"... Elilah... daddy can't lie to you, anymore. I have to be truthful with you, my beautiful girl; there's a chance that daddy won't come home. There's the chance you never see you daddy again, outside of a stone marker. Every time I take a step into Angel, the one who helps daddy protect you, I have a gut feeling I wont' come back... not alive, anyways. There were so many times I thought I'd never see you, or your mother, again, when some monster was finally going to beat your dad. I fear that time draws closer, and I want to ask you to do something- love your mother. Love your aunts, your uncles- EVERYONE. That's all I want from you; to love and cherish every person you meet, every moment you have, and every memory you have of your dad. It will hurt, and might not stop hurting. But you're STRONG. You have mother's dreams and strength, and your father's temper and spirit. You will do fine. Truthfully, Elilah, my darling girl, daddy wonders if he can live happily in Heaven... so far from you and mommy..."

*Kisses the tiger-fox cub on the forehead and lays her down in her crib, after a bit of rocking in Eli's arms*

"... Daddy loves you, baby girl. Remember that..."

*Looks down as his beeper flashes. He grimaces, but goes out the door of his daughter's room, and plucks his jacket off a coat hanger. The tiger stops for one moment in the doorway, the door open outwards to the cool, night air, and looks back. Hot tears go down his cheeks... but he doesn't make a sound. He just walks out and closes the door...*

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... FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF- MY HEART!