About ten minutes later from across the city of Melbourne, another agent was watching from inside the car. He observed Aria's black grey sedan peeling into the hospital ground and slowing down. She keyed in her pass card and drove through the gates. He spoke into his ear piece, "Target has entered Royal Melbourne Hospital. Standing by."
As the sedan continued driving around the hospital parking lot slowly and carefully, Aria finally found a parking spot and turned off the car. She sniffed taking her sunglasses off and wiping her face. She had been crying a little. Tally hurt her and she was unprepared for her sudden blow. Aria swore she wouldn't let that happen again. She had all the military training available to her and yet it didn't prepare her for her sister's sudden betrayal.
Taking all her emotions again, she put it all together and let out a sigh to blow it all away again. She decided that she saw all the family she could do for most of the morning so there was only one person left that she wanted to see that she hadn't seen for five years. Her father. Wiping her face again, she opened the door and exited it. Closing it, she turned on the alarm on her and walked toward the hospital in a quick military pace.
Opening the doors, she walked toward the reception area and showed her identification key card to the receptionist, "Aria Israel. I called ahead."
The receptionist responded, "I see. You want to see Pierce Israel? Are you family?"
Aria gave her a blank stare and spoke a little bit dumbfounded, "Umm, really? Yes! My last name is Israel. He is my father!"
The receptionist raised her hand and responded, "I apologize, Ms. Israel. I didn't realize. Please do not shout like that."
Aria let out a sigh and nodded as she backed a bit. She responded shaking her head, "No, I apologize. I am a bit off. I just need to see him."
She nodded pointing to the waiting area, "Of course. If you will just wait there for a bit while I take care of the two gentleman behind you waiting in line."
Aria stared at her a bit responding slowly, "Two gentleman?"
She turned around slowly and saw two guys staring at her. They were big with black uniform with small handguns on their side. One of them spoke, "We are the NID, Ms. Israel. Agent Crowe. This is Agent Green. We are here to escort you out."
Aria let out a scoff and responded backing a little as she kept her hands stretched out forward, "What are you talking about?"
Agent Crowe responded, "We are not asking, Ms. Israel. We want you to come with us."
Aria spoke again, "My brother sent you guys didn't he? Damn him. He will pay for this!"
One of them grabbed her arm and pulled her around as she shouted, "You don't know who you're messing with!"
Agent Crowe responded as he beckoned, "Do not fight with us, Israel. As you can see, we have the training to deal with Navy officers like yourself. We are here to make sure you leave Australia and never come back."
As Green pushed her forward, Aria was getting angrier as she touched her inner core and exploded, "I am here for my father, you arseholes!"
With her training, she twisted from behind Green's hand from her back making him yell in pain. She hit him and kneed him in the groin. As Green bowed over, Aria knifed chopped him on the neck and knocked him sprawling onto the floor. Crowe pulled out his gun as Aria looked at him. He fired once as Aria stepped quickly out of the way making him miss her by an inch. She twisted around kicking his gun hand away.
Crowe kept his hold on the gun and shot off another as Aria quickly came in closer to grab his gun hand. She pulled him close and smacked him across the face with her fist. Taking the gun, she rammed his hand onto her knee to disarm him. She kicked him in the shin as he painfully went down. Pointing the gun at the receptionist who was about to reach for the phone, she let out a snarl as she responded venomously, "Do not touch the phone, miss. You really do not want to try my patience."
The lady gulped in fear and raised her hands. Aria continued, "This is the NID's work. You know who they are. Stay out of it. Let them clean their own mess. They just messed with the wrong woman!"
She let out a growl as she took the gun and disabled it taking the cartridge out and tossed it onto the floor harshly. Her muscles looked to be bigger when she was angry. Crowe took his chance to tackle Aria. Aria grunted as she was being lifted so she punched him back and kneed him harshly. He grunted as Aria grabbed his back and tossed him aside. She braced herself holding her fists out and twisted around kicking him across. Blood splattered from Crowe's mouth as he groaned collapsing onto the floor.
Looking down, she approached Crowe and spat venomously as she grabbed his chest picking him up while raising her fist for a blow, "You are Crowe, correct? Call off your men. Tell them to stand down."
Crowe spat at her. She let out a snarl and punched him several times before responding again, "Do not try my patience. Call them. Now!"
When he wouldn't cooperate, Aria proceeded to abuse him with several more bruises. A bit bloodied and useless, Crowe went unconscious. She growled with disgust focusing her attention to the other fallen agent Green. As Green saw everything, he feared the woman now and spoke hastily into the radio, "All units, stand down. The target has been apprehended. I repeat, the target has been apprehended!"
Aria responded evilly as she got up and walked toward him, "Good boy. And now for your reward," she proceeded to kick him in the head and knocked him unconscious.
Aria breathed a sigh of relief and responded looking up toward the horrified receptionist. The Muay Thai fighter wiped the blood off her face and spoke, "There, I feel better. Sorry for the mess. I believe the NID in charge will pay for the damage. I'll make sure my brother sends the bill. Toodles!"
After waving her good-bye, she changed her expression soon as she turned and snarled with anger as she stormed out. Teal just went squarely on the top of her hit list for someone to kill and she doesn't leave survivors. Usually. When she entered her car, she just sped out of the parking lot. She slowed down to show her key card and drove off angrily toward her mother's house where her brother resides in.
Soon as the black grey sedan sped into her mother's driveway, the angry fighter stormed out of the car and slammed it shut. She stormed into the house and screamed one name as she stormed up the stairs, "TEAL!"
Aria stopped before her brother's room and kicked the door open. The door broke in half as Teal turned and scowled at her shouting, "What is the meaning of this?"
Aria entered and screamed at him, "Do not deny this! You had your agents to follow me didn't you?"
Teal responded carefully, "I do not know what you are talking about."
Aria shouted again, "I told you, do not deny this!"
Teal offered his hands and responded again, "Okay. Obviously you seem pissed. Why don't we just chill and ask what you were doing?"
Aria spat again, "I was seeing my dad, you arsehole."
Teal let out a sigh. He wanted to be mad, but obviously she was even madder. He could see it plain on her face. He tried again, "Aria. There is no reason for you to harm my agents. I just wanted to see you gone without trouble. Dad does not need to see you or need to know you are here. Has he suffered enough?"
Aria let out a snarl and pointed with anger, "You have no right…"
Teal let out a shout, "He's in a coma! Whether he wakes up or not wouldn't matter if you aren't here to see him!"
Aria continued to growl approaching him a little, "How could you…"
Teal stood his ground and spat, "Don't give me that. You were gone for nine years! Nine years! Even with a brief visit between your training vessel and you being gone for good, you did not even bother to respond for a year afterwards. It was like you vanished without a trace. And when you actually returned to Earth a year and a half later, you never even touched Australian soil. Not once! You were gone again."
Aria continued to scowl at him listening to his berating, "When I became an agent four years ago, I finally discovered the existence of where you have been. The term Stargate passed my desk and I sifted through all the classified reports until finally your name crossed my desk. I thought I would understand and tried to approach you but what I don't understand is why you left."
Aria shook her head and approached him responding, "Teal…"
Teal finished his berating with another shout, "You have betrayed your promise to this family by running away into deep space. You think you are protecting us with your ideals and your beliefs that you're doing the right thing, but the truth is you're not protecting us. You're protecting yourself by running away like a coward and escaping the truth that is obvious before you!"
Aria gasped a little and let out another snarl as she approached her brother. She rammed a punch across him screaming, "How could you say that?"
Teal retaliated with a punch across her face. Aria let out a growl tackling her brother onto the bed. They wrestled with each other dealing blows and kicks as they tumbled onto the ground. Aria grunted on her back as she continued punching Teal. He dealt another blow across his sister's face, but she shrugged it off as she struggled moving him over onto his back. She continued punching him harshly.
Cassie went into the room to see what was going on and gasp horrified as she rushed toward them trying to pull Aria off, "Aria! Lachlan! Stop this fighting this instant!"
Soon as she pulled them off, Aria let out a snarl as she turned away when her mother pointed her toward the window. She walked off facing the window and away from her brother. Cassie continued shouting at Teal as he got up facing his mother, "Lachlan Israel, you are an agent for God's sake and not a child! Stop this incessant bickering. It makes me sick that you are hating your sister! She hasn't done anything wrong!"
"Mom," Teal tried, but she cut him off, "Polly was kind enough to call me from the hospital about Aria's visit and the two NID agents who tried to escort her out. The hospital is treating their injuries. I can only guess who sent them and from what I heard, you are responsible for starting this fight. If your father were here, he would be disgusted by your attitude just like I am. You get out of the house now and don't come back until you apologize!"
Teal offered his hands and backed as he spat back, "Fine, ma! I give! I'm out, gone. You won't hear from me again ever!"
After he left, Cassie let out another growl and faced Aria who still had her back turned. She continued berating her, "And you, Aria Israel, has drawn the last straw of my patience. Not only have you come back after disappearing for nine years, you pretend that nothing happened while you were gone. I was hurt when you never responded to my message long ago. You never bothered to one visit. When you finally come back, I expected you to try to resolve things with your older brother. You knew he was upset and yet you didn't do anything until this had to happen! I thought you would be a little more professional but you weren't, Aria."
As Aria continued to have her back toward her mother, Cassie spoke again trying to get her attention, "Aria, look at me."
Aria didn't respond. Cassie looked at her with a little concern as she approached her, "Aria, sweetie."
She touched her shoulder and Aria grunted with almost a strangled gasp as she tried to move away. Cassie moved Aria around and let out a gasp seeing her half in tears and bruised. Aria was in pain and Cassie changed her demeanor as her mother instincts hit in, "Oh, Aria honey, come here."
Aria let out a strangled sob hugging her mother as she responded crying, "He hurt me. She hurt me. Teal and Tali hurt me."
Cassie kept her close asking her, "What did Tally do, hun?"
Aria let out another sob as she broke down, "She kicked me out, mom. Tally kicked me out of her family and forbade me from speaking to her."
Cassie responded regretting her previous words to her, "Oh hun, I'm sorry. I didn't know. If I had, I wouldn't have…"
Aria shook her head and hugged her closer responding, "No, mom, it's okay. I'm sorry for everything. It was a mistake."
Cassie moved her back and responded shaking her head while stroking her face and wiping her tears away, "No it isn't Aria. This isn't true. You tried to visit your father. That's enough. It isn't right that Lachlan and Tally are hurting you. It's unnecessary."
Aria shook her head as Cassie kissed her on the forehead with her responding, "No mom, it isn't necessary for them to do that to me. I am trying hard."
Cassie offered her smile and responded, "Yes you are. I regret what I said before and I want to apologize for not being there for you the other day. I was against your coming because I thought you would be gone soon anyways. It was wrong of me."
Aria gasped a little and shook her head as she hugged her, "Mom, no it's okay. You don't need to apologize, really."
Cassie continued to smile and nodded responding, "You are a sweet girl and I'm proud of you. At least you still have Noah's side. Why don't you get yourself cleaned up and meet me outside in the garden. With both Teal and Tally gone, I have no one else to help me around the house."
Aria nodded and smiled feeling better, "Thanks mom. Sure, I'll come help."
Cassie nodded and kissed her again on the forehead, "Good. I'll see you out there."
Soon as Cassie left, Aria sniffed as she went into the bathroom for a shower. She had to change to get the blood stains off and into a new piece of clothing. She would have to clean the mess she left in the boys' room later.
Location: Aria's mother's house.
Time: A little close to dinner, around 3:30 PM
Aria looked at her image in the mirror. She had showered cleaning herself of any blood and dirt. Some bruises remained on her face and her body from the fight she had with her brother. Touching her side, she winced a little from the pain. Placing her shirt on, she winced a little more as she covered her bruises. Taking the band, she tied her long blond hair behind into a pony tail. Taking the towel, she dabbed at the damp areas around her face and tossed it before running out of her room.
Walking a bit down the hallway, she turned to her brother's other room and knocked on it. She opened it slightly and asked, "Noah?"
"Yeah," Noah wondered with the sound of his Xbox barely audible in the background.
She opened the door and asked again, "You got a min?"
Noah looked at her and nodded turning off the Xbox, "Yeah bruiser. What's up?"
Aria opened the door fully, took a few giant steps and plopped on Noah's bed. She patted the area where she wanted to Noah to sit and he walked over to join her. Aria nodded as she sniffed a little and touched his head smiling at his loyalty to her. Noah smiled back and wondered a little concerned, "So, I heard everything from across the hallway between you and Teal. Something about coming back to Earth and Stargate whatever. Is that what you've been doing?"
Aria gasped a little and shook her head, "Oh, Noah. You have to promise not to say anything, okay? I can get in trouble."
Noah nodded and assured her, "It is okay. I promise."
Aria smiled and pulled his head close to her kissing his forehead. She hugged his head to her chest and whispered, "Thanks Noah."
Noah moved back and looked at her speaking, "You know, you can tell me right? Make it like a story like you always did when I was little. You used to tell me stories to help me sleep, remember? I love science fiction and going to outer space. You can turn all your adventures into stories and talk to me."
Aria laughed and smiled a little as she shook her head sadly, "You know I want to tell you, right? I want to tell you everything but I can't. I made a promise and I signed it. Until that is voided, I can't tell you. Okay? I would get in trouble."
Noah nodded understanding, "Okay. You know, right after you went away for training for a while, Teal and I enlisted into the Navy and started our training soon as you went away. He trained to fight and be a pilot but I stayed inside to train as a technician. We wanted to be closer to you so we can never lose touch but when you went M.I.A. and everything about you was classified, we knew we'd lost you forever. We couldn't get in touch with you or get closer. When Teal was chosen by the NID, he clamped up too. He refused to speak with me or the family about where you'd gone. I was disappointed that I wasn't chosen. I felt like he discarded me like I was nothing. Tossed aside. I was mad at him for a while but eventually I got over it. Now, I think I understand what you must be going through and I am sorry I took you for granted. I was wrong."
Aria gasped a little trying to bite back her tears again and responded kissing her brother again hugging him, "Oh Noah, I am sorry too."
As Aria winced a bit in pain when Noah wrapped her close on her bruise, she toughened through it whispering into his ear, "I love you so much too, Noah. You, Tali and dad are the reason that keeps me going through my life. If I could. If I truly could, I would tell you because I trust you with my secrets as well as Tali. When someday you get credentials or clearance, I promise you I will tell you everything."
Noah moved her back and asked hopefully, "You will? You promise?"
Aria nodded and smiled responding, "Yes. I promise. You are strong and you are very smart. They will see that soon. Eventually. My little smart bro."
Noah smiled and responded, "Heh."
Aria sniffed and tousled his hair messing it up as she responded, "Now come outside and help. Mom needs us."
"Um," Noah tried, but Aria interrupted him scolding him a little, "No excuses, Noah. You need to be outside. It's a pretty day to do some yard work."
Noah spoke trying to protest, "But it's hot and late in the afternoon. I don't like to work in the sun this late. You know how sunburnt I can get?"
Aria shook her head and sighed, "I don't have time to argue, Noah. Put some sunblock on and get out. Don't make this an order."
Noah blew a sigh and slumped over, "Fine."
"Good, now go," Aria responded kissing him again on the forehead and leaving the room.
A few moments later as Aria continued to walk across the backyard toward the garden her mother was working on, she spoke, "Hey Mom."
Cassie looked up and smiled as she beckoned her forward, "Good you are here. Here's what I want you to do."
She continued explaining as she pointed out the arranged vegetables and plants arranged in her garden. There was a small runoff from her garden toward the woods in the back to where a small creek was located. As Cassie spoke, Aria listened carefully, "So, there is a storm coming up and I want to make sure my garden doesn't get destroyed by the rainwater. I want to make a small canal of dirt and rocks to lead the water out of the garden and into the creek so it doesn't flood our yard. Teal helped me get started on it, but now that Tally and Teal are out of the house, I have no choice but to ask you."
Aria looked at her oddly and questioned, "No choice?"
Cassie gasped and sighed shaking her head responding, "That came out wrong. I mean, I meant to ask you for help but with everything going on I didn't know if I should. I need your help. My bones are growing too old and I need to rely on your strength to do this for me."
Aria nodded and smiled, "Of course mom, I'm here to help. Anytime."
Cassie let out a sigh as Aria went to work on setting the rocks and tilling the soil a bit around the garden. She responded, "Thank you hun."
Turning around, Cassie let out another gasp as she narrowed her eye seeing Noah outside for the first time. He waved at her and shouted, "Hey mom! I'm here."
Cassie responded, "You finished playing games, Noah? You are willing to help this time?"
Noah nodded apologetically, "Yes mom. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Cassie thought about it for a bit and nodded with a humrph, "Okay. I forgive you. You can start by mowing the lawn. Two times."
Aria covered her mouth to stifle her laughter as Noah let out an exasperated sigh protesting, "What? But mom, let me help you with the garden!"
Cassie wagged her finger at him chiding him, "Do not talk back at me. Think of this as punishment for defying your mother when she asked for your help with the garden. If maybe after you finish mowing the lawn and I feel better, I will let you help Aria. But for now, mow the lawn. Three times!"
Aria continued to giggle silently as she walked over to the cooler. Noah spoke again under protest, "But, you said…" he stopped when Cassie gave him the eye so he gave in, "Fine. I'm going."
"Hey Noah," Aria shouted as she took the cold water bottle from the cooler and tossed it at her brother, "Catch, you might need this!"
Noah nimbly caught it and nodded giving her a little salute, "Thanks bruiser. I'll get this done soon."
Aria smiled as Cassie turned around to face her daughter. She gave her a little smirk and wagged her finger at Aria responding, "You had a hand in this, didn't you? How did you convince him?"
Aria shrugged as she lifted a small, heavy boulder and placed it in the first hole of the canal toward the little creek, "What can I say mom? I have good motivational skills."
Cassie shook her head and smiled as she responded, "That navy of yours is misusing your skills. You should have a command of yours by now."
Aria nodded and continued working on digging some holes to widen the canal a bit while placing more stones and boulders to pack in the dirt to allow the water to free flow directly from her mom's garden toward the woods.
A bit later in the evening as the sun slowly dipped down making the porch outside of Cassie's home dim with some lights on, Aria flipped over some medium rare to medium well done steaks on the grill and placed them on the plate. She carried it over to the table where Cassie and Noah was seated. Noah was gasping for breath as he continued to drink his water. He continued to rub his skin to get rid of some itches that was crawling all over. Cassie continued smiling at them both while drinking her water.
As Aria sat the plate down on the table and sat down next to Noah, she took the tongs and placed the well done steak onto his plate while tousling his hair kissing it. Noah grunted annoyed as he moved his head out of the way to start complaining, "Do you realize how many ultraviolet rays I have crawling all over my skin? I'm gonna get rashes, my skin's gonna fall apart and I will die painfully and slowly. It's a very serious condition!"
Aria giggled at his brother's complaining as she placed her medium rare steak onto her plate and took her beer. She tipped her beer against his water, clinked it against the glass and responded, "I'll remember you, little bro. You won't be forgotten for your sacrifice."
She took a gulp from her beer as Noah spat back, "Its not funny! I could be dead tomorrow!"
Cassie herself was amused as well as she responded, "Well, Noah, thank you for mowing the lawn. It certainly looks better as you worked hard on it. If you still live tomorrow, you can help Aria with the garden."
Noah let out a sigh and rolled his eyes as he started eating his steak, "Thanks mom…"
Aria wrapped her arm around Noah and moved him closer to her as they continued eating their steak. Cassie ate her salad as she looked out into the yard. It looked better than before and the garden now had more stones trailing out toward the wood. Aria worked hard on it for the past several hours non-stop and Cassie was surprised and proud of her strength and dedication.
During the night, Aria stayed wide awake in the darkness of her room. Turning to her side as she had her arm stretched out across, she was feeling something empty by her side. She had lost her sister's faith and trust. Feeling a little bit of insomniac because of that, Aria let out an irritated growl and got up. She left her room and walked up to her brother's door knocking on it, "Hey Noah, you awake?"
After some silence, she opened the door and whispered again, "Noah?"
The sleepy form of her little brother turned around for a minute and groaned as he muttered turning the light on, "I'm awake now…"
As Noah slowly groggily moved up, Aria quickly ran over, took his sheets and tucked herself inside. Noah grunted looking at her and smacked his lips. She looked at him with a sad look. He let out a sigh and sat up questioning her, "What's going on?"
Aria responded, "I can't sleep, Noah."
Noah rubbed sleep from his eyes and rested on her shoulder. He took his sister's hand and moved closer to her. Aria continued, "I can't help thinking about Tali and what she said as well as my fight with Teal. They hurt me and they knew that but why? Why are they punishing me? I love them both. I did everything I could to talk to them. Why does things have to get so damned complicated, Noah?"
She looked down and watched him rest on her shoulder. She moved her shoulder up and asked again, "Noah?"
Noah grunted opening his eyes, "Uh, just resting my eyes. Umm, I don't know, Aria. But you know, I'm here for you. You can sleep here if you want."
Aria smiled and shook her head while squeezing his hand, "Heh, no. Not gonna sleep here. I just wanna hang for a bit. I'm just going through some thoughts right now and feeling lonely. With Tally gone, I only have you to talk with. I would wake up mother, but she'd kill me by morning."
Noah nodded making a light laugh, "Heh, yeah she would. Thanks for coming to me then. Was a good idea. Wanna watch some videos? Some science fiction DVD?"
Aria shook her head and responded, "No. Not feeling that. Just wanna talk for a bit."
"Okay," Noah nodded and continued, "I had fun that morning surfing. The best I've had in years."
Aria smirked and responded shaking her head, "You know you take too much sunblock, right? You don't need that much especially for surfing and in between."
Noah shrugged and spoke, "Well, I had to make sure I wouldn't get cancer or anything. I love surfing only in the mornings when it's cool out but that is as far as I can go. If it gets too hot, then I can't surf anymore. You know that!"
Aria giggled a little and sighed as she moved her arm around Noah bringing her closer. She responded, "Yeah I do. I just wish you wouldn't remind us every time you use up the entire container."
Aria continued laying on the bed still in her thoughts as Noah hesitated a bit and spoke to get her attention, "Aria?"
"Hmm," Aria wondered and he continued his question, "If you don't mind my asking, what happened between you and Liam?"
Aria let out a sigh as she groaned closing her eyes, "I do mind, Noah and I can't. It's between us. Leave it alone."
Noah gulped and responded, "Okay."
Aria spoke with a smile and kissed him, "Thanks."
Noah realized it was too late for him to recall Liam and expects for her to kill him in the morning. He would have to prepare himself for that. He spoke up reaching for the light, "I'm gonna turn off the light. You gonna stay here for a bit?"
Aria nodded, "Yeah. Go ahead and rest."
Noah let out another sigh and shrugged as he turned off the light. Aria moved him closer to her and down as he rested on her chest falling fast asleep. Aria continued to stay wide awake still thinking about everything including her dad and now about Liam Dagenhart.
Location: Aria's mother's house
Time: Morning of June 26th, 2009
The time on the clock showed that it was seven A.M. in the morning. Aria woke up with Noah still asleep on her chest. She swore inwardly to herself mumbling, "Crap, I must have fallen asleep."
Gently, she moved her brother's head off her chest and placed it onto the pillow. He moaned a little still asleep so she kissed him lightly on his head and slipped out of the sheets. It was morning outside already with the sun a little bit up and shining through the window.
She entered her bedroom to take a shower and dress into her clean clothes wearing a white tank top and baggy cargo pants. As she went downstairs, a doorbell rung next to her. She shouted out assuming that her mother was in the kitchen already at this time, "I got it, mom!"
Aria opened the door and before her were two uniformed officers. She gulped a lump in her throat and stood at attention as one of them handed her an envelope, "Lieutenant Aria Israel? You have been summoned to appear before the NID for your actions against our two officers."
She accepted the envelope and nodded, "Yes sir. Thank you for letting me know."
"Have a nice day, ma'am," the officer responded before they turned and walked away.
Aria gulped again and let out a sigh closing the door. She headed toward the kitchen fiddling around with the envelope. Cassie noticed her and smiled as she continued cooking breakfast. She moved to kiss her on the cheek and smiled, "Morning. Who was that at the door?"
"Umm," Aria tried as she leaned against the table still fiddling around with the envelope. She was unsure of how to break the news.
Cassie looked at her a little concerned, "What's wrong hun?"
Aria let out a sigh and tossed the envelope at the counter for her mom to take a look at. She responded, "Some guys from the NID made a visit. Said that I should come for an inquiry. How's my uniform?"
"Oh," Cassie responded picking up the envelope. She took out a knife and ripped the top open to take out the paper reading it. Her crease along the brow hardened as she nodded speaking to her with a concerned expression, "Okay, you are to appear on Monday of June the 29th for a special formal hearing regarding your assault against the two officers of the NID. How do you want to do this?"
Aria responded, "It's my responsibility, mom. I will see them and be prepared for anything they will give me. I will apologize and explain that I wasn't in my right state of mind."
Cassie nodded handing her the envelope back and responded, "Alright. That's good. Want me to take you?"
Aria let out a sigh looking at the paper and shook her head, "No mom, I'm sorry. The NID stuff is classified and I know how you hate me saying that. I appreciate the offer and I love you, but it's something I can do on my own."
Cassie smiled and shook her head waving it off, "It is okay, sweetie. I appreciate you taking charge of this. This is your responsibility and I am proud of you of being mature and responsible about this. Your uniform is ready now anytime you need it. I will hang it on your bedroom door in a bit later. Why don't you wake up Noah and tell him breakfast is ready."
Aria nodded, "Okay mom. Thanks,"
She left the kitchen as she folded both the envelope and letter. She tucked it into the pocket on the back of her pants.
It was nine A.M. Both Aria and Noah walked across the cool sandy beach among the cool breeze of the morning carrying their surfboards. They walked toward the tent with a long line people signing up for a surfing tournament. Aria spoke to her brother, "You sure you don't want to sign up for the tournament?"
Noah shrugged as she shook his head responding, "Nah. I never really liked them much. I just don't like competition that much considering I don't win things very well."
Aria nodded smiling, "Okay, fair enough. I'll win it for you then."
As the line moved forward, they moved up a bit with Aria building up an anticipation for this event. Then from the left of her eye, she spied Liam Dagenhart leaving the tent with the surfboard turn to her and light up as he waved at her. Noah behind her started signaling him no and stop. Liam's expression changed and he gulped turning around and walking off quickly.
Aria looked back at Noah and he looked at her innocently. She was confused as she murmured a bit, "What just happened?"
Noah barely hid the look of guilt and shrugged lying, "Uhh, I don't know. He's scared?"
Aria scowled at him as she let out a snarl taking his arm and moving close to his face, "Do not lie to me, Noah. Did you do this?"
Noah lowered his head and murmured a bit, "Umm, yeah. And the other day too. But that was before when we talked the other night and I realized that I should have not touched it at all. I'm sorry. I was concerned and I wanted to help. Can you forgive me? Are you going to kill me?"
Aria let out a sigh and continued to scowl at her brother a little angry in her cold tone of voice, "Yes, I am going to kill you, but not right now. Right now, I have to fix this mess before I alienate him further. You stay in this line and sign me up for this tournament but later we are going to talk about your major abuse of privacy into my life and the broken of your promise to me that which I hold so precious. And yes, I am going to still kill you later."
Noah gulped a large lump in his throat and responded meekly, "Yes, sir."
Aria nodded and backed a bit placing her surfboard next to him, "Good. Hold my board. I'll be back here in about 10:50 for the event."
Aria let out an annoyed exasperated sigh and walked away from him. As the line moved forward a bit, Noah gulped nervously and took her board as well to refocus her attention into getting her into the tournament. As Aria carefully went down the beach toward a couple of people talking. She spied Liam again and studied his form.
Liam changed a lot over the years. His physique was strong and buff. He was tall and appeared to have some well-rounded muscles but well-conditioned for surfing. He has short, spiked blond hair and blue eyes as well as a good smile. He wore a small, tight leather necklace with a shark tooth that hung from his neck as well as a small, pointed ear piercing on his left. He was wearing only boxers, bare footed and holding his surfboard.
He looked up and noticed that he was being stared at by Aria so he gulped nervously and moved away from his group saying he had to go. He walked straight toward her slowly. Aria stared back at him nervously as the cool wind continued blowing her blond hair around a bit. She offered a light smile that Liam took as her telling him that it was okay to approach her without her saying anything.
He spoke first still holding his surfboard, "Hey."
Aria's heart sped up a bit as she tried to keep it from jumping out of her throat. She was nervous in front of him so she quickly responded, "Hey."
Liam swallowed nervously and spoke again, "Long time no see. How you've been?"
Aria shrugged as she started biting her thumb nail again in the attempt to release her nervous energy. Liam approached her with a step, but Aria quickly stepped back. He saw that and muttered, "Sorry, I didn't mean. I mean, well umm."
Aria continued to stare at him and suddenly walked off to a different direction away from him crossing her arms. She looked like she was going to cry but held it in. Liam gulped and looked at Noah, but Noah continued making signs with his arms telling him to run after her. Liam stuck his thumb up and ran after Aria.
As Aria continued in a fast pace away from people and toward the rocky outcroppings on the other side of the beach for her privacy and security. Liam quickly caught up and spoke hastily, "Hey wait Aria! I'm sorry. I said something wrong. Hold up!"
Aria shook her head as she closed her eyes and continued walking. She was afraid to show her emotions freely in front of him. Soon as Liam finally caught up with her, he grabbed her arm. Suddenly, her brain put her into an overdrive mode that made her automatically defensive as she moved her arm back and grabbed Liam's arm. She had a quick flashback of him being a wraith. She turned around with a snarl, grabbed him and pulled him forward while punching him full into his face.
She broke Liam's nose as he fell back onto the sand with Aria backing in horror. Liam fell unconscious sprawled across the beach as he was taken out by surprise and off guard. His broken nose started bleeding. Aria gasped in horror speaking in a separate sequence of words while covering her mouth, "Oh my god!"
She quickly rummaged through her pants pocket. Taking out the first aid kit, she quickly knelt before the unconscious Liam and dabbed his nose to clot the blood. She carefully cleaned his wound and bandaged his nose. Cleaning up her mess, she carefully picked his body over her back and lifted taking his surfboard as well. She carried him with little effort toward the privacy of her rocky outcroppings and prepared herself for Liam's judgment of her handling the situation. After placing the surfboard on the beach, she gently placed him onto the ground and sat on the rock watching him. She continued chewing on the nail on her thumb nervously.
After a good fifteen minutes of watching him lay unconscious, Aria let out a silent gasp as Liam groaned to conscious. He moaned in pain holding his face and winced touching the bandage on his nose. He looked at Aria and questioned her, "What happened? Did you just punch me?"
Aria made a gulp and responded, "I am sorry. It's part of my defense. I get tense if someone touches me from behind and I attack. I am really, really sorry Liam. I never meant to hurt you, really."
Liam sighed and winced again in pain as he sat up responding, "Ah, its fine. At least you bandaged me up good, it's all good. Umm, can I ask?"
Aria quickly shook her head, "No, you can't Liam. It's classified. Just don't ever grab me like that from behind again, okay?"
Liam nodded understanding as he got into a better seating position looking at her, "Got it. So, you want to talk or do you want me to talk?"
Aria shrugged unsure as she responded, "What do you want me to say? What do you want to say? It seems to me that no matter what I say, I just end up a criminal. People backstab me and push me away because they are afraid of me. So I get afraid and try to run from them. But it seems to me that running away still gets people hurt so I don't know what to do or say."
Liam shook his head and assured her, "It is not your fault."
Aria interrupted him with a snarl, "No Liam, it shouldn't be anyone's fault. I am tired of putting blame on myself or others. It just gets people hurt. It gets you hurt. It gets my sister hurt. It gets everyone I know hurt. I'm just tired of hurting people and I don't want to say anything else to prevent that. I shouldn't have come back at all. I should have just stayed away before I started running away."
Liam studied her for a moment. She was looking at him a little lost or concerned. Letting out a sigh, he winced a bit in pain as he slowly got up using the rock face behind him as leverage to pick himself up. He limped over to Aria a little bit. Aria continued to watch him passively letting him approach her.
He knelt before her and touched her hand with a few words in mind that he could come up to say as he responded, "Aria, it's been well over nine years since we last spoke. I do not know what's going on with you and even if I could try, but I know that I can't begin to understand what you are going through right now. That moment when I proposed to you, it was stupid of me. Foolish. It wasn't the right time to ask you and I have been coming up several ways to apologize to you. When I finally found the words, bravery escaped me when I tried to confront you when you about to leave on the HMAS Kanimbla. I was a coward and when you already boarded, that was when I knew I had lost you forever so I tried to move on."
Aria continued to listen as he continued to speak, "I tried hard to move on. I dated several times. I had a lot of girls chasing me but none of them compared to what I felt for you. What we had was raw and unique. You were like no other girls I chased after or dated. When I realized I couldn't move on, I just simply gave up trying to find someone and moved away from Melbourne without looking back. When you never returned or kept in touch, I just sort of ran away. I lost touch with my home because of too many memories I've had with you and I just didn't want to remember. So I moved to my grandfather's ranch in the Outback. So for the next seven years I just simply moved on until one day I got a call from your brother Noah. He had told me you popped back into radar. I believed it was fate so I came back."
Liam squeezed her hand and Aria continued to stare at him. She touched him on the face for a moment stroking the side in one streak. Suddenly, she let go of his hand, stood turning away and walked toward the ocean. Soon as she stopped before the ocean, she closed her eyes, breathed in the salty breeze, and let the salty water wash her feet. Her blond hair continued moving in the cool breeze.
Liam let out a sigh and stood. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a leather necklace with an intricate designed ivory tooth that hung from it by the small hole on the top. Closing his hand, he kissed the necklace and approached her. Not wanting to make the same mistake of grabbing her, he spoke gently letting her know he was behind her, "Aria."
Aria opened her eyes and waited. Liam gently touched her on the shoulder and showed her his hand holding the necklace for her. She gasped a little as he spoke, "Do you remember this? This is what I used that day when I proposed. That was a mistake and the wrong thing to say. I wanted you to have this as a token of my love for you. There is no other reason for it being other than simply just a memento. Nothing more."
Aria let out a sigh closing her eyes as a tear threatened to fall from her eye. She opened it and moved her hair out of the way as Liam placed the necklace around her neck. It fit snugly around the base of her neck and she touched it as she turned around to face him. Aria grabbed his hand as Liam touched her face again with his other hand. He stroked her hair and moved it behind her ear. He moved in slowly for a kiss.
Aria slowly let him in as she embraced him moving his body closer. She never really moved on from him either as she still loved him. The sun continued to rise as it watched the lonely couple near the rocky outcroppings standing as the tides continued washing around them.
Location: Somewhere along the Brighton Beach of Melbourne Australia
Time: 11 AM.
Both Aria and Liam continued walking along the beach hand to hand. Their love was strong and Aria was much happier than before. The sun was bright and sunny and they watched surfers trying to catch the waves. The tournament was starting soon. Aria turned to look at him. Liam's focus was on the surfers watching them. She noticed the patch on his nose getting dark so she knew it was almost time for his bandage to be changed. Getting a little concerned, she stopped him and touched his chin to look at his broken nose.
She let out a sigh and responded, "I am sorry, Liam. I shouldn't have hit you."
Liam winced a little in pain and responded touching her shoulder, "It is okay. I forgive you."
Aria continued as she kissed him on the cheek, "We will have to cancel the tournament so I can get the injury fixed. It looks serious. There is a nearby medic shed with the proper tools to mend your broken nose."
"Thanks," Liam nodded moving in for another long kiss as they continued to embrace a bit. She moved him back a bit and spoke, "I miss all the things we did together. We'd get drunk, go to lots of parties and dance. We'd even go on boating trips for just the two of us for both day and most of the night. It was serene and beautiful. I also even tried to do belly dancing while drunk."
Aria giggled a little bit about that as Liam smiled and nodded responding, "I remember those days too."
In front of them, Noah ran toward them yelling with happiness as she fell before them and shouted, "YES!"
Aria managed to stifle her laugh to hide it and decided to play the angry card with her brother because he did a very thing. She shot him a cold glare. Liam turned to him and spoke, "Hey mate! I got you to thanks, so thanks dude. She still loves me man."
Noah continued yelling with joy, "What did I tell you mate? Huh? What did I tell you?"
"Noah," Aria yelled at him angrily, "Do not draw attention! I am still angry at you."
Liam touched her to try to calm her down but Aria turned to him with an angry snarl to shut him up. She turned back to Noah as he responded bowing his head down in shame, "I know, bruiser and I can't ask for your forgiveness. What I did is unforgivable. All I can do is give you time."
Aria continued to scowl at him and let out a growl to let him know she is still angry. Taking Liam's hand, she pulled him away and led him toward the path that lead across to the parking lot. Noah let out a sad sigh and became depressed as he muttered to himself, "I guess that means I am going to have to find another way home."
Liam turned back and watched Noah be depressed. It was making him depressed so he turned back to Aria questioning her, "Man, why are you so harsh me mate? He only meant well."
Aria stopped and let out another angry snarl as she turned onto Liam. Taking his chest, she pushed her arm against his throat and rammed him against the wall of a building growling at him coldly. She responded venomously, "My brother did a very bad thing. He broke my promise several times. I take that personally as it is an insult to my pride. If I take it easy on him, I would appear weak before him. He must suffer so that he knows that there is nothing worse than a broken promise. It is the only way for him to understand and learn. So ask me that question again slowly and I will explain it to you again painfully."
Liam managed to swallow a large gulp in his throat and raised his hands in surrender speaking, "I take your lead."
Aria smiled coldly and grabbed his hand. She continued to walk and half drag him along to a nearby building with a sign that said Melbourne Medical Clinic. It was a small building that was empty for the moment. Not letting go of Liam's hand, Aria went to the counter and spoke to the receptionist, "Hello, my mate had an accident. We need to see a doctor right away."
The woman nodded and showed her hand to the door. Aria said her thanks and led Liam to the door. She opened it and a male doctor looked up from his desk. He questioned them, "How may I help you?"
Aria looked at Liam and responded moving him along, "Come on. Let's get that injury checked out."
She offered her hand and the doctor stood as she explained, "Doctor, my name is Aria. My mate is Liam. He got, umm, injured and broke his nose. We need to get it checked."
He looked closer to Liam's broken nose and nodded as he responded concerned, "I see. Ohh, that looks bad. Let's get it checked out. Come in here."
He led them into the examination room and had Liam lie down on the bed. Aria sat down across the doctor and continued to hold Liam's hand with affection for him. The doctor looked over Liam's nose and responded, "I am going to have to peel this layer. It's going to hurt a bit. I'm sorry."
Liam nodded as he winced again in pain, "It is okay doctor. Go ahead."
Aria smiled and squeezed his hand while touching him on his head and stroking his hair gently for his bravery. The doctor went ahead and started peeling back the bandage. He examined the injury. It was still bleeding a little and the bone seemed to be bit dislocated or fractured. It was partially broken on the left side where Aria punched him. The surrounding of his nose seemed to be bruised and dark. She makes a very harsh jab.
Liam continued to breathe but it was a little bit painful for him as he winced every time he tried to take a deep breath. The doctor responded as he continued to take notes in his head, "Okay, this looks to be a very serious injury. I will have to clean it up and get an x-ray to see the fracture completely. However, I would like to add that this is a very good bandage work. Did you do this, Ma'am?"
Aria nodded proud of her work, "Yes doctor. When I was in the navy, I had some first aid training. It was useful."
He nodded and continued to compliment her, "Well, it is very good. I may have to ask questions starting with this. What happened exactly?"
"Umm," Aria began as she gulped and explained slowly, "Well, I punched him. It was an accident and I didn't mean to."
The doctor looked at her as he responded, "Ah. That is very honest of you, ma'am. Usually no one admits to self-blame."
Aria nodded and looked at Liam sympathetically, "Yeah, well, I am just done with the lying and the secrets. I am fed up so I wanted to get one thing right."
Liam tried to shake his head but winced again as he spoke, "It is not your fault, Aria. I forgive you so please do not blame yourself."
"Oh, Liam," Aria gasped softly, squeezed his hand again and kissed him on the forehead responding, "You are so sweet and too kind. I love you so much."
As she continued looking at him, the doctor proceeded with the questions and Aria continued to answer to her full abilities. A bit later, Aria continued to wait patiently in the waiting room. She continued biting her thumb nail nervously. The doctor came out of the examination room and sat down before her. He started to explain as she continued to listen, "Okay, so I repaired the fracture and reset it while placing a cast over it. I covered it with metal and it will stay on for a week so that his nose will be mended and healed properly. I will need to see you again in a week so I will set an appointment for you."
Aria nodded and responded shaking his hand as they stood, "Thank you doctor. Are we good to go now?"
He nodded, "Yes. I will prepare him and you can go. See you in a week."
He turned toward the examination room and came out a moment later with Liam walking out with a metal case over his nose. It was snugly fit with braces attached to his nose. The doctor walked to his desk as Aria approached Liam grabbing his hand. She stroked his hair and smiled giggling a little. Liam smiled and questioned, "How do I look?"
She wrinkled her nose and came close to him to kiss him gently on his metal brace on his nose, "You look handsome as ever, Liam."
Liam grabbed her body and kept her close embrace kissing her back on the lips for moment. As the doctor came over with the appointment card, Aria accepted and said her thanks. Taking his hand, she led him out of the clinic and across the street to a more private area in the trees. She stopped him for a minute and continued to embrace him closer not wanting to let him go.
Location: Oceanbayside Pub, near Brighton Beach, Melbourne
Time: A bit after 1 PM
Aria and Liam was seated close to each other. Liam was drinking from a plastic container filled with cold, iced coffee Frappuccino. Aria continued to gaze him adoringly and reached over to kiss him on the cheek. She caressed him on the cheek and wiped a droplet from the iced coffee off his chin. She licked it off with her finger and giggled softly as she took a sip from his Frappuccino.
Liam exclaimed a little responding, "Hey, that's my drink. I thought you paid it for me."
Aria responded wrinkling her nose, "It is a treat for you yes, but you have to share it. It's your responsibility as a boyfriend to share with his girl."
Liam thought a bit and slowly nodded, "Ah. This means we are dating now? Are we back together?"
Aria giggled a little and cocked her head as she stroked his cheek. She responded, "Yes, of course Liam. We are back together. I am giving you another chance. Don't ruin it."
Liam smiled at that and offered her another sip of his cold beverage, "I understand. I will not mess up this time, I promise."
Aria continued smiling and took another sip from his cold beverage before licking her lips and coming close to him for another kiss. Liam stroked her blond hair and moved it to one side of her. Aria moved back and continued to gaze at him as she spoke, "Liam, do you remember that time we went to the recruit officer together for the Navy? We both signed up for it and he passed out this IQ test thing we had to write out. I passed, but you failed it. Do you know how much he gave you for it?"
Liam tried to remember as he cringed a bit but shook his head slowly, "No I don't remember."
Aria responded still remembering, "They gave you an 85 for it. That wasn't even enough for the military. I had them give you several because I wanted you to come with me, but you offered the same low results. I was mad at them."
Liam looked down a bit and responded, "Yeah, I know. I'm dumb."
Aria spoke shaking her head, "No, you're not. IQ tests as far as I know are stupid. You are smarter than you think you know. This is why I fell in love with you in the first place. You may be slow but that's what makes you great, Liam. That's what makes you so sweet and nice to people. That's exactly why I fell in love with you."
Liam smiled at that and stroked her cheek. Aria grabbed it and let him hang in there for a bit as she continued to show affection for him. He nodded and attempted to change the direction of the topic by adding speaking, "Aria, about Noah, you can't be mad at him. I've known him longer than you and when he introduced me to you when you were eleven, I admit that's when I started to have feelings for you. At first, I didn't know what it was but after a while I began to understand. Even when you keep play fighting with me and winning every time."
Aria let another giggle escape her as she responded, "Yeah, I remember. You were a bit slow at first and I tried to teach you something about fighting but you were having a bit of a difficulty. I hated it at first and was a little annoyed. It took me a while too but eventually I changed too. I don't think Noah noticed, but I kept trying to keep you away from him and pushing you to take me elsewhere. You were clueless of course, but I thought it was funny so I kept quiet about it. It took you a while, but you found out what I was trying to do."
Liam smiled and nodded as he continued, "Yeah I remember, but anyways you can't stay mad at my mate, k? He thought what he was doing was best."
Aria let out a sad sigh as she touched his face and responded shaking his head, "Oh Liam, you are sweet but I have to stay mad at my brother okay? It's a girl thing. He broke a promise that he kept two times. I can't forgive him for that so he has to be punished. Don't ask me or tell me what I should do, okay?"
Liam shook his head and responded, "I don't understand. Why is he being punished? He brought us back together."
Aria continued explaining as she continued stroking his hand with her thumb, "You don't have to Liam. It's a girl thing. It's complicated. There is something about promises that us girls like to keep and if that gets broken, we get hurt easily. The relationship I have with my brother is strong, but lately after when my sister bond with Tally broke up I got hurt bad. When Noah broke it two times, that was a shot to the heart. It killed me and I need some distance away from him for a while until I forgive him."
Liam opened his mouth and tried again, "But he apologized."
Aria took both her hands and touched the sides of his head as she came closer enforcing her words in the gentlest way possible, "Liam, listen to me. I know he is your friend and I respect that, but I want you to please drop the matter. You and I are dating for now, but if you keep bringing it up, this is the last date we will have. So please just drop it. Give me time, because stuff like this isn't permanent. There is still a chance that it is temporary."
Liam nodded and gave in as he gave her another kiss, "Okay. You won't hear from me about it again."
Aria smiled and responded, "Thanks."
She turned around as her mother came up from behind her and shouted, "Aria, sweetie, is that you!"
Aria spoke as she smiled and waved, "Hey mom! Over here!"
Liam stood as Aria stood to rush toward her with a hug. Cassie noticed the difference in her attitude and spoke, "Aria, you seem happier."
Aria smiled and nodded, "Yes mom. I'm dating Liam again."
Cassie gasped a little surprised as she looked at Liam almost recognizing him, "Liam? Is that you? I am sorry I didn't notice you. When did you come back?"
Liam nodded and offered his smile as he shook her hand, "It is okay, Mrs. Israel. Noah contacted me a week ago and I returned to Melbourne hoping to get in touch with your daughter. Lately I haven't much success until today."
Cassie narrowed her eyes on Liam's broken nose and let out a sigh, "I can see that. My daughter can get quite feisty."
"MOM," Aria shouted a little embarrassed, "please, not here. Forgive me for being direct, but what are you doing here?"
Cassie let out a sigh and responded, "Noah called me and asked for transportation. When I asked him, he sounded a bit depressed and cryptic. When I saw him, well, I've never seen him like that since that girl broke his heart several years ago. Can I ask what is going on?"
Aria blew a heavy sigh as she placed her finger and thumb on the tip of her nose and massaged a bit to get rid of a headache that was threatening to surface. She responded, "He, well it's complicated. Mom, can we just drop it. I don't want to talk about it or see him. It's infuriating me."
Cassie responded opening her hands, "Okay, okay. It's been dropped. What's the plan?"
Aria sighed again and continued, "Well, I need time alone a bit from him obviously and since he needs transportation," she turned to Liam and spoke taking out her keys to give it to him, "Can you take my brother home, please? I will go with my mom."
Liam nodded taking her keys and Aria kissed him on the cheek thanking him. Cassie responded to Liam, "Aria's car is parked next to mine. It's out that ways and hang a right. You should see him leaning against a black and grey sedan. Thank you Liam."
Liam nodded and kissed Aria on the lips again goodbye, "No problem, Mrs. Israel. See you soon Aria."
Cassie smiled at her daughter and closed to her as she wrapped her arm around her waist, "So, Liam?"
Aria made a little giggle and responded, "Yes mom. I mean, I did punch him but I didn't mean to. I just reacted when he touched me. He forgave me when I took care of the injury."
Cassie nodded as they walked away from the balcony, "You always could. I remember you and Liam together and it was wonderful to me how you were always happy around him."
Aria sighed getting red and responded, "Mom, you're embarrassing me. So, where should we go?"
Cassie responded as they walked to her mom's car, "I was thinking we can stop by the hospital and you can smooth things over with the staff before seeing your father."
Aria gulped and responded, "Ah, yeah that. Yeah that would be fine. I really need to see dad."
Location: Royal Melbourne Hospital
Time: 3 P.M.
As the dark blue sedan pulled into the parking lot space in front of the hospital, Cassie turned to Aria and asked, "So, you ready to go in?"
Aria had been seated in the front passenger seat laying back with her barefoot resting on the counter side. She was deep in thought still chewing her thumb nail releasing her nervous pressure and her anxious energy. Turning to her mom, she responded as she put her socks and black boots back on, "Yeah, let's go."
Cassie nodded as they exited the vehicle, closed the doors and turned the alarm on. Cassie continued carrying her purse as Aria kept a step or two behind her cautiously. She had her hands tucked halfway into her pockets with her thumbs hanging from the rim of her pockets. As one of the hospital staff opened the door and greeted her, "Hello Cassie. How are you?"
Cassie responded as she smiled hugging him, "I am doing just fine, thank you Ethan. This is my daughter, Aria."
Ethan's eyes opened a bit and responded, "Ah, that's your daughter? I am sorry, but she can't come in."
Cassie responded pushing Aria a bit forward, "I know, darling, but hear her out for me please. She really needs to see her father."
The hospital staff person let out a sigh and looked at Aria. Aria gulped nervously and responded as she moved her blond hair out of her eyes and behind her ear before putting her hand in her pocket, "Hey, umm, I know you probably hear this a lot, but umm, I'm sorry okay. I wasn't in my right state of mind as I was upset and unwilling to cooperate. I haven't seen my dad in over nine years aside from that brief visit I gave him five or six years ago. He is my reason I am in the navy. He encouraged me to be strong and independent. To always get up no matter how many times I get knocked down. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am now. I love him and he is another reason I came back to see him when I heard he was ill."
Ethan was studying her a little bit still thinking. Cassie added, "She will be with me at all times, I promise darling. She won't leave my sight and stay behaved."
Ethan took a deep breath and breathed out through his nose as he changed his mind, "Alright, she can come in provided that she stays real close. We will keep our eyes on you, but if you step out of line I will have to ask you to leave and not come back again."
Aria nodded and responded sharply, "Yes, sir!"
Ethan made a humph sound and opened the door for them courteously, "Have a nice day, Cassie."
Cassie winked at him as she smiled keeping her arm around her daughter and corralling her into the building, "Thank you darling and you have a nice day too."
Aria let out a sigh as she whispered rolling her eyes, "Mom, must you torture me like this?"
"I can and I will sweetie because I am your mother," she whispered to Aria before smiling in front of the reception office to the lady behind the computer, "Hello Polly."
"Hello Mrs.-oh," the receptionist started but gulped as she looked at Aria and hesitated, "Is she supposed to be here?"
Cassie smiled as she nodded pushing her a bit toward the receptionist, "Yes, darling. She is here to apologize because she needs to see her father."
Polly looked at her as Aria came a little close taking out her wallet. She mumbled a bit counting her money and taking out a hundred dollar bill. Putting the wallet back into her pocket, she hesitated a little before responding as she placed the folded bill on the counter, "Umm, Polly right? Yeah, erm, I just want to apologize for scaring you like that. I wasn't myself exactly. I wanted to see my father, but when they got in my way. I wasn't thinking right. I was thinking that I really wanted to see my father and did not want anything to get in my way of that. My brother got in my way and I got really upset that he sent them along to try to escort me out. I should have just went with them because if I had, then I wouldn't have scared you like that. That was against my training and my morals because it's embarrassing to act out like that in front of civilians like yourself as is pointing a weapon at your head, umm."
Cassie gave Aria a look as she gasped a little shocked that she would do that. Aria cleared her throat and finished, "Yeah, so here is the money for the damage I caused here. That should cover it and I hope you can forgive me because I would never do that against unarmed civilians. It was against my training and views and I betrayed that. It will never happen again, I promise you this under my oath as an officer of the navy."
Polly nodded and took the money as she pointed while speaking professionally, "Good to see you again, Mrs. Israel. Your husband is at room E4. If you need help finding it, I am sure a nurse can lead you."
She ignored Aria immediately as she refocused her attention in the computer screen. Cassie continued to smile and responded, "Thank you Polly. Come along Aria."
Aria let out another sigh as Cassie continued leading her toward the door. She opened it and soon as Aria was out of earshot, she let out a quiet snarl and muttered to her mother, "Please do not do that again, Mom. That was embarrassing and out of character for me."
Cassie let out a sigh and asked her, "What, apologizing? Since when is that a problem for you?"
Aria let out another heavy sigh and responded annoyed, "I only apologized within family, but outside of family that's when all bets are off. I just move on regardless of the situation because of my military training. I was trained to move on unemotionally without care. That is who I am. That is what I do. I can't expect you to understand mom, but it's what I was trained for."
Cassie thought for a bit and nodded still keeping her arm around Aria's shoulder, "I see. I think I can understand that, sweetie. It won't happen again, I promise. As long as you promise you won't do anything of that sort again like pointing a gun at Polly or any unarmed civilians. It scares me."
Aria nodded looking at her and kissing her on the cheek responding as she squeezed her closer, "I know mom, I promise."
Soon as they reached the room they were looking for, Cassie opened the door and entered through seeing Teal seated next to his father. He looked up and Aria gasped a little changing her expression a bit into anger. Teal stood up quickly but Cassie moved her hand up and responded, "Please, let's not fight and say things we will regret. Lachlan, I brought her along myself because I wanted her to see him. Can you please explain because I can't say another word without getting emotional?"
Aria continued to stare silently at her brother with anger, but Teal let out a sigh and responded, "Fine, Ma. I'm getting into much trouble because of my actions and I want to apologize to you, Ma. I was out of line in the house and I beg your forgiveness. I was angry and I still am, but I will explain to her."
Cassie nodded at him taking his apology into account. She looked at Aria and squeezed her shoulder as she motioned her forward. Aria nodded silently and approached the bed ignoring Teal. She held back her tears watching her father lay there unconscious and connected to the machine as it continued monitoring his life signs.
As Cassie continued to watch them, Teal looked at Aria and responded, "The reason I was upset was because when dad slipped into coma several days ago. It was a bit too late for him to see you and I didn't know when he would wake up. The cancer in his lungs was aggressive and it brought him down hard. The doctors are doing their work treating his cancer, but they don't know when he will wake up. I was angry because you came a little too late for dad to see you. It didn't really make a difference to me whether you should see him or not."
Aria made a sound and stared at him coldly as she responded, "I see. You had no reason to make me feel like this. You got me in trouble and I am paying for it. I don't want to see you again for a while, Teal."
Teal nodded and backed not wanting to get into another fight in front of their mother, "Fine by me. Take as a long as you like."
As he turned and moved away, Cassie let out a sigh as she touched Teal and questioned him, "Aren't you going to apologize to her?"
Teal shook his head and left, "I'm still angry mom. Leave it alone."
Cassie let out another sigh giving up. She approached Aria and wrapped her arm around her. Aria accepted her comfort and smiled a little kissing her on the cheek, "Thanks mom for helping me."
Cassie waved it away and they continued to remain in the room with their father who was still in coma.
Location: Aria's mom's house
Time: 5 PM, a little almost to dinner time
As the dark blue sedan parked before the red sedan in Cassie's driveway, Aria looked ahead and narrowed her eyes in annoyance as she let out a snarl questioning her mom, "Is that Tali's car?"
Cassie let out a sigh and responded, "Yes, please before you say anything. I called her and begged her to come. I want to resolve an issue between you."
"MOM," Aria shouted with irritation and responded, "It is between me and Tali. You can't just bring out problems and solve it thinking that it's that easy. It's not, mom!"
Cassie continued as she spoke arguing a little bit, "But you and Tali have such a wonderful relationship for twenty five years. Even while you were gone, she still talked about you to her friends. She celebrated your birthdays every time years passed. It annoyed the heck out of me especially when she made cake for you and lit it, but I let her do this. She even defended you when Teal was getting angry at you for the past three years. She is loyal to you like Noah and dedicated that she wouldn't let anyone forget about you. Why can't I do one simple little thing and repair your sisterhood."
Aria rolled her eyes and muttered, "It's complicated…"
Cassie finished as she opened the door of her car and got out, "Well, come inside and talk okay? And if we don't resolve it, then I will ask her to leave. Okay sweetie?"
Aria surrendered as she got out of the car and continued to mutter, "Fine, mom."
With the purse slung over her shoulder, Cassie walked toward the front door of her house with Aria in tow walking rather slowly. Soon as they entered the house, Aria's sharp hearing picked up chatter already going in the dining room from across the hall. She listened carefully.
"Wait, she punched you and you're dating already?"
"Yes. She apologized because I know she didn't mean to."
"Huh. You're just so nice aren't ya, huh Liam."
"Yup."
"Hmm, lucky you cause if it were me…"
Aria let out a light snarl at her tone of voice. It had a tint of rudeness and condescension in it. Quickly, she moved around and shouted, "Tally, watch yourself!"
Tally gasped a little taken aback as she responded, "Oh my!"
Cassie sighed inwardly as she spoke in the middle of the tension in the room, "Oh please be gentle darlings. I don't want you two fussing."
Noah looked at Aria and kept his head down as he realized that Aria is ignoring him. He also seemed embarrassed that Tally was picking on Liam. Neil was seated next to Tally who was standing up and now looking at Aria coldly. However, Liam was the only one in the room who seemed absentminded as he turned around and spoke, "Aria! I talked with your sister! I didn't know she has a family. Isn't that cool?"
Aria let out a sigh as she continued to scowl at Tally. She responded, "Liam, come to me."
"Huh? Okay," Liam wondered, but Noah spoke, "Yeah, Liam mate, you should go to Aria. Tali, stop it already!"
Tally looked at her little bro with a mock innocent look and responded, "Stop what?"
Aria growled at her sister and shook her head, "Tali, I do not like that smart remark of yours. Do me a favor and stop."
Tally continued staring at her back as she smirked in an ugly way crossing her arms. Liam approached Aria and Aria grabbed his hand as she moved him behind her protectively. He was wondering what was going on but he sort of was starting to sense some tension there. Cassie jumped in as she wanted things to start resolving over, "So, now that everyone is here. Dinner should be ready. Tally…"
Aria was getting a bit uncomfortable since both Noah and Tally was in the same room. She realized she had to get out because she felt that her character was being violated again. She loved both Noah and Tally but as long as there is a huge tension in this room, she decided that she can't be in the same room. She spoke interrupting her mother in mid-sentence, "I am sorry, mom, but I don't think I can be in the same room."
Cassie looked at her sadly and spoke asking her, "But Hun, why? You and Tally used to have such a good bond and Noah…"
"Broke my promise, mom," Aria interrupted her as she continued getting irritated, "He broke my promise. Now you know."
Noah moaned as he knocked his head on the table. Tally gasped as she stared at Noah wide eyed. Cassie gasped too and responded, "He broke your promise? How?"
Aria let out a quiet snarl and explained as she kept her hold on Liam's hand tightly, "By bringing Liam and me together against my wishes. I would have gotten back with Liam eventually. Noah brought it up several times but I told him not to. I specifically told him to promise not to and he didn't, mom. He didn't and I can't be in the same room as he is. If you will excuse me, I will stay with Liam for the night."
"You will," Liam looked at her wondering, but gulped and changed his words when Aria glared at him, "I mean, yes she will."
Cassie offered a pleading and sad look as she spoke sadly, "But hun…"
Aria responded, "I know you're trying mom and I appreciate it but this is my problem and I want to resolve it my own way. I love you and I will see you."
As Aria left dragging Liam out of the house. Liam still had the look of confusion and being lost. Cassie sighed sadly as she approached the door and closed it. Tally smirked and responded in that same tone, "Well, wasn't that interesting."
Cassie was getting annoyed by her daughter's tone and snapped at her pointing, "You will not talk like that Tally. I want you out of the house. I am fed up and I am going to bed."
Tally gulped as she raised her hands a bit and watched her mother storm off to bed. Noah continued to moan with his head bowed. Neil assessed the situation and responded a little bit irked, "Well, I have never been this uncomfortable before. Tally, I think it's time to leave now."
As he stood, Tally nodded and walked around the table responding, "Yes, lets. I'll apologize to my mom in the morning when she cools down."
She stopped before Noah and looked at him with a sigh. He was still her twin brother. Taking his chin, she got his attention and spoke with a little nicer normal tone, "Look Noah, stop beating yourself up. You broke a promise to Aria, but she will get over it. She still loves you. Give her time. My advice is let her approach you. Don't do anything. If I'm right and I know I am, then she will eventually. Just let her make the move."
Noah looked at her and sighed touching her hand nodding, "Thanks, sis."
Tally nodded and moved over to kiss him on the head smiling a bit, "I love you, Noah, and I am sorry for picking on your mate. That wasn't right for me to do that. It won't happen again."
He nodded again smiling a little as he watched his twin sister and her husband leave the house.
As the black grey sedan continue its drive across the road in the dark with its headlights on, Aria continued to be focused on her thoughts. She wanted nothing to do with her sister anymore. She was tired of being emotional and she wanted to remove Tally from her thoughts. Taking another deep breath, she let her training to refocus her core and think about something else.
Liam was thinking on his own trying to understand or come to terms of what just happened. He touched Aria's hand and asked, "I don't understand. Why are we driving to my mom's house? I was looking forward to spending the night with me mate."
Aria let out a sigh and responded, "I know, mate but I just can't stay another night with Noah either. They both just pisses me off. I'm still dealing and I don't want to think about it anymore. Just drop it."
"But," Liam tried, but her mobile phone rang as she sighed again turning it on. She put it on speaker as her mother came on, "Aria, sweetheart, why did you leave? I want you to come back to the house. Tally's gone but I want you here to spend the night."
"Mom," Aria tried to respond but her mother was frantic over the phone and breathing a little irregularly. She tried again speaking, "Mom, calm down. Take a deep breath. You're gonna have a panic attack."
As Aria took a loud breath toward the phone, her mom copied the same momentum and she stopped panicking as they both let out their breaths. Aria sighed as she finally responded, "Mom, I want you to understand. It's me. I'm having a difficult time and going through a rough patch with my sister. I can't be in the same room as she is without getting emotional because that makes me weak. I don't know how to talk to her anymore so until I do I need to stay away from her."
Cassie spoke a little concerned, "But, what about the garden hun? I only have Noah, but it's going to take longer."
Aria continued, "I know mom and I don't break my promises like Noah did. I will finish the garden for you every afternoon without even going inside the house, okay? It will be done by next week."
Cassie hesitated for a bit and responded sadly, "Okay hun. Love you. Have a good night."
"Love you too, mom," Aria finished and ended the call to refocus on her continued driving around Melbourne.
Liam continued to watch Aria unsure of what he should say for the moment. He wanted her troubles resolved soon the easy way but she kept making it too complicated for him to understand. He touched her hand again and Aria looked at him attempting to smile at him. She turned back to the road as she made another turn toward the city.
Liam gulped again and picked her hand as he spoke, "Aria? I don't understand what is going on and I am concerned but I don't want to make you upset. I think you are being a little harsh."
Aria let out another sigh as she growled inwardly. Taking his hand, she kissed it and stroked it with her thumb as she responded, "Liam, I love you know that. We are dating right now and I want you to watch what you are saying to me right now, okay? I am just dealing and I want to deal it in my own way. It's my military side. I am just feeling aggressive right now and I need to calm down!"
After she shouted out that last sentence, she let go of his hand and pulled over to the side of the road aggressively into the grass before the bridge. Liam looked at her wide eyed as Aria let out another shout of anger banging at the steering wheel. She started breathing more and more as her anger increased. Not wanting to hurt Liam, she opened the door and walked out slamming it. The car was still running.
Liam gulped as he turned off the ignition and watched her. Aria stormed off toward the bridge with her arms crossed still breathing with anger. She was lost as she had no idea where Liam's mother lived. She had no plan except to drive around Melbourne getting lost. She was frustrated and Liam's diminished capacity wasn't helping her. He had the mental capacity of a twenty year old in his thirties.
The cool breeze of the night blew around Aria and was helping her calm down to regain her sense. She continued to breathe. After a few minutes, she sensed Liam approaching her slowly. She let out a sigh and responded, "Liam, please, I do not want to hear another word from you."
Liam nodded and responded as he got a little closer touching her gently on her shoulder, "I know and I won't. I'm sorry okay. I love you."
Aria sighed again and continued breathing normally through her nose as she responded, "I know Liam. I love you too."
She turned around to face him and he offered his smile getting close to kiss her. They embraced for a bit. Liam responded, "Let's go to my mom's ranch, okay? She lives in Macedon which is a bit outside of Melbourne. Tomorrow, we can go to where she works in the regional park."
Aria let out a sigh and nodded smiling, "That sounds good, Liam. Thank you."
They both went back to her car hand by hand.