Chapter 28


"Cruz bailed." Danny remarked as he put his phone away. He, Taylor, Miller,Tex, Danny and Burk sat at a table at their local haunt for steaks and beer. He'd been hoping for a text from Kara. No such luck.

"Can you blame him?" Tex asked with a sly smile before he took a swig of his beer.

"Yes, my fiance kicked me out for the night." Danny said with a pout.

"You shouldn't have commented on how big she was getting. No woman likes to be told she's fat." Burk said with a snort of laughter. He'd been helping Danny put together the crib for the Nursery. His penance for being an asshole. He of course witnessed Danny's bad handling of Kara.

"You weren't supposed to listen and I didn't say she was fat." Danny said defensively as the others at the table were judging him poorly.

"Then you shouldn't say it in front of me and what you said could be misinterpreted." Burk argued before he took a sip of his ginger ale. He hated it but he knew he had to sober up or lose the only thing he had going for him; his naval career. Danny just stared at him unsure of what to say.

"Kara will get over whatever you said after a good foot massage. She knows you're a moron, so just apologize and not say it again." Tex assured Danny who frowned at him but didn't argue the point as he had been stupid.

"Mate, you ok?" Wolf asked Miller as he had been distracted most of the evening and had missed a lot of the conversation.

"I met my Father." Miller told them, all the men paused in their drinks and looked to him.

"What?" Burk said blinking in surprise. "You have a Dad?" he asked.

"No, I was hatched." Miller told Burk snidely, but Burk gave a laugh while Miller shook his head.

"Where? When?" Wolf asked Miller.

"Today." Miller replied,he'd felt uneasy all day since the 'event' as he called it in his head. Part of him wanted to race over to his Mom's and demand she tell him about his Dad. But another part of him was just pissed off it took Rob over 20 years to find him. Sure, he could understand how Rob didn't know about him but it just didn't sit well and he didn't want to unnecessarily upset his Mom.

"How did he find you?" Wolf asked.

"What's he like?" Tex asked out of curiosity.

"It was weird. He said the Peoplesmart thing found the connection between us." Miller said looking uncomfortable and distinctly upset.

"So?" Burk asked.

"I didn't sign up for the DNA search. I just put in for a reconnect with my Mom. The military has my DNA on record but they wouldn't hand that over, would they?" Miller asked Danny who immediately shook his head.

"No, that database is only used to identify remains. You would have had to sign up and consent to giving them a sample of your DNA." Danny assured him, but if anything his words unsettled Miller more as he had to wonder how his father really found him.

"Then he shouldn't have been able to find me." Miller said.

"Have you talked to your Mom about it?" Tex asked him. Miller shook his head given it was a pretty sensitive issue.

"No, she's still freaked out about the break in. She never talked about my father. I don't know if I want to ask her." Miller said.

"Think the two are related?" Tex gently prompted, Wolf looked at the man wondering if he was thinking the same as he. That Miller's father was the guy who broke into the apartment. Tex raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner at Miller ignoring Wolf.

"I don't think so." Miller said with a frown but he wasn't sure of what to think. The main problem he had was that his father just popped out of no where. "But I'm going to call PeopleSmart and check it out." he added.


"I can see why Preacher loves this woman. This food is amazing, it reminds me of my Mom's cooking it's that good." Cruz said as he took one bite of the food and it felt like he was home. The food tasted just like his Mom's but he was sure his brain was playing tricks on him.

"Should I be worried?" Ava asked jokingly from her seat on the floor by the coffee table. She didn't have a dining table. So they dined in the lounge room at the coffee table. Clara was already fed, bathed and in her bassinet; fast asleep. Leaving them to enjoy some time alone.

"Hmm, nah, I cook this and honestly don't want to mess up the good thing I got here." he said with a warm smile. He held her gaze for a long moment enjoying chemistry and good feels running between them. He felt a little bad for bailing on the guys but then he just enjoyed the domesticity of spending the evening with Ava and Clara.

"Smooth save," Ava replied before she took a swig of her beer. Her cheeks warm and her heart doing funny flip flops at his words.

"I was thinking, if you're free on Sunday that we could spend the day together. Just you and me." he said carefully as if testing the waters to see how she'd feel about it.

"Where would Clara be?" Ava asked him in amusement as she stirred her bowl of jambalaya.

"Thinking of asking Bobbie to babysit. She and Commander Garnett offered to look after Clara for me. What do you think?" Cruz asked her.

"If they are happy to, then sure. But I'm happy to have Clara with us." Ava assured him.

"I know, but I wouldn't mind an unchaperoned day with you." Cruz said with a grin, she couldn't help but smile as she knew exactly what he was thinking.


The following morning,

"You ok?"Wolf asked as he leaned over Bobbie who was once again laying in the grass covered in sweat. She looked dead on her feet but their training had a purpose. He just needed her to push through her own inclinations to stop and muscle aches.

"When do I get better?" Bobbie asked him between breaths.

"About 6 weeks in." Wolf said.

"What?!" Bobbie exclaimed. He smiled at her which made her glower in the cutest way. Wolf squashed the emotions he felt when he looked down at Bobbie. She was a beautiful woman and in another time he'd try to be all over it but she was in danger. She lied to her own son for whatever reasons and he was training her. He also respected Miller too much to disrespect his Mum.

"It'll be maybe two to feel some difference cardio wise." he said.

"Exercising is painful." She grumbled.

"Yeah, it can be but the results speak for the hard work. But while I have you down there. I have a question." Wolf told her, he couldn't help it. He had to know the truth even if he couldn't share it with Miller.

"What?" Bobbie asked him.

"The guy with red hair and tatts. Is he Miller's Dad?" Wolf asked cutting to the chase.

"Excuse me?"Bobbie asked, she had paled which confirmed what Wolf already suspected.

"Miller said he was approached by his dad. It was a few days after the break in. I'm training you, but it would be good if I knew how dangerous this guy is." Wolf said.

"It's none of your business."Bobbie informed him shakily.

"I know, but I care about your safety. What you tell Miller is your business. I'm not going to get in between you two or force you to tell him. I just need to know what I'm helping you prepare against."

"I don't know. I just know he's trouble." Bobbie said in a sad manner as she rolled onto her knees and pushed to her feet. "Thank you for training today." she added before she started walking away but Wolf caught her by the elbow.

"We're not done." He told her, he felt her muscles tense under his hand and released her as he saw the fear in her eyes. "Sorry." he added sincerely, he saw her relax and give a nod accepting his apology.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Bobbie told him.


Miller gave a half chuckle and frowned as he watched the thirty second video of Cruz making Clara smile. Cruz had sent a group text to him and Wolf with the video claiming he got the first 'real' smile. It was just weird and cute at the same time.

"Hey," Rob said pulling Miller's attention from his mobile.

"Hi," Miller said, he turned the screen off quickly as he was starting to feel like he was being stalked. That and he wanted to protect his friends and their family in case Rob wasn't on the up and up.

"What were you watching?" Rob asked.

"Friend's kid just learnt to smile." Miller said dismissively,he knew it was better to give brief details than say nothing. But he wasn't about to show him the video either, so he pocketed the phone.

"Ah ok, so how are you?" Rob asked him.

"Good, you?" Miller asked him being polite as it was how he was taught. But he tread carefully as he knew Rob wasn't all he seemed. The PeopleSmart folks told him they had not disclosed his information. They had been adamant about sticking to their policies and procedures in regards to reuniting their clients with loved ones.

"Great, I know you wanted a few days to just think about what I told you but I just saw you here. Well, couldn't help myself." Rob told him with a jovial shrug.

"Yeah, I'm still a little lost about things. Mom never mentioned you and I don't really want to bring you up to her yet." Miller said to him.

"It has been a few years." Rob said in a diplomatic manner.

"Yeah, that and my Grandpa didn't think too greatly of you." Miller said as he remembered how his Grandpa would sneer at the mention of his Dad. He was a man of few words but with a look he could express exactly what he felt and thought of a situation or person. He still remembered how proud his Grandpa had been of him when he came home from school with awards or learnt to tasks around the farm.

"All fathers want to protect their daughters." Rob said but Miller could see he was pissed at the mention of his Grandpa.

"Yeah, I'm not judging you but I've had a lot of people claiming to be family when they weren't cause they think I'm rich or want to reign in on the fame of the Nathan James. I have to be careful." Miller said warning him to see what he'd say.

"I hear you but I'm not here for a buck or fame. I just want to know you." he said genuinely.


"Why are we stalking Miller?" Burk asked as he took a sip of his water bottle. Tex and he were 'hiding' a few feet away behind some shrubbery pretending to rest from their run as this hour was only for dedicated exercisers, pet owners walking dogs and sleep deprived parents trying to get babies in strollers to sleep.

"We're not stalking Miller. We're following him to then follow his father." Tex said to him.

"Why?" Burk asked.

"How's the detox going?"Tex asked changing the topic as he didn't want to get into it. He, Slattery and Andrea had a meeting where Slattery informed them that Miller's father was an escaped prisoner. They needed to know what he was up to and staying once they had the man's pattern down then they could catch him with very little collateral damage. At least that was the hope.

"Shut up." Burk groaned as he might be sober but he had about 5 weeks worth of booze working it's way out of his system. The other problem was that he was being outrun by Tex who had a good twenty years on him or at least that was Burk's guess. No way was he going to ask.

"Going to meetings?" Tex asked him.

"Yes." Burk assured him.

"Good and I prefer we just find out where Miller's Dad is hanging out and make sure he's not up to something. You know the Millers, they are soft and kind people. I don't want them hurt." Tex told him. Burk gave a sigh with a nod as he did understand that need to protect his friend, even if he'd been a pretty crappy friend whild dealing with his own grief and jealousy of others.

"Ok, but you got to realise we're crossing a line." Burk told him.

"I know," Tex said but he also knew it was a necessary evil. Not that he could tell Burk that.


"Ease up, the punching bag doesn't deserve so much abuse." Cruz told Wolf as he came into the gym with stroller and all to find Wolf beating the crap out of the punching bag. Wolf stopped pummelling the bag and stepped back to catch his breath.

"True." he said in agreement. "I crossed a line with Bobbie." he told him, the gym was empty except for them but then most people dominated the gym either early morning or afternoon. It was nearing mid morning where majority of folks were at work.

"Is this about his Dad?" Cruz asked him as he moved Clara's stroller to the side of the room and popped on the brakes. The baby girl looked fast asleep but it was definitely contrasting with the decor.

"Yeah and dude, you can't bring a baby to the gym." Wolf pointed out.

"She's asleep and restrained in a stroller. What could she possibly do?" Cruz argued.

"No babysitter?" Wolf asked him wryly.

"The Gym doesn't have a creche and I'm only looking for an hour of exercise before I have to get back. Stop Daddy-shaming me." Cruz said with a smile as he didn't give a crap what anyone thought was appropriate. Wolf gave nod as he couldn't see the real harm of it given Clara wasn't in the way or near the weight section. "So you asked about Miller's Dad and she didn't take it well?" Cruz asked redirecting the conversation.

"Yeah, basically told me it's none of my business." Wolf said.

"Which is not our business." Cruz said as he stretched his muscles out warming up.

"Even if this guy broke into our apartment and harassed your girlfriend." Wolf argued.

"Look, there's not a lot of ground for us to stand on and if I find the guy sniffing around Ava again I will step in. But for now, there's nothing we can do but keep an eye out and just wait for the other shoe to drop. You should just focus on training Bobbie in how to keep herself safe from him." Cruz told him.

"I know,but I just want to know what I'm up against." Wolf said, he decided to give the punching bag and break and started to undo the tape off his hands.

"She obviously doesn't want to talk about it. So just assume that he's a dirt bag and leave it at that." Cruz told him.

"So, how's it going with you and Ava?" Wolf asked changing the topic as he moved to the treadmill to run off his anger instead of punching the bag. Cruz was by the weights doing reps with dumb bells.

"Good, really good." Cruz said as he was admittedly in love with Ava. Not that he was ready to say it out loud but he loved her and the family unit they had become. He just wanted to have some more time with Ava before he said as much. Last thing he wanted to do was muck things up by saying something Ava wasn't ready to hear. He also just liked their little bubble.

"When you moving out?" Wolf asked a little envious of Cruz's situation as the man looked happy. He deserved it, hell they all deserved a slice of happiness.

"Not for a while. It's only been a few weeks." Cruz said.

"Yeah, but it's pretty serious given you and Clara are never home." Wolf teased.

"Well, you can babysit Clara whenever you want." Cruz informed him in a light and amused manner, a smile gracing his lips. "I was going to ask Bobbie to babysit this Saturday for me during the day. So Ava and I could have sometime alone." he added wondering if Wolf would take the bait.

"Not the evening?" Wolf asked ignoring how Cruz was basically informing him where Bobbie would be for the day.

"I'm not ready for that." Cruz admitted. He was too used to Clara's presence and he wasn't ready to part with her for too long.

"Awwh, that's adorable." Wolf told him.


"Ok, we've watched the guy read the newspaper and drink coffee. He doesn't seem like a threat." Burk commented as he took a sip of his own coffee. He and Tex sat a few tables away at a cafe that faced a fresh food market.

"Not until that." Tex remarked as he spotted Bobbie walking up the street. He tilted his head and Burk looked around but having not met Bobbie he had no clue. "Redhead, in tight navy skirt and white blouse. Miller's Mom." Tex said helping him out. It looked like Bobbie was taking her lunch break to do some shopping as she was dressed rather formally for a casual shopping trip.

"That's Miller's Mom?" Burk asked as he tried to not look like he was gawking.

"Yeah, I thought you met her." Tex said.

"Ah no, but damn." Burk remarked.

"Wipe the drool off your chin." Tex told him with a grin as he could understand how men perceived Bobbie. Hell, he could appreciate Bobbie in a superficial manner. But he preferred his women a little more rough around the edges and jaded. Bobbie with all her woes tended to keep a fairly happy demeanour but she hid some real demons. Demons that were coming out to play. Speaking of, he saw Miller's father rise from his chair and move to cross the street.

"Don't you think we should wait and see what happens?" Burk asked as he could see the man they'd been stalking move towards Miller's Mom.

"Nah, I'm going to go introduce myself. You hang back though, if I spook him then you can follow him to wherever he ends up next." Tex said to Burk as he rose from his chair and headed across the street.