Summary: The return of Andros's parents changes all future plans of Andros and Ashley. It's doubtful they'll ever see each other again. But there's a secret Ashley's carrying around just dying to come out.
Arwennicole: Yeah, so very, very close. Don't need to wait.
Phantom Rogue: Yeah, great isn't it?
Lady Kimiko: I finished it! It's great! I don't think KO-35 had volcanoes.
Tay: Well, lucky for you I update every day.
DarkHonda: Don't cry, I'm here.
Johnny: Yeah, well, they've always longed for their father and now their getting him and two siblings. Well, actually, you won't see much of her there, but I'm sure they'll be having lots of fun.
Megarider: Yeah, so close and the twins are so sweet. That's what you get for having Ash as mom.
Star Fata: Coolly, thanks, I'll go read, because I think I got you on story alert…
Psycho Tangerine: Don't worry, the thought crossed my mind and was solved. It's okay.
SweetSas: Don't we all know how Chris's room is probably looking? I know I do. Well, Maura knows what the test will say…
Slytherin-Angel44: I had a look at the security tapes, Voldie, with Elisabeth's magical help of course… it seem that Harry was standing with his father's cloak between you and Maura just fainted in shock, appearing dead.
JDPhoenix: Andros hasn't slept with Maura since Danne was conceived, so don't worry. Here's the updated.
Zeopurple: Ashley has the right impression that Danne is a sweet girl.
The-power-of-love: Always.
Piper xox Leo: Don't need to wait. Think you'll update soon?
Dragoneyes5000: Yeah, they've secretly been hoping for one.
PhoenixGuardianEmaku: Yeah, well, Elia's hiding place was and is indeed rather obvious to anyone but the characters.
DizneeDol: No need to wait.
Darklover: Yeah, promise it will.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 40: Running Away
Ashley sighed as she sat behind her desk. It had taken her a lot of energy to convince her two over protective children that she and their growing sibling would be just fine and they should just go see that movie with Nicky and their other friends. The others could return any minute now. The results of the paternity test already lay closed in front of her. She wanted to take a peek so badly, but she knew she shouldn't.
Just then there was a knock on her door and Avidan came in, followed by his family. Ashley smiled at them weakly and silently offered them a seat, Andros and Maura sitting directly in front of her as the others moved chairs and crowded around her desk.
"Well, the results are in." She said calmly when they had all sat down staring at her expectantly.
"And?" Lynette urged. "What do they say?"
Ashley opened the folder and looked down. She fought a grin and kept her face straight.
"Negative, Andros is not the father of that child." Ashley told them.
"What? But how?" Lynette gasped in shock, looking ready to faint.
"I want a divorce." Andros stated, interrupting his mom.
"Andros, maybe it was just one time, or forced, or…" Lynette protested weakly.
"Or maybe she's been cheating on me for years, but since I had no proof I couldn't do anything about it." Andros replied seriously. "Now I have and I don't want to be stuck in this marriage a moment longer than I have to."
"Fine!" Maura snapped before demanding, "But I get custody of Cevil."
"Sure, but I want custody over Danne." Andros shrugged, looking like he could care less.
"Fine." Maura agreed.
"Let's settle this on KO-35, shall we? I'm sure Dr. Hammond has something better to do then listen to this and we really should start preparing for our return home tomorrow." Avidan jumped in hastily, cutting the tension in the room. "Thank you for all your trouble."
Ashley offered them a comforting smile and stood to let them out. She caught Andros's eye as he passed her and she indicated with her eyes to Elia before giving him a quick, almost invisible nod. Andros shot her a grateful smile and left.
Late that night
Elia sighed and closed the door to the balcony of the hotel room she shared with Arima behind her. Telekinetically she lowered her bags to the ground beneath her and started climbing down along the drainpipe, grateful and happy that their rooms were on the second floor this time.
Once down she gathered her things and started walking. Andros had given her fairly simple directions to her "hideout". Just walk to the beach and head south, the lights should be on and someone would be waiting for her.
The sky was dark and with the thick clouds crowding the sky, the moon couldn't light her path and offer some comfort. The distant rumble of thunder roared through the skies above and she quickened her pace.
Quick wasn't quick enough and soon fat droplets of rain splashed all around her, creating a curtain of water that nearly blinded her and soaked her faster than ever. She was tempted to just turn around and give up, but the promise of freedom moved her forward.
After what seemed like an eternity she reached the beach and turned left, forcing herself across the wet sand that clung everywhere as a lightning bolt split the sky above her. Somewhere up ahead a few lights shone. Her progress towards them was slow, but as she came closer a figure suddenly ran into the rain towards her.
Her bags were lifted out of her grasp and she followed the figure to the lights, her pace now much quicker after losing the added weight. Once they reached the shelter of a covered porch, someone wrapped a large towel around her and ushered her into a large, brightly lit kitchen.
She was sat down at the kitchen table and looked around, smiling when she recognized the boy that had come running to her as Chris and the other as Dr. Hammond.
"Thanks." She breathed gratefully when Ashley handed her a large steaming mug of hot chocolate and she sipped it slowly, thankful for the soothing warmth.
"Stupid rain." Chris cursed as he closed the back door and shrugged off the raincoat he was wearing. "Really they picked a great night for you to run… not."
Elia giggled and relaxed best she could as she shivered. Just then Chyler appeared in the kitchen and smiled at her.
"There's a hot bath upstairs, if you want, with lots of bubbles. Trust me, you'll feel way better after one of those."
"Thanks. I'll take you up on that." She hesitated before adding uncertainly, "They really can't find me here?"
"Deca is not allowed to give away the location of this house or anyone living here, temporary or permanent." Ashley assured her.
"Why?" Elia inquired and Ashley cast her a knowing smile.
"How about you finish your hot chocolate, take that bath and get a good nights sleep first? We can deal with those questions in the morning." Ashley suggested and Elia nodded, not wanting to risk getting kicked out.
The next morning
Elia tentatively padded into the kitchen on her bare feet. The sun was shining brightly outside again as if the storm the night before hadn't happened. The clock told her it was already 11 and she felt more than a little uncomfortable for sleeping that late.
"Good morning." Chyler's voice greeted her brightly from her spot at the kitchen table.
"Good morning." She replied tentatively and saw Ashley turn around from making breakfast.
"Well, welcome to the Hammond Bed & Breakfast. Did you sleep well?" Ashley inquired teasingly.
"Uh, yeah. Thanks." Elia replied, noticing someone was missing. "Um… where's Chris?"
"Upstairs." Chyler replied brightly. "In his bed, snoring - maybe Astro is covering him with drool. Men in this house have a tendency to sleep in and sleep through anything."
"Astro?" Elia replied quizzically as Ashley motioned her to sit down and placed a plate with waffles on the table for her and Chyler.
Chyler whistled and moments later a sand coloured dog dashed into the kitchen, skidding far past Chyler in his exuberance to reach her. Chyler laughed and shook her head.
"That's Ranger. Astro is the same kind of dog only brown." Chyler explained as Misty jumped onto the table now that Ranger was making the floor a less safe place to be. "And that's Misty."
Elia smiled and tentatively reached out when Misty looked at her expectantly. Her hand froze just short of petting her head, but Misty solved that my jumping up a little and bumping her head against Elia's hand. The two girls giggled and ate their breakfast. When Misty jumped off the table and onto her lap, curling up there contently, Elia relaxed completely. She could get used to this; it already felt like she had always lived here.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review.