welcome to heaven or hell [sync]

[Onzy]

Shane stood at the secretary's office, pacing the entrance with earnest. He was anxious, he was heart-sore and most of all he missed his daughter. He had spent Christmas with her at least, but had to give her up to her mother the day after. Now, a month later, she was coming back. He didn't miss Kerry, but he did miss his little girl. What had hurt the most was that Kerry had remarried. It had been a year since their divorce and she was already married to the rat she had cheated him with. Deciding that the woman would come into the office when she brought Julie back, he went into the warmer area and sat himself into a chair. Sid, his Husky female, whined at his distress and he scratched her ears fondly.

Checking the time, he frowned when he noticed that only five minutes had passed since he last checked. He just wanted his daughter back with him. Shane lived a solitary existence until he had moved to the College to take over his sister's job while she was pregnant with her third child. Granted, Julie was quite happy to be the oldest toddler around the College and was too smart for her own good. The red-head girl also had quite a temper about her, and she didn't want to go to her mother's. It broke Shane's heart to put her in the car with her mother, tears streaming from the little girl's eyes.

Running a hand through his curly hair, he glanced at the door, waiting to hear the car pull up in front. It had been shock to discover Kerry had moved to a town about four hours drive from the College. It meant that travelling wasn't an excuse any more and he would actually have to send Julie to her over Easter. Then again, a lot could happen in the weeks between now and Easter. He just hoped that it would be something that would work in his favour and not against him. He had been in court more times than he could count because Kerry was vying for full custody. Custody that would mean he would never see his daughter ever again. Once Kerry got custody she would take Julie and never come back.

[Sync]

Dianna had managed to arrive at the college unnoticed two days ago. Dafydd and Ieuan were the only two who knew of her arrival and both had kept it quiet at her request. Why? Because she’d wanted to get her bearings before being let loose into the chaos that was Park Equine College. Looking down at Maple, who trotted faithfully at her side as they made their way to the main office for her first day of proper work, Dianna smiled at the pretty mongrel. ”First day little one.” She paused when two young students asked if they could make a fuss of Maple, which she agreed too and chuckled as the canine danced eagerly around their legs, begging to be fussed.

Eventually they arrived at the office, Maple now more cautious as she picked up on the scent of other dogs that obvious frequented here. Dianna coaxed her gently closer to the office, waiting patiently as she investigated various objects she deemed as necessary. Finally they got to the front door and Dianna opened it to allow the lithe mongrel inside. ”See, it wasn’t that bad.” Dianna told her, her thick Welsh vocals twinged with amusement. Heading deeper into the office, she failed to notice a man sat there with his dog, but Maple sure did. The chocolate coloured canine whined unsurely as her orbs fell on the Husky, encouraging Dianna to turn to see what the fuss was about.

Dianna followed to where Maple was staring, her eyes widening slightly at the realisation that she’d completely failed to notice a person. Something she hardly ever did. ”Maple, here.” She asked the canine softly, causing Maple to immediately hide behind Dianna’s legs. Her gaze returned to the man, a warm and friendly grin in place. ”Waiting for someone? Or something?” she asked, heading for the desk that she would soon become very familiar with. Placing herself delicately onto the chair, and watching as Maple sat beside the desk, eyeing the Husky that belonged to the man warily.

[Onzy]

Shane noticed the woman enter the secretarial area, knowing that she was knew to the College. According to Kris, she was Dafydd's sister-in-law and, like he had, was going through a messy divorce. He was so absorbed by his own thoughts and frantic worrying, that he hardly her when she spoke to him. My daughter, he answered, his vocals not unfriendly. He just never talked more than he used to, he had lost who he was when he left Kerry. It scared him that he had to discover himself again, and in some ways he had. The fact that they had Julie made it difficult to break all connections to Kerry, the one thing that he wanted more than anything to do.

Daddy! was the loud shout that came from the door. Shane's head snapped up, and a breathtaking smile took over his features. Getting down from the chair, he rested on one knee, holding his arms open for her. The little red headed girl ran to him, and he held her close to him, kissing the top of her head. He glanced up and noticed Kerry putting her bags by the door. He shook off the feeling that he felt, and gave Julie another hug. I missed you, he told her, allowing Sid to worm in between them. This was the side people hardly saw. The soft side. The caring and deep side.

I missed you too Daddy, she said, her attention already claimed by Sid. Can I go see Uncle Dafydd? she asked sweetly, and Shane nodded, watching as she ran to the principals office. Once she left, the mask had gone back up and it really did make a difference. Shane went to go fetch her bags, carrying them inside. He placed himself back in the chair, stroking Sid's ears absent mindedly.

[Sync]

Dianna nodded, still smiling, at his words, but didn’t ask for anything more. Turning her attention to the computer, she logged into it and pulled up the arrivals due today. Immediately she began to run through them and print of relevant sheets. It was as if she’d been working there the whole time. She noted that there were two student arrivals and three horses, of which she still needed to inform the barns. Picking up the phone to do so, she drummed her fingers softly against the desk as she waited for the barn manager to pick up. Maple had now lost interest in the other dog, and had crawled under the desk and sprawled out beneath Dianna’s feet, sighing deeply every now and then as if she was fed up.

Dianna was mid conversation when the office door burst open, revealing an adorable red haired female and a woman that Dianna took to be her mother. Averting her gaze as the little girl reunited with her father, the man Dianna had spoken to earlier, she smiled slightly. It always was a beautiful scene when two people reunited, whoever they may be. She couldn’t help but pick up on the hostility between the male and female though, but she made no sign that she’d noticed it. Just carried on with the phone call as if they were not there.

Dianna was just hanging up when she heard the little girl asking to go and see Dafydd. Or ‘Uncle Dafydd’. This allowed Dianna to place who the man and little girl were, Kris’s brother and niece. Her grin widened as she heard Dafydd’s delighted exclaim as the girl bounded into his office, but Dianna’s gaze strayed to the man again. ”You should smile more often.” She tells him suddenly, recalling the breath taking smile he’d revealed when seeing his daughter. ”You look much more handsome when you do so.” Her words were offered with a grin, to show she was teasing him somewhat. ”Not that you aren’t handsome when you’re not smiling.” There was no shame in what she said, mainly because she was merely stating the truth.

[Onzy]

Shane felt a smile tug at his lips when he heard Dafydd's delighted exclaim at seeing Julie, and when the little girl returned it, he was satisfied that she was happy. His snapped up when he heard the secretary tell him that he should smile more often. His sister told him that as well, but he didn't pay it much attention. Then he was told that he was handsome. Now that was one that took him by surprise. He hadn't heard that in a while. Not that he missed it much, because those words had made his life hell. Handsome, part of the sentence that Kerry used on him when they first met. It ended in the most poisonous period of his life, the only good coming from it being Julie.

It was no surprise that he was wary then. Thank you, he said, his voice laced with caution in his rich Scottish accent. Apart from the quick glance he took at the secretary when she had first entered the office, Shane took her in much more carefully now. It was her eyes that he was the most intrigued by. A rich blue, a deep blue. This was the most he taken in by any woman he had been since Kerry. Shane Monaghan, he introduced himself, more quietly this time. Worry or doubt plagued his mind like it always did. There wasn't much that he could do about it.

[Sync]

She chuckled at his wariness. ”You’re welcome.” She replies lightly, a smile tugging at her lips. She didn’t make any acknowledgement to knowing that he was almost scrutinising her, she just continued to send off some emails for Dafydd. Her smile did return when he introduced himself though. ”Dianna Re-,” She frowned, stopping herself from finishing the last name. ”Dianna Owens.” she corrected herself softly, her smile dimming for the first time since entering the office. She really had to get used to not using Rees as her last name. Giving herself a mental shake, she frowned slightly. Then, just as quickly, her smile returned but before she could say anything more to Shane the phone rang.

Hanging up on a frustrated sounding Math teacher, she sighed softly as the subject turned out to be her son. Apparently he’d stormed out of lesson without being provoked. He was now being sent to the office to do his work. Dianna looked up when her whirlwind of an offspring threw open the door with a scowl etched on his features. He looked up to see his mother, and immediately a sheepish expression took over. Dianna frowned at him. ”Phone and iPod.” She demanded, holding her hand out for the items. ”Sit in that corner until you’ve finished everything, and I will check unlike your Uncle.” She warns him, shaking her head as he tries to flash a bashful grin.

”Kids.” Dianna muttered fondly under her breath before smiling at Shane slightly. ”I trust you know my son?” she asked the man, her vocals twinged with amusement. She ignored Ieuan’s disgruntled grumbles from the corner as he worked on the sums that he should actually be doing in class. ”The quicker you do them, the sooner you’ll be out of here.” She called to him, chuckling as he pulls a face at her.

[Onzy]

Shane returned to his thoughts, only unwavering when the woman introduced herself. Luckily for him, he could keep his surname and Kerry had changed hers by marrying again. He wondered what the holidays had been like for Julie, with Kerry's new husband. There was a lot he wondered about, but one thing he had to admit was that he was happy without Kerry in his life. It seemed simpler than what it had been. Gone was the constant bickering, the fighting and arguing over money, the small things about each other that always caused an argument. It was all gone with the signature on a paper and a court ruling. Now their lawyers did all the arguing.

His concentration was broken again when he noticed that Ieuan had all but broken down the door when he came into the office. Yes, I do, he said, grinning slightly. The teenagers in Ieuan's group was one of a kind. They were mixed from the quirky to the stubborn to the troubled, but they all were a fantastic group of kids. You'll get to know them all, he said, as the door opened again, and Bella walked through to Dafydd's office. Because they all do that, he carried on. It was kind of a walk through thing, Dafydd's door always open for students. It was kind of endearing actually.

Kris came in a few minutes later with the twins, and Shane immediately perked up again. Shane, I see you've met Dianna, she said with surprise, grinning at the woman. I hope he hasn't been bothering you, she said to Dianna, a teasing grin in place, thrown in Shane's direction. Shane rolled his eyes but kept quiet, instead lifting out Seth from the stroller. Hey big boy, he said to the boy, grinning as the boy started pulling on his hair. It usually went the same way for Dafydd as well, curls being the best toy to play with.

[Sync]

Dianna laughed as Bella made her way through the office, nodding at his words. ”I’ve been warned by the boss himself.” She grinned, recalling Dafydd’s words about students being a regular flow into the office. She allowed the peace and quiet to wash over her again, only breaking it once to tell Ieuan to stop huffing, and went back to her work. It seemed, like the steady flow of students and staff, there was a constant shriek of phones in the office. Dianna handled this with ease, having worked as a secretary most of her life things like this did not faze her. In fact, she thrived off it being so busy.

Once again, a new arrival entered the office. Dianna broke out into a delight grin as she saw Kris and the twins, more than happy to see her niece and nephew. She chuckled at Kris’s words. ”You are kidding? It’s harder to get words out of him than it is Ieuan.” She grinned, her own words teasing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ieuan getting up and heading for Brynne. Her eyes narrowed. ”Ieuan, get your backside back into that chair and finish your work.” She warned him, her vocals leaving no room for argument. She rolled her eyes when he ducked his head sadly and dragged his feet back to the chair, his grumbling picking up again as he returned to his Math work.

Dianna rose an amused brow as yet another student marched into the office, then stopping dead in his tracks when he saw who was sat at the desk. ”Auntie Dianna!” she heard Kian exclaim, then bound over to the desk and pull her into a hug. Dianna laughed. ”Kian, too tight.” She warned him, laughing as he released her with a bashful grin. ”Ieuan didn’t tell me you were moving here.” Kian accused his best friend, who mumbled his apologies without looking up from his work. ”I asked to keep it quiet until I settled in enough, now you go do whatever you came in here for and stay away from Ieuan. He doesn’t need distractions.” She warned him again, her vocals stern before turning her gaze on Kris and Shane. ”Tea or Coffee for either of you?” Once she had their answers, she headed for the back room to make herself a cup of tea.

[Onzy]

Shane rolled his eyes at the interaction, remaining mum on the topic. It just proved how quiet he could be, and he received a sharp glare from Kris. He shrugged, and kept looking at them as Kian came walking in. The interaction between Dianna and Kian did actually bring a smile to his face and he realised that no matter where and what time, reuniting with someone was always going to have that effect on him. Tea for me please and for him, coffee, black, two sugars and strong, Kris replied for him, and he chuckled. You know me too well, he said with a grin aimed at Kris. Shane remembered that he also had to talk to Dafydd about something, after the disastrous Christmas the whole group had, it had triggered his possessive side a lot more than usual. Kris was starting to show her second pregnancy, and surprisingly enough, miracles did seem to happen. After the car accident, she had escaped without a scratch, but had been in a coma for almost a week and there was a chance of losing the baby.

Shane handed Seth over Kris, seeing that the little boy was demanding his mother and he then claimed Brynne whose intelligent oracles looked right through him. She's gonna be a smart one sis, he said, seeing Kris' proud smile. Looking up as the door opened, he saw Bella leave the office and Max enter the building. It seemed that when there was a gathering, everybody came. Shane relaxed as the people he knew surrounded him, his easy going nature appearing quite easily. Julie it seemed was quite happy in spending the rest of the day with Dafydd, but he would soon have to go fetch his daughter. He missed her just too much to hand her over on her first day back.

---

Max entered the office, a frown on his features, obviously unhappy with something. He saw Ieuan, and it vanished almost immediately. Heading over to the male, he sat down next to him, and grinned. Need help? he asked, knowing that he was risking a lot if he was caught helping his lover. He also knew that he was going to have to explain to Dafydd why he had been sent to the office, but that could wait. After all, he hadn't done his maths for months and still got top grades. Why it was a problem now, he didn't know. Pass here, he said, taking pages of work, and checking them. He pulled a pen from his satchel and started correcting the work. There weren't that many mistakes, but it was also quite obvious that Ieuan hardly did anything. Max was quite used to doing what he was doing, since he had been doing it since he had met Ieuan. He was also quite thankful that he had broken his left wrist and right leg instead of vice versa. There was only so much pain he could take, and the dull throb in his ribs reminded him of that.

[Sync]

While boiling the kettle, Dianna rolled her eyes when yet another call came through. Picking up the phone, she cursed softly when the irate tones of Miss Vaughan sounded on the other side again. ”Okay, as soon as he gets here I’ll send him through to Mr Rees. Goodbye Miss Vaughan.” she offered in a reasonable tone, while mentally grumbling as she noted the trouble maker’s name. It seemed that Ieuan wasn’t the only one in trouble with the hardy Math teacher, his boyfriend was as well. Hanging up the phone, she continued making the two cups of tea and a coffee. Dafydd had been right; it was never dull in the college. She couldn’t complain though, she preferred being busy.

Ieuan’s fury with his math work disappeared when he felt the familiar presence of his boyfriend. Turning to look at him with a grin, nodding at his question. ”Please.” He soon grew bored of watching Max correct the little work that he had done, and busied himself with peppering gentle kisses along his cheek and eventually down his jaw to his neck. Grinning against Max’s neck, he grew oblivious to what was going on around him. He’d never really had any shame anyway, so it didn’t bother him that the room was pretty full. Though, Max would more than likely disagree. He did flinch when he heard his mother’s clear vocals cutting through the room though. He’d forgotten about her.

Emerging from the back room, she placed her own tea down on her desk, and took Kris and Shane their drinks. Her eyes then zeroed in on Max and Ieuan. ”Ieuan Rees, put Max down and get on with your work. By yourself.” She ordered sternly, before her annoyed expression fell on Max. ”And you, Max Carter, up and go to Dafydd for the reason you were actually sent here.” Waiting for the boy to get up, she followed him with her eyes before shooting a glare at Ieuan when he grumbled about not getting away with anything anymore. ”Just do your work Ieuan.” She sighed at him, going back to her desk. Maple had abandoned her place behind the desk too, slinking silently through the office and curling up beneath Ieuan’s chair. ”It gets worse than this, doesn’t it?” Her vocals were twinged with a small amount of amusement as she addressed Kris and Shane again.

[Onzy]

Shane took the coffee gratefully, taking a sip and savouring the bitter warmth seeping into his bones. There was so much that happened over the last few weeks, and all of it involving either his sister or the teenagers. Cooing to Brynne, he laughed as she said 'mama'. She's abusing it now. I'm telling you, complete and utter abuse of the word,Kris said with a grin. Shane kissed the girl's forehead before putting her back in the stroller. He watched the scene in front of him with amusement, Dianna obviously not taking any nonsense from Ieuan.

Max shuddered at the light touch along his neck and jaw, losing all focus as he closed his eyes. A happy purr formed in his throat, but he snapped to attention when he heard Dianna's voice. A sheepish grin formed on his face as he realised that he was almost sitting in Ieuan's lap. Hence the reason his boyfriend had been told to put him down. Ducking his head, he headed towards Dafydd's office, sighing softly. There really was no more chance to get away with things since Ieuan's mother had come to the college. Max grumbled, his unhappiness clearly showing. Well, it did take time to walk any where lately, seeing that he was up to his thigh in plaster and arm in a sling. He was very thankful for not having to use crutches or a wheel chair, but he did wish for stronger pain meds.

Shane glanced up at the question. He shrugged, not really knowing the answer. He had only been working at the College for little over a month and half and he really wasn't that interested in the going on's. Kris however nodded and looked amused. You have no idea. This is just the tip of the iceberg, she said, knowing a lot more than some of the faculty on campus.