Shattered Perfection

Twenty

TW: mentions of blood

In the morning, she watched as Reece pulled into the driveway. Autumn kissed Winter and got in. They were going to be some time. A short while later a black Mustang parked up and Mia unfolded from the driver's seat. She was coming to stay while both Vivian and Winter went to work.

Siobhan chewed her nail nervously. She didn't want Viv to go but knew she had to. After her shift she was collecting Jamie and they were both going to stay at Autumn's house until Roger was arrested. Viv couldn't wait to see him. She stood in the bedroom and watched Siobhan stand at the window, her thought's miles away with the siblings.

'Bon bon, I'm going to have to go to work.' She said breaking the silence. Siobhan turned and nodded but looked sad and serious. 'Come here,' Viv held out her arms. Siobhan crossed the floor and was enveloped in Viv's strong arms. Siobhan pressed her face into Viv's neck breathing deeply, her perfume calming her turbulent mind. Viv gently rubbed Siobhan's back, 'I'm going to miss you, but I will be back as soon as I can.' She kissed Siobhan's lips gently before stepping back. 'Mia will be here all day, she knows what you've been through as she's been through it too. Don't try and be brave, if you need help, ask her. You are safe.'

Siobhan kissed her again. 'Thank you Viv, for being so wonderful.'

Viv smiled, 'That's what I aim for! Wonderful!' She laughed. 'See you tonight.' She grabbed her bag and with a glance over her shoulder at Siobhan she was gone. Siobhan stood at the window for a while longer, her mind miles away. Unseen by her was a car, parked at the side of the road, it's backed out windows hiding any potential occupants from being seen. After a while, the car started up and slowly moved away.

Siobhan walked slowly down the stairs, her mobility slowly improving. The deep aches and pains were still a constant companion. She was weary but restless. As she walked into the kitchen she stopped. Mia was sat at the kitchen table, coffee in one hand, phone in the other. 'Hey Shibby,' she drawled with a slight smirk. 'Do you want a drink?'

Siobhan frowned slightly at the nickname she hated but didn't comment. She nodded, moving forward slowly to get herself a cup. Mia rose to her feet quickly, 'Sit down, I'll get it.'

Siobhan sank into a kitchen chair gratefully. She was overdue her painkillers. Mia watched her face surreptitiously while getting the drink. She had spoken to Charlotte about what Siobhan had been through and knew their stories were similar. She had suffered at the hands of Roger, but more than that, they had both been manipulated and controlled. She was pleased that justice could possibly on its way. Placing the cup in front of Siobhan, she collected the paracetamol from the side and placed it next to the cup.

Siobhan clasped her hands around the cup thankful for the warmth. 'Thank you.' She said quietly. 'And thank you for staying with me today.'

Mia's eyes scanned Siobhan's face, not seeing the opinionated, superior woman she had known before. Siobhan had shrunk, hands trembling as she got out the paracetamol, her face pale. 'Shibby,' Mia started again, 'Siobhan, you might not feel very strong at the moment but being away from that man is the strongest and bravest thing you can do.' Siobhan looked at Mia in surprised. She expected the sarcastic, drawling comment not the supportive one she received. 'Mia, how do you get over something like this?'

Mia though for a moment, 'you don't.' She said, Siobhan looked shocked, will she never feel better? 'What I mean,' Mia continued, 'it becomes part of your story, it doesn't define you or be all encompassing but just another thread in your life's tapestry.' Siobhan finally understood. 'It is not easy,' Mia conceded, 'but you have some strong people by your side. And one in particular who cares deeply about you.' Mia winked at Siobhan making her blush.

'You must think I'm such a hypocrite,' Siobhan said softly, 'from what I said before about same sex relationships.'

'Nah,' Mia dismissed, 'knew all along you were at least bi.' Siobhan looked sceptical.

'Really, how?'

'Saw how you looked at me,' Mia teased winking again. Siobhan rolled her eyes.

They spent the next couple of hours relaxing in the living room. Mia made them both some lunch. Siobhan was grateful. 'Why do you keep your kindness hidden?' Siobhan asked her.

'Kindness can be taken advantage of,' Mia replied simply with a shrug. 'I only want to be kind to people I care about.'

Siobhan looked at Mia carefully, 'I don't deserve any kindness with the way I treated everyone.'

'And you think I do after what I did to Autumn and Reece?' Mia was incredulous.

'But you were ordered and controlled by Roger.'

'Yup,' Mia replied making the p pop, 'and so were you.' Mia looked at the woman who was curled up on the sofa. Siobhan was deep in contemplation, a frown appearing between her eyebrows. 'Hey,' Mia called softly, 'no one is beyond redemption. Except maybe Roger.'

There was a knock at the front door which made Siobhan jump. 'Easy,' Mia murmured, 'I'll go and see who it is, you stay there.' Siobhan's heart was thumping her chest her breath speeding up. She heard Mia open the door and the muffled voice of a man. Mia responded but Siobhan couldn't make out what she said. Suddenly, Mia cried out, there was a series of crashes and the living room door was shoved open.

Siobhan leapt up off the sofa as a large man loomed in the doorway. He was dressed in black with gloves on his hands. 'Mia!' Siobhan shouted as she backed up.

The man grinned and started to move into the room, 'shouting won't help.' He said. 'Someone wants a word with you.' He cornered Siobhan before grabbing her arm. She suddenly lashed out with her nails aiming for his eyes. He roared as she raked over his face but he only tightened his grip. He backhanded her across her face with his free hand making her ears ring. She was dazed but still called for Mia as he dragged her from the room. As she got into the hallway she saw the broken furniture and Mia lay at the foot of the stairs, blood running down her face from a cut on her forehead. She was moving sluggishly.

'Mia! MIA!' Siobhan screamed as she thrashed in the man's arms. She stomped on his foot and kicked his shins as he lifted her bodily off the floor with his arms wrapped around her chest. She threw her head back and hit his nose blood gushed down his face and he dropped her in a heap on the floor. But he recovered more quickly than she did. Wiping the back of his hand across his face to clear the blood he bent over Siobhan and punched her in the face. Her head snapped back and she was out cold. Muttering and swearing under his breath he started to pick her up before noticing Mia was coming round. He leant over her, his nose still bleeding on the floor. 'Tell the others, she paid the price of betrayal so they'll know what's coming for them.' Before kicking Mia hard, her head hit the floor and she was unconscious again.

Charlotte drove into the driveway of Autumn and Winter's house. She was going to stay with Siobhan and Mia until the others came back. Winter was following in his car. She pulled up and was surprised to see the front door partially open. Getting out she pushed the door gently, her eyes unable to comprehend what she was seeing. The hallway furniture was smashed and the mirror was in pieces over the floor. Flowers which had previously stood in a vase near the front door were scattered. Worse of all, she saw her beautiful girlfriend lay slumped in the corner of the hallway near the stairs. Charlotte was aghast, 'Mia!' she shouted making her way quickly over to her. Mia was mumbling and groaning. Charlotte knelt carefully next to her and cupped Mia's face. 'My love, I'm here, I'm here.' She called to her.

Mia tried to open her eyes, they rolled and she groaned again, 'Char,' she muttered.

'Shh, Mia, don't try and talk, I'm calling for help.' Charlotte was desperate.

'I'm sorry, I couldn't stop him.' Mia spoken quietly. Charlotte realised at that moment that Siobhan was not there. She'd already got her phone out and started to call an ambulance. She jumped when she heard a noise behind her, turning she saw Winter in the doorway looking shocked. He rushed passed her calling out for Siobhan. He soon returned to help Charlotte with a confused Mia who was trying to stand on wobbly legs.

'Mia stay still my love,' there were tears streaming down Char's face.