So…

I was thinking. Ja'far's parents seemed like they really cared about him in cannon, otherwise why would he react to what he did so badly. It makes me think that they aren't that bad, even if Leila maybe didn't know that. This chapter was written to deal with that concept.

I wasn't going to originally make this chapter, but I also wanted him to have one last chance to see her. You'll see what I mean…

I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 14: Little Girl Part 4

—Badr's POV—

"Damn it," yells a voice from the tent where the commander is currently meeting with a group who does special missions. "Brat, you're wasting our time!"

I turn as a small and high pitched yell is heard. A small child comes flying out of the commanding officers tent. The kid hits the ground hard, their head smacking against the dirt.

The soldiers all standing close by turn quickly, many looking worried. Everyone is hesitant to go over though.

"Kid," I remark going over. I'm getting a little nervous. The child has pale gray, almost white, fluffy hair like Lala did. I kneel down studying the form not moving, but can hear then starting to cry. They're small and thin to the point that They might be sick. They're in a dirty pair of pants and basic shirt that is just as dirty and their hair is long. "Can you talk to me?"

I reach over to touch the kids pale and boney arm as they shake. The kid is definitely a girl, only increasing my anxiety.

"I suggest that you don't do that," snaps a harsh voice. I turn to see a medium pink haired man standing there. He's from Sham Lash, just as Vartan was. That only means that there is very little chance that this isn't Lala. "She needed to be punished, so don't intervene."

"As a Father myself, I think I should step in," I snap. I reach over, not caring slightly for the glares. Slowly, I scoop her into my arm. She doesn't move much, but does open her eyes weakly. My heart gets stuck in my throat as I see glazed over metallic eyes.

"Easy Lala," I whisper standing up. It's really her. She shuts her eyes whimpering again, so I pull her close to my chest. Weakly, Lala blinks clearly dazed from hitting her head.

"How damn twisted are you all," I snap turning back towards them. I scan the entire group now. My blood runs cold as I spot Kasim standing towards the back. He looks angry, but at whom I can't tell. "She can't be more than five. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"As a soldier, you should understand-"

"Don't," I snap stepping closer. "Don't ever tell me what I should and shouldn't understand."

I turn to walk towards the infirmary.

"Where are you taking that child," snaps the man.

"To get her injuries treated," I snap back as Lala flinches a little. Looking down at her face, she looks scarred and hurt just like the first time I saw her. "As her damn father should have."

I move away hearing the man say stopping me isn't worth their time.

"Lala," I whisper to her. She doesn't answer, but grips my shirt tightly. There's a little bit of blood seeping from a cut on her head from when she was thrown. "Come on, sweetie. Can you talk to me?"

"Papa is mad," she whines hiding her face in my chest. She's starting to cry, her eyes closed again. She refuses to look up at me and I can guess her head is starting to pound. "He going to hurt me."

"Don't worry," I coo trying to soothe her. "Let's just get you fixed up, okay?"

She just continues to silently cry as I move a bit quicker. She's starting to really worry me and break my heart at the same time.

Finally, getting to the infirmary a medical soldier comes over. Reluctantly, I let him take her from my arms and set her on the bed. She's reluctant to let him examine her or treat her injuries, but the man from earlier comes and tells her to shut up and let him do his job. He says that she has a job coming up, making sure to look at me when he says it.

After the Sham Lash member leaves, Lala lets the soldier treat her injuries reluctantly.

"I need you to drink this," he says quietly. She shrinks back a little as he holds out a small cup. "It will make you a little sleepy."

"No," she says firmly crossing her arms.

"I'll make sure no one hurt you," I tell her. She doesn't look at me, but her resolve weakens a little. "I promise. So can you be a big girl and take your medicine?"

She hesitates but nods. The soldier gives her the small cup which she drinks quickly. Once she finishes she makes a little face of disgust and sticks her tongue out.

"Here," says the soldier holding out a very small piece on honey candy. A family member probably sent some to him. Lala looks at it in awe before looking up at him. "It will get rid of the yucky taste. Besides you look like you could use a treat."

"T-thanks mister," she says. He nods and set the small candy in her hand. A bit hesitantly she eats it, looking excited by the flavor. She's probably never had something that sweet before.

The soldier pats her head before picking her up and handing her to me. I sit down in a chair, as she nervously looks down.

"You're shy, aren't you," I ask. She nods, still sucking on the candy. I wish she would look up at me so I can get a good look at her eyes. "I have a son about your age. He's really friendly and outgoing."

"Is that why you helped, mister," she asks leaning against me.

"Partly," I say my hand on her bare arm. She's cold and shivers a little, snuggling closer. "I'm Baba."

"That's weird," she whispers playing with the edge of her shirt.

"A little," I say with a chuckle. She doesn't move to say anything else.

I watch her as she stays quiet. I want to ask her something, but she's too young to understand what happened. I want to tell her about Esra and Sin, but it won't mean much to her. At least I can see that she's alive.

"You cold?"

She nods a little.

"She's always cold."

I tense and notice Lala does as well.

Turning slowly I can see Kasim leaning on the doorway. His arms are crossed and he looks void of emotion, but his eyes hold something different. Regret almost. He stand up and comes over slowly. Lala squirms a little wanting to get away.

I sit up to shove him away, but he just gently places his hand on Lala's head. Lala still flinches a little and looks up at him teary eyed.

"What you said back there," he comments before pausing. Lala nods, but looks terrified. Kasim doesn't respond or change his expression. "It was smart. I'm not apologizing, but they were just jealous that you came up with the idea and they didn't. Don't take things like that personal. It's just our business."

Lala pauses but nods.

"Come here," he sighs taking her from my lap. I go to argue, but pause because of the look he gives me. It's almost protective. Ironic. He pulls her close to his chest and she tries to stay still. "I'm only doing this one time. Get some sleep and then we'll go back to the compound."

"So…you…really aren't going to hit me," she asks in a whisper. He sits down and she shifts to look up at him. She's hesitant and scared and he just looks thoughtful, like he may hit her any ways.

"No," he says flatly. He pushes her to lay her head on his chest. It's clear she doesn't want to sleep, but the medicine did make her tired. After a few minutes, she's breathing softly as he runs his fingers through her hair.

"What the fuck," I snap, getting up. I stand in front of him. He glances at me before turning back to Lala. "You're a sick bastard. What the hell did you do to her?"

"Oh, shut up," he says quietly. I glare as he keeps his focus on the small child. "You're too damn stupid to get it."

"Get what," I say leaning closer to glare at him. Now he has no choice but to look at me. "That you're an abusive shit and beat Lala."

"That I'm doing it to make up for fucking everything up," he snaps. I move back quickly. His eyes are wild and filled with fire. "If I don't do this, I'll guarantee that she won't live past the age of ten."

"What the hell does that mean," I snap back. At this point I'm ready to take Lala and get to Tison Village to get Esra and Sin and leave Partevia for good.

"Leila." He leans back casually, careful to not wake up Lala. I raise an eyebrow so he looks at me only to roll his eyes. "Her damn name isn't Lala. It's Leila."

"I asked a question."

He just chuckles. "Don't really care." He stands up and pushes past me.

"My wife cried about her for weeks." He stops dead in his track, but makes no moves to look at me. In my head all I can see is Esra and how heartbroken she was. "She adored that girl and cried because she thought she let her down. She's scared that she'll let our son down. If you really don't care then send her back there. She'll be safe and cared for at least."

"That's not an option." He sighs, but still doesn't turn to face me. "To become a member of Sham Lash you have to kill your family. Otherwise you're hunted down. Vartan betrayed me and she didn't. I realized that too late, and it left me with one choice."

He turns towards me with a glare.

"I want her to hate me," he says firmly. "I want her to hate Suma. I need her to, so that she can kill us. I could have just forced Vartan to come back, but instead I got angry and destroyed his family. It was stupid and felt great at the time, but…"

He takes a deep breath as Leila whimpers a little in her sleep.

What does he mean by Vartan's family?

"You don't deserve to die." He turns back towards me pausing at the look I give him. I grip my cane tighter, knowing it's the only thing stopping me from acting rashly. "You deserve to suffer with that then."

"It's too late for that though. It either her or us. There's no way we all live."

He goes to leave. My chest aches because I know there is nothing I can do. That child will continue to suffer and there is no way to stop it.

"Tell your wife I'm sorry."

"I can't. Partevia sent me here to die."

"Sorry to hear that."

"No. You aren't."

"I am. But for your son. Because it looks like neither him or Leila will grow up with the father they deserve."

"No, but at least my son has better memories than what you're leaving her with."

He nods before leaving. Leaving me standing here with with a lot of anger towards Partevia.

Leila…

It suit her. She's a strong girl and she'll be okay. I just hope she'll find people to truly rely on. She's going to need it with that ass raising her.

Sin…if you ever meet her again, you better make sure you take good care of Leila too.

—Kasim's POV—

I hold Leila's tiny hand as we move through the compound. She continues to look around seeming nervous moving closer and closer to me.

She's an anomaly.

No matter how much we hit her or abuse her she doesn't seem to hate us. She comes to us when something bad happens. Leila doesn't ask for comfort, but just wants to know we're there.

Maybe it's Vartan's fault or mine, but she's just not a hateful person. Sad and hurt. Lonely even. Everything but hateful. Even her temper seems to be non existent. True every once in a while Leila will get mad, but it take a lot for her to lose it.

I hope Ja'far gets that from watching her, rather than picking up my temper.

Or Suma's.

Leila already cares so much about him. Every time he's playing, she's vigilantly watching to make sure he is okay. In some ways I feel guilty for that as well. She would probably play with him if we let her and grow closer with her brother. I can't let that happen.

She needs to feel alone so she doesn't get trapped here without a chance at a life.

Besides, she won't have to deal with her family betraying her then. Like how her father betrayed me.

He knew that he was the only person I had. And he still left with some man he had just met during the war. I thought he might come back, but then he left Partevia.

The only person I had left…gone.

"Papa."

I look down at Leila as she tugs in my hand slightly. Her shiny gray eyes look worried as she frowns a little. If I'm being honest, she actually looks cute.

"You look sad," she says.

"I'm fine."

"Sorry," she mumbles looking away. It hurts to see her so dejected, but it needs to happen. Maybe…just this once…

"It's not your fault," I say quietly looking forward. "It's stupid of you to worry about me."

She nods and looks ahead, but holds my hand a little tighter.

I can't hate this kid. I've put her through hell already and here she is worrying about me being upset. I've hit her for less, but she's still holding my hand to make me feel better.

I really can't hate her.

I do hate looking at her though. She remind me too much of Vartan, but it isn't her fault.

Silently, I slide the door to our small accommodations. I smile as Suma turns towards us, Ja'far in the crib.

"Go over and say hi to Ja'far," I remark letting go of Leila's hand. She's quick to run over and peak over the sides as Suma stand up and gives me a questioning look. "Be careful."

"Yes, Papa."

"Everything okay," Summa whispers coming over. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close before kissing her cheek. Neither of us intended to actually fall for the other, but I'm grateful for both her and our son. "You seem different."

"Badr was there," I say quietly. She tenses a bit. "He saw her."

"What did he say?"

"Exactly what you'd expect. That we're scum and Leila deserved better. And his wife was upset because of what we did."

"I'm starting to feel guilty about that." I turn towards Suma as she watches Leila talk to Ja'far. "I feel guilty about all of this."

"In the end though, it's to fix what we did."

"Papa. Mama."

We both turn towards Leila as she looks at us. She's still holding on lightly to the side of the crib looking nervous. She's refusing to actually meet our eyes, which tells me that she's scared of our reaction.

"Can I try to get Ja'far to say my name?"

"Don't be an idiot," I scoff internally wincing at how hurt Leila looks when I say that. "He's just a baby. He won't be able to say your name."

"What about Lala?" I raise an eyebrow as she looks at us. "That weird man called me that. I didn't like it, but if it was Ja'far-"

"No," snaps Suma. "He will call you Leila. If he can't do that for a few years, oh well."

"Yes Mama."

Leila turns away from us, but it's impossible to not see how hurt she was.

"It's getting harder to hurt her." Suma hums in agreement to my whispered comment.

"But…if anyone deserve a chance it's her, not us." I squeeze Suma's hip slightly as her voice trembles. We didn't think it would be hard to let our anger out of the kid. "I'll take the guilt and the pain in my chest. Not only for what I did to Leila, but her Mother as well."

"We hurt a lot of people by doing what we did," I sigh. "A lot of people I wouldn't have imagined hurting. A few more years though."

"It's going to be a long few years…"