Thank you to all my reviewers and to those of you who have me on alert or have favorited me. It feels so good to be back. And knowing how much I was missed...wow. It's just such an awesome feeling. Well, here's Chapter 5. I hope you enjoy it. I was hoping to get it up yesterday but hey, today's still a day sooner than tomorrow like I originally thought so...still good. Okay, again, I hope you enjoy. And PLEASE review. It's so awesome to hear the little ding that tells me I have a new review.

~JP

Jensen looked at Cougar with that serious piercing gaze that only makes an appearance when it comes to the safety of their family. The rest of their team just kept watching closely, anxious to find out what the hell was going on once and for all. Why did that damn feather affect Cougar the way it did? Jensen ignores the stares of the others, basically forgetting for a moment that they're there, and focuses on Cougar. "Why Carlos?"

Cougar took the frame from Jensen and looked at what was done to their photo. The others could see the anger settle in Cougar's eyes and the angle of his jaw. Although, to be honest, they much preferred this emotion to the fear they saw in his eyes when he first spotted the feather. The sight of their hard, gruff expert sniper with fear shining in his eyes was one image they didn't want to remember, let alone ever see again.

However, Jensen saw what the others did not. He saw the fear still there, hidden behind the anger. He saw the worry, entwined with the fear. He also saw the sadness, the utter look of despair that came into his mate's eyes as he looked at their ruined family portrait. That's when Jensen knew that whoever had done this, Cougar had once considered a very close friend. He could feel his rage growing at whoever was doing this. Rage that they would try to hurt and threaten Cougar using him and their niece. But when he spoke, Jensen let the anger and fear soften in his voice because he was never angry with Cougar, just with the situation. Jensen's voice is much softer and calmer this time when he addresses his lover. "Who Carlos? Who did this?"

Cougar appeared to calm down but they all knew that the anger was there, simmering below the surface, waiting to boil over. He gripped the frame tightly in his hand and took Jensen's hand in his other and led Jensen to the ramshackle couch that was left in this house when the occupants deserted it. And for good reason too with all the tears in the upholstery and the stains set in on it.

Pooch, Clay and Roque all sat down wherever they could find a seat as well, but unlike Cougar and Jensen's couch, the only other seats available were a turned over trash can, a milk crate and the floor. Clay sat on the trash can, observing his men closely. He needed to know what the hell was going on and he needed to know NOW! Before something else happened. Roque sat on the milk crate and just waited, wanting to know what could make Cougar, COUGAR, react the way he had. While Pooch choose a spot on the floor as close to his friends as he could get, without intruding upon their personal space, wanting them to at least feel as if they're having a private moment despite the rest of them being there.

Jensen stared at Cougar, waiting for him to be ready to talk. Because everyone who knows Cougar, knows that trying to get him to speak before he's ready is like trying to get fire from a wet match-it isn't happening. Jensen squeezes Cougar's hand within his, letting Cougar know silently that he's here for Cougar whenever Cougar's ready and that nothing will change that.

Cougar took a deep breath and looked deeply into Jensen's eyes, wanting to be completely honest with Jensen, as always. "Amor, do you remember how I told you of my few real relationships that came before you?"

Jensen narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded at Cougar. "I do Carlos. You were very open with me about them because you wanted me to know everything about your past."

Cougar had always been honest with Jensen. Even before they admitted their feelings for each other they had never lied to one another. So Jensen knew that most of Cougar's past was mainly one-night stands. Just a roll in the hay whenever he and a particular female-the one for that night anyway-would both be willing.

At least, that was until Jensen joined the unit and all that seemed to stop. When Roque asked one night why Cougar no longer chased any tail and just hung around Jensen all the time (before they knew about Cougar's feelings for Jensen) Cougar just grunted and motioned his hand towards Jensen who was, at the time, attempting to flirt with the girlfriend of a big beefy guy that was making his way towards Jensen, making it clear to them that he felt he had to stay near Jensen because otherwise, Jensen would get himself into a confrontation, which he was doing, and not be able to get out of it, which was happening as Jensen tried to talk his way out of getting beaten by the overgrown muscle head-at least until they walked over there and helped Jensen out.

However, Jensen knew that there were a couple of relationships for Cougar that were more serious than just a one-night stand. They mostly occurred when Cougar was younger, before he joined the military. But he also did try dating when he would be home on leave in his early years in the military, before he realized that he didn't want that kind of life for the few females he had dated back home.

Clay rolled his eyes at this foreplay and just wanted to get to what the hell was going on. Roque's eyes widened, surprised that Cougar would be so open with Jensen, not thinking of how the fact that they are together, a couple, would of course mean that Cougar would be open and tell Jensen everything. Which just shows how long it's been, if ever, since Roque's had a real relationship. While Pooch just smiles and nods, automatically understanding why Cougar would do such a thing because he and Jolene had the very same conversation when they had been dating for a while too and were thinking of becoming even more serious.

Cougar nods at Jensen and grips the ruined photo in its cracked frame, holding it tight against his abdomen, as if to protect it from further harm. Cougar knows what he needs to say, what he needs to tell them all, but most especially what he needs to tell his lover and the man he wants to make his forever. But Cougar isn't sure how to do that. He knows Jensen; very well in fact. So he knows that Jensen will be more…lackadaisical when it comes to defending himself against the one threatening him.

Before speaking, Cougar inhales deeply, willing himself to do this, to tell them everything. Because even though he knows Jensen…and probably Pooch will have more of an issue when it comes to their defense against this new attacker, he knows that Clay and Roque won't hesitate to defend and kill. And he doesn't want that. Because…it's his fault why this is happening.

Cougar looks at his lover and pleads with his eyes for Jensen to understand. He can see that Jensen is confused by his look because Jensen always is very understanding and will listen to anything that Cougar has to say about anything. Especially considering how little Cougar speaks to begin with. Although Jensen always reads his body language and understands his sounds and always says that Cougar is actually a very loud talker-just not verbally. Cougar wants to smile at that memory but instead begins his explanation. "Her name…is Vanga."

Okay. I know. I'm sorry. I left you with another cliffy. But I promise, next chapter, you will read all about Vanga and who she is, what she was and is to Cougar and why she's after Jensen...and possibly Ana. (I know gottalovealoser, I'm evil sometimes.) AND I've already gotten a bit of it written so I'm thinking maybe within the next few days, Saturday at the latest, I'll have Chapter 6 up. Because now that I'm back to writing this, it's like I'm on a roll and I can't stop until this story is told. Oh and remember, please review. Thank you:)