Old Wounds.

Abel's P.O.V

A year after that phone call and I'm the proud father of two little girls. It took Beth a while to realize that she wouldn't get into trouble for the smallest things but almost eight months later she was losing her shyness.

After starting my training, I moved up the ranks quickly, making it to staff sergeant in ten months. David and I had worked out an agreement that he gets Nevaeh every other weekend, he was now happily settled down with Juice after my dad changed the club bylaws to allow gays in.

I'm currently standing at the gates of the local primary school, proudly watching my girls walk in the doors for their first day before heading to work.

"Abel, come on man. We gonna be late." Jason called from the car. He had come to pick the girls and me up so he could see them off. I turned to look at him with a sheepish smile. I knew I was being sentimental, but this was my girls and they wouldn't be kids forever.

"Yeah, coming!" I shouted back as I turned and headed back to the car.

After a short trip we were at the base. I headed over to my C.O to find out what I was doing today after having a week off.

"Ah Teller, you're training today. Ground four, new recruits. Just starting today, I'm sure you'll get along splendidly." Major Philips said as I walked over to him.

"Yes, Sir"

"Good, here's your list, take roll call, markdown their reasons for being here, etc. You know the drill."

"Yes, Sir." I said as I took the clipboard from him. I went over to ground four and almost laughed. There in front of me was pampered boy Michael Cous, who would have thought that the mother of my child's rich boyfriend would be here. Ignoring him, for now, I started roll call. Once everyone was accounted for, I continued.

"I am staff Sargent Abel Teller; I will be your trainer and you're commanding officer. Should you have any problems you come to me. Now let me just double-check this and we will move along." After checking I noticed something.

"Cous, I didn't get your reason for joining. What is it?" I asked.

"My dad cut me off, so figured why not." He said with a cocky smirk.

"Sir." I said automatically.

"What?"

"You address me as Sir. It's a sign of respect." I told them all.

"And when do you respect us, Sir?" Michael asked sarcastically.

"When you earn it. You're not going to last long with an attitude like that, I advise you fix it." I warned him.

"Whatever." I heard him mumble.

"Now due to Cous' loudmouth, you'll be starting with laps. You have three minutes to warm up while I run this to the office." I turned on my heel and jogged to the office. I handed the paperwork over and went back.

"You all ready? Good let's go, this way" I said as I started jogging south.

After six hours of training I walked into the showers were Jason happened to be.

"Hey man, how was your day?" I asked him as I turned on the water.

"Same old, yours?"

"New recruits, never guess who one of them is." I answered after getting under the spray.

"Who?" Jason asked, curiosity clear in his voice.

"Michael Cous." I said with a sly grin

"No way. Rachel's Michael? What's he doing here?" He asked clearly surprised.

"His daddy cut him off. He won't last long if he doesn't fix his attitude though."

"Nuts man. You need a lift?"

"Well you did pick me up." I laughed.

"Oh, yeah I did. Well I'm ready when you are." Jason said.

"I'm ready." I replied as I threw my towel in the hamper. We walked to the base's parking lot and got in the car before Jason spoke.

"So, I was wondering would you like to have dinner?" He asked.

"Jas, you have dinner at mine every night. Why would today be any different?" I asked back.

"No, I mean like a date. Would you like to go on a date with me?" He asked nervously.

"I'd like that." I smiled at him and he beamed back.

"How about tomorrow around seven?"

"I'll have to ask Julie to stay later but it should be fine." I said as I played with the stereo that didn't want to go on.

"Stereo on" Jason said.

"Voice-activated remember?" He laughed at me.

"Yeah, yeah" I waved him off.

We pulled up at the house twenty minutes later to see Julie arguing with a woman outside. I looked at Jason before we both climbed out.

"Julie what's going on?" I asked as we walked over to them.

"I'm sorry Abel, I didn't mean to let her upset Nevaeh." Julie said quickly

"Calm down and tell me what happened." I said

"The girls were playing in the garden and when I looked out, this woman was talking to them. By the time I got out Nevaeh was crying and saying she was lying." Julie explained.

"I wasn't lying. I am her mother."

"My daughter has... " I stopped midsentence as I turned to see Rachel standing in front of me.

"Well don't this day just get better. What do you want Rachel?" I asked her as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I want to see my daughter."

"Why? Why now after nearly five years? Nevaeh doesn't know you. She has two parents that love her." I said quietly

"I have a right to see her. And what two parents? You and the man that is technically her uncle?" She glared at Jason who glared back but kept quiet.

"Jason isn't her other parent, who is doesn't matter right now. I told you that if you wanted to meet her, you had to contact me. Not show up on my doorstep and upset her. If you want to be in Nevaeh's life, then fine but it's on my terms and you can be her aunt not her mother." I said in a tone that meant it was final.

"If that's the best I can get then fine, I'll take it. Now what's he doing here?" Again, she glared at Jason.

"I have more right to be here than you, little sister. At least I didn't abandon the kid." Jason said icily before storming into the house.

"Here's my number, contact me before coming over. Right now, you have to leave." I watched her walk over to her car before walking inside.

I saw Jason pacing the living room.

"Jas, what's wrong?" I asked him. He didn't answer but I picked up some of his mumblings. Something about 'ruining everything' and 'stupid sisters'.

"Jason, what's Rachel ruining?" I tried again.

"My chance with you." His answer shocked me.

"Jas, I'm not going anywhere. Definitely not back to Rachel. You have nothing to worry about." I reassured him.

"You promise?" Knowing my words were not enough, I kissed him.