A/M: I allude to child abuse at the end and I stand behind that assessment. I've watched Mitch over the last two seasons and feel like there's more back story. We will eventually hear more about it in this story. But few grown men feel like vomitting at the idea of seeing their father after 12 years just because the dad stole their girlfriend. While that certainly warrants feelings, it doesn't explain that specific reaction.

Chapter Two

Voices swam around him as he climbed his way back to consciousness. It was dark outside, though lanterns and lamps were lighting the tent at a low level. A headed was leaning against his stomach, looking down he realized it was Clem. He reached out and ran his hands over her blonde hair, he could feel his lip shaking as he tried to control his emotions, he wasn't an emotional man, not that he thought anyway. But almost losing his only child was enough to make him realize he had wasted far too much time.

Pale blue eyes opened and the smile blossomed across her face, "You came," she whispered.

He smiled, "Always. I'll always come for you Clem." His leg hurt, his ankle ached and all he wanted to do was crawl back under the darkness and sleep off the horrible dream that had been their life for the last two years.

"Mom died," Clem whispered. Mitch let his instincts as a father kick in; he gave her a gentle tug so she was cuddled to his side on the cot as she wept into his shoulder. He wasn't under the illusion that the change of parent would be easy for the young girl. Clem was her mother and him easy, she'd fight and was tough and would come out fine. But first she needed a good cry. He held tight, kissing the top of her head and letting her cry it all out.

It was several minutes later when his doctor came and offered her a warm smile, "It's nice to finally meet the man behind my granddaughter," she sat down on the other cot. "Your lass is gathering a few things with the help of the military. Spunky one ye got there, lad."

Mitch smirked, "She gives me a run for my money. Dr. Mitchell Morgan, call me Mitch. The spunky one is Jamie Campbell."

"Nice to meet ye Mitch, I'm Maggie Lewis, but I suppose you already knew that."

"They're both dead?" Her beautiful pale blue eyes, sharp like ice in the coldest areas of Alaska, grew wet as she nodded. She was surprised when he reached out and squeezed her hand, "I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"No parent should outlive their child, I suppose you understand that better than most, almost loosing Clem to Glaziers," she whispered.

"You still have her," Mitch offered.

"No, lad. She needs to go with you. You and your lass."

Mitch understood what she said, but he didn't think she realized what he was saying, "Come with us, Maggie. Look, there's one thing I know about this new world, you don't survive on your own. If you've lost everyone else, let us be your family now."

Her brows grew furrowed in surprise, "Really? But…Justin—"

"I never felt anger towards Justin. Audra always deserved better. Clem deserved better. Justin did right by her. I wouldn't cut you out now."

Maggie's smile was filled with gratitude, "Well, I can hardly say no," she whispered, voice thick with emotion, "Your lass is finishing up now, she'll be back and then we can go."

"Thank you," he whispered. His cell phone rang, breaking up the conversation, he sighed, realizing it was Allison. "Yeah?" he answered.

"We believe Jackson has caught an airplane to DC. We're headed there to find him, we are also headed to meet with the Russian Prime Minister. Do you think you can pull yourself from your little family reunion to be present?" She asked, her tone snide.

"I don't know, can you pull yourself from my father's arms long enough to remember why you recruited me in the first place?" His answer caused Maggie's eyes to grow wide, as well as Jamie's who'd just stepped in the room.

"How did you know?"

He felt his heart ache, knowing he was right, "You do love to screw people over," he replied, "We'll be in DC, and when we get there, that bastard better not be on that airplane." He prayed his voice didn't shake, though it certainly felt that way. He looked at Jamie, offering her a weary smile, "Ready?"

"When you are," she answered.

Mitch looked at Clem, who had sat up and was now watching them, "You ready to go kiddo?"

Clem gave a hesitant nod, she looked at her grandma, "What about you?"

"She's coming with us, Clem," Mitch assured as he swung his feet over and scooted towards the ground, he felt Jamie grab his waist and help him to his feet, while Maggie slid a crutch under his arms.

"Really grandma!?" Clem was thrilled that she wouldn't lose yet another family member.

"Really, my love," Maggie soothed as the group of four slowly and painfully made their way across the compound towards the SUV. Jamie was driving, leaving Clem catching her father up in the back, while he sat up in the front. Based on how quiet he was being, Jamie could easily guess he was barely listening.

Maggie seemed to sense it to as she slyly changed the conversation to one of how they would get Henry out once all the animals were safe again. "You okay?" Jamie asked, appreciating the change of topic.

"No," he whispered, surprising himself and Jamie at the truth behind his confession. He wasn't okay; he'd seen his father for the first time in twelve years since the bastard had ruined his life, not to mention the other thirty odd years the bastard had had to ruin his childhood as well. He'd been stuck with Allison, the person who'd made him bitter as hell, who couldn't even begin to understand how painful her betrayal was. Jamie had spent the last several months hating him. Now to top it all off Allison had once again decided to hook up with his father.

Truthfully, he wanted to bury himself in a bottle of scotch and never come back out. He wanted to see his father, and Allison die a horrible death. He wanted them as far away from him as physically possible. Jamie reached out and gripped his hand which had been sitting on the center console.

Trotter had made the detour to pick them up, though as they hobbled towards the plane, meeting a very grouchy looking Abe and an equally grouchy looking Dariela, behind them stood Allison, and to Mitch's horror-Max.

"He was supposed to leave," whispered Mitch as Abe grew close, nearly shaking with rage.

Abe nodded, "I know, and I'm sorry, I had no control over it, as I was searching for our brother in arms."

"Is he okay?"

Abe shook his head, "I do not know. He disappeared, left us an older lady to help while he was gone. We believe he's in DC as well, looking for his father. That is why we're headed there. What happened?"

"Stepped in a bear trap," Mitch replied grimacing. "Abe, I'd like you to meet Clem's grandmother, Dr. Margaret Lewis. Maggie, this is my friend and esteemed colleague, Abraham Kenyata, and his…equally beautiful friend Dariela," he smirked when Dariela punched him in the arm playfully.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Dariela greeted the older woman.

"And you."

Jamie smiled warmly, "Let's get you guys settled in."

"So, this must be my granddaughter," Max began to reach out and greet the girl, for the first time ever, the entire team saw rage and fire fill Mitch's eyes as his hand shot out and grabbed the man's wrist, squeezing unimaginably hard.

"She is NOT your anything," he hissed, then he stepped closer, despite his injury, getting into Max's face, who was wisely startled. "If you touch her, even look at her funny, I assure you there will be an abrupt and very painful exit in your future. I don't care how you managed to convince nearly ever female in your radius to think you're some great guy. But I've seen what you do, I've been there, and you will NOT destroy her, the way you destroyed me," he grew quiet, lips in a thin strong line, Abe stepped up behind him to show that he was supportive, the rest of his team following, except Allison.

Clem stood against her grandmother and father, watching the interchange with shock. She was surprised when he turned, his face instantly becoming calm and collected, "Come on, Clem."

He'd gotten Clem settled into her room, returned to his to change the best he could, and was surprised when a knock on his door revealed Dariela standing there. "Yes?" he asked, still furious with his father.

"How old?"

"What?" He asked, suddenly confused and perhaps a little nervous that she knew his darkest secret.

"I was eight," she offered, "When…a cousin decided to go a little…too far," she said trying to remain discreet.

Mitch drew in a sharp breath, he wished he could push away the memories that wanted to overtake him, "Ten…I was ten and it was his recent girlfriend. He made fun of me, called me a wuss…" he shook his head. "I don't know if he'd hurt her but…"

Dariela stepped in and held up her hand, "You're her father, it's your job to protect her, as such your decision was sound. If he was cruel enough to do something like that to his own child, to watch it happen, then he is obviously cruel enough to consider doing it himself. Don't ever feel bad for protecting your own child."

He nodded, "Thank you." She gave him a short nod before walking out and leaving him alone to feel defeated, exhausted and sore.