A Matter of Trust

Pairings: Reese/OC

Author's Note: Again, I am so sorry for the delay in updating. I've had a lot of time and muse issues lately. I haven't forgotten my story nor would I abandon it.
Any feedback or ideas are always much appreciated!

**Thanks to the best Bestie a girl could have! Joaquina you are the best, thank you for your ideas and your feedback :-)

"Ella, what was his uncle's name?"

Harold's eyes were wide looking from John to Ella as he waited for her response as well.

She frowned. "Daniel's uncle?"

"Yes Ella, what was his uncle's name?" John asked again.

"His uncle's name was Mark."

Chapter 8

Harold stared at her with a look she couldn't quite read. John's reaction was much more transparent; disgust, pure and simple. She couldn't understand why he was looking at her like that. What the hell had she said? Really, she hadn't meant to offend him in her comparison to Daniel's Uncle.

Her eyes flickered from Harold back to John. "What did I say?" She whispered.

Harold then turned his gaze to John and spoke. "It's too much of a coincidence Mr. Reese. The odds are astronomical against it being him. John didn't respond but continued to look at Ella.

"What do you mean Harold?...who?" She asked Harold.

"John!" Harold raised his normally calm voice to gain John's attention.

He succeeded, but instead of responding to Harold he spoke to Ella. "What was this man's last name?"

"Sheridan. Mark Sheridan."

John's gaze didn't leave Ella as he responded to Harold's unspoken thought. "He wouldn't have used his real name with us Harold."

Then he spoke to Ella again. "Can you describe this man...age, height, weight and when it was that you last saw him. Be as specific as you can Ella."

Ella nodded. "Ok, when I saw him last...it was right before I left Daniel in 2007. He was probably in his early to mid-forties, dark eyes with bushy eyebrows, dark hair but greying and balding slightly. 5'11, medium build. Soft-spoken, although you couldn't help but listen when he spoke. He had a real eerie voice and I'm pretty sure he had a very slight southern drawl. I don't know where he was from originally, Daniel didn't talk about that with me. His eyes though, that's what stands out for me. There were times when he was over for dinner parties and he would look at me." She paused a moment trying to find the correct words to use. "His eyes were dead...not that they lacked expression but it was like there was nothing real behind them...nothing."

Ella sighed when she was finished, her eyes had drifted while she was describing the man to John and now they returned to find him looking down at his hands that were folded on the table. She then glanced over at Harold who was watching John with apprehension.

"John?" She asked quietly. She watched the muscle of his jaw jump. Then he raised his eyes to meet hers. She felt like he was studying her, reading her, searching for something...she just wasn't sure what.

"You have no idea how lucky you were to get out of there...and still be alive, Ella."

Her brows pulled together in a frown. "How...how would you know that? Why are you talking like you know him John?"

"Because I did." He said simply.

Ella's eyes widened in fright. "What do you mean John...you're not saying..."
She stood quickly, her legs shoving the chair back making it tumble backwards to the floor. She grabbed the knife from her plate as she turned quickly, running from the room.

John was immediately up and running after her. He heard Finch's voice calling out as he ran down the hall following her. "Ella no, wait!"

John didn't waste his breath by calling her instead he used it to catch up to her. She was surprisingly fast but his longer legs gave him the advantage over her. He followed her down the main hall of the library but instead of turning right towards the entrance of the building she had turned left. He knew exactly when she realized her error. She slowed her pace slightly when she wasn't met by the front entrance but instead by a long hallway lined with doors. That's when he had her. Instead of making the mistake of grabbing her by the shoulder and giving her the opportunity to swing around at him with the knife he grabbed her wrist with one hand and grabbed the opposite shoulder with his other hand.

She immediately screamed; a blood curdling noise that almost made him let go of her but he held fast; pulling her to a stop. His arm that had grabbed her shoulder wound around over her collar bones and he brought her wrist that he held with his other hand up to her chest; essentially trapping her against him so that she couldn't run from him or get enough momentum to throw her head back into his face.

"You're one of his men. I knew it." She hissed. She struggled against him for a minute until he started talking to her his lips right next to her ear. He lowered his voice trying to be as soothing as he could.

"No Ella. You know I'm not." He sighed. "Yes, I'm pretty sure that I knew Daniel's uncle but I am most certainly not one of his men...Daniel's or his uncle's."

Ella's head fell forward. Her body sagged against his arms and the knife fell to the floor; the sound echoing down the halls. He felt her shaking slightly and let go of her wrist. He gently turned her around to face him. Her head was still down and tears were slowly running down her cheeks. He placed his finger under her chin lifting it up towards him.

"Ella. Hey...look at me please."

Her eyes slowly rose to meet his. The deep blue orbs that met his were filled to the brim with more tears. They started falling again as she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright Ella. I've told you that before."

"Yeah John, but how many times can I freak out on you before you throw me out on my ass because you've come to the inevitable conclusion that I'm just not worth the trouble?" Her hands rose to his chest and her fingers grasped onto his t-shirt lightly balling it in her fists.

He watched as more tears overflowed from her eyes and rolled slowly down her face. He fought an overwhelming urge to press his lips to her cheeks and kiss away her tears. The thought alone scared him but he pushed it to the back of his mind to revisit later...much later.

"If we were afraid of a little trouble Ella..." She looked up to see Harold standing a few feet behind John. "...then we certainly wouldn't be doing what we're doing."

Her eyes sank closed and her forehead leaned into his chest just above her hands. She wasn't sure why these two men had come to be such an important aspect of her life in just two very short days nor was she sure that she could stand to lose either one of them. What she is sure of is that she needs to pull herself together and put as much trust in them as they have in her.

"Ella, would you like for Harold to show you to your room so you can lay down...maybe get some sleep tonight so that you're not so tired tomorrow?"

She nodded against his chest before backing away. Harold walked over to her and placed his hand tentatively on her shoulder. "Tomorrow, I'll show you around. That way you can get your bearings so that you feel more comfortable and know how to get in and out if you need to. An exit strategy if you will."

She smiled over at him and placed her hand on top of his for a moment. "Thank you Harold."

He nodded and then gestured for her to follow him as he walked slowly back down the hall.

She turned and John stepped beside her to follow Harold. "Wow, not even I have had the official tour." Ella looked up at him in surprise. "You should feel very special."

"Yeah, real special." She mumbled sarcastically. "I swear I'm not always this unstable. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"It's alright Ella, really. I understand. The fever must have fried your brain. It was pretty high you know. The damage may even be permanent."

She glanced up at him surprised at his response and noticed the smirk playing at his lips. He looked down at her and his smirk rose to a smile which crinkled his eyes making him look almost boyish. Ella's breath caught in her throat. He had the most kind, beautiful smile she'd ever seen. She smiled back at him before tearing her eyes away. She knew if she didn't - she'd really make a fool of herself.

They followed Harold in silence; their echoing footsteps the only sound. Ella watched Harold turn down a hall to their right and turned to follow. John reached out his hand and touched her arm. She stopped and turned to face him. "I'll see you tomorrow Ella. Maybe you can even show me around." Then he grinned at her again.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks again John."

"You're welcome."

She turned to follow Harold, who had stopped to wait for her.

"And don't forget...take your meds." He said before turning and heading out for the evening.

"OK dad." She mumbled as she caught up with Harold.

"I doubt that Mr. Reese's thoughts towards you are in any way fatherly in nature Ella."

Her head remained straight forward, not looking over at Harold. He did look over at her though and noticed the blush creeping slowing up her light skin. He smiled to himself and then began explaining the layout of the library. The building was immense but it wasn't near as daunting after Harold had explained some of the tricks to figuring it out. He promised to meet her at her room at 8 the next morning. He took her by the kitchen where he had made their dinner earlier before showing her where she would be staying. "Would you like some tea before you go to bed? It may help you get to sleep."

"Sure. I doubt it'll help though. I'm pretty wired."

"I think you might be surprised."

She shrugged with a slight smile. "Hey Harold..." She started after a couple of minutes.

"Hmm?"

"Why did you say that...about John, earlier?"

Harold had a feeling he knew what Ella was asking him about but he played like he didn't.

"Which part Ella? I've said quite a bit about John." He turned to look at her. She had lowered her head, a blush creeping up her cheeks again.

"Oh, ya know...about his feelings...not being fatherly."

He continued watching her as he answered her question. "Because I don't believe they are. I was just stating the obvious."

Harold watched as she started nibbling on her bottom lip. "Don't worry about it Ella. All I meant...well, I'm sorry I said anything. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Please forget I said anything at all." He truly hadn't meant to make her uncomfortable and he felt bad that he had.

"OK, but Harold..."

"Hmm?" He looked up from pouring the water into their cups.

"Next time, keep it to yourself." She grinned as he cocked his brow at her in response.

He handed Ella her cup with her tea. It smelled wonderful. She closed her eyes inhaling the fragrant aroma. "What kind of tea is this Harold?"

"It's just a simple Chamomile tea infused with Peppermint."

"It smells wonderful. Thank you."

"You are most welcome. If you're ready, I'll show you the way to your room."

"Sure." She sipped her tea as they started walking. "Oh, it tastes as good as it smells."

"I'm glad you like it."

"Oh, Harold I need to go out tomorrow and get some clothes. I hadn't really planned on going back to the motel where I had been staying; I typivally travel fairly light but I can't do without some changes of clothes, a toothbrush...some essentials."

"I think you may find everything you need in your room Ella."

"How...?"

"I have my ways. But if there's anything at all that you need once you're settled then we can take care of that tomorrow."

They had turned down the third hall to their right and there was only one door on the left. Harold stopped and opened it for Ella. She walked through the door and gasped. "Wow. Harold, I would have never known something like this would be here." It looked almost like a full size loft apartment completely furnished. Harold followed her in and walked over to one of the doors within the room. It was a decent sized closet fully stocked with what looked to be women's clothes already hanging on the bar inside. He then walked over to the other door in the room and opened it revealing a bathroom with a large whirlpool tub tucked into the corner. Ella sighed loudly.

"Harold, I'm sorry but you're going to have to leave now so that I can take full advantage of your generosity in that bathtub."

"Enjoy." He chuckled. "Oh, and Ella..." He walked over to the small counter in the kitchenette and picked up a bottle. "Here are your antibiotics. Please take one tonight and then twice a day until they're gone."

She walked over to him and took the bottle. "Thanks Harold. I really do appreciate all you've done for me." She walked over and wrapped him in a warm hug. It surprised him at first but he wasn't able to resist returning her hug.

"You're welcome. And I'm very glad that you're going to be staying with us Ella." He stepped back and then walked to the door leading back into the hallway. "Have a good evening and I'll see you in the morning."

"You too. Good night Harold."

He walked out and shut the door. She opened the bottle and took out one of the pills. She opened one of the bottled waters sitting on the counter and swallowed the pill. Looking around the room she shook her head not believing her good fortune. She walked over to the closet curious as to what size clothes were hanging there. The tags revealed that every last garment was in her size. How the hell had he done all of this? She opened one of the drawers and found bras and panties and they were in her size as well. Good Lord, who is this guy that he could not only guess what size clothes she wears but also bought and had them delivered all in the same day, just for her?

She grabbed a pair of comfortable looking cotton shorts and a t-shirt to wear to bed and headed to that luscious looking tub. She started the water running, turning it up as hot as she could stand. There was some bath gel that she poured into the stream of water to add a few bubbles. She walked back out to grab her tea off of the counter so she could finish that while she was soaking. She set it down on the edge of the tub and undressed throwing her clothes in the hamper sitting against wall then grabbed a towel off of the shelf above the hamper and set it on the floor next to the tub. She didn't want to wait until the tub was full so she eased herself into the hot water. She leaned back against the tub a little moan of contentment escaping her as she slid lower.

Ella wasn't sure how long she ended up relaxing in the tub but she did know that she felt about a million times better when she got out. The towel she grabbed was huge and she wrapped herself up in it until she was completely dry. She got dressed and headed out to the four-poster queen size bed marveling in how beautiful it was. She pulled down the duvet and sheets and climbed in. She sank down onto the pillows and pulled the sheet up to her chin. She thought it was very possible that she had died and gone to heaven. Whether it was the comfortable bed, the bath, Harold's tea, or all of the above didn't really matter; what did matter was that she was asleep in seconds.

**Seriously? Do I really need to BEG for reviews? :-D