Chapter 10

Tom woke up, a small smile spreading across his face. Quickly glancing at the clock, he was shocked to see it was almost 9am. He looked down at Sasha, who was basically using his body as pillow, but he didn't mind. If he could wake up like this every morning for the rest of his life, he would die a happy man. Gently, he reached for her face, trailing a finger down her cheek and across her jaw, before placing a light kiss on her lips.

Sasha stirred, letting out a soft moan. Half in satisfaction of her wake-up call, Half in displeasure of being woken up. "Morning" she mumbled, smiling a little.

"Morning beautiful" Tom smiled, giving her another kiss. This one a little firmer.

"Such a charmer" she smiled, returning the kiss, her hand slipping to the back of his neck.

"I aim to please" he mumbled, sliding his hand under the covers, then slowly up her thigh.

Sasha let out a gasp, and was about to sit up and straddle him when the bedroom door suddenly opened.

"Dad! Ashley won't let..." Sam stopped as soon as he saw his father wasn't alone.

Both Sasha and Tom pulled away as fast as possible, looking like two deer caught in headlights at Sam "what have I told you about closed doors and knocking?"

"It's an emergency" he protested "Ashley is watching her stupid girl movie and won't let me play my Xbox"

Tom had to hold back a laugh. The fact that his son seemed undeterred from his original complaint, meant the boy couldn't have seen anything too unsettling. Sasha meanwhile sat watching with a small smirk on her face. "When her movie is done, you can play your Xbox" Tom sighed "and don't call it a stupid movie. You wouldn't like it if she called your interests stupid"

"Fine. Sorry" he sighed, finally looking to Sasha "dad said you were working?"

"I was" she said quickly "I got home late last night". It was a a half truth "you and your sister were already asleep, so I figured I'd just say hi to you guys in the morning"

Sam, nodded accepting her explanation before he smiled "Good. Then you can come to my game today right?"

She had completely forgotten about his soccer game. And her promise. She felt awful, and thankful that she would actually be able to go "yes of course"

"Why don't we finish up this conversation downstairs" Tom cut in "Sam go get dressed and brush your teeth, we'll be down in a minute"

"Okay dad" he said leaving as quickly as he entered.

Sasha flopped back down into bed, running her hand over her face "good call on the cloths by the way" she said pulling at the neck of the t-shirt he had given her to wear.

Tom laughed, leaning on his elbow to look at her "mmm, that could have been much worse. Good to see your reflexes are sharp as ever"

"And yours" she smirked "I'm just glad a girly movie, is more of a crisis then finding me in bed with you"

"Everyone has their priority's" he laughed, giving her a kiss, as he pulled at the hem of her shirt.

"Ah no" she smiled grabbing his hand and pulling away from his kiss. "You said we'll be down in a minute. Even you, aren't that good" she said quickly slipping out of bed.

"Stay with me again tonight, and I may just prove otherwise" he smiled, laying back with his hands behind his head.

Sasha laughed, shaking her head as she stepped into her jeans "your incorrigible" she smiled tossing her bed shirt at him.

"You love it"

"I do" she smiled.

Sasha had left after breakfast to go home and change, as she did not bring an extra pair of cloths in her hasty exit last night. Quickly, she showered, changed and brought a change of cloths for the next day. She had every intention of taking Tom, up on his offer for this evening. She had been so pre-occupied, she didn't even notice James, standing across the street when she went back out to her car to leave.

When she got back to Tom's, there was utter chaos in the house compared to when she left. Ashley was crying and telling Tom, that he was ruining her life. Sam was complaining about his sisters hysterics, because she was going to make them late. And Tom. Well, he looked like he was in dire need of back up.

"Everything okay?" Sasha asked walking into the kitchen.

"No!" Ashley yelled, running upstairs, the slam of her door could be heard a few seconds later.

"Now I'm going to be late because of her!" Sam whined.

Sasha couldn't help but smile as she looked at Tom. He looked defeated. She had seen him in battle many of times. At his side, in dire situations. He was never lacking confidence, or control. It amused her, that two kids could be his undoing. "why don't you and Sam head out. I'll talk to Ashley, and we'll meet you there"

Tom sighed In relief and nodded "thank you" he said walking over and giving her a quick kiss. "I love you" he said softly.

"Hmm, I love you too" she smiled "now go. We'll be right behind you"

Tom left with Sam while Sasha headed upstairs knocking gently on Ashley's, door "Ashley, can I come in?"

"Whatever" was all she could hear through muffled sobs.

Sasha took a deep breath then opened the door. Ashley was face down on her bed, head in her pillow, still crying. She sat down on the edge of the bed, looking around the girls room. She had never been in it. There were lots of things a normal teenage girl would have. Riped out pages from magazines...albeit old magazines. Pictures of her and her friends, books and cloths everywhere. On her nightstand was a picture of Ashley, Sam, their mother and Tom. Sasha's heart ached for the girl. In a world where everyone had lost something, the personal losses people or children in this case, suffered, were often put aside. "Want to tell me, what has you so upset?"

"They don't understand" the girl cried, not moving her head.

"Don't understand what?"

Ashley was silent for a moment before rolling over, and looking at Sasha. "Do you promise not to tell my dad?"

Sasha thought about it for a moment "as long you're not getting in trouble or putting yourself in danger, then no. I won't tell your dad"

"I wanted to look nice. For...for a friend" she whispered, almost embarrassed. "His little sister plays on Sam's, team"

"I see" Sasha said, finally understanding what was going on. "Let me guess, your dad told you to throw on a pair of jeans and t-shirt?"

Ashley smiled a little and wiped her eyes "how did you know?"

"Because that's about as far as his sense of style extends" she smirked. "Can I look in your closet?" *or the floor* Sasha thought to herself, but didn't say that out loud.

"Okay" Ashley nodded, following as Sasha walked over to her closet.

"What's your favourite shirt?" It was important for Ashley to have her input.

"This one" she said grabbing a light blue, 3/4 sleeve shirt "it was one of the last things my mom got me" she added "but it looks kind of old and worn"

"It looks loved" Sasha corrected. "If this is the shirt you like, this is the shirt you should wear. If this boy can't appreciate you, for you, then he isn't worth the time" Sasha, said softly as she found a nice pair of white capris "how about these to go with it?"

"I like it" Ashley smiled, bitting her lip before throwing her arms around Sasha "thank you" she whispered.

Sasha was definitely caught off guard, and carefully returned the hug. "You're very welcome" she smiled, rubbing the young girls back. "I'll wait for you downstairs, while you get changed. Okay?"

Ashley nodded and Sasha headed downstairs a small smile on her face. Never in a million years did she think she'd be giving advise to a teenage girl, going to kids sports events, or even putting someone else's needs ahead of her own. The more she thought about it, the more she loved it. Sure, it was a steep learning curve, but with all the challenges there seemed to be infinite rewards.

"Ashley. I told you I wouldn't tell your father, and I won't" Sasha said cautiously, as they walked to the soccer feild "but you should think about talking to him about what's going on in your life. He's not as obtuse as he sometimes acts"

Ashley laughed a little, looking up at Sasha "do you think he'd be mad?"

"No sweetie, I don't. He'll want to protect you, and that might seem like he's mad, but if your upfront and honest with him, I think he'll be very receptive. And if he's not, I'll help him get there" she winked.

"I'll think about it" she smiled.

"That's all I'm suggesting" she said as the feild came into view.

"Sasha" a man said, getting up off the bench he had been sitting on.

Sasha immediately froze, putting her arm around Ashley's shoulders. She quickly scanned the group of kids and parents by the soccer feild, finally seeing Tom. "Ashley" she said firmly "I want you to go straight to your father, and don't leave his side. Do you understand me?" She said locking eyes with her.

Ashley looked at her confused. She didn't know who the man was, but to her, seemed harmless enough. Not to mention, Sasha's mood and tone had done a complete flip. A moment ago she had been warm and caring, now she was cold and commanding "but I..."

"No buts" Sasha cut her off "please Ashley. Straight to your dad"

Ashley nodded realizing this wasn't up for debate, then quickly walked across the feild to her dad.

"Do you really think I'm a danger. To a child of all things?" James asked in disbelief. "I thought you would have known me better then that"

Sasha, watched and once Ashley, was far enough away she turned to James, and grabbed his arm leading him away "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Calm down" he said following her, not that he had much choice. "I went to your house, but you were just leaving"

"So you followed me! That's called stalking" she yelled.

"I know how it looks. You said you'd have an answer for me today. I just needed to find out" he said softly

"The fact that you're not dead or in hand cuffs should be answer enough" she hissed. "You can't be here. You can't just show up"

James looked past Sasha and could see Tom, walking towards them "seems like you have a ready made family"

Sasha ignored his comment "I'm going to talk to my bosses on Monday. They'll decide your fate" she said as Tom stopped at her side.

"Mr. Fletcher, I heard you were in the area" he said putting his hand on Sasha's back.

"Yes, well, just trying to make amends" he said looking between the two "I suppose this is where you tell me to stay away from her?"

Tom shook his head "No. She can decide for herself whom she does or doesn't want to see" he said pausing for a moment. "My kids on the other hand. If you ever come near one of them again, it will be the last thing you do"

"Meet at my place, on Monday afternoon" Sasha cut in. Not wanting things to escalate "I'll have an answer for you then"

"I look forward to it" he said with a little smile before turning to leave.

"I'm sorry" Sasha whispered as she and Tom, walked towards the feild.

"You have nothing to be sorry for" he said moving her arm around her waist as he stopped walking "I need...I would like" he corrected "to know one thing. Why? Why are you doing this for him?"

Sasha, sighed running a hand through her hair "It easily could have been me" looking away "he had his orders, I had mine. I just...I trusted him more then I should of. I never thought he'd kill anyone"

"Hey" Tom, said putting his hand on her cheek, bringing her gaze to look at his. "He did that, not you" he said softly.

"I know" she sighed leaning her head into his hand "Still hurts though".

"It always will" he said knowingly. He carried more then his fare share of guilt and burdens "but I meant what I said last night. We will get through this together"

Sasha, smiled and leaned up giving him a deep kiss. "I love you" she whispered.

"I love you too" he smiled, pulling her in for another kiss as his arms snaked around her body.

Sasha, easily could have got lost in his kiss if not for the sound of a whistle in the background "Tom" she smiled pulling away "we are at a kids soccer game"

He smirked, taking her hand in his as they walked over to the sideline "so if we were at an adults soccer game, you'd have no objections?"

"Incorrigible" she laughed, shaking her head.