Asher heard Chloe come in, but refused to look at her. He'd walked away because he needed to gather his thoughts before getting into an argument with her. She didn't understand that though and pushed her way in anyway. He listened as she talked, trying his best to let any anger diffuse before he opened his own mouth. "When I have to leave? When you're a bitch? When Harmony's too much? Are you serious right now, Chloe!? I've been here for two years. Yeah, I was a pretty messed up kid when I came into your life, but I've changed so much and I've been here for you and for Harmony this whole time. Have I bailed yet?" Ash fought to keep his voice controlled and level. He didn't want to yell at Chloe. When she flopped down onto his bed, he stood and started pacing - a technique he'd learned long ago to help with anger.
When Chloe finally stopped talking, Ash came to a dead stop and just stared at her. Moments passed before he opened his mouth again. "I'm not Chris. I'm not going to leave you or try to kill you. Damn, Chloe. When are you gonna stop comparing me to him? You know I care about you and Harmony more than anything. So, what if me and you haven't worked out all the kinks yet? Well'll get there. That's no reason to deny Harmony the chance to have a father figure in her life." He couldn't bring himself to say what was really on his mind - that he loved her and he loved Harmony and he'd do anything to protect them both and give them the lives they deserved.
When Chloe hiked her dress up and the bruises showed, Ash felt his entire face drain and his temperature rise. If only he could run into that scumbag just once, Asher would be perfectly content. He'd make sure that Chris never put his hands on another woman again. Instead of lashing out and hitting the wall like his first instinct had been, Ash knew that violence wasn't what he needed to show right now and laid down on the bed beside Chloe pulling her into his arms.
"I'm here for you, and for Harmony, because I want to be. I just wish you could see that. We'll talk more later. Until then, I'll tell Harmony to just call me Ash." he told her, running his finger through the parts of her hair he could reach, knowing she'd have to get up and fix it in just a few moments.