Truth and Consequences

[Madeline Cauthon]

Madeline knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she was in some major league trouble. Why is it that the term young lady made her feel like she was seven again? Maybe the fact she was twenty-three now meant Gawain was just going to lecture her....She hoped.

She did as she was told, and marched to her room. When she got in she sat on the bed. She still couldn't meet Gawain's eyes yet. She should of known he would have heard her whisper where she was going to Swifty. Damn wolf hearing. Plus lying would only make him madder. So the truth was her only option. Goddess help her.

"Yes dad, I know that Shayol Ghul is a bad place, and you're right. Anything can, and usually does happen there."

Madeline didn't know exactly how to tell him what she needed to without making him madder, or hurt. "It's just that, well I needed to get away. I just couldn't handle your wife anymore, and well it was either that or just go off on her. And your already dealing with enough Dad. I just thought me leaving was a better option. The past few months have been hard, very hard. That mountain has been a place of comfort for me. It's like I'm drawn to it. It makes me feel...I don't know free. Look I knew if I told you that I was going there you would have forbidden it, and probably tied me to something. So yes I lied. I'm sorry Daddy, I don't know what else to say."

Madeline kept her head down, so Gawain couldn't see her crying, but then she wiped her tears, and looked up at her father.

"Besides, why would you want your bastard daughter from a one night stand around when you had the family you always wanted around with you the campfire."

[Gawain]

He just started at her for a few seconds, then, growling, slapped her across the cheek roughly. "Fah! Spoiled as your mother, and sometimes, just as unreasonable! You think there's a difference? Like I love any of you any less? And for something as stupid as all that.....you must know better. Dammit, girl, what gives? You go crazy during the full moon? Taking after your Dad after all? Attention, common sense speaking! YOU-COULD-HAVE-BEEN-KILLED!" Good thing there was a chair behind him, because he just kind of flopped after that, face-palm in full use. "Geez...things were much simpler when you were little. You'd ask why, I'd say because, and you'd accept that I knew what I was talking about. Now, all of a sudden, oh look, he's a great big idiot, let's not listen to him....." Grumble! He was obviously now not speaking solely of Madeline.

[Madeline Cauthon]

"OWWWW. What the fu.... What the hell, you haven't done that since I was a little girl!" Maddie rubbed her cheek. It was becoming a real possibility that he was going to do more than just talk to her. Maybe she should start thinking of some kind of protection spell for her arse.

Even though his hand hurt her cheek what he said about her being like her foster mother hurt more. She started to ask him how would he know, but she sitting in arms length of him, and didn't want one on the other cheek.

Maybe there was an easier way out of this. "Look Dad I'm sorry. You are right on all counts. It was stupid of me to leave, stupid of me to go where I went. I'm back. I'm okay. So can't we just hug, and sweep this matter under the rug.I'll buy you a drink."

Maddie gave her dad a pleading look. Kind of like she use to give him when he had to leave over a long period of time. The look that says I'll miss you Daddy. I love you Daddy. Please don't spank me Daddy.

[Gawain]

"Hmph. Act like a little girl, and I treat you like one!" He softened a bit when he saw that look, and shook his head. "Madeline. I don't want to see you hurt. You've been through enough, just like me, and I don't want it to be added to. That's all. Damn, why can't anyone listen to me when I'm making sense?" He groaned, then sat down. "Listen. Airtia can be tough on people, but she does most of what she does out of love. I admit, it was extreme, but Xavier had to work out his aggression, and Air knew that. Trust me, kiddo, she didn't mean any harm. Quite the opposite...heh. Remind me to tell you what she did to me after one of my spars with your Uncle Glenn." He chuckled, rising from his seat, and held out a hand. "We always almost killed each other, and she not only wouldn't Heal me, she actually poured straight vodka into one of the worse cuts. C'mon, kid. Let's go find Xavier. I drank his candy ass under the table last night, and I'm going to make sure he doesn't need a new liver or something."

[Madeline Cauthon]

Madeline listened as Gawain spoke. She was very glad to see him lighten up. For the most part she agreed with what her dad said. The exception being the part about Airtia. Maddie's ribs still hurt, and so did her pride. That would take a good long while to get over. But she wasn't going to tell Gawain that.

Maddie took Gawain's hand and gave him a long hug. "I'm so sorry I made you worry Dad. I promise to listen better from now on."

She let go and walked over to her dresser grabbed her butterfly knife and her jacket. "So you out drank the kid huh, well there is some kind of new coffee shop not too far from the inn, he might be there. Oh but can we stop by the bar first? I want to make sure that customer was taken care of."

Father and daughter walked out the room, and headed for the bar.

The End.

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