My Tourniquet
AN: Apologies for the delay! School's back in session. As we all know, Japan was hit by a tragedy March 11. Studying in Sapporo, Japan, I experienced this and hope for Japan's recovery. Pray for Japan.
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West Island, Orb, Summer CE 73:
Everything was against him going to the main island.
The get-together wasn't until two in the afternoon, but he hated afternoon things for a reason. It left the first half of the day to go completely wrong. Aside from the storming weather that was gradually getting worse, Lyra decided to help with cleaning after lunch and proceeded to trip with her hands holding Amy's favorite glass vase. The girl wasn't clumsy as much as she didn't pay attention and fell over Paul's guitar case. It ended with Kira and Amy taking her to a clinic while the others either cleaned up or went to their jobs.
By the time they were back home with a patched up child, her hands and wrists bandaged, it was too late to remotely catch a ferry in time to even be at the last bit of the day. He didn't like the disappointment in Lacus's voice when he called her, but she understood things happened and decided to come by later in the week. By the late afternoon, she had called back to ask something he half-dreaded, half-wished for. Lacus had mentioned him to their friends and they really wanted to see him. So they set up a time for them to come by when he wasn't busy.
On Kira's part, the time flew by quickly enough. He spent some quality time with Paul and Dave going over the music for a side project while debating contracts. They had it down to three record companies wanting Evanescence playing with them. Amy was more than ready to flip a coin because either way worked up just fine. Any extra time was spent on helping Em out with an aching Lyra and hyper Emmaleigh.
Thursdays usually had most of the group working part time jobs mid-day. Kira's was a schedule as the week came so he had Thursday off this round. Amy was looking forward to quitting and focusing on only their music and senior year soon. School was going to get there faster than anyone would like.
Kira waited until the time came for him to go pick up Lacus, Athrun, and his twin. He barely made it out of the car before his twin had him in a near choke hold. Even he had to admit he missed her, but not enough to choke her.
"Kira!"
"Need to breathe, Cagalli," he reminded her. The blonde let him go.
"I've really missed you," she said. "How've you been?"
He hadn't seen his blonde twin in years, since elementary school. She had really grown into a lovely young woman like Lacus said. But he could still see the wild fire in her amber eyes. She was probably a handful on any day.
"Pretty good," Kira replied, glancing at Lacus. He wasn't sure how much she told them already and asked her. He got half an answer when she pecked him on the lips and didn't get more than a 'get a room' comment from Cagalli.
He had bullied Paul into picking up his mess in the living room area before leaving that morning for work. So the place looked decent when they arrived.
Cagalli met Cookie by chance as she sat down on the floor at the little table. The somewhat harmless bug had been just a centimeter from her foot before being a few meters from it. "Kira!"
They looked and saw the scampering bug moving from under the table. Lacus giggled.
"Oh boy…" Kira growled, picking up the insect by its tail.
"Why is there a scorpion here?" his sister shouted. Her back was pressed against the wall, her amber eyes never leaving the bug on his hand.
"It's Paul's." He set it back in its tank. "He's an ass, so don't mind his antics."
"He did that on purpose, didn't he?" Lacus guessed, not surprised in the least.
"What a jerk."
After the scorpion incident, they settled in with some snacks and drinks in the living room.
"So if you've been dating, does that mean you've been staying over weekends?" Cagalli went for the gossipy topic immediately.
"Yes…" Lacus was hesitant, knowing an answer could unleash a cascade of PEQs, or potentially embarrassing questions as Amy put it.
Kira cut her off before the question left her mouth. "Think it, and the scorpion's back out."
Cagalli stuck her tongue at him like a two year old and sighed. "Fine. So you really live here with a few other people? How'd that happen?"
"I share this apartment with Paul and Dave," Kira explained. "Across the hall are Amy, Deanna, and Kara. Next door are Em with Emmaleigh and Lyra. We moved in about a year or so ago. It's been a while."
Lacus interrupted him. "How's Lyra?"
Kira nodded. "She's okay. She tripped with Amy's vase and got cut up a couple days ago," he reminded her. "
"Amy's rose one?" It was a petite crystal vase with black and red roses etched into the body. It had been a lovely piece, and a present from Deanna.
"That one. Don't worry. She's madder at Paul for leaving his case out to be tripped on in the first place," he assured her.
"This Paul guy is really starting to sound like something," Athrun commented.
Lacus giggled and Kira just rolled his eyes. She brought up a couple of particular jokes she'd seen out of the guitarist, including the last time she was with the band, leaving out the part where she was cuddled up to Kira when it started.
It was Athrun who downright asked, "Why the total silence over the last few years?"
For a moment, Kira's eyes were not looking into any of theirs. He figured it was coming up sometime. It was more like he was considering the question, which puzzled them.
"Sorry," he said. "It was Haruma's decision to move like that. I just got caught up in things and forgot to keep in touch."
"A couple of years for forgetting to talk to us? I doubt that," Athrun scoffed. "We were really worried that something had happened."
"Again with the sorry." He had little else to say in the matter.
Lacus parted her lips to speak but Athrun beat her. "But why did your dad decide to move so suddenly? Change of jobs?"
"Hardly." In sharp contrast to his warm, soft voice of earlier, he now spoke low and coldly. It wasn't what anyone expected to hear from him. It made him seem like another person.
"So…what happened?" Athrun asked again. "I think we deserve an answer here."
Lacus broke in, "It's really none of our business why they moved, Athrun."
Then silence fell over them again only to be broken a second later as a glass clunked against the table top as Cagalli knocked her drink over while reaching for a sandwich. Lacus and Athrun threw some napkins over the mess before it ran onto the carpet while Kira grabbed a towel from the kitchen counter.
"Still a klutz." Kira only got a glare for his remark.
She sat the empty glass up. "Jerk."
Once the mess was cleaned up, Kira answered, "We weren't getting along, so I moved out. That's really all there is to it."
Athrun nodded, letting it go. "Okay."
The worse over with, the rest of the afternoon began to slowly creep by as they talked about everything else. School came up, their latest activities, when the other two started dating, and even a touch of serious after high school talk. The two were surprised by Kira's involvement with a rock band and latched on to that topic for a long time. Cagalli was steamed over just how Amy talked Kira into joining the band but Kira didn't mind so much.
Speaking of the devil's delight, Amy was the first home with Paul a heartbeat behind her. He made a loud enough entrance before disappearing into his room for a second. After dropping her things in her room, she popped over to the other side.
She grimaced at the bright, flowing sundress Lacus wore. "I liked the other dress," she remarked offhandedly. "And I bet Kira did, too."
"Hey!" Cagalli gave an undignified shout on her friend's behalf.
"Okay, that's enough," Kira chastised his friend. "She looks fine." Lacus was used to Amy's barefaced remarked by now.
Amy frowned. "How bad is it I'm thinking exactly what Paul would have said instead of that?"
"Bad, considering you're even bringing him up," Kira retorted.
"Shit," she cursed.
"I heard that!" The said man strode back into the living room.
Cagalli looked over the other girl, dressed in black torn jeans and fishnet over a red tank top. She didn't like her already. "And you are?"
"Right back at you." The two glared at each other.
"This is Cagalli and Athrun," Kira interjected, feeling a battle of wills coming on. "This Amy and Paul."
"Charmed," Amy deadpanned, appearing very much the opposite.
"Same," Cagalli muttered.
The bald, goatee guitarist leaned over the couch. He looked like a creep but the goofy grin ruined the look. "Nice to meet ya."
"Touch her, and you'll never use that arm again." Kira said it so lightly and casually but the other just yanked his hand back. They couldn't tell if that was in warning of Cagalli or Kira, but either way worked.
"And thanks for the scorpion," Cagalli glowered.
She didn't think his cocky grin could get any bigger. "You're welcome."
Lacus couldn't help but laugh with Amy and Kira. Cagalli looked like she really wanted to lay into the other guy. He just stood up and meandered to the stereo, putting on their usual background music. This week's favorite was a mix of Disturbed and 5FDP.
Amy just scooted Kira off the couch and lay across it, shutting her eyes. Lacus gave the last bit of the couch up in favor a sitting next to Kira.
"Who invited you?" Kira grumbled. He eyed Paul messing around in the freezer only to shut it again.
"I live here," was the retort.
"Technically, you live across the hall," he threw back.
"But all the excitement is over here."
In the split second Paul threw a couple of ice cubes into their friend's shirt, Kira hastily scooted out of range of a flailing Amy with Lacus.
"Damn it, Paul! Get your fucking ass over here!" she screamed, throwing the ice cubes back at him.
"Someone pick those up," Kira said. Both ignored him, Amy in full chase of the prankster into the hall. "One of these days…"
"He'll never learn," Lacus disagreed.
"I was thinking he's going to get hospitalized."
Athrun looked from the open door back to his companions. "Is this…usual?"
Kira gave an annoyed sigh. "More or less. It gets old most days." He stood to pick up the melting bits of ice before the carpet got too wet and threw them into the sink. He glanced at the clock. Already just after five o'clock. "Probably should get you guys on the five thirty ferry home."
"Probably," Amy snorted, marching back through the door, slamming it shut. "Asshole. Lost him in the 'yard."
"Already, huh?" Athrun took note of the time as well. "Too bad the ferry takes a few hours. Do you ever come to the main island?"
Kira shook his head. "No. I haven't been off West Island since I moved here."
"You should come over and hang out sometime soon. I'm sure the others will want to see you," he said.
"We'll see. I'm usually busy most days," Kira replied. "We're trying to put in as much band and work time as possible before school starts again."
"Work?"
"The kind of work that involves earning money to support ourselves?" Amy sassed. "Unlike you rich people, we have to work every day."
"I know that!"
"Then don't act so dumb, daddy's girl," Amy said scornfully.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cagalli hissed.
Kira frowned, recalling something. "Cagalli, you won't say anything to your dad, right. About my situation."
It broke up the budding fight. Given his tone, it was more like a demand than a request. It had his twin frowning as well. "Why?"
"Just don't tell him anything, all right? He tends to stick his nose into other people's business," he flat out told her.
"Hey!"
"Politicians," the raven haired girl shuddered dramatically. "And one getting reelected soon. That's the last thing we need complicating our lives. Kei, can you stop by the store on the way back?"
"Sure." She handed him a piece of paper and vacated the room.
Cagalli rolled her eyes. "How do you stand her? She's obnoxious."
"Because we happen to be friends? She's not that bad. Let me put it this way, getting to like Amy for most is like getting through a gauntlet of death."
"Frightening description."
Lacus shook her head in disagreement. "She's not that bad, Kira."
Kira looked at his twin hard. "Cagalli, don't pick a fight with her. You're going to get your ass kicked. Just ask Paul."
She didn't bother answering. When they finally began to put things away so the trio could leave, Amy made a quick reappearance to make some complaints and put in another round of verbal warfare with the blonde. It made their parting at the docks a little tenser but each figured it would fade away.
Capital City, Orb, Summer CE 73:
As Kira warned her before, he was busy. Even their band practice time was dwindling away as each member put in their fair share of work before school started. It left Lacus with very little else to do. Cagalli and Athrun, Miriallia and Dearka all were busy with taking all the summer vacation time they could. Although, since meeting back up with Kira, Cagalli and Athrun had been calling to talk more. It seemed more often than not they were trying to see how much she knew of Kira's situation. They were worried, but it seemed past time for that, Lacus thought sadly. In all honestly, she thought he was doing fine.
She gave in and finally called him one evening. To her luck, he was free from work just an hour before and had some down time to chat, which she took full advantage of. He explained they were supposed to meet up later that evening with a representative of a record company to chat. At the moment the band couldn't afford to take the amount of time needed to record their music. Then he turned the conversation on her and asked what she was thinking about regarding her singing.
It wasn't until that she remembered what she wanted to tell him before. "Oh, I was thinking that attending a few of the auditions being held soon. I just wished I had my own music to work with, but I suppose I don't get that until I'm in."
Though she couldn't see him, he nodded. "True. The advantages of having your own band, huh?"
"Yes. I'm sure I'll manage. I have a few good karaoke songs to work with," she replied. "By the way, have you heard from Cagalli?" She heard him groan and bit back a giggle.
"Almost every day," he complained. "I'm not sure what it will take to convince her I'm fine."
"Oh." She did recall her recent bicker with Cagalli. "She's just worried about you. Playing the protective sister."
"She keeps it up, she'll be on Amy's and my bad side," he grumbled.
She felt the need to point out, "Cagalli doesn't exactly care for Amy."
"Point."
"Don't worry," Lacus assured him. "It'll pass. Even my parents can't quite grasp how a group of high school students can live on their own. You remember it's not exactly a common situation here. All the students in our school live at home." She giggled. "Most of them probably couldn't pull off living alone without help like you."
"Wasn't much choice," Kira sighed. "When it's sink or swim, the survival instinct tends to go into overdrive. And Amy's no push-over."
"I'm glad." She tried to hear if his voice was conveying any hints as to what he was feeling, or even remembering. What he had told her until now was just the tip of the iceberg and she sought to know what happened to push him into hurting himself, to leaving home. To essentially forsake the people who raised him his entire life.
Lorene tapped her stepdaughter on the shoulder, getting her attention. Lacus looked at her to see her mouth a question, her voice not even a whisper. "That Kira?" Lacus nodded.
"Invite him for dinner when he's free next," Lorene said a little louder this time. Lacus relayed the invitation to him.
"I'm free tomorrow night and Saturday night," Kira replied immediately.
She jumped at the nearest opportunity to see him and aimed for him coming over tomorrow afternoon. Then Lorene left her to continue talking over the phone. The rest of the chitchat was just that, chitchat. She asked about Lyra and the others, if Paul had pulled any funny pranks off, when they were performing next. He responded easily and in turn asked what she was planning to do with her remaining summer, when she wanted to continue driving lessons again, what she did past summers. It was probably just over an hour later she reluctantly let him go.
"Love you."
"Love you, too. I'll see you tomorrow." Then he hung up.
Kira hadn't been to the main island and its Capital City since moving away. It was almost a nostalgic trip to the Clyne manor. Every turn onto a familiar road just brought back bittersweet memories, emphasis on bitter as most of them were laced with pain in some form.
The manor itself was very much like it looked years ago. The front gardens even had the same types of flowers planted and the bushes trimmed to perfection. Even the cute little hedgehog lawn ornaments were half hidden under the bushes. Stepping up to the large double doors, he rang the door bell and waited. As expected, the old housekeeper Mrs. Cerly answered, dressed in her plain grey dress.
After ushering him in and fussing over him like she did everyone, she showed him into the sitting room where Lacus and her parents sat.
"Lacus," Mrs. Cerly called.
Lacus just smiled and thanked the housekeeper before gesturing for Kira to join them.
"Kira!" Lorene greeted him warmly with a gentle hug. "We've missed you around here. How have you been?"
"Don't smother him, dearest," Siegel reminded her. His second wife let go of the young man to give him his space, giving him a good look over. It allowed Siegel to also greet Kira for the first time in years. "It's good to see you again, Kira."
"Thanks," Kira nodded politely. "It's been a while, I guess."
"Far too long, I'd say. Come sit down. We have a little time before our reservations at the restaurant," Siegel smiled. "So tell us what you have been doing lately? Lacus mentioned a band."
Lacus had pleaded her parents not to ask about Kira's family life because it wasn't very pleasant. Although concerned by it, they agreed to avoid the topic. Instead, they talked about everything else to be spoken about. The band was a starting point, leading into Lacus's upcoming auditions and the final school year. The parents also sounded disappointed they were graduating soon.
"How did everyone take his sudden appearance?" Lorene asked.
"Cagalli nearly choked him," she giggled in remembrance. "They were happy to see him, I think."
"And now I can't get her off my back," Kira said cynically. "It's ridiculous."
"She'll get the message eventually," Lorene replied dismissively. "Maybe if you saw her more, she'd calm down. It had been years after all since you last saw each other."
"Maybe."
"We should be on our way to the restaurant," Siegel cut in for a second.
The said restaurant was a familiar one to Kira. The La Grande was a favorite of Lacus's since middle school. He had been a few times with her mostly for her birthday. It served mostly a mix of Italian and French. Thanks to no warning of the lavish styled restaurant, Kira felt a little underdressed but lived with it. It wasn't like he dressed like Paul or Dave.
Once the food was ordered, Lorene turned to Kira. "We understand that you live with your friends now. How is that going for you?" The younger man shifted, not sure how to answer that. Seeing the hesitation, Lorene added, "I'm just curious. You've always been the independent sort."
He nodded. "It's been great, actually. We live close enough to the school. The area's not bad either."
"That's good to hear," she nodded. "It makes me nervous seeing young people out on their own so early, but it has to happen sometime. I'm glad you are enjoying it."
He did enjoy it…at least much better than the alternatives. There were upsides with the downsides but it was good enough for him. Eventually they would be moving to the Capital when they signed to a recording company and said as much to them.
Lorene smiled, her eyes showing just the slightest wrinkles as she did. "Good. It'll be nice to have you around more. Maybe you can give Lacus some tips for the music business."
"Definitely," Lacus agreed, shifting her glass so the waiters could lay the food down. "When are you playing next anyways?"
Kira thought about it for a second, sipping from the glass of water. "I think we have a show next week at the Nest. It depends if we're all up for it after working all week. Interested?"
She nodded her head. "Of course."
"I'll call you when I know for sure," he decided. "We had to skip the last show so be warned."
"One day you'll have to let us know of a show we can attend in the Capital," Lorene interjected. "I never thought of you as a musical sort. It would be nice to see you perform live with your group. Your group wants to go professional? What does that entail?"
Between bites, the four kept talking, more Lorene than Siegel but he preferred listening in. Halfway through their meal, Kira's phone went off. He raised an eyebrow, looking at the caller id.
"Excuse me," he said apologetically. Amy knew where he was and had no reason for calling him suddenly. She assured him of that before he left. Away towards the entrance, he answered the ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Kira, get home now!" Amy demanded. He frowned now, wondering why she sounded so freaked out.
"What's going on?"
"Please, just get home," she pleaded.
"I'll be on the next ferry back," he promised and hung up. It worried him that she was demanding and not explaining. He returned to their table with a solemn expression. "Sorry, but I have to go. Something's come up back home."
"It everything all right?" Lacus asked. Things coming up didn't sound good for that particular group.
"Maybe, but Amy needs me back now," Kira replied. "Sorry to cut out early."
"Don't be. We can…" Siegel began but Kira was already shaking his head.
"No. Stay and finish. I'll catch a cab," he insisted. "Thank you."
"Take care," Lorene said. She sounded a bit concerned but said nothing else.
Kira pecked Lacus on the cheek in goodbye. She didn't look any bit relieved at his claims. He promised he'd call later and left.
West Island, Orb, Summer CE 73:
He caught the next ferry out by a minute. After forever, he finally landed on the Island and drove his parked car to the apartments. The scene Kira arrived at back home wasn't quite what he expected. Everyone but Kara and the two girls were in the guy's apartment. Em was nursing an ice pack against his bruising temple while accepting aspirin from a very unhappy Amy. Her hair was never perfect like a lot of girls, but it wasn't ever so disheveled unless she was just out of bed.
"About fucking time," the lead singer said in her more pissed off tone of voice. Hard and clipped.
Ignoring her catty attitude, he just asked what had just happened.
"Britnee and her newest boytoy," Amy snapped, the name said with great disdain. Finally the girl deflated and leaned against the counter edge. "The bitch decided to march in and create a mess."
"Britnee…" He had heard the name before. "Emma's mother, right?"
Em once said the girl he dated in late middle school just threw the baby at him and walked away without ever looking back. He had seen little to nothing of her since. Last Em had heard she was a bit of a drug addict and dropout blotch on society.
"The one and only," Em sneered. "Suddenly, out of the blue, decides she wants Emma. Told her to get lost and then her asshole boyfriend is throwing fists."
"Heard the fight and Emma screaming from here," Paul added. "We almost had to call the cops before they left."
"Where are the girls now?"
"With Kara in our apartment," Deanna answered.
"Now what?"
"The age old, but most important question of the day," Dave said. "Not too sure."
"I think she'll be back." They all looked at Em. "I don't know why she suddenly wants Emma, but it would be too weird if she gave up like that."
"You're right," Amy nodded. "I guess we'll have to stick close and keep the girls closer."
"Guys, there's something else," Paul cut in, his voice devoid of any lighthearted wit. "That new boyfriend was a gangster. Rival to my old man's team if I remember anything. Not sure how much it'll fit in, but watch your backs."
"Just fucking peachy," Amy quipped with a scowl gracing her face. "Like it wasn't going to be complicated enough."
The next day was quiet, left alone by any sort of excitement. Emmaleigh and Lyra were feeling better. Em's face was still achy but he expected as much. He was resolved to stay close to home over the weekend but Amy suggested he go through any papers he had regarding Emmaleigh.
On Mondays, most of the team worked, including Em. The two girls either remained with Mrs. O'Dreary or a day care center in the neighborhood. With Audrey feeling under the weather, day care it was. The center had its instructions from Em that no one was to pick up Emmaleigh but him. They didn't ask why and didn't need to. Em received a phone call in the middle of work informing him someone claiming to be the girl's mother was trying to take the child from the center. Only by the perfect timing of the police did they prevent the woman from taking the child. He arrived a few minutes later to collect his frightened child.
Now they were all together, discussing plans of action. Most landed them in the same spot. Kira's phone rang. He stood from his spot on the couch and moved to his room for more privacy.
"Hello?"
"Hey! Get back here!" Amy yelled after him.
"She doesn't sound happy," Lacus remarked.
Kira replied, "She'll live. What's going on?"
"That's my question, actually. Is everything all right, Kira?"
Lacus listened with an attentive ear and keen mind as Kira slowly explained what had been suddenly happening over the past weekend and that day. Frankly, she was horrified he even dared apologize for disappearing on her and her parents so suddenly. Em had told her the girl's mother had just practically thrown the infant into his arms and turned heel. It made little sense to want the girl back after all this time. Kira said they were wondering why, too, and it might have something to do with her new gangster boyfriend who roughed Em up.
She couldn't imagine just how scared Em was when the day care said someone tried to snatch his baby girl from the grounds. Em was afraid to leave her alone for even a moment and Emmaleigh wasn't faring much better.
"Kira, could I call you back in a few minutes?" she asked.
Given his tone, she could just imagine the curious look on his face. "Sure."
"Okay." Then she hung up and wandered down to her parent's in the study. They were there as expected, discussing something or another.
"Daddy, Lorene?" she intruded softly. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course, Lacus," Siegel nodded. "What is it?"
"It's sort of about Kira," Lacus started, now hesitant. She found a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "He just called, explaining why he left so abruptly at dinner."
"Go on," Lorene prompted. "What happened? Is he okay?"
"He's fine. He and Amy have this friend, Em. He's really sweet and has a little girl about four," Lacus said. "Her mother abandoned her when she was born so he's been raising her with Amy's and now Kira's help. Suddenly the mother came back with some dangerous boyfriend and threatened Em."
"How is Kira involved?" Siegel asked.
"Remember, they all live together," Lacus reminded him. "And a girl the group took in stays with Em and Emmaleigh. Yesterday, they were almost kidnapped. Kira and the group's really worried. He said according to Paul, the man she's involved with now is some gangster. They don't know why they would want a four year old child."
"There could be a lot of sad reasons for wanting a child," Siegel sighed. Drug running, collecting welfare money, taking advantage of people...the list is long.
"Em's afraid to leave her alone for even a minute, and everyone has work to do," Lacus explained further. "I don't have anything to do. No jobs, no music practice or shows, or studying. Couldn't we take the girls in until the matter is settled? Em's decided to take the matter to courts to keep her from taking Emmaleigh. He shouldn't have to worry about Emma being hurt in the process."
Siegel and Lorene shared a glance, both thinking. It seemed logical to keep the girl safe from harm while the court system sorts everything out.
"What would happen to this Em or even Kira if they find the girl not with them?" Lorene asked.
"I think they'll be fine," Lacus assured them.
"I don't see why not," Siegel nodded. "They'll be in your care, Lacus."
"Thank you, Daddy," Lacus smiled.
She returned to the phone quickly to talk more with Kira. He was surprised by the plan but agreed to talk to Em about the possibility. About five minutes later, Em had accepted to leave the girls with her. She arranged to have a room set up for the two girls the next morning before Kira and Em drove them over.
In the afternoon, they finally called saying they were off the ferry. About 35 minutes later, and Kira's navy blue car pulled up to the drive. Lacus answered the door and let the four in. As always, Emma was jumping about, exciting to be overnighting with Lacus. Lyra at least gave a small smile.
Lacus bit back a gasp as she saw the blue and yellow bruise on the side of Em's face. "Em! Are you all right?"
"Fine," Em nodded. "I owe you a big one, Lacus. Thanks." He gave her a small hug.
"Not at all, Em," Lacus smiled. She turned to Kira, relieved that there didn't seem to be any damage to him. "Hey."
"Hi," Kira pecked her on the cheek. "Nice thinking."
"Pleasure."
"Are they here, Lacus?" Lorene called as she walked into the foyer. "Kira, good to see you again."
"Hello, Mrs. Clyne," Kira returned politely.
"I insist, Kira," the stately woman said firmly, "call me Lorene."
"Lorene, this is Em Gregory," Lacus introduced her friend.
Her mother was a bit surprised by the youth in front of her. The opinion of single parent teenagers wasn't very high. But he seemed like a nice person. "Nice to meet you. Lorene Clyne, Lacus's mother." She offered her hand, which he took and shook.
"Pleasure. My daughter, Emmaleigh, and Lyra," he pointed to the two girls, one still, one bouncing. "Thank you for letting them stay. It's been a nightmare."
"It's not a problem. They look darling to have for a while," Lorene said.
The girls were shown to their room where their packs were put before they came down to the living room where Siegel finally joined them. After the quick introduction, there wasn't much else said. Em and Kira both emphasized to the girls to behave and Em reminded Lacus about Emma's meds, of which he'll drop more of later. Before long, the two left to meet with the new lawyer.
"So what should we do first?" Lacus asked the girls.
"I wanna color!" Emma exclaimed.
"Okay."
In just the first couple of days she had the two girls, Lacus found herself learning more about them. She had often played with the two girls but her time with them was minimal in comparison to her time with Kira.
From what Lacus could note of the girls, they were well cared for, given their teenage guardians. Emmaleigh was a delightful child, with good clothing and proper medicine for her mild epilepsy. She was also well taught, despite being just four. She could play simple songs on the piano, no doubt a product of Amy's. Emmaleigh was borderline spoiled and well loved by the group. Given the girl's excessive stories about her times, her own parents didn't doubt that the high school parent made Emma priority one.
As for Lyra, the oldest child, Lacus was always saddened by her. Now she at least smiled even a little and responded more to Lacus. Lorene almost regretted asking for the girl's story. A fostered girl for her own good, the abused child remained with the group who did their best with the landlady to care for her since her sister died. Amy often acted like she hated the girl but seemed to do well. Lyra liked Kira best. The group did what they could to treat her eye but was limited. In Lorene's eyes, the poor thing had her spirit sucked from her.
The third day, Amy and Kira were the ones who came by with more of Emmaleigh's medicine. Lacus was finally happy to introduce her other friend to her parents. Amy proved to be quite pleasant, always full of surprises. She informed them they hoped to be quick about the whole mess.
Lacus honestly enjoyed taking care of the girls day in and day out. It was simple to keep them occupied between games and coloring books and the occasional TV show. She didn't know what to really expect when watching them; what sort of snacks they ate, what they would like for dinner or breakfast, how much TV they were allowed...It truly gave her a vision of Em when Emmaleigh surprised her here and there. She would eat her vegetables, albeit quickly with lots of her choice beverage. No sweets before bed. No more than an hour of TV a day. As her mother wryly pointed out, a child must really love their parents to be so behaved.
The girls, mostly Emmaleigh, were starting to get homesick about a week into the stay. Emma was becoming restless and distraught over missing her daddy. Siegel, another victim of Emmaleigh's charm, took the two out to a children's day camp program. Lacus also went along, playing volunteer with the program. It helped keep them distracted well enough.
Just a little over a week since Emma and Lyra came to stay with the Clynes, Kira called to say they were coming by. An hour later, they arrived. The pink haired princess couldn't help but notice just how worn and edgy Em seemed.
"How's it going?" she asked Kira. They wandered to the back patio while Em followed Emma and Lyra to the living room to see their newest drawings and hear about the kid's camp they visited. "He looked tense."
"It's...just the whole process," Kira replied. "It's been a lot of work for him. It doesn't help that he has to bring Emmaleigh to the courts tomorrow for some interviews. She's only four so they won't take much of what she'll say seriously. Hopefully we can convince the judge to let her stay with the third party."
"I hope so, too," Lacus nodded. "Should I bring her?"
"I'll be by in the morning about 8," Kira shook his head. He sounded a little tired himself.
The trip to the courthouse wasn't easily forgotten on Lacus's part, and definitely not Emmaleigh's. They arrived in plenty time for the judge to meet with the child. In the meantime, she ended up meeting the rather pathetic lawyer Em hired to represent him. Kira said he was used to civil family courts and all Em could find in short notice. The distant encounter of Britnee was less pleasant.
The woman was worse than Em and Kira had described her. Sure, for the sake of the trials she cleaned up and looked the part, but the malice in her eyes was enough to know. The girl was younger than Lacus and far too arrogant and rude to be talked to. Her lips had little else to say but lies. Worse is she didn't seem overly concerned about Emmaleigh outside of the court room. It was no wonder that Em didn't want her near Emma.
Luckily she was able to keep Emma close for a while longer.
But her night only got worse when Lyra fell sick with a rising fever. The girl started out sluggish Lorene recalled but just got worse. So she had to take her to the hospital with her mother's help. Siegel told her to leave Emma with him. She'd be bored in a hospital.
He found the little girl in her room crying horribly. At first he thought it was about Lyra but she shook her head.
"She gets fevers sometimes," the child hiccupped. "It's her eye."
"So what is wrong?" Siegel asked. Being one of those loving fathers paid off as the girl snuggled up to him. It reminded him of Lacus as a child, especially when she had her fits over Kira.
"I don't wanna leave Daddy! Never!" she sobbed. "I don't wanna live with that woman!"
"Your mother?" he assumed.
"She's not! She's mean! Mommies aren't mean!"
He rubbed her little back, nodding. "You're right. Mommies shouldn't be mean. I'm sure you'll stay with your daddy. He loves you very much."
It took a while to calm the hysterical child before she fell asleep. The girl was very sweet, he gave her that. She was much like Lacus was as a child. She was a princess and her young father made sure she felt like one. Yes, Emma had grown on him in the last week somewhere between her playing piano with Lacus and showing him lovely drawings.
When he finally left her room, he made his way to the study to call Kira.
"Hello?" The young man sounded exhausted.
"It's Siegel," he said. "Sorry for the late call. I hope I didn't wake you up."
"Actually, I just walked in the door a minute ago," Kira replied. "What's going on?"
The representative frowned after glancing at the clock. "It's after midnight."
"Work and a show. Things ran late," he explained quickly. "Is everything all right?"
"For the most part," Siegel relayed. "Lacus and Lorene took Lyra to the hospital. She came down with a terrible fever."
"Oh, not again." His voice now echoed concern laced with exhaustion. "It happens sometimes. Her medicine should prevent that sort of thing. We were supposed to take her to see a specialist soon but the trial with Em set us back. Local doctors aren't the best around here. Usually a dose of her medicine with lots of water and rest clears it up the next day."
"I see." Siegel made a note of that. "Actually, I was really calling to see how the trial was progressing."
There was silence on the other end. "It's going. I'm not sure what you want to hear."
"That it's going well would be nice," he remarked. "If you need help, do let me know."
"You're dong plenty by keeping Emma safe, Mr. Clyne," Kira insisted. "We'll handle it."
"All right."
He wasn't entirely convinced but let it go. The three girls returned an hour later with some stronger medicine. As Kira expected, her fever went away by morning. Siegel asked Lacus to keep him in the loop regarding the trial.
A couple days later, he found Lacus by the phone, trying not to cry. "That was a long conversation. What's happened?"
"Kira said that Em's lawyer quit," she reported sadly. "They suspect Britnee's boyfriend threatened him to quit."
"What will they do now?" Siegel asked. The group was quite resourceful and managed to get far with little, but this was too close.
"They don't know. Kira said Amy and Em's looking into another lawyer."
Emma would be devastated if she lost her father. He couldn't imagine ever losing his Lacus. "There are many lawyers out there."
She shook her head. "Maybe."
Siegel made a quick decision and picked up the phone. She looked at him with a furrowed brow, one of her curious looks. "What...?"
Kira and Em popped in the next day looking very dismal.
"Daddy!" Emma only screamed when he appeared as she jumped him.
"Hey there, baby girl," he smiled, picking her up.
"When can I go home?"
He just hugged her, blinking back tears. "I'm sorry, baby. Soon, okay?"
They followed Lacus into the living room where Siegel stood with another business man. "You made it."
"Hello, Mr. Clyne."
Lacus took Emma and Lyra from the room leaving them to talk. Siegel gestured to his companion. "This is Goban Hervant. He's not a civil lawyer, but he knows the business."
"Mr. Clyne?" Em looked at him.
"Lacus said you had lost your lawyer, correct? Well, Goban's agreed to take the case from here."
"Mr. Gregory," the man nodded.
Em glanced at Kira, both plenty taken aback by the sudden development before them. "This is great, but I couldn't..."
"It's no trouble. Make him earn his keep," Siegel nodded with a smile.
"Thank you," Em accepted. "It means a lot."
"I know."
They arranged to meet later to go over the case. Soon it was proceeding quick and far more effectively than before. The next time Em and Kira came by, a little over a week later, it was to pick up the girls and take them home. Em now had full, solitary custody of Emmaleigh with Amy as his pick for legal guardian. The four remained for dinner that last evening before leaving for the Island.