Suspicious Character - Tagged

[Stephanie Taylor]

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[attr="class","lost1"]Stephanie Taylor

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[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]
Stephanie hadn’t wanted to drop the news on Ben but all she could do was wrap her arms around him and hug him tight to her. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, even if he tried to push her away he needed it. Stephanie had become more affectionate with him as time had rolled on, but it had been a rusty bridge at first. That was true more so when people were watching them. When Ben pulled away from the hug she didn’t let him pull too far away. No, she was keeping a close eye on him.

“I have already talked to them Ben.” Well she had said she needed to go talk to them but so did he. Not that she felt he was up for that right away. Stephanie waved for Joshua to come over with Grace to the car. It would be easier on Ben maybe. If he had to walk through the house.. No, Stephanie didn’t need him walking through the house. It was a crime scene and he couldn’t be in there anyway.

Stephanie just kept answering questions when Ben posed them. If anything just to ease his mind. “Zach’s still in school. Grace came home. She’s not feeling well.” It wasn’t a lie, Grace wasn’t feeling well after walking in on the crime scene, but it also wasn’t the reason she came home from school. It also wasn’t a lie because she hadn’t said that they were a causal relationship. However, both statements were true. Yes in a way she was covering for Grace right now. Then he asked if she was alright. “This used to be my job Benjamin. I’ll get us through this.” Notifications, crime scenes, and everything else. Her family being involved on the other hand? It was a little harder to handle, but she felt she was in a far better decision making capacity then Ben was at the moment.

“Sit back down Ben please.” She made it more of an instruction than a question and moved to help him set back down. “Josh and Grace will be right here in a second alright.” Stephanie knew she was going to have to be the one to hold things together for all of them. She played with a bit of Ben’s hair. “I need you to focus on me.” Yes, she was using his own tricks against him. In times when she was feeling like having a really rough day, it was exactly the words he’d used. Stephanie was not going to let him fight his demons on his own. No, she’d been down that road and if it meant that fights would ensue once more between them then so be it. Stephanie wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“I’ve got you babe. I’ve got you.” She whispered as she hugged him. He needed to get the tears out of his system and if he cried in front of the others then so be it. No one was going to judge him for crying right now. She knew Josh wouldn’t and if Grace so much as opened her mouth, the child was going to get a lecture in respect. Stephanie was protective right now, not just of Ben but also of Grace.

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Grace Taylor,Josh Cameron,Benjamin Taylor

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[Grace Taylor]

Grace couldn’t watch what was going on, her dad wasnt sad he never really got that angry in front of her and that morning it seemed to change. His mother did that to him but being thrown out of the house by her dad, well it hadn’t sat right with her all day and she now wished she had stayed at school. Then again Zach had been through enough already and having him find a body with her, no it was better she was likely scarred for life rather than him.

Then she had this giant telling her that it might be better than she thought. Obviously the guy didnt know her dad at all. Yeah this was going to go oh so well. Grace trusted Stephanie to know what to do, her and her dad seemed to have this thing that they understood each other. Now she hoped that it worked more than ever but Giant FBI guy, nope, he wasnt family nor was he close to it. Stephanie knew him and that was enough for some trust but it wasnt like Grace was going to talk to him or tell him anything.

Stephanie had told her to shut it, so that was exactly what she was doing. Say nothing on the off chance that she did incriminate anyone. After all she had heard all the other arguments on the phone, the rare occasion that her grandmother turned up. Even that morning her dad wasnt exactly being his normal self. Saying that to anyone but Stephanie, yeah no Stephanie was right. Say nothing. Grace didnt even know how much Stephanie knew about thing, Grace had learned over the years and sure google had helped a lot with the learning but her dad was the one who kept everything to himself. He didnt tell her much about the family other than his mother wanted to cause trouble and she should keep to herself.

Grace looked up at Josh when he tried to move her to her feet, she stuggled a little when she saw the car. No her dad was going to kill her for being out of school she knew that much. Despite her struggles Josh had her arm and wasnt exactly taking no for an answer as she could feel her feet barely touching the drive. So not cool she thought as she took one look at her dad and felt her heart break. Her dad never cried, sure silently, when he thought she didnt know yeah he did but not publicly.

He was the strongest guy she knew and he looked broken. “Dad... I didnt do it I swear. Stephanie knows that.” Grace blurted as she threw herself at the two of them, she considered Stephanie as her mum even if she didnt say it often. “You’ve got to fix him Stephanie... please fix my dad.” Grace almost pleaded as she tried to shove the two of them closer together. Hugs fixed everything right? She got a hug and the world was alright again so it had to work on adults too.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Josh Cameron]

Josh hated this part of the job, honestly he wasnt giving the notification which was tough enough but even standing back and watching it hit someone. That was hard enough, much easier to try and talk to a person before things got this far but Stephanie had asked for help and it wasnt like he was doing much that day. Sure stick a murder investigation on his desk and that would brighten his day no end. How he could spin it to his boss he hadn’t a clue but then it wasnt like he wouldnt find a way.

He was there so only offering to cooperate with CPD and play the nice nice game. Along with making sure they didnt screw it up for the sake of the person he considered to be family. Trying to talk to the kid wasnt exactly happening either, well it was therapy he was sure for that kid for life now. He had seen what was in the house and it wasnt sunshine and roses. Though he knew it wasnt his place to throw the kid in front of a psychologist.

When Josh saw Stephanie wave them over he tried to talk to Grace but it just wasnt happening. The next best thing was picking her up by the arm, it might not seem it but family needed family right now. That much Josh knew as he almost dragged Grace to the car though when he watched her try to ‘fix’ the parents he smirked lightly. “Look i’ve got a pile of questions I need to ask.” Josh said as he stayed back from the three of them. “It can wait until you’re more yourself but the sooner I know things the fast I can work on this.”

Josh knew he was going through the motions of things but it had to be said. “Now do you have a place to stay for the next few days? I will make sure we get some clothes and personal effects to you but you’re not able to stay here.” Josh explained as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys before taking one off the bunch he had and handed it across to Stephanie. “Look this is the key to my place, I’ll text you the address Stephanie, fridge was stocked yesterday. It’s clean, two bed roomed apartment with a door guy. I’ll call and let him know you’ll be staying there and I can go elsewhere. Yours as long as you need it.” Josh offered figuring it would at least take finding a place to stay off their minds.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

Hugging Stephanie was all he could do, it felt like all feeling had gone within him and seeing Stephanie so affectionate. It had taken a long time to get there but now it just seemed, he had no words for what it was like as he was the one telling her it was okay. This was not what was happening in his life because really his mother picked the best times to ruin life in general. It was that evil woman’s way of doing everything, threatening the kids, wanting to take Grace. No his day had started in hell and now it was way beyond that.

“You have?” Ben asked her though he realised how stupid it was when he asked it. Of course she had because Stephanie was there and he had been at work. Ben watched as some guy had hold of his daughter, had he been in any other state he might have decided to kill the guy on the spot but then if this was a fed the last thing he wanted was to be in jail for the night. His mind was practically mush as he sat there trying to work out what to do now.

“Okay, that’s good he’s still here. What’s wrong with her? Does she need the doctor?” Ben asked glancing toward Grace as Josh practically one arm carried her down the path. No a crime scene no wonder he thought though why had no one called him or the school to say she needed picked up. “Did the school call you?” Ben asked as he checked his phone feeling guilty that he might have missed that call earlier. Maybe his mother was right then all along. Ben glanced at Stephanie when she told him it used to be her job.

“No no, I can fix this I just need a minute.” Ben said not entirely sure what could be fixed but then he needed to work that out. “I will fix it Stephanie, it’s not your job to do that.” The one thing Ben never wanted was for his mother to be anywhere near the kids or Stephanie. He had managed to screw that one up and now things had gone beyond what he could figure out. No he needed a second he thought, just a moment to clear his head because this was just like a work notification. He had a job to do and that was be there for his family.

Ben just stared at Stephanie when she instructed him to sit down, since when did she do that though without much resistance Ben found himself sat back down with her help. “Wait who’s Josh and why is he with Grace?” Ben asked getting more confused by the second. This day was upside down as he could hardly remember he had been at work as he stared blankly at Stephanie. “No you do not get to do that to me... not today.” Ben stated when he heard his own words used against him. “No I mean... yes focus on you. Are you okay? What do you need?” Ben asked her deciding that focusing on her was now a great idea.

Ben did his best not to cry as he saw Grace and Josh approaching the car, he simply buried his face into Stephanie’s shoulder for a moment. It was simple enough though what Stephanie had whispered meant the world to him as he could feel himself shaking. When he heard Grace say that she had not done it, no of course not. How could she even think that? “I know baby, I know.” He said as he wrapped his arm around Grace as well.

Taking a breath when he heard Grace as Stephanie to fix him he did his best to put a smile on his face for both of them. “I’m fine, nothing to fix at all.” Ben said trying to be cheery though he never let his hold go on either of them. Ben just wanted to be able to walk home, to not see people moving in and out of their house as he might at a fire. As Josh spoke Ben just nodded, questions right this was what Stephanie had been talking about. People had questions.

“Sure yeah ask what you need to. I am fine and don’t want to wait.” Ben stated, so fine was like a Stephanie fine. He was far from it but then he had face to keep up and he could go to pieces later. Right now he needed to help where he could and try to be the strong one though that was still up for debate. A place to stay was the next thing he heard as he glanced at Stephanie. Josh was her friend though Ben was more than happy to get a hotel or rent a place in the city for however long this all took. “How long until we can go home?” Ben asked as he glanced to the house. “I should go in and see...” He stopped there because he was in two minds about seeing anything though he could do it. Seen worse at work he thought though he could still feel himself shaking slightly.

Stephanie Taylor, Grace Taylor,

[Stephanie Taylor]

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[attr="class","lost1"]Stephanie Taylor

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]
If it was one thing that Stephanie was it was on top of things and considering that Josh and her were close it was easy to have already spoken with the FBI. “Yeah I called them. I may have asked a good friend for a favor.” Stephanie played some with Ben’s hair. Her posture suggested that she was being protective of him. Though her hands playing at his hair were more trying to be a comfort than anything.

“She walked home. Ben let me handle it. It’s a girl thing, so no the school didn’t call.” Well technically it was a girl thing? Stephanie knew that her stomach would be stuck in knots and she’d have been sick to it too hearing family talk like that about her. Though Stephanie and Ben had of course been fighting on the same side against this witch of a woman that Ben had to claim as a mother. Though she figured that Ben might drop it if she mentioned female things. That could include plenty of unmentionables.

“Benjamin, I was a crime scene investigator for the Army and you are in no state to handle the unknown. This isn’t something that just gets fixed like that.” Stephanie kissed the top of Ben’s forehead. “There is going to be a lot of questions. They aren’t going to be easy. They are just doing their jobs.” She looked up towards Josh and nodded in his direction.

“Josh is one of my best friends. He used to be my CO, and I trust him with my life. I’d trust him with any of this family’s lives in a heartbeat.” Stephanie could tell Ben was confused. He was trying to block things out. Stephanie reminded herself that she had to be patient. It was hard to be patient seeing Ben hurting. But she knew he’d need the patience.

“There’s a lot going on Sweetheart.” Sure she’d used sweetheart before but it was rather uncommon. "I’m okay. I just need you to talk to me.” Phrasing her words carefully, she decided that phrasing it as a need when he’d JUST asked her what she needed. “We can talk about anything. What about work? How was shift?” Anything and everything to get his attention.

Cue Grace to go flying off the handle about not doing it again. Then fixing Ben. It wasn’t an insta- fix and Stephanie knew it. “Grace, please. For a few minutes can you just let me think?” Stephanie didn’t do well with random chatter when she was trying to think. Though she knew Grace was only trying to help, so she didn’t chide too hard at her. Right now Stephanie just needed the room to think and Grace was working against that. Though she wrapped her arm around her also and kissed her forehead. “I’ll always take care of both of you. There’s no need to panic.”

Then all she could hear was something about a place to stay. “I appreciate it Major but…” she was so used to calling her CO by his title that Josh sometimes seemed more foreign to her. They had a lot in common and she’d sort of bonded to him but he’d always been the superior officer to her. “I’ve got some family in Chicago. But we appreciate the offer.” She had a good bit of family living in Chicago now. One of whom worked with Josh now. The HRT negotiator could have been the person she asked a favor from but she knew Josh had more pull and she also knew James would just worry if he knew the full story.

Then there was Ben wanting to go home and then inside. “Ben you cannot go inside. It is a crime scene.” Stephanie held him tighter. “Josh can I ask you a favor?” She knew that PD would have to collect their things. “Can you get some things for us? I’d feel more comfortable knowing it was someone I trusted packing for us.” PD never really took care in what they packed. They just threw something in a suitcase and who knew what could be found where. Stephanie put Ben in a hug such that if he tried to make a break for going into the house, she could react and hold him back. If she had to use her restraint training against him… then so be it.

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Josh Cameron Benjamin Taylor Grace Taylor

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[Grace Taylor]

Grace couldnt deny that she was happy to hear her dad knew she hadn’t done it. He didnt seem himself which worried her more than him even thinking she could stab someone. Grace always though the murder mystery books were great, figuring out who did it and with what and where. That was until today, until it was their house. Their floor, a family member and she didnt have a clue who had done it or where the police might even start. She knew how it went in her books, Grace was the one found with the knife in the kitchen.

There was always that one bumbling cop that figured he had solved the case by arresting that person. Grace knew she was that person and she wasnt about to be arrested for something she didnt do. For a second Grace thought everything was alright the minute she saw her dad smile, just for a second it was like nothing bad had happened that day until she saw right through it. Nothing to fix, her dad was nuts. There was a body in the house there was everything to fix so yeah her dad wasnt fine or anything close to it.

“Don’t lie to me... I’m not three dad and I’m not blind. Nothing is fine and you can’t fix this.” Grace almost yelled though what she was mad at her dad she didnt have a clue as to why. It made no sense to her other than she wanted to cry and wanted Stephanie to fix it all. Grace wanted to scream at her dad when he asked to go home, for an adult he was acting stupid for the moment. How Stephanie could remotely try to fix it she hadn’t a clue but she wanted her to. Grace stared up at Stephanie when she asked for time to think. “I thought you said you knew what to do?” Grace questioned giving no time whatsoever to think.

“Don’t make me promises if you can’t keep them.” Grace said remembering how many times other dates her dad had brought back to meet her ‘because it was serious’ turned out to be wrong. A promised trip out or an attempt at bonding, broken promises but Stephanie was different in her eyes. She hadn’t broken a promise yet and now she was saying she would take care of them both. Grace wasnt bothered about herself just her dad and it was the adults in her mind that were panicking.

Even the arm around her and the kiss to her forehead were relaxing but nothing else about what was going on was. Even Josh starting to ask questions about where they were staying and what was happening.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Josh Cameron]

Josh nodded when Ben said to ask what he needed to, well the man clearly wasnt fine but waiting he knew that Stephanie knew what happened if he waited. Families clammed up and people didnt talk, through shock things came to light a lot easier but then with it being family of sorts. Josh didnt want to push things too much. Even when Stephanie explained that he was one of her best friends Josh just grinned. “Yeah I’m pretty good at watching out for people.” Josh added though he wasnt sure that explaining their history was going to sink in at all.

The Army had taught him a lot, criminal investigations even more and the FBI. Yeah he was pretty good at a few things though sure clamming this scene as his, it was stretch but he was sure his boss would understand. Josh stayed out of things as Stephanie tried to handle her husband, the man wasnt fine and the daughter... verified nut job he was sure but then he wasnt about to announce that right then. Still with the daughter not shutting up and the mention of promises Josh couldnt help but wince at what the kid said.

“It’s Josh not Major anymore... same level, no rank involved.” He said grinning for a moment, yeah he was used to Major, Fed, Sir, Cameron and a whole other bunch of names that went with each of his chosen jobs over the years. A few not so good ones too but then where was the fun in official all the time. “Yeah fine if you want to go live with the negotiator... though I would be way more fun but then family right.” Josh joked though it made more sense, James would be able to work things out as he decided he might give the guy a break from work for a while. If he couldnt swing some leave time for the guy maybe just light duties and home early.

“Don’t let him anywhere near. You don’t need to see anything.” Josh said to both Stephanie and Ben, it was bad enough he knew what the kid had seen and a parent didnt need to know that and see their own mother gone. Nope, better to leave that one as it was. “Sure ask away.” Josh said hearing Stephanie ask for a favour. “Packing donkey coming right up, I’ll get your stuff just don’t blame me if I see anything I’m not supposed to.” He teased as he left the three Taylors and went to go and find some cases to put things in.

Pulling a few cases from the closet Josh started to go through a few of the rooms pulling out clothes that went together. He wasnt a fashion guru but ten pairs of jeans and no tops didnt exactly work for families that were relocating for a while. Shoes of various sorts as he raided the bathroom and cupboard for essentials placing what he found in an overnight bag. Again there was a method to it and he double checked that he wasnt trampling evidence or handing it over. Simple things that the PD might miss or rather he wanted to double check on as he carried on packing things.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

Ben just nodded as Stephanie spoke about her friend; he could hear her words and to a point understood what she was saying. It was the putting all of that together he found more and more difficult, even down to the way she played with his hair and her posture suggested she was being protective and that was something that felt strange to him. He was the protective one and she was trying to comfort him. Grace had seen a body, Stephanie was trying to sort it all out and where was he in all of this. Sat in his car not knowing his right from his left as he stared at Stephanie.

“Oh... urm... right.. yeah... girls things. I urm... well yeah you can handle it.” Ben spluttered not knowing what to say to that, not a subject he was overly comfortable with or knew much of. He was a guy not a girl and well female things were best left to females that knew what they were talking about. It was that or he was taking Grace to the emergency room to see a female doctor that could tell her all she needed to know while he sat outside in the waiting room. Female things were unmentionable and sure right then; it was all Stephanie to deal with anything like that.

It took him a moment before he glared at Grace for a second. “You do not walk home, no matter what issues you have. No walking home without one of us or your brother... got it!” Ben snapped in more of a ‘you had better not disagree’ tone that he usually used when he was on one of his rants. “She walked home... what the hell?” Ben said staring at Stephanie as if she had the answer to that. Ben had told her that morning he would sort it out after dragging her out from the back of the sofa. Was it now that his own daughter thought he was incapable of fixing things?

“You were?” Ben asked when Stephanie told him she had been a crime scene investigator with the Army. “I know you were but... I can handle the unknown. I know she’s dead, I know that. I can fix it you know I can, it’s my thing I fix things.” Ben said as he felt her kiss his forehead as he tried to relax. Then came the mention of questions, the last thing he wanted was to drag the family past up when he had worked so hard to keep it at arm’s length and not let it invade his current life. “I can answer them I’m not a child Stephanie. It’s my family; you don’t need to hear about that.” Ben added not wanting her to know anymore than she did already.

It was hardly the family history of the year awards he was going for. Ben nodded about Josh, “If you’re sure about him them I can trust the guy too. You’re my family and if I don’t have to trust anyone with you, I won’t. You all mean too much to trust to other people.” Ben explained though it was nothing against Josh, he just rarely trusted many people with his family. When Stephanie used the word sweetheart, it was hardly unknown to him but it felt strange right then. It felt stranger when she asked him to talk to her, he now knew exactly how she felt when he asked her that in the beginning and sure he still did at times. “Stop using my words against me, that’s what I need. You don’t get to turn my thing that I do on me. I’m fine I just... need a minute. I’ve had it and I’m fine.” Ben hardly knew what he needed anymore as the conversation turned to work.

He could barely remember what he said five minutes ago let alone five hours ago. Even the idea that Stephanie was calling because she knew he was going to take a shower, it felt like a life time ago as he chuckled knowing he likely appeared insane. “I guess you weren’t calling because I needed a shower then.” Ben said not caring who was around, sure he was stressed out and being blunt after all she had asked how work had been. “It was quiet I guess, just a house fire but everyone was okay. I just stink you know, smoke and...” Ben realised he was prattling on given she did the same job so knew exactly how it was. He could almost smell his clothes as if for the first time that day and the smoke that went with it all. “Shift was fine.” Ben said barely remembering much of it now.

Grace then started to be, well Grace though honestly he was in two minds to scream at her for leaving school without permission or to just let Stephanie handle it because girls things. No he was staying well away from that conversation. "I am fine Grace, just worried about you both." Ben felt Stephanie hold him tighter when she told him it was a crime scene; all he could do was hold her tighter and try to work out what that meant for their home. He just wanted to go home, it was right there and he could see it along with the trail of people that had no business to be there at all.

Ben heard something about a favour and packing, no it was their house, their home. He had seen PD at a crime scene when they kicked something or dropped something, no this was wrong. Ben was about to push his way past Stephanie when he felt her hug him. He hardly needed a hug, he had to go and see that this was real. “Stephanie, I love you I really do.” Ben stated as he glanced at Grace, “You need to make sure she is okay and that works the other way around too.” Ben added motioning to the two of them. “But I’m going inside and do not try to stop me. I need to see, to make sure... I have to do this. It’s our home. My family and my responsibility. Now let me out of this car.” Ben explained as he took a break and made an attempt to move from the car.

Grace Taylor , Stephanie Taylor ,

[Stephanie Taylor]

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[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]Stephanie Taylor

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]
Right Josh, because old habits died hard at times. In her mind, he was always Major. Stephanie shook her head and looked towards him. “You are more fun than the negotiator.” If James was one thing it was definitely not his fun side that Stephanie brought out in him. Especially if they were going to be adding people to the Harris household. “I can’t deny you that.” There was a small bit of banter smile hiding but it was Stephanie’s way of handling things. She tried not to show anything was bugging her.

“Grace, stop talking!” That was Stephanie trying to not curse at her. Stephanie shot a glare at Ben. “I will use your own words against you. Because it works.” She was getting upset. Though when he started talking she listened and she put her hand on his shoulder. When Ben attempted to make a break for the car, Stephanie used her training against him and pinned him to the back of the car. “You are not going in there.” She sent a glare his direction. “Look at me Benjamin.” Her expression softened but her hold did not.

“Grace, get in the car. Please” The safest place for both of them was the car. Though she didn’t look up from where Ben was. “I will pin you down and tie you to this car if i have to. So help me Ben.” She put her head down on his shoulder. “Just hold your girls. They need you right now.” Maybe she was admitting to needing him but if it worked in her favor than so be it. Ben was not going inside the house. Stephanie would make sure of it.

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Grace Taylor Josh Cameron Benjamin Taylor

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[Grace Taylor]

“Yeah got it dad. Don’t do anything because people want to get me out of the house. She wanted to send me away and you just threw me out this morning.” Grace snapped glaring right back at her dad. Oh if he wanted to snap at her then she could snap right back at him for being an idiot. Why had Stephanie married him? Sure Grace hadn’t been against it at all because she made her dad happy but, the plus side for Stephanie was what? She married a grumpy person.

Grace was about to tell her dad that she was worried about him too but then she knew that wouldnt go down too well. She wasnt supposed to worry, she was just a kid but that had ended a long time ago. She was a teenager and not a defenceless three year old that needed to be told what to do by the man that had thrown her out that morning. No, her grandmother wanted to have her removed from her house. The one home she knew and Ben was what, okay with that? No she didnt like to be dragged out from the back of the couch and sent to school as if they were discussing a dinner choice.

Spag bol or Lasagne? Choices choices. No this wasnt fair at all and her grandmother was dead, sure Grace had thought about it. Wished it for a few days when the woman went on her rampages and upset her dad but she never thought it could happen. Now life was ruined and their house was being trampled to pieces in her mind all the while the adults were losing it. Her dad wanted to go into the house, Josh was cracking jokes and Stephanie was trying to fix it all but nothing seemed to be getting fixed fast enough.

Grace stopped talking when Stephanie told her to. She didnt even know what to say anymore because her dad wasnt fine, Stephanie didnt seem to be fixing him and then there was Josh that was yabbering about seeing stuff he wasnt supposed to in the house. Sure like the dead woman on the floor, she wasnt supposed to be there at all. Then came the ‘get in the car’ yeah like she was going to hang around outside it but she couldnt stop herself from laughing when Stephanie threatened to tie her dad down to the car if she had to.

“I’d believe her dad.” Grace said as she gasped slightly opening the back door to the car. “Shutting up now.” She said as she got in and wrapped her arms around the seat her dad was sitting in as she attempted to help Stephanie keep him there.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Josh Cameron]

Josh just laughed and nodded at Stephanie. “Oh you better believe it. I don’t try to netogiate drinks at a party, so much more fun.” Josh added grinning, sure he wouldnt have joked about James had he been there. The man was good at what he did but then Josh preferred the lighter side at times, things were already stressful enough as it was and humour went a long way. “Besides I’ve got a bigger TV but if you want to stay with him. You can watch the game on twenty eight inches.” Josh stated as went inside.

He hadn’t a clue how big the guys tv was and didnt really want to know either. The offer was made and he meant it but then Josh didnt always understand the family thing, he was adopted and his ‘dad’ yeah it was complicated. So the finer points of family he hadn’t a clue about. Josh went through the various rooms collecting everything he could for them. Toys for the kids, clothes, shoes, school bad and what books he could find simply because he wasnt sure how long they would be out of the house for.

CPD wasnt exactly fast and given the body on the floor, it would need to be cleaned and sorted out for them moving back in. All of that took time and it was time that they would be away from home. When it came to the adults room, yeah Josh dragged a CPD officer with him for that part. He gathered the clothes, bathroom items but when it came to that one draw he wanted nothing to do with. Yeah this was his friend, colleague at one point. He wasnt routing through the underwear draw as he made the CPD officer do it and stick it all in the bag.

Yeah better he not know what was in there he thought as he was given the all clear to take what he had back outside. Several cases and bags he might have assumed they were going on holiday but that wasnt it. No he left the first load by the door as he went back for a few other bags just to make sure they had enough stuff.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

Ben could hardly think straight when Grace started in on him about what she could do. “You needed to get to school not be hiding in the house. I told you I would handle it Grace. I’m your father you do what I say.” Ben stated though even that was breaking his heart knowing that Grace had been there and heard what his mother had been talking about. Even her glare shot daggers into his heart as normally he might have been able to deal with it all but today. He was lucky he was still on the planet at all.

“I know they work it’s why I use them but not on me.” Ben said trying to fight his own corner with that, no he was fine and able to be an adult enough to know that his own words. No it was unfair they were being used on him because he used them on others, it was his thing. Ben tried to struggled against her but then sitting down he stood no chance at all in getting passed her or even moving from the car. Ben hardly wanted to look at Stephanie, he was upset and the last thing she needed was to see that.

Not going into the house, how was it fair that everyone else had done. He wanted to see that it was true, that there was no mistaking it for anyone else. Ben glanced at Stephanie seeing her glare, her expression softened but her hold. No there was no getting out of that as he gave up struggling against her after a while. When Grace was in the car and he heard Stephanie followed by Grace’s smart ass comment. He tried to laugh about it but it came out as a sigh as he wrapped his arms around Stephanie.

Ben was surprised when he heard Stephanie admit she needed him, that had to be an absolute first as he just wrapped his arms tighter around her. Feeling her head on his shoulder he kissed the side of her head lightly before letting one of his hands drop to pat Grace’s hand he could feel at his side. “What would I do without you two?” Ben said not wanting to move at all now. If they needed him then that was where he would be no matter what. “I’m right here for you both, just relax and it will all be over soon.” He said trying to convince everyone of that including himself as he rubbed Stephanie’s back and held onto Grace’s hand. “I’m sorry.” He whispered quietly to Stephanie as he closed his eyes and just held onto them both.

Stephanie Taylor, Josh Cameron, Grace Taylor,