Notes: It's been so long that I actually lost my notes and outlines of the rest of this. Luckily, I remember the basics and the chapter titles so should be able to piece it back together. Ugh. So yeah. I suck. I know. And to new readers and old readers who reread… yes, I know the bar spacing is weird. I went back over to reread and see that FFN seems to have deleted some of the bars. I will have to go through and edit those in later.

Chapter 4: Childhood

"Sweetie, I would love to come. I think it's a sweet idea. I really do."

Eragon smiled and stifled a yawn as he poured a cup of coffee. "I want to apologize again for the early hour."

"I've been up earlier then this all week, sweetie. Think nothing of it."

Eragon smiled again, hearing the endearment. He hadn't met the older woman yet. "This week, huh? So it's not a normal thing?" He picked up his cup and headed over to the couch.

"Only when that woman's out of town. Otherwise Gasey stays home with her and walks to school. Tag doesn't want her home alone so he brings her here."

He sat down and propped his feet up on the table. He shifted his phone to his other ear after setting his cup down. "You won't say anything?"

"Not a thing. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. She's asleep. I'll get her up with enough time to have breakfast, get ready for school, and get her there on time."

Eragon retrieved his cup again and lifted it to his lips. He inhaled deeply, took a sip, and wrinkled his nose. He hated the taste of coffee. But it helped to wake him up. "I'm sure she prefers it."

"Oh I know she does." She said quickly. "That woman won't get out of bed to make her breakfast or even say goodbye."

Eragon smiled as he continued to hear the sour tone in her voice when she spoke of her son's wife. "It sounds like you aren't a fan."

"Have you met Arya?"

Eragon could admit that he's only met her son and granddaughter this week, but not right then. "No, I haven't gotten the chance to yet."

"Pray you don't, sweetie. I keep telling Tag to divorce her and move in with me. He doesn't love her. But you didn't hear it from me." She added quickly. "He'd probably be furious if he could hear me. He can get a little oversensitive sometimes."

Eragon laughed. "Yes, I noticed. I'd love to chat more, I really would. But I have to get planning. Last minute and all."

"Sure thing, sweetie. Can I bring anything?"

"Just yourself." He answered quickly. He loved the offer, but he wanted to do the work himself. "I think I can handle the rest."

"Okay. You let me know if you change your mind."

"I will."

"Bye, sweetie."

Eragon shook his head slowly as he pulled the phone from his ear. Oddly enough, that was a lot easier than he thought it would be. The woman didn't know him and he was certain she'd hand up on him. He smiled as he dialed another number.

"Eragon? What the hell? Have you looked at the clock?"

He laughed. "Morning Saph. Got any plans for today?"

-X-X-X-X-X-

She yawned as she stretched out on the couch. "Why are you doing this again?"

Eragon set a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. "Because I want to."

She grabbed for the cup. "There's got to be an easier way to tell the guy you want to rip his clothes off with your teeth."

"Saph!"

"On come on! I know you're lovesick over him." She said between sips. "I haven't seen you so obsessed since that Randall guy senior year."

Eragon rolled his eyes and headed back to the kitchen. "Don't bring him up."

"That was your only serious relationship.

"No, it was just my first."

"Just your first? Eragon, you were obsessed. You had it bad."

Eragon waved the comment off as he refilled his cup. "And he dumped me after a month to try and get the chemistry aide to fuck him. So drop it."

"Eragon… your relationship with Randall was doomed the moment you first laid eyes on him. You got seriously obsessed and stalked him and slept with him on the first date."

"Saph…"

"Way too fast." She said as she pulled herself up into a sitting position and took another sip.

"Saph!"

"So it's probably good that thing are going slow and you haven't jumped into bed with the guy. But doesn't mean you can't flirt a little. And stop trying to impress his daughter so much. It's a little weird. You're after the dad, not the daughter."

"Fuck off Saph. Mind your own damn business and stay the hell out of my love life."

She was a bit startled by the sudden outburst but recovered quickly and looked over the couch at him. "You don't have a love life." She snapped. "That's the point."

He rolled his eyes. "Why does it always have to be all or nothing with you? Yes, I like him, but I just met him."

"Randal."

"Stop talking about him."

"Eragon, I really think you should…"

"Shut up! Seriously, Saph. Either you help me and stop talking about this or you get out. Now."

She held up her hands. "Alright. I'm sorry."

"No more comments about Tag either."

"Fine." She nodded with a sigh. "What can I do to help?"

"Decorations?" He said after a moment's thought. "Maybe in purple and green. Her favorite colors."

She stood up and walked around the couch to join him at the table in the kitchen. Despite all her teasing, she actually didn't think it was a bad idea. It would probably be good for Eragon, to get out of his weird comfort zone and make a friend. And if she believed what Thorn told her of Murtagh, it would be good for him too. She smirked slyly as she leaned on the counter. "What do you want?"

He shrugged as he looked down his notepad. The scribbles were near illegible, which was why his laptop was practically attached to his hip. "Streamers, balloons, a sign… whatever you can find on short notice. Nothing too over the top."

Saphira nodded as peered at the paper. "You need to learn to write. That chicken scratch is awful!" She took the pad from him to peer at it closer.

Eragon yanked it back and let it fall on the table where it had been before. He'd argue with her if he didn't believe she was right. "Just concentrate on the party, okay?"

With a smile, she nodded. "Where?"

"If I can talk Thorn into it… the break room at the shop."

"Oh Thorn'll help." She said with a nod as she bounced up. "So just me, you, Thorn, him, and the daughter?"

Eragon turned his eyes back to his paper. "And the grandmother…" He added slowly.

Her mouth dropped open. "You called his mother?"

"Yes."

"Oh Eragon!"

He held up his hand, trying to stop whatever stalkerish comment she was about to make. "Don't say anything!"

She laughed and nodded. "Fine. I'm leaving now."

"Good. I'm leaving soon too."

"Where are you off to?"

"Have to order a cake, get a present, talk to Thorn…"

"Oh! I could run over to Thorn's for you now."

He shook his head. "No, no. I've got it covered. Just get some decorations."

She pouted slightly as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

"Thanks, Saph. Love you."

"I know." She stuck her tongue out at him before disappearing through the door.

Eragon shook his head slowly as he pulled out a phone book. He flipped through it, finding numbers and addresses to bakeries. After a few calls to confirm hours, he grabbed his bad and headed out to the closest one.

The place was called Frost Yourself and he spent nearly an hour there. He chatted a bit with the owner, who did a lot of the baking and decoration himself. Then Eragon had spent a long while deciding on the shape, design, colors, and flavors.

"I'm going to need it before 2:30… so I'm going to say by 2:00. Can you do that?"

The man smiled and nodded. "Won't be a problem."

"Fantastic! You are a life saver!" Next, he went to an art store. The first thing that popped in his head was an art kit when he thought of a gift for the kid. He didn't want something too extravagant but he fell in love with a cherry wood case. It held a few brushes, water colors, oil paints, colored pencils, and other various supplies. "So much for a simple gift."

He returned home to wrap the gift and it was nearly nine when he stood outside Thorn's door. Saphira had assured him that Thorn would be up by then, but he still knocked on the door softly.

The door was opened a few minutes later and Thorn greeted him with a smile. "Ah. Finally. Saph called a while ago."

Eragon scowled. "She just can't keep a secret. I told her I'd talk to you."

Thorn shrugged as he stepped aside, ushering Eragon inside. "She called to say you'd be stopping by but now what about."

"I take it back then. I have a favor to ask."

"Shoot."

"Today's Gasey's birthday."

He nodded. "Yep. I knew that."

Eragon smiled. "I want to throw her a birthday party. I have the feeling she's never had one before."

Thorn smiled slyly as he leaned against the wall. Saphira was right about this guy, he thought. "Okay, sure. I'm in. When?"

"Today?"

"Cutting it close, huh?"

Eragon shrugged. "I haven't known long."

Thorn laughed. "No, I guess you haven't."

"I want to have it at the coffee shop, since she lives there as much as at her home. In the break room. A few decorations, a cake… nothing too big or extreme to interfere with the business or to put off her or Tag."

Thorn shrugged. "Sounds fine to me. But you'll have to talk to Nas, the manager."

"Nas?"

"Nasuada." He turned slightly and glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. "She should be there now. She works in the mornings. She's a hardass but likes Murtagh and tolerates Gasey. Not big on kids. Let me grab by keys and I'll introduce you."

Eragon nodded. "Great! Thanks Thorn."

"No thanks needed. I owe you for Saph, right?"

"Yeah, you just keep thinking that."

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Tag'll be here any minute."

Nasuada rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Remind me again why I agreed to help? I could be at home, taking a bubble bath and reading a raunchy novel."

Thorn smiled. "Too late now. Saph's already decorated. You're screwed."

She turned and pointed a finger at him. "You assured me this wouldn't interfere with the business. So it'd better not. I fully expect you and Murtagh out here at all times."

Thorn waved her off. "Yeah, yeah Nas. Just go and tell him some stupid reason as to why he can't come back here."

"I'll keep him occupied as long as I can. So hurry and finish whatever you are doing. But just in case, lock the door. Here." She pulled a ring of keys out of her pocket, selected one, and slipped it off the ring.

"Uh… okay." Thorn shoved the key in his pocket.

"Tell the squirt happy birthday for me. Give her this." She pulled a greeting card out of her purse and set it on the counter. "I'm leaving now but I'll be back later to work at the counter. I'll give you exactly one hour."

"Nas…"

"One hour." She turned and stalked to the entrance.

-X-X-X-X-X-

With a sigh, he rubbed at his forehead and leaned back. He had had a restless sleep the night before, plagued by dreams he couldn't remember. He had also had a lousy, tiring shift at the factory. And now he had to go inside and start his shift at the shop. And if every day that week were any clue, he'd have to face seeing Eragon. Something about that thought unsettled him. A lot. He couldn't place the feeling, but he was sure Eragon had a starring role in the dreams he couldn't remember.

"Maybe he won't be here." He said to himself as he climbed out of his car and headed towards the building. And if he was being truthful to himself, he really wanted to see the brunette. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he felt so strongly towards another person. It both confused and pleased him.

"And Sunday!" He shook his head slowly as walked. But again, if he was being honest, he was excited about the thought of seeing Eragon outside of the shop. And Gasey couldn't stop talking about it all morning. So even if he wanted to cancel, there was no way he could. He was stuck with seeing the sunny brunette on Sunday. "It won't be bad." He reasoned with himself. "Just a little trip to the zoo." Though he hadn't the faintest idea where the nearest zoo was.

"Murtagh! Just the man I was looking for."

The sound of the voice tore his thoughts away from his Sunday plans. He was surprised his dark skinned and haired boss was walking across the parking lot towards him. "Uh… hey Nas. You're here later than usual."

She ran a hand through her long hair, tucking a few strands behind her ear as she stopped in front of him. "I have a favor to ask."

"Me?"

She grabbed his arm and tugged him towards her car. "Yes! You! I'm rearranging my place. Need some help moving some furniture around."

Murtagh hung back as he gawked at her. "What? They have moving guys who do that."

"Oh come on. Just help me for an hour."

"Nas… my shift starts in a few minutes."

She waved the comment off as she pulled out her keys and hit the unlock button on the small remote. "It's not busy now. Thorn can handle it."

"Nas…"

"I'm your boss. What does it matter if you're on duty or if you're helping me at my house or running errands? You still get paid."

He was running out of reasons. With a sigh, he shook his head. "Fine boss. Lead the way."

"Don't worry. We'll be back when your daughter gets here. You can still share birthday wishes and all that nonsense."

Murtagh slipped in the passenger seat and eyed her a minute. "How'd you know it was her birthday?"

She waved him off again as she slammed her door and started the car. "The brat told me when I came in the other day."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Eragon balanced the large cake box in one hand as he grabbed the colorfully wrapped present from the backseat of his jeep. He was considering how he was going to get everything into inside in one trip when Saphira came running towards him.

"You're late!" She said in an accusing tone as she grabbed the cake box and turned.

"Late?" He grabbed a few other things and slammed the door. "Something wrong?"

Saphira waited until he caught up with her before throwing him a glare. "Well… Gasey's bus will be here any minute and the grandmother showed up early."

"So?" They reached the front door and he held it open.

"It's weird enough for you to call and talk to her when you don't know her. But when I have to entertain her, that's a problem."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh yes. I'm sure it was just so horrible."

Despite the mock anger and annoyance she was trying to portray, she smiled. "Fine. But come on. She's waiting in the back."

"You must be Eragon." The older woman said after Eragon set his things down on the small table. She smiled as he held out his hand to her and instead gave him a quick hug. "I'm Lana. Call me Lana."

"Uh…" Eragon stumbled back slightly, thrown off by the hug. "Thanks… for coming…"

"Well… thank you for inviting me, sweetie."

Thorn popped his head inside the door. "Nas just called. She's bringing Tag back now."

"She's had him out this whole time?" Eragon was surprised.

Thorn shrugged. "She got into the party idea I guess. Though she said he was pretty annoyed with her."

"Oh yeah. I can imagine."

"Thorn? What are you doing?"

Thorn quickly shut the door and spun around. "Hello Gasey. Good day at school today?"

She nodded and tried to look around him. "Who were you talking to in there?"

"No one." He steered her towards the counter and hefted her up on a stool. "You're dad's running errands with the mean boss lady again. But he should be back any minute. So why don't you start your homework, alright?"

With a nod, she took her backpack off and pulled a few things out of it. Being the weekend, she didn't really have much to do. And after ten minutes, she was finished and bouncing around from table to table, checking the shakers. She just finished when she spied her dad and Nas coming through the door.

"Happy birthday Gasey." Tag said as she came running over. He picked her up and hugged her. "Sorry I'm late and that I have to work."

Gasey smiled as she wiggled out of his hold. "I finished my homework."

"That's great." Murtagh was about to say more when he looked up and caught sight of Nas.

She had walked around them and moved towards the counter. She pointed a stern finger at Thorn. "You have one hour. Starting now. I'm keeping track."

Thorn waved her off as he turned away. "Yeah, yeah." He waved at Murtagh. "We've got something to show you."

Murtagh grabbed Gasey's hand and the two followed Thorn. "Who's we?"

"One hour!" Nas called after them.

"One hour for what?" Murtagh questioned. "What's going on Thorn?"

Thorn pushed him towards the break room door. "Just have the birthday girl open the door."

"Me?" She looked up at her dad and turned towards the door when he shrugged. Tentatively, she reached for the door knob and turned it. Her mind was pretty blank as she did so. She couldn't see any reason why Thorn would tell her to open the door. And why he would seem excited by it. She had been inside several times before. It was nothing new to her…

"Happy birthday!"

Her eyes widened as Thorn ushered them in and shut the door. Her grandma, Eragon, and a woman she guessed was Eragon's stalker friend Saphira stood around, looking at her expectantly. And despite her perceptive nature, it took her a few minutes to understand what the decorations, presents, and 'happy birthday' greeting meant. "A party, for me?" She looked up at her dad, who shrugged and looked at Thorn.

The redhead shook his head. "It's all on Eragon here. All I did was convince Nas to play along."

Gasey turned back around, caught the brunette's gaze, and ran over to throw her arms around him. "Thank you!"

Eragon laughed as he fell backwards on the couch with her. "I take it you like it."

"Oh yes I do! I do a lot." She let go and bounced over to Saphira. "Hi! You're Thorn's stalker?"

Saphira's mouth dropped open and she looked over at Eragon. "What have you been saying about me? I am NOT a stalker!"

Eragon laughed and held up his hands. "Hey. Thorn said it too."

Gasey gave her a quick hug and smiled. "I think I like stalkers."

Murtagh rolled his eyes but he couldn't hide the huge smile on his face. He walked over to the couch and sunk down beside Eragon. He mumbled a thanks and Eragon mumbled a welcome.

"Okay now." Thorn clapped his hands together and stepped forward. "Mean boss lady is giving us only an hour. Then we have to get back to work. So we better get to cake and ice cream part."

"Ice cream!" Eragon slapped his forehead. "I forgot about that."

Saphira smiled. "I didn't. It's in the freezer."

"I'll get it." Thorn offered and Saphira followed after him.

Murtagh looked over at his mom as she sat down in the chair across the room. "So how'd you know about this?"

"Your friend here called me early this morning."

Murtagh let out a laugh and looked at Eragon. "Thought of everything, huh?"

"Except the ice cream!" Gasey said as she bounced on the couch between them.

Eragon shook his head. "Hey… I think I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself."

Thorn and Saphira returned shortly with the tub of ice cream. They all gathered around the cake and Gasey blew out the candles. After the cake and ice cream, Gasey opened presents. Her grandmother got her some new clothes. Nas gave her an unsigned card with a check inside. Saphira got her a girly hair kit with bows and clips in flashy colors. The art pads came from Thorn. But her favorite was the art kit Eragon got her.

"But you gave me a book already."

Eragon shook his head. "That doesn't count. It wasn't on your birthday."

She politely thanked everyone and let Saphira play with her hair when she asked.

Nas was true to her word when she said an hour. She peered inside and pointed towards Thorn and Murtagh. "Back to work. Now."

"Thank you Nas!" Gasey called after her.

"Stay for a while longer." Thorn said to Murtagh as he headed for the door. "If it's busy, I'll get you."

Murtagh appreciated it as he stood up and took a peek out. It looked pretty busy to him already.

Lana grabbed Murtagh's arm and pulled him to the side. "Sorry sweetie. But I really have to get going. Busy day tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" It took a second for his mother's trip to dawn on him. "Oh shit… tomorrow!"

"Yes. Tomorrow…" She shook her head slowly as his worry sunk in. "Arya's still not back and you have no place for Gasey."

He sighed and shook his head. "No. I guess I forgot."

"Murtagh! It's not like you to forget something so important."

She was right. It wasn't like him to forget. He had been so preoccupied the past few days. "Mom…"

"I guess I could cancel…"

He shook his head. "No, no. I'll work something out. Go and have a good time."

She looked doubtful but she nodded. "Will I be seeing you two Sunday?"

He shrugged. "Maybe. We have plans but after…"

"Plans?" She cocked at eyebrow and inclined her head towards the couch where Gasey sat with Eragon, looking through the kit he'd given her. "With the cute brunette, right?"

"Uh… you mean Eragon?" The cute comment caught him off guard a bit.

She smiled and nodded. "Gasey's pretty taken with him."

Murtagh shrugged. "She likes him, I guess."

"She's not the only one." She said curtly. "And he seems to be pretty taken with you too."

He glanced at them and back at his mother. "Are you insinuating something…"

Her smile seemed to widen. "Arya was never right for you for one that one reason."

"Mom! I can't believe…"

She held up her hand to stop him. "I really have to go. Tell Eragon I enjoyed meeting him and appreciate him inviting me. I hope to see him again. And tell my granddaughter again that I love her and will see you both after my trip." Before he could object, she gave him a quick hug and headed for the door.

Murtagh turned to watch her leave and shook his head slowly. Sometimes, he wondered at the way her mind worked.

"Hey."

Murtagh turned around as Eragon walked over. "Uh… hey." The insinuation his mom made was still on his mind.

"I couldn't help overhearing…"

Panic flashed across Murtagh's face. "You heard?"

Inwardly, Eragon was beaming. He had in fact heard the whole conversation and he loved the panic look he was getting. But he shook his head. "Just your mom mentioning she was busy tomorrow and I know you work."

Murtagh left out a breath he didn't know he had been holding and he nodded. "Yeah. Arya's going to be away for another week at least. I guess I'll have to call off."

"Can you do that?"

Murtagh let out a sharp laugh. "This late notice? No."

Eragon bit his lip slightly. He had heard Lana mention her trip earlier and he knew that left Tag without a sitter. But now he felt a bit nervous offering his plan. He didn't really know him that well and all. He wasn't sure if Murtagh would get angry with him again like the first time they met. "I… uh… have a free morning tomorrow. I know we just met and all…"

"You'd watch her?"

Eragon nodded. "Yeah. Doesn't sound like you have any other options."

Murtagh let out a sigh as he glanced over to where Gasey sat, still marveling at the brushes in the art kit. Eragon was right. He didn't really have any options. Clearly Gasey liked the guy. Thorn did as well. Even his mother. And if he was being honest with himself, he rather liked the guy as well. And Gasey would probably jump at the idea. And it would only be a couple hours.

He internally argued with himself for another minute before sighing and nodded. "I'd appreciate it. Though I have to leave early."

Eragon nodded. "I know. You can drop her off at my place or just tell me where and I'll come to yours. Whichever is easiest."

Murtagh wondered at the excited tone in the brunette's voice. He knew he should be worried or at least a bit suspicious. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he could trust Eragon wholeheartedly. "I'll give you the address and my number."

"Later." Eragon said with a wide smile. He spun around and clapped his hands together. "So guess what Gasey?" He said loudly as he strode towards her. "You get to spend tomorrow morning with me."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

He nodded. "Grandma has a trip to go on."

"Good. Maybe you can help me figure out how to use all this stuff."

Saphira laughed. "Oh Eragon failed art in school. "

"Hey! Don't tell her that!"

"You can't even draw a straight line."

"Oh come on. I'm not that bad."

"You failed art!"

Murtagh smiled as he watched the two friends bicker and his daughter laughing at them. Yeah. He had to admit it. He really did like Eragon.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Author's Notes: Yeah. I promised a kiss. And it was supposed to happen this chapter. But I got a bit carried away with the birthday thing. So… next chapter.