Headed Down the Wrong Road

American's characters.
Lennox Jackson & Julian Matthews.
&
Ryan Hudson

Paige's life had been one wild ride after the next, that was one thing she was completely and utterly positive of. Julian had been a boy at the time but he had done so much good in her life. He had showed her the world, or at least their small little section of it. Opened her eyes to everything that was beautiful about the world, from the simplicity of a sunset to the animals than lived in nature. Everything had its part in the world, everything had a purpose. To this day, she remembered the way her first love had made her feel.

There were good days, the days that her husband was in a good mood and was the man that she had fallen head over heels in love with. Then there were the bad days, when he lost his temper and she was forced to remember why she needed to obey. Those days, she struggled with what their purpose was. Why did his fist connect with her cheek? Why did his foot land on her ribs? Of all the wondering she had done, she had never come up with a reason that made any sort of sense to her. But she never dreamed of leaving Ryan. She loved the man - she couldn't just abandon him because he had some problems. She had her own problems, she still found herself lost in day dreams of what it would be like if Ryan was Julian. God, did she still. Her husband always seemed to know every time she got lost in her own mind and those days were the worst. She wasn't supposed to think of anyone but her husband, after all they were married.

Paige didn't work, she needed to be able to take care of the home she lived in with Ryan. Just like the day before and the one before that, Paige had started supper right at 4:30pm. It would finish just a few minutes before Ryan got home and she would be serving it just as he walked through the door, hopeful he was in a good mood. This time around, it was chicken parmigiana, made from scratch. Every morning, Ryan would leave after telling her what he wanted for supper that evening. She would clean for most of the day, not wanting to find so much as a spec of dust out of place.

She was listening to music quietly in the background as she worked to finish the chicken parmigiana, humming along to herself. Paige had just been moving a glass measuring cup to pour into the pan that held her homemade sauce when the doorbell rang, startling her into dropping the cup. It shattered on the floor and for a brief moment, she panicked. Oh God, if Ryan was home and watched her break it... but then, he wouldn't have rang the door bell. Her stomach had twisted into a bundle of nerves as she turned, wiping her hands off on a hand towel as she walked to the front door.

It would be a girl scount looking to sell some cookies or something similar surely, and while she would hate to say no, she had no choice. Ryan was strict with the money and such an expense wasn't worth it. Rehearsing what she would say to whomever was on the other side of the door, she finished wiping her hands just as she reached the door. Paige drew in a deep breathe and opened the door, unprepared for her world to be rocked

Julian had been trying to figure out where Paige had lived for the last week. He had called so many people. All he could think about while he was away was her. She kept him going and he was going to have her back if it killed him. Julian knocked on the door and smiled as she opened it. "Paige." He said as he pulled her into a hug. He didn't care who was around. He held her tightly, picking her up off the ground like he use to. "God i missed you!" He said as he smothered her. He set her down, "Sorry." He said as he stepped back. "I didn't mean to be so assertive. I really planned to play it cool." He said as he took his sunglasses off. "What you been up to sweetheart?" He asked. He knew that he shouldn't act like he never left, but it was hard to pretend that they weren't that close.

Julian looked around them, surprised to see that she was cooking. The Paige he knew didn't care for cooking and wasn't the best at it. Julian smiled, hoping she would treat him the same. She was everything to him and he was taken from her because he made a stupid mistake. He wasn't going to let it ruin anything.

---

Lennox sat on the counter in the kitchen, smoking a cigarette. Her dad was having a meeting with the gang in the next room. Lennox got up and walked into the next room after she put her cigarette down. She smiled when she saw Ryan. He was so hot and mysterious. She had a crush on him every since he had joined the gang which was when she was pretty young. Lennox watched as some of the guys left, "Hey Ryan." She said as she walked towards him. She had no idea that her dad had gave him orders to take care of her. Though she was oblivious to the fact that the gang was having issues.

Lennox followed him down the hallway, "So what are your plans for today?" She asked trying to make conversation. He seemed to not be very talkative, but she always tried to spark up a conversation. Lennox felt like they had a lot in common. Though she was sure he was way more messed up than her. After all she had seen him kill plenty of people. Not to mention him torturing answers out of people. Lennox bit her bottom lip lightly as she waited for his response. He seemed to be deep in thought.

@ varkatzas.

Paige's grip on the hand towel loosened the moment she laid eyes on Julian. She would know those eyes anywhere, that smile anywhere. If she had been thinking straight, she probably would have squirmed out of his grip and demanded that he leave. She had duties to tend to - if supper wasn't perfect and on time, Ryan would never let her forget it. But before she could think, Julian's arms were around her and she was crying. Tears of joy for the first time in... she didn't even know how long it had been. The fleeting moments of happiness when Ryan was in a good mood were rare but they had managed to get her through her days.

"Hey, stop," Paige laughed as she was set down, squeezing his hand gently. "It's fine." But then the question was asked and she could feel her heart sink. Julian had taken the rap for a crime he hadn't even committed and just like that, she had figured she would never see him again. Not if her parents had anything to do with it, both of whom adored her husband. Paige looked down, not wanting to see the look on Julian's face. "I... uh, I got married," she spoke, her words quiet. "He's not home right now though..." she trailed off, glancing behind her. She knew it was a bad idea, if Ryan showed up early, she'd be signing her own death warrant. "Did you want a glass of water? Tea?"

---

To say that Ryan was a less than pleased was an understatement. Leonardo, the man they all answered to, had given him strict orders. To protect Leo's daughter, until his last dying breathe so be it. Ryan was a man that took orders and followed them to a T, from Leo and few others. He was well respected for a reason. He would go to any means necessary when it came to completing the mission. The meeting concluded and it seemed like right on time because Lennox came into the room moments later. Ryan gritted his teeth, reminding himself that he did, indeed, have to act proper around her. Now that protecting her was, unfortunately, in his job description.

Ryan shrugged, staring down at her. "No plans," he answered. He forced back a sigh that he wanted to release, running a hand through his hair. "What are you doing today? Are you staying in?"

Julian nodded, "Sure water would be great." He said. He walked inside with her, then looked around. He couldn't believe that she was married. "So since when do you cook?" He asked, smirking. He sat down at her kitchen table, looked around the kitchen. She had a really nice house. She seemed to be pretty happy. Juilian smiled as she handed him the water, "Thank you." He said as he took a sip of it.

---

Lennox smiled, "Oh nothing really. I'm probably going out with my friends." She said. She was surprised that he was actually talking to her. Lennox looked at him, "Does my dad have you doing anything?" She asked. Ryan was the guy that her dad gave some pretty good missions to. Lennox sighed as she looked around the hallway. Her dad had been keeping her in the house for awhile now and she was finally getting out. She hated having to stay home.

@ varkatzas.

Paige was quick to pour a glass of water when Julian picked, half afraid that he would lash out if she wasn't quick enough. She was still half focused on the food, glancing toward Julian as he began to speak. At the mention of cooking, she shrugged her shoulders and looked away. She couldn't exactly explain that it had been no choice for her. "I never thought I'd see you again, Julian," she murmured quietly, stirring the sauce. She glanced toward him, her stomach flipping. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him because she felt safe with him, always had. "I'm sorry about what happened to you."

---

"I'm coming with you wherever," Ryan answered. He sounded less than interested as he stared down at her. "Who are you going out with? Where? For how long?" Questions fired off as he narrowed his eyes a bit. He needed information so he could know exactly what was going on. He needed to be able to consider any potential danger that could come their way. Lennox being injured would probably literally mean death for him.

Julian stared at her, "Well here i am." He said, laughing softly. Julian took a sip of his water. "So is there anyway we could go to lunch one day?" He asked. He put his empty glass in the sink and watched her. He was hoping that she would agree to go with him. "As friends of course." He added. He was sure that she was very happy in her marriage. She had always been someone who knew exactly what she wanted.

---

Lennox frowned when he started asking her all the questions. "It's not really your business." She said as she backed away from him. She walked away and went up to her room. She sighed as she started to look for something to wear. She got dressed then walked out of her room. She walked down the stairs, looking around, seeing that no one was in site. Lennox walked out of the house then headed to meet her friends at the concert. Lennox smiled as she got to the small bar that her friends were at. She found them in the crowd as they waited for the rock band to play.

@ varkatzas.

@ varkatzas.

Paige's heart nearly stopped at the mention of going to lunch. She wanted to say yes, so badly. So, so badly. She stared down at the sauce in front of her that started to bubble. Turning it on low, Paige moved to begin prepping the chicken to go into the oven. "I... I don't think that's a good idea," she finally answered, with her back to him. Ryan was tight with finances, there was no way she could go out to lunch without explaining why. And when Ryan found out why, she would pay for it. With her ex that Ryan was so paranoid about... there was no way. "I'm sorry. I.. I just.." She struggled to find the words that she needed. "It's not you, alright?" She finally settled on, back still to him as she placed the breaded chicken pieces in a pan.

---

Ryan rolled his eyes as he watched Lennox walk away. God, she was going to be a frustrating case to deal with. He let out a groan and turned, stalking out of the room. He grabbed a bottle of water and headed outside to his car where he sat and waited. The moment that Lennox pulled away from the house, he followed after her. This was something he was used to, it wasn't going ot be any skin off his back. When she walked into the bar, Ryan climbed out and made his own way inside, constantly keeping his eyes on her.

Julian frowned, "Oh okay." He said feeling like he made a mistake. "Um maybe i should go." He said. He felt like she didnt want him there. He was a fool to think that things would go back to normal. "I will catch up with you later." He said as he walked away.

---

Lennox smiled as the band started. She drank the beer she had gotten. Lennox danced with her friends as she tried to forget the world. Lennox finished her beer then went to get another. She frowned when she saw Ryan. She rolled her eyes as she grabbed her beer and moved over to him. "What are you doing here?" She asked over the music.

@ varkatzas.

Paige's heart broke as she heard Julian. She didn't want to let him go but in the back of her mind, she knew better. It would be the best for them both if Julian just left. If Ryan so much as possibly caught a hint of Julian being here, she knew she would be in trouble. She didn't say anything when Julian left, afraid that she would just make things worse. Instead, she turned back to the food she was preparing.

---

Ryan was propped against the wall, sipping at a water. He didn't try to hide when Lennox looked his way, his eyes still just as hard as ever. He cocked an eyebrow when she walked toward him. "I told you I was coming with you, didn't I?" He answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Or did you forget that already?"

Ryan walked into the house an hour later throwing his things down. "Paige where the hell are you!" He snapped as he sat down in his chair in the living room. He frowned as he waited for her. He watched as she walked into the livingroom, beer in hand. He took the beer from her, "What did you do today?" He asked.

----

Lennox frowned, " Look i dont need you following me around." She snapped. "If my dad put you up to this i suggest you leave. I dont need a babysitter." She said before she walked away, pushing her way through the crowd back to her friends. She took a swig of her beer, hoping he left.

@ varkatzas.

Paige was just thankful that she had been able to sweep up the glass that she had broken and finish supper. She was just pulling the chicken out of the oven when she heard the front door open. Her eyes shot to the doorway for a moment before she rushed to grab a beer and go greet him. She looked down at the question, hoping she could lie well enough to convince him. "I cleaned the house, made sure to deep clean the bathroom," she murmured, recalling his remark that the bathroom was a bit out of order. "Supper is just finishing up," she spoke quietly, eyes averted to the floor.

---

Ryan simply stared at her, challenging her to make him leave. There was no way that she would get him to leave. With her father's strict instructions to not let her out of his sight, he wasn't going anywhere any time soon. He sipped at the water, moving further down the wall so he could keep his eyes on her.

Ryan took a swig of his beer, "Well are you gonna just stand there or are you going to go put the god damn food on the table. God your fucking stupid some days." He said as he got up, shoving her out of the way he way. He sat down at the table and waited for her to get his food. He looked around the room, feeling like something was off. "What else did you do today Paige?" He asked.

---

Lennox moved out of the bar with her friends and headed down the street. She was hoping to lose Ryan. She got to a house party and did some shots with her friends. Lennox frowned as soon as she seen Ryan again. Lennox walked over to him, "Are you kidding me?" She snapped. "Go away." She said as she slammed her drink on the table by him. She stepped towards him, "So why are you following me huh?" She asked, slurring her words. "My dad doesn't need to make his little monkeys follow me all over!" She snapped. "So go." She said, shoving him. She frowned when she realized that her shoving him had pissed him off. She stepped back when he got close to her, her eyes widening.

@ varkatzas.

Paige flinched when he stood, biting into her lip. She caught herself on his chair before rushing into the kitchen where she plated Ryan's food first. Since he hadn't said anything about her not eating, she assumed it was alright to cut the smallest piece of chicken in half and just a bit of the side salad. A glass of water was already at her seat. She set both plates down and sat, waiting for him to take the first bite before she even started cutting into the chicken. She jumped at the question, dropping the fork as she looked up to him with wide eyes. "What? I..." she trailed off, shooting her gaze down when she realized what she had just done. "N-Nothing..."

---

Ryan was strict about not drinking unless he knew he wasn't going to be doing anything that day. Which was rare so he may have drank once a month, if that. He followed her to the house party, deciding to stay on the outskirts. A few smiles and he had been let in without too much trouble. His eyes, as always, stayed pinned to Lennox. He raised an eyebrow as he watched her approach him. This should be good. He let her ramble, only to get angry when he tried to shove her. Ryan stepped forward and lowered his head so his face was merely an inch from hers. "Daddy dearest wants you watched. Do you think he'd be happy if I rang him and let him know how fucked you are right now? I could just drag you back home if you'd prefer."

Ryan glared at her, "Now i know you fucking did something. Who was here Paige!?" He snapped as he got to his feet. He walked over to her, "Tell me." He said, looking down at her. He could tell she was lying to him. His eyes narrowed as he waited for her response. "Answer me!" He yelled as he grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him.

---

Lennox frowned, "Go ahead and fucking call him!" She snapped. "He doesnt give a damn about me!" She said. She slapped Ryan across the face, "Go home!" She said to him. She let her small hand fall to her side as she looked up at him. She just wanted him to leave and she figured pissing him off would make him leave. She turned and started to walk away from him, pushing people out of her way. She didn't care if he was mad or not. She walked out back and sat down on the porch. She pulled a joint out of her purse and lit it, exhaling the smoke as she looked around the backyard.

@ varkatzas.

Paige shrank into her chair as he stood, her heart racing. This wasn't how this was supposed to go. She searched desperately for an answer that he would believe but she knew she couldn't lie to him. "R-Ryan, please," she whispered, wincing as she was pulled toward him, half sitting down now. She closed her eyes, bracing herself against what was coming. She couldn't lie to him. He knew her too well. "Julian," she answered finally, a tear falling.

---

Ryan was angry at first, that was all really. Maybe just really annoyed. But then Lennox slapped him. Something inside him snapped as he watched her walk away, eyes narrowed. Seething, he stalked after her. He didn't need to push people out of the way, they automatically moved as he stormed through the crowd. Following her onto the porch, he ripped the joint from her fingers and stomped it out. "Time to go home," he hissed through gritted teeth as he yanked her to her feet by her bicep. "Let's go."

Ryan frowned, "I thought he was fucking in jail?" He snapped as he pushed her. "Tell me what he said. Did you send him away?" He snapped. He was so mad he couldn't even figure out what to say to him. "God dammit he better not come into this house again or i will fucking kill him. You hear me!" He yelled as he got in her face. he pulled her towards him again and frowned. "You understand?" He asked.

---

Lennox screamed when he pulled her up, "Get off of me." She said as she tried to pull away. "I'm not going anywhere with you." She said as she tried to get free of his grip. Lennox pulled against him as he pulled her towards his car. "leave me alone." She cried. She huffed as he put her into the car, crossing her arms. Lennox sighed as they headed back to her house. She ended up passing out in the front seat, her head resting against the window as he drove.

@ varkatzas.

"I d-don't kn-know," she answered, her entire body shaking. Paige yelped as she was shoved backward, her heart racing as he yelled. "H-He... a-asked me how I w-was. He left ri-right after," Paige struggled to explain, afraid to even open her mouth because she knew he could react harshly. Paige's eyes widened as Ryan pulled her close again, staring into his eyes. He looked so angry, she just wanted to disappear. Nodding her head, Paige hesitantly reached up to set a hand on his shoulder. She just wanted him to calm down. "Baby, h-he won't. You don'thave anything to worry about, okay?" She whispered, biting on her bottom lip. She could only hope he'd relax.

---

"Yes you are," Ryan quipped, not bothering to acknowledge her shouting. He shoved her into the car, stalking around the front and climbing in. Ryan sped off, just wanting to get Lennox home so he knew he wouldn't have to worry about where she was at least. Pulling up to her house, Ryan got out and walked around to her side of the car. He picked her up after realizing she was fast asleep and carried her inside.

Ryan frowned, "Its not okay." He said as he sat down. He didnt want to ruin tonight. His plan was to try to take things easy tonight "I just dont want him here." He muttered before he began to eat.

---

Lennox's dad frowned when Ryan walked in, "What the hell happened?" He asked. Lennox woke up and wiggled out of Ryans arms. She looked at him, not really knowing where she was. She frowned as he dad got in her face and started yelling at her. Saying she was just as worthlwss as her whore mother. Lennox felt her stomach turn then threw up on the floor in front of her. She covered her mouth, embarrassed that she did that in front of Ryan.

@ varkatzas.

Paige flinched at Ryan's words, expecting a blow from him. She slowly opened her eyes when she realized he had sat back down, nodding when he spoke again. "I don't think he'll be back... if he comes, I'll send him away right away. I promise," she murmured, jsut sort of picking at the food in front of her. She was too nervous to, the little appetite she had had was gone now.

---

Ryan was just as bored as ever when he walked into the house. He looked up to Leonardo, shrugging his shoulders. He wasn't about to spill all the beans if he didn't have to, he knew Leo would take it out on Lennox more than necessary. There was a reason Ryan was the way he was, his boss had made him into who he was now. "That's enough," Ryan growled the words through gritted teeth when Leo started yelling at her. He didn't acknowledge the glare from his boss, instead he wrapped an arm around Lennox's shoulder and forced her toward the stairs. "Walk," he growled through gritted teeth. He just wanted today to be over.