Begin Again Chapter 1- Medicine

Pick it up, pick it all up.
And start again.
You've got a second chance,
you could go home.
Escape it all.

Summary: Shattered the Afghan war, heartbroken by his fiancées betrayal and mourning his father's death. Can Ross Poldark begin again or is it too late?

As of 28/04/15 this chapter has been edited and all spelling and grammar mistakes found have been corrected

Cornwall seemed unchanged in the four years he had been away. The coastline was nearly the same as four years previously. Although Truro was different new shops now stood where the old once had however the Red Lion pub and the post office remained. The streets were no less noisy with people selling goods left right and centre but he did just happen to arrive on a Saturday.

The ride from the airport was bumpy to say the least it seems no one has bothered to fill in the numerous potholes that littered in the road; in fact they seemed to have grown in both number and size.

His phone beeped with a text message, it was from Dwight - Your back! Want come and get drunk down at the Lion? He smiled, something never change.

He replied at a red light - Can't mate gotta have dinner with the fam

That moody bunch well I wish you luck was the reply minutes later. He chuckled. He couldn't say he was looking forward to dinner.

He and Francis had hardly parted on good terms but let's hope that four years away had smoothened some of the cracks. And Elizabeth she was another matter entirely...

He arrived at Trenwith early. He was determined to be in the blasted house for as little time as possible. The house looked the same to Ross. Luckily his key to the front door still worked - Francis had yet to change the locks.

The interior was as modern, chic and tasteful as a man with a hell of a lot of money could buy - marble surfaces met the eyes with white walls and black futuristic furniture dotted around the room, but there were also funky Art Deco light fittings and cushions was shattered around, Ross couldn't help but admire his cousin Verity's handy work in the decor.

The house was silent apart from the distinctive noise of classical music coming speakers somewhere upstairs which Ross knew just had to be Verity. He tip toed up the stairs and into Verity's room whose door had been left wide open as usual. She sat with her easel in front, painting something grunge like, probably tumblr inspired and very dark.

"Isn't that a bit too modern for your tastes Verity?" he raised his eyebrow as a smirk formed on his lips.

She turned around looking surprised for a moment "Oh Ross your back thank God!" She rushed over pulling him into a fierce hug "I have missed you" She whispered softly, her voice wavering just the tiniest

"Don't you start crying on me now"

She leaned out the hug slightly "I am not crying Ross!" She stepped back and Ross managed to get a good look at her for the first time. Four years had aged her for the better. Her once short pixie cut had grown out into a messy bob and fringe. Her style was the same, a cardigan with a plain top and scarf on top or as he like to call it "urban girl in the country" which usually earned him a friendly shove and a scowl.

"Your watery eyes tell a different story" She smiled sadly.

"What is that you were painting. Can we call it art?" A smug grin on his face

"Yes it is art Ross and I have to complete for my class."

"You go to an art class!"

"It's a hobby and I get to meet nice like minded arty people. At the moment we are trying our hand at modern art."

"Oh so that is the reason this canvas looks like it is in distress" This did earn him a playful shrove

"Modern art is open to interpretation and appreciation of the art form neither of which you seem to have dear cousin"

"Excuse me Verity, but I do remember it was me who won the end of year art price three years in a row"

"Well none of us can naturally good as you, can I get any tips from the master of art!?"

"Well if you are asking I would say get rid of the black"

"That's nearly the entire painting Ross"

"Exactly my point V!"

"Meanie" She stuck her tongue out at him but before he could retort with a witty response they are interrupted by the sound of keys in the lock and the front door opening. Showtime he thought as he walked out of Verity's room and the stairs to face the crowd.

"Oh Ross I didn't realise you were back we were just visiting Aunt Agatha"

"Yes my fault Francis I forgot to text- been rather busy lately"

"Ah I as well Ross," The smile seemed genuine - four years can heal some wounds then.

"Ross!" came an all too familiar voice- Lizzie.

"Elizabeth!" A smile spread across his face. She moved forward to hug him and his eye caught on the gem on her left hand, he pulled back and there was an awkward silence only broken by Francis.

"Yes Ross, you remember her, she was thinking you would forget" How could he forget about her "May I present my fiancée Lizzie but I guess you already guessed that" Another moment of silence only broken by the ringing of the doorbell.

"Well I must get the door, it should be the takeaway man" Verity smiled rushing to the door. "I hope you still like Chinese Ross?"

"Of course I do Verity!" and with that the conversation moved on.

Once they were all seated with these food and alcohol, the conversation flowed as if Ross had never left. Francis talked about his new business ventures, Verity of her design work and current also arty boyfriend Andy, Lizzie of her new job in a clothes shop and complaining about the ever more irritating manager. It felt almost like the old times- almost. Francis' arm lay almost constantly across the back of Lizzie's chair in a protective manner. After all the food was finished, they decided to play one of their favourite drinking game Never have I ever with Francis promising to take Ross out to experience the nightlife of Cornwall because a lot can change in four years,bro. Ross was a little bit tipsy by the end. He ended carrying Verity up to her room, leaving her a note saying to lay off the booze for a little, while you make better art when sober. R

11pm. He walked home along the high street accompanied by the acoustics of a nearby guitar, played ever so beautifully by an even prettier redhead seated by the town hall, he threw some coins in her guitar case, she mumbled a note of thanks, her misty green eyes staring up into his just for a moment before returning to her guitar and then he moved on.

Nightmares were worse that night then before. Now he was back home the fact that he would probably never re-enter the army played on his mind. The nightmares were no longer of home but of the friends he had lost in the battlefield, the comrades he had seen fall and the many scars that now littered his body. One thing was sure Ross Poldark was a changed man...

AN-So I hope you enjoyed that and please review even if you don't have an account with what you want later or general comments and loveliness. This is loosely based off my sun and stars Rita's (aka princessofpoldark on tumblr) modern au with a little help plot wise from the lovely lady herself.

I do have a vague plan of where this will go (if anywhere) and Demelza will be introduced in the next chapter (although there was a little hint here in this chapter. Can you find it!?).

Let's hope I did the characters justice.

Please tell me what you think! (Also if there any spelling mistakes) Nothing you recognise belongs to me

SS xx