Cook~3

Tess lay sprawled across the couch, flipping through the telly channels with zero interest. The sound of her mum moving about filled the house—clothes being yanked off the drying rack, folded (badly), then stuffed aggressively into a suitcase that was already too full

Tess didn't look up. "You're only going for a few days. What, are you expecting a change in climate while you're there?"

Anna gave her a pointed look. "You never know."

"So how's Katie?" Anna asked, handing Tess her tea. "Or Emily? What's she been up to?"

Tess took a sip before answering. "Katie's... I dunno, same as always."

"That's not an answer."

Tess exhaled. "She's good. Annoying. As usual."

Anna smirked. " And Emily?"

Tess shrugged. "Fine."

"You're very chatty today." Anna made a noise of disapproval. "How about Effy? Are you still friends with her?"

Tess hesitated. "You know Effy."

Anna raised an eyebrow. "That bad?"

Tess let out a small laugh. "Nah. She's alright...I think"

Anna hummed, like she didn't quite believe her. "God, it must be horrible, poor thing. Now Jims not around...or Tony-"

"Yeah," Tess cut her off, anticipating a rant.

Anna nodded, then gave her a knowing look. "And what about you?"

Tess blinked. "What about me?"

"Oh, come on. You never tell me stuff."

Tess smirked. "So?"

Anna sighed, shaking her head. "I wanna know about your life. Michelle used to talk my ear off about her dramas."

Tess snorted. "Yeah, well, I'm not Michelle."

Anna leaned against the couch, watching her. "No. But I still wanna know what's going on with you."

Tess picked at the sleeve of her hoodie. "Not much to tell."

Anna scoffed. "Can you at least tell me where you just snuck off too?"

Tess rolled her eyes. "I wasn't sneaking."

"Mhm," Anna said, unconvinced before tilting her head. "Was it a boy?"

Tess choked on her tea, coughing. "Oh my God."

Anna grinned. "It was, wasn't it?"

Tess groaned. "I hate you."

Anna just smirked. "Come on, who is he?"

Tess hesitated, then sighed. "Cook."

Her mum frowned. "Cook?"

Tess gave her a look. "His name's James but everyone calls him Cook."

Anna thought for a moment. "Odd...What does he look like?"

Tess huffed a laugh. "Why?"

"I wanna put a face to the name." She smirked

"Got a photo?"

"No," Tess said quickly. She definitely did, but Anna didn't need to know that.

Her mum studied her for a second, and then it seemed to click. "Wait. This isn't—this isn't that boy, is it?"

Tess frowned, rolling her eyes. "Very helpful, mum"

"The one you were shouting at in the yard. Ages ago, At the McClairs'?"

Tess sighed. "Yeah. That one." secretly disappointed her mum had figured it out.

Anna's expression immediately soured. "Oh, Tess."

Tess rolled her eyes. "Oh, what?"

"I don't like him."

Tess let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You don't even know him."

"I know enough," Anna said simply, stuffing socks into the side pocket of her suitcase.

Tess scoffed. "Right. From the whole five seconds you've seen him?"

"That was enough." She scoffed, knowingly.

Tess rolled her eyes. "You're so dramatic."

"I may be, but I know boys like him are trouble, Tess" Her mum huffed, folding up one last top.

"Boys like what?" Tess questioned

"You know what." Anna turned back to her bag, zipping it up with some difficulty. "I'm being serious, Tess. You get caught up in things. You always have."

Tess huffed a laugh. "Yeah? Like what?"

Anna didn't answer straight away, just gave her a look, the kind that made Tess feel like she was 14 again, getting a lecture about running off to God-knows-where with God-knows-who.

Tess hesitated, then sighed, running a hand through her hair. "He's got no one."

Anna's expression softened just a fraction. "And you think that's your problem?"

Tess looked away. "I think he's my friend."

Anna exhaled. "And that's all?"

Tess glanced at her, "I was just helping a friend. That's it. satisfied?"

Anna hummed, as if that told her everything she needed to know. "Well. Just be careful."

Tess let out a tired sigh. "Whatever"

Her mum sighed, checking her watch. "Alright, I need to go soon." She grabbed her bag and hoisted it onto her shoulder. "You sure you'll be alright?"

Tess waved a hand. "Yeah."

Anna sighed, adjusting the strap of her handbag. "Michelle's supposed to be back in a couple of days anyway, so you won't be alone for long."

Tess nodded at her mum as she led her out the door

Anna gave her one last look, something unreadable in her expression. Then she reached out, squeezing Tess's shoulder briefly before slamming the door shut.

Tess watched her go, listening to the sound of the suitcase wheels scraping the path, the rusty creak of the gate.

She stayed there for a moment, staring at the door.

Alone again.

----

The afternoon light slanted through the half-closed blinds, streaking Tess's room in pale gold. She sat cross-legged on her bed, a half-filled sketchbook open in front of her, pencil in one hand, spliff in the other. A mostly empty cup of tea sat beside her, long since gone cold.

She took a slow drag, tapping ash into an old mug on her nightstand, eyes flicking over the mess of lines she'd been sketching. It wasn't anything in particular—just random shapes, bits of shading, idle scratches that might've formed a face if she cared enough to finish it.

She exhaled, watching the smoke curl toward the ceiling before sinking back into herself.

Her head was a mess.

She didn't know how to feel about Cook anymore. They were never together—not properly—but he was still there, still getting under her skin, still making her care when she didn't want to. And now, with everything hanging over him, she couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in her chest.

If he got locked up, what then?

She'd been fine before him. She'd be fine after. That's what she told herself.

But she wasn't sure she believed it.

Her phone buzzed.

Tess blinked, grabbing it lazily before answering. "What?"

Cook's voice crackled down the line. "Ey up, look out your window."

She frowned. "What?"

"Just do it."

Still frowning, she shoved the curtain aside and squinted outside.

Cook was standing in the middle of the pavement—wearing a lopsided, guilty grin—but what made her freeze was the kid slumped over his back, arms dangling, head resting on his shoulder.

Tess blinked. Was that his brother?

Cook shifted the dead weight on his shoulders and smirked up at her. "Lookin' good, Tessy."

Tess let out a disbelieving laugh, Then hung up without a word.

She tossed her phone onto the bed and made her way downstairs.

Tess pulled the door open, her eyes immediately falling to the kid in Cook's arms.

Paddy was completely out of it, his small frame slack, head resting against Cook's shoulder. His uniform was rumpled, dirt smudged across the collar and sleeves, like he'd been running around all day and no one had bothered to clean him up.

Tess frowned. "Is he alright?"

"Yeah, just tired, I think," Cook muttered, shifting Paddy slightly in his grip. There was something softer in his voice, something rare. "Sorry bout' this"

She shook her head, waving a hand "It's fine Cook."

"Didn't have nowhere to go," He muttered as he carried Paddy inside.

Tess hesitated, then nodded toward the stairs. "Bring him up."

She turned, heading up first, not sure what else to say. She could hear Cook following behind, his steps heavier than usual with Paddy's weight on his back.

Once inside her room, she moved quickly, brushing ash off the bed, shoving pencils aside, making enough space.

Cook stepped in and carefully lowered Paddy onto the bed, moving like he'd done this a hundred times before. Tess pulled a blanket over the kid, tucking it lightly around him.

Cook ran a hand through his brother's messy hair, rubbing his head for a second before turning away, like it was just instinct.

Tess took him in properly then. Paddy's uniform was still on, his tie loose and askew, his jumper streaked with dirt. He must've been out for hours like this. She had no idea what had happened, or where their mum was. If she even noticed.

She looked back at Cook, who was staring at the floor, jaw tight.

"Come on, let him sleep." Tess led the way to the stairs, glancing at him once before heading down. After a moment, Cook followed.

---

Tess sat perched on the edge of the old couch on the back porch, staring out at the darkening sky. The sun had almost fully dipped below the rooftops, washing everything in dusky purples and oranges. The only sound was the faint tinkling of the wind chime by the door, swaying gently in the breeze.

Cook was sprawled back against the cushions, one arm lazily draped over the back of the couch, the other fumbling in his jacket pocket before pulling out a bottle of something strong. Where the hell had he even been hiding that? He twisted the cap off with his teeth, taking a quick swig before pulling out a ciggy and lighting it up.

Tess let out a breath, shaking her head. "It's after seven, Cook."

"I know," he muttered around the cigarette, exhaling smoke toward the sky.

She turned to face him, frowning. "You know? You're not supposed to be out."

Cook shrugged, flicking ash into an empty beer can by his feet. "No choice."

Her brow furrowed. "What?... What happened?"

He sighed, rubbing his face before answering. "My mum. Went a bit mental, y'know? Chucked us out."

"Us?" Her stomach twisted. "Paddy too?"

Cook nodded, looking away. Tess chewed the inside of her cheek, trying to process it. It wasn't the first time his mum had thrown him out, but Paddy? He was just a kid.

"Jesus, Cook..." she muttered, adjusting the blanket draped over them. "And you brought him here?"

"I took him out first. Think I made it worse..." His voice was lower now, less like his usual careless self.

Tess hesitated, choosing her next words carefully. "He smelled."

Cook frowned. "Of what?"

She gave him a look.

Understanding flashed in his eyes. "Oh. That." He huffed out a short, almost amused breath. "Daft boot just tried it. Inhaled too much. Coughed his guts up."

"You let your little brother have a smoke?" she said, shaking her head, half in disbelief, half in disappointment.

Cook scoffed. "Chillax. He's alright, innit?"

"I guess," she muttered, folding her arms. "What did you do that made her kick you out... again?"

Cook turned to her, grinning. "Oi, why you just assumin' it was me?" He nudged her playfully.

Tess rolled her eyes, smirking. "Because it's always you."

Cook chuckled but didn't argue. Instead, he exhaled a long breath, his knee bouncing slightly. "Paddy had a little run-in with the law."

Tess raised an eyebrow. "Right. Started young, then," she joked, but there was an edge to it.

"Poor bugger," Cook muttered, running a hand through his hair.

A silence settled between them, heavier now. Tess turned back toward the sky, watching as the stars slowly blinked into view.

Then Cook spoke again. "Tess, can I ask you something?"

She looked at him. "Of course."

His gaze flickered to the cigarette between his fingers, then back up to her. He hesitated, like he wasn't sure he wanted to say it aloud. Then, quietly—too quietly for him—he asked, "Do you think I've fucked him up?"

Tess blinked. "What?"

Cook swallowed hard, shaking his head. "I mean—just before, he was losing it. Like really losing it."

She stared at him. "Like you lose it?" He nodded slowly.

Cook met her eyes, his usual confidence stripped away. "And it was fucking scary, Tess. I don't want him to end up like me. Some pissed-up tosser... who's got no one."

Her chest ached at that.

"Cook..." she started, voice softer now. "It's not your fault. If anything, it's hers."

He let out a humourless laugh. "Think she sees me as one of her fuckin' artworks more than her son."

Tess didn't know what to say to that. What could she say? She knew Cook played things off like he didn't care, but this was different.

After a moment, she nudged him lightly. "You're not a complete tosser... Not all the time."

Cook smirked, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"And you don't have no one. You know that, right?"

He nodded, but it wasn't convincing.

Then he shifted, leaning in just a little. His shoulder pressed into hers beneath the blanket, his eyes flicking between hers.

"I've gotta fix this," he murmured. "For him...For you." He said, almost in a whisper. "But I don't know if I can."

Tess inhaled slowly. "Whatever you're doing... you can stop."

Cook swallowed hard.

"All you've gotta do is stop," she said, and before she could think too much about it, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

When she pulled back, he was looking at her. Really looking at her. The distance between them had vanished. His hand moved, barely brushing her leg under the blanket.

Neither of them moved.

Then, almost at the same time, they both leaned in—slow, hesitant at first. Their lips met, warm and familiar, but different somehow. Tess felt his hand slide against her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. Cook's fingers pressed into her side, rough but careful, like he was afraid she might pull away. But she didn't.

The wind chime rattled softly above them, but everything else faded. It was just them, wrapped up in that moment, in the heat between them, in the way Cook's hand slid under her jumper, fingers trailing across her bare skin. Tess inhaled sharply at the touch, her own hands gripping at his shirt, pulling him in closer.

Cook's breath hitched. "I've missed you so fuckin' much," he murmured, voice thick, like he wasn't entirely sure this was real.

She swallowed hard, forehead pressing against his. "Shut up, Cook."

That only made him grin even more.

She shifted, moving from her perch on the edge of the couch and straddling his lap instead, her knees pressing into the cushions on either side of him. Cook's hands immediately found her hips, steadying her.

Tess exhaled sharply, her fingers curling into him, pulling him closer, and fuck—maybe she should slow down, maybe this wasn't a good idea. But when had they ever been good at stopping?

Cook's hands slipped beneath the waistband of her jeans, palms hot against her skin. "You sure?" he murmured against her throat.

Tess's heart pounded. Her mind screamed at her to think this through, to be careful, but she ignored it. She just wanted this—wanted him, here, now, while everything else felt too fucking heavy.

She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. His pupils were blown, his lips slightly swollen, and for once, there was no cocky smirk, no joking glint in his eyes. Just him, waiting, wanting.

Instead of answering, Tess kissed him again, harder this time, more urgent. And that was all Cook needed.

----

Tess's eyes fluttered open, blurry at first. The colours of the sky hadn't changed much—it was still that dusky pink and purple hue, the last bits of sunlight hanging on stubbornly like it wasn't quite ready to let go. Her mind was slow to catch up with her surroundings, but something felt different. She blinked a few times, trying to focus, and that's when she realised her head was resting on something soft. Cook's lap.

She could feel his hand resting on her back. When she finally focused enough to see his face, it wasn't the usual relaxed, careless expression he always wore. His eyes were distant, a little too tense, almost... nervous? There was a knot between his brows, like something was eating at him, and that wasn't like him. He usually got quiet after, but this... this felt different.

Tess shifted on the couch, stretching out her legs as she turned onto her stomach, lifting her head to face him. The blanket slipped a bit off her shoulders, but she barely noticed.

"Hey," she said, her voice still thick with sleep but concerned. "What's wrong?"

Cook didn't immediately answer. His gaze remained fixed on the horizon, his jaw tense. It was like he was battling something in his mind, something he didn't want to face.

"I've gotta do something," Cook finally muttered, voice low and almost... broken. "Sort this shit out. I'll be back, alright?"

Tess's heart skipped a beat at his words, but before she could react, he leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. It was brief—too brief, almost like a goodbye. She blinked up at him, wanting to say something, to stop him, but before she could even move, Cook was already standing up, turning toward the door with that same restless energy that never seemed to let him be still.

"Cook, wait—!" Tess called after him, her voice rising, but it was too late. He was already dashing back inside, his figure disappearing into the darkness of the house.

Tess lay there, staring at the space he'd just vacated, confusion and worry pooling in her chest. What the hell was going on with him?

She shifted uncomfortably, readjusting her jeans as she sat up on the edge of the couch. She needed to clear her head. Cook had just dashed off, leaving her with his brother.

She sighed and quietly made her way upstairs. She peeked into the room where Cook's brother was still fast asleep, checking to make sure he was alright. She hadn't expected this—Cook's family drama was always a mess, but now she was conveniently playing babysitter. Not that she had much of a choice.

But before she could even step inside the room, a voice startled her from behind.

"Surprise!"

Tess whipped around, nearly tripping over her own feet. "Fuck!" she yelped, heart hammering in her chest.

Michelle stood there beaming, arms open. "I'm back!!"

"I can see that!" She snapped. Tess put a hand over her chest, trying to calm herself. "What the fuck? You scared me."

"Well, that was the plan," Michelle teased, pushing past her into the room. Then her eyes fell on the still-sleeping Paddy. "I just got back and I- Who the fuck is that!?"

Tess just stared at Michelle, caught somewhere between annoyance and an unexplainable sense of panic. How would she explain this one? Tess practically dragged Michelle downstairs into the living room.

Michelle raised an eyebrow, clearly still confused. "Tess, why is there a child asleep in your bed?"

Tess exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "It's Paddy..."

Michelle squinted, making a dramatic rolling motion with her eyes. "Oh, and I'm supposed to know who that is! Hello??? Tess?"

Tess snapped out of her wandering thoughts, suddenly remembering the mess Cook had left behind. "He's Cook's little brother."

"Fucking hell," Michelle muttered under her breath, her eyes widening. "Of course he is. I should've guessed." She huffed, throwing herself down onto the couch.

Tess sat down beside her, her face heavy with a thousand thoughts. "Chelle..."

"Why?" Michelle asked, her voice still filled with disbelief. "Why the hell would he bring him here?"

Tess sighed, her head dropping into her hands for a second before she spoke again. "He didn't know where to go." Her voice trembled slightly.

Michelle's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, so he came crawling back to you?"

Tess snapped, her voice cutting sharp like a knife. "He's not 'crawling back' to me! I fucked it up with him, Chelle."

Michelle scoffed, not convinced. "That is so not true."

Tess just looked at her, shaking her head, not bothering to argue further. "Whatever."

They sat in silence for a moment, but the quiet was heavy, suffocating. Tess wasn't sure how to start, but she knew it was time. "Everything's been falling apart."

Michelle frowned, sitting up a little. "What do you mean?"

Tess hesitated, the words catching in her throat. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft. "Sophia, that girl I told you about...the one who killed herself. At the club we were in."

Michelle's face fell. "Yeah, I remember."

Tess nodded slowly, wiping a stray tear away. "It's like this one thing has set off a bunch of shit. Even before that, Cook and I..." She paused, not sure how to put it into words. " It's been wrong, off. Ever since the holidays."

Michelle's expression softened, and she reached out, resting her hand on Tess's arm. "Tess, talk to me. What's been going on?"

Tess let out a shaky breath, gathering her thoughts. "Naomi—remember Naomi? She... she cheated on Emily. With the girl who... died. And everything's off. Nothing feels the same anymore and I can't fucking stand it. "

She wiped her eyes, trying to hold it together. "And then Cook... he got arrested. For beating this guy at a party. He's on bail now, but..." She swallowed hard. "There was something at the party, Chelle. Something changed. And today he came over here, with Paddy. And..." Tess's voice trailed off, the weight of everything crashing down on her.

She took a shaky breath and looked at Michelle, her heart in her throat. "And then... it just happened. With Cook. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know if I'm making it worse or if it's even... right. But it just happened. And I don't know where it's going, or if it's even worth trying anymore."

Tess's chest tightened, and she finally let the tears come, quiet and raw. Michelle's face softened with concern, and she moved closer, wrapping her arms around Tess.

"I'm here," Michelle whispered, rubbing her back. "You don't have to carry all this on your own."

Tess sniffled, leaning into Michelle's embrace. "I don't know how much more I can take."

Michelle pulled back just a little to look at her, giving her a serious look. "You've really been through it, haven't you? You can't keep putting everyone else's shit before your own. You've got to take care of yourself too."

Tess nodded slowly, wiping her face. Michelle's voice softened even further. "Now, I'm gonna go get us something to eat, alright? I'm not leaving you like this. You need some food, and some tea."

Tess couldn't help but smile faintly, a little of the weight lifting. "Thanks."

As Michelle walked into the kitchen, Tess let her head fall back against the couch. But before she could close her eyes, Michelle's voice rang out from the kitchen.

"Where the fuck's all the food?"

Tess's head snapped up as Michelle stormed back into the room, her hands on her hips. "Mum's only been gone for what, two days, and this place is a tip?!"

Tess rubbed her temples, trying not to laugh. "She stayed an extra couple of days."

Michelle shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to the shop, getting some stuff together. Some food. Some ice cream. And when I get back, you're gonna listen to the full rundown of my travels, and we're gonna figure this shit out. Deal?"

Tess managed a weak smile. "Deal."

---

It had only been a couple of minutes since Michelle had left, and Tess was curled up on the couch, her head resting in her lap, still quietly crying. She could feel the weight of everything on her chest, a familiar ache she couldn't shake. But then she felt something watching her, and her body went rigid.

Tess quickly looked up to find Paddy standing in the doorway, his wide eyes filled with curiosity. He looked just as confused as ever. And of course, as a child, his first instinct wasn't to ask who Tess was, where he was, or how he had even gotten there. No, his first instinct was to walk right up to her and ask in that blunt, childlike way that only a kid could:

"Why are you crying?"

Tess blinked, caught off guard by his directness, and hastily wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself. "It's nothing, I'm fine," she muttered quickly, though it didn't sound convincing even to her own ears.

Paddy squinted at her, a tiny frown playing on his face as he processed her response. "Oh, alright... Where am I? Where's Cookie?"

Tess shifted, pushing herself into a sitting position on the couch and trying to sound more collected. "I'm one of Cook's friends. He's just—well, I actually don't know where he's gone, but he said he'll be back, alright?"

Paddy plopped down on the couch next to her, a half-smile on his face. "Fine, I don't mind staying with you."

"I've heard about you," Paddy said, his face lighting up as if this was some exciting revelation. "Mum was shouting about it the other night, about some girl who'd come to the house," he added, eyes wide with glee. "And I asked Cook, and he told me all about you."

Tess raised an eyebrow, a small laugh escaping her despite herself. "All about me? What did he say?"

Paddy's eyes brightened as he thought hard for a moment, clearly thrilled to share this piece of gossip. "Well... he said you're... you know... pretty... and that you're a bit mad, but not too mad. I think. Oh! And also," he paused, leaning closer with an almost conspiratorial grin, "he said you're really good at, uh...something."

Tess blinked, trying to hold back a laugh. "Fucking hell," she said rolling her eyes.

Paddy looked at her with a mixture of innocence and mischief. "That's all I remember," he said with a shrug, "but I'm sure there's more. He said something about you being 'definitely worth the trouble,' or something like that, but... I don't remember exactly."

Tess just shook her head, letting out a small chuckle. "Jesus, Cook..." she muttered under her breath before shifting gears. "You feeling better now?"

Paddy nodded enthusiastically, clearly bouncing back into his usual energetic self. "Yeah! ...What happened again?"

"Your brother being an absolute idiot is what happened," Tess said, her tone a mix of exasperation and affection.

Paddy giggled, remembering something. "I remember now! He let me try his spliff!"

Tess smirked. "Yeah, and someone inhaled too much..."

"It wasn't that bad!" Paddy protested, puffing out his chest proudly. "I could handle it!"

Tess raised an eyebrow. "Mhm, you definitely haven't been fast asleep for the past two hours."

Paddy waved her off, clearly unfazed. "I was just a little teeny bit tired," he said, trying to sound grown-up, but it only made Tess chuckle.

"Right, from your big adventure, I heard."

Paddy grinned, looking at Tess like he was about to share a huge secret. "Me and Paul drank six Red Bulls each, we farted in a lift, we swam in a fountain, stole bras from M&S, and we started a fire on College Green and all the filth showed up. Awesome, right?"

Tess stared at him, her jaw hanging open. "No, not awesome. Why'd you do it?"

Paddy looked at her as if the answer was obvious. "Because I'm not a pussy."

Tess froze for a second, a bit taken aback. "Where'd you get that from?"

Paddy grinned proudly. "Cook."

Tess sighed, shaking her head, muttering, "Of course."

Paddy, oblivious to her disapproval, continued, "He said he's not sorry because he's not a pussy and he's not gonna play anyone's games. So I'm not one either."

Tess, trying to keep it together, gave him a pointed look. "Right, well, maybe you shouldn't listen to everything your brother says, mate."

"Why?" Paddy asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Because sometimes," Tess said carefully, "like today, it's gotten you in trouble, hasn't it?"

Paddy's face shifted, the confidence fading as he processed that. "He's not going to get in trouble though! He's not gonna go to prison. So it doesn't matter."

Tess didn't know what to say. She opened her mouth but couldn't bring herself to answer, not with certainty.

"Is he...?" Paddy asked again, his voice soft, the worry creeping into his tone.

Tess looked at him, her heart aching for this kid. She didn't want to lie to him, but she didn't have answers either. "I don't know, Paddy."

Paddy's eyes filled with concern as he spoke again, his voice breaking slightly. "He can't go. He can't leave me again. I don't want him to."

At that, Tess couldn't help herself. She pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. He was just a kid, caught up in the mess that came with growing up in a family like his. "It's not over yet," she whispered softly. "Maybe he'll be alright... maybe."

---

It was the day of Cook's trial, and Tess's stomach churned with a mix of dread and confusion. Cook had admitted to selling Sophia the drugs, even though it wasn't him—it was Naomi. Tess couldn't figure out why he'd done it. Maybe he thought he was already on a path of no return, so why not take the blame for something he didn't do? But Tess didn't want that. She didn't want him to be the one to fall, not when it wasn't even his fault. She wanted him here. With her.

She stood outside the courthouse, eyes scanning the crowd before landing on JJ, standing alone across the street. He was looking at something in the distance, lost in thought, as if he was waiting for... something. Tess hesitated for a moment, then walked over, her footsteps soft against the pavement.

"Not going in?" she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.

JJ jumped slightly at her voice, turning around with a small, sheepish smile. "I will. Just—just not yet."

Tess frowned, her gaze softening. She didn't press him for answers, knowing that he, too, was dealing with his own nerves.

"You've forgiven him, then?" she asked, pointing to his bruised face, a mark of the fight they'd had.

JJ shifted uncomfortably but nodded. "Yeah. I... I've got to, haven't I? It's Cook. He's my best friend." He hesitated. "Me, Cook, Freddie. I've got to believe in the integrity of the unit."

Tess exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of everything they were all facing. "I don't want him to go away. I don't want to lose him."

JJ nodded in understanding, his expression softening. "Neither do I." He glanced away for a moment, clearly trying to find the right words. "But Cook... he does these things. And maybe we don't get it, but that doesn't mean we stop caring about him."

Tess couldn't help but smile at the quiet sincerity in his voice. He might not have always had the easiest time showing it, but in that moment, it felt like JJ understood her better than anyone else.

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the trial hanging between them, before Tess broke the quiet.

"I don't know what's going to happen today," she said, her voice almost a whisper, "but I just... I don't want him to think he's got no one. Because that is what he thinks"

JJ's face softened, and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But, he's got all of us."

Just then, Freddie and Effy appeared, walking toward them with their own mix of nerves and determination. Tess met their eyes briefly before nodding, her thoughts still tangled but knowing they'd all face whatever came together.

"Let's go," Tess said quietly.

----

Tess, Freddie, JJ, and Effy walked down the corridor together, their footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Ahead, Cook sat with his lawyer, his hands clasped in front of him. His gaze flickered up, and when he saw Tess, his face softened. A quiet, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Tess gave him an encouraging smile in return, trying to reassure him that she was there, that they were all there.

JJ gave him a brisk, almost awkward wave. Cook's smile widened as he nodded back, his eyes full of relief at seeing his friends. Despite the weight of the situation, the sight of them gave him a brief sense of comfort.

But before they could take another step, a voice broke through the heavy air.

"James Cook!"

Cook stood up immediately, his lawyer standing beside him. He turned to face the courtroom door, ready to walk in. But a small figure darted past Tess and Freddie.

"Paddy!" Tess heard him before she saw him—a rush of movement, the sound of his voice shouting Cook's name.

"Cook!" Paddy called again, as he squeezed between the officers, ignoring their attempts to stop him.

"No, let go!" he cried, wiggling through them like a determined little whirlwind.

Cook's head whipped around, his eyes locking with Paddy's. For a brief, desperate moment, Cook hesitated, then broke into a small, soft smile.

"Paddy!" he called, his voice strained but warm.

Cook bent down slightly as Paddy ran towards him. Tess could hear the last of what Cook said as he pulled the younger boy into a tight hug. "Be a big man for me, okay? I need you to sit there for us and wait. You can't come in."

Paddy clung to him, but Cook pulled back, his hand resting on the boy's shoulder before giving him a final, quick hug.

Freddie, ever the calm one in situations like this, stepped forward. "Come sit with us, Paddy," he said, gently leading him away from the scene.

Paddy shook his head vigorously. "Tell them to piss off! Tell 'em you didn't do anything, Cook!" His voice cracked with desperation.

Tess crouched down next to him, her hands on his shoulders, trying to calm him. "Paddy, hey, it's gonna be okay, alright? We've just gotta let him go for now..." She looked over at Cook one last time, her heart aching for both of them.

Time seemed to stretch on in the tense silence until the courtroom door finally opened. Cook stepped out, flanked by two police officers. For the first time, Tess noticed something different—Cook wasn't resisting. He wasn't trying to run or break free. He was just... letting them take him.

Paddy broke free from Freddie's hold, bolting towards Cook once again. "Cook! No, what's happening?!" His voice was high-pitched with panic, his small hands reaching out for him.

Freddie was quick to grab him again, holding him back as the officers firmly led Cook down the corridor.

Cook, hearing Paddy's cries, turned around one last time, his eyes meeting Tess's. For a moment, everything else faded away—the sound of footsteps, the distant murmurs of the courthouse, the officers' orders. It was just Cook and Tess in that fleeting, quiet moment.

His eyes softened, and he spoke softly, but the words hit Tess like a punch to the gut.

"I'm sorry."

And then he was gone.