A/N: Thanks for the reviews, everyone—you guys are the best! I'm really happy to see my review totals jumping, but I think some of us are missing the point. Was I flamed? Yes, I was, but it isn't that big a deal. Haters gonna hate. I really appreciate my readers sticking up for me but when it turns into personal attacks like calling the flamer a "mental reject," that's just uncalled for. Thank you for defending me, but let's focus on the story and not the trolls. The last thing I want is to start a war. Anyway, I have implemented a few changes here upon the request of my reader Jennifer-1490 (proof that if you leave me some constructive criticism I won't ignore you!) In order to help you keep track of the characters, I'm going to give you a brief recap on each person when the POV changes. I hope it makes it easier for you guys to read this story. So please leave a review, I swear I don't bite (unless you're a flamer)!

Paul's POV

RECAP: Paul is the youngest of the Reynolds kids, age fourteen. He looks a lot like his dad but he has his mom's personality. Insanely smart but timid, Paul's gone through some bullying in the first chapter. Matt made him promise to tell their dad about it, but Paul is reluctant because he's afraid his dad will be disappointed in him.

I passed Matt as he left the living room. Dad was sitting on the couch, his plex in his hand. I had promised my brother that I'd tell Dad what was going on with Kyle and his dunce-cap buddies. But how does one go about doing this? What was I supposed to say? "Hey Dad, I'm being picked on in school and I can't stand up for myself so could you please beat the crap out of Kyle Dugan?"

I hesitated as I entered the room and was about to turn and bolt when Dad spotted me.

"Hi Paul," he greeted, smiling.

"Hi, Dad," I mumbled.

Dad looked at me, concerned. He's definitely good at reading people. "What's the matter?"

"I…" I honestly thought that I was about to tell him what was happening. "I…" There was a knock on the door that interrupted me. Dad got up to answer it and I took the opportunity to run. I'll tell him some other time…

Mark's POV

RECAP: We all know Mark Reynolds from the show. He's now married to Maddy, he's forty-two and he has three children. I can't imagine Mark aging poorly, so let's just assume he looks similar, with maybe a few age details added. Same with Maddy—they're what we call "graceful agers." Anyhow, he's been designated captain at this point and he serves as one of Taylor's trusted advisors (just below father-in-law Jim Shannon).

There was definitely something bothering Paul. I know my son well enough to know that. The problem is, all three of my kids have very different personalities. Adelaide, for example, is not afraid to tell people how she feels. Matt is pretty easy-going, and he prefers to use humor or let things roll of his back. But Paul is very introverted, and he holds things inside. I knew I had a lot of digging to do before he'd actually tell me anything. I was ready to start digging, too, but the knocking at the door interrupted me. When I turned to look at where my youngest son had been standing, he'd already run off.

Making a mental note to check in on him later, I answered the door, hoping it was my wife but knowing it was probably someone else. It was Corporal Sean Quinn, one of the brightest in my unit.

"Captain Reynolds," he addressed me, snapping to attention.

"Corporal, we're not on duty—you can relax." He relaxed his posture. Sean's a good kid, one of the best. And he's very well respected by everyone. He'll make a brilliant unit leader one day. But right now, he wasn't here to see me—he was here for Adelaide.

I won't lie, I wasn't thrilled to find out that Adelaide was dating a soldier, especially one under my command. But Sean is definitely good for her. Adelaide can be a loose cannon sometimes. He reigns her in when she needs to be reigned in. And he's respectful of her. Therefore, with my own experience dealing with Maddy's dad in mind, I granted him my blessing.

"Is Adelaide here, sir?" Sean asked me, running his hand through his sandy hair and glancing about a little nervously. Dating the daughter of your superior is never easy…

"I think she's in the kitchen," I stood aside and allowed him in.

"Thank you, sir." He slowly entered the house, heading to the kitchen.

Adelaide's POV

RECAP: Adelaide is the eldest of the Reynolds kids, age twenty. She has her mother's hair and her father's eyes. Although she is small and petite, she's a scrappy girl. She's not afraid to let you know exactly what she thinks of you, and she's definitely not afraid to stand up for herself. She works in the clinic and, as we learned last chapter, she's not a good cook. She's dating Sean Quinn.

I heard the door open, I heard Dad talking to Sean, and I heard Sean come in. Now I was just waiting for him to appear. I wasn't disappointed.

"Sean!" I ran to greet him as soon as he entered the kitchen. He threw his arms around me and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Hi, Adelaide," he smiled at me, but he dropped his arms as Dad came in the kitchen. Dad isn't the controlling type of parent my grandfather was and is, but Sean's always a little…nervous whenever my father's nearby. I guess he doesn't want to make a bad impression. We sort of stared awkwardly at one another until Dad left, something of a mischievous smirk on his face.

I reached up and ran a finger under one of Sean's brown eyes, wiping away some dirt that had caked itself there. "Did you just get off patrol?"

"Yep," he replied, his hand covering mine, a sign that I should leave it there. "I came right over as soon as the Commander dismissed me."

I blushed. He came straight over here to see me! He didn't go get a drink with his friends, he didn't go home and rest, he came straight over here. For me!

A slow smile spread across my face. "That's sweet…"

He moved his hand and I felt its warmth now resting on my cheek. "You're certainly worth it." I was positive I was blushing even more now.

"There's a problem, though."

Sean looked surprised. "What? What is it?"

I laughed, my hand resting on his chest. "You definitely, definitely need a shower!"

"Do I?" He wrapped me up in a bear hug, an enormous grin breaking out.

"Sean!" I tried to protest but I could barely form words. I was laughing too hard. "C'mon, let me go!"

"Oh, but why?" I could hear the mischievousness in his tone. "I haven't had a hug all day!" He squeezed me again, then let me go.

"God, Sean!" I laughed. "Next time you want a hug before you've had a shower, go hug Commander Taylor!"

He made a face. "I'd rather hug a carno."

I giggled and smacked his arm. "That's a viable alternative…"

"Alright, I guess I should take your hint and go home to shower. But I will be back!" He turned to go.

"Don't take too long! I'll miss you too much!"

"I'll miss you more!" he called. I heard him exchange farewells with Dad and then I heard the door closing, indicating he had gone out.

Matt entered the room shortly after Sean left. As annoying as my brother liked to be, he at least had the decency to allow me time alone with my boyfriend.

"Ooooh, Addie!" His voice had the maturity of an eight year old, despite his sixteen years.

"Shut up," I rolled my eyes, getting ready to dole out dinner. Years of being the older sister had taught me how to deal with his teasing. "Don't make me hurt you!"

"Oh God! Your cooking's punishment enough!"

A/N: Hooray! A third chapter! And we get to meet Sean Quinn for real, this time! I briefly mentioned his name last chapter but he gets some dialogue and we get to see his and Adelaide's relationship dynamic—sweet and playful! Kind of reminds you of Mark and Maddy, doesn't it? So drop a review, and remember: I would like ALL my readers to play nice with each other. No verbally assaulting one another! Thanks for reading!