(POV Syd)

I didn't like the look in Kat's eyes as she spoke.

"Yes, you should" she said, "the man that killed her mother was her stepfather, and he's back looking for her because she nearly caused him to be arrested for his crimes"

I could have died.

"Her mother was divorced?" I said

"No, she was widowed," Kat replied, "her husband was killed by Grumm"

I leaned against Sky's shoulder and felt his arm go around mine; I had no idea that Z had been through the loss of her dad.

Kat sighed and I realized that she hadn't told us everything about Z's family, but I didn't pressure her into answering my questions, I knew that if she wanted us to know, she'd tell us.

"The worst part about Z's mother' second marriage is that a few months after the wedding Z's stepfather started drinking and beating on both Z and her mother"

I clinched Sky's jacket on a reflex and I felt his arm tighten around me gently in an attempt, I assumed, to comfort me.

"It was during one of her parent's frequent arguments that her stepfather killed her mother" Kat looked, and sounded, very much as if she were far too stressed out, and I wasn't the only one to notice it either.

"Kat, you don't need to worry so much, Z is tough," Bridge said

"In most circumstances she is, but even to this day her stepfather's name terrifies her" Kat paused "just imagine what would happen if she were to run into him around the city…"

I hated to admit it, but it would be a disaster if Z were to run into her stepfather in the city, alone.

Kat walked out of the room and left us with our thoughts.

"She sounded really stressed out about this" Jack said

"No kidding" I said and slipped away from Sky a bit. "Not only that, she looked exhausted, I'd say she's got too much going on now"

"Yeah, I think she's defiantly spreading herself out way too thin" Sky agreed "she needs a long night's sleep" he paused "but with Grumm and Z's stepfather out there, I don't think any of us will do much sleeping."

He had a point, the only one sleeping would be Z, who didn't know.

(POV Commander Cruger)

Kat had begun to work on find out about a serious crime when I heard her give a large, almost fearful gasp.

"Is something wrong, Kat?"

R.I.C. also heard her gasp and had come to her out of concern and, mostly, curiosity.

"Move aside R.I.C.' I commanded and he backed off "What is it, Kat?"

"Cadet Delgado's stepfather is back in New Tech City" she replied

I gave a low growl at the mention of Z Delgado's stepfather returning to hurt, or ill her. I knew that this was a serious danger to Z and it seemed that R.I.C. had also figured out the trouble Z was in and left to check on her.

"Doggie, if Z's stepfather finds her he might be inclined to kill her" Kat said

"I know, Kat, but we won't let that happen" I told her "Z is part of the S.P.D family and will be protected by the other members, no matter what"

Kat gave a sigh that I wasn't sure what to make of and then left the command center.

I looked at the screen of her computer and began to get angry as I read, not only had this man killed Z's mother he abused Z and might've had a hand in the murder of Z's father, Danny Delgado. After reading that I understood why Kat was so concerned by his return to New Tech City.

(Third person)

Z sat on the couch beside Bridge and began to read a rather old book. Bridge noticed she seemed upset, but didn't say a word, he didn't want to disturb her from her reading. She seemed to need a break, but what she didn't know was about to hurt her, bad.

(POV Commander Cruger)

I knew that I would eventually have to tell Cadet Delgado that her stepfather was back in New Tech City, but, to be honest, I would have rather faced Gorodon again than to be the one to give her that bad news. She had to know, and I figured she would rather hear it from me than anyone else.

I decided that then was the best time to tell her about her stepfather's return.

(3rd person)

"Cadet Delgado, please report to the command center!" Commander Cruger said over the intercom.

"Why does he want me in the command center?" Z wondered aloud before heading to the command center. Commander Cruger greeted her there.

"Cadet Delgado, I'm glad you got here so quickly" he paused "I have some bad news for you"

To Be Continued…

((Ducks behind Sky)) don't throw things, I know that's an evil cliffie, but I thought it would add to the plot

Pls. Leave a review, and note that all flames will be redirected at my eight period class (don't ask, you don't wanna know why!)