A/N: This chapter is shorter than usual. Mostly cos I've looked ahead to the next sensible break, and the next chapter is longer than usual. I admit, I didn't write this story in chapters, okay?

Danny waited until the door was firmly closed before he turned to look at Saul. He'd seen the look on Saul's face when he came out the bathroom. It had looked like genuine concern. Looked like there was nothing there but worry for Rusty, and certainly Saul hadn't even attempted to go and catch a glimpse of Rusty naked. But Danny's simple impressions weren't good enough to be certain. Not with so much at stake.

"Take a seat, Danny," Saul offered. "Can I - "

" - I'd rather stand right now," he interrupted rudely.

"Okay." Saul frowned, looking at him and it was obvious he was expecting something. Some kind of interrogation, and that just meant he had to be all the more careful. Saul was prepared. He had to catch him by surprise.

"Do you want to fuck him?" he asked conversationally, his eyes trained on Saul's face.

"What? No!" Saul said immediately.

Danny nodded. The denial seemed genuine. But denial was easy and genuine only a little more difficult, and he'd seen Saul lie. No, he needed more than this. He had to force Saul to live it."

"Do you want to fuck him?" he reported in a low voice, praying Rusty didn't hear. "Do you want to hold him down, tear his clothes off, force him over that sofa there and shove your cock up his ass?"

The words tasted foul in his mouth. He'd heard them at school; whispered conversations at recess about exactly what fags and perverts would do if they caught you. Enough to paint a picture too horrific for him to look at.

Saul's face was white and he looked sick to the stomach, like what Danny had made him imagine physically hurt him. "I would never," he said in a fierce whisper.

Danny exhaled heavily, feeling more than a little sick himself. "Okay. I'm sorry. I had to be sure." He sat down quickly on the sofa, and Saul took a seat on the easy chair opposite him. "He thinks you will," Danny said quietly.

Didn't seem like this was news to Saul. "I've been trying to reassure him," he said heavily. "I'm not sure how well it's working."

Yeah. Danny thought about everything he'd spent the last two years trying to convince Rusty of. Some things were deeply engrained. "He expects people to hurt him," he told Saul uncomfortably, studying the backs of his hands. "He's had it all his life. That's not going to go away overnight." Saul looked at him sharply and he bit his lip. He hated breaking Rusty's confidences, no matter how often he did it. Oh, Rusty had long ago told him he didn't expect Danny to stop, and nothing ever came of it anyway, but it still felt like betrayal.

Saul nodded slowly. "Thank you," he said, standing up and looking at Danny keenly. "Would you like something to drink? I think I saw some hot chocolate at the back of the cupboard. Rusty seemed to like it earlier."

"Yeah," Danny said with a slight smile as Saul headed towards the kitchen. "He really does."

"I rent this place a month and I get a cupboard full of dried goods," Saul called through from the kitchen. "Can't decide whether it's a nice gesture or something the last people leave behind."

The smile faded and Danny sat staring blankly at the wall until Saul came back, balancing two mugs of hot chocolate, a coffee and a plate of cookies.

"You're only staying a month?" he asked quietly.

Saul hesitated. "I'm staying until I've found Rusty somewhere to stay," he said at last. "Somewhere he's safe and happy."

He couldn't ask for any more than that. It was unreasonable for him to ask for any more than that. He just wasn't so sure he believed it. Somewhere safe and happy...he wasn't that naïve. Not anymore. "Saul..." He closed his eyes for a second. "I should say thank you. For everything you've done."

"Danny...it's not..." Saul shook his head. "I couldn't just walk away from you."

"Don't make it sound like it's something anyone would have done," Danny warned. "You stopped and asked what was wrong and you did something about it. Do you have any idea how many people..." He broke off hurriedly, aware of the crack in his voice. He didn't have to say anything else anyway. No one had listened. Except Saul. And that did mean something, that would always mean something.

Saul looked at him for a moment. "How was your Mom last night?" he asked quietly.

Somehow the lie died on his lips. "Angry," he admitted, swallowing hard. "She kept asking me to tell her everything that happened. I didn't want to, but she insisted, and she's going to hear it all at the police interview today anyway, right? Figured it would be better if she wasn't screaming at me as well."

"The cops just want the truth," Saul told him. "There won't be any screaming. And your mother should not be angry with you for this." There was just the tiniest hint of an edge to Saul's voice. Like maybe he was angry with Mom on Danny's behalf. And even though he should hate it, a tiny part of Danny liked it, just a little.

"That stuff you said last night helped," he volunteered.

"I just told the truth, Danny," Saul said gently.

"But you lie a lot," Danny said, before he could consider whether or not it was wise.

Saul sighed. "Believe me, I'm starting to realise just what a bad role model I am," he muttered. He rubbed his hand across his forehead. "Danny...if you ever want to talk, I'm here. I'll gladly listen."

Mom hadn't wanted to talk. Mom had wanted him to listen. And Dad wasn't around and didn't know, and he'd told Julia that he had nothing to talk about...but it was eating away at him inside. And Saul sounded so sincere. He quickly looked away.

The door opened slowly and Rusty walked into the room, his hair still damp but clean, and that only made the cuts and bruises that much more noticeable.

"You warmed up?" Saul asked solicitously.

Rusty nodded briefly, looking between them anxiously, and there was a question in his eyes when he looked at Danny.

"I'm fine," Danny promised. "Come sit down, will you?"

Silently, Saul placed a doughnut-shaped cushion on the sofa next to Danny. Rusty glanced at it and then at Danny, his chin raised slightly, as if he was daring Danny to laugh.

Danny raised an eyebrow. "Why would I?" he asked softly, and thinking about how Rusty had been hurt inside killed him.

Rusty sighed and it almost sounded like a bitter laugh, but he sat down on the cushion, beside Danny, and it felt reassuring to have Rusty so close, even if Rusty was silently telling him not to come any closer. As long as Rusty was here, Danny couldn't lose him again.

"I made you a hot chocolate," Saul said, gesturing at the coffee table. "And help yourself to cookies."

Quickly, Rusty shook his head, and Danny frowned, because there was something else behind that, something he didn't quite understand, but Rusty glanced sideways at him, asking a silent question.

He grimaced. "Mom's picking me up two," he reported unhappily. "The police need to interview me. Apparently it could take a few hours. I don't know if I'll be able to come back afterwards." And that was partly a question for Mom, and partly a question for Saul.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're always welcome," Saul said firmly. "As long as that's okay with Rusty?"

Rusty nodded fervently, and Danny smiled, a little relieved in spite of himself. Rusty wasn't pushing him away completely at least.

"Want to watch some TV?" he suggested, because Rusty looked exhausted, leaning back on the sofa drowsily, his eyes half closed, and Danny figured something relaxing was best. Belatedly, he glanced at Saul. "If that's okay, that is."

Saul nodded, looking worriedly at Rusty, and he passed Danny the remote. "Find something you like," he suggested.

"Thanks," he said, and again he meant for much more than the TV.

(Maybe this could be safe and happy.)

They watched TV for the rest of the morning. Cartoons and some nature documentary, and Saul watched Rusty lightly doze while the soothing English accent told them all about zebra migrations. He had a feeling that Rusty was only this relaxed because Danny was there, watching over him. Certainly any time he moved, even a fraction Rusty was wide awake, scared and tense, and waiting for an attack.

He thought about what Danny had said, that Rusty expected to be hurt. Nothing that he hadn't already guessed at, but that didn't mean it wasn't still painful to contemplate. Had no one ever done right by the child? The sooner Saul found him a new home the better. He'd had a little time now to think about what was needed. A couple, obviously. Older, maybe. Patient and compassionate, with lots of experience caring for children. People who were able to provide Rusty with the love and attention he so desperately needed.

In the meantime, Saul was going to do his absolute best.

Rusty hadn't so much as looked at the chocolate or the cookies. And that was understandable. Saul would guess Rusty had eaten more in the last twelve hours than he had in the past week. He'd have to work on getting Rusty used to proper, regular meals again, and he groaned inwardly at the thought. Someone able to cook, he added to his mental list of necessary qualities. Proper home cooked meals. God, the more he thought, the more he came up with reasons why he was completely inadequate for this. Well, unfortunately, sandwiches and convenience foods would need to do for the moment.

Speaking of shopping...He pinched the bridge of his nose. He really didn't want to do this, but he couldn't exactly see what choice he had. "I need to go to the store across the street for a bit," he told the boys quietly. "I'm sorry. I will be as quick as I can, but do you think you'll be okay for twenty minutes or so?"

If anything, Rusty looked relieved. That didn't make Saul feel any better.

"Okay," Danny said quietly. "We'll stay right here."

"Do you promise?" he asked, looking straight at Rusty.

Rusty nodded fractionally. Seemed like he understood the logic behind the question, and Saul thought he could trust him not to run again. "Alright then," he said satisfied. "I'm going to get some food to last us the next few days. Is there anything in particular you like, Rusty?"

He addressed the question to Rusty, but he was expecting Danny to answer.

He wasn't disappointed. "Burgers...anything with fries...chocolate milkshake," Danny listed and Rusty frowned at him fiercely. Danny blinked. "He asked," he pointed out, and Rusty nodded unhappily.

"I just want to get food you'll like," Saul told him quietly.

For a moment Rusty looked as though eating his favourite foods would be the worst thing in the world.

"Is there anything you'd rather eat?" Saul asked, and Rusty shook his head quickly. He sighed. "Okay, I'll be back soon. Goodbye."

"Bye, Saul," Danny said.

He hurried out of the apartment and across the street to the department store. Right. He had to do this as fast as possible. He found a brightly coloured toothbrush, a comb and some soaps and shampoos that were marked especially for children. He had no idea what the difference was but he got them anyway. Next he headed round to the kids clothing section and picked up some jeans and casual pants, a coat and a variety of t-shirts, sweaters and underwear. Fortunately they seemed to sorted by ages, but he got some things that were smaller sizes anyway. Rusty wasn't exactly a healthy weight for a nine year old after all. He picked out a variety of colours and styles as well. Hopefully this way Rusty would wind up with at least a few things that he liked and were the right size.

Of course this would be much easier if he'd taken Rusty with him, but he didn't think that Rusty was up to leaving the apartment again today, and he had a feeling that if Rusty knew he was being bought clothing there'd be trouble. And he was appreciative of that – he wanted Rusty to be comfortable after all – but the simple fact was Rusty needed clothes.

He picked out some shoes as well. Fortunately he'd got a good look when he was tying Rusty's laces last night, so he was reasonably certain of the size and he managed to find a pair with velcro fastenings. That should be easier for Rusty to manage with his hand. Damn...he made a note to tell Rusty about his hand when he explained about the stitches. The child needed to know it might be fixable, after all.

Lastly, he headed to the food hall and picked up enough stuff to last them a few days. Nothing he couldn't just heat up, but things that would hopefully be nourishing and appealing to the boys. Burgers and sausages, french fries and pizza. And a large carton of chocolate milk.

He looked at his watch as he left with the shopping bags. Forty minutes. That wasn't too bad, although he still felt guilty as hell. He was well aware that leaving children unattended was wrong. Just that the alternative could be worse.

Danny frantically shushed him the moment he stepped in the door, and when he looked, Rusty was curled up asleep on the edge of the sofa. He looked peaceful.

"He didn't get a chance to sleep last night," Saul whispered.

Danny nodded, his hand resting lightly on Rusty's foot.

"I'm just going to put these things away," Saul said, indicating the bags, and he put the groceries in the kitchen and carefully put the clothes away in Rusty's room. He found a spare blanket on the shelf in the wardrobe and after a second's thought, took it through to the living room.

"You bought him new clothes?" Danny asked softly.

"Yeah," Saul nodded, carefully draping a blanket over Rusty's sleeping form. "He needed them."

"Huh." Danny looked at him wonderingly.

It bothered Saul how Danny regarded his every...not kindness, that wasn't the right word. It wasn't even a question of kindness, it was just about basic acts of duty and common human decency, but it seemed to be surprising and remarkable as far as Danny was concerned. And Saul knew as well as anyone that the world could be cruel and dirty and unfair, but it could be wonderful too, and at twelve that's what Danny should expect.

He hadn't liked the way Danny's mother talked to him, or the way Danny seemed afraid of her. That was something he had to keep an eye on.

Rusty seemed to be sound asleep. Saul regarded him for a moment. "I won't wake him for lunch," he decided at last. The child needed sleep. "I'll get him something when he wakes up. But do you want a sandwich or something now, Danny?"

"Yes, please," Danny said politely.

"Roast beef okay?" he checked and Danny nodded.

A couple of rounds of sandwiches later and they sat watching some sit com about a man and his dog, talking easily in low voices. Really, the more he talked to Danny, the more he liked the kid. He was smart, quick thinking, loyal – all the qualities Saul most admired, and in truth, he enjoyed spending time with him.

The doorbell rang at about quarter past two and Rusty sat bolt upright, looking around fearfully as the blanket fell of him.

"It's just the doorbell," Danny told him gently, reaching across and taking Rusty's hand, and Rusty pulled away immediately.

"Your mother, I assume," Saul said to Danny, standing up to get the door.

It was, and shortly after Danny's mother stood in the living room, looking around thoughtfully and Saul was glad he'd chosen this place with making an impression in mind. She certainly looked impressed.

"Thank you for looking after Daniel," she said stiffly.

He inclined his head. "It really was no trouble. As I told...Daniel...he's welcome here any time."

"I see..." She glanced over to where Danny and Rusty were standing. "Daniel, we really must be going. Robert..." She hesitated for a long second and Saul tensed, ready to shut her down if she said anything inappropriate, if she even looked at him wrong. "I hope you feel better soon," was all she said in the end though.

Danny turned to Rusty. "I'll see you soon, 'kay? I'll come back this evening. Just try to get some rest."

Rusty nodded, the smallest shadow of a smile on his face.

A/N: Thank you for reading, please review