They say one can find peace in death. I guess in a way it's true. Knowing that the person who died cannot endure anymore suffering or terror. When my mum died, I broke. I shut myself out and didnt speak to my dad or friends for weeks. I got into a routine after the funeral. Wake up, go for a run. Come back home shower and eat breakfast. Go to school and work. Go home, have some dinner before either my MMA class or my kickboxing class. I would only speak to my dad to let him know I was alive or to support him. Not speaking to anyone was my way of coping I guess. But I wanted my dad to open-up to me, tell me how he was feeling. He told me that would only happen if I did the same to him. It took me while, but after nearly 4 months, I sat down with my dad. We spoke for hours about how we both felt. We both had a big cry, but we got through it together.

After that, we got closer. We would spend as much time together as possible, even if it was just watching a movie. To me, it meant the world. We both opened-up more to those around us and accepted the help others offered. Of course, all of this changed when he was deployed on an 8-month ship mission. We would call and text as much as possible, but it wasnt the same.

Then my world came crashing down. I got the phone my dad had died. I couldnt breathe. My mind and body shut down, trying to process what would happen from then on. Now, only 2 weeks later, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I can laugh and smile and not feel bad about it. I mean, I'm still hurting, but who wouldnt be, having to deal with the death of both your parents. It's not easy. But Uncle Steve and the others have helped a lot.

It's around 6am when I wake up. I wake up covered in sweat from another restless night filled with memories and nightmares. To be honest I'm surprised I didnt wake up Uncle Steve. Normally my nightmares have me screaming and moving around a lot. I guess, in a way I got lucky with that. I decide to go for a swim, considering I basically live on the beach now. I get up and change into my swim suit. I grab a towel and bottle of water on my way out to the garden. I put my stuff down on the sand before running into the water. I guess time flies when you are having fun because by the time I finish my swim a return to the beach its 7am. I grab my towel and dry off. I sit down, and have a drink before, just sitting and looking out to see. I dont know how long just sat there but before I know it I'm joined by Uncle Steve.

"Hey Kiddo, you alright?" He asks, gently nudging me. I think about it for a second before nodding my head.

"Yeah, just couldnt sleep so I came out here at around 6 for a swim." I say leaning on him as he embraces me in a hug. He puts his head on top of mine and we stay like this for a few minutes. We pull apart when his phone rings. He sighs, before turning to me. Work.

"Come on, duties calls. I want you to hang around HQ today okay?" He asks, walking me inside.

"Okay, can I bring my art stuff?" I ask, giving him puppy dog eyes. Who says you can't break a Navy seal. He nods and I run upstairs to get dressed and get my stuff. I put my hair up into a messy bun, not really caring about it before putting my sketch book, pens, pencils and laptop into my bag. I run downstairs and meet Uncle Steve by the door. We walk outside and get into his truck.

"Let's go!" I say in a funny voice, making both myself and Uncle Steve laugh. We arrive at the palace, (thats what the name of their HQ is), around 15 minutes later. We get out of the truck and walk inside. We swipe through security before heading upstairs to the Five-0 floor. We walk through the doors and into the main area. We say hello to everyone before I settle down in Uncle Steve's office. I get out my laptop and earphones and listen to some music whilst flicking through Instagram. See I know I'm young, but I finished school early because I was home schooled for most of my life. I must have been sat here for around 20 minutes or so before I hear the door open and closing. I look up and see Danny. He signals for me to take out my earphones, which I do, pausing my music at the same time.

"Hey T." He stays, as I stand up from the chair.
"Hey Danny" I say, as we share a quick hug. Me and Danny are really close because of how close he is to Uncle Steve.
"What you up to?" He asks me, peering over at my laptop screen.
"Well I was flicking through my social media, but now I listening to songs on you-tube" I say, showing him the current song I'm listening to, which is 'Take Me Home' by Jess Glynne. He nods and sits down. We mess around and chat for a while before he has to go back to work. I put away my laptop and get out my sketch stuff. I start to draw whatever comes to mind. After a little while of drawing I walk out of the office to go grab some food and a drink. I find Uncle Steve.

"Can I go get some food" I ask him, leaning on the electronic table in the centre of the main area.
"Sure kiddo. Where do you want to go?" He asks, getting out his wallet.
"I was just going to go across to the beach and get
something there? "I say, well more like ask. He nods and hand me some money. I thank him and he places a kiss on my forehead before I walk out of the office area. I walk across the street and over to the beach. I buy some food and sit down, eating it on the beach. I spend around 20 minutes at the beach, eating and listening to the waves before heading back. I wave to Danny, signalling that I'm back as Steve is on the phone, he nods to me as I walk back into Uncle Steve's office. I grab my jacket and sit down on Uncle Steve's chair, which may I add, is supper big and comfy. I place my jacket over the front of my body and tilt the chair back, placing my feet on the desk. I decide to take nap as I'm pretty tired from the lack of sleep I had last night. I close my eyes as soon fall asleep.

"Hello?"I ask tiredly, having been woken up by my phone ringing.
"Is this Tia Ashmore?" The man asks. I recognise that voice. I nod, forgetting he can't see me, before speaking.
"Yes, who's this?" I ask, getting up from my bed and looking at the clock. 3.15am! Why are they ringing me this early?
"Miss Ashmore, I'm your dad's boss, Clarke Upton. I'm afraid I have some shocking news. Some thing happened on the mission your dad was on, I'm sorry to say this Miss, but your dad is dead" Dead? No, he can't be! My body tenses and my breathing increases. I hang up the phone and collapse to the floor crying and screaming for my dad.

"T...Tia! Wake up"

I'm woken up by someone shaking me. I open my eyes and see Danny with a very concerned look on his face. My breathing is fast and my head is all sweaty. He crouches down in front of my and places his hand on my knee.

"Hey, hey. What's wrong?" He asks me. I shake my head and without saying a word, I burst into tears. He stands up and pulls me in to his arms. He rubs my back trying to calm me down. After five minutes of crying hysterically, I finally calm down. Danny pulls up a chair next to mine.

"Now, are you ready to tell me what's wrong?" He asks, in a soothing tone. I nod, taking a deep breath.

"I...I had a flashback to the phone call when I found out about my dad" I say, trying not to cry again.
"Ahh T, come here" He says opening his arms again. I lean in and hug him. I bury my head in his chest.
"I. I just miss him so much." I say. He doesnt reply but he just rubs my back. After a few minutes, we pull apart.

"Thank you". I say sniffling. He looks at me, giving me the look as if to say, 'Really? '. We both burst out laughing.

"Where are the others?" I say, looking out to the main area and not seeing them. I just look at Danny. Before he replies, I cut him off.
"Let me guess, they got a lead on a case and Steve asked you to stay and watch over me?" I say, making him laugh.
"Yeah, although I was doing something at the time so its didnt matter. "

After a few minutes, the team arrives back so we leave the office and join them around the electronic table. They talk about the case but I dont really listen much until a familiar face pops up on the screen.

"...the last person on this list is this guy. We havent ID him yet" I cut of Uncle Steve.
"I know that guy". I say, earning the attention from the others. They look at me, obviously wanting me to elaborate.

"His name is Theo Lacan. He was my old neighbour back in Seattle before me and my dad moved to a new house. He's 2 years older than me and was always getting into trouble around our neighbourhood". I say, as Chin searches the database and pulls Theo's record.

After talking for a while and doing some research, they find where Theo is meant to be staying. The gear up and get ready to head out. On the way Steve and Danny drop me off at home. I thank them before they speed off. I walk up to the front door and get out my keys. I unlock the door and walk inside. As I do someone grabs me and slams the door shut. I struggle and fight against him...

Hope you enjoyed chapter 2! This part will continue over into chapter 3! Please comment your opinions and any feedback is really helpful. Thanks for reading hope you enjoy the next chapter. - Dharma