Author's Note: A little break from the mission, but this scene obviously appeals to my fan girl side. A bit more serious than the others…but it will help with later chapters. ;)
Thanks for everyone who has replied so far…and thanks for keeping up with me!
Enjoy.
JC Carmicheal
"The Daughter"
It had been a difficult day, very long and extremely tiring. It was strange not seeing Devon at the hospital any more, for now that he was Team Bartowski's (good name Chuck!) field medic he was given some additional assignments from Beckman that took him away from Burbank.
It had taken him away from her, but Ellie was extremely surprised that she wasn't upset about it. She still loved him as he did her, but both of them had come to an agreement that their lives weren't what either of them had hoped. Or expected. Their feelings had changed.
She hadn't hoped that her brother turned out to be a Government spy and that his girlfriend Sarah was a CIA operative. She had no idea that all of this was because of their father.
Walking into her apartment, she dumped her bag down on the floor and slumped onto the sofa.
She missed her father so much.
There was a knock at the door.
Ellie didn't really want to answer, but when the knock came again but in a more urgent tone, she found the strength to get up and answer it.
She did not expect to see who she saw standing on her doorstep.
"Oh!" Her eyes widened in surprise, but it was quickly followed by a huge smile. "Hi!"
"Ms Bartowski…I'm sorry, I know you've just gotten back from work and you're probably tired, but I was hoping to have a chat with you?"
"Of course!" Her voice squeaked just a little too high when she spoke, but she broke out of her shock and pulled back the door to allow the young woman to step through. "Come on in. Can I get you a drink or anything?"
"No thank you, Ms Bartowski."
"Ellie! Please, call me Ellie."
Ellie followed the young woman into the lounge. The poor girl was nervous, worried about something and if she were truthful, so was Ellie. Eleanor wanted to pace up and down the room just like she did, but eventually Alex McHugh sunk down onto the sofa with a thud. Ellie smiled and then sat down onto the sofa next to her. Both of them were shaking.
"I have a problem." said Alex rather suddenly after a long lingering silence.
"Oh? Is it anything to do with your dad?" asked Ellie, hoping that it wasn't.
The new and very exciting turn in Ellie and John Casey's relationship was something that neither of them had wanted to share with everyone yet. Not even Chuck knew, but Ellie was going to change that. She couldn't keep it from her brother, not after her talk about keeping secrets. She supposed that this young woman had the right to know as well.
"Ever since I found out that John Casey was my dad…my life has been turned up side down. Especially with knowing what he does for a living." Alex breathed deeply in and when she saw that Ellie was still actively listening she released that breath. "I can't tell my mum, she's been put through enough already after the Ring tried to kill her. Which is why…when she moves…I won't be going with her. I'll be staying here, I'll get my own place or rent with my college friends and stay near Dad."
"He might have issues with that." said Ellie, a little shocked to hear her admit it. "It will be too dangerous for you to stay. You could be used against him, your life could be at risk."
"But you stay. For your brother, for Chuck. Can I not stay with my dad?"
"You want to?"
Alex seemed a little distracted for a moment, no doubt torn with the decision to leave with her mum who raised her, or remain with a father she didn't know. Ellie looked into the younger woman's eyes and saw that more than anything she was proud of who John Casey was. She wanted to get to know him better, even if it was dangerous.
"If you've thought about it, Alex." Ellie sighed. "Then you must do what you feel is right. You're an adult. It's your decision to make. But whatever you do decide…I'll support you."
Alex needed to hear that. Ellie saw the tension leave from her body and she relaxed into the comforts of the sofa. Her hand reached out for Ellie's, she held it and gave it an almost bone crunching squeeze.
"You have no idea how hearing that makes me feel."
"I think I can understand."
"Thank you, Ms Bart-Ellie. Thank you so much. I knew that I would be able to talk to you about it. About how I'm feeling."
"Oh sweetie…that's okay. I'm pleased I can help you."
Alex grinned and then flung her arms around Ellie Bartowski and gave her a hug almost as crushing as the hand squeeze.
The two of them stayed there for a moment in that embrace, feeling all the worries and anxiety in John's daughter ebbing away. She had needed to talk to someone, Ellie was still surprised that it had been her.
"If you ever need to talk about anything with me, Alex." she said, when they broke apart. "You can call me or come round any time. Right?"
"Thanks."
"So…is there anything else you want to know?"
"About my dad?"
Ellie paused before replying as she sensed that the woman hadn't quite got everything off her chest. She began to shake again with nerves.
"Er…sure. What do you want to know?"
She should have known before Alex even opened her mouth. The endearing and coy smile on Alex's face and the look in her eyes spoke volumes.
"How long have you been sleeping with him?"
