Well - I don't think I've ever updated within FOUR days! When I should be writing mid-year reports and marking millions of assignments, I find myself writing and editing this instead. What can you do? Sorry to all the parents of students out there. I promise that us teachers do get our work done - but something has to clear the mind sometimes...

Thank you so much for the comments on my last chapter, they are so greatly appreciated and apologies for not replying to them yet.

I don't own The Brave or any of it's characters... But I wish I did!

Chapter 44

The next morning started much the same way the previous one had. Dalton woke up alone, only this time he knew exactly where Jaz was. Sure enough within a couple of minutes, she appeared beside him again, the smile wide on her face.

"Cassiopeia's still alive then?"

She dug a finger into his side and as he flinched she replied, "Cass is alive and kicking thank you very much."

He grabbed her wrists and pulled her into his side, nuzzling her neck.

"Ok, I admit, I'm totally jealous of a goldfish."

"I knew it."

"I just miss waking up with you next to me." His lips moved against her neck as he spoke to her and she felt herself starting to cave.

"I suppose that Cass could survive a bit longer without being checked on."

Despite her excitement over her first pet, waking up with Adam and snuggling in to him was the favourite part of her day. And she found it incredibly cute that Adam felt the same way. Of course she wouldn't tell him she thought it was cute. She doubted that Adam Dalton had ever been described as cute in his life. But she was discovering new things about him every day and this was definitely cute.

Dalton was roaming her neck with his incredibly warm and talented lips, the prickles of his beard abrading her skin and turning it into fire at the same time his strong and very capable hands started to roam her body.

Yep. He won.

They ended up skipping breakfast, despite working up an appetite. They thought they would save it up for lunch with his sisters.

Despite the flurry of nerves that Jaz felt deep in her stomach, she was also really looking forward to meeting them.

Pouring them each a cup of coffee, Jaz sat herself up on the kitchen bench and took the opportunity to ask him about his siblings prior to meeting them.

"So tell me about your sisters before I meet them later on."

Taking a long gulp of his coffee, before letting out a large sigh and leaning against the bench she was sitting on, Adam lamented, "Where do I begin?"

After a small pause, he started, "Sarah is the eldest of my sisters. She's a teacher and she's just a couple of years younger than me. She has three kids, a daughter who is ten and twin boys who are four. They're a handful, but they love being outdoors, so the last time I saw them I was a big hit. She's married, but currently separated from her husband. He's great, but works shift work and I think it started to take its toll."

He paused to take another sip before continuing, "Then there's Kathryn, who we call Katie. She's six years younger than me and has two daughters who are seven and three. She runs an online health and fitness business. I don't know her husband as well as I would like; I just haven't seen a lot of him, but by all accounts they're very happy."

"So she's the youngest?" Jaz wanted to clarify.

Clearing his throat before he spoke, he tried to hide the expression of pain that crossed his face, but to no avail, and he said gruffly, "No, Jessie—Jessica was the youngest. She was killed when I was sixteen. She was only eight years old."

Jaz was shocked. Adam had rarely talked about his family, but she knew a few tidbits that he had shared with her over the years. She knew it hadn't always been easy, but she had no idea that he had lost a sister.

Overcome with an instant need to comfort him, she placed her palm on his cheek, "I had no idea."

He leaned into her palm before saying softly, "It's not something I really talk about."

Brushing her thumb across his cheek, she asked, "Can I ask what happened?"

If this had been before his most recent sessions with Xander, Adam would have probably avoided the question. In fact, he probably wouldn't have brought it up at all. But now, he had begun to realise how important this kind of communication was and he wanted to share this with Jaz. He knew that this is what they had promised to continue to work on.

"It was a car accident. The car hit a tree, she was in the passenger seat and was killed instantly. Drunk driver."

"Fuck." Jaz expressed softly, "Did they get the driver?"

Adam slowly raised his eyes to meet hers and she saw both the anger and sorrow reflected in them when he said in an even tone, "It was single car accident. Our Dad was the driver."

Dismay and sorrow washed over Jaz as she processed what he had just revealed to her. She knew his father had issues with alcohol, but she wouldn't have even guessed that it went this far.

She pulled him so he stood between her legs, where she was still sitting on the bench, raised her other hand to his cheek so his face was cradled within her palms and she rested her forehead against his.

"I'm so sorry." She breathed out, just holding him close, listening to his own slightly ragged breaths.

After a moment he put down his coffee and reached out to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her close. Just having her near him helped. He hadn't spoken about this in so long, he'd forgotten how much it could hurt. He'd kept it buried and hidden from just about everyone, which was why when Hoffman had brought it up, it had been both a shock and a catalyst to his ultimate plan.

"Hoffman knew." He whispered, not changing the position he was in, but wanting to confide in her.

"What? How?"

"I have no idea," He breathed loudly, "And that weighs on me. But, it only further confirmed my decision to put him down."

He didn't need to justify anything to Jaz. She knew that if someone with Adam's integrity had thought he needed to end Hoffman's life, then that was it. Especially after what had happened to Preach and Patricia. She now understood the shadows in his eyes when he had returned to the hospital. Some of them had been for Preach, and some of them had been for himself. That darkness that he tried to leave behind, never quite letting go.

She moved her hands from his face to wrap around his neck and pulled him even closer, wanting to comfort him however she could.

"You did the right thing," she whispered into his ear, and she felt him clutch her tighter in response. Her heart was breaking at what he had revealed about both his family and Hoffman. She wanted to be there for him, just like he had been there for her, every step of the way.

They stood like that for a long time. Both of them finding comfort in the other and gaining strength from their closeness.

If you were looking at Jaz when she and Adam arrived in town for lunch, you would have no idea that she was nervous. She hadn't often felt nerves in her life, until these last few weeks with Adam, and now as she was about to meet his family, is was as if an entire species of butterflies were having a rave inside of her.

Her usual nonchalance or indifference at meeting new people, was replaced with fear. Fear that they may not like her. Fear that they might not think she was good enough for Adam. Hell, she struggled with that own fear herself.

But knowing her like he did, Adam just looked over at her, "You good?"

"Would you think I'm horrible if I said, I'd be better if I had my Sig."

Bursting out with laughter, Adam leaned over to squeeze her hand with his, "No. If they turn into pains in the ass, I'll lend you mine."

Jaz chuckled in response. Despite her nerves, she was also intrigued. So much about Adam had always been a mystery so she was eager to find out more.

When they entered the café they were meeting at, Adam waved in greeting at two females already seated at a table by the window. Walking towards them, Jaz was instantly struck by the strong family resemblance. Even if she was to walk past these two as strangers on the street, she would be able to pick right away that they were Dalton's.

They both stood up and came around the table to greet them both. Adam introduced the taller of the two to Jaz first as Sarah, followed by the clearly younger sister as Katie.

When they sat down, Jaz couldn't help but smile at the strong family resemblance. All three Dalton's had the same shade of dark blonde hair. Sarah's was shoulder length, and it was thick like Adam's. Katie's was much longer, and hung in soft waves.

Their eyes were also the exact same shade of blue that Jaz always lost herself in when staring into Adam's. She was definitely the odd one out at the table with her much darker features.

While they perused the menu, Katie asked, "Are we having some wine with lunch since it's a special occasion?"

"What's the occasion?" Dalton enquired, momentarily worried he had missed a birthday or anniversary.

Katie grinned at him, "It's the first time we've ever met a significant other of yours big bro, and we've been hoping it'd be Jaz."

A curious expression crossed Jaz's face as Adam rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Subtle… real subtle."

Katie just giggled and Jaz could already tell that she was going to be a lot of fun.

After ordering their meals and a bottle of wine for the table, Dalton asked after Sarah and Katie's kids. Jaz could tell he was keen to catch up with his nieces and nephews when they had finished up at camp, and while she had never spent much time around kids, she hoped she got to meet them too.

She sat back and observed the family dynamics. Both sisters clearly adored and looked up to their big brother. They hung on every word he said and looked genuinely pleased when he asked after their lives. Given the knowledge that Adam had shared with Jaz earlier today, she wondered what their relationship had been like over the years.

Sarah seemed a little more reserved that Katie and a little more serious. Still very friendly, but there was a reticent look in her eyes that she couldn't mask from someone trained to be highly observant. Katie on the other hand was bubbly and vivacious. The spark in her blue eyes was the same she had seen on very recent occasions with Adam. She hadn't seen it a lot in the last three years, but the more time she was spending with him alone, the more she saw it. And the more she loved it.

"So tell us about you two," Katie prompted.

"Katie—leave them alone," Sarah reprimanded.

Adam once again just rolled his eyes, but knew he had to give them something, "Jaz and I work together." He said simply with a shrug of his shoulders.

"We know that dummy. How did it progress to this?" She gestured towards the two of them and Jaz could instantly feel her face start to flush.

Glancing at her quickly, Dalton saw the tinge of pink on her cheeks and his eyes instantly softened "Jaz came to visit me at the cabin and we just spent a lot more time together, and here we are."

"How are you liking the cabin, Jaz?" Sarah asked, letting them off the hook a bit.

Jaz huffed out a laugh, "Your brother always made out like it was some hut in the middle of nowhere and that he was some sort of mountain man, so when I actually saw how well equipped and decked out it was, it was a shock. I imagined I'd be sleeping in a tent out the back or on a wooden floor, not in a fully decorated guest bedroom."

Sarah and Katie both laughed while Adam defended himself to Jaz, "You guys all came to that conclusion yourself."

"You didn't steer us in the other direction though."

"It had to be seen to be believed."

Sarah joined in, "I have to admit I couldn't live up there, but it's fun to visit, especially with the kids."

Jaz nodded, but admitted, "I've grown to love it up there. I love the quiet."

Adam smiled and moved his arm so it was resting along the back of her seat, "See, told you it was ideal," he directed to his sisters.

They took their own turn to roll their eyes at him, but at the same time exchanged small smiles with each other. If anything, it was Jaz that was ideal. They had never seen their brother with someone, and it was obvious how happy he was.

"So tell us about your family, Jaz." Katie asked innocently.

A small shadow crossed Jaz's eyes, not quite sure how to respond. She felt Adam's hand move to rest on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. She knew she didn't have to answer. She could have made something up. She could have deflected the question. She could have taken on a cover as if this was one of their missions. But this was Adam's family. His sisters. She didn't want to lie. At the same time, she didn't want to go into too much detail either.

"I don't have any contact with them. I guess you could say we're estranged."

She felt Adam's hand squeeze her shoulder again and saw the look of sadness cross Katie's eyes, "I'm so sorry, Jaz. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It's ok," Jaz shrugged, "It is what it is. I eventually found my real family in my job," She revealed, not masking the look of love in her eyes as she glanced at Adam, that pink tinge on her cheeks, now flaring a shade of red.

When they saw Adam look back at Jaz with the same sentiment Sarah and Katie exchanged glances. They were sad to hear about Jaz's family, but elated to see their brother and Jaz look so happy.

Deciding to steer away from any more personal questions for now, the conversation steered in a much more general direction for the remainder of their meal and they tried to figure out a day for them to all visit the cabin with their kids.

When they left the café and walked towards where Sarah and Katie had parked, Jaz decided to excuse herself to give Adam a moment with them both.

"I'm just going to run in the store really quickly. It was great to meet you both."

Before Jaz could walk away, Katie gave her a huge bear hug. "It was so great to meet you, can't wait to catch up again soon." The genuine look in her eyes blew Jaz away and she found herself actually looking forward to spending more time with her.

Sarah came up and gave her a hug too, not quite as enthusiastically as Katie, but still genuine, and Jaz walked towards the store smiling. She hadn't had a lot to do with many women over the years, but she liked Adam's sisters. She hoped they liked her too, which wasn't something she worried about very often.

Sarah and Katie nudged each other as they watched Adam, who was watching Jaz walk away. His eyes followed her until she entered the store, and only then did he turn back to face his sisters' knowing smiles.

"What?" He asked dryly.

"You've got it bad." Sarah said knowingly.

"It looks good on you." Katie agreed.

Putting a hand up to rub the back of his neck, he avoided looking at either of them. He's not sure how much he wanted to reveal to the two of them yet. Even though he and Jaz knew how they felt about each other, they were still figuring things out and still figuring each other out. This was new to both of them—having feelings this strong. They haven't even thought about or addressed the bigger picture yet, and he didn't want to have that conversation with his sisters either. For now, he would just let them think whatever they wanted to.

Despite all of that, he was glad that they met Jaz. He's never had anyone to introduce them to before, never had anyone that he wanted to introduce them to before and he knew that they, Katie in particular, would be jumping to so many conclusions.

Deciding to sidestep all of that for now, with another quick conversation about catching up with them next week, he hugged them goodbye and went to catch up with Jaz in the store.

"So did those two manage to scare you off?" Adam came up behind Jaz in the chocolate aisle, placing his hands on her shoulders, his mouth close to her ear.

"Not even close," She replied, turning around to face him.

"So why are there already three blocks of chocolate in the basket, when we already have a ton back at the cabin?"

"I have a sweet tooth." Jaz retorted, but smiled knowing she had been sprung. "They didn't scare me off; it was just a new experience meeting someone's family."

"You met Elijah's family, and you know Preach's family too."

"Yes. But I'm not in love with either one of them."

"Thank goodness." Adam responded, leaning down to capture her lips with his and smiling at how easily that had rolled off her lips.

They stood there in the chocolate aisle, exchanging a few more kisses and smiling like teenagers at each other.

"So, what else did you need to get in here?"

"I want to go down the pet aisle. I want to get a plant for Cass' fish bowl."

"Of course you do."

On the drive back to the cabin, Jaz took the opportunity to ask Adam a few questions. A few weeks ago, she wouldn't have dared to ask, but now they were working on communication. It went both ways.

"Did you get along with your sisters growing up?"

Dalton took a breath, "Yeah for the most part, as much as siblings do anyway. I was the oldest so I guess I watched out for them when I could, but they were also annoying little sisters too, you know? All three of them."

"Do you keep in contact with them a lot when you're deployed?" Jaz was curious about this as Adam didn't share too much at all when they were away. Hearing a few weeks ago that he emailed Elijah's parents semi-regularly had surprised her, in a good way, but knowing more about his family now, she was curious.

"Not as much as I should." He admitted with a sigh.

After a few moments of introspection, he continued, "I signed up for the military as soon as I legally could. As soon I was eighteen I was out of there, and other than when my Mom passed away, I've only ever been home for a couple of months at a time. I think it was harder on Sarah than Katie. She was older, and had to take on some responsibility when I left; Katie was still just a kid. I was home for Sarah's wedding, but not Katie's. I love my nieces and nephews, and I'm pretty sure that's reciprocal—but I could have been better. I could have been there more and stayed in contact more."

"How did your Mom pass away?" Jaz asked softly.

"Breast cancer. Four years after I joined the army. My Dad went to jail for five years after Jessie was killed. When he was released, Mom was already sick. I guess you could say it wasn't the best welcome home for him—not that he deserved it—and other than Mom's funeral and a handful of times after that, we've pretty much been estranged. Sarah took Katie under her wing while she finished up her schooling, and I guess you could say that I have some residual guilt that I left so soon, but I think all things considered, they both turned out alright."

Jaz's heart ached for him and his family, and for the little sister he never got to see grow up. She reached out and grabbed the hand resting on his thigh and gripped it tightly, her thumb rubbing back and forth trying to offer him some comfort.

He smiled somewhat sadly at her, "I know I wasn't the best big brother, but I was angry, you know? And the military helped me put that anger to good use. And tamed it at the same time."

Jaz remembered their fire side chat after she had just been cleared for duty after her ordeal in Tehran. She remembered him telling her of his anger getting out of control in Fallujah when his friend was killed. Of how he had a taste for blood and his CSM had to get him in line. Of how in wanting to inflict more pain he had lost sight of what made him better than them. Of how he feared that the dark side he met that day, would never go away.

No doubt his anger had been deep seated to begin with, and the military had been a catalyst in figuring all that anger out.

"I know exactly what you mean." She offered, recalling some of her own moments of deep set anger that the military had both fuelled and abated. "You did the best you could," she soothed him, "You needed to work your own shit out, and that's a marathon not a sprint. Besides, it's never too late to do better."

He looked at her sideways, "You've either been hanging around Xander too long, or Preach."

Chuckling softly, she just gripped his hand tighter, "I definitely think they're both starting to rub off on me."

"I will do better." He confirmed, sounding determined, "But they don't need me as much anymore."

"If I've learned anything over the last two weeks, or the last two months, or even over the last three years, it's that we all need people in our lives, we just don't always realise it until it's too late. You have a family Adam. They love you. They want you in their lives. That's something."

"Spiritual jujitsu much?" he laughed, but lifted her hand to his mouth to kiss it softly. "You're right though."

"It happens."

They both laughed out loud, and with that, some of the heaviness of the conversation seeped away.

"I'm glad you're here."

This time Jaz lifted his hand to her mouth to kiss it tenderly, "Me too."

They sat under the stars that night on the back veranda, just looking skyward.

Adam was happy with how the meeting between his sisters and Jaz had played out earlier. Not that he ever thought that they wouldn't like each other, but he had never had anyone to introduce to his sisters before. They knew as well as he did, that it would have to be someone special to meet them. Especially given the relatively remote and closed off lifestyle he enjoyed at the cabin.

Jaz was that person. She was special.

He also knew what a big step that had been for Jaz. He hadn't wanted to put her in an uncomfortable position, but to her credit, she had taken it all in her stride and seemed to like Sarah and Katie.

They had come so far since their deployment had ended. He never would have guessed that they would be where they are now, and that he would be introducing her to his family. She had always been special, but it had always seemed impossible.

It was also somewhat of a relief to tell Jaz about Jessie. And his father. He had kept that to himself for so long, that he had been overwhelmed with the feelings of grief that had arisen. He usually compartmentalised that part of his life so well, but he had actually wanted to tell Jaz. He wanted to let her in. And he's glad he did.

Jaz herself, was also happy with how today had eventuated. The nerves she had felt when meeting Adam's sisters, calmed when she saw how great they were. And she was still so happy that Adam had wanted her to meet his sisters. His family.

Hearing about his little sister, Jessie and his Dad had been a shock. She felt so much empathy for Adam that he carried that around with him. But that's what soldiers did. They compartmentalised and got on with it. And that's why he was the best of the best. But at the same time, feeling him tremble in her arms earlier as his emotions were stirred, both broke her heart, as well as provoked a feeling of security that he felt he could share that with her.

They were really doing this. Sharing their lives. And yes, they were just ignoring the obvious with their careers for now, but that would come. For the time being, they were living in the moment and just loving each other.

That reminded Jaz of something.

Looking over at Adam, seeing him just staring at the sky, deep in thought, she asked, "Hey, earlier when Katie said they'd been hoping it would be me—what did she mean?"

Adam shrugged, "I'm not exactly sure, you'll have to ask her. I've mentioned you to them before when they've asked about the people I work with. That's it."

Jaz made a mental note to ask Katie, she definitely wanted to know more about that.

"Wanna go camping the day after tomorrow?" Adam asked her suddenly.

"When you say camping, do you mean in an actual tent? Or do you have some sort of other luxury cabin hidden away somewhere?"

He laughed in response and she could see the twinkle in his eye illuminated by the moonlight, "No other cabin. I definitely mean in a tent. Near a lake. With a fire in the evening and good old camp cooking."

"Sounds amazing." Jaz smiled at him, meaning every word. She was no stranger to roughing it, and if she was with him, she was willing to go anywhere, no matter how rough it was.

"Maybe tomorrow night we should sleep apart then. We'll be spending the next two nights in close quarters anyway, unless you want a separate tent?"

Jaz thought over his suggestion, and admittedly it was a good one. They had to try these nights alone, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

"Same tent. And ok, but not tonight, right?"

"Not tonight." He agreed with her, sending her a smile that both made her melt and set her on fire at the same time.

Would this effect that he had on her, ever go away? She hoped not, because the more time she spent with Adam Dalton, the more she never, ever wanted to be away from him.

So I had to take some creative licence with Dalton's sister's and family situation - since you know, the show got prematurely cancelled before we could find out more... *Deep breaths*

I was nervous to introduce new characters, so I hope it reads okay. They won't be major characters, but they definitely appear again, and I think given the direction I've chosen to take with this story, that it was important to include them.

Thank you so much for continuing to read this story. Your kudos and comments keep me so motivated. So much so, that I've updated in FOUR days - I've even shocked myself!

I'm going overseas in a week, so I will try to update one more chapter before then, because I won't be updating then for a couple of weeks.

Thank you so much and much love as always. You're all amazing! XXX