A/N: This fic is set early in season 2. Please read and review. xoxo
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Without a Trace. However Olivia is my creation in this fic.
Danny rolled over in bed at the sound of his alarm. It was 7.30am, time to get up for work. He groaned sitting up getting used to being upright. He sauntered through to the kitchen to get breakfast started, more particularly a strong cup of coffee. He was going to need it before he even tried to wake up Olivia. She was now 14 and has taken to sleeping in every morning as she is not very fond of school. Danny stood sipping his coffee. He took one last gulp and sighed looking at her door. Well here we go he thought to himself. He tapped on her door but all he got was a groan in response. He walked into her room.
"Ol it's time to get up" Danny said trying to reason with her.
"Go away!" she moaned throwing a pillow at him.
"Look I'm tired of going through this every morning. One of these days you're going to have to start acting like a grown up. That means getting up and getting ready for school without being asked to. Now stop being stupid and get up!"
Danny slammed the door.
"God he's so annoying" Olivia groaned as she got up and got ready really slowly. Just to piss off her dad that little bit more.
An hour later they were finally ready to go. They got in the car and Olivia who was in a huff just stared out the window. Danny looked over at her.
"So, you looking forward to school today? I was talking to your English teacher last week. She said you have a lot of potential but you don't try hard enough."
"She would say that. It doesn't matter anyway they're only stupid grades."
"If that's the attitude you want to have then fine. You'll end up working in a burger bar but I'm sure that's a great career." Danny said sarcastically
"I could also be a stripper or a prostitute. I hear it pays good money" Olivia spat back at him.
"That's it I've had enough of you and your cheek. You're grounded for 2 weeks. Maybe that will give you some time to think about your attitude."
"What. That's so unfair." Olivia whined
They pulled up outside the school
"Bye." Danny said
"Yeah, whatever" Olivia grumbled as she got out of the car.
Danny pulled away from the school and drove to work. He couldn't help asking himself what he had done wrong. She used to be such a good kid. He knew she found it hard not having a mother but there was nothing he could do about that except be there for her. He decided to talk to Viv about it when he got to the office; she might have some idea as to what's going on in her head.
The team had no cases as of yet so were stuck doing paperwork for the time being. Jack was in his office. Martin, Viv and Sam were at their desks. Danny walked in still troubled over the situation with his daughter.
"Morning Danny" Viv smiled at him as he walked in.
"Morning guys"
"So, how was she this morning?" Viv asked as Danny had told them a lot about Olivia antics over the past few months
"Terrible. I had to ground her this morning. That girl is just getting out of control. Her grades are going downhill. I just don't know what to do anymore."
"There must be something going on with her. Deep down I think she's a really good kid. You have to get to the bottom of this for your sake and hers" Viv replied
"It's just so frustrating though. She's so smart. Her English teacher told me she could get A's if she only tried." Danny sighed
"God teenagers are a mystery. Reggie is acting up a lot more now. Martin, Sam don't ever have kids."
Martin and Samantha laughed and turned round.
"Thanks for the advice Viv. I think you're right though. I mean Olivia is a good kid. Something must be bothering her. You want me to try and talk to her Danny?"
"I guess she can't get any worse. Are you sure though Sam? She can be pretty blunt. Danny said
"This is me we're talking about Danny, I'll be fine. Why don't you and Martin go out for a few drinks tonight? You can drop Olivia off at our apartment and I'll get a chance to talk to her then.
"Thanks Sam"
The day went by without any cases. Jack let them all go at 5.30pm. Danny brought Olivia round to Sam and martin's place.
"Martin could you get that?" Sam shouted to martin from the kitchen.
Martin opened the door "Hey guys come in"
Samantha came through from the kitchen
"Hey, Olivia. God you're getting so grown up. I bet you're getting a lot of attention on the boy front know huh?"
"Yeah I guess but just from the complete jerks who are only after one thing."
"I know the type. So guys we will see you later. Have a good time." She said practically pushing them out the door after sharing a knowing glance from Danny.
"I guess he asked you to talk to me then?" Olivia said
"No, it was the other way round actually." Sam replied
Olivia sat down on the couch and Sam sat down beside her.
"Look, he doesn't mean to get on your back all the time, he loves you and he wants what's best for you."
"I know" Olivia said looking down
"You want to tell me what's going on then?"
Olivia didn't reply. Sam sighed and thought she was getting nowhere until she heard Olivia sniffling.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Sam said pulling her into her arms
"I just thought it would be easier" Olivia said between sobs
"What?"
Olivia lifted her head up.
"When he leaves. I mean Mom did. I figured it's just a matter of time before he does too. I thought if he was always mad at me that it would be easier when he goes."
"Sweetie your dad is nothing like your mom. He loves you. He would never leave you, never. Every day for the past few weeks he's been coming into work and worrying about you. He's drinking so much coffee I think his blood pressure is through the roof."
Olivia smiled
"Really?"
"Of course. So what about school? You are really smart it would be stupid to throw that all away."
"I know. Thanks Sam."
"Well why don't we watch a movie now? I made popcorn. You know where they are you can choose"
Samantha disappeared through to get the popcorn while Olivia chose the movie.
"What we watching then?"
"Dirty Dancing."
"Good choice."
They snuggled up together on the sofa together. As the credits rolled Sam noticed that Olivia had fallen asleep on her shoulder. She lay Olivia down on the couch and put a blanket over her. She began to tidy up when the boys came in.
"Shhh" she whispered pointing over to Olivia
They all went into the kitchen
"So did she say anything?" Danny asked
"Yeah. She's afraid that you're going to leave her like her Mom did."
"Really?"
"I told her that you wouldn't and I think she's ok now. She even promised to try harder at school.
"Thanks Sam. We should get going." Danny walked over to the couch and Olivia slowly opened her eyes.
"Hey dad."
"You ready to go home?"
"Yeah. Goodnight guys." She said to Martin and Sam
"Look Dad, I'm sorry about this morning. I promise I'll try harder at school"
"That's ok. I was a teenager once you know. I know it's not easy."
"Yeah like a million years ago" Olivia said laughing
"Hey, I'm not that old." Danny said poking her in the ribs."
"I could have you done for child abuse you know." Olivia said
"Just get in the car" Danny said laughing
Back in their apartment Martin and Sam were sitting on the couch watching TV.
"So Sam, I take it things with Olivia went well."
"Yeah, she was just a bit insecure after the whole thing with her mother."
"You really are amazing." Martin said nuzzling into her neck planting soft kisses
"Really? How amazing?" Samantha said raising her eyebrows suggestively
They lay on the couch snuggled up together suddenly not very interested in the TV