18 - deltanudaughter & <user site="livejournal.com" user="bulle

[smartemployee]

Shortly after this mess.

"Emily Ann?" he calls from the hallway, wandering toward the foot of the stairs. The Jakemeister's still in his arms, but he doesn't mind the little guy the least bit. "Can you bring Elle downstairs with you? Please? Your mother's home."

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[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

He doesn't say anything in response. He just continues looking like a pissed-off teenager.

And quite possibly hugs Bruiser for support.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle looks down at Ash from where she's sitting. Bruiser let's out a whimper that seems to match Ash's expression. Elle sighs and gets down on the floor with Ash to hug him.

[deaditegoskwish.livejournal.com]

Emily's on the floor now. Yep, moar hugging. Only her little arms are a little bit too short to reach around them both.

Jake's making sad sounds of confusion as he tries to hug the noodle himself.

There's frowning from Ash. "I'm not the bad guy here. Don't look at me like that."

Sheila glowers at him. "I am nay looking at thee."

Ouch.

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

Mumbling his thanks, he gives hugs to all of them on the floor with him. Then it's something about him having to go. He's got things to do.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle seems to hold onto him a bit tighter than usual. Like she doesn't want him to go. Still, she nods and let's go of his arm to let him get up.

[deaditegoskwish.livejournal.com]

Sheila's frowning at Ash. Ash is frowning at Sheila.

It's Emily who gets up and tugs on her father's pantleg. "It's not your fault daddy. It's not anyone's fault."

That makes Ash's features soften just a little bit. "Yeah," he says, and strokes her hair with both hands. "I know." He knows it's his, and Scottys, and somehow, in some way, no one's' at all.

His voice makes Sheila's own look soften. She very tentatively puts her hand on his arm.

"Surely I might give thee some form of comfort, young one? A blanket, or some food..."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Sheila, it's nice of you to offer, but you don't hafta worry about it." He gives the lady the best smile he can manage when he's up from the floor, brushing himself off.

[deaditegoskwish.livejournal.com]

Sheila's chief occcupation is worry. "Ye will keep safe."

"'Course he will," Ash interrupts. "If he doesn't, I'll go back there and kick his ass."

He knows the other Ash knows that too.

A sigh. "Ashley..."

"He knows I'm kidding." There's a lift of the chin, a sign of respect. "C'mere, kiddo."

When he lifts Jake out of Ash's embrace he starts to whimper and cry, until his father distracts him with a series of ridiculous faces.

"Perhaps...we should leave the young ones alone?"

Ash tilts his head consideringly. "Yeah."

He tucks the Nec under his arm, takes Sheila's hand in his left and holds Jake in his embrace on the right. "Come on, squirt."

"But I wanna hear what's gonna happen!"

He nudges Emily with his elbow. "No you don't." Then, over his shoulder, he adds, "if you need anything, we're in the kitchen. The nice, soundproofed kitchen."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle gives them a small smile as they go off into the kitchen. "Thanks..."

She then turns to Ash and looks up at him. "Well, I guess this is goodbye for a few days then. Assuming you don't..."

She swallows, not wanting to say that at all. "Please don't die."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

Ash takes her hands in his, looking down at her, his jaw set. "I won't. I'd never do that to you."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle squeezes at his hands, trying her best not to start crying. "I'm holding you to that. You better come back in one piece."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

That look of hers completely does him in. Ash pulls her into one of his bear hugs, his chin resting against her head.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle hugs back as tight as she can, beginning to cry into his shirt. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be like this."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Elle - babe - Elle, c'mon." He frowns, hugging her tighter. "Babe, please. Don't cry. I'll be back before you know it."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle sniffles a little bit, trying her best to stop the current flow of tears. "Promise?"

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

He nudges her chin up with his good hand, drawing her into a kiss. That should be a good enough answer.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle wraps her arms around his neck, returning the kiss with a little bit of enthusiasm she didn't realize was there. Yeah, definitely a good answer.