A/N: Thank you so much for your patience, all of you! Lately, I've been superbusy with school and all that jazz as grad stuff is coming up and not to mention provincials to study for! Anyways, as a treat, I've deceided to post extra long for you guys!

Happy Easter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack woke up to the smell of coffee that wafted to his bedroom door. As he slowly woke up, he went to the kitchen for his daily intake of caffeine. As he was about to sip his first cup, he heard a loud commotion of voices outside in the hallway. When he opened his front door, his neighbours were all gathered at their doorways, surprised to see a sleeping girl who was stirring from her deep slumber. Jack stared down at his welcome mat and was surprised to see the an envelope with his name scrawled on the front. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a terrified scream.

The little girl screamed at the top of her lungs. So many pairs of eyes were staring down at her. She was scared and wanted her mommy. Turning around she bumped into a pair of pajama-clad legs. She looked up and was relieved at who she saw.

"Unca Jwack! Unca Jwack! I can't fwind mommy," she sobbed, clinging to one leg.

Jack bent down and scooped the little girl into his arms, desperately trying to calm her down.

"Shhh. It's okay Maggie. We'll find your mom okay?"

Maggie shaked her head. At that very moment, her stomach growled in hunger.

"Someone's hungry. I'll bet you want something to eat, huh? Why don't we go inside and find something for you." Jack bent down once more to grab the basket before one of his nosy neighbours would take a peek.

"See here Delores, you haven't been here long enough. Our Jack is as good as they get." Pete smugly said with his hand outstretched, waiting for Delores to hand over her five dollars. "Didn't I tell you that he'll take her in? Didn't I?"

"Yes you did Pete," Delores grumbled, detesting the old coot to the boot as she handed him a five-dollar bill. The seniors turned back into their own apartments, getting ready for the day.

Back into the safety of his apartment, Jack walked into his living room, placing the basket on the coffee table. He led Maggie into the kitchen.

"Okay Mags what do you want to eat?"

" Can I have-"

"May I have…"

"May I have Cheerios?"

"Sure."

"An' lotsa miwlk 'cause daddy says it gwood for you."

Jack grinned at Maggie as she pulled a chair and stood on top of it, trying to reach the carton of milk in the fridge.

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Monday Morning
7864 K Street and Georgia
5:30 am

Jack woke up and stared at the sight before him. Maggie had crawled into the bed with him after she woke up in the middle of the night with a nightmare. Her chocolate brown hair, matching his own, was spread across the extra pillow. Peace washed over her face as she slept, looking like an angel.

As carefully as he could, Jack slid out of the queen-sized bed and headed for the bathroom. What am I going to do? I can't just leave Maggie here all by herself. She probably won't respond well to daycare. From the way she's been clinging to me at the park. But if I bring her to work with me, how will I explain the situation to Assistant Director Kelly? Jack threw the last thought around in his mind, processing the pros and cons of the situation automatically after years as an agent. His mind in deep thought, he automatically walked to the kitchen as the coffeemaker automatically powered on the warmer. He held the note for what it seemed to be the nth time.

Dear Jack,

You may not know me, but my name is Natalie Bishop. My husband, Lt. Colonel Joseph Bishop, past away five weeks ago and told me that under no conditions, whatsoever, that you would take care of our daughter. He also told me that the two of you have been friends for the longest time and that he deeply appreciated your friendship. But the events leading up to his death has me deeply puzzled and worried about our future and our safety. He seemed to be different during those last few weeks. He was agitated, always telling me to make sure that no one was following me wherever I go. And I'm scared that maybe his death wasn't by natural cause. And since he's been gone, I've been having the feeling that I'm being watched all the time. I've painstakingly taken the precautions to get here. Joe's last will and testament stated that you are to be Maggie's legal guardian. You are to adopt her if anything happens to me because Joe trusts in you completely. Since I trust my late husband's decision, I trust in you too. I've also included the necessary legal papers and Joe's will along with this letter in case you needed any backup information. Obviously, if anything happens to me, all of our possessions will be inherited by our daughter. Please take care of her. I needed to flee from home because it was endangering Maggie's wellbeing and childhood. Please don't try to contact me. I will be going into hiding. Joe has taught me well enough over the years for me to survive on my own. I love my daughter jack, but I will not be able to bear on the thought that Maggie would be harmed too if Maggie was along with me. And don't worry, I didn't break into your building. Joe had a spare key and had it sealed in an envelope, telling me to use it as a last resource. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Natalie Bishop

He drank two cups of coffee before he checked the time on the stove. 6:20 am. He panicked at the time. He ran into his bedroom, trying not to waste more time than he already did.

"Maggie, time to wake up." Jack nudged her gently out of her sleep. "Come on Mags, time to get up. I need to go to work soon."

Maggie woke up from her dreamless sleep.

"It's time to get up Magster. I need to go to work soon." Good going Hudson. You just had to say that to get the waterworks going again. Jack mentally slapped himself.

"But I wanna go wit you Unca Jwack."

"Who said anything about you staying here by yourself? I'm taking you with me Mags."

"But when mommy an' daddy wenta work, they says I can't go wit them." Maggie pouted.

"That's not going to happen with me okay Mags? I love you too much to do that to you."

Maggie grinned, tightening Jack's heart at the innocence.

"Come on. Let's get a move on it soldier." Jack chased Maggie all the way to the bathroom as she squealed in delight and excitement. Wearing her Blues Clues t-shirt and matching capris that they bought over the weekend, she wandered to the kitchen to satisfy her stomach with food. But as she reached for the chair, Jack steered her towards the door, rushing to get to work. Who knew that it takes almost two hours to get a four year old to get dressed?

"Come on munchkin. Time to go."

"But I'm hungry."

"You can eat a couple of Pop Tarts in the car."

"But I wanna eat Cheerios."

"I think we've run out of Cheerios Mags."

"Here. You can work on this on the way out okay?"

"Okay," Maggie replied, as Jack handed her a Strawberry Pop Tart.

They were out the door in five minutes.

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Reviews are always greatly appreciated. I hope you've all enjoyed this part. Next chapter will be up by either later today or tomorrow! Adios for now! ;)