Roguish Women- Tommy Shelby

A Brief Reunion

            After being in England for over ten years, Kate rarely felt uneasy in London. She recalled how scared she was when she arrived although she tried to play up her confidence. She was no stranger to new lands but Santo was always hot on her trail and she was constantly looking over her shoulder. After securing alliances, she felt comfortable walking the streets. After killing Santo and eliminating the Changretta threat, it was as if she sat on a throne. Fully protected and respected, Kate didn't worry much about external threats.

No, in those days there were internal threats that were far greater. And as she walked across the street to the House of Commons, Kate felt like she was being watched by unfriendly eyes. Not strangers, but people she knew and once trusted. But her blood was boiling and she was too angry to be scared.

She stormed up the steps to her husband's office. Without so much as a knock, she threw open the door and crossed the office in a few strides.

Clearly, Tommy wasn't expecting Kate. And he certainly wasn't expecting her to show up at the House or at the speed as she was coming after him.

But mere seconds after he stood up from his desk, she slapped him across the face.

Stunned, Tommy just stared at his wife. The woman he loved who he hadn't set eyes upon in four years. His cheek stung but he could hardly react.

"You bastard. You think I wouldn't find out what you're doing?" She demanded, angered by his lack of a reaction. "You invite the devil here? You're doing deals with him? You're moving drugs into Boston without telling me? You know as well as I do that's an act of war in our line of work. I have every right to fucking cut you down where you stand!" She yelled.

"Kate..."

"Give me one good reason." She threatened a move toward the gun on her thigh.

Tommy grabbed her wrist, stopping her. His blue eyes stared at her, taking in any changes in her appearance in the four years she'd been gone. The words stuck in his throat, there was nothing he could say to fix the situation. He'd lost his will to go on without her. But he felt it was an act of aggression if he returned unannounced. He'd caused her so much grief and there was so much he couldn't atone for.

But he was still struck by her beauty. Still rendered speechless by how much he loved her. It had been so easy to shut off all his emotions when his family was gone. He didn't allow himself to drink the sorrow away. He forced himself to sit with the torture of being on his own.

"It's good to see you." He said quietly.

Kate made a noise of disgust and wrenched her arm away from him. She turned and fumbled with lighting a cigarette. "Christ, Tommy."

Cautious with his movements, he leaned against his desk and watched her pace. "Are the boys well?"

Kate turned her back to him, choosing to look out the window instead. "Can't even look at you." She whispered.

"Kate, I told you..."

"I know what you told me!" She snapped, nearly shaking with anger. "But you neglected to tell me what you were up to. How many times did I tell you how much I hated that fucker? Now you're working with him to bring drugs into my city?"

He held out a hand with a stern look. "Keep your voice down, aye?" He didn't need his wife screaming about drugs in the House.

Kate wanted to break something. "I've been keeping my voice down for four years!" She snarled. "While you've been running around, making stupid deals with evil people. Did you really think I wouldn't fucking find out?" She finally spun around to face him.