"I didn't mean to interrupt-"

"No, no, nothing's wrong," Kermit assured. "Let's go somewhere and talk. Let's take my car."

Jim nodded in acquiescence, thinking that it was a touch amusing for Kermit to own such a flashy car. *Really makes you stand out, Pop,* he thought with amusement.

Kermit drove the way to a cafe/restaurant close to the precinct. As they were pulling in to the parking lot, Jim realized, *Oh, shit...it's a workday for him.* He should have remembered. HE may have been on leave but Kermit wasn't. He issued his apologies. "Hey, look, I forgot you had to work - maybe we can do this some other-"

Kermit waved off his apology. "We're probably not going to get a better chance to do this. It's not a problem. Besides, I work any hours I want, if need be. C'mon." He walked them to a table and waited until they ordered before gifting Jim with a penetrating look. "Well. What did you want to talk about, as if I didn't know?"

Jim began playing with the salt shaker nervously. "I...."

"You know that you really caught our attention with this 'join the business' stuff. Was that the intention? A simple 'hi, there' would have been sufficient," Kermit said sardonically.

Jim looked insulted. "I was very serious-"

"Sure you were." Jim slammed down the salt shaker down and made a move to get up but Kermit raised a preventing hand. "Sit down." Kermit's parental tone carried over the table and Jim sat down again, slowly. Kermit leaned over the table. "Listen, kid, *I* know how it feels." Jim looked skeptical. "Truth. I wanted action and attention when I was your age, and did I ever get it in spades. But you wouldn't want that kind of action."

Jim sat back, incredulous at this man's audacity. He was STILL trying to tell him what to do! "Why wouldn't I? And would you really alert your friends to babysit me if I joined up?"

"In a heartbeat. Hell, if it weren't for Savannah and Kat, I'd rejoin, just to keep an eye on you."

Startled by the sudden onslaught of emotion in Kermit's voice, Jim fell silent.

"I had a babysitter, too, Jim," Kermit continued. "And you know what? I still got raked across the coals. Literally."

"You lost me."

Kermit sighed. He hadn't wanted to go into this. "A guy named Paul Blaisdell, Peter's foster father, trained me and kept an eye on me. But eventually, there came a time when he had to let me out on my own in Vietnam. I got captured by the VC."

Jim let his mouth slide open in shock. The VC's tortures were legendary. "How did you-?"

"Paul rescued me. But, by then, the mind and the body was virtually hamburger. He brought me back, stayed with me, retrained me." Kermit shook his head. "Not many mentors would do what he did to drag me back into sanity. I could have spent the rest of my life in a psych ward. The thing is, kid, I-"

"-wouldn't wish that on your worst enemy, not to mention someone you...care about," Jim repeated, stumbling over the 'caring' part. Now, it was a little more clear. "So, why..." Jim looked down. He was embarrassed to show his emotions but Kermit had without reservations. "Why would you care about what I do? You don't even know me."

"Jim...." Kermit took a long gulp from his coffee. "I want to know you. I've been thinking about you for a lot of years." Jim tried not to show his surprise. Vanessa had confessed that she had tried NOT to think about him. "Even had a thought or two about...well, what it might be like-"

"I remember. *Mr. Larsen.*"

Kermit grinned. "Yeah. I was tempted. God, I was tempted. If you had said one word about being abused or unhappy, I would have snatched you up in two seconds. But the Hellstroms seemed like good people. It seemed that they could give you a normal life better than I ever could. Beyond recovering from the VC, I think the hardest thing I've ever done was to walk out that door and leave you behind."

Jim felt his heart pounding nervously in his chest. He didn't know why. "Did you...did you keep up on...things over the years?"

"Once in a while. I remember one time, I was in the middle of something, and for no reason whatsoever, I thought of you. I took a moment to hack into your school computer to see what grades you were making. A 'D' in English?"

Jim reddened. "Well, see, there was this blonde-"

"Ah. I see."

Jim shook his head, chuckling at the memory. *Damned if he's not making me FEEL like he's a father....* "Wait a minute - you do know the VC aren't around anymore. So why would you be so worried-?"

Kermit rolled his eyes. "You read the papers lately? There's tons of 'police actions' taking place all over the world. They just don't call it that anymore. Plenty of wars to hook into. Plenty of enemies out there to torture you. And you know what? Ultimately, you couldn't make a bit of difference. You can't stop them. They'll go on regardless. It's such a useless business endeavor that ultimately lines someone else's pockets. I don't know about you, kid, but I like to get involved in things where I can see that my actions make a difference. Used to think the business would give me that. It didn't. You think you're callin' the shots. Picking your own sides. But right and wrong can get fuzzy in the trenches. You end up becoming the thing you wanted to fight against. I want to be SURE that I'm on the right side. Not guessing every time."

"Me, too."

"So, tell me this. Why did you choose the military?" Jim sighed, thinking, and Kermit instantly backpedaled. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"No, it's not that," Jim said. "It's just hard to explain." But, for this man, Jim knew he wanted to try. "I'd always been impressed by the 'big guys' in their uniforms as a kid. Thought they looked bigger than life, that they knew what it was like to live a life with respect and danger. They were...." he blushed, "....protecting the country."

Kermit just smiled encouragingly, not saying a word.

"In high school, I joined the ROTC to get a taste of what I admired. I liked it. See, a lot of guys were in there to goof off. I hated that because I liked to goof off, too, but only when the job was finished. I just...took to it. It wasn't exactly hard, if you did what they told you to do. It was even better when, due to their inattention, the other guys would be at a loss to do something, then I would tell them what to do. I suddenly found myself in charge and I liked that even more.

"When graduation rolled around, I thought, 'Well, four more years of this - why not? Make some bucks while figuring out what I wanted to do.' I joined the Air Force, 'cause I thought it would be amazing to be in command of all those guys in the sky. I liked the comradie I found. Every guy is...a brother, kind of. You have something in common with everyone you meet. And I loved flying. My dad...took me up occasionally in a private plane and there's just nothing like it. Turned out, I was good. I was really good."

"Top in your class," Kermit remarked.

Jim nodded, not a bit surprised now. "All of a sudden, it was time to re-up. I did and just kept on going. It was incredible to me how I was promoted, just because I was doing what I loved; flying a plane."

"Jim...." Kermit leaned forward. "Jim, you just stated the best reason for not joining the business. Why would you want to give up something you love? You know, Caine says that you don't choose your path; your path chooses you. Why would you give up something you were obviously meant to do? Could you just leave all that behind? Would you want to?"

Jim looked down. It had seemed like a good idea at the time but the thought of losing all that he had accomplished tore at his heart.

"Besides," Kermit said with a wink, "God knows we need more intelligent officers in our military!"

Jim glanced up sharply and finally grinned. Then laughed out loud.

*****

Meanwhile, Savannah took her mother's hand in hers. It had been so long for them. "Please tell me. I'd like to understand why. Why then and why now?"

"Child," she touched her daughter's cheek. Remembering how much she missed her. "Your father and I were a few years older than your standard couple. When we fell in love, I found the man I'd been waiting for all my life. Not some silly female-crazed boy. A mature gentlemen who wanted a loving wife and a family. We became engaged and well...we just simply gave in to our feelings."

Thinking of her husband, Savannah replied, "I can understand that."

Betsy continued, "When we found out about...well, that we were expecting, we eloped. I'm certain that your grandparents knew when you were born seven months later but it was simply never discussed. Things like that were just *handled* back then. I never wanted a shadow cast on you because of what we did."

"But you didn't DO anything but be in love. I don't understand why you lied to me. Why...how could you react the way you did when I came to you and told you I was pregnant? When you knew how it felt? I *needed* you!"

"It was completely different, Savannah!" Betsy could see her daughter's body stiffen. "You weren't tied to this man, or so we thought. You wouldn't even tell us who he was or what had happened. You were about to bring a helpless child into the world with no father. No marriage. I was appalled at how irresponsibly you had behaved. I expected-"

"-me to be smarter, right?"

"Actually, I KNEW you were smarter! I knew there was a reason and I was VERY angry that you wouldn't tell me what it was!"

Savannah stared at her mother in shock. Betsy March rarely betrayed her anger. But now, Savannah was only beginning to comprehend the extent of her emotions.

"You turned me away because you were angry with me?!"

"YES!" Her mother did nothing to wipe the beginning tears away. "I WAS SO ANGRY!!! You...I knew there was a reason! I knew it!! But you wouldn't tell me! Do you have any idea how much that hurt?! That you were in so much trouble and you wouldn't trust me?!!"

Tears were now coming to Savannah's eyes as well. They...she did have faith in her! They were confused and angry and....She sniffled as she reached for her mother. "I'm sorry, Mama...." Betsy pulled her daughter to her and held her. "I'm so sorry...."

"I'm sorry, too," Betsy said, kissing her daughter's forehead. "I should have been more understanding...given you more time to explain it...given you the benefit of the doubt. Sweetie, I've missed you so much...."

They held each other, finally connected.

"Now that I know the truth with what happened," Betsy continued, "I see things more clearly. You have a good man here who loves you. A beautiful child. And my respect. I don't know that I could have done what you did, all alone. I am so proud of you."

Savannah rested her head on her mother's shoulder, finally at peace. "Where do you think I got the strength to drive you crazy with?"

"I like to think that it came from your father."

Mother and daughter basked in the warmth of their love for approximately five seconds when the doorbell rang. Savannah sat up with a muffled scream in her throat. "I don't *believe* it!"

She very nearly stomped to the door in her pique and pulled it open to reveal her best friend.

"Mary Margaret," Savannah sighed, "this isn't-"

"I have a surprise for you," Skalany sing-songed as she stepped adroitly into the room. Defeated, Savannah closed the door as Skalany reached into her oversized purse. "Actually," she said to Betsy March, "the present is for you and your husband!"

"What are you talking about, Mary Margaret?" Savannah prodded.

Skalany brought out a VHS tape from her purse. " She marched to the VCR, inserted the tape and turned the T.V. on. "After the look in your eyes the other night when we talked about the wedding, I had to come up with a way to share it with you." Casting a warm smile at her friend, she added, "It was the most touching ceremony I've ever had the pleasure to attend and you should be able to see your only daughter marry the man of her dreams."

Within moments, Mrs. March was cooing in delight and Savannah was gaping in stunned surprise. "How...?"

Skalany, very proud of herself, crossed her arms. "Well, *I* wanted to tape the wedding from the beginning, but your daughter, " she said, crossing to give Savannah a hug as the imagine of the Griffin wedding spilled across the screen, "made me vow that her *waddle* would not be recorded for posterity. Luckily, her threats have worn off over the past year. Peter and I contacted the hotel security staff yesterday and had Blake splice together this video from the security cameras in the main ballroom."

Kat tapped the television screen and shouted, "Mama!!"

"Oh, yes, little bit. That's your beautiful mama all right." Betsy's eyes filled with tears. Of course, the tape was without audio but words were not necessary. The way her daughter looked at her husband. Making her vows. The gentle emotions conveyed as her son-in-law smiled and touched Savannah's round stomach. Moving beyond words.

"And this copy is for you, Mrs. March. I've made several." Mary Margaret was pleased beyond her wildest dreams.

"Just great, Mary Margaret. My waddle recorded for all time!" Her protest was false. How lucky she was to have such a friend. Savannah did wonder what Kermit's reaction would be when he found out that some security guards had spied on their wedding. Or maybe it was *HIS* idea. *He's just paranoid enough to have someone monitor his own wedding day*

*****

Kermit drove Jim back to his house to pick up his rental car. "Why don't we all go out for some dinner tonight?" Kermit asked.

"I'd love to but I can't," Jim said. "It's been fun but I've got to catch a plane hom...I mean, to the Hellstroms, before my leave ends."

Kermit nodded as he pulled up in his driveway, musing over the sense of loss he felt. Just when he was starting to get to know the kid, he leaves. *Figures.* Unknown to him, Kermit's and Jim's thoughts were a perfect mirror as they reflected on the time they had - and the time they had lost. They climbed out of the car and walked slowly to the doorway.

"You know," Jim laughed, "I don't even know what to call you!"

"How about 'Kermit'?" his father suggested. "Unless, later on perhaps, something else comes to mind...."

They grinned at each other as another awkward silence reigned.

"Are you going to join the business?"

"You won't stop me?"

Kermit raised an eyebrow. "Not much I could do to stop you if your mind's made up. You're an adult - you'll do what you want. Although...I really hope you don't. Are you?"

"Well..." Jim hesitated. "Well, I guess not." Jim was foolishly pleased and startled to see Kermit let out his breath in a sigh of relief.

"Good."

Jim noted that Kermit did not say 'I told you so' or 'I'm glad you see things my way'. "I'll write," he promised suddenly.

"Please do," Kermit said, surprised but pleased nonetheless. "Here...." He took a business card out of his wallet, turned it over and wrote the address along with some phone numbers. "There's my work phone, home phone, and cellular," he said, giving the card to the young man. "If you need any help or anything at all, *call me*." Kermit also dug into his pocket to give him the photo of Savannah and Kat that he showed him before. Jim raised an eyebrow in a 'you're sure?' gesture and Kermit waved a hand. "Don't worry - I have copies."

"Thanks. Say good-bye to them for me...."

"What about Vanessa?" Kermit was both curious and concerned on how this young man would keep in touch with her.

"I've already said my good-byes to her. She said she'd keep in touch with me. I didn't want to ask how."

As Jim turned to leave, Kermit placed a hand on his arm to stop him. "One more thing - I have something for you. A souvenir." With that, Kermit took off his sunglasses, folded them and handed them over to Jim.

"Are you sure?" Jim stammered. "I mean, don't you need them?"

"Not as much as I used to," Kermit replied cryptically, grinning, as Jim tried them on. "They're you."

Taking them off again, Jim asked curiously, "There's nothing wrong with your vision, is there?"

"Twenty-twenty."

"Then why-?"

"You don't want to know. Just...take care of yourself, okay, kid?"

"I will, thanks."

Kermit and Jim stood there, staring at each other, both frozen with uncertainty and doubt. Savannah, from her vantage point at the window, watched and prayed....

After a bit, Jim knew that Kermit wouldn't make the first move. "Well...ummm...." he stammered. He couldn't help but remember Kermit as Mr. Larsen and now as that father that had tried so hard to get through to him, to protect him. He took a quick look around and, with a briefly muttered "Oh, what the hell!", stepped up to engulf Kermit in just as warm a hug as Kermit Griffin gave him over twenty years ago. After a second's shock, Kermit reciprocated, ruffling the young man's hair.

*YES!!!!* Savannah crowed silently, her prayers finally answered.

"By the way," Jim whispered, "I think you'll make a GREAT father for Kat."

"Thanks, kid...."

Jim broke the hug, bapped Kermit lightly on the arm and walked to his car. Savannah quietly opened the door and walked up to Kermit as he stood there, watching Jim. He let Jim get all the way down to the end of the driveway where the mailbox was before whispering softly, "I love you."

Savannah, now close to tears, took Kermit's arm. "He knows," she told him.

Kermit put an arm around her as he watched Jim's rental fire up and being driven down the street.

*****

Once he reached the stop sign, Jim looked in the rearview mirror at his father. Funny; it was getting easier to think of him in that light. He saw Kermit still watching him and was surprised to realize that he didn't mind at all.

He could FEEL Kermit's presence with him like he was sitting right there in the car. Somehow, he KNEW that if he got into trouble, got hurt, was lonely, Kermit would drop everything to be there for him. It was an awesome responsibility and a heady feeling as well. Ben Hellstrom had been all facts and logic. Loving, yes, but Jim never felt that...connection he now felt with Kermit even though he'd only been there a short time.

Savannah was right all along. Kermit WAS a kind, caring, passionate individual with an emotional intensity that no one could comprehend - unless he chose to focus that intensity on you. Then, it was so overpowering and yet so wonderful a feeling....

Kermit was still watching. By this time, Jim could tell Kermit was becoming concerned about him just sitting there at the stop sign. Even as something as minor as this, Kermit was reaching out to him.

Jim opened the car door and, before Kermit could make a move toward him, got out and waved a broad wave. Kermit looked at Savannah briefly in confusion and raised his arm in a returning wave. Jim grinned, put the sunglasses on, got in the car and roared away.

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