"So here my office and if you like to sit quietly over there I got to get some work done."
Emily thought she died and gone to heaven. Daniel as he been asked to be called, office was littered with ancient artifacts. The book case was full of books on ancient cultures and dictionary their langue. The wall was covered in posters of long forgotten alphabets, symbols, and diagrams.
As Daniel looked at Emily's wide eyes he could tell he meet someone with a common interest. He been told many time that was the look he had when he was a child walking through museum and the one he still go when he step off world.
"You like ancient history." Emily suddenly remembered she was not alone and blushed. Pulling up a chair she sat herself down in the corner. "You don't have to be embarrassed. I often forget where I am when I find something of interest." Emily smiled then pointed to one of the poster on the wall.
"Isn't that Babylonian?" Daniel was shocked. For someone as young as Emily to recognize a text that was study till the second year of uni amazed him.
"How old did you say you were?" Daniel ask wondering if he misjudge her age.
"17. I just finished year 12." Unable to come up with a logic answer Daniel just asked
"How do you recognize that then?" She smiled as if it was obvious
"My dad taught me how to read it." Daniel was speechless. He just sat there staring at Emily. But she didn't notice and went on talking.
"So what exactly is my dad's job any way?" recording Daniel try to make sense
"He's our commanding officer."
"Yea but what is he heading, science or archeological."
"There has to be a mistake. Jack doesn't know how to read that stuff." Daniel said pointing to the offending poster. "He just the dumb assed military type who order us around."
Emily was hurt as one of her few memories of her father before he went away were of sitting on his knee while he was translating. That was how she had learned. If it wasn't her father lap then whose was it? Feeling tear picking her eyes Emily ran from the room. Daniel ran after her of course but was knocked over by someone going the other way. By the time he'd picked himself up He'd lost sight of her.
Emily ran blindly down the halls not caring where she was going. People step out of her way, probably because she was the dumb military type daughter. She been over the moon when she's been told she was going to spend 3 weeks with her dad. She hadn't seen him in 10 years. He never said why or goodbye. He just stop coming.
When she asked her mum about him she just said that Jack must be to busy. Her mother had always referred to him as Jack since the divorce. She had been too young to remember weather it had once been different. She had been prepared to forgive this. Not to say a word. To trust there been a reason and not because… because he didn't love her.
She suddenly came to a dead end. Dropping down in the corner she found she could no longer fight the tears. He must not of loved her, and never had. How else would he let some else teach her. She didn't even know the slightest bit of his character. She remembered him as a man with a thirst for knowledge. A man that was forever wearing the white coat of a scientist. Always bring work home. And when he had spare time he study ancient history. But this was not her dad. It was someone who also couldn't stand to be with her. Was there no – one who loved her?
Emily didn't know how long she sat there crying. She couldn't help but go through her memories remembering all the people who left her. She was so wrapped up in her own misery she didn't her that approaching footstep of Jack.
When Daniel had lost Emily he gone back in his office and rang Jack. Forgetting all the reports he had to write Jack had gotten up and came to look for her. Nearly ever one on base had seen her as she had run down all the floors and using the steps came down to the basement. Find Emily in a corner he sat down and put an arm round her in an effort to comfort her.
The effect however was quite different. As the arm touched her shoulder Emily looked up. Jack was sure exactly what had happened; just that his nose was very sore and there was now a wet stuff running out that had been before.
"You asshole" Emily shouted throwing the arm off her and trying to ran off again. Unfortunately jack grabbed he hand and was not letting go. As his daughter wriggled trying to break free of his grip Jack used his other had to pull out his hankie and offered it to Emily as she was still cry. Refusing to take the offered cloth Jack placed to on his nose trying to stop the bleeding. He than yank Emily's arm so she fell over and was once again next to him. Forcing her to look at him he calmly asked
"Now Emily, "what the hell was that." Sulkily Emily replied.
"It was a knuckle sandwich." Jack smiled"And a good one but why did you do it?" Emily turned away from jack hoping he would disappear. He didn't however. He also wouldn't let the question slide. He just sat there look at her, with an air that said he had all the time in the world.
"Because I wanted to show you that you did have to pretend. That I knew you hated me." She turned back round to jack. "And I hate you too."
No parent like hearing the children say they hate them, but it worse, at least was for Jack, to here that you hate them.
"Why would you thing that." Jack said final letting her hand go. Emily looked at jack face and saw the hurt and pain there. For causing that pain she knew she owed him and explanation. Taking a deep breath she started
"Because you were always were to busy to visit me."
"Why so you think that."
"Mum said that if you wanted to you could see me."
"Why that up her self bitch." Jack exclaimed he then looked into his daughter eyes.
"Emily the reason I didn't visit was that 10 year ago your mum had my visitation right demolished."
Emily was a mix of emotion. Shocked that she been deceived for so long, anger at her mother for lying, glad that he dad did love her and remorse for ever thinking other wise. Then she remember sit on someone knee. Now knowing he dad wouldn't lie to her she asked him
"Who taught me to read ancient languages?"
Shocked that she remembered that far back Jack smiled
"I did."