Here it is. Chapter 30. Lovin' shoutouts to all readers/reviewers. Keep the support a-comin'.

I forgot to mention this in a previous chapter, but, this fic was nominated at the "What A Character" Awards for: Best Long Form Chapter Story, Best Romance, Best Ranger Couple and Best OC. And, shockingly enough, I was nominated for Best Author. Anyway, you can check out the site by clicking on the link in angellwings' or my profile. (Yep, I went on and quickly learned how to post links, LOL)!

And, congrats again, Zeopurple for your nomination at the "Season of Love" (hope I got the name right) Awards. (grins).

"Daddy!"

The excited little voice jolted Jason out of his sleep the next day- Wednesday morning. He yawned and blinked a couple times. Then, he sat up slowly, stretched and began smiling when Jade- who was wide awake and dressed already- climbed onto the bed. He pulled her onto his lap and she hugged him as though he'd vanish if she ever let go.

"Good morning to you, too, baby girl," he said. "Where's Kim?"

"She's cooking breakfast," Jade replied. "And she told me to tell you that if you try to stop her, she'll give you cooties."

Jason laughed and shook his head. "Can't have that, so, I'd better listen to her."

"Daddy?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"I don't like what happened last night," she said in a soft voice as she played with the hem of his t-shirt.

Jason's stomach clenched. What he'd truly hated most about the whole mess was the fact that she'd had to witness him being handcuffed and driven away in a police car. Sure, she was only four, but... images like that could be forever burned into her brain. He could and would take anything except his daughter being traumatized- whether it be temporary or permanent trauma. Didn't matter. He looked down into her eyes.

"I don't like it, either, baby," he said quietly.

"Why did they take you away? And where is Mommy? Did she leave again?" Jade asked, her eyes wide.

Jason did his best to ignore the emotions that surged through him at the mention of Gina. He had no idea what they'd do to her. They'd probably do a few psychological tests, then, ship her off to the nearest mental health facility. But... how the hell could he tell a four-year-old that her mother wasn't playing with a full deck? He looked over at the clock. 'I should get ready for work.' Yeah, taking a day off would probably be the sensible thing to do -considering- and he knew Adam would understand, but, Jason needed to work.

"Daddy?"

He blinked and looked at his eldest child once again. She was waiting for answers. Too bad her short attention span wasn't coming in handy this time. Damn. He cleared his throat. "Baby girl, we'll have to talk about it all when Kim or I pick you up from daycare today, okay?"

" 'Kay," she said.

He nodded, relief filling him.

It was now several hours later and Jason's friends- who'd learned of what'd happened from his mother- had called with apologies and not the most pleasant words about Gina. Anyway, Kim, Jason and Jade had finished dinner a half-hour ago and the two adults were in the kitchen while Jade was in the den. To Jason's relief, Jade hadn't brought up her mother again.

"Ya know, I really can't wait til I'm able to work again. I know it's not as long as I think and the time will fly, but... . Anyway, I'm really excited about being a personal shopper. Of course, I'll be even more excited if I get hired anywhere," Kim said with a light laugh. She planned to began going to job interviews and all in a few weeks. She knew that she and Jason had enough in both their accounts to get by for the time being.

Jason smiled at her. "No "ifs" about it, Kim. That's one job that was made for you."

"No argument there," she agreed.

"I meant to ask, how're the twins?" he asked- knowing she'd gone to the hospital.

"Not better, but, not worse," she said with a sigh.

"Well, let's go to the hospital together tomorrow when I come home from work. I'm sure Mom won't mind watching Jade for awhile," he said. He really wanted to see his children... who weren't even supposed to be here right now. Wow.

Kim nodded. "Okay. I just, I just really wish that they were home."

"Me, too," he said quietly, staring at the kitchen table.

Kim stood, walked up to him and sat on his lap. Jason wrapped his arms around her waist and she curled her arms around his neck. Kim shook her head.

"God, I'm glad all of the craziness is over with," she said. She was also glad he planned to handle the restraining order business in a few days.

"You and I both, Pinky. Man. I gotta tell ya... if someone had told me years ago that all of this crap would be happening to us, I'd have laughed in their faces," he said.

"Tell me about it. I also would've laughed about the superhero deal," she said- causing him to laugh.

"Hey, that one's still hard to believe," he said.

She grinned. "True story. I don't think I'll ever be able to really wrap my mind around it." Then, she leaned into him. "I love you, Red Dragon. I love you so much."

"I love you, too, Firebird. With all I have," he said before sharing a sweet kiss with her. The doorbell rang, then. They looked at each other.

"Who could that be?" they said in unison. Then, they laughed and shook their heads. "Well, only one way to find out," they both said simultaneously- again. They raised their eyebrows- at the same time- and just looked at each other.

"Too freaky," they said. Kim's jaw dropped. What in the... . She decided to take charge and get the normalcy back. She disentangled herself from him and stood.

"I'll get it," she said quickly, then, exited the kitchen- an amused expression on her face. Jason shook his head and laughed. 'We've known each other way too long,' he thought.

Kim looked into the den to check on Jade before walking up to the door. The little girl was on the sofa and she seemed to be wrapped up in something on the television. Kim unlocked and opened the door to find Gary Scott there. He'd just been about to ring the bell again. He met Kim's eyes and smiled nervously.

"Hello, Kimberly," he said.

"Um, hi, Mr. Scott," she said.

"I know I'm the last person you expected to see. How are the twins?" he asked.

"The same... thanks for asking," she said.

He nodded, then, opened his mouth to speak again. But no words would come. He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Come in," Kim said softly, stepping aside.

He looked at her in surprise and she just nodded. Then, he stepped into the house. Kim closed and locked the door. "Thanks," he said.

"Sure. So... where are you staying?" she asked- not even entirely sure why she'd felt the need to let him in.

"Hotel," he replied.

Before Kim could reply, Jade came running into the front hall. She looked up at Gary- who grinned at her.

"You're my daddy's Daddy," she said.

"That's right, sweetheart," he said, nodding.

"I'll tell Daddy you're here," Jade said, then, took off before anybody could say anything. Kim closed her eyes and Gary inhaled sharply.

Moments later, Jade returned with a curious, confused and surprised Jason. Kim opened her eyes, then, looked from Gary to Jason.

Gary cleared his throat. "I came over because I'd really like to talk to you- if that's all right."

Jason noticed that the other man didn't look so good. It wasn't his obvious nervousness. He just looked really tired, pale and... . "Yeah... sure."

Kim looked at Jade. "You know what, Jade? I just remembered that we're outta ice cream." Jade gasped as if Kim'd just informed her that they were never showing Dora The Explorer ever again- which would be a fate worse than the death in the little girl's mind. "So, why don't you and I go out and get some more?"

Jason and Gary sat down on the living room couch a couple minutes later. Jason had no idea what to say and he also had no idea what he was feeling exactly. He decided not to speak and waited patiently for the older man to talk.

"Jason, I talked to Karen last night and..." Gary's voice trailed off.

"She told you what happened," Jason said calmly.

"Yeah. You may not believe this, but... I'm really sorry. I had no idea that woman was so disturbed," Gary said, shaking his head slowly.

"I do believe it and that makes the two of us," Jason said.

"Well... that's not all I came over for. I hate that happened to you, but, I also wanted to let you know, once again, that I really am being honest about my illness. I didn't come back to ask one of you boys to save my life. I came back to make amends. I fully understand that that's way too much to ask for and even unfair, but... it's true," Gary said seriously.

Jason looked at him... an odd sensation washing over him. "You know... I've been thinking a lot about your situation- in spite of everything that's been going on. And looking at you just now in the hall... well, it just really hit me. I don't know exactly what made me realize anything, but... I don't think you're lying about being sick. Not anymore." It was true. All right, he still wasn't ready to jump into the "let's bond" stage- naturally- but... he did want him to know that he believed him now.

"I... I really can't even tell you how glad I am to hear that," Gary said.

Jason nodded slowly. "And... I'll be your donor."

Gary's widened in genuine horror. "Jason, you don't have to do that. I meant what I said. I really didn't come back for-"

"I believe you," Jason said.

"But you've already been through enough," Gary said.

"It's all right," Jason said.

"No, it's not. I appreciate the offer, but, I can't let you do that. I can find another donor. I really don't wanna add-" Gary was saying.

"Who'd be a better donor than one of your kids?" Jason cut in quietly. Gary looked at him. "I wanna help," Jason said. "Seriously."

Gary shook his head, now feeling overcome with emotion. "Thank you, Jason."

"Sure... Dad," he said.

That single term made Gary feel as though he'd just received the world's greatest gift. He never thought he'd hear it again and knew he didn't deserve to hear it now. But it'd happened. His eyes watered and before he knew it, he leaned in and hugged his son... who found himself hugging back.

I hope this chapter's all right. It was time I came back with a crazy-free chapter, I felt. Cya.