If IR never existed.

2

"Here you go, don't talk to anyone, just in and out." Max sighed giving Ali the money.

The redhead nodded and hopped out of the car and into the shop. Max would've sent her to the corner store he sends John to, but they never sold what her, Sophia and their mother needed, girl things you know.

Ali looked down each isle for the items she needed, turning down one to get painkillers, taking another turn before bumping into someone.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! I should've been looking at where I was going!" The Male apologised helping her up.

"I-it's okay," she smiled at the black haired male, he had deep brown eyes with that cheeky glint she used to see in Soph, Alan, Adam and Jackie's eyes.

"My names Virgil," he smiled.

"A-Alison, but just call me Ali," she smiled back.

"You haven't seen anyone who looks like me have you? My twin wandered off and god knows what trouble he's going to be- or already is - in,"

"I haven't, sorry... I should get going.. if my dad finds out I was talking to you he wouldn't be happy.."

"It's okay, wait why wouldn't be happy?" Ali tensed realising she had said too much.

"Look I should get going.." she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist.

"Your not going anywhere until I know your safe, okay? Now why wouldn't he be happy?" He asked softly.

---

Virgo wandered around the store aimlessly, looking along the shelves of video games. A blonde haired male caught his attention, he looked tired and around his age, maybe a little younger than him, stacking things into the shelves.

"Hey.. you alright?"

"Me? Yeah, just a little tired, do you need help finding something?" He asked hiding his yawn, Virgo stared at him with a questioning look.

"Seriously? You look more than tired, what's wrong," it was more a statement than a question.

"My parents kicked me out two weeks ago.. I've used their address to get a card and a job.. but that's it.. I haven't got anything." He sighed, Virgo crouched to his level and hugged him, rather unexpected to the shorter Male.

"Me and my twin have a spare room in our apartment if you want to stay with us, he won't mind," Virgo offered, the blonde looked up at him, his amber eyes glimmering with hope.

"Really?"

"Yeah, lets go find him," Virgo smiled.

"Could you help me finish stacking these first?"

---

Ali explained what had happened to him, finding herself trusting him more than she should.

"Oh my god! How long have we been here?! He's gonna be mad!" Ali half shouted as she realised how long they had been talking.

"I'm so sorry I have to go!"

"It's okay, I'll see you around?"

"Maybe John.." she told him where he'd find one of her brothers, also the oldest out of them before dashing off for the last thing and rushing back to the car.

"I'm so sorry I took so long, they weren't in the shelves so I had to ask someone to grab some from the storage and-"

"I saw you talking to him."

"Talking to who?"

"That... that guy! The one with black hair. Don't play dumb with me now what did you tell him." Max growled, Ali gulped and sank back in the seat.

The drive home was silent, Ali constantly telling him that she told him nothing to do with what happens at home.

He bought it, for now.