I was surprised they never really explained why Liam was acting the way he was at the start of the episode 'Elektra', so thought I'd write a fic about it.

I hadn't meant it. What I said to Frank about the others; when I had a go at them for looking to me for help with Elektra - it wasn't true. I wanted to fight their battles for them. I like them. They are like family. To me, anyway. But that was the thing – it's hard to keep being there for people when they don't see that sometimes you need someone to be there for you. When they don't see you as family.

I hadn't been too bothered about it before, really. I've always put it down to their ages, or their pasts – they're mostly new to care, after all. I guess it must be pretty scary to be torn away from your family, no matter how bad they are, and thrown into a house with strangers. Not that I'd know. I've been in care for as long as I can remember. My mum had been too young to cope, apparently, and my dad was never around, so there you have it - social services were my new parents by the time I was three weeks old. When you've been in care for this long, it doesn't faze you. Even if somewhere does, you can always act up until you get moved along – I learnt that from Burnywood. Other than that, it's simple. You meet the new kids; if they seem decent enough you look out for them; you wait for them to get fostered. I know the pattern like the back of my hand.

Not that I've never been fostered, mind. I'm not a complete reject. The way I act always seems to attract potential foster parents - suppose it must be charismatic from a distance. But then I'd pull one prank too many, or make a comment that was a little bit too far out of line, and I'd be back where I started. Do I mind? Ask Mike, Frank, anyone – they'll say no. I always take it with a smile and a cheeky request for a 'Welcome Home' party. But who wants to be the kid that gets sent back crying? It's easier for everyone if you pretend you don't care.

I won't need to worry about that anymore though. Everyone in care knows that once you're about 14, you've got no hope of getting fostered. People want a cute kid they can show off to friends and take for days out, not a teenager. The day I got sent back to Elmtree by my most recent ex-foster parents? Exactly three months before my 14th birthday. I gave up all hope I had of being part of a 'normal' family on that day.

Don't think I cry myself to sleep about it or anything - I'm not Johnny. Elmtree's ok. The staff are a laugh; the kids are mostly alright; I'm basically a living legend here – what's not to like? Well, that's how I feel most days, anyway. Days where me and Frank have just flogged a load of rubbish from the attic, or nicked Lily's wheelchair to do a double burger-dive, or taken Harry out into town and pretended we've lost him to wind Sapph up. Those are the days where I think that this lot are my family, and I'd do anything for them. But, now and again, there are the bad days. The ones where Frank's gone to visit his granddad, or Johnny thinks he & Tee have found the perfect foster family, who will definitely want them as long as they do the washing up right now, or Sapph's making plans for when she's 16 and can get out of here. Those are the days that I realise I don't mean the same to them. I'm a friend; someone they can rely on; someone to cheer them up. But I'll never be family. As soon as they've moved on, I'll be forgotten. Why should I be there for them at all?

Sorry, I know it didn't exactly explain why he was annoyed that day – was planning on making it a one shot but then it seemed too blunt to jump straight in without giving any background. Hope you liked it; I was trying to bring in a new side to Liam without making him completely depressed and losing his sense of humour. I'll put a new chapter up soon that's more specific to that day, and try to make it a bit longer, plus have more dialogue/involvement with the other characters. If anyone's got any ideas I'll try and incorporate them at some point :)