"Sudden," Apollo replies with the same grimace. "One moment she was eight years old, just as normal, and then..."

Of course in hindsight Apollo now knows that it wasn't his fault - it wasn't his terrible parenting, during those awful three years of being a single father - but it still stings a little bit. Not just because it happened on his watch, but because Apollo had honestly wanted more time. He reaches for Alex's bottle, pouring them both another drink.

"I think she was sick of being treated like a little girl. She hated not being useful. She wanted to help, to fight, to be a part of the team properly." Apollo shakes his head wearily. "I guess kids always want to grow up too fast..."