The sun had long faded behind the tops of the trees when the motorbike was parked to the side.
Two women sat tucked among the roots of two great elm trees, a small fire glowing in the centre of their small camp. Laura watched as it crackled, sending sparks flying into the dark air. It would have been peaceful, would have been so calming and made her so happy…if it wasn't for one thing. Her dark eyes moved over to Jean, who's red hair glowed like flames in the faint light with the reflection of the fire. She had her gaze down, her hair swept about her face as she hugged her knees.
Laura knew she had been crying…even though she was trying to hide it. It was hard not to…with what had happened. It was finally sinking in now, in the still night air, what had really happened. That Logan had sent them away…so he could fight. Broken his promise to Laura to save her from harm, and to keep Jean safe.
Laura knew this much. But she couldn't help but sense that there was something more to her father's actions, she just couldn't pinpoint what…
"He would have liked this." Jean's tear-choked voice murmured finally, she wiped her eyes with her hand. "He always liked…going out into nature. Especially when he needed a break, some space…"
Laura stared through the flames at the other side of the camp, imaging Logan sitting there with a cigar, blowing smoke into the still night air. Except…he wouldn't. Not with Jean so upset. She reached for her backpack, unzipping it and pulling out a fluffy pink blanket covered in rearing white unicorns. She got up and walked the few steps between her and Jean, settling down beside the pretty woman and offering the blanket.
Jean blinked, glancing up and gingerly taking it, pressing her nose into it and almost instantly giving a tiny sob. "It…it smells…like him."
Laura nodded quietly, cuddling up close to her side comfortingly. "It was a present." She murmured.
Jean gave a wobbly smile, closing her eyes briefly and savouring his scent. "He's wonderful like that." She spoke as if she was recalling memories of long ago.
Laura hesitated a moment, wrapping her arms around her knees, wanting to ask a question but not sure how.
"You can ask." Jean promised gently, looking over at her expectantly.
"Or, you could just figure it out." Laura offered frankly, returning her gaze, causing Jean to give a small, half laugh.
"Yes…but I try not to do it that often. People must be able to express themselves." Jean sighed softly. "Something which…funnily enough…I find rather hard."
"Have you told him…how you feel?" Laura asked quietly.
Jean flinched, moving her gaze away and staring at the dying flames. "It's not an easy thing to do."
Laura crossed her arms, staring at Jean as if she expected a better response. Or, no excuses at all. Jean bit her lip, shaking her head. "Don't give me that look…everything is so complicated. You don't know the whole story."
"I don't need to." Laura insisted flatly.
Jean looked a mixture of embarrassed and flustered. "You're just like him, you know."
Laura did know. She'd heard it quite a lot. "So, tell me."
"Tell you, what?"
"How you feel about him."
"I didn't mean it like that and you know it." Jean sighed, brushing the hair away from her face, but when she glanced back at Laura she found the girl still staring at her expectantly. "Laura…"
"It's not fair if you don't tell him." She insisted.
"If you know, he knows." Jean folded her arms defensively.
Laura sighed, reaching over and grasping her backpack before curling up on the ground with her head against it. That wasn't the point she was trying to make, but if Jean didn't want to admit how she felt, Laura couldn't do anything about it. She could only speak from experience…that only when it was really too late, had she finally been able to tell her daddy. And at that point words couldn't suffice.
Laura wanted Logan to come back. Very desperately. She wanted to hold onto that hope and dream that they could have a happy life after this. But the world was dark and dangerous, and while her daddy would fight to the death, sometimes death won.