Summary: To Maria, there's no place safer than daddy's arms.

"Shhh shhh shhh, don't cry, baby girl." Striker lightly bounced Maria in his arms. "There's no need for tears."

As much as he didn't like having to wake up at two in the morning, he would still do so if he heard his baby cry. She always came first, no exceptions.

At first, she'd needed her diaper changed and he took care of it with little to no trouble. However, for some reason, she wouldn't stop crying this time. He'd tried rattling his tail, which usually had her giggling, but that ended up unintentionally scaring her.

Right now, he was just walking around the nursery bouncing her in his arms and giving her light kisses every few seconds, but that did little to help either.

"Aww sweetie, what's the matter? Why are you sad?" he said softly to her. "I'm right here, sugarplum."

It took a while, or rather fifteen minutes, but Maria's crying eventually died down. She probably just realized where she was, where she wanted to be: in daddy's arms. Striker seemed to realize this himself so he simply sat in the rocking chair and savored the closeness along with her.

Very happy with the results, he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I love you so much, Maria."

"Daddy... daddy..."

Striker groaned at being awoken and yawned, rubbing his eyes. He glanced over at the clock which read "2:00 AM" much his momentary frustration.

"What is it, Maria? It's 2 in the-" His tired look quickly turned to concern on seeing Maria standing at his bedside with tears in her eyes. "What's wrong, baby girl?"

The three-year-old impling sniffled, "I had a bad dream. Can-can I sleep with you?"

Striker sighed but smiled and scooped her up. "Okay, c'mere."

Maria snuggled into his chest as he placed her on his bed and held her close. She looks up at him apologetically. "Sorry I woke you."

"It's okay, princess. You're more than welcome come to me if you need me, you know that." he smiled at her. "Tell me, what were you dreaming about?"

"It was dark and I looked everywhere in the house and the barn but... I couldn't find you." Tears streamed down Maria's cheeks as she told him. "And then, these strange, scary people came and... they wanted to take me away. Please don't leave me daddy, I don't wanna be alone!"

Striker pulled her into a hug and let her cry as he stroked her hair, shushing her. "There, there, sweetheart. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

"Promise?"

"Yes, baby doll, I promise. I'll never leave you." Striker smiled, wiping Maria's tears. "Okay now, let's go to bed. And tonight, I'll hold you close to me."

"Okay... I love you, daddy."

"I love you too, Maria. Always."

With one more kiss on the cheek, the two fell asleep, Maria safe and sound in daddy's arms.