The streets of Birmingham where shrouded in fog, the cobbled streets where wet and slick with the rain which was coming down like cats and dogs. Nobody was outside on the streets, they were bare accept for one man. One man who when he walked commanded respect, no it wasn't Tommy Shelby himself, this was Michael Gray. Puddles splashed as he walked though them towards the Shelby office with great pace, he looked over his shoulder nervously as he went luckily to him nobody was about. He kept one hand pressed against his bicep of his left arm where blood dropped slowly down his white shirt staining it, he shivered as the rain poured down his back . He stalked forward across the cobblestone street and got closer to the door of Shelby company, it was early morning so he doubted anyone would be in yet which could provide him with some privacy to clean himself up. He reached the door and brought his hand anyway from the seeping wound on his bicep, he opened the door with force and stumbled inside shutting it quickly behind him. He leaned back on the door for a few seconds catching his breath, he shifted a little and pushed himself up and forwards towards his office. Michaels hands slowly shook as he finally reached his office and kicked the door open keeping pressure on this new seeping wound, he grit his teeth shut as to not make a sound when he entered. He staggered towards his desk breathing heavily as he collapsed in his desk chair, he grabbed a bottle of vodka and poured some of it on the wound biting his lip and letting out a loud groan as he did so. He then reached for a pair of scissors that he kept on his desk, he let out a deep breath knowing he had to get the bullet out.

"Michael?!" Came a voice from his office door, Michael looked up his chest raising and falling rapidly. His eyes met Arthur's, Arthur stood confused but yet looked concerned he ran forward and pulled one of the chairs from the front of his desk around to Michaels side.

"What fuckin' 'appended to you?" Arthur asked his voice harsh like it always was but Michael could here the underlying hint of concern. Arthur took his injured arm in his hand and examined the wound closely gripping his bicep tight causing Michael to hiss in agony. Michael pressed the scissors into Arthur's opened palm and he looked up at Michael confused.

"Get the bullet out." Micheal said though gritted teeth, he seethed in agony but stared Arthur dead in the eyes enforcing his point. Micheal grabbed the bottle of vodka and took a large swig to try and dull the extreme pain he was about to endure. Arthur gripped his arm tighter and dug the scissors in the bullet wound, Micheal let out a loud groan and tensed his fist to try and cope with the pain as Arthur dug around inside the wound attempting to find the bullet. Michael drank more of the vodka as Arthur found the bullet and wrenched it out of the bleeding wound, Michael bit his lip to stop from screaming.

"You got any bandages around 'ere?" Arthur asked as Michael panted taking another drink of vodka nearly emptying the bottle before answering Arthur.

"Bottom draw." Michael replied his voice tight and restrained, Arthur pulled out the bottom draw and grabbed a roll of bandages before pouring the rest of the vodka on the wound to prevent infection. He then began bandaging up the wound which had luckily stopped bleeding for now, Arthur looked up at Michael and felt some pity for the boy. He had been shot before and he knew how bad it hurt especially the fixing of the wound.

"How come you got these?" Arthur asked gesturing to the bandages as he wrapped them around his arm with a gentle touch Michael didn't know was capable from Arthur.

"Ada, she makes sure we all have em." Michael replied his breathing returning to normal and he pulled a cigarette from his top desk draw and lit it with one hand, he took a long drag feeling his body relax and become calmer. Arthur finished bandaging and tied it off before pulling down the rest of his shirt which was ruined.

"Your gonna need to change, your soaked Michael." Arthur said warning him as he looked at the bullet he but in a glass on Michaels desk.

"I'll be fine, thank you though." Michael replied taking a huge drag from his cigarette before double inhaling his smoke again to get the extra hit which he craved, Arthur stood up and moved the chair he had brought around with him back to the other side of the desk.

"So what 'appended." Arthur asked sitting across from him at his desk, Michael took another long drag from his cigarette in an attempt to ease some pain which wasn't budging.

"Don't worry bout it Arthur, M'fine." Michael said his cigarette between his lips as he took the bloody scissors and cut away the ruined sleeve of his shirt exposing the bandage once more.

"You tell me or I'll tell Ada." Arthur proposed which caught Michaels attention, he met Arthur's eyes and received a strong glare in return making the threat seem real.

"Fine, I was just coming down 'ere for work and some people saw I was a Blinder and told me if I didn't tell em what our plans where they would kill me. So I fought em and one of em shot me, I got away and came 'ere." Michael explained taking a long drag after finishing his story, Arthur sat forward in his chair interested to what happened to the company accountant.

"They knew you were in our inner circle?" Arthur asked and Michael replied with a nod still smoking to relieve pain which he was still clearly in.

"Did you tell em anything?" Was Arthur's next question as Micheal stood up going to the back of his office where he kept extra clothes he had to admit that he was getting cold from the rain which had drenched him earlier. He unbuttoned his waist coat and put it aside, Arthur averted his eyes to provide Michael some privacy.

"Of course I didn't tell em anything." Michael replied and took of his ruined shirt throwing it in the bin now that it was ruined, he pulled on a new one grunting slightly as the movement of his arm hurt badly. Michael grabbed a new waist coat and put it on buttoning it up, he came back over to his desk and sat down across from Arthur taking a long drag.

"Good lad, we need to tell Tommy bout this." Arthur said gruffly and stood up from his seat Michael shot up from his seat but quickly felt dizzy from blood loss and reached his uninjured arm out to his chair to stop himself falling.

"don't bother him about this. We all have enough on our minds." Michael said and Arthur stopped by the door looking back at him, he understood what Micheal meant but if people possibly working for the guys they are trying to take down where going to go to lengths to hurt others. Tommy needed to know.

"Michael he has to know. A threat to you is a threat to the rest of us" Arthur said harshly and moved from the door of Michaels office to go find Tommy. Micheal collapsed back down in his chair and drew a long drag from his cigarette, he felt weakened from the blood loss but was determined to get to work. He had just began to work though the stock markets for the morning and smiled seeing all his stock was doing well and was all successful. He grabbed his pad and pen and started to do some calculations on if he should sell or stay in the stocks or even buy more stock seeing that some where doing so well. Michael was doing calculations in his head when the phone which was situated on his desk rang, purring loudly into the room. He reached out for it with his good arm and grabbed the phone pulling it his ear.

"Yes?" Michael said he voice gruff holding the phone to his ear, The phone line crackled for a few second before a voice came over.

"Michael it's Tommy, Go home. Arthur told me what happened." Tommy's voice came over the phone and Michael shook his head understanding what he meant but he was fine. Well he felt fine.

"Tommy, I'm alright." Michael replied holding the phone to his ear and he took another long drag from his cigarette.

"Go home alright. You need the rest." Tommy said concern in his voice but also force, Michael knew not to argue but he needed to work.

"I'm fine Tommy, there is work that needs to be done. The stocks are lookin good so I knew to be here to act on it." Michael explained taking a longer drag from his cigarette and thinking about continuing his calculations.

"Alright fine, but I want you 'home when the market closes. We have a meetin at two." Tommy replied over the phone and Michael nodded.

"I'll be there." He said shortly still smoking and watching the stock market change luckily for the better.

"Alight." Tommy replied and Michael heard the line go dead, he put the phone back in its cradle his body protesting at the movement. He reached for his pen again and checked the stock reel which was only rising In things he was invested in, Micheal smirked and went back to working out calculations and benefits of selling. He felt weak and pretty sick but he just put that down to blood loss and having a hole in his arm, he sighed and tried to focus on the numbers which were weirdly moving on his page. He shook his head and put out his cigarette and threw it in the bin, he remembered all the vodka he had drunk to help with the pain but it had worked he couldn't feel the area much anymore. He must be just be feeling drunk, he got up to try and get himself some water to sober up but he stumbled and reached out for his desk which luckily he grabbed and was able to steady himself. He reached a water jug and poured himself a glass spilling slightly , he drunk the whole thing trying to get his head cleared. He heard a soft knock at his office door and he turned around putting down the now empty glass, he looked up and saw John standing there.

"John what can I do for you?" Michael asked slowly walking back over to his desk trying to not look weak on his feet. He gripped the back of his chair to help give himself some support as he felt weaker almost like he would collapse.

"Michael you alright?" John asked knowing Michael all to well to see the paleness of his skin and the way he leaned slightly on the back of his chair to know he wasn't ok.

"I'm fine John." Michael swallowed thickly and shook the dizzying feeling from his head. "What can I do for you?" He continued and met johns eyes, gripping the back of his chair tighter so that his knuckles turning white.

"Alan wanted to ask for your morning stock choice- Michael you okay?" John asked concern filling his voice as he watched Michael stope down and picked up his pad with his choice for the stock in the morning.

"I'm fine John drop it, here and tell Alan to raise by 50% on AJF." Micheal said his voice trailing off towards the end of his sentence.

"Alright." John said taking the pad of paper of him and leaving Michaels office, Micheal shut his door behind him having a feeling that he wasn't going to be accustomed to visitors. He staggered slightly on his way back to his desk and sat down heavily relaxing, he lay his head forward on his desk because it started throbbing. He let his eyes slowly drift shut and his body completely relax. Micheal didn't know how long had passed but he woke with a start to his phone ringing loudly, he reached forward and grabbed it slowly easing himself onto the back of his chair, he pressed the phone to his ear.

"Go." He said stifling a yawn and rubbed his forehead trying to ease the pain which throbbed in his temples.

"Michael, it's Alan." Alan said over the phone he couldn't tell if this was a happy call or a bad one and his heart started to race. Had he lost all the money in the stock market?

"Talk to me." Michael said and rose from his seat but Instantly felt dizzy and had to lean forward into his desk to help him stay upright.

"Everybody else sold there stock but we stayed in...We made 3 million!" Alan exclaimed causing Michael to wince, but he broke into a huge smile and he could have jumped up and down if he hadn't felt so awful.

"Oh my! Thank you for letting me know Alan, have the stocks closed yet?" Micheal asked struggling to wipe the smile from his face, he had just made 3 million!

"No it's about 1:30pm, got about 2 more hours what were you thinking? The stocks are still rising." Alan said down the line and Michael thought for a second about what to do.

"Alan sell, the stocks are rising and people want in on the stock now, sell for a high price and we can make even more." Michael explained pacing back and forth and calming on his right decision.

"Sounds good." Alan said before Michael hung up, putting the phone back in the cradle. He sat back down in his chair smiling to himself knowing he made the correct decision, he felt happiness wash over him stunting the pain and nausea for a minute but it was still present. He had the meeting with the rest of the Shelby's in half an hour, he pushed himself up and pulled on his smart suit jacket he winced being careful of his injured bicep. He picked up a cigarette and put it between his lips, he pulled out his lighter and lit it. He took a long drag before leaving his office and heading for the The Garrison where he knew the meeting would be held. He left his office and everybody he passed clapped him on the back or congratulated him on the big success in the stock market. He left the company building and started to walk though some big crowds, passing workers and machinery to his left and right. He saw the pub in site and kept walking towards it taking long drags of his cigarette as he went, he continued to walk towards the pub his dizziness slowly returning and with vengeance obviously his earlier vodka had worn of. Well it was a good thing he was heading for the pub. He got to the front door and entered, luckily there was nobody inside, the meeting table had been set up and Michael walked inside. He went immediately to the bar and poured himself a whiskey, quite a large whiskey. He picked up the glass and put out his cigarette and threw it away, he downed the whiskey in one, the familiar burn went down his throat. He heard the door open but he didn't bother to turn to see who it was, he just assumed it was one of the it was one of the Shelby's.

"Michael Gray.." a voice said from the door, this voice wasn't one he knew so he turned to see who it was. A man wearing a ski mask and gloves, he held a gun and was focused on pointing it at Michaels chest.

"Who are you?" Micheal asked and reached for a gun which he kept in his jacket as indiscreetly as possible.

"Show me your hands Gray." The person said and Michael reluctantly removed his hand from his pockets and kept them at his sides.

"What do you want?" Michael asked his voice firm and harsh as the captor moved closer the gun still in his hand, his thumb on the safety ready to shoot.

"You just made 3 million on the stock market, give me access to it." The man said edging closer to him with the gun firmly in his hand.

"Never." Michael replied standing firm, he checked his watch and noticed that in 10 minutes the rest of the Shelby's should be here he just had to survive another 10 minutes.

"One more chance Mr.Gray." The figure said and got so close the gun was pressed against his chest, he didn't let his fear show.

"I said, No." Michael said standing firm and he heard the click of the safety of the gun click off, he knew what he had to do the risk however was extremely high. He thought of Ada how much she would miss him, over the past 6 months there love had grown strong and he would do anything for her.

"Any last words?" The man said and Micheal knew this was his time to act, he heard rattling at the door and he cursed when he realised this man had locked the door, not allowing the other Shelby's in.

"In the bleak midwinter.." Michael whispered under his breath before throwing a punch directly into the mans face, he then ducked as the gun went off. He swept the mans legs and knocked the gun out of his hand, the masked man scrambled to his feet and grabbed a chair he swung it hard at Michael and it hit him square in the ribs, he doubled over but quickly recovered by throwing the man over the bar. The man crashed into the drinks that where all lined up before he hit the floor, he grabbed bottle after bottle hurling them at Michael relentlessly . The figure ran out of bottles and came around the bar, Michael landed a good kick in his chest sending him flying backwards, Michael ran forwards and he quickly pinned the man to the floor and repeatedly punched him in the face until he slowly passed out and fell unconscious. His breath was heavy as he staggered to his feet luckily the bullet had missed but but by mere inches. He could here the Shelby's pounding at the door and he leaned himself on the counter for a second to wait for his dizziness to pass but he found he couldn't move just quite yet. He looked down at the unconscious body of his attacker who had blood on his face from where Michaels fist had pounded him down. He heard the smashing of glass which he presumed was the window on the doors, he looked up at the entrance and saw the door being busting open. Arthur Shelby came though gun drawn, followed by John, Tommy, Ada, Polly.

"Michael?!" Tommy yelled and came running over to Michael but stopping short when he saw the body on the ground, Arthur bent down to the body and checked the pulse luckily there was one steadily beating underneath his fingers.

"He's alive." Arthur said and John stooped down to grab the body and move it, which he did quickly. Tommy moved over to Michael noticing the gun laying on the ground, he ruffly grabbed Michael his eyes wide with panic that he had been shot.

"I'm alright Tommy, he didn't get me." Michael said swallowing thickly his voice ruff and dry, he stood up straighter leaning off the bar and Tommy backed away putting his Gun back in his jacket pocket.

"What did he want?" Arthur asked looking Michael up and down as he adjusted his jacket, Tommy took a cigarette and lit it taking a long drag.

"Money, 3 million. I made it in the stock today, I don't know how he knew but he wanted it." Michael explained as Ada moved over to him, her hands were shaking slightly, she adjusted his suit and he hid a wince of pain.

"You made 3 million?" Polly said a little shocked and moved a bit closer to her son, Tommy stopped pacing and came back over as well as John everybody was looking at him now.

"Yes, I made 3 million." Michael explained a smile creeping up his face and Arthur burst into happy laughter before embracing Michael in his arms to congratulate him. John smiled, no beamed and grabbed some drinks for everyone. Polly and Ada smiled as well and their laughter join the room. Tommy stood smoking but even from him a smile was drawn.

"Well done Michael." Tommy said as a scotch was pushed into his hands, Tommy took it and drank it quickly loving the burn pouring down his throat.

"Shall we start this meeting then ay?" Tommy said and then all made a move to go sit down, Micheal winced as he did so but did it so small nobody else even noticed. Ada sat next to Michael and intertwined her hand with his bruised fist but that was nothing new to being a Peaky Blinder.

"Alright, Michael what happened to you this morning?" Tommy asked turning towards Micheal, Ada looked confused but stayed silent while Micheal sighed and started to explain.

"This morning on my way to work, I was attacked by about 5 or 6 men I believe them to be working for the Changretta family, they sounded Italian so that's why I assumed. They wanted to know what our plans were, I didn't tell em and a fight broke out. One of them shot me as I got away." Michael explained and everybody was preparing for Ada's outburst which soon came after Micheal was done speaking.

"You were shot? Why the fuck didn't you tell me!" Ada said her voice raised with anger, Tommy was about to step in when Michael put his hand over hers and turned to her slightly.

"I'm alright, Ada. We can talk about this later." Micheal said his voice low she sighed but nodded knowing a meeting of this sort wasn't the time for them to have a fight.

"If this was an act of the Changretta's, we need to act back and fast, show them they can't mess with the fuckin' peaky Blinders. I'm open to suggestions." Tommy said standing at the end of the table where he always stands at a meeting.

"We hurt one of em." John said from the left side of the table and Tommy shook his head.

"Good idea but it's to easy to retaliate against." Tommy replied and waited for any other suggestions.

"What if, we blew up one of there weapons factories?" Ada suggested and everybody could tell this caught Tommy's interest for it was a good idea.

"That's good, they have a factory here in Birmingham but it's heavily guarded."Arthur chimed in and Tommy nodded.

"Yes but if we drew some away with a distraction and then had some men move in and blow it up while some of the guards are distracted." Ada said and Michael nodded.

"It's a smart idea, it could work." Michael said looking at Tommy who was deep in thought.

"That will work." Tommy said after a long pause, Michael squeezed Ada's hand to tell her well done on her good idea.

"Give me some time to plan it and in two days we will meet again." Tommy explained and everybody nodded. "As for now, Arthur stay on the streets with John watch out for the Changretta's they might be trying to plan something. Pol I can't tell you what to do. Michael well done on the stocks, take a few days off to recover alright? that's an order no arguments. Ada keep him at home." Tommy dished out orders and everybody got up from their seats.

"Meeting adjourned." Tommy finished, Micheal got up his head started spinning and dizziness washed over him completely, he reached out and Ada grabbed his hand helping steady him a little bit.

"Michael? You alright?" John asked moving over and noticing Ada's worrying looks towards him, Johns voice of concern got the attention Arthur and Tommy. To Michael the voices of concern all just sounded miles away, he staggered backwards luckily to be caught by John before he could go any further. Ada panicked slightly as she watched Michaels eyes slowly close and he lent more and more into John, Tommy and Arthur came over quickly to help John subsequently pushing Ada out the way into Polly's arms.

"Michael, can you hear me?!" Tommy said loudly, on each side of Michael was Arthur and John all plastered with concerned faces, Michael didn't respond but only paled quicker.

"Shit, Michael?!" Tommy said louder and Michaels eyes started to close and he started to lose his footing, Arthur and John gripped him tighter.

"Ada, Polly get a car. Now!" Tommy instructed and Polly pulled Ada out of the pub to find one of the cars that they could get Michael into.

"What's happening to him?" John asked with concern that he usually didn't let though his strong demeanour.

"He has pushed himself to much." Arthur explained and pulled Michael more upright and to his feet, he tapped the side of Michaels face to try and get his attention but he was rewarded with a small groan as Michaels head hung down against his chest.

"Michael, I need you to help us out here. You with us, ay?!" Tommy said and he was rewarded with Michaels eyes opening sluggishly which made Tommy smile a little, glad that Michaels condition was looking up. They heard a car pull up outside the pub and the car horn honked twice.

"That's Pol and Ada." John said looking past the rest and out the window seeing the closed top car waiting outside Polly in the drivers seat.

"Alright Michael lets get you home." Tommy said his voice softer than usual Almost like he was really concerned for the guy, Michael seemed to resist slightly as they moved him.

"No, I'm fine." Michael mumbled out his voice incredibly slurred and sluggish, Arthur chuckled slightly at how committed this guy was.

"It's alright Michael, stocks are closed." Arthur said in Michaels ear and gently touched his ribs as they moved forward, one of Michaels arm over each of John and Arthur's shoulders. Tommy noticed Michael attempt to stifle a wince when Arthur touched his ribs, he committed that to memory for later. They got him to the door of the car and helped him inside, Ada took him into her arms and John got in the front with Polly, they switched places so he could drive.

"Get him home alright John, call me on his condition. I will come by later. You are his protection alright?" Tommy explained to John knowing how loyal he was when it came to the gang, he knew John wouldn't focus anyway on doing other work if he knew Michael was unprotected.

"Okay Tom" John said before driving away towards where Ada and Michael lived, luckily they had moved in together so it was easier for John. Tommy and Arthur where left standing outside the pub on the pavement, Tommy stood smoking and Arthur stood silent in thought.

"You think he is gonna be alright?" Arthur asked his voice gruff, he looked across at Tommy who adjusted his flat cap before taking a long drag from his cigarette.

"Michael is strong Arthur. He will be alright." Tommy replied his head down staring at his reflection in a puddle.

"How long do you recon he will be out?" Arthur asked looking at Tommy again, who nodded thinking a little before he answered.

"Should be a few days but knowing Michael, John will have to wrestle him to stop him going to work in the morning." Tommy chuckled pulling the cigarette from his mouth, Arthur chuckled also smiling knowing Michael will be okay. He had really become part of the family since he became a Peaky Blinder and he was a really important part of the team, this incident reminded them both that they needed to appreciate him more.

"We need to get back to work, John will call us soon enough." Tommy said and clapped him on the shoulder before walking back towards the company main building. Arthur gave a deep sigh and turned around looking the pub up and down before walking after Tommy and back towards the company building. When the got inside everything looked normal, work had stopped for the day so the office was bare, the pair walked past Michaels office and Tommy stopped dead.

"Arthur.." Tommy said stopping dead outside Michaels office, the place was a mess and he knew that wasn't like Michael to be this messy. But this wasn't just a normal mess, somebody had been looking for something. Arthur walked inside and looked around extremely confused, almost astonished but Tommy could see the anger underlying his motions.

"What fuckin' happened 'ere." Arthur growled out his voice gruff, he picked some trashed things from around the room.

"Why would someone do this?" Arthur asked again looking around the destroyed room, all the draws were open and his desk was pulled inside out.

"They were lookin for something.." Tommy replied picking up a ripped piece of paper with Michaels calculations on it.

"We need to get this place fixed up and we need to talk to Michael to find out what they could have been looking for , we also need to double the fuckin security." Tommy finished and Arthur nodded in agreement.

"I'll make some calls and get this place back to the normal." Arthur said leaving the office towards one of the phones to make a few calls. Tommy stood in the office looking around, he shook his head anger writhing though him that someone got into the company and did this. He walked out from the office and to one of the other phones, he looked over and saw Arthur talking on the phone and nodding. A phone rang beside him and he hoped to god that it was John, he reached over and picked up the phone putting it to his ear.

"Tommy it's John." Johns voice came over the phone and Tommy sighed in relief hearing Johns voice always made him relax.

"Well?" Tommy said his voice gruff as he lit another cigarette, he took a long drag trying to ease his stress, he saw in the corner of his eye Arthur out down the phone and walk over.

"It's bad Tom..he developed a fever about an hour ago, we cleaned and stitched the wound up properly, he also had some bad bruising on his ribs." John explained his voice grave, the rib damage made sense of why he flinched earlier, Arthur sat down opposite from where Tommy was sitting on the phone.

"We are trying to get the fever to break but so far, it's not improving.." John finished and sighed the sigh audible back on the line.

"We are gonna get there as soon as possible John, but something has happened 'ere which we need to take care of first." Tommy said glancing at Arthur who nodded confirming it was going to be taken care of.

"What's happened?" John asked concern pinching his deep voice and Tommy sighed before telling him taking a large drag from his cigarette.

"Someone, my bets on Changretta's men, trashed Michaels office looking for something I'm guessing information on us. They must have known that Michael knew something and so they broke in and started looking. I know it's a long shot John but if you get him awake ask him if he had anything in his office which Changretta would be interested in." Tom retold and Arthur nodded along from across the table then a knock came from the door, Arthur stood up going to answer it. Tommy took a long drag again helping his body and his mind relax a little in this tense situation.

"I will if I get the chance, he has been unconscious ever since we got 'ere." John replied and Tommy nodded understanding that it was perhaps a long shot but he had to at least try.

"Alight keep an eye on him John, we will be there soon." Tommy said as Arthur led people who Tommy recognised as fellow Peaky Blinders inside to Michaels office, he heard them giving vague orders before coming back out.

"Ok bye Tom." John said and Tommy let the line go dead, he put the phone back in the cradle and stood up matching a little under Arthur's height.

"What's the news?" Arthur asked gravely his head bowed he poured himself a whiskey careful with the glass as he put it down.

"It's not looking good, he developed a fever and has been unconscious since they got him to bed." Tommy replied his head bowed taking a long drag from his cigarette before dropping it and stamping it out. Arthur downed his whiskey and put down his glass shaking his head.

"Fuckin' hell." Arthur muttered under his breath shaking his head frustrated and angry.

"Do you think he'll make it?" Arthur asked meeting Tommy's gaze, Tommy sighed but nodded.

"I don't know Arthur.." Tommy replied his head down knowing that when somebody got a fever it could go ether way.

"Let's go up there now." Tommy said and Arthur nodded his head slightly bowed. Tommy turned and grabbed a brief case filled with work which he knew he could develop plans on.

"I'll get the car." Arthur said and briefly walked out of the company building, Tommy grabbed a few more supplies and left a few notes for certain people explaining they wouldn't be around for a few days and to call if it was an emergency. Then he walked outside past the two guards who had been posted there newly, to a waiting car, he got in next to Arthur who was in the drivers seat. Arthur wasted no time in setting off for Ada and Michaels house, the both of them together had bought a beautiful almost mansion just slightly outside of Birmingham, more in the country than in the city. Arthur drove quickly along the roads out of Birmingham and soon the roads turned into country lanes, Tommy looked up and could see the large house there where approaching was Michael and Ada's. It couldn't compare to the size of his own but it was still quite impressive, Arthur pulled up outside and parked the car. The two men quickly exited the vehicle and walked to the front door, Tommy rapped his knuckles on the door he could feel the nerves slowly building inside him. He heard movement inside and John answered the door, he opened it wide for them both, he clearly looked distressed but like he was holding it together, both Peaky Blinders entered the house and the door was firmly shut behind them.

"His fever broke but he's not wakin up." John said gravelly and Tommy nodded, Arthur engulfed John in a hug which he gladly accepted, Tommy sighed heavily.

"Well at least his fever broke, that's a good sign." Tommy muttered and John nodded pulling away from Arthur's arms.

"Ada's goin' mad Tom, she really love him. She thinks he is gonna die." John explained and lead Arthur, Tommy towards Michael and Ada's Master bedroom.

"We aren't gonna let him die. Michael is strong." Arthur said walking slightly behind Tommy as John lead them up the grand staircase though the house. They passed serval serving maids on there way to the room, Tommy removed his flat cap out of respect. They reached the door which John opened wide, Tommy entered first and saw Polly sitting in a corner of the room. She looked blank, like she was watching her son die, silent tears slipped from her eyes as she watched the bed. Tommy turned his head to the bed, his eyes fell apon a shirtless Michael laying in the middle of the bed, his toned set of abs rose and fell rapidly, one of his fists was tangled in the bed sheets the other clasped Ada's hand. Tommy could see the sheen of sweat on his skin, the way he looked in pain even as he was unconscious. He sighed but found he didn't want to move any closer in respect to Ada, she was clasping his hand and tears streamed down her face. God she really loves this man. He had never seen her so hysterical, he slowly moved over to her side trying to not look at Michael for fear he would see something that would make his condition worse.

"Ada." Tommy whispered softly his voice deep and gruff, when she didn't turn nor even take her eyes off Michael, he sat down beside her on the bed gently touching her shoulder.

"Ada ,he is gonna be alright." Tommy said softly then she snapped around her anger visible so much so Tommy regretted his decision, he moved back a little bit.

"How do you know, Tommy?! You know nothing!" Ada shouted her voice wavering as she cried, he sighed knowing the pain of seeing a loved one hurting.

"Ada-" Tommy started again but she cut him off again.

"Stop, just don't." She replied sobbing and Tommy nodded and stood from the bed, he shrunk back into one the chairs at the back of the room Next to Polly, the air in the room was so depressing it felt suffocating . John was standing by the door not able to take his eyes of Michael. Arthur had moved to one of the chairs on the other side of the room, his head in his hands. Tommy didn't blame Ada for the way she was reacting, it was hard. This was hard on all of them.

Hours had passed it was now late in the evening, Arthur had convinced Ada and Polly to go get some rest which they very reluctantly agreed to on the condition that somebody was watching Michael at all times for any changes. Right now it was Johns turn. John sat close by Michaels bed trying not to fall asleep, he watched the way Michaels fists contracted in the sheets and his muscles tensed, it was almost like he was in a nightmare that wouldn't end. John watched the minutes tick by, he looked out the window at the stars, hoping Michael would wake up. And soon.

"Ada.." Michael whispered though gritted teeth bout loud enough then John heard it, he immediately rushed to Michaels side and grabbed his hand in his own.

"Michael, Michael wake up." John said loudly he could see it register in Michaels face, he recognised the voice, he gripped Johns hand harder like he was using it as an anchor to wake up.

"Ada." He mumbled again but louder and more urgent, John shook him slightly trying to get him to wake, John watched eagerly as Michaels eyes fluttered open. His eyes immediately seemed alarmed and he tried to sit up. John wiped the smile from his lips and pushed Michael down with a firm hand on his chest.

"Woah woah, easy Michael. Your alright." John said trying to be calm but he was fighting Michael as he tried to get up,

"Ada, John Ada is in trouble." Michael heavily breathing and struggling against Johns strong arms, Michaels voice was urgent and desperate.

"Easy Michael, Ada's fine that was just a nightmare." John replied calmly and he slowly felt Michael stop fighting him, he felt Michael relax, his body slowly recovering. Michael slowly took in his surroundings a little in confused.

"What happened." Micheal asked his voice a little harsh as he leant back on the pillows and stopped fighting Johns grip, he still gripped Johns hand however, which John gladly held onto.

"You passed out at the meeting and then you developed a fever." John explained his voice laced with concern, Micheal took a few deep breaths and nodded trying to remember.

"You gave us a bad scared there Michael." John said and Michael smirked along with Johns smile of relief.

"Sorry, where is Ada?" Michael asked sitting up on his elbows, his head pounding still he wanted to see his love, he wanted to hold her tell her everything was gonna be alright.

"She went to bed, well Arthur forced her to its about 3am now." John explained and Micheal nodded slowly pushing himself up determined to at least sit up he tried to hide a wince as he jostled his bruised ribs but John caught it.

"Take it easy alright?" John said giving him a cautioning stare, Michael leaned back heavily against the headboard his non injured arm going around his ribs.

"Michael, Tommy asked me to ask you if you ever kept any plans of the Peaky Blinders in the office?" John asked sitting close to the bed and Michael frowned,

"No I always burnt written down plans after use, why?" He asked looking confused, Michaels head pounded and he felt slightly dizzy but he was determined not to let it show.

"Your office was turned upside down, Tommy suspects Changretta's men where looking for something." John explained and could see Michaels muscle tense but hissed in pain when it pulled at his new stitches in his bicep.

"Well when I-" Michael started but was cut off by a loud piercing scream that echoed though the hall of the manor, John and Michael locked eyes, John was about to stop Michael but it was to late. Michael grabbed a gun and leapt out of his bed, he sprinted from the room John in close pursuit. As they ran to the top of the large staircase they where joined by Tommy, Arthur and Polly but one person was missing..Ada. Micheal luckily had his trousers on from the other day his bleachers hanging loosely down, Tommy and Arthur looked shocked that he was up and able to stand but it looked like adrenaline was carrying him though. At the bottom of the staircase, Stood several of Changretta's men including Lucas Changretta, but that wasn't what Michaels eyes where fixed on. They were fixed on Ada's squirming form in Lucas Changretta's grip, he held her against his chest only in a dressing gown, a gun to her head. Michael fought every urge to run forward and attack Changretta. Tommy looked across at Michael and could see pure fire raging in his eyes, the way his free hand clenched so tight ,so eager to hit something. It was strange to see Michael like this he was normally so calm and collected when it came to fighting until the actual combat, he never let his opponent see that he was rattled by anything. This was different and Tommy knew it, Ada was involved.

"Let her go." Michael growled and Lucas smirked a little toothpick in between his lips.

"Come, Mr Gray." Lucas smirked and Michael didn't hesitate knowing it was a trap, he walked slowly down the staircase gun in hand looking incredibly threatening. The rest of the Peaky Blinders remained at the top of the staircase worried and anger running though each one of them but they knew if they moved Ada would sure be killed. Michael reached the bottom of the staircase and walked close to Changretta, the rest of his men cocked there guns and readied to fire so Michael didn't move any further. He locked eyes with Ada who wasn't crying but Michael could see the fear in his loves eyes.

"Kneel." Lucas said ruffly and Ada squirmed but when the gun was pressed even more firmly against her head she stopped, Micheal looked back up to the landing and he looked directly at Tommy and for some reason Tommy felt like Michael was sending him a message. His eyes said "get ready." So Tommy nodded and Michael knelt down to the ground, dropping his gun making himself seem not a threat. Tommy turned to the others and gestured for them to get their guns ready but so subtly Changretta wouldn't notice, the others did and slowly drew there guns from there jackets.

"Let Ada go." Michael said and Lucas surprisingly relaxed his hold on Ada, she scrambled out and to the staircase however she didn't climb it, she watched frozen as Lucas stalked forward and pressed the gun to Michaels head that's when she started to cry.

"In the bleak mid-winter.." Michael whispered under his breath but Tommy heard it and they struck him deep, Michael though he was truly going to die. Changretta cocked his gun back and got ready to fire but took to long, for Michael reached for his Gun and fired. He hit Changretta in the stomach and got to his feet, Tommy took this as the signal for Changretta's other men started to fire.

"Now!" Tommy yelled , John and Arthur ran down the staircase and engaged with Michael in the fight, Tommy soon after them. Tommy stalked over to where Changretta lay still alive but struggling to get up, he didn't hesitate by raising his gun.

"Say hello to your dad for me." Tommy spat before shooting him point blank in the head, his blood splattered onto his face and he smirked at the dead Lucas Changretta. Gunshots fired all around and the noise of smashing glass and grunts and groans of pain, he turned around quickly to find pretty much all of Changretta's men taken out, Arthur fired his gun into the one he was battling and he fell back, John was struggling with one on top of him, Tommy was about to run over when Michael tackled the man of John, he pinned the man down and pounded his fist into the mans face over and over again before reaching for his gun and firing it in the mans throat. He stood up staggering slightly and Tommy could see though the bandage on his arm was soaked in his blood but that didn't seem to bother him as well as a large gash on his rib cage. Tommy looked towards Arthur and the only injury he seemed to have was spilt knuckles and the beginnings of a black eye, John was bleeding from a smallish gash on his forehead and he had various cuts and scrapes but he was alright. Ada ran across the room in seconds and hugged Michael tight her arms around his neck, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close to him as she shook.

"I thought you were going to die." She whispered only loud enough for the two of them to here, he smirked and buried his head in her neck she slowly pulled away and he held her close to his body, gripping her like if he let go she would never come back. Before he knew what he was really doing his cut lip met hers and he kissed her softly but passionately, the others chuckled and averted their eyes. They moved into the kitchen to get cleaned up and to give Ada and Michael some privacy.

"That was a big risk Michael, he could have killed you."Ada said and gently pulled away and ran her thumb over a small cut that rested on his cheek.

"He could have killed you Ada, when I heard you scream I couldn't deal with it. I'm just so glad your okay." Micheal said softly pulling her closer to him , his large cut up hands on her slim waist. She smiled softly and she lent in to kiss him again, which he gladly returned her lips met his and they both relaxed into the kiss, she ran one of her hands down to his side accidentally brushing over the large slash wound in his side. He groaned in pain and pulled away from their locked lips. Ada looked down at where her hand was and gasped noticing it was covered in his blood.

"Just a scratch love." Michael said softly try to calm her down but Ada was a strong women and she was having none of it. She pulled away from his grasp and grabbed his hand of his uninjured arm and started to pull him up the stairs but he didn't budge.

"Ada, I'm fine." Michael said as she pulled harder on his arm but he still stood firm. Tommy came back around the corner and smiled softly at the scene unfolded in front of him.

"Michael." Tommy said his voice low but easy going with a hint of exhaustion, after all it was really early in the morning like 4am. Michael turned around and Ada realised his hand, he came over and Ada noticed the very slight limp when he walked but Tommy didn't.

"Are the others alright?" Michael asked as soon as he got over to where Tommy was standing by the door, he nodded which calmed several of Michaels nerves.

"Everybody's fine Michael, I just needed to ask you a question." Tommy explains which Michael frowned at.

"Shoot." Michael said and Tommy nodded thinking of how to word his question.

"When you were kneelin' down, you said in the bleak mid-winter. Which means you thought you were gonna die. Why?" Tommy asked and Michael nodded knowing why he said what he said but thinking of how to tell Tommy, he sighed.

"Tommy, I said it because I didn't have a plan. I just thought if I was gonna die I may as well try something. It was sheer luck that it worked." Michael explained which took Tommy back a little, Michael always seemed to have a plan and to be ready for all situations, it was just part of his personality, they way he was wired clearly something about Ada being in danger threw all his logic out of the window.

"Why did you tell me, to get ready then?" Tommy asked confused looking dead straight at Michael who had his head bowed.

"I was trying to tell you..that I was sorry." Michael said barely meeting Tommy's eyes, his answer was blunt and straight forward but took him aback.

"What the fuck do you have to be sorry for?"Tommy asked putting a hand on Michaels shoulder as he looked down at his feet before meeting Tommy's eyes again.

"Because Tommy, if I died ,Ada would have been left alone and she is your sister. I wanted you and the others to know I was sorry for all the screw ups I've made, I know I'm just a nuisance sometimes." Michael explained still not meeting Tommy's eyes, Tommy moved his hand to the side of Michaels neck getting the other man to look at him.

"Micheal, do you know how important you are to all of us? Your family to us." Tommy said and managed a smile which was rare for Tommy, Michael smirked.

"Now go get cleaned up." Tommy said smiling chuckling to himself as well as Michael.

"Your welcome to stay here, you know that right?" Michael said and started walking back over to where Ada was waiting for him at the bottom of the staircase.

"Oh trust me we ain't going nowhere." Tommy laughed as he moved back toward the kitchen to where the others where getting some food since they where hungry.

"Good." Michael called back smiling, Tommy returned to the kitchen as Micheal wrapped his arm around Ada's waist, she put her arm around his waist and moved his arm to around her shoulders.

"I can walk Ada." Michael smirked as they started tackling the stairs, she smirked as she felt him lean into him slightly.

"Ok honey." Ada replied smiling still not letting him go, she knew his pride was to big for him to admit that he was actually in pain, they got to the top of the stairs and Ada could feel Michael getting heavier because he was leaning more into her. She quickly steered him into their private en-suite bathroom and turned on the water for the large bath tub. He grimaced in pain as he sat down on the side of the bath tub, Ada could see his eye lids drooping slowly and she knew he must be tired. She quickly helped him undress and she couldn't stop the blush spreading across her cheeks as she looked at him fully nude. She forced herself to remain on task and slowly touched the side of Michaels cheek to try and get his attention. She was reward with his tired eyes looking up at her, she slowly helped him into the bath tub and saw him visibly relax as the hot water worked at his skin. She grabbed a pair of scissors and cut off the blood soaked bandage which was where the bullet wound was, one she removed it and disposed of the bandages she could see the stitches had all come out or torn.

"Ada." Michael said softly and she tore her eyes away from the bullet wound to look at her love as she knelt by the bath tub.

"If your gonna do it can u get me a drink?" Michael asked politely, Ada could only see pain and love in his eyes.

"Sure, one second." She said kissing his forehead before she left, she found a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of Vodka which she could use as disinfectant. Ada was always prepared so she grabbed some thread and a needle also a cloth for cleaning, when she came back in Michael was luckily still where she had left him, she handed him the bottle of whiskey which he took gratefully. Ada poured some of the vodka on the cloth and started to clean the wound causing Michael to hiss in pain and to tense up, she reached one hand up to his face and gently massage though his hair on the back off his neck helping to calm him down he took another couple groups of the whiskey and gritted his teeth as she continued to clean it.

"I've got to stitch it up again I'm sorry baby." Ada said feeling bad that she was about to bring him a lot of pain.

"It's not your fault, just do what you have to do." Michael replied his teeth clenched as she thread the needle and prepared to stitch, she quickly started and felt him go tense under of way she was stitching.

"Try and relax." Ada said as she worked, she felt him try and relax but it was better than nothing, she finished the stitching and tied it off tighter causing him to hiss in pain.

"All done." She said and put away the rest of the needle and thread, she watched him relax so much he closed his eyes, she smiled and ran a hand though his hair, causing his eyes to open again. She helped him up and out of the bath drying him off in the process, she got him into some silk pyjama bottoms and bandaged the various wounds , she helped him out of the bathroom.

"Go lie down,I'll be one second." Ada said returning to the bathroom, she washed his blood of her shaking hands before returning to the bedroom, she found him with one arm out on one of the 4 posters on the bed the other hand massaging his temples. Ada quickly rushed forward putting her hands on his his sides trying to support him.

"Michael you alright?" Ada asked and he slowly wavered on his feet, his eyes where slipping closed and It seem exhaustion seemed to be taking over.

"Just tired Ada." Michael replied, Ada then nodded and helped him sit down on the side of the bed, then proceeded to help him lay down, as soon as his head hit the pillows his eyes closed. Ada went to stand up back Michael grabbed her hand gently never forceful, only gently.

"Stay." He mumbled exhausted and she couldn't deny him that, she climbed into the bed beside him, he instantly pulled her close to him.

"I heard you crying." He whispered softly in her ear, she gently rubbed his chest and met his eyes, they where sleepy but still sparkled with love. She knew what he was referring to.

"I was scared." Ada whispered back trapped in his loving embrace, she knew she was the only thing he really cared about, she knew by his actions tonight he was willing to die for her. He thought he was going to die, but he stood strong and was willing to die if she could live.

"But yet you weren't crying when a gun was pressed to your head." Michael said back still holding her close, he lay on his back but his arms where rapped around her.

"Because I wasn't scared, I knew you and the others wouldn't let me die." Ada replied and reached and soft hand up to his face, she brushed away a piece of his hair bring her hand down to his chiseled jawline.

"Then why were you crying when I was sick?" Michael asked his voice husky and deep, she stroked her thumb over his jawline he brought his spare hand up to her hand and gently kissed her palm before bringing it down to the Center of his chest.

"Because that was out of my control…it was unpredictable, I didn't know what was going to happen to you." Ada explained her voice soft and gently she didn't meet his eyes slightly embraced but she wasn't sure by what. Michaels urge to comfort her took over and he kissed her filled with passion and joy, she returned the kiss with equal measure. After several minutes the two pulled away to catch their breath, Michael gently kissed her forehead.

"Your never going to lose me alright?" Michael whispered and she nodded snuggling in close to his chest he smiled letting exhaustion take over his body, his eyes shut and he let himself succumb into his subconscious.

An alarm went off next to Michael and Ada's bed, Michael shot awake and slammed his hand down off it turning it off immediately. He turned to his love and breathed a sigh of relief happy she hadn't awoken, he slowly and carefully slid out of bed careful of his various injures. He moved over to his dresser his arm around his ribs, as quietly as he could he pulled on some black trousers and grabbed a cleanly pressed white shirt. He slid this on wincing slightly as he moved his injured arm, he grabbed a black waistcoat with a golden chain looping out of one of the pockets, after fully dressing he grabbed his overcoat and shrugged this on over his smart suit jacket. He looked back over his shoulder and smiled to see Ada peacefully sleeping, he opened the door quietly and slipped out, he grabbed his flat cap and pulled it on, he pulled a cigarette and his lighter out of his overcoat, he put cigarette between his lips and headed for the front door, miraculously all the bodies and blood had been cleared. he would have to give the staff a raise. He lit his cigarette and put away his lighter, checking his watch the time was 7:30, this should give him enough time to get to the office before stocks opened. He was about to leave taking a large drag from his cigarette before realising it to double Drag, he was about 10 meter from the door when John appeared in front of the door, dressed similarly to Michael minus the cigarette.

"Where do you think your going?" John said smirking and blocking Michaels way out the house, Michael silently cursed under his breath wishing John hadn't seen him.

"Come on John. It's nearly twenty to 8 I need to get down to the office." Michael said and went to push past John but stopped short because he knew better than to mess with John, he took a long drag from his cigarette and sighed.

"Fine, but I'm coming with you. Tommy's orders." John replied still smirking and Michael growled clenching his free fist, he needed to work. He thought of how to get John to move without being physical cause he knew against John he wouldn't win a physical contest especially while he was still injured.

"So Your baby sitting me?" Michael said smirking with John, he pulled the cigarette from his lips and held it instead between his fingers tapping off the excess.

"No, well yes. I'm just making sure you don't do anything anything stupid." John said stepping aside and pulling open the door for Michael who walked though taking another drag from his cigarette, the cold air hit him hard like a breath of fresh air which he craved more than the nicotine, he dropped his cigarette and stamped it out into the gravel stones which was the driveway.

"Fine, lets go" Michael replied realising there was no point in arguing, plus he didn't mind Johns company he was easy to talk to and after all they had gotten really close over the past year and a bit. John got in the drivers seat of the car and Michael got in beside him wincing as he did so, he moved his arm protectively over his ribs as he shut the car door behind him. John pulled the car out of the drive and towards the company building, the pair winded down the small country lanes exchanging pleasant banta and easy conversation. They started to get to the outskirts of Birmingham, Michael had noticed a car had been following them for awhile but he frowned when another car pulled out in front of them seeming to be going the same route as them. They started to get towards the main roads of Brimingham only about 10 minutes away from the company building when Michael noticed a third car join the one at the back.

"John, we are being followed, it's too late to do anything. Get us to the building." Michael said trying to remain calm as he readied his gun, he looked in the wing mirror of the car and saw the car behind them pull out a machine gun.

"Now John, DRIVE!" Michael yelled and John responded by violently swerving into a side street as the machine gun went off spattering bullets everywhere. Michael ducked in his seat as John gassed it down the side street, Micheal ripped open the lining of the floor which secretly concealed large guns, he pulled one out and luckily it was already loaded. He got back up in his chair and faced backwards completely trusting John to drive well, the car with the Machine gun had quickly followed them down the alley. Michael started firing at the car trying to aim for the wheels so the car would stop but abandoned that when it wasn't working, he began to fire though the windshield of the car which smashed. John drove as quickly and as dangerously as he dared, he pulled out of the side street onto the Main Street which lead to the Shelby company building. another car was already waiting for them guns at the ready they began to fire as John sped away to the left now with two cars on their tail. Michael landed a shot on one of the drivers and the car spun out of control blocking the other, John looked back hearing the commotion and smirked but what nether of the men noticed was the car awaiting them up ahead. It was too late by the time John looked back around, the men in the awaiting car fired and it hit the engine. Michael grabbed John knowing what was going to happen and they didn't much time, he kicked open Johns door and shoved him out the car onto the road not caring how fast they where going he knew they would both surely die if they stayed in the car. Michaels then turned and jumped clean out of the car landing hard on the cobbled pavement, rolling a few times before coming to a painful stop. The car exploded close to the men awaiting in their car blowing up their wagon as well. Michael ears rang painfully from the explosion, his whole body ached as he lay motionless on the pavement, he attempted to push himself up feeling the heat of flames and the slickness of his own blood on his palms. He opened his eyes and took in the sight of 4 blazing cars littered about the large street, he looked around desperately for John and saw him laying on the other side of the street further away from the cars than Michael. He looked unconscious from what Michael could see, blood was also stained on patches of his clothing. Michael groaned and tried to move ,his body protesting greatly but he knew he had to get to John, he pushed himself onto all fours and staggered to his feet letting out a large groan of agony as he did. He could feel his own blood dripping from various places, he took one step forward and his right leg buckled, he cried out down on one knee, the rest of his body followed suit and he collapsed back down to the ground again. He felt his pain and agony writhing in his body determined to make him feel every last piece of the hell he was being forced to live, it burnt, the pain burnt. He struggled to draw in a breath without feeling pain. Michael tasted blood on his tongue and coughed heavily blood coming away on the dark stone, he rolled himself onto his back. He looked up again and could see two men he didn't recognise grabbing John and dragging him slowly away. Michaels fuzzed mind could tell they weren't Peaky Blinders, his whole body screamed DANGER. This made the blood boil in Michaels veins, he reached for his revolver which was luckily still in his jacket pocket. His hands were slick with his own blood but he didn't care as he forced himself to his feet, gun in hand, pain tore though his body nearly sending him back down to the ground but his instinct to protect John was so strong he remained upright.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE." Michael yelled not caring who heard he wanted people to hear, to come and help. The two men looked up at him as he limped forward, but they didn't stop they continued to drag John along the streets. Michael raised his revolver his hands shaking with the effort of it all, he didn't know if he could even fire the gun but he had to try.

"I SAID STOP!" Michael yelled slowly but surely getting closer to the two men who were having trouble dragging John away.

Inside The Shelby Company Building, the people where pressed up against the windows watching the heart breaking scene unfold, several Peaky Blinders where trying to shove the door open which was jammed by one of the cars, still burning away. Two of the Peaky Blunders who were rapidly kicking and shoving the door hard, these were Arthur and Tommy Shelby. They watched Michael as he desperately tried to save John, he looked like he would drop dead any second but not before he saved John. Arthur ran back into the room and grabbed chair, he threw the chair at the window on the ground floor smashing it entirely no longer caring, he climbed out of the Window and onto the pavement, Tommy and several other high ranking Peaky Blinders directly behind them both. They all had there guns drawn at least ten of them, Tommy and Arthur ran forward, Tommy fired off two shots hitting both men immediately. The men collapsed beside Johns unconscious form who was laying in his own blood. Tommy could see more men running away from the scene he didn't even need to tell his men to get them they were already gone chasing them down. Tommy looked at Michael who was ready to let his body collapse, which he did, he dropped to the ground seeing Arthur had John and if Arthur had John, John was safe. Tommy sprinted forward and grabbed Michael before he could hit the ground, he eased Michael gently back onto the cobbled stone but his torso lay in his lap. He could here people in the distance yelling for others to move, presumably an ambulance had been called forth.

"Michael!" Tommy called pulling a limp Michael in his lap and pulling the gun from his blood slicked hand.

"Stay with me Michael alright?!" Tommy said loudly seeing the way Michaels eyes weren't focused, Tommy's heart throbbed with pain as he looked over at Arthur who held John in his arms similarly to what he was doing to Michael.

"Tommy, let me go..I won't make it." Michael groaned his voice carried so much pain and hurt that Tommy wanted to take it all away from him.

"Don't say that." Tommy growled and found one of the worst wounds to be on Michael abdomen, he applied a strong amount of pressure on the wound to try and stop the bleeding, this caused Michael to groan and grab at the hand that was pushing down on the wound. Michael swallowed thickly and let out a groan as Tommy presses harder allowing his hand to fall to his side.

"I can't let you die Michael, stay with me, come on!" Tommy said as Michaels eyes started to close, his body starting to go slack, his eyes reopened and he looked at Tommy dead in the eyes. Tommy felt his whole body clench with the agony of losing someone else. He couldn't lose two other people he cared about, he just couldn't.

"Why.." Michael said his voice ruff and dry but he let out a small cough which brought forth some blood onto his lips, Tommy pulled Michael more into his arms supporting his back more so he wouldn't choke on his own blood. Tommy shakily sighed Michael always asked the hard questions.

"Your family Michael and you have been since you came here, you truly are part of the family. I can't let family die……" Tommy trailed off looking at Michael, he applied more pressure to the wound and the scariest part was Michael barely even winced.

"We love you, Michael.." Tommy whispered out so only he and Michael could here, his voice cracked slightly finally saying it out loud allowed himself to feel, feel the sadness and the pain which was rushing though him at the moment, he may lose Michael and he may lose John. After Grace,. He swore he wouldn't lose anyone else. He didn't intend to break that promise.

"If I get out of this..I want a raise." Michael said smirking cheekily some blood stained on his lips and he coughed again, Tommy smirked back.

"Done." Tommy said softer and watched as Michael chuckled and let his eyes slip closed exhaustion and pain taking over his body, Tommy tried to shake him get him to open his eyes again, a small tear slipped out of Tommy's eyes and sluggishly made its way down his face before falling onto Michaels clothing. Instead of trying to wake him again, Tommy just held him closely against him. Held him and looked up towards the sky as the heavens started to open sending rain cascading down onto them, washing away the blood on the streets. He felt people grabbing him pulling him away from Michael he wanted to fight back,to hold onto Michael ,but he knew these people where Doctors and Nurses. If Michael was to survive he would need them so he let himself be pulled away and watched as Michael was hauled onto a stretcher and quickly moved into the back of a car along with John, the doors to the back of that car shut tightly and the vehicle sped away leaving two broken men in the drenched street. Tommy turned towards Arthur he looked at his older brother and met his eyes, the men both silently exchanged words before walking forward to hug one another as it rained down hard on both men.

"Did he say it?" Tommy asked Arthur, who shook his head looking down at the ground he had Johns blood on his hands the same as Tommy had for Michael. Arthur knew he was referring to the phrase the Shelby's always said before they thought they would die. It was in some ways used as a blessing, asking god for forgiveness before their fate was decided,

"You?" Arthur replied his voice gruff and wavering slightly, Tommy was using everything thing in him to not walk away and just break down, he refused to, not when Arthur needed him.

"No." Tommy replied and sighed, he would now have to tell Ada and Pol, he could feel the dread building up inside him but he knew he had to tell em.

"Want to go straight to the hospital? I will use the phone there and call Ada and Esme." Tommy said and Arthur nodded, the hospital wasn't far away nether of them felt like driving so they started to walk. In silence in the rain, not caring about how they looked or how drenched they got as it poured down, they reached the hospital after about 20 minutes of walking, they let themselves inside. Unfortunately Tommy knew how this worked, so did Arthur. They went into one of the waiting rooms, Arthur sat down in one of the chairs and Tommy walked up to the front desk. He looked up at the nurse who instantly recognised him, fear crossed her features before being replaced with a calm one.

"Can I use the phone?" He asked politely trying not to scared her, she nodded and pointed over to a place on the wall where the phone hung, he walked over to it and took a deep breathe before punching in Ada's house number. He almost didn't want her to answer, but knew she had to know he would just have to be strong in telling her. Unfortunately for Tommy, she answered.

"Hello?" Ada said into the phone and Tommy took a deep breath in trying to relax and think about how to tell her what was happening.

"Ada, it's Tommy." He started his voice was grave and he knew she would pick up on that.

"What's wrong?" She asked her voice concerned and uneven, Tommy looked down at his hand that was still stained with Michaels blood, he sighed clenching his hand into a fist.

"You and Pol need to come down to the hospital.." Tommy said, when he didn't get an immediate answer he left it down to shock.

"Ada, Michael and John got into trouble…it's bad, I don't know what happened all I know is they where in a purposeful car attack." Tommy finished the words only hitting him now, that probably wasn't the best way to break it to her.

"A-are they okay?" Ada whispered over the line, Tommy could hear her tears slowly turn into sobs over the phone.

"I don't know yet, they were taken into surgery a little over 20 minutes ago." Tommy replied checking his watch as he gave her the time.

"We are coming." Ada whispered then the line went dead and Tommy sighed, 1 down 1 to go, he had to tell Esme, they were married…She would lose even more than Ada would..he slowly dialled in Esme's house number, he hadn't spoken to Esme a lot she didn't want to become part of the peaky blinders and he didn't blame her. This life isn't for everybody, but it made her more distant from the group of them.

"Hello this is Esme." Esme replied her voice cheerful and easygoing which was only going to make this a hell of a lot harder.

"Esme, it's Tommy. You need to come down to the hospital in birmingham..it's John he was injured in a car attack with Michael, we don't know exactly what happened or who did it yet. But he was in a bad way when he found him." Tommy said finding it somewhat easier to tell Esme because he didn't have such a strong connection with her, but it still made it hard for him to tell her knowing the impact it would cause her.

"Oh my god…." Esme said trailing off at the end of her sentence "I'm coming." She replied before the line went dead, he could here the tears in her voice as she hung up. Tommy put the phone back in the cradle and lent back against the wall for a brief second thinking, before joining Arthur on the chairs. Arthur had his head in his palms but he wasn't crying he was just disappointed the pain of maybe losing his brother and what felt like his other brother.

Hours had passed, Ada, Polly and Esme had arrived, they all now sat in separate chairs dotted across the waiting room, Esme and Ada sat together. Polly stood her hands shaking as she smoked near the door as if she was ready to bolt, Arthur sat beside Tommy they hadn't moved since they arrived. Ada couldn't stop herself from shaking nether could Esme, the pair held each others hands and slowly cried as quietly as they could not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Arthur was getting restless, his foot tapping repeatedly on the floor with nervousness, Tommy sat perfectly still not moving at all, he was frozen.

"Family of John Shelby?" A Doctor said standing with a clipboard from the entrance which they hadn't been allowed though presumably to the wards. Everybody stood up and the doctor was taken back slightly surprised to see so many actual relatives waiting.

"Your all related?" The doctor asked looking a them quizzically, Esme moved forward Ada a few steps behind her, Polly extinguished her cigarette and moved closer into the room.

"I'm his wife." Esme said her voice shaking and her bottom lip quivering, her eyes were wet from tears and her mascara was smudged. The doctor nodded acknowledging her as well as the others.

"Your husband is extremely lucky Mrs Shelby, when he was brought into us his shoulder was dislocated with a shard of metal lodged deep in the joint, we were able to remove it and relocate the joint but his shoulder is still damaged and will need a while to recover. Mr Shelby also had serval broken ribs from a high impact fall, he had deep second degree burns up his side. He also has quite a large concussion we are looking at discharging him in two weeks but he is suspected to make a full recovery." The doctor finished with a smile, every Shelby felt relief wash over them so much so Esme broke into heartfelt sobs and collapsed into Ada's arms, she hugged her tight rubbing her back.

"Thank you doc, when can we see him?" Arthur asked as Tommy seemed to be still taking the news in, the doctor understood their need to be with family.

"They are moving him into recovery now, so it will be a few minutes to make sure he is stable again but I will send a nurse to get you when he is ready for visitors." The doctor explained and Tommy snapped out of his daze.

"thank you ,doctor." Tommy said and the doctor nodded and walked away back though the doors to the wards. Tommy took his seat once more feeling relived but also worry still burned in his stomach for Michael he looked around the room and saw Polly she looked pretty emotionless, her eyes still wet even though she still cared about John but her son ,Michael meant more. The rest of them took there seats, Esme looked relieved and calmer but her hands still shook. Ada looked like a mess, it probably didn't help that they heard about John before Michael. A nurse walked into the room and looked like she was going to address them, Tommy saw her recognise all of them and swallow thickly.

"Umm Shelby family, John is able for visitors but only one at a time." The nurse said nervously and everybody looked towards Esme who got to her feet sending a silent thank you to the others before the nurse lead her though the doors and into the wards. A doctor walked past the nurse holding a clipboard he looked different to the one before but he wore a emotionless expression which was impossible for them to read.

"Family of Michael Gray?" The doctor said coming into the waiting room looking around and seeing the Shelby's, once again they all stood the doctor looked perplexed knowing they where all the Shelby's not actually Mr Gray's biological family.

"You can't all be his family." The doctor said looking at all of them in turn, Tommy had had enough he growled and moved forward towards the doctor.

"He is our family, got a problem?." Was all Tommy had to say for the doctor to shake his head quickly and agree with Tommy, Polly came forward and stood next to Ada who had tears slipping from her eyes.

"Well um, Mr Gray, barely survived surgery, we lost him twice during the surgery but he is currently stable and in recovery. He was severely injured, we found a bullet wound in his lower abdomen which had gone all the way though, a huge gash that looked like it been made with a piece of jagged metal went down his chest luckily not deem enough to hit any of his organs. Mr Gray also had a dislocated knee which had been jarred from movement, he also had severe 2nd degree burns over the same leg. Somebody upstairs must be extremely fond of Mr Gray because he will make a full recovery." The doctor explained and finished with a kind smile to Ada who practicality broke down with relief and Polly smiled with relief for the first time in the past 6 hours, Arthur smiled with relief and Tommy breathed out a sigh of relief he didn't know he had been holding.

"We are looking at discharge in the next 2-3 weeks and full recovery by 4. He is ready for visitors but only one at a time." The doctor explained and Ada looked up from where she had been wiping her tears, she looked at Polly who nodded giving her approval for her to go first.

"Which room?" Ada asked her voice wavering, tears still running down her face from relief and happiness.

"I presume you are his wife?" The doctor asked and Arthur and Tommy chuckled at Ada's shocked face.

"Yes she is." Tommy answered for her and she looked at him confused but she didn't protest the doctor nodded, the others were so giddy with relief that Arthur had to go sit down again even before the doctor left.

"This way Mrs Gray." The doctor said leading Ada though the doors into the wards, she couldn't stop her hands form shaking with nerves. They stopped at a door with the number 56 on the door, he opened it wide for her and she stepped inside, the room was darkish but natural light flowed into the room from the window. She looked to the single bed in the middle of the large room, it was bigger than most hospital rooms probably because of who Michael was and the fact he was in the inner circle of the peaky Blinders. She looked at Michael, he was laying shirtless on the bed, bandages where rapped pretty much the length of his whole torso, a thin blanket was laid over him up to his waist but Ada could see one leg had bandages wrapped around it more than the other. She nearly broke down again as she sat beside him, his skin was pale and she looked up to his handsome face, various small cuts littered his face but she could see they had all been properly cleaned. She reached out very gently to one of his hands which lay at his sides, she gently intertwined her hand with his very gently rubbing her thumb over his knuckles which were bruised and cut.

"Oh Michael." She whispered and couldn't control herself as she let the tears roll down her face in great numbers, she shook slightly her hands shaking. She looked at his face and luckily he seemed to be peacefully asleep but she knew he was in pain just covering it up.

"Please wake up." She softly cried gently rubbing his hand with her own wanting nothing more than to hear his voice and see his brown eyes even if they were to be filled with pain.

"They asked me if I was your wife..I didn't tell him I wasn't, I'm sorry if don't want that but it didn't feel wrong for him to call me Mrs Gray..it felt right.." Ada said choking back on some of her tears. "I can't lose you Michael, back a-at the house you said I wouldn't lose you." Ada finished when she broke off into a sob looking down, She didn't notice that Michael stirred in his stupor of pain and agony, he felt something in his hand something beautifully soft and delicate he knew instantly it was connected to Ada.

"Ada." Michael rasped out his voice dry and hoarse, he coughed slightly and let out a small groan Ada's head shot up and she broke out in a sad smile, she reached one hand up and gently caressed his face avoiding all cuts.

"I'm here Michael I'm here." She smiled sadly and he forced a small smile opening his eyes at her touch, when he looked at her and saw her tears he instantly panicked wanting her to be okay. Then it hit him…Did John not make it?

"John.." Michael said softly his eyes alarmed and tried to move the tiniest fraction but Ada quickly push him back down really gently on his uninjured shoulder.

"He made it, he is better off than you are right now.." Ada's said softly and she saw Michael relax the slightest fraction, his body still tense fighting the pain apart from the hand he was holding hers with, he didn't want to hurt her at all no matter how much pain he was fighting.

"What happened?"Ada asked gently and she saw Michael sigh a little before grimacing in pain. He thought for a second recalling the events form earlier in the day.

"John and I were leaving for the office, I noticed some cars following us, but I didn't think anything of it until one pulled out in front of us. I told John to get off the road and try and get up to the building, but it was to late they started shooting, we went down a back alley and I started shooting back at em. We pulled out onto the Main Street but car was already waiting for us, they hit us in the engine and I knew it would blow, so I pushed John from the car before jumping from the car myself, our car collided with there's and then both cars exploded…I remember Tommy..then everything is kinda foggy from there.." Michael replied explaining his story, Ada felt anger and fear build up inside of her at one time. Why would someone want to do that to Michael and John…what was happening.. whoever they were messing with was in for hell if she had anything to say about it.

"Your safe now." Ads smiled softly kissing his forehead gently, she wiped her tears from her cheek and smiled happily that she knew they could do something about it, Michael was going to live and right now that was all that mattered.

"Where's pol?" Michael asked gently intertwining their fingers and rubbing his thumb over the soft skin of her hand, he wriggled wanting to hold her in his arms. But also wanting to see his mothers.

"She is waiting outside along with Tommy and Arthur. Esme is in with John right now." Ada explained and Micheal laid his head back wincing.

"Do you want me to go get her?" She asked making to leave but he gripped her hand so she would stay not wanting her to leave just yet.

"I need you to do something for me." Michael said and Ada returning to face him still holding her hand close to him.

"Anything." Ada said softly and Michael nodded looking in her eyes wincing as she turned more towards her.

"I need you to go to my office, get anything you think looks like work. As Alan he can help you, there is a gun in the top draw of my desk bring it with you." Michael explainer carefully seeing Ada's eyes widen in alarm but also in confusion.

"Michael the doctor said you need to rest." Ada resisted slightly but it wasn't stopping Michael.

"Please Ada, please." Michael practically begged, his eyes pleading driving into hers, she sighed deeply but nodded.

"Alright, fine." She replied and Michael smiled happily glad she would agree to help him. He pulled her in gently barely moving himself, he gently kissed her softly she returned it with equal gentleness. She slowly pulled away and Michael already missed her touch.

"Thank you love." He said softly and she blushed, she always blushed when he called her love, it was his favourite pet name for her. She stood up slowly and he realised her hand for her to go and gather his work, he smiled as he watched her walk away towards the door.

"I love you, Ada." He called before she opened the door, she looked back over her shoulder blushing more.

"I love you to." She smiled before leaving the room, she walked back though the wards and towards the waiting room, when she entered the room she noticed Polly had gone and Esme had come out from Johns room and appeared to be waiting for her. Arthur has presumably taking her place in going to go visit John, Tommy and Esme stood up from where they had been talking.

"Where's Polly?" Ada asked slightly confused that Michaels own mother had disappeared from thin air.

"She left…she said she needed some air." Tommy said sadly and Esme came towards her and hugged her, she wasn't quite sure why but she returned the heart felt hug.

"How is he?" Esme asked pulling away and Ada smiled a sad smile which Tommy picked up on.

"He is alive and awake but just in pain. How is John?" Ada asked after her brother quickly and Esme smiled a sad smiled smilier to the one Ada had shown.

"Much like Michael, just in pain. Arthur is with him now." Esme explained, Tommy watched the girls talk for a few seconds before no longer being able to wait he cut in.

"What room is Michael in?" Tommy asked and Ada turned to him.

"54." She said simply before turning back to Esme, Tommy grew to impatient. He quickly moved though the door to enter the wards. He couldn't help himself as he jogged past other wards; he reached room 54 and took a deep breath before entering. He need to see for himself that the man who felt like another brother was alright. He knew John was safe with Arthur but Michael being alone and defenceless put Tommy on edge, he pushed open the door quietly trying not to wake Michael it he was asleep.

"I want my raise."Michael smirked watching tommy enter the room, Tommy took in Michaels appearance and mentally kicked himself, the mans chest was covered with bandages but yet he could still see the black lines of stitches that ran down his chest.

"Consider it done."Tommy replied smirking happily, he walked over and sat in the chair next to his side but not as close as Ada was. Michael smirked leaning his head back into the pillows, Tommy had to give it to him the kid was good at hiding pain, But Tommy noticed the way Michaels fist closed and opened repeatedly.

"How's the pain?" Tommy asked crossing his leg over his other one and pulling out a cigarette, before he lit it he stood up and opened one of the windows letting in some of the warm fresh air.

"It's fine." Michael replied as Tommy cake and sat back down with a cigarette in his hand, he noticed the way Michaels teeth was clenched as he spoke.

"Don't lie to me, Michael." Tommy said before Michael could barely finish his sentence, he sighed and let out a deep groan of pain which Tommy looked up at taking in a long drag.

"Fine, it's bad. Like really bad. It burns." Michael ground out, his breath hitched in his throat as it tangled with a pained groan. Tommy looked up at the iv in his arm, he frowned when he looked at the bag he stood up reading what was on the bag. It read "fluids.", Tommy nodded understanding that they wanted to keep him hydrated he sat back down.

"I'll get you some morphine, soon alright?" Tommy said sitting back in his chair, he took a long drag from his cigarette trying to calm himself.

"Alright." Michael groaned out his teeth still clenched together, Tommy's mind raced wanting to take Michaels pain he hated seeing family in pain.

"Can you remember what happened?" Tommy asked as he took a longer drag from his cigarette looking at Michael who nodded but quickly regretted it when his head started spinning. Michael told the same story he told Ada, Tommy growled softly he took another drag.

"Well hopefully we got at least one of the people in the cars alive. We will figure this out Michael I swear to you, we will get our vendetta." Tommy vowed and Michael nodded pushing himself up slightly and left out a loud groan which made Tommy jump forward.

"Easy." Tommy cautioned and helped put a pillow behind his back so he could sit up easier and without pulling at any of his wounds.

"When can I get out of here?" Michael asked smirking which earned a small chuckle from Tommy.

"The doctor said you could be discharged in two weeks, healed by 4."Tommy explained sitting back down in his seat, he looked at the bandages on Michaels chest as Michael raised a hand to where the bullet wound was deep in his abdomen. It was rapped carefully in gauze, he ran his hand over it gently and was hit with a flashback of Tommy pushing down on the wound so he wouldn't bleed out.

"Why didn't you say it, Michael?" Tommy asked looking up at him from where he smoked in his chair, He saw Michael wince as he sighed obviously aggravating his ribs.

"Say what?" Michael asked, thinking he knew what Tommy went but his mind felt so foggy that he felt the need to check.

"You know what." Tommy said sitting forward in his chair and Michael understood, he winced.

"I didn't say it, because I didn't think I was going to die. I trust you Tommy, your my family." Michael replied smiling though his pain, to which Tommy smiled.