Heritage ]Lassieface[

[lorilie]

It was one of those lazy summer days were one has absolutely nothing to do but sit around and wonder what they could be doing if it wasn't so hot. At least, that's what any teenager would do, if that teenager wasn't Melissa Whitcombe.

The girl was fishing. Yes, fishing. Not many females of her age enjoyed the trying sport of patiently waiting for the bite of the line. For the tug of a huge fish waiting to be pulled in.

Under a tree she sat, drawing with an absent mind, her dalmatian curled at her side and the pole in a nifty contraption that allowed both of her hands to be free. After an hour of playing fetch with Sparks, it was nice to finally be at rest.

[Onzyy]

Chuck Bass

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Chuck parked the BMW in the Reserve parking lot. He had just fetched his saddle pads from the dry cleaners, and needed to find some peace and quiet from the world. Melissa still haunted with him, and he didn’t know what he must do. Lestat kept telling to tell her what he really was to her, and no, not just a staff member. It was hell on earth sometimes, and Chuck leaned back in the leather seat. He had Chopin playing in the background, and the classical music helped him relax, and calm his thoughts. He still had a dull ache in his ribs from where he had broken them. Chuck was seriously considering selling Smacks, but if it wasn’t for the horse then he would never have discovered his daughter. Why had problems followed him here? Chuck actually hoped that he had left them behind in New York.

So he had nothing to do but find Melissa and tell her. Why had decided to come to the Reserve? Of all the places that he could’ve looked, he had just felt a pull towards the picturesque area. Everywhere there were people with their dogs, with their children or just alone. Alone like Chuck. He had never felt more alone than he had at that point in time. Minutes passed before he actually managed to get out of the car, and make his feet move. He walked the various concrete paths, more strolled, and kept his keen eyes open for her.

Then passing by the lake, he saw her. It had proved too easy, but the hard part was still to come. He would actually still have to tell her. She had a dog, a Dalmatian, with her and she was fishing. Of all past times, she was fishing. Well, it seemed she had some of Chuck in her. He loved fishing when he was her age, well that was until he found more pleasurable pastimes to spend his time on. He didn’t speed up, or slow down, but walked at the same pace. He wasn’t trying to be quiet; Chuck wouldn’t want to startle her. It wasn’t in him. Good morning Melissa. How are you today? he greeted her when he finally reached her. This wasn’t going to be easy.

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Words:380
Status: Complete
Tags: Myssi
Notes: Poor Melissa, having Chuck as a father

[lorilie]

Sparks perked his ears, and sat up slightly, waking from his slumber, but the movement did not gain Melissa's interest. She was too busy sketching the horse that had thrown her and been the result of her overnight hospital trip and the bandage to her head.

Some research had told her that the gelding was a lovely warmblood named Smacks. As soon as she had gotten Sham calmed down and assured of her well-beiung, called her stepfather to inform him of her recovery, and fed her dog, then Melissa had gone in search of the big dark bay horse.

He was a lovely, sweet animal, though it seemed as though Chuck hadn't ridden him since her fall, which had saddened her. Smacks did not need to be held responsible for her accident. He didn't deserve the blame any more than Flyte deserved to be called a mad horse after nearly throwing Spencer to his death. Both had been freak occurences and the horses did not need to have the finger of blame pointed at them.

Melissa heard footsteps behind her, and though she didn't turn, she kept a careful tab on them. when Mr. Bass' voice reached her, she turned to look at him with a smile. "Mornin' Mr. Bass. I'm doing very well. Would you like to join us? It's a lovely day." She scooted toward Sparks so that the man wouldn't have to sit by the dog unless he wished to do so.

She folded up her notebook and tucked it into her backpack which was leaning against the tree behind her, while she leaned upon it. She then turned to the teacher again and watched him curiously, but in a polite way, her gaze soft and only slightly questioning his presence, mostly showing her delight in him having joined her. "So, how is your horse doing?" She asked, wondering what the man's plans for Smacks were down the road.

[Onzyy]

Chuck Bass

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Chuck noticed that she had laid down her fishing gear, and had taken to sketching. Over her shoulder he saw that it was Graveyard Attack, a.k.a Smacks. He had only had time to lunge the horse these days, as Call needed to be worked as well. Smacks was now more prone to putting people in hospital, than being a safe ride. It wasn't like this in New York, there he actually knew how to behave.

Thank-you. I would love to join you. He planted himself next to her. Thankfully he wasn't wearing his signature suit, but rather just casual jeans and shirt. Smacks is doing very well actually. I'm thinking of sending him back to New York, so that they work with him there, but my plans for him aren't solid yet.

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Words:not bothering to count
Status: Complete
Tags: Myssi
Notes: Poor Melissa, having Chuck as a father

[lorilie]

"It is good he is doing well after being in such an accident as my throwing. But I'm sure he'll miss you once you send him to New York. I'm sure he'll enjoy the work though."

Melissa drew up her legs and crossed them Indian style as she leaned back against the tre, the calm of the still lake seeming to seep into her veins. Sparks laid his head in her lap, his rare blue eyes gazing up at her fondly.

"Silly me, I seem to have forgotten introductions. Mr. Bass, meet Sparks. Sparks, Mr. Bass. Be nice to him, you crazy thing." The brown spotted dog wagged his whiplike tail at the sound of her voice, still watching her face alertly.

[Onzyy]

Chuck Bass

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Chuck glanced at the dog. Pleasure to meet you Sparks. Chuck's nerves moved like massive eagles in his stomach. This was going to be a massive task, and Chuck didn't know how to force the words out of his throat. So he started at the beginning.

Melissa, I don't want you to say anything until I'm finished. About 14 years ago, I was with my parents at a farm. They were training a gelding for a girl. I was 13, neglected and alone. This girl was about a year older than me. She made me feel alive, like I was actually a person, but the horse got fixed and we never saw each other again, but i still see her face in my dreams sometimes.

That day you fell off, i saw her all over again, this time, it wasn't her, it was you. That was the scariest moment of my life. My past coming back to haunt me like that. At the hospital i asked for a paternity test....Melissa, I am your father.

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Words:not bothering to count
Status: Complete
Tags: Myssi
Notes: Poor Melissa, having Chuck as a father

[lorilie]

Melissa was silent, but she began to shiver a bit, a biting fear growing in her stomach, before she looked at Chuck, her eyes scared for the answer to her question. "Are you going to abandon me too?"

She didn't know that Chuck had no idea of what had happened to her. About her being abandoned and then adopted. She'd been in the newspaper and everything as police had tried to track down her mother.

The girl had always wanted a real parent, at least when she was little. But then she'd grown into the, well, mad teen she was today, with the crazy in her fully out in the open. No parent could be proud of that.

[Onzyy]

Chuck saw her reaction, and he just wanted to give her a hug, but he just sat there. He didn't know what to say. Melissa, just because your mother abandoned you, doesn't mean that I am. It was a cruel thing what she did, but I would've tried my utmost best to keep you.

Would she like the fact that he was a womaniser to the last tee. He didn't know how to be a parent. It wasn't taught to him, and he panicked at the mere thought.

The day when you fell, I didn't know what to do.The doctor told me all about what you did when your friend was in the hospital. I am proud of you, you never worry about that, but all I'm asking is a chance. A chance to be your father, i know nothing can make up the 14 years I lost, but I'm here now. He knew that he was speaking too much, too much, but the panic had taken over.

[lorilie]

She looked at him. "You know about what Mom did? Do you... Do you remember her name?"

She was silent at the rest of his words, mulling it over. She felt a small drop of happiness blossom in her chest about his pride in her, and a small blush lightened her cheeks. "Thanks..."

Then, he moved on about wanting a second chance. Well, she'd always been one to agree to second chances. They were what made the world a better place. So, taking a deep breath, she looked at him and met his eyes, holding his gaze.

"I'm quite willing to give you a chance, sir. It will just take some getting used to. And I've got no idea how I'm going to tell my stepdad about this. He'll want to meet you, no doubt. But, moving on, I'm sure that rejection is only going to make a drift that is too hard to try and bridge. So, I accept you."

[Onzyy]

Chuck Bass

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Chuck could see the pain flash in Melissa's face. Not knowing her mother, must've been a difficult thing, and there was no way that she could trace her. I do know what she did. I don't remember her name, it has been to long. Chuck looked sheepish, when she mentioned her step father. I have spoken to your father before. The day you ended up in the ER, I was required to talk to him. I kinda asked him about you.

The memories were too painful to recall, to vivid to forget. They would haunt him again tonight, as soon as he fell asleep, as soon as his eyes closed. But now, he could put it behind him. Forget that past, and just try to move on. He had a daughter now, his very own daughter.

Thank you. I'll actually want to meet your father too. I say father, because I haven't earned that title yet. Take all the time you need. Is this how it was to have a kid, a small golden bubble of joy in your heart? That was how Chuck felt at that moment in time. Happy

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Status: Complete
Tags: Myssi

[lorilie]

Melissa smiled as he said that he'd been required to speak to her stepdad. "I hope he said good things and none of the embaressing times. I'm afraid there's a good deal of them. I was a rather mischievious child. Running around with feed buckets on my head, always playing in the horse pasture. I remember he told me I wouldn't ever be where I was supposed to." She blushed as she realized her rambling. "Sorry. I don't often get the chance to talk to adults much, or anyone else. It's rather nerve wracking, isn't it?"

She pondered her next statement lightly, before speaking once more. "Although, I'm sure it's much worse for you. Fourteen years of peace, and I'm suddenly dropped in your lap. I'll try not be a burden, I promise." A brief pause was injected here, as the fourteen year old blond bit her lip. She chewed at her bottom lip a lot these days, as though she could taste the words right there on the skin.

[Onzyy]

Chuck watched the 14 year old. She seemed so unlike him, that he wondered if the DNA tests were correct. The fact that she resembled her mother made him feel better. His face was one that didn't deserve to resembled, specially after everything that he did in his life. Don't worry. No stories reached my ears of your childhood. At her next remark, he felt that odd sensation of running away again. Though this was one time that he wouldn't run, wouldn't be made out to be a coward. New York was enough to prevent him going back, and where else would he go?

I don't see you as a burden. Anything but. Trust me, it's been anything but years of peace as you put it. But the day is too beautiful to talk about my past.

[lorilie]

Melissa watched him from the corner of her eye. She must look like her mother, but she did recognize a few hues of her eyes in his, not to mention the same angle to the cheekbones, and the same piano hands. Small qualities.

She rested her chin on her knees, lapsing into silence, which was uncommon for her. Sparks gave a sigh and looked at Chuck, wagging his tail happily. Suddenly Melissa's eyes flew open and she looked at her pole. a minute later the line pulled softly, then harder, signaling a fish on the line.

The girl uncurled herself and went over, pulling in the line. A small fish was on the end, and she gently took the hook from it's mouth with a soft delicacy. Then she placed the slippery animal back in the water.

She stole a glance at Chuck, deciding to let him do the talking as of current. For now, she allowed her sketchbook to make a reapperance. She flipped to a new page and began to tace out the familiar form of Luminescence, drawing the fox's outline in thin pencil

[Onzyy]

Chuck watched as she drew in the line, and let the fish go again. Childhood memories cam flooding back, and he realised that even though Melissa didn't look like him, she had his personality traits. He had always let the fish go, and believed that he was the fish, swimming away to freedom.

Chuck then noticed the drawing that she was doing. He petted Sparks, and watched as the shape of a fox took form. Chuck did a double take. When he was a kid he also saw a fox at times that he felt he couldn't cope. Oh good Lord, was his thought, she really is my daughter. He hoped that his face didn't give away his shock, and quickly made it a blank mask. Staring off into the distance, he asked the most logical question that would or could give him away.What is his name?

[lorilie]

Melissa looked up at him, surprised that he'd seen the sketch. Not many people were intrested in her eccentric art.

"It's a her. I call her Luminescence. She's like the mom I never had, the sister I never knew I needed, and the friend I always craved." She bit her lip a little. "I'm afraid I'm not as popular in school, like you probably were. Everyone sees me as a bit of a freak. "

She sighed and laid the worn sketchpad down. Lu wasn't willing to pose at the moment, and had currently disappered, leaving Melissa feeling utterly alone. Even if Mr. Bass -her real father - and loyal dog were both at her side.