She's Not Afraid

"We're Ready To Go"

"Hi buddy," Liam greeted his 7-month-old son, as he walked into the diner. He grabbed the boy, before kissing his wife on the lips and sitting next to her, "I miss you last night," he cooed to the child.

Danny, Louis, Zayn, and Niall all moved towards their girls, greeting them with smiles and kisses as Harry stood with his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I almost hate to ask, but where is Sofia," Harry said, looking around the diner.

"She said something about iced coffee and caffeine and a bad mood, before running down the street," Eleanor said, as Harry pulled out a seat.

"We're at a diner, she can get coffee here," Harry said, and Eleanor just shrugged, before turning to Louis.

"How did last night go?" she asked

"Good," Louis said, "We're definitely ready to raid. We can cut off his power, and security cameras. We know the house backwards and forwards. We're set."

"Good," Daisy said, "Soon this will all be over."

"Yeah, we just have to figure out when Sofia will be there next," Liam said, "Did she go off by herself?"

"Yes," Danielle said, "She was exhausted, she was at his house late last night, and she was moody, and she did need coffee..."

"Yeah, but I hate the idea of her going off –" Liam started to say, but he was interrupted by Sofia walking into the diner, sipping on a very large iced coffee and carrying a shopping bag.

"Hi fam!" she greeted, sitting next to Harry.

"What's in the bag?" Harry asked

"A present for Birdie," Sofia said, "I'm going to make her cupcakes too..."

"You're going to bake?" Zayn asked, trying to hide the amusement in his voice, as Emily nudged him.

"Ella said she would help," Sofia said, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Sofia, were ready to go," Liam said, informing his sister as he called the waitress over. Sofia let the waitress take their orders before turning back to Liam.

"Your sure?" she asked

"Yeah, I mean... he doesn't have great security... which is sketchy. But over the last week, we have definitely gotten the house down and we can hack his power supply. We're ready."

"Okay, we should do it Wednesday," Sofia said.

"Wednesday?" Liam asked, "I was thinking like, tonight..."

"No Liam," Sofia said, shaking her head, "First of all, I've been there every night for a week. Second of all, I want to go tonight and have fun. And third, Wednesday is Birdies birthday and her mother
promised to take her to a movie – so she won't be in the house..."

"Okay, Wednesday it is," Liam said, shrugging.

"What do you mean you want to out tonight?" Emily asked, looking across the table at her best, whose smile grew by a mile.

"Okay, so I was texting Katie..." Sofia said

"That is never a good start to a sentence," Emily said,

"Shush!" Sofia hushed her, "Diego's is have margarita and karaoke night! And I want us all to go, just like we did in high school!!"

"Oh my god," Emily moaned, throwing her head into her hands, before looking back up at her friend, "You're serious."

"Oh I'm dead serious. Sean's little sister agreed to watch David, so we're all going, no excuse – no backing out," Sofia said, as she pointed around the table.

"We haven't had a night out all together in a while," Danielle said, shrugging.

"I can't drink," Eleanor moaned

"No, but you can get your husband bloody smashed, and put him up on stage," Sofia said

"I would love to see that," Ella said

"Come on, please?" Sofia begged, and finally everyone agreed.

"Sofia, when you say like in high school –" Emily said

"Oh yes, I mean JUST like high school. We're going to dress up and everything!" Sofia squealed.

"Jesus Christ," Emily mumbled.

"So, until then... what's everyone got planned for the day?" Liam asked, before biting into his breakfast.

"Danielle and I are going shopping for maturity clothes," Eleanor said, "Something that doesn't make me look like a whale..."

"You don't look like a whale," Louis said

"Well, you kind of do," Sofia said, causing Eleanor and Louis to glare at her, "But you are a very cute whale!"

"And you, Sofia?" Liam asked, annoyed, "What are you doing?"

"Daisy and I are going to the ring, Emily's gonna come with us..." Sofia said, "Gonna give Daisy a few pointers."

"You're going boxing?" Danny asked, looking at Daisy, as he tried to cover his smile.

"Yes," Daisy said, "Sofia thinks I should know how to defend myself..."

"You? Boxing?" Danny repeated

"Shut up, Danny," Sofia quipped, "I can take you – and soon she will be able to too!"

"Good luck, girls..." Danny said, shaking his head.

"Can I come?" Ella asked,

"Sure!" Sofia said, "Then we can go shopping for cupcake stuff!"

"Daisy is boxing, Sofia is baking," Harry said, slowly, "Hell must be freezing over..." Causing the entire table, excluding Sofia and Daisy to laugh.



***


"Is it strange to anyone else that we've all settled down, in a way," Louis said, as him and the boys stood in the garage.

"Yeah, it's fucking weird," Zayn said, shaking his heads, "Instead of boys nights out... it's like, family dinners and shit..."

"Let's face it, though," Niall said, glancing at Danny, "I think we are most surprised that someone actually got Danny to settle..."

"Hey I'm not settled man," Danny protested, "I'm just –"

"With the same girl every night for the last few months," Liam said, finishing his sentence, "Come on, when's the last time you took someone else home with you?"

"I don't know," Danny said quietly, shrugging, "Whatever. It's no big deal..."

"I like Daisy," Zayn said, as he slid up on one of the cabinets, "She's a sweet girl. And her, Em, and Sofia are like super close..."

"Remember when Sofia wanted to kill her?" Harry asked, laughing to himself.

"Yeah," Louis said, "Man, I actually thought she might at one point. She was so pissed."

"Now their like, inseparable," Harry said, shaking his head.

"They are certainly going to be fun to watch tonight," Niall said, as he cleaned a gun.

"My sister at karaoke is actually the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life," Liam said, his face warped in a terrified expression.

"Remember that time your dad caught them?" Zayn asked

"Doing karaoke?" Harry asked, "What's so bad about that?"

"They had done about 7 tequila shots – or Sofia had, anyway," Louis said, "And when he walked in, Sofia got on stage and sang 'We're Not Gonna Take It'...."

"It was more like screaming," Liam said, "And Emily and Katie just danced in the background... joining in every once in awhile. They were so wasted, they could barely walk. They were like, 14..."

"It was a mess," Niall said, "But your dad was so amused he couldn't even be angry... remember?"

"Yeah," Liam said, nodding his head, "He always appreciated the guts Sofia had – even when she was stupid."

"Speaking of Sofia," Danny said, "I think Sikes actually has feelings for her. He hasn't tried anything since he got involved with her. I think he might just want her."

"That's not gonna happen," Harry said, opening a cabinet full of guns, "Besides, I've never seen Sofia so ready to hunt someone down. She's so done with this job..."

"Yeah," Niall said, "I did pick that up the other night – she was mumbling to herself, all I could get was the word 'fuck' and 'prick'" The boys laughed.

"So, Harry," Liam said, "After this Sikes thing, are you finally going to make an honest woman out of my sister? Finally get her down the isle..."

"That's the plan," Harry said, grinning, "If she didn't want a wedding so damn bad, I'd have her at the court house on Thursday..."

"I don't know how you did it," Liam said, shaking his head.

"What?"

"Changed my sister into someone who wanted to get married, or a family. I swore she was going to be a wild child until the day she died..." Liam said

"She's still pretty wild," Louis said

"Oh, yeah," Harry said, grinning like a Cheshire cat, "Believe me, Liam. She is still VERY wild."

"Gross," Liam moaned, "You fucking twat...."


***


"I think Danny's right," Sofia said, as she dodged Daisy's hit, and Daisy went flying into the side of the ring, "You're pretty useless at this... but don't tell him that. We're going to pretend that you did very well...."

"And if he asks me to show him?" Daisy huffed, standing up, with her hands on her hips.

"Kick him in the balls," Sofia said, shrugging, as she threw Daisy a water bottle. Daisy accepted it gratefully, while Emily and Ella climbed into the ring. The four girls sat in the middle of it.

"Not all of us can be Sofia," Emily said, "If it makes you feel better, "When Zayn tried to teach me how to box, I almost fell out of the ring..." The girls laughed at her, as Emily shrugged.

"Oh my god," Ella said, "I love this song..." The four listened, as Rihannas Umbrella came on over the speakers.

"Let's dance!" Sofia squealed, jumping up, and dancing. Soon Ella, Daisy, and Emily were on their feet. The girls were spinning and jumping and laughing in the middle of the boxing ring, allowing the music to totally take over. Soon the were yelling the lyrics to the song, as they held on to each other, continuing to dance. When the song ended, they were laughing hard, wiping tears from their face.

"You've officially scared my son," Danielle's voice came from behind them, the girls turned to see Eleanor and Danielle staring at them looking amused.

"So, uh," Eleanor said, "Is this what boxing is, then?"

"Daisy doesn't have a chance," Sofia said, climbing off the ring, as the other girls followed.

"What are you doing here?" Ella asked

"We wanted to come and watch," Danielle said, "But, uh, clearly we weren't missing anything important..."

"We should head home soon, anyway," Emily said, checking her watch, "Almost time to start making dinner..."

"Cupcakes first!" Sofia insisted, as they walked towards the gym exit.

"Yes, Sofia," Ella said, rolling her eyes, "Cupcakes first." As they walked outside, they walked right into someone all too familiar.

"Ah," Sikes said, smiling down at the girls, "Hello there."

"Hi," Sofia said, getting tense, as he glanced at Danielle who was holding David, and Eleanor who was clearly pregnant. Feeling protective, Sofia stepped in front of them.

"Sofia, come on..." Emily said, smart enough to stay in character, pulling on her shirt, "The boys are expecting us..."

"I'll meet you at the car," Sofia said, not taking her eyes off Sikes. When the girls walked away, she looked up at him expectantly.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, "Working out or stalking me?"

"This is a mere coincidence," Sikes said, smirking at her, "But I did happen to catch your dance... it was cute. Not your best, but cute." Sofia laughed at him.

"Thanks," Sofia said

"So," Sikes said, glancing at the cars that the other girls were getting into, "When can I see you again?"

"How's Wednesday?" Sofia asked.

"Wednesdays perfect," Sikes said, "Dinner and a movie at my place?"

"Sounds perfect," Sofia said, before grinning and turning away from him.



***


"Oh my god, blood hell, " Eleanor squealed into her hands, her shoulders shaking with embarrassed laughter, "They're so embarrassing!"

Sofia laughed and cheered beside her as Louis and Harry continued their very drunk, very slurred, very off-key version of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with each other.

"They are so smashed," Liam said, shaking his head and looking horrified as his two friends, wrapped their arms around each other as they sung.

"Oh my god, so cute!" Danielle squealed, standing up to take a picture.

"They're more in love with each other, then they are with the two of you," Niall said, pointing to Eleanor and Sofia who both laughed loudly as he finished off his pint.

"Oh, guys, I think they're going to do another duet," Zayn said, his eyes filled with amusement.

"I'm not drunk enough for this," Emily said, as she finished off her 4th margarita

"Oh my god, me neither," Sofia said, grabbing her hand, "Come on, Daisey... let's go do shots!"

"Hey! Each of you do one for me!" Eleanor called behind them, as the three approached the bar.

"Can we have six tequila shots please?" Sofia asked, as she leaned over the bar, before glancing up on stage, to see that Harry and Louis had indeed chosen to do another song. As the music for "I Got You Babe" came on, Sofia laughed loudly, before turning back to her shots.

"Here's to friendship and family," Sofia said to the other girls, before the each took the shot.

"And here's to Wednesday going right," Emily said, as they downed their second.

"Hey ladies," the bar tender said, except his eyes were only on Emily, "Can I get you anything else?"

"We'll talk 4 more margaritas," Emily said, flashing him a tight smile.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you have beautiful eyes?" the bartender asked, as Daisy and Sofia tried not to laugh, looking away from them.

"Thank you," Emily said, softly, "But uh, how about the margaritas?"

"How about a number?" the bar tender asked, causing Emily's eyes to widen.

"I'm taken," Emily said

"Oh yeah, by one of them blokes over there?" the bar tender asked.

"Nah," a voice said, as Zayn leaned over the counter, "By this bloke right here. You aren't hitting on my girl mate, are you?"

"Zayn, stop it," Emily said, squeezing his arm, but Zayn's eyes didn't come off the bartender.

"I was just telling her how pretty her eyes were," the bartender said, shrugging.

"Don't even look at her eyes, bro," Zayn growled, "It'll be the last thing you see, I promise."

"Zayn!" Emily scolded, but Zayn had already pulled her so that he was in front of her.

"You can just send their drinks over with one of the shot girls," Zayn said, laying cash down on the bar, before he turned, pulling Emily away from the bar with Daisy and Sofia following quickly behind him.

"Do you have to do that?" Emily hissed at him.

"I didn't like the way he was looking or talking to you," Zayn said, as he sat down next to her, putting his arm around her.

"It's not like I was returning the feelings, Zayn," Emily said, "I could have taken care of myself!"

"I know that," Zayn said, "But I like to take care of you. And I like other guys to know that you're mine..."

"Ridiculous," Emily quipped at him, but Zayns head was already in her neck as he kissed her gently, his tongue rolling on her collar bone, which left Emily forgetting how to breathe.

"Don't be mad," he mumbled into her skin, "I didn't punch the guy out like I wanted to, and that's something – isn't it?" He kissed her again, making her head roll back.

"I suppose," she whispered

"Oi!" Louis barked at the two of them, as he and Harry approached, "Get a room!"

"I could say the same about you and my fiancé," Sofia said, as Harry clumsily crashed beside her.

"Aw baby, you know I only have eyes for you," Harry slurred, his mouth in a perfect cheeky smile.

"You are so bloody smashed," Sofia said, shaking her head at him.

"Yes," Harry agreed, "Promise to take advantage of me tonight!"

"Oi!" Liam growled, giving them a disgusted look as Sofia laughed loudly.

"I propose a toast!" Louis said dramatically, getting to his feet.

"Oh bloody hell, Lou," Niall said, face palming himself, "Sit down. Someone make him sit down..."

"Shush!" Ella said, "Let him talk!"

"Yes, Niall," Louis said, sticking his tongue out, "Let me bloody talk!"

"Here's to the family you make," Louis said, looking around at them, "And the family we will continue to make. We've done good, guys..."

"Cheers!" Liam cried out, smiling stupidly.

"Cheers!" everyone else cried out

"Sofia, I think it's time..." Emily said

"I feel it too," Sofia said, nodding her head.

"Time for what?" Harry asked

"Oh god, don't do it..." Liam begged

"SPICE GIRLS!" both girls, before jumping up and running towards the stage.



***


It was Wednesday and Sofia was standing at the stove in the morning, putting on the kettle. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, her dreams plagued with everything that could go wrong. A lot rested on tonight, if it didn't go right – Sikes could become even more dangerous then he was now.

Suddenly Sofia felt hands on her hips, and lips were being pressed against her shoulder.

"Come back to bed," Harry whispered to her huskily.

"Can't sleep," Sofia said quietly, as she grabbed his hands, allowing them to tangle together.

"Who said we had to sleep?" Harry asked, Sofia could feel the smile against her shoulder. She turned so that she was facing him, and wrapped her arms around him neck.

"You'll be careful, right?" Sofia asked, her eyes searching his – he could see how worried she was about tonight.

"Don't worry about us, baby," Harry said, "We have the advantage. You just get out of that house. Remember, when your phone beeps – that's when it's about to happen. And you run as fast as you can for that door, and you don't look back. Niall will be waiting for you in the car..."

"I know the plan, Harry," Sofia said, "That didn't answer my question..."

"Babe, I don't want you to worry," Harry said as he pulled her into him.

"Well, I am worried," Sofia said, "So just tell me that you will be careful."

"I'll be careful," Harry said, brushing his finger up and down her back.

Sofia's phone beeped, forcing them apart as Sofia reached for it. A text message appeared on the screen.

"Still on for tonight?" it read, it was from Sikes. Sofia and Harry read the text together, and Harry squeezed her shoulder in encouragement as Sofia typed back.

"I can't wait."


***


Sofia tried to calm the nerves in her system as Sikes opened the door to his car, and helped her out. She walked towards the house, allowing Sikes to grip her hand. As he opened the door, Sofia stepped in after him, trying to stop herself from shaking too much. Sikes smiled down at her, and Sofia did her best to smile up at him – and make it convincing. Luckily he was on his phone the whole care ride, so she didn't have to try and keep up conversation until now. She thought of the boys, who were all outside in the dark – waiting to approach the house. Sofia's head turned to the noise of Sike's men in the other room, and she tried to push out of her head that they would soon all be dead.

"I'll take your coat, love..." Sikes said, reaching out. Sofia nodded, pulling the coat off of herself and handing it Sikes.

"Shall I take your purse?" Sikes said, nodding to the purse

"No, no," Sofia said, trying to keep her voice casual, "I'll keep this with me, just in case I have to touch up my lipstick..." She must've sounded convincing because Sikes nodded, smiling at her before hanging up her coat.

One of Sikes men approached them, in his hand a beer bottle and Sofia couldn't help but hope that they were all a little intoxicated – giving her boys the upper hand.

"How are ya, Sofia?" he greeted as he passed, she waved silently at him – as he stopped to talk to Sikes quietly.

Looking around the house, she noticed that it was very at ease. They didn't suspect anything. She glanced at Sikes who was in deep conversation, laughing easily with his friend. That was the thing with Sikes, he believed he was untouchable. He didn't think that anyone would actually ever try and attack him, so he didn't keep his guard up. It was his arrogance that was going to get him killed, and Sofia couldn't help but be grateful that he was such a prideful man. That was certainly working to their advantage.

"Come Sofia," Sikes said, ending the conversation with his friend as he walked towards the living room.

"Make yourself at home," Sikes said, waving his hand towards the couch, "Birdie!" he called loudly, making Sofia's eyes widened and her heart stop. Soon the four year old was rushing out of the kitchen looking for the man who called her name.

"Yes Mr. Sikes?" she asked, but before Sikes could respond, Sofia interrupted.

"Birdie," she breathed out, catching the child's attention, as she stood up, "What are you doing here?" Sofia wasn't covering up her surprise or horror of seeing the child there, "It's your birthday. You aren't supposed to be here."

"Mr. Sikes needed my mum tonight," Birdie said, her voice quiet, before glancing at Sikes as if she said too much. Sike's eyes narrowed on the child.

"Birdie, I want you to go fetch a plate of cookies and bring them out here," Sikes said, his voice harsh and stern. Birdie turned towards the kitchen to follow orders, but Sofia's voice rang out again.

"You don't have to do that," she said, ignoring Sike's glare at her, "I can do that."

"No, that's what she's here for," Sikes said, his voice hard, "Go Birdie!"

"Birdie stay!" Sofia argued, causing the child to freeze again, before Sofia turned to Sikes, "It's her birthday."

"Birdie, I will not ask you a third time," Sikes said bitterly to the child, "Do you need to be punished for disobedience?"

"No sir," the little girl squeaked out, before rushing into the kitchen.

"It's her birthday!" Sofia hissed at Sikes, Sikes turned to her, angry and hard.

"Her mother owes me, therefore the child works," Sikes spat out, "And I don't appreciate you interfering with my staff, Sofia."

"She's not staff – she's a child," Sofia said, she couldn't hide her disgust or anger.

"Maybe it's you that needs to be punished for disobedience," Sikes said in a dangerously low voice, as he stepped towards her. But before he could say or do anything, the lights of the house flickered, causing him to glance up confused. Sofia felt the phone in her pocket buzz, and knew that the boys were on their way in and all hell was about to break loose.

"Sir," a staff member said, coming into the room, "There's something wrong with the security cameras... we think there's been a shortage in one of the switches... you should come take a look..."

"Yes, of course," Sikes said, before turning to Sofia, "You stay here, this conversation isn't over." Sikes followed the staff member out of the living room.

Sofia knew that she was supposed to be turning towards the front door and running for her life, she was supposed to be getting out of there. But as she began to here shouts from the back of the house, Sofia grabbed her handgun from out of her purse and Sofia did run, but it wasn't towards the door – it was towards the kitchen.

"Birdie!" she gasped, as she entered the kitchen. The child turned to look at her, but before either could say anything – gunshots were ringing out causing them both to jump.

"Birdie," Sofia repeated as she got on the child's level, noticing the gun, Birdie stepped away, but Sofia grabbed her gently.

"Birdie, where is your mother? We don't have much time, I'm here to help," Sofia whispered, listening to the noises coming from the front of the house.

"Mummy's gone," Birdie said, wide eyed and scared

"Where?" Sofia asked, she needed to get this child to her mother and get them both to safety.

"I don't know," Birdie said, "Mr. Sikes said Mummy was gone and wasn't coming back..."

"What?" Sofia hissed, grabbing the child tighter, as her blood ran cold. Sikes had killed her. Abigail was dead, and Birdie was alone. Sofia froze as the lights went off, and more gunshots went off, causing the child to scramble into her arms. Sofia gasped as she realized just how much danger they were in. Soon the fight would be here, and she was barely armed. Picking the child up, Sofia sent up a prayer – hoping to get her out of there alive. But it didn't last long, because footsteps were approaching them, and the yells were getting louder. And soon, there were gunshots right outside the door.