Chapter 5 – Understanding

Tash woke to the sudden feel of silk under her body, her eye's flashed open and she sat up. Looking around the dark room, she found the clock radio blinking 3am. Flicking on the bedside lamp she glanced around the empty room. The bedroom was beautiful, nothing like she had ever woken up in before.

Then her memory flashed over the last few days. Anger beyond anything she had every felt before, then heat and then the world shook. Bringing her knees to her chest, she rested her forhead on the top of her knees, she waited for a moment allowing the emotions to run through her. Gentle snoring pulled her from her thoughts.

Slowly getting out of the bed she opened the door into the rest of the apartment. Walking in she found the tv was still on but very low. Looking around she tried to find any indication of where she was. It wasn't until she saw a familiar head of hair over the back of the couch did she take a step forward.

And then she heard his voice echo throughout the room, "Mm, Liv."

"Peter?" Tash's voice was little more than a whisper but he awoke nonetheless.

Turing slightly to face behind him, Peter rubbed his eyes and then noticed her, "Hey Tash, you're awake." She watched Peter move slowly as to not disturb the blond alseep on him. She listened as she wimpered in protest and tried to reach for him as he moved off the couch. He leant down slightly and kissed her on the forhead. The sudden gesture made the blond relax into the back of the couch.

Tash had never seem such emotion from Peter unless it was towards her. Tash watched as Peter made his way over to her and she was welcomed into his arms. He kissed her forhead, like he had done may times before over the years.

"Oh Tash. What's going on?" Peter rocked her ever so gently and waited for her to reply, when she pulled away and took a seat, he followed.

"Peter I'm so sorry. You made me promise I would look after myself and I tried, but Peter it got so hard," Tash dropped her head before continuing, "I met someone about two and a half ago. He said he would help me 'unlock my ability' and I listened. He injected me every night with this stuff," She pulled up her sleeve and showed Peter the faded needle marks, "he put me up in a place and every night he would go back to some cop he was with but come back and check on me in the moring and then about 2 years ago, he just didn't come. Figured he had forgotten about me, must like everyone else has over the last few years."

Peter watched as she ran her hand over her face and he knew she was trying to hide the embarrassment.

"How did you meet John?" Peter didn't look at her because he knew the pain he had caused the people in his life and couldn't think that he had hurt Tash as well as Olivia.

"How did you know his name?" Tash's face shot up at the same time Peter pulled his eyes to her. The knowing look in his eyes, told her more than she needed to know to continue.

"Friend of my dads I think. I don't really remember." She shurgged but again asked, "How do you know him?"

Peter rose from his seat and walked over to the couch again where he smoothed out Olivia's hair and sighed. He kissed her again on the cheek and dropped his head. Tash watched as he rubbed a hand over his eye and wait for him to answer.

"Olivia," he motioned down to the still sleeping blond. Peter never brought his eyes away from her face. He looked as though his heart was breaking as he spoke, "John was her partner. My Liv was the one he went to see every night. He betrayed her, broke her heart, tried to kill her. Just all around made her life hell." Peter touched her hair again as if to make sure she was still there.

"You're girlfriend," The words came from her mouth but he laughed.

"No, not girlfriend." He said more to himself than anything. Standing up again he walked over to Tash and sat down again with her. "Tash, did you start earthquake yesterday?" The question hung in the air and a sob raked her body.

"I don't understand it. I just got so angry with my dad and I screamed. This started to shake and when I went outside the rink had caved in. Why me? How do I make it stop?"

"Oh Tash. I really don't know. Liv asks me the same thing. You know…you are both very alike."

Cocking her head to the side she asked, "How?"

"Well, both had a shit childhood. Her stepfather used to beat her and her mother to ya know. She shot him though hoping he wouldn't come back. He left but sends her a card every year on her birthday just to remind her he is still here. And she can do things. Can see things that aren't supposed to be there, if you will. Oh yea and my favourite trick, she can start fire, just by thinking them." Peter smiled up at Tash

"Her stepfather beat her?" Part of Peter couldn't believe that is the part that struck the most but then again, this was a girl that was beaten bloody most nights growing up and always believed she was the only one to have gone through it. Her eyes lit slightly with recognition and Peter decided to change the subject.

"How about you come with me and Olivia to out work tomorrow. We have a piano and a cow. It'll be fun."

"Like old time huh? I havn't played in a while ya know. Haven't had the chance."

Peter nodded, understanding everything she didn't say.

Glancing up at the clock it was now 5.01am. Olivia would be up soon and they would be making their way to the lab.

"It's raining again. It never stops raining when I feel like shit." Tash sighed as she moved closer to the window.

The it struck Peter, turning to her he smiled, "It can't rain all the time."

The blaring of Olivia's alarm in the other room was enough to wake her. Shooting up from her laying position she looked around trying to focus on her suroundings. Foucssing on Peter was easy when he came into sight.

Cracking her neck, Tash came into focus and Olivia smiled down at her.

The three look at each other from different sides of the room. All knowing that it was going to be a long day ahead of them.

Ok, so another chapter down and another one on it's way tonight. Please R & R!

It can't rain all the time…comes from The Crow. I was watching it while writing and I couldn't resist.

More on Tash coming up if people are interested. :D

Ash