Suddenly A Beta's Daughter

Chapter 13 She Doesn't Want To Be Here

Rob's POV

“What was that about, she ok?” David came strolling back in my office shortly after Gabi Raced out.

“I don't know.” I went back to take my seat. “ I just don't get what I'm doing wrong, she'll take every opportunity to separate herself.” David plopped down in the seat in front of me and although he looked empathetic there was some criticism mixed in. “Spit it out.”

“ What do you mean?”

“ Oh please I know that look, go on and give me a psychological analysis as to why I'm the one in the wrong here.”

“ Since when was I a psychologist? A voice of reason that kept you and Matt from getting arrested maybe but I'm no therapist.”

“Well then be the voice of reason

because I'm at a loss.”

“Perhaps seeing a therapist would be a good idea.” He shrugged his shoulders when I gave him an exasperated sigh. “ Do you really want my opinion on this?”

“ Obviously, that would be why I'm asking.”

He leaned forward his eyes portraying his sincerity. “ You're a stranger. Every last one of us is a stranger.”

“But that's no-”

He held up his hand to stop me from arguing. “I'm not saying it's your fault. But what is your fault is you immediately pulling her from the only family she has ever known and then leaving her to fend for herself. She's clearly struggling with all this and none of us have really made the time to help her.”

I sat back in my chair, eyes still locked with David's as I contemplated what he said. This past week had gone by pretty fast and as I went through what my day to day normally looked like I only ever saw her at dinner. Even then I was wrapped up in work. “I guess I've been a bit busy.”

“A bit?” He cooked his eyebrow at me, “You leave for work before she wakes up and don't get back home until well after she's asleep. If this keeps up, a stranger is all you'll ever be.”

“ It's not like I can just ignore work.”

“Not ignore, just rearrange. The boys have been doing nothing but working themselves to the bone. Why don't you give them the morning off and take Gabi to school. It'll give you an hour to talk, one on one. Anyway, let's call it a night.” He got up and started heading towards the door. “And the therapy was a serious suggestion, there's a lot going on. It'll be good for her to have someone with an outside view to talk to.”

“Yeah, maybe you're right.” I got up and followed him out. Together we made our way quietly to the top floor. Once I got in the apartment I found Ben in the kitchen making sandwiches.

“It's late, have you not eaten dinner yet?” He turned around with a big smile on his face. David was right, he looked exhausted. I guess we've both been so busy lately that I hadn't noticed it was wearing him down.

“I ate already, this is for Gabi.” He turned back to the food in front of him. “I always pack her lunch, usually in the morning along with breakfast but I figured I had some time before patrol.” He gave a casual shrug while he began packing the food in a paper bag.

“It's nice to know you two get along so well. She still up?”

“Probably, she was on the phone with Steph.”

I approached the kitchen island and took a seat on a stool. “Listen Ben, me and Dave decided to give you boys off tomorrow so you can relax a bit.”

“Nice.” An even bigger smile crossed his face, drowning out the tired look in his eyes. “LIke the whole day or just from the company?”

“Just the company. Also I'll drive Gabi to school tomorrow so you can sleep in.” His smile faltered a bit and he looked at me a little concerned. “What?”

“I really don't mind taking her, it's usually the only time I get to spend with her.” I couldn't help that guilty feeling from resurfacing. ”Is everything alright?”

“I'm not sure.” I felt frustrated as I dragged my hands over my face. “Do you think Gabi’s miserable here? Has she said anything to you maybe?”

His face became serious as he cleaned up the mess on the counter. “She hasn't said anything in particular but I'm sure she misses home. I hate that I don't have more time with her throughout the day. Maybe if I did she wouldn't feel so obligated to stay locked up in her room.”

“I don't think it'll make much of a difference, she just doesn't want to be here.”

“That's not fair. It's barely been a week since she came. Did you expect her to treat this place like home?”

“No, but all she does is hide, I can't even hold a conversation with her without us arguing.” Ben snorted as he put the bagged lunch in the fridge and came to stand in front of me.

“She is not hiding, no one's looking for her. All you do is work. Aside from Sunday dinner I don't even see you unless it's work related. No offense dad but you can't talk to someone who's never there.”

"That's not fair, I'm trying my hardest here.”

“I never said you weren't.” He held up his hand defensively. “I'm just saying it would be nice if you were around more.”

“I guess you're not wrong.” I sat there silently for a bit. “She wants to go home for the weekend so I said yes.” He looked surprised. “What?”

“Nothing, I'm just surprised you told her she could go. Especially with the attacks still happening and the fact that we know there is a settlement nearby.”

“Yeah well, as much as I want her here I just couldn't bring myself to say no. I don't know what to do she looks…. broken.”

He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “ Well you'll have her trapped in a car with you for about an hour, feel free to torment her with your presence.” I swatted at him but he dodged laughing and began making his way out the suite. “Night Dad, oh make sure she doesn't forget her lunch and heat up a breakfast sandwich. She never wakes up on time.”