Hello folks!

Sorry, it has taken me that long to update my story. But my spare time is limited. ;) I can promise you you won't have to wait another year for the next chapter.

Enjoy!

If there had been anything positve comming from his captivity, it was his ability of reading people thoroughly. Steepling his fingers, Justice leaned back in his office chair and watched Simon pacing back and forth in front of his desk. He bit the nail of his pinkie. This has always been Simon's tell. He did that when they were in trouble. His restless pacing on top meant serious trouble was an understatement. It took him about ten minutes to get a single grunt out of Simon.

»So?« Justice finally asked. He was done waiting for the human to get his shit together.

»We do have a problem.«

Justice rolled his eyes. »You don't say.«

»There's this gap,« Simon mumbled.

Justice frowned. »What gap?«

»In the last few days I went over the complete contracts that were made between Species and humans as you asked me to.« He spun around, now facing Justice directly. »You know... I wasn't working for you when the agreements were made. If I had been there, I would've found it.«

»What the hell are you talking about?« His patience was wearing thin.

»The Children and Family Services Division can get a hold on Hope.«

Justice jumped out of his chair. »No, they can't! Her mother is mated to one of us! That makes her Species.«

»Exactly. It makes the mother Species but not the child,« Simon said, shaking his head. »I guess children just weren't in the picture. No one thought about them. That's the gap I mentioned. Ashley Hamilton is Species but her daughter remains human. Now that Ashley can't take care of her, the state is taking custody of Hope.«

Justice collapsed in his chair. This was a bitch-slap. »Jaded is not Hope's legal guardian?«

Simon shook his head. »I'm afraid not. And since she isn't old enough to decide for herself where she wants to stay the state did and is going to put her in foster care.«

»But why do they even bother? She's got everything she needs.« Justice just didn't get the point. Hope was taken care of and the Wild Zone residents adored her. Besides, Vengeance would shred anyone to pieces who tried to harm their Species princess. Additionally, Valiant's mate made it her mission to look after Hope's nutrition and made sure she was fed more than candy and icecream.

»They insist growing up around adult Species would lead to a developmental disorder.«

Oh shit! Justice felt the color drain from his face. »So, it's either revealing our secret or throwing that poor little girl into the lion's den?«

»That about sums it up,« Simon shrugged.

Justice hardly kept his temper in check. This was so not going to happen. Although, it wasn't really his decision. He needed to call a meeting with all the Species males who had kids, since it was their safety that might be in danger. But they didn't fight for their freedom and autonomy to cave in now! Hope was Species! Period! One thing their enemies didn't know was that some inmate had been eavesdropping and couldn't wait to pass the information on to Robert Savage. The plotting was so damn complicated that something just had to go down the drain. And he had yet to tell Jaded the whole truth about the assault. Fuck! Someone kill me now!

Smiling contently, Torrent watched the little girl busily picking daisies.

»Satisfied now?« Vengeance grumbled.

Torrent blinked. »What do you mean?«

Vengeance rolled his eyes. »Come on... It's fine when Valiant, Tiger or Slade bring their sons along to meet Hope. The kids are having fun together. But Bestial? Brass? And today you're dropping by. Who's next? Jericho or Cedar or both? Do you think I'm too dumb to realize that Justice ordered you all to check on Hope?«

»Errr...« Torrent bit his lip and shrugged. »Justice said, better be safe than sorry.«

»Yeah, and always beware not to piss off the wonderful Oz by using your brain,« Vengeance scoffed. »Isn't it funny that Jaded's trusting me with his girl, while you don't?«

»Look... I'm just following orders. It's nothing personal.«

»Nothing personal? Fuck you!« Vengeance bawled out, barely containing his rage. »If you consider me capable of harming a cub, you're nuts.«

»Uncle Ven!«

Luckily, Hope's call stopped him before he could say something he might regret. He looked up and saw her skipping towards him. Bending, he picked her up and sat her on his arm.

»Do you think Precious likes them?« she asked, shoving her little fist full of daisies right in his face.

Vengeance chuckled. Hope's outgoing personality compensated him for all the hostilities he endured. »She'll be delighted, little one.«

»Who's Precious?« Torrent asked suspiciously, lifting a brow. He couldn't remember ever hearing that name.

»My dead mate,« Vengeance explained. »Since she was my entire world that's what I used to call her – Precious.«

Swallowing, Torrent couldn't help the embarrasment kreeping up his spine, while Hope proudly beamed at him. »And I told Uncle Ven to put that name on the gravestone.«

»Yes, you did,« Vengeance smiled and kissed her cheek, »smart little thing, aren't you?«

Torrent watched Vengeance carrying Hope behind his house where he'd placed the gravestone. Vengeance was right! It wasn't fair to keep him under surveillance. He'd definitely have a word with Justice. As he turned to leave he heard a car approaching quickly. A Jeep came into view and Torrent picked up Jaded's scent. He decided to wait for him.

Jaded stopped the Jeep and jumped out. »Hi, Torrent. So, you're the assigned chaperon today, huh?«

Torrent scratched his head. »Yeah, I guess I am.«

»You're absolutely doing Vengeance wrong,« Jaded pointed out. »If Justice is having a problem with his guilt, he can wallow in self-pity all he wants but leave me and Vengeance out of it.« When Ashley was drugged he literally dumped Hope on Vengeance's doorstep. Vengeance never complained, knowing exactly what Jaded went through. After a couple of days they settled into a routine. Vengeance took care of Hope during the day, while he was with his little girl from afternoon until late morning. »I have no idea where I'd be without his help and I won't let any of you spoil it. So, just quit that bullshit. And yeah! I'm fucking pissed!«

»Trust me, Jaded. I'm going to put an end to it. I can see that this is wrong.«

»Thanks,« Jaded replied. »I appreciate that.«

Torrent noticed that Jaded looked damn tired. And as if worrying about Ashley wasn't enough, suspending his duty as a council member didn't seem to sit well with him. Although, Brawn, Cedar and Bestial were more than happy to help, Torrent knew that Jaded felt guilty for shoving his work at them.

»How's your mate?« Torrent asked, changing the subject.

Sorrow clouded Jaded's face. »Well... Physically she's recovered but the doctors can't tell if the drugs of damn motherfucking Mercile did any brain damage. Ask me again when she's woken.« If she ever wakes... Squeezing his eyes shut, he started rubbing them with the heels of his hands. His eyes burned with tears but he had no intention of falling apart in front of another male. Additionally, he had to be strong for Hope, come what may. With a few deep breaths he regained control again. Opening his eyes, he met Torrent's intense gaze.

»Tend to your mate and daughter. That's all that counts,« Torrent finally said. »No one's going to bother you anymore. I see to it, personally.« He turned on his heel and quickly walked away as Hope scooted around the corner of the house with Vengeance on her heel.

»Daddy!«

»How have you been, my Tinker Bell?« Crouching in the grass, he opened his arms wide for her and she threw herself at him. He wrapped his arms around her and covered her face with kisses. God! He loved his little girl! »You've been nice to Uncle Ven?«

Giggling, she nodded, while Vengeance approached with long strides. »Hope's the incarnated sugar rush,« he grinned. »Sweet enough to eat.«

»How's mommy?«

Jaded tried to keep his worries at bay and put on a smile. »She's still very, very tired. But she's getting better.«

»I've drawed pictures for her, daddy!« she announced.

Jaded thought his heart would burst with love and joy. »You did? Wow! Can I see them?«

She nodded again but suddenly frowned. »Is it drawed, daddy?«

Jaded chuckled. »No, Tinker Bell, actually it's drawn. You've drawn pictures or you drew. You'll learn along the way. Don't worry.« He winked at her.

»But I have to learn because I'm going to be a school girl soon,« she insisted. »I can't go to school and talk like a fucking baby.«

»HOPE!« Vengeance and Jaded's shout came unison.

Jaded raised his finger. »I don't want to hear you say that word. Ever. Again.«

»Okay, daddy.« Hope had shame written allover her face and bit her lip. »Are you mad at me now?«

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. »I'm not mad at you, I'm... disappointed. And you don't want that, do you?«

She started fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. »No, daddy.«

»Good!« he grinned.

»Can you purr for me?« she pleaded.

»At home, Tinker Bell. After dinner we cuddle on the sofa, watch some cartoons and then I purr for you. Deal?«

»Deal!« Hope giggled.

»Alright, scoot and gather your things. We're heading home.« Jaded stood and they watched her run into the house.

»Seriously,« Vengeance said still shocked, shaking his head, »I have no idea where she got that f...« Closing his eyes, he groaned and dragged a hand down his face. »Forest! Slade brought his son along yesterday and I left them playing all by themselves.«

Jaded smirked. »If Trisha finds out Slade taught their son the f-bomb she'll go wild on his ass.«

»I'm sorry, Jaded.«

»It's fine,« Jaded assured him. »You're doing an awesome job where Hope is concerned.«

»By the way... thanks for defending me.« Vengeance looked down at his boots.

Jaded arched a brow. »You overheard?«

Vengeance shrugged. »I'm canine.«

»I meant every word I said,« Jaded said and grabbed Vegeance's shoulder, giving it a shake.

»I must admit I kind of understand Justice's perspective,« Vengeance grimaced. »I don't have the best reputation when it comes to females.«

Jaded laughed. »Yeah, Uncle Ven! You really suck at dating.«

Tammy took the whole-grain cookies out of the stove and Noble kept circling around her.

»Can I take them over to Hope now?« he asked, his eyes sparkling.

»They have to cool down first and we'll be too late for today, honey. You'll meet with her tomorrow,« she told him with a smile and wiped her hands on her apron, »but you can get me the bowl from the living room, meanwhile.«

»Okay!« Noble darted out of the room. Smiling, Tammy shook her head. Getting in touch with with a girl did him good.

Valiant walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around his mate. »I'm sorry,« he whispered.

Frowning, she turned in his arms. »For what?«

»That I can't give you a little female like Hope,« he replied sadly. »I don't miss that longing in your eyes when we visit Vengeance.«

She cupped his face. »Nothing to be sorry for,« she smiled, »I won't lie, though – Hope is a gem. And I'd love to have a daughter to do all the girly kind of things with. Like making braids or dress her like a doll. But I'm not stupid. Even if we were able to have girls, there's only a fifty-fifty-chance.« She kissed his lips. »And I certainly wouldn't trade in our boy for a dozen girls.«

Closing his eyes with a contented sigh, he rested his forehead against hers. »I love you so damn much, my Tammy.«