I made a different version of Striker talking about his situation. This is also dedicated to heart8822, who reviewed my previous fic, Control Your Temper, Striker!. However, like I said, this is a different version of it.

Striker got home, despondent. He began to ponder on what to do. He knew he needed some space for an hour because he didn't want to hurt his son or his friend, who helped take care of him and filled in for his late wife, Jane. If he did that, they wouldn't want to talk to him and he'd feel guilty taking his frustrations out on them. He'd realize it'd be his own fault he had a terrible day and not Kaitlin's or Jake's. Not only that, his late wife, Jane would've been disappointed in him. If Blitzo was there, watching the scene, he'd be furious if he found out he yelled at his wife and son for no reason. Not to mention, Blitzo would defend them, telling Striker a thing or two.

Just as Jake and Kaitlin were finishing cleaning up the stall for Bombproof, they saw Striker through the window in the living room, sadly watching TV. As Striker was watching his program, tears filled his eyes and he wiped them with the cuff of his jacket. He grabbed a tissue and blew his nose before throwing it in a nearby trash can.

"Jake, I think we should see what's going on with your father. I think he's feeling down for some reason. It's been an hour."

Jake took another glance at his forlorn father in concern. "Okay." And he and Kaitlin headed inside the house, seeing Striker watching the drama cowboy soap on TV with tears in his eyes.

"Striker?" said Kaitlin.

"Daddy?"

Striker sniffled. "Not now. It's nothing."

She and Jake ignored him and sat on the couch next to him.

"Come on, Dad, it's not nothing," Jake corrected as he crawled up to his father and put his hand on his shoulder, making Striker realize it was too late to hide his pain anymore.

"Okay." Striker wiped tears with a tissue. "This episode reminded me of my situation from today."

"That's a start," Kaitlin assured him.

"So what exactly happened today?" Jake asked, and without putting pressure on him, he added, "It's okay, take your time."

Striker hyperventilated a bit. "Come here." He hugged both Jake and Kaitlin. He then used one hand to turn off the TV with the remote since he was through watching TV because he was now distracted by his sobs and tears, pouring down, as he embraced his son and second wife.

Jake and Kaitlin didn't care if they got any tears on them because all that mattered was that Striker was releasing the stress he'd been holding in for at least an hour of relaxation.

"It's okay," Kaitlin told him gently, "Just let it all out." She and Jake patted his back.

When his weeping decreased and he finally calmed down, Striker finally found the strength to speak again. "Gustav got under my skin today, insisting on seeing Jake, but I refused."

"And rightfully so," Kaitlin said.

"I can't let him hurt you, either, since he's a misogynist."

Kaitlin nodded. "He doesn't deserve to see me or Jake."

"That's right. Like I said, that episode reminded me of my situation. This one abusive old man wants to see his grandson, but his son-in-law refused."

"Even a scene from a show or movie can make you recall something personal in your life."

"Oh, by the way," Striker said, grabbing his phone from his pocket. "I texted Blitzo after the fiasco, asking if he's doing anything tonight. He said, 'No. Bring Kaitlin and Jake with you.' I said, 'Good because there's something I need to tell you in person.' So, I suggest you get packing."

"Good because we can use a break from this house," Jake said.

"Anything, but stay in this house," Kaitlin agreed and she and Jake went to their separate rooms to pack their clothes, sketchbooks since they liked drawing, medicine, and toothbrushes. Kaitlin packed her laptop to do some drawing and writing. Jake packed his boxes of crayons, markers, and colored pencils. However, this didn't mean they didn't socialize with Blitzo. It's just that there were times when Blitzo and Striker spoke privately and watched something they weren't interested in. It was a win-win solution, so that everyone could get what they wanted and still had fun.

While they were packing, Striker packed his things. When he finished packing, he made a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which his son and wife both liked. He made one for each of them. Once the sandwiches were made, he called Blitzo.

On the other end, Blitzo answered his phone, "Hello. This is Blitz."

"Blitz. This is Striker. I'm all packed. I'm just waiting for Jake and Kaitlin to finish up." Then Striker saw two imps with their bags already packed. "Oh. Never mind. It looks like they're already finished."

"So, what's left for you guys to do?"

"I just got to hitch a wagon to Bombproof and we'll be off."

"Alrighty. Sounds good, Strike. Text me when you have it done or when you're on your way."

"Okay, thanks, Blitz."

"You hear that, Jake?" Kaitlin whispered excitedly.

"Huh?"

"We're going on a wagon ride."

"Oh."

"See you when you get to my apartment."

"Yep. See you then." Striker hung up his phone.

Blitzo hung up his.

…

Once Striker got the wagon hitched to Bombproof, Kaitlin and Jake put their bags on the wagon and climbed up.

Striker looked behind him. "You guys ready?"

"Yeah!" Kaitlin and Jake shouted eagerly.

"Okay, let's move." Striker raised the reins and hit his back with a "heya" and they were off to Blitzo's. He texted Blitzo letting him know they were on their way.

Blitzo texted back, saying: Sounds good. I'll order a pizza soon if that's alright with you guys.

Striker: Thank you. I'm sure Jake, Kaitlin, and I would like some, as well.

Blitzo: Alright. Sounds good.

Gustav belongs to LadyAnaconda