CHAPTER 21
WEEK LATER: COMMUNITY CENTER
Alexa stops in her tracks as she passes the empty office to see Rath painting a mural on the wall. She quietly enters the room and looks around.
Rath tilts his head then turns to see Alexa standing there, "So what do you think?"
Alexa smiles faintly "I like it."
"Haven't seen you in a while." Rath states, "Almost thought you stopped coming."
"I was here. I've just been in and out." Alexa shrugs "Sorry about my Dad... he's a little overprotective when it comes to me being around guys he doesn't know."
"Its fine." Rath shrugs
"So do you like working here?"
Rath nods "Its fun. The kids are great."
"Yeah they are."
"You don't seem like the type who would normally do community service." Rath remarks
"I need to sleep at night. The more I stay busy during the day the easier it is for me to sleep besides I like what I do. I like helping a child learn how to read or help another finish their homework." Alexa admits shyly.
"Its a good thing to do."
"It helps me." Alexa shrugs "What about you? Why'd you take this job?"
"I like fixing things and I like painting."
"Never thought you'd find a job where you could do both huh?"
"No."
Alexa regards the mural, "Its beautiful. You're a great artist."
"Thanks."
"I better get going." Alexa says quickly, "I'm supposed to be meeting Yvonne to go over her reading."
"I guess I'll see you around then."
"I guess you will." Alexa smiles shyly then hurries out of the room.
Rath stares at the girl shaking his head, 'She's an interesting girl.' He turns back to his painting.
COUPLE AFTERNOONS LATER: CENTER
Alexa steps into the room where Rath is painting and regards his work.
"So what do you think Alexa?" Rath asks without turning.
Alexa jumps in surprise "How'd you...?"
Rath glances at the girl, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He wipes the back of his hand across his forehead then turns around facing the girl. "So what do you think?"
Alexa walks around looking at the mural thoughtfully, "Its great. I like the colors."
"Normally I stick with abstract when it comes to painting but they wanted this to be... something."
"Did they give you a theme?"
"Not really. They just said make it colorful and appropriate."
"So what do you do other than painting?"
"Draw."
Alexa nods
"So what do you do for hobbies?" Rath asks curiously.
"Play with my brother. Read. Learn new things. Do this" Alexa shrugs
"Well from what I've heard you're good with the kids here. They all like you."
"I like them."
"How long have you been here?"
"Four months. My Dad wanted me to start socializing some more and the clubs at school didn't interest me, so here I am. It's close to his work so if something comes up he can come get me without any problems."
"So you close with your Dad?" Rath asks
Alexa nods "We're getting closer."
"What are you doing now?"
"Nothing. I tutored my last kid. I usually wait until someone picks me up."
"I could give you a ride home." Rath offers
"No thanks. Dad would have a heart attack. I only have to wait another hour."
"Well I could use some help." Rath says looking at the mural "What do you say?"
"Sure."
"Pick up a paintbrush." Rath nods at the paintbrushes on the floor. "And choose a color."
HOUR LATER: COMMUNITY CENTER
"Alexa"
Alexa stops painting and turns to see her Dad standing in the doorway, "Hi Dad. What time is it?"
"Five." Sark answers
"Oh sorry. I lost track of time." She sets the paintbrush down.
"I kind of figured." Sark says dryly as he looks the mural over, "Your work?" He asks Rath
Rath nods "Its not my greatest work but its pretty good. They wanted kid friendly and colorful." He shrugs
"What do you normally do?" Sark questions
"Abstract."
Sark nods looking at Alexa, "Ready to go?"
"Just need to go get my backpack."
"Go get it than."
"All right I'll get it." Alexa smiles shyly at Rath, "Thanks."
"I should thank you... I should be done before midnight." Rath looks at the mural.
"I guess I'll see you around." Alexa walks out of the room with her Dad.
"What did you two talk about?" Sark asks as they walk down the hall.
"Nothing really. We just painted. How was work?"
Sark lifts his shoulder, "Same as always."
"You and Sydney bickered again."
"What makes you think that?"
Alexa snickers, "Because you two always bicker at work."
"We do not." Sark protests
"Sure Dad." Alexa opens the staff door. "You two know what pisses the other off."
"OK so it's amusing to make her mad." Sark admits
Alexa shakes her head opening her locker she grabs her backpack and jacket. "You two have a really twisted relationship, you do realize that don't you?"
"We had a weird beginning." Sark shrugs taking Alexa's backpack. "How was your day?"
"It was pretty good."
"Good."
LATE EVENING: HOUSE
"What's wrong?" Sydney asks. "You've been quiet since Alexa went upstairs."
"Nothing."
"Sark" She says warningly.
Sark sighs leaning against the counter he looks at Sydney, "When I went to pick Alexa up she was alone with that guy Rath."
"So?"
"A guy she's only spoken to twice since she saw him?"
"And that bothers you?"
"Not really. Its just... weird."
"How so?"
"I know she's 16 but she's had a sheltered life."
"And you are worried some guy is going to break her heart?"
"After what she's been through I don't know if heart break is something she needs... especially right now."
"I don't think you need to worry about that now. She just spent time with a guy without panicking or shutting down. That's good."
Sark tilts his head, "Yeah I guess it is."
"She doesn't need you freaking out because she talked to a guy."
"I know." He sighs. "I'm trying here Syd"
"Yeah you are." She kisses him lightly. "But heart break is going to happen... one day."
"Great" Sark groans, "Just what I need to hear."
"It is a part of growing up." Sydney reminds "Don't you remember the first girl who broke your heart?" She asks curiously.
"No, though I do remember the first girl who hit me."
"Wasn't me huh?" Sydney asks with a pout.
"Unfortunately no but you did inflict the most amount of pain." Sark wraps his arms around her waist.
"So who was the first girl who hit you?"
"I think her name was Katya."
"Don't remember?"
"I was 7." Sark shrugs "We were playing at the park and she punched me. That's it."
"Aah, elementary school love. Punch a guy and run."
"You did that?"
"I once tripped Tyler Patterson into a mud puddle." She sighs at the memory, "He was so cute. I had a crush on him for years."
"So all the times you slammed my head into walls, shot at me, punched me, and pointed very sharp knives at me means you've liked me for... five, six years?"
"If we were still in elementary school yes. But we're adults... hell no."
"Oh come now... you weren't even the tiniest bit attracted to me back then?"
"No."
"Sure Sydney" Sark kisses her briefly.
"Come on let's get back to cleaning up." Sydney steps out of his arms. "Don't worry about Alexa. She's a smart girl."
"Yeah she is."
"So try not to worry about something that hasn't happened."
"I'll try."
Sydney kisses him lightly "Good."
FEW WEEKS LATER: COMMUNITY CENTER
Sark stops in his tracks when he sees Alexa talking with Rath. When he frowns when he hears her laugh, 'He made my daughter laugh.' He walks over to them, "Alexa"
Alexa smiles "Hi Dad."
"Are you ready to go?"
"I'll go get my things. Bye Rath." Alexa walks away.
Once the two are alone Sark speaks, "You've been spending a lot of time with my daughter."
"We're always here at the same time." Rath shrugs knowing the man is watching him as though looking for a weakness.
"If you hurt her, I will hurt you." Sark warns
"What makes you think I'm going to hurt her?"
"I don't. I'm just warning you not too. My daughter has been hurt enough over the years and its my job to protect her from being hurt again. Just keep in mind she's only sixteen." Sark requests just as Alexa walks down the hall. He takes her backpack, "We have to pick up your brother."
"Where's Sydney?"
"She's out of town with Jack. She'll be back late tonight."
"Bye Rath. See you tomorrow."
Rath nods "Later" He walks away.
Once in the car Sark speaks, "You and Rath have been talking a lot." He says casually as he starts the car.
"He's interesting. He's nice."
"I agree he's interesting." Sark says reluctantly. "What do you know about him?"
"Not much. He doesn't talk about his past."
"What have you told him?"
"Nothing really. Only little things." Alexa shrugs "He likes to fix stuff and paint.
Sark nods "Be careful Lexa. You don't know anything about him."
"I know."
LATE THAT NIGHT: HOUSE
Rath stands in the shadows watching the house, 'What is with this girl? Why do I find myself watching over her night after night? He better pay me good.'
NEXT DAY: CENTER
Rath stares at his mural thoughtfully then speaks, "What do you think?"
"It looks good." Alexa says cautiously as she steps into the room. "Were you here all night?"
"Pretty much... I don't really sleep." Rath says calmly. "How was school?"
"School was school." Alexa shrugs "I go where Dad sends me."
"Your Dad is... interesting."
Alexa smiles, "Dad said the same thing about you." She shrugs, "Dad's just protective... he worries about me."
"Its good that he does."
"Mmm after having no one worry for so long its nice." Alexa sits on the edge of the table regarding the mural, "So what about your family?"
"My family is all over the place. Its kind of hard to keep track of them." Rath says vaguely.
"What about your parents?"
"I don't have any." Rath says gruffly.
Hearing his tone Alexa frowns, "I'm sorry for prying."
"Its fine."
"I'm not used to talking to people."
"Its fine"
"I think your mural is perfect." Alexa says shyly. "I better go I have a student to meet with soon."
Rath nods as Alexa moves towards the door he speaks, "Alexa"
"Yes?" Alexa turns to look at him.
"If you have time later want to grab a cup of coffee or something?"
"Um sure. I'd like that." Alexa smiles shyly before walking out of the room.
'Damn what was I thinking? She's just a kid.' He shakes his head turning his attention back to the mural, 'Easier to protect her if I befriend her.' He rationalizes
COUPLE HOURS LATER: PARK
"Did you tell your father you were meeting with me?" Rath asks as they sit on the park bench with their coffee.
"Um no. Dad would have gone overboard." Alexa admits. "I told Sydney. She said that she'd tell him that I was staying later."
"Sydney is your Dad's girlfriend?"
Alexa nods, "She's great." She takes a sip of her coffee.
"Where are you from?" Rath questions
"I was raised in Greece but born in England. My Mom was Greek and French and my Dad is... not exactly sure. He doesn't really talk about his family."
"And your brother?"
Alexa smiles, "He's great. Do you have siblings?"
Rath nods, "I have three sisters and two brothers... and numerous cousins."
"Wow that's a lot of family."
"We don't see each other much." Rath admits "Their all over the country."
"What are your siblings like?"
"Different."
Alexa takes a sip of her coffee, "You don't like talking about yourself do you?"
"I'm not used to it." Rath admits
"Sorry if it seems like I'm prying."
"Your not." Rath assures
"If I am just tell me"
Rath nods "So what's Greece like?"
"Peaceful. It wasn't really home though."
"Do you miss it?"
"I miss some parts but mostly no. I'm with my Dad now."
"Do you like school here?"
"To a point." Alexa admits. "The girls leave me alone."
"Oh yeah you go to a girls school."
"Dad's decision... he's worried about my interaction with guys."
"So I take it he'd be worried about you being here alone with me."
"Yes."
"Are you?" Rath asks curiously. "Worried about being here alone with me" he adds
Alexa tilts her head thoughtfully, "No. There's something about you that makes me think you won't hurt me." She says blushing faintly. "I know that sounds weird considering we barely know each other."
"I get it." Rath assures
"Its a beautiful day." Alexa muses
"That it is." Rath agrees
HOUR LATER: CENTER
"Thanks for the coffee." Alexa says as they walk towards the community center.
"No problem"
Alexa swallows when she sees her Dad waiting in his car, "I better go."
"I guess I'll see you around."
"Bye." Alexa walks over to her Dad's car opening the door she tosses her backpack on the floor and gets in. "Hi Dad"
"Where were you?" Sark asks gruffly.
"I'm having coffee with Rath." Alexa answers with a shrug "I told Sydney."
"Alexa"
"I'm fine Dad."
"I just worry"
"I know but I'm fine."
Sark sighs "All right." 'Just have to keep an eye on them.'
THAT NIGHT: HOUSE
"You should have informed me." Sark says as he and Sydney clean up the kitchen after dinner.
"I didn't want you to go have a freak out." Sydney sighs. "Besides it was just coffee... and they didn't go far."
"She went out with some guy."
"Sark she's not scared of him. I have seen them together. She doesn't flinch or wince when he's around. She didn't even flinch when he touched her."
"He touched her" Sark says his voice hard.
"Not the way you think." Sydney rolls her eyes, "He was helping her clean up some books and they bumped into each other. She normally would have flinched... she didn't. She was startled but she wasn't scared. He's good for her."
"She's a kid"
"She's a teenage girl. Look she needs friends... she's not comfortable around most people... but she seems comfortable around the kids at the center... and this guy."
"I don't trust him."
"Not like their dating or anything... but she needs friends."
"Fine." Sark sighs
"Good." Sydney kisses him lightly.
TBC…
AN: Sorry its been so long. I've been so obsessed with my Firefly fic that I haven't even been able to think about my Alias fics. But since I did have chapters finished I thought I would post them. Hope you like it.