Metamorphosis

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: This is the final chapter. I think you will find it clears some stuff up, and I think you will also find some amusement in it.

Chapter 35 (Father-Daughter Bonding)

"Thank you for this again." Trina looked up to her father, smiling at his statement-which he'd said about five times that night. She was surprised he even remembered that promise of his from so long ago. "It means a lot that you would give me this chance. I know…I haven't been the best father."

David's eyebrows began to close and a wrinkle popped up between them. The man's usual broad shoulders were sloped and his jaw moved slowly as he chewed his bite of food. "It's okay, Dad. You're trying, that's the important thing."

He smiled at her and looked down at the desert menu for the steakhouse restaurant they chose. It was no surprise to either of them that they had the same cut of steak: Twelve ounce sirloin cooked medium well, moderately salted and bathed in A-1 sauce. "Do you think you'd be hungry for desert after this, Trina?"

"Trying too hard there, Dad." It was a simple question, but she knew why he was doing it. The nervous aura had been seeping from him this entire time, it was like he expected her to turn him away. "Dad, I love that you're doing this, but you need to relax, okay?"

The man's hands were wrapped tightly around his knife and fork. He flashed a smile and nodded while loosening his grip. "You're right, I'm sorry. It's just…" He shook his head and cleared his throat. "Anyway, it sounds like that camp was a great experience for you. I'm glad you went, and I'm glad you met someone. Jason seems to have a good head on his shoulders."

"He really is an amazing guy." The two began cutting their steaks into s small squares, simultaneously stabbed one square and took a bite. After that, they grabbed their spoons, dipped it into the mashed potatoes without thinking about how similar their eating habits were. "I'm lucky to find him."

"He treats you right. That's what matters, that he makes you happy." She smiled back at him. He looked terrified of saying the wrong thing, which was understandable, but she couldn't figure out what to say to ease his nerves.

"Daddy, I'm not going anywhere, you know." He raised his eyes up to her and started to smile. "I'm going to UCLA, I'm going to major in Criminal Justice while minoring in health. I have plans."

"Good. That's good. I just…I didn't want you to think that I wanted you out of the house. That couldn't be further from the truth." Trina reached over, placing her hand on top of his and smiling reassuringly.

"I won't go anywhere, okay?" It was sweet he didn't want to lose his children, and seeing them both growing up as they were, it certainly made sense that he feared his lack of being around would cause them to leave without ever coming back. "Besides. I'm still a daddy's girl the last I checked."

"You're growing up." The mist in his eyes reflected the light. "I'm proud of you, and I always have been. I want you to know that. I might not say it often enough, but I have always been proud of you." Her heart swelled with pride and she bowed her head for a moment.

The pair grabbed their napkins and slowly wiped their mouths before dropping the cloths back into their laps with a sigh.

Trina wanted to do this more often with her father, and of course, she couldn't be happier to know that he wanted the same. Still, she wanted to change the topic and make a better conversation for him; anything to ease his fear. Her mind was made up, she couldn't possibly leave her family behind.

"So Jason and Travis are rooming together now. It seems his old roommate let the place go to hell over the summer." David winced and cupped his hand over his mouth.

"Sounds rough. At least Travis doesn't seem to be a slob."

"Oh he's an interesting guy." She spooned her mashed potatoes and pulled the spoon up to her lips. "An amusing and good friend, someone Jason definitely needs around."

"You know." David crossed his arms and his eyebrow rose. "I'm not sure about this whole thing with Beck, and with his dad. Your sister says she has a handle on it, but…"

"She's done a pretty good job of things so far." Trina lowered the spoon and shrugged. It didn't seem her place to mess with things, although she did talk to Jason about giving Beck a chance. It was against her better judgement, but like her father, Tori's friends appeared to be trying to change as well.

She would have to see it to believe it, but in time maybe she'd trust them. "I had a little chat with Ian as well." A smirk spread across her face and her eyes drifted over to her dad. "Looks like you already did you work with that boy."

"Yeah."

"Still…" She put her spoon to the plate, listening to the clink for a second before laughing. "I can't believe my little sister actually…" She trailed off and watched her father lean forward. The man's expression fell flat, which told her he didn't care to talk about the matter. "Right. I'm happy she has someone good though. He and Jason seem to get along too."

"They've met already?"

"Oh yeah, it didn't take long." Tori actually instigated a double date for the very purpose of letting their boyfriends meet. It was funny seeing her sister take such initiative, but nice as well. After all, the first few hours after leaving camp were strange because she managed to lose contact with Jason-having lost his phone number.

She didn't worry about it that first night because she was unpacking, but it did cause her some panic before she remembered that she could go to Sikowitz, get in touch with Lindsay and Travis. It was in that same night that Cat came to the Vega home with Jason in two-evidently a plan masterfully hatched by Tori to save Trina the trouble of finding him the next day.

As a result, Tori claimed the 'reward' of a double date. Trina was so amused by the whole display that she simply couldn't turn the girl down.

David laughed openly. "Your sister has certainly been busy these days." He stopped for a moment and rolled his head to the side. "I do wish she'd take a break though, I worry about all the stress being too much for her."

"Same, but I don't think we can do much about it."

"You're right, she would continue her 'work' no matter what we said." It was all a lot for one girl to take on and Trina didn't think Tori needed to get involved in any of it. Still, it proved to her that the group of friends had their own troubles going on, and Tori was just being a good friend by helping them out. "So. You said you were planning to major in Criminal Justice?"

Trina saw the pride in his eyes and flashed a toothy grin. "Of course." She would never have given up the dream-no matter how childish it was to want to be just like her father. "I've wanted to go into there all my life. You know that-to be just like you. That…never changed, dad."

For the moment she thought she could see his face turning red. He tentatively pushed his fork into his steak, playing with it for a second-something Trina would often do in similar circumstances.

"Just promise me you'll never be a homicide detective."

"Why?"

"Too much stress, you're always on call and have little time to spend with your friends or your family. You always have nightmares, and it's easy to let all the grief tear you apart." Trina smiled slightly as her father turned his gaze up to her. "I know you're a strong woman, and I know you'd excel at anything you do, but please…I would hate to see you go through the same stress, the same struggle, the same crap that I've had to deal with. You're a bright spot in this world, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

"I know you wouldn't, daddy." She reached over again, cupping her hand over his wrist. She cast a loving and reassuring gaze on him and curved her lips up into a smile. "I don't know, I was thinking maybe I would be a lawyer or something, maybe a criminologist."

"You'd have to go and get your doctorate for that-and then if you want to go to be a lawyer, there's law school."

"You think I could do it?"

"I know you could. I just want you to do what you want to do." David leaned forward, cupping her hands with his and gazing back at her. "You know your mother and I will pay your way through college. We have the funds to do it, the same for your sister. I don't ever want you to feel like you're second best or unimportant, okay? I never meant for you to feel that way-I never meant for you to think I didn't love you."

Trina closed her eyes and curled her lips. "I love you too, daddy." It meant the world for her to hear him say those words, and even more to know she didn't have to try so hard to get his approval

She picked up the desert menu and leaned forward so her dad could look in. Their eyes drifted to the Italian cake and they simultaneously licked their chops. "Dad. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"If it's cake of the Italian style, then yes."

"Oh hell yes, we're ordering this." She paused and cupped her hand over her mouth, laughing into it. "I'm surprised Jason doesn't think I'm a pig."

"Honestly? I always thought the same about your mother, but she told me once that she gets used to me eating a lot. You eat a lot when you work out."

"Yeah, that's true. Jason eats a lot of protein too, so we're pretty much a perfect match in that department." She tapped her chin and raised her eyebrows. "But I'm pretty sure when it comes to stuff like pies, cake, and other sweet foods, I can out-eat him in a flash."

David leaned back and a serious expression grew over him. "Trina." She flashed a sweet smile and bat her eyelashes.

"Yes daddy?"

He narrowed his eyes, flattened his brow and smirked. "I've mentioned how incredibly proud I am of you, right" She threw her head back and started to laugh.

"Only a million times, but I've learned from the best."

"Damn right. Now tell me, can you outlast him in the gym?"

"Only if he's not present-I tend to get a little, um, distracted…" David closed his eyes and let out a small sigh. "Sorry Dad."

"It's to be expected, but I understand." He waved his hand in front of his chest. "Besides, I will be honest, where did you and your sister get that libido from? Not your mother." She stifled a laugh.

"Thanks for that image, dad."

"Anytime dear, a lovely image in return for the one you just gave me regarding your boyfriend."

They laughed together, and for the first time in a long time, Trina felt like she could truly be close to her father. Indeed they did have a good deal in common, and he did care about her even if he didn't always show it.

As they finished, she wiped away a stray tear and motioned to the door. "What do you say we go to the shooting range after this, Dad? Like old times? I'd love to get some practice in." His eyes lit up and a smile stretched across his face.

"I would be happy to do that. If you have time, I'm sure your boyfriend misses you."

"We literally just saw each other this morning, I think he will be okay letting me have some extra time with my father."

"Great. We'll have a great time."

"Yes." She glanced to the side and caught the waiter approaching the table. David looked up as she started to smirk. "But first, cake."

"Ah yes."

"And like when I was a kid, why don't we see who can down it the fastest?"

His eyes closed and his head shook as a chuckle drifted from his lips. Trina pursed her lips and waited for him to respond. "You're on." He curled his mouth into a smirk and narrowed his eyes. "But let's up the ante, shall we? Loser watches a movie of the winner's choice."

"We're both into action flicks." She raised an eyebrow and David shrugged. "That's a win-win, but whatever. We add a scoop of ice cream and include that in our bet. This stays between us, Mom and Tori don't find out." She leaned forward, smirking while wagging her eyebrows. "And to make it more interesting for you, since we're doing this old time style…if I do win, you have to watch with me an entire season of my favorite childhood series."

"Oh god." He began to pale and brought his hand up to his forehead. "Not that. Anything thing but that."

"Oh yes. It's powerpuff girls time. Be glad I didn't go with Sailor Moon." David paled and started to cough. "You win, we watch G.I. Joe."

"I had other favorites in my childhood, but sure. If that's the earliest you can recall." He shot her a daring look, leaning in with her so they were inches apart and mimicking the other.

"Not the earliest, but just the most I'm willing to go. I won't do He-Man."

"Just picture your boyfriend."

"I'm sure he'd appreciate that comparison."

"Of course." The waiter stood at the table, watching with raised eyebrows. "You're on."

"Let's do this thing."

Ah like father like daughter, and in a light we've not seen them before. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter-and do tell me what you think of it. Whoever won, I guess you'll have to find out in Gap about that bet. Other than that, this ends the story, so I want to say thank you to all who read this and gave input, it means a lot that you enjoy it as I enjoyed writing it.