A Guardian Angel
Chapter 122
The Rise and Fall Of An Empire
(3 Months until Tour Ends)
(Canada Eh)
It had been four months since Melody's birth, and four months since he'd dipped out on the band. Marshall was still waiting for retribution to come from Lich. What he had planned because of this, Marshall didn't know, but the one thing he was certain of was the fact that Lich had something in store for him. He was never idle this long.
He'd wondered through out their tour of Australia what Lich was planning. At this point though Marshall was starting to wonder if maybe Lich was using this as a mind game more than anything else. That seemed like him.
They'd flown from Australia to Alaska and toured the state briefly before making their way through Canada.
Now as they wrapped up after the concert, Marshall sat in a brooding silence tuning his guitar.
"What's up man?" Ash asked.
"I don't know. I'm waiting for something to happen I guess. You know that feeling you get when something's off?" Marshall asked looking over Ash, watching as he walked over.
"Yeah I do." Ash said sitting down next to him. "I can't lie things have felt kind of off lately. Our last meeting with Lich is a pretty good example. Mo and I were talking about this earlier actually. Things have just felt weird. I mean I can't explain why I feel like this. But at least know you're not alone in this boat."
"Thanks man. I don't know, I just kind of feel like there's this dark cloud coming."
"Well my mom used to say that the night was always darkest before the break of day, so maybe things are about to lighten up?" Ash said with a grin.
"Yeah, maybe." Marshall pushed himself up. Offering Ash his hand, he pulled him up as well.
"Gonna go to the greenroom party?"
"Dude I hate those things. It used to be about fans meeting us, but now it's all about getting corporate sponsors to blow smoke for Lich."
"You know he's gonna bitch if you don't go."
"Yeah I know." Marshall grumbled "I'll put my guitar away, and then I'll head over okay?"
"Sounds good. Later Marsh." Marshall watched as Ash walked off the stage, and after a moment followed him. The hotel wasn't too far from the club. Dropping off his instrument and grabbing a quick shower, Marshall made his way to the after party.
o0o0o
The music was loud and thumping when Marshall showed up. His arrival was marked with a wave of cheers from fans and sponsors alike. Mingling with everyone was probably the easiest part of the evening for Marshall. He had no issue entertaining the groups of people or conversing about world events.
His biggest issue came when people would try and sit in his lap, or hang on him. With Fionna home with their two babies, Marshall viewed allowing it as akin to cheating.
As the night wore on those things happening only increased. The more people drank, the more they wanted to touch him. While he didn't mind a handshake or a hug for a photo, all these fans clinging to him like he was a lifeline was starting to annoy him.
"You know most guys would love having hot chicks all over them." Ash said from his left handing Marshall a drink.
"Most guys aren't engaged to be married, with two little girls and a gorgeous fiancée at home."
"I'll give you that." Ash said as he led Marshall over to where the guys were. When they arrived, it was just Ignitus sitting there conversing with one of the business executives Mei had introduced him to earlier.
"But Marsh, all I'm saying is that if you were to just, I don't know, divert some chick hanging on you to me I wouldn't mind." Ash said with a shrug while Marshall rolled his eyes.
"I'll get right on that Ash."
"Come on dude, lighten up. In less than three months we're free men. You get to do the family thing, and we go on from where ever we go. Probably back to Hunson right?"
"Honestly it depends. I think I want to step back a bit. If we did go with anyone it would be Nightosphere. But Ash, man I miss my family. I wouldn't want to do another tour like this. Not until the girls are older, and definitely not out of the country for so long."
"I get that Marsh. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be with your family."
They watched the business exec leave, and moments later Kate and Mo sat down, Mo reaching for the pitcher of water, and both looking like they'd just had the time of their lives.
Deciding to relax, Marshall sat down. Almost immediately a server brought him a drink. They all hung out, occasionally visited by random people. Mo and Kate were back and forth from the table to the dance floor, Ash occasionally making his own way with them.
The hours passed, and as two AM rolled around both Marshall and Ignitus stood at the same time. Sharing a look they busted out laughing.
"Going my way?" Ignitus asked nonchalantly.
"Dude, I can't wait to leave." Marshall said grinning as they walked from the lounge.
The club was still filled with people, and as they made their way to the door Marshall paused spotting Ash. He was sitting on one of the benches, one of the women from earlier hanging on him as she sat in his lap. They were chatting away, and from where Marshall was, it was more than obvious that she was drunk.
"Should we do something?" Ignitus asked glancing from Ash to Marshall.
"He's not doing anything wrong Ig." Marshall said, though he himself had still yet to move from where they stood.
"Not yet." Ignitus said crossing his arms.
Even with the music as loud as it was they could hear the two of them talking.
"We -HIC- we should totally go back to my place."
"I'd love to, I genuinely would, but you're completely wasted, and that's not right." Ash said.
The boys watched as she pouted at him. To their surprise and Ash's, she straddled his lap and began kissing him. Now he pushed her back.
"Honey, I said no."
"No man really means that when he says it." She said leaning towards him trying to kiss him again, Ash still holding her back.
"Can you please stop?"
Marshall stepped towards them to intervene, but Ignitus passed by before he could.
"Ash! Dude we've been looking everywhere for you. There's an emergency meeting, our manager wants us there ASAP. Let's go." Ig said pulling him up and out from beneath the woman trapping him.
"Hey! We weren't done!"
"Well he is now. Besides, they're giving away free jello shots at the bar so you should go grab a few before they're gone."
"That's a great idea." She said stumbling away.
Before she could even disappear into the crowd Ignitus turned them both, pushing Ash ahead of him. They walked from the club, Marshall in tow.
"Is there any part of you that isn't an asshole, or a damn doormat?" Ignitus snapped as the trio stepped out into the night air.
"You basically named both of my parents right there, so are you really so surprised?"
"Come on Ash, what the hell was that!?"
"Why are you mad at me!? I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Ig, stop it. This is something different right now, and you know it." Marshall said cutting him a look.
"I'm mad because YOU won't even defend yourself-
"No, you're mad because I hit Marceline. You're mad because I showed more self control to some rando, than to someone I was supposed to care about. Ig, I am sorry. I'm sorry for my part in your pain, but I'm not that person anymore. I realized I messed up, and I worked my ass off to be a better person." Ash snapped back, not noticing as Kate and Mo joined them.
"You can't keep holding that against me. It happened nearly three years ago and you have your wife because of it. You don't have to forgive me, but you have to let it go. You gave me damn near thirty stitches in my head, and you don't hear me bringing that up every time I'm mad at you."
"Guys? What's going on?" Mo asked now stepping towards them.
"Yeah Ig, what's going on? Explain it to us, because I want to know too." Ash said crossing his arms glaring at him.
"After how you treated Marcy, after everything, I don't trust you around women Ash. I'm sorry but I don't."
"You don't trust me around women?! You were just yelling at me for not putting my hands on her! I can't win with you! I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't." Now Ash stormed off, Mo hurrying after him.
"Wait Ash, what happened?"
"Ask him."
"I'm asking you. Now stop." Mo said grabbing his shoulder.
"What!?" Ash snapped turning to face Mo who gave him a look of concern.
"Tell me!"
"UGH! The chick in the club was drunk and wouldn't take no for an answer. I didn't want to hurt her, and I froze up trying to figure out what to do. Ig got me out of there. Now we're fighting, because I didn't act like a creep or take advantage of some drunk chick, even though she was practically forcing herself on me. Because if I'm not an asshole, I'm a doormat!" Ash snapped over his shoulder at them. Now Mo turned towards them too.
"Ig you can't be serious right now. You're not even being fair." He said watching as Ig crossed his arms.
"My opinion doesn't need to be fair. It's mine."
"Fine. Since you want to keep being an insufferable asshole, I'll give you what you want, and I'll sink to your level." Ash said now glaring at him.
"It's currently my opinion that nobody should trust you alone with any of their prescriptions."
At this, Kate gasped, and even Marshall looked shocked.
"Ash-
"Don't." He said cutting Mochro a warning look now staring at Ignitus, waiting for him to speak.
"That's a low blow Ashton."
"Now you see how it feels to have your biggest mistake thrown in your face, even though you did everything you could to fix it."
"This is the first and last time I'm doing this, and the only reason I am is because you do this to me constantly. I'm not doing it any more. I have never used your mistakes against you. And I say mistakes, PLURAL. Because you didn't just trip, and accidentally become an addict one day. You willingly made dumb choice, after dumb choice, just like me."
"Yet some how only you are redeemable? Only you can change your shit ways and become a better person? You may have gotten yourself clean, but you're still a pretentious jerk." Ash said storming off towards the parking lot.
"Kate, come on." Mo said waiting for her before they followed after Ash, leaving Ignitus and Marshall standing alone in front of the club.
"You know you were a hundred percent in the wrong just now, right?" Marshall asked letting out a sigh.
Ignitus said nothing, but walked off, Marshall still behind him.
"I don't need a babysitter Marshall."
"I'm not your babysitter, but I am your friend. I figured you may want one of those." He followed along quietly as they made their way back to the hotel.
"So, you gonna tell me what that was about?"
"Why do you ask questions when you already know the answer?" Marshall could hear the frustration in his voice and knew chances were, his answer would piss him off.
"To see if you do." He said simply.
"Yes I know the answer Marshall."
"So tell me then."
They continued walking, the silence stretching between them.
"You know what, since you're not feeling so chatty, how about you listen then?" Marshall said now speaking up.
"Tonight Ash did nothing wrong, and you know that. Obviously this is about Marcy-
"Don't try and analyze me Marshall, I'm not in the mood."
"And I'm not in the mood for your guys' crap to resurrect again, yet here we are. Ash is right. You don't have to forgive him, but you do need to stop always throwing this in his face."
"I don't always-
"Ig, it's constant. Despite this he still focused on fixing his issues. He got a therapist and when that didn't work, he got one that did. He's apologized to all of us, so I know he's had to have apologized to you too. But dude, you've got to stop treating him this way. You can think whatever you want. You're right, you're entitled to your thoughts and opinions. But that doesn't give you the right to treat him poorly.
"Ash made a valid point tonight Ig. You've both made mistakes, and you both did your best to redeem yourselves for it. Neither of you are any better or worse than the other in the big scheme of things. So why are his mistakes worse than yours?"
"Because the only person I hurt was myself."
"You hurt more people than just yourself and you know it. Your actions hurt every single person you shared your life with Ig. You already know that. This is because you love Marcy yes. And you defending her should he ever act up towards her, is the only action I'd ever expect you to take. But this had nothing to do with Marceline when this started, so why'd you have to bring it there?"
"What the hell do you want from me Marshall?"
"An answer would be nice."
"Maybe I don't have one!" Ignitus said finally stopping and turning to Marshall.
"He acts all helpless with this chick whose violating boundaries left and right, but he slaps Marcy for establishing hers?"
"You're comparing two different people Ig. This Ash, and that Ash are different people, he's grown since then. Should I hold you to be the same person you were three years ago? Or would that not be fair to the person you are now?" Marshall asked now staring him down.
"You don't have to forgive him Ig. You don't even have to like him. But you do have to learn to stay civil. I'm not telling you how to handle your shit. But I am telling you to get a grip on it, because you crossed a line tonight." Marshall said as they walked up to the hotel door.
Ignitus said nothing more and walked past him into the hotel, leaving Marshall outside. He was about to enter himself, when he spotted Mo and Ash stepping out through the side entrance. Changing direction he headed over there instead.
Marshall stood with them and was handed a lit joint by Ash. Taking a hit, he passed it along.
"How you doing Ash?"
"I'm really frustrated man." He said running his hand through his hair.
"I don't blame you, he was out of line. Not to excuse him, but I don't think he even understands why he started this tonight." Marshall said, once again accepting the joint.
"Well he needs to figure his shit out."
"I told him that. I didn't sugar coat anything with him. He knows he crossed lines. I told him as much." Marshall said handing it off to Mo.
"Really though guys, thank you. I know I made mistakes, but thank you for acknowledging that it's something I've been working on." Ash said taking the joint from Mo.
"Dude I can see you're trying. Besides he was in the wrong and I'm not gonna let anyone flip on any of you when they're the ones wrong. Even if it's one of you guys." Mo said with a shrug.
Ash once again offered the joint to Marshall, but this time he shook his head.
"Nah I'm good, was gonna head upstairs. But for real Ash, I'm on your side with this one." Marshall said watching as he took one last hit before snubbing it out.
"Thanks Marsh."
"You all headed in too?" He asked looking at Mo and Ash.
"I was gonna chill out here for a bit."
"I'll hang with you for a bit before I head in to Kate." Mo said. Saying their goodnights Marshall headed inside. What happened tonight he knew would cause problems.
o0o0o
At the sound of a cry Fionna opened her eyes. She sat up wincing, her hand resting on her incision scar. Even now it still hurt. Looking around in the afternoon light Fionna reached for the bassinet shushing the baby as she lifted her into her arms.
"Oh sweetness what's wrong?" Fionna asked. Cringing at the foul smelling mess up her back.
"Oh baby girl you need a bath you...how did you even do this? Oh my god it's in your hair." She said now holding Melody at arms length as she carried her into the bathroom.
Life as a mother of two had been a huge change, especially after having had the C-section. Her parents helped a lot more than they had before, and it had been more help than she'd ever expected. The first few weeks back had been excruciatingly painful, and Fionna was appreciative of their help.
While she'd been in the hospital Steve, Jake, and Finn set up her bedroom in the family room in the basement. Her bed had been brought down along with Ari's. The couch had been moved, and the room rearranged. Down here the little family settled in as the months passed. Fionna was actually happier down here than she imagined being. The family room was much larger than her bedroom so it gave them space for everyone's beds, and room for Ari to play.
Fionna peeled Melody from her onesie dropping it into the sink. The plus plus side to being in the family room was that the laundry room was literally only feet away. She turned on the tub rinsing her clear of mess, before filling the small baby tub. Melody was soaped up, and her hair washed and rinsed when Fionna heard someone coming down the stairs. Moments later her mom knocked on the open door, Ari in her arms.
"You never came back so I figured you fell asleep."
"I did. I got her down, laid down for a minute and crashed." She said with a grin. "Is motherhood always this exhausting?"
"Sometimes."
"Mamma bath?" Ari asked pointing to he tub.
"Tonight before bed, we'll even use a bunch of bubbles okay?" She asked as Ari nodded.
"I help?"
"You want to help give Melly a bath?" Ellen asked as the small child nodded.
"Fionna?"
"It's fine, I'll be done in a second anyways so it's not like there's a lot she can get into." Fionna said as her daughter was set down beside her. "Here." She said handing the soapy wash cloth to Ari who took it eagerly and began washing the only part of her sister she could reach, her feet.
"You're doing such a good job Ari, you're a great big sister." Fionna said watching as Ari beamed at her. They stayed there as Ari washed, Fionna rinsing Melody's feet at least a dozen times.
"Do you think those tootsies are clean enough?" Fionna asked looking at Ari who nodded throwing the wash cloth in the tub and running from the room. Rinsing the baby again Fionna lifted her from the tub wrapping her in a towel and drying her hair.
"Mamma I help." Ari said bringing her one of the diapers.
"Ari you're such a good helper." She said taking the diaper from her and walking over to her bed.
"I help."
"What do you want to do?" Fionna asked watching as Ari pointed up to the bed. Lifting her onto the bed she continued diapering Melody, accepting the new onesie and pajamas her mom offered.
Ari sat on the bed watching her mom and the new baby, and leaning down she gave her a kiss, giggling as Melody reached or her.
"Awww do you love your little sister Ari?"
"My Melly." Ari said pointing to her.
"That's right, that's your Melly."
Once the baby was dressed, Fionna set her on her belly on the blanket while Ari ran around grabbing toys and bringing them to her.
"So what's up?" Fionna asked now turning to her mom.
"That's right, the mail came in. There's a few letters from Marshall for you, I was also going to ask if you needed anything from the store. I was planning on bringing Ari if you were still napping."
"Yeah, we're starting to run low on diapers and wipes." Fionna said now checking though the baby's drawers of stuff. "Would you mind getting more of the sensitive bath time baby wash too?"
"Sure thing Sweetie. Want me to pick up more of those bath paints too?"
"If you don't mind."
"I know how much Ari loves them. Plus it's kind of cute to see what she draws." Elle said with a smile.
"That would be great, thanks Ma."
"No problem. Do you want me to bring Ari?"
"Nah, it's okay. I'll just be cleaning that up so I won't be overwhelmed." She said pointing to the bassinet.
"Okay then, I'll be back." She said kissing Fionna's head before heading up the stairs.
Fionna sighed now looking at the bassinet, better now than never...Grabbing the liner from the bed the took it off bringing it into the bathroom where she rinsed that and the onesie, throwing them in the wash along with a new pile of dirty laundry. Aria ran around the room while her mother cleaned, playing with her toys, then bringing them over for Melody to play with.
Unlatching the gate, Fionna ran upstairs grabbing the mail and a banana from the bowl on the island table. She flicked through it spotting Marshall's letters, and made her way back to the family room with them. She found Ari at the gate waiting for her and smiled waving the banana.
"Look what I've got." She said in a sing song voice as she made her way over to where Melody had been. In place of her daughter, Fionna found a mountain of stuffed animals. She sifted through them freeing the baby, and cradling her in her arms Fionna sat on the couch. She peeled the banana, taking a bite and offered it to Ari as she nursed the baby. She watched as Ari ran over to take a bite of her own.
They shared the banana, and once it was gone, Fionna tried reading Marshall's letter. Melody though wasn't having that. She wanted to grab everything, and Ari loved how she would accept everything she offered. So Fionna spent her time moving toy after toy aside, Ari giggling each time she brought one over while Melody had her lunch.
Fionna was listening to the quiet sounds of the house, when she heard the door open upstairs. She could hear the sound of someone moving in the the hall and kitchen.
Melody began fussing, and fixing her shirt, Fionna burped her. Heading over to the pack and play, she placed her inside before heading up the stairs, double checking the latch as she did.
"Mom is that at you?" She walked through the kitchen and down the hall pausing near the front door.
"Mom?" Now she climbed the stairs as quietly as she could, listening for any sounds. Hearing nothing she headed back downstairs. She could have sworn she'd heard something.
o0o0o
Kate had thought about it for hours. On one hand, neither Ignitus nor Ash were her problem. On the other hand both were her friend and Kate felt that this was something Marceline should know about. The way they'd gone at each other last night bothered her.
Mo and Ash were currently hanging out in Ash's room, Kate having elected to stay behind. She'd thought about it long and hard, and finally picked up the phone to call Marceline.
"Hey Kat, how's it going?" Kate could hear the sound of typing and the shuffling of papers as Marceline spoke.
"Hey Marcy, same old same old for the most part." She said now walking over to the window looking at the view of the forest before sighing.
"This isn't just a social call, honestly I'm a little worried about Ig's mental space right now. Did you talk to him last night?" At this, the sound of typing on Marcy's end stopped.
"No, he sent me a video before he went to bed last night, but I was already asleep when he sent it. He did say he was in a bad mood but that it was nothing to worry about."
"Honestly I hate saying this because you know how I feel about getting into other peoples business. But maybe it should be something you worry about and bring up to him. Last nights issue with Ash was all about you."
"What? He didn't say anything about Ash at all. What happened?"
"Mo and I didn't see the beginning part, Ig and Marshall did. But we both caught the end. Apparently one of the women in the club was drunk and wouldn't listen to Ash when he told her to stop trying to kiss him. Marshall and Ignitus saw it, and got him away from the chick. But apparently when they left, Ig just started laying into Ash calling him a doormat and all sorts of mean things."
"Wait. Ash actually behaved, and Iggy was yelling at him for it?"
"Yeah. When we went outside they were just going in on each other. Ig said he didn't trust Ash around women because of what he did to you. After that Ash flipped and they basically threw a bunch of low blows at each other. But for real Marcy, I know that after everything that Ash did-
"That's not acceptable." She said listening as Kate trailed off. "He can defend me until the cows come home, and that's fine as long as what's going on involves me. He should not be using my issues with Ash to Bully him. That's saying something when you know my feelings towards Ash are indifferent at best. What are the worst things you think they've said to each other last night?"
"For Ig it was definitely bringing you up when none of it had anything to do with you. You know that Ash has been in anger management, and therapy and all of that stuff."
"I do. What's the worst thing Ash said?"
"I don't even want to say it. But after Ig said he doesn't trust Ash around women because of what he did to you. Ash said that he doesn't trust Ignitus around anyone's prescriptions." Kate winced listening to Marceline's gasp.
"I know. Honestly I want to be upset with the both of them, but Ash said something where I can't help but feel he's in the right. He said he never used Ig's mistakes to hurt him. This was the first time I've ever seen it happen. He held out a long time before saying anything like that. But Ig is always throwing jabs at him about what happened between you two. I mean some days they're completely fine together, but lately I don't know. I've been getting the feeling that something's been bothering Ignitus. I think that rather than dealing with that, he takes out his frustrations on Ash, and that's not okay when Ash hasn't done anything wrong."
"No, you're completely right. I never thought I'd be the one saying this, but Ash is right too. I genuinely can't say I've ever heard Ash say anything along those lines before to Iggy and they've had some huge issues."
"I'm sorry I had to bring this to you like this."
"Don't be sorry, I'm happy that you brought this to me. Well I'm not happy, but I'm not not happy with you."
"I know what you mean Marcy. I'm glad we had this conversation."
"Me too. Have you seen Ig today at all?"
"No, he didn't come to breakfast this morning so he either got room service or went out."
"Alright, I'll try giving him a call now. Thank you Kate, for keeping an eye on things for me."
"That's what friends do. Give me a call if you need anything, and I'll call you if anything else happens."
"Thanks again, Bye Kate."
"Bye Marcy." Hanging up the phone Kate sighed flopping onto the bed. That was draining. This whole Ash, Ig situation was draining. Kate didn't know how they did it. Pushing herself up from the bed and double checking that she had her key card, Kate headed to Ash's room. She'd decided that whether he wanted to or not, Mo was becoming her pillow for nap time.
o0o0o
Fionna had helped her mom out putting away the groceries while the girls napped. Being handed a stack of towels, she made her way upstairs. Opening the towel closet Fionna put them away, pausing at the sound of the running toilet coming from the bathroom.
Walking in she wiggled the handle catching sight of the dripping faucet. Someone was in here. Hesitantly she peeled the shower curtain back sighing in relief to see it empty.
Walking to the end of the hall she checked her parents room finding it too empty. Next she went to Finn's room finding it's usual chaos, but void of life. Jake's room was less chaotic than Finn's, but as equally empty. The only room left was hers.
Creeping towards the door Fionna knelt down peeking under the door spotting a familiar pair of feet sneaking into her closet. Standing Fionna opened the door, closing it behind her. Making her way to the closet, Fionna squared her shoulders and put on her most unimpressed face.
She opened the door watching as Jackie jumped startled, looking up at her from her tablet screen.
"Hi Imo."
"What're you doing here? You're supposed to be at Summer camp."
"Camp sucks." Jackie said looking away from her.
"What's the drama?" Fionna asked sitting down across from Jackie, just outside the closet.
"They're all jerks. Just because I'm smarter than everyone, they think they can treat me differently. It's not fair."
"Who treats you differently? The other kids?"
"No, the counselors. We all have fun doing something silly and it's 'Jackie you shouldn't be doing that' 'Jackie lead by example, you know better', 'Jackie you're smarter than this'. I don't care. I'm just a kid, I shouldn't have to be responsible for everyone else especially when they're all older than I am."
"No, you absolutely shouldn't, you're right. If I were in your shoes I'd be frustrated too. Is today the first time you've run away from camp?"
"Yeah."
"Good, don't do it again. Next time call me and I'll come get you."
"Imo I tried, but they took my phone."
"Excuse me? Did you tell them you were calling one of us?"
"Yes. The counselor said that because I wasn't sick I couldn't call to go home."
"So you left?"
At this Jackie nodded, Fionna doing the same.
"Alright get up, we're going to the camp to get your phone back." Fionna said pushing herself to her feet.
"Let's go."
o0o0o
Ignitus walked from the bathroom toweling off his hair as the phone began ringing. Checking the caller ID and seeing Marcy's name he smiled answering the phone.
"Hey beautiful, I was just missing you." He listened to the silence on her end for a moment before Marceline spoke.
"Are you busy right now?"
"For you I'm never busy. What's going on Baby?"
"I was honestly calling to ask you that." Experience warned him, from the clipped tone of her voice, that Marceline was upset about something.
"Nothing much going on here. We had the concert last night, then the green room party, then we came back to the hotel. Marcy are you upset with me about something?"
"I am actually. What happened last night with you and Ash?"
"What?" This he hadn't been expecting
"You and Ash. What happened? Because from what I heard, you completely went off on him for no reason."
"It wasn't no reason-
"Then explain it to me." Marceline sat listening to the silence, and Ignitus simply stood there, not knowing what to say to her. He was stupefied at how she unknowingly echoed Ash's words to him.
"I can't. Because I don't have an excuse."
"Iggy, you obviously had a reason. I don't care if it was selfish or self serving. I don't care if it's because you decided you don't want to ever see him happy. Just tell me why you did that. What's going on with you? The man I married isn't some bullying jerk, and he certainly doesn't disrespect me like this. So tell me why?"
"My dad's been calling me. I don't know why, or what he wants. He left me a voicemail but there's no way in hell I'm listening to that. I've been getting shorter with everyone lately. My grandfather won't take my calls, and he's been ignoring me since Ember threw him out."
"Iggy, why didn't you tell me these things?"
"Because, I never want to worry you. You have so much on your plate already with our house, and your Grandpa, and working with your dad. I don't want to overwhelm you, or burden you, with my problems." Ig said now pulling on a pair of sweats, flopping on the bed.
"Babe, you need to talk to someone. Tell me, I'm here to listen, and I'm here for you. Talk to me." Marceline said waiting for him to say something.
Ignitus sat there listening to Marceline on the other end, and closing his eyes, he did.
0o0
Ember walked into the coffee shop, looking around at the tables. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she turned and was immediately offered what looked to be a hot chocolate in a to go cup.
With a sigh she took the cup and followed him to the table, watching as her father sat in the booth. Ember sat across from him. Everything in her was screaming to ask him what he wanted. To ask if he was here to just rub it in their faces that he was right...right about everything.
Reaching forward he placed his hand on hers squeezing it tightly. Looking away Ember allowed this, feeling as his thumb rubbed her hand
"Sweetheart, how are you?" His voice was gentle, but it wouldn't be his first deception.
"I'm great. Finn and I just bought a house a few months ago, it's right behind Iggy's and-
Ember cut herself off knowing her twin was a sore spot for him. Quickly she pulled her hand back holding it in her lap, still having yet to look her father in the eye.
"I'm happy to hear that you'll be living so closely to your brother. I know that was something that was important to you both."
At this Ember looked up meeting her father's gaze. She was searching his eyes looking for the hint of malice. That part of him that liked so often to reach out, just to try and wound her brother. She didn't see that. She saw her father's genuine interest for their well-being. Again she had to look away from him.
"Emmy I'm sorry. I was not a good father to you, and I was a worse father to your brother." Hearing this Ember stared in shock.
"Tell him that yourself." She said before she could catch herself. Her father's response though, surprised her more than his previous statement had.
"I've tried. He refuses all of my calls. I don't blame him for not speaking with me. I genuinely was a terrible father to him. It took a complete stranger at the time to make me realize, that he is not the man I always made him out to be."
Again Ember sat there in silence. She was thinking every thought she had through thoroughly, before she said a thing to him.
"What brought this sudden change?" Ember asked. None of this made any sense to her Why was he doing this? Where had this sudden change come from?
"I know the impact my father can leave in someone's life. His impact is not something I wanted for you or your brother."
"Well it's a little late for the notice Dad. I threw Papa out months ago because according to him, the psycho that attacked me in my own home was just business."
"Sweetheart I'm so sorry."
"No, I'm sorry I just-
"Ember, you don't have a reason to be sorry. You wanted your family, and I understand that. Had I been honest and less alienating I would have been the person you turned to. I'm sorry I wasn't the person you, or Ignitus needed me to be." At this admission Ember felt her eyes burn.
"Papa's the reason why you treated Iggy so badly, wasn't he?"
"Yes, he was. Again there's no excuse."
"Then why'd you do it? If there's no excuse why did you do that to him when he needed you the most?" Ember watched as he sighed.
"Because if I was going to watch my son become my father, I wanted it to be at a distance." He said looking away from her. "I didn't want to watch him turn into a monster."
"No, instead you abandoned him." Ember said watching as still her father nodded.
"Yes I did. I'm under no illusions that I've done anything right by your brother. I'm hoping that will change. I want to reconcile with my children."
"I'm willing, as long as Ignitus gets a sincere apology from you. No more empty promises."
"I'll do what I can, but I don't think he'll listen to a thing I have to say."
"I'll talk to him and see what I can do."
0o0
Feuer walked into the pub and paused a brief moment before he walked towards the back. He motioned for the bartender to follow. He waited only a moment before the man arrived.
"What can I do for you Mr. Flint?"
"Son, in all the time I've known you, have I ever called you by name?" Feuer asked watching the man frown.
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm going to make this incredibly simple for you. Have you ever given me your name?" Feuer asked.
"No sir."
"With that in mind should I know you by name?"
"No sir. I- I mean if you wanted to I guess but-" Ricardio petered off into silence as Feuer stared him down.
"You've only ever sent one person my way Ricardio. This man pretended to be you when he assaulted my granddaughter. He threw your name out there, and you under the bus, before he even committed a crime." He said watching the man's face pale.
"So with this knowledge, let me ask you one question. What do you know about Declan Cromwell?"
o0o0o
Fionna walked into the camp with Jackie trailing her.
"Where's the office?" Fionna asked looking towards the closest building, Jackie nodding in confirmation.
"Good. Now go wait in the car." Fionna said walking to the office alone. Entering the building, she spotted a cluster of counselors, the group turning to face her, one of them looking more than stressed.
"Hi can we help you?" One of the girls asked in a chipper voice.
"Yes, I'd like to dismiss my niece Jackie Wright." Fionna said watching as several of the counselors exchanged nervous glances.
"Not a problem we'll send someone to find her right now." She said with a smile
"That shouldn't be an issue. I've already sent her a text telling her to come to the office. I'm sure she'll be here shortly."
"Actually, her phone was confiscated today. We asked her repeatedly not to text during the craft tutorial and had to take it." One of the members of the group said, the others quickly hurrying outside.
"I see. Okay, bring me my niece, and give me her phone." Fionna said holding out her open hand. The counselor handed it over, and powering it on Fionna opened the recent messages. The last one was had been from her, and the one before that was a message from Lady the day before. Now she held out the phone to the counselor who'd handed it to her.
"Obviously the last person she was talking to had been her mother yesterday. Why did you take her phone? It's in her file, in a letter written by her mother, that she's to keep it on her person at all times because of her age. Yes, this may be a camp for 6th graders but she is only eight years old." Fionna said crossing her arms glaring at them.
"Why did you take her phone? Your 'reason' was a lie. So what? You took my nieces phone to have a power trip over a little girl?" She asked looking back and forth between the pair of them.
"Where are the counselors? Does it normally take this long to dismiss a child?" She asked now fuming. All she wanted was for them to admit fault. She knew, they knew Jackie was missing, why had they not called any of them?
The man before her shook his head. Releasing a breath Fionna closed her eyes and sighed.
"Call your counselors and call off looking for her. Jackie's been with me for the last three hours. Would you care to tell me why an eight year old has been missing from your child care establishment for more than three hours and nobody seemed to notice? And if you did notice why was nobody called? Why is that?" She asked angrily.
None of them seemed to have an answer. Shaking her head in disgust Fionna walked from the camp. In the car she looked back at Jackie.
"I will literally pay for you to go to camp anywhere else, that place sucks." Turning she handed Jackie her phone back.
"Yeah it does. Thanks Imo."
"No problem Junior." She said backing out of the space. "Wanna go grab an ice cream?" Fionna asked watching as her face brightened up in the back seat.
"Yeah!"
o0o0o
"Yes, yes Feuer it's all handled. I'll have more information for you shortly, but as far as I'm aware- Yes. Yes, he's on the way. Very well. You as well." Lich hung up the phone walking over to Mei.
"Do you have a location on Declan?" He asked watching a she frowned shaking her head.
"No, I assumed after he was removed from the tour, that he'd been fired." Now he grabbed her chin tilting her face so she was looking him eye to eye.
"Mei, I don't pay you to assume. As it stands, I'm questing where your loyalties lie. I see you flouncing around with the crew and the band."
"Yeah, doing the job you paid me to do!"
She heard the sound before she felt the jarring, stinging, slap. Mei held her hand to her cheek backing up as Lich continued advancing towards her.
"I've had enough of your smart mouth and your attitude." He growled gripping her shirt tightly, jerking her towards him.
"My faith in your abilities is wavering. My trust in your loyalty is wavering." He said pulling her closer, so now they were nose to nose as Mei stood on the tips of her toes.
"Get me locations on everyone before midnight tonight, or you'll wish you had. Is that understood?" Now Lich released her watching as Mei took several stumbling steps back before her back hit the wall steadying her.
"Yes Mr. Lich."
"Good. Now get out."
Mei practically ran from the room. The trip to hers was quick, and grabbing her laptop she powered it on. All of the crew members had a work issued cellphone. Loading up the site, Mei pulled up real time locations for their employees. Scanning the list she swore. Declan's line wasn't active.
The only other people she had to get locations on were the band members. With that thought Mei looked up the room chart finding them all easily.
Writing down the four room numbers, Mei made her way to Marshall's room first. She knocked waiting, and after no response she went to the next closest room.
Knocking on the door she waited only a moment before Marshall to her surprise answered. Behind him she could see the majority of the band and sighed in relief.
"You okay?" Marshall asked opening the door wider so she could come in.
"Lich is a jerk. Like a huge grade A asshat." She said walking in.
"Anything we can do?"
"Nah it's my problem." Mei said checking her face and neck for bruising, finding scratches on her collar, and a red mark on her cheek.
"I did come here to tell you about something though." Before Mei could continue a knock came to the door.
Holding up a finger Marshall answered it looking surprised to see the missing member of the band Ignitus. The group in the back grew quiet, and Ash approached.
"What do you want?"
"I wanted to clear the air and apologize."
"Let's talk in the kitchen." Ash said leading him into the only room that offered some privacy.
Deciding to give them space Marshall and Mei walked into the living room of the hotel room, Kate passing them with the ice bucket in her hands.
"I'll be right back guys."
Marshall nodded in acknowledgement leading Mei over to a table.
"What's going on?"
o0o0o
Declan sat smoking his cigarette, watching as Kate trembled on her side of the couch.
"You look cold." He said watching as her focus snapped to him. Declan smirked patting the seat beside him.
"Come sit with me." Her body stiffened at his words. Again her breathing picked up as she hesitated.
"Kitten, don't make me ask you twice." He knew she heard the edge in his voice.
Slowly she stood making her way over to where he sat. After another moment of hesitation she sat down beside him. He felt her flinch as he slung his arm across her shoulders.
Deciding Kate still wasn't close enough, Declan slid his hand around her waist pulling her so they were flush, hip to knee. He could feel her restraining herself, so desperately wanting to escape him. It only fueled his desire to do so much more.
He brought his hand back to her shoulder, listening as she gasped clamping her arms to her chest. He'd unhooked her bra on the way by.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"Oh Kitten, you think you're the only person whose ever asked me that?" Declan asked laughing
"Why? The dozens of bodies buried in the dunes outside Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait asked the same thing. So did the nomads I left to decay in the Sahara. They all said the same thing, and I'll tell you now what they learned." He said leaning close to Kate feeling as she shrank away from him.
"I do this, because I want to. I want to hurt sweet little things like yourself, because I like it. I like listening to the sounds of pain, and panic. Kitten, it brings me so much, pleasure, thinking of every single way I want to make you scream." He said softly, tilting her face towards his so he could see her reaction
Her cheeks were wet with tears now. Again he pulled her close, though this time planting a kiss on her temple. The trembling of her body picked up as the door slammed open.
"What the hell, are you doing?!" Lich snarled from the doorway. Kate jumped, but Declan ignored the interruption. Lich wasn't worth his time, not when he had such a treat beside him.
"You know Kitten, I think about what I'd like to do to you all the time. None of it's ever as vivid or sweet as having you right here in front of me."
0o0
"Declan! Are you even listening?" Lich's voice snapped through the phone.
Declan sighed opening his eyes. Lich's big mouth had to ruin everything, even daydreams. Mentally lamenting over how he missed Kate's expressive face, Declan stepped out of the taxi.
"Yeah I'm still listening, I just got here. I'm checking in and I'll meet you tonight to go over the itinerary for next week." He said walking up to the hotel. Ending the call he walked into the lobby. Declan checked in getting his hotel key pass, and made his way to his room.
Scanning the card, Declan opened the door the same time the sound of an ice bucket hitting the floor caught his attention. Looking towards the sound he spotted Kate, standing there wide eyed and terrified, the ground in front of her covered in scattered ice. At her frightened expression he smiled.
"Hey Kitten, your numbers come up. Did you miss me?" He asked watching as Kate sprinted off down the hall. Chuckling he walked into his hotel room. They'd have plenty of time to play later.
o0o0o
"Should we check on them?" Mo asked quietly, looking in the direction of Ash and Ignitus in the kitchen.
"I hear no fighting, screaming, or muffled sounds of violence, so no. Leave them be, its about time Ig held himself accountable." Marshall said kicking up his feet on the table. The way he saw it was if they weren't actively fighting, then it was something they both had to hash out themselves.
"So when do you think-
The sound of the door jerking against the jamb caught their attention followed by a frantic pounding knocking on the door, startling them all.
Ash was the first person to the door, and opening it, Kate entered slamming it shut and locking the locks with shaking hands.
Mo was across the room in a blink pulling Kate into his arms.
"You're okay." He whispered holding her tightly, giving her a quick once over feeling as she clung to him.
"Kate what's wrong?" He asked. She was obviously upset about something.
"He's back, he's back." Kate said trying desperately not to cry, holding Mo tightly.
"Declan?" He asked. This had earned everyone's attention, Ignitus' especially as she nodded.
"That's part of why I came. Lich wanted me to track him. So I thought that now that we're back in north America, maybe he'd be back too." Mei said looking from Kate to the guys.
"If you want I can teach you some evasive moves." She said looking over to Kate who nodded.
"Thank you I'll take you up on that. I want to be able to better protect myself."
"We'll do everything we can to keep you safe Kate." Ash said softly, Marshall nodding in agreement.
"Kate you're not gonna have to worry for too long." Ignitus said as her eyes met his.
"Because I'm going to kill him for what he did to my sister."
Thanks for reading!oxox H09.I have a busy week coming up so next week may miss a chapter. But i'll be back the week after.