A/N: Hi, guys. First off, I'd like to thank everybody for being so supportive, even during my long period of inactivity. Your kind words do mean a lot. My life has been really, really hectic since my last update. There's been a lot of changes and developments in my personal life that can make it extremely hard to write even just a few sentences. As of now, some things seem to be clearing up. I've overcome an arm injury that made it extremely hard to even hold a pencil, and I've even gotten a small part time job. With my job and school starting soon, once again things will probably go topsy turvy, but I'm going to try to keep churning out paragraphs to the best of my abilities. I know that this chapter is way overdue, I wanted to post on May 25th, the anniversary of the beginning of my collaborating with Tari J. Deiter, or June 8th - Echo's birthday. Obviously that didn't work for me. But, though way overdue, here is chapter fifteen, with a nod to the classic film, "Gone With the Wind". I hope you enjoy it.

Picking Up the Broken Glass

Kawaii Stella

Chapter Fifteen

A Brand New Beginning

With Echo soundly sleeping, Marbles pulled the covers up around her and tucked her in. Upon making sure everything was in order, Marbles switched off the lights and left the room

There was no denying it. Marbles was very happy with himself. He had his daughter –his daughter! - sleeping under his roof for the first time ever. It was a feeling unparalleled by anything else. His heart swelled and a smile was impossible to keep at bay. Returning to his office, Marbles picked up the camera Ada had used to take his and Echo's photograph. Using his thumb he slipped open the cover to the memory card port. Pressing down on the tiny card caused it to pop out of its slot with a tiny click. From there he inserted the card into his desktop computer and loaded the file, quickly locating the image he sought. Just as he had printed a single copy of the photo, Marbles heard a loud and shrill scream. Echo's scream. Something was very wrong.

Marbles bolted from his desk and sprinted down to Echo's room. Inside the room Echo was flailing in her bed like a salmon caught in a net.

"Echo! Echo! It's okay!" Marbles said, ripping the covers away and shaking her awake.

Echo's eyes snapped open, taking in her surroundings.

"Honey, are you okay?" Marbles asked gently. "What happened?"

"It was just a little nightmare. That's all." Echo said, sitting up to grab the covers back.

"Something I don't believe it was 'just a little nightmare'."

"It was a dream. Nothing more."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Echo looked conflicted. Sitting on the bed, Marbles wrapped an arm around his daughter.

"Echo, what was your dream about?" he asked gently.

"I . . . I felt trapped . . . pinned down." Echo admitted.

"Well, you were tucked in pretty well. What else happened in your dream?"

"It was just a repeat."

"A repeat of what?"

"My first night at the orphanage."

"What happened then?"

"After lights out, two of my roommates pinned me down while the other two beat me up. That was what my dream was about. I could feel it. Every single punch and jab. I could hear it. Every little insult and remark. Same as before . . . all over again. Never ending." Echo's voice cracked.

"Oh, sweetheart." Marbles said sympathetically.

"It still hurts!" Echo cried. "They were beating me up again!'

"It's okay, Echo. You're safe now. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." Marbles said, having tucked her into his side. His words barely registered with her. She was already in another place, some years ago.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You're safe with me I'm not gonna hurt you. Murdock's your friend, remember?" Murdock said, gently and reassuringly referring to himself in the third person.

Echo nodded, her head still throbbing.

Murdock held an arm open and Echo curled into his side. Using that arm to hold her to him, he placed his other hand on the top of her forehead and gently rocked. Echo whimpered.

"I know it hurts. That's what they do best here. But it's okay. You're not alone. I'm your friend and you can always come to me. I won't do what they do to you. I promise. For right now, you're safe. Relax. Just relax."

Echo was now feeling the comfort she had then felt with Murdock with Marbles. She did feel safe, and with that comfort, she slowly fell back asleep. Marbles continued to hold Echo even after she had fallen back to sleep. She seemed rather comfy where she was. After a while, though, Marbles did maneuver Echo back onto her pillow. He covered her back up with the comforted but wisely did not tuck her in. He wouldn't make that mistake twice.

Once he was back in his office, Marbles picked up the photo he had printed. After finding a frame to put it in, he retired to his own bedroom. Marbles had an early morning tomorrow, and would need all the rest he could get.

Marbles alarm clock began beeping bright and early at 5:30 AM. From beneath the covers his arm snaked out and forcefully hit the snooze button. Five more minutes was what that would buy him. He lay there, staring at the ceiling. It seemed that Echo had slept peacefully through the rest of the night. Marbles hoped she had. Hopefully she would sleep a little late to catch up on the sleep she had lost at the orphanage.

Rolling over, Marbles squint his eyes at the two photo frames there. As the images came into semi-clarity he smiled. The first photograph was of him and Ada, his arm draped across her dainty shoulders. The second photograph, the one he had printed last night, showed him holding Echo to his chest.

There was no question that Echo made him happy. He just hoped that he would be able to make her as happy as she made him. Marbles hoped that it wouldn't take Echo too long to settle in and establish a routine. He wanted her to be as comfortable as she had been in her home on Earth. Speaking of routines, there was a pot of coffee brewing in the kitchen, and the sooner he got dressed, the sooner he could drink it.

No sooner had he put the ceramic mug to his lips and the scalding drink graced his tongue, Echo appeared in the kitchen entryway. Hair brushed back, Echo was fully dressed; looking ready to go anywhere, even at a quarter to six in the morning.

"Echo, honey, what are you doing up so early?" Marbles asked, setting his mug down on the counter.

"I heard you in here so I figured it was a suitable time to get up." Echo answered.

"It's not even six AM, honey."

"I know."

"How long have you really been up?"

Echo shrugged. "A little while." She pointed to the coffee pot. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all." Marbles said as he pulled down another mug and handed it to her. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a coffee drinker."

"Too many late nights not to be a coffee drinker." She replied, adding milk and sugar to her brew.

"Why so many late nights?"

"Work, mostly."

"What was your job?" Where did you work?"

"I was a barmaid at the Blue Cap Pub."

"A barmaid? Serving beer?" Marbles was shocked.

"Well, yeah. That's what barmaids usually do." Echo said as she sat down with her coffee.

"But you're not even legal to drink! How could you have gotten a job as a barmaid at some dingy pub?"

Echo's eyes shifted, her jewel-toned irises momentarily turning hard as steel.

"Hey. The Blue Cap Pub was not dingy! It's the nicest bar in the glen." Echo said coldly, defending her employer. After a couple of moments, her eyes and tone returned to normal. "I needed the pay. Thom hired me to help me out."

"I see. How old were you when you started working at this pub?"

"Almost ten."

Marbles swallowed even though he hadn't taken a drink of coffee. Nine years old? Echo had been working in a bar from the time she was nine years old? Marbles shook his head. A little girl working her nights away in a pub. What kind of parent let their young daughter work in such a place?

"Why would you need a paycheck at such a young age?" Marbles asked.

"To make ends meet." The simplicity in the way Echo said this as well as the way she shrugged implied that this was no big deal. "Bills had to be paid." She said.

Something was missing from this story. Of this much Marbles was sure.

"Echo, something just doesn't seem right. At nine years old, you shouldn't have been worrying about making ends meet."

"Maybe I shouldn't have had to, but I did. Over the summers I'd live with David, and he was bat at, uh, managing money. I had to work to fill the gaps."

Marbles said nothing to this. He had a feeling in his gut that mismanaging money wasn't Echo's birth father's only "talent". Something told Marbles that David's number one fan certainly wasn't his daughter.

"So, David must have been glad for your help." Marbles said. He hoped that he had found a gentle way of keeping the conversation going.

"David's not the grateful type." Echo said. The slight increase in her accent showed distain towards David – and confirmed Marbles' suspicions.

Rather than keep pushing Echo further into an unpleasant conversation, and into a sour mood, Marbles switched to a different track.

"Now, how about some breakfast, hm?"

Echo nodded and excitedly agreed. Her stomach, despite last night's massive meal, was now rolling like thunder. At a quick pace, Marbles was up and mixing up batter for muffins. Echo stayed in his shadow, watching everything he did with wide eyes. She took in which drawers he pulled open for the cutlery, which rotating stand he pulled mixing spoons out of, and which cabinet held the mixer. A shiny KitchenAid mixer sat on the counter, but Marbles seemed to prefer the smaller, hand held electric mixer.

Maybe he'll let me cook one of these days. Echo mused. She was rather excited by that thought. She liked to cook. If she could cook in this warm, open kitchen, this big place might begin to feel a little more like home.

Marbles noticed Echo watching him. He didn't mind it; he wasn't even bothered by it. He liked having her attention. Marbles was especially glad she wasn't shying away from him. Reaching over, he stroked her hair. Echo beamed. This sign of affection was one she was not used to, but she found she liked it very much. David never stroked her hair like this. David never showed her affection, period.

Slipping the muffin tin into the over, Marbles switched on the light inside so they could watch their breakfast rise and turn a fluffy golden brown. As the muffins baked, Echo wandered. She explored the kitchen. Every little nook and cranny met her curious gaze and the touch of the slender, nimble fingers. The more she grew familiar with this room and the things in it, the more Echo found she liked it. This room was warm and open. It was a happy place. Echo could sense that many memories had been made in this room. She wondered how many memories she would make in this kitchen. Hopefully ones better than the ones she had of David's kitchen.

"Cold?" Marbles had seen Echo shudder.

"Ah, no, not really. " Echo put on a smile. "I'm okay."

"Okay." Marbles sat down back at the table. He motioned for Echo to join him. Without hesitation, Echo took her spot back at the table.

Echo took a drink of her coffee, which had cooled considerably.

"What do you have planned for today?" Echo asked Marbles.

"Well, I do have to attend a Grand Cyber Council Meeting at the Cyber Grand Tower" Echo cocked her head. "It's basically a meeting between all the cybersite leaders." He explained.

"Sounds kind of boring." Echo said.

"It definitely can be, it just really depends what's up on the table for discussion. After the meeting I'll go to Sensible Flats to get your quilt back from Abigail."

"Okay. Thanks. That quilt is special. It's pretty much the only thing I have left of home." Echo said quietly.

Leaning across the table, Marbles took Echo's hand. "I know. I'm going to get it back. You still have your other things, too. I'm sure your family put some thought into what they packed for you."

"No, they didn't. They just grabbed a few bags that I had yet to unpack from coming home early. Each one of those bags I packed myself before I hopped home across the pond."

Marbles thought about what this meant, then remembered what Echo's file had said.

"You were in the United States for school."

"Yeah. How'd you know that?" Echo asked, curious to what else Marbles knew.

"It was in your file." Marbles answered.

Oh dear. Echo's stomach flopped. What else had he gotten from her file? Horrendous images from her past rushed through her mind. Echo could feel her hands get clammy. Did Marbles know of her past? Of what she had done and who she had been? It wasn't but a moment later that this fear was eased.

'Honestly, Echo, you're quite a mystery to me. There wasn't a whole lot in your file." Marbles said.

There wasn't? Thank God! Echo thought "There's not much about me to know." She said, orally.

"I hardly believe that." Marbles told her. "I believe you're a very interesting person. Multifaceted, like a diamond."

Echo blushed. It wasn't every day she was likened to a diamond.

The stove timer began to beep, and it was there that Echo realized that they were surrounded by the mouth watering aroma of the wildberry muffins. Echo's stomach growled fiercely at the scent. Marbles took the golden spongy treats from the over, setting them to cool on the counter.

"So, um, what do you want me to do today while you're gone?" Echo asked. She had been half expecting to be handed a medial list of chores. Instead she was patted on the shoulder.

"Honey, all I want you to do today is to relax. Settle in, explore a little bit. I'm not going to force you to work your fingers to the bone. This is your home, you are free to do as you please. Just take it easy. You are still recovering from some major surgeries, after all."

As if suddenly remembering, Echo rubbed her fingers over the stitches beneath the nice teal sweater.

"You don't even have to dress up every day, Echo. You're free to dress as casually as you want, even if that means staying in pajamas all day. Although, you do look very nice today." Marbles said, kissing his child's hair.

Echo smiled, and her father handed her a plate with a nice, large fluffy muffin. She sad back down at the table and enjoyed their breakfast together. Soon after, Marbles left, promising that he would return as soon as he could.

In his wake, Echo ambled around, almost like a ghost. She haunted the halls, taking in all the details. It would take her a while to memorize her way around the house. Out of everything, Echo kept staring at the floor. The tiles, hard, cold, and polished beneath her feet, took her back to another time and another place.

The tiles were white. Hard, cold, and polished under their feet, glowing beneath the long fluorescent tubes that lined the ceiling above like paint strips on the Autobahn. The smell in the air was sharp, probably consisting mostly of bleach. Someone was doing a lousy job of properly cleaning the place.

H.M.'s voice drifted around her as he guided her down the halls, acquainting her with her new surroundings. Up some old steps they went, coming out onto yet another tile floor. The place gave Echo the chills, and the paper thin pajamas didn't help things at all.

"I know it's a big, scary place, but you'll get used to it." H.M. said.

"Really? Murdock, I don't ever see myself getting used to this place." Echo said.

"Well, I mean, I didn't want to scare you . . ."

"I'm already scared!" Echo's eyes became shiny. "I'm thousands of miles from home! They said I just had to come for a secondary evaluation. They didn't tell me I couldn't go home!"

Murdock wrapped Echo in his arms. "I know, honey. Burgh's tricky like that."

"He scares me. A lot of people here scare me. The orderlies, the nurses, the doctors. . ."

"I know, Echo, I know. But there's one here that's not so bad. Not everyone is out to get you."

Echo stared at the tile floor. She wasn't so sure about that. Then again, she'd only been stuck in this place a couple days and Murdock was the only friend she had made so far. And she didn't picture herself making many – if any – more.

"I know you're scared, little red, but I promise I'm going to protect you as much as I can. That's the Ranger Way."

Echo looked up at him and Murdock gave her a soft smile.

"Now, how 'bout we go back to the common room and play some checkers?"

"Sure. How do you play checkers?" Echo asked.

Murdock chuckled. "I'll show you." Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Murdock led Echo back downstairs and to the little table with a checkerboard on it. Once she had been seated, Murdock pushed in Echo's chair and then they began.

"I miss Murdock." Echo told the floor beneath her. She wondered if he had written lately. Would anyone ever forward her mail? Or would it just pile up back home?

Echo wandered around a bit more, eventually finding herself back in her room. Plopping down on her bed, Echo realized that she was exhausted. She laid back and swaddled herself in a blanket. Within minutes, she was sound asleep.

The Grand Cyber Council meeting dragged on for what seemed to be an eternity. All matters that had been brought forth for discussion had been petty. Marbles kept finding himself loosing focus. His thoughts kept darting back to Echo. He hoped she was doing okay at home all by herself. He wondered what she was doing. Hopefully she would take a nap at some point. She had been up awfully early. And those nightmares . . . The sooner Marbles could get home to Echo, the better. He didn't want to leave her feeling abandoned. Echo had had enough experience being abandoned, and Marbles never wanted her to have to go through t that again.

At long last, the meeting was adjourned. Not a moment too soon. Marbles thought. As quick as he could he escaped that conference room and portalled to his next destination: Sensible Flats.

Coming out right at the orphanage steps, Marbles walked inside.

"Well, well, looks who's back." Abigail leaned over the reception desk, pressing her cleavage far higher than it was probably meant to go.

"Good afternoon, Abigail." Marbles said, keeping his composure calm. "I've come for Echo's quilt."

"Quilt? What quilt?" Abigail feigned innocence.

"Don't play me, Abigail Truehart. I know you have it."

"Do you mean this quilt?" Abigail held up an old, well-loved quilt which had been folded into a neat square. The smirk on her face proved that she kneow well what Marbles sought, and she loved toying with him.

Marbles reached out and grabbed the quilt out of her arms.

"You are despicable! How dare you outright steal a girl's beloved quilt? Do you have no dignity? No shame?" Marbles growled.

"Marbles, baby, I had a perfectly good reason for keeping that quilt here." Abigail cooed.

"I'm sure you do." Marbles rolled his eyes.

"I needed to see you again. I don't believe that it's any secret that I fancy you very much."

"The feeling is not mutual!"

"Oh, now, Marbles!" Abigail whined.

"Don't you even start! You are spiteful, cruel woman. You torture these kids and delight in it! You care more about your own carnal gratification than you do anyone else's wellbeing!" Marbles turned on his heel and walked to the door, Abigail chasing behind.

"I could change!" Abigail pleaded.

"I highly doubt that. But if you did, well, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

Marbles slammed the door in Abigail's face and quickly hopped a portal home. The quilt seemed clean, but Marbles wouldn't take any chances. He washed it, and once it was dry he took it to Echo's room, where he draped the warm blanket over his daughter.

In her sleep Echo let out a happy sigh from the sudden, comfortable warmth. Wrapping herself in the blanket, she rolled over and continued to dream. Marbles wondered what she was dreaming about this time. He hoped it was something much more pleasant than her dreams last night. Very gently Marbles stroked Echo's hair, then left her to sleep as we went off to prepare the night's meal.