Trish nodded and thanked the gal behind the counter. They walked out and she tasted hers and smiled. “It’s really good…” she looked up at Chas and asked “Is John…a good person?”

John nodded and said “Chas took Trish for ice cream…poor kid needed a chance to be a normal kid. She didn’t choose this life…” he rubbed his head again and said “we should get dressed though. They might be back soon”

As they exited the ice cream parlour and started to walk back, Chas smiled at her liking her choice of ice cream as he ate some of his. At her next question, he wasn't expecting her to ask such a thing and knew it was a much complicated answer than a simple yes or no. "John is a complicated one. Deep down the John I know is a good person, he's incredibly flawed and isn't always the nicest person, but if he let's people in and likes them, he's a very a good person" he tried to explain as simply as possible. "but he has done many bad things in the past and he's well aware of that. There isn't much he won't do to survive, but with his history it's not surprising" he said.

Kay glanced her eyes up at him as he spoke and agreed that the kid did deserve normal kid moments. "I'm surprised you heard that, I didn't hear where they were going...someone was being very distracting to me" she replied, ending her statement on a slight tease and smirk. The smirk soon left her face though and sighed, "yeah, I suppose you're right" she replied, despite being comfortable where she was. She pulled herself off of him, sitting upright on the couch, her back to him as she leaned down to grab her clothes and began getting dressed again.

Trish tilted her head and asked “what do you mean? What kind of life has he had that would make him a survivor?” She took another bite of ice ream, listening closely to Chas as they walked.

John smirked and said “I heard Chas asked Josh if it was alright, we weren’t being distracted by each other at that moment…only reason I heard anything” he grabbed his shirt and slipped it over her shoulders. “I need a different shirt. Wear that one for now” he got up and went to the far side of the library, pulling a clean shirt from a box under the desk.

Chas pondered if he should say anything but decided if he didn't, with her power she may find out anyway. "when he was born, his mother died. His father was a very mean disgusting man who blamed John for it. Called him a killer. Never by his name. Its why he turned to punk music, being a trouble maker and eventually black magic. It was an escape for him and I was the only one other than his sister that ever stood by him. When he was older, he tried to save a young girl, not much older than yourself, but she got taken by a demon to Hell and he's never forgiven himself for it. Even today" he explained.

Kay smirked at his explanation of how he knew what Chas and Trish were up to, before feeli g his shirt going onto her skin and over her shoulders. "thanks" she replied, slipping her arms into his shirt sleeves and then doing the buttons up. On her slim frame, it almost drowned her but that just made it all the more comfortable to be wearing. She was aware it smelled of him which was of comfort to her, smiling to herself, she pulled on her leggings, standing up to pull them over her ass and onto her waist, letting the shirt sit over the top. She rolled the sleeves down a bit so they covered her hands partially and then walked over to the mirror so she could tidy her hair up a little bit.

Trish frowned as they walked when she heard it and said “that’s why he didn’t give up to save me…he didn’t want to let another kid down…I’m feel sorry for him. Being blamed for things that he couldn’t control…that’s not fair”

John slipped on the other shirt and slipped his tie back on before saying “Kay…don’t let whatever you hear from anyone about me make you think this wasn’t amazing or special to me…alright?”

Chas after saying what he did, was starting to think maybe he shouldn't have said anything to such a young girl, but Trish surprised him by taking it so well. "yeah, kids are his weakness. Though you didn't hear that from me. You must keep what I've told you a secret and not let him know I said anything. He's a very closed off person unless he genuinely cares about someone." he explained, deciding to leave out the real horrific end of John's self inflicted justice toward his father. A child as young as Trish did not need to know that John set the house on fire with his father in it and burned the guy alive, sending him to Hell.

As John spoke to her again, she looked across at him and wondered where this was coming from. However she just walked up to him and slid her arms round his waist, "John, I will never let other's comments about you away my opinion of you. I've made my own opinion of you for what I've seen of you and that won't change. You've been nothing but amazing to me and I know it was as special to you as it was for me. I could feel it in our bond." she started explaining, pecking his lips. "you've given me a new burst of wanting to live and dare I say it...love. Nothing anyone could tell me will stop me from wanting to be with you. I want you John. I want to be with you. And it seems the universe does too if this bond and such is anything to go by" she explained.

"and that came out way longer than I anticipated" she softly chuckled.

Trish nodded and said “I understand…do t worry, the secret is safe with me. Now…tell me about this Serena. My brother has a thing for her and I want to make sure she’s good enough for him”

John and kissed her forehead. “Alright I get it…I just wanted to warn you. If we run into people who know my past…you will learn nasty things about me” he sighed and rubbed his eyes again. The rush was gone and the pain was coming back.

Chas chuckled as they walked and she asked about Serena got her brother. "she's a good person Trish. She smart, and selfless. She found Kay before myself and John did and kept her dry and safe. She's a good person. A really good person" he told her. He didn't know nearly as much as Serena as he did John, but he had known John since they were kids so it wasn't all that surprising. It didn't take much longer for the two of them to get back, which was a good thing considering what they were bringing home to everyone.

Kay closed her eyes as she felt his lips on her forehead, reopening them again to look at him as he spoke more. "everyone has a past John, dark or not. I care about the person in front of me now" she told him, "but warning duely noted" she added, seeing that the adrenaline and rush of them actually sleeping together wearing off of him. "why don't I go put the kettle on yeah? You sit down and actually relax for a moment?" she suggested to him.

Trish nodded as they headed up the steps. “As long as she’s good enough for him…he needs someone in his life. Not just me” she opened the door and said “we’re home!”

John shook his head as he heard the door open. “No im alright…let’s go check on Trish then see how Serena is recover…” he turned to meet Chas, the pain getting worse the farther he stepped from Kay.

Serena suddenly stirred in bed and started turning, muttering in her sleep.

Chas smiled at how considerate Trish was over her big brother. It was honestly some of the most endearing things to see. He walked over with her to the house and opened the door, letting her inside first, chuckling to himself as she declared they were home. He shut the door behind them and put the key inside his jacket pocket, following her in as he saw John and Kay.

Kay nodded even though she didn't agree with the decision fully. She was about to walk with him when Chas and Trish got inside and Chas saw them both, she could tell that Chas was putting the pieces together in his head at what they did, considering she wasn't wearing her own top, but John's shirt. "you got your ice cream I see" Kay smiled, trying to avoid Chas' eyes as she looked at Trish, stepping up to beside John, looping her arm through his to try and relieve the pain and exhaustion from him.

Josh was about to leave the room as he saw Serena fully asleep when she started stirring and fidgeting, so he got up and went over to the bed. "hey shhh, it's okay, you're okay" he cooed softly.

Trish tilted her head at Kay and said “what happened to your shirt? Did it get messed up?” John smirked and said “ya, hers had a little mess on it so I gave her my spare while we wash it”

He felt a little better standing by her but he saw Chas giving him a look and said “Kay love? Maybe you want to show Trish where the spoons and bowls are?” He knew he was going to get a lecture from Chas.

Serena turned in her sleep and flinched softly, her eyes tightly shut. After a minute she opened her eyes and saw Josh above her. “Josh? What…”

Kay wasn't surprised that Trish spotted the difference in her attire, she smirked at the comment and it only grew when John came up with a cover story on the spot as she stifled the snigger that was wanting to escape her lips. The stifling of her snigger was only made easier to do so as she Chas' look at them both before she looked up at John and nodded. "sure thing, hollah if you need me" she told him, referring to her calming effect she had on him. She let go of his arm, kissed his cheek and took Trish to the kitchen.

Chas watched the two of them intently, giving John 'the look' his mate knew all too well. He waited until Trish and Kay were well and truly in the kitchen and out of earshot before putting his own little ice cream tub down on the coffer table. "I leave for what...twenty minutes and you two shag?" he questioned John. "please don't say you did it on the damn couch" he groaned, even though he knew the answer already. "christ John, you really don't ever keep it in your pants do you?" he sighed.

Josh stepped back ever so slightly when Serena woke up, glad to see she was alright. "you uhh, uhh, seemed to be murmuring in your sleep, I got worried" he stammered, showing that he didn't mean anything sinister by his presence beside her but was aware how bad it could have looked to her when she opened her eyes. "sorry if I startled you" he apologised.

Trish followed Kay and said “why does Chas look like josh does when I did something I shouldn’t have?” She took Kay’s hand, very confused now.

John held up his hands and said “I didn’t mean for it to happen…it just…did? She was helping me get my bearings…I’m not feeling a hundred percent and it kinda…went to the physical level. She started it. And I’m glad it happened. And I made sure it’s what she really wanted first. I really did…ah” he held his face, his head pounding with his eyes pulsing.

Serena smiled snd sat up saying “it’s alright Josh…just having one of my confusing dreams again…did you stay with me the whole time?”

Kay had to chuckle at Trish's question, "because Chas is the mature one out of him and John. That's all you need to know" she told her, reaching the kitchen, letting go of her hand and going to the cupboard with the bowls in, before getting proper spoons out as well and placing them on the table. "SO, what ice did you get?" she smiled, trying to change the subject.

Chas listened to him explain and sighed, feeling like he was talking to a teenager sometimes, but he knew John was more than old enough to know what he was doing. "Of course she-" he started replying when he saw John hold his head. "John?" he asked concerned, grabbing his mate's shoulder. "You alright mate?" he asked, wondering what was so wrong with him.

At Serena's explanation Josh nodded and sighed with relief that she wasn't angry at him for leaning over her and making sure she was okay. "Uhh, yeah I did, I was about to leave when I saw how you were in your sleep" he explained to him. "Hope you don't mind that I was here longer than I said" he then added. "i was just wanting to make sure you were okay"

Trish smiled and said “chocolate with orange…I got you strawberry and mint. Serena cookie dough and josh dark chocolate.” She sat at the table and looked back. “So…you and John a thing now?”

John shook his head and said “I don’t know…my head is killing me…it is worse now…I can’t” he leaned against Chas, closing his eyes. He said “it started with my eyes…they are killing me…”

Serena smiled and said “I don’t mind at all Josh…thank you so much for staying with me…” she slowly got up and rolled her neck. “What did I miss?”

Kay smiled as Trish accepted the subject change and told her what flavours she and Chas got everyone. "well that's very lovely you both to get us some too. I love strawberry and mint" she said to her. The next thing she wasn't expecting to hear from Trish, "uhh, I think so? It's not really been properly discussed if we are or not" she said, "but I hope we are, I really like him kiddo" she told her.

Chas didn't fully know what to do, but he was worried. He lead John to the couch, sitting him down carefully. "I really hope this is just stress related John, was it this bad when Kay was beside you? Want me to get her in here?" he asked, not sure what to suggest.

Josh smiled and nodded, "you're welcome, and not much. Chas took Trish out for ice cream so no doubt she's come back with some for everyone as per usual. Or at least... When there were more people to get it for." he replied, looking down sadly as it brought a moment back of how much he missed his folks. "heard them come back only a little while ago and I think Kay and John are still downstairs" he explained.

Trish smiled and said “good, cause he likes you too. That I can tell from a mile away…he has dark in his past but you can handle it. Now…I need to know; is Serena good enough for my brother?”

John shook his head and said “no; but I think that’s because of our link…I have to figure…” then he paused and cursed softly. “I looked at the light…when I did the purge of Serena…”

Serena frowned and moved over, resting a hand on his. “What happened to them if I can ask?”

Kay smiled softly and nodded, "I know" she replied before chuckling at her next question, "I haven't known Serena for long but she's a good person Trish. I owe her a lot in the short time we've known each other, she's definitely good enough" she said honestly, "come on, let's bring this lot back to John and Chas" she said to her, "actually, why don't you go see your brother and Serena and tell them about the ice cream?" she suggested.

Chas sighed, "of course you did..." he replied to him, "is there anything we can do to help with your eyes?" he asked him.

Josh sighed and looked down at their hands before deciding to tell her. He sat on the edge of her bed and stared at their hands the whole time. "it happened one night, about two days before I was going to go college. I was babysitting Trish so our folks could have their date night on the anniversary of their wedding. They were on their way home when another car came out of nowhere and crashed right into them. Their car skidded off road and went into a tree, killing them both on impact." he explained, his tone showing how retelling the story was choking him up, his hand shaking slightly under hers.

Trish nodded and jumped up, heading upstairs. She opened the door and saw the pair sharing the moment. She paused, then stepped back and waited till they were done.

Serena frowned and held his hands tighter. “I’m so sorry Josh…I lost my mother to the big C…and my father I didn’t really get to know…but you have Trish. Your not alone…and your making your parents so proud by all you’ve done to protect her…” her eyes were glowing softly as she said this, her shadows wrapping loosely around them both.

John pointed to his desk and said “I have to purify my evil…they must have caught some of the nasty crap I was getting out of Serena…I need to remember goggles when I do these things…” he flinched in pain again and the pain doubled. “Holy water…bottom drawer…wet the rag next to it…this is going to hurt…”

Josh let Serena hold his hand tighter to try and stop his shaking. Truth was, he had been so focused on protecting Trish and making sure her grief didn't completely consume her that he never really ever let himself grieve properly. He had never spoken about their parents deaths to anyone before now. A silent tear escaped his eye as he listened to her talk and he felt her shadows wrap around them both. With his free hand, it used the back of it to wipe the tear away, not wanting to seem weak or pathetic. Yet there was something about Serena that made it easy to open up. "sorry... I don't make a habit of crying to just anyone" he smirked in a somber manner. "I've never let myself properly grieve for them. Trish's well-being has been far more important to me than my own" he explained, not realising that Trish was outside the room and listening in.

Chas nodded at the instructions and quickly headed to where John was pointing. He pulled open the bottom drawer and grabbed the bottle of Holy water and the rag, opening the bottle and soaking the rag with the water, bringing it over to him. "hurting as it gets removed is better than what you're going through now" he told him handing him the rag. Just as he was handing him the rag, Kay was coming back in with the bowls and spoons for the ice cream and saw what was happening.

"I knew there was more to your discomfort than you were letting on" she said, putting everything down on the table.