CHAPTER 22

MONTH LATER: CENTER

Alexa giggles seeing paint streaks on Rath's face and in his hair.

"What?"

"You got paint in your hair."

Rath grins, "You have some on your face."

"No I don't" Alexa protests

"Now you do" Rath brushes the paintbrush across her cheek.

"Ugh you" Alexa retaliates dabbing his nose with the paint brush

"Hey lets not start a paint fight here." Rath laughs setting the paintbrush aside he grabs a clean cloth and wipes at the streak of paint on her cheek. "There got to send you back with your Dad in pristine condition."

Alexa laughs, "Dad isn't someone who likes messes."

"I bet." Rath chuckles

"Thanks" she says shyly. Their eyes lock and the two stare at each other

Rath leans in kissing Alexa lightly before quickly stepping back and running his fingers through his hair, "Its late." He says gruffly as he turns back to his mural.

Alexa swallows nervously then looks at the clock, "Dad should be here soon." She quickly gathers her stuff. "Bye" she hurries out of the room.

Rath stares after her then groans running his fingers through his hair. 'What the hell did I just do? She's Sark's kid. After all she has been through she doesn't need a freak kissing her. Besides she's 16... Max would kill me. Stupid, Man.'

"Hi" Alexa gets into the car

"Good day?" Sark inquires as he pulls away from the curb.

"Pretty good." Alexa shrugs 'So better not mention Rath kissed me. Dad would have a fit.'

"You have paint on your jeans." He states

Alexa looks down "Oh I was helping Rath paint a new mural."

"You have been spending a lot of time with him." Sark remarks

Alexa squirms "He's nice."

"What do you two talk about?"

"Not much. He's not talkative."

"Where is he from?"

"Never asked him."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. He doesn't like talking about himself."

Sark nods "Good day my girl?"

"Yes. How was work?"

LATE THAT NIGHT: HOUSE

Sark closes the door to Alexa's room and walks into the master bedroom where Sydney is reading in bed. "She hasn't had a nightmare all week." He says relieved.

"She is sleeping better." Sydney agrees looking up to see Sark looking amused. "What?"

"You are quite adorable with the glasses."

Sydney rolls her eyes "Glad you think so." She closes her book setting it on the nightstand. "She's relaxed now. She doesn't have to think about the past anymore."

"I'm glad she's adjusting."

"So am I." Sydney removes her glasses setting them on the nightstand. "You know... she's more relaxed after she spends time with Rath." She smiles seeing Sark's expression, "You have to admit after she spends time with him... she's not tense."

"I guess."

"What has she said about him?"

"Not much. Apparently he's not much for talking about himself."

"I think there might be a crush on the way."

Sark groans, "Don't say that."

"Say what? The truth?" She smiles at his expression. "One day she's going to have a boyfriend."

"No she isn't." Sark denies

"Sark denial isn't going to help you."

"I know." Sark drops on the bed with a groan. "I just"

"Don't want her hurt." Sydney finishes

"I know its going to happen... I just don't think she needs it right now."

"Its going to happen sooner or later."

Sark grimaces "And if some prick hurts her I'll rip his head off."

Sydney rolls her eyes "Sure you will."

"I will."

"That's familiar." Sydney laughs. "Dad used that same threat to the few high school boyfriends he met." She frowns "The only difference is... you would probably do it."

"Damn straight I would."

"Please tell me you aren't going to have a completely different take on Niko dating?"

"He's still a baby. I don't need to think about that until he's at least... well over the whole girls are gross phase. And all guys go through that."

"Oh come on."

"I went through that phase. Ask Irina."

"Oh come on the constantly flirting Mr. Sark once hated girls."

Sark shrugs "Ask any guy."

"Fine." Sydney grabs the phone dialing Weiss's number.

"What?" Weiss mumbles

"Weiss I got a question for you"

"Shoot... wait wrong word"

"Funny. OK settle a bet for me. Did you ever go through a 'girls are gross' phase?"

"Ahh you mean the cootie shot phase." Weiss yawns. "Yeah I did why?"

Sydney glares at Sark who is smirking. "No reason. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah yeah" Weiss hangs up

"See told you." Sark says smugly. "You won't find one guy who didn't once think girls were gross."

"Hah. Gay guys."

"That does NOT count."

"Yes it does." Sydney says smugly.

"No it doesn't. How many five year olds know that their gay?"

Sydney frowns

"See" Sark says smugly. "I win."

Sydney smacks him with the pillow. "Ass"

Sark laughs

"So when Niko starts dating you won't protest who he dates"

"I doubt it."

"Why because he's a boy?"

"No because he's going to be raised a lot differently than Lex was. If the situation was the same I would be protesting his dating as well."

"Right." Sydney rolls her eyes

"I would."

"No you wouldn't."

"Yes I would."

"Sure."

Sark pulls Sydney close kissing her head. "Just tell me when I'm being obsessively overprotective."

"Not a problem." Sydney kisses his neck, "You can count on me to tell you when you're being an ass"

Sark laughs, "That I can."

"Look she's going to want to date one day. You need to realize that."

"I do... I just"

"Dread it."

Sark nods

"Its going to be fine. I'm sure when she does decide to date she'll pick a great guy."

"I know"

MIDNIGHT

Rath stares at the house as he stands among the shadows, 'I kissed her. What the hell was I thinking? She's a kid.'

'She's smart, funny, gorgeous... nice.'

Rath grimaces at the thoughts, 'She's a kid. I can't get involved with her.'

NEXT AFTERNOON: PARK

"Hi"

Rath looks up from his drawing to see Alexa standing beside him, "Hey" he says gruffly.

"So new work?" Alexa asks sitting next to him on the grass.

Rath shrugs "Just keeping busy. How was school?"

"Same as always." She shrugs.

Rath pauses in his drawing, "About yesterday..."

"Its fine."

"Good." He nods

"I should go"

"You can stay... if you want." He says quickly. "Its a nice day out and I know you don't have any students today."

"I'd like that." Alexa says opening her back pack she removes a textbook.

"Learn anything interesting in school?" Rath asks as he returns to his sketching.

"About the same. I just go and do what I always do... learn."

"Makin' friends?"

Alexa shakes her head, "No"

"Why not?"

"I don't have anything in common with them. I'm not mean to them... I just don't socialize with them outside of school." She shrugs as she flips through her book. "Besides they think I'm weird."

"Why do you think that?"

"I don't talk much. I don't date. My Dad or Sydney always drop me off or pick me up. I finish my work and read." She sighs. "When you keep to yourself you learn what people think of you."

"Don't let those prissy rich bitches get you down."

"I don't. I ignore them."

"Good." Rath nods and the two sit in silence one reading the other sketching.

After a few minutes Alexa's phone rings and she digs it out of her pocket flipping it open. "Hi Daddy. Uh huh. No I don't have any kids to tutor. No, I'm fine. I'm at the park just down the street from the center. No I'm not here alone. Uh huh. Rath's here. I'm fine. I'm reading he's sketching. I will. Love you too." She hangs up with a sigh.

"Overprotective huh?"

"He worries too much." She returns her phone to her pocket. "I know why he does but I wish he wouldn't. But I know he's just trying to make up for" she winces shuddering at the memories. "Its annoying but... I admit I do like it." She admits "I know he's there when I need him... or don't."

"How long were you apart?" He asks casually.

"My Grandfather took me after he..." she swallows "killed my Mom. He made it look like Mom and I died in a car accident. Since he found me he's been obsessive about keeping me safe... especially after" she shudders

"So you happy livin' with your Pop?" Rath asks changing the subject.

"Yes."

"All that matters."

"Yeah"

SAME TIME: CIA

"What's wrong?" Sydney asks seeing Sark's thoughtful expression as he closes his phone.

"Nothing." Sark rubs his forehead, "She's at the park with Rath."

"Well then she's fine."

"And why are you so sure about that?" Sark demands

"Because Alexa trusts him. She seems to be a good judge of character."

"I guess."

"So relax." She tosses Sark a file "And get to work."

"Is that all I'm good for now?" Sark grumbles

"Pretty much." Sydney grins

HOUR LATER

Rath and Alexa sit at an outdoor cafe talking and enjoying a snack when Rath's phone rings. Rath glances at the CallerID "Be right back." He walks away flipping his phone open. "What?"

Alexa takes a sip of her drink as she watches the people around her.

"Well you are new" a voice states

Alexa looks at teenage boy who is looking her over and tenses.

"Cute too. Names Tyler. What's yours?"

"None of your business."

"Wow you are a spitfire. So want to go out?"

Rath looks over to see a teenage boy talking to Alexa, "I'll call you back sis." He hangs up striding over to the table. "You mind?" He says gruffly.

"No"

Rath notices Alexa looking at the teen warily, "Ready to go?"

"Sure" Alexa hands him his bag then grabs her own. She stands about to walk around the boy when he grabs her arm.

Seeing the fear flash in Alexa's eyes Rath grabs the boy's wrist, "Let go." He says coldly.

"I don't think this has anything to do with you." The boy says smartly then winces as the man tightens his grip on his wrist.

"Let go"

Alexa steps back her anxiety level rising as Rath releases the boy.

"Don't touch unless invited kid." Rath steps away from the boy his hand going to Alexa's lower back he guides her away. He glares at the boy hearing him swear. Once they are away from the cafe he speaks. "You OK kid?"

"I don't like when people touch me."

Rath immediately removes his hand "Sorry."

Alexa stops and looks at him, "I don't mind when you do." She admits shyly.

Rath looks at her surprised

"You don't scare me. I don't feel fear when I'm around you." She hesitantly kisses his cheek "Thank you"

Rath nods "Come on kid lets get back." He says gruffly.

EARLY EVENING: CENTER

Alexa enters the studio to find Rath painting. She stands there watching him as he paints debating whether or not to speak.

"When's your Pop pickin' you up?" Rath asks without turning around.

"How did you know I was here?"

Rath shrugs "Just did." 'I can smell you.'

"He's on his way." Alexa answers as she leans against the table. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Stop him?"

"Because I could tell you didn't like it." Rath answers not looking at her.

"Well thank you."

"Not a problem." He says gruffly.

"I guess I'll see you later." Alexa walks out of the room.

EVENING: HOUSE

Sark knocks on Alexa's door

"Yeah"

Sark enters and smiles seeing his daughter sitting on her bed crosslegged as she has a book open on her lap. "What are you reading?"

Alexa holds up the book.

"Crime and Punishment... in Russian. I'm glad to see you are still keeping up with your Russian."

"I have to read it for English so I thought why not kill two birds with one book." She grins

"Not a bad idea." Sark leans against the wall and looks outside, "So how was your afternoon?"

"Good."

"What did you do?"

"We went to a gallery for a while then went back to the center." Alexa answers. "We saw some paintings and photographs."

"What did you talk about?"

"Not much. Mostly what we saw."

"He doesn't make you nervous does he?"

Alexa looks at her Dad thoughtfully then shakes her head, "No." She looks at her book, "He's nice." She shrugs

Sark nods "Good." Sark walks over to the bed kissing her head. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"OK" Alexa nods returning to her book.

Sydney looks up as Sark enters the kitchen, "So get that whole 'my daughter was out with a boy' out of your mind."

"They went to a gallery." Sark picks up his glass of wine. "She's comfortable with him... so I guess I'm fine with their friendship."

"She needs a friend." Sydney states. "I know she spends time with the kids at the center but she doesn't spend time with people her age; and definitely not with the girls at school."

"I think the girls at school make her unsure."

"She doesn't have much in common with them." Sydney points out "She may have been raised as a rich kid... but she isn't like them."

"I know." Sark takes a sip of his wine.

"What are you going to do if she does find some boy to date?" Sydney asks

"Dig as deep as I can into his background... his families. Interrogate the hell out of him. And if he breaks her heart torture him."

Shaking her head Sydney sighs, "Sark"

"What?"

"Good plan if you want to land your ass in prison."

"That's if I get caught."

"Sark any missing teenage boys who know Alexa go missing... who would they look at?"

"Um... Jack" Sark says helpfully.

"Yes if Dad was known for his... homicidal behavior."

"Darling... he has on occasion"

Sydney glares at him. "Unless you want to sleep in your room don't go there." She warns

Sark sighs "Fine."

"Look she's going to want to date one day. You can't keep it from happening."

"I know."

NEXT DAY

"Rath have you seen Alexa?" The Center Director asks. "She's late for tutoring Elana."

Rath sets his paintbrush down, "No" he answers wiping his hands. "Why?"

"She must have spaced again. I should call her Dad." The Director sighs. "He said if she acted weird to let him know."

"Let me find her first. I'm sure she just became distracted." Rath assures

"Alright." The director nods "If you don't find her I'm calling her father."

Rath nods then looks at the students "Continuing working. I will be back soon." He walks out of the room allowing his senses to expand search for the familiar scent. 'Ahh' he catches the scent following it through the building. He opens the door that leads up to the roof to find Alexa sitting on the landing her knees up to her chest. "Mary's looking for you. You're late for your session with Elana."

Alexa remains silent.

Rath crouches beside her, "Bad day?"

Alexa lifts her shoulder

"Mary wanted to call your Dad. Do you want her too?"

"I just needed silence. Too much noise."

Rath nods "It does get loud around here."

Alexa nods

"So are you ready to go back in?" Rath asks

Alexa takes a deep breath and nods

Rath stands holding his hand out to Alexa.

Alexa takes his hand allowing him to pull her to her feet only to loose her balance and stumble into him.

Rath catches her "You OK?"

Alexa nods a strand of hair falls across her eyes.

Rath reaches out gently brushing her hair out of her eyes. He leans in kissing her lightly before pulling back looking at Alexa seeing her surprise before he kisses her again. He abruptly breaks the kiss and walks away leaving Alexa standing there. 'What the fuck was I thinking! She's a kid! Her father would tear out my heart and dance on it.'

Alexa stares after him stunned by the kiss. She takes a deep breath before following him down the stairs. 'He kissed me... again.' she smiles briefly then continues to the library where she finds her waiting student. "Sorry Elana. I was... distracted."

"Its OK" the little girl smiles

"Ready to get to work?"

Elana nods opening her book.

Rath enters the art studio relieved to find his students still working and no messes. He walks around the room checking every ones work. 'I kissed her. What was I doing? I shouldn't have... but I did. She's just so... sweet... innocent. When I'm near her I just... I want to protect her. I want to kiss her... fuck I've become so weak for her.' He thinks frustrated. 'Don't think about this now man... got work to do.'

LATER

Alexa enters the machine shop where she finds Rath working on a car. 'Should I? Shouldn't I?'

"Done tutoring?"

Alexa starts in surprise and nods "Yes. Done for the day?"

"Yes. I told Andrea I would see what is wrong with her car. You done?"

Alexa nods, "Unless someone wants something."

"When's your Pop pickin' you up?"

"Not for a while. He's in a meeting... as is everyone else. Sam's in class. Niko's at daycare... so" she shrugs "I'm waiting."

Rath nods

Alexa sits on the stool near the car watching him work.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Rath nods "Not a problem." He says gruffly. "So what happened?"

"Sometimes with a lot of noise and distractions... I start to panic. To avoid a meltdown I have to get away. Sometimes I have flashbacks."

"To what?" Rath asks absently.

"Everything. Its a long story." She fidgets with a tool.

"Can you hand me the screw driver?" Rath requests

Alexa picks up the screw driver and walks over to the car "Here"

"Thanks"

Alexa watches as he works

"Hold that."

"What?"

Rath nods at the item he is holding, "Hold it."

Alexa pushes her shirt sleeve up her hand taking his place.

Rath moves away for a moment then returns catching a glimpse of scars on Alexa's wrist and her inner arms.

Alexa notices that he glanced at her scars and once he takes her place she pulls her sleeve down, "I"

"Don't have to explain" Rath says gently.

"I know the girls at school wonder why I always wear long sleeves. They never outright ask me... I've heard them talking... saying I tried to kill myself." She looks at her scars "I didn't."

"I didn't think you did."

Alexa touches the scar left by the handcuffs, "When he was angry... he'd handcuff me... to pretty much anything in my room. I pulled at them until my wrists would be bleeding. When Dad found me I was handcuffed to a rod... I had pulled on them so bad that I had to get stitches."

"Your Pop must have been pissed when he saw that"

Alexa nods tears blurring her vision, "He was." She looks at the track scars, "He used to drug me to keep me quiet and out of his way."

"Hope he paid."

"He's in prison. Dad said if he ever gets out... he won't live long. Between Dad, Jack, Sydney, and the rest... he wouldn't survive long."

"Scares you doesn't it? The idea he could get out?"

Alexa nods "I have nightmares about it."

"Scars are scars kid... who cares what others think when they see them." Rath wipes his hand across his forehead leaving a smudge of oil.

"I know. I just... I guess covered up I don't think about them." She shrugs as they sit on the bumper of the car. "Sometimes I wish I could be like everyone else. Or somewhat close to what everyone else is like. Everyone at that school thinks being rich is great."

"Its not?"

Alexa shakes her head, "Rich people can hide secrets. After all he hid me from Dad and kept everyone from finding out how he was treating me."

"The rich don't see the world outside their own." Rath shrugs

"Why did you kiss me?" Alexa asks suddenly.

Rath shrugs grabbing a clean cloth he hands it to Alexa, "I don't know why." He grabs another cloth wiping his own hands clean. "I just... felt like it."

"So are you going to say it shouldn't have happened?"

Rath leans against the table crossing his arms over his chest, "Part of me knows it shouldn't have... but it did."

"Why shouldn't it have?"

"I'm older than you." Rath points out

Alexa shrugs "So?"

"You're still in high school. Your Dad would not be happy about it."

"He wants me to make friends"

"Friends your own age probably."

Alexa tilts her head, "I know he wishes I could... but he knows I'm not comfortable around people my age."

"I'm not the type of guy you want to get involved with." Rath remarks "I'm not... boyfriend material."

"And I'm not girlfriend material... that doesn't mean we can't be friends."

"And why do you say you're not girlfriend material?"

Alexa looks at her feet, "Who wants to even attempt to date someone like me? First time some boy tried touching me I would probably panic."

"You don't when I have."

Alexa shrugs "Because I know you wouldn't hurt me." She looks at him shyly "You may look like a big tough guy and act like one but for some reason you don't scare me." She looks at the floor, "We can be friends."

Rath nods "Friends then. So friend... want to help me out on the car?"

"I don't know anything about cars."

"Well then its time I teach you."

HOUR LATER

Sark looks at Alexa as she gets into the car and frowns seeing the dirt on her face and hands. "Lex what..."

"I helped Rath work on a car." She explains

"Why?"

Alexa shrugs, "Because I wanted too."

"Is your homework done?"

"Done last week."

"That's my girl." Sark says as he pulls away from the curb. "So did anything interesting happen today?" Sark listens with interest as Alexa talks about her day.

TBC…