AN: This follows on directly from the oneshot I wrote called 'Outside'. It has the potential to be a chapter fic, guess I'll just have to see how it goes…

Kyle watched Ash storm off, hoping that his message had gotten through. Denny didn't need blokes hassling her this soon after Casey.

Now that Case was gone it had fallen to him and Brax to look out for her, and Kyle was determined to do it right, he owed his brother that much.

"Kyle Braxton!" Crap, Denny didn't sound too happy, she didn't look it either. And considering the purposeful way she was marching towards him maybe she didn't need looking out for after all...

She came to a halt in front of him, determination on her face. "You're a bloody fool, you know that?"

"What?"

"Ash isn't interested in me, we're just friends." Ash had said the same thing but Kyle found it hard to believe.

"Seriously Denny? You can't be that naïve. A guy like him? There's only one thing he's after..."

"Oh my God Kyle! Do you even know how many things are wrong with what you just said?"

"Enlighten me." If there was more to Ash than cool boots and even cooler hair, Kyle couldn't see it. Sure, he was a capable employee who was popular with the customers but Kyle doubted his thoughts went beyond his next ride, whether that be bikes, waves or chicks.

"For one thing I know for a fact he's not interested in me..."

"Oh yeah? How's that?"

"Because he likes someone else. That's what we were talking about before you butted in. Secondly, it's none of your business who I see. If I-"

"Don't you think it's bit soon?" Kyle cut in, he couldn't believe she was already thinking of moving on. "Did he mean that little to you?" Denny's cheeks flushed with colour and her eyes blazed. Shit, he'd gone too far.

"Don't you dare question my love for Casey! A piece of me died that day! But I also know he wouldn't want me to give up. He'd want me to move on and when I'm ready I will."

"Sorry." God, he was making a complete mess of this.

"So you should be, but this isn't even about me. It's about Ash and I think you owe him an apology too." She fixed him with a glowering look until he gave in.

"Fine. I'll tell him I'm sorry."

"Good. And while you're at it you might wanna take the time to see what's staring you in the face." Kyle had no idea what that meant but he'd make the apology anyway. He'd do it for the simple reason that right now Denny was scaring the shit out of him and he didn't wanna give her any more cause to yell at him.

xxx

"I'll get this order to the kitchen for you right away ladies." Ash added a smile and a wink to his words, it was a small amount of effort for the tip that would follow. He could add considerably to his pay cheque by turning on this little bit of charm. He turned away from the table to see Kyle watching him, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. One thing Ash did know about Kyle was that he needed to lighten up. Though he did wonder if Kyle had always been so gloomy or if circumstance had made him this way. Either way, he'd like the chance to find out.

"Hang around when you're done, I need to talk to you." Okay, that didn't sound good. Kyle wouldn't seriously fire him for hanging out with Denny, would he? Ash liked this job. He nodded and headed for the kitchen. As he walked through the door, he became aware of someone following him and turned to see it was Kyle.

"It's nothing bad," his employer offered, "just something we need to sort out." Ash couldn't stand it, why was Kyle being all cloak and dagger about this? Why didn't he just say whatever it was?

"Can't we just sort it now?"

"Umm, I guess," Kyle shrugged uncomfortably, "I just wanted to apologise for having a go at you about Denny."

"That's it?"

"Umm, yeah? What else do you want me to say?"

"No, nothing," Ash shook his head, "I just wasn't sure I'd be good enough to work here, you seem to think I'm not fit for Denny..." Ash meant for that to be cutting, but the way it came out just made him sound kind of sad. A look of shock played across Kyle's face, followed by one of shame.

"I'm sorry about that too, it's nothing personal."

"How can that not be personal?" But Ash realised exactly how the second the words were out his mouth.

"Casey..." they said in unison. The name hung between them, Ash hadn't known Casey but it almost felt as though he had, his presence lingered so strongly around all those who had known him. He must have been an incredible person to leave such an impression. Kyle sighed, and Ash sensed that he'd dropped his guard just a little.

"No one can ever take his place," Ash observed. In himself he felt better because to Kyle this had nothing to do with him and was based on loyalty to his brother, but now he wanted to comfort Kyle, he just wasn't sure how. Alleviating his concerns was the best Ash could do. "I promise you I'm not trying to, Denny's a friend, that's all."

"Yeah, I know," Kyle admitted, at least that was a start.