Blech. I was looking over my other fics (all two of them, yes I know) and decided to take a short little break from my main Eragon fic and work on another one. Anyway, since a few people have been nagging me to continue this or something, I decided to work on it… -waves to Outsiders fic merrily- Hi, I'll get to you eventually, I promise!
Two months ago
"David?"
David Vida jerked up from his desk, the imprint of a corner stuck into his cheek. He looked up guiltily, having been jolted out of an uneasy sleep. "Um…" he managed, rubbing his face.
Dominique Vida looked down at him, amusement clear in her face. "David, when's the last time you slept in a bed?"
He had to think about it. "Yesterday? Two days ago? I'm not sure. I've been out most nights, tracking…"
She sighed, walking over to join him behind the desk. "You've been working too much," she chided lightly. "Working until you're on the brink of exhaustion won't help matters. Go take a shower, go to sleep, and when you're rested you can go hunting again."
"But—" he protested, knowing that she was right. "Dominique, I almost have her! All it'll take are a few more days of observation, and I can corner the filthy blood-sucker in her own lair." He stood up, a hand splayed on the desk for support. "I've found one of her prey, all it'll take are a few more—"
"Days of observation, yes I know," Dominique said kindly. "But it won't help if you do finally corner Ather and die right there and then because you're too tired to lift your knife. Come on."
"But—"
"Enough. Need I tie away your magic?"
David stared at his wife, taken aback. "You can't do that," he said finally.
"Oh, yes I can, dearest husband of mine. You see, the difference between us is that I have been sleeping eight hours a day and eating as one is supposed to, and you have not. Now go to bed."
He sighed, knowing that it was useless to argue. "Yes, Domi," he said meekly.
She swatted at him playfully. "Don't call me that, you silly idiot. I'd never keep order in this haphazard Vida clan if they don't respect me."
"You would keep order no matter how silly your name is," he assured her solemnly.
She waved him off, laughing. "They'd better. Now go to bed."
David nodded, smiling as he closed the door to their office. Once out in the hallway, he had to admit to himself that the prospect of a good shower and bed was very tempting. Not that he'd ever tell Dominique, of course. She would only be smug about it.
He headed to the bathroom, pausing by the bedroom to grab a clean change of clothes. When he reached the shower, he groaned, staring at the locked door wistfully. "Adianna?" he called, knocking.
"Yeah?" his oldest daughter replied, sticking her head out of her room. "What's up?"
He stared at her. "Oh. I thought you were in the bathroom."
Adianna shook her head, walking into the hallway. "No, that would be Sarah. I swear she's fallen into the toilet or something; she's been in there for the past half-hour. Hey, Sarah!" Adianna yelled, rapping the door sharply. "You alive in there?"
"Yeah!" cried a voice from the other side of the door. "Go away, Adi, I'm busy!"
"Sarah," David called. "Sarah, what're you doing?"
The door opened a tiny crack, and Sarah peered out. A grin blossomed across her childish face as she regarded her father, and she jumped out. "Daddy!" she cried, hugging him tightly.
David smiled, fondling his youngest daughter's hair. "Hey, Sarah. Can I use the bathroom?"
Sarah looked up, regarding him with stunning sapphire eyes. "Daddy, were you out killing vampires?" she asked seriously. "You didn't come home yesterday."
He knelt down, tweaking her nose lightly. "Yes," he assured her. "One day, you'll be a great vampire-hunter too."
She giggled, squirming in his hold. "I will," she said cheerfully.
He pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "Yes, you will. You'll be the best vampire-hunter-witch ever. Now run along. Daddy needs to take a shower."
"Yes, because Daddy smells like a pig," Adianna said amusedly by his shoulder.
David made a face at her as he stood up. "You needn't be so blunt," he said wryly, a hand on Sarah's shoulder.
"Well, it's true," she asserted, smiling. Leaning close, she added, "But it is nice to have you back, Dad. Even if you do stink up the house."
He smiled. "Thanks, girls. Now go away. I'm going to go get clean."
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Soppy happy scene…if I feel like updating, I'll continue with the story plotline. I anticipate 10 chapters, max, if I ever feel like going on with this. If not, then here's a bit of happiness for you to contrast the gloom in the beginning…anyway, review if you feel like it.
