Chapter Eight
Four years passed quickly after the Hannibal Lector case in Forks. Ashe now was able to slightly bend her right leg.
"Jesikah! Behave for Aunt Bella and Uncle Edward. Your father and I will be back tonight after work." Ashe hollered.
Jesikah ran to the front door and held her hands up. She knew her mother could hold her now.
"Up, mommy." Jesikah stated.
Ashe bent at her hips to pick Jesikah up. She knew that Jesikah wanted to go with her and Seth.
"Jesikah, you can't go with your father and I. We will be back tonight. You know that your father and I love you so much. Your are our little light at the end of the tunnel, Jesikah Renae Clearwater." Ashe stated.
Seth walked into the hallway towards the door. He saw Ashe and Jesikah in front of the door. He looked at Jesikah and smiled.
"Your mother's right, Jesikah. We will be back tonight. I promise, Jesikah." Seth stated.
Tracer looked at Ashe as she limped into the office. She had already adjusted to working with the injured Ashelia Clearwater.
"Morning, Ashelia and Seth. How are you two this morning?" Tracer wondered.
Ashe looked up from her cane. She was still adjusting to the chipper young Tracer Kails-Jones. She was glad to have Tracer on the team because she now didn't feel so out numbered.
"Morning, Tracer. I'm okay. Trying to see if this cane will do for the rest of my life. I kinda feel like Dr. House. I know that sounds stupid but it's the truth." Ashe stated.
Storjohann looked at Tracer and then at Ashe. He knew both women were very comfortable working with each other. He could tell that Tracer was strong and respected Ashe's spot as team leader.
"Hiya, Tracer. I'm good. Just worried that something might happen to Jesikah. I know I am just being an over protective father." Seth stated.
Ashe shook her head. She knew that Seth would be protective of their second child.
"You're not over protective, Seth. You don't want anything to Jesikah or her brother or sister." Ashe stated.
Seth looked right at Ashe. He was so confused about what she had just said. Then he thought about what she said. Soon the lightbulb lit up and Seth had a shit eating grin on his face.
"The light finally come on, Seth. And everyone thinks I am slow. Then again I am slow at everything." Kails stated.
Kails looked at Seth and smiled. He was happy that Jesikah was going to have a sibling.
"Well I guess I don't have to put these on your desks. Don't worry they aren't case files, people. You guys know it's Christmas eve. So I got ya'll a little something. Some of you have been with the BAU longer than others. Storjohann and Ashe are proof ot that because they have been apart of the BAU for ten years now. The BAU would lose a lot if either of them left the Beaurau." the director explained.
Tracer walked over to help the director. She smiled at the fact that she was doing a great working with Ashe.
"I can say this much, director. I enjoy working with Ashe. I respect her because she has taught me a lot about working for the BAU." Tracer explained.
Jesikah watched her parents pull up into the driveway and park. She was excited to have her parents home for Christmas.
"Mommy! Daddy! Up, Daddy." Jesikah excitedly said as she ran to the car.
Seth scooped Jesikah up and waited for Ashe to hobble around the car with her cane. He smiled when she was by his side.
"Hello, Jesikah. Were you good for Aunt Bella and Uncle Edward?" Ashe asked.
Ashe looked at Jesikah as she bobbed her head like crazy. She could tell something was amiss because Edward walked out with four poofy ponytails in his hair. Ashe couldn't help but stop walking and have a laughing fit.
"I'm glad you like my new hairstyle, Ashelia. Jesikah and Renesmee had fun doing it. Bella had to put makeup on me and took a picture. If you want to see it ask Bella." Edward explained.
Edward smiled at his niece. He knew that she had fun giving him his new hairdo.
"You wike, Unca Eddard?" Jesikah asked.
Jesikah extended her arms to Edward. She liked her aunt and uncle because they were fun to be around.
"It looks good on you, Edward. Seriously." Seth stated.
Tracer and Kails looked at the rest of their family and smiled. They were happy to spend Christmas with their family.
"Clear Adelina! Come on we have to get lunch set up. Do you want Kira and Kaid mad at us for not having it setup before Zidane and Tristam get here." Tracer hollered.
Clear ran down the stairs and ran smack into Kails. She looked at him and gave an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Rapheal. Didn't see you there. Yes I should have looked. I really sorry, Rapheal." Clear stated.
Kails stabalized Clear and shook his head. He knew Clear was accident-prone.
"Don't worry bout it, Clear. Why didn't Adelina come?" Kails wondered.
Clear shrugged and walked into the kitchen as Kails sat on the couch with Blaze and Kyndreel.
"So you work for the FBI, Raph?" Kyndreel wondered.
Blaze gave Kyndreel a crazy look. He knew that Kails worked for the FBI.
"Yeah, I do, Kynd. Have for seven years now. I work under Ashelia Clearwater." Kails responded.
Kails looked at Kyndreel and knew that Kyndreel was curious. He had become used to all of his brother-in-laws.
"RAPHEAL!" Tracer hollered.
"Coming, Trace." Kails responded.
As Kails walked into the kitchen he saw why Tracer had hollered for him. Clear was on the floor not breathing. He covered the space between him and Clear. He kneeled beside her and started doing CPR.
"I don't know what happened, Rapheal. We were getting lunch read and she was setting up the fruit platter and she just collapsed." Tracer stated.
Tracer kneeled on the other side of Clear and did the chest compressions when Kails signaled her to.
"You forgot that Clear has a bad habit of eating fruit too quickly. Come on Clear Adelina Kails-Jones. I don't want to lose another sister on a holiday like Christmas." Kails responded.
Storjohann looked at his family and he could see that he had missed a lot in ten years. He had been so busy that he hadn't noticed any change in his family.
"Come now, Landon. We know you have been busy with your job at the BAU. You have some down time now." Storjohann's mom stated.
Mrs. Storjohann looked at her son and smiled. In the past ten years this was the third Chrismas he had spent with the family.
"Sorry, mom. It's hard to not do some of my paperwork. As you know this is my third Christmas not working on a case. I know I wasn't here for Thanksgiving because I was working on a case with the team and I am sorry for that, mom. I really am." Storjohann explained.
Ashe looked at how naturally Bella and Edward acted around the Quileutes. She saw how Sam and Emily Uley looked at her.
"So you're Ashelia Clearwater. It's nice to meet you. Jacob and Seth told me a lot about you. Seth says you are another phasing victim like Emily. Though it wasn't your husband who phased and hurt you it was Jacob and he regrets it every day. Has for the past four years. Though no one can see your scars. But we can all tell where they lead." Sam explained.
Sam could tell by Ashe's gaited limp and the way she always put her weight on her left leg that her right leg was the one that was injured.
"Yes, I'm Ashelia Clearwater. It's nice to meet you too, Sam. The scars are from my left shoulder to a little past my right knee. Everyone here at least knows that they don't have to hide around Charlie and myself. And as you know, Uley, I could have gone to work today if it wasn't for the fact that it's Christmas." Ashe responded.
Ashe looked at Sam and finally understood why all the Quileutes were shocked that she was still alive. They all knew that women with her wounds couldn't possibly survive. They saw that she was stronger than most women though because of her training.
"Hey, Ashe. I'm Emily Uley. Jacob seems to have this idea that you and I will understand each other. Now why would he say something like that I wonder." Emily wondered.
Chief Swan walked over to Ashe, Emily, and Sam. He saw his daughter's cane and shook his head. He knew that she needed it for her leg. He took her cane when she handed it to him. He watched as she slowly lifted her shirt.
"Holy fucking shit, Ashelia." Sam stated.
All of the Quileute's looked at Ashe's rope like claw scars and knew that Jacob was telling the truth about regretting what he had done to Ashe. There were some shocked murmers among the group.
"Wow. I never thought a pissed Quileute could cause so much damage to one person. I mean yeah Sam regrets what he did to me and Jacob regrets what he did to you but wow. I see why you have so many problems with your leg, Ashelia. I'm sorry that it happened to you." Emily stated.
Ashe pulled her shirt back down and took her cane when Chief Swan handed it to her. She was happy that she knew there was someone else out there that not only was imprinted on by a Quileute but had been injured by one as well.
"I have forgiven Jacob for what happened. And I know you have forgiven Sam for what happened to you. The Quileutes sometimes can't control their tempers. By what Bells has told me a Quileute can't control his temper when it comes to the girl he has imprinted on. Jacob and Edward fought over Bella before Renesmee was born." Ashe stated.
Seth walked up behind Ashe and grabbed her cane and handed it to Chief Swan. Once Chief Swan took Ashe's cane Seth pulled Ashe towards him so she was leaning on him.
"Hopefully you don't have to worry about anymore scars as long as I am with you, Ashe. I may be apart of the BAU but I am also your husband." Seth stated.
Ashe leaned into Seth and closed her eyes. She was still aware of her surroundings and the people around her. She smiled at the scent of Seth's calogne.
"This is the first time in ten years that she has truly been at peace. The BAU has caused Ashe to become a different person around people including me. She used to call me dad in the beginning and then she started calling me Chief Swan or Charlie and she just stuck to Chief Swan or Charlie. When the case that showed her that her full blood brother Jace Alexander Malcolm Swan was dead she couldn't find any peace even in her husband and son. Mitchell wasn't like you, Seth. He didn't try to protect her while she was pregnant with James. While Ashe was at the house he would ignore her and play with James. He hardly spent time with Ashe. You are the one that makes her happy because not only do you play with Jesikah but you also pay attention to her. Thank you, Seth." Chief Swan stated.
Ashe opened her eyes and looked at Chief Swan. She saw the pride in his face that any father had when their child did something that made them happy.
"He is my best friend and husband, dad. He knows that I have a bad habit of not saying if I am in pain because of the fact that the scars still cause some pain if I move just right. He knows that the child I am pregnant with is the last child he is gonna have because my scars hinder the growth of my womb." Ashe stated.
Seth looked down at Ashe and smiled. He knew that as long as his second child was a boy the Clearwater name will still be carried on.
"Not a problem, Charlie. Ashe is my life and I am not going to ignore her because she works. She is my best friend." Seth stated.
Ashe heard a knock at the door and grabbed for her cane. She moved as quickly as her leg would let her. When she opened the door she dropped her cane in shock.
"You must be Ashelia Clearwater. I am Jason Gideon. Your team has been replaced by a new team. Your new team does include your husband, myself, Aaron Hotchner, Emily Prentice, Derrick Morgan, Penelope Garcia, Spencer Reed, and Jennifer Jaroe." Gideon explained.
Gideon looked at Ashe and saw her cane. He gave her a questioning look. He knew the director had said she was a good hard working team leader.
"Yes, I am Ashelia Clearwater. My question is where will my team be going to go now since they are great agents." Ashe stated.
Gibbs looked at Garcia and noticed that she was acting like an idiot. He was getting tired of it. He smacked her in the back of the head.
"That was uncalled for, Agent Gibbs." Garcia stated.
At that moment one of the monitors blew up. Garcia looked at the monitor and let out a shocked scream.
"Okay, Agent Garcia. It was just one of your monitors blowing. These monitors are your responsibilty now. I have to get to NCIS. Have fun, Garcia." Gibbs stated.
Gibbs walked out of the room. Garcia shook her head and then dialed Morgan's number.
"Yeah, baby girl. What's wrong? Is Gibbs giving you a hard time?" Morgan wondered.
"I'm fine, Derrick. Gibbs fucking slapped me. In the back of the head nonetheless. I hate that fucker." Garcia responded.
Garcia looked at the blown monitor and knew that she would have to tell Gideon or Clearwater.
"Well just so you know we are meeting our new team leader tomorrow. As you know her name is Ashelia Clearwater. Her and her husband, Seth Clearwater, are the only two from Ashelia's original team that stayed together. The director didn't want to seperate them because of the injuries Ashelia sustained from a bear attack at their campsite four years ago. He thought it best to keep them together." Morgan responded.
The next day was something new for Ashe because of the fact that she and Seth were meeting their new team.
"Hello, Clearwater Duo. I'm Emily Prentice. Sorry didn't mean to scare you, Ashelia." Prentice greeted as she watched Ashe hid behind Seth.
Seth turned to look at Ashe and moved so everyone of the new team could meet her. He saw that she was shy around new people.
"Ashe. It's okay. You have to meet them. I know it's hard to adjust to having a new team under you but you'll get used to it." Seth stated.
Prentice looked at Seth and nodded. She knew it was going to be hard for Ashe to adjust to a new team.
Reed, Morgan, JJ, and Garcia walked up to Ashe and smiled at her. Reed seemed to notice that Ashe wasn't used to her new team.
"Hi, Ashelia. I'm Dr. Spencer Reed. I know it's hard to adjust, like Seth said, but there is always a lot of good to come out and accept change." Reed stated.
Ashe checked Reed's appearance. She knew that he would be a major help to the team.
"I'm Penelope Garcia. Your new technical analyist. I despise your old tech person. He is a fucking dusche bag." Garcia explained.
Garcia looked at Ashe's cane and could see why she needed it. She could see the bloodstains that Ashe had tried to get out of her kahki slacks.
"Bear attack, Garcia. It happened four years ago. It looks worse than the bloodstains let you believe." Ashe explained.
Morgan walked up to Ashe and lifted her pant leg above her right knee. Garcia, JJ, and Prentice all let out a shocked gasp as they all looked at Ashe's scars.
"Sorry, Ashelia. I'm Derrick Morgan. I didn't mean to scare you by moving so close but I wanted to see your scars that went with the bloodstains on your slacks." Morgan explained.
Ashe looked at the rest of her new team and automatically recognized Hotchner. She let out a ferral growl. She moved slowly in front of him.
"You! What are you doing here, Hotchner? I don't care if you are apart of the BAU. You were a god damn suspect in a fucking case in Forks. You had my, now deceased, brother pushing drugs. My brother is dead because of you. I don't give a rat's ass if you are an agent but I don't want you on my team." Ashe yelled.
Hotchner looked at Ashe and understood why she was so mad at him. He saw anger in her blue eyes.
"I know you are mad at me for what happened to Jace Alexander. I am truly sorry for your brother's death. I've lost family as well, Ashelia. I know how you feel." Hotchner apologetically explained.
Gideon looked at Ashe and understood why she was so pissed off at Hodgener. He knew about the case in Forks, Washington that Hotchner had been a suspect because he was a drug user and drug dealer.
"Ashelia. I'm Jennifer Jaroe. The team calls me JJ. I'm sorry about your brother. Though it happened five years ago. I'm still sorry." JJ stated.
Seth and Ashe walked up the sidewalk to their house. Seth kept an eye on Ashe to make sure that she didn't fall because she had forgotten her cane at the office.
"Are you gonna be okay without your cane, Ashe?" Seth wondered.
Ashe looked at Seth and nodded. She knew he was only trying to keep her safe.
"Yeah. I'll be fine, Seth. Yes I know I need my cane because of my leg but I can do without it for once. I don't always need my cane." Ashe answered.
Seth opened the front door for Ashe and smiled. He knew that she loved it when he opened the doors for her. He would do anything for her.
"After you, Ashe. And at least you can walk without your cane." Seth stated.
Jesikah ran and jumped at her mother. She was happy that her parents were home.
"Mommy, Unca Eddard isn't here. Aunt Bewwa won't tell me why." Jesikah explained.
Bella walked into the hallway with Renesmee following closely behind her.
"Bells, what's wrong? Where is Edward?" Ashe wondered.
Ashe watched Bella's face as she asked about Edward. She saw the sadness. She could tell that something was bothering Bella.
"Emmett said that Edward was ash. The last thing Edward told Emmett was to make sure I stayed safe for Renesmee's sake." Bella responded.
Seth shook his head and then remembered what Read had told him about being lonely.
"What if I introduced you to one of the guys that just joined our team. His name is Spencer Reed. If you want we could set up a meeting for you to get to know him and he can get to know you." Seth explained.
Morgan watched was as Ashe and Seth walked into the office. He saw how they complimented each other just by walking next to the other.
"Hello, Morgan. What is that look for?" Ashe wondered.
Ashe looked at Morgan as though he was crazy. She knew that he was just trying to profile her.
"Sorry, Ashelia. I wan't trying to give you a funny look. Most of us are still trying to figure you out. You are a lot like Hotch. You hardly, or not at all, show emotion around your team. I talked to your original team and they said that due to the losses that you have sustained you have become more controlled of your emotions." Morgan answered.
Seth shook his head. He knew what Morgan was trying to say. He knew that Morgan was only being the profiler that he was trained to be.
"Do you know where Reed is, Morgan? I need to talk to him about something. And Ashe does show emotion. Just not all the time." Seth quesioningly stated.
"I think he is in the confrence room looking over all of your case files. He's a curious young man." Morgan responded.
"Ashe is pretty curious about the rest of the team. I have to go talk to Reed. So please inform her while I talk to Reed." Seth explained before he walked away.
Morgan watched Seth as he walked away. He looked back at Ashe and soon moved to her side to make sure she didn't fall. He led her to one of the desk chairs.
"The director said that he would get you a new cane to replace yours. He said the janitor trashed yours because he thought you didn't need it anymore. What an idiot?" Morgan explained as he helped Ashe sit in the office chair.
Ashe looked up at Morgan and could see his apology for the janitor in his eyes. She understood why he was thinking the janitor was an idiot.
"Please don't worry about the janitor he's done it at least thirty times in the last four years. The director wants to replace him with someone younger and doesn't throw away my cane since I need it. But for now he is going to have to do." Ashe stated.
Ashe stood up to look Morgan in the eye. She wobbled ever so slightly. She grabbed the desk next to her.
"Please sit back down, Ashelia. We don't need you falling and hurting yourself even more. I know you can't sit for long periods of time because you are used to being busy with a lot of cases but right now we need to get used to each other first." Morgan explained.
Morgan stood by Ashe's side to balance her. He knew that she was standing with most of her weight on her left leg.
"Please call me Ashe, Morgan. I know your used to calling people by their full first name but I prefer the shortened version of my first name. I have never really liked my first name. Which is why I prefer Ashe over Ashelia." Ashe explained.