, even if he does look the spitting image of that little shit! But even after meeting Billy, they still broke up. If he didn't come back after months and start fucking with Gemma's head, then she might have got back with Raven.
Tyler: Might have, Dean, might have. And you still would've hated on Raven for leaving and coming back. Just face it, Dean, you will never accept that another man is as good for Gemma as what you are!
Dean: That's not what this is about...
Tyler: Well it certainly can't be about Raven's death! Nobody could have predicted this outcome, Dean. I mean, if people wanted to think like that, they could blame Gemma for seeing both of them on top of each other and the confusion over who was Kai's father. For leaving Raven. For getting back with Billy and making Raven think she had moved on.
Dean: *Squaring up to Tyler* You're saying this is her fault now?!
Tyler: No! *Sighs* Dean, I'm saying you can't blame anybody else for what happens in life. Not when it's the result of such a long chain of events. The only person you can blame for Raven's death is the man that pulled the trigger. Not Gemma, not Billy, so get a drink and shut up about him!

Taylor: You're a amazing friend Hannah.

He smiled.

Taylor smiled a little.

Joshy and Bikki are sitting, drinking tea, talking about music.
Bikki : OK. Main band. Me, Rayne, James, Emma.
Joshy : We need the bereaved one who does the first voiceover. Guitarist or drummer.
Bikki : I think The Face - Mark - could do that. He looks like he could be a tough military guy, come home having lost a brother. And he would REALLY mean it.
Joshy : Guitarist. Jimi maybe, as in Thunderwolf Jimi? And then - how about we modify the plan a bit, so that Rayzor is part of the main band all the way through, and James isn't? Then, as we don't have James or Rayne after the bridge, it could be just them, Emma on piano and you as the only vocalist.
Bikki : Great. So you and James get killed in the video? F47 massacre!
Joshy : Two more. My captors! Billy from Failed Youth?
Bikki : YES. Perfect. Just need the girl now ....

Joshy : In the song, you have to play guitar in two verses. In the video, you have to slap my arse while there's a quote underneath saying, "You're mine, Joshy!"
Bikki : This is one screwed-up song. :P Want to join us?

Edited by user 21 September 2009 02:04:22(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

An already half cut Gemma walks into TDB on her own - something she never does - and orders a double vodka, before sitting on the most secluded table she could find: one tucked away in the corner, half masked by dark shadows as she begins to drink.

Her phone begins ringing, but she just rejects each new call, until the fourth time it rings, when she just turns the mobile off and puts it away. After half an hour, the sound of screeching tyres outside wail through the bar, and shortly afterwards Billy Maddison walks into the bar, looking around, obviously worried. After a minute searching the bar, he spots Gemma sitting in the corner, looking a shadow of herself... no make up, unkept hair, wearing baggy jeans and an oversized t-shirt - Billy's. One she wore through pregnancy. A reminder of happier times.

Billy walks over and takes a seat next to her.

Billy: What are you doing here?
Gemma just groans
Billy: You're drunk already?! Jesus Christ, Gem, it's not even five!
Gemma: Raven died. You think I care about time?
Billy: And drinking yourself into oblivion is gonna help, is it?
Gemma: Like you would understand. You hated him.
Billy: I never hated him. But even if I did, I understand why you're upset, I do. But you hadn't even spoken to him for months before he died, and now he's gone, he isn't coming back! Getting drunk isn't going to help. You'll wake up sick, and the pain will still be there.
Billy takes her hand in his
Gemma: It helps right now. That's all that matters.
Billy: And the boys? Is it helping them? They're sitting at home, with Dean, wondering what's happened to their mother. It's only been two days, but they miss you. I miss you. If you're having a hard time coping, you can come to me, come to Dean. Just please don't disappear. I was worried sick. We need to keep it together, rely on each other right now. We have two little boys at home that need their parents. What can you do for them if you're here getting drunk?
Gemma nods, indicating that she knows he's right
Billy: Raven's gone, Gem. But the boys aren't. You need to focus all your energy on them.
Gemma: *Crying* I just really miss him, Billy.
Billy: I know. I know you do. Come on.

Billy gives her a quick hug, then lifts her up to carry him out to his car, whispering to her that everything will be okay, because he's there.

Taylor: I guess so. Thanks.

Taylor: House fire...

Taylor: My dad always used to be more as a friend to me then mum... I miss him.