A/n- Dreams are in Italics

Another Stop Sign

Chapter 2- Breathless (Daddy can't brake now)

Rodney turned restlessly in his sleep as the early hours of morning crept in. John let him borrow some old dry clothes. His mind was swimming with silent terrors.

The collar was tight, so very tight around his neck. His eyes watered with each labored breath as he was dragged about.

"p-please stop…I can't breathe…k-kyle please." He pleaded as he gasped for breath. He prayed silently to who ever was watching over him for it to end.

"Sorry babe, that's not gonna happen. I'm going to show bella what happens when she's bad. Next time that little fuck up messes with my shit she'll get it. However for now…you'll be a perfect example." Kyle sneered as he pulled Rodney into the living room.

Bella was sitting on the couch with tears in her eyes, "Kyle don't!" She screamed as she put her little hands out as if she was reaching out for Rodney.

"You see what she calls me! I'm papa! Not Kyle to you, you ungrateful bitch! Now see what your bad behavior gets you!" Kyle shouted as bella broke into sobs. Her normally bright eyes filled with heart broken tears.

Kyle turned to Rodney, a sick grin plastered on his face, "I'll show her." He muttered darkly as he undid his belt and removed it from its loops.

"Kyle, god please…look at yourself…stop this…please" Rodney pleaded as he looked to the ground, his hands balled into fists as he tried in vein to stop the fearful tears from falling.

For Bella's sake, daddy can't break now.

"I see perfectly well what I'm doing! Don't tell me what to do!" He said as he raised the belt high, ready to strike. Bella cried out as the belt hit Rodneys face knocking him down.

As kyle beat him, Rodney kept his eyes on bella in a attempt to tell her to hang on. It'll be over soon, but the blows kept coming, warm blood dripping down his back and bella screaming for it to end.

Rodney sat up with a scream of blind fear. His chest heaved with shuddered breaths as he wiped his eyes. He suddenly felt warm arms around him.

"I got you…shh…it was just a dream." John said soothingly as he stroked rodneys back.

A choked sob bubbled up as he huddled against john, "God I wish it was." He whispered as john pulled him close.

The room fell silent before the sound of little footsteps broke through as the door opened. Bella walked in, johns shirt hanging on her little frame, her black hair mused from sleep and her blue eyes wide with worry.

"Daddy…? Are you and Mr. John ok?" She asked as she walked into the room. Rodney wiped his eyes before bella could see and put is best smile on.

"Of course we're alright sweet heart…did we wake you?" he asked as Bella walked over to the bed and climbed on. She snuggled down between John and Rodney, her thumb in her mouth.

"No…I just heard you screaming so's I thoughts Kyle founded us…" she whispered, her little voice shaking a bit.

John chimed in before Rodney could speak, "We'll don't worry, he won't get you are hurt you both again…I'll keep you safe." He said as Bella looked up at him for a moment before smiling.

"I like you Mr. John….you're nice…" She said with a grin as she popped her thumb out of her mouth.

"You can just call me john…." He replied with a small chuckle.

Bella looked at Rodney, "Daddy…whys didn't you marry John when yous worked together…?" she asked in a curious voice, "John's a nice man…kyle was a mean man…he hurt you…d-daddy I'm sorry if I was a bad girl and gots you hit…I'm sorry…" she said her bottom lip quivering slightly.

"It's not your fault sweetheart."

John could hear the pained tone of Rodney's voice but Bella didn't notice. She just huddled close to Rodney as her eyes became moist with tears. The scene before john left him breathless.

"Shh Bella don't cry baby…daddy's ok…" Rodney said as he hugged his little girl close.

John watched them with sad eyes as his heart broke for them. They've been through hell and john wished he could just protect them from all the badness they've survived through.

Rodney lifted his head from the top of Bella's and extended an arm to john. John didn't give it a second thought as he joined in the hug as he put his arm around Rodney's shoulders and a hand on Bella's back comfortingly.

Before Rodney walked back into his life, john thought he had little to really live for. Now, john has a family to protect and love.

Little did john know of the troubles brewing else where.

TBC