I died in your arms, why won't you set me free?

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom settled down in the clearing, holding Marlee close against his chest. The little girl stared wide eyed at the coarse hair on his chest and reached out a hand. "Ow."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Marlee giggled and tugged it again. "You're a sadistic week old." Tom huffed. "Figures." He leant back, leaning on a tree. For the first time in his entire life, he felt remotely safe. He mourned the loss of his weapons - he'd spent thousands of dollars developing and cleaning them, not to mention the $1500 charge for every licence he owned. Maybe I could get reimbursed. But his father was gone. He was the main one, the one who aimed to hurt him. But he still needed his guns. As soon as I get off this island, I'll get new ones. He vowed. Marlee pulled out some of his chest hair, breaking his reverie.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom stared her, biting the inside of his cheek. "No!" He said clearly, trying to see if it would work. Marlee blew a bubble and closed her eyes, slipping her tiny hand around the hair on his chest. "Fine..." Tom yawned, hugging her to him. He drew his knees up, to make a little fort. No one is going to take you away. He fell asleep.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael stepped into the clearing, utterly lost. "Hello?"

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom was woken by another brief jolt in his chest. His daughter cooed at him, waving the handful of hair around. He groaned, toying with her hair in revenge. "If I wanted my chest waxed, then I'd get it done professionally." He told the little girl. "Marlee Conrad, what am I going to do with you?"

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael walked right up to Tom and almost stepped on him before he realized the other man was there, "Tom."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom looked up, his eyes guarded. "Hey..." he said, holding Marlee a little bit closer. He saw Marlee's hand inch out again. "Leave!"

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"What are you doing here?" Michael knelt so their faces weren't quite as far.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom shrugged. "Getting away from the happy couple before they can take my baby away." He said plainly. "You? I said no!" He took Marlee's hands in one of his.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Oh" Michael reached down to see what Marlee was clutching in her hand and winced in sympathy when he saw it was hair. "I'm lost."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

"Should have guessed." Tom smirked. "I don't have bald patches on my chest, do I?" He looked down.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"No, but you're about to have one right here," Michael touched the spot he meant.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

"Right." Tom glared down at his daughter, before relaxing his face and cuddling her close again. Marlee wailed until he released her hands, which went stright back to his chest. "I need a shirt." He mused. "Oh! You're safe. I don't have my guns anymore."

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Why do you say that? I don't think you'd shoot me." Michael reached out his arms in an offer to take the baby.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

The sparkle in Tom's eyes died and he clutched Marlee to him, narrow eyes fixed on Michael's face. "Mine." He growled.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"I wasn't going to keep her," Michael withdrew his arms. "I'll get you a shirt instead."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom moved his gaze back to Marlee and nodded slowly, childishly. "I don't want a job..." He sang quietly. "I don't want to go to school... I don't want a job; I've got more important things to do..." Marlee giggled as though she agreed.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Shirt then..." Michael watched Tom interact with Marlee for a few moments before he actually moved.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

The wind gently moved Marlee's mess of black hair as Tom played with her, cooing gently. He hardly noticed Michael had gone.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael returned to Tom's side with a shirt in his hands. "Are you sure you don't want me to hold her..." He braced himself for a violent reaction and cut his sentence short.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom snarled wordlessly at him, hugging Marlee close.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"I'm sorry. I won't ask again." Michael sighed. What did they do to you?

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom relaxed and accepted the shirt, squeaking as Marlee tugged another handful of hair out. "Thanks." He pulled it over his head.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"You're welcome," Michael watched. "I don't think you're dangerous even if you did carve my wrists and knock me out and all."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom gave him a small smile. "The wrist thing? That actually means I like you." He showed Michael the little cuts on the inside of his elbow. "Blood brothers, see? Mikey, Nick, Jon and Adam. And now you."