I almost made it back home, after I visited Jason at Brooke's house. Nighttime still.

I can't believe that Brooke actually found out who Jason is. She found it out a couple of nights ago and...She despite what she knows, like that he was the thief from the gas station, she's not turning him in and she's a cop!

Brooke really does care about him and she also knows that he's a hero during the night, because he told her that he saved me from those rapists.

She also knows about Ben as well, but apparently her husband Thomas doesn't know THAT. Well...I guess time will tell if he will know or not one day. I mean, there really is a gryphon that does exist.

Brooke also said that she's going to see Ben tomorrow at April's house, oh girl, you're going to be surprised by Ben's appearance, he's bigger than you think!

I giggled to myself. I can still remember the first time me and April talked to Ben at that cave outside of town. He really is not so bad now. He didn't trust me and April at first and now as days go by, he pretty much trusts us now and we're all friends.

Jason is really lucky to have had him around before, he really is.

I smiled to myself when I was almost to my house. I can't wait to see Jason tomorrow after work. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else, but him. I...We love each other.

Well I just hope that Jason's not busy after work and after he takes Brooke to April's, I don't have any other plans.

I saw dad's car at the driveway. I frowned when I got close to it. That's odd, I don't think he was suppose to leave the station until about an hour later.

Why is he home early? I hope that mom didn't call him and tell him that I was out somewhere during the night, he's still paranoid that I'm going to get hurt, or worse raped.

Or maybe more worse that THAT.

I sighed and shook my head. I started to walk to the front porch, to the front door. Well if I'm in trouble, my two brave heros would come save me, they have before, they would do it again.

I turned the doorknob and went inside. I closed the door behind me and I heard dad's voice, "Emma? Come inside the living room, please."

I stopped in my tracks when I heard his voice. Uh oh. He sounds stern again.

I huffed a bit. He better not give me another lecture about Jason. He's not a bad guy, he's a my hero!

But I only wish I didn't keep this secret to dad like that. I know that I've made a promise to Jason and Ben not to tell anyone about their heroism. But still, it probably would've helped Jason's reputation if I did tell dad about it. Hell he would be so happy that he saved my life that night!

But that's living with an alter ego for you. Keep secrets and keep on fighting crime. That kind of crap.

Dad's voice interrupted my thoughts, "Emma!"

I shuddered when he raised his voice from the other room. I better get this over with. I walked to the living room, since that's where his voice came from.

When I entered, I saw him and mom alone together. They both got up from the couch when I entered in the living room with them.

I took a few more steps and then I put my hands to my hips. I asked, "Yes?"

Dad gave me a stern look, "Emma, we need to talk." My mom grabbed his arm, he looked at her. Mom was giving him this look, like she was telling him to take it easy on me.

I've seen that look before. I wonder what got him so worked up this time?

Dad took his gaze onto me now and asked, "Where have you been?"

I said, "Just hanging with April. I know it was kinda late, because it's dark, but I'm home now." Then I looked at mom and asked, "Mom, is that why dad's here? Did you call him, because you were worried about me?"

Dad glared at me, "No, that's not why I'm home early."

My eyes went wide a bit and then I narrowed them, "So what's the problem now? Is there some kind of serial killer on the loose and you're just here to warn me?"

Dad shook his arm off of mom's grasp and took one threatening step toward me, "No, it's because of something else."

"What is it already? Can we get this over with? I'm tired right now."

Dad then asked me a question that would really get to me, "Why are you having this relationship with a some hitchhiker who has done god knows what?"

I glared at him, "What? What are you talking about?"

Mom gave me a pleading voice, "Honey listen, don't just ignore your father just listen to him, just this once."

I shrugged my arms in frustration, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Dad said, "Oh really? And you expect me to believe that?"

I raised my voice a bit, "What are you talking about?"

"Because my deputy told me that you and your boyfriend were making out at the football field, not to mention you were having sex together!"

I sucked in a small breath and then I asked in anger, "Dad, I told you not to worry so much about me! I don't want to be spied upon by your freakin deputy!"

Dad sneered, "And you know how I feel when you have sex with strangers that I don't know and never got to know. Not to mention that I've heard that he even beat up your ex boyfriend Jared before that night!"

I gasped. Damn it Jared! What have you done?!

You bastard!

Mom laid a calm hand on his shoulder, "Dean, take it easy on her."

Dad shook her grasp with his shoulder and said to mom, "Go to the other room."

Mom pleaded, "But-"

He gave her a look and she relented. Then she just left the room immediately. Dad took his gaze on me again and sneered, "I've told you time and time again that there is something wrong with Jonas, and you never listened to me. What the hell's the matter with you?!"

I shouted, "I'm following my feelings, that's what's wrong with me!"

He walked until he was very close to me, "Emma, he's not a good guy! He has assaulted someone the other day!"

I crossed my arms, "So why didn't you arrest him? Instead of complaining about it, why don't you just arrest him?"

"Because there weren't enough witnesses to the crime and I know that you were there. My deputy wasn't there when it happened. Jared called the cops and we filed the report. My deputy only saw you guys having sex!"

I huffed, "Look dad, I told you before, I'm a big girl now and you need to accept that."

He pointed at me, "And you're living under my roof and-"

I uncrossed my arms and sneered, "Well I wish I didn't live under your fucking roof!!"

Dad's jaw dropped a bit and he said, "You better watch your tone with me, young lady."

Then I asked smugly, "Why? You going to arrest me for that? For defending Jonas?"

He shot back, raising his voice real loud, "Defending Jonas?! He assaulted someone!"

"The only reason why he assaulted Jared, is because Jared hurt me first, actually that happened a few days ago."

Dad's face went wide and then he asked with a calm voice, "He what?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Jared assaulted me a few days ago. And the reason why I didn't tell you that before, is because you wouldn't have believed me, not to mention you hardly listen to anything that I say. He only slapped me. Jonas assaulted Jared, because of what he did to me."

I took a deep breath and let it out, "Jared is a scumbag narcissist. He never cared about me at all when we were together. He only liked me for my looks. Jonas...Is a different story."

Dad glared again, "And you think Jonas assaulting someone is ok? It's still a crime!"

I protested, "But Jared was the bad guy!"

"And you think that Jonas is any better?! He's a criminal!"

I shook my head, "You don't even know him!"

Dad grabbed my shoulders and shook me once, "Bullshit I don't know him! I know well that he really is a criminal after all. He's bad news, Emma. I know there's not enough evidence that he committed the crime and you know that he did it! He might be an abuser as well and you think I'm going to let him get away for hurting you? BULLSHIT ON THAT."

I pushed dad off of me, "Jonas would never hurt me!"

He shot back, "Yes he would, damn it!"

"Dad, you keep judging people because of what they do. Well there's always a reason for those things. Jonas defended for me!"

Dad shouted again, "Assault is a crime, god damn it!" Then he walked to a small table near the couch and slammed the lamp against the wall. I screamed in fright and he just stared at me.

Dad was huffing in front of me and I regained my composure and said, "Jonas would never hurt me."

Dad pointed a finger at me, "I told you to stay away from him, Emma. And I won't let him ruin your life. He might get you into trouble one day." He shrugged and asked, "What if he does drugs and you never knew about it? Did you ever think about that?"

I protested, "You don't even know him!"

"Then what is it that I don't know and you do?!"

I cried out with my eyes starting to water, "BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!!!"

He gasped and shouted, "Emma, don't you talk like that!"

I raised my arms into the air in frustration and shouted once again, "Why not!? Don't I deserve to be loved by someone?! He's better than Jared actually! And as usual, you don't give a shit about me and what I want!"

He shook his finger at me, "That's not true Emma! You're my daughter and I'm your father! I know what's best for you!"

I shook my head at him a few tears have fallen down my face, "No! You only know what's best for you!"

He still gave me a grim expression, "WHAT?!"

I went on angrily, "You hardly ever pay any attention to me! You don't talk to me much and you hardly talk to mom much also! You only paid attention to me when I'm involved in some crime! And now all of a sudden, you start acting like a parent!"

Dad was pretty puzzled by my words and I said, "I was so sad when Jared cheated on me and you never even talked to me about it. All you did was just ignore it! All you care about is your fucking job! Your work!"

Dad said softly, "I'm the sheriff and I'm trying to protect this community."

I sneered, "But Jonas was protecting the community!"

Dad frowned at me, "What are you talking about?"

I decided to tell him only one part of the truth and I sniffed my nose. I haven't been sent over the edge with tears yet. I said, "Jonas was the one who saved my life from those rapists that night."

Dad's eyes went wide, "...What?"

"Jonas was the one who rescued me. He wore a ski mask when he was saving me, but a few days after that, he told me everything." That part wasn't really true, I went to the woods and found Ben and that's when he told me. Told that Jason's name is not Jonas, but his name was really Jason.

I sighed, "Jonas was the one who saved my life and you're going to call him a criminal? Go screw yourself!"

Dad was pretty much in shock and shook his head. Disbelief in his eyes. I went on, "Jonas is a good guy. And he assaulted Jared, because he loves me as well. He always has."

I put a hand to my chest, "Jonas has been alone for a long time without anyone to talk to. He has wandered for a long time without a life, because...His parents died. But one night, he saved me and I thanked him for that. He's a hero, dad."

Dad only stared at me and I glared at him now, "If you want to arrest him, then you're going to have to arrest me too. Because I won't let you ruin his life."

Dad opened his mouth a bit and he said, "Emma....I don't know what to say."

I waved him off, "Then don't say anything." I sighed, "Look, I'm sorry about me having sex with him. But I love him, just like you and mom love each other." I took several steps toward him and said, "Dad, just let me live my own life. Let me enjoy my own feelings. Maybe Jonas is the one and maybe he's not the one. But I know what I'm doing."

Then I put on a pleading face and begged, "Dad please, don't arrest Jonas. I know he assaulted Jared, but he did it for a good reason. Jared's the bad guy, not Jonas. Ok? Please dad, for me. Just this once in your life, do this one thing right for me. Be my father just this once. Do something for me. Do this for your daughter."

Dad let out a breath and finally he said it, "Emma...I know that I'm the sheriff. And I took my oath to protect this town from any crime that has been committed."

I glared at him and he said this, "But...I know now since he saved your life, I...I'll give him a chance."

I beamed at him, "Really?!"

Dad nodded, "I...I'm sorry about everything, Emma. I'm sorry for not being there for you. It wasn't fair...To you and your mother. I...I'm only just doing my job." He sighed, "I know that family is important and all, but I just can't help it, I sometimes can't relax. I feel like I want to do something. And I know it's a lame excuse, but it's the truth."

I shook my head, "Dad you don't have to sorry about doing your job, I just want you to be sorry for judging Jonas too harshly. He...Really is a good guy."

He nodded again, "I know that now. He saved your life and now...I don't know how to repay him."

I wrapped my arms around dad for a hug and said, "Leave Jonas alone. That's how you'll repay him."

Dad returned the hug and said, "I'm sorry honey. I'm sorry for not being the better father to you. I'm sorry about...All this."

I finally broke down in tears. Tears of joy and said, "It's alright dad. It's alright, I'm a big girl now."

We were still in our embrace, when mom entered the living room to check on us. Then she came and hugged us as well. Our whole family in a group hug.

Thank you dad.

You really are a good father after all.

You've done something right for me, for once.

Thank you.

*****

I said to Ben while me and him are in the barn during the sunny afternoon, "Come on Ben. Just take a deep breath and go out there!"

April who stood right beside me said to Ben, "Yeah come on feather head!" She giggled and said, "There's another girl waiting for you out there. Come on you wing nut, don't be shy."

Ben looked down at her and glared, "I'm not shy, you dirty farm girl."

You see what's happening right now is, Brooke is outside the barn right now, waiting for Ben to meet her. And even though yesterday I've told Ben, Brooke won't hurt him, he still won't go out there!

So right now, me and April are just now coaching him to come out.

Ben sighed and shook his head, "I'm just afraid she might hurt me. For some reason."

April rolled her eyes and said, "Ben, Brooke really is friendly. I've talked to her before. She may be a cop, but she's really nice."

I added, "Yeah and besides, she knows that we're both heroes anyway, remember?"

Ben nodded, "Yes I know. Its just that it's my anxiety that's getting to me right now."

April reached out to touch his feathers, "She won't hurt you. She might even be admired by your dashing good looks."

Ben chuckled a bit and let out a long sigh, "Well...Fine, I'll go out there." Then he pointed at the entranceway to the barn, "Holler for me to come out Jason and I'll come out. Just make sure that Brooke doesn't hurt me."

I nodded at the idea and said, "I'll holler in a minute." I looked at April, and she nodded. Then I ran out through the entrance and saw Brooke still standing out there. With her arms crossed.

I grinned at her and asked, "Ready?"

She tilted her head, "Is he coming out? Because the only thing I've found evidence that he existed was one feather near the house."

I nodded, "He's coming and don't worry, he really is real. He's just nervous about this."

Brooke nodded and motioned her hand to me, "Alright, bring him out here."

I turned around on her and hollered, "Come on out!"

After about five seconds, me and Brooke can see Ben walking out into the light form the barn. Brooke gasped and backed away a bit. I knew that's what her reaction would be. She muttered, "Oh my god." Her eyes in shock and disbelief.

Ben took very slow strides to Brooke, not taking his eyes off of her. Finally just to ease her fright, he sat down on his haunches in front of her.

Brooke was still appeared to be frighten a bit and I looked at her and smiled, "It's okay Brooke. That's Ben, he won't hurt you."

Brooke finally softened her expression and said, "Um...Hello." Then she put on a small grin.

Ben cocked his head as he stared at her, "You don't look like a cop right now. Pretty sure you're not in uniform."

Brooke's eyes went wide and she said, "He...Really can talk."

I laughed and nodded, "Of course he can talk. That's how me and him communicate."

Ben nodded and lowered his head to her level, "That's about it. I've talked since I was little. And I wasn't always big."

Brooke giggled a little and said, "Jason told me a lot about you. And so far...He's right. You really are a gryphon. A real one at that."

Ben smiled, "I do look like one, don't I?"

Brooke took a step toward him and asked, "Can...Can I touch you?"

Ben at first hesitated and nodded a bit, "Sure. Just don't pull them off."

Brooke took a few more steps, until she was close to his face. She reached out to him and touched his cheek, her fingers caressing his feathers.

Brooke smiled and said, "Wow..."

He asked, "Like what you feel?"

Brooke exclaimed, "I...I'm speechless now. I'm really touching a gryphon."

I smiled at the scene. So far this whole thing is going good.

*****

Brooke laughed and exclaimed, "Goodness Jason, I never knew your uncle can be a real charmer!"

It's now a few hours after Ben took the guts to meet Brooke and now they've been chatting away like they're just old friends. 

Right now I was just standing near Brooke, while April as standing real close to Ben. TOO close in fact.

Ever since this conversation started, April and Ben have been acting a little weird. I wonder if...Ben talked to April about his feelings?

Ben's voice interrupted my thoughts when he said this to Brooke, "And here I thought that cops are very good at not being charmed by a stranger." He laughed, his feathers and wings shaking.

Brooke put his hands to her hips and playfully said, "Hey, I can be a charmer as well, big guy."

Ben grinned down at her, "Oh really? Well I could imagine you being a charmer after all."

She asked, "And what makes you think that?"

He shrugged, "Well lets just say, you appear to have the looks of a charmer."

Brooke giggled, "Pretty good at flattering someone, aren't you?"

Ben looked at me and exclaimed, "I have to admit kiddo, Officer Lancaster is such a nice person."

I nodded, "Told you she would be. She wouldn't shoot you at all, after everything I told you."

Brooke took a step toward Ben and said, "Well Ben...It really was nice to meet you, but I need to go. I have to go patrolling tonight."

Ben lowered his head to her level and said, "You do that."

She reached out to touch Ben's face and he leaned into her touch. She smiled, "Your feathers are soft."

Ben said, "Thank you, I do look pretty handsome in them."

Brooke laughed and pulled her hand back, "Well Jason wasn't kidding at all about you. You really are pretty vain."

He shrugged, "Vain as I can be, honey."

Then all of us laughed and Brooke said, "Well maybe I'll talk later, ok?"

He nodded, "Sure! I love your company!"

Brooke said to April, "Well I'll see you later April and you take good care of him."

April smiled while she petted Ben's leg, "I will. It's not like I haven't already."

Brooke nodded in agreement and she looked at me. She asked, "You want me to take you home, Jason?"

I shook my head, "No thanks. I'm going to stay here for a little while and then I'm going to walk back to town and maybe meet Emma tonight too."

Brooke nodded and gave me a hug, "Thanks for taking me here to meet him. He's...Incredible! I've never seen a gryphon before."

April giggled, "Join the club." Then Ben giggled too.

Brooke backed away from all of us and waved, "See you later." And with that, she walked to her car and went in it. She started it and drove off on April's dirt road.

We all watched her leave and Ben said, "I got to say Jason." Then he looked down at me, "She really wasn't bad at all. She kinda reminds me of your father. Her personality, that's why."

I chuckled and looked at Ben, "Yeah, she's a good person. She may have been the one who arrested me, but she's not as bad as you think."

Ben nodded, "Well, you were right about her. And I guess I shouldn't have kept her waiting for me to come out of hiding."

April said, "Oh I'm sure she didn't mind it at all. She understands why you were nervous. She probably felt the same way as well."

Ben looked at her and said, "Well when I came out of the barn, she was pretty shocked by my appearance. But she was also impressed by it."

April patted his feathered chest, "You did a brave thing, and we're both proud of you."

Ben shot up his head, "Well I'm just glad she didn't shoot me. I do hate guns, you know?" Then he pointed his paw at himself, "Especially guns pointed at me."

I nodded, "I get the feeling too pal, I really do."

Ben muttered and lowered his head to April, "Yep." Then I watched them both peering into each other's eyes. Not taking their gaze away at all.

I frowned at them and asked, "Ok, what's gong on with you two? Ever since I came here with Brooke, you have been acting kinda odd."

Ben giggled and turned his head to look at me, "What do you mean by that?"

I crossed my arms at them, "Alright, what's up?"

Ben gave me a devious grin, "Nothing much." Then she slapped his neck and he let out a squawk. He turned his head to glare at her and she shook her finger at him. He gave her an apologetic look.

That's when I figured it out and I asked, "I see what's going on here. Ben...Did you...Tell her?"

Both April and Ben glanced at me. Then Ben gave me a grin again, "That obvious?"

I smiled at them and uncrossed my arms, "You did tell her!"

Ben laughed and he nodded after that, "Yes kiddo, I did. It wasn't easy, but yes I did."

April frowned at Ben's face, "Wait, Jason knew you about this?"

Ben turned his eyes at her and said, "He only knew about my feelings toward you, not....You know...What happened afteward."

I didn't know what he was getting at, but April did and she nodded. April stared at me and gave me a shy grin, "As you figured it out, yes...Me and him are together. We...Became....You know."

Ben just said it out loud, "Lovers!" Then she shot a glare at him and just laughed after that.

I just stared at them, still surprised by the whole thing, "Gosh Ben, did you just tell her flat out? How did you pull it off?"

Ben shook his head, "It wasn't easy. But in end, she actually felt the same way about me. So it wasn't all bad."

April nodded, "Yes, I mean, your uncle is really sweet to me." Then she added, "But of course he can still be a smug ass!"

Ben grinned at her and nuzzled her face, "You like me being a smug ass, you dirty farm girl."

April sighed and grinned back at him, while she was being nuzzled by him, "Yes Ben, I'm a dirty farm girl." They both chuckled and she put both hands to his face, rubbing both his feathered cheeks, gazing into his eyes.

I smiled at them. He really did it. Ben for the first time in his life, has a girlfriend.

First I have one and it's Emma. Now it's Ben and his girlfriend is April.

Both of us really came through for them.

April then took her gaze to me and had a worried look on her face, "Look Jason, please don't tell Emma or Brooke this. I don't want anyone else to know about it."

Ben looked at me and nodded, "I agree with her there. It seems enough that only you know it."

I nodded, "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I'm good at keeping secrets anyways."

They both smiled and April said, "Good."

I walked to Ben's face and said, "You know something big guy? I'm sure that mom and dad would be very proud of you for doing this. I know I would be, in their shoes."

Ben then nuzzled my head with his cheek and said in gratitude, "Thank you, Jason. And you know something pal?"

I waited for an answer and he went on, "If it wasn't for you Jason, telling me to tell April about this. I don't know what I would've done." He pulled his head back a bit and smiled at me, "Thank you for that Jason. I would never have done this if it wasn't for you."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and said to him, "I love you, big guy."

He returned the hug with his paw on my back and said back, "I love you too...Son."

*****

I walked back to town about an hour later. Inside a flower shop, trying to find a rose for Emma.

After seeing April and Ben so close like that, I've decided to buy a rose for Emma as a gift. Might as well be the boyfriend who buys her gifts every now and then.

I found a yellow rose and I grinned at it. Emma said that her favorite color is yellow, so I knew that this rose is the perfect gift for her.

I hope that Emma's father, doesn't mind that I'm giving his daughter a rose.

Then again Emma would defend me for it, who knows what would happen.

Well she probably did tell him that we're together anyways. After all, she needed to stand up to her father one day. Emma's not a little girl.

I picked up the rose and took it to the register. I paid the employee the rose and he ran the cash register. I carried the rose in my hand and walked out of the store.

I began to walk on the sidewalk, on my way to Emma's house. I also hope she's off work right now. Because if she's not, then she's going to miss a surprise from me!

I smiled to myself as I walked. Now that I think about it, I can actually picture dad buying roses for mom when they were younger, just like me.

Boy, I wish that they told me all that before they died.

Oh well, no point in dwelling on that.

I continued to walked, until from around the corner I bumped into a person and we both grunted.

I waved my hand in apology and said, "Sorry about that mister. I didn't see you coming."

The guy who was wearing a suit and tie shook his head, "Nah, don't worry about it. Its just-" He cut his sentence short when he looked at my face. Full of shock and surprise.

I frowned at the man, "What?"

The man in the suit smiled and said, "Jason?"

My eyes went wide and asked, "What?" How does he know my name? My real name at that?

The man asked, "Jason Morgan?"

He knows my last name too? Who is he? I narrowed my eyes at him, "How do you know me? Who are you?"

The man in the suit asked, "You don't remember me?" He put a hand to his chest, "It's me? Remember? We met when you were eleven."

I stared at him for a few moments, staring at his face.

He...Does seem familiar.

Could he be....?

I gasped and my face went wide. Then I smiled at him and said his name, "Clifford Brewer?"

He nodded and smiled back, "That's right Jason."

I giggled a bit and I wrapped my arms around him for a hug. He returned the hug.

My mom and dad's old friend, he's here!

Me and Ben haven't seen him for a long time. Not since mom and dad died. Not since me and Ben flew away from home.

He's here, he's really here!

I can't believe it!