Agents Hopper and Ellis had been to see them almost as soon as the Bureau themselves had found out. Jack was once more free from Chinese custody and back in the country. Whilst the couple were both delighted at the news, they wondered what it meant for their safety.

"We should at least let him know about the pregnancy," Zachary spoke, much to the surprise of Mary Lynn. Concluding that if he had no problem with that, then neither did she, she turned to Agent Ellis.

"Is there any way we can contact my dad?"

"Actually, he's been in touch with the FBI already. He wants to meet you both somewhere. It would be in a safe and neutral location, of course," Ellis replied. Zachary furrowed his brow and considered it.

I'm not so sure about that! As much as I want Kim to be happy, would it be such a good idea? Even if the meeting takes place somewhere safe and neutral.

"Could we have some time to think about it?" He asked, not wanting to dismiss the idea.

The agents soon left, leaving the couple alone. For a moment, they sat in silence as they both considered their own views of the potential meeting. Kim would be seeing her father for the first time in years, allowing her the chance to reconnect with him. Not only that, but she could let him know that he was about to become a grandfather. Alex would be seeing Jack for the first time in almost as long, unsure how either of them would react. After all, their last meeting had hardly been pleasant for either of them.

A few days later, having decided to go forward with the meeting, the couple were in Missouri. They were at the FBI field office in St Louis, the safe and neutral location chosen by the agents. A place in the middle of the country, not too close to either Los Angeles or Newport News.

They had agreed that Mary Lynn would go in first, to be able to meet her father alone for the first time in several years. After a while, Zachary would join them. Nobody thought that this meeting would solve everything, but they were all hopeful.

Standing outside of the conference room, they both looked at the frosted glass door. Behind it was a man who meant very different things to each of them, the reason why they had to hide.

"This is going to go well, I'm sure of it," Zachary spoke before kissing Mary Lynn on her cheek. Taking a deep breath, she took hold of the door handle.

"Hi, Dad," she spoke as she poked her head around the door to see her father for the first time in years. Now that she was pregnant, she stopped dying her hair, allowing it to return to her natural blonde. Otherwise, she looked not much different. In deep contrast, she felt shocked at how much older her father looked. She watched his face as she entered, revealing to him the six-month-old baby bump. The look on his face gave her hope that he would be more accepting of the relationship from now on.

Outside the room, Zachary was pacing with nerves as he waited for the signal to enter. He was going to see Jack for the first time since the arrest and he wasn't sure how either of them would react. It had been about twenty minutes after Mary Lynn had entered the room when a knock came from inside. Taking a deep breath before grabbing the door handle, he began to creak it open. He first saw Mary Lynn who smiled at him before he saw Jack. Squashing the urge to run, he entered the room. Sitting down next to Mary Lynn, he sensed that things had gone well so far within the room.

There's no need to panic. Somehow, I know things are going to be okay.

"Hello, Jack," he spoke. Much like Mary Lynn, he felt shocked at how different Jack looked. The two stared at each other for a moment before Jack smiled.

"Hello, Alex," he replied in a friendly tone.

That name still feels so foreign to me, but I am sure I will reclaim it as my own soon enough.

"Kim's told me about the pregnancy and engagement. I'm happy for the both of you," Jack continued with sincerity.

"We're planning on calling her Teri Michelle," Zachary announced, a grin forming as he saw how Jack's face lit up. It had been Mary Lynn's suggestion for him to announce that part and he appreciated it.

"I like that," Jack replied. He had many good memories of both his wife and Michelle. It felt fitting to remember the pair in this way.

"We want you to be there for her, Dad," Mary Lynn spoke. She knew little of her own grandparents, even the ones who were still alive. Having lost her mother at so young an age, she wanted her daughter to have as many loving relatives as possible.

"I want that, too, I want things to be better than they are," Jack replied. He wanted to be a grandfather to the child who would soon be arriving in the world. It would mean accepting the relationship between them, but things were changing.

Zachary was studying Jack's features as they spoke. He began wondering if they should throw caution to the wind and tell him their cover names and where they lived. It would show their wishes to be sincere.

This is going far better than I could ever have expected. I'm sure things will turn out for the best now. For everyone.

Some days later, they were back at home and expecting a visitor that they never thought would be there. As Alex opened the front door, he smiled at Jack and invited him in.

I know we won't regret this, it's the beginning of a much better time for each of us.