Thanks to Melanie39 for beta-ing

Thanks also to Brandywine for the pimp over at TWoP.

Come Undone

Chapter 22.

Sarah watched silently, unobserved as Ryan showed Danny the correct way to hold a paintbrush. Ryan wrapped the small fingers around the brush, and then guided the brush into the paint then onto the fence, showing Danny how to paint in even strokes. She smiled at the look of concentration on Danny's face.

Danny had become Ryan's shadow, following his every move. Sarah could see the hero worship in the boy's eyes and since meeting him, every word out of his mouth started with 'Ryan said'… 'Ryan told me' … It was a joy to see him happy. Ryan was so patient with him, his soft voice seemed to calm the jittery young boy and Sarah could see Ryan physically relax in the boy's presence. She surmised that Ryan had found someone that he really didn't have to put on an act around. Sarah had seen the same change in Ryan when Missy was near. Sarah sighed. She had tried to engage Ryan in conversation on several occasions but he had made it plain that all talk of a personal nature was off limits, no matter how much she tried. So they had settled into a business type relationship where Ryan would talk about the jobs he was doing, he'd talk about Missy, he had even mentioned Newport a few times…but that was it. He was too perceptive, he could read her like a book and he wasn't giving anything away. He was happy with Danny. Danny didn't understand or care about his mental state. Danny didn't pry.

Becky and Missy joined her. Missy had a tray of milk and cookies for the boys.

"I thought Ryan was a coffee kind of guy." Sarah laughed. "I suppose he should be grateful that those aren't animal crackers."

Missy joined in with Sarah's laugh.

"I couldn't resist, wait till you see how cute Ryan looks with a milk moustache!"

They strolled over to where Ryan and Danny were painting the fence.

"Drinks for the workers." Missy put the tray down.

Danny started excitedly telling his mom that Ryan was teaching him how to paint. He paused to shovel a cookie into his mouth. Danny then picked up his milk, took a long drink and carried on telling the group how Ryan had shown him how to use a screwdriver earlier. Ryan picked up his own milk and drank it in several long gulps; he put the glass down and looked up to see the three women trying to hide their smiles.

"What?...what?" Ryan wiped his mouth on the back of his hand.

They all laughed as Missy piped up with "See, told you."

Ryan raised his eyebrow at Danny.

"Women!" He shook his head.

"Women!" Danny replied solemnly.

"Hey…" Becky spluttered.

Ryan grinned and gave Danny a high five.

Danny continued to babble…it was peaceful in the yard; several of the other residents had joined them. They laughed with Danny as he told them all that he was Ryan's apprentice and how he was helping. Ryan thought Danny could seriously give Seth a run for his money in the talking stakes when he wanted to. He looked over at Missy and caught her eye. He held her gaze. He'd been despondent the last few days but feeling relaxed and sitting outside with the sun on his face was doing wonders for his libido. Missy recognised the look. Ryan got up and casually mentioned that it was too hot to be wearing a black tee-shirt.

"I'm just going to go and change it."

Missy grabbed the empty glasses and stood up.

"I'll get these washed up."

Sarah watched the pair of them with amusement as they both tried to cover up the real reason for their rapid departure.

"I need to change my shirt too!" Danny looked down at his dark chocolate brown shirt. He got up and followed.

Becky blushed and called her son back.

"Honey, Ryan doesn't want you around every second of the day. He's not your babysitter."

Ryan watched Danny's face as it went from happy to dismayed in an instant. He looked at Missy then back to Danny. Crap, why did his conscience have to kick in now? Danny sat down and hugged his knees. Ryan had always hated it when you'd been having a really good time, then an adult jumped in and made you feel like such a kid. He inwardly kicked himself, then did what he had to do.

"Come on soldier…. let's see what we can find you to wear," he called to Danny.

Missy had known Ryan would choose Danny, and the part of her that didn't want to get into his pants loved him for it. She caught Sarah's eye and was pleased by the look of approval that she saw. Sarah was like a big sister to her, the fact that she liked Ryan meant a lot. She gave her a rueful smile back and went to wash the glasses… not what she'd hoped she'd be doing.

They made short work of the fence painting; Missy and several of the older kids had joined Ryan and Danny. With the job finished they were now indulging in some high jinks. Sarah watched as they all tore around the yard daubing each other with white wash. Danny was almost entirely white, his dark hair was caked with the stuff. Becky shook her head at him as he came over and proudly showed her his battle scars. Sarah felt that days like this were why she loved this job, everyone seemed so carefree. Ryan looked like the kid he was for a change. The haunted look was replaced with a mischievous one as he chased Missy with his brush. She was so tempted to join in, they all looked like they were having such a good time. Ryan caught Missy and got her with a big stripe down the side of her cheek. Missy squealed and wiped it off with her shirt.

"You are so dead mister. I'm gonna getcha."

"In your dreams Missy….in your dreams." Ryan kept twisting away from her just as she reached out each time. Danny rushed into the fray.

"Hey …not fair….not the two of you," Ryan yelled as the pair advanced on him. Soon everyone was ganging up on Ryan. The sound of giggling and shouting filled the air.

They all rinsed off best they could under the yard tap, Sarah made a note to turn the hot water on full because there would be an awful lot of scrubbing tonight to rid everyone of the paint. It had been totally worth it though.

They had decided on an al fresco supper of sandwiches and chips. It was so hot that no one felt like cooking. People had started to disperse for the night, the younger kids were having their baths and the others were winding down for the evening. Sarah and Missy were doing the dishes whilst Ryan was drying. Ryan was the most relaxed that she had seen Sarah mused. He was actually talking. Not his usual guarded conversation but honest to goodness talking. O.K the conversation was only light-hearted banter but it was a start.

The sound of shouting outside reached them. Sarah put down the washcloth and hurried to the front of the house. She opened the front door to see one of the new arrivals cowering in the front drive. No matter how many times she told some of the women not to divulge their whereabouts to their spouses some still fell for the 'I just want to meet for a talk…things will be different this time, I promise' line.

Sarah turned to Missy.

"Call the police." She strode over to the man who was shouting obscenities at the woman.

"Kindly leave this property now." She said in a firm loud voice.

The man swung around.

"Stay out of this, bitch, you the one that's been filling my wife's head up with shit about her rights…. I'm telling you now that she's coming home."

He grabbed his wife's arm and wrenched her up off the floor.

"Leave her alone." Ryan appeared in front of the man.

"Stay outta this… it don't concern you." He dragged his wife to the car.

Ryan grabbed his arm.

" I said leave her alone."

"What the fuck does this have to do with you?"

The man pushed his wife away and took a swing. Ryan ducked. The second punch connected with his jaw. Ryan instinctively punched back. Why the hell did he always get involved in fights with people twice his size? He had just wanted him to leave her alone.

He was holding his own when a powerful punch connected with his solar plexus. He bent double, winded. In the second it took him to focus on not losing the contents of his stomach, he felt a fist connect to the side of his head again. He tripped over the curb and stumbled backwards.

The last thing he remembered as he heard the wail of a siren was the sound his head made as it bounced off the concrete with a resounding thud.

TBC

Sorry it's only a shorty...RL has intervened!