A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews I've got. It means so much to me! Please let me know what you think of this story.
Two weeks ago
Nick unlocked his front door, pushing it open and stepping into his house. It was just past 7am, and as he stepped into his house, he could hear sounds of life coming from the kitchen and living room. Smiling, he made his way to the living area.
Sara was in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of pancakes. Emily, now 5 years old, was seated in front of the television watching cartoons. He walked over to Sara, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leant into him.
"How are you, beautiful?" He whispered into her ear. She let out a sigh.
"Fine, how are you?" she asked back, concerned. He knew how much their latest case had been bothering him.
"Nothing a little time with my two favorite girls won't fix," he said, brushing his lips over her neck. She turned, and captured his lips with hers. They stood there kissing for a while, before Emily shouted out across the room.
"Daddy!"
Unwrapping Sara from his arms, he wandering over to his daughter, who threw her arms around his neck. He lifted her up, holding onto her tightly.
This was what got him through the night.
Through the case.
He kissed her hair, and lowered her back onto the couch. Her big brown eyes shone up at him, and he smiled down at her.
"How ya going, princess?"
She giggled. "I'm great! Mommy's making pancakes!"
Sara rolled her eyes. She was no cook, but Emily had begged her, and she was putty in their daughter's hands. Both Nick and her were.
Nick walked over to Sara, grabbing the wooden spoon out of her hands.
"I'll take over," he told her. Emily ran over, climbing onto the barstool besides the kitchen table.
"Can I help?" she asked him. Nick smiled, and handed her the wooden spoon. She stirred with gusto, and Nick warmed up the fry pan.
Relieved for some rest, Sara sat down on the couch, picking up the television remote and flicking the channel over. Emily and Nick chatted in the kitchen, as Sara paused on the news.
"Las Vegas forensic services are working hard as another victim of Las Vegas's latest serial killer, "The Babysitter" was found last night. 5 year old Summer Mayer, who disappeared from her home 2 nights ago, was found dead last night by an off duty police officer. Summer is the forth victim of "The Babysitter"."
The whole house had gone silent, and Nick had a pained look on his face. Sara knew how much this case was affecting him. Affecting the both of them. They weren't even closer to catching the killer, and that was hurting them the most.
"You're going to catch him, aren't you?"
Emily's innocent question struck both of them. Nick stopped what he was doing, and wrapped his arms around his tiny daughter, holding her closely to him.
"Of course we will, princess," he assured her. Sara turned the television off. Emily didn't need to hear anymore. Although it was the biggest news in Las Vegas, and every school was on the lookout with high security plans, she didn't want to subject her to more.
"Why's he hurting other little girls?" Emily asked softly. Nick shook his head.
"I dunno," he admitted.
"You won't let him hurt me, will you?" she asked timidly. Nick's heart almost broke.
"I'd never let anyone hurt you," he choked out. She snuggled up against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I'll never let anyone hurt you," he repeated. "Ever."
Nick didn't know how long he stayed out. He went to the nearest park, and despite the fact that it was 11am on a Saturday morning, the park was empty.
People were in hiding.
Protecting their children.
Like Nick should have been doing.
Had he been so caught up in trying to protect everyone else's children that he had risked the safely of his own?
He sat down on the park bench, watching the swings swinging in the wind. He'd come here with Emily many times. Pushed her on the swings, listened to her laugh.
The swing squeaked in the wind, and Nick felt his heart squeeze painfully. He buried his face in his hands, letting the sobs overtake his body.
God, this was his fault!
What had he done to Emily?
What had he done to Sara?
He was crying uncontrollably now. He'd failed his daughter. He had told her he would protect her, that he wouldn't let anyone hurt her. He'd broken his promise to her, and to Sara.
"I'll protect both of you, I promise."
Suddenly, he felt someone besides him. He didn't need to look to see who it was. He knew that scent, he knew that person.
He looked up, and saw Sara. She was crying, and he pulled her down besides him, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her hair, holding onto her desperately as she cried into his neck.
"I'm so sorry," Nick told her, kissing her head desperately. "I'm so sorry, it's my fault, I'm so sorry."
She shook her head. "It's not your fault."
Nick continued to hold her to him.
"Yes it is," he sobbed. "I told her I would protect her. I promised her that!"
Sara began to sooth him, rubbing her hands over his back.
"I'll never let anyone hurt you," he repeated. "Ever."
Emily leant up and whispered in his ear.
"I know you won't."
Please review! Pretty please with sugar on top with chocolate sauce and whipped cream and crushed up little pieces of nuts and a cherry on top!