A/n – Thanks for all the reviews, follows & favourites over the past 2 weeks – it was great to come back and see them!

FYI This chapter is going to be short scenes from different peoples POV (as a bit of a filler – the good stuff is coming up soon!)

Chapter 21: Safety

(Ian's POV)

'Jared this better be worth it, I've just had to drop Wanda back home because your dumb ass needed me.'

'Trust me, it is...'

'Well? Get on with it, what's so important that I had to ditch on her anyway?'

'It's that kid Bernard. He threatened Mel today because he wants Wanda. And I mean really threatened…not just the fake crap on TV.'

'…'

'You there bud? This kid is seriously getting out of hand, we need to do something.'

'…Shit.'

I went over and over the conversation in my mind trying to process the madness of what happened to Mel.

He wants her. Well that is not going to happen… I should go see her. I should tell Wanda what happened, right? …God, now I'm talking to myself.

I ran my hands through my hair and paced by the front door. I should just go, get it over with, she has the right to know – she should know to be careful. Shit, school. She has to see that creepy bastard every day.

Putting the truck into drive I pulled away in the direction of Wanda & Mel's house – I could at least take Wanda far away for a while this afternoon so she can feel safe…that's all I can do. Keep her safe.

I tried to calm myself down before I pulled up and knocked on their door but it obviously didn't work. As soon as Wanda saw me she knew something was wrong. I barely let her get two words out before I pulled her into a crushing hug.

'Ian?' I didn't let go. I couldn't.

'Ian? What's wrong? I thought you had to go see Jared?' She squeezed my arms as a signal to let her go so I pulled away…not that I wanted to…

'Can you come with me for a drive? We were meant to spend the day together anyway right?' She looked quizzical that I didn't answer her question about Jared, but she eventually agreed to go with me, the last thing I wanted to do was argue about going out.

I waited in the truck while she was getting her bag and shoes, my mind couldn't help but wander back to Bernard…has he even worked out that I'm that scrawny kid back in little-school? I guess it'll be to my advantage if he's too dumb to figure it out.

The second she was in the car I put the truck into drive and we left…I even felt nervous about her being out in the open, jeez I'm getting paranoid…

(Burn's POV)

I waited a few minutes before leaving. As soon as I stood I could feel how tired my leg and arm muscles were from crouching for so long.

It had the best view I could find in the small area - from my spot I could see all the way down the street in both directions, as well as into the top and bottom windows – the only problem was the position, with my feet separated onto different branches, my knees bent into a crouch and my body leaned forward so I could grab the branch about a metre in front to hold me up… it was definitely uncomfortable after an hour.

I saw that beaten up old truck roll to a stop outside and for a moment I thought I'd been seen in my spot, I swear that smug idiot looked straight at me but he's obviously just as dumb as he looks because he never looked my way again.

The door to the house opened once he banged on it a few times and there she was…5ft2" of utter perfection. I bit into the side of my mouth to stop from laughing as her hair bounced around her. She looked up into his face, but I imagined what it would be like if she looked up into mine…being that close to me, invading my senses with the sweet smell of her skin and hair.

After the dumb jock pawed her for a few minutes – not even letting go when she asked, he went to go and wait in his beaten up old car…If you could even call it that anymore. It was like a death trap, I wanted to jump down right there and then when I saw Wanda climb in – was she stupid? Who thought it'd be a good idea to put a meat-head behind the wheel?

I watched the back of the truck until it turned the corner and counted to 100 in my head before making my way back down the tree…I had a couple of scratches from the branches but nothing major – at least I didn't fall this time.

From what I saw, Wanda was the only one at home – her cousin must still be at that little diner… I hope she'll talk to Wanda today.

I kept my head down as I walked back home, hoping no one noticed me or tried to talk to me – I couldn't be bothered to make up an excuse as to why I was in this part of town. Normally I'm either stuck at home or at school, luckily no one had seen me here yet, so I can keep visiting my spot a little longer.

(Wanda's POV)

I sat with my head in my hands in silence as Ian finished telling me what happened to Mel…my own cousin. Why would he do this? Why not just go straight to me?

'…I know it's a lot to take in.' I peeked out from behind my fingers to see Ian looking off into the distance, his face pained. I could tell he wished he didn't have to tell me this sort of news…I hated that I was putting everybody in danger just by being myself. Who'd have thought Mel would be the good one this year – I'm the one getting everyone in trouble some way or another.

'I'm glad you told me.' My voice sounded small and squeaky. I hated that it did. I wanted to be strong and face Burns head on…but just something about the way he so easily threatened Mel. I didn't want him talking to her again; I've got to confront him about it. Would that be best?

We didn't say anything for a while…Ian started stroking my back as we looked out to the horizon. He had driven for about an hour and ended up in the middle of nowhere, I think that's what he intended to do…to get me away from everything. We found a spot on a high hill that looked out over fields and fields of green, it was perfect, and the last thing I want to do is feel scared in my own home.

'Wanda?' Ian shuffled so he was facing me. I lifted my head to see his serious expression; I didn't trust my voice so I just nodded for him to continue.

'Will you stay with me tonight? At mine and Kyle's? I can drive you to school in the morning if you want, you can have my bed…' He sighed and stared at his lap 'I just want to keep you safe…' he added in a whisper. Now I'm hurting him by being in danger myself…ugh.

I crawled into his lap and linked my arms together around his waist. Ian's arms instantly accepted me, with one snaking around my back and the other around both my legs hugging me against him. I relaxed against his chest, my head leaning on his shoulder – he seems so familiar to me now; his scent, his arms, the most comfortable spot to lay my head – he was like home to me…I never wanted to hurt him.

'Of course I'll stay with you…' I traced shapes over his back for a while before the sky started to darken and we had to go back to the truck. I'm actually grateful that I could spend the night at his house, not just to put his mind at rest and not worry about me anymore, but to spend more time with him…I feel I could spend every second with Ian and it wouldn't be enough.

{Page break}

Once I had gotten some clothes and my school things from home, and managed somehow to convince Mel's parents to let me stay over at Ian's, which may have consisted of the white lie that Jodi had invited me, Ian drove us both to his place.

I still felt awkward about what happened yesterday… (was it only yesterday?) …it didn't seem to faze Ian, he took my bag from me and led me into the house. He quickly showed me around the places I hadn't seen, leaving his room last – he opened the door and stepped through.

It was a basic room, painted blue with wooden furniture around the edges; a chest of drawers, wardrobe, a bed side table and a work-desk. A double bed sat on the opposite side of the room – Ian walked over to it and put my bag down.

The first thing I noticed was how organised, but bare it was. Barely any pictures or posters or ornaments. I walked over to the desk where he had a signed football at one end and a laptop at the other, nothing else.

I turned to find Ian staring at me, he smiled and walked over, 'what is it?' he smoothed out the small crease between my eyebrows that appeared when I frowned.

I shrugged my shoulders, 'just not what I expected' I returned his smile as I hoped that maybe one day he'll want to have pictures of us in here.

As if he could read my mind his smile grew wider and he leaned down to kiss me lightly, my heart still jumped at the slight touch of his lips on mine – I felt more relaxed and calm that I had done all day.

'Come on, let's go see what we have to eat.' He led me back through the front room to the kitchen where he opened up the fridge.

His head disappeared as he leaned down to see inside, 'Leftover pizza?'

'The best thing I've heard all day' I sighed; I could hear his chuckle as he took out a pizza box from the fridge.

We sat on the couch and ate while Ian flicked through the TV to find something good to watch. He landed on a film which was a bit Christmassy to say it was barely winter, but he left it on stating it was one of his favourites, so I didn't argue.

Ian took his phone out of his pocket, which must have been on vibrate, and checked the new message flashing on his screen.

'Looks like it's just us…Kyle's staying at Jodi's place.'

'Okay' I mumbled as I took another bite of pepperoni.

I was getting into the film, laughing at all the best parts, humming along to the cheesy music. It took me a while to notice that Ian wasn't joining in, he looked…tense, worried even. I frowned for the hundredth time today, leaned over to grab the remote and muted the TV.

'Burn's isn't going to come get me here…I'm safe okay?' I tried and failed to get that look off of his face.

'It isn't that, I'm happy you came here with me…I just wish Kyle wasn't staying at Jodi's.'

'Why? Did you want us all to do something?' Surely Kyle stays over at Jodi's lots of times? Why does he want him here tonight?

Ian let out a deep breath, 'I just don't want you to think I expect…something…now were alone all night.' He could barely look me in the eye! What an idiot…

I leaned over to kiss him square on the lips, which worked at surprising the worried look off of his face, 'The only thing I expect to happen is for you to sing along to the cheesy songs in this movie.' I smiled and kissed him again before switching the TV off mute.

{Page break}

I woke as I felt someone pick me up and mumbled something incoherent.

I felt more than heard the chuckle that followed as my head leaned against a muscular chest. The smell of his clothes and cologne filled my nose as I breathed deeply…the smell I'm becoming so used to.

I was lowered onto a soft bed, but the arms that were around me weren't anymore. I mumbled a 'no' and felt around for the warmth that had left. Another chuckle and I felt hot lips on my cheek – my hand found his shoulder and moved to his arm, I tugged and mumbled again.

'Wanda…go to sleep.' His voice was like velvet as he whispered in my ear and tried to move my hand off him.

'no...' I said intelligently as my eyes still refused to open.

A small tug at my wrist was all it took for me to not feel him under my hand anymore, 'No.' I called out louder.

'Wanda!' I could picture his frustrated face, with a hint of a smile playing on his lips, he was trying to be chivalrous and give me space but I wanted to feel him next to me…

I laughed slightly and buried my head further into the pillow as I pictured him standing in the middle of the room not knowing what to do. I could feel him bend over the side of the bed, his face inches from mine, one hand pushing the mattress down either side of me, 'you are the devil', I could tell from his tone he was smiling widely and I knew I'd won.

My hands found his shoulders again and moved to the back of his neck, I forced my eyes open slightly to peak up into his eyes, he was smiling still and leaned down to kiss every inch of my face – I couldn't help but laugh and wriggle under him.

The side of my body knocked into the arm holding him up in the middle of the bed, which buckled under the hard shove. Ian fell beside me, face down, laughing from the fall.

'You don't fight fair' he mumble as he positioned himself so he was laying on his side, facing me – he left his other arm draped around my waist.

My eyes felt wide, no longer tired, as I turned to face him too. 'Neither do you!'

He pulled me closer and started kissing my face again; I squealed and ducked my head down to his chest so he couldn't reach me.

I waited to lift my head until he promised to cease fire – his blue eyes twinkling with mischief as I laid my head back on the pillow. I hadn't moved back to my original spot, which left less than a foot between us.

I shuffled further into him so our bodies started to touch, Ian's face fell slightly – the worry back in his expression.

'Stop that…this is where I want to be…with you.' He gave me a weak smile in response.

I leaned in slowly, giving him chance to reject me if he wanted to…I was glad he didn't as I pressed my lips to his.

(A/n – bit of a filler but what did you think? Shall I continue to do Burns' POV?)