Chapter Text
Who was this man standing on the porch with a bouquet of flowers?
"Hello?"
The man looked up at Ashlyn and then looked at the numbers hanging right beside the door.
Ashlyn was not stupid, this man resembled the Krieger children enough to place the puzzle piece.
"Who are you? Is Alex here?"
Ashlyn was not used to the woman being called Alex and was caught off guard by the abrupt tone.
"Ali and Kyle are both out hiking and I am Ashlyn, Ashlyn Harris."
The man looked at the blondes outstretched hand and ignored it.
Ashlyn knew men like him her whole life. Men that believed that they were better, men that had a complex, men that would never respect a woman the way they deserved. Ashlyn was better than that though and stepped aside to let the man in.
"Is Ali expecting you?"
The question was not intended to be rude, the blonde just wanted to make sure that there was no element of surprise when the siblings returned home.
"Does her own father need a reason to stop by?"
"No sir, I was just making conversation."
"How are you intertwined with my kids? Are you one of Kyle's queer friends?"
The soldier rolled her eyes while she was finishing cooking. She looked at the clock and realized the siblings would be back in an hour.
"Actually I am here for both of your children. I live near Kyle in Florida and met your beautiful daughter through him."
Ashlyn was having an internal issue arising. Should she be honest and tell her dad the truth or leave that to Ali?
The older man was not lost on the sleeve of tattoos, the masculine attire and the sculpted body, nor was he lost on the word beautiful that was just used to describe his daughter. The older man had been studying the blonde long enough to know that she was butch and had definitely been in a physical altercation recently.
"Ah, well very good then. I am guessing that you have met Ryan, Ali's very handsome boyfriend. I was hoping that he would be around actually. I wanted to talk with him about our next family vacation and if it was possible for him to come with."
Ashlyn was trying her best to keep her tongue tied, but something inside of her was unable to do so.
"Yes, I have met her ex. He was actually the one who bloodied up my face." Ashlyn spoke as she placed the flowers into a vase and turned the chicken over.
The man looked to have a disgusted look on his face. "What do you mean ex?"
Ashlyn felt like she was overstepping her bounds because this wasn't her relationship or issue to discuss.
"Ali broke up with him a few days ago for being physical and controlling. I stepped in and stopped the fucker from hitting her yet again."
"Who do you think you are?" The man scoffed.
"Excuse me?" the blonde replied.
"Just because you are gay and want my daughter does not give you the right to intrude on someone else's relationship. She is not gay and as far as I am concerned, you would just be an experiment for her anyways. Ryan loves her and she has spent years nurturing that relationship and some lesbian is not going to screw that up for her. My daughter is not gay, my son is but my daughter is not."
Ashlyn was finishing pulling all of the stuff out of the oven and placing it on hot plates.
"Your daughter deserved better than him and I wasn't going to stand idly and watch her get hurt."
"Oh so you are some knight and shining armor now? I think it'd be best if you left for the time being. I came into town to surprise my kids and I would like a nice night with just them. Plus it seems we have some serious family and personal matters to discuss. I can take you wherever you need to go but for tonight since I am planning on staying, I am going to ask you to not."
Ashlyn was completely surprised by this man and his behavior. She was protecting his daughter and he was more concerned about her sexuality and the image. Not to mention, he was kicking her out and as a soldier, she refused to disrespect her elder.
The blonde turned on her heels went into the bedroom with teary eyes and packed her bag. She grabbed a piece of paper out of the nightstand and left a note.
Al,
I am sorry to have left under such short notice. Please forgive me. I was asked to leave and too stop attempting to convert you into 'my type'. Find me when you can. Miss you already.
Ash.
The blonde was unsure of where to go, but at this point, she was no longer welcomed here.
Ash passed the man on the way to the front door. He smirked at her and simply stated in a monotone voice.
"This is for the best, she would just hurt you anyways, she is not gay and you seem like a kind enough soul to understand this situation. Thank you for leaving and letting me spend time with my kids. Goodbye."
Ashlyn was at the train station just three miles from Ali's waiting for the next train into downtown DC with tear filled eyes and a crushed heart.
She knew better, she knew Ali was good and kind and loving and wouldn't lead her down the wrong path, but she didn't know her father. Her father was an asshole who wanted nothing to do with her and at this point of their relationship, she had no foothold to latch onto and stand her ground. No, here in this situation she was nothing.
Ali and Kyle had pulled into the garage and as soon as they exited the car, the smell hit them. The brunette was so excited to see Ashlyn and taste this yummy dinner that was permeating her senses.
She opened the door and took the stairs two by two hoping to find the handsome blonde she was craving all day, instead she found her father standing at the stove with a spatula in his hands, dishing up three plates.
"Dad?"
Kyle heard the question and stopped dead in his tracks. His father was not okay with the queer lifestyle and made everything very uncomfortable for everyone around him when he voiced his opinion and in that moment, Kyle felt for Ashlyn.
The oldest Krieger turned around and smiled.
"Hey Alex! How are you? I thought since I was in the area, I would pop in and see my two favorite kiddos."
Ali was not thrilled and was confused as to why he was pretending to be this great dad right now.
"I'm fine." Kyle had rounded the corner and announced his presence. "Ken."
Ken couldn't be surprised by the lack of warm greeting that his children gave him. He was a somewhat absent father after he split with deb.
Ali was looking around and noticed the delicious dinner, her irritating father, the lack of Ashlyns' clothing, shoes and items and most importantly, the lack of Ashlyn.
"Ashlyn?" Ali had somewhat yelled for it to echo throughout the house.
"She left darling, she said that she wanted you to be able to spend time with your family and not be a distraction."
Ali knew better. "What did you say to her?"
Ken was not naive, he saw the anger and concern in his daughters face, she cared for the woman.
"Nothing dear, she just felt it best to let us have our time together."
Kyle whipped out his phone and texted Ashlyn. Instead of it showing blue from iMessage it showed green, meaning the text was not delivered to a device that was on.
Ali was beyond frustrated and hurt. She was looking forward to seeing the soldier and couldn't wait for the following few days.
Ken set the table and sat down waiting for the other two.
The two took their seats unable to change the situation and started to nibble.
"So what is this I hear about Ryan?" That was it, that was all that Ali needed to push her over the edge.
"I broke up with him. He got physical and I was tired of his shit day after day."
Ken looked at his daughter and with a straight face said, "Ali dear, just don't turn into your brother, you have an image to uphold."
Kyle was used to the comments by now but he was not going to let Ken bully his sister.
"Alex is an adult, she can make her own decisions. If she is happy, that is all that should matter. You don't get to live her life for her just like you aren't allowed to live mine."
Ken just snickered. "So it is true then, Ashlyn is your newest experiment. It's too bad she decided to leave, I would have liked to get to know her."
Ali couldn't hide her disappointment that the blonde had decided to leave without saying goodbye. Maybe it was all too much for her at once? Maybe she had changed her mind?
The brunette excused herself from the table and went to her room. She got into bed and pulled the pillow that the blonde had been using to her face. She craved her and all that she had left was her scent. There was a movement under the pillow and she saw it, she saw the note.
As she finished the letter, the brunette was fuming. She stormed into the dining room with clenched fists.
"Kyle, lets go now. Dad, I expect you out of the house by the time we return. Do not show up here again without talking to me first."
Kyle stood up and followed his sister down the steps to the garage. "Where are we going Al?"
"To find Ashlyn. She didn't leave by choice, she was asked to go, and I cannot let her make it out of this city."
Kyle looked over and watched the determination on his sisters face, tonight they would be bringing Ashlyn home.