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[a_time_slip]

I don't mind cleaning.  It's relaxing and gives me time to think.

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[a_time_slip]

[After several minutes of noise, there's a long silence, then a knock at his study door]

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

[She might hear muttering and grumbling through the door, before he raises his voice]

What?

[a_time_slip]

We need to talk.

...I broke up with Vito.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

[At that piece of news, the angel's hear rushes upward.. only to dive straight back into his boots. Phoenix is still angry when he opens the door]

What the fucking shit? One minute you can't, 'cause he's just not the kind of guy you can dick around, then you've done it. Why is it always ME you're dicking around? [And... more associated ranting]

[a_time_slip]

Right, like you wouldn't find someone else in a matter of minutes. [She's typing something on her comm, and just waits for the ranting to stop.]

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

How can you say that? I haven't had so much as a drunken snog for six fucking months! All I can think about is you and the kids.

[He trails off, staring at the comm] I'm sorry, am I interrupting something important?

[a_time_slip]

Maybe it's time you had one, and you stopped putting all of this on me.

[She still doesn't look up.] I'm working on something for Lynn, so that she's taken care of until she can find a job for herself.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Maybe you're ri.. What? [He doesn't believe he's hearing what he thinks he's hearing]

You don't need to do that, I'll take care of her. I thought that was agreed?

[a_time_slip]

what about when you're done playing house? The beast will be sure she survives but I want her to be comfortable.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Playing house? She's my fucking daughter! [He makes a huge effort to stop ranting. Knowing it just makes everything between he and Janie worse]

Sweetheart, please. I know we've said some pretty low things to each other when we're mad ... I never thought you'd ever bring one of the kids into it.

[a_time_slip]

Are you going to threaten to take herl from me? Because that's all that's keeping me here right now.

I dumped my boyfriend and all you do is yell.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Why would I do that? [Okay. Yes. She's finally broken up with Vito, and Phoenix is close to blowing it, but the comment about Lynn being the only thing keeping her here makes him fear he already has]

Sorry. I'm sorry. You're right, I'm yelling and I'm acting like a jerk. I just .. wish you'd come out and told me it was over between you guys.

[a_time_slip]

[There's a very dark expression from her for a few seconds]

Is anything I do ever going to make you happy? If it's not, I can't do this anymore.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Honey, I'm honestly, really, sorry. [He notices it, she seems really angry this time]

We both handled this badly. [He tries to reach for her shoulder, wanting only to put his arms around her and make things right]

[a_time_slip]

[Janie lets the comm drop to the floor, but stands there stiffly, not reacting to his touch]

What do you think comes next? What else are we going to screw up?

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Sweetheart, you're upset because we fought. [He frowns a little, but doesn't attempt to coerce her into a hug] It'll be okay.

[a_time_slip]

You're right. [she'll try hugging Phoenix now] We fight too much.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

I know we do, I know. [Relaxing now, he holds Janie without his former concerns about cheating on anyone]

I get crazy when I'm frustrated .. but that's no excuse to yell at you.

[a_time_slip]

You must have a lot of pent up frustration, just waiting to get out, don't you? I'm sorry, Phoenix.

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

Major character flaw, I guess. [He gives Janie a wry, self-effacing grin] Don't be. S'just as much my fault.

[a_time_slip]

[She's quiet, looking over his face, seemingly relaxed in his arms]

Were you ever worried that it was too late for us?

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

[Lifting a hand, he fondly strokes her hair back from her face] Never. Eternity's way too long for anything to ever be too late.

[a_time_slip]

[She closes her eyes for a second, enjoying his touch]

It's too late, Phoenix. [Janie pulls away from him, gently]

I'm not going to be there for you anymore. You're a self destructive asshole with a temper problem and I'm not going to sit on the sidelines wishing you'd suddenly lose your major flaws and wisk me way on horseback to a wonderful place. You're a terrible angel, a terrible friend and you're raising your son to be a pansy.

I'm leaving. You won't see me again, and you won't see Lynn until I'm sure you won't take her from me.

[And she disappears]

[ashes-ascended.livejournal.com]

[At first he reaches to pull her back and reassure that it's not too late, it's still early... But Phoenix is stunned by the verbal tirade that follows. It's just... okay, they say some pretty terrible things to each other when they're fighting, but somehow it just doesn't sound like Janie]

Wait...!

[But she's gone, and he can't seem to follow her teleport-wake]