bang she's got you, karma tastes so sweet

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Work was work, there was almost never a time where Tabitha felt like she could really sit down and just relax. Not without some sort of reminder of what she would need to be doing next, or worrying about one of her more serious cases coding. It was the sort of thing to expect when entering a field as busy and hard as it was for a Healer, especially one that also had to do with several of the trainee Healers. And even more so when Tabitha had to deal with the mistakes that they made, and gave people warts or an extra conscience or something drastic like that. Either way, today of all days was not a day that Tabitha would claim as a relaxing or attempted relaxing sort of day. And it was only mid-day as well, she still had at least three hours to go before she would be able to go home, and then she could only hope that Teagan had been good for the babysitter.

But hey, it was simply another price one had to pay when they were a single mother, especially a single mother of a six year old who was finally starting to act out. Giving her eye rolls that seemed all too teenagerish to her, and then throwing fits of anger when it came to her time at school. She'd started a couple of fights and it was enough to have the teachers give her skeptical looks and tons of questions, it simply was a stress filled time and to top it off she was getting the order that she had yet another case coming in. Something about an injury or work injury, anyway she looked at it it meant that she once more had work to do. Enough work that meant that she wouldn't really be getting much in the way of a break, or at least not one that she would at least try and have anyway.

Pushing some of the dark brown hair from her face she sucked in a breath of air and reminded herself that she loved the work that she did. That this was just a slow week and before she knew it something good would happen, that there would be some thanks from one of the kids she'd helped. Letting out that breath Tabitha moved herself into the room where the person was being held, and picking up his chart she only briefly scanned for the basic information. "Alright, can you tell me what happened Mr..." her words traveled off as she recognized not only the last but then the first name that was on the sheet. Clearing her throat Tabitha tried to maintain that professional stance and tried to make sure to keep her own identity hidden. "Mr. Griepentrog, can you tell me when you were born?" Yes, yes, just keep up with the typical questions she would ask any other patient that she would gain. That was what Tabitha kept telling herself.

word count. 500 tag tristan notes. bahahaha ohhh man tabitha shall freak out.

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[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

Tristan normally didn't have troubles when it came to his job. At least not troubles that involved him having to travel all the way to St. Mungo's. He'd been at it for about five years, give or take a few months, and hadn't truly injured himself since he'd been a trainee. Tristan worked for Gringotts, the Wizard bank, breaking curses put on old tombs and other such things. It was his job to help bring gold back to the bank, where it belonged.

To be a Curse Breaker was a very dangerous profession, and all together quite serious. There was only a small team of them, and he'd been in charge. The goblins didn't care whether or not a wizard came home safe, or died (which was always a strong possibility. The curses put on some of the tombs were extraordinary), but the Wizards on the sight had a safety first rule. If one person was injured, the entire sight was shut down for the rest of the day. If the wizard made it back they celebrated by continuing work. If the wizard didn't, they mourned by continuing to work. They knew that life didn't end just because they'd lost a coworker.

Today was not a good day. Tristan had been working on a particularly hard jinx to crack, and his partner had been along another tunnel working on a hex or two. They technically weren't supposed to split up, but they weren't too far apart. Which proved to be a good thing, because Tristan had found himself in the middle of a particularly awful jinx, which had left his arms and hands searing with pain. He'd been burnt, and bad.

Which is how he found himself in St. Mungo's that particular early afternoon. He hadn't been waiting long, and was already in a room with a curtain drawn around him. He didn't think it was that bad, but of course... he wasn't a healer. And he knew he wouldn't be allowed back on the site until he had made a full recovery and his healer gave him the okay. So he decided to cooperate. Finally he heard the voice of the healer in charge of him. She sounded on the younger side, and almost familiar. "December fourth, 1999," he said, looking at his hands. He really just wanted this to be quick. He was prepared for questions.

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes He's so oblivious.

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Good, at least it seemed like he knew when his birthday and so Tabitha scribbled this bit of information down on the clipboard. Though she had to admit that she was already aware of when he had been born and what year, she'd spent at least one birthday with him when they had been together. But that was hardly something that she was about to bring up, especially since it seemed like things were going her way so far. Nodding a bit to his response, she parted her lips for the response, "Good." yep, he didn't appear to have any major head injuries that she needed worry about. Although, just to be sure Tabitha decided that she might as well ask a couple more questions to confirm that there wasn't anything else she would need to worry about except for the burns. "Do you know your name?" she asked glancing over the pad once more before putting it at the end of the hospital bed.

"I'm going to poke around, just to get a handle of what is going on. Please tell me if it hurts too much." Though Tabitha had a feeling that she would be able to tell anyway, people were often easy to read when they were in pain. They would often hiss, or cringe, if it was a man they would try to keep the whole manly strong front and the women were more likely to actually cry or bitch about the pain. But for now, as Tabitha gently pressed her gloved hand down just slightly on the burnt hand. Before she moved away from the hand and moved up the arm, it was weird for her, to actually be talking to Tristan, let alone actually touching him. She had to remind herself that she was here as a healer, that he still wasn't able to tell just who she was and she was still glad about this fact.

Her stomach was turning as she felt the warmth that came from the burn and shook her head a bit, "Just what were you doing when you got these burns?" Tabitha questioned and turned her gaze away from the injury and back towards his eyes. Those wonderful light colored eyes, that contrasted with the tanned skin so nicely...shaking her head, this wasn't the time to be caught up in feelings, or the past or anything even remotely close to that. Tabitha turned her gaze away once more as she pulled her want from one of the deep pockets of the white coat that she wore. "Even with the spell your muscles will be sore for a couple of days, and we may give you some ointment to rub where you were burned."

word count. 456 tag. tristan notes. made you a banner for the post but smaller.

[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

Tristan sighed. He didn't have any head injuries, it was all on his hands and arms. He hadn't quite been noticing just how painful it was, but it was slowly starting to hurt more and more. He felt like being asked these questions was pointless. His site partner had brought him in, couldn't he have answered the questions about him, or contacted his brother Justin, and the healer could just skip all the questions and get to the healing so he could go home and rest to go back to work? Sure, he was potentially a workaholic. But he was single and didn't have anyone else in his life to take care of, so what else was there. He was an adult, after all. "My name is Tristan Griepentrog, but I feel like it says that on your clipboard already, so that was a stupid question," he said, though he hadn't meant to sound so spiteful.

Finally! What Tristan had been waiting for. She was finally going to actually look at the wounds on him, and diagnose what was wrong with him. Which is good, because the jinx could have a worse effect than just burns all along his arms. He wasn't even sure what the jinx had been, which made it all the worse. "Okay. I'm not sure what the jinx was, honestly. It could have some pretty bad effects," he said, starting to look around the room. He wasn't trying to be macho when she looked over his hands. They were starting to go numb to things touching them. He looked at the healer. She was pretty, with dark hair and eyes that were just as dark, if not darker. Something seemed familiar about her.

"I work as a curse breaker for Gringotts. My partner and I were working on opposite ends of a tomb, I think he was working on a hex. I was working on a curse, getting so close to cracking it, but it got the better of me. I'll get it tomorrow though," he said, taking on a nice tone than he had earlier. He still felt bad. He looked around the room. This girl was a fan of art, the room decorated nicely. He assumed it made her patients feel better to have it seem not as scary when they were in danger of whatever caused them to come to St. Mungo's. He looked to the far wall where a picture of a girl who seemed about six stood waving in a picture. "That's a cute kid. She yours?" he asked, nodding to the picture. She'd mentioned something about ointment, and he looked back at the burns. He wondered absentmindedly how badly they'd scar.

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes He hath noticed Teagan o.O.

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Ahh, there was that snapping. It wasn't uncommon when it came to the patients that she got, often it was because they were young and scared. Though with the older ones it was often because they simply didn't like hospitals, it often meant bad things, bad omens, or whatever when someone was stuck going to the hospital. So after her many years of experience she was used to the short tempered people, and their snappy comments. So sighing just slightly she simply nodded and ran a hand over the burns once more and tsked under her breath. "I'm simply asking the questions I'm supposed to Mr. Griepentrog," Oh how she would have loved to have the opportunity to smack him across the head for acting the way he was. But she knew she couldn't go and do something like that, especially since he was the patient.

"Yes, that's my daughter." Tabitha bit back the words 'and yours' as she glanced to the picture that he was looking at. Smiling lightly at the memory and then the different pieces of work that she had around the room. Some were ones that she'd put up herself, some from Teagan and others were ones that other Healers had put up over time, depending if they were using the examination room. "She's done a couple of the marker and crayon pictures around here." Tabitha offered motioning to a couple of them before persing her lips as she heard the sort of sharpness to his tone once more. Something which worried her for if he found out that the picture he had mentioned was in fact of his daughter that was now six years old and he had no clue about.

Again, Tabitha nodded a couple of times as he answered her questions and sighed under her breath once more. "I'll try a couple different spells then," and she brought her thin wand to his burnt skin and murmured a few different words under breath and watched the light emerge from the wand and wrap around his wounds. Before she turned her attention away from the spell and towards one of the nurses as she entered the room with the small silver container that held the ointment that she had mentioned just a few minutes before. It was typical burn ointment, something which would bring down pain and any scarring that he might end up having. "Tabitha, I've got the ointment you wanted. Oh, and the daycare has tried paging you a few times." Right then and there Tabitha had to keep herself from cursing up a storm as her name was revealed and she couldn't help but look back towards Tristan.

word count. 447 tag. tristan notes. hahaha the truth is reveaaaaled.

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[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

He felt bad for snapping. He usually didn't get so testy. But what else did he have to do besides his job? He was practically married to it, and in his profession he didn't actually have time to meet many new girls. The girls who were on their team were not very social, or already married. When he actually had time off he liked to go to the pubs with some mates, which wasn't often, but often enough that he could still get some action if he felt up to it, which was generally when/if he got wasted, which wasn't often because he liked to remember things. "I'm sorry. I just have a lot of shit to do and this isn't helping," he said, still rather annoyed with the questions.

He looked at the pictures which were obviously done by a young child. How old is she? She looks young, but those are pretty good for a little girl," he said. He was trying to be nice, talking to her about her life to get his mind off of the pain in his arms and hands, and he was hoping to make up for sounding like a douche bag. He really was a nice guy, and this healer was rather cute. Even though he wasn't really looking for anything quite serious, he still liked to go out on dates and show girls a nice time. She didn't have a wedding ring, so he knew she wasn't married. But he didn't even think to really bother. The kid's father was probably her boyfriend or fiance. Maybe she even was married, and they just couldn't afford a ring. It wasn't uncommon.

She finally started doing spells on his arms. He didn't usually spend time in hospitals to know what really went down. Sure he'd done quidditch back in his days at Hogwarts, and he would get injured like everyone else, but you didn't get cursed by unknown things on the quidditch pitch. The worse you could get was a knock to the head or a blow other appendages, and wind up with something broken, but never this. Do what you feel you must," he said, sounding unhopeful. He really wished he had at least figured out what the curse was. At least then there'd be a little more hope when it came to healing him.

At that moment, another nurse came in with the ointment. He hadn't actually been paying all that much attention until he'd heard her name. Tabitha? He whipped his head back to his healer. He knew she'd looked familiar! It had been six years since he'd last seen her though. "Ta-Tabitha?" he stuttered, quietly. "Tabitha Liddel?" he said, his voice rising. She'd walked out on him six years ago, no reason. She hadn't even said she was leaving. He stood up, forgetting all about the burns and his eyes flicked to picture of her daughter. Of course she'd have moved on by now, and had started a family. But he had to know why she'd left. "Wow, after six years. Never thought I'd see you again. How have you been?" He was wondering how old the little girl was. She couldn't have been too young. Did Tabitha leave him for another guy? Is that why she'd left? He was confused now, and a little angry. He'd almost completely forgotten about the burns, and looked back down at his hands.

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes Thanks for the smaller pic.

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Tabitha gave him a nod of understanding but couldn't help but wish that he, along with other patients that she had like him understood that this was her job. It wasn't like she got her jollies out of making people suffer or make them stay in a place like this longer than they really wanted to be there. Hell, if she had it her way there wouldn't be a need for a hospital and she would just find herself work somewhere else. "Don't worry about it, the more you cooperate the sooner this will be done and you can most likely go back to your work."

She couldn't help but tense slightly, the more questions that came from him and his wonderings about his own daughter made her nervous. She didn't want to say something that may tip him off who she was, let alone let the news come to him that he was a father. Tabitha certainly wasn't ready for that, she wasn't sure he would be ready to know that he had a six year old daughter that often asked about him and yet didn't even know his name. Tabitha had never let his name knowingly slip from her lips, especially when she was in front of Teagan, because she knew the curious six year old would ask a ton of questions about him if she ever found out his name, or at least more than she'd already been asking about her father. So, Tabitha was hesitant for a moment, biting the bottom of her lip like she often did when nervous about something, and tentatively answered the question. "She's six years old," glancing to the scribbles on the wall and nodded a bit, "She's always loved artwork and making it, especially when she knows its going up in this room." Or in the refrigerator.

She was glad for the change in topic, even if only for a brief moment and turned her attention back towards the spells as they brought the red color to his skin. "Looks like you'll need a few of these," Tabitha noted and glanced up towards him. "You'll need to tell me if you start feeling the pain, cause the numbing may disappear." Or at least that was one of the signs that Tabitha was hoping for, since that meant that the burning wasn't more significant than it already was, let alone worry about any other additional consequences of the jinx that backfired on him. The light faded and at the sound of someone else entering Tabitha found herself removing the wand from his burn only to mentally curse several times as her name had been leaked.

Tabitha felt her whole body cringe and shot a dark look towards the unknowing nurse and turned to see that Tristan was now standing up as he spoke his name. "Yeah..." she said softly, "Tabitha Liddel." Shit, now she had to worry about the rest of his reactions and on top of that she knew Teagan was in the building and something must have happened because of the buzzing she felt against her side, her pager going off once more. "I've been alright, been busy." Tabitha was going to keep it as bland as possible, not letting too much out for as long as she could help it and gently placed a hand on his chest, giving him a gentle push. "You need to lay back down Tristan." Oh man, she nearly bit back her words as she let that forbidden name slip from her lips. It was almost as odd as when she had actually been touching him for the first time in the six years, this was probably the first time in six years that she'd really said his name as well. "Seems like you've got yourself that dream job of yours." She almost wanted to question if there was anyone in his life, but she doubted that right then and there was really the time to start reminiscing about the years that the two had missed.

word count. 673 tag. tristan notes. bahahahaha tristha <3.

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[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

Tristan wondered how much this girl liked her job. He wasn't being that bad a patient, but he knew that it couldn't be easy dealing with people who were acting like him or worse. But who likes a hospital? Who would want to spend hours on end here, dealing with things like jinx burns and stings and other things that simple magic can't fix. "I can't be your worst patient, don't even act like I am," he said, starting to grin at her, trying to seem more cooperative. Really he was just itching to leave. She'd like that. He doubted she really liked seeing people for extended periods of time. The hospital was so depressing.

So she was six. He looked back at the picture. The little girl looked like her mother, with dark hair and dark eyes. He looked back at his healer, who was still working her wand on his arms. "Wha'ts her name?" he asked, making conversation. He wasn't sure what else to talk about, but most girls with kids loved to talk about their kids. He looked back at the artwork. "She must really love to draw stuff. I bet she feels proud when you hang it here for all your patients to see."

Tristan wasn't liking the fact that the pain had gotten so bad it didn't feel like pain anymore. That happened when you got too cold. You were so cold that you felt warm, and then you'd get frostbite and goodbye limbs. "I don't know, it's not working. If I knew the jinx the countercurse would be easier to figure out. I was very close. But it's a lot of numbness," he said, trying not to sound worried. He watched as she continued to work. Finally he felt some sharp pains in his arms. "Ouch! he said, but he was happy about it. It wasn't much, but it was progress.

Tristan didn't want to sit down once she confirmed that she was indeed Tabitha Liddel. His ex-girlfriend. He'd loved her once upon a time. His mind was reeling. "Who gives a fuck about my job? he said. He was no dummy, and he looked back at the picture of the little girl. She was six. Tabitha had left him six years ago. He was still on his feet, and grabbed her hand. "Did you leave me to be with some other guy? Her-- he said, pointing to the picture, she's six?" He didn't like sounding accusatory, but it had been six years, and he'd finally found Tabitha. And she had a six year old daughter. The fact that she was his.... He couldn't think that would be a possibility. I want the truth, Tabitha."

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes he's getting down to business!

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Tabitha couldn't help but chuckle a little a bit, "Very perceptive, aren't you Mr. Griepentrog?" She said shaking her head and pushing some of her hair back. "But you're right, you're not my worst patient. In fact you're pretty average, at least you're not like many of the other men I get in here who like to hit on anything with boobs and a nice butt." That much was true, all too often she had men who were too friendly and there had been times when Tabitha had to go out and get a fake ring that could pass for a wedding or engagement ring just to fend off the men from getting any sort of idea. It definitely wasn't the highlights of her job.

"Her name is Teagan, though she likes going by her nickname more, which is T." Tabitha said a warms ort of smile coming to her features as she thought of the temper tantrums Teagan would have when she was called her full name. "Her middle name is actually after one of my favorite characters from a childhood book of mine, as dorky as that is." Though she had seriously, for a long period of time, considered Teagan the same middle name as Tristan. Sure, it would have been a little boyish, but it would have been something nice for herself, and perhaps nice for Tristan had he ever known that he in fact had a child. "She loves her artwork, and she loves it when we get to put her stuff up in here."

Tabitha smiled softly when he finally felt the pain, "I know this isn't what you want to hear but its better to feel that pain instead of nothing at all." she reassured him and again tapped the wand against his skin and murmured the same enchantment. "I'm going to do this once more and then I'm going to start by putting some pain releasing spells on the arms as well. But for now at least, you're going to have to deal with the pain." And with that Tabitha placed the wand back on the arm with the fresh spell and gently patted the unburnt skin in a sort of reassuring manner much like she had done when first testing the amount of feeling that he had within his arms. However that sort of sense of relief died off as she realized there was no getting past the fact that the truth had been revealed, let alone the fact that Tabitha could easily tell that Tristan was pissed. No, he was more than pissed he was enraged with the truth finally being out.

She knew he was angry, she knew that he would be throwing a fit but the fact that he would even suggest that she had been cheating on him with someone else was enough to send chills of anger down her spine. She clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes as she looked to him and Tabitha bit roughly down on her lower lip as if to keep herself from smacking him right across the face. However it wasn't enough it would seem, Tabitha knew Tristan had every right to be furious with her, but that was still not acceptable to her. So she lifted her free hand up and aimed to smack him right across that pretty face of his. "Tristan Griepentrog I cannot believe you would even suggest that!" she hissed and back stepped pointing to the picture he'd been looking at. "She's yours, asshole!"

word count. 588 tag. tristan notes. bahahaha ooohmaaaaan!

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[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

His healer was pretty attractive, if he did say so himself. But he usually didn't hit on the working class, at least not at their jobs. Of course he did when he went out with his friends, he was a boy who liked to have a good time. Which is just what he decided to say next. "Don't worry, the only girls I hit on are the ones I buy drinks and like to have fun," he said, not aware of how much he probably just put his foot in his mouth. But it was true. Who would hit on their healer? They know all about your medical history, and who knows what else? No, he thought it was probably best to not hit on the person who had your health in the palm of their hands.

He thought about the name. "Teagan is a very pretty name. I can't imagine why she wouldn't want to go by that. Of course, T is a good letter, if I do say so myself," he said, because he was kind of biased for that letter. Tristan smiled at his small joke. "I bet she's proud of her mother, helping out the sick and injured," he said, gesturing towards his arms, where the pain was growing ever so slowly. "What book was that?" he said, though he didn't even actually know what Teagan's middle name was, but maybe he could guess it. He had read a lot of books in his time.

Tristan was actually glad for the pain to increase where the burns were. He knew that it was good, that it meant he wouldn't be permanently losing his skin or arms, or other things that were slowly becoming his bogart. He couldn't imagine losing his dream job because he fucked up a spell. "It's fine, I want it to hurt, I don't want to go through this bullshit and lose my job," he said, the words sounding like they could be taken as him being rude again, but he was just used to cussing on the job and wasn't necessarily used to polite company. "Sorry, I mean, this stuff. I love my job, and it pays the bills," he said, trying to rectify his language. It wasn't polite to swear in front of pretty girls.

He couldn't help but cringe because of the look of hurt that crossed Tabitha's face at him accusing her of cheating. He knew in the back of his mind that she'd never cheat, not in a million years. If there was anything he could remember well about Tabitha, it was her loyalty. He saw her going for the smack. He almost considered letting her, but he wasn't in the wrong here, and he grabbed her hand before she had the chance. "I have every right to sugg-" he started to yell back, before she cut across him and he went silent. Teagan was his? "What? Teagan... Teagan is... mine?" he let go of her hand and staggered back, and looked at the picture she was pointing at. And then... he lost it, his voice rising even more. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU TABITHA?"

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes and now for the explosion

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Tabitha arched a brow when she heard his comment and persed her lips, a sort of pang went to her heart at the thought that he'd been picking up girls over the years. It made her really wonder now if he was in a relationship with someone else, if there was someone else important to him. However, Tabitha also knew that she had no right to really say anything about that little factor, at least not really. Right now all Tabitha was, was simply the healer that managed to get him as a patient. "Go out a whole lot and find yourself those fun girls?" She questioned half smiling.

She couldn't help but smile as he said he thought the name was pretty. Good, that was all she could ask for when it came to the name, and laughed as he made his neck comment. "Oh yes, I agree T is definitely a wonderful letter," shaking her head slightly. "Nnnn..." Tabitha hestiated a moment, debating whether or not she should actually reveal the name of the book, before deciding that she might as well mention it. "No laughing, alright?" Tabitha stated carefully looking him over. "When I was a kid I loved Alice in Wonderland, and so from that Teagan became Teagan Alice." maybe it didn't flow together like other kids names did, but it was still something that Tabitha had done, had enjoyed and so there was no way she was about to take that back.

"Mm, thankfully it doesn't seem like you're going to loose your job. I'd write you a good doctors note so they don't have a reason to even suspend you or whatever," Hell, it was the key reason as to why Tabitha had left him when she had found out she was pregnant. She knew how much he had wanted this job, how much he had dreamed of this job and throwing a newborn baby that would need diaper changes and feeding and overall attention basically twenty four hours a day, would not help him. It would have held him back, and at the time, and even now, that was the last thing that Tabitha ever wanted to have happen to him. Perhaps that was why she was trying to hard herself, to make sure that this spell would work, and that this burn would go away. "Mmmm, well if it pays the bills and is something you love then of course you want to fight for it."

She was about ready to scream right back at him, now she knew not only was he someone who was pissed off, and Tabitha knew he was allowed to be. But she couldn't get it out of her head that he was off buying drinks for other girls, and girls that were ready to go and have some fun. If she had a free hand she probably would have been trying to smack him again right then and there, she had left him because she didn't want to slow him down and his dreams. And a baby at that age, was something that would do just that. "Nothing is wrong with me! And of course she is yours!" She snapped right back and rubbing her hand slightly she couldn't tell if the heat was from him or if it was simply because had touched her. Either way, this wasn't the time to be happy about anything, besides she was fuming way to much to be happy. "I did what I thought would be right!" Tabitha snapped. "And clearly having a daughter of any age would get in the way of your good time girls and your drinking buying for those girls!"

word count. 615 tag. tristan notes. ooohsnaaaaps we've got them both going at each other.

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[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

He wondered why she was curious, but figured it was probably to keep conversation going and keep herself from getting bitched at by the rude patient anymore. Which was good, he didn't want to be rude, even though he was still itching to get back to work. Or maybe that was the burns on his arms. It was hard to say. "Not often. My sister and a bunch of other friends and I like to go out and half a good time every few months. You're kind of a loser if you don't end up either getting drinks bought for you or buying drinks for a girl." This was more or less true. He wasn't really feeling like discussing that you could also get bonus points if you got laid, though there were rules for that, which were established in his immediate group of friends. "We don't go out often. I don't usually work in this country, being a curse breaker and all. I'm usually in Egypt for months at a time."

"I promise I won't laugh," he said, putting his fingers up in a "scouts honour" fashion. He smiled at the title. He remembered when he had bought Tabitha an engraved special to her copy for their first Christmas as a couple. It must have been more popular than he'd thought. "I knew a girl who absolutely loved that book. She absolutely loved the Tea Party part," he said, smiling at the memory. He thought about the name Teagan Alice. He liked the way it flowed together. His mother had talked about how it was very important for the first and middle name to flow together. She reminded him every time she saw him. She was eager for grandchildren, which wasn't going to happen for a very long time.

He considered this. He was glad that he wouldn't be losing his job over this, since she had been working diligently trying to get them back to their normal look. Which was good, because if he lost his job he'd probably turn to alcohol and girls, and he didn't really like to get drunk and he wasn't really a womanizer, so that didn't thrill him. "I've known what I wanted to do since my third year in Hogwarts. My uncle was one, and he actually was really good. I've always known it was dangerous, because I had to attend his funeral when I was twelve," he said, remembering how sad it was for his family to lose his uncle. He'd wanted to keep at it for him, because he'd also loved it. "I've really come to love it though."

Tristan was pissed and he could tell Tabitha was too. He remembered what she was like when she got pissed. This could only be the beginning. Of course, maybe having a kid mellowed her out. It probably would have for him too, if he'd even known about her. "How is keeping my own daughter from me right?!" he said, getting back in her face. He couldn't believe she would do such a thing. "What did you think I wouldn't care? Did you think I'd run? That I'd say fuck you and want nothing to do with her? What the fuck? I can't believe you would do this!" he was starting to pace a bit, running his hand through his hair. He couldn't believe this. He had a six year old daughter he hadn't been told about. He whipped back around to face her. "What? I'm not allowed to go and have a good time with some friends have a good time with girls when my girlfriend left without a trace for six years? Am I supposed to still be curled up int he fetal position moping? If I had known about Teagan, been in her life I wouldn't have looked twice at another girl, Tabitha, and you know it. I can't believe this. Bitch move," he said, with obvious venom. He couldn't help it, he was beyond pissed off. He had a daughter, and she probably thought he was some douche bag that had walked out on her. He didn't know what to do anymore.

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes this is going to get worse, before it can get anywhere near better.

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

Tabitha tried to keep herself from acting out at the information, again persing her lips slightly only to bite the bottom once more. Oh yes, she definitely hated the idea of him kissing, or touching, or feeling something for anyone else. Tabitha knew she'd been flirted with over the years but she had never opened to another guy, Tabitha never felt like she really had the right to open up like that again. Not when she knew that she had hurt someone she had loved as much as she had. "Mmmm, well it must at least be fun to go out and have fun with these girls. I figure its why you boys keep on doing it, well and the young girls as well." Tabitha allowed herself to say, offering another sort of smile, though perhaps a bit more forced at this.

Tabitha grinned at the sight of his scouts honor and once more when he unknowingly brought up the fact that Tabitha loved Alice in Wonderland. And the fact that he remembered after all these years was something that really made her happy, but she made sure to tune it back when it came to these circumstances. "I figure all the girls who love something as wonderful as Alice in Wonderland and the craziness of the Tea Party, have gotta be keepers." She said shaking her head. Of course, she wouldn't allow herself to say much more than that on the matter, "What about you? Got any books you absolutely loved growing up?"

There was a part of Tabitha that felt like she was cheating him because the information that he was spilling out was all stuff that she'd heard before. Things that had come out when they were friends and even more so when they were dating, it was one of the reasons why Tabitha had felt so much for him. To know that despite what could happen, he was going to continue something he had always wanted, something which his family had done as well. But for now, she would keep quiet about that and nodded her head like a good little doctor and smiled at the right moment. "Thats really cool, maybe not the fact that he died, but that you're doing something that has been apart of your family. And that you get to go places like Egypt, I would love the chance to go there." At least the last bit was something that Tabitha hadn't ever really voiced before.

"Oh noooo. Nooo. I have every right to get pissed at the idea of you sleeping around with other girls. You wanna accuse me of being some cheating whore, I can feel whatever I want about you flirting around with other girls." Tabitha snapped and instead of getting out way at the bitch comment she stood her ground and and folded her arms over her chest before staring up at him. "No way Tristan, you may be pissed but you're still my patient and if you think you just get to walk out with those injuries your poorly mistaken." Oh no, she had tried to hide that she was Tabitha, but now that it was out in the open there was no way she was about simply let him back off because he was getting news that he didn't like. She had a mouthful to say to him, just like he was proving that he had quite a mouthful to say to her, again not that she could really say she blamed him, it had been six years. "I have never once thought it was right to keep her from her father." That didn't mean she wouldn't do it again though.

She couldn't help herself from rolling her eyes completely as she heard him and was about ready to smack him right across the face when he called her a bitch when suddenly there was a warm body against her legs and Tabitha had to keep herself from verbally cursing as she looked down to the small Teagan. "Don't you be mean to mommy!" Teagan stated her own voice loud, trying to be intimidating even though her voice was shaking and she was clutching a bright blue and fuzzy monkey that looked like it had been dearly loved over the years. Glancing over her shoulder she could see that one of the daycare teachers had come with Teagan and was now unsure what to do about the situation, "Sorry Tab," he mumbled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey, hey..." Tabitha murmured kneeling down as she gently pushed Teagan's hair from her face, "Its alright Teagan," placing a soft kiss on his forehead she felt the arms wrap around her neck and with a soft grunt Tabitha picked up Teagan and gently stroked the back of her head, her eyes narrowing once more at Tristan.

word count. 811 tag. tristan notes. don't worry, she shall really love her father. <3

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[TRISTAN CAIN GRIEPENTROG]

Tristan couldn't help but smile at some of the memories he'd had from his past bar experiences. He and Steph had first met because their friends had set them up on a blind date. It was a little awkward and weird, but they'd tried to go out on a couple more dates, but they just didn't have anything between them. After four failed dates, they'd decided to just stop trying, and somewhere along the line had created their game. They'd both turned out to be super competitive, and they'd spent the rest of the night collecting phone numbers and trying to one up each other. And thus their game and friendship/siblinghood had been created. "It's generally fun to get out with some mates and have fun just messing around. I'm sure you've had your own fun too," he said, but not bothering to ask. Girls didn't talk about it like guys did.

He couldn't help but smile at the memory, even though it still made him a bit sad. He didn't get why Tabitha had left, but she'd taken some of his things with her. Or at least he thought she did, he'd been missing some old sweatshirts when she left. But he could have lost them himself. He wasn't entirely sure. Alice in Wonderland is so girly. Most girls would enjoy it, and I do believe the tea party couldn't be a girlier chapter to love," he said, smiling. Of course it was girly, it was a girly story. But he would of course give her some crap about it. "I liked more manly stories when I was a lad. You know, Winnie-The-Pooh all the way." He actually knew for a fact his mother still had the complete tales of said bear sitting on a book shelf to one day read to his children. He'd never admit he as glad she kept it.

Tristan's uncle made him sad when he thought about him. He had always brought him and Justin presents, and it was always something cool. People had called Tristan crazy for wanting to go into the cursebreaking profession. He had seen his uncle's funeral when he was only twelve. Why would he want to do that? Because his uncle loved it. "Well he loved it so much. He would always have the coolest stories, the best presents, and great adventures. To a twelve year old... Well it doesn't sound like it gets much better. And then... Well he died, but I know he never would have stopped if he'd only been hurt, and well...." he motioned to his arms. He didn't plan to stop either.

No, Tabitha, you don't have the right to be upset that I have a life that didn't revolve around you! You left me. What was I supposed to think? I know I sure as hell wasn't cheating on you? You up and leave, no fucking trace as to where the hell you went or reason? My sex life without you is none of your damned business!" he yelled, which was true. She had left him, why would she care who he slept with? Tabitha was keeping him from leaving. He didn't even give a damn about his arms anymore, the sight of Tabitha was making him sick and pissed off. He wanted nothing more than to be out of here. "YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS TABITHA! You just said not even two minutes ago that you did what you thought was right, which was leaving me and not telling me about Teagan! But you have the nerve to sit here and say that you didn't think it was right to keep her from me?"

He had gone back to pacing at that point, and had turned his back on her. He looked at the picture of Teagan. She looked just like Tabitha. Why hadn't he seen that it was her when he first got here? She hadn't changed that much, but he wasn't looking very hard. He was about to turn around and start talking again when another voice cut across. He turned slowly to see Teagan live and in person. His daughter. She was beautiful. She was his. He looked Tabby, then back to Teagan. "I'm not being mean to your mommy.... We were.... Just talking. Catching up. It's been a while since I've seen her..." He couldn't look at Teagan as he was saying this. He noticed that she was holding an old stuffed monkey, that looked very warn out. It was green and blue. He thought it looked familiar, when he noticed that it was the one he'd given Tabitha all those many years ago. He didn't know what he was supposed to do. Yes she was his daughter... But he was no father. Tabby picked Teagan up and looked at him. "Tabitha..."

words didn't count tag Tabitha notes He doesn't now what to do!

[TABITHA RENEE LIDDEL]

"If you honest to god think I haven't felt any sort of absolute hatred towards myself and what I did, you're so far off your rocker. I hated myself for years, and the only thing that got me through it is Teagan, and her freaking Prince T stories!" Biting back on her tongue she cursed under her breath and let her nails dig into her skin. "I had just turned 18! I was freaked out for myself but on top of that there was no way I wanted to get in your way!" Tabitha yelled back at him. "You can think I am a raging bitch! Fine! Whatever! You don't have to put up with me, you don't have to see me! You don't even need to fucking see me!" She snapped, voice cracking as she listed off the things he didn't need to see. Taking in a breath she closed her eyes for a moment, "I wasn't about to be the girl who screwed up this dream you had since you were twelve because we were fucking stupid enough to not wear a condom!" Finally she caught her breath once more and if it wasn't for the fact that Teagan had come into the room she wasn't sure what her emotional state was going to be.

"I did what I thought was right at the situation, I never once thought keeping her from her father was a good thing!" Ugh! She would have loved to have the strength to just punch him in the face. Knock some sense into him, no, maybe it was knock sense into her. However, right then and there she had to focus on her daughter and the fact that she was relatively freaked out at the time. Shifting her weight she grunted under her breath once more and Tabitha moved over to the door and shut it. "You. Sit over there." Tabitha commanded, motioning to one side of the bed while she dared to move Teagan to the other side and set her down on the bed. "Keep hold of Blue, remember the Prince wanted you to have that." She said softly with a smile as Tabitha kneeled down in front of Teagan who sniffled and smiled at the reminder. Holding the worn monkey closer to her chest, "Prince T!" she announced proudly, her eyes wandering over to Tristan with uncertainty.

"That's right, Prince T." Tabitha said in a hushed tone. Gently stroking some of the dark hair from face. "And how he was the best Prince out there and how the Princess that he liked so much had to leave him?" It was a hard thing to really figure out how to announce. That this Prince T was Tristan and that Tristan was actually her father. Especially when so much heat was still pumping through her veins at the time. "You know how I told you that I would make sure that you would get to meet that Prince? But it would be super hard because all those spells protected him away from his little bumble bee?" Tabitha chewed the bottom of her lip and glanced towards Tristan. Teagan lit up and nodded clutching her treasured animal close to her chest as she now exitedly looked between Tristan and Tabitha. "Well, don't tell the evil sorceress, but this guy here, he is Prince T." Teagan gasped and smiled widely as she looked to Tristan and practically jumped off the bed and ran towards him.

"You're Prince T?! I kept your monkey from that special Festival super safe!" Teagan announced and held up the torn and tattered monkey with a proud smile. "Um...Umm...Well...He had some booboos... but mommy did her best to fix them!" she said with a bit more hesitance. "And she said that...that Prince T would still forgive his Bumble Bee..cause, cause...His Bumble Bee was his favorite! And you...you..umm..." she paused for a moment looking back towards Tabitha. "That he wouldn't mind knocking down those dragon eggs once more to win a new special blue monkey if he needed to." Tabitha murmured and slouched against the end of the bed now and closed her eyes. "That was because Prince T is the sweetest, caring, powerful Prince in alll the land, isn't that why you love him so much?" Tabitha offered with a smile.

"But Momma! What about the Princess?" Teagan asked now seemingly concerned. "Prince T just needs his Bumble Bee," Tabitha said with a smile, "His protector of the ultra special, super secret monkey." chewing the bottom of her lip as she tried to sort of tears of anger of tears of relief of just tears of bitterness, not letting a single one escape.

word count. 790 tag. tristan notes. baaaaaaaaawwwwwww!

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