A/N: I'm aware that probably you don't even remember this fic anymore, but I haven't forgotten about it and when Suvi mentioned today how I should continue writing for A/H, I decided to have another look and try to come up with a chapter 2. I'm still not sure where I am going with this fic, but I definitely want to write things differently than they happened on the show, that would be the whole point. I promise my next update won't take too long and I'll be happy to read your feedback!

Chapter Two

"I'm sorry for the late call," Ann smiles at her friend who opens the door for her, even at such a late hour with a warm welcome.

"No need to apologize, come in," Sue Ellen gestures and steps aside, so Ann enters with slow steps.

"I just really needed to talk to someone."

She is still shaking, still under the influence of what happened in Harris's house not even an hour ago. She hates that she had to leave Emma there and fears for her safety after her daughter had stepped up for her and defended her against her father. She likes to believe that Harris wouldn't hurt Emma, but she knows too well that his withheld anger can be just as hurtful as any physical pain.

"You've come to the right place," Sue Ellen sits on her couch and reaches for the tea pot on the coffee table, "Tea?"

"I'd like some, thank you," Ann sits down and takes the cup from her friend, tasting the warm liquid that she knows will calm her nerves in a few minutes.

"So tell me what happened," her friend inquires in a soft voice and Ann leans back against the pillows, trying to put her thoughts in order.

"I went to see Harris," she admits and can see how the older woman raises an eyebrow.

"You went to his house?"

"Yes, I was desperate. My daughter is there and she doesn't want to talk to me. I have been living without her for so long, thought she was dead and now that she is here, she doesn't want to know about me," she tries to hold back her tears, but it proves to be impossible, so she puts down her cup and reaches into her purse to find a tissue.

"I cannot even imagine how you must feel," Sue Ellen's voice is so warm and understanding, just what Ann needs right now.

There's no one she can really talk to about this besides her. It was hard enough to tell Bobby the whole truth, that she had been holding back all those years. She understands that he is hurt, she had been lying to him for so long. He offered his help nevertheless, but hasn't been able to find a legal way yet to go up against Harris.

But Ann doesn't care about the law, she refuses to accept there's nothing she can do against her ex husband and she knows Sue Ellen understands, she had her own share of battles to fight in the past. Maybe going there with a gun to threaten Harris wasn't her best idea, but she won't give up, not now, not when she just saw in her daughter's eyes that she cares about her.

"She is so beautiful, a grown-up woman and she is my daughter," she says with the tears still running down her face.

"She is going to get to know you and she is going to love you, it's just a matter of time," Sue Ellen looks at her with an encouraging smile and Ann tries to gather strength from her words.

"I know I wasn't the best mother, but I didn't deserve this and neither did she. She had to grow up without me, she had to grow up with that horrible woman teaching her what I should have taught her, my way."

She only lived with her mother-in-law for a short time, but she will never forget how much she interfered with their life on a daily basis. She worshipped Harris, the affection she had for her son was definitely nothing like in a normal mother-son relationship, it was down right disgusting at times. And of course Ann was always the one to blame for everything that went wrong in their relationship. She can only imagine how Judith must have made sure Emma wouldn't turn out anything like her mother. Not that it is possible to deny that the girl is from her blood as well.

"Did you see Emma tonight?"

"Yes, Harris attacked me and she sort of saved me. I hope I didn't get her into any trouble, that wasn't my intention,' she starts sobbing again, almost regretting what she did that night.

"This is what we're going to do," she hears Sue Ellen's comforting voice and she is grateful for the patience she is showing towards her, "You're going to tell me everything that happened tonight in detail and we're going to figure out what you should do next. You need a plan, because that is the only way to fight someone like Harris Ryland. And of course you have an ally in me, I'll help you with anything you need. You know I want nothing more than to see that bastard defeated and you taking away his daughter will hurt him like hell."

"I like the sound of that," Sue Ellen's words manage to put a smile on Ann's face, "Thank you, you have no idea how grateful I am for all of this."

"I am a mother, Ann and I know how it feels to be separated from your child, no mother should be forced into doing that. Taking away a child from their mother is the worst thing someone can do, he has to pay for this."

Seeing the determination in Sue Ellen's eyes that she is ready to fight for Ann means everything to her. They have been friends for so long and most of the time it was Sue Ellen who needed Ann's support, she is glad she can count on her returning it now when she needs it the most. Because fighting for her daughter is the single most important thing she's ever done in her life and she is determined to win this fight.