Okay. Time for a disclaimer. I own none of the talented wonderful men in this story. If I did... Well I wouldn't just be writing about it that's for sure! Officially this is a Dean/OC/Roman story.

What's this? A timely update? The world hath ended! Haha. It's just 4am here and I can't sleep so I thought I'd get some work done. I hope you guys enjoy!

P.S. We will be getting a little bit deep into some depression along the way; PTSD. I'll try to put warnings if there's anything major but just a head's up for you all because I know sometimes it can be triggering. There not much of it in this chapter, but it is coming.


Despite her best efforts, Leecie bawled long and hard the moment Joe and Jon left. She resisted through the hugs and kisses, through the waves and the promises of calls and video chats, and through air kisses until they drove out of sight. But once she was safely back in her own home, she couldn't stop the hot tears. Despite having promised Joe off until Sunday, someone had called him and explained that he needed to return when Jon did due to a slight roster change for a house show.

Once again she was home without them, for an unknown amount of time. She had a day and a half until her parents brought Rose back which should have been manageable, but as she sat on her butt with her back to the front door, she was terrified.

Would she be able to do it alone again? How could she live in the home where she and her daughter had almost died? Would she be able to hold it together when Rose was home again? Could she still be a good mother? If she was so scared to be in the home alone for such a small amount of time, how could she handle it any other time? She'd have to get used to sleeping alone again after nights of being curled up to her lovers which was a daunting thought.

After sulking in the same spot for at least half an hour, Leecie finally mustered up the courage to get to her feet and brave the kitchen.

"I'm a fucking lost cause," she mumbled to herself as she searched the fridge for an easy meal for dinner, "I can't even manage this."

Swallowing thickly, she closed the door to the fridge again and leaned against the cool door. The bitter stinging of tears crept up again.

"God, no! I gotta suck it up!" she shouted to herself.

She let out a frustrated groan as she mopped up her cheeks and set back on the task of preparing food. As she surveyed the different items and options, she couldn't help but cringe. Nothing sounded good. It was all revolting to the point she had to walk out of the room and lounge on the couch. The rest of the night was spent in that same spot, save needing bathroom or a drink, watching Naruto to keep her mind off of things. She managed a few hours of restless sleep that was often broken by images of a gun pressed to her stomach.

The worst one included him and a gun, but her stomach was very round with child instead. That one had her up for hours.

Sunday went by with her doing some light house cleaning, avoiding the kitchen at all costs until around lunch when she began to feel faint from lack of eating. Even then all she could manage was toast and juice. The only highlight of her day was when she got a call from Joe and Jon before bed.

.

"How are you doing baby girl?" Joe asked softly as she settled on the bed.

"I'm okay," she said.

She wasn't sure if it was a lie or not, but there was no reason to alarm them. It was only the second day since they'd left so she was bound to feel off somewhat.

"Actually okay, or bullshit okay?" Jon spoke up.

Leecie laughed softly and reclined back against the pillows as she relished in their joined laughter.

"I'm okay okay," she replied, "How are things for you both?"

"Lonely," Joe muttered gruffly.

"I second that," Jon added, "It's super shitty that we can't be there still."

She rolled her eyes and chewed at her thumb nail as her cheeks heated.

"Yeah but it's your guys' work. You have to be there," she murmured, "I'll be fine without my two protectors."

"Mmhmm, don't think so. I've seen how klutzy you can be," Jon tsked, making her snicker.

He was right about that. It was amazing how well he knew her already.

"It's getting late," Joe groaned, "We should let you go."

"No!" she gasped, cringing at how desperate she sounded.

"What? What's wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong just... could you guys maybe stay on just for a little longer?" she whispered.

"Of course baby girl," Joe replied gently, "We'll stay until you fall asleep."

"Thank you."

The two went on about their day, telling her little jokes about things that had occurred and possible plans for their story lines, until she drifted off into slumber.

.

Monday was easier, although still full of anxiety and worry. She knew in a few hours she'd have her daughter back which made all the fears linger in the back of her mind. She had to focus on her Rose.

When the front door finally exploded open and a small brown figure topped with red curls darted her way, she dropped to her knees.

"Mama! I missed you!"

Leecie swallowed hard and squeezed her daughter tight as tears flooded her closed eyes. Rocking them back and forth, she pressed kisses to Rose's soft hair.

"I missed you too baby," Leecie whispered.

Rose pulled away and her bright smile made the darkness in her mother's mind drift away.

"Don't cry mama. I'm not going back to grandma's," Rose assured her.

Leecie let out a chuckle and drew Rose into another hug, groaning as she shook her head.

"That's right baby. You're staying here, not going anywhere," Leecie murmured, "Why don't you tell me about your day?"

"Can I have a snack?" Rose asked immediately.

"Yeah, of course," Leecie replied, rising to her feet.

The duo headed into the kitchen and quickly found cheese sticks and chocolate milk before settling at the table. Rose launched into a full on detailed explanation of everything that had occurred in her day and Leecie hung on to every word. From the mentions of math being mean, to the yucky sloppy joe lunch, to her slight re-connection with Ava which had her elated. At the mention of the other child, Leecie let out a soft sigh and shook her head. She'd almost forgotten about Ava's situation with all the hubbub going on in their lives. Something needed to be done.

"Would you want Ava to come over sometime soon?" Leecie asked when Rose focused on her milk.

The smaller red head's eyes went wide as she shook her head yes frantically.

"I miss her mama! Please ask her mommy to let her come over!"

"I will, promise," Leecie replied, "I'll call her tomorrow morning while you're at school. Sound good?"

Rose looked overly pleased at that answer and continued to talk about her day and the games she got to play at recess. Apparently hopscotch was making a big come back now as well as tether-ball. When she finished speaking, Rose looked at her mom inquisitively.

"Aren't you going to eat mama?" she asked.

Leecie tried to find the will to eat but after a moment shook her head, sliding her cheese stick to her daughter.

"Eh, no probably not. I'll wait until dinner. Speaking of which, do you want grilled cheese and soup tonight?"

Thankfully Rose was easily distracted with the topic of dinner and immediately agreed to the meal but dictated that she had to be able to help.

"I can open the cans," she assured her mom with a nod, "I'm getting really good at it."

"That you are. As long as I'm there to watch you, I don't mind."

There was a moment for quiet where Rose looked down and studied her cheese. Confused, Leecie reached out and pushed the small girl's curls back.

"What's on your mind kiddo?"

Rose shuffled in her seat slightly then cocked her head to the side.

"Can we call Joe and Jon? I miss them."

Releaved it was something so simple, Leecie smiled widely and nodded.

"Of course. They miss you too. Let's go surprise them with a skype call," Leecie replied.

Chocolate milk and cheese stick in hand, Rose stormed into the living room without a second glance. Leecie followed closely and grabbed up her phone, quickly selecting Skype and passing it over to Rose.

"Well lookie here! Our little spit fire called us Joe!"

Her heart felt like it grew in size at those words. He'd called Rose theirs. She smiled bitterly to herself as she shifted and thought to herself how much she wished it were true. Better either of them than that prick of a human. Rose's noise of excitement distracted her from her thought's and she looked back at the phone.

"Heeeeeyyyyyy Uncle Jon, Uncle Joe!" Rose cheered when Joe finally joined in on the screen as well.

"Hello beautiful. How was school?" Joe asked with a grand smile.

The young girl gave basically the same spiel she'd given her mother.

"I never liked sloppy joe's either," Jon commented randomly.

"You just have to try mama's. Her's are better than anyone's," Rose informed him in a sure tone, "Mama makes anything taste good, even yucky stuff like asparagus."

"Is your mama there?" Joe asked suddenly.

Rose nodded and dutifully handed the phone over, quickly telling her mom she was going to the restroom. With a laugh, Leecie took the cell and waved once she was in frame.

"Hey guys," she said happily.

"Hey baby girl. You feeling okay?" Joe asked.

She nodded but got a funny look from Jon. Lifting a brow in confusion, the red head questioned his look.

"You seem tired," Jon explained, then shrugged, "It's probably this stupid phone."

"My phone isn't stupid. You just need to know how to work it," Joe retorted.

They easily slid into a gentle bickering that had her nearly rolling laughter. Leave it to them to bring her spirits up with arguing over Jon being technically inept.

"Stop laughing babe, or else I'll think you're agreeing with him!" Jon called.

His eyebrow furrowed and he got really close to the phone, bright blue eyes staring intently. Even though the phone she felt slightly initmidated by the stare and flushed.

"You agree, don't you?"

"Well, I-"

"Nope, that's it. I can't believe you. You're heartless! I'm so hurt that you'd think of me like that baby! My heart."

Her laughter came out in bursts as she covered her mouth and her eyes watered. He fell back dramatically on the bed and she heard the Samoan shout something about watching the phone before there was a shuffling and said Samoan was on the screen. Eyes rolling he grunted a sigh.

"I swear he's a child sometimes," he muttered.

"Got her to laugh didn't I?" she heard from the background before a door shut.

Leaning back against the couch cushions she bit her lip at Jon's comment.

"We're just worried about you baby girl. It's killing us both that we can't be there. I know we keep saying it, but it really fucking hurts," he sighed.

The warmth in his beautiful eyes and the light smile on his face made her heart race. Returning the smile, she shrugged.

"I'll be okay. You'll just have to make it up to me by coming around soon."

He laughed softly and nodded, black locks shaking around his face.

"That I will."

There was a pause as he seemed to look over at something then he groaned.

"I gotta start getting ready Leecie. You could stay on Skype but I doubt my hair care regimine is very entertaining," he said with a playful grin.

"I don't know about that big man. Plenty of people wanna know that information, myself included! Plus, that genereally includes a shower right?"

She teasingly waggled her eyebrows to which he promptly burst out laughing. Pride bloomed in her chest as he fell back against the headboard of the bed, now clear behind him.

After a moment, he calmed down and simply smirked.

"It does, but I wouldn't want to get you all riled up since I'm not there to help you relieve it," he murmured slyly, "Rain check for when I'm there? I'll even let you be in the shower when I'm doing it."

A small thrill shot through her body at the implications and she chewed her inner cheek as she nodded.

"I'm holding you to that," she whispered.

"Better. Alright, I gotta get off her baby. Tell Rose we'll see her soon okay? And make sure if you need to talk or anything, call us," he said.

She nodded and after promises of calling them if necessary, she hung up the call. As if she'd been waiting, Rose came back into the room with a big grin.

"So when Ava comes over, can we have a camp out in the kitchen?"

Leecie chuckled at the sudden thought but nodded.

"Sure, let's make a list of what you'll want, okay?"