Tim woke up in the same position he had drifted off to sleep, wrapped up in a dozen blankets and mufflers. His eyes flickered toward the clock that was striking way past midnight.

He disentangled himself from the bundle of blankets and got off from the couch as he ran a hand through his damp hair, shaking his head to dry it off.

He felt terrible about the way he had shut Dora out even though she had just wanted to help him; her tired and concerned features swam in his vision again and guilt stabbed through his heart.

Why do you always do and say things that require an apology afterward? Her words rang in his ears and he knew she was absolutely right.

Tim lost control over himself when he was troubled to such an extent and though it happened very rarely as he managed to keep himself composed usually, still it was not a good thing. And in those times when he was unstable, he would do or say something hurtful towards the people he held dear and it would cause a rift between them.

As far as Dora was concerned, he couldn't bear to cause a rift between her and himself because they had already been through too much.

He stepped out of the room, finding the manor awfully silent as he went downstairs. His head was throbbing so he decided to make a cup of coffee before going to Dora. He didn't even know whether she was still at the manor or if she had gone back home.

Tim didn't even bother to switch on the lights as everything seemed quite clear to him even in the dark and he took out the coffee jar and his thermos. He knew a cup of coffee could never be enough for him so he resorted to making a full thermos instead.

Not long had passed when the light switched on and someone stepped in but Tim either didn't notice that or chose to ignore it.

But when he turned around, he got a shock to see blue eyes so unnervingly like his own that it seemed as if he was looking into a mirror. The only difference was the flecks of green dancing within those irises.

He took in a deep breath to compose himself, placing the thermos back on the counter, his hands resting on the marble countertop as he looked at the little girl in front of him.

She was silent, her wide eyes studying him with what seemed like a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.

"Baba," she spoke up at last and he stiffened at the word but didn't move from his spot, "are you alright?"

"Yes," he replied, "why do you ask?" She stared at him blankly so he spoke in Arabic, "I understand your language. You don't have to speak English with me if it's hard for you."

A wave of relief washed over her because it was quite hard for her to communicate in English and as far as she knew only Damian could understand Arabic. But finding that her father was fluent in the language too made her realize that there was one more person she could freely talk to.

If he wanted to talk to her, that is.

"Dora said you were not well," she spoke up, the brokenness from her word gone as she was using her native tongue, "I wanted to know if you're okay now or not."

He chose not to reply to that, instead, he asked, "and where's Dora?"

"In my room."

"Can you take me to her?"

She nodded her head, readily agreeing to his request.

Tim couldn't overlook the eagerness in her demeanor to do anything he asked of her and he was suddenly reminded of his own self; of how he put others before him and would go to hell and back for the people he loved.

At that moment, even though the situation nor the request was as critical, still the girl reminded him of himself and not Nyssa, which was a slight relief.

And after all, she was just a child, he realized as he looked at the innocent features of the girl. She had no fault in all that had happened hence it was wrong to punish her for something she wasn't even responsible for.

"Mona," he spoke again and she stopped, though she was about to get off the stool she had perched on earlier to lead him to the room she was staying in, "why did you come down to the kitchen?"

"I couldn't sleep," she replied, "so I thought I would go down and see if there was something to eat."

He nodded and opened the fridge to take out the cupcakes he had baked that week with Cassandra. He placed the container in front of her then he took out two cups instead of one, then filled both with coffee, and pushed one toward the child.

A smile broke out on her face as she took the cup, "thank you."

The more he looked at the child, the more he got convinced that she was nothing like Nyssa. She might have been born among assassins but those innocent features and that bright smile belonged to a harmless child, he thought. And the more he thought about it, the guilt increased in his heart.

He should have given her a chance instead of reacting so drastically. He should have listened to Dora.

"Baba, you don't have to worry about me staying here forever," the girl resumed and her words took him by surprise, "I know you don't want me here and that's okay. I will go back soon as it is safe for me to return. Ummi said she will call me and then I will go back. I won't trouble you further."

His eyes widened in alarm, "Ummi?"

"Damian's Ummi," she corrected herself.

Just as abruptly as he had tensed upon hearing the word from her, he gradually relaxed, reminding himself that Nyssa was no more and could not come back.

But then what the girl had said before resonated in his head and he took in a deep breath, "I did not say that I don't want you here."

"But you're not well because of me," she mumbled, "Dora was so worried for you, she kept crying before she went to sleep. I don't want to cause pain to any of you."

Tim's heart sank to hear that, "she was crying?"

The girl nodded in reply, eyes sorrowful as she replied, "I don't want her to be in this much pain ever. She is very nice to me and I feel bad for being the reason for her sadness."

He took in a deep breath again, his mind blanking out as he thought of what to say to her. True, Mona was just a child but she was observant.

Just like his own self.

Not only was she a mirror image of his appearance, but she also resembled him in her nature.

"You are not the reason for her sadness. In fact, I think she is glad you came to us," he mumbled.

"And what about you? Are you glad I came here too?"

He retrieved his gaze from her observant blue eyes, "I... I don't know..." 

But when he looked back at her, he saw a pained expression cross her innocent features and he felt bad for being the reason for it. 

He added, "please give me some time. It's hard for me to find out I had a daughter and hadn't known about her for so long. I... I need some time to adjust."

She nodded but said nothing, eyes observing each flicker of expression on his face.

"Mona, I'm sorry I unknowingly caused pain to you and to Dora. I will try my best to make up for it," he resumed, "I promise. And you don't have to think that I don't want you here. You can stay with us for as long as you like."

That bright relieved smile spread on her face again, making Tim wonder if he really looked like that too when he smiled. "Thank you, Baba."

"After you finish eating, would you take me to Dora?"

She nodded her head eagerly, "I will."

What they didn't know was that Dora had followed Mona downstairs and was standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She had heard them talk though she hadn't understood a single word as they had been conversing in Arabic.

But it was indeed some progress to see Tim talking to her instead of running away from her. She had also noticed the cupcakes and the cup of coffee he had given her and her heart softened to see the two as such.

As Mona had finished eating, she got off the stool and held her hand out toward Tim. He hesitated but seeing the girl look at him with hopeful blue eyes, he took her hand in his gently.

But as the two came out to the door, they were surprised to see Dora standing there already, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Looks like you two sorted things out among yourselves," she spoke, her hand gently stroking Mona's head.

"I'm sorry, Dora," he mumbled, eyes looking at her entreatingly, "I'm really, really sorry for how I reacted..."

"It's okay," she replied, "I understand. It's hard for all of us but we have to make the best out of the situation, right?"

He nodded, "I will try my best."

She smiled, wrapping her arms around both of them, "good. We'll make it through this very soon, I'm sure."

Mona looked up at both of them, a lump rising in her throat as she tried to hold back the rush of emotions within her. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she was at the right place where she belonged, with her family.

Even though Talia had begun to treat her just like a mother treats her own child, there was something different with Dora and Tim.

With them there was no pretense of keeping their love a secret, with them she felt safer.

And especially with Dora who seemed no different than an angel to her.

***