A/N This story is a sequel to Trials and Tribulations. You ask, I listen! I hadn't written or edited it when I finished posting it's predecessor, which is the reason for the large gap in time. Family, Found will take place immediately after T&T ends. That being said, reading that one first would be beneficial for this to make any sense. Happy reading.

Chapter One

Tuesday Evening

Jane waved at her mother Roberta, who stood off in the distance. She turned and hugged Paul who was walking next to her. "No more roller coasters, alright?" she said smiling, keeping her hands on his shoulders.

"Nope, I'm done." Paul said with a smile while rubbing his head. He waved and walked out of the airport terminal.

"See you tomorrow." Jane shouted to the retreating back. When she reached her mother, she dropped her bags and hugged her. "He's real Mom, I found him." Jane whispered in her ear as a greeting, thinking about her newly discovered cousin.

Roberta smiled, "I'm glad." she said hugging her daughter

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

That evening, Jane caught up with her parents over dinner. She licked her lips in appreciation, "Thanks Mom." she said, truly grateful for the meal after a long day of flying. "It was amazing." The conversation was casual, but there was a forced cheerfulness around the table. None of them had discussed her recent discovery. Sure, Jane and her mother had briefly talked about it, but not in depth. Not the important stuff. When Jane couldn't stand it anymore, she asked "Why'd you leave him in Montana?" There was an awkward silence. Jane looked at her parents, they looked down at their plates.

"We had to get out." Roberta whispered, "When your Aunt Margo died, things went downhill quickly."

"That's not a good enough reason." Jane said, putting her fork down. "You left him there. Left him with his father, who you knew was abusing him!" She had raised her voice by the end. Quietly she added, "That doesn't make it okay." There was another pregnant pause, which her parents didn't break. "I think I'll go home." Jane stood up, grabbed her bag, and slammed the front door.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

She stomped up the stairs to her apartment, still fuming. She pulled her key out, fumbling in her anger. Opening her door, she walked inside her small apartment and threw her bag and suitcase on the couch. Bailey came running to the door, barking enthusiastically. Her anger turned to gentle scolding, "I'm glad to see you too Bailey, but shush. Nobody wants to hear your barking right now." he quieted down, looking up at her, tail wagging wildly. "Would you believe what they said?" she exclaimed, sitting down on the couch. The dog cocked his head, as if waiting for her to tell him. He hopped up on the couch next to her, resting his head in her lap. She unloaded everything on him. Her fears, her anger, her surprise at Johnny's lack of anger. Bailey just listened quietly, occasionally licking her fingers comfortingly.

Once Jane had calmed down, she thought back to her dinner with John. It was awkward, but pleasant. They talked easily with each other. He shared some amusing rescues and some of his crew's antics. She noticed he didn't mention a single thing about his family, their family.

"John, what happened to our family?" she asked point blank.

He took a deep sigh, "Roderick died when I was nine." she noticed his lack of titles, and frowned sadly. "The rez didn't want anything to do with me, so I became the state's problem. Haven't been back since and don't plan on it."

"Oh, I'm sorry." she said, not able to think of anything else to say.

"About which part?" It was said in a teasing lilt, but there was a small bite behind it.

"That my parents left you behind." she said, looking down at her plate.

"I'm not angry with you Jane, you weren't even born." Johnny explained.

Jane gulped, "Are you angry with my parents?" she asked timidly.

"I don't know," he sighed, "I've had less than 24 hours to think about it." he rubbed his legs anxiously. "We definitely have issues though, that's for sure." Jane nodded, thankful he didn't hate them, at least she hoped. "I don't hate them," he said, seemingly reading her mind, "But we need to have a conversation, and I'm open for one."

"I'm glad I found you John."

Johnny smiled, "The only family I had for the longest time were my coworkers, my partner 'specially. His kids even call me Uncle." he paused and smiled at the thought, then became serious again, "But it's nice to have you. I've never had anyone I could call blood family before that weren't assho - I mean, rude." he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sorry."

Jane chuckled, "I don't give a shit."

Bailey barking for attention brought her out of the memory. "Right, I bet you're hungry." She got up and walked to the kitchen, a very eager dog following her. "I'll have to call him tomorrow, let him know I got home okay."

Wednesday Morning - 0620

Her first day back at work was uneventful. She was thankful for the easy return to her routine. Mug of coffee in her hand, she walked into her shared classroom. "Morning!" she said.
"You sound chipper this morning." Paul commented with a scratchy voice.

She stopped and looked at him. Paul had shadows under his eyes, his usual travel mug absent. "You look terrible." she observed bluntly.

"Thanks." he replied drily, closing the textbook in his hand. "My coffee pot broke this morning, so I went to get coffee, but then it spilled on my way in. Ergo, no coffee for me this bright and early morning." Jane smirked and swallowed a chuckle.

"Ah," she said, putting her travel mug down on the counter. "I haven't had any from this yet. Number three for me." Paul raised his eyebrows, double checking her offer. He knew she loved her coffee. "Take it." she confirmed, "I don't want a zombie for a partner today."

"Hilarious." he commented, gratefully taking the ceramic mug from her hand. He tentatively took a sip, swallowed and grimaced. "Why do you drink your coffee black? Have you heard of cream and sugar?"

"That just ruins the taste." Jane said with a smirk, knowing it would set him off.

"That's the point!" Paul exclaimed, gesturing with the mug and textbook in each hand.

The head of their department took that moment to walk into their classroom. Their boss took in the scene, Jane laughing at Paul, who was holding a textbook in one hand and an aquamarine coffee mug in the other, both hands above his head and gesturing with emphasis. He cleared his throat, "Good morning." Paul looked at him and slowly lowered both items, coughing awkwardly. The head continued, "I brought your worksheets for today. I'm looking forward to reading your report of the conference."

Paul had composed himself and responded for the both of them. "We're looking forward to it as well." he said. The man smiled, dropped off the stack of papers and left.

"We're looking forward to it as well?" she repeated back at him with a smile. "How'd you know I hadn't written mine yet?"

"I sat next to you on the plane, and, if you're anything like me, which you are, you still haven't written it yet." Paul explained, looking through the stack of papers now sitting on his desk.

"Good point." Jane said with a nod and smile. "What're the sheets on?" she said, changing the attitude of the room to a professional one.