* Please Review! Thanks for all the alerts I'm getting on this! I hope you guys like it! *

Alexcia, Blade and Scud stood outside the closed door to the room Whistler was chained up in. There were no screams of burning pain and no smoking coming from under the door so they took that as a good sign that he was alive and well, well alive at least. Alexcia had spent most of the night alternating from talking to Scud to going on the roof and staring into the sky. She hadn't been able to sleep the night through once in 10 years. She wasn't sure how she felt about Scud but he was someone to talk too. She thought he was attractive and had checked him out a few times. But to her horror, he had caught her every time.

" Scud, go look out and make sure Taylor doesn't come up here." Blade ordered.

" Yeah, alright, B." He said as he looked over at Alexcia.

" I'll be around if you guys need me." He said before he walked away.

" Get yourself ready, Alexcia." Blade said.

" I'm ready for anything." Alexcia said.

Blade glanced at her than nodded. He had to admit, she had come along way since being the scared 13 year old he first meant. He reached out and took a hold of the door knob. He paused before opening it. Maybe he shouldn't let her go in until he had some time to look around. He'd never admit it to anyone but he loved her and wanted to protect her and Taylor from everything. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He'd have to let her in. He knew her temper and he knew she'd throw a royal fit if he locked her out. She was 23 but she still acted like a brat sometimes. He opened his eyes and walked in.

The room was dark in some places but Blade knew just where to look and his dark eyes went right for the spot. He felt Alexcia's fingers come to his lower back. She was barely touching him but he knew she was there, waiting just like he was. Whistler was leaning against the wall, his head back and eyes closed. Blade whistled, bring the man's head down.

" I thought I told you never to come looking for me." His gruff voice spoke out. Blade felt the tension release from Alexcia.

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Alexcia was sitting on the rim of the tub, watching as Whistler shaved and talked with Blade. Taylor had woken up but hadn't seen him yet. Scud was keeping the kid entertained with cartoons. Whistler was trying hard to not meet Alexcia's eyes through the mirror. She hadn't said a thing since they walked in and found him alive and human. Finally Whistler sighed and dropped his razor. He picked up the towel and wiped off his face before he turned around and faced her.

" You been looking for me too?" He asked. She nodded slowly.

" When I could." She said softly. " I mostly looked around for Vampire clubs to give Blade leads because I could only work during the day when Taylor was at school."

" That was stupid, you know. Dangerous. You and Blade are all the family that boy would have left if I die." Whistler said.

" I made sure they were fine. I secured their apartment myself." Blade said. Alexcia stood up, making both men look at her.

" I better get Taylor off to school so I'll be back in a bit." She said before she walked out. Whistler leaned against the sink and closed his eyes.

" She's held it together since you left. You'd be proud of her." Blade said. Whistler nodded.

" Couldn't love those two more if they were my own flesh and blood." He said.

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Alexcia jogged down the stairs and looked down at the boys at the same time Scud looked up at her. She cleared her throat and slowed down in her movements. She noticed how his eyes moved down her body quickly before returning to her face. She narrowed her eyes as she continued making her away towards them. Taylor was watching the cartoons while eating a donut.

" How's W?" Scud asked.

" Do you just refuse to call anyone by their name or do you have a thing for letters?" She asked. He smirked.

" I like nicknames...Alex." She shook her head as she reached them.

" Tay, it's time for school." She said as she ruffled his hair.

" I want to see Dad." He said as he looked at her.

" Dad's tired, Tay, please don't fight me on this. You can see him after school." She said, keeping her eyes glued on his face. She refused to look over his head to Scud. She knew he was staring at her.

" Alexcia, please. You got to see him, why can't I?" Taylor asked.

" What harm can it do, Alex? Let Lil T see him." Scud said. Alexcia looked at him.

" Stay out of this." She snapped. He grinned and put his hands up. Taylor's eyes shifted past Alexcia's head as his face brighten up.

" Dad!" He said as he rushed past her.

" Taylor!" She called out as she turned around. She tried to grab him but Taylor was too fast.

The 12 year old rushed up the stairs and wrapped his little arms around Whistler's waist. Whistler sighed then hugged the boy back. Alexcia's shoulders dropped and she sank into the seat Taylor had been sitting at. She ran her hand through her shoulder length dark hair. She pulled on it slightly before she dropped her hands to knees. She heard movement behind her a second before Scud walked past her. He walked over to Whistler.

" Whistler, man, it's nice to meet you. I heard a lot about you." Scud said as he held out his hand. Whistler's arms tighten on his son as he narrowed his eyes at the young man.

" Who the hell are you?" He snapped. Scud dropped his hand and rubbed his chin.

" Scud. My name's Scud." He glanced at Alexcia then back at Whistler. " Although your daughter calls me Josh." Alexcia sprung up from the chair.

" Don't you dare!" She snapped as she rushed forward. Scud faced her with a smirk. " Don't you dare make it sound like that!"

" Like what?" He asked as Whistler brushed past him.

" Like you're sleeping with her." Whistler snapped.

" Whoa! Who said anything about sex?" Scud said as he started after them. Blade followed behind him silently. Scud winked at her. " Not against it though." He said quietly so only Alexcia heard him.

" In your dreams, dirtball." She snapped as she followed after Whistler. Scud's eyes traveled up her body as he rubbed his lower lip.

" Not a bad idea." He said.

" What the hell you been doing to my shit!" Whistler snapped loudly.

" Come on, Tay. I need to get you to school." She said as she took a hold of her brother.

" I don't want to leave!" Taylor said. Whistler looked down at the 12 year old.

" Go to school, son. I will be here when you get back." He promised.

" Are you sure?" Taylor asked.

" Ain't going anywhere, kid." Whistler said. Taylor smiled than took Alexcia's hand and let her lead him towards her car.