A/n: 20 chapters?!? How did that happen? Oh wait, over 100 sweet comments full of encouragement and support! Thanks, everyone!

The energy of the afternoon had died down and Preach's daughters had convinced McG and Amir to watch a movie with them. Preach and Kamille were happy to snuggle up on the loveseat by the window and just watch over their girls.

Jaz lingered outside, absently gathering garbage and folding discarded towels. Adam scrubbed the grill vigorously, keeping one eye on Jaz. She moved to straighten the condiment bottles left on the side table and Adam dropped the scrubber to pull her into his arms.

Wrapping his arms around her, Adam pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She stiffened ever so slightly before relaxing and turning her face toward his. That sheen of fear and vulnerability dotted her eyes and Adam knew it was time.

He led her to the cushioned patio couch and sat down beside her, keeping her hands tucked in his. "Let's talk, my love."

Jaz's eyes flicked to his at his term of endearment. She was surprised to see his usually confident expression absent and a hesitant question in his eyes.

"Adam..."

"Please. I need to say this, Jaz." His tongue ran over his bottom lip and he took a reassuring deep breath. "I know I've said in the past that I wasn't interested in long term relationships or a ... a family. I never once thought that was ever in the cards for me. I saw how damaging a father out of control could be, and I could never do that to a family of my own. I thought it would be easier to just avoid the whole possibility."

Adam reached up and tucked an errant piece of Jaz's thick hair behind her ear so he could see her eyes.

"Until I met you. When you walked onto my team, I knew things would be different, but I never dreamed just how much you would impact me. Not just the impact you would make on our team, but in my heart. It started out so subtly I didn't even know it was happening. Your skills as a sniper automatically meant you always had my back, we've paired up on more mission than I can count and though I completely trust the guys with my life, having you at my side has always calmed any nerves I may have had. We work seamlessly and that's been evidenced over and over. We seriously make ... a badass team."

Jaz smiled and nodded. "That we do. I think it makes McG jealous sometimes," she snickered.

"Over this last deployment, you've become even more important today love me. Our fireside talks quickly became the thing I looked forward to most after a tough mission, and sharing the stars with you... I don't know, I just felt ... bonded with you in way that I'd never felt before. Then when you were taken in Tehran... Jaz, I couldn't ... The thought of losing you ... suddenly, I had all the clarity in the world, but I didn't know if you felt the same way. And I guess I'm still not totally sure exactly where you're at, but ... you're it for me, Jaz. I'm captivated by you and I don't want to live without you."

"Adam," Jaz breathed, amazed by this man who spoke life into her very soul. It was like he read every fear she harbored and tenderly put it to rest.

"Jaz, you have ... bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you."

Jaz couldn't stop the snort. "Did you just ... quote Jane Austen to me in declaring your love?"

Adam's cheeks flamed. "I couldn't think of a more appropriate way to say it. It's true, Jaz. I love with every fiber of my being. It's like I'm under your spell—"

"You quoted Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, right?" Her eyes brimmed with laughter, but seriously, it was the cutest, most endearing thing she had ever heard.

"My youngest sister's favorite. She was always quoting it until ..." Adam's voice trailed off and his eyes hardened slightly.

"Until what, Adam?" Jaz placed a concerned hand on his arm.

A tiny tear dropped onto Adam's leg. He hadn't shared this information with anyone, not even Preach or Patricia. "She was murdered. By our father who thought it wasn't a big deal to drive with a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit."

At his revelation, Jaz wrapped her arms around him and held tight. She couldn't imagine the pain he must carry in his heart but she was honored that he shared it with her.

"I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you, losing her."

"It was one thing when he would go after me, you know? I was a kid who grew into a man early on. But endangering my mom and my sisters... when he was in a mood to hit somebody, I could take it for them. But the accident... I wasn't there to protect her. There was nothing I could do."

"How old were you?" Jaz asked quietly.

"I was nineteen, on my way to Basic Training. She had just turned sixteen."

"I'm so sorry, Adam."

Adam wiped his eye with the pad of thumb and sniffed. "Ahhh, enough of the sad talk! This was supposed to be romantic and sweet, or something like that."

Jaz touched his cheek with her thumb, her fingers brushing into his hair behind his ear. "It was. Incredibly sweet. And with you I am completely and perfectly and incandescently happy." Her eyes twinkled as she quoted the book back to him.

His eyes crinkled as he smiled.

"You said you still weren't sure exactly where I'm at..." Jaz trailed off, unsure how to communicate her feelings adequately.

"It's okay. No pressure. I just wanted you to know I'm all in, if that makes any difference to you."

"Adam, I told Preach I'd consider a family on one condition. Do you remember what that was?"

"I believe you said if you could get it in writing that it wouldn't be anything like your family," Adam watched Jaz, wondering where she was going.

"You are ... the best man that I know. Watching you lead our team, it's inspiring, really. You have wisdom beyond your years, even when I don't agree with you in the moment. You stay focused on the task at hand and don't get bogged down with the details, but yet you take care of all the details. You never back down from what is right. And you fight for those who don't have a voice. You've never used the fact that I'm a woman to gain an upper hand or to garner attention for yourself. You are kind and forgiving. You extend grace when I mess up and you don't hold it over my head. You're not a bully. As much as you have darkness inside of you, there is also so much light. You are the opposite of my father. I have no doubts that you would make a fantastic hus— uh, partner. When you came to rescue me, in Iran... Adam, no one had ever done that before. No one had ever stuck up for me, put their life on the line, risked anything, for me. Kamille says trust is a choice. And you have proven to me over and over that you are worthy of not only my respect and trust, but of my heart."

Jaz took his face in both her hands and searched his cool blue eyes earnestly. "I love you, Adam Dalton. Nothing in this world can ever change that. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Adam didn't even mind that she ended with another Pride and Prejudice quote. He was kissing her all over her face, hungry to taste her smooth skin under his lips. "You...are...so...beautiful..." He punctuated each word with another kiss, finally pressing his lips to hers with a fire so intense it took her breath away.

Finally he pulled back enough to see her face. "My dear, sweet Jasmine... I want you to meet my other sisters. Come home with me? You don't have any pressing plans after this weekend, do you?"

Jaz smiled, taking in the excitement of this man's love. "I would love to come home with you and meet them."

A/n: Well, that wraps it up! I think I'm going to end it there and not explore the repercussions of the fact that he is her CO and they can't be in the same unit and date each other... sorry! 20 chapters though! I'm ready for something new! Seriously, the highest of thanks for all your support!