Summary: Sometimes, parents need comfort too.
"MARIA!"
Striker panted heavily, his heart pounding hard in his chest and cold sweat trickling down his face.
"Daddy?" He jumped hearing his daughter's voice and turned to see her peeking through the doorway; she looked really scared and worried. "What's wong? I hewd you scweam my name."
Striker quickly wiped away his sweat. "I'm sorry I woke you, baby doll. I just had a bad dream."
"You wanna talk about it?" Maria slowly walked towards him, clinging to her teddy bear. "When I have bad dweams, you always ask me to talk about 'em."
Striker paused, unsure how to respond without scaring her. The nightmare was just too horrible; him seeing her in danger, unable to save her. He promised both Maria and Serenity that he'd protect her no matter what, but just thinking about what he'd dreamt about shook him to the core.
"It's okay, sweetie." he assured, running his hand through his hair. "It's only a grown-up thing."
"No, it's not okay. You're cwying."
Striker cursed under his breath when he noticed the tears streaming down his face. Damn it, she didn't need to see him like this. To his surprise, however, Maria climbed up onto his bed and crawled to his side.
"Please, don't be sad, daddy." The impling snuggled up to him. "I don't wike it when you're sad."
Striker wiped his eyes and wrapped his arm around her. "Don't worry, princess. I'll be alright, I promise."
"It's okay, you're not alone. You have me, wight?"
Smiling warmly, Striker pulled Maria into a hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You're right, baby girl. Thank you for reminding me."
With that, father and daughter lay down snuggling one another.
She was right, after all; with her, he was never alone.