Chapter 3 – Father Daughter Bonding

Chapter 3 – Father Daughter Bonding

A/N : Come on people, reviews MAKE CHAPTERS! Thanks to my faithful reviewers! You guys inspire me to keep going on. IF you have any ideas let me know.

Sorry I haven't updated much, been busy planning out the sequel to this story. But be ready, there are only three more chapters to this story.

The night quickly turned into dawn, the moon was replaced by the sun, stars disappeared behind the bright blue sky, and the sounds of crickets were slowly replaced by the chirping of happy little birds.

The sky was clear, the flowers were blooming, the grass looked amazing, but to Rick O'Connell the day wasn't anything special. He hadn't slept for more then two hours the whole night as Abigail's words were forever burned into his mind. The actions from last night were playing over and over inside his head, almost like his own little movie, and he rated this one the worst movie he had ever seen!

The feeling of guilt only grew the more he let his mind keep going over what was said. Glancing over to his wife who rested peacefully beside him, he let out a low yet deep sigh. He was quickly thrown from his thoughts as he heard a door from down stairs open. Giving a quick glance at his watch that was fastened around his left wrist, he glanced at the time, six in the morning, right on the dot! Quickly jumping from the bed, he rushed across the room and pulled the large dark blue curtains back so he could see out the window.

It seemed as soon as he looked out the window he heard the door shut softly. Squinting his eyes so they could adjust to the light, he then saw Abigail jumping down the steps of the house to the gravel driveway, Louis right on her heels. Abigail was dressed in black slacks, and a red shirt with short sleeves that had Egyptian symbols printed on it that her mother brought back to her from Egypt on their last "adventure."

Rick watched with an arched eyebrow as Abigail turned to face the butler and tossed her brown backpack over her left shoulder and whispered to Louis who just handed her a large brown bag that looked like one of Rick's sacks that he puts it guns in. What is Abigail doing with his gun bag? Does she have his guns? Is she in trouble? Is she going to kill some one?

Cursing under his breath, Rick flew across the room getting dressed in the same old dirty clothes he wore from yesterday. Once he was dressed and struggling to put his shoes on as he hobbled down the steps towards the front door he saw Louis coming back in the front door. "Louis!" He yelled tripping over his own feet as his sock got caught on the last step. "Oof!" Rick went flying across the lobby of the house and hit the cold marble floor with a thud and slid all the way to Louis' feet.

"Yes Master O'Connell?" Louis asked not even turning his eyes to his boss as he lay at his feet, sprawled on the floor.

"Ow," Rick groaned as he slowly picked himself up from the floor and slipped his last shoe on, ignoring the new large hole in his sock. "Where—" He started but tried to catch his breath. "Where did Abbie go? Why did she have my guns?"

"Miss O'Connell went for a horse ride down to the lake for the morning and in the bag she had—" Louis started but before he could finish Rick was already out the door.

Jumping down the steps he saw Abigail riding her large black mare into the woods and disappearing. "ABIGAIL!" Rick yelled as loud as he could but she was already too far gone to hear his cries. "Shit," He cursed running towards the stable. He was going after her dammit, he didn't like the way this looked at all. Rushing into the stable, making all the horses' heads shoot up in fear at the sudden new noise, he grabbed the first horse he saw. It was a large white horse that belonged to Evie. Reaching to his left, he grabbed the saddle and reins and quickly began getting the horse ready to chase down Abigail.

"Master O'Connell," Louis yelled running, well, hobbling after Rick, who had already mounted the horse and urged the horse to run. "Rick you don't understand!" Louis called again but Rick paid him no mind.

Evie who had woken up from all the screaming and fussing Rick and the butler were doing, ran outside in her black night gown and fuzzy slippers. Her hair was in a mess, thrown all about but some how it still held it's natural curl beautifully. "Rick!" She yelled to her beloved husband, obviously worried about her daughter who all the screaming was about, but it was too late, Rick had taken off through the woods after his daughter. "Louis!" She called rushing up to the butler, "What's going on? Is Abigail alright?" Her face was as white as the horse which Rick had just rode off on. Evie didn't like the fact that when Rick would freak out and take off like that, it meant one of his loved one's were in trouble.

Louis couldn't help but put a large white toothed smile on his face. "Aw now don't you worry Madame," He chuckled as he took Evie by the arm and lead her back towards the house, "I have something extremely interesting to tell you."

Abigail always enjoyed riding early in the morning, the air still moist from the morning condensation, the wind in her hair as it flew freely behind her, making her feel like a goddess. The bird's just waking up, and the crown jewel of this morning ride, the personal time she got to spend with just herself! It was amazing! Gave her time to think, and plan out her life goals in which she would be fulfilling in only a few more days.

The only had thing about her plan's would be telling her parents that she wasn't taking up her place at Cambridge, but following in some one else's footsteps. Abigail dreaded telling them that all she worked for in school was now no good to her. She actually wasn't too worried about her quitting her schooling now and following her dreams, she was worried about her fathers reaction! Knowing how he loved to fly off the handle, he would more than likely lock her in her room and patrol the room with a loaded gun in one hand and a sword in the other.

Abigail chuckled to herself at the image of her father marching back and forth by her bedroom door like a soldier guarding her door with his life. Then the real life hit her, like a brick hit's the pavement when thrown from a three story bedroom window, hard and painful! They wouldn't care, they never cared how well she did in school, so why would they give two shits about her running off to make a life of her own.

Being neglected all those years made her see things in a different light, made her question her life and goals as it were. What was she doing all that hard work for? Approval from her parent's that's what! Yet, sadly, it back fired on her. It took a stranger to point out what life really meant, 'Life is only life when you're out living it, not reading it away!' Yes, very inspiring words of wisdom from this stranger! You can always find words of inspiration in the oddest of places, such as the bathroom wall in the school. Who ever carved those words into the bathroom wall, to Abigail, was the smartest person she knew!

Snapping out of her own little world, Abigail pulled at the reins making her horse come to a slow stop. Jumping from the saddle that was mounted on the horses back, Abigail tied the reins to a fallen tree branch, making sure her horse had enough to munch on while she was tied up. Once the knot was secure, Abigail walked to the left side of her horse and unhooked the large gun bag and pulled it from the saddle and tossed it over her shoulder and started stomping off through the woods towards the lake.

Her heart filled when she heard the sound of the water moving against the rocks, and the sound of water running down stream was amazing to her! It was the little things like that she loved so much. Once she reached the lake she dropped the brown bag to the rocky ground and stretched her arms over her head and just took in the smell of water and nature.

"Abigail!" Her eyes shot open wide with terror as she heard the voice of her father approaching it.

"Piss it!" She groaned turning around to see her father burst through the limbs and bushes towards her, pistol in hand and sweat running down his face. "Holy shit!" She yelped jumping back as he ran at her. "What in Ra's name are you doing here?" She yelled as she watched Rick look around as if looking for some one to fight.

Once Rick saw there was nothing to be worried about, he put his gun away and turned his angry glance towards his daughter who just placed her hands on her hips and returned the look. "What the hell are you doing here missy?" He asked, anger dripping from his voice.

"I'm enjoying my time home," She answered her tone matching his, making his anger only grow. "What, might I ask, made you follow me here and scare me half to death and run at me with your pistol drawn?"

"I thought you were up to something," Hey! At least it was the truth!

What did he mean up to something? "Even if I was 'up to something,' –" She mocked him bringing up her hands and using the quotation sign as she spoke, "I don't see how it's any of your damn business!"

Rick bit his lower lip in anger, to keep him from yelling out at her any louder. "I'm your father! It's my 'damn business' where ever you go, and with my gun back no less!" He growled bringing up his hands and mocking her actions.

"Since when?" She asked softly to herself. It seemed to her it was a little late for him to just now start acting like a father. "I'm fishing, there are fishing rods in there, bait, and yes if you must know; a few guns because I believe in always being prepared. Shockingly, something I got from you." With that she walked over to the bag and started pulling out two fishing rods, a box full of bait, and another box that had her lunch in it. Once she sat all those items on the ground she started pulling out the guns, a shotgun, and four pistols. She did love to be prepared incase some one did try to attack her. She was ready.

Rick swallowed hard and suddenly, once again, felt like an ass. "Oh," He whispered looking down to his feet. "I just saw you leaving with my gun bag and wanted to make sure you were alright."

Abigail just rolled her eyes and said nothing as she started baiting the hook of her fishing poll. Trying her best to ignore the now awkward situation they now found themselves in.

"So…" Rick tried walking over to her and kneeling down beside her. "You fish?"

"Yea,"

"When did you lean?" Abigail just gave a small deep sigh and turned to face her father.

"Louis taught me when I came home three summer's ago. You and mom were off visiting Jonathan."

Rick gave a small smile and picked up the extra poll, "Ya know, I never got the hang of this fishing thing." He muttered trying to make a decent conversation.

Abigail wrinkled up her nose knowing what he was really asking, he wanted to stay here and try his 'BONDING' thing with her. Looking down at her hands as she stuck the live cricket on the hook she stood up and handed it to her father. "I guess I could show you how to fish if you wanted me to." She said with no emotion in her voice.

"Oh." He said jumping to his feet and shaking his head, "I'm sure you don't wanna waste your day with me." He declined the poll. Truth be told, he was dying for her to ask him to stay ONE more time so he wouldn't sound so desperate.

Rolling her eyes once more Abigail just shook her head, "No, I—" she stopped and took a deep breath, "I want you to stay, I mean, it wont bother me if you did, I mean…" She rambled then shoved the poll in his arms. "Oh for heavens sake, take the damn poll, DAD." She smirked then reached down to pick up the spare rod.

Rick felt his heart jump inside of him! She wanted him to stay? This was amazing! This would be the most time he had spent with his little girl in years! And the fact they could bond over fishing was even better! Maybe after today she wouldn't hate him so much. Seeing her smirk made him smile. It was nice to see an emotion on her face besides anger and sadness.

Moments soon turned to hours, the sun rose higher in the sky and Rick and Abigail were actually having a, dare I say it, a nice time just fishing (Even if they were not doing much talking, and Abigail's voice still had a bit of annoyance in it). Of course Rick wasn't any good at it. Abigail had caught at least five fish, and all he had caught was a smelly old boot and a baby fish which he had to throw back. "You have to lead the bait," Abigail coached as she stomped through the cold water towards her father; both were in the water of the close by river up to their knees the water was forceful but not enough to knock them off their feet. "You see that school of bass?" She asked pointing about five feet a head of them.

"Yea," Rick nodded watching the fish fight over the bug that landed on the surface of the water. "What about them?"

"Toss the bait in the middle of those fish and one will surely take the bait." She said as if everyone knew this little fact of information.

Rick just nodded again and gave one light cast making the bait clad hook land right in the middle of the fish. "Now start to reel it in slowly, give it a jerk every now and then to make it look alive." Abigail said as she watched her father slowly start to improve at fishing. How in this whole family, was she the only one who knew how to fish?

Doing as she told, Rick started turning to reel on the rod until finally he felt the line give a hard tug, making him almost drop the new rod in the water. "Ah!" He yelped holding the rod tighter, "I think I got one!"

"Good!" Abigail yelped as well, his first real fish! "Now reel him in, but slowly! You don't wanna pop the line and lose him!" She cheered her father on as he carefully started to reel the fish towards them. "Good, good!" Abigail smiled watching as the fish put up a good fight, not as good as her father's of course but a good one.

"I got him!" Rick growled as the fish got closer and closer. It seemed as soon as the fish got to their feet the line popped! Rick flew back into Abigail knocking them both into the icy cold water below them. Abigail yelped before the water consumed her, sending her crashing to the rocks below her, her father landing on top of her, crushing her deeper into the rocks. The current from the river into the lake quickly pulled her tiny frame out deeper and further down the river, knocking her about the rocks and fallen tree trunks in the water. She cringed as she felt the stick's jab her in the sides, and the rocks cut her clothes and slice her skin slightly, enough to make her bleed a bit, she could feel the warm liquid leave her body as the cold water crushed down around her.

Rick quickly resurfaced and started laughing. "Well that one got away," He laughed and turned to look for his daughter. "Abbigirl?" He asked looking around for her but she was no where to be seen. "ABBIE!" He yelled as fear took over him. He quickly dropped to his knees and started feeling around on the bottom of the river for his little girl.

All he felt under his hands were cool rocks, sticks, and dirt. His heart started to race as he quickly stood up. "ABIGAIL!" He called feeling his heart stop beating. Where was she? Hopefully he didn't hurt her when he fell on her. Rick looked further down the river as the current started to pick up still no sign of his daughter "ABBIE!" He called once more sure she was hurt.

As he looked to his left he saw her quickly resurface and start gasping for air. "Dad," She groaned trying her best to stand but the water had grown too strong the further out she got. "Da—" She tried to call again but the current sucked her back beneath the surface.

"Abigail!" He whispered quickly running out of the water and down the bank trying to catch up with the current that had a hold of his daughter. "Hold on." He yelled as she slowly started to resurface and go back under. Watching her get pulled out of his sight again, Rick suddenly thought he might lose her today. Tears swelled up in his eyes, but the vision of her drowning made him push himself that much harder. However he couldn't stop the visions of Evie dying that day she was stabbing by that bitch, what's her name? Well it didn't matter, but all Rick feel was how felt when he lost Evie for that moment. He didn't want to feel that way again! Once he got close to her he leapt into the water and started swimming with the current to reach Abigail who was fighting to stay above the water.

Abigail felt her whole body shaking as her legs grew tired of fighting against the current. She could only hear the sound of the roaring water around her. Closing her eyes tightly she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her stomach and waist, pulling her above the water making her cough and gasp for air. "I got you," She heard her father's raspy, tired, breathless voice mutter in her ear as he used all his might to pull them both to the river bank.

Abigail held on to her father for dear life knowing she didn't want to slip from his grip, he was stronger than she was, so he could pull them both to the bank easier then she could. Abigail gasped after each large wave of water crashed down on her head making her feel like she was slipping out of his grip.

Rick felt Abigail shifting in his arms with each blow of water. He just tightened his grip around her and pulled her to the bank. Once he was able to stand up straight, he lifted Abigail up from the water and cradled her in his arms and held her tight to his chest, making sure he didn't drop her. He then realized how light she was. No wonder the water sucked her out like that!

Rushing her to dry land, he sat her down on a large rock gently and started pushing the hair out of her face quickly to make sure she was alright. Coughing, gagging, and taking deep breaths of air, Abigail did her best to sit up right. She felt her hair being pushed out of her face and when she felt the cold wet hair leave her eyes and slowly opened them and saw her father face to face with her.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt? Any broken bones?" Rick fussed over her checking her for any bones sticking out. "Your side is bleeding," He whispered as he saw the little bit of blood oozing from her side.

"I'm fine," She shook her head trying to pick herself up from the ground. "Just cold," She whispered. With out saying another word Rick lifted her from the rook and rushed back through the woods to their stuff. Once he reached their stuff he sat her on the ground lightly and picked up his jacket that was draped over a tree limb. He ran back to her and carefully placed the jacket over her shoulders and started rubbing her arms, trying to warm her up. "I'm fine dad," She protested pushing his hands away.

Silence filled the air as the two just sat there staring at the ground not knowing what to say to one another. This was an awkward moment for them, what do you say to some one who almost drowned? What do you say to some one who saved your life?

Abigail glanced up at her father and sighed softly, "Thanks dad," She muttered as his head shot up to look her in the face. When their eyes met Abigail just looked away again.

"Father's duties," Was his only reply.

Abigail's head shot up and she glared at him. Duties? What the hell does that mean? "Obligation sucks doesn't it dad," She snapped before jumping to her feet, making Rick jump back and fall to the ground lightly. She took off his jacket and threw it at him.

Rick groaned and wrinkled up his nose. "That's not what I meant!" He defended himself knowing he just mucked up big time with that comment! How could he make it sound like a job to save his daughter? "I just didn't know what to say that's all! Incase you haven't noticed, it's hard to have a conversation with you when you hate me so much!"

Quickly grabbing her things she untied her horse and mounted it quickly. "I never said I hate you! I resent you! There is a difference!" She yelled back before taking off through the woods. "I didn't ask you to follow me! I sure as HELL didn't ask you to save me either if it was such an inconvenience to you."

"That's not what I meant you hard headed ass!" Once she left his sight he just growled and kicked the stump, ignoring the sharp pain shooting up his leg. "This just keeps getting better and better!" He moaned to himself before putting on his jacket and mounting the horse and slowly making his way back home "She's defiantly my daughter." He groaned riding towards his house.

A/N You know I had to add a little bit of drama in there. LOL Couldn't help it. REVIEW! Makes you wonder if she'll ever forgive him. And I'm sorry I just don't care for this chapter to much….but I was drawing a blank and didn't know what to do. So please don't bad review me, every story is allowed one horrible chapter and I use this as mine! Haha.