"Hello?"
'Daddy?" Marissa said in a soft voice.
"Mari? What's wrong, honey?"
"Daddy? Can you come over? Keven and Mommy are fighting and he's hitting her all around."
"He's *hitting* her?" He jumped to his feet.
"Knocking her into things. She's crying. Please."
"Ten minutes, depending on traffic, okay?"
"Okay." He hung up. "Duke!" he called, grabbing his keys and running into the main room.
"Yeah?" Duke stuck his head out the door of his bedroom.
"I have to go; I don't have time to explain. I'll be back in a few hours. Smooth it over, will ya?"
"Okay. But you owe me."
"Sure." And he was gone.
Fifteen minutes later, he was pounding up the stairs to Elise's apartment. Marissa was sitting in the hall, waiting for him. "Situation?" he called.
"Keven got mad over something stupid, again. She tried to explain how it had happened, but he wouldn't listen. So he knocked her into a wall a few times."
"He still here?"
"They're in the bedroom."
"Has he done this before?" Flint opened the door, stuck his head in, and listened. Marissa didn't reply. "Mari?" She just nodded. "Stay put." He slipped into the apartment.
Shouting and banging came from behind the bedroom door. Slowly, he eased it open. Elise was cowering in the corner, with Keven standing over her, shouting.
"Keven, I said I was sorry."
Flint thought about what he was going to do for about two seconds, then pulled his gun and stepped into room. "Step away from her," he barked.
Keven turned towards Flint. "What are you going to do?"
He gestured with the gun. "Shoot you, if I have to."
"It's breaking and entering. I can stop you, even kill you, and call it self-defense."
"It wasn't breaking and entering. I was invited."
Keven spun on his heels and turned to face Elise again, "Did you...?"
"It was Marissa. What two consenting adults do is none of my business, but your right to hit her stops where it starts frightening my daughter."
"Marissa doesn't know what she's talking about."
"She knows you're throwing her mother around the room. She's a pretty smart kid; you underestimate her."
"Dashiell, don't! Things are fine." Elise looked truly scared. "It's a simple misunderstanding."
"Misunderstandings, in my experience, should not lead to men beating on women they have six inches and a hundred pounds on."
"So what are you and your toy gun going to do to stop me, soldier boy?"
"Now, as far as I can see, you have two choices. I can call the cops, or he can leave and not come back. Your preference, Elise?"
She looked directly at Flint. "I don't think either option is necessary," she whispered, her voice extremely shaky.
"I think it is," he said. "Abusers don't stop, Elise. Mari told me this has happened before. I'm not going to let it happen again. I will not have my daughter growing up convinced that being abused by her boyfriend is acceptable."
"Mari? Is she okay?"
"As long as you include 'scared out of her wits' in 'okay,' yes."
She straightened up somewhat, "Keven, you have two choices: the cops, or you leave peacefully and never return. I will not have my daughter scared."
Flint tried to hide his smile. "I believe you're now outgunned, Keven."
"I'm going, I'm going." He grabbed his coat and left.
Flint came over slowly. "Are you all right?" She sank onto the bed, and started to cry. He sat down next to her.
"I'll be okay. It's just a few sore muscles."
"Do you want to go to the hospital?"
"No! Then I'll have to explain. And that's embarrassing."
"You can tell them whatever you want, up to and including falling down the stairs."
"I'll be fine." She stood up holding her side. "I just need to splash some water on my face is all."
"Are you sure? You don't want to get those ribs checked?"
"Maybe I should. But I don't want to worry Mari."
"Mari's already worried, Elise."
"How did I let things get this bad?"
"I don't know. The woman I married would never have let something like this happen to her."
"Let's go to the hospital, and then I think I need to throw out some garbage." Elise avoided eye contact.
"Marissa?" Flint called, escorting Elise through the door.
"Dad? Is Mom okay?" Marissa jumped to her feet. "Mom? Are you okay?"
"I'm going to take her to the hospital, to make sure she's okay. Keven's not coming back."
"Good. I didn't like the way he looked at me." She wrapped her arm gently around her mother's waist. "I'm coming too."
"Don't you have homework?" Elise whispered.
"Mom, you're more important. I can do it when we get home. Can I come, Dad? Can I?"
"Okay. But bring your homework."
She ran inside, and Elise gave him a questioning look.
"She's worried about you. If we leave her home, she won't get anything done," he explained gently. "And I'm worried about Keven coming back, and I don't want her here alone if he does."
Marissa appeared, carrying her backpack. Elise locked the door. "Ready," she said.
"Let's go, then, ladies. Elise, where are you parked?"
"In the garage," she said. "The apartment comes with a space."
"A treasure more valuable than gold. I think we'll take your car; mine's not big enough for three people."
They headed to the hospital, signed in at the emergency room, and settled down to wait. "You guys sit tight; I have to make a phone call."
He found a pay phone, and called Duke. "It's Flint. I'm at the emergency room."
"Everything okay?"
"I hope so. Marissa called me; Elise was getting the crap beat out of her by her boyfriend. I put the fear of God into her, and we're waiting to see if she's going to be okay."
"I told Hawk you had a family emergency. He switched your swift with Shipwreck's so you're fine."
"Oh, good. Thanks, big guy."
"You want me to tell Lady Jaye you'll be late, then? Or should I ask Shipwreck to fill in there as well? I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"Go fuck yourself, Duke," he said, laughing. "I'll call her myself, thank you very much."
"If you're sure. Take care of your family."
"Will do." He hung up, dropped another quarter in the slot, and dialed a number more familiar than his own.
"Lady Jaye speaking."
"Hey, gorgeous."
"Hey yourself. I'm almost ready. The roast came out perfectly."
He hissed through his teeth. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"You don't like roast?" Jaye jested.
"I'm going to be late, if I can make it at all. I'm in the Emergency Room."
"The Emergency Room? Are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Marissa called me because Keven was beating the crap out of Elise."
"How is she?"
"Don't know yet. I think she's probably got some fractured ribs."
"Don't worry. Take as long as you like, I'll wait up. We can always have roast beef sandwiches when you get back."
"I love you madly, you know?"
"And why is that?"
"You're perfect. Most people wouldn't be quite so nonchalant about a date getting cancelled because her fiancé has to help his ex-wife, who hates her guts."
"I'm not most people. And she may hate me, but I don't hate her."
"And that's part of what makes you perfect. Talk to you later?"
"Stop by when you get back, no matter how late. I want to know if she's okay."
Will do. Love you."
"Love you too."
He hung up and headed back into the waiting room.
"Are you in trouble Dad? You were on the phone a while."
"No, I just had to call a couple of people. Had to cancel a date with Allie."
"Was she mad?"
A nurse came through the silver double doors. "Elise Faireborn?"
"No. She was actually quite worried about your mom. Elise, do you want me to come with you?"
"No, I'll be fine."
"If you're sure."
"I don't want Mari to have to wait alone."
"Okay."
Elise followed the nurse. Marissa turned to her father. "Dad, you're cool. Martha's dad an accountant and he'd have been useless. I'm glad you're you."
"Accountants are important to have around, hon, but I'm pretty glad to be me, too." He ruffled her hair. "How are you doing?"
"I'm not as scared for her now that you're here." She hugged him.
"I'm glad. That was a brave thing you did."
"All I did was dial a number."
"Yes, but you did it. You called for help. That was very brave, and I'm glad you did it."
"She needed it, it was the thing to do. You always told me to think practically."
"I'm glad you did. I'm very proud of you."
"Will she really be okay? What's to keep Keven from returning?"
"I'm hoping to talk her into a restraining order."
Marissa opened her English book and started to read. Flint hunted up a magazine and leaned back.
A couple of hours later Elise came out. "Hey, guys."
He rose to meet her. "How are you?"
"I'm lucky. Just a few bruised ribs."
"You're *very* lucky," he said quietly. "Did you tell them what happened?"
"I told them," she said softly.
"Good for you. And?"
"And they called a cop in who helped me file a restraining order. They said that they would send someone to watch the apartment tonight, just in case."
"Very good. Ready to go home?"
"Definitely."
As they headed out, he said, "Elise, I'm very proud of you."
"I did it for Marissa. I want her to see me strong."
"I told her I was proud of her, too. You did the right thing."
"I should have done it a long time ago." She shook her head. "But thanks."
Flint dropped off Elise and Marissa at their apartment, switched back to his own car, and headed back to the base.
----
Jaye was asleep on the couch, with a book on her face. He picked up the book gently, and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.
"Hey," she sat up. "You're back. How is she?"
"She's fine. Just a few bruised ribs, fortunately."
"I was worried." She got off the couch and headed into the kitchen, "Hungry?"
"Starving. All I've had since noon is some bad emergency-room coffee."
"Then are you in for a treat." She rummaged in the fridge and pulled out a tinfoil-covered plate. "Let me just heat this up for you."
"That looks magnificent."
"It was so-so. I put too much basil in the roast."
"Oh, you."
"I never would have thought Elise would let someone hit her. I'm shocked."
"So am I," he said with a sigh. "But it's over. She talked to the cops; she has a restraining order on him."
"That's good." She handed him a cup of coffee.
"Bless you, lover."
"You're just hungry is all. You'd probably say that to Gung-Ho for some gumbo, right now." She sat on his lap. "Or Duke's coffee?"
"Under no circumstances would I ever call Gung-Ho, 'lover,'" he said, pulling her down for a kiss.
"What about Duke?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Um, no."
"Finish your dinner, I want to go to bed, and Scarlett's staying over at your place."
"That sounds even better than the food," he said, picking up his fork. After he had eaten, he stretched and suggested, "Bed?"
"I don't need to sleep," she said leaning against his chest. "I can…" she yawned, "stay awake for hours."
"Of course." He started to unbutton her shirt.
"Well, if you insist." Jaye chuckled.
He picked her up and carried her into the other room. "Oh, I do, I do."
- FIN -
'Daddy?" Marissa said in a soft voice.
"Mari? What's wrong, honey?"
"Daddy? Can you come over? Keven and Mommy are fighting and he's hitting her all around."
"He's *hitting* her?" He jumped to his feet.
"Knocking her into things. She's crying. Please."
"Ten minutes, depending on traffic, okay?"
"Okay." He hung up. "Duke!" he called, grabbing his keys and running into the main room.
"Yeah?" Duke stuck his head out the door of his bedroom.
"I have to go; I don't have time to explain. I'll be back in a few hours. Smooth it over, will ya?"
"Okay. But you owe me."
"Sure." And he was gone.
Fifteen minutes later, he was pounding up the stairs to Elise's apartment. Marissa was sitting in the hall, waiting for him. "Situation?" he called.
"Keven got mad over something stupid, again. She tried to explain how it had happened, but he wouldn't listen. So he knocked her into a wall a few times."
"He still here?"
"They're in the bedroom."
"Has he done this before?" Flint opened the door, stuck his head in, and listened. Marissa didn't reply. "Mari?" She just nodded. "Stay put." He slipped into the apartment.
Shouting and banging came from behind the bedroom door. Slowly, he eased it open. Elise was cowering in the corner, with Keven standing over her, shouting.
"Keven, I said I was sorry."
Flint thought about what he was going to do for about two seconds, then pulled his gun and stepped into room. "Step away from her," he barked.
Keven turned towards Flint. "What are you going to do?"
He gestured with the gun. "Shoot you, if I have to."
"It's breaking and entering. I can stop you, even kill you, and call it self-defense."
"It wasn't breaking and entering. I was invited."
Keven spun on his heels and turned to face Elise again, "Did you...?"
"It was Marissa. What two consenting adults do is none of my business, but your right to hit her stops where it starts frightening my daughter."
"Marissa doesn't know what she's talking about."
"She knows you're throwing her mother around the room. She's a pretty smart kid; you underestimate her."
"Dashiell, don't! Things are fine." Elise looked truly scared. "It's a simple misunderstanding."
"Misunderstandings, in my experience, should not lead to men beating on women they have six inches and a hundred pounds on."
"So what are you and your toy gun going to do to stop me, soldier boy?"
"Now, as far as I can see, you have two choices. I can call the cops, or he can leave and not come back. Your preference, Elise?"
She looked directly at Flint. "I don't think either option is necessary," she whispered, her voice extremely shaky.
"I think it is," he said. "Abusers don't stop, Elise. Mari told me this has happened before. I'm not going to let it happen again. I will not have my daughter growing up convinced that being abused by her boyfriend is acceptable."
"Mari? Is she okay?"
"As long as you include 'scared out of her wits' in 'okay,' yes."
She straightened up somewhat, "Keven, you have two choices: the cops, or you leave peacefully and never return. I will not have my daughter scared."
Flint tried to hide his smile. "I believe you're now outgunned, Keven."
"I'm going, I'm going." He grabbed his coat and left.
Flint came over slowly. "Are you all right?" She sank onto the bed, and started to cry. He sat down next to her.
"I'll be okay. It's just a few sore muscles."
"Do you want to go to the hospital?"
"No! Then I'll have to explain. And that's embarrassing."
"You can tell them whatever you want, up to and including falling down the stairs."
"I'll be fine." She stood up holding her side. "I just need to splash some water on my face is all."
"Are you sure? You don't want to get those ribs checked?"
"Maybe I should. But I don't want to worry Mari."
"Mari's already worried, Elise."
"How did I let things get this bad?"
"I don't know. The woman I married would never have let something like this happen to her."
"Let's go to the hospital, and then I think I need to throw out some garbage." Elise avoided eye contact.
"Marissa?" Flint called, escorting Elise through the door.
"Dad? Is Mom okay?" Marissa jumped to her feet. "Mom? Are you okay?"
"I'm going to take her to the hospital, to make sure she's okay. Keven's not coming back."
"Good. I didn't like the way he looked at me." She wrapped her arm gently around her mother's waist. "I'm coming too."
"Don't you have homework?" Elise whispered.
"Mom, you're more important. I can do it when we get home. Can I come, Dad? Can I?"
"Okay. But bring your homework."
She ran inside, and Elise gave him a questioning look.
"She's worried about you. If we leave her home, she won't get anything done," he explained gently. "And I'm worried about Keven coming back, and I don't want her here alone if he does."
Marissa appeared, carrying her backpack. Elise locked the door. "Ready," she said.
"Let's go, then, ladies. Elise, where are you parked?"
"In the garage," she said. "The apartment comes with a space."
"A treasure more valuable than gold. I think we'll take your car; mine's not big enough for three people."
They headed to the hospital, signed in at the emergency room, and settled down to wait. "You guys sit tight; I have to make a phone call."
He found a pay phone, and called Duke. "It's Flint. I'm at the emergency room."
"Everything okay?"
"I hope so. Marissa called me; Elise was getting the crap beat out of her by her boyfriend. I put the fear of God into her, and we're waiting to see if she's going to be okay."
"I told Hawk you had a family emergency. He switched your swift with Shipwreck's so you're fine."
"Oh, good. Thanks, big guy."
"You want me to tell Lady Jaye you'll be late, then? Or should I ask Shipwreck to fill in there as well? I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"Go fuck yourself, Duke," he said, laughing. "I'll call her myself, thank you very much."
"If you're sure. Take care of your family."
"Will do." He hung up, dropped another quarter in the slot, and dialed a number more familiar than his own.
"Lady Jaye speaking."
"Hey, gorgeous."
"Hey yourself. I'm almost ready. The roast came out perfectly."
He hissed through his teeth. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"You don't like roast?" Jaye jested.
"I'm going to be late, if I can make it at all. I'm in the Emergency Room."
"The Emergency Room? Are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Marissa called me because Keven was beating the crap out of Elise."
"How is she?"
"Don't know yet. I think she's probably got some fractured ribs."
"Don't worry. Take as long as you like, I'll wait up. We can always have roast beef sandwiches when you get back."
"I love you madly, you know?"
"And why is that?"
"You're perfect. Most people wouldn't be quite so nonchalant about a date getting cancelled because her fiancé has to help his ex-wife, who hates her guts."
"I'm not most people. And she may hate me, but I don't hate her."
"And that's part of what makes you perfect. Talk to you later?"
"Stop by when you get back, no matter how late. I want to know if she's okay."
Will do. Love you."
"Love you too."
He hung up and headed back into the waiting room.
"Are you in trouble Dad? You were on the phone a while."
"No, I just had to call a couple of people. Had to cancel a date with Allie."
"Was she mad?"
A nurse came through the silver double doors. "Elise Faireborn?"
"No. She was actually quite worried about your mom. Elise, do you want me to come with you?"
"No, I'll be fine."
"If you're sure."
"I don't want Mari to have to wait alone."
"Okay."
Elise followed the nurse. Marissa turned to her father. "Dad, you're cool. Martha's dad an accountant and he'd have been useless. I'm glad you're you."
"Accountants are important to have around, hon, but I'm pretty glad to be me, too." He ruffled her hair. "How are you doing?"
"I'm not as scared for her now that you're here." She hugged him.
"I'm glad. That was a brave thing you did."
"All I did was dial a number."
"Yes, but you did it. You called for help. That was very brave, and I'm glad you did it."
"She needed it, it was the thing to do. You always told me to think practically."
"I'm glad you did. I'm very proud of you."
"Will she really be okay? What's to keep Keven from returning?"
"I'm hoping to talk her into a restraining order."
Marissa opened her English book and started to read. Flint hunted up a magazine and leaned back.
A couple of hours later Elise came out. "Hey, guys."
He rose to meet her. "How are you?"
"I'm lucky. Just a few bruised ribs."
"You're *very* lucky," he said quietly. "Did you tell them what happened?"
"I told them," she said softly.
"Good for you. And?"
"And they called a cop in who helped me file a restraining order. They said that they would send someone to watch the apartment tonight, just in case."
"Very good. Ready to go home?"
"Definitely."
As they headed out, he said, "Elise, I'm very proud of you."
"I did it for Marissa. I want her to see me strong."
"I told her I was proud of her, too. You did the right thing."
"I should have done it a long time ago." She shook her head. "But thanks."
Flint dropped off Elise and Marissa at their apartment, switched back to his own car, and headed back to the base.
----
Jaye was asleep on the couch, with a book on her face. He picked up the book gently, and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.
"Hey," she sat up. "You're back. How is she?"
"She's fine. Just a few bruised ribs, fortunately."
"I was worried." She got off the couch and headed into the kitchen, "Hungry?"
"Starving. All I've had since noon is some bad emergency-room coffee."
"Then are you in for a treat." She rummaged in the fridge and pulled out a tinfoil-covered plate. "Let me just heat this up for you."
"That looks magnificent."
"It was so-so. I put too much basil in the roast."
"Oh, you."
"I never would have thought Elise would let someone hit her. I'm shocked."
"So am I," he said with a sigh. "But it's over. She talked to the cops; she has a restraining order on him."
"That's good." She handed him a cup of coffee.
"Bless you, lover."
"You're just hungry is all. You'd probably say that to Gung-Ho for some gumbo, right now." She sat on his lap. "Or Duke's coffee?"
"Under no circumstances would I ever call Gung-Ho, 'lover,'" he said, pulling her down for a kiss.
"What about Duke?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Um, no."
"Finish your dinner, I want to go to bed, and Scarlett's staying over at your place."
"That sounds even better than the food," he said, picking up his fork. After he had eaten, he stretched and suggested, "Bed?"
"I don't need to sleep," she said leaning against his chest. "I can…" she yawned, "stay awake for hours."
"Of course." He started to unbutton her shirt.
"Well, if you insist." Jaye chuckled.
He picked her up and carried her into the other room. "Oh, I do, I do."
- FIN -