Chapter Text
She sat on the sofa watching her girlfriend, Mary, play space with Newton on the carpet. The TV was just used as background noise and for Ash to deny her staring at the sense of domestication unfolding in front of her despite the constant fear of the energy crisis looming over the two scientists. Mary's phone was perched on the edge of the coffee table, next to the tea Ash had brought out to her when the redhead requested it. Mary liked her tea with a dash more sugar than she probably should but it was a nice contrast to Ash's sugarless tea.
Ash pulled her own phone out when she heard the familiar ding of her employers. She smiled subtly when she saw her phones lock screen, it was a picture of Mary, Ash and Newton playing in the local park. Newton was stood on the climbing frame, green overalls clashing with his neon yellow shirt, a giant grin adoring his face with ginger hair falling over his face from playing. Mary was stood in front of him, still in her uniform from the labs, she was definitely tired but bore her ridiculously beautiful grin. Next to Mary was herself, she'd left her lab coat at their shared lab and was just in a black shirt and jeans, her arm snaking around Mary's waist and a careful smile on her own face.
The second ding reminded her of the task at hand. Her employers had just paid her for the successful elimination of Doctor Lilian Peck. A home invasion gone wrong. It'd be on the news in a minute, she just knew it would. A leading scientist on the energy crisis being killed would definitely make front page news, not like Peck did anything to further their search for the answer. Always leaving her unfinished work at Mary's desk, it got so bad you could no longer see table and that's when Ash had had enough. Not to mention the strain it'd put on Mary, to have to Peck's work alongside her own, good thing she was Mary’s assistant so she could sort through the work that was titled Somers and the ones titled Peck. Once the ones that were Peck's were sorted out of her beloved girlfriend's already finished work, she dropped them off at Pecks desk with a passive aggressive note warning her co-worker. Peck being an ignorant bitch ignored Ash's threats, which may have been why Ash accepted the mission so quickly and without hesitation. As much as Mary saw Lilian as family, Ash had to remove Lilian from the equation before Mary either broke down because of the stress, lost passion for thing she loved or Lilian hurt Mary physically or mentally.
Peering at the message from her employers, it was the check for the mission and the option to take a new mission. She looked at Mary smiling and laughing, guilt seeped under her skin. She'd killed one of her lovers closest friends, she checked the check to make sure the blood on her hands was worth it this time. $100,000. The overwhelming guilt left her and began thinking of places she could take Mary and Newton to. Maybe she could take Mary to that restaurant that served food that looked like things from space.
She was brought out of her train of thought by feeling a dip in the sofa next to her. "What ya looking at love?" Mary asked, her tired blue eyes not making total contact with hers but was more staring at her face. "I just got paid from my side job" She said blandly. She couldn't tell Mary what her side job actually was, how would you react if your girlfriend told you she murdered and stalked people for a living. Mary hummed contend with the answer, resting her head on Ashs shoulder.
The pair idly flipped through the channels as Newton went upstairs to grab something else to make his mother play. Mary let out a yawn, Ash's suspicions on why she didn't come to bed last night confirmed. "Were you working last night Mary?" She asked stopping the channel on a weird gameshow. "Yeah, I had an idea and couldn't sleep after it" Mary confessed, closing her eyes her head still resting on Ash's shoulder. "Didn't work im guessing?" Mary only shook her head in response. The energy crisis was really working her up and even Mary was skipping sleep in the name of the cause.
They went back to watching whatever was on the TV, only occasionally dabbling in conversation. Mary was about to fall asleep when she heard the doorbell go. With a grumble Mary stood up, to get the door causing Ash to chuckle at Mary's distain to the action.
Mary opened the door to see her co-worker Doctor Amelia Pacquette and her son Luc Paquette.
"Amelia what a nice surprise, what brings ya here?" Mary asked, beaming at the other scientist.
"Morning, Mary. I thought that maybe Newton would like to come to the park with me and Luc? Give you some space to deal with the news"
"What news Amelia?" Mary asked, her mind immediately going to it being something with the energy crisis.
"Oh if you don't know its gonna be on the news, shall we take Newton or not?"
"Newton will like that, let me go get in come in" She smiled confusion still running round her head as Ash walked in.
"Ashleigh, could you get Amelia some tea and Luc a biscuit" Ashleigh made her way to the kitchen, to see Doctor Pacquette and her son in her and Mary's home. She sighed and made Paquette her tea and grabbed Luc his biscuit while Mary ran upstairs to get Newton.
"Doctor Reid, what a surprise to see you here. Helping Mary with some work are you?"
"Doctor Pacquette, I pay the rent"
"Oh, does Mary and Newton need a place to go? I have a spare room in my house and Luc has a bunk bed for some reason. My husband thought it was a good idea"
"Mary is not homeless Pacquette. She pays the rent too"
"I see your roommates then. Just a word of the wise. If you manage to upset Mary in anyway possible, the entire lab will hunt you down, oui?"
Ash found it hard to not scoff. She was a trained mercenary, one of the best in her field and she knew it. Those lousy scientists didn't have half the brain Mary did and even then Mary wouldn't expose Ash but kept the mood civil.
"I'll remember that."
Thank God Mary arrived quickly Newt on her heel.
"Love, you haven't put Newts hat anywhere have you?"
"Its on top of the box for shoes, darling" Ash said matter of factly. Reeling in the joy of Amelia's face becoming one of extreme confusion. Ash crouched on the floor and straightened Newt's shirt.
"Dont get too muddy, your ma said some pretty mean stuff to the washing machine last time you did. Alright?"
"Alright" Newt said grinning at Reid. Mary came back in quickly, Newts hat in hand.
"There we go Newtie" She chirped, kissing her son on the forehead.
"Have a good time with Luc today, I'll see you later".
When Newt left the room, Mary turned to Ash who was messaging her employer's.
"Leigh, can you put the news on?" She asked her voice slightly trembling.
"Of course supernova"
Ash said taking her girlfriends hand and pulling her into the living room. Ash already knew what was on there and just prayed Mary wouldn't do anything stupid once she discovered it.
They sat together on the sofa, Ashs arm resting on Mary's shoulder as Mary's eyes never left the screen waiting for whatever Amelia had been talking about.
"Breaking news: one of the lead scientists for the energy crisis, Doctor Lilian Peck, has been found dead in her home. Authorities have concluded her death was a home invasion gone wrong. We have yet to talk to the other lead scientist, Doctor Mary Somers, about her thoughts on the matter-"
Ash quickly turned off the TV and looked to Mary conern evidence on her face. The other woman had her hand covering her mouth, tears threatening to tumble down her face.
"Mary?" Ash asked hearing the hitch in her voice. At just that Mary broke into sobs. Ash instinctually pulling her into a hug.
"Let it out Mary, breath." She tried to calm Mary down and it was working in some sort of way.
"Ashleigh, who could've killed her?"
"I don't know Mary?"
"Do you think they'll come after us next?"
"Mary. Everybody loves you and your charm. I do not wish to speak ill of the dead but Lilian had people who didn't like her. Unfortunately that's how the world works. But if you want an extra bolt on the door I can get that sorted."
"Thank you Leigh"
"Mary, why don't you get into bed and I'll bring you some tea and some biscuits. I'm gonna take the day off work alright?"
"Thank you love" Mary smiled, but it left Ash wondering would she still smile at her that way if she knew who killed Peck? Ash brushed the thought away and brought her attention back on her beloved.
"Of course darling. I love you, now go rest. I'll bring you tea with extra sugar."
Mary left the room with a tired chuckle. Leaving Ash fumbling to unlock her phone She called up her employer, her mind made up.
"Ashleigh, you ready for your next assignment already?"
"Not today Blisk. I want to retire, and only do the odd mission"
"Is it that Mary girl Ashleigh?"
"Huh? How do you know her name?"
"She was on the news with your hand around her waist. Subtle."
"Whatever. I'm pretty sure you know my demands for being a damn good mercenary in my time"
"Protection for you and you family? Yeah I'll put them on the list. Will be a shame to see you go Ashleigh."
"Its for the best in my life though. Can't go on long missions when I have a long term girlfriend and basically a son." She smiled thinking of the pair. Placing the mug on the counter to start making Mary's tea.
"Anything else Ash?"
"If anything were to happen to me, make sure Mary and Newton have an extra funding into the house. I don't want them homeless."
"Done, see you around former Agent Reid."
"Kuben Blisk"
And with that Ash ended the call adding the ridiculous amount of sugar that Mary liked in her tea.
Once she'd finished that task she fished out some of Mary's favourite biscuits and a box of tissues. Placing them all on a tray neatly. Carrying them upstairs was not a challenge, opening the door was.
"Mary, darling? Can you open the door I have no hands?" A sniffle caught Ash of guard and it took nearly everything to not drop the tea and kick the door down. "Mary, is everything alright?"
"Yes love, just zoned out"
"Open the door then please. Can't give you your tea if you dont. As well as I'm not sleeping on the sofa again, this is my bed as much as it is yours"
Mary chuckled. A tired chuckle that almost didn't sound like a sound Mary was able to make. Opening the door, Ash took a second to look at her girlfriends state. Mary had changed into her pajamas, space themed like everything else she owned in their shared closet.
"Tea, darling?"
"Thanks love"
Mary took the tea carefully as Ash set the tray on Mary's bedside table moving her notes and diary onto the desk.
Ash changed outta her clothes into her sleepwear. Just a simple shirt and trouser combo. She wormed her way into her side of the bed and placed an arm over Mary's stomach. They'd both came accustomed to this little ritual when they'd first moved in together.
"Darling. You feeling any better?'
"Ashleigh, thank you. For the best tea and im feeling better."
Ash smiled as Mary placed her tea on her bedstand and wrap her arms around Ashleighs torso.
"I love you Mary"
"I love you too, always"
Ash placed a chaste kiss on Mary's lips.
"Rest. I'll get Newton when Amelia drops him off."
"Thanks sweetie." Mary said tucking her head under Ashs taking in the smell of her girlfriends perfume.
Mary was out cold soon enough, leaving Ash with her thoughts. Brushing her hand through Mary's red hair brought her some comfort compared to the raging thoughts. Mary and Newton were safe now. Nobody could rip them from her now. Blisk would make sure of it, if not she would definitely hunt him down and make sure he felt the same agony she had. Maybe killing Peck had a plus side to it, even is Ash had to hold her crying lover for the next week she would with no question.