Me neither.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:14 pm

Tom kept silent, unsure of what to say. No matter what I say, it can't block out the fact that I did it.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:17 pm

William stared at the man in shock. "Tom! I can't believe you...oh fuck, Tom, seriously!" He let go of Gabe. "I...trusted you with this." His eyes were full of anger. I've been betrayed. He stood up and opened his arms. "The godfather is supposed to take care of the child when the father can't. Give me Marlee. Now." He was afraid Marlee would stop crying once he'd take her, thus confirming everything.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:26 pm

Gabe looked at William in awe. Would he actually be able to pull this off? He breathed heavily as he watched the two men. He knew he was better off saying nothing: Tom clearly disliked him, and it wouldn't help matters. He still couldn't believe what was happening in front of his eyes.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:26 pm

Tom looked up, grey eyes dark with hate. "She's mine." He snarled.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:29 pm

William didn't listen. "Let her choose." He placed a hand on Marlee in an attempt to pick her up.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:32 pm

Gabe supressed another gag as he moved away to let more space. His eyes were fixed on Marlee now.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:33 pm

Tom raised an arm and struck William across the face. "You're not having her!"

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:36 pm

William gasped in pain, a hand over his reddened cheek. "You hit me," he said in disbelief. "You fucking hit me!" Being kicked by Pete, he could stand. But being hit by who he thought was his friend? Not much. He took a few steps back.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:41 pm

Gabe stared in disbelief. "Did you do the same thing to her?!" he shouted and immediately regretted it. He awaited a blow ten times harder than William's, but didn't move to protect himself.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:42 pm

Marlee started crying again at the raised voices. "I didn't!" Tom screeched. "I didn't!"

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:46 pm

William didn't want to hear the baby's screams. He rushed to Tom and pushed him, taking Marlee from his arms before he could react. He turned his back on the man. "Shh, Marlee. Don't cry. It's okay."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:50 pm

Gabe extended his neck to look at the baby's face. Her cheeks were tear-stained and dirty, but she looked fine otherwise. He looked back at Tom.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:51 pm

"Give me back my baby." Tom would have hit William again, but he daren't risk it now Marlee was in his arms. "You are no better than me, give her back!"

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:55 pm

William shook his head as he watched Marlee try to reach his chest with her tiny hand. He looked up at Tom. "I'd never hurt her. You did." He moved the baby closer to Gabe. "You can take her," he whispered, knowing the child was already accustomed to Gabe's presence.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:59 pm

Gabe extended his arms but shook his head. This is bad. Put her in my arms and watch Tom go hysterical. He swallowed, his sick feeling replaced by a sense of urgency. He saw the small face of the little girl and wanted to protect her with all his might. But he wasn't sure taking her in his arms was the way to do so. "I..." he said as he took her in his arms and brought her close to him. He moved a strand of dark hair to the side of her forehead. It was only now, looking back at her, that he remembered how pretty she was. He couldn't suppress a smile.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:01 pm

"DON'T GIVE MY BABY TO A GODDAMN DRUG ADDICT!" Tom screamed at the top of his voice, fists at his sides.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:06 pm

William stared at him with a mix of confusion and anger. "First, it's not your child. Second, Gabe's not a drug addict. And third...you're an horrible father for hurting a child like Marlee." He looked at Gabe - he seemed so happy. He wondered how such a small baby could achieve that.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:09 pm

Gabe had lifted his gaze to Tom. "If it means her safety and well-being, then I'll go sober. Which is not what could be said for you, and your guns." He looked down at Marlee again, and saw that her pretty face was contorted into what seemed like crying. "Ssh..." he whispered. But the truth remains: I know nothing about raising babies.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:15 pm

William nodded in agreement with Gabe's words. He seemed ready for commitment to a child. It wasn't something he'd have expected from him before.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:22 pm

"Michael went looking for you." Tom whispered in a choked voice. "We needed your help. And you didn't even recognise William." Taking advantage of the impact his words had, he grabbed William, tugging him towards him. "I can kill him with my bare hands, Gabe. Give me my child."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:28 pm

Gabe shook his head, unable to listen to the previous events parroted back at him. "Look! Look what you're doing!" he said loudly in a shaking voice. "You really think we'll trust you if you keep threatening everyone around you? Goddammit, Tom, wake up!" He was surprised at the words that had left his mouth; he had never adressed him so personally before. Gabe watched William. I'm sorry.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:32 pm

William shook as he tried to free himself from Tom's grip. He hoped Gabe's words would be enough to bring him back to his senses. He had recognized Tom's look - the same look he had seen in his eyes before getting shot, the last time he had wanted to protect his child.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:34 pm

"You Goddamn wake up!" Tom screamed back, almost deafening William. "Even if I was going to hurt her again - which, to clarify, it was an accident, and entirely your fault - I would never let her go with you! Mikey's a godparent too, and he's far far better than you ever will be!" He twisted William's arm.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:40 pm

"Stop it!" Gabe yelled when Tom had twisted William's arm. "Just stop! You're calling all of this my fault!?" Gabe looked at William and his eyes narrowed. I'm sorry, he repeated in thought. Gabe hoped in thought that William would accept facing more pain for Marlee - and for him.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:44 pm

William groaned in pain. He could see Gabe didn't want to put him through this, but it didn't make it any more bearable. Don't let him take Marlee.