»You're supposed to eat your cereals, Tinker Bell, not playing with them,« Jaded told his girl and tried hard to be stern and smother his grin. As usual she was making a mess out of her breakfast. But he already experienced that his helping hand was so not appreciated. Instead she'd lecture him about being a big girl. In roundabout two months she'll be celebrating her fifth birthday. Although, she wasn't growing as quickly as the Species boys, she gained more and more independence day by day. Each week going by made huge difference. And having the honor of playing a role in her life almost made him burst with pride. A sob pulled him out of his thoughts.

She looked up with sad eyes. »Can I come with you when you go and see mommy today?«

Jaded swallowed. No tears please, baby...

»Please, daddy... I won't wake her up. I promise, I'll be good,« she pleaded.

Jaded jumped up and pulled her out of her high chair, craddling her in his arms. »I know you will, Tinker Bell. You're always being good and you're making me so proud of you. I want you to know that, okay?«

Tears streamed down her chubby cheeks as she leaned against his chest. »I miss her so much, daddy,« she whispered.

He swallowed. »I miss her too, baby-girl.«

»I know you do. I heard you.«

Jaded frowned. »What do you mean?«

She snivled, rubbing her eyes. »Last night, you know? I heard you.«

Jaded bit his lip. She was right. After he put her to bed he couldn't help it anymore. As soon as he closed his bedroom door, he broke down and had a crying fit. So not manly or macho but he couldn't stop the tears if his life depended on it. The possibilty of losing Hope was killing him. Of course, the NSO would try to move mountains if necessary. But...what should he tell Ashley when she woke up and her daughter is gone?

»Daddy?«

Looking in those big blue eyes Hope inherited from Ashley, he made a decision. »Okay, baby-girl,« he said. »We'll go and see her tomorrow.«

Her eyes widened. »Really?«

»You have my word,« he smiled and kissed her forehead.

She looked up at him. »I love you, daddy.«

»I love you too, Tinker Bell.«

After dropping off Hope at Vengeance's, he drove his Jeep to the hospital. Since the docs told him, reading to comatose patients was good for them, he read ‚Game of Thrones' to Ashley everyday. Overall a very violent story but he really liked this ‚Khal Drogo' guy. He could've easily been Species. Too bad he had to die. When Jaded entered the floor where Ashley lay, young Dr. Harris approached him.

»Good morning, Jaded. May I have a word with you?«

Jaded froze. »Something wrong with my female?«

»No, she's fine. Don't worry. But I do need to talk to you,« Dr. Harris insisted, gesturing towards his office.

Jaded followed him and after closing the door, the doc wasted no time.

»We came to the conclusion to initiate the recovering phase for Ashley,« he said, leaning his butt against his desk and crossing his arms over his chest.

»And?« Jaded frowned and slowly lowered himself into the chair in front of the desk. That's good news, right?

The doc grimaced and scratched the back of his head. »Well... Knowing, what happened to Moon, I just wanted you to be prepared for the worst case scenario.«

Something about the doc's tone simply scared Jaded shitless. »What do you mean by the worst scenario?«

Young Dr. Harris took a deep breath. »We're expecting memory loss.« Another deep breath. »A complete and irreversible memory loss, actually.«

»You... Are you trying to tell me that she might not remember me? Is that it?« Jaded's anxiety increased if that was even possible.

The doc lifted his hands in a defensive demeanor. »I don't want to scare you, Jaded. But we have no experience whatsoever what those extremly overdosed mercile drugs do to a human system. I just don't want you to freak out in case something happens, okay?«

Jaded nodded. Of course, young Dr. Harris wasn't able to fathom the results of the drugs on humans...for obvious reasons.

»Can you postpone her recovery a little? I think I need a breath of fresh air,« he said.

»Sure. Take your time. I know it's a lot to process. I'll proceed when you give me the go and not a sec before.«

»Thanks.« Jaded jumped up and stormed out of the office. He needed some time to get a grip.

Jaded had long since lost track of the time he actually sat in the park of the hospital. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs and covered his face with his hands. Shit! His emotions were all over the place. Focus, dammit! If Ashley didn't remember him and would choose to go on with her life without him, so be it. It'll break his heart but her happiness would always be his first priority. But what if she didn't remember her little girl? He was an adult and dealt with rejection throughout his life. But Hope? What impact would it have on her fragile four-year-old soul? Certainly, not a good one. The thought tore him apart. He raked his fingers through his long black hair in despair. Suddenly a large paper cup with ‚Latte-to-go' written upon it was shoved in his sight. Looking up, he saw Kit standing there.

»Spotted you when I took my break. Now I'm heading back to work and you didn't move. Thought, you might need some fuel,« she said, wiggling the cup in front of his nose and he took it. She jerked her chin to the bench. »May I?«

Jaded just shrugged in response and Kit lowered herself beside him. The silence stretched and became uneasy quickly.

»Your mate's fine so far?« she broke the silence.

»Don't pretend you even give shit about my female,« he snapped.

»Come on, Jaded,« she growned, rolling her eyes. »You consider me such a heartless monster that I want her dead?«

»Do you?«

»Hell, no! It's true I don't hold a lot of sympathy for human females but Ashley obviously makes you happy and that's what counts for me.«

Jaded took a sip of his Latte. »Is that so?«

»Look,« she said and turned towards him. »You can call me a bitch when it comes to human females but I'm not blind. Vengeance has changed a lot since being around your girl. And all the other Wild Zone residents are crazy about her. They even start becoming a little more social, which we all benefit from.« A grin slowly spread across her face. »Actually, I think it's hilarious how they all try to avoid cursing while she's around.« She got serious again. »When I heard the news that the humans are trying to take Hope away from you I was mad as fuck just like everyone else. Hope is just as much Species as I am. So if there's anything I can do...«

Since Jaded didn't respond in any way, Kit realized he wasn't ready for accepting any help from her. But as she got up and turned to go, Jaded grabbed her wrist and kept her from leaving.

»I'm sorry, Kit. I was being unfair but it's been way too much lately. Hope is an angel. She's never complaining but she misses her mother badly.« He sighed and let go off her wrist. »And so do I.«

»I can imagine... Again... If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate.«

»Thank you. I won't.« Kit's offer surprised him. Of course, everyone was eager to help him but she was the last person he expected support from.

Kit fumbled with her own papercup. »To be honest, I envy you, Jaded.«

She what? He barked out a mirthless laughter and gaped at her. »My world's falling apart. What's there to envy?« Was she taunting him?

»You found love and a family.« She shrugged. »And I wish I had that. Even if I'd find a male who'll love me, I doubt it'll be a human with kids.«

Jaded didn't answer. Although he didn't know how to cope with all what destiny had thrown at him, he realized he had no regrets whatsoever. Meeting Ashley was the best thing ever happened to him. And Hope was the bright spark in the darkness that threatened to consume him. His little female was clueless but she kept him sane. And Vengeance became a very close friend, which still seemed totally unreal.

Kit cleared her throat. »Well then... Gotta get back to work. See you around, Jaded. If push comes to shove, we're all here for you. All you have to do is reach out.«

Jaded managed a nod and hm'ed in response, while watching her leave. Downing his Latte, he got up and discarded the papercup. If Ashley didn't want him anymore, fine. Postponing the inevitable won't change a thing. Time to face his worst fears!