This first chapter is actually three small chapters combined into one, with the main purpose of character development. But you shan't be bored for long! The undead will come into the second chapter!

Jane smiled softly as she saw a small girl approach her, the girl's blue eyes sparkling at seeing her mother, her blond hair held up in a red bow.

"Hi, sweetie!" Jane greeted, kneeling slightly to hug her daughter. The girl wrapped her small arms around her as Jane's comforting scent surrounded her. "How was your first day at school?"

"I passed out paper, Mommy!" The girl said, her smile filled with gaps from her missing teeth, her mother grabbing the girl's small hand and leading her down the street.

"You did? Ooh, that's wonderful, Sarah! Anything else?" Jane asked, smiling as Sarah skipped slightly on the sidewalk, her shyness quickly leaving in the safety of her mother.

"Oh, no, Mommy." Sarah replied, suddenly halting in her skipping. Jane's instinct immediately screamed something was off.

"Are you sure, sweetie? You can tell Mommy, you know that." Jane spoke, squeezing the girl's hand gently in support, Sarah remaining quiet for a long time.

"Some boys were mean to me." Sarah replied softly, Jane's eyes narrowing slightly.

"What happened?"

"They made fun of Daddy, Mommy! I told them that they were booger heads but then they picked on me and called me names!" Sarah cried, Jane laughing slightly at her daughter's retaliation. They really were mother and daughter.

"Don't let the mean things they say about Daddy bother you, honey. It only gives them more reasons to be mean." Jane spoke calmly, her anger inwardly rising at knowing someone upset her baby and was targeting her family.

"But-"

"Shhhhh. No buts, Sarah." Jane shushed gently, releasing the girl's small hand to run her larger hand through her hair in comfort.

"B...yes, Mommy." Sarah hesitantly complied, approaching their home as Jane opened the door and allowed the girl entrance first.

The house was but a small two story single. Though it was rather small, it served its purpose of warmth and security a young family would need.

Sarah giggled softly as her mother took off her backpack, Sarah kicking off her shoes at she ran towards the kitchen.

Rolins sat at the kitchen table, his one leg lazily crossed over the other as he unconsciously chewed on the pen in his hand, his eyes narrowed at the stack of paperwork in front of him. He didn't mind the paperwork, no. He just hated how long the court procedures took everytime he would write up a report. The whole loop in their justice system just drove him insane. A guilty man is guilty and should face the consequences no matter what. Legal or no. Justice is justice.

Deciding to take a break, Rolins set the pen down on the table, running a hand through his hair before staring at his untouched cup of coffee, the liquid now room temperature.

"Daddy!"

Rolins glanced up towards the door, smiling as Sarah jumped on his lap, wrapping her small arms around her father's neck.

"Hey, kiddo. How was school?" Rolins asked, kissing Sarah's forehead just as Jane walked into the room.

"Good, Daddy!" Sarah answered, Rolins beginning to rock Sarah gently on his lap.

"I don't think that will work on her anymore, Jonathan." Jane spoke, sitting down as she stole her husband's coffee.

"It worked on her before." Rolins countered, Sarah looking between both adults, confused.

"What worked, Daddy?"

"I would always rock you to sleep like this." Rolins sighed, giving up. "My little butterfly is growing up so fast."

"Too fast." Jane added. "It seems only yesterday that you were a wee little thing. Something we could hold. Something we could protect. And now your growing into a little girl instead of our baby."

"She's still our baby." Rolins added, but he doubted his wife even heard him as she shook her head.

"Sarah, why don't you go to the bathroom and clean yourself up? Mommy will have dinner ready when you come back."

"Okay, Mommy." Sarah answered, jumping down from her father's lap. "Bye, Daddy! I love you!" Sarah called before disappearing into the next room, Rolins smiling.

"I love you too, butterfly." Rolins answered softly, Jane moving towards him as she sighed heavily, rubbing his shoulders.

"Did you iron this?" Jane asked, picking at the collar of his dark blue button up shirt, the shirt having a rather low V neck from the man's lack of button use. Rolins pulled away, his facial expression blank as he became slightly annoyed.

"Yes, Dear." Rolins answered, fixing his collar before looking at his shirt. It wasn't that wrinkly. Yes, it may have been a bit loose but it wasn't messy. At least he didn't so.

Jane pierced her lips together, walking away before taking a swig of Rolins' stolen coffee. She obviously didn't care that it was cold.

"Is something wrong, Jane?" Rolins asked, sensing something was off about her.

"I'm just a little pissed about Sarah's classmates." Jane answered, Rolins raising an eyebrow before sighing.

"Well, what do you expect of people?" Rolins asked, knowing what the subject was already about. "If they have a problem with me, they shall leave my family out of it."

"If they have a problem with you the last thing they will do is tell you to your face." Jane commented, Rolins shaking his head.

"I know, but they have no reason to target you or Sarah. It's just one vicious cycle." Rolins commented, glancing at his wristwatch out of habit before getting up.

"Where are you going?" Jane asked, noticing Rolins stacking the papers neatly together before putting them in a folder.

"To the Station. The files have to be in by seven." Rolins answered, Jane looking at the clock to see the time was six thirty.

"How long will you be gone?" Jane asked, Rolins shrugging his shoulders as he grabbed the keys on the table.

"I don't know. It depends on the cases." Rolins stated, turning as he approached Jane, kissing her before reluctantly moving away, his lips hovering over hers.

"I love you, Nathan." Jane spoke, Rolins smiling almost solemnly.

"I know." Rolins answered softly. "Well...I have to go. If I'm not back by the time Sarah is in bed make sure all the doors and windows are locked. You know where the spare gun is right?"

"I think we'll be safe one night without you, Nathan." Jane giggled slightly, Rolins clearing his throat. "Of course."

"Oh! And don't worry about picking up Sarah tomorrow. I can go get her." Rolins quickly added, Jane smiling before turning to the fridge to make something.

Rolins turned to leave, pausing as Sarah looked up at him, her eyes wide and slightly watery, as if she was about to cry.

"Why are you going away, Daddy?" Sarah asked. It was rather obvious she was hiding just outside the kitchen, in the living room, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Don't worry, Sarah. Daddy will be back. I promise. Goodnight, butterfly." Rolins whispered, bending down to kiss her forehead, Sarah watching as her father left.

"Bye, Daddy." Sarah whispered softly, wondering if her father even heard her as Rolins walked out the door, locking it before stepping outside.

Rolins carefully closed the door behind him, the keys jingling softly as he put them on the living room table, his coat soon following as it was placed on the coat rack.

Rolins glanced at his wristwatch, sighing at the time. It was almost midnight. At times, Rolins really hated his job.

Untying his shoes, Rolins tried to make as little noise as possible as he climbed up the stairs, pausing in the hallway as he reached Sarah's room.

Looking inside, Rolins eyes almost stung by the sheer amount of bright pink and purple, even in the darkness. The only light source was from a small night light in the shape of a butterfly. Rolins couldn't help but smile as he watched Sarah squirm slightly under the pink comforter, the small girl hugging a stuffed butterfly with a heart on its chest. God, did she love butterflies.

Rolins retreated into the hallway, gently pushing the bedroom door open as he walked into the master bedroom. It was rather large, and the majority of color within the room was various shades of brown and light blue.

The man waited for several seconds, hearing the gentle rhythm of his partner's breaths, assuring himself that she was asleep before he walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Turning on the light, Rolins stared at himself in the mirror, much like he did many nights when he would wake from the nightmares that plagued his sleep, filled with the memories of the boy-Joey Callix.

Rolins closed his eyes briefly before reopening them, his ice blue irises reflecting the light of the room as he turned toward the shower, shaking his head. It almost felt like he was suffering from everything again. The countless nights he stayed up, unable to fall asleep or be forced to relive that horrible memory. The insomnia only able to be cured by heavy doses of doxepine, which would knock him out for days. More than a few times he came close to overdosing.

Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, Rolins took off his wristwatch, setting it on the counter. Unbuttoning his shirt, Rolins threw the short in the hamper almost lazily as he turned the water on the in the shower.

Steam began to rise as he unbuckled his belt, throwing it in the corner to pick up later as his pants and boxers fell forgotten in the depths of the wash basket, sharing a similar fate like his button up shirt.

Rolins sighed as he let the hot water hit him, running a hand through his normally slicked back hair. A hot shower always made him feel better.

Rolins turned his head to the door opening, Jane poking her head in before closing the door softly behind her, her arms crossed over her chest. Shit, this wasn't good. Maybe if Rolins would ignore her she would go away?

"Why are you home so late?" Jane asked, Rolins inwardly sighing. He knew he was fucked either way. Fuck. So much for hot showers making him feel better.

"Papers don't take five fucking hours, Nathan!" Jane snapped, Rolins flinching at the shrillness of her voice.

"You're going to wake up Sarah." Rolins stated, almost calmly. He could practically feel the room get stuffy as Jane's anger rose.

"She's been up since eleven, Nathan! She was waiting for you to come home but you never came! Where the hell were you?!" Jane screeched, Rolins trying to drown out her voice with the rushing water.

"There was a reported disturbance." Rolins replied. "And the files took longer than we thought."

"Ohhh, so this 'disturbance' took almost all night? What did you really do? Fuck some coke whore in a run down hotel? Is that it?" Jane hissed violently, Rolins turning off the water as he dried himself off with a towel.

"I'm a cop, Jane. My whole career would be expunged if anyone found out. If I was doing anything." Rolins answered, wrapping the towel around his waist as he stared at Jane, the woman shaking her head in frustration.

"You're impossible! Do you ever get mad?" Jane asked, Rolins raising an eyebrow, confused.

"You were harassing me just to get a response out of me?" Rolins asked, Jane fidgeting in place. It was cute-the fidgeting of course, but why would you go through all the trouble just to see if someone would get angry?

"Maybe." Jane replied, Rolins staring blankly at her. He just didn't understand women. Or people in general.

"See you in bed, husband!" Jane called, swiftly opening the door and slamming it, Rolins flinching at the noise.

How in the hell did he ever end up with such a woman? And people call him strange.

Jane couldn't help but be overwhelmed by pleasure as she ran her fingers through Rolins' hair, pulling him closer as she struggled to catch her breath.

"Oh, Nathan." Jane breathed, feeling her partner leave a trail of kisses from her neck to her chest, her nails digging into his shoulder.

Jane rolled her head back onto the pillow, her back arching rhythmically as she looked off to the side, staring at the clock as she softly moaned. It took her awhile to notice what time it was.

"Nathan! Time..." Jane tried to get out, but gasped. "Time!"

"Hmmmm?"

"Look at the time!" Jane managed, Rolins dumbfounded before looking at the clock, his face flushed and his hair slightly messy. It was 3:06. Shit.

"You said you would go get Sarah." Jane commented, Rolins looking at the clock, then turned back to Jane.

"She can wait a few more minutes." Rolins reasoned, Jane's face flushing with anger, her mouth open as if she was about to bite his head off.

"Ugggh! Some father you are! Go!" Jane urged, rather roughly pushing the man away from her as Rolins regretfully got off the bed, quickly getting dressed, his clothes thrown about the room.

"Go get her, handsome. I bet all the other mommies eye you up." Jane teased, Rolins chuckling softly.

"Yeah, and then the daddies want to bash my brains in." Rolins replied, combing his hair back as he worked on cleaning himself up.

"Don't get bored without me, now." Rolins spoke, walking out the door as Jane rolled her eyes.

"I'll try not to." Jane muttered, hearing Rolins walk down the stairs, the door slamming as the man left.

Rolins walked outside in the sun, not in that much of a hurry since the school was in walking distance. About three or four blocks. He could easily jog that distance.

Unconsciously, Rolins looked at his wristwatch, estimating the time of his arrival. He hoped Sarah's day at school was better than it was yesterday. People have absolutely no right to torment his family just because they have a poor opinion of him.

Rolins felt his anger steadily rise the more he dwelled on the thought. Though normally quiet and preferring to stay out of the public eye, Rolins would do more than give these boys a piece of his mind-more so their fathers of course. The men were obviously using their children to harass Sarah. Rolins wasn't entirely sure why though. He could only guess that it was meant to jab at the officer, to make him go on the offensive. If that indeed was their plan, it was working.

Getting inside the school was alway a pain, but it was necessary. People were crazy these days. Sometimes, Rolins would have horrible nightmares of the small school being shot up by a nutcase. It was a horrifying experience for any parent. Even though it was a dream, he still felt the fear of not knowing if his daughter was safe. He still felt the overwhelming sense of dread of knowing that people have lost their lives. He still felt the guilt of not being able to protect and serve the very people he had sworn to protect. To tell a mother her son would never return home, safe in her arms. To tell a husband that he had lost his wife. The dream was horrible, and also horrifyingly similar to his dream with the car crash that caused a boy's death. He always woke up in a cold sweat. Always felt like he couldn't breathe. And a few nights later it would start all over again.

Rolins shook his head as he walked out to the school's playground, several teachers watching the children play as they ran back and form, played hide and seek or just climbed the jungle gym.

"Hello, Mr. Rolins!" A young brunette replied cheerily, smiling brightly as Rolins cleared his throat.

"Afternoon, Miss Honey." Rolins greeted softly, almost awkwardly as he smiled stiffly, the young girl laughing.

"Aww, Mr. Rolins! You're funny!" Ms. Honey laughed. At first, Rolins wasn't sure whether to be relieved or offended by the young woman's sense of humor, but quickly decided to just drop the thought.

"So, where is Mrs. Rolins today?" Ms. Honey asked, almost playfully as her eyes gleamed with happiness. It was almost like she didn't have a care in the world.

'On her back waiting to get fucked.' Rolins thought, his mind wondering before being roughly yanked back to reality upon hearing a rather loud gasp.

Turning his mind back to Ms. Honey, Rolins noticed her mouth was contested in shock, her thin hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide. Rolins could feel the very blood drain from him. Did he say that aloud? Damnit.

"I...I'm so sorry-I..." Rolins faltered. Honestly, how could he recover himself from an embarrassment such as that? "I'll go find Sarah!" Rolins reasoned, quick to flee the embarrassing moment, his pride the only thing keeping him from running far, far away. Rolins knew he, himself was awkward, but he didn't think he was that awkward. Poor Ms. Honey...hopefully none of the children heard.

Trying to ignore the experience, Rolins walked off, noticing a group of children near the swing set with several adults off to the side, talking while their children played. Rolins could feel a knot form in his stomach, cursing to himself. Those three men there were some of the biggest asses he knew. They also didn't have the cleanest records either.

Nicholas Hate was arrested once for domestic abuse, but managed to pay the bail and got out. Ronald Kern was basicly the town drunk. He was mainly harmless, but he would get roudy from time to time. And last but not least was Tony Sanders, the pill popping addict. Such a lovely bunch.

Since Sarah was one of the children playing by the swings, Rolins had no choice but to steal himself and approach.

As Rolins approached, he noticed Sarah was surrounded by three boys, and that the little girl had shrunken into herself. Getting a closer look, he noticed his daughter had tears streaming down her face.

Rolins could feel his anger build as Sarah cried, running towards her father and wrapping her arms around his waist. Rolins stroked her hair in comfort, whispered softly to his child as he told her to stay here.

Rolins eyes narrowed on the group on the boys, the boys retreating towards their fathers as the men looked at Rolins, feeling the atmosphere change as the officer approached. Rolins didn't give a damn if he was an officer of the law and these bastards cried police brutality. No one treated his family in such a way.

"Why don't you teach your boys some manners?" Rolins asked, his voice low as the boys visibly hid behind their fathers.

"What? They're kids. That's what they do, unless you have a problem with my boy, Officer." Nick spoke, refraining the venom in his voice from going too far, but meant it as an insult by putting emphasis on the status of the man.

"I have a problem with you teaching your boy to harass my daughter." Rolins hissed, Nick scoffing as Ron laughed.

"Well your little girl shouldn't play with the tough guys. Boys will be boys." Ron added, Rolins' anger rising. These guys were fucking assholes. If he were a person of lesser tolerance, Rolins would have already knocked each fucker to the ground and bash some sense into them. They obviously didn't respect women, and by the way they were raising their kids they would surely follow in their fathers' footsteps and become the next generation to embarrass humanity.

"And your boys shouldn't gravitate around that 'little girl'." Rolins growled, his eyes warning them to back off. "If you have a problem with me, then say it to my face like a man. Don't you dare—and I mean dare harass my wife or my daughter, or I'll make sure Karen gets full custody of your boy." Nick paled as his eyes narrowed in hate. Appropriate that he has such a last name.

"Is that a threat?" Nick asked, Rolins smirking smugly.

"That's a promise." Rolins answered, Nick flushing in rage as his fists clenched shut, the knuckles turning white as his body trembled. This pushover was threatening to take the joint custody completely away from him and give full on custody to that bitch.

"You sick fuck!" Nick roared, and moved to punch Rolins, but was held back by Ron and Tony.

"Daddy!" Sarah cried, running to her father only to have Rolins push her back incase Nick got loose of his friend's hold.

"Oh, my! Mr. Hate! Mr. Hate! What is the meaning of this?!" Miss. Honey asked, shushing the children away to avoid any injury, the sound of her heels clicking furiously as she struggled to get to the disturbance as fast as she could.

"I apologize, Miss. Honey. Mr. Hate and I were just having a disagreement." Rolins replied, clearing his throat.

"A disagreement? What I heard was a man shouting profanities, Mr. Rolins! If you intend to have a 'disagreement' do your best to remain civil or you will no longer be allowed on the school's premises! By God, there are children here! Now, I'm sorry, but I must ask you to please leave. Violence is not what these children deserve to see." Miss. Honey spoke firmly, scolding the men. She may have been young, but her instincts to protect these children were strong. It was amazing how some of these children displayed more maturity than grown men.

"And leave we shall, Miss Honey! Say goodbye to Miss Honey, butterfly." Rolins spoke, grabbing Sarah's hand. He could swear he could hear Tony laugh at the little pet name.

"Bye, Miss Honey." Sarah waved, Rolins briskly leading his daughter away.

Thinking, Rolins wasn't too sure he even wanted to go home. He didn't exactly handle the situation in the best way possible by threatening to take the man's custody away of his child. But Rolins was almost positive his message was clear to Nick: leave his family well enough alone.

Well, I hope you liked the characters for far. I apologize for all them being OCs, and might add some canon characters later. I hope you enjoyed!