Take Me Anywhere

Summary: It's been two years since Cook left Manchester, still on the run from the law and as desperate as ever to disappear. Everything was simple until he met her; Tess was the definition of the word mayhem. Can he survive in her world or can he pull her into his?

XIX: Alicante


The heat hit her like a brick as soon as she stepped out of the airplane and she could already feel her skin become clammy at the joints. Tess rolled up her sleeves and followed Cook into the baggage claim. He kept his arm tucked around waist as they waited for their bags to appear. She was exhausted and rested her head on Cook's chest only for a moment, sleep was a luxury to her now and it wasn't often that she got the rest she needed; either her nausea kept her awake at night or the fear of getting caught plagued her mind. Getting away for so long was too good to be true, she knew that Luke would use every resource he had to locate them, she just didn't know what resources he had in his arsenal. Every time a stranger's eyes lingered on her for too long, she panicked in case it was one of Luke's men. Reality hit her when Cook let go of her and lifted their bags from the carousel, he raised a brow at her and glanced around the small room.

"Everything alright?"

"Just tired."

"No sleep on the plane?" he wandered towards the exit, watching her from over his shoulder.

"Not really, plane's kinda freak me out a bit."

"Are you sure that's all it is? You're not scared about something else?"

Cook had done all he could to convince her that they were in the clear, but it didn't take away her suspicions and worry; Tess knew he was getting a little frustrated with her but perhaps that was because he was worried himself.

"Scared about what?"

"Telling your dad that you're pregnant. I noticed that you haven't been sleeping well since we got the passports."

She hadn't been sleeping a lot longer than that, but Cook had took a couple of shifts at the local taxi depot and had been coming home at odd times, any night before then he had slept like a log beside her, oblivious to everything.

"Well yeah, but I'm sure he'll be fine about it." She shot him a smile, praying that it would end his questions before she said something that would cause an argument. She glanced over her shoulder as they left the airport and noticed someone staring straight into her eyes from a few meters away; she couldn't hear what they were saying but they were on the phone and didn't break eye contact with her even when she tried to get a second look. Tess looked at Cook, but he was already following her gaze and she could see that his jaw was clenched.


"Do you think it's one of his?" she stayed close to him, clutching his arm for dear life.

"I can't tell but he was very interested in you."

"What do we do?"

He chewed the inside of his cheek as he kept his eye on the man with the phone. "Your dad has ordered us a rental car, but I think we should be safe and take a taxi." He walked along the path, keeping Tess in front of him as he searched for an empty car. He glanced behind him once more noticing that the man following them had exited the airport as well and was trying his best to find them in the sea of people that searched for their taxis. He opened the door of the first empty taxi he found and got Tess in before quickly putting their luggage into the boot of the car. He jumped in beside her and let Tess give the address to the driver as he watched out the window. The stranger hadn't been able to pinpoint exactly where they were, but he had started to walk in their direction, peering into every taxi that was parked up. Cook glanced at the driver and then behind them and realised that he was waiting for an opening to get onto the road; the more the driver waited, the more likely it was for them to be found. He was getting more and more freaked out and Tess noticed, grabbing his hand into both of hers. Finally the driver pulled out and Cook let out a relieved sigh, sinking into the seat with a small smile, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his other hand and wondered if it was the heat or the stress that was making him sweat.

"Maybe telling my dad isn't going to be the most stressful part of this trip." She said as she rested her head on his shoulder.


The villa that Gerard had called home for the past few months was situated just beside the beach, compared the other villas they had seen on their journey, it was much smaller but it was more than enough for the three of them to live comfortably. He was waiting outside the house for them with a smile on his face as soon as he saw the taxi. Tess ran over to him, filling the space between his arms with a hug, squeezing him as tight as she could.

"I've missed you so much." He whispered into the top of her head.

"Not as much as I've missed you." She pulled away and looked up at him. "We have so much to catch up on."

"All good I hope." He examined her face and realised that whatever she had to tell him wasn't 'all good'.

"Some things are bad, but there have been some good things that have happened to us." She gave him a reassuring smile and glanced over at Cook as he hauled their bags out of the taxi.

"What happened to the rental car that I ordered?"

"I'll explain, just not right now. I want to hug you a little longer."

His dread vanished for a moment as he held his daughter one more time. Whatever she had to tell him could wait a while longer. "How has Cook been?"

"He's knackered, he's been working day and night. Benjamin is training him up as construction worker for the past week or so and he's been taxiing on the side, so bringing him here will hopefully give him a bit of R and R."

"Are you stuck for money? I can always give you more if you'd only ask."

"No, dad. You've given us plenty and I don't want to take anymore from you. In fact, when we're settled and have a bit of money behind us, I want to repay you."

"It's just money, Tess. It's not the be all and end all. I just want to help."

She puckered her lips and closed her eyes. "I know you do, but I need to be an adult."

Gerard understood what she meant and what she wanted, but it didn't mean he was going to be happy about it. He wanted them to live as comfortably as he did and while he could afford to do so, he wanted to provide for his daughter. "Go on inside, I'll give Cook a hand with your luggage. I think Miranda's making some lunch if you're hungry."

Tess nodded and let go of him. From the doorway she watched Gerard take a few bags from Cook and the two of them shared a joke and a laugh. If only her father knew that their first few moments in Alicante had been a disaster, he wouldn't be laughing. She could wait until after dinner to ruin his day.


He had been burning the candle at both ends; Frankie had done another one of her disappearing acts and left Luke with Michael for god knows how long. He was running on only a couple of hours sleep and he could feel it now, the first few days had been fine but now he needed his sleep. He had an hour or so before he had to pick him up from nursery and all he wanted was a nap, but his phone wouldn't stop buzzing. He rolled over with a groan and answered it, almost barking a 'hello' down the phone.

"It's Louie, we've found them."

Luke shot up and almost ran over to his wardrobe, pulling out a fresh shirt. "Where is she?"

"They were spotted in Alicante, at the airport. Just arrived this morning. One of my acquaintances called me to confirm, it's definitely them."

"Does he know where in Alicante they went?"

"No, he lost them in the crowd. He thinks they got into a taxi, but he didn't know which one. We can find them."

He moved the phone away from his ear and crouched down, trying his best not to scream out of anger. When he was calmer, he put the phone back to his face. "Alicante is a big place, Louie. I'm sure Cook is smart enough to know when they're being followed, I know for a fact that Tess is too smart for her own good so you tell me how the hell we're going to find them when they know we're onto them?"

"I doubt they're in Alicante for a holiday. They must be going to visit someone."

"She doesn't know anyone in Alicante, not that I know of. I'll make arrangements for someone to take Michael and I'll get on the next flight out. You make sure more of your acquaintances are there, preferably the tourist spots and beaches. Stay away from the bars, she's pregnant so there's no point."

"I'll head to Alicante with you, there's no way they can outrun both of us."

"Don't jinx us, the two of them have been running rings around you." He hung up the phone and threw it on the bed. He stared at himself in the mirror as he buttoned up his shirt, there was no way he was going to let her slip through his fingers this time.


"I can't believe that after all of these years when you finally go to find her, Evelyn stabs you in the back." Gerard was writhing in his chair; he pushed his plate away and shook his head at Tess. "Now you know why I didn't tell you about her, that woman is a selfish…" Miranda cleared her throat, reminding him that Samantha was in the room, "She only cares about herself."

"Well, I learned my lesson and I won't be in any hurry to try and bond with her again."

"Asher was nice, though. He helped you get out of her flat."

"Do you still talk to this brother of yours?" Gerard raised a brow at her.

"From time to time but I haven't told him where we are. I know he wouldn't tell anyone."

"What else have I missed."

"We had a narrow escape at the airport." Tess said with a sigh.

"That's why we had to take a taxi, to get the mutts off our trail." Cook elaborated.

"Luke's men are here which means that Luke is probably on his way."

"He won't find us here. This house isn't under my name, it isn't even under Miranda's. If you stay in and around this house, you'll be safe." Gerard started to gather the empty plates from around the table. "It was only a matter of time before they got close, but you'll lose them again. If they do find us, which I'm positive they won't, they won't leave this city alive."

"We've had so many close calls that I feel like I'm a pro at it." Tess joked, glancing at Cook and then Miranda, but no one saw the funny side of it. "It's not like I'm going to be able to run for much longer."

"You run for as long as you can." He got out of his chair and lifted the pile of plates.

"I mean physically. I'm pregnant, dad." Cook gripped her hand underneath the table and she held his hand with both of hers, praying that he didn't react badly.

Gerard almost dropped the plates and set them back onto the table, his eye twitching as he stared at Tess. He didn't know what to say, he didn't know if he should be happy or not. "If you don't mind me asking, not that it matters because I'll love my grandchild, but who is the father?" He didn't want to look at Cook, not until he knew if he was able to shake his hand or not.

"I'm the father," when Gerard let out a breath and then grinned, Cook knew that the part they had been dreading the most was over, "biologically and emotionally." He looked at Tess and she returned his gaze.

"I'm eleven weeks, well I suppose twelve now." She looked around the table at Miranda and her father's shocked faces. "Say something, please."

Miranda reached over and held her hand out, Tess took it and looked her in the eyes. "Congratulations, you deserve a bit of happiness."

"You are happy, both of you?" Gerard sat down slowly.

"I don't know about Tess, but I've never been happier." Cook draped his arm around her and looked down at her, he already knew her answer, but he wanted her to say it.

"I didn't expect to be a mother so soon in my life, but it's everything I've ever dreamed of and I'm doing it with the person I love. So yeah, I'm pretty happy dad."

"Then I'm happy, welcome to the family Cook, there's no escaping us now."

"I wouldn't, even if I wanted to." When Tess looked up at him, he kissed her forehead delicately and watched her lips curl into a smile.

"Tomorrow night, we'll celebrate. We'll have a few beers, apart from Tess and get a takeaway, take it down to the beach." Gerard was trying his best to hide the stray tear that leaked from his eye as he lifted the plates once more. "I can't believe I'm going to be a grandad so young."

Tess laughed and rolled her eyes. "You better believe it, they'll be here before you know it."