Billy Maddison and Gemma Ferns walk into TDB, shortly followed by Dean Keller and Justin McClane. They ordered their drinks - 2 pints, a JD & coke and a Vodka & orange juice, and sat down on one of the biggest tables in the bar.
"Well, this is officially a celebration! Congratulations on your number one - again! At least somebody's being a success!" Gemma said, taking a large mouthful of vodka.
"Hey! You guys will get there. I've been doing music since I was 14! Wow... that's like... 17 years! I took my time, I guess! You guys have only been going a couple of years", he smiled, "relax, honey".
"Do you not... kinda... feel any kind of guilt?"
"JUSTIN!" Gemma started, a harsh, warning tone in her voice.
"No, I just mean... this success is coming off the back of Brisky's downfall... I'd feel kinda guilty about it", Justin continued.
"No. No, I don't feel any guilt. I don't feel anything when I think about her. Apart from anger. I don't think I could ever feel any kind of sympathy or empathy for her - she never felt it for anybody else. Actually, part of me feels better every time I know something has hurt her, a little bit of me moves on a little further," Billy explained.
"That sounds kinda evil", Dean laughed, also drinking deep gulps of JD.
"No, it's not like that, but I went through so much - we went through so much," Billy added, putting an arm around Gemma "and right now my priorities are to do with making that better. If a little bit of me heals each time I do something that'll affect her, then I'll keep on doing it because I don't want to live with this anger and hurt for the rest of my life. I need to know that she hasn't got away with killing my baby, with hurting Gemma. Sorry if it upsets her for a while, but myself, Gemma and the kids are my top priority right now. As soon as we're over the past and we can close the chapter on the breakup, and the baby, then I'll leave her be - as long as she doesn't get up in my face. Until then... well, I need to do what I need to do to mend myself".
"I dunno," Justin sighed. "I guess I get that. I ain't seen her in a while, though. I think it really hit her. Probably more than you first thought. It doesn't bother you at all?"
Billy shook his head and drank from his glass, before Gemma told Justin to change the conversation.
"We're meant to be here for a celebration. Why does she have to leak her way into everything all the time?! She did some terrible things, not just to us, but to everybody and now she's paying for it. It's just karma. Can we move on now, please?!" Gemma said, before excusing herself to go to the toilet.

Billy looked up and eyed the pair of them suspiciously. Dean looked up, also, and smiled at them.
Dean: Hey guys. Wanna join us?
Billy: ...Gemma what?!

Billy realised that he did have some kind of regret from how he treated Brisky. But it wasn't because of how it would make her feel, or her friends, but because of how people included Gemma in the whole "revenge" thing, like he and Gemma were the same person and had the same thoughts and behaviours. And the worst thing was that Gemma would always support and defend him, and his actions, even if it meant arguing with friends. He didn't want her to lose friends because of his decisions, but most of the time it seemed as if that was the way it was heading.

Gemma came back from the bathroom and walked straight over to the table, running a hand over Billy's shoulder as she sat down. He smiled up at her. He knew his feelings must be obvious for everybody to see - including Gemma, probably - but he was still to scared to take the chance of asking Gemma to give it another go. Too early, and he could risk the relationship they already had, and he didn't want that. But, if he waited too long, she could end up with somebody else. Then again, after everything he put her through, chances were against him that she'd want him back at all.

Gemma: Hey, Bikki, Joshy. How are you?
Billy: ... coming up with a conspiracy theory, apparently!
Gemma: Oooh, about what?!
Dean: I don't think they wanna talk about it...
Gemma: We're all friends here! Plus, I love a bit of gossip, however false it may or may not be!!
Billy: I'll leave you to chat. I'm gonna get you another drink.

Billy kissed Gemma quickly on the side of the head and went to the bar.

Gemma: Um, well... no, we're not... Not really. Why?

Over at the bar, Billy ordered the table a round of drinks and waited for the barman to pour them for him. While, he waited, he got out his phone, tapping out a text message.

Gemma sat, ignoring the conversation at the table and looking over at Billy. Why weren't they together? She knew a lot had happened, he had hurt her, she had hurt him, but things seemed to have turned a corner since then. They seem to have grown up. And they shared more than she could ever share with anybody else - a beautiful son, and the pain no parent, or parent to be should have to experience. She still loved him, she couldn't deny it, and she was pretty sure he felt the same way about her. As for the kids, Caleb kept asking why they were no longer living with Billy, Kai was constantly calling for his dad.
She thought she would never be able to forgive, or trust, a cheat, but she had done the same to him - they were equal. And she knew that Billy would do anything for her now. He knew what he had lost and she didn't think he would ever risk it again.

Meanwhile, over at the bar...
Billy: Hey Mikki. You want a drink?
The next thing Billy knew, Gemma was stood at the bar next to him. He smiled at her and slid his arms around her waist.
Billy: You okay?
Before he knew what was happening, Gemma's arms were around his neck and she kissed him gently, lovingly, on the lips. When they broke apart, Billy looked momentarily shocked, his eyebrows raised, before he smiled at her.
Billy: What was that?!
Gemma looked embarrassed. What the hell had just come over her?!
Gemma: I... was just... thinking about stuff... About us... I shouldn't have... I'm sorry...
She went to turn away, to excuse herself and go to the bathroom again, but Billy pulled her back into his arms, pulling her closer this time, kissing her with more passion.
Billy: Don't be...
Using his index finger, he tilted her face up to look into her eyes.
Billy: Let's just do it! We've wasted enough time. Properly this time. Let's just get back together, no more break ups. Me and you. Forever.

Joshy saw Gemma get back together with Billy - of course she'd have to. Then run to the bogs. Again. Hadn't she just gone when she'd got here? And he'd tried to cryptically hint at her on Twitter that it might be "the kids" causing her excessive fatigue, without giving it away to everyone. Conspiracy theory my arse, he thought - I'm BANG ON.
Joshy : Conspiracy theory my arse - I'm BANG ON.
Bikki : Oh, don't bring that up again!
Joshy : I know. I've seen you, Bikki. Weren't you just the same before you knew?
Bikki : Before I knew WHAT? That we're not together? I always knew that, J.Firecracker! And you know what? I'll always know that!
Bikki was annoyed. She didn't know why - after all, it wasn't her "theory", and if Joshy pissed Gemma off, it wasn't anything to do with her. But she didn't want Joshy to piss Gemma off. She felt for Gemma. If the "theory" was true, she might have just found out, and that's why she got back with Billy - or was that a coincidence and Gemma didn't even know yet? She also felt for Joshy - she shouldn't have snapped at him. She looked at him, and he just smiled, as if to say, "you're forgiven". He knew Bikki's emotional outbursts and hormonal havoc. He knew her and what the babies did to her so well. He was so bothered, and yet they weren't his kids .... he was just obsessed, that was all.

Edited by user 30 September 2009 07:01:17(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Billy runs in and up to the couple.

Billy: EWWW! COOTIES!!

Billy then runs straight back out.

Gemma returns from the bathroom, apologises and sits back down. Joshy and Bikki were staring at her, making her feel self-conscious. She felt Billy squeeze her hand under the table.
Billy: You okay?
Gemma: Yeah, I'm fine
Gemma smiled up at him, looking into his bright blue eyes.
Billy: Well, good. Vodka and Orange juice for you *He moved a glass of orange liquid over to place in front of her* and I'm off for a cigarette break.
Billy kissed her quickly and walked out to the front of the bar.
Gemma, hungry, decides to get some crisps.
Gemma: Anybody want anything to eat from the bar?
Dean: Ooooh, yeah, a packet of salt and vinegar would be great!!
Gemma got up to go to the bar, while Dean began to talk to Justin about some ideas for the next Live Youth release.
Dean: We need something big! Something that will make people take notice... any ideas?

Up at the bar, Gemma orders a few bags of crisps, and notices Rayne and Mikki sitting there, for the first time.
Gemma: Hey Mikki, hi Rayne. How's things? How's Chris?

Taylor laughed and followed her out.

Gemma: Oh, right, tell him I said hi! It's good to hear his music's all going well. So, you think Chris could be "the One"?

She raised an eyebrow and gave a little smile as she said so, trying to keep her mind off of how Mikki looked. She had to admit, dressed in converse, casual jeans and an off the shoulder shirt, she felt frumpy compared to Mikki. The only glamourous thing about Gemma today - or so she felt - was her hair, which cascaded down below her shoulders in loose brown curls. Disappointed in herself, she accepted that she wanted to get the small talk with Mikki over with, and to get back to the table before Billy came back in. The last thing she wanted was to see the two together and start comparisons.

Gemma: *Turning to Rayne* Yeah, I'm fine. The new band has kind of taken a backseat. We've been writing and such, but no new recordings just yet. We're hoping to start working on some new stuff very soon, though. I've been spending most my time getting the family back on track, keeping Billy and myself on good terms, although that's all sorted now, which is great. He was a great help, after I found out about Raven's death, and it really helps to have him around with the kids, my two are so tiring - you must be exhausted, Rayne, with all the kids on your own!! Feel free to pop around if you fancy a break or a play date or something!

Edited by user 30 September 2009 09:28:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified