Glass Hearts

Chapter Six

**Authors Note: freaking love my girl Demi Lovato! Check out her song Daddy Issues if you can, or you know her whole discography. As always enjoy and please continue to tell me what you think its been helping me continue writing in this chaos I call life at the moment.**

Walking into the kitchen quietly Happy watched as his friend danced and sang along to whatever song was playing through her speakers as she cooked. It always amazed him how talented Ruby was but never did anything with it. Instead she stayed in her hometown for years working as a nanny even though she had a psychology degree and was extremely artistic. She gave it all up for her family.
*Lucky for you, I got all these daddy issues
What can I do?
I'm going crazy when I'm with you
Forget all the therapy that I've been through* 
Ruby sang along with the song blasting through the speakers as she finished preparing breakfast. 
When she turned around to grab a couple plates, Ruby was startled to see Happy standing there. "Gosh, you're such a freaking creep Hap. How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to know you've got 'daddy issues' little girl." Happy chuckled, before going over to Ruby and wrapping his arms around her, kissing her neck lightly. This simple gesture made Ruby lose her train of thought for a moment. Smelling the bacon seconds from burning though, she quickly moved away from the man holding her to grab the frying pan.
"So I talked to Nestor this morning," Ruby trailed off afraid of Happy's reaction. Though it would never show physically, Happy was actually nervous as to what was going to be said next. Especially after his conversation with the mercenary early that morning.
"They already found the kid? Damn, maybe they are better than us." Happy replied sarcastically, collecting flatware for the two to use for breakfast. Slightly frustrated by the jab her friend made, Ruby smacked his arm before responding.
"There's no need to be an ass Hap. Sadly, no they haven't found him yet but Nestor asked if I was still in town, then asked to meet up. So I was actually wondering if before you left to take care of business, I could get a ride to a coffee shop in town?" 
Rolling the toothpick from one side to the other taking his time before responding Happy finally spoke, "Fine but since I don't know how long I will be. So I'll need braids to bring you back here. You're supposed to be leaving to keep you safe that was his wish. If he thinks there is a threat out there that could hurt you then why is he trying to meet with you?" 
"Would you prefer he come here instead?" Ruby already knew the answer but asked to push that envelope. Happy wasn't the jealous type so for him to respond like he did shocked her.
Narrowing his eyes at her Happy responded, "No, I just don't understand what is so important that he couldn't have just asked over the phone or text?" 
Shrugging at her friend's question the small redhead responded, "Maybe he is worried whoever took Cristobal has tapped into their phones? I mean it is a lot simpler to bug these new smartphones compared to the dinosaurs we had when everyone was still around. Nestor won't let anything happen to me, okay?" 
    "Yeah, okay Little Girl. Can we eat now? We've still got to get ready for the day." Happy commented, aggravated by the conversation and ready to move on.
Unsettled by her friend's reaction, the redhead nodded before serving their breakfast.
    "Hap, I didn't mean to upset you. Once you're done with whatever it is you've got to do today I'll go back to Charming with you. I need you to trust Nestor though, he wants to keep me safe just as much as you. Okay?"
"You actually expect me to trust someone I don't know?" Happy quickly bit back. "You're right, silly me. I'm not hungry anymore so I'm going to get changed. If you could clean up when you're done that would be appreciated." Ruby quickly stood walking to the room, wiping the tears from her eyes as she went to change for the day.
   
Nestor pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop on Main Street he and Ruby had agreed upon. Though he never took the time before now to appreciate the building before him, Nestor observed every detail in the rugged old house and it's fading green paint. As the mercenary looked over the building, his mind wandered to how the up and coming conversation with the bubbly redhead would go. Would she be pissed he looked into her? Will she be honest? All these questions were interrupted by the sound of a motorcycle parking a few spaces over. Looking away from the building to where the sound was coming from, Nestor watched as Ruby slid off the bike of the strange man. Watched as before she could walk away the man wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her into a kiss. Quickly Nestor looked back at the building before him, furious at how his friend seemed to be treated by the rough biker.
Pulling away from the kiss Ruby looked back at Nestor then at the man in front of her, "Happy, was that necessary?" 
"I have no clue what you're talking about Little Girl. Just remember to let me know when you leave here and you're back at the house. As soon as I'm done we're headed home." Happy smirked knowingly.
Rolling her eyes, Ruby replies, "I'll keep you in the loop okay?" Before she could hear her long time friend's response she walked over to Nestor who was waiting awkwardly and trying to hide his anger.
"Ruby, thank you for meeting me. I realized while waiting, I had never been here before. Do you come here often?" Nestor inquired as he pulled the door of the establishment open.
Giggling, Ruby whispered "Did you really just ask 'Do you come here often?' Well, to answer your question, yes I do come here often. It happens to be my go-to spot when I acquire free time." The two ascended up the staircase, the busyness of the coffee shop surrounded them. As the atmosphere buzzed, the air between Nestor and Ruby though was tense. 
Once seated with coffees in hand, Nestor cleared his throat prepared to open Pandora's box. "So, with all that has been happening recently Miguel ordered a thorough background check on everyone." He paused.
Lies.
"Some interesting information was brought to our attention from your background check." Nestor continued.
Ruby's heart rate picked up pace, she was sure the whole coffeehouse could hear it. She never meant for old life to be a secret, Ruby just needed to escape it and the best way was to never talk about it 
"Uhm...I." Ruby couldn't find the right words, as though the words were trapped, unable to escape. 
"By that reaction you already know what I am referring to? I just want to know how deep that connection still runs. Why did you hide that information from us?" Nestor asked.
"I wanted to forget, I needed to forget. Growing up in a toxic environment such as that.." Ruby took a deep breath before continuing. "My intent wasn't to hide my past from y'all. Honestly I assumed an intense background check had been done when I was first hired." The young red-head took a sip of her coffee and looked everywhere but at the man before her.
"Being born into that life, it's all I've ever known."

*Better late than never?*