Summary: Chase Magnus must travel back to the Sanctuary and to the news that her sister, Ashley, was taken by the Cabal. Reuniting with her family, Chase is about to face her demons… in more ways than one. A/U

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Sanctuary; I'm just a story teller.

Pairing: This will be a John/Helen story….later down the road.

10 HOURS LATER:

The Sanctuary had gone quiet, everything seemed to stop. Helen sat up on the North Tower cradling the weapon Tesla had made. If the retro virus didn't work then she was going to be the one to stop Ashley. She had to, as her mother, and as leader of the Sanctuary network. That didn't mean her heart hurt any less. Twenty-two hours and no attack, they were all sitting on pins and needles. John paced the halls like a ghost. Chase held guard in the lab, the syringe of the retro virus concealed up her sleeve. Henry was in his lab monitoring defenses. And Will was doing a final sweep to make sure all the Residents were safely out of Harms way. Helen, John, and Chase had gotten into an argument about who was going to get the virus into Ashley, in the end Chase had merely take the syringe and walked out of Helen's office effectively ending the dispute. The only one left was Kate Freelander. Helen had let her go, but all evidence to the contrary; Ms. Freelander was still in the bounds of the Sanctuary walls. For now Helen would leave the young woman alone. If she decided to help in the fight then so be it, but if she fled then it wouldn't bother Magnus in the slightest.

Before coming up to the tower she had gone to see the big guy, her friend, and her man servant. With her she had a syringe of the Nikola's cure, she was tired of losing people she loved to the Cabal and he was not going to be another casualty of war they started. Helen had told him that under different circumstances she would have respected his wishes, but not this time, she needed him and she wanted him to live. And with that she left him alone to make his choice.

"Keeping an armed guard like the other two?"

It was Will. She had heard him come up the stairs, and had heard him come through the door, "Yes, I find myself in desperate need to think, to piece everything together. I can only do that from a great height, it helps me see things more clearly."

"Put anything into perspective yet?" Will asked as he sat down.

"Sadly, no. I just have hope, a hope that the virus will work and Ashley will be free." Helen replied. All she could do was hope. There was a shift in the wind and with it carried the sense of imminent danger.

Will was about to speak when his cell phone rang. Answering it Will had a split second to say Hello before a high pitched wine poured out of the speaker.

"What the hell."

But Helen knew what it was, the Cabal would attack and it would be soon. Standing up she and will headed down to the lab. Shortly this would end with the weakening of the Cabal, or the destruction of the Sanctuary.

John paced the halls, worry creeping into him with every step he took. He tried to calm himself, to prepare for battle, but more and more of that worry flooded his system. Chase was down in the lab, she would be the last line of defense and Helen was up on top of her tower. John wanted to by her side, offer her any comfort she needed, but he knew she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Words from the argument they had had crept back into his mind. They had been in her office squabbling over ho would try and inject Ashley with the virus.

"John, you are going to have your hands full. Ashley is my daughter, I will do it."

"Helen, she will kill you."

"I'm her mother, I have to try!"

"Whatever the Cabal has done to her, Ashley is not our daughter anymore!"

"I'm willing to take that chance to save her!"

"Oh, for cryin out loud, I'll do it!"

Right then and there Chase had snatched the syringe from Helen's hand and stormed out of the office. John dropped his head and smiled. That was Chase. She was the logical choice, they both knew it, but it was out of fear for her safety that Helen and John were arguing, but in the end Chase had solved the problem by leaving the room with the syringe in hand. Helen wasn't sure if the virus was going to work or not, but it was the best they had to get their daughter back.

John stopped pacing, something shifted in the air, warned him of the danger coming their way. The fight was finally coming to their turf and John would be ready. He had to put the worry and the fear out of his mind and allow part of the Ripper to the fore ground, the part of him that had honed his fighting ability. That part needed to be front and center if he had hopes of staying alive. A cold washed through him, it was the place in his mind he had gone when he had killed, and he went there now.

Chase melded with the shadows, allowed them to envelop her, consume her. She had to wait, let all the others take the fight, her job was Ashley. Sister against sister and hopefully the virus worked. Chase looked up when her mother entered the lab carrying Tesla's weapon. She didn't need make a sound, her mother knew she was close and she would remain close. Ashley was bound to show up. The beast she had feared now prowled through her mind waking up the primal instincts to hunt, to kill, to feed. But she wouldn't feed on her sister, she would save Ashley, or she would die trying. Even after her brief encounter with Henry the lingering feel of death still plagued her, Today is the day you die. The feeling careened through her brain and had her beast snarling in defiance, it would not die like an animal, it would live and prowl and hunt, death would not take it.

When it happened, it happened fast. Alarms blared and three abnormals teleported in, one of which was Ashley. She stopped while the other two advanced. Chase stilled her body, but Ashley kept her eyes on their mother while the other two attacked. Their mother fired, the abnormal to her left went down, but the one on the right got a mild dose of the weapon, but it was enough to send her down. Ashley advanced, extending her claws, she swiped. Their mother went down and with her the weapon. Blood poured down her arm as she looked up at Ashley.

"Ashley, I'm scared."

"Hey bitch, up here!"

It was Kate; she was up on the second level of the Lab with what looked like a rocket launcher. It wasn't enough to hurt Ashley, slow her down maybe, but not enough to kill. Ashley had a split second to react. She went down, her body being propelled backwards, and Chase came out of the shadows as the other female super abnormal stood up. Helen scrambled for the weapon and before she could fire the abnormal went down. Ashley was behind her, claws protruding from the other abnormals chest.

Chase took that time to strike and time seemed to stand still, all motion froze. Ashley had turned at the same time Chase stuck. Her claws went into Chase's upper abs, but they were angled up reaching her lungs and heart. Chase felt limp, blood flowing fast out of her wounds and onto her sisters hand, but she wasn't the only one to have struck. Ashley looked down and saw the needle plunged into her heart, direct root. Chase had enough strength to push the virus into Ashley before falling to the ground near enough at the same time as her sister. Only someone was behind her, holding her, screaming her name. Turning stunned eyes upward Chase saw her father. He had a few cuts on his face but nothing serious. She could register pain, fear, and love. There was love in his eyes and it was for her and Ashley.

"Chase, no, you have to stay with us." John pleaded. He put his hand to her abdomen and applied pressure. The fear he had locked away now burst free. His daughter was dying, in his arms, and he couldn't help her.

"Dad… I… can't breath." Chase felt as if she were choking, blood flowing into her lungs. She coughed and tasted her blood, soon she wouldn't taste anything.

"Just hold on. You have to hold on." John whispered.

"Dad… please…"

"Helen is Ashley…"

"She's unconscious," Helen hurried over to Chase and looked into the eyes of her daughter. She shouldn't have gotten hurt, not like this, but she saved Ashley. Helen couldn't let Chase end like this, not after this.

Chase could feel the life slipping out of her. Darkness invaded her vision and numbness was setting in. Soon she would die, she knew it, had felt it, and now it was here. The beast tried to keep her awake, tried to heal her, but there was too much damage. The breath went out of her lungs and she succumbed to the darkness.

John felt it, but he didn't believe it, his daughter, Chase had died in his arms. Her body went limp, no air filled her lungs, and her heart had stopped. Death had taken his child. Pain ripped through him, he wanted to howl to rage, to scream, but in the end he pulled her close and willed life to beat in her once again. He looked at Helen, tears in his eyes as well as hers. She was going to tell him there was nothing he could do, that she was gone. John leaned his head down, burying his face in Chase's hair and wept.

Chase felt as if she were floating, all the pain was gone, her body and mind were at peace. It was a wonderful feeling, something that would embrace her take her burden and let her forget the evil she had done. This was the afterlife and it was nice and warm and inviting. But something kept her anchored, she couldn't move on.

Opening her eyes she saw the cathedral, sunlight streaming in, and she saw Ashley. Ashley wore all white with her hands braced on her hips and a sly smile gracing her delicate mouth.

"If this is death I have to say, this sucks." Chase said sarcasm dripping from every word.

"It's not death, no, this is a crossroad. You can either move on, or you can breathe. I really want you to breathe." Ashley said coming close to Chase.

"Incase you forgot you shredded my lungs, not gonna be doin much breathing."

"Chase, we heal, like vampires. Your body is healing, you just need to breathe. Remember what we said when we were kids, 'Together Forever.' That's us, that's our life."

"Ashley, are you dead?"

"Me? No."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because you and I are linked. Twins, sisters bound by blood. I won't go through life without you."

"I'm afraid to live. Everything that I have done…"

"That's the whole point of life, fear comes with that. If I'm going to live, you are too. I need my sister; I want my sister by my side. NOW BREATHE DAMNIT!"

Air rushed into her lungs, her back arched, Chase choked on each ragged gasp of air. Her heart raced to life, blood flowed through her veins, and she was alive. Arms wrapped around her pulling her further back into her body, keeping her on the mortal coil. Chase knew it was her father; his scent soothed her and his arms held her close. Opening her eyes she saw her mother tending to Ashley, the needle sliding free of her flesh.

"Helen!"

Helen turned and was frozen. Chase stared back at her with shining blue eyes. John was still holding onto her for dear life like any minute she was going to die again. Looking away Helen looked at Ashley, she was still unconscious, it had been a good idea to put the sedative in with the virus, to allow it time to work and keep the pain to minimum. Getting to her feet Helen came over to check Chase, first she had to see to the wounds, which were gone, only blood stains remained. Chase blinked once, twice, and then she too was unconscious just as Ashley was.

"What should I do?"

"When I take the shield down, take her to the infirmary."

"And Ashley?"

But Helen didn't answer; she turned away and went to the computer. He didn't need her to tell him that the shield was now down, he felt it. The tingling sensation was gone. With a thought he teleported Chase and himself to the infirmary where he lifted her into tone of the beds. Every few minutes he checked her pulse to make sure her heart was still beating and that breath still filled her lungs.

Helen heard John leave as she turned back to Ashley. Going over to her daughter Helen pulled Ashley's upper body into her lap and let her tears fall while she stroked her hair. So much time spent apart, Helen thanked God that the virus worked, or she hoped it had. Helen had reached her emotional limit, but her daughters were home, her family would survive.

"What should we do with her?"

Helen looked up and saw Bigfoot standing at her side, "Help me take her to the infirmary."

She watched as he leaned down and gently scooped Ashley into his arms. Her body was limp, but she was alive despite the needle Chase had plunged into her heart.

3 DAYS LATER – THE AFTERMATH

Helen sat in her office fighting the urge to run to the infirmary. She had been coordinating efforts to find new homes for the residents that had been displaced the by the destruction of the Moscow and Tokyo Sanctuaries. But that didn't stop her from pulling up the security footage for the infirmary just to assure her that Chase and Ashley were still there, still safe. For three days both girls had been unconscious, their bodies going through different traumas. And there was John, still sitting in the same chair between both beds. He, like their daughters, had been there for three days. Yesterday, hunger had finally managed to draw him out, but after he ate he was right back in the chair watching them.

"Magnus, hey, look you know Henry and I got things if you want to be with Chase and Ashley." Helen looked up and offered Will a smile.

"Am I that obvious?"

"You're a mother."

"John is with them. He is affording me the time I need to rebuild my network." The truth was Helen wanted to give John time so he could allay his fears that his daughters, were safe, and that they were indeed on the mend.

"Magnus, you should be there with them." Will urged as he took a seat in front of her.

Helen bowed her head, "He cried Will." She could still hear his low sobs as he murmured Chase's name over and over. Her heart broke for him, while her own tears flowed for that of their daughter. She couldn't face Chase being dead, her lifeless body in John's arms; it was too much for her. But when she breathed in a sharp breath Helen felt her world stabilize.

"What?"

"John, he cried while he held Chase's dead body. I have never seen him shed a tear, never. Not at Oxford, not when his mother died. But Chase…"

"She did die in his arms, which would be enough to jump start his paternal nature." Will caught Helen's gaze and continued, "Go to the infirmary, sit with Ashley and Chase, and let us worry about the new Residents."

Helen relented and pushed away from her desk. She would leave the running of the Sanctuary to Henry and Will. Now she had to be a mother, her children were in the infirmary and she had to be there not just for herself, but for John as well. Ever day he spent near her; she was slipping back into the comfortable familiarity with him. If he stayed much longer then he would occupy her bed, Helen knew it, and her heart ached for him as well as his touch. It was only made worse by that kiss he had bestowed upon her down in the lab. That was the last time he had touched.

John sensed when Helen entered, in more than half a century her scent had not changed. But he remained in his chair keeping his gaze firmly on his daughters. Three days ago he had had his world stop, Chase had died. John thought he would drown his own grief as he cradled the lifeless body of his daughter, the daughter he had saved. In that moment, that single eternal moment, John would have given anything for Chase to breathe, for her heart to beat. And then she had. Air filled her lungs and life beat within her again, his daughter had defied death due in large part to the vampire blood flowing through her.

Helen sat down next to him, took his hand in hers, and just sat with him. Still he refused to look at her for fear that if he stopped watching either Chase or Ashley that they would disappear.

"Why don't you get some sleep?"

"I don't sleep Helen, you should know that."

"John, you have been in this same spot for three days, get some rest. Ashley and Chase are not going anywhere." Helen assured him, more than she did herself, but she as just as concerned as John.

"I am quite content to stay where I am."

"Can't say I didn't offer." Helen replied and tightened her grip on John's hand. She turned her gaze on Ashley, mapping every line of her daughters face. Nikola had reported that all trace of the drug they used to alter her mind was slowly leaving her system, but the sedation was to minimize the pain. The abnormal gifts the Cabal had spliced into Ashley would now be a part of her, just as they were a part of Chase.

Chase's wounds had been far more extensive and the blood loss had been massive. The short time her body had died, the vampiric healing process had managed to repair a small portion of her lungs and mend part of her heart, it was enough for her to live again. But too much of her blood had been spilled, some of it painted Ashley's hand while the rest seeped into John's clothes. Just as he did with Ashley, Nikola had put Chase under heavy sedation to allow her body to rest and repair itself. Helen hoped that they would wake up soon; she needed them to wake up.

John lifted their joined hands and rested Helen's elbow on his knee as rested his cheek against her knuckles. As soon as she offered fatigue slammed into his body and muddled his mind. Sleep, how long had he gone without? He couldn't remember the last time his head had rested on a pillow or blankets had enveloped him in warmth.

"There is a bed with your name on it John. Please go and rest."

"I'm fine, truly, I'm fine."

"No, you're not. I can only deal with two sedated daughters, not their father pushing himself to the point of exhaustion."

He looked at her then, truth of her words reverberating in his mind. John sighed, stood, and swayed on his feet. But Helen was there with a steadying hand on his arm.

"Henry has the shield down for repair, so you don't have to walk." Helen informed but was unprepared for him to teleport both of them to the temporary room he had taken.

John sagged slightly, his breath short; she could tell his energy stores were fast being depleted every second he stood. Helen saw the weight of exhaustion and she relented. Wrapping an arm around his waist Helen helped John to the bed. The small act reminded her too much of a time when he had been her patient, but she clamped down the memory and helped John settle himself.

She moved away from him them as his head made contact with the pillow. Sleep took him instantly. Helen was almost to the door but stopped. Their daughters were safe and sleeping off their injuries. As much as she wanted to leave him to his peaceful rest, a small fraction of her old self screamed at her to stay. For some unknown reason Helen walked around the other side of the bed and slide next to him. She arranged herself on her side so she could watch over him while he slept as he had done for their children. Soon enough Helen followed John into sleep. Three days of constant work, worry, and little nourishment had finally taken its toll on the head of Sanctuary. Sleep had a way of claiming its victims one way or the other.

Pain was everywhere in her body, her head, her heart, and everywhere else. But more than that she felt drugged, woozy, all around tired. She tried to sit up, her body feeling more like a lead wait than an actual living organism. If only her mind would work. The last thing she remembered was the feel of blood and then the rush of unconsciousness, only to wake up in the infirmary. Ashley tried to sit up again, and found she could raise her head. Next to her Chase lay on an identical gurney, but unconscious. She had tubes going into her arm. Craning her neck Ashley looked at her own arm and found an IV there. She still felt sleepy. There had to be a sedative in with whatever was being fed into her veins. Not willing to fight any longer Ashley gave in and went back down in to the darkness of sleep.

A few more minutes past before Chase fought her way free of sleep. Her whole body ached and fatigue fought for control, but her beast was stronger and forced Chase to sit up. Chase's chest felt heavy and her abdomen still hurt. She moved the tan gown up and saw five pink scars from Ashley's claws. Pretty soon those would be gone and smooth flesh would be the result. Taking a steady breath Chase tested her fully re-grown lungs. It hurt to breathe, but it was nice to be alive. She tried to move to the edge of the bed but found she was caught on something. The IV tube was caught on the bed rail. Steeling herself she pulled the needle free of her hand and rose from the gurney. Chase could only make it so far as Ashley's bed before her body gave way to sleep again. She curled herself into her sister's side and let the familiar presence lull her and aide in healing, not just for her but for Ashley as well.

John woke to a dark room bathed in moon light. When he had come here it had been early afternoon. The digital clock beside the bed read 03:30am. He had been asleep for twelve hours. The last thing John remembered was lying back on the bed and then sleep claimed him, now he felt warmth at his side. In the faint moonlight he could make out Helen's profile as she slept sounds next to him. His body relaxed and demanded that he return to the sweet embrace of sleep. Helen's arm reached out and draped over his waist. There was no leaving now. She had needed the uninterrupted rest as much as he had. Reclining John once again settled down and allowed sleep to drag his mind into a dreamless abyss.

It was late when Henry had finally squared away the EM shield. Magnus had told him to reset it told the steady modulation it had been before the Cabal and the attack. Midnight was creeping closer and closer before he was finally finished. He had stopped by the infirmary to check on Chase and Ashley and found the sisters sharing the same hospital bed. Both of them were on their sides facing the other as they slept. Ashley was under the covers and Chase shivered slightly. Grabbing her blanket from the other bed Henry draped it over her and placed a light kiss to her temple. His family was complete now. Ashley was home Chase was home and the Big Guy was back. Even the presence of Kate Freelander didn't dampen his mood; she was only an extra set of hands until she got bored and left.

He hadn't intended to stay long, he was tired, but Henry took one of the vacant chairs and took up watching the sisters as they slept. Moonlight poured in and surrounded them in a silvery haze. They were so alike and yet so different. Chase took after Druitt and Ashley was more her mother. This was his family, and now it was whole. Henry stayed there all night.

The morning sun streamed in as Helen woke to the new day. She had the feeling of warmth, security, and contentment, but she was in an unfamiliar bed. Then memories flooded her mind. She and John had been in the infirmary, he had nearly fallen asleep, she had suggested that he get some rest, and then he taken them to his room. In hind sight Helen concluded she shouldn't have stayed. But the feeling of him sleeping behind her was more comforting that it would have been had she slept in her own room alone. Turning Helen availed herself of the warmth pouring from John as she settled back into sleep. Even she needed to have a day where she did nothing but sleep. Helen had to recharge herself after the emotional beat down of the past weeks. And this was the one time she could indulge in having John close to her. His arms tightened when she snuggled closer and Helen sighed. Sleep claimed her again before she knew it.

Will walked into the infirmary late that afternoon to the sound of cheerful bickering. Ashley and Chase were both awake and Henry was sitting with them just laughing while they argued about who go which color Jell-O. He couldn't help but wear a smile as well, Ashley was back and that was cause for celebration.

"Will, hey."

"Hey Ashley. How do you feel?" Will took the chair next to Henry.

"Oh, you know good considering for six months I was this super abnormal bent on taking down my mothers life's work."

"Well that's…"

"Ashley, come on I want the blue Jell-O." Chase interrupted Will as she held out her hand for the little bowl.

"I though you liked red?"

"No, you like red, I want the blue."

Ashley sighed and passed over the bowl of Blue Jell-O by way of Henry. When both were satisfied they chowed down on the semi solid snack. Henry nudged Will and both men smiled at the sisters. They could argue over Jell-O after both being unconscious for three days.

"You guys haven't seen Magnus by chance have you?"

"Sorry Will, we only woke up this morning." Ashley said and slipped a red cube into her mouth.

"Did you check the office?" Chase asked around a mouth full of blue jell-o.

"Yeah, first place I looked." Will replied and smiled with they shrugged.

"Magnus will show up in time man. She probably went to lie down." Henry said and snagged a blue cube from Chase before leaving to tend to feeding some of the Residents and making modifications to various other systems.

Later that afternoon Helen had woken in John's bed with no John behind her. That had suited her just fine; it would save her from that awkwardness and questions. She made her way to her room where she showered and changed. Then she had walked into the infirmary to see John sitting on the edge of Chase's bed while she and Ashley were bantering. All conversation stopped as soon as Ashley's eyes settled on Helen. Ashley tired to get out of bed, but her body was still weak from the three days of sedation. Helen moved over to the bed, sat down, and pulled Ashley into her arms. The fear and pain over what the Cabal had done fled Helen, all that mattered was Ashley. Ashley was home and safe and she was whole once again. Helen pulled back and looked to make sure. Ashley's eyes were blue and beautiful and they shined.

"Mom, are you ok?"

"I'm fine now darling," She embraced Ashley again, "You're home where you belong."

"Yeah, all thanks to my sister who stabbed me with a needle," Ashley shot Chase a playful glare, but he owed her sister more.

"You shredded my lungs and punctured my heart; I thought it a fair trade." Chase shrugged and leaned her head back, "Mom when can we get out of here, I'm going crazy."

"You're both going to stay in here one more day, at the latest." Before Ashley and Chase could protest Helen added, "We just want to make sure that you are well."

"But Chase and I feel fine. Mom come one, can't we at least stay in our rooms?"

"Sweetheart we want you here where we can monitor you. Please for me, one more day." Helen smiled at Ashley and caressed her cheek.

"How about a half a day?" Chase asked. Hopeful that she and Ashley could bargain their way out of the infirmary, all the tan walls were making her crazy.

"Chase," John stressed her name.

"Come on, Dad, seriously. This place," Chase motioned to the tan walls around her, "Making me go crazy."

"One day, is that so much to ask?" John asked he was trying not to smile. He knew how much his younger daughter hated to be cooped up for too long.

"Is the well being of your daughter's sanity so much to ask?" Chase sniped and dropped back into the pillows crossing her arms over her chest.

"Chase, you and Ashley are staying put." Helen stressed each name.

"Look at it this way, Chase, it's a nice bit of rest. Cause soon as we get out of here, its back to Ghoul hunting." Ashley chimed in and Chase looked at her, playfully glaring. Truth was Chase couldn't wait to get a chance to get back to capturing abnormals. When she had been with James, he had encouraged stealth, being a thief. She just want to exercise her skills again.

Helen shook her head and come to stand next to Chase. John got up and moved out of the way so Helen could sit down. She leaned foreword and pulled Chase into a hug. It was caution more than anything that had her keeping both of them where she could keep and eye on them. For if they were loose in the Sanctuary there was no telling what they would do. Helen had the tiniest fear that if they put their heads together, Chase and Ashley would go hunting for Dana Whitcomb.

She already knew John was planning the same thing, when or if they had another argument. One was bound to occur, she knew it. When they had been lovers, things had been passionate made more so by their heated arguments. Helen was finding that the more John was around the more she wanted him to stay. And if he left it would be only a matter of time before Chase followed him. If keeping John at the Sanctuary meant Chase would stay, then she would learn to be ear him again. Things hadn't been so bad between them when they were alone searching out answers as to Ashley's whereabouts. Maybe now both their daughters were home things would improve. Only a fool's chance that would happen. Helen released Chase, stood up and headed for the door. Before she left she turned and said, "One more day the both of you. And I mean it." She smiled when she had heard both of them groan.

John watched Helen leave. He turned back to Chase and kissed her lightly on the forehead. Pulling back he smiled a small smile at Chase and she gave him a confused look, "Dad, you're being weird, even for you."

"Chase, you died, in my arms, can't I be a little weird?"

"You can get me out of here." Chase tried, but she knew her father would do no such thing.

"You're staying put."

"Dad," Chase put a whine into her voice for good measure, but it was just for show. John wrapped his arms around her and held her until he was certain she was alive.

Ashley watched the by play between her sister and the man that was her father. Chase seemed more at ease over the fact that he had given DNA and created them. Ashley was slowly becoming used t the fact that John Druitt, Jack the Ripper, was her father. Just seeing them so close had made the old ache for the father she had wanted as a young girl creep back into her heart. Henry had told Ashley and Chase about how their father had searched the world over with their mother for clues on Ashley. Now he was seeing what he was actually like, his tenderness towards Chase, and the fear that radiated off him. She watched as he stood and prepared to leave them so they could rest.

"Dad?"

John turned and looked at Ashley, she had called him dad. Never would he have though she would do that. Not after what he had done the first time. He locked eyes with him and she smiled at him. John went over to the side of her bed and lightly ran his fingers over her forehead. When Ashley didn't flinch or move away he placed a small kiss to her temple. Leaving things like they were for now, John left and went in search of Helen, they had to talk.