The sun was shining brightly and he was grateful for his shades to block it out. Kermit was once again standing in that park. The site of a bloodbath. The site of his tug of war with death. It seemed as good a spot as any to think. He sat down on a bench and began reviewing the events of the past 24 hours.

Kermit was lost in thought when he heard a familiar voice in his ear. "So, we meet again, detective." He jumped and she began to giggle.

It was that dark haired girl he'd seen after the shooting. He was trying to remember her name.

"Oh, my. You've hurt my feelings," she said with a playful smile on her lips. "It's Kat, remember?"

"I remember, kid," he replied. "You want to tell me what you're doing here with me again?

Kat walked around the corner of the bench and plopped down beside him. "We've got to stop meeting like this, detective. My Daddy's gonna start getting nervous about you."

"He ever tell you not to talk to strangers?"

"Oh yeah. All the time," she took off her backpack and crossed her legs. "You're not as strange as you think though. I've done my research."

If there was one thing Kermit Griffin was sure about was that he had complete control over every bit of information about himself. No smartalec teenager could know anything of any consequence about his life.

"I can see you don't believe me," she cocked her head sideways and grinned. Then she began rattling off every single piece of confidential information he'd ever erased.

Assignments in the war, secret missions, addresses he'd had, even his phone number, which was unlisted and changed every two months.

"How in the hell do you know so much about me?" Kermit was tired of playing games.

Kat wiggled her fingers in front of her. "You're not the only hacker who can tweak a mouse, ya' know." She wrinkled her nose and said, "Look, don't get all freaky on me."

"You look, little girl," he answered, leaning down into her face. "You don't know who you're dealing with here. I'm sick of you following me or climbing into my head or whatever this mystic crap is you're pulling on me."

She didn't flinch. Kat merely batted her eyelashes at him and said, "Are you done now, you big bully?"

Kermit sat back and looked away from her.

"For a guy who looks so smart on paper, you sure work awfully hard at being stupid." She continued looking Kermit directly in the eye. No hesitation or mercy.

"Ok, Kitty Kat. I'll bite. What stupidity would you like to talk about?"

"ARE YOU DEAF! I told you not to call me that," she yelled. She paused and took a deep breath. "The stupidity is your lack of faith," Kat offered, holding his attention with her deep green eyes. "You need to have faith in yourself and in those who love you. Have faith that you can face what is to come together, good and bad, and be stronger together. My Daddy has always told me that faith won't get you around trouble but it'll get you through it," Kat touched his hand and smiled. "I just thought you needed to hear that today."

"Your Daddy sounds like a smart guy. Like to meet him sometime."

Kat tossed her head back and laughed out loud.

******

Kermit sat up in his bed and looked around. He could still hear that sparkling laughter in his head. Unsettling as his dreams had been over the past months, this one was different. He looked at the clock and found that he was late already. "This is becoming a habit," he said and ran for the shower.

At the precinct, Kermit kept eyeing Peter Caine through his open door. Wondering if his father had told him what was going on between him and Savannah. Caine wasn't one to spread gossip but Peter, he wasn't so sure about. Kermit hated anyone knowing something about him before he was ready.

After a few hours, Peter had his fill. "Alright , Kermit. Is my fly open or what?"

"That would be a personal problem, Detective Caine," Kermit said and slammed his door.
Almost immediately, he was treated to a loud knock. "Come in," he yelled, expecting Peter to come barging in to pry into his business. He saw the reflection of a stranger in his computer screen. Kermit turned to greet his visitor.

"Detective Griffin. I'm Jim Davis," the man stepped in and extended his hand. "Captain Simms said it would be ok to talk to you."

Kermit shook the man's hand and replied, "She's the boss. What can I do for you, Mr. Davis?"

"My daughter Emily was the child you saved in the park last month. You were still pretty sick when we tried to see you in the hospital and then you left town before we could thank you."

Kermit grinned at the grateful father. "I'm glad I was there at the right time. How is the little squirt? And her mother?"

"Physically their both fine but Emily is having some trouble resolving what happened," he ran his hands threw his hair in a worried reflex. Kermit gestured him to a seat and shut his door.

"It's not surprising for a child that young to be affected by a trauma like that. Scared the hell out of me, too." Kermit tried to offer the man some comfort. "The fear will go away in time."

"Fear doesn't seem to be the problem, detective. She feels guilty. Emily thinks Pumpkin, that was her pup, was shot because she didn't hold on tight enough. She thinks that her mother was hurt because she ran after the dog. And most of all, she feels responsible for you getting shot." Mr. Davis was twisting his wedding ring. Obviously, he was a man who had run out of ideas and was looking for help. "Detective Griffin, she's just six years old. This is just too big for her to carry."

Guilt. That was one emotion Kermit was genuinely acquainted with these days. "I'll be glad to do anything I can to help."

"Emily is waiting outside. I thought that if she could see you, know you're alright, and talk to you a minute, it might help ease her mind," he said, glancing past the closed door.

"Sure. Leave her here with me for a few minutes and we'll have a little chat."

Mr. Davis left and returned with Emily who had been entertained by Captain Simms.

"Hello, Mr. Detective," she said cautious but trying to be polite.

"Hi, yourself, Emily," Kermit greeted her warmly. "You like gummi bears?"

"Yeah! I mean, yes, sir." She reached in to Kermit's private stash as he held out the bag to her.

"Mr. Davis," Kermit said, "Em and I need to catch up. Why don't you go get a cup of our secret recipe police coffee."

Mr. Davis nodded and left the two alone to talk, closing the door behind him.

"Don't I get a hug?" Kermit held out his arms and Emily jumped into his lap. The sight of Kermit Griffin, the man who got his kicks out of spooking everyone he met, getting a big bear hug from a first grader would have guaranteed a week's worth of teasing from his coworkers. Though he truly enjoyed the affection Emily so eagerly offered, he was glad for his privacy with her.

After a minute or two, Kermit gently pulled her back and said, "Your Daddy tells me that you think what happened was all your fault."

"It was," began Emily, shoving all the candy in her mouth into one cheek. "I didn't take good care of Pumpkin and he got dead. My Mommy got hurt 'cause I didn't stay where she told me and you got hurt bad bad 'cause you had to get me." Emily was looking down at her shiny white tennis shoes as she unloaded this adult sized guilt to the detective.

"Emily," Kermit began, carefully choosing his words, "The only person responsible for everybody getting hurt that day in the park was the bad man with the gun." He patted her back and continued. "Pumpkin ran because he was a pup and that's what pups do when they're scared. Kids, too. Your mom came after you because that's what mom's do, protect their babies." He touched her nose. "And I came after you because that's what police officers do. And also, because I like pretty girls."

Kermit gave her a squeeze and she showed him a tiny smile. "Emily, sometimes bad things happen around us. That doesn't make them our fault. You didn't hurt anybody. Things were just spinning around all of us and we did the best we could. But we can't let bad stuff like this get in the way of all the good stuff."

Emily was looking up at him, holding onto every word like it was a lifeline. Kermit's words were also bouncing back to him in that child's eyes. He was talking them both through their guilt.

"Sweet cakes, you don't have to worry about me another second. I'm a real tough guy and I'm just fine. But, there is one thing you can do for me."

"Anything you say, Mr. Detective."

"First of all, you can call me Kermit, just like the frog, and second, you stop worrying about all us grown ups and be a happy little girl. Worrying is our job. Ok?"

Emily nodded her head and popped a few more gummi bears. She seemed to feel better. Mr. Davis came back to get her and after another hug from her new buddy, she took his hand to leave. Her father thanked Kermit for his help. Before they left, Emily turned to the detective and asked, "Mr. Kermit, do you have a little girl?"

Kermit leaned back in his chair and grinned ear to ear. "Not yet, Em. Not yet."

******

When his shift ended, Kermit didn't linger at the precinct like he usually did. He didn't hesitate. He broke every speed limit and ran every stop sign between the precinct and Savannah's house. The Covair screeched to a halt in her driveway. Luckily, her got a hold of himself by the time he got to the door and knocked.

"Door's open," was that familiar call.

"Anybody ever tell you your head is as hard a rock?" he announced as he walked through the unlocked door into her kitchen.

Savannah was standing beside the counter over a huge chocolate cake. She looked stunned at first, then she let a satisfied smile traveled over her face. "Yes, they have and I don't have the faintest notion why. Have you just come by to nag me or do you want some cake?"

Kermit sat down at the table and pulled off his glasses. The gesture didn't go unnoticed. The last time he'd been there, the glasses had stayed in place.

He held up his hand to say that he didn't want any cake. Savannah sat down with her generous portion and began to eat every bite like it was her last. She realized that he was staring at her. "What?" she asked.

"Still have the chocolate monkey on your back, I see." Between Kermit's gummi bears and Savannah's Hershey bars, the 101st had a veritable candy store during her tenure.

"Oh yeah," she teased. "I may not be having a baby. I may be having a chocolate bunny."

"We," replied Kermit.

"We what?"

"We're having a baby. Not just you." He took her and kissed her finger tips.
Savannah was silent for a moment. "Are you sure?"

He let his eyes travel downward and said, "Oh yeah. From the looks of that gorgeous body of yours, I'm sure."

She made a frown and said, "You know what I mean. Are you sure you want to be part of this?"

"I can't say that I don't still have the guilt and the worry. I don't know a damn thing about being a father. But I'm going to give it my best shot. You'll both get my best."
They both got up at the same time and wrapped their arms around each other. With her face resting on his shoulder, Savannah said, "I have faith in you."

He smiled. Remembering the lesson in faith he'd gotten in his sleep this morning.
Savannah raised her head and met his lips. They mingled in a kiss that was filled with relief and forgiveness. She tasted sweet and happy. Like a birthday party. Kermit held her to his mouth trying to soak up every soft touch he'd missed over the past months. The longer they held each other, the stronger their passion grew.

She began pushing off his jacket and reaching for the buttons on his shirt. Longing to get through his armor to the body she craved. To feel that flood of warmth fill her again.
Still entangled in a thousand small kisses and touches, they were slowly working their way toward the bedroom. They reached her bed, and with a monumental effort, Kermit pulled himself away from her eager lips and held her face in his hands. He spoke softly and said, "Scarlet, should we be doing this. I mean, is it alright? I don't want to hurt you."

Eyes half closed with passion, she smiled at him. No one else would ever understand what a truly tender man he was. "It's perfectly fine to make love. Loving me won't hurt either of us...me or the baby." She slid her hands down his back causing him to close his eyes and release a low moan.

Savannah then blushed and hesitated. She suddenly felt vulnerable at the prospect of Kermit seeing how she had changed. "That is, if you really want to. I am a little different from the last time we were together."

Realizing how fragile she was feeling, he eased her down onto the bed and lay beside her. Gently, he began to unbutton her blouse. Kissing every new path opened to him. "You are the most beautiful, desirable woman I've ever known. Inside and out," he whispered as he kissed her neck. "Just the way you are."

Savannah relaxed and gave way to the pleasure of his touch. Clothing removed, they lay there welcoming every inch of skin that had long been denied a tender touch. Hands roaming everywhere.

Kermit caressed and kissed her round and inviting body eliciting soft cries of pleasure from his lover. He ran his hands around her curves. Touching her full breasts and sliding down to her gently rocking hips. Losing himself in the rediscovery of her.

Savannah drew him up to lay beside her and began her greeting to this body she'd dreamed about for so long. Tracing a path with her feathery kisses that left him dizzy. She lightly touched his recent wound but left her inquiry for a more appropriate time. Nothing existed for Kermit except for the soft beckoning of her hands on his skin. Releasing the warmth he'd frozen for so long.

When their desire could wait no longer, the joined in a easy, joyous dance. Blending body and soul into one shadow on the wall. They buried the fear and hurt in the warmth of each other's bodies and made love until there was no breath left and no sound remained. Then, they slept in a tangle of arms and legs. Not wanting to give up the closeness, even in dreams.

******

The next morning, Kermit raised up on his elbow and lay next to her, just watching her sleep. It was still so unbelievable to him that they were here. Together. A second chance. Men like Kermit didn't usually get second chances. Their decisions and the consequences were generally permanent.

This was the first time he'd really looked at her closely since they had reunited. He smoothed the hair away from her face. Savannah had a slight smile on her lips while she lay there dreaming. She was beautiful. Beyond compare, he thought.

Kermit Griffin didn't know a damn thing about pregnant women but he did know that this one was exhausted. Not just from the night before, but from the months of carrying this child alone. She was paler than she should be and there were slight shadows under her eyes.

She stirred beside him. Barely opening her eyes, she said, "Hi. Is it time to wake up?"
He planted a light kiss on her cheek. "No, sweet cakes. You sleep as long as you want. When you feel like getting up, we'll go someplace nice for lunch."

"Ok," she whispered and fell back into her dream.

Kermit pulled the blanket up over her shoulder and got up out of bed. He was glad it was his day off and they could spend it together. Quietly moving around the house, he went in search of coffee. All he found in her kitchen was decaf. "Ok, lesson number one, caffeine must not be good for pregnant ladies." He made do with what he found and went back to the living room.

Searching through Savannah's collection of CD's, he found one that suited the solitude of the morning. Wagner. Taking care to hold the volume to a minimum, Kermit sank down into her inviting sofa and let the rhythms of the opera wrap around him. This was one of his favorites. He only understood portions of the language but the thundering power of the music had always spoken to him. The music resonated with pain and regret wrapped in violence. Feelings that had been his companions over the years.

Savannah had made every attempt to share this particular passion with him. They had traded musical passions. Kermit had developed a fondness for the blues, but Savannah failed in her efforts with opera. She did enjoy the performance of "Madame Butterfly" he'd taken her to see so many months ago -- this woman could never resist a good cry -- but she'd finally confessed that Wagner gave her a "big ole headache."

Even so, here was the music. His music that she'd held onto all this time.

On the coffee table he found an instruction manual that seemed to have his name all over it. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," he read. Kermit laughed because he was sure that the author wouldn't have expected a couple like them. An ex-mercenary and a Southern belle. Beauty and the Beast. He spent the next hour reading, playing catch up.

When he heard Savannah in the shower, he decided to get up and stretch his legs. No need to stay quiet any longer. Kermit found himself in a little room near the bedroom. This must be the nursery, he thought. In the center of the room was the offending ladder that Savannah's neighbor had caught her using.

The walls were a pale blue and there were fluffy white clouds painted everywhere. It was the perfect place for a baby. Kermit stood there suspended in this gentle place, thinking.
Savannah joined him, sliding her hands around him. "I thought it would be like waking up in Heaven." She smiled, surveying her handiwork.

Kermit kissed the top of her head and agreed, "Oh yeah. Just like waking up with you." He then pointed to the ladder and said, "You're finished with that, right?"

"Yes, boss. Thought Miss Merry was going to spank me when she caught me paintin' the other day."

"Hey," Kermit claimed, making a grab for her, "that's my job."

"Like to see you try it! Now, feed me, I'm starving."

"Anything you say, doll." Kermit took a quick shower then they left.

******

They created quite an attraction in Andre's. Kermit noticed that people couldn't resist a pregnant woman. They wanted to say hello, to touch her, to tell her how pretty she looked. And why not, he thought. He couldn't resist her either. Still, it made him nervous for these strangers to get too close.

But not her. He was surprised that after everything that had happened, the violence she'd met and the hurt afterwards, she hadn't changed. Savannah was still kind and gracious to strangers. Something he wished he hadn't lost so long ago.

After lunch, they decided to take Savannah's daily stroll in the park. The park where they first held hands. After they had walked for a while, Kermit asked her to sit down.

Assuming a very uncharacteristic posture, he dropped to one knee and took her hand. Looking into those green eyes, he began, "I love you more than my life. When I thought I'd lost you, my world had no meaning. I've tried life without you and it's not worth much."

She felt the tears welling up in her eyes as he knelt there, holding her hand.

"You're the bravest person I've ever met," he continued. "Even after you've seen the brutality life has to offer, you still meet everyday with an open heart. I can't guarantee a completely safe and secure life, but if you'll still have me, I'd be honored to have you as my wife." He pulled the ring out of his pocket and slipped it onto her finger.

Savannah reached down to touch his face. "You are a passionate man, Kermit Griffin. Everything you feel is so big. Good and bad. I've never known anyone who could make me so happy or so crazy." She graced him with those trademark dimples and reached down to remove his glasses. "You've shown me your heart and it's safe here with me. Yes. I love you and I'll marry you."

He joined her on the bench and after kissing her thoroughly, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and sat there in silence.

"Detective, when you make a decision, you don't waste any time. Do you?" She held up the ring in the sunlight, watching it sparkle.

"Not really, Scarlett. I've had this little trinket in my pocket for the past five months."
Savannah sat quietly for a moment. Remembering. "This was your surprise that night, wasn't it?" She looked into his eyes waiting for an answer.

He nodded.

"Oh, Kermit." She squeezed his hand, picturing him putting that ring in his pocket everyday. Carrying that heartbreak.

Out of the blue, she jumped and gave a little gasp.

"What is it?" he started, protectively wrapping his arms more tightly around her.

"Here, feel." She grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach so he could feel the tiny kick.

He couldn't say a word. Suddenly, this baby wasn't an abstract notion. It was real. Here and now. Making contact with it's parents in a mighty way.

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