Author's Notes:

Takes place after previous chapter once John has been secured in the SHU.


After some poking from Helen to make sure his injuries were healing correctly and once he was cleaned up some, Nikola went to the infirmary.

Ashley was laying on the bed, head turned as she tried to not fall completely asleep from the medicine.

"Ashley?" Nikola whispered, not wanting to startle her.

"Dad!" Ashley tried to sit up as she turned her head with a smile then winced.

"Easy, little one," Nikola grabbed her arms and helped her lay back down.

"Wow, haven't heard that in awhile," Ashley held her hand out.

Nikola held Ashley's hand so tight, "how are you feeling?"

"Busted up but all right," Ashley pointed to some of the healing spots on her father, "you look worse though."

Nikola shrugged, "nothing your dad can't handle, provided mom doesn't keep poking at it."

Ashley giggled softly, "yeah, she's good at that." There was a lot on her mind right now, it clouded her blue eyes, making her look so lost.

Nikola sat on the side of the bed and brushed Ashley's hair back with his free hand.

"Dad, was that man, is he?" Ashley curled up a little, "is he my father?"

"No," Nikola kissed Ashley's cheek and pulled a blanket over her, "he donated genetic material but I am your father."

Ashley bit at her lip, "but, he said he and mom and-."

"Ashley, look at me please," Nikola whispered.

Ashley blinked her blue eyes up at the man who had helped to raise her. She would deny completely they were filing with tears.

"You know your mother and I are older than most people, right?" Nikola rubbed her back.

"Yeah, from that secret stuff you did with Uncle James," Ashley moved closer.

"That man was part of our group. Your mother will talk with you about it more but at one point, they loved one another," Nikola showed no malice towards that statement, it was past and this was about helping his daughter, "they shared that love physically and your mother became pregnant with you."

Ashley giggled, "Dad, you're talking like Uncle James again."

"Can't help it sometimes," Nikola smiled warmly, "it wasn't safe for you to be born then, so Uncle James and I made a way to keep you safe. When your mother thought it was safe, she let you get big and be born."

"And that's when you came back?" Ashley asked.

"Yes," Nikola pet Ashley's hair a little, "and I stayed and cared for you. I was there when you were born. I walked with you when your teeth were coming in, I sat with you when you had a fever, and I have loved you since before I had even seen you."

Ashley sat up enough to hug Nikola tight. She was crying a little, oh she hated that.

Nikola held Ashley close, "You are my daughter and I will protect you until I lose my last breathe."

"Love you, daddy," Ashley whispered, not saying it much now that she was an adult but she felt she needed to now.

"Love you too, little one," Nikola whispered, "now get some sleep before mommy comes down and scolds both of us."

Ashley giggled and laid back down.

Nikola kissed Ashley's forehead as he stood and fixed the covers. She was in a restful sleep in moments.

Helen was watching from the doorway, she was crying a little too. She had wished and wished that John wasn't Ashley's father, that Nikola had been, but what he said made sense.

Nikola walked over to his beloved. Helen hid in his arms, "thank you."

"For what?" Nikola held Helen so tight.

"Never mind," Helen didn't want to talk now, she wanted to have a very hot bath then get some sleep.

"Yes, love," Nikola smiled and moved them to go to bed.