Owen knocked on the door of Teddy's apartment, he knew it was late and she was likely asleep but he was going to try anyway.

Teddy put her phone down, she had been texting with Alyssa and Megan about a date Alyssa had gone on with Matt that night.

Owen pounded on Teddy's door.

She yelled something in German and he knocked again before he heard her say, "keep your pants on."

Teddy cautiously opened the door.

"They're on," Owen said.

"Hi," Teddy breathed instantly, hugging Owen and pulling him inside.

Owen smiled at her.

"What the hell are you doing here," Teddy asked.

"I missed you," Owen said, "so I got on a plane."

"So you got on a plane," Teddy shook her head, "tell me Owen what was so important that you couldn't say it in an email or call?"

"Nothing," Owen said.

"Is Megan okay? Alyssa? Your mom," Teddy asked, "are you going back to Iraq? Is Amelia pregnant? What was so important you couldn't call or text or email? Tell me Owen."

"Teddy for the first time you and me there's nothing standing in our way," Owen smiled.

She stared at him.

"This is the part where you say something," Owen prompted.

Teddy grabbed his collar and pulled him in for a kiss.

Owen lifted her onto the counter as she pushed his jacket off. He broke the kiss and his jacket fell to the floor. Pulling her closer he slid his hands down her back feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin tank top. She grabbed the hem of his shirt and started pulling it up. He slid his hands under her tank top feeling the soft warm skin of her back. He kissed along her jaw and down to her neck. She wrapped her legs around him pulling him closer.

"Here," he asked, making her pause. Did she really want her first time with him to be in her kitchen?

"Bedroom," she giggled, hopping off the counter and pulling him towards her bedroom. Reaching her room she pulled off her shirt before removing his. He kissed her again before laying her down on her bed. He kissed her lips, neck and collar bone before making his way down to her breasts.

Later they lay panting and naked in bed. Teddy curled up contentedly in Owens arms. Feeling safe, secure and loved in his arms. When she started to giggle.

"Why are you laughing," he asked.

"Owen hunt is in my bed," she cackled, "Owen hunt is in my bed naked. Owen hunt is in my bed naked in Germany."

"I may have imagined this once or twice," he started, "okay maybe 100 times but never with you laughing."

"You've imagined this two," she breathed.

"I have," he sighed, pulling her closer.

"Owen, can we do this," she asked.

"We can," he assured, he ran his hand along her side towards her hip. She rolled to face him and kissed him again.

"We should sleep," she breathed.

"Do I get to hold you," he asked.

"Please," she replied, snuggling into his chest. He softly kissed the top of her head.

The next morning they woke up with the sun peeking through the curtains.

"I'm going to shower," she yawned.

"I should," he said, "after you."

"With me," she replied. She was a little nervous; she knew she was still naked under the blanket but a man hadn't seen her naked in the daylight since Henry but this was Owen. It was Owen, it would be okay. She turned the shower on and stepped under the spray pulling him after her. He enjoyed exploring every inch of her body while she explored his.

Megan had finally gotten a car and a passport thankful the military had helped expedite her getting ID. She pulled up in front of the address Alyssa had given her with Faroke in the back seat.

"Mom," Alyssa yelled coming down the porch steps.

"Lyss," Megan smiled.

"So there's a Jarrett dinner tonight," Alyssa said, "auntie Wendy set it up so everyone can meet you and Nathan and Faroke."

"Derek," Megan asked.

"I don't know," Alyssa answered.

Alyssa helped bring their stuff in and they got ready to go to Don and Wendy's.

"Shit," Alyssa hissed seeing Derek.

"Who is that," Nathan asked.

"Derek," Alyssa replied.

"Your father," Megan said.

"Sperm donor," Alyssa answered, "I'm going to call Uncle Owen."

"We're here," Nathan assured.

"You don't know Derek," Alyssa said.

"Call," Megan replied.

Alyssa tried to phone Owen but there was no answer.

"He's not answering," Alyssa said, "I haven't heard from him in two days it feels wrong. The only time that happened he was back with the army and out of cell range and WiFi. But auntie Teddy was able to track him and promise he was okay."

"Try Teddy," Megan suggested.

Alyssa called Teddy knowing it would be early morning for her.

Teddys phone went off while they were in the shower and she chose to ignore it.

"Do you need to check that," Owen asked when they were dressed.

"Your niece, it's Alyssa's ring tone," Teddy replied, "probably can't find you so she's calling me."

"Megan was going to her place this weekend," Owen said, "before they move to LA. She got stationed there. And she wants it. She wants to be right at the beach."

"There's a text," Teddy replied looking at her phone, "Derek Jarrett is at something and Lyss is worried."

"She'll be fine," Owen said, "his brothers run interference with him anyway."

"You hungry," Teddy asked.

"Starving," Owen said, "last night, the middle of the night, the shower. You're sure it's safe?"

"I've been on the pill for how many years," Teddy replied, "Owen it's okay. And I was told 7 years ago I would likely never get pregnant on my own. That I would need help. Henry and I were trying but my body is weird and I would need help. We were about to start the treatments when he died."

She remembered exactly what the doctor had said but Owen didn't need to know. When he brought up kids again and it was Owen, he would, she would steer him towards adopting.

"Would you do it now," he asked.

"On my own no," Teddy replied, "if I had a partner maybe. But I'm 45. I know the chances of it working are slim to none because at 38 I was told it was a long shot. I do want to be a mom. For me my best shot is adopting."

"Would you," Owen asked.

"In a heartbeat," Teddy replied, "I want kids and a family. It's just never worked out for me. I claim Alyssa as my niece and have always spoiled her because that's as close as I'll ever get."

"Me two," Owen said sadly, "Lyss is the closest we'll ever get to kids."

"Adoption," Teddy said, "you still could with someone young enough."

"But they're not you," Owen said, "and I want to be with you."

"Then we adopt," Teddy said, "babies but we adopt. Or kids like Lyss who need love. She's still our kid even if we're auntie and uncle."

"We know we can co parent," Owen said, "we got one through college."

"We did," Teddy smiled as she pulled food from the fridge.

Alyssa led Megan, Nathan and Faroke up the porch steps at Don and Wendy's.

"Alyssa," Wendy smiled, opening the door.

"Hi auntie Wendy," Alyssa greeted, "this is my mom Megan Hunt, my step dad Nathan Riggs and my little brother Faroke."

"Megan," Derek asked standing behind Wendy.

"Hi Derek," Megan said, "it's been 23 years."

"Mama who is he," Faroke asked.

"Alyssa's father," Megan replied.

"Not my father," Alyssa said, "can't even be bothered to call or text me doesn't get that title."

"So him," Derek pointed at Nathan.

"No," Alyssa said, "I have Uncle Owen."

"Megan Alyssa said you were away for 15 years," Wendy said.

"I was," Megan replied.

"Come in," Wendy said, "can I get you a drink? We have beer, wine, cider."

"Water please," Megan said, "I'm DD tonight."

"Plain or sparkling," Wendy asked.

"Plain is good," Megan replied.

Soon they were all mobbed with people trying to meet Megan and telling Megan and Nathan stories about Alyssa and how proud they all were of the young woman, giving Megan a better picture of Alyssa's life and the people that had opened their hearts to her daughter. She laughed when Don and Dave told her about Alyssa's first moose and how the moment the moose fell Alyssa started dancing and singing.

"So you came back," Derek cornered Megan, "you know we're not that different we both walked away from Alyssa."

"No you chose," Megan said, "I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave her. I was a prisoner of war. I wasn't on a vacation, I wasn't partying around the country. I told my mom I was pregnant the moment I knew. My mom knew before you did. Owen knew before you did. Did you know when I was captured? Did you go see our daughter? Did you offer to help?"

"No," Derek said.

"How old was she when you saw her," Megan demanded.

"16," Derek said, "why did your brother have custody? How did Owen get custody of our daughter?"

"Because I didn't have your information," Megan said, "I didn't even know your parents' names. I had to go with the person that would love her like I did. My mom raised her kids it wasn't fair to have her raise Alyssa. While I was deployed was one thing. I was gone for 10 months than home for 6 weeks. My mom was temporary. I needed permanent back up and I chose Owen."

"And he agreed," Derek asked.

"He did," Megan said, "and he raised Alyssa as his own. He got her through middle school, high school, college."

"Engineering though," Derek sneared.

"It makes her happy," Megan said, "I had written both Owen and my mom letters explaining what I wanted. I wanted her to be happy. To do what made her happy."

In Germany Owen and Teddy were cuddled in her bed chatting.

"They say to marry your best friend," Owen commented.

"You want to get married," Teddy asked, "we haven't even been on a date."

"Why not," Owen asked.

"You just got out of a marriage," Teddy tried.

"So that doesn't stop us," Owen said.

"Owen," Teddy sighed, "you need time. You're always in a relationship. You don't know how to be alone. I'm not saying no. I'm saying take time, be on your own."

"Teddy," Owen snapped.

"No," she argued, "you're scared to be alone. Being alone is not the worst thing to happen to a person. I've been alone more than I'm with someone. Owen do you know who you are on your own? Beth, Christina, Emma, Amelia."

"And you're scared," Owen barked, "scared to be happy. Scared to let someone love you. Scared to let me love you."

"I've been burned before," Teddy yelled.

"Because you married the dead guy," Owen said, "Henry was dying. You married a dying man what did you expect."

"No you don't get to bring Henry into this," Teddy yelled.

"Why are you scared," Owen asked.

"I'm not scared," Teddy screamed, "get out. Owen get out of my house!"

"No," Owen roared, "you don't get to do this Teddy. You don't get to decide not to let yourself be loved. Not to let yourself be happy."

"Learn to be alone," Teddy snapped, "learn to accept your self. Owen you're scared to be alone. Even when you were single you were raising Lyss. you've never had to focus on yourself! You've never had to learn who you are."

Teddy started gathering his stuff and throwing it in his bag.

"I can't," Teddy snapped, "I can't do this right now."

"Teddy," Owen asked.

"Go," Teddy snapped, throwing his bag in the hall, "get out."

"Teddy please," Owen begged.

"I will call you if and when I am ready to talk," Teddy snapped, "just go Owen. go."

Owen stepped into the hall and Teddy slammed the door behind him sliding down the wall beside the door with gulping sobbs. Owen heard her crying and wanted to turn back and hold her. He knocked but she didn't open the door.

"Why didn't we know about you and Alyssa dear," Pattie, Derek's mom asked.

"I tried," MEgan said, "when she was a baby and he was coming home for the summer. I asked him to bring you down to my mom's in Seattle and suggest I bring Alyssa up to see him. He never told you did he?"

"She was 15," Pattie replied, "your brother brought her to meet us and his wife Teddy."

"Teddy and him have never been a couple," Megan said, "just really good friends. Teddy would have come because her and Lyss are super close. Teddy is her surrogate mom in a way."

"She's lovely," Pattie said, "and so good when Alyssa gets anxious. She wasn't raised in our chaos and it took a while for her to adapt. Sending her to camp that first summer we knew her with her cousins was the right choice."

"It sounds like it was," Megan agreed.

"Why didn't you come up," Pattie asked.

"I didn't have an address or a phone number," Megan said, "he called me collect from pay phones. I wasn't coming up with a 2 month old baby on a wild goose chase. I wasn't sleeping she was in my arms or in a carrier 24/7. The only person other than me she liked her first two years was my brother. She'd reject my mom and scream like my mom was killing her but instantly settle the moment she heard or saw Owen or I."

"Your brother acts like her father in a way Derek hasn't," Pattie agreed.

"They're close," Megan said, "and he's been like that with her since the day she was born."

"And are you staying," Pattie asked.

"I'm still in the military," Megan said, "I've been stationed in LA. I'm going to come up as much as possible and Lyss is going to come visit as much as she wants to."

"And you'll talk," Pattie replied.

"We will," Megan agreed, "every day."

"Good," Pattie replied, "she needs you. She tells us she's okay with her aunties but a girl needs her mom."

"She does," Megan replied, "it'll take time. I know she talks to Teddy daily, Wendy and Lorie. And I won't mess with that. I know I have to rebuild my relationship with her."

"In time," Pattie agreed.

"She invited me," Megan smiled, "that's our win this week and she's telling me about the guy she's seeing. Telling me about her work day and her adventures with search and rescue."

"Good," Pattie said.

"Mom you okay," Alyssa asked.

"Yes," Megan agreed, "where's your brother?"

"Somewhere with the boys about his age," Alyssa said, 'they went outside. Nathan is with the guys outside. "

"Okay," Megan agreed, "you and some other girls your age just appeared."

"Almost dinner time," Alyssa said, "time for us to help get everything to the buffet tables. Then we'll do all the dishes."

"All meaning," Megan asked.

"The young kids," Pattie replied, " Amanda who is 28 and down to Dillon who is 8 and our youngest."

"You'll grab your brother Lyss," Megan asked.

"I will," Alyssa said, "I get to big sister nag for the first time ever."

"You do," Megan smiled, "but no more lego sets until we move please."

"I like building with him," Alyssa replied.

"I like you two but I don't want to move any more legos," Megan replied, "and you have to tell your uncle which sets you're okay with Faroke taking. He said it's up to you that some were gifts or special travels and he wants to keep them."

"The boxes on the left side of the cabinet are fair game," Alyssa said, "the right side is my special ones. I usually put the name of the person or people on the gift sets."

"Come next week and sort it out," Megan said.

"I will next weekend," Alyssa agreed, "or you're coming up to see me and we could keep the sets at Uncle Owen's and Faroke and I can build them together. I'll mail him his own sets at your place. He doesn't want my hand me downs. I got new sets so should he."

"I hadn't thought of it that way," Megan said.

"And I didn't get the sets all at once," Alyssa said, "it was Christmases, Birthdays, Easter, End of school year, start of school year, winning championships. A lot were gifts from hospital people because Uncle Owen let it slip the first Christmas that I loved lego and knex. The main attendings that Uncle Owen hangs out with do Christmas Eve together and gifts for the kids until you finish college. The rule is it has to be something constructive or educational."

"That's fun," Pattie said, "so you got lego."

"Always," Alyssa said, "I even built in college. As an engineering major I got away with it."

"You still buy lego for little cousin birthdays," Pattie replied.

"Something with purpose to make them think," Alyssa said, "it's the Dr Bailey rule."

"I liked her," Megan said, "she doesn't take nonsense."

"Oh she doesn't," Alyssa said, "but she's funny camping."

"I can't picture her camping," Megan laughed.

"Uncle Owen arranged a family camping trip for the department heads and main attendings," Alyssa said, "we went to Deception Pass. It was kinda fun."

'She came to us being able to hike for a day with her full pack," Pattie replied, "she could pitch a tent, chop wood. We did some camping with her and Owen. He holds her to a high standard."

"He would," Megan agreed, "he's got high standards. I knew he would. She was probably a straight A student as well."

"It was yes ma'am and no sir," Wendy added.

"I've seen her do that with Owen and Teddy still," Megan agreed, "she's an army brat. It makes it hard for her to date because the level of respect she was raised with. I started the Yes Ma'am with her as a preschooler."

"We should eat," Wendy said, "Megan you go before the guys stampede."

"Stampeed," Megan asked.

"It's a race," Alyssa said, "but there's always too much food."

"Food is our love language," Lorrie added, "we have some traditional foods and game."

"Auntie Michelle made her bannock," Alyssa smiled.

"I know you love it," Michelle hugged Alyssa, "and there is jam for it. But we're having moose roast, elk tenderloins, salmon and crab."

"Yummy," Alyssa smiled.

"That's a lot of food," Faroke said, "so many choices."

"I'll show you my favourites," Alyssa assured, "you have to try the bannock. The spinach salad and quinoa salad are some of my favourites."

Owen checked into a hotel for the night and booked the first flight he could back to Seattle. How had he messed up that badly? Why was Teddy afraid of his love? He had loved her for years, loved her so much it scared him so he had held her at arms length. He had to fix this.