There really wasn't that much to tidy up. A few glasses, a few empty bottles... Ash bent down to pick up the ball of paper Denny'd thrown at Andy.

"Hey…" Kyle began, Ash shoved the paper in his pocket and turned to his boss who sounded like he had something on his mind. "When Andy said that guy kiss thing, you finished your drink..."

"Is there a question in there?" Ash enquired, he wasn't gonna spill if Kyle didn't have the balls to ask.

"Was it in prison?" Ash couldn't believe Kyle had just said that. He noted that alcohol obviously made the bloke say the stupidest things imaginable.

"Okay, wherever that train of thought is going, stop it there. It's definitely a good thing you didn't end up inside. And no more vodka for you ever..." Kyle did have the decency to look embarrassed.

"Sorry..." he mumbled.

"Right. Is this place sorted?" Ash asked, changing the subject and ready to get the hell outta here.

"Yep, looks like," Kyle consented. Ash led the way downstairs and out into the night. There was a strong breeze blowing up from the beach. The rush of fresh air made his head spin. Ash reached into his jacket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. He offered them to Kyle.

"No thanks."

He lit one for himself and they walked over to the fence where they'd been arguing only yesterday. How things had changed. They leaned on the railing, and gazed down at the ocean. The moonlight reflected brightly on the water, Ash turned and saw the same light reflected in Kyle's dark eyes.

"You've really never been surfing?"

"When would I have the time? I practically live at this place..." he turned his head to look at the restaurant. It was true that Kyle didn't have much time off. Ash turned and leaned his back against the railing, it was easier to smoke that way.

"We should do this again sometime," Ash suggested. "Maybe somewhere with music though, instead of you and Denny's crappy games..." He blew a puff of smoke in to the air. Kyle laughed.

"Yeah might be safer..." The moon was getting low in the sky, vaguely Ash wondered what time it actually was. He reached for his phone but his pocket was empty.

"Ah shit, I left my phone upstairs." Kyle fished through his pocket for the key. "Forget it," Ash said, he couldn't be bothered to go back for it, "I'll grab it in the morning."

"Nah, it's fine," Kyle insisted, going to unlock the door. Ash dropped his cigarette, scuffed it out and followed Kyle upstairs. His phone was on the bar where he'd left it. He had several missed calls from Denny.

"Shit." He dialled her back.

"What is it?" Kyle asked with concern, picking up on Ash's urgency. He didn't have time to answer before Denny picked up.

"Ash," she sobbed.

"Denny? What is it? What's wrong?" He had a pretty good idea though when he remembered who had taken her home. "Was it Andy?" Ash would kill him if he'd touched her. She sobbed again, confirming his suspicions. "It's alright Denny. Are you at home?"

"Yes," she sniffed.

"Is Hannah there?"

"No, they're all away. Can you come?"

"Yep. Listen, it's gonna be alright. Just stay there. I'm on my way." He ended the call and looked to Kyle. "We need to get to the farm now."

xxx

"I swear to Christ I'll kill him!" Ash fumed, smacking his hand on the dashboard. Kyle had agreed to drive. Ash couldn't afford to get into any trouble with still being on parole. Kyle attempted to calm him by getting him to focus on making sure Denny was okay for the time being, rather than flogging the shit out of Andy.

"Did she say what happened?"

"No."

"Don't jump to conclusions then."

"How can I not?!" Ash snapped. "Doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Didn't you see the way he was looking at her? Fuck! I should never have let him take her home..." Ash had allowed it because Andy was the only one that had been under the limit.

"It's not your job to take care of her."

"No? Whose is it then?" Ash bit back. Kyle didn't reply, obviously feeling guilty. They turned into the driveway and Ash leapt out of the ute before it had even rolled to a stop, he found Denny on the veranda. Her face was streaked with tears, and she hugged her knees. He went to her, wanting to hold her but wasn't sure if he should touch her. His doubts were relieved when she flung herself into his arms.

"I'm a terrible person," she sobbed.

"No. No you're not," he soothed, stroking her hair. "This isn't your fault, he shouldn't have touched you." She didn't reply, she just clung to him and cried. He let her go for a minute but he had to know if she was hurt, if maybe she needed a doctor. The thought made him sick, but he had to ask. "Did he hurt you? Do you need a doctor?"

"No, no nothing like that," she assured, shaking her head as she pulled back and wiped her eyes.

"Where is he now?" Ash asked. Now that he knew Denny was physically okay he could deal with that piece of shit Andy. When Ash was done with the dog he was gonna wish he'd never been born. A frown creased her brow and then an understanding dawned on her. "He didn't... No Ash, it's not what you think. It's my fault."

"Don't let him make you think that."

"No, listen," she pleaded, "I started it. I, I just wanted to forget, but then he saw Casey's ring," she wrapped her hand around the engagement ring that hung from a chain around her neck. "How could I do that to him? Andy left as soon as I asked him to. But Case? Case deserved better." Her eyes widened in horror as she looked over Ash's shoulder and he realised Kyle must be there. Kyle was Casey's brother and she thought she'd been unfaithful.

"Why would you bring him here?" Denny asked on the edge of hysteria, her knuckles turning white as she clutched the ring. Alcohol and turbulent emotions were not a good mix.

"He drove," Ash explained calmly, "we've been drinking. I can't afford to get busted on parole."

"Oh God!" Denny exclaimed, raking a hand through her hair, "I shouldn't have called..."

"Yes you should have," Kyle interceded, "we want to be here for you." She was almost wild in her drunk and guilt ridden state.

"C'mon Den, let's get you to bed," Ash encouraged, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "things'll look better in the morning." He guided her inside, Kyle going ahead of them. He opened her door and helped Ash get her into bed.

"I'm gonna stay here," Ash told Kyle when she was settled, kicking off his boots and settling himself on the bed beside her.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Kyle questioned.

"I can't leave her alone. What if she wakes up and freaks out again?" Ash was scared she'd do something silly, something to hurt herself if he left her alone. Kyle gave him a disapproving look. "What?" Ash fired at him, "what do you think I'm gonna do?"

"Nothing. She's just in a fragile state is all..."

"Exactly-"

"I get that you want to help her but I'm not sure waking up with a guy in her bed is the best thing for her right now."

"Look, I'm not gonna leave her, it'll be fine, you should go." Still Kyle hesitated. "It's fine Kyle," Ash insisted and he knew there was one thing he could say to make Kyle understand that he posed no threat. "I'm gay and she knows it. She called because she needs me here." A look of shock played across Kyle's face but Ash's plan worked.

"Alright. I'll see you in the morning yeah?"

"Yeah okay," Ash agreed before Kyle left him to it. So his secret was out but Ash didn't care. He'd do anything for Denny because she was his mate, and that's what true mates did.