Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Sam's gaze turned dark as she spoke to him about her past and the things she'd done to survive, but his gentle expression never changed. He reached out for her hand and held it with a kind but firm grip and told her in no uncertain terms, "I'd never think less o' you 'r any other women fer a situation like tha'." Sam had a strong reputation for being particularly vicious and brutal with rapists and anyone else who forced their own sick sexual fantasies on others in whatever way. There were always rumors about why that was so- especially about the fact that Kate was not Brogan's daughter- but regardless, people could feel safe going to Sam when such things happened to them.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I had to protect Will." She said softly, as if that reason alone would make it all alright. "He doesn't know what I did for him. I don't ever want him to find out."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'know if anyone comes back an' tries t'call in a sick favor, y'can come t'me 'r Rho or our parents. No one'll know an' we'll make sure yer safe," Sam told her softly. "I'm no' lettin' anyone take advantage o' you fer th'past anymore."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona knew she should try and argue but she simply nodded, pressing her forehead against his own. She was tired of running and hiding. Someone was offering to be her strength and she simply had to let it happen.

"I could love you easily...if I don't already love you." She murmured softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You don' 'ave t'decide on tha' so soon," Sam assured her while his thumb traced over her knuckles. It felt so strange to him after having chased her for so long. He was still chasing her in some way, he supposed, but he liked this chase much more.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I might never know." She said softly with a smile on her lips. "I might have to have you tell me when that moment happens."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be on the lookout," he promised, stealing one more kiss. He wanted to make the most of this time before she went off to Scandinavia as there was no sure answer as to whether he could follow.

 

[heartofcourage]

That evening after saying goodbye to Invah, Fiona walked hand in hand with Sam as they led Lucy home. Will had the smitten look of a young man in love on his face as Lucy chatted animatedly with him, her dark Ghis eyes bright. When they got to her home, a note was on the door, telling her to go to the bakery.

"Sam, I have to go to Aunt Kayla's." Lucy murmured after reading the note. "Gran and Grandpa are there with Dad and uvore."

"It's not much further. We can walk with you." Fiona murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha's fine," Sam nodded, wrapping an arm about Lucy's shoulders. They continued further into town until they came upon the bakery, the lanterns still lit inside despite the closed sign on the door.

 

[heartofcourage]

As they paused in front of the bakery, Lucy turned to look at Will and Fiona, a smile on her face that told of the day that she had experienced. "Thank you for inviting me. I had a lovely time."

She was so polite that it made Fiona chuckle. Soon, the door to the bakery opened and Leon Ghis stood there with a slightly dark look on his features. Lucy made her way to her Dad, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him tightly. Fiona couldn't help but notice how the hulking man seemed to soften when Lucy smiled.

"Is the baby here?" She asked him in a breathless tone, her dark eyes looking up into his own.

 

[KieranSoares]

Leon couldn't bring himself to smile back even as Dazu entered to lay a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, she is," Leon murmured. "Li'l girl, no name yet." He hugged Lucy close and murmured, "I don' want ya t'be scared, but... Neither of 'em're doin' too well, Lu. Vincenzo, Val, Theo, an' Alex're all here lookin' after 'em."

Valentina and Alex would likely be looking after the baby, being particularly good with infants while Vincenzo was a masterful caretaker of new mothers and Theo's strength and calming air would be needed.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Will they be alright?" Lucy asked in a quiet voice, scared for her aunt and new cousin. When Leon didn't answer, Lucy felt real fear that maybe they wouldn't make it. "They'll be alright, Dad. I promise."

They always made promises to each other that things would be alright. It was their little secret, something that only she and Leon shared.

 

[KieranSoares]

Leon kissed her forehead before turning to Fiona, Will, and Sam. Sam's good mood was completely gone, but Leon assured him with a single glance that they were doing everything they possibly could. "Go on 'ome, Sam," Leon murmured. The two had understood each other for a long time, being of a similar firm and cynical nature with a central focus on family.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Have you eaten?" Fiona murmured as Leon told Sam to go on home. "I can bring you back a meal. Enough for everyone. We have more than enough left over."

Lucy didn't like the look on her uncle's face. He seemed so distant and scared. He had only been strong for her and now she was seeing him at his lowest.

"I can help." Lucy said softly, Leon's grip around her shoulders telling her that he didn't want her to go anywhere soon.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Marri an' Julia 'ave got us covered, lass, but thanks," Leon nodded. The two and their families had come to visit and brought plenty of food, most of which was upstairs.

"Do you need any help with anything?" Will finally spoke up, having been afraid to speak to Leon at all. Leon still wasn't too keen on the puppy love he knew Will had for Lucy, but he was too tired and too hurt to keep up his tough front.

"Tha's nice o' you, lad. I could use a little help bringing in firewood. We're going t'run t'bakery while 'e's takin' care o' Kay. We need enough fer tomorrow."

Will immediately made his way outside to the wood pile that Dazu and Leon had chopped up, set on helping the worried family and proving to Leon that he wasn't the same scamp of a thief he'd once been.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona pitched in as well, working alongside Sam to get the bakery cleaned and ready to go the next morning. Lucy found her way to her grandpa's side, snuggling up against Boar's side as Emma tended to a very frightened Jamie and Lynn.

"I don't think Da will let Aunt Kayla or the baby come to the other side yet." Lucy said softly, taking Boar's big hand in her own. "Neither will Great Gran."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam joined Fiona and Will, but he didn't say much and seemed to be lost in thought while he worked cleaning out the ovens.

Boar draped an arm around Lucy's shoulders, but he didn't say anything as he silently faced the reality that he might lose a second child, and it was his only little girl other than Lucy. He was afraid to even think about the new baby as family at the risk of losing her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lucy didn't like the way her grandfather was so silent. He always had a word for her, a smile and a laugh. They had always been close but it seemed that with her aunt being so sick, he had other things on his mind.

"I love you, Grandpa." She murmured softly, unsure of what else to say to him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I love you too, darlin'," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He almost seemed greyer than usual, the lines in his face deeper and more shadowed. He wanted to be strong for his family, but the nightmare of losing Eli kept playing over and over, and Kayla having such trouble was so unexpected after Lynn and Jamie's births were so normal.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lucy stayed glued to her grandfather's side and soon she was joined by Lynn and Jamie. Jamie sat in his lap, clinging to his grandfather as he cried for his Ma. Lynn was quiet, slightly pale as he sat at Boar's side. He had nothing to say in that moment.

Fiona did her best not to intrude on the family's privacy. She stayed busy, helping Sam to clean the ovens until there was simply no work left to do.

"I can come tomorrow to help." She offered Leon. "I don't know much about baking, but I can help sell things."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I appreciate it. Will can come along too if 'e can. I know 'e's probably workin'," Leon murmured. Dazu approached and took his arm.

"You need rest," Dazu said softly. "You've been awake for three days. I'll look after things down here." He sent Leon off up the stairs to at least nap in a chair. Dazu directed his helpers in a few more small tasks until he couldn't think of anything else. He finally sent them off home with soft thanks as Boar's family was too distracted to even speak to them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded, knowing that she would be back in the morning first thing. She walked with Sam and Will, all of them quiet with their own thoughts. When they made it to the cabin, she told Will to go on inside. Turning to look at Sam, she reached out and took his hand.

"She'll be fine. Your family is very strong." Fiona said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It took Emma months t' recover from Eli and Leon," Sam muttered, staring at the ground. "But she made it, knowin' they were waitin' for 'er. Kay... if she loses th'baby, I'm no' so sure she'll make it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We just have to hope that she doesn't give up." She said softly, wrapping Sam in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Sam. I wish this hadn't happened to your family. None of you deserve this."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It can happen t'anyone. Jus' happened t'be my cousin this time," Sam murmured. His immediate defense mechanism was always to use logic to destroy his emotions to avoid the terrible feelings and worries. It served to alienate him from any situation similarly to how he avoided emotional investment in his job.