Like Father, Like Son
Chapter/Sub Title

Rating: PG
Category: AU
Pairing(s): None
Warnings: None
Summary: Charles calls his father
Notes: "I see the family reunite. I see father killing son. In the end, there's ultimate brutality….”

I had a MAJOR epiphany watching “It Has Begun” and I had to share it.

Charles Offdensen sat in his office, sorting files, and smiled as he heard the sounds in the hallway. Funny how he didn’t even have to see them anymore to know who was passing by. He knew everything about them; every move, every nuance, every mannerism. He’d been studying them for so long…

Toki was the first one by, running full speed; light, even footsteps. Then Skwisgaar. Still light, but longer strides, and a slight unevenness to the step. He’d have to have that looked into, though getting Skwisgaar to the doctor when he was actually sick was hard enough. Dragging him there when he felt fine and attempting to explain to him preventative medicine was like teaching algebra to chimps. Speaking of which….

CLOMP! CLOMP! CLOMP!

That could only be Nathan. What were they doing out there? Offdensen listened as a minor scuffle broke out. He was probably happier not knowing…

“Hey! That was a goal!” said Nathan.

“Don’t be dildos,” said Skwisgaar. “Is only goals if you is gets da battle axe t’rough da herring when is still stucks to da wall.”

He was definitely happier not knowing.

“Oh,” said Nathan. “Well what if the herring… is… uh… like… still flying?”

“Oh dat’s triple score.”

“Awesome!”

Offdensen permitted himself a moment to beat his head against the desk, mumbling; “I’m in my happy place, I’m in my happy place…”

“Well it’s Toki’s turn to chase,” said Nathan. “Here, give Toki the throwing axe and pass me the herring and the golf club.”

Thank all the Gods of Land and Sea that ever were it was not his job to clean this place. There was the inexplicable sound of a golf club smacking a herring, and three sets of booted feet chased after it. Offdensen shook his head, then opened a drawer to take out his day planner. He flipped to the most recent entry, and happened to notice the date. January the second; his father’s birthday.

Offdensen briefly considered just shutting the day planner and pretending he didn’t notice the date, but didn’t. It was not his nature to leave things neglected, or ignored, and he never before missed calling his father on his birthday, no matter how strained things were between them. Resigning himself, Offdensen raised the receiver on the secured landline and called a number. It was answered after one ring.

“Talk to me.”

“Hello Father. Happy birthday.”

The voice on the other end warmed slightly, but was cautious. “Charlie. I was wondering if I would hear from you. I’m glad you called.”

“How are you?”

“I’m fine. Still having trouble with my lower back.”

“I told you a good chiropractor could fix that.”

“Ah I don’t go for that hippie bullcrap. I’ll take a couple painkillers and have a soak in the hot tub with a stiff drink.”

“You are aware that’s really not good for you. Mixing booze and pills.”

“Charlie you worry. You’re just like your mother.”

The trio of boots returned, moving fast. There was the sound of a golf club striking a herring, and then a tremendous crash of something large hitting the floor. There were howls of laughter.

“Hey Nat’an! You showed dat suit of armour who’s boss, ja?”

“What are they up to?” asked the voice on the phone sharply.

Offdensen did not miss the suspicion in his father’s voice. “I have no idea. They are playing some sort of game involving golf clubs, throwing axes, and herring.”

“There was a long pause. “And you’re sure it’s nothing?”

“Father, honestly, what more could it be?”

“You never know with them.”

“Father, I can assure you they are just playing.”

There was a long pause. “Charlie…”

“You’re wrong,” said Offdensen softly.

“But if I’m not?”

“I don’t want to talk about this. I just called to wish you a happy birthday and make sure you were all right.”

There was a chuckle. “You’re a good boy, Charlie. You always were. Stubborn, though. Once you get a thought in your head, it takes a crowbar to get it out.”

Offdensen smiled. “Like father, like son.”

“I suppose. I miss you, you know.”

“I miss you, too.”

“I hope someday we can sit down over a drink.”

“I’d like that,” said Offdensen quietly.

There was a long silence, tinged with sadness on both ends. Finally Offdensen cleared his throat. “You must be busy.”

“A little. But… I’m glad you called.”

“I am too. Give my love to Mother.”

“I will. I’ll let her know you’re okay.”

“Thank you. Goodbye, Father.”

“Goodbye, Charlie.”

Offdensen hung up, and listened to the sounds in the hallway. Giggling, laughing, tussling… the sound of boys getting up to mischief because their mother wasn’t there to tell them no. Hardly anything sinister.

He was not wrong about them, dammit. He was not wrong.

***---***

General Crosier hung up the phone, and looked over at Ravenwood.

“Are you sure about this?”

The elderly priest nodded, and spoke in his quiet, hissing voice, tinged with an Italian accent.

“He is immune to their curse. Therefore he is part of it. There can be no doubt. He must die with the rest.”

Crosier nodded. “All right. But let me take care of Charlie myself. A man should take care of his own mistakes. Besides I know his weaknesses, and what he’s capable of. After all, I taught him everything he knows.”