The cup in my hands was warm in contrast to the coolness of the day. I took a sip looking over the driveway from my porch. Leaves drifted in the late autumn wind. Suddenly Burt stood growling looking off into the woods. I tried to see what he could but couldn't.

"What is it?" I asked him softly.

He looked up at me ears back. I knew that look in his eyes. I put my cup aside and opened the door grabbing my boots.

He whimpered as I closed the door. "Show me." He ran off and I jogged after him.

I could hear the policeman who had been watching us running after us. He wasn't as good at hiding as Maverick was and he was even worse at being stealthy while running to keep up with us. The man didn't even bother to wear long sleeves.

Burt stopped barking at a boy lying unconscious half under a bush. "Burt, is there anyone else around?" I knelt at the boy's side and took my mini first-aid kit from my pocket.

Burt turned to behind me and growled. "Any more?" He put his nose in the air and whimpered. "Right well let's sort this young man out and then we will work out the rest." Burt barked.

It looked like the boy had been running and had tripped hitting his head. His head was bleeding and his shoes were undone. So I patched up his head as best I could. I checked him some more and then picked him up on finding he was otherwise uninjured.

I carried the boy back to the house. "Burt get the door."

Burt ran up opening the door ahead of me and I laid the boy on the chair as soon as I ran in the house. I knew the policeman hadn't followed me back, but I also knew this boy needed more than what that officer was going to get him. I grabbed the phone and called the number Maverick gave me.

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited for the phone to be answered. "Hello?" The voice at the other end asked.

"Maverick.. it's Tia Frost."

There was a pause on his end. "Tia, how can I help you?"

"I need you to come to my house with a doctor." There was the telltale echo to my voice that told of me being on speakerphone.

I guessed that was what the pause was for. "What's happened?" I sighed knowing he already knew what was going on.

Do they think I'm simple? I suppose they don't know, I know they are watching me.

"Burt found a boy. He hit his head and needs more than I can do for him."

"I will be there as soon as I can. Does he need an ambulance?"

I shook my head looking up at the ceiling. Can he really think I'm that dense? "If he did I would have called one."

He went quiet for a moment and I just waited. "Right the doctor is on his way to you, I will drive up there soon."

"Good." I hung up and turned back to the boy.

Burt whimpered from the door. "Keep an eye out for that officer in the bushes Burt, and tell me when the others arrive." He turned in the doorway and sat facing out.

I slipped my hand into the pocket of the boy's coat. There I found what I was expecting. I took the note out and opened it. Before reading it I looked down at the boy. He looked dirty and his clothes were too big for him. Like he had been fatter than he was now. He was drawn and pale and his skin clung to him, making him look skeletal. I sighed finally looking down at the note.

Tia!

They found us. I don't know how they did, but they have. Please Tia look after Tobin for me. I know he will be safe with you until I can hide again. If they get me I know you will find him a safe place to live outside of those people. I will do my best to get back to him. I will meet you at your home if I can come back.

I'm sorry if I brought them to your door but I had no choice, I had to get him free of them and you're the only one that has ever managed this.

Please take care of him for me.

Your friend

I put the paper back in his pocket. I wish that was true, I will take care of him as best I can.

I walked to the kitchen and made tea. I sat at the table with my cup and waited. Burt started barking and I looked out to see the car pull up. "Hi, Burt." Maverick said.

Burt waged and then looked at me. "Let them in Burt."

Brut moved out of the doorway still wagging and sat next to me. Maverick stepped in and saw the boy draped across the arms of Burt's chair.

"Would you tell me what happened?"

I watched the doctor start to look over the boy as I answered him. "We were sitting on the porch. Burt started acting like he does when I fall down behind a door and he can't get to me. I followed him and there was the boy. I did my best for his head wound and brought him back here."

"You shouldn't have moved him." The doctor said.

I smiled. "I checked him out and he's fine other than the head wound."

The doctor looked at Maverick and then back to me. "And what did you use on this head wound?"

"A remedy I make to help things heal. It is a mix of turmeric and aloe vera."

Again the doctor looked from Maverick to me. "You know there's no real substitute for modern medicine don't you?"

I waved my pills at him. "Do you know this boy?" Maverick was writing in his notebook book as he asked.

"Yes. His name is Tobin."

They both looked at me with matching stunned expressions. "You know this boy?"

"I just gave you that answer."

Maverick looked back at his notes. "You just surprised me."

"Why?"

He shifted making eye contact with me. "How do you know him?"

I frowned. The doctor turned with the note in his hand. Maverick took it from him and read it. He frowned at it. "Tia you need to tell me where this boy came from." Burt growled at Maverick's tone.

"I can't."

"Why not?" He asked sternly.

I sat back looking at the boy. "I don't know where he came from."

The doctor closed his bag and stood. "Other than the wound on his head and the fact he looks like he's been starved, he's fine. I'm going to make some phone calls outside."

He walked out and Burt followed him, sitting in the doorway with his back to us. Maverick watched Burt with an expression of concern on his face.

"This note says that 'they have found us.' Who is they and who is the mother?"

"I don't know who they are."

He frowned. "Why are you being so evasive?"

Burt looked at Maverick over his shoulder and growled. "Leave it, Burt. I'm not being evasive, I can't give you answers I don't have."

Maverick sighed. "How can you know the boy but not the mother?"

"Everyone has a past." I said shrugging.

His jaw dropped at that answer and I knew he was about to ask more questions when the boy stirred. I went to him and knelt down. "Tobin?" His eyes came open and he looked up at me. "Do you remember me?" He tried to sit up quickly and I stopped him.

"No feet on the furniture." He whispered making the hand signal for house.

Ahh, so he is from there. "It's my house. I put my feet on the furniture so you can."

He shifted slowly so his feet were on the floor. His head was down and he wouldn't look up. I stood and he grabbed my hand. Maverick moved towards the boy he looked up. His eyes widened and he screamed clinging to me.

Burt looked at the boy then trotted in sitting next to him silently. Maverick stepped back. The screaming stopped as the doctor reached the door. "Bad man! Bad man!" Tobin said pointing at Maverick.

I knelt down and stroked his head. "No, he's a good man. This man is a policeman, police are good people." He shook his head clinging to me. "I know him, Tobin, would I let him in if he was a bad man."

The doctor tried to step into the house and Burt growled at him. Tobin looked at Burt and eased his grip on me. "May I take a look at you?" The doctor asked.

Tobin gripped me harder again shaking his head. "I think we should give him some space." Maverick said eyeing Burt.

"Why don't you ask Burt to watch them while I get you something to drink and eat Tobin?"

Tobin looked up at me. "It's not... time." He whispered to me.

"You are in my house Tobin. If you're hungry you can eat."

He hesitated then nodded. When I looked up at Maverick he frowned looking at me and then at Burt. Tobin took Burt's collar and Burt climbed up onto the chair with him. He let go of me completely hugging Burt instead.

I turned and walked into the kitchen. "Can you... please tell me what's going on?" Maverick asked from behind me in a near whisper.

I sighed opening the fridge. "What do you want?" I asked quietly.

"That boy has obviously been abused in some way and the note..."

I cut the sandwich I'd made earlier and put the kettle on. "Would it surprise you to know, that I'm involved in some charities that help people in difficult situations?"

"I don't think you can surprise me anymore."

Chuckling I opened a cupboard and took out a jar with chamomile tea in it. "I don't know who his mum is or how she found me. I know he's scared, alone and I'm the only person he knows and trusts."

"What is the charity you work for?"

The kettle clicked and I laughed. Maverick looked unimpressed by my laughter. "We work with people that are scared of their environment. We have to keep a low profile for this reason. As for the boy..." I looked to the doorway leading back to the living room.

All the amusement I'd felt a moment before was gone. "I know you're going to have to take him somewhere else. All I can do is make him comfortable before you take him."

Maverick's face changed like he had just connected things together. "How do you know about our policies and limits!" He spoke at a normal level again.

I nodded finishing the tea. "You must take him, I know that. If you could just give me time to convince him you are the good guys, then it could be less traumatic."

I looked at him after I picked up the plate and cup. He was watching me, it was like he was reassessing me. "I need to talk to the doctor and my boss but I think we could manage that."

I nodded and moved to go into the living room. He stopped me by putting his hand on my arm. I stopped and pushed down my instinct to pull away from him, but couldn't help flinching. "I need you to answer one more question." I nodded. "I've only ever seen you be warm with Burt. Everyone else you are cold with, but this child..."

I looked to the living room watching Tobin and Burt. I asked myself many times how I would answer this question. I'd been asked it enough to know I should have an answer for it. In a way I do, but no one ever liked it as an answer.

He moved making me look at him. He seemed genuinely concerned. "Everyone has a past. If it were easy to speak about, therapists would be out of business, wouldn't they. All I will say is I know how he feels." With that, I walked out into the living room.

The boy watched me as I set the plate on the table with the tea. He eyed it suspiciously and then stood walking over to the table. "Are you not eating?" He asked keeping his head down and mumbling his words into his chest.

"I eat after my guests. This is my house."

He nodded at that and climbed up onto the chair staring hungrily at the sandwich. "I told you in my house you eat when hungry, not on command."

Again he nodded and picked up the sandwich taking a small bite and then put it down. Maverick stepped forward and Tobin flinched. He chewed his mouthful then swallowed He waited hands in his lap. "Are you waiting for something Tobin?" I asked.

Maverick was looking between him and me. "Not allowed." Tobin whispered.

"Tobin this is my house and Maverick is a guest like you. He must follow the rules. His uniform gives him no more power here than your coat does."

Maverick opened his mouth looking angry but the frown I gave him, changed what he was going to say. "That's true Tobin. I was invited here so must leave if Miss Frost asks me to."

Well, there is a politician's answer if ever I heard one. Although technically true, it's not completely accurate.

Tobin picked up the sandwich and took another bite. I sat at the table with him. "I'm sure that you have business with the doctor Maverick. By all means, don't wait for him to finish before doing so."

He frowned at me then I saw him understand the hint I'd given him. "Of course."

He walked out taking the doctor with him. Burt took up his position at the door again. Tobin breathed out and took the sandwich eating it hurriedly. "Slow down. You're not on a time limit."

He did to my relief. He had eaten half the sandwich when Maverick appeared in front of Burt. "May I speak to you, Miss Frost?"

At his voice, the boy looked longingly at the other half and stood from the table. "In a moment. Tobin hasn't finished his food and in my house, the plate must be empty, before we can talk." Maverick seemed to understand and stepped back.

Tobin faced me eyes down. "It's alright... Miss Frost.... you must have more important things..." He stumbled over what to call me and I knelt in front of him drawing his chin up to look at me.

The lost look on his face was sad but the dead-eyed stare I saw looking in the mirror on this young boy broke me in two. I knew he had seen something awful to look like that. You had to see and feel your hope wash away to look like that. I just wanted to hold him to tell him everything was fine now.

Instead, all I could say was. "In my house children come first Adults can wait." I smiled at him and he gave me the ghost of a smile that never touched his eyes, before sitting down at the table again.

Maverick stood on the porch watching me. I stood up and sat back on the chair waiting quietly for Tobin to finish. When he had he stood and took the plate to the kitchen then came back and stood obediently next to his chair. "Do you read Tobin?" I asked in a soft tone.

"Yes... Miss Frost."

"Then pick a book and wait for me to speak with the other two. Oh, and my name is Tia, that's what you call me." I watched him pick a book and sit in Burt's chair.

I smiled at him and walked out past Burt, tickling his ears on the way past. I walked off the porch and Burt followed me, as I stopped next to the other two a short distance up the drive. "I've spoken to the chief, he isn't coming out here as uniforms seem to upset the boy. He is concerned about leaving him with you unattended."

I smiled "I understand."

Maverick gave me a look and crossed his arms. The doctor shook his head at us. "Well, I have called social services. I must get back to my patients, so if she needs babysitting..." I raised an eyebrow at him and he trailed off.

His comments made me angry but there was no point arguing with him. He left under the weight of my stare. "I don't think he meant anything by it." I turned it on Maverick and he smiled. "That doesn't work any more"

I smiled back. "I'm starting to like you. Anything else?"

"I'm starting to understand you. Yes, there's more. The chief would like to know what you do know about him."

I took a deep breath. "His mother came to our charity for help. She had her son with her then. He was maybe four or five. We didn't ask too many questions as that could scare her away. As I said we are not a charity that is well known, as only those that need us, know we are there. This way we are able to keep the people that come to us safe. We get mothers and children from all kinds of difficult backgrounds coming to us. So we don't ask. It's better to have the children safe than to ask the questions."

He stopped writing in his notebook. "So how did this woman know you?"

"I'm what they call a point of contact. Someone that finds these people, reaches out and then disappears for a long while."

He frowned at that admission. "So you got her in contact with your charity?" I shrugged. "And how did she find you?" I shrugged again and Maverick sighed. "You're not worried?"

"I am, but it's clear she had been living rough with her son before coming here. I'd like to be able to give you more but I'd be breaking my contract."

He put his notebook away. "One more question, off the record."

"I won't break my contract even off the record."

He nodded. "If your charity is so... quiet, how do you fund yourselves."

I smiled nodding. "We help people then they are grateful to us. Some of them reach the potential they were born to and are able to give us sizeable donations. Some feel a need to do more and join us."

He looked thoughtful for a few long moments and I watched the trees. They swayed in the breeze, I rubbed my arms feeling the chill. "Maybe we can go inside." He said.

"Before we do, I do need to explain something. I keep making a point of telling him it's my house. If I tell you to do something you must do it. Everyone must or he will be upset, and feel unsafe. Above anything, he must feel safe."

He nodded and gestured to the house. I followed him to the porch where he waited. I walked through the door and Tobin stood. "You can sit and do as you wish. Remember my rules." He nodded picking up his book and sitting back down.

"As a guest may I ask what your rules are?" Maverick came in and sat at the table.

"Guests eat first, children are more important than adults."

I smiled at him. "That's right. Let's not forget Burt. He is a protector so he is important too." Tobin stroked Burt as he spoke and Burt waged, his tail thumping it against the floor. "Am I going to be taken away?" Tobin asked head down.

"Someone is coming to take you somewhere they can't find you." I said.

Tobin nodded putting his book aside. "You will be asked all kinds of questions Tobin." He stiffened at Maverick's words. "You don't need to talk if you can't Tobin." He let out a relieved sigh and nodded. "It would help us find your mother and keep her safe if you did." I shook my head at Maverick.

Don't go there you fool! "She's safe now." Tobin said softly.

Maverick frowned at the words from the boy. Tobin started crying and ran to me. I picked him up and started rocking him. I glared at Maverick. He put his hands up defensively and I sighed. I suppose he can't have even had a hint not to go there.

"I'll make some tea." He said standing.

"Use the blue caddy by the kettle."

He nodded leaving me to comfort the boy. By the time he was done, Tobin was asleep. I took him to the chair and laid him on it and covered him with a blanket that I used when it gets cold. "Why would his mum being safe make him cry?"

I returned to the table and picked up the teacup. "I'm not a mind reader. If I had to guess I'd say he was relieved."

"That his mum is safe?"

I took a long sip of my tea while looking at him. "Children that grow up in... difficult situations tend to see themselves as the protector."

He shook his head at me as I saw a car pulling up. "You know a lot of odd things."

I smiled. "I have a lot of interests."