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The AKgal2001 (Malia)- Thank you, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
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DizzyRedhead- Thank you, hope you like chapter ten!Ok
Okay here's chapter ten! I apologize in advance for any spelling mistakes. :)
The sky turned grey and gentle winds filled the cold night air. Clouds masked the moon, hanging low in the sky as they made threats of rain. Between the sound of flipping pages and the clicking of a keyboard; no words were uttered. Glancing at the clock, Mal rubbed his strained eyes as he turned to face Natara.
"I think I'm done for the night. All those sleepless nights are starting to catch up with me."
"Okay, just give me a second and I can give you a ride home."
"No it's okay. I'll grab a cab, you stay here with Elena a little longer, finish sorting through that file."
Mal placed a kiss on Natara's forehead before rising to his feet and grabbing his jacket.
"But I suppose you'll need a ride to work in the morning?"
"Maybe."
Natara smiled as she leaned back in her chair. Her face now inches away from Mal's.
"I'll be there at eight."
"Thank you."
Mal met Natara's lips with a kiss. Both smiling as they pulled away. Natara gently pushed Mal towards the door as Mal smirked in response.
"Go home. Get some sleep."
With a small smile Mal kissed Natara one last time before leaving her alone in their office. Taking in the silence, Natara glanced back to the mountain of paperwork spread across the desk and sighed deeply as exhaustion started to take its hold over her. Unaware that Elena had appeared in the doorway, Natara startled slightly at the sound of her voice.
"Hey. Where's Mal?"
Sitting up in her chair, Natara rested her elbows on the desk.
"He went home to get some sleep. I think it's time we called it a night too. Do you want to go back yet?"
Elena nodded as she went to gather her things.
"Alright, well you grab the evidence file and we'll go."
"I don't have it."
Natara paused as she turned to face Elena.
"Well I don't have it either."
Looking around the office, Natara froze for a second.
"Hmmm, Mal must have taken it by mistake. Come on, we'll pick it up on the way home."
Sliding her bag onto her shoulder, Natara quickly checked Elena was ready before they both headed for the precinct car park.
Elena and Natara stepped into Mal's apartment, only to be greeted by silence. Natara led Elena into the living room as she her eyes searched for any sighs that Mal was there.
"Okay Elena, you wait here while I check things out."
Natara disappeared down the hallway, leaving Elena alone as she took a seat on the couch. She glanced around at the pictures on the walls, some people she recognized from the precinct; some she'd never seen before.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to a small picture by the window. Rising to her feet, she picked up the frame, narrowing her eyes at the two stood smiling side by side. Mal beaming with happiness and love in his sharp black tux, holding hands with a woman in a white dress. Elena couldn't understand why but this woman felt familiar, like a memory or a dream. Shrugging it off, Elena sighed as she placed the picture back on its table. Losing her grip she dropped the picture as she cursed under her breath. Kneeling down she quickly checked that she hadn't caused any damage as she sat the picture back in place. Turning back to notice a small paper ball near her foot.
Deciding it was not her business, she refrained herself as she sat back on the couch. Elena crossed her arms and legs, sitting silently as she waited for Natara. Her mind drifting back to the paper ball lying on the floor. Elena glanced down the hall as she heard Natara moving around from room to room. Looking back at the floor, her curiosity got the better of her as she shot to her feet to unfold the ball of paper.
Dear Mal…
Elena felt her heart sink as regret and confusion clouded her mind. As she took in each word, her mind screamed at her to put the letter back where she had found it. But her gut told her different.
"He's not here so I'm going to try and call him…Elena?"
Natara's voice startled Elena as she turned to face her. Glancing up from the letter, Elena shook with emotion as it hit her all at once.
"What's this?"
"I don't know, let me see."
Natara took the letter from Elena and she watched as Natara's face fell as she read it. Composing herself, Natara glanced back at Elena as she forced a small smile.
"It's nothing. Elena, it's nothing."
"No... that's not nothing. Natara do you know something I don't?"
Natara averted her eyes to the floor, filling Elena with doubt. Taking a step forward she looked at Natara with pleading eyes.
"Elena I can't-"
"Please. If you know something, please just tell me. Because I am really really confused right now."
A thousand thoughts raced through Natara's mind. Mal would never forgive her for this. But Elena needed answers and right now, she was the only person who could give them to her. Letting out a defeated sigh, Natara gave in. Elena followed her as they took a seat in the living room.
"Okay…okay. Mal was married to your mother, your real mother."
Elena let Natara's words sink in as her heart stopped. All the pieces fitting together as they painted the picture of the past she never knew.
"Then wouldn't that make him-"
"Your biological father. Elena, Mal is your dad.
Elena rushed to her feet as she paced around searching for the words that seemed to escape her. Clasping her shaking hand over her mouth, Elena paused as she glanced down at Natara. She could see the truth in her eyes and the look of sadness on her face; almost as if she had expected Elena to react this way.
"I just…I don't understand. Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"I should have told you."
Elena turned to see Mal stood in the doorway. As she felt her blood boil with anger and pain.
"I'm sorry Elena. If you hate me right now, I wouldn't blame you."
"Why would I? You're a stranger to me."
Mal nodded as he slowly stepped forward.
"I suppose I deserve that. I haven't had the chance to be a very good father to you, have I?"
"I had a father. One that I loved, that made me proud to be his daughter. But it's not you."
Mal tried to hide his pain but it got through anyway. Escaping through the cracks of his broken exterior.
"Elena if I could change what happened I would. But I can't. A week ago I didn't even know you existed. I know that doesn't help but-"
"You're right. It doesn't! I don't care what your excuses are, the point is you knew all this time but you still said nothing. I trusted you! Both of you, and you couldn't even tell who you really were! Is that the only reason you wanted to help me? Out of guilt?"
"No. of course not."
The tears streamed from Elena's eyes as they reflected the emptiness and betrayal she felt. Elena rushed towards the door as her head and heart tried to make sense of what was happening. Engulfed by the agony he felt, Mal gently grabbed Elena's arm to stop her in her tracks. His voice now a timid whisper.
"Elena please don't go."
Snatching her arm away from his grip, Elena glared at Mal with hatred as more tears streamed from her eyes.
"I wish I had never met you!"
Inching closer towards the door, Elena looked back between Mal and Natara. Mal worn down by his own crippling guilt and heartache. Natara equally sharing Mal's pain as she sat silently wishing that she could it all back. And as they both looked at Elena, she felt hurt. Betrayed. As Mal took a step towards her, she instantly backed away further towards the door.
"Elena please…"
"No. Just- Both of you, just stay the hell away from me!"
With that Elena darted out the door. Kicking open the main door to the street, she stood for a second as the cold night surrounded her. As reality dawned on her, she realized she had nowhere to go. But that didn't stop her from running down the street. She ran until her legs began to hurt; as the cold air pierced her cheeks, wrapping its icy grip around her body until her bare arms started to feel the cold. Closing her eyes she stopped. Standing under a dim street light, Elena panted for lost breath. Gazing up at the sky, she wondered how much longer she would have to run in order to escape the reality she was trying to hide from.
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