Jericho
McRaider
Summary: Jericho Reimagined. This is the tale of Jake and his adopted daughter Abi, a what if story.
Author's Note: So I changed things a bit, Anna was already 3 months pregnant when Jake got back and started job hunting. Freddy died earlier when she was closer to six months pregnant. Jake kept her safe because she refuses to go anywhere. Chapters will be posted once a week on Wednesdays, so as to give me time to develop and write and rewrite as necessary. Nothing is off limits here, I've already made a handful of decisions about future episodes such as big spoiler, Papa Green ain't goin' anywhere! All grammar and spelling errors are my own, I apologize. Please be kind if you're going to correct something is my only request.
Disclaimer: I own baby Abi, and that's about it. I don't own the character's from the show, nor do I own the actual lines from the original show, though I tried to keep that to an absolute minimum.

Chapter One – Coming Home

It had been six hours, six hours since Anna had been declared dead, and twelve hours since her living will had left the care of one tiny newborn baby in his arms. The arms of a dangerous man who wasn't meant to have children. He'd killed people, killed a child. Terror flooded his veins at the very thought that he was supposed to somehow care for another life.

He knew Anna had family in Texas, but she'd been rather clear that her family hadn't supported her marriage to a man like Freddy, she'd been rather adamant after Freddy's death that should something happen to her, the baby was to go to Jake. Problem was, Jake didn't know the first thing about raising children.

Because he'd refused to get involved with Ravenwood, the FBI had protected both Anna and Jake; they'd spent a week in protective custody before a handful of Ravenwood operatives were caught. Now, they were safe, but it seemed like the world had a plan because here he was staring down at the tiny baby that had been placed into his arms. It was a giant metaphor the fact that he was now in charge of this little infant's life. The nurse must have seen him, must have realized his breathing had quickened. They'd understood the situation, having been prepped beforehand, Lilly, the nurse who had been with them all along, stepped over to Jake's side, "why don't I take her back to the nursery for a bit, is there anyone you can call?"

His heart was hammering in his chest, his palms felt sweaty, what if he dropped her? What if he killed her? What was he supposed to do, he didn't know how to do this. He could hear her wailing, Jesus it had only been two minutes and he'd already made the poor baby cry. He was surprised when he felt warm hands on his knees, he looked into the green eyes of the nurse and realized they looked so much like his mother's. "Breathe, Mr. Green," she soothed.

"I…I'm going to screw this up," he whispered, barely keeping it together, the lump in his throat felt like the size of a watermelon.

She smiled, "All parents think that at some point, I promise you. You're going to be fine. Is there anyone we can call for you?"

His mind went straight to his mother. In his thirty-two years he'd never for a second doubted the love she had for him. No matter what he'd done, and now he suddenly yearned for her to be there, to tell him everything was going to be okay."

"Can I use the phone?"

She gave him a warm grin, she reminded him of April as she nodded and stood, "I'm going to go feed Miss Abigail here, when you're done, why don't you come to the nurses desk and get me. We'll go over putting her in the baby carrier and everything."

He just gave her a sharp nod, unsure if he could speak right now. He watched Abi being wheeled out of the room in her bassinette and he couldn't deny an unusual pull at his heart. He'd never felt anything like it before. He glanced over at the phone on the table beside his chair and picked it up, hearing a dial tone. It would be dawn in Jericho. As he dialed the number he'd had ingrained in him since toddlerhood, he couldn't help but feel queasy.

He heard the phone ring once, and was sorely tempted to hang up. What if his father answered, what if he hung up. Jake needed help, he felt lost and scared, unlike ever before. Which considering where he'd been the last five years, that was something. He closed his eyes, holding a pregnant breath when he heard the phone get answered, but no one said anything. He could hear his father in the background.

"Hello?" He forced himself to ask, "Hello? Is anybody there? Hello?"

"Jake!" his mother's voice felt like music to his ears, and suddenly he felt utter relief like he'd never felt before. He'd only spoken to her a couple times in the last five years. He didn't realize until now how much he missed her voice. She sounded so happy to hear his voice too. "Honey, where are you?"

He could hear the tremble in her voice, he felt the ever present crushing guilt of hurting his mother who had worked so hard to ensure he was loved. He hadn't been born to them, he'd learned that in high school genetics class, they'd adopted him at infancy. Taken him and gave him all the love and kindness he never deserved. He felt his own eyes burning with an overwhelming feeling of failure. "I…I need to come home," he whispered, barely holding it together.

Gail heard something in her son's voice she hadn't heard in ages, fear. She felt her heart break for the boy. Did their beautiful boy really believe he wasn't welcome home, she knew Johnston and Jake had their fair share of issues, but Johnston still loved his son with all his heart and soul. Certainly Jake knew that. "Jake, you're always welcome here, honey."

The little control he had left over broke at that and he couldn't hold back the slight sob as he looked at the empty space where Anna's bed had been. She hadn't been his wife, but a best friend yes. He suddenly felt more alone than ever before, "Momma," he sobbed.

Gail's heart hammered in her chest at that word. She'd reared this boy since infancy, and it had been nearly twenty years since he'd called her that moniker. "Where are you, baby? I'll come to you and we can go home together," She offered, sensing he needed more support than he was willing to admit.

He closed his eyes, he didn't want to burden her, and the minute he said he was at a hospital she'd panic, "I'm fine," he lied.

"No you aren't sweetheart. Don't lie to your mother, you know better. Now tell me where you are, I can get a plane out of Denver today. Where are you?" She saw the look of irritation and contempt that her husband was shooting her. He'd call it coddling, but he didn't hear Jake's voice, or sobs.

"Please don't freak out mom," he whispered.

Gail took a deep breath, "I'm trying not to, but you're scaring me, honey."

"I'm at Sharp Memorial hospital, in San Diego," he replied. He heard his mother's audible breath intake. He had scared her, exactly what he didn't want to do.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" She was trying to control her own fear, when she spotted Johnston stepping forward, a look of concern in his handsome older features.

"No…mom, I'm coming home, I just…"

"Don't you dare try and talk me out of this Jacob Green. You let me pack a bag and I'll be on the first flight available. I'll see you this evening," The conviction in her tone was as much for Johnston as it was for Jake.

"Okay," Jake replied, "I love you, mom."

Gail smiled despite the situation, gripping the phone a little tighter in her hand she nodded, knowing full well her boy couldn't see her, "I love you too honey. Bye."

As Gail disconnected the call, and held the phone close to her chest, she watched Johnston carefully. "Gail you aren't going all the way to wherever the hell that boy is alone."

"He's in San Diego," she replied matter of fact. "And for your information I'm a grown adult who will do what I want. Now, you are certainly welcome to come, but I'm going one way or another and I'm bringing our boy home. You can either drive me to the airport, or get out of my way."

Johnston sighed, "I'll drive you, go pack I'll get you the tickets."

o0o

Jake hung up the phone, realizing his mother was coming here to help him, how was he going to explain this. He stood, still feeling nausea; he moved out of the room and headed over towards the nurse's desk. Lily glanced up, seeing him and noting he was a bit calmer it seemed she waved him over towards the nursery. He'd been dressed in a scrub top for sanitation, he stood outside and waited as she brought the bassinette back out, the little infant still squalling.

"Why is she crying, is she okay?"

Lily could see the genuine concern in his eyes, she pursed her lips to hide her grin, "she misses the contact. I think she's already quite taken with you."

He looked down at the baby in confusion, he wasn't her father, and how could she possibly already be attached. "That's not possible, is it?"

"Baby's are intuitive, they recognize body heat and compassion, whether we know it or not," Lily explained as they stepped back into the assigned hospital room. "We're due to release her in the morning, she looks great. She's eating well and everything."

He nodded, still numb from everything, he looked at the bag he'd packed for himself, he'd have to get Abi one probably. He'd never gone shopping in his life for a child, not since he was one and he'd hated it then. He didn't even know what babies ate when they didn't have a mom to nurse off of.

"Hey," again he felt the calm presence of Lily next to him, "One thing at a time okay, did you call your mom?"

"Yeah she'll be here in about five hours."

Lily nodded, glad to hear it, "Good, we can watch the baby a bit this evening while you go shopping with your mom to get what you need, I have absolutely no doubt the new grandma will love that. Now, you're going to get your own car seat for the baby, but we have a standard one that we use for examples."

Jake watched her with patience, occasionally asking questions, Lily explained why the car seat had to be placed facing the back at first until she weighed a certain amount. She went over how to attach the base inside the car, and when he mentioned having an older car with bench seats she explained the difference and what he would do instead. "Now, try not to worry, we'll go over all of this again with your car seat you buy tonight, promise. You have fed her yet from what I've seen, she ate recently, so when her new grandma gets here I'll show you that. Also have you changed a diaper?"

"Can't say that I have."

"Okay, let's go over that now."

He was trying to cling to his last shred of sanity as he realized the hundreds of things he'd probably done in his life. Everything was going to change, what the hell was he doing here? He had no right to parent this child, or any child for that matter.

"Hey, hey, breathe," Lily soothed, gripping his hand. The tiny infant lay wiggling around in one spot in her swaddle.

He just looked down at her miserably, staring at her with the dawning realization that he shouldn't have signed those forms. He wasn't fit to be a father, he felt like an elephant sat on his chest, his legs began to shake, and he just shook his head as he backed away. Every single memory of the past five years was assaulting him and suddenly it felt like everything was too small. He was struggling to drag air into his compressed lungs, stars dancing across his vision.

Spotting this, Lily set the baby back in her small crib once again and knelt down where Jake was now cowering. "Mr. Green, I need you to focus on my voice, come on Jake, breathe with me," she ordered. But he was already well on his way to a full blown panic attack. "I need help in here!" She shouted.

o0o

It felt like an eternity for Gail, as the taxi finally pulled up to the hospital. She took her overnight bag and thanked the man, paying him as she stepped out. As she entered the building, after nearly six hours of travel, she realized she had no information as to where to find her son. She stepped up to the front desk, wincing at the idea of sounding like a complete idiot.

"I'm looking for a Jacob Green like the color?" She asked.

The young candy striper nodded and typed something into her system, "I'm sorry ma'am I don't have a Jacob Green. Not even recently left. Do you know why he's here? I can tell you the floor he might be on." She felt her heart sink; she didn't have a clue why he was here. He hadn't said a single word about the reason; just that he was at the hospital.

Before she could say anything further, she felt a hand on her should. A young woman, probably close to Jake's age was dressed fun colored and printed scrubs, she had dark brown hair and almost clear green eyes. "You must be Jake's mom," she offered, "My name is Lily Auburn, I'm a nurse and have been caring for your son's…unique situation, follow me I'll take you to him," she offered.

Gail was unsure what to think, but did as the woman told her, they headed to a set of elevators and stepped inside, "Is he all right?" She finally asked.

Lily gave the woman a warm smile and nodded, "Aside from a little panic attack earlier, he's doing just fine. But this is definitely a situation where he needs his mom."

Gail was stunned as they stepped out into what was clearly a maternity ward, a million things entered her mind all at once. Jake had never mentioned a woman, though she imagined anything was possible. Did she have a grandchild? Was that why he'd been so upset earlier, something horrible had happened?

She remained quiet as she was led to a room with the closed door, Lily knocked lightly on the door, before pushing it open. Gail wasn't sure what she'd expected, honestly, especially after stepping off the elevator. But to see her son, sitting, whole in one piece in a rocking chair was a huge relief. He looked a bit pale, and his cheeks were red and puffy, so clearly he'd been crying. There was also a rollaway table nearby, with some water and juice on it. "Oh thank god, Jake," she whispered.

She didn't know what else was going on, and frankly she didn't care, seeing her boy propelled her forward. The dark chocolate eyes opened and as soon as he spotted his mother he was up and out of the chair and pulling her into a tight hug, one she gladly returned with fervor. Lily tiptoed out of the room to go get the baby.

"Jake, sweetheart, what's going on, why are you in the hospital? What's going on, why are you on the maternity ward?"

Jake pulled away and sighed, in most families this was a joyous moment, but he simply felt disconnected, and terrified. "Six months ago…one of my closest friends was killed…in combat," he lied about the last part, she didn't need the nitty gritty. "His wife was pregnant at the time, and she…" he closed his eyes, "She was rather adamant that should something happen to her I be given full guardianship over said baby."

Gail could see he was devastated by the losses of his two friends, and the knowledge that someone trusted him so deeply with their child was incredible. "I take it she didn't make it?" She asked gently as she took a seat in another nearby chair.

He shook his head, "We came in around 3 this morning, she was complaining of cramps and bleeding. She feared the baby was getting terminated. We got here they rushed her right into surgery. I couldn't come in, she was told her or the baby," he closed his eyes, a tear sliding down his face, "She chose the baby."

"I'm so sorry, Jake," she reached out and gently ran her hand over his stubbled chin, "And you're keeping the child?"

He shrugged, "I feel like I'm betraying her and the child if I give it up, this is all I have left of Freddy and Anna," he let his hands fall to his side, chin hitting his chest in defeat, "But I can't be a good dad," he shook his head. "Dad's going to have a field day."

Gail waved him off, "You leave your father to me. For the record he didn't feel all that different than this when you came along."

"Really?"

Gail chuckled, "Sweetheart, your father isn't as tough as he looks. He was terrified he'd break you. We wanted you so bad, but he hadn't realized all the responsibility that encompassed really."

"Tell me about it," Jake mumbled.

The door opened again and a bassinette was pushed in, a small swaddled baby lay inside, whining slightly. Gail turned and her eyes lit up, it was the first time Jake felt like things might really be okay. "She's due to be released first thing in the morning, before rounds, probably around 6:30, I thought maybe you'd like to meet your granddaughter," Lily explained.

"You have no idea," Gail's voice was thick with emotion and excitement, as Lily handed her the small baby. "That a girl, hey there princess," she whispered gently as she rocked her back and forth.

Lily glanced over at Jake, surprised to see he looked as in awe as grandma did. She chuckled, "I told Jake when you arrived he may need to go shopping to get everything you'll need. We can bring her back into the room once you guys are staying for the evening."

"Of course, oh goodness you are beautiful," she murmured as she pressed her lips to the silken forehead of the infant, the dark black hair tickling her nose. "She's perfect," before Jake could truly protest his mother handed her to him. He scrambled for a moment to prepare himself, but then as he stared at the little body he felt that familiar pull return.

"Yeah," he offered voice quiet, "She is."

"What's her name, daddy. You haven't officially given her one yet," Lily prompted; she'd been waiting to see him make the initial contact. There was a moment with most fathers when it hit them that they were daddies. Though it had taken longer with Jake, it was clear now as he stared down at the infant, his thumb rubbing her soft cheek, that the connection was finally made.

"Abigail Erica," he replied instantly, he'd mentioned Abigail to Anna months ago because of his mother and she'd fallen instantly for it. He glanced up at his mother to see her cheeks damp with tears. "After you and grandpa."

"I assure you we are both honored," Gail replied.

"I'll note the birth certificate. Why don't you two go shopping, I'll let the night nurse know to bring her back in when you return for the night. I'll bring you all the appropriate paperwork in the morning."

"Thank you," Gail smiled as she watched Lily take the baby back from her boy. She looked at Jake, who still looked overwhelmed, though it seemed like adjusting was beginning to occur. "Well this is quite the surprise," she was practically giggling in glee.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he replied as he stood and followed her out of the room to the elevator.

"Honey, I understand, it's a complicated situation, and finding out this way was far more fun."

Jake chuckled, "I missed you mom," he pulled her into his arms and hugged her again. She took a deep breath, taking in all that was her eldest boy, until the ding of the elevator alerted them that they'd arrived back to the main entrance area.

"I missed you too, sweetheart. I'll text your dad on the way to the store asking him to book us a train ride home."

"Train?" Jake questioned.

She chuckled, "Honey, you really don't want to take a newborn up in a plane two days after her birth, she'll cry the whole time."

"Oh," he hadn't really thought about that, though it made sense, pressure changes and all that. He was starting to wonder if he really was fit to be a father again. Before he could get much further into self loathing he felt his mother's hand on his.

"Honey, give yourself time, you're going to be a wonderful dad."

Jake laughed at that, "I'm pretty sure dad and half of Jericho would disagree with you completely."

"You leave your father to me sweetheart. It's going to be fine, I promise." It took about ten minutes to get to a Baby's R US, as they stepped inside, Jake realized this was it, there was no going back.

"I don't have any money," he murmured.

Gail gripped his hand, "As a grandma it's my job to ensure my little one is well cared for, don't worry. Come on, lets find some cute outfits, a carrier, we'll keep it down to that, you can stay in Denver or Rogue River and grab the rest once we get home."

"Okay, um, lets go look at clothes I guess," Jake said as he headed to the wracks of baby clothes.

"I'd say lets get a handful of onsies, and footie stuff, for now and as she grows, that way we can go shopping as she gets older."

He nodded, picked out a handful of clothes that featured various adorable animals and patterns. He found himself excited as he grabbed things, his mom grabbed an econo pack of diapers and put those in the cart. "Isn't that a bit…excessive right now?"

She laughed at him, "Trust me, you'll go through them very quickly," she moved over to baby bags, "Unfortunately most of these bags are going to be rather feminine, but look through them and see what you like, I'm going to go get some formula."

"Formula?"

Gail chuckled, "Sweetie, I don't know if you noticed but she has to eat, and she doesn't have a mommy to nurse from."

His face grew serious, "I'm a total screw up, I hadn't even really-"

"Sweetie," she pressed her hand to his cheek, "That's why you called me, it's okay to be overwhelmed," she rubbed her thumb against his jaw line for another moment, before heading down the isle.

He sighed, trying to draw his emotions back under control, he found himself terrified again. Taking another deep slow breath, he spotted a bag in the back, it was military camouflage green backpack he grabbed that one, since he'd been in the army briefly. He knew he'd have to explain it to his mom, but he was far less afraid of that. Remembering what Lily had told him about a car seat he moved over to the next isle and found a car seat that was convertible from just a seat and would sit on a stroller as well. It was dark pink and black, deciding he liked that one and it was easy to maneuver he grabbed that and put the other things they'd grabbed into that, leaving the car behind him.

He stepped down the next isle and found an isle filled with stuffed animals. He grinned, glancing back towards his mother who was still scouring the food sections, he looked at one particularly adorable purple and gray stuffed elephant, and decided she needed that one specifically. He grabbed that and put it in the stroller, he heard a chuckle and whirled around to see his mother with an armful of formula. "Mom that's enough to feed her for like a year!" he stated.

"I'm her grandma, it's my job to make sure she's well stocked, and don't think I didn't see you grab that adorable elephant. You're going to be just like your father."

"What do you mean?" Jake asked as they made their way to the check out stations.

Gail smiled, "I forgot you haven't really heard the story about you coming with us yet. Well, we were told about you a month and a half in advance. The mother had been debating keeping the child for a little while, but ultimately at only 17 she was pushed into giving you up by her parents. So we got the call that you were going to be ours, you wouldn't have believed your dad. Always the one to be cautious and calm about things said within moments we needed to go out and buy everything for you. He and EJ spent nearly forty-five minutes in the toy aisle arguing over farm animals, which is naturally what EJ wanted, vs. puppies."

Jake chuckled, "Who won?"

Gail grinned, a cheeky shy grin, that told him neither man had won, "Let's just say mom's always get their ways. You got green elephants because they were adorable." Jake laughed as they finished paying and headed back out to the parking lot. "I'm going to call your father to book the train ride, why don't you go ahead and pack the car up, okay?"

"Thanks mom."

Gail pulled out her cell and dialed, waiting until she heard her husband's handsome voice on the other end "Hello?" He spoke.

"Hi honey, how's everything at home?" Gail greeted.

"Fine, how's our young man?"

Gail considered how much to share, she felt that telling someone they were a grandfather was best told in person, especially considering the situation. "Jake is doing better, he's not the one in the actual hospital. If you could reserve us three seats on a train first thing in the morning that would be great."

"Jake found himself a girl, huh?"

Gail smirked, as she considered just how true that statement was, "Something like that. Anyway, we're going to make a couple stops on the way home, but I believe Jake still has his car at the station, so no need to pick us up."

"All right, long as your sure, just…call me when you get in the area, all right? Is this serious, or is he bringing some floozy home?"

Gail sighed, her husband was going to be the hardest part of getting Jake through parenthood. "I think you'll like this girl."

"Right," Johnston didn't sound terrible convinced, "I'll get you the ride, I'll have the tickets ready when you get there and waiting. You gonna tell me her name, or is it a surprise."

"You like surprises, Johnston, remember."

"No I don't!" he replied.

"Bye honey," she grinned and hung up as he replied in kind.

o0o

By nearly five thirty the following morning, son, grandma and granddaughter were headed to the train station in San Diego. It would take six hours to get to Denver, and another 3 hours to get to Jericho.

They were picking up some things in Denver, a crib and such. At the moment however, Jake was seated in the corner against the window, holding rather greedy infant while he fed her. Gail had to admit it was the sweetest thing she thought she'd never see. He spoke to her occasionally, or would stroke her tiny toes that were sticking out occasionally. It was clear something had changed in him over the course of several hours they'd spent together. He was warming up to the idea of fatherhood and becoming rather fond of the infant.

"Sweetheart, there's something I haven't told you quite yet."

Jake glanced up, the smile on his face still present; she almost wished she didn't have to tell him this. "What's wrong?"

"Your grandfather passed away a few months ago."

The smile faded from his face, she could see his jaw tighten as he tried to swallow a few times. He looked down at the baby, who he held just a bit closer, "I guess you don't get to meet great-grandpa EJ," he whispered, his voice on edge and close to breaking. "He would've adored you," he whispered. A tear slid down his face and dropped to her small hand.

She reached the same hand out and pressed it to his nose; he smiled despite the situation and pressed a kiss to the tiny little palm. "I love you, squirt," he murmured. "How're you going to tell dad about her?" He asked, changing the subject, not wanting to break down further in front of his mother.

"I imagine I'll let him hold her, man is a sucker for a cute lady."

Jake chuckled at that, "Too much info mom."

"He has missed you son," she offered some time later, they'd strapped the little one into back seat where she was now cuddled up with the toy elephant that was practically the same size as her. They'd bought far too much in Denver and were now headed to their home, completely packed full of furniture and everything they would need for the foreseeable future for Abi.

Jake's mouth curved down, "Right, clearly you mean he missed being disappointed in me. I didn't ask for this," he sighed, his left arm leaning against the driver's side door as it all but held his head up. "I could've given her up…I thought about it." He had, for several hours. For nearly three hours he'd considered all the pros and cons, he was terrified of being a parent, he was dangerous, and he'd killed people. Now here he was, supposedly capable of caring for an infant. "I…I killed people mom. I'm not safe, but I wanted a fresh start. I knew I'd be safe here, we'd be safe here. I just," he shook his head and looked out the side window.

Gail studied her boy for a long moment, before reaching out and gently stroking his hair, "Johnston will come around. You don't give him enough credit, be honest with him, he's had a few trials of his own you know."

"What if he doesn't love her, when I tell him the truth? No one can know, and I can't tell dad about…about the military."

"Jake, your father is going to love her no matter what. He's a huge softie and you know it."

"Maybe," Jake didn't kid himself about the utter disappointment he was to his father, and Johnston hadn't exactly been subtle about it either. He'd never feared his father, the man's disappointment and general disapproval had been plenty for Jake.

They were less than five miles outside the city when Jake spotted it, "What the hell," he whispered, even his mother looked as they watched a mushroom cloud erupt from where they had been not two and a half hours earlier.

"JAKE!" his mother screamed, a second later he felt the harsh impact as another on coming vehicle swerved into their lane, he was crushed sideways, slamming his head into the window as it shattered into pieces, he felt jolting agony in his thigh, and his last thought was about Abi and his mom before he lost consciousness.

o0o

Johnston looked down at his cell phone that continued to have no reception, his heart ached and he was terrified, petrified in fact that he'd just lost his wife and son in the explosion in Denver.

"Dad?" Eric spoke, touching his father's arm to get his attention. He couldn't focus on that now, he wasn't ready, and instead he turned to face the angry and terrified parents. He tried not to take it personally when one of them told him he didn't have a child lost out there. No, he probably didn't. His had probably been blown to damn pieces in the explosion, giving him no chance to apologize for mile wild chasm that lay between them.

"Jake! Jake!" the voice kept repeating, he groaned as he came to, the pounding in his head increased tenfold as he tried to move his head, he felt someone support his head and neck, then he tried to move and he cried out in pain. "Jake, baby, don't move," his mother's voice reassured him.

"Mom?" he tried to recall what had happened, the mushroom cloud, idiot drivers who swerved towards him. His eyes shot open and he looked over at her, "Are you all right!? Abi!?" He tried to turn but another spike of agony in his leg stopped him.

"Breathe, sweetie. We're both fine. Well…I might have whiplash, but I'm fine, and Abi is just fine. You lost consciousness, where are you hurt?"

He groaned as he got a good look at the inside of his car, "I'm fine mom," he groaned, he opened his car door and went to move his leg, before he cried out in pain again. He looked down to see a shard of metal sticking out of it, he leaned his head back, trying not to sob. "We need to get moving, it's going to get dark soon."

"Have you lost your mind, you've got a serious concussion, and you can't walk on that leg, what about Abi?"

Jake shook his head, trying to breathe through the pain like he'd been taught: In through his nose, out through his mouth. In. Out. In. Out, "Mom, we have to get moving. It's not safe out here, who knows what is coming. I'll ask Eric to come tow the car later. Grab Abi's carrier and lets go," he forced himself out of the car, biting his lip as he tried to put weight on it, the metal was in his thigh, he was loosing a fair amount of blood, but for now he'd just have to push through.

He came around to the front of the car, he wanted to grab as much of the baby stuff as he could, but with the risk it'd slow him down, it was better off out here for now. "Honey, are you sure you're okay?" Gail clearly didn't believe him, but he nodded.

"We're seven, maybe ten miles out, we can make it shortly after dark, can…can you carry her?" He looked down at the carrier and was thankful and relieved to see her eyes were open, but was otherwise completely unharmed. He tried not to consider it a miracle as he didn't believe in them anymore.

"Of course, let's go."

o0o

They were about three miles out of town when he heard the screaming, "Jake," Gail whispered as she saw the two children. He whirled around without a second thought and hobbled quickly towards the children, "What's wrong, are you all right?" He asked the two kids.

"They're dying! Hurry," the little girl cried. He glanced back at his mother before he hurried after them, she followed as quickly as she could. "The deer went crazy, Mrs. Green! And started running all over the road," Julia explained as they hurried to the bus.

"All right," Jake grimaced at the sight of the dead dear, "Just don't look at it," he was the first on the bus, testing to see if the driver was alive.

"Is he?" Gail stopped as she stepped inside.

"He's alive, there's an empty seat, help me move him back, you can set Abi there," Jake instructed. He saw another adult, a woman sitting back looking like the was close to throwing up across from the seat he was going to put the driver in, "You okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I think my leg is broken," she ground out.

Gail moved over towards the young woman, "Can you move your toes?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me," she waved to the children.

Jake took quick action, military training kicking in, assess and treat. "Anyone hurt? Anybody?"

"Stacy's sick," one little boy towards the back of the bus called. "She can't breathe," he announced pointing to the seat in front of him.

Jake hobbled back there, he spotted the girl lying down, both hands on her neck as she struggled to pull air in. "Hey Stacy, it's okay, can I see it, please?" he asked, glad when she finally removed her hands. The swelling was horrible, she'd probably crushed her esophagus. "Do you have an ice pack, we need to stop the swelling now!"

"Lucas, there's a first aid kit un the seat," Heather instructed.

He was handed the ice pack, he quickly gave it a jolt to make it cool and then pressed it to her throat gently. "Hurts," she whimpered, before her eyes slid closed and the breathing stopped.

"Stacy? Stacy, no, no no no!" he shouted, he felt his heart sink into his chest he glanced back around the bus, his mother's wide eyes staring at him. "Think, come on Jake," he murmured to himself, then it clicked, "I need a pen! Does anyone have a pen!?"

"We have pencils," Lucas offered.

Jake shook his head, "No, it needs to be a tube, how about a straw, anyone have a straw, it's hollow."

"I do," Julia offered, she handed her straw to Jake.

"It's too small, does anyone else have one?" He was pleasantly surprised when the chorus of I do surrounded him. "Good, get them out, give all your straws to, what's your name?" he asked the girl.

"Julie."

"Give all your straws to Julie. Julie, form a circle with them and tape them together with the Band-Aids. Quick, hurry. Mom, can you come here and hold her down."

Gail knew he was doing a tracheotomy, what she didn't know was how he knew how to do it. She moved back to him, scooting into the seat, he pulled out his pocket knife, sterilizing it with one of the wipes from the first aid kit, he took a deep breathe and pressed it against her throat, "Okay," he sighed, another soothing breath before pressing the blade in and slicing a small line, "Straws?" he requested, taking them from Julie. He was muttering under his breath to himself, as he slid it into the air way, praying it worked. When she didn't breathe he felt his heart begin to pound, "Come on, come on," he took a deep breathe and breathed into the straws, watching her lungs inflate, pulling away he waited. "Please breathe," he murmured, again another burst of air through the straws, his own lungs burning from effort.

A tiny gasp startled him and he let out a huff of exhaustion and thanks, she looked up at him with wide eyes, as he rubbed his thumb against her throat. "Mom, can you get me some Band-Aids to hold this in place?"

"Jake, are you okay?" she asked as she took his spot by Stacy to keep the straws in place and reassure the child.

"Fine mom," he lied. Truthfully he felt like he'd fall over any second, his entire leg ached and was starting to bleed more. His ribs were killing him and his head felt like it was trying to play an all drum marching band against his skull. "Let's go home," managed to back the bus up and head towards town.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Lucas asked.

Jake glanced back at his mother for a moment, "Military school, he admitted."

"Are you a solider!?" Another child asked with excitement.

Jake gave a huff of amusement, "No, just a screw up," he replied, never seeing his mother's look of devastation that he thought such a thing.

He was starting to see double and feel nausea. His thoughts as he struggled to keep driving towards his town revolved around his daughter. If he fell asleep and crashed the bus they'd die, of that much he was sure. So he struggled with every last ounce of energy he had, despite the splitting headache and the jarring and occasional stab in his thigh. He honked the horn half a dozen times, praying the mass of people would see them, he was seconds away from letting the oblivious and darkness take him. As he opened the door and people started to enter he tried to shout for the EMTs to help them, but it came out more like a pleading request of a dying man.

Jake looked over at the woman he didn't know, "What's your name?"

"Heather," she was still in pain, but managed a smile, what's yours?"

"Jake."

"Nice to meet you Jake."

He managed a weak nod, "You too," he replied watching them take Stacy off the bus.

When he saw his father and Eric step into the doorway, the utter relief that filled the pale old face was enough to make Jake want to sob, "Dad," he groaned.

"Eric, help your brother," Gail moved the baby carrier off the bus and stepped out of the way.

"Is that a baby?" Johnston asked.

"Not right now, Johnston," as she thrust the carrier and baby into Johnston's arms and helped maneuver Jake out of the bus.

Jake felt the steady heat of his brother as the taller man stepped under his arm and helped him off the bus, "Put your arm around me," Eric soothed as another EMT came over to them. He gasped as he felt something in his chest pull. He'd hit the side of the door too, he imagined his left side ribs were bruised.

"Gonna throw up," he'd barely eaten anything but as the concussion made itself more known while he moved he felt him stomach rebelling. Eric grimaced as the little food his brother had splashed in front of them.

"I got ya brother," Eric soothed, as he and the EMT got him up and into the ambulance, Gail climbing in behind him, she took the baby carrier back from her husband, who was still looking confused. The man looked like he was about to say something but shook his head and just turned away from all of it to talk to his town.

"Eric, get April. We'll meet you at the medical center," Gail ordered as she sat beside her son.

"Okay," Eric began to move away.

"Hey, there's an empty prison bus out there," Jake forced out as he shook from pain and exhaustion. He just wanted to close his eyes and sleep.

"Where abouts?" Eric questioned.

"Cedar Run," he offered automatically, he could feel his mother rubbing his bruised knuckles. "Also, we crashed the car about five and a half miles outside of town, get a tow…baby stuff in it."

Eric, deciding it was best not to ask just nodded, "Alright. Just relax. We'll take care of it," his brother assured him, before leaving him alone with his mother.

"Oh God. Look at you! You're a mess," she looked down at the metal in his leg that was soaking his pants with blood.

"I'm fine. Stop worrying about me," he groused through clenched teeth, his jaw tight, he looked up at her as he wiped the sweat from his face.

"Good luck with that," she replied, her tone filled with sarcasm, she studied the side of his head, head wounds always bled profusely, it looked fairly shallow.

"I was afraid I'd never this city again," she whimpered, her eyes filling with tears, as she looked over the bloody mess that was her eldest boy. She still couldn't fathom the man before her, he would always be the sweet little boy who was prone to nightmares and loved a good snuggle before bedtime.

"You think I'd let dad have the last word?" he smirked, his eyes closing briefly.

"Quit talkin' about me," the tone was supposed to be joking and playful, but as Johnston saw the look of disappointment and sadness in his son's eyes, he realized it didn't sound that way at all. Johnston felt horrible for what he'd said to his boy years earlier.

Then the thought that his eldest was missing when they were having a huge crisis, he'd been equally as terrified they'd never see him or Gail again, he wanted to be relieved but a part of him still couldn't believe this had all happened. But his pride got in the way, even as his wife gave him the coldest look he'd ever felt and seen in his lifetime. "You did well out there today. Your grandfather would be proud," he offered, because that's all he could stomach right now through his own self loathing. "I'll meet you at the medical clinic."

o0o

April met the barely conscious Jake Green and his mother along with the baby at the entrance. "Is that a baby?"

"Check her over," Jake instructed weakly, "Please, check her first."

April looked at Jake, he looked far worse off than the poor baby, but she assumed there was a reason for his insistence, "Okay," she looked back to the EMTs, "get him in one of our exam rooms, while I give her the once over."

"Gail, you want to explain just what the hell is going on here?" Johnston was at his wits end, he was tired and his relief at seeing his wife and son healthy and safe was starting to shift into irritated exhaustion.

Gail turned and looked at her husband, her eyes swam with tears before she threw herself into his arms. He was all too happy to return the hug as she wept into his shoulder, "I was afraid when I saw the mushroom cloud."

"You're telling me, I thought for sure I'd just become a widower," he shivered at such a thought. He kissed her lips, and then looked at the baby. "Who's baby?"

"Her name is Abigail Erica."

Johnston looked shock, "Where's her mother, never mind that, who is her mother? Is she Jake's?"

Gail sighed and shook her head, "Jake had some friends who died recently, and unfortunately one of them was her mother, when she was born. The mother was adamant about willing all guardian ship to Jake."

"He's a father?"

"He is now."

Johnston felt like he needed to sit down suddenly. Before he could completely come undone, April handed the baby to him, "Meet your granddaughter, grandpa."

"Oh god," he whispered as he accepted the infant into his arms. She was absolutely beautiful. Olive skinned, a dark tuft of hair on her beautiful head and dark brown eyes staring up at her. "Well then," he whispered as he took a seat in a nearby chair.

"I'm going to go check on Jake," April offered.

Johnston didn't reply, he just continued to stare at the beautiful baby girl in his arms. Suddenly he realized what EJ had felt like probably holding his grandson the first time. "Oh dad," he whispered, thinking about his father. Of all the ways he could've imagined the world could change, nuclear war and a granddaughter wasn't exactly what he'd considered.

o0o

When he came to he was in an individual hospital room, a small bandage on his hair line and his pants had been replaced by a pair of shorts with a thick gauze bandage around his leg. He was up at a slight angle. His head still hurt, but not as bad as before, he glanced around and was surprised to see his father sitting in a at his side; he held Abi in his arms. The angry features he was used to seeing were smoothed over as the man chatted idly to the infant, as if she was paying attention to his every word.

It took a few seconds for Jake to focus enough to hear the words his father was saying, he was talking about grandpa, and how EJ Green had been an incredible pilot. As his father hadn't seen him yet, Jake decided to feign innocence, he closed his eyes and acted, "Mom?" he called, slowly opening his eyes this time, admittedly he was still trying to blink away the sleep and whatever medications April had dosed him with.

"She went home to get some clean clothes for you, it's just me, son. Well, me and my gorgeous little granddaughter," he stood and smiled at the little baby, before handing her over to her father.

Jake made sure he was awake enough to take her, he looked down at her and smiled, "Hey you," he murmured, "Daddy got clobbered a bit, sorry. Is she okay?" He pressed a light kiss to her soft hair. "Were you getting to know grandpa?"

"April checked her out first, she's absolutely fine, apparently you strapped her and her carrier in absolutely perfectly. How ya feeling, son?"

Jake considered his answer for a moment, he felt better than yesterday, but still felt sore, "Okay I guess. Is she okay? Has she been fed?"

A look of mild surprise crossed Johnston's aged features, before he concealed them behind his usual mask, "Your mother fed her about an hour or so ago. Does she ever cry, don't think I've heard her mutter a whimper."

Jake ran a finger over her olive skinned cheek and nodded, "She cries, just not often. Guess I got lucky."

Johnston watched his son for a long moment, the look of utter love and amazement was one Johnston was familiar with. He'd had the very same look on his face nearly 32 years ago. How had he gotten it so wrong he wondered? How had he misjudged his boy and why so quickly? Yes, as a boy and young man, Jake hadn't been a very good person. He'd made terrible and stupid decisions. The man before him, however was different, the selfishness was gone, the anger, everything that had defined his son as Jake Green had clearly changed at some point.

Before Johnston could say anything further, the door to the room opened and his mother stepped in, with April right behind him. "You're awake," Gail's grin was brighter than any electricity could generate.

Jake gave her a smile, "Seems we both are," he bounced her ever so slightly in his arms and looked over at his father, "How is everything in town?"

Johnston glanced at his wife who still looked a bit irritated with him, "Everything is quiet for now. A few of the towns people found out you had a baby and have donated some stuff for you; it's back at the house, by the way, and Eric brought your car back about twenty minutes ago, he and Stanley are unpacking everything in the house. You let your mother buy the place out didn't you?"

"Like you wouldn't have," mumbled Gail grinning as she brushed the hair off her boy's forehead.

"All in all, today went much better than it could have. It's good to have you back, Jake." April offered, as she moved around the bed to his leg injury. Gail moved forward and reached for the baby from Jake, who willingly gave the girl over. "You really need to stay off this for a day or two."

Jake snorted, "I think you and I both know that won't happen," as he pushed himself forward, but as soon as he put weight on the leg he just about collapsed, the only thing catching him was his father.

"Son, do yourself a favor, and take a load off, at least until dawn. For right now, the town can survive without you," despite how much Jake clearly wanted to fight Johnston, he nodded and allowed himself to be put back onto the bed.

"I have to find a place to live and…"

Gail shook her head, "You're staying with us, and we've already set up your room and everything."

Jake stared at her, confused for a moment as to how anyone would want to help him, "Really?"

April smirked; she forgot how dense and sweet her brother-in-law could be,

As Gail handed her granddaughter back to her son, she reached out and stroked his cheek. He was in complete awe that anyone would want to help him, she worried they'd done more damage when he was young. "You're home now Jake," she assured him, just relax. I brought you a change of clothes for tomorrow; they'll release you in the morning."

The infant in his arms started crying and a kicking suddenly, getting fussy. Jake reached out and gripped one of her little hands. He smiled and began to hum a song, something his mother had sung to him as a child. April slipped out of the room, as did Johnston; Gail continued petting her son's silken hair, occasionally joining him in a round of Hey Jude. Johnston watched the trio fall asleep and smiled at the new normal they were about to have, his life had been up ended in one day, and yet as he watched his wife, son and new grandchild he couldn't help but feel happy that at least one thing had changed.