Oooo, I've never received reviews for anything that quickly. You're all so friendly over here on Waterloo Road!

Jouren4Life – I love your one shots! It's so hard to find anything that isn't Nikki and Lorraine on here so I was like, 'ya know what? I'll just write one myself.'

strawberrymagic01 – I'm glad! Thanks for being my first reviewer!

A final thank you to those who read, favourited and followed.

Chapter Two.

A porcelain throne. It wasn't as glamorous as the ornate golden chair that Dynasty had imagined as a child and she was reminded with a jolt that porcelain was easily smashed. Despite this dip in her expectations Dynasty found herself unable to move from the cold toilet seat as she shook violently. The tears that had previously fallen so enthusiastically were now dry and crystallising into shining trails on her cheeks and her eyes felt tired and dry. As Dynasty took a shuddering breath, the creak of the bathroom door made her look up and silence the shallow gasps that escaped from her lips.

"Dynasty?" Imogen questioned gently, tapping gently on the cubicle door. "Dynasty, I know it's you. I've been looking for you all morning. Come out."

Heaving a sigh, Dynasty wiped at the dried tears and sniffed. When she was stable enough to stand, she dragged her bag onto her arm, noting how much heavier it felt now, much like everything else. Dynasty unlocked the door and emerged from the cubicle slowly.

She could guess from the twitch of Imogen's lip that she looked grisly and confirmed this with a glance at the half cracked mirror above the sink.

"If this is for Kevin then..." Imogen started, but trailed off when Dynasty shook her head and began to splash water on her cheeks.

After a few moments of silence, Dynasty decided her broken mask was more horrific than none at all could ever be and she stripped the mascara blackened false lashes from her eyes and threw them away. Imogen handed her a wipe from her bag but took it back as Dynasty fingers began to shake feebly.

"Here, sit down," Imogen commanded.

Dynasty slipped down the wall and sat lifelessly whilst Imogen gently wiped away the black rivulets that covered her cheeks and the clumping mascara around her eyes. Beneath the layers of foundation, Dynasty's eyes were red and wide, her cheeks pink and flushed.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on or sit here and cry about it all day?" Imogen said briskly, setting herself down beside her friend and wrapping a slim around her shoulders.

"Michael, can I have a word?" Tom requested as he entered the staff room.

"Of course," Michael replied, pouring boiling water into his cup and fishing out the tea bag.

Tom grabbed his mug and copied Michael, making himself a cup of steaming tea.

"It's Dynasty Barry," Tom sighed as he sat down opposite Michael. "Both Christine and Howard have reported her missing from their lessons this morning. I checked with Kacey but she hasn't seen her either."

Michael frowned and took a sip of his tea. "I thought we were really making headway with Dynasty."

"We are," Tom insisted. "Look, if I'm honest Michael I'm less worried about the kids who bunk of school than I am about the ones who come in and don't go to lessons. It's harder to hide inside the school than it is out of it." Tom put down his tea with a worried glance at Michael. "I don't know much about this new bloke of hers but he seems like trouble to me."

"He is," Michael agree. "His name's Steve-O." Michael couldn't help the sneer that crept into his voice. "And he's bad news. Right, well, let's try and find Dynasty and then can you have her sent to me, please."

His tea forgotten, Tom stood up and followed Michael to his office in protest.

"Maybe I should handle this one," Tom pressed.

Michael settled himself behind his desk and shifted through the mess of papers that Sonya had left for him. Attendance records. He found Dynasty's and noted her recent improvement.

"No," he replied sternly, looking up at Tom. "Miss Barry might have more to say if she thinks her place at this school is under threat."

"Michael, I hardly think..."

"Just do it, Tom," Michael interjected abruptly.

Tom nodded, cursing to himself. It was then that the idea struck. It was a small chance but even that would help him support Dynasty if she needed it.

"Michael, would it be okay if I had a chat with Kevin? His behaviour when he and Dynasty were involved was erratic at best; he might have something to say," Tom suggested.

Michael seemed to consider this for a moment. "Okay, try it," he said finally.

"Don't get involved, mate. He's not worth it," Connor urged as Kevin marched resolutely towards Steve-O.

The way he stood leant against Barry's car, his ape-like face twisted in a beaming smile, sent bolts of fury through Kevin. Steve-O's grin grew wider as he saw Kevin storming towards him, his body tensed for the fight he could never win.

"Well look who's come to join the party. Look, as much as I'd love you to stay for a chat, me and Dynasty have got plan. Wouldn't want you to feel like a third wheel, you know?"

The force of Connor's hand on Kevin's chest as he lurched forward threatened to wind him but he pressed on. Connor wrapped a second arm firmly around Kevin's chest and dragged him backwards.

"She'll get tired of you!" Kevin shouted, struggling against Connor's hold.

Steve-O laughed and pushed himself away from the car. His hands clenched and unclenched and Connor's face faltered with a rush of fear.

"Come on, man," he advised Kevin.

Whilst Kevin was no longer resisting he didn't turn away either.

Steve-O stepped closer until only Kevin and Connor could hear him growl, "She's mine now, in every way."

It annoys me that this turned out even shorter. Oh well. It means I update quicker.