Elaine hadn't seen Descole since the library that night. If the Frenchwoman had to guess, he was probably keeping himself to either his room or office. Likely only to avoid her. Elaine didn't see why he was acting like. She was the one he kissed. If anything, he should be giving her a damn good reason as to why he did that! Because she felt… Well, she wasn't too sure what she felt really. She was certain she was past the stage of shock so that possibility was crossed out. But it didn't exactly narrow anything down either. If anything, she was sure she felt indifferent about it. At least at the moment. If she could find out the reason for it, she would probably have a definite feeling for certain.

The only possibilities as far as Elaine was concerned was that the kiss was really just some irrationally thought out move to make her shut up (and now he was just over reacting to his action), or he had some kind of attraction towards her. Elaine didn't think it was too farfetched. She was an attractive woman in her opinion, and possibly the only woman Descole had constant contact with for some time since who knows when. If that was the case? Well, Elaine would be torn between being flattered (though she would never admit it out loud) and some worry as to what would happen from there.

But one thought banished these ideas away. Descole would probably get back to normal sooner or later. When he did, he would pretend nothing happened, leaving Elaine feeling a bit awkward for a few days.

It was fairly late when Elaine had gone downstairs to get a glass of milk before bed since she had felt thirsty. It wasn't too late as far as Elaine was concerned. Maybe around eleven. The wind could be heard blowing strong outside, and didn't sound as if it would be ending anytime soon. The only thing that could top it off was if it started raining all of a sudden.

Getting off the last step of the stairs, Elaine turned to go through the dining room to get to the kitchen. But she was met with a rather… 'interesting' sight.

Descole was in the room, sitting at the table with his back towards the archway Elaine was standing in. He was mumbling nonsense, and a faint smell of alcohol could be sniffed. Elaine was hesitant to take another step. Descole didn't seem to notice her presence yet but that could change with just another inch of a step.

Elaine leaned her head to the side to try and peer around Descole. There were a few bottles of brandy on the table in front of him. One bottle was empty and a second was just opened. There was a small wooden box a little away from the bottles though still within arm's reach of Descole.

Elaine bit her lip and tried to turn around and move back quietly. She recalled hearing Raymond walk by her room not too long ago. He may have (possibly reluctantly) decided to give his master the space he may have wanted now.

"Raymond, I told you- Hawthorne? What are you doing here?" Elaine tensed and looked back at Descole. He still had his mask on, and his hat was slightly askew. But Elaine could still make out a drunken flush on his cheeks as his words came out a little slurred.

"Um… I was going to get some milk to drink, but I changed my mind." Elaine said, trying to inch away as Descole stared back at her. She was a bit surprised though when he pulled out the chair next to him, the wood of it scraping loudly against the floor.

"No. You're nosey so you get to sit here and join me." He muttered as he grabbed one of the three shot glasses on the table. Elaine didn't really want to but weary of how a drunk Descole would be, she stepped back into the room and sat down in the chair pulled out just as he put a glass in front of Elaine. She wrinkled her nose. She never liked brandy. The taste never suited her. Too strong for her, or her tongue at least. Plus she faintly remembered having gotten incredibly drunk ion the stuff in college, and waking up with the worst hangover ever.

She also never did find out how that chicken got in her wardrobe.

"So, what exactly are you doing?" Elaine dared to ask after forcing some of the drink in front of her down her throat. Glancing back to the table, Elaine noticed a few things. First, it seemed Descole had somehow spilled some of the brandy onto the tablecloth since there were some stains on it. The picture of Lucy was near the box which was still closed.

"Reminiscing." Descole muttered.

"And, the drink?"

"Sometimes reminiscing hurts more than it should." Descole downed another shot. "Not always but sometimes."

"I wouldn't 'ave thought you willing to get drunk." Elaine mused.

"And I never thought I would be in my current position as a child." Descole countered in a bitter tone.

"So, why didn't you go to your room or office to drink?"

"Change of scenery?" Descole grumbled before picking up the photograph frame. His thumb brushed over Lucy's head briefly before he put it down on the table and grabbed on edge of the box lid and lifted it up just enough to have his hand go in. He gave a small grin when he seemed to find what he was looking for and pulled out a small, creamy white teddy bear.

Elaine looked at it in surprise, and even more so when Descole held it close to his chest.

"Johanna's little bear." Descole mumbled. "She loved the thing the moment she got it. What did she name it again? Something beginning with 'S', er…"

Descole seemed thoughtful as he tried to recall the toy's name. Elaine didn't say anything at first, but as the time went by she was beginning to expect no name to appear at all.

"Sha-sha!"

The sudden exclamation nearly made Elaine jump out of her seat as Descole grinned down at the bear.

"She named it Sha-sha. I'm still not sure how she managed to come up with that name, but she loved him." Descole played with the bear a bit. Having it walk around the table a bit as he mumbled to himself. Elaine couldn't really suppress the smile on her face at the scene. How could she not?

"Johanna was a good girl." Descole stared at the bed. Giving what looked like a sad look. "A very good girl. Pretty as her mother, and a lovely singing voice." Descole lowered the bear on the table and put a hand to his face. "And yet I was a terrible father for not keeping her from harm. I couldn't keep those bastards from taking her. I even promised Lucy… I promised, on her deathbed…"

Elaine was sure what was more shocking. Descole admitting to having a daughter and at one point a wife, that he actually swore, or the way he just choked back a sob before he picked up the frame with Lucy's picture.

"I'm sorry Lucy." He sniffed. "I tried, I swear I did. But I was caught off guard and weak then. But… But I will get her back! I will, I just… I'm just not sure how. They could have her anywhere…" As Descole trailed off, he folded his arms on the table and rested his head on them. Not letting go of the picture.

Elaine bit her lip, unsure what to do. Right now, the strong, stubborn and arrogant Descole she had known for some time had crumbled into a broken man. She wasn't sure she could have said anything to lift his spirits, and if anything she might say the wrong thing. Hesitantly, she put a hand on his back and gave what she had hoped would come out as a soothing rub.

"Why did you have to go, Lucy?" Descole groaned. "I didn't want you to go. Why couldn't God have taken me instead? Would have been better me then her. Then at least she and Johanna could have been together."

Elaine was tentative to do so, but she decided to take the risk.

"I'm… sure you were a good father. Whatever happened was probably out of your control."

"Easy for you to say." Descole snorted. "You have no idea how messed up my life is."

"Of course I don't. I'm not you." Elaine replied. "Doesn't mean I can't try."

"Just… Just shut up and drink." Descole grumbled as he reached for the open bottle.

"I think if anything, you need to stop and just lie down in your bed. It's late." Elaine expected some form of resistance from Descole. He however just sighed and rubbed his face.

"Maybe you're right. I'm just being pathetic." He stood up, albeit shakily and grabbed the box a Sha-sha. He moved to walk but nearly stumbled down until Elaine caught him.

"Do you-."

"I don't need help!" Descole snapped as he moved away from the archaeologist to walk upstairs on his own. However, he nearly stumbled and had to be caught by Elaine again. "F-fine." Descole grumbled as he let Elaine lead him upstairs.

Descole's room had a bit more decorations in it then Elaine's, and the sheets of his bed were a wine red. Elaine was surprised that she was able to get Descole this far. He was heavier (at least for her) then his figure suggested. Elaine sighed as she managed to place Descole on his bed, with him falling back on it. Elaine took the box from Descole and put it on his desk. She didn't dare consider opening it. Considering Descole's current state emotionally and mentally, it would not have been a bit… inappropriate.

Elaine looked back at Descole. He was passed out Sha-sha still in his hold. He currently seemed at peace. At least for now. She looked at him a little longer before she turned to leave the room. Only to come back a short time later before returning to her own for the night, after putting something on Descole's desk next to his box.

He probably would like having Lucy's picture back.

So allow me to explain the choice of names for Descole's wife and daughter. I was thinking of the stage musical and 2007 movie and the names just seemed to fit, and sounded nice too. There was a charm to them that just fitted in with this story. Can't really say too much without spoiling one or two plot points for the story, so hopefully this explanation is satisfactory.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and that you'll review :)