A/N: Thanks to Mel for the beta, you rock! I hope you all like it, kinda short chapter... sorry for that. Next one will be the epilogue already, I'm going to miss this fic!


Chapter 7:

"What the hell is this?" Ecklie burst out, looking at Hodges, who had a dumbfounded look on his face. This sure wasn't the best way to 'meet' the father of your girlfriend. "Well? What's going on here?"

Mel turned around, away from her father. She was furious at him for coming without calling, and without invitation. She didn't want him here today. When she reached Hodges, she wrapped her arms loosely around his waist and kissed him softly, under the watching eye of her dad. "Go back to bed Baby, I'll be there in a minute," she assured him before giving him a final peck on his cheek.

"But Mel…" He started, not wanting to get her in any more trouble with her dad. Arguing about this would make the matter worse, and she didn't need that. He was silenced though, by her index finger on his lips.

"Its fine, go," she assured him, giving his arm a squeeze.

He placed a small kiss to her fingertip, before watching how she walked back to her father. He remained standing there for a moment, in case things got out of hand; but at Ecklie's angry glare he hurried back to the bedroom, fast.

"How did you get my address?" Mel asked as soon as she heard the bedroom door close. She couldn't remember giving her dad her address, they only talked on the phone every once in a while, but then again, he worked at the crime lab; he could've easily tracked her down.

"Your mother. She's concerned about your new life style." He sighed and placed his hand on her shoulder, which she shook of immediately and glared at him. "Mel, you deserve the best, angel."

She let out a sigh. "I should be the one to decide what's best for me. Not you, and not mom." She walked to the kitchen. "You want some coffee?" She asked, hiding the anger in her voice.

"Sure," he said. "See angel, I don't want to be the bad guy for you, but like I said you deserve the best."

"I know dad, I know." She poured some coffee into two mugs and handed him one.

They fell into a comfortable silence and Ecklie took that time to let his eyes wander around his daughter's apartment. Looking at the various photos on the wall, he came to the conclusion that he didn't really 'know' his daughter at all.

"You know what I don't get?" Ecklie spoke up, sipping his coffee. He saw Mel's questioning glare, and continued. "You and David Hodges."

Mel raised her eyebrow and glared at him. "What do you mean? Why not?" She questioned.

"Is he paying you?"

Mel looked at him unbelievingly. She wished she hadn't heard that. She hoped she'd heard it wrong, but she was sure she hadn't. Her father had just asked her if she got paid. He'd just assumed that she was a hooker, because she was dancing.

"Excuse me?"

"Hodges… Is he paying you?" Ecklie asked again. He took a last sip and placed his mug back on the counter.

When he tore his eyes away from the kitchen, and looked back at Mel, he was greeted by a very hard slap in his face.

"How dare you say something like that! I'm not a hooker, dad! I'm in love with him!"

Ecklie looked at her. "How can you be in love with him? No wait... you might really be in love with him, but how can you be sure his feelings are the same? Maybe you're just a hooker to him," he said, his voice raised.

Mel's eyes were shooting fire. "I really don't know you," she said shaking her head. "You know what the problem is? You know why our relationship isn't as any normal father-daughter relationships?"

Ecklie kept silent and listened to her rant. She gradually continued. "Ever since I decided to study Journalism instead of Science, you treat me like I'm not your daughter, because I wasn't the daughter you wanted me to be. Ever since then you tried to mold me into your 'real' daughter. Trying to get me interested in Science, wanting me to work in a lab, I'm not like you, I'm sorry."

Ecklie looked at his daughter, his eyes prickling with tears, she was right. He hadn't been a real good dad to her, but before he could say anything, she went on.

"You've tried to control my life for too long, and I'm not allowing you to do it again. I'm old enough to make my own decisions. I love David, and I'll be staying with him. I love my job, and I'll keep working there. If you don't like it, I suggest you go and control other people's lifes, not mine," she said, emotionally drained by now. She swallowed and looked into her father's eyes. "I think it's better if you go now, I need to be alone with David."

Ecklie managed a small smile. "Angel? I'm..." He swallowed and let out a shaky sigh. "I'm sorry for having not been the dad you deserved, and if you let me, I'll make it up to you... I love you."

She swallowed. "I love you too." She hugged her dad tightly for a moment before stepping back. "But I still think you have to go," she said with a grin.

"Of course," Ecklie said. "I'll let myself out."

After her father had left, Mel went back into the bedroom, where Hodges was sitting on the edge of the bed. He got up immediately when she walked in. He took her into his arms and felt how she started sobbing.

"Shhh... it's okay," he soothed.

He felt her nod, and said, "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered back.

TBC