N: Thank you to April, Prettyweirdgirl and Llamacorn for their reviews! I will do my best to keep you hooked and update after the second chapter, haha. If the story you're referring to is Finding Sky - Karla & Saul's POV, another chapter is in the works, I promise! If it's Messes, then I don't know how long it will take for another chapter - ideas come and go so I don't really want to say if that makes sense. Please keep reviewing, I really appreciate it and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer - I don't own anything. All rights to Joss Stirling.
Chapter Two
Sky stared at the television with blank eyes. She wasn't really watching, just trying to pass the time. Victor and Xav were cleaning the kitchen - they'd had a fight after Xav accused Victor of cheating after he'd lost three battles in a row. It had resulted in Victor throwing a shoe at Xav, who had waved it away with telekinesis, but hadn't looked at where he was aiming and had broken one of his mother's vases. Glass was shattered across the floor, water had spilled everywhere and pink and orange roses had decorated the windowsill. Saul had given Sky the full control of the TV remote, which had upset Xav because he insisted Sky wouldn't use it to her full advantage and because he blamed Victor for the whole situation.
She was curled up in a ball, arms tight around her knees and blanket up to her neck. She was trying to hide, trying to shrink smaller and smaller, perhaps even sink into the crack between the cushion and the armrest so that no one could find her. Saul had resumed sitting in his armchair, reading his book again. Every so often, Sky would feel his gentle gaze on her, but she stared at the television rather than look at him, eyes wide and bright until they stung and watered.
As the show ended and the credits turned into commercials, a key was turned in the lock on the front door. Saul got up and walked into the kitchen. He didn't ask Sky to come with him; perhaps he knew she wanted to hide for a little bit longer.
Sky knew that Karla was first through the door because she could hear the click of her heels, the thud as she dropped her handbag on the side and murmuring between her and Saul. There was silence for a moment, and then; "Oh, for goodness sake! What have you two broken now?"
Without thinking Sky cringed, waiting for the sound of a sharp slap. When nothing more than a little complaining on Karla's part about why she couldn't have nice things in the house and an apology from Xav and Victor was heard, Sky scolded herself. Karla wasn't like that and she should know better than to think it.
Anything spoken in the kitchen was indistinct, unless it was said by Karla or Xav, who seemed to just be naturally loud. Sky assumed Saul hadn't wasted any time in explaining Sky's presence to his wife because she soon heard "She's here?" and then, "All by herself?" and finally; "He did what? Oh… oh, the poor darling!"
A loud chorus of heavy footsteps accompanied by grumbling and laughter drowned out anything else Karla and Saul were saying as the rest of the Benedict's returned home. Sky's heart began to thud when she heard Zed yell.
"Simon did what?"
"Zed!" Saul called out sharply in warning. Sky realized then that if Zed knew, everyone else did too and shame pooled in her stomach again. She clenched the blanket tighter around her and looked at the stairs, wondering if she could hide upstairs. "Zed, take it easy. She's frightened, she's worried and the last thing she needs is for you to go off on one in front of her."
"She could have called me!"
"She couldn't." Victor said coolly. "Simon locked her in her room. She had to climb out of her window to get here."
With a sigh, Sky resigned herself to everyone knowing. She supposed it would have been fruitless to try and keep it a secret and in a way she was grateful she didn't have to go through explaining everything again.
"Is she okay?" That was Yves.
"I fixed her feet," Xav replied. "Her cheek will bruise and her arms will have marks for a while from the scratches on them."
"I want to see her," Zed demanded.
"I can still sense the danger," Will said quietly. "Are we expecting a visit from Simon tonight?"
Saul sighed heavily. "I don't know. Sky told us that Mrs Hoffman saw her leave, so we can assume Simon knows she's here, it's the most logical place for her to go."
"Can I see her?" Zed asked again.
Sky could tell Saul was hesitating. "Wait a moment," he said.
"Right," Karla said, "you boys put the shopping away. Leave the things for dinner on the side, I'll start cooking in a minute. Xav, Victor - you're on washing up duty tonight."
Saul stopped in the doorway to the living room, his arms folded across his chest and eyes wary. "Sweetheart, Zed would like to see you."
"I know," Sky said softly. "But he might not like me like this."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of Sky," Saul was firm now. "But I'm not going to force you to do anything," he promised.
Sky deliberated for a moment. "Is Zed mad at me?"
"At you? No, of course not. Why would he be mad at you?"
"I did make Simon angry, Saul. I just wanted him to understand and-"
"Sweetheart," Saul knelt in front of Sky, gently brushing his thumb under her eye when they welled up again. "I need to make something clear. It doesn't matter what you did. It doesn't matter what you said. It doesn't matter how angry you made Simon. You are a child. He had no right to hurt you. He and Sally are the only ones at fault. I know that, Karla knows that. Zed and the rest of my sons know that. No one here blames you, sweetheart."
"I'd like to see him," she whispered.
"Okay," Saul said, standing and leaving for the kitchen.
00oo00oo00
Sky kept her eyes on the television screen as Zed gingerly sat onto the sofa next to her. He didn't reach out to touch her, like she had expected, instead he waited in silence and eventually, her neck aching and eyes burning, Sky had to look away from the screen.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hey," Zed hesitated, then shifted closer. "I heard what happened."
"Always the quiet ones, huh," she joked, but he didn't laugh. She flicked her eyes to his and his expression was sad. "I'm okay," she said quietly, but she didn't know who she was trying to reassure more, herself or Zed.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered.
Sky shrugged. "My fault."
Zed shook his head. "No, baby, not your fault. Not in the slightest-"
"I made him angry."
"That's not the point."
"Should have kept my mouth shut." Sky looked up at him again and gave a weak smile. "I just wanted them to understand. But they wouldn't listen, wouldn't even consider letting me stay here. He was so angry. I've never seen anyone angry like that before. And Sally-" her voice caught on her mother's name and she pressed her lips together tightly. "She did nothing. Didn't try to make him stop, didn't comfort me. She just watched."
"Sky-"
"Everyone knows." Sky's words came out in a plaintive voice, and though she wasn't angry, Zed hurried to apologize.
"My brothers overheard… they couldn't help it," he rushed to defend his brothers. "And dad had to tell mom-" he took a deep breath and hurried on before Sky could explain she wasn't angry. "Mom… she feels terrible."
"She couldn't have seen!" Sky cried. "She shouldn't blame her-"
"She feels terrible because she likes you," he interrupted. "She feels terrible that you had to go through it all alone…"
Sky didn't know what to say to that.
"She was so excited when I found you, you know." Sky looked up at him, noticing the fondness in his eyes. "My mom," he clarified with a smile. "She saw that the two of you would be friends and she was so happy. She bugged me everyday for weeks; "Can I talk to Sky yet? When can I meet Sky?"" He imitated his mother's beautiful voice and Sky giggled. "She missed you before she even met you and she can't believe she wasn't able to help you."
Slowly, Zed eased his arms around Sky and pulled her against his chest. At first she flinched, and Zed made to pull back, but she snuggled into the softness of his jumper and closed her eyes. She started to cry, but not like before. Now it was silent tears, because she couldn't pretend it was a dream anymore, couldn't imagine that it was a nightmare she had just woken up from. Telling Zed, feeling the warmth from him soak into her, sensing his love for her and his protective nature only made it all the more real.
"I promise," Zed said in a low voice, "that he will never hurt you again. I'm going to keep you safe, baby. We," he added as his older brothers gathered in the doorway, "are going to keep you safe. You don't have to be scared. You're safe here."
Will came forward first, kneeling in front of her. "No one is going to hurt you," he promised. "And he will pay for what he did, little sister."
"We will make him pay," Yves insisted. "Even if I have to torch the house to make the point."
"With him in it," Victor muttered.
"We'll do whatever you want to him," Uriel said. "We'll even stand outside his house and make things float so he thinks he's gone crazy."
"Or we could borrow a snow machine and fill the house up with snow!" Xav rubbed his hands together gleefully.
"We'll take him to court - press charges." Trace said finally. "Whatever you want us to do, kid, we'll do it."
Sky stared round at the Benedict boys with wide eyes. She had always wondered what it would be like to have brothers, and in this moment, she felt like she did. Like she had six huge, clever, funny and cool brothers who would always look out for her.
It didn't feel real, and at the same time, it absolutely did. She blinked, trying really hard not to cry and laugh at the same time. "You guys are the best," she said finally. The happiness tugged at her heart, and she smiled, eyes shining.
00oo00oo00
After a while, Sky decided to join Zed's parents in the kitchen. The smell of hot, buttery chicken and lightly seasoned potatoes blossomed from the stove. They were talking quietly together; Karla orchestrating dinner, one hand stirring something in a saucepan and her other hand caught between Saul's much larger hands, pressed against his chest.
Sky wondered if she had interrupted something personal and began to back away, but Karla turned her head with a smile. "Hello, Sky."
Slowly, as though she didn't want to frighten Sky, Karla stopped stirring and pulled her hand away from Saul, moving closer and pulling Sky gently into a hug. At first Sky didn't know what to do, but then she reached out and hugged Karla back. She was warm, and smelt of peaches, and the softness of her body made Sky crumple. Her eyes watered and she pulled away, rubbing them furiously.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"No, sweetie. Uh uh, you have nothing, nothing to be sorry for." Karla gently reached out and pulled Sky back to her, brushing a blonde curl from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear. "You cry all you want, darling."
Saul cleared his throat and pressed a kiss to Karla's cheek. "I'll get the boys to lay the table." As he passed her, he ruffled Sky's hair.
"But everyone must get sick of me crying all the time," Sky mumbled.
"Well, you've had a long day." Karla cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "We understand, darling, really. It's okay to be upset. No one minds. You go ahead and cry."
"I came out to see if you wanted any help," Sky said softly. She looked up at Karla, her eyes bright with fresh tears and sniffed. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
Karla laughed gently. "Sweetie, after seven boys, we are used to it. Don't worry about it. And if you really do want to help, I will take advantage. Plates are in there," Karla pointed at a white wooden cupboard on the far side of the kitchen. "You hold, I'll dish up."
00oo00oo00
After dinner, Sky had gone for a shower in Karla and Saul's en suite. She'd turned on the shower, stripping quickly and turned away from her reflection in the mirror. She hadn't wanted to see her scarlet cheek or look into her puffy, sore eyes or brush through her clumpy, tangled hair with her fingers.
At first the shower had been warm, heat and steam rising around her. She'd closed her eyes and for a moment it was as though nothing had changed. She was at home with Sally and Simon. They would put a film on, make some popcorn and snuggle under a thick blanket…
A burning sensation on her cheek pulled her from her reverie and she gasped in pain, eyes welling up. She reached out blindly and turned the knob back as far as she could. The water quickly turned icy and she sat on the floor of the shower under the cold spray, arms wrapped around her knees. Her arms were red too, and sore.
Red meant anger. Anger meant hurt. Hurt meant dirty, and she wanted to be clean. Clutching the washcloth Karla had lent her, she scrubbed at her arms and legs and face and chest and stomach until her whole body was rubbed raw. She couldn't reach the soap, so she rubbed harder and harder. She wanted to be clean and-
The bathroom door opened; Sky froze, closing her eyes and ducking her head. Someone opened the shower door and above her the shower turned off and Sky's skin prickled with goosebumps. Someone's fingers eased her arms away from her legs and gently pulled the washcloth from her fingers.
"Saul still feels dirty sometimes too."
Sky looked up at Karla, who smiled softly and gently wrapped her hand around Sky's arm. The blonde girl allowed Karla to pull her to her feet and help her out of the shower. Karla wrapped a large, fluffy gray towel around Sky who sat numbly on the toilet seat.
"He'll feel dirty when he looks at me." Karla knelt by the bathtub opposite the shower, and ran the water over her finger until it was warm enough and she slid the plug into place. "He still waits for me to leave him, like he doesn't deserve me."
Sky was silent while Karla spoke. Her voice was matter-of-fact, calm and soothing. While the tub filled with water, Karla poured some white bubble bath into the water and swirled it around with her fingers.
"I can hear his thoughts, so I know when he thinks about it, but sometimes the boys will get too close, be too rough in their play fighting. He does trust them, the same way he trusts me… but he still flinches. He still backs away and leaves the room." Karla turned the taps off and stood. She helped Sky back onto her feet, tucked her hair behind her shoulders and led her to the bath. Sky let her, moving dumbly, stepping and sitting in the warm water, the bubbles making rainbows appear on her skin. She looked up at Karla again.
"He feels guilty, often sick with himself because they're his children and he loves them and cares for them so very much; he hates that sometimes he's afraid of them… afraid of me." Karla reached into the cupboard below the sink and pulled out shampoo, conditioner and soap. "Not all the time, the reminders slow down. But sometimes we'll get too close, touch his arm a certain way, yell a little too loudly and he remembers."
The warmth wasn't scary anymore and her cheek didn't sting when the steam hit it. Karla hesitated, then cupped her hands in the water, letting the handful wash over Sky's hair. She repeated the process several times, as though Sky was a toddler. Karla gently massaged shampoo into Sky's hair and scalp; Sky closed her eyes. It felt nice.
"He waits for us to get sick of him - especially me, I'm not the most patient of people." She laughed gently and shook her head. "For a long time while we were dating he couldn't bear for me to touch him." Karla rinsed the shampoo from Sky's hair, smoothed conditioner into the ends and then clipped it on the top of her head. "I brushed his hair back once and he nearly hit me, I tried to lay down beside him and he fell out of bed trying to get away… the worst was… I hugged him from behind, didn't even think, and he pushed me down the stairs." Karla saw Sky's stunned look when she moved onto her arms, squeezing the soap onto the washcloth and gently cleaned her arms, careful to avoid the scratches.
"It wasn't his fault, he didn't even realize he'd done it. I should have known not to sneak up on him. It was stupid and thoughtless. It was months before he'd let me touch him properly. I don't mean sex," Karla clarified. "I mean things like… sitting next to each other, holding hands, stroking his cheek. I'm just saying, it takes time, Sky. There's no rush, no time limit. You take as long as you like to become comfortable."
Sky no longer felt the compulsive need to tear her skin off, to be clean. Karla rinsed the conditioner out of Sky's hair and sat back on the toilet seat, folding Sky's towel in her lap.
"Don't get me wrong," Karla continued, "I still worry about him. He fears I'll get tired of helping him, that I'm tired of being careful with him. Realistically, he knows I won't. He knows that our soulfinder bond is stronger than his fear. And I'd never leave him regardless; he's my husband, my best friend, the most important person in the world to me. Just like you are to Zed. He won't leave you, darling, he wouldn't survive it. He needs you Sky, just like you need him. You don't have to doubt that." She smiled, and stood, somehow knowing the water was cooling off. She held out the towel and wrapped it around Sky's body. "He'll mess up at first. He'll be too loud, make you uncomfortable and he'll feel terrible and go out of his way to make it up to you. I was exactly the same. But his priority now is to help you."
As Karla drained the water, Sky dried herself off and wrapped another towel around her hair. Sky brushed her teeth ("It is new," Karla had explained when she had handed it to her) and then Karla handed her a tube of moisturizer.
"I'll get you some fresh nightclothes," she said, "that should help with the scratches on your arms and your cheek. Use as much as you like; I'll knock before I come back in."
Once Sky was dressed in a soft white pair of pajamas, Karla sat her on her large double bed and pulled out a posh hairdryer from a box. Before brushing it, Karla sprayed it with a sweet smelling spray and Sky looked up at her, confused.
"It's anti-frizz spray," Karla clarified. "I use it on my hair, it's as curly as yours if I don't bother straightening it."
"Your hair is curly?" Sky was shocked. Impulsively she reached up and stroked Karla's hair, which was so straight it looked like you could get a paper cut on it.
Karla laughed. "I'll leave it curly tomorrow, so you can see. Besides, where did you think Xav, Trace and Zed got their curls from? Saul?"
Sky thought of Saul, whose hair was just as straight as Karla's. She thought about what Karla had told her and sighed. He always seemed so unafraid and brave and strong. It felt strange to imagine him hurt and scared.
"Who hurt Saul?" Sky asked quietly.
Karla stilled for a moment, biting her lip. "His father."
Sensing she had crossed into an unmentionable territory, Sky's cheeks flushed and she fell silent again.
Karla started brushing Sky's hair gently, untangling the ends first and brushing out the middle section and finally smoothing it down from the very top of her head. Then she plugged in her hairdryer and dried Sky's hair. She brushed it for a long time after that; running the long blonde strands through her fingers.
"Your ends need doing," Karla murmured absentmindedly. "Your hair is very pretty. Unusual, to be such a pale blonde naturally. I'll do them tomorrow, if you like."
"Um-"
"Or we can go shopping?" Karla's eyes brightened. "You'll need clothes if you're staying here and I know we probably don't have any food you like and we can get you some make up and some books and whatever you'd like. I mean, we don't have to. We can do whatever you'd like, we can get facials and get our nails done or we can sit around here and play video games or we could watch TV… do you like America's Next Top Model? It's my favorite and-"
"Karla?" A low voice called out from the bedroom door. Saul eased through the doorway and smiled at his wife. "I think Sky's tired, darling." He crossed the room in three strides and pulled Karla against his chest. "You can plan your day in the morning."
Karla nodded, hugging him gently. "Sure, sure." She grinned at Sky. "Come on, I'll show you where you're sleeping."
00oo00oo00
Zed caught them as Karla was about to lead Sky into the spare bedroom.
"Hey, mom…"
"Nope," she said firmly, hand already on the door handle. "I don't think so, Zed."
"I want Sky to stay with me," he looked at her pleadingly. "She can sleep in my room. I'll keep her safe, I'll protect her."
Karla sighed and folded her arms, eyebrows raised. "It's not a case of protecting her, Zed, it's a case of you behaving."
"We'll behave!" he protested. Karla gave him a look. "I'll behave," he amended. "I'll prove it."
He reached out, catching his mother's hands and pulled her closer to him. Zed rested his forehead against his mother's, a somewhat awkward yet touching position considering how much taller he was than her.
"Tell me what you see, Mom." Zed said quietly. "I've lowered my shields."
"Like they ever stopped me before…" she muttered, sounding almost amused. But she closed her eyes, her body relaxing and swaying slightly. She pulled away abruptly, rubbing her forehead. "I see you looking after Sky and behaving like a gentleman. Don't disappoint me," she said, jabbing a finger at his chest.
They hugged each other tightly, and for a moment Sky felt almost envious of Zed. She shook the thought away when Karla hugged her gently as well.
"Get some sleep," she instructed. "You're safe here, darling."
Zed led Sky further down the hall towards his bedroom. Saul came up behind Karla and tapped her shoulder, before sliding his arms around her waist and holding her gently.
"Happy?" he murmured.
"Always," she kissed his cheek.
"Sky," Saul called quietly as the young girl was just closing the bedroom door. Sky turned back slowly, her eyes sad. "If your father does-"
"Do I have to speak to him?" Sky asked plaintively.
"Of course not, sweetheart." Saul gave her a reassuring smile. "Get some rest, I'll speak to Simon."
"Thank you," her voice was subdued, exhausted from all the crying and pain. She closed the door behind her, leaving Karla and Saul alone on the landing.
00oo00oo00
It was almost midnight when a sharp bang against the front door resonated throughout the Benedict home. Karla jumped against Saul and then laughed at herself. He tugged her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her.
"Don't worry, darling," he murmured, "I won't let the nasty wind hurt you."
Karla snorted with laughter. "Stop it."
He sighed and leaned back against the arm of the sofa. "I can't believe you like this crap." He picked up the remote and pretended to change the channel.
"Saul!" Karla snatched the remote from his hands and hugged it to her chest. "It's an important episode!"
"Swimsuits?" Saul rolled his eyes. "The only thing worthwhile about watching this is imagining you in all the bathing costumes."
She elbowed him in the ribs. "Don't lie."
"I'm not. You'd look far better in that costume than she does." Karla looked at the model on the screen and frowned. "I mean that, Karla, you would."
There was another bang… and another… and another.
"That's not the wind," Karla whispered. "It's Simon."
Saul was tense, fists clenched and jaw locked. "Go upstairs," he said, easing her off of his lap and giving her a push towards the stairs. "Check on the boys and Sky."
"But-"
"Go, I'll get the door."
"SKY!" Simon bellowed. "SKY! ANSWER YOUR DOOR BENEDICT, I KNOW YOU HAVE MY DAUGHTER IN THERE!"
"I'll get the door," Karla took her husbands hand. "He'll have woken the children up regardless with that amount of noise." She winked at him. "You can be my back up."
Not in the slightest reassured and his senses for danger going off the wall, Saul followed his wife out into the hall.
"SKY! SKY, I KNOW YOU'RE HERE! LET ME SEE MY DAUGHTER!" A heavy resounding kick was hurled against the door. "SKY!"
Karla paused before answering the door, glancing back at her husband warily. Saul was so obviously angry; his arms folded tight across his chest, teeth clenched and stance protective. There was another resounding kick to the door and Saul's eyes darkened. Know he would be more than angry if Simon kicked the door in, she pulled open the door with the most pleasant smile she'd been able to manage.
"Simon," she greeted. "Please, come in."
Simon shouldered past her with barely a hello, his eyes firmly focused on Saul.
"Where is she, Saul?" Simon's eyes were cold and angry; Karla positioned herself at Saul's side, hand gripping the back of his t-shirt. "Where's Sky?"
"Sky is upstairs. Given the hour, I believe she's sleeping. She'll be staying here tonight." Saul wrapped his arm around Karla's waist and pulled her closer. "Can we offer you a drink before you leave?"
Simon snorted. "What do you mean staying here? You expect me to allow my daughter to have a sleepover with your son?"
"She's staying in our guest room," Saul said simply. "All our sons-"
"So expect me to allow Sky to have a sleepover with not just Zed, but you and your other sons as well? You think that's decent?"
Karla heard Saul imagine breaking Simon's jaw - nothing serious, just so he had a little trouble speaking for a while - and she elbowed him gently. His eyes flicked to her momentarily, softening and then grew cold again as they returned to Simon.
"What exactly," Saul said, his voice dangerously cool, "are you insinuating?"
Simon shook his head. "Listen, I don't know what you allow your sons to get up to, but my daughter-"
"She is not your daughter," Saul said quietly. "You forego the right to call her your daughter when you hurt her earlier this afternoon."
"Mom? Dad?"
Karla turned and smiled softly at her second youngest son. Yves ran a hand over his face, yawning. "What's with all the noise?"
"Nothing, baby," Karla pulled him into her arms when he reached his parents and smoothed down his messy hair. "Go back to bed."
"Everyone else is awake," he said quietly.
"Tell your brother's and Sky that we'll be up soon, Yves." Saul and Karla were both anxious to get Yves out of harms way, should Simon become angrier.
"Why is he here?" Yves asked. "He hurt Sky."
"Nobody has hurt Sky." Simon said coolly. "I think, Saul, there's been a slight misunderstanding."
"You did hurt her," Yves insisted. "You slapped her."
"How dare you-" Simon growled and Saul stepped in front of his wife and son, shielding them from Simon's anger.
"No, Simon, how dare you. How dare you stand in my home and insult me, suggest that I would do anything other than protect Sky, suggest that my sons would hurt her. You have no idea what we would do for her, what we have already done." Saul took a deep breath, trying to calm the fury in his chest and looked Simon in the eyes. "Sky is a part of our family, and welcome to stay here for as long she likes, with or without your blessing. We have plenty of room."
"This is ridiculous," Simon snarled. "I'm tired of this. I'm here to collect Sky and take her home. She will no longer be spending time with you son or your family. I can see that Zed is a bad influence on my daughter. If he knows what's good for him, he'll stay away from her."
Karla was beside herself. "Is that a threat? Are you seriously threatening my son?"
"We don't take child abuse lightly in this family, Simon." Saul said calmly. "If someone hurts my family, anyone in my family, I take it personally. You hurt your daughter. You were someone she trusted and you destroyed that trust the minute you were no longer in control of yourself and slapped her. I will do anything to keep that little girl safe, Simon, even if it means keeping you, Sally or the entirety of Wrickenridge away from her. You hurt your daughter and you abused your position of trust and care. I don't care what you say; I don't believe this is a misunderstanding and if you know what's good for you, you will stay away from her."
"And if you ever come near my son, near any of my children," Karla snapped, "I will personally hunt you down and see to it that the rest of your life is extremely, extremely uncomfortable, miserable and lonely." Simon opened his mouth, but Karla beat him to it. "Now get the hell out of my house, before my husband has to make you."
It hadn't taken long for Simon to leave after that; he left slamming the door behind him, muttering to himself about parental rights, insisting that this wasn't over.