Catherine pulled herself out of her revere and looked with haunted eyes at the woman who was offering her a thread of hope if only a slim hope. She'd take it!

Dreams! Bad dreams were all around, chasing her and making her cry.

Lisa struggled to see through the mist that shrouded her. She wanted so much to be home! She wanted her family so badly now! Within her dreams, she could feel herself cry out for each of them.

No answer!

Why didn't they answer her?

Why didn't they come for her?

She would wake up soon wouldn't she?

The swirling grey mist around her was cold, so very cold. She was here alone, not even Rag Doll or Blacky to keep her company. Totally alone!

Her Mom's never left her alone, ever!

Walking through the mist, she thought she glimpsed a light in the darkness all around her. Was it a light or just imagination?

Words echoed in her scared mind about a poem her Mom, Jace had recited. It had been cold and wet and she was feeling so ill with the measles, she heard her mom as clear as a bright day, her voice soothing.

By oneself the night is dark,

Let me show you stars so bright.

On one's own the shadows form,

Come see the moon glowing just for you.

Forlorn without hope faced with gloom,

See there Love the sparkling raindrops just for us.

Desolate you think as clouds re-appear,

Never fear I am here to bring you a smile that lets the sun shine.

As you are shrouded in the mist,

Please remember Child the love we give.

The greyness departs with every step out of the dark,

Take the light that is shed with fleet of foot and a spark.

Remember my Child when the rainbow is near,

We will always appear.

Lt. Delaney sat at his over spilling desk in the far end of the office and chewed on a plastic cigarette. He'd been trying to give up the dreaded weed for years but had failed dismally each time, now he'd even forgotten how often that was.

Staring again at the door to the office, he checked his watch and shrugged. That woman would be the death of him, he was sure. Never once had she arrived at a meeting on time. When she did, she was so condescending that you had to wonder if she really did care in her attempts to help find the victims or support the families.

He had to concede that when she was in full sail with the families, they believed everything she said. The woman had the ability to charm a snake out of a basket if she chose, he was certain of that.

Walking over to the window, looking onto the police car park, he scanned the area for her vehicle. Sure enough, it came zooming into the area marked for authorised visitors. Drawing it to a stop, the tyres screeched at the speed it was travelling, before halting suddenly.

Within seconds, the tall figure of the woman gracefully stepped onto the tarmac, negligently closing the door of the vehicle as she locked it. Walking with an easy gait over to the side entrance to the building, her long chestnut hair looked like it had hints of burnt copper as the sun shone down on her head. Doctor Thea Rosnova was certainly a beautiful woman, but cold as ice. If she ever thawed, it would flood the state of New York, in his opinion anyway

He turned back to his desk resuming his seat giving the impression that he was nonchalant about her lateness. His hands were wringing together in annoyance under the desk.

The door opened to the office area as Thea Rosnova walked in and smiled, nodding amiably. Stopping to talk to one or two other officers, she made her way to Delaney's desk ignoring the fact that she was late.

"Ah Delaney, nice of you to call me." Thea remarked with a smile that did not reach her eyes, the sarcasm dripping liberally with the words.

"I see you made your usual entrance, late as always." Delaney answered. This woman was a pain in the butt. He didn't care for Dusterly, but over the past two years Rosnova had become somewhat overly confident, and it wasn't anything to do with having any strong leads in that period of time.

"Delaney really, it's the traffic here in New York. Everyone knows it's difficult to get across the city at short notice." Rosnova gave him a shrewd glance. The detective did not particularly enamour her, but he was the one who always had to take the brunt of the bad publicity she never had. After all, she was only around to soothe the grieving parents at their loss.

"Yeah. Yeah, you say that everytime, even when you only have a block to travel. The Captain wants us to talk to the ëMother' of the new victim of the serial abductor." Delaney scoffed at her excuse.

"Then let's get right to it shall we? I, for one, will enjoy that particular encounter. I hear tell she's not interested in the appeal for her child on the TV and the media generally, how interesting." Rosnova looked closely at her well-manicured hand.

"Yeah, well she's not the run of the mill parent either, and we are already late. I'll call Anderson to meet us in the parking lot." Delaney moved out of his seat and unhooked his jacket from the peg that held it securely.

"Oh really? Do we have to take Anderson? He's a terrible driver. Why not let me drive?" Rosnova did not like the little man who was Delaney's second, he was just soÖso formal all of the time.

"No! It's Anderson for me. You may, of course, take your own vehicle and meet me there." Delaney looked at her squarely. No way was he riding with that bitch in control.

"I think I will. Where are we going?" Rosnova asked, with mock interest.

Delaney looked at her with a calculated glance. ëWas the woman joking? Playing him for a fool probably.'

"As if you didn't know. It's your apartment block. I'm sure you can find your way home quicker than you find the station house." Delaney sarcastically retorted and left the woman laughing at his comment, slowly following him out of the room.

"Oh Detective, you are so easy to rile. You make my job so much more pleasant." Rosnova spoke in such a low tone that it was inaudible to anyone in the office as she sauntered out after him, smiling wickedly.

Kelsey had been shocked at the muted response to his news from Catherine Devonshire. He knew, of course, that she had been under strain. His previous association with her left him in no doubt that stress and extreme pressure would not extinguish the flame that swept through her in adversity, or so he had thought.

 He guessed in this instance, the abduction of her child had hit home, harder than even she could possibly ever have envisioned. The kid was not even a blood relative, only some foster kid!

His mind went over the conversation as he looked over at the dozing form of James Thompson, who was residing in the seat next to him, on the way to a rather unexpected destination.

"Ms. Devonshire it's Kelsey, we have news." he said, excited at the prospect of informing her of the current update.

Catherine placed a weary hand over her eyes. She was tired, very tired, all of a sudden. The fact that Jace was now on a flight home had impacted far harder on her than she thought it would. They had been separated before, but this time it was different. Or was it that she was different?

"Go ahead Kelsey. I'm listening." Catherine replied, but even she could hear the lack of enthusiasm in her voice.

Kelsey looked around him and mentally shrugged as he heard the rather moody reply.

"James here has located Clauser or Hudson, whatever you want to call her, to Athens, Greece." Kelsey said, once more excited at the news.

James Thompson had looked up from his absent observation of his coffee cup in surprise as Kelsey mentioned that he had located the whereabouts of the woman Catherine desperately wanted to see, and he would rather see in hell.

"I see. Anything else?" the voice was subdued and verging on desolate, Kelsey thought to himself.

"No. Do you want us to make more enquiries, or go to Athens directly and make contact?" The Detective knew he would have to take sick leave or something like that to follow this through and he wanted to follow this to the end now. It was just beginning to fire up, in his opinion, and he loved the excitement of the final chase.

"No!" Catherine answered, her mind finally digesting that she was talking to Kelsey and that he had come across a vital link, one that perhaps could lead to Hudson. It was Hudson. She had no doubts in her mind at all.

"No?" Kelsey repeated in surprise. Had things changed in six hours?

Catherine was silent for a few minutes and Kelsey asked if she was still there.

"Yes, I'm still here. I need you to go to a place called Xianspiros." she finally replied quietly.

"Where the fuck is Xianspiros, and why?" Kelsey asked, dumbfounded at the logic.

"Thank you Kelsey for your rather dramatic request for a geography lesson. Xianspiros is a very small island in the Mediterranean where my relatives came from, and where currently my Aunt lives. That is the place you will find Hudson, not Athens." Catherine spoke mechanically, her thoughts obsessed, not by what that could possibly mean, but on her kidnapped daughter and partner instead.

"Well, that sure would be a good place to start if you have family there. Any other place you have family?" Kelsey asked, should that prove to be a dead end.

Catherine summoned her retreating energy levels to remain with the conversation. It was proving difficult. "No! No, I have no other close relatives living. This is the only place that would be of interest to anyone with any evil intent."

"Okay, we will get on the next available flight out to Greece. As soon as we reach our destination, do you want us to make contact with your Aunt?" Kelsey asked quietly. The woman was definitely not with this conversation at all. Otherwise, she would have rapidly told him exactly what she wanted, and who to contact, and probably exactly what to do!

"At your discretion Kelsey. Make it count! I need to go. I will expect a report." Catherine replied quickly, terminating the call before he could answer.

James Thompson looked at the puzzled frown on the detective's face and asked, "What's the problem?"

Kelsey shook his head, pushing a loose lock of sandy hair from his eyes.  A perplexed expression crossed his face as he glanced at the Californian. "Beats me. For the first time since I've known that woman she was incredibly vague, as if she wasn't listening or interested in the conversation."

James Thompson looked at the man in front of him and sighed softly. ëSome people never had a clue, must go with the badge, the indifference to people's feelings.' "She's upset Kelsey. If your child had been abducted wouldn't you be?"

Kelsey considered the question and shrugged his shoulders. "I haven't got a clue. Who knows?" He dismissed the subject as irrelevant to his views of the woman he was discussing.

James realised then, that the man had no depth of character. He was a ëdumb' cop.  At least he appeared to be a very good cop and that's exactly why Catherine wanted him. So, he would go along for the ride. After all, Catherine was family.

So, here they were on the flight due to land in Athens. They had already contacted a helicopter company that would whisk them away to Xianspiros within an hour of landing at the airport. Having access to unlimited amounts of money had proven useful in establishing flights to Athens in the first class area. Not to mention, the standby of a pilot to fly them to the smaller island. Money talks, it always had, it always would in his book. A high percentage of others also thought that way, even people you never expected.

"Okay, Sally Clauser or Hudson, here we come. I know you can be bought I just know it!" He spoke softly into the cabin, which was silent other than the odd movement from the galley, where the steward was preparing a beverage with ice, hearing the chink against the side of the glass.

ëGood idea, a scotch would go down well about now.' He pressed the overhead switch for personal attention.

"Jace you can't be serious?" Grace exploded quietly, not wanting to attract anyone else's attention to them in the lounge. The various members of the household were seated and being entertained by Jake and his insistence that they play a trivia game with him.

Jace looked at her friend and saw the concern in her expressive brown eyes. "Grace I will be okay. All I'm going to do is turn up and consider the proposal, which Constantia wanted Catherine's help with. What could be simpler? I would be home before anyone missed me."

Grace gave an exasperated sigh. They had been over this ten times already. Catherine was going to be livid if she found out that Jace planned to leave for Xianspiros to aid some crazy plan that Catherine's Aunt was hatching. "If you wont listen to reason or common sense, listen to your heart. What about the children? They need you. What about Catherine too? If she knows that you are gallivanting all over the world and into a potentially dangerous situation, she would be tearing her hair out."

"Don't be ridiculous Grace. How can you say dangerous? Unknown perhaps!" Jace replied and smiled engagingly at Grace.

"Don't you dare use that butter wouldn't melt in your mouth expression with me Jace. I'm not Catherine and your green eyes don't have the same effect!" Grace could not fathom this woman at all! She wanted to give and give. Taking unnecessary risks, and for what?

"Never thought it would Grace, but always worth a try. Now, if I had smouldering grey eyes and that long, lean, masculine body that you can't take your eyes off when it's in sight, I'd win without a fight." Jace chuckled and saw the faint blush cross her friend's cheeks.

"That's completely different and well, you know." Grace blustered, knowing that the blonde was right on the button with that one.

Jace placed an arm around her shoulders and hugged her briefly. "I know, and it happens to me too. Except the eyes that I look into happen to be ice blue."

"I'm coming with you then!" Grace spluttered out, and watched a look of astonishment cross her friend's face.

"You can't Grace! My god, Colin would kill you! Not to mention me, as well! I do not need a chaperone. Have you forgotten you are pregnant?" Jace shot back a reply, concerned for her friend, but secretly happy too that she had volunteered to help.

"Jace, are you saying my gentle husband would attempt murder? No, no my friend. He might think it, but never attempt it. I will talk to him and he will see the logic. Trust me on that one. As to the pregnancy, well I'm four months now and the doctors are all very happy with me. To the best of my knowledge, there isn't a restriction on me travelling on flights. I'm coming with you and that's the end of it!" Grace reiterated and looked immovable in her decision.

"Catherine isn't going to beÖ." Jace trailed off realising what she was about to imply, and it was exactly what Grace had told her earlier.

Grace gave her a satisfied smirk at the sudden dawning of her earlier message. "Catherine isn't what exactly, Jace?"

Jace smiled wryly, having been caught out with the comment. She laughed lightly, drawing the attention of the others in the room.

Alison and Faith both looked quizzically at them and asked in unison. "What are you two planning?" Both older women looked at each other, slightly embarrassed that they had asked the identical question.

Everyone laughed when Jace and Grace answered in unison also. "Nothing! Why would you think that Mom?"

As Jace contained her laughter she looked at Grace, "I'll book the flights for as early tomorrow as I can. You have the pleasure of convincing Colin."

Walking away she heard the barely audible reply, "Why thank you Jace, that will be a pleasure." The blonde couldn't help but smile as she went over to her Mother and Faith.

Catherine was staring out over the picturesque scene overlooking the park and the lake from her lounge area. Her fingers were drifting over the locket clasped securely around her neck, holding the link to her family.

She mused about her life as it was now, and what it had been like three years ago. The loneliness she knew had been creeping up over her reclusive years, and she had considered herself in a life that she had welcomed and never wanted to be relieved of.

How things change! Although each incident that had led to the place she was in now, they could be considered trivial in many people's minds. To her, each had created an indelible mark that was to make her not only consider, but actually change her life completely. Who would have thought the cold-hearted Catherine Devonshire Warriorson would ever do that for one small blonde and two orphans?

It had been for her, a heart searching, stopping at the welcoming door of Jace Bardley, and asking to be allowed inside. The joy it brought, along with the pain, was worth anythingÖanything at all.

To make her even more thankful that she had allowed love back into her life, two orphans had made her reflect that she could bring happiness into complete stranger's lives. Jake and Lisa were hers in more ways than perhaps Lucas her own son had been, and Elena was certainly part of her. Jace had said so, that had been some conversation.
 

"Ms. Devonshire?" Serena Dusterly stood at the doorway of the room, watching the facial expressions cross over the face of the woman who had remained static, gazing at the same spot for several minutes.

"Yes?" Catherine turned abruptly, her mind now clicking back with precision to the matter in hand.

"I have made the phone calls, which I thought may help." Serena said quietly, but with confidence. This woman would not intimidate her or she would never function adequately, and there was no time for a lack of confidence now.

"Did they produce the results you expected?" Catherine's tone turned professional and she moved to sit on the sofa, indicating for Dusterly to sit opposite her.

"Yes, I think so." Serena said and quickly sat in the indicated chair, facing the taller woman.

"I think so? That's hardly a confident answer, Ms. Dusterly!" Catherine flicked her a sharp glance.

"I'm sorry. Yes, it has produced results far better than I had hoped, under the circumstances." Serena spoke quickly and this time, she let her eyes lock with the ice blue ones.

"Now, that is information I'm interested in. Want to tell me what you have so far? On the other hand, shall we wait until after the police have been over? Incidentally, you know both of them. A Lt. Delaney and a Doctor Rosnova, due anytime now actually." Catherine informed her, looking at the large clock on the wall. They were already late from the allotted time Captain Travis had given, but she would wait a little longer before she made a complaint.

"I think it might be wise to wait for them. You will of course, let me know what they say. We can add more pieces to the puzzle if they have any more information." Serena said. She hated both of them for differing reasons and they disliked her. She was very sure.

Catherine scrutinised the woman closely and gave a wry smile, shaking her head. "I'm sorry Ms. Dusterly, but you will be part of the meeting. After all, you are my personal advisor, that being so, you need all the information first hand."

Serena drew in a sharp breath and slowly exhaled it. ëShe could do this, she could.' "Okay, sounds like a good idea to me."

"Glad you think so." The doorbell chimed and Stephanie called that she would see to it. "I think our police friends are about to descend on us. Are you ready?" Catherine stood up and looked down at the woman.

Serena glanced up into glacial blue eyes and saw a wicked twinkle in them, and she smiled up at her. "Yes, I'm ready."

Catherine turned away and saw Stephanie walking towards her study to deposit the police inside.

Serena looked at the retreating broad back and for some reason, she could not help but smile. The woman was simply incredible. She charmed you and you did not even know it was happening. Wow!

Slowly getting up from the chair, she followed behind the woman and into the study, to come face to face with her own demons of the past. Only this time, she actually felt as if she was on the side that believed in her!

Colin Montgomery looked at his wife and smiled tenderly at her, his hands stroking the slightly swollen abdomen as he cradled her in his arms.

"Colin." Grace ventured, knowing that her husband was relaxed and very content at the moment.

"Yes darling?" Colin bent his head a fraction and kissed the side of her neck, feeling the tremor in Grace's body as she reacted to his touch.

Never a better time she hoped, and mentally crossed her fingers and toes. "Jace had a message from Catherine's Aunt earlier today, asking for Catherine's help. And of course, Catherine can't help directly as you know."

"Yeah, does Jace need our help?" Colin asked, as he nuzzled the side of his wife's neck. He could hold her like this forever and never let her go, she meant so much to him.

Grace smiled at the immediate offer. Her husband was one in a million and she knew it. He did not always show it, and certainly she had her problems with his protectiveness, but he was hers and she wondered at her good fortune. "In a way, yes. Jace needs our help."

Colin muffled a confirmation of his desire to help as he slowly placed tender kisses along her neck, finally reaching her collarbone. "No problem, she has it."

Grace knew that at this moment, he would agree to anything and she did not want to do that to him. He needed to agree without cohesion, or at least this type of cohesion, however pleasurable it was.

"Colin, will you stop for a moment darling?" Grace pleaded and stroked a tender hand over his cheek to show that it was a temporary cease of activities.

Colin heard the quiet, but definite request and he moved away slightly so that they were still touching. He gazed at her lovingly to find out what the problem was.

"Colin, this help that Jace wants, wellÖwell it's like this you see, she is planning onÖthat is she wants to goÖ." Colin put a gentle finger to her lips, silencing her stumbling words.

"How about Jace wants to help on behalf of Catherine, and she wants you to support her, right?" Colin smiled at the look of surprise on his wife's face. Grace really did have him all wrong at times. That did not matter to him, he loved her, she was going to be the mother of his child, and she was his reason for getting up every morning. He was happy, if she was happy.

Grace shot up out of the bed and faced him, her expression filled with tenderness and love.

"How did you know? I thought you would be angry. Her Aunt lives in Greece, you know?" Grace pointed out tentatively. She wanted him to have all the pertinent information.

Colin chuckled and locked his grey eyes with her brown ones. "I learned my lesson Grace. I don't want you rushing out of the house and driving like a maniac because you were angry with me and I stifled you. I want you to be as happy with me, as I am with you. If you need your space then I am going to be happy to stay behind and let you have it. My only wish in this life is for you to look after yourself. I want you and our unborn child back safely, so that I can love you both. That's all I want Grace, and if going with Jace is what has to happen, I want you to know that you go with my blessings. But, I would hope you want to come back to me sooner, rather than later." He smiled warmly at her.

Grace was crying tears of happiness as he spoke words that she knew must have been difficult for him, with his family background. She was humbled at her husband's trust and understanding of her needs, knowing that to insist she stay would have been hard for her to take.

"I don't know what to say, Colin." Grace said tearfully. She was emotionally wrung at the pure expression of love he had given.

Colin gently wiped the tears away and placed his face close to hers. "How aboutÖ You love me."

Grace threw her arms around him and placed a passionate kiss on his lips, mumbling repeatedly against his mouth how much she did love him, until they were lost in the sensuous desires of their mutual need.
 
 

Constantia looked at the bobbing sailboats dotted around the small bay, which she could see from her bedroom window. They moved a little more today, a slight breeze assailed the warm early morning and the flimsy netting that adorned the windows blew back into the room.

Wheeling her chair so that she could find the best possible advantage point, she picked up her pen and began to scribble away in her journal. A habit she had picked up from Adam all those years ago, it had been a conversation that she recalled many times.

Constantia,

Why not try it out? If you hate the idea, well you have lost nothing, have you? However, what a lot you could gain.

Adam

Friday, September 15,

As she wrote the date at the top of the page in her book, she wrote her personal thoughts of the present day.

Catherine walked over to her desk and shot the two police representatives a cool appraising stare. She had, of course, already met the man. She had not been particularly impressed, although it had been a traumatic situation. Therefore, she was willing to revise her first impression. Now, there was this woman and she appeared familiar.

"Lt. Delaney, have you news?" Catherine quietly asked, as she sat down on the cold surface of her leather chair. The chestnut haired woman opposite her captured her ice blue eyes.

"No, not exactly, but I've brought a colleague with me today. This is Doctor Thea Rosnova. She's been on the case from the beginning and is a very good councillor in this type of situation." Delaney looked over at Rosnova and saw her smile sweetly at the Warriorson woman.

"Ms. Devonshire, pleased to meet you. But of course, we've met briefly before." Thea Rosnova stood up and held out her hand in a friendly gesture.

Serena Dusterly had followed Catherine, but held back in the dark recesses of the room to take in what the two had to say before she showed herself, unless she was brought forward earlier. Now that was a surprise, her knowing Thea Rosnova, a great surprise indeed!

"We have?" Catherine said shortly. Something wasn't right about this womanÖa gut instinct, but there, nonetheless.

Rosnova dropped her hand as the cold bitch across from her refused to acknowledge it. She sat down, wanting desperately to knock that smirk from Delaney's face.

"Yes, I live in the apartment block and we met in the elevator a few days ago. Of course, you have had many things on your mind, so it's understandable that you would have forgotten a trivial meeting like ours." Rosnova answered with a silky voice. Serena Dusterly couldn't help thinking that it reminded her of a snake.

Catherine gave the woman a concentrated examination and raised her left eyebrow, bringing the scarred skin taut over her cheek, giving her a demonic look. That is, if you did not know her well.

"Yes, I vaguely recall the meeting now that you mention it." Catherine smiled thinly. She had known the woman as soon as she had sat down, but wanted to see if Rosnova volunteered the information immediately.

"That's the pleasantries out of the way. What can I do for you both?" Catherine asked quietly. She glanced at the man and then the woman and waited patiently for them to speak. Dusterly, she noted, had decided to remain anonymous for the moment. That, was her call.

Delaney motioned for Rosnova to commence her spiel.

"I am offering you a chance to talk about the trauma of losing your child and work with you, if there is the possibility of your daughterÖ Lisa isn't it?" Catherine inclined her head fractionally at the mention of her little princess's name. "The possibility, that she might never come home again." Rosnova spoke with a voice laced with professional compassion.

Catherine moved quickly out of her chair and with a speed, that amazed the other occupants of the room. She towered over the woman who had made such ridiculous remarks.

Catherine's voice, filled with loathing for the remark, responded in a harsh tone. "I do not appreciate the packaged sympathy over the abduction of my child! She is not lost to me and never will be. Get that clear in your head now! If you ever think for one minute, one second, or a fraction of a second, that I will ever listen to that crap, then lady you need your head tested and need to go see a shrink yourself!"

Serena Dusterly saw the pent up, emotionally charged anger. Also, the fact that the woman was now close to losing what vestige of control she had been holding onto.

"Ms. Devonshire, perhaps if I could have a few words?" Serena moved away from her dark spot leaning against the back wall of the room so that the two visitors could see her clearly.

"Dusterly?" Delaney barked out, in astonishment and surprise.

"Dusterly?" Rosnova spoke at the same time, but her voice held ill-concealed hatred.

Catherine looked over at the younger woman and wanted to take her head off for interrupting her at this moment. All she wanted to do now was punch something, or someone, it really didn't matter to her at all.

"What! What the hell do you want, Dusterly?" Catherine barked out. She turned on her heel and went to look out of her window, her anger and frustration simmering away.

"Lt. Delaney, Doctor Rosnova, good to see you. It's been far too long." Serena said sarcastically and noted the dull red that crossed the upper cheeks of the detective. Rosnova quickly looked her over in distaste.

"Not long enough!" Rosnova replied bitchily.

Catherine heard the last remark from Rosnova. It brought her mind spinning back to the need for control, her child's life depended on it.

"Well, we can't make everyone happy now, can we? Ms. Devonshire has hired me as her personal advisor in this case. As such, I would appreciate you providing me with everything you know so far. Who and what is currently being investigated, and also, any new leads." Serena smiled sweetly at them both, watching as Delaney coughed at the news and heard a hiss from Rosnova.

"You can't be serious? That's only for the police to know all the details." Delaney muttered, as he turned his eyes to first Serena, then to the back view of the woman, who his superior had said not to upset. ëGuess he fucked that one up, good and proper.'

"Delaney, have I changed that much? I was always serious. In fact, very serious if I thought it important. And this, is important." Serena said, her voice clear and precise.

"Yeah, well you might have been serious, but the rest of us thought you were nuts. Wouldn't you say Rosnova?" Delaney scathingly replied. She was an ex-fed and that was all that mattered to him, no longer reliable, or of use.

Thea Rosnova had been watching the rigid back of the woman at the window. As she did so, she saw the scarred profile in repose. She wondered about that and not for the first time, either. Although, little or no information had been forthcoming on how she had resulted in the injuries, or why.

"Dusterly, you are not worth a dime. If I was Ms. Devonshire, I would review your previous record before I put my trust and the well being of my child in your ëincapable' hands."

"Ms. Devonshire is aware of my background, all of it! Now, if we have that point cleared up to everyone's satisfaction, perhaps you can both relate the present status. Now!" Dusterly stopped herself from grinning as she saw the two faces to her left glare at her. They looked at each other and then Delaney began a monologue of the current position on the case. Travis had told him to co-operate on all levelsÖ he had no choice.

Dusterly's handling of the other two in the room had impressed Catherine. The ex-agent had taken all the jibes and left some of her own behind that stung. That was the interesting gambit. Why was Rosnova so upset? Moreover, she was definitely upset! Dusterly's explanation would be interesting in the extreme, and perhaps they could get things moving. Every second counted, she could feel it in her heart.

Half an hour later Delaney had finished his repertoire and Rosnova had been nothing, but a sullen figure in the chair next to him. Their leave taking had been cold. Even Stephanie Merchant had been surprised at the chilly atmosphere in the room when she had been requested to show them out.

Catherine had remained at the window and listened intently to the conversation going on around her, and she noted the deadly silence from the doctor. Her fingers played incessantly with the locket around her neck. She turned back to face Dusterly when the others had left the room.

"You have all the information you require to bring my little girl back home?" Catherine asked in a solemn voice.

Serena Dusterly looked at the taller woman and noted that she was now completely in control of her emotions. It was the way she held her body and the cool remote look in the eyes. "Yes, I have the information."

Catherine nodded her head and moved towards her chair and as she seated herself in its depths, she gave Dusterly a quick apologetic glance. "Sorry, for my lack of control earlier."

Serena heard the clipped tone and it brought a brief smile to her lips. She knew that it could not have been easy for the woman opposite her to admit that lapse. No sir, not easy at all!

"No problem. I wasn't sure if you planned it that way to throw them a little and bring me in off the side lines?" Serena gave Catherine Devonshire the opportunity to seize the excuse, if she required it, without losing face.

Catherine pondered that remark. So, this woman was shrewd and quick-witted, not to mention compassionate! Here was the ideal person to help her achieve her goal. She had found perhaps, the key to her miracle. Well, one had to hope and she certainly would do that!

"Thank you for the excuse Ms. Dusterly, but no, it was a lapse and it won't happen again. You have information, so please, share it with me. We have a child to bring home safe and sound." Catherine smiled a deep warm smile that made Serena Dusterly wonder if the woman knew what effect that smile had on people?

Giving a wide grin of her own, she sat down and related all her old findings, her new information, and the small pieces of data the police had imparted. After she had finished, she locked gazes with Catherine Devonshire and saw the impact the words had had on her. She looked like she could murder someone herself!

"You're sure?" the words a gentle hiss out of thinly stretched lips.

"I'm as sure as I'll ever be, without actually being there to witness it happening." Serena said with confidence.

"I see." Catherine wasn't sure what she felt when Dusterly had mentioned who she thought was the villain of the piece.

"We need help Ms. Devonshire. We can't do this alone."

Catherine digested the information and her head cleared as she considered who could possibly help them. Normally, she would have enlisted Kelsey, but he was thousands of miles away and she had to cover all the eventualities. Hudson was still out there somewhere and you never knew how involved she was in any tragic situation that befell her or her family.

"I can locate two or three people that are completely trustworthy. Will that be enough?"

Serena smiled and nodded her head. "Sure, that will do fine. No time like the present to get them on board, is there."

Catherine speed dialled a number and waited a few moments.

"Constance is that you?" Catherine asked sharply.

"Yes, yes it is Catherine. How are you? What can I do for you?" The woman at the other end of the line said quickly.

Catherine briefly explained her requirements and replaced the receiver in a swift fluid movement.

"Right, Dusterly, that's the troops organised. Let's go and put the bastard who preys on our children, where they belong!" Catherine said, her voice full of banked down rage.

Serena Dusterly shivered at the words for they held a finality about them that would convince the devil himself that his time was up!

Kelsey swatted another mosquito away with his newspaper. Rivulets of sweat ran down his cheeks, giving him a less than appealing presence.

James Thompson in contrast sat at the bistro table stirring his coffee, his whole body relaxed. He didn't look uncomfortable in the heat of the day at all.

"Hey Jimmy, I know you're not like other men, but don't you sweat either?" Kelsey asked the man opposite him, who looked as if it was normal to be sitting in the sun without protection. Looking immaculately turned out, not even a hint of perspiration was seen on the guy.

James looked at the decidedly ruffled man and smiled wryly at him, his comment wasn't exactly informed now was it. "Can't say I understand your terminology Kelsey. How exactly, am I not like other men?"

Kelsey looked over the square and noticed a leggy blonde examining items in a jeweller's window, his attention now only partially on the conversation with Thompson.

"Man, give me a break! I know your only interest in women is on a professional footing and as friends. But men you don't mind taking to your bed, right?" Kelsey's eyes drooled over the blonde, wondering if she was alone and he might have a chance for a brief encounter with her.

James Thompson twisted his lips in distaste at the crude man and then his eyes travelled in the direction of Kelsey's fixed gaze. He really did think with his dick, this idiot! They also didn't have time for it either.

"We need to go Kelsey." James decided against answering the man regarding his comments, he wasn't worth the explanation.

"Go? Go where? Have your coffee. I want to go and test out a theory of mine." He slid out of his chair and walked briskly over to the blonde. Thompson shook his head as he signalled for the waiter to freshen his coffee.

Gazing over the small beautiful medieval square, comprised of buildings that represented centuries of history of the people on the island, he had always been fascinated in old buildings and what and whom they represented, all those centuries ago. He did know that in this particular area of the world, the Knights from the crusade had battled to prevent the islands from passing to the Turks. That had been a lost cause generally and only a few islands resisted the invasions. With the architecture, he was sure this island was one of them. Pity he was here on a crisis, for he would have loved to have spent the time finding out more.

He once again looked over in the direction of Kelsey, who was having what seemed an amiably and friendly conversation with the blonde. As he looked at her closely or as close as he could from his distanced vantage point, he was sure he knew the face. But then again, it could be the sun producing a false impression.

His attention was momentarily taken away from the woman and Kelsey. A very volatile argument being carried out close beside him with the bistro owner and a young man on a motor bike drew his attention. He did not understand a word spoken as it was in Greek, but the tone created it's own story, or so he thought. Then the two, to his surprise both laughed and the bistro owner waived the young man away with a smile.

Thompson turned his attention back to where the woman had been and was disappointed to see her gone and Kelsey walking towards him. Oh well, Kelsey would say if he knew her, but then againÖ.

Jace paced the study as she contemplated her next action.

It wasn't that she didn't want to tell Catherine that she was travelling to Greece to see her Aunt. No, that was not it at all! Expelling a heavy sigh, she shook her head and smiled at herself. She was a fool. Of course she wanted to tell Catherine, but knowing her partner as she did, Catherine would forbid the trip. Then they might argue a little and both of them might get upset. Well, there was no might about it, they both would. Consequently Catherine would be even more stressed than she was already and that wasn't a burden she was going to inflict on her partner. After all, she would be home within the week and miracle of all miracles, Grace was going to travel with her.

"Catherine, don't be mad. Don't be mad." Jace chanted softly as she dialled the New York apartment.

"Hello, Devonshire residence. How may I help you?" Stephanie Merchant's voice asked politely.

Jace smiled, "Hi Steph. Is Catherine home? It's Jace."

Stephanie chuckled at the breathless young woman at the other end of the line. It had been an interesting time working for this couple and the Californian was adorable, and so guileless. The fact that Jace shared her life with the dark stoic woman, who was as different from her as she could possibly be, was a clear sign that the two of them were very much in love. They might be total opposites, but certainly appeared to be a perfect matchÖ an odd looking match, but they fit together so well. "Hello Jace. Yes, Ms. Devonshire is home. She's in the study with some colleagues, but I will put you through."

Jace was tempted to say no and wait until she was on the flight to Greece before she called Catherine again. But no, that wasn't the thing to do at all! "Okay Steph."

Stephanie knocked on the door of the study and she heard the request to enter.

Glancing at the four people in the room, other than her employer, they all looked up at her. Waiting presumably, for her to speak as to the reason she had interrupted them.

"Yes Stephanie?" Catherine asked, her eyes moving to the housekeeper and then back down to the notes on her desk.

"Jace is on the line. Wonders if you had a minute?" Stephanie was amazed at the change of expression, an incredible transformation from acute concentration to a happy smile.

"Jace? Well for goodness sake Stephanie, put her through." Catherine said swiftly. Then, she looked at the four others in the room as the housekeeper left happily, to do just that.

Constance Waverly smiled at her boss and motioned for Clare and Rita to follow her, knowing immediately Catherine would want privacy.

Serena Dusterly looked at the others as they planned to depart. "You going somewhere?" she asked, puzzled at the exit plans. They were in the middle of critically important planning.

Constance gave her a quick grin and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No, WE are going somewhere, a coffee break perhaps."

Dusterly looked at her in surprise and then the call connection was made and Catherine quickly picked up the receiver.

"Jace, how are you darling?" Catherine's mind was now with her partner. The others in the room, now becoming no more than inanimate furniture scattered around the room.

"Oh I see!" Dusterly suddenly realised, as she glanced at Catherine Devonshire and the animated expression she had on her features. It was like someone flicking a switch of a light source and illuminating the darkest corners of a room.

"Yes, I think you do." Constance chuckled, as they all filed out of the room and closed the door softly behind them.

"Catherine, how are you? Have you any news? Will Ms. Dusterly be able to help us find Lisa?" Jace quickly instantly fired the questions at her partner.

Catherine laughed at the rapid-fire questions and the way they had been delivered. "Shall we take it one at a time and the most important one first isÖ I love you."

Jace caught her breath at the quiet sincere comment. She did love this woman to distraction. It was no wonder she was always moved to write poetry, for Catherine sent her senses spinning with the simplest words of love. Making them sound as if they were written only for her in the world.

"I love you with all my heart and soul Catherine. It will always be that way for the rest of my life and beyond. Nothing is ever going to stop us sharing all our tomorrows, you're mine forever!"

Catherine gasped at the warmth and love she felt at those words, repeated by her partner.

"You know something Jace, no matter the distance that separates us I can feel you with me always. Watching over me and standing by my side. Sleeping beside me in our bed, holding you close tempted by the aroma of your perfume, and the tripping of your heartbeat I feel under my fingertips. You live inside my heart and keep my soul company for all my days." Catherine rarely explained her feelings. She was more apt to show them to Jace. That wasn't currently possible. She knew that words had to be the link for them at the moment and she would not let her partner down.

"Oh Catherine, when did you become so eloquent? That was beautiful and it mirrors exactly how I feel about you too darling, exactly." Jace emphasised her words with a sigh of longing.

"The day I met you, my love. The day I met you." Catherine said softly, as they talked about the situation. They focused on Serena Dusterly's admissions and information, before frustration at their separation threatened to engulf them.

"When are you going to put your plan into action Catherine?" Jace asked in trepidation, there sounded like a heavy risk factor here for the participants of the plan.

"Nightfall. So in just over three hours, I guess." Catherine answered calmly.

"What if it doesn't work? What then?"

"It will work! We have only one chance at this and thenÖthen I play the media option." Catherine said, her voice filled with steel that Jace knew she only used when she wanted something so bad she would do anything to get it, anything at all!

"What is the media option Catherine?" This conversation again, was not going the way Jace planned. Jace wanted to know everything that Catherine had planned. Her woman had that rather determined streak that sometimes landed her in hot water.

Catherine realised she had said too much too early, but she couldn't keep anything from her partner now.

"Jace, you know the media and I don't see things in the same light, but in this instance I'm going to let them do their slanderous best. An eye for eye, a tooth for a tooth scenario."

"Catherine, what are you talking about? Eye for an eye? Love, you are not going to let them loose on you again, are you?" Jace was agitated at her end of the line.

"No! No Jace, not me. However, if our plan does not work, I am going to make sure they get Dusterly's version of the story. Then we will work the guilty party into a frenzy so that the walls will come crashing down around them. Fitting wouldn't you say, if I use the very medium that forced us apart at one time, to be used to help our situation?" Catherine's voice low and menacing.

"What if Dusterly is wrong and you bring the wrong party to the public eye? You could be in trouble. It could cost you your reputation and your fortune. Are you willing to risk it all?" Jace asked, her heart hammering in her chest threatening to burst out.

"What reputation is that Jace? I have no credence in the public image department, and my fortuneÖ Well, they can have it all, if I am wrong. My real wealth lies with you and our family, darling. My reputation will always be safe in your hands." Catherine's words brought tears to Jace's eyes, as she listened to the calmly spoken words filled with an honesty that brought with it all the love and trust Catherine had in them as a partnership.

"I guess we will always be wealthy then because we will all be here for you whatever course of action you take. Whatever that happens to be, Catherine!" Jace emphasised the last words and her partner understood exactly what was being conveyed to her.

"Jace, have you written any more poetry for me?" Catherine asked sheepishly, she wanted something other than heavy thoughts to take with her.

Jace smiled. A lone tear dropped from her eyelashes. It rolled down her cheek and it fell onto the sheet of paper placed on the desk in front of her.

"Catherine, before I do recite another poem for you, I need you to listen to some news I have. Don't interrupt me until I'm finished, okay?"

Catherine looked at her handset in puzzlement, nodding her head. Then she realised she needed to state it in words. "Go ahead Jace, I promise not to interrupt."

Jace related the mystery telephone call from Constantia, and her discussion with Grace. In addition, how she planned to go over and listen to the woman in light that Catherine was unable to do so herself. She then waited for the bomb to go off with her partner's reaction to the news.

"Colin is allowing Grace to travel with you to Greece?" the words stilted, but not angry, which rather surprised Jace.

Jace heaved a sigh of relief this was slightly better than she expected.

"Yeah, he was quite accommodating according to Grace." Jace replied quickly.

"I see, and what about the children?" Again her tone was remote, but it still didn't impart any anger.

"Jake is upset. Naturally, he doesn't want me to leave, but I dare not take them with me Catherine. They are safer here with Colin, my Mom, Faith, and Judy to look after them both. Not to mention the security here, which Colin has increased once again." Jace said, a catch in her breath, as she recalled the boy crying openly for the first time. In some ways she felt it helped him, but in others, she knew it was another pain he was bearing alone.

"Yes, they are safer at home. Just as you and Grace are!" Catherine pronounced softly. Jace had difficulty catching the words, but the meaning was evident. Catherine didn't want her to go, but she couldn't ask her to stay either, in the circumstances.

"I know, darling. I know. If I help clear up your Aunt's problem and you bring Lisa home soon, we can get back to planning that long awaited family holiday. What do you say?" Jace knew she was being flippant. Knowing how morose Catherine could become with certain problems, especially ones concerning her, then it was for the best.

"I don't need to plan that, I know where I'm taking you and our THREE children." Catherine's voice strong and determined.

Jace chuckled at her tone, ëEver in control, huh Catherine?' "Well, I look forward to that my darling and let's make it soon."

Catherine was upset deep down that Jace was putting herself in danger. Perhaps it wasn't going to be as bad as it seemed, there was Kelsey and Thompson to aid her. Yes, they could be Jace and Grace's protection.

"James Thompson and Detective Kelsey are on Xianspiros. So may be Hudson, Jace. So, please contact them as soon as you step on the Island. It will not be much by way of protection, but it might allude you a measure of it. I need you to promise me on this Jace or I will worry even more than I'm going to do already." Catherine gave a heavy sigh to accompany the plea to her partner.

"I promise you Catherine as soon as I set foot on the Island, I will contact James and the detective. Now, you wanted something from me right?" Jace asked with a soft drawl to her voice that made Catherine take in a sharp breath at the feeling behind the words.

"Want something from you Jace? My god, I can think of many things I want from you right now, believe me darling." Catherine rasped out. If only they didn't have thousands of miles separating them.

Jace laughed softly into the mouthpiece, she could hear the frustrated breathing of her partner and it was not one-sided either. "Poetry, Catherine. I believe you wanted a poem."

"Oh right, yes that's right JaceÖ a poem. How could I have forgotten?"

"I wrote this last night. As always, everything is written with you in mind, my love." Jace whispered, as she recited the poem to her partner.

Emptiness invades the house,

You're not home my heart it bleeds.

Darkness creeps out of every room,

You're not home my heart it pleads.

A void builds with every waking hour,

You're not home my heart it cries.

The chair you use lies unoccupied in view,

You're not home my heart it burns.

I turn to the window and wait for you,

You're not home my heart is still.

Then your voice gives me no choice,

You've come home my heart it sings.

The steps I long for are closing in,

You've come home my heart it springs.

Hands that I long for reach for me,

You've come home my heart is free.

"Do you know how much I love you Jace?" Catherine finally managed to croak out, her voice filled with emotion. Did her partner know what effect the simplest words had on her?

"Yes I do, Catherine Warriorson. I know that all your love is mine today and all the tomorrows of our lives." Jace whispered. She knew that Catherine was going to lose some of her control if they didn't finish the conversation now, as much as she was loath to do so.

"Absolutely right, Jace. My friend, my lover, my wife, the mother of my children, my partner for all time." Quietly spoken words that completed the picture for them.

"Your soulmate, Catherine, as you are mine." Jace replied and rested her head on her hand as she looked at the picture of her partner, recalling some of her expressions at this time, bringing a tender smile to her face.

"Soulmate Jace, oh, count on that! Our love knows no bounds."

"Catherine, will you please be careful for me?" Jace asked softly and waited patiently for the slow reply.

Catherine mulled it over and smiled, "Yes, I will Jace. As long as you promise the same."

"Everytime lover, everytime. I love you!" Jace spoke thickly, her emotions now surfacing and threatening to engulf her.

"I love you, Jace Warriorson, and I'll be home soon with our daughter. Trust me." Catherine replied. Her body was now moving up a gear in reaction to her partner. She wanted desperately to have all this behind her and be back at the ranch with her favourite blonde resting her head on her lap. The picture was so acute in her mind she could almost reach out and touch it.

"I have never trusted anyone so much in my life, you are my life." Jace whispered, as another tear coursed down her cheek.

"As you are mine, Jace. You have all my tomorrows, remember?" Catherine smiled. Jace was crying, that was her woman's way, but a very endearing trait in her partner, although irritating in the extreme, with others.

"I remember, and I'm going to hold you to them, as well." Jace didn't want the connection to end, wanting to keep the line open indefinitely. This was the vital link to the only person who made her whole.

"That's my girl. Call me as soon as you arrive in Xianspiros Jace, no matter the hour."

"I will, I love you. Take care of yourself, please?" Jace pleaded.

"Love you too, and I will, but do the same for me. And Jace?" Catherine asked in a serious tone.

"What darling?"

"Will you explain to Jake that I love him and miss him, Elena too. Kiss my youngest daughter and tell her I'm coming home soon to play." Catherine wanted nothing more than to do that herself as her speech thickened with emotion.

"I will. Talk to you soon, my love." Jace replied gently. Her stoic dark partner needed to know that the love would always be there, no matter the adversity.

"Yes, we will talk soon Jace. Safe journey." Catherine ended her connection abruptly or they never would. It was so hard to withdraw.

Jace heard the disconnection signal and smiled as she replaced the receiver. For if Catherine hadn't ended the call, they never would. It was a connection they never wanted to separate ever!

"Grace? Catherine called you yesterday. How do you think she's taking it all?" Jace asked the woman seated next to her, who was flicking through a magazine as the flight to Greece was about to take off.

Grace turned to the averted profile of her friend, who was looking out of the side window as the speed of the aircraft increased taxiing towards it's take-off speed.

"She called that's true, but seriously Jace, I haven't the connection you do to her, and I'm sure you know what she's feeling far better than I do." Grace answered seriously.

Jace pursed her lips at the comment. True, she did know Catherine well, better than anyone in the world. Although, sometimes she felt that there was a part of Catherine, only Grace had access to. It had no tangible basis that you could see, or even voice really, just a feeling she had when the two women were together.

Glancing in Grace's direction, she gave her a keen appraisal, smiled and shook her head. "I know that Grace. There are times when I think that Catherine will only let you see a particular side of her. Not even I'm allowed inside there, it is disconcerting."

Grace considered the words and the pained expression on the blonde's face, dropped the magazine she was reading and looked around her. There was only one other passenger in the first class area, who was several seats forward. Therefore, they were virtually alone in this part of the aircraft.

"You know all about her Jace, her background, her life before you entered it. Trust me when I say that until you came along, she had no life. We were tolerable friends at best. I was the housekeeper and that was how she generally viewed me. On a good day, we would share a joke or two. On a bad day, she would share it with a bottle, in the first couple of years anyway. After she gave the drink up, she just shared her morose days, which were many, with her horse and her dead family. About a year before you came into her life, she was becoming increasingly introverted. I couldn't allow that to happen. She was such a vital woman if you looked behind the mask." Grace paused at the noise from the engines, which virtually drowned her out.

Jace was entranced at Grace's words. Obviously she had known all this, but hearing it from someone who had been close to Catherine for several years, made it all the more palpable. As the flight drove into the air and finally levelled out, the stewardess immediately asked them if they required anything to drink or eat. To which, they both replied no.

"How did you stop it happening, Grace?" Jace asked softly, wanting to know how her friend had overcome Catherine's defiant streak.

Grace chuckled and her grin was infectious. Jace smiled into the animated face of her friend.

"Well, you know the night you arrived at the ranch and there was the dinner with the town folk?" Jace nodded her head, recalling every moment of that encounter. How could she forget? It changed her life forever.

Grace smiled warmly at the look that crossed the blonde's face, one of wonder and happiness. "The year before, I'd badgered her to have a dinner and invite the local people. To get to know them you see, a step towards going back into the community. She would not, of course. Not at first, that is. Then, I said something that made me believe in miracles when it comes to CatherineÖ"

Jace had tears shimmering on her eyelashes as she unhooked her safety belt and hugged the surprised woman next to her.

"What was that for?" Grace asked, chuckling at the action.

"For being you Grace. I do love you." Jace murmured and quickly removed her arms as the stewardess asked with professional politeness if they needed anything.

Serena Dusterly watched the stoic profile of the woman in the passenger seat of the car, heading for the outskirts of the city. Half an hour before, Constance Waverly and her party had left to take up strategic positions close to their destination. To provide backup and recognisance, should anyone pass their way. Radio communication was the order of the day, they wanted immediate contact and not waste those few seconds punching numbers and waiting for pickup. Seconds could be the difference between life and death in a situation such as this!

"Ms. Devonshire may I ask you a question?" Serena asked. She was surprised when ice blue eyes captured hers immediately, thinking the woman beside her was lost in a world of her own.

"Go ahead." Catherine said quietly, averting her profile again to watch the buildings quickly rush past her, as they entered the very edge of the city.

Serena glanced into her rear view mirror to not only check the traffic, but the possibility of anyone following them. There did not appear to be anyone doing that. Although, you could never be too careful!

"I wondered if you would explain to me why you decided to give me a chance? My views obviously didn't inspire the police or the FBI to consider them viable." Serena concentrated on her driving, as they passed into more barren areas that hadn't as yet, been acquired for development. It was only a matter of time though.

Catherine remained silent for a time and looked at the bleakness around her, feeling the starkness acutely. as she considered where her little princess could be? Hoping against hope that it was not some dark dank place, like a sewer. Then again, according to Dusterly that was not the case. Far from it, but not the case at all.

"I listened to what you had to say. If you look at it logically, what options did I have? At least your theory had not been tested. All the others had, without producing a positive result! I'm a simple logic woman Dusterly. If it is plausible and I've nothing to lose, I go with the game plan." Catherine answered the woman, her voice calm and controlled, showing little if any emotion.

"But, you have got something to lose, your daughter. You're putting your trust and the life of your daughter, in someone you don't know and has been deemed unfit by her peers." Serena said passionately.

Catherine turned briefly from her contemplation of the insipid view. Shaking her head a little, her dark hair flowed momentarily around her face.

"Yes. With all the facts that the police have so far furnished me with, according to them my daughter is already lost! I therefore consider that an impossible situation and you Dusterly have provided me with a measure of hope. I am willing to take whatever lifeline there is. Even if it is considered unfit by your peers, shall we continue and make them eat their hats?" Catherine raised her voice slightly as she spat out the word peers. It never did have a great deal of credence with her anyway.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me Dusterly, you might hate me yet!" Catherine said in a dangerously quiet voice.

"Hate you? I don't think so, but you might hate me, if I'm wrong." Serena replied honestly.

"Never going to happen Dusterly, unless you screw up your plans. If you're wrong, then we all lose. It is as simple as that." Catherine turned back to contemplate the fields that they passed and the darkening skies as nightfall beckoned.

Serena had nothing tangible to say, knowing that this woman didn't do small talk, unless it was with the small blonde she had met two days ago. Having used her profiling experience into creating a picture of Catherine Devonshire, it was like watching a movie. Initially started in black and white, then suddenly a scene turns to glorious colour and you are astonished at the impact. That was how Serena saw the impact the blonde made on this dark woman at her side, amazing!

They drove further away from the city towards the place they hoped still held Lisa Simeon.
 
 

"Kelsey we haven't time for this!" James Thompson was annoyed at the detective's apparent unconcern over imparting the information and making contact with the woman called Sally Clauser. They knew she was on the Island. Sarah Rogers, Constantia Xianthos's personal companion had informed them when they had made a telephone call to the villa that afternoon. They had arranged to visit the villa in the morning to see Catherine Devonshire's aunt, who had seemed surprised at their arrival. Although pleased at their arrival, she refused to divulge anything until they met personally.

Kelsey looked at the man as he pushed a hand through his still wet hair from the shower he had taken minutes before.

"Of course there is, and you never know, I might find out more about the Clauser woman on my travels. After all, it is a small island isn't it?" Kelsey replied enigmatically.

"What is it with men like you, who only have brains in one part of their anatomy?" James growled out, giving him a disgusted look, upset at the obscure and uncaring answer.

Kelsey turned to the man and he saw the annoyance etched in his face. "What's the matter Thompson, jealous?" Laughing at the red tinge of embarrassment that came over the man's face at the remark.

"I most certainly am not! Why would I be jealous of a woman?" James gave him a disgusted look again and went towards the door of the hotel room.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. So, that must mean you are jealous because it's me!" Kelsey teased the man, who muttered something under his breath and slammed the door as he exited.

"Stupid fucking idiot. He needs to let go or he will end up in an early grave." Kelsey looked in the mirror and smiled, nodding at his reflection as he picked up his hotel room keys and money from the dresser, leaving the room himself.

Constantia smiled as Sara poured their tea. "Thank you Sara. Whatever would we do without our tea?"

Sara chuckled at the comment, whatever indeed!

"Consty, the people that say they have news from Catherine, do we trust them?" Sara asked, perplexed at the situation. Wasn't Catherine herself on the way and supposed to arrive in the early hours of the morning?

"Yes, yes we trust them Sara, if they prove their credentials. Lukas is already making the necessary enquiries into their background as a failsafe." Constantia said simply.

"Why didn't we do that with Sally Clauser? Why was I such an old fool to trust someone at the first meeting? I'm so sorry Consty." Sara spoke quietly, her voice filled with remorse because she had been foolish enough to allow someone who wanted to hurt her best friend into the villa.

"Sara, Sara it wasn't a problem. You could never have known! I suspect that if we did check up she would be squeaky clean. You my friend, are no old fool, but I on the other hand, may consider that a possibility for myself." Constantia chuckled, glancing down at her fingers clutching the blanket over her legs gently.

"Why do you say that Consty?" Sara turned troubled eyes to her friend.

Sighing heavily, she looked at the beautiful peaceful setting before her. The calm inky blue waters with the moored boats in differing sizes and shapes. The setting sun glowing in bright oranges and pinks with the odd purple strike flowing through the drifting clouds, the weakening rays of light, shedding an image of a path on the water below. Making it look like a staircase, waiting for someone to mount it to the heavens above.

"Fanciful thoughts have been plaguing me of late Sara. It can only be a legacy from the visit of Catherine. She brought back old memories and some are more painful than others."

"Are you sad that Catherine came to see you Consty?" Sara was sure that the two women had left friends at least.

"No! No my friend, it brought a joy to my heart that I thought would never be when she entered my room that first time. It was like seeing myself forty years ago and wanting time to stand still and turn back, so I could right some of the mistakes I made in life." Constantia replied, her voice soft with fleeting memories invading her mind.

"Would you want it all turned back Consty?" Sara asked, her voice filled with a desolateness that puzzled Constantia.

Quirking her eyebrow to her forehead she asked, "Sara what's the matter? You sound so desolate."

Sara shuffled around, pouring more tea, giving her friend an embarrassed glance and averting her eyes as she replied. "If you turned it all back, we might never have met!"

Constantia drew in a deep breath and shook her head at the bowed head of the small woman at her side, sending her a warm affectionate smile. "Never Sara! We would have met. It was destined to be and I know that, no matter what things I might have changed. You would still be part of my life! A very important part of my life Sara, it was always meant to be." Constantia spoke emotionally. For the past twenty years they had been friends. Certainly in the last fifteen, they had become more like sisters. A bond had developed, grown over the years, regardless of their different backgrounds. It was as if they were to be good friends in this life and the rest of eternity also.

Sara blinked away the shimmering tears and smiled at her friend. For one so focused and practical, Consty often said some of the most fanciful things. "Thank you Consty. I'm sure you are right."

Moving towards the other woman, she poured her another cup of tea. Then they sat together in companionable silence, watching a beautiful sunset. Tomorrow was another day, and they would see it through together, as they had the last twenty.

Althea Spiros had been waiting for her brother George to appear at the restaurant for over an hour. As always, he was late! It was as well that he didn't run the core business or they would have been broke years ago. Still, he might lack brains, but she loved him and that was the important thing in life.

Althea sat looking over the relatively calm, gently lapping water, which was about three hundred yards from the modest restaurant that her brother ran. Modest to her at any rate, especially in comparison with the new restaurant she had recently opened in Athens. This place was like comparing a rich man to a beggar, no comparison at all!

What she would not give to be back in Athens behind her desk, looking over the business situations and opportunities of the day. Athens might be smog bound, hectic, and unbearably hot at times. However, she loved the pace of the city, also how she reacted to the challenges, which transpired. Here on the island, she would have vegetated, becoming the mother of a brood of kids, having no say in the way of things in her life. As it was on reflection, did she have any say in her life at this moment? Yes, yes she did!

"Althea, what brings you here tonight?" George Spiros asked his sister, the tone one of mild interest.

Althea looked at her brother and then to the young girl that was clinging to his arm. She looked Scandinavian in looks, pale, blonde almost white, shoulder length hair and bright blue eyes the colour of the Aegean. If she were twenty, Althea would have been surprised. Why did her brother keep company with the foreigners, particularly the young ones? He would become soon, a laughing stock with his ageing Romeo antics.

"George, I need to speak with you! It is urgent!" Althea stated firmly in Greek and watched the features of the young woman, to gauge if she could understand their language. The young woman's face held a slight smile that did not change, except the blue eyes looked at her in speculation.

"Oh, please Althea! Can't we have a talk another time? You can see that I have company." George smirked at his sister and he turned to whisper something to the foreigner, making the girl laugh softly.

"That is irrelevant George! It is now or never." Althea was irritated, wanting to have her discussion with George. Then, she wanted to return home and collect some of her possessions, before going to Constantia's villa to stay until it was all over.

"Althea, I say what is important in my life not you!" George lost his temper at his sister. What with Mama and now Althea, women ruled his life and he was sorely tired of it.

"You will not talk to me now?" Althea remarked finally, her patience gone. If he did not listen, she had her answer anyway.

"I will not. We can do that tomorrow. Go home and rest sister, you look tired." George remained determined that his younger sister would not dictate his life too.

"TomorrowÖyes tomorrow. Good evening George." She nodded her head in the direction of the young woman, spun on her heel and went out the door before George could say anymore.

George looked at the retreating figure of his sister as she walked with speed towards the small motorcycle she used when she was on the Island. He watched her rev the engine several times before she roared off into the blackness of the night.

ëTomorrow would be soon enough for serious conversation. Tonight, tonight was for love.' He grinned at the thought, smiling directly into the pretty face of the young woman on his arm. Bending his head to kiss her gently the young woman wrapped her arms around his neck in youthful exuberance.

James Thompson sat at a rooftop table in a small restaurant in the Town Square. He could see the twinkling stars above him, also the inky black stretch of water with a couple of fishing boats bobbing on the outgoing tide, if he looked towards the horizon. Then looking below, he could see the small parties walking and talking happily in the square below.

If only!

James picked up the menu and glanced over it with little enthusiasm. He had been lonely since Paul had died. Today, he felt that emptiness much more acutely and he really did not know why. Here he was in a beautiful setting, experiencing adventures in his life he would have only put down to the movies. A job many would kill for, but wasn't that the bitter truth and irony? He had people who cared for him and yet, he was lost and alone in the world.

Friends who had known him for years had been asking him to parties, always ensuring that there were at least two or more eligible people around, if he wanted to let go of the past. He had tried, he really had. Paul had been the love of his life and he could not imagine sharing that kind of emotion with anyone else! Why was life so cruel? You think you have finally turned the corner and see a wonderful future. Then suddenly, everything turns upside down and you are left with ashes all around you.

"Sir, would you care to order?" The waiter asked him in friendly thick accented English.

James looked up and smiled at the young man, who was in his estimation no more than twenty. With a fresh baby face look and sparkling brown eyes, the jet-black hair greased back in a flattering style to enhance the young Greek's handsome lines.

"Would you give me a few more minutes, please?" James smiled at the youth and turned his eyes back to the menu.

"Yes, of course. I will be back in five minutes." The waiter departed to the head of the stairs leading to the ground floor.

James looked at the menu and chose a couple of dishes, then sipped from the glass of water on the table. His eyes scanned the people below him. He was surprised when he saw the familiar sight of Kelsey walking and talking animatedly to the blonde woman of earlier that day.

James leaned over the balcony and tried to get a better look at the woman, who had earlier appeared familiar. He became thwarted, as several people passed by obscuring his view. Kelsey and the woman walked under a lamppost. The weak strains of light showed up the features of the woman briefly as they passed by.

James staggered back from the table almost falling out of his chair. His face, he was sure, had an ashen tinge to it, for he recognised the woman. How could he not? The true nemesis of his life had shown herself, for he had that woman's face etched into his soul, no fancy makeup and hair colour changes could change it either.

"Hudson!" James hissed out, moving as fast as he could to the steps leading to the lower floor to warn Kelsey. He left the restaurant in search of the detective and the woman he hated with a rage that couldn't be assuaged.

ëBut, did Kelsey know who she was already? Was it a ploy of his? Why hadn't he mentioned it? What was he doing, Hudson was dangerous, surely he knew that?' Questions continued to bounce around in his head and he didn't know what to do.

James looked around the square in the direction he'd seen the two of them only a minute before! As he scanned the area, he was astounded that they had totally disappeared. Where could they have gone?

Not really knowing what to do next, he decided to go back to the restaurant, hoping they would pass by again. He would get to them faster next time around.

Slowly mounting the steps, he was given a speculative look from the waiter who had watched the American rush out of the building, obviously agitated about something.

James sat down at his table and picked up a glass of water to drink thirstily from it.

"Sir, would you care to order now?" the waiter asked again politely.

James looked up at the youth, shook his head slightly, and saw the surprise in the boy's eyes. "Sorry, sure I would. I'll have a Greek saladÖ."

When the waiter had taken his order he looked for any sign of Kelsey and Hudson, but they didn't reappear.

Faith Thornton looked over the room, a single tear fell as she recalled other evenings when all the family were home. It was to many she was sure, a sedate way to spend a family evening, reading. No TV's, videos, or computers, just a relaxing family evening with a good book, or in some cases a very active imagination from the one person in the room you would never expect it from, Catherine Warriorson!

When she had first arrived here with Grace, after that first kidnapping affair involving Jace, the morose head of the household had stunned her! She had difficulty in seeing the gentle Jace with not only a dark featured person, but also one with the personality to match, or so it had appeared at the time.

They say people can hide behind a persona, showing the world one aspect, but the loved ones a totally different one. That had been the truth with Catherine Warriorson.

"Grandma, will mom and Aunt Grace be in Greece now?" Jake had walked over to her silently and startled her momentarily. She had been lost in her thoughts.

Faith placed a hand on the cushion of the free area of the sofa and Jake sat down heavily upon it. His face held a pensive expression, one that occasionally surfaced when he was worried.

Looking at the clock on the wall, she did the mental arithmetic that gave her the time in Europe. "Actually Jake, they won't be there until we are asleep tonight. Your mom promised to call immediately when she landed on the Island. They are visiting Catherine's aunt."

Jake looked at the TV screen and silently watched the rugby game currently televised. Then he restlessly flicked the channels from the remote control on the arm of the chair, sighing heavily as he leaned back on the sofa.

Faith knew the boy was hurting and it was a hurt that couldn't be soothed by anyone but the two women and the small girl that he now considered family! To think that he was about to lose his family all over again must be heartbreaking. How did you approach it without causing him more pain?

The door to the room opened. Alison Bardley walked in with Elena, who was looking a healthy pink after her bath. She was now fitted out in white pyjamas with tiny multicoloured bears all over the fabric, looking cute, along with the small slippers covered in blue rabbits, making her even more so.

"Jake, for once Elena looks innocent, doesn't she?" Faith caught the boy's attention and guided it towards his youngest sister, who was clutching a rather dog-eared teddy bear.

"Yes, she does and we all know she's not!" The boy stated dramatically and moved from the sofa to stand beside Alison and her charge.

Elena squealed in delight as she saw her brother and playmate. She squirmed in Alison's hold trying to get closer to the boy.

"Elena, behave now." Alison crooned to her granddaughter. She really was a handful. Not at all like any of the two daughters she had brought up.

"That's all right grandma Alison. I will take her. She likes to sit on my knee before she goes to bed and listen to a story." Jake held out his arms for the toddler.

Alison looked at the boy, and then across at Faith who nodded her head, agreeing with the boy's remark. She passed over the child, who immediately settled down as Jake sat with her in the armchair that Catherine always used when she was home.

"A story? So, who reads the stories in this household?" Alison asked, although she knew after her visit at Christmas. Jace had mentioned it, not that she had ever seen the scenario.

"Catherine normally, or Jace if Catherine isn't at home. Then LiÖLisa and I take a turn." The boy said with difficulty.

Alison gave the boy a thoughtful glance and then smiled at him, "I used to read to Jace and her sister when they were younger. Would you like me to read something to you tonight Jake?"

Jake gave Alison Bardley a serious frown as he digested the words and considered her offer, it was not either of his Moms, butÖ. "Thanks Grandma I would like that. May I chose the story?"

Alison smiled warmly at the boy he was a rather serious child. When she had first met him, she had wondered if he would respond to her daughter. Now seeing them together, it was clear that her child had become his mother. A bond was developing that was going to be as unbreakable as the bond a birth mother has with their child and probably more so, as it had been gained through love and respect.

"Sure. What will it be Jake?" Alison settled down next to Faith and waited for the boy to respond.

"Grandma Faith, our story book is next to you. Will you pass it to Grandma Alison? I would like to have Treasure Island please." The boy said and pointed to the book on the table beside her.

"Treasure Island it is then Jake." Alison replied and passed the large volume that had several condensed stories inside.

"You will do the voices though, won't you Grandma?" Jake looked at her and gave a grin, she was not sure if it wasn't filled with devilment.

"What do you mean?" Alison croaked out.

 Faith touched her on the arm gently as she grinned broadly at her. "Shall I explain now why I don't volunteer to read the stories?" Faith said quietly, so that only Alison could hear her. She was unable to stop herself chuckling at the puzzled look on the woman's face. Did no one ever learn in this household?

"When will I see the merchandise?" the male voice asked, irritated at the delay. She'd said everything was under control.

"I said I had a slight problem, but that I would rectify it and tomorrow you will receive the merchandise." The woman's voice rose slightly, angry at this man's assumption that she wouldn't come up with the goods. She always did!

"I'll believe that when I see it! Are you sure you can handle this transaction?" The man was growing impatient at the delay. Normally, they would have had the situation solved and be sitting on a nice wad of money.

"Have you ever known me to fail?" The woman responded in a sharp tone. He was only the middleman, she had to do all the dirty work. What gave him the right to question her?

"No I haven't, but there's always a first time for everything. Tomorrow you say? Well, make it early!" The man shouted down the phone before cutting the connection.

"Screw you!" The woman responded into the dead receiver. She looked at her apartment and then at the clock. It was getting late for a trip out of town. She'd have an early night and get there first thing in the morning. The kid wasn't going anywhere and certainly wasn't responding. So what if she croaked in the night. There was always another victim around the corner. There would always be another victim.

Catherine looked at the fields that were shrouded in darkness. If this was where her daughter was, she would be terrified. It would look so bleak and totally alien to her child. Closing her eyes momentarily, she had to concentrate hard not to shed the tears that were close. Jace wouldn't have held back. They'd had that particular discussion onceÖ
 

Serena Dusterly looked at the woman at her side, unable to make out her features in the dark recess of the vehicle. "Yes."

"Constance can you hear me?" Catherine switched on the radio, speaking clearly.

A ripple of static built up and crackled in the silent environment of the vehicle.

"Constance?" Catherine again said, a little more sharply this time around.

"Yes boss. Right here. Glad you could make it." Constance Waverly injected a slight touch of humour into the tense situation.

"Good! What have you to report?" Catherine asked quickly, turning up the volume so Dusterly could hear every word.

"Nothing much. Didn't Ms. Dusterly say this was a disused property?" Constance said as her voice partially broke with the static build up.

"Yes! What have you seen Constance?" Catherine barked out, looking across at Serena Dusterly who held her hands up in dismay.

"There were a couple of guys coming in and out of the barn and the house. Couldn't quite make them out at this distance. We should have brought some binoculars with us!" Constance stated, annoyance in her voice at their oversight.

"Okay, you weren't to know. What about Clare and Rita, are they in their positions?" Catherine calmly asked, her own emotions held tightly in check. This was something they hadn't planned on, but it wasn't totally unexpected either.

"Clare is at the main gate. Rita is at the rear of the property. I'm at the side and have a view of both of them. Should someone come within three hundred yards, I will have them out of there!" Constance related the specifics as she would at a business meeting with Catherine.

"Okay, Ms. Dusterly and I are going to take a trip to the house and ask for directions." Catherine responded and was about to cut the radio when she heard Constance reply.

"Catherine, shouldn't it be one of us that goes with Ms. Dusterly? They might recognise you!"

"No! It has to be this way Constance. If my daughter is in that house, I'm going to get her out. She will need to see a familiar face." Catherine's voice broke at the last few words. It wasn't just a familiar face. It needed to be someone who loved her!

"Catherine, I understand that. Lisa knows me and we can't take any chances, can we?" Constance tried to reason with the woman, she had heard the break in the tone of her boss.

"I said No! What do you need, the damn thing written in triplicate?" Catherine rasped out, angry that Constance was wasting precious minutes talking.

"She has a point, Ms. Devonshire." Serena Dusterly hadn't liked the inclusion of this woman in the plan. It went against all her training. Although, what did you say to someone like Catherine Warriorson?

Catherine turned a glacial expression to the younger woman at her side.

"She has a point? Now why is it that she has a point at this late stage of the game? You frightened to tell me that Dusterly?" Catherine fairly hissed at the woman and waited for her response.

"I'm not frightened of you Ms. Devonshire. That wouldn't achieve anything, would it? Game plans change all the time. Isn't that so in business too?" Serena calmly stared back at the dark features. The woman really was quite demonic looking in certain lights and those faint scars made it even more dramatic.

"You think this a game?" Catherine was seething, wanting nothing more than to knock some sense into the woman at her side. Whatever had given her the idea this woman could pull off locating and saving her child from the evil clutches she was held in?

"It is a game Ms. Devonshire, to the people who are playing with our children's lives. That's all it is, the game of life! What we have to do is play along with it and hope the dice fall in our favour. Right now, you remaining in the vehicle and unknown to them, may load the dice in our favour." Serena Dusterly wondered if anything she was currently saying made any sense. She hoped so.

Catherine placed a hand over her eyes in weary recognition of the facts. Both women were right. It didn't make it feel any better. She wanted to be there. No, she needed to be there.

"Okay, let's go. I'll change places with you Constance." Catherine spoke in a resigned voice.

"Everything will work out." Serena Dusterly placed a hand on the dark woman's arm, immediately removing it. Eyes cold as ice bored into hers at the touch on her person.

"Sorry." Serena said quietly, turning the ignition on, the vehicle now headed for Constance's position.

Jace twisted her wedding ring around her finger. It was a wonder she didn't mangle the ring as she gazed unseeingly out of the window of the aircraft. They were travelling in daylight now. Athens was about six hours away. A helicopter flight was arranged for immediate take off, once they had gone through the Greek immigration process.

She'd wondered about Catherine's aunt. Although she'd asked on occasion about her, nothing concrete had been forthcoming from her partner on the subject. Since Catherine's last visit they hadn't had that much time to discuss it.

Jace did recall a conversation with Susan Lowther, Catherine's retired housekeeper in New York, who had also been her father's for twenty years, until his death.

Catherine rapped her fingers over the dashboard in impatience. Clare and Rita had both radioed in that they hadn't heard anything. Catherine hadn't seen anything to warrant her coming to their aid. Although, driving the vehicle was impossible for her. Or was it!

Times like this, she reflected over her life and the mistakes she'd made in those early days. Those early days happened to be as far back as her mother dying, also her rebellion against her aunt and father. You get to reach thirty-eight, suddenly it all becomes so clear. Or as clear as it ever will be in life, she suspected.

To take her mind off the current crisis in her life, she wondered what it would have been like to accept Constantia in her life as a substitute mother? Would her brother Lukas still be alive? Would she have made peace with her father along the way? Would her life have been very different? She knew in her heart it would have been and she would have been the richer for it. Yes, it would have been so different!

They sometimes say you see a path and step upon it and other elements transpire to change that path you tread. It can be for good or bad!

For her it had been a mixed bag, although she knew she had plenty to be happy about. For whatever reason, she was still plagued with some very, very bad times. Take this one for instance, here she was in some outlying area of New York State desperately hoping to locate her daughter. The child had already been through enough traumas in her young life, losing her own parents. Now this! If she believed in God, which she didn't, He sure wasn't looking after the innocent. The way it appeared to her right now, He looked after the evil ones that preyed on the innocent.

The passenger side door was wrenched open suddenly. Constance Waverly looked at her boss with an unmasked look of sympathy.

"Is it the place? Have you found Lisa?" Catherine asked her quickly, unfastening the clip of the safety belt, about to get out of the vehicle.

Constance saw the movement and put a restraining hand on her forearm to stop her. "Catherine, it isn't the place." The soft rejoinder was uttered with a gentle compassion.

"What? What are you saying Constance? Where's Dusterly?" Catherine's words although audible, were indistinct, filled with a panic that Constance had never expected to hear from this woman.

Constance gave a heavy sigh, climbing into the vacant passenger seat. "Ms. Dusterly is still talking to the guys who own the farm. It isn't the place Catherine. Lisa isn't here!"

Catherine turned anguished eyes to the woman at her side. "I don't understand? She was positive it was this place. For God's sake Constance, she said it was here!"

Catherine was crying. The waiting, pain, frustration and now the desolation of having drawn a blank, was too much for her to bear, in spite of Catherine's strong constitution.

If Constance lived to be a hundred, she would remember this scene. It was for her, so heartbreaking. She couldn't stop the tears that fell down her cheeks in sympathy. What could you do in such circumstances? Although she wanted to pull the taller woman into her arms and offer the shoulder to cry on, something stopped her. For she was sure, that would have made matters worse.

"Dusterly was wrong Catherine. I'm so very sorry." As she said the hollow words, she picked up the radio, recalling Clare and Rita to the vehicle.

Catherine turned her face towards the side window, gazing out over the dark un-welcoming scene. Gulping in a measure of air to settle her churning emotions she continued, "I need some air!" Catherine rushed out of the vehicle. Serena Dusterly stopped her car, making her way over to the stationery vehicle and the unhappy scene she knew would be there.

Looking at the retreating back of the tall dark woman, she was tempted to go after her and say something! But, what could she possibly say?

Serena opened the passenger door, noting the tired and defeated expression on Constance Waverly's face. The whole episode had been a traumatic experience for everyone involved. The defeat was palpable in the air. There was not even the element of hope about them! She had failed. It was all her fault again!

"We need to leave. The people who own the farm are not exactly happy about us trespassing." Serena said quietly, noting the arrival of Clare and Rita making their way towards the vehicle. Both were upset, if the expressions on their faces were anything to go by. Then again, who wasn't!

"Leave? Who gives a damn what they say? She needs time to compose herself for God's sake!" Constance rounded on Dusterly, her own anguish at the situation making her tone harsh.

"I can understand your pain, they have a rifle. I am sure they will use it if we do not leave quickly. I will speak to Ms. Devonshire and take her back to the apartment. Please, we do need to leave." The urgency behind Serena Dusterly's word was not lost on Constance. Obviously, now was not the time to ask what had transpired when she had left her alone with the two men!

Clare opened the rear door and popped her head inside. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes Clare, we areÖ now! Make sure Catherine understands we aren't leaving her alone Ms. Dusterly." Constance spoke quietly. Rita Tuscany climbed into the back seat as the engine roared into life. Clare closed the rear door before climbing into the front passenger seat alongside her lover.

Serena watched the car reverse out of the side entrance they had hidden behind. Then, she turned her thoughts and eyes towards the tall dark figure leaning against a tree trunk. The woman's whole stance was one of complete dejection and hopeless despair. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the tree. Her task now centred on taking the woman home, without her child, again!

"Constance what happened?" Clare turned to look at the grim determined expression that fixed on her lover's face.

"Lisa wasn't there, had never been there. Dusterly was wrong." The words echoed hollowly in the car as all three women were silent for a few moments.

"Ms. Waverly, how do you know that for sure?" Rita asked tentatively.

"They were simple people Rita. No way this side of the Atlantic could they have been involved in a kidnapping. They were incapable of pulling it off, certainly in New York City. They offered to show us around, but the place was a mess. The stench alone was something from a horror story, like rotting carcasses. Dusterly was going inside, but I stopped her! At least I think I stopped her. In my opinion, I doubt she would have returned in one piece.  We'll know, when she meet's us back at the apartment." Constance kept her eyes on the road and tears were shimmering in their depths that obscured her view.

"Then surely that might be the place, Dusterly was so sure!" Clare impassioned her lover. Perhaps she had been wrong to stop Dusterly, checking for herself.

"No! Clare she wasn't! When we came face to face with the men, believe me she wasn't! Those men looked as if they hadn't seen a woman for years, all the more reason for us not to go inside without proper back-up." It had not been the correct place. Nothing fit Dusterly's pattern, nothing at all!

"Wouldn't that be all the more reason to think that they might have kidnapped Lisa? If they are a little simple, maybe they didn't understand the crime they committed?" Rita asked, her own tone confused.

"When we get back to Catherine's apartment, we can talk this over. For now, please let's give it a rest and get back to civilisation." Constance could not answer the questions posed, not with any degree of sense anyway. Perhaps, after she had time to reflect on the situation, she might have an answer. Dusterly had taken her time following her, maybe she had gone in the house alone, and she certainly was a loner. It would not have surprised her in the slightest.

"Will Ms. Devonshire want us in the apartment?" Clare asked softly, knowing that the head of the Xianthos Corporation, who had always appeared ultimately in control, wouldn't want to lose face with her employees. That was a distinct possibility, with the current events.

"I don't know. Frankly Clare, that's the only place I want to be right now." Constance replied, her mind pre-occupied with her own reaction to the events.

"Shall we call Jason Bardley and ask him to meet us there? Catherine needs someone from the family with her right now." Clare pointed out, knowing she would want that, if it were happening to her.

Constance turned a stunned face to Clare, giving her a brief smile, acknowledging her wonderful technique of stating the obvious, everyone else overlooks. She mouthed a grateful thank you and left the call to Clare.

Jace glanced at the still sleeping form of her friend. It brought a tender smile to her lips as she realised that Grace would be tired. Although she never mentioned it, the pregnancy was taking up lots of her energy.

It brought memories to her of the days she had been tired while carrying Elena. Her baby had been eating and moving around as if she had been a football team! It made her smile as she remembered one particular timeÖ

Jace was broken out of her memories as Grace asked her if she'd been sleeping long. "Not long Grace." Looking at her wristwatch, she saw the time and did some mental arithmetic. "Only about an hour. You probably needed it." Jace looked away from Grace's piercing brown gaze.

"What's the matter Jace?" Grace asked concerned.

Several seconds passed without an answer, and then a barely audible one, for Grace alone to hear.

"By now Lisa could be home safe with Catherine."

Serena Dusterly walked within a foot of the woman, who had her back turned, resting her head on the rough bark of the oak tree. It was a very sad scene and one Dusterly had never dreamed was going to happen. Really, it should never have happened! Why had she been so sure of herself and the information given, why?

"Ms. Devonshire, I'm very sorry, but we have to leave." Serena spoke with a dignified voice, expecting an explosive retort from the woman in front of her.

She saw the shudder go through the tall frame, although the silence remained. There did not appear to be any movement away from the trunk of the tree.

"Please, Ms. Devonshire it's not safe here." Serena pleaded, hoping the words didn't fall on deaf ears.

At the mention of the words safe, Catherine turned abruptly and stared at Dusterly in the semi darkness. Only the glow from the moonlight allowed her to see the woman's face.

"Safe? Safe you say? Who gives a bloody hell if it is not safe here? I do not give a shit! There isn't anyone on the earth that can make me frightened of them, while my child is alone here someplace! Do I make myself understood?" Catherine's words felt like an intense shot of fire blistering in its heat.

"Yes. Yes, you make yourself perfectly clear. Will you let me drive you back to the apartment, please?" Serena tried another tack, having nothing to lose. Hadn't she already lost all credibility with this woman?

Catherine gave her a ravaged stare, the hopelessness of the situation clear to anyone. Even if they did not have the background to the events that had transpired previously, they would know something was drastically wrong.

"I need to speak to my wife! Take me home!" Catherine said in a resigned, yet demanding voice, the hidden strength she possessed finally asserting itself.

"Thank you." Serena turned to the car and heard words in a voice that chilled her to the bone.

"Don't thank me! You have too much to explain. When I'm through with you, the Spanish inquisition would have been like the Mad Hatter's tea party in Alice in Wonderland." Catherine's feet crunched on the fallen leaves as she followed behind Dusterly to the vehicle and home, alone again!

Tomorrow was another day. She just prayed that it wasn't a day too late for her child.
 
 

Grace swatted a mosquito as she looked around the small bay. The sunrise was making its way across the sky, making the place look peaceful and welcoming. Glancing at the back of the woman she had travelled with, she marvelled at her stamina. They had been up for the best part of twenty-four hours, yet, Jace looked ready for anything, and anything was what they might find!

Walking over to Jace's position, she inclined her head smiling wearily at the friendly countenance she saw there.

"Are you tired Grace?" Jace asked, her voice filled with concern over her friend's rather pale complexion.

Grace weakly nodded her head as she waited along side the small blonde. They had been expecting to be met at the ferry terminal, but so far there was no evidence of that.

"I don't know what's happened to our welcoming committee. However, if they don't arrive in the next five minutes we'll hail a cab and go directly to the villa ourselves." Jace's tone mildly angry at the absence of the person who was to meet them.

It wasn't bad enough that her call to Catherine had been nothing but static, numerous attempts at connection had thwarted their attempts to talk. All she did know for sure was that Lisa wasn't home yet, beyond that she had no detail. Her heart was now very heavy, although outwardly you could never tell.

"Perhaps they have the wrong time. It happens." Grace supplied, although she was less than convinced of that, bearing in mind that this was a regular ferry and the next one wasn't due until midday.

A screeching of tires on the worn surface of the road that led to the ferry entrance made both women look towards the vehicle that had stopped abruptly.

There were several other passengers who were making their own way along the road, who looked at the vehicle. One or two actually waved a hand in greeting.

Lukas Dimitrie pulled his tall frame from out of the jeep, casting his eyes around the docking area. Then, they settled on two women who stood side by side with a minimum of baggage, but no Catherine Warriorson!

Striding purposefully towards the ferry Captain who was signing a few papers before he left for his next destination, Lukas shouted out a few phrases in Greek, totally unintelligible to the two women as they watched the man in some fascination. He was a rather handsome compelling sight.

"Now if I wasn't already taken, I wouldn't mind checking him out!" Grace whispered to Jace, laughing softly as she did so.

"Oh Grace, now what would Colin say?" Jace smiled, continuing to watch the man who was now looking in their direction as the ferry captain had pointed their way.

"He'd say it was my hormones andÖJace, he's coming our way!" Grace once again whispered, but this time with an element of disbelief in her voice.

"Yeah, I think this might be our welcoming committee Grace." Jace replied as the man came closer to their position.

"Ladies, are you by any chance waiting for an escort to the Villa Xianspiros?" the accented voice asked. It held a low timbre, certainly a voice you could listen to for hours.

"Yes, we have an invitation from Constantia Xianthos. Would you be our escort, by any chance?" Jace asked quietly. The man bowed slightly in acknowledgement of the situation.

"I apologise for being late. Wasn't Ms. Warriorson able to make it? Or is she coming on another transport?" Lukas asked the small blonde who was very attractive, her accent clearly American.

"Ms. Warriorson, was unable to make it. We came in her place."

"Obviously I'm at a disadvantage. My name is Lukas Dimitrie, personal assistant to Miss Xianthos. And you would be?" Lukas asked politely, watching both women with interest.

"My name is Jace Warriorson and this is Grace Montgomery. We have been travelling some time Mr Dimitrie. If you would be so kind as to take us to the villa, we would be grateful." Jace supplied the minimum of information, especially as she didn't know this man.

"My apologies ladies. Please, if you will step this way, my vehicle is parked to your right. I will take you there immediately. Constantia will be happy to welcome you to her home." Lukas spoke quickly, pointing to the small jeep parked haphazardly to their right.

"Lead the way Mr Dimitrie. It will be a pleasure to meet Catherine's aunt. We have heard so much about her." Jace said softly, seeing a glint appear in the eye of the man, before he turned towards his jeep. He was unsure exactly what she meant by that last remark. All he knew, was that Jace Warriorson was the ëwife' of Catherine Warriorson. It would be interesting to see how the meeting with her and Constantia faired.

Catherine lethargically opened the door to the apartment and entered the hallway, totally ignoring the woman who was behind her as she went further into the apartment.

Serena Dusterly glanced around the deserted corridor and followed the tall dark imposing figure into the apartment, not, without some trepidation. Catherine Devonshire had been serious with her sparse words earlier. Truth be told, she didn't understand why things had gone wrong. It shouldn't have had, it really shouldn't.

"Catherine, is there anything I can get you?" Stephanie Merchant asked, hesitating at the doorway to the kitchen.

The dark head moved fractionally and ice blue eyes focused with some difficulty on the face of her housekeeper.

"No. No, that's okay Stephanie. At the moment, I would just like to be alone." The words carried the true depth of the feelings she was experiencing with the events that had transpired.

Walking past the women, she swiftly made her way to the study and went inside, softly closing the door after her.

Serena watched the scene and couldn't help the wave of disappointment she felt at the totally abject stance of the woman, who had now left the area.

"Where are the others please, Stephanie?" Serena asked quietly of the housekeeper.

Stephanie Merchant wasn't sure if this woman was to blame. Right now, she looked the likely candidate, if the sight of her employer was anything to go by. "In the lounge." She answered shortly, turning her back to the woman unable to be polite.

Serena bit back a retort, deciding to keep silent for now. She went towards the lounge and opened the closed door. Four sets of eyes greeted her, all obviously waiting for an explanation.

"Ms. Dusterly, glad you arrived back in one piece." Constance Waverly said sarcastically.

Serena inclined her head at the jibe. It was at least, to be expected. Then, her eyes settled on the man in the room. She'd never seen him before.

Jason Bardley watched the woman from his vantagepoint in the middle of the room, then walked towards her, his hand stretched out in a welcoming gesture.

"Hello Ms. Dusterly. My name is Jason Bardley. Happy to meet you."

Serena looked at the man closely and judged his welcome to be genuine, clasping his hand and smiled briefly.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you too." Her politeness was not lost on the man as he eyed her carefully.

"Well, I'm sure you ladies have plenty to talk about. I have to go see Catherine." Jason said as he made his way towards the door of the room.

"Catherine wants to be alone." Serena said with quiet conviction, watching as the man shrugged his shoulders, smiling at her warmly.

"Oh, I know that's what she thinks she wants, but right now I think family might be the order of the day." He walked out of the room. Serena looked after his retreating back in wonder.

"Family?" She turned and asked the others in the room.

"Yes, family. Jason is Catherine's father-in-law. He's Jace's father." Clare offered in explanation.

"Oh, I never thought of that." Serena replied, moving further into the room.

"Seems to me like you didn't think of many things, if this debacle of a rescue was anything to go by." Constance Waverly said, her tone laced with venom.

"Hey! I didn't know it was going to end like that. All the facts I had traced it to that farmhouse." Serena replied, moving over to the large picture window to look at the dark recess below. Only the dim outline of the pond was showing up in the street lighting.

"Dusterly, you are nothing but a fraud! Now we all know why you left the FBI. Was it before they kicked you out?" Constance continued her jibe. In all her thirty odd years, she had never experienced such a look of sheer desolation that she had witnessed in the eyes of her boss. It wasn't right to bring up people's hopes like that, then smash them without a care!

Serena looked at the angry features of the dusky skinned woman. Admitting with all the current information the others had, it would be the only solution they could come to under the circumstances.

"Nothing to say? What! You became a coward when you gave in the badge?" Constance was goading the woman. She knew the last remark hit home.

Dusterly moved swiftly to Constance's side and roughly shook her shoulders as she reacted to the jibe at last. "You know nothing, Waverly! You can't perceive the situation I was in or currently in now. I know I'm right!"

"How the fuck can you be right Dusterly? We are back here. Lisa is still in the clutches of some maniac! Tell me how you think you are right?" Constance responded angrily, locking gazes and trading vicious sneers as they were close together.

Rita Tuscany looked over to Clare, who had watched the altercation with distress. Having decided that Dusterly really had made them all suffer, particularly Catherine Devonshire, it wasn't right.

"Constance, Ms. Dusterly! Please, it won't bring Lisa back, trading insults or even punches." Clare had watched the anger gradually erupting to what could perhaps bring about blows.

"I'll go ask Ms. Merchant for something for us to drink, any preferences?" Rita asked quietly, as Dusterly removed her hands from Waverly's shoulders and they stood staring at each other in annoyance. Both were seething in their own anger.

"I'll have a scotch." Constance replied quickly, as she was given a swift surprised glance from Rita.

"Constance I don't thinkÖ" she was unable to finish as Constance gave her a menacing stare.

Clare watched the changing expression on both women's faces. What was going on here? Constance had indicated she had some problems and that they would talk about it. This new crisis had forced them to forget about it for things that were more important. Perhaps now was the time to find out.

"Is there a problem about a scotch for Constance, Rita?" Clare asked quietly, her intelligent eyes missing nothing as Rita looked at Constance. Shrugging her shoulders, she shook her head and left the room.

"Constance, do we have a problem here?" Clare turned to her lover and watched as a deep red flooded her cheeks.

ëWhat should she say to Clare? She certainly didn't want to lie about her problem. To admit it with this stranger here, that was too much of an embarrassment.' Walking over to Clare, she gently reached out a hand and touched her cheek, smiling slowly. The touch of the younger woman was her salvation. "No! No, Clare, I'll go and change that order to coffee. We all need to have a clear head."

Clare smiled at her and watched as she left the room to follow Rita to the kitchen.

"Ms. Dusterly you say you are right, yet Constance was right too. We are all here and without Lisa." Clare pointed out to the pensively featured woman left in the room with her.

"I know, I know. I spent years checking and rechecking the facts. It has to be there, or I have always been wrong. I don't believe that for one minute." Serena explained, her voice positive in tone.

"May I ask, did you check every fact yourself?" Clare remarked and watched the concentration pass over the woman before her. When they had first met, she hadn't particularly taken to the woman. As she spoke about her plans and her suspect, it was clear she believed and had convinced Ms. Devonshire that there was the possibility, however remote. Now it appeared to be the latter, a remote chance with no possibility!

Serena considered what this woman had asked. She hadn't immediately gone for the jugular as that bitch had done earlier. No, this was someone who considered all the possibilities however remote. ëHad she checked everything herself? She thought she had, but had she? Was there any stone she hadn't overturned, any at all?'

"I checked everything I believe." Serena confessed reluctantly, knowing that this would make its black mark in her copybook. Then she would sink without a trace in everyone's eye, credibility wise.

"I believe, doesn't strike me as you know if you did or didn't. Would you mind if I made a suggestion?" Clare asked softly, her eyes bright and totally focused on the task before her.

Serena smiled self evasively, nodded her head to Clare to ask her question. What did it matter anyway? She was already finished and the very thought brought a chill to her heart. Not just for Lisa Simeon, but for all the ones before, as well as the ones yet to come, if this scum wasn't taken care of.

"How about we use what time we have to go over your facts again? Perhaps an outsider or fresh eyes so to speak, might help?" Clare offered and waited for the reply.

Serena glanced at this woman and realised she meant every word. All she was trying to do was help. God, what could it harm? She had obviously made a miscalculation, but where? Perhaps together, they could find it. Maybe she had been too close to it for too long.

"Thank you Clare. I will get all my files. I'll be right back." Serena smiled warmly for the first time in several hours.

"You're welcome. I'll organise the others to help too." Clare said with confidence as Serena left the room to collect her files from the car.

The beautiful villa that was standing on the top of a small hillock overlooking the bay below fascinated Jace. It was majestic in stature. Obviously in the old Greek style and certainly very well preserved, no peeling paint or cracked walls to greet them this early morning.

"Is that Villa Xianthos?" Jace whispered primarily to herself, but the man driving the vehicle sitting next to her heard the words and smiled in pride.

"Yes, this is villa Xianthos. The ancestral home of the family Xianthos." Lukas replied in a low tone, pressing a button on the console of his jeep as the wrought iron gates opened to welcome them.

Jace turned to speak to Grace but saw that her friend was sleeping. The journey had been rather tiring for her. In her current condition, it would be even more so.

"Is your friend  sleeping?" Lukas spoke quietly as he negotiated the sweeping turn to the main driveway of the villa.

"Yes, she is. We have travelled for several hours without any sleep." Jace informed him and saw him nod his head in acknowledgement.

As she said that, the Villa came into direct view. Jace sucked in a breath as the magnificence of the building came into her line of vision. The weak sunlight of the early morning dawn shedding light upon the intricate patterns that wove within the building.

"It's superb." Jace sighed, wondering how anyone could keep a home in such a remarkable condition. It must cost a fortune!

"The villa was always special even when it was left for many years. As with everything, if you nurture it you will reap the benefits." Lukas explained, the vehicle coming to a halt at the foot of the steps leading to the building.

"I imagine it is a beautiful place to live. The view must be wonderful." The building entranced Jace. Now, she was eager to meet the woman who had restored it to its original glory.

"Yes." Lukas Dimitrie softly said the single word, the meaning very clear.

Jace opened her door, immediately going round the vehicle to open the rear door, gently shaking Grace awake. Her friend groggily responded. The first priority to Jace was to see that Grace went to bed as soon as possible.

As they ventured up the marble steps and through the glorious courtyard, both women were stunned at the attention to detail. As they neared the main door to the villa itself, they were startled as the door was opened quickly. A small middle-aged woman stood at the entrance staring at them in speculation.

"Sarah, I have our guests. Perhaps you can show them to their rooms while I bring in the baggage?" Lukas spoke in Greek to the woman who smiled at him and waved her hand in agreement.

Both Jace and Grace looked perplexed at the conversation going on before them. Surely it was rude to talk in a foreign tongue when they didn't understand a word?

"My dears welcome. Welcome to the Villa Xianthos. I see Catherine is not with you?" Sarah spoke warmly to the obviously travel weary women. Consty had not indicated that anyone else was going to arrive, only Catherine and she was not here yet!

Jace smiled wearily at the cheery woman who had welcomed them in English, her accent clearly English by descent. Sighing with relief, she went forward offering her hand in welcome.

"Catherine unfortunately is involved with a problem in New York. I'm Jace Warriorson. This is Grace Montgomery. We have come to help."

Sarah looked momentarily startled at the woman who held her hand in a firm grasp. "Catherine's Jace?" she whispered.

Laughing softly, "Yes, Catherine's Jace."

"My dear, what a surprise. ConstyÖConstantia will be so very happy you came. She wanted to meet you when Catherine talked about you and the children." Sarah was anxious to have the two women settled, enabling her to give the news to Consty. What a surprise indeed!

"I look forward to meeting Constantia as well. For the moment, would you mind showing us where we can freshen up?" Jace had seen that Grace was flagging again, knowing it wouldn't be long before her friend was asleep again.

"Forgive me my dear. I'm Sarah Rogers, Constantia's companion and housekeeper. I will show you to your rooms. You must both be tired. Perhaps after you have a nap, I will take you to see Constantia." Sarah pointed to the staircase, motioning them to follow.

"You okay Grace?" Jace asked her gently. She was certainly a little pale.

"A bed, shower, and sleep will work wonders Jace. You sound like a mother hen." Grace chuckled as she chucked Jace under the chin without force as she enthusiastically followed the older woman to their rooms.

"Then a bed, shower, and sleep is what you get Grace." Jace smiled, following them both, gazing with tired but interested eyes at the portraits and statues that adorned the staircase and hall. Something to look at later when she was more awake. Maybe one of the ancestors looked like Catherine?

As she mounted the stairs, Lukas Dimitrie watched her retreating back with a speculative gaze, then followed behind with the guest's bags.

Jason took a deep breath, knocking on the door. He didn't wait for a reply, opening it as he walked inside.

"What?" a low voice in the darkened room barked as the door opened and shed a little light, before its closure removed the glare.

"Catherine, it's me Jason." Bardley said with quiet confidence striding further into the room, banging his shin on the side of the desk in the darkness, causing him to curse quietly at his stupidity.

"Are you blind?" Catherine said shortly, hearing the noise and then the muffled expletive.

"No. No, I'm not. I don't have your powers of seeing in the dark, miscalculated the distance I guess." Jason rubbed the injured shin, waiting for her to answer as he looked towards the window where she stood, erect and silent.

Several minutes ticked by. Jason was about to try another subject matter when Catherine replied.

"I haven't any special powers, but I had a couple of years of knowing where every stick of furniture is without sight." Her voice held a bleakness he had never heard before!

"Catherine, I know I'm not Jace." He saw her back stiffen at the mention of his daughter's name. "I have that shoulder I once offered you, if you care to take it?" Jason spoke with compassion for her predicament. How did you ask a proud woman like this to admit a weakness? Even if it wouldn't be perceived as a weakness, in the circumstances.

"I miss them so much JasonÖ" Catherine sobbed, unable to help herself. Jason moved quickly to her side, tenderly pulling her into his solid shoulder as her sobs increased.

"I know you do Catherine. That's only natural." He soothed as he stroked the dark head of silky hair.

"You don't understand Jason. You don't understand!" she choked out as she tried and failed to compose herself.

"Then tell me?" he pleaded gently, continuing the stroking of the head on his shoulder. This had always worked with his eldest child, so why not her partner? She had, after all, been someone's child.

"I promised to take care of them, Jace and the children. Look what happens if they live with me, only pain and sorrow." Catherine mumbled into his jacket.

Jason didn't understand. That was true. How had she failed in taking care of them? Surely she had done everything possible. "You can't blame yourself for all the crazies in this world Catherine. There will always be an element of danger in the way all our lives are lived."

"No! No Jason, I'm responsible. I've always been responsible. If they had never known me, this wouldn't be happening!" Catherine pulled out of the loose embrace, scrubbing a hand over her wet cheeks and eyes.

Jason waited a moment or two before he answered. Then, as he saw her straighten and compose herself fractionally, he replied. "Catherine if they hadn't known you what would their lives be like now? Where would they be?"

Catherine felt like she was having a conversation with Grace, with her attempts at wisdom. Jace's dad, it would seem, was a talker also.

"I don't quite know what you mean?" Catherine asked, her voice a mere croak. Tears still cascaded her cheeks. For some reason, she just couldn't stop them.

"Let me pose a scenario to you Catherine." He looked at her in the dim light from the moon, spreading it's natural light through the window.

"I've had my fill of scenarios Jason." Catherine replied with a harsh timbre.

Not to be shaken from his ultimate goal he persisted. "If Jace hadn't known you Catherine, she would still be working at UCP. Oblivious of the person, who could make her the happiest woman in the world, regardless of the adversities they've encountered. There would have been no Elena to give you so much joy. No family bonding that has taken place with Jake and Lisa. No reason to feel the pain you do now because you allowed yourself to love them Catherine. Would you want to deprive them and you of all the wonderful moments you have shared? WILL still share together, because you feel responsible for crazy people in this world?"

Catherine listened intently to his words as they delved into the deepest recesses of her mind. Gazing out of the window, fleeting memories passed before her and words from a song echoed in her head.
 

Forgive Me

(Chorus)

How do you forgive me baby, I let you down so drastically.
You came to me innocently and all I did was make you regret you ever met me!
I'm no saint I made mistakes. But I thought you coming to me, I could make the break.
Then be that place you seek, to keep you safe.
I would look into your face and see the love we share shining clear.
How can your eyes look into mine, and not see the shame that lies behind.

(Chorus)

I promised you the earth, from within this heart that beat only for you.
Yet here I am so insecure, because I've let you down once more.
You let me have the helm my love, to steer our ship at sea.
All I did was crash it upon the rocks ignoring your pleas.

(Chorus)

I'm to blame, at fault it seems, as our love flounders needlessly.
No defense will allow me to see the love you still have for me glowing brightly for all to see.
I lay my vulnerable soul for you to decide if it's worth the pain.

(Chorus)

Gazing into those beautiful eyes that will always be, the beacon beckoning me home.
I see it all, for you have shown there is no regret.
You will love me through eternity.

"I need to call Jace and advise her of the unhappy news. Would you stay with me as I make the call?" Catherine asked tentatively. For some reason, it brought her a little comfort to have her partner's father with her at this time. Odd really, for she had never felt like she wanted to be close to anyone but Jace, very odd indeed.

"Of course I will Catherine. You never needed to ask." He smiled warmly at her as she turned towards the desk, flicked on the lamp that brought a shaft of light into the room, illuminating that particular corner.

Catherine pressed the short code to connect to Jace's cell phone, waiting anxiously for the pick up.

Clarissa Hudson gazed around the small room of the derelict villa with an evil glint in her eyes. They had a demonic look, the darkening irises that the coloured contact lenses gave the eyes an even more menacing penetration.

The villa was situated five miles from the main town, surrounded by overgrown shrubs also trees that obscured the building from the general view from the road that passed alongside. It was an ideal spot to carry out her plans to the fullest! Even Mother Spiros probably didn't know about this little hellhole. All things were progressing as planned; the additional information she had gleaned from her ëdate' this evening had been the icing on the cake.

The redoubtable Ms. Bardley was about to enter the fray. How deliciously wonderful that prospect was, to see the whole clan together again. All that was needed was that irritating Peter Adamson to enter the scene then they had one happy family.

A cackling laugh echoed around the barren virtually empty room, which had a broken chair strewn in a corner. Several branches had flown in through the broken windows from the nearby trees giving it a wild desolate look.

Walking around the room, she side-stepped the debris on the floor, as she looked out at the sunrise. The multiple shades that to her were merely a mixture of colour's, nothing to write home about in her eyes. Damn poets and artists, who made big bucks from stupid sentiment.

Hudson placed her hand on the revolver at her side, smiling evilly as she watched the sunrise a little more, watching the blue skies heralding another day.

"Perhaps today was the day? Yeah, today could well be the day, nothing like an early start to make it even more spectacular!" Hudson spoke in a controlled yet totally devoid of emotion tone. If there had been anyone else in the room they would have felt the chill settle uncomfortably in their bones.

As she moved away from the scene, idly fingering the steel barrel of the gun in her pocket through the thin jacket she was wearing to ward of the slight dampness of the early morning. Disregarding the heat, she found there. Her eyes then strayed to the open doorway of the room that was virtual darkness and would remain so. Finally closing in on a shape that appeared to be a large tree truck in the dim recess. Hudson moved closer, peered for a final time at her prize of the evening, and sniggered as she saw the blood that seeped from two wounds.

Her laughter could only be described as insane, as she winked at the body on the floor, pain and surprise etched forever on the victim's face would now never be revealed to anyone but the person who had inflicted death.

"You know sometimes we women are crazy too! Next time you will think twice, before you try to get into someone's bed Detective Kelsey. Ah, but I forget you can't anymore! Kind of blew your equipment away along with that cold heart of yours. Makes it a little difficult wouldn't you say?" Hudson spoke as if the dead man would answer her. He lay silent, only the slight breeze sending faint traces of rustling through leaves on branches in the trees around them.

Turning abruptly Hudson dismissed the dead man as a job well done and walked out of the villa. Collecting along the way the buggy, she had used to entice the detective to the area. Pushing it along into the dense trees making sure that she wasn't observed. She switched on the ignition, driving off in the opposite direction of the town. The hills in the distance displaying her next target the outline of the villa Xianthos.

Colin speculated at the message from security that an unexpected visitor had arrived, wanting to speak to Jace Adamson! He had pulled at the day old stubble on his chin, surely there could only be one person who would have made such a request.

Looking towards the main house with the lights reflecting the comfort and security that housed the family, well most of it at any rate. Except of course, the person that this unknown visitor wanted to see.

He had not heard from Grace, which worried him a little, although she appeared to give off the aura that she was super woman sometimes. In truth, he felt that she was! She certainly was when it came to being the listening ear for the two women who lived with their family at the main house.

Therefore, it looked like trouble was brewing again in this area! Damn fine time to choose with the current tragic events already pulling them apart.

He had known Catherine Warriorson for over seven years now. She was a fine woman in everyway! Perhaps a little sullen, certainly making her few words count. She was a person that you found hard to ignore even if you hated her. He did not. He loved the woman.

Then there was the magic woman called Jace, who had bounced into their lonely world here on Destiny. The whole place, including every single resident on it, miraculously ignited with vibrant life. He would never have suspected that one life could affect so many. In numerous ways, they cascaded around you like a shower of stars in the heavens.

"I really don't like horses Colin." Jace said quietly as she watched Jake and Lisa amble around the paddock as she watched from her safe distance behind the strong fence.

Colin Montgomery smiled wryly, turning his head a fraction to see her gentle repose leaning at the fence pensively watching the children exercise their respective mounts.

Clearing his throat he asked the pertinent question. "Why would that be Jace?" admittedly she was close to giving birth so that was a valid reason but her inflection in the words told another story.

Jace looked startled at his question although she shouldn't have been, it was a perfectly valid one.

"The horses are so big, Colin. You could hurt yourself badly, I assume if you fall. They have suchÖsuch large teeth too!" Jace explained as her expressive eyes widened when she mentioned the teeth.

Colin had to stifle a laugh as he kept his eyes glued on the children to prevent the woman beside him seeing the mirth in his eyes. "Have you ever been near a horse Jace?"

"Oh no! Why ever would I do such a thing?" her voice aghast at the very suggestion.

"I just wondered, with Catherine being so fond of them, the children obviously following suit, then again coming from California I guessÖ" he trailed off waiting as she raised a hand at the remark.

"We have some wonderful horses and excellent stables in California Colin. I hope you haven't been listening to Catherine and her smart remarks about my place of birth?" Jace said peeved that he thought her home State was inferior in any way it wasn't true!

"Hey, sorry Jace no disrespect I do know that there is good horse flesh in your State." Colin apologised. Silently observing the antics of the two riders in the paddock they were naturals even Lisa!

Jace wondered not for the first time why horses, which were such wonderful creatures, scared her. It was something she was not likely to get over. An experience she would pass thanks.

"They all love it though don't they?" Jace said wistfully knowing that it would be a part of Catherine and the children's lives she could never understand or participate in.

"Yes, yes they do. If Catherine has anything to do with it the new addition to the family will be on a horse by the time she's walking." Colin smiled at the shocked expression that crossed the small blonde's face.

Jace placed a protective hand on her swelling stomach, shaking her head at the comment. ëNo way! Not if I can help it.'

Striding towards the Landrover, he glanced again at the peaceful setting of the house and frowned.

"Yep, that's the way it's going to stay here, peaceful. No interloper is going to cause trouble while I'm in charge, especially not for Jace Warriorson. No sir!" He said to the gathering gloom as he opened the vehicle door, vaulting inside.

"It's been three hours. We still haven't come across anything that could make any of these notes change the situation!" Constance dejectedly said to the people sharing the dining table with her, the scattered notes and reports that Dusterly had deposited for them to go over in detail.

Serena Dusterly scraped back her chair running a hand through her hair in agitation, the woman was right!

Rita Tuscany was still pouring over the last notes that had been taken only days ago. Clare was leaning back in her chair her eyes closed in exhaustion. They had found nothing, nothing at all!

It was now four a.m. Without a miracle, it looked like they would be thwarted in their plan to rescue Catherine Devonshire's eldest daughter.

Jason Bardley had told them two hours ago that Catherine needed some time on her own and that she would be out shortly. He had left soon after. Constance had wanted to go see how she was doing an hour before, but the housekeeper had held her back saying that she was drinking tea. It was not wise to interrupt her at this time.

Stephanie Merchant had seen the tears that her employer wanted to hide from everyone, very clear that she was struggling to restore her composure. Until she did, she would not come out of the study. The woman was suffering enough. She didn't need these people to see her break down as well.

Rita scanned several notations, then her eyes rested on a particular note. She went further and then turned back to the note. Something triggered in her mind, but she did not know what. Damn, when you need it the most, it doesn't work to your advantage!

Clare opened her eyes looking around the room sighing heavily.

"Anyone want a drink?" she asked quietly. They had been plied with beverages since they arrived. She suspected they were all awash with coffee, she certainly was. It was just something to do!

"Not for me thanks." Constance and Serena replied in unison. Both women turned to the other, then as quickly, they turned away as they saw the veiled irritation that for once they had agreed on something tonight.

Clare smiled briefly at the two apparently antagonistic women and shifted her gaze to Rita, who was looking puzzled.

"What about a drink for you Rita?" Clare asked again clearly, watching as her friend muttered something unintelligible, appearing to ignore the question. Maybe she'd found something.

Walking over to her position at the table, she touched Rita's shoulder to attract her attention. The other woman's head shot up in reaction with the far off look in her eyes. It was clear to see that she wasn't with the conversation.

"Rita have you found something of interest?" Clare asked her softly, rewarded by a half smile from Rita.

"IÖI'm not exactly sure Clare. Would you go over this particular note then back track a few pages and then read it again? Tell me what you think?" Rita responded, hoping that perhaps the niggle that was in her mind would manifest itself in Clare's. Between them, they could either discard it as irrelevant or take it further.

"Okay." Clare replied, sitting down next to Rita and picking up the sheaf of notes that she indicated.

Isn't it strange how you can know someone for years, even think that you know them. Then suddenly, an event occurs that makes you realise that there are still things to learn. Dave, I've always known, was left handed, but never did I realise that he had difficulty in deciphering left from right. That was until today, he made us take the wrong turn. It was kind of embarrassing for us both as it was a one way street and the cops were in evidence.

Clare smiled at the seemingly personal anecdote going forward to the next set of notes that detailed the whereabouts of the farm, also the grid references etc. Then, she read the previous note again, put down the sheets of paper staring at Rita, spreading her hands on the table concentrating.

"What do you think Clare?" Rita asked as she saw her friend frown for the third time, tapping her fingers on the table in a rapid staccato rhythm.

"Mmm, I don't exactly know, it's almost like it should be significant. But then again, it's more like a personal note, nothing to tie it up with the details of the case." Clare reluctantly admitted, although it did seem odd. Perhaps they should ask Serena? She was in the same room. It made sense!

"Ms Dusterly?" Clare spoke clearly, almost laughing at the sudden movement in her direction by both Dusterly and Constance. For some reason, these two had decided that they would do everything together.

Serena glared at Constance who took up a protective position behind Clare's chair so that she had to stand uncomfortably at the side. This woman was getting on her nerves!

"Yes Ms. Fallon, how can I help?" Serena asked quietly, watching her pick up the notes then handing them to her for her perusal.

"Would you read this please? Perhaps explain to Rita and I, why you thought it useful to write this note down within your case notes? It appears a personal note only." Clare asked, intent on knowing the answer now that she'd broached it.

Serena glanced at the note, shaking her head. "It was a personal note, nothing more significant. A reminder really. It cost me fifty dollars that day."

Constance looked down at Clare, but could only see the top of her head. What was in the note? She wanted to know too!

"If you wouldn't mind?" Constance held out her hand for the note. Serena was tempted to tell the woman to go to hell, tear it to shreds, but a voice from the doorway drew all their attention immediately.

"No! Ms. Dusterly read the note. Let me hear it too." Catherine asked authoritatively from the doorway. No one had heard her enter the room. She walked confidently towards them, showing none of the grief and pain she held in heavy check. She waited for the note to be read out loud to everyone now that she had intervened, as she went further into the room.

Serena looked at her and saw the blank look in ice blue eyes that simply requested information.

"Isn't it strange how you can know someone for yearsÖand the cops were in evidence." Serena quickly narrated the note, waiting for comments.

Catherine stroked her scarred cheek in absent contemplation of the note. Clare looked up at Constance shrugging her shoulders. Rita still had the quizzical look on her face as she tried once again to catch the thought that would make sense of it to her. She needed a trigger, that was all.

After several minutes of silence, a quiet contemplative voice asked. "Who gave you the co-ordinates to the farm Ms. Dusterly?"

Before Serena could answer the question, Rita jumped excitedly out of her seat. "That's it! That's it exactly. Hell and damnation, that's it!"

All eyes in the room went to the excited woman who was jumping about the room. She really was!

"Rita! Rita Tuscany." Catherine raised her voice fractionally, but it did have the desired effect on the smiling woman.

"I'm sorry Ms. Devonshire, but that's it! Don't you see?" she said, her voice bubbling with the excitement she felt. For it had to be the answer, it had to be!

Catherine smiled, her own heart faltering at the words. If only that could be true. "That would be what exactly, Rita?"

All eyes in the room again moved in her direction. She looked at everyone in turn before she swallowed heavily. Maybe it wasn't the answer? Yes, it had to be. It had to be!

"Ms. Dusterly, who gave you the directions to the farm?" Rita asked tentatively.

"Well, my informant of course. I've known him for yearsÖ" she trailed off.

Growing in confidence at the remark, Rita continued. "So, it was your informant who gave you the directions. Had you actually been to the farm yourself?"

"No, I had total confidence in him. He had never been wrong, never!" Serena spoke with a defiant defence of her friend.

"Ms. Dusterly, is your informant Dave?" Rita stated boldly, waiting for the answer. It was customary never to divulge who your informants were in any circumstances.

Serena looked around the room committing every expression on each face to memory, particularly the one on Catherine Devonshire's face. It was a look of hope, which would challenge the depths of hell for the kernel to develop into a miracle.

"Yes, Dave is the informant." Serena finally admitted.

"Call him! Check what we know of the farm with the details he recalls from his recognisance to the area." Catherine spoke with a focus she hadn't had for some time. It was up to her to stop this dallying. Her one mission was to bring her daughter home safe. She knew that the only way was to be the C. X. Devonshire everyone knew and hated. Her little girl would expect no less. Sentiment had to be a secondary emotion in this now. The bitch was back!

"He might be in bed, I've never called him at thisÖ" Serena feebly said as her tired mind tried to assimilate what was going on here.

"Do it!" Catherine said caustically. Serena quickly headed for the phone.

Rita smiled at the words, "Yep, the boss was back in harness. Now let's see the job done properly."

"Clare, set up the computer in my study to download the current information. Get ready to pose the machine an alternative scenario if the some or all of the left turns were right and vice-versa."

"On my way." Clare said as she pushed back the chair to leave the room.

"Constance, you go with Clare. Double check every scenario. I want to know if there is another farmhouse! You have half an hour to complete the scenarios, then I want the results. You got me?" Catherine said forcibly.

"I'm gone." Constance said, following Clare to the study.

"What about me?" Rita asked tentatively, not wanting to be left out of the situation.

Catherine looked at her for several moments noting the worried expression in her face. Smiling slightly, she beckoned her over to the seat at her side.

Rita quickly did so as Catherine smirked ever so slightly, ëOh I could have some fun here, but no. No, Jace would kill me.'

"I hear that you are planning to get married?" Catherine asked. Only years of not showing her feelings stopped her from laughing at the shocked expression on Rita's face.
 
 

Jace watched the small sailing craft float on the bay that was in view from the balcony. Smiling as she saw the wind surfers fall, some sooner than others, into the gentle blue waters. She could see why this had been a wonderful location for a villa. The ancestors of her partner had lived and died here! How romantic a setting it was, hopefully would always be.

The sound of wheels on the marble surface brought her attention around quickly, watching a woman wheel herself confidently into the balcony area.

If Jace had not known better, she would have said this could be Catherine, but a Catherine forty years on! Therefore, her partner might look like this at seventy plus. Wow! She would still exude that aura of power as this woman did.

"Ms. Xianthos?" Jace asked in a polite tone.

Constantia looked at the small blonde and smiled at her politely. She had expected something different. Although what, she didn't know. "You are?" Sarah had already described the two visitors, so she knew who this was.

"I'm sorry. Jace Warriorson." Jace replied, completely mesmerised by the ice blue eyes that mirrored her partners. Oh god Catherine, you are here with me all the time!

"Catherine's?" Constantia was at a loss, it didn't seem appropriate to call her wife.

Jace saw the perplexed expression. Taking pity on the older woman, "Catherine is my good friend and myÖpartner."

"Yes, thank you." Constantia was impressed at the astute way this woman had responded to her inability to accept the facts.

"You said it was important that Catherine visit now. She can't, but I decided that help from her partner might be welcomed instead?" Jace asked quietly, waiting for the hawk like appraisal she was receiving to complete its cycle, so like Catherine.

"May I ask why she can't?" Constantia said, wishing she hadn't when she saw the complete change in expression on the young woman's face. It went from friendly interest to complete desolation.

Jace turned her back on Catherine's Aunt, staring over the peaceful bay as she gathered her thoughts. Gulping in several breaths of air, she eventually composed herself enough to answer.

"Did Catherine mention we have children? Jace finally expressed.

Constantia looked at the rigid back of the blonde. She could see her body reacting to her emotions. "Yes, yes she did. You have three children I believe?"

"Yes, yes we do have three children. We will always have three children. Catherine promised me!" Jace uttered the words without thought that someone else was listening.

Constantia heard the anguish and pain in the words, moving closer to the balcony railing that this petite woman was leaning on.

"Catherine loves them, as she loves you." Constantia said quietly also looking over the tranquil bay.

"Catherine is wonderful. She loves us all, will go to the ends of the earth to make sure we are happy and safe!" Jace replied in a thick voice.

Constantia smiled at the words. It was just so right to hear them with regard to her niece. At last, Catherine had found true love, a meeting of souls.

"Tell me what's wrong?"

Jace heard the simple yet gentle words and was unable to help the sob that passed her lips at the statement.

Turning around to face the older wheelchair bound woman, she smiled through the tears that fell unashamedly. "LisaÖLisa was abducted several days ago. Catherine is looking for her. She won't come home until she finds her!"

Constantia felt the pain and the strength behind the words. It was as it should be! "Jace, how about you come down to my level, let a member of the family give you comfort?"

Jace sobbed a heavy sound that reverberated around the quiet balcony area, without thought flung herself into the open arms of Catherine's aunt. It seemed so right!

James Thompson knocked on the door of Kelsey's room for what seemed like the hundredth time. ëWas the man deaf?'

It was now ten in the morning. They had agreed yesterday that they would visit Catherine's family and also be available when Jace came to the island. Catherine had been very specific that they were at Jace's whim, whatever that might be!

He considered his choice of words, smiling as he pictured Jace as the dominant force in the relationship. Then again, she wasn't at all. It was just that they loved each other enough to give the other all control over their lives, a true matching of souls.

Pounding once more on the door, he was surprised when the cleaning maid stopped at the side of him, smiling indulgently.

Obviously not able to speak English, the maid indicated the door holding out a passkey.

James could not let it pass. He nodded his head allowing the small woman to come close to the door, opening it.

"Thanks." He said, as she went inside the room shouting room service. There was no answering grunt or reply as James had expected.

Walking in behind her, he noticed the strewn clothes of the previous day. The room did not look any different. As he went closer, he saw the bed all made up, obviously never slept in. He had concluded that Kelsey had stayed the night elsewhere! God knows when he would return.

Turning to the woman, he placed a few drachmas in her hand as he left. He would go to the Villa Xianthos alone. What else could he do?

Catherine stood at the picture window contemplating her actions of late! Had she really brought all this upon their heads? It was easy to blame herself, she would and did. In her heart, she knew that was wrong. If memories of the last three years were transferred to a picture book then she knew deep in her heart that her memories would primarily be happy ones. She was certain of that fact.

What did it take in this life to be happy for longer than a few months? My God, but she tempted fate when she told Grace those few short months ago that she was bored, wanting something exciting to happen in her life.

Happen! It had more than happened, it had jumped out and punched her full in the face. She was now reeling as a boxer would who has been given the potential fatal final punch! Had she never learned anything in her thirty-eight years? Apparently not!

Rita Tuscany watched the facial expressions flitter across the woman who commanded a huge business empire seemingly invulnerable, but was now as vulnerable as the beggar on the street. It was always strange when you considered life generally. It had a way of making the playing field level for everyone, at some stage in their lives, even if it was the final breath they took in this life.

"Would you like me to fetch you some tea?" Rita finally asked tentatively.

Catherine heard the question, wanting nothing more than to turn the table back to her conversation with Grace. Rejoicing in her quiet existence, none of the current events would be happening, perhaps never would. They say all actions have consequences. Well, her words certainly magnified that saying a thousand-fold.

"Thanks Rita, but Stephanie is sleeping, I don't want her disturbed. She's been awake longer than I have I suspect." Catherine softly answered the question.

"No problem there. You forget my mother's legacy." Smiling, she went out of the room heading towards the kitchen.

Catherine considered those few innocent words, ëmy mother's legacy'.

ëGod mother, if only I did have the powers you possessed. Perhaps I wouldn't be floundering here. My daughter would be home safe, not in the clutches of some maniac.' A sob escaped her lips. She couldn't prevent it as tears she'd held back, flowed freely down her cheeks.

"Ms. Devonshire, we have the results of the computer simulations." Clare said quietly as she headed the three-woman team that came back from the study. Constance and Serena had buried the hatchet with the news that they had from the computer information.

Catherine quickly composed herself gasping in a deep gulp of air. She scrubbed her hand across her eyes to remove the ravages of the tears as best she could.

"That would be what exactly?" Catherine's voice strong, controlled, totally in charge.

Clare looked at Serena and Constance, both nodded for her to continue.

"We changed all the right turns for left, made several simulations. As amazing as it seems, there is another farmhouse twenty miles further south than the one we visited. It hasn't been lived in for over ten years. When the old farmer died, the old man's nephew refused to sell it at a rock bottom price. It fits all of Serena's facts, all of them!" Clare was excited, in fact they all were. It was the break, the miracle they had hoped for.

Catherine was tempted to run to the car head for the farm without haste, but this time she wanted to know if there was a possibility of any error.

"How can you be so sure? We had that the last time." Catherine turned her glacial gaze towards Serena Dusterly who stood her ground admirably under the cold stare.

"I must have made the notation about Dave's problem because I realised that potentially if he was giving directions in the future, I would double check everything. I failed you, for I never checked thoroughly. It never crossed my mind that there was a farmhouse that fitted the description at the end of the road. I would understand if you didn't want me to go with you this time." Deep down, Dusterly was champing at the bit to go. It was her case, her facts. She knew it was right. She had always known.

Catherine watched the woman. Years of practise in boardroom skirmishes made her an expert in deduction when someone believed implicitly in their cause.

"We all make mistakes Dusterly. To be honest, I would probably have done the same as would all in this room, if they were frank with themselves. Guess some of us need more than a second chance."

The door opened. Rita walked in with a tray laden with tea, coffee, and small sandwiches, smiling at the others in the room.

"Anyone for a break?"

"No!" Catherine announced and walked quickly towards the doorway that held the other four women.

"We have a child to rescue. Let's get this show on the road. Dusterly you can drive me. Rita pack up the sandwiches. Find a flask out of the cupboard and put the coffee in that. We might need it. Constance, you and Clare go in the other vehicle! Head off now!" As the words were issued in a speed that she was noted for, the others all retreated to do as she bid.

As Catherine went to her study, she picked up the cell phone and glanced at the happy faces in the portraits on her desk. "Yes, she's coming home!" her voice echoed in the room as she scribbled a note for Stephanie, pinning it on the door of the kitchen.

Rita was coming out of the kitchen, her hands laden with the items as requested. "I've brought some juice for Lisa too." She quietly said as she headed towards the door, to the waiting car with Serena Dusterly.

Catherine was momentarily stunned at the comment. It had been uttered so confidently. Turning, she strode after Rita, who was about to close the door as the elevator door opened. Rita jumped in holding the button, waiting for Catherine.

"Give me a minute Rita." Catherine announced, stepping back into the apartment.

Two minutes later, they were travelling down in the elevator towards the lobby and Dusterly. Rita glanced at the items held securely and tenderly in the hands of the tall dark woman, who had a far off look in her eyes. Catherine held a bedraggled looking rag doll that had seen better times and a rather scruffy looking soft toy dog.

Catherine looked up at that moment and saw the other woman glance at the toys in her hands. "Lisa will want her friends too. She never goes anywhere without her rag doll and Blacky."

Rita could do nothing but smile weakly, nodding her head. As she turned away, a single tear dropped onto her cheek at the quiet admission from her employer.

Jace sat watching the bobbing sailboats on the horizon at least that's the way it looked to her.

Grace was sipping orange juice, basking in the sun that beat down upon them even within the shade of the balcony. She was wearing shorts and a loose fitting cotton blouse that looked eminently comfortable.

"I could get used to this Jace." Grace remarked idly as she twirled the glass of ice-cold juice in her hands, feeling the moisture on the outside as the cold of the glass was subjected to the heat of the late morning sunlight.

"Yes you could Grace. It's like the perfect holiday destination, a beautiful place to stay, spectacular views, with the calmness of the sea around you. A place depicting peace, wouldn't you agree?" Jace said wistfully as her eyes scanned the area around them.

"Yep, I certainly would. It's a very good holiday destination I'd say." Grace smiled at the blonde, who had a far away look in her eyes. That could only mean she was thinking about Catherine and the kids.

Jace looked around her absorbing all the facets of the building. To her eye, the natural surroundings felt as if this was coming home! Strange really, but she did. The place called to the very depths of her soul. She had to talk to Catherine about this to find out what her reaction had been to the villa.

"You sound preoccupied." Grace said a little louder as she saw the concentration on her friend's face.

"I'm sorry Grace!" Jace quickly retorted as her mind focused on her friend.

Before Grace could ask what the problem was, Lukas Dimitrie and Sara Rogers walked into the balcony area. Both women glanced up at them, smiling.

"I see you have rested well." Sara said with a happy lilt to her voice, sitting down next to Grace in the chair that was free. Lukas looked around for something to sit on, pulling up a wrought iron chair from the bistro table and sat next to Jace.

"Yes we are. Thank you Sara. Is Constantia going to join us?" Jace asked the pleasant English woman, rewarded with a sunny smile at her question.

"Constantia will be along shortly. We are waiting for another to join our little party. She will be here very soon." Sara spoke with a conspiratorial wink.

Grace laughed softly at the woman's expression. "Sara, are we in the middle of a James Bond movie?"

Sara turned to the woman at her side and saw the merriment reflected there. If only it was a movie. Serious eyes reflected back at Grace as she shook her head.

"My dear, how I wish that were so." The words expressed with a low sigh.

"What's wrong Sara?" Grace asked with sympathy. The woman looked upset and grace was feeling somewhat responsible.

Lukas replied on her behalf. "Sara is worried about Constantia, as I am too. We are worried for her safety. When she arrives with our other guest, all will be revealed."

"Her safety? So there is danger here?" Jace spoke up, her eyes taking on a sparkle as she looked at the man at her side with a puzzled frown.

"To Constantia we believe yes, but to no one else, so you have no need to worry." Lukas said with confidence.

Jace looked over at Grace who raised her eyebrows at the last comment from the man. He didn't know what they knew obviously.

"There is a detective and a friend of ours that Catherine personally sent, on the Island. I think we need to have them here as well." Jace said decisively. She was sure that was what Catherine would do!

Lukas turned to the blonde American at his side. She was beautiful in an understated way. He knew from Constantia that this was the ëwife' of her niece.  He had been surprised, wondering how she lived with the niece of his godmother. She had seemed such a dour person, very focused, not a person to love easily.

"Would that be detective Kelsey and a Mr. Thompson?" Lukas replied, pleased when the blonde looked surprised.

"He had contacted us requesting a meeting early this morning. They did not arrive." His tone was mildly scathing at the apparent disregard to an appointment.

Grace looked at Sara who was wringing her hands looking pensive. Then, she jumped up announcing she would bring tea and coffee. It made Grace smile inwardly at the action, guess all housekeepers did the same thing. Had not she on numerous occasions done the same when Catherine had been difficult or a situation presented itself that was not easy to explain.

Sara did not give anyone a chance to answer, leaving the balcony immediately. Lukas shrugged his shoulders. "The English think tea is the answer to everything."

Jace had to laugh as did Grace, both turning to each other as they did so. "Believe me Mr. Dimitrie, it is in our household." Jace said as her laughter bubbled, recalling the numerous times it soothed her partner.

"You are an advocate of tea?" Lukas asked, surprised at the American. He had always thought they preferred coffee.

"When you live with a member of theÖXianthos family for any length of time, you realise that tea is something you never run out of. I take it that Constantia did not take up that particular trait when she lived in England?"  Jace smiled at the man, her face alive with interest.

Lukas stood up from his chair striding over to the balcony leaning upon it and smiled at the blue sea before him. They were alike, it would seem.

"Alas, I live with two women who require that particular beverage, for yes Constantia does indulge the traditional English tea drinking. Believe me, when it is a true afternoon tea session you are loathe to disturb them!" Dimitrie spoke with quiet affection and indulgence.

Both women heard the inflection warming to the man. Perhaps he was not as stuffy as he appeared, merely cautious, which wasn't a bad thing. With the sound of his voice on that last conversation, it was clear to anyone that he loved both women.

"Then Lukas, it appears you have joined this exclusive club called, ëwe might not understand the tea drinking, but we love the people who do!' Will that about sum it up?" Jace's voice held an indulgent tone as she quietly said the words.

"I like that. Yes, it is an exclusive club. He answered absently. It wouldn't be the same around here if that didn't happen.

The inner door opened as Constantia Xianthos wheeled her chair inside, followed by a pretty woman who looked Greek.

"Ah, I see we are all present, except forÖSara. Where is Sara?" Constantia asked quickly.

"Making tea." All three announced. Constantia chuckled at the chorus.

"I see. Well, that is wonderful. Tea is very good for this situation." Constantia remarked as she wheeled forward settling herself next to the bistro table. The others could only smile as they waited for the return of Sara, with that wonderful beverage called tea!

The car was travelling too slowly for Catherine as she drummed her fingers on the dashboard. Couldn't the woman drive any faster? now wasn't the time to keep to the speed limit!

"Can't you go any faster?" She finally asked irritated as her fingers drummed even faster on the plastic of the fascia.

Serena rolled her eyes at the comment. She was certainly aggravated by the fingers tapping out a drum roll, pretty certain that Rita Tuscany in the seat behind her was equally annoyed. But, what did you say in the circumstances?

"I'm already driving twenty miles over the current speed limit. What would it gain if we were stopped by the cops now?" Serena patiently pointed out.

Catherine sighed heavily, her eyes gazing at the dark sky and seeing the first tinges of the darkness becoming lighter as the sunrise beckoned.

"How far do we have to go now?" Catherine's fingers ceased the absent fingering of the ears of the soft toy dog Blacky.

"Another half hour. We should arrive there by five a.m. Ö" Serena glanced at the profile of the woman at her side and saw a brief scowl appear on her face. Seeing the look, she put her foot down a little more. What the hell did it matter if she got another ticket!

Rita had watched the brief exchange and once again found tears close as she saw the instinctive tender touch of long tapered fingers over the dog. Then, they started gently smoothing down the chequered dress on the rag doll. It was handmade, looking as if it had been through lots of adventures, if the worn look was anything to go by.

"Ms. Devonshire, does the rag doll have a name?" Rita asked softly, stunned when ice blue eyes she could barely see in the gloom pierced hers immediately at the question.

Catherine was about to ignore the question, when she considered it carefully. A memory flooded her of that very question being asked at home, in the early days when Jace came home to them.

"Lisa does she have a name?" Jace asked as she watched the child arrange the rag doll on a small chair opposite Blacky ready for a tea party.

Lisa looked up with clear blue eyes that reminded Jace of the colour of the sky on a beautiful sunny day, just like today in fact. Smiling the redhead shook her head. "No Jace she doesn't."

The child then went back to pouring a fictional cup of tea or coffee into the small cups.

"Didn't you want to name her when your mother gave her to you?" Jace persisted it was rather unusual for a child not to name this type of possession, especially one that the child adored.

"I was too young to name her Jace, I was only a baby." Lisa said with a half smile of indulgence to the adult towering over her. Sometimes adults didn't understand these things very well.

Jace could only nod her head stroking her chin at the comment. "What about when you were old enough to name her?"

Lisa looked at Jace frowning; she had explained the situation hadn't she. "She was called rag doll by then Jace, she wouldn't have liked to have her name changed, would you?"

Jace laughed softly as she considered the child's logic; surprisingly enough it was quite logical.

"No, no I wouldn't Lisa, thank you for explaining that to me." Jace said quietly and was rewarded with a smile from the girl.

"Would you like to join us for tea, Jace?" Lisa asked her pointing to the empty space on the floor between the rag doll and Blacky.

Jace smiled indulgently at the child sadly shaking her head, "sorry Lisa but if I went down on the floor I'd never get up." Jace patted her protruding stomach she was now eight months pregnant it would have been difficult.

"That's not a problem Catherine can help you up can't you?" Lisa said, glancing at the doorway.

"Yes I can." Catherine said softly rewarded for her offer as Lisa rushed over to tug her further into the room.

"You had better sit with us too then Catherine." Lisa smugly replied as she dragged a bemused woman across the floor to the party.

"No, no Rita she doesn't have a name or rather her name is simply, rag doll." Catherine replied, gazing down at the small object in her hand. Soon now, they would all be reunited!

Fatama Spiros had watched her daughter leave the villa before breakfast. She had taken her motorcycle. Why a daughter of hers needed such a monstrous machine was beyond her, but then again, Althea was no longer the obedient child she had brought up. It was as the foreigner said, "her daughter was working with the other side." A friend of hers had inadvertently mentioned she had seen Althea being escorted to the villa gates by Lukas Dimitrie. They had looked very friendly.

Clauser was right that they needed to eliminate all those who would not go along with the plans to kill Constantia Xianthos. Even if it happened to include her daughter, it was just a casualty of the situation. As in any war, there are innocents who will die.

Now where was Clauser? She had promised to have news, even indicated it would be good news too!

George too, had been absent this morning. He had not been home according to Sofia the maid. His bed remained tidy. He really must settle down, marry the daughter of her old friend Maria Samos. She had a good background. Being the only daughter of the Samos family, her dowry would be substantial. Her father was after all, the only lawyer on the Island. Perhaps she was a little plain for George's usual taste, but he only ever seemed to go for the blonde foreigners that would not be a suitable match. A foreignerÖ no, not suitable at all!

The door to the breakfast area opened as Sally Clauser walked in confidently. It was as if she owned the villa when she was only an invited guest, tolerated at the very best.

"Miss Clauser, I expected you earlier." Fatama spoke with a stern inflection. She did not like to be kept waiting.

The visitor deposited herself demurely in the chair opposite the older woman and picked up a slice of melon that was part of the breakfast leavings.

Fatama watched her with dislike. The woman had no manners!

"Ah, but I had business to attend to Fatama. It was good business, too. Something that has been a thorn in my side for too long, shall we say." Clauser smiled wickedly at the old woman. She knew that Fatama hated to be kept waiting. Certainly, she would not care for her taking the melon without asking. That was one of the reason's she'd delayed her visit and for the hell of it, ate the melon. She could murder a coffee. She had to stop herself from laughing at the words in her head, how very appropriate.

"Did this business have anything to do with our plans?" Fatama had seen the mad gleam light up in her eyes. She was evil. There was no other word for her.

Sally Clauser looked directly into the dark eyes of the Greek. They were a well-matched pair for the plans to kill off the Xianthos seed. Pity she hadn't thought of it two years ago. Then she would still be running UCP, but without the watchful eye of Catherine Devonshire. That expression made her laugh as well as she thought about the pun, must be a good day for her today.

"As it happens, yes it did have a little to do with our plans, but in a positive way. Guess who's on the Island now?" Clauser asked the woman, closely scrutinising her expression as she merely inclined her head for her to continue.

"None other than Jace Warriorson, the lover of Catherine Warriorson, the niece of Constantia." Clauser smirked at the look of complete distaste that comment had on the old woman.

"I do not agree with such an association. It is as well that sheës here. We can remove her from the picture, too." Fatama spoke decisively. That was not a relationship! That was an abomination of what the Lord had decreed!

"That can be arranged. How about a coffee? It's been thirsty work already today. Now that we have them all together, I think today is the day. What do you think?"

"I will summon coffee for you. There is one other thing though." Fatama resigned herself to advising this woman of her daughter's duplicity.

"Yep, what's that?" as she selected a Danish pastry from the plate on the table.

"My daughter has gone over to the enemy." Fatama stated calmly.

Clauser looked at the old woman. she really didn't give a damn about her kid, did she? ëGreat, the more the merrier in the scheme of things, always wanted to personally enjoy the demise of the enemy.'

"Always knew it! Never mind, just another addition to our target practice. Works for me." Smiling broadly as she munched on the pastry as Fatama called for fresh coffee.
 
 

The visitor, who was leaning against their car looking over the scene with a knowledgeable eye, astounded Colin. The visitor was obviously used to making assessments of the terrain they were in.

Colin walked over to the visitor, clearing his voice fractionally to draw attention to his presence.

"I never expected to see you again at the ranch?" Colin stated bluntly. There was no reason to be polite.

"No. No I guess you wouldn't, but here I am!" The visitor waived a hand to accentuate the situation, watching a brief frown pass over the craggy face of the foreman at the ranch. Guess it would have been too good to expect Jace to come herself.

"You wanted to speak to Jace? Security advised me." Colin spoke quietly as he saw the unwanted visitor smile wryly.

"Yes, I did. Is she around?" Colin was amazed at the thick skin of some people. This one here must have the hide of a Rhino!

"No, she's away on business." Colin retorted and watched the faint look of disappointment cross the visitor's face.

He looked down at the ground, before casting his eyes upwards, then quickly back to the man two feet away in the gloom of the darkening skies. It was too important to just accept that statement. "When will she be back? It's important I speak with her!"

Colin heard a note of desperation in the voice, giving a puzzled glance. "What about Catherine?"

That startled the visitor, who looked over his shoulder as if his employer would be there right behind him. A look of fear filled the eyes as well.

"Catherine wouldn't listen to me, although Jace might." The tone was clearly uneasy, causing the visitor to glance around nervously.

"As it happens, Catherine is away also. Maybe it's your lucky day. Will I do to pass on a message to Jace? She will be calling home in an hour or so." Colin asked, slowly watching the emotions flitter across the visitor's face.

The skies darkened even more, threatening a downpour of rain that had been forecast earlier that day, but hadn't transpired. Now, it looked like it was going to come down with a vengeance.

"Yes, I guess you can, but you need to tell her immediately, I've kept this information too long to myself. I think it could be important to herÖ no, both of them!"

"Then you'd better get in my vehicle. Leave yours here at the gates. Security will keep an eye on it for you. We can talk over a coffee. Maybe the rain will have passed by the time we have finished." Colin smiled briefly. If it was news that would shed any light on the disappearance of Lisa, he was willing to listen to anyone, even someone who was not welcome here anymore!

"Thanks Colin." The visitor said softly, following him to the Land rover and climbing in beside him.

"It had better be good Danni or Catherine will have my hide for letting you on the property again!" Colin stated decisively as he put the car in gear, speeding off towards the ranch buildings.

Jace clutched the railing of the balcony as she thought about the facts that had been related to her and Grace over the last hour. She couldn't believe that something this barbaric was happening in this day and age! For God sakes, it was a new millennium. Still, people held grudges that went back centuries. But for what reason exactly?

One of the maids arrived at that moment to say that there was a stranger at the gate.

"Lukas, would you deal with that for me please?" Constantia asked her godson softly. She was disturbed at the sudden movement from her niece's partner.

"Yes, of course Constantia." Lukas quickly retired from the room to go over to the gatehouse and the stranger.

"I can't believe this is happening." A whisper heard by the remaining women in the balcony area.

Grace looked worried. Catherine had made her promise that should there be any chance, however remote, that Jace could be in any danger that they had to leave immediately, regardless of how it might look to her aunt. She had agreed, primarily because she thought that it would not be a problem. Jesus, how wrong could you be in the circumstances? She should have known! Having heard the pain behind her friend's words, she now was sorely tempted to do just that! However, she could not. Jace, she was certain, would not leave now. No, they had to help whatever it cost. One day Catherine and Colin would understand, they had to!

Sara gave Jace's back a look of understanding, for she herself had felt hurt and angry over the situation that had materialised with Consty and the Spiros family.

Althea Spiros looked at the faces of the women in the room and swallowed hard. For some reason, this American felt the situation keenly. She was surprised. It was generally known that these people had only arrived on the Island and had never actually met Constantia Xianthos before. Scraping back her chair, she went to the railing of the balcony and leaned on it, looking out over the blue calm sea that held serenity none of them felt at this time.

"I'm sorry you have become embroiled in my family problems." Althea said sincerely, continuing to look out over the expanse of water.

Sara picked up the telephone that shrilled out at that moment, speaking fluently and rapidly in Greek, then turned to Grace. "Mrs. Montgomery, your husband is on the line. Would you care to take the call in the study?"

Grace turned surprised, but thankful eyes to the older woman. She quickly said yes as she got up and left the room following Sara, saying a quick, ëI'll be back' to Jace as she did so.

"That's okay. Ms. Spiros, for some reason tragedy appears to follow the family around. All I know is that we need to make sure it doesn't come to the grisly end that members of your family would like to see happen." Jace finally spoke up, leaning her back on the railing looking directly into ice blue eyes grown weary over the years. But, they could still hold anyone mesmerised, just as her partner did. For some reason, she felt comforted by the presence of Constantia Xianthos, as she would have if Catherine had been there. No disability deterred her, as it hadn't with Catherine and never would!

"You sound as if you have had first hand experience of such a thing. How is that so?" The woman, who looked on the outside to be weak and unable to have the strength to carry on in this type of situation, fascinated Althea. Yet when she spoke, she did so with a compassion, understanding, and total devotion to the family that she was now associated with. Nothing would be too much in her eyes to see it to the end.

"It would be a long story Ms. Spiros, not very happy in parts. Let's just say that I'm experienced in events such as these." Jace calmly related. then smiled warmly at Constantia, who smiled back.

"Thank you Jace for your support, but it could be dangerous for you and your friend. I would not like to take the chance on anything happening to Grace's unborn child." Constantia remarked with fervour, she was impressed with this young woman. She could also understand somewhat how Catherine would be enamoured by the hidden strength in the woman.

"I understand the chances that I will be taking. Grace will decide for herself. I would send her home if I could, but I know she won't go without me! I suspect she's made a promise to Catherine with regard to that situation. Knowing Grace and her appetite for a little adventure in her life, she would be offended if I shipped her home." Jace chuckled as she could picture the scowl on Grace's face. No, Grace would go along for the ride, whatever scary moments that ride took them on.

"The foreigner who is helping Mama knows you and Constantia's niece very well, she says." Althea remarked, waiting for that to have any effect.

"I'm not so sure she does. We, or certainly I, haven't come across anyone by the name of Sally Clauser. Now if you had said another name, I might change my mind." Jace considered how this ëSally Clauser' knew her and Catherine. It could only be through the papers or other people surely.

"Who would that be?" Althea was interested, for she had not mentioned the American who had originally started this off. She was dead, after all. How could it matter about her now?

The door to the balcony area opened. Lukas returned with a figure behind him. All eyes went in that direction in interest.

As the figure came into view Jace moved quickly, flinging her arms around the laughing man who hugged her tightly.

"James. James, how lovely to see you." Jace happily announced as she looked into his jolly face. It was so good to see him.

"I see you are as exuberant as always Jace.  I'm pleased you arrived safely. Catherine told us to contact you immediately when you arrived. Sorry, I'm a little late." James laughingly said as he put the small woman back on the ground, touching her cheek affectionately.

"Is Detective Kelsey with you?" Jace asked as she was looking for the detective that Catherine had said would be here to help them.

"Unfortunately, he'sÖ he's kind of busy right now." James lied. He did not want to, but he would tell Jace the facts as he knew them, when they had a few minutes alone.

"He'll be here shortly then?" Jace persisted. They would more than likely need Kelsey's help and experience.

"I hope so. I have some news that you might find interesting." James said softly. Jace gave him a second glance and was about to ask what the problem was when Grace walked back into the room with Sara. Both were carrying trays of sandwiches and fresh beverages.

"I've news from home Jace." Grace had been astonished at the call from her husband, not least the fact that Danni O'Neil was drinking coffee in her home, with her husband. She had thought her husband had flipped when he told her that wonderful snippet of information.

Jace paled at the words. Closing her eyes, she thought immediately of Lisa. Oh God, she hoped everything was okay. "What news Grace? That seems to be a popular statement around here."

Constantia watched the blonde with interest. For although she knew that the chances were slim of finding her daughter, that could be a tragedy yet to bear. She was willing to share whatever her friend had to offer and then continue onwards, or that was how it appeared.

"Hudson isn't dead Jace. She's here on the island, in disguise." Grace announced quietly, watching as a shadow passed over Jace's expressive features and cleared quickly.

"How do you know that Grace? That was the news that I was going to announce as well!" James Thompson was surprised that Grace had found that piece of information from home!

Jace looked from Grace to James, then to Constantia, hearing a quick indrawn breath from Althea.

"What's the matter Ms. Spiros?" Jace asked, turning the full strength of her emerald green eyes on the woman at her side.

"Hudson you say, but Hudson is the person that set this whole mess in motion! She came to Mama several months ago and talked of this, paying Mama to help her, but she's dead. They said she died in an accident!" Althea proclaimed, her mind coming to grips with this new turn of events.

Constantia smiled wryly at the information. So, someone called Hudson was behind the whole scenario. It appeared that everyone knew of her, except the intended victim. Time to change that! "Perhaps if you wouldn't mind briefing me on who this Hudson person is and more importantly who she's disguised as?

James and Grace spoke in unison as all eyes turned to them as they stood inches from each other. "Sally Clauser!"

Sara turned green at the news. Now she felt worse than she had previously by allowing ëthat' woman into the villa, providing her with access to her friend's presence. How stupid could she have been?

"I think if we all sit down, then go over all the facts that we have, perhaps the detective will turn up and we can take his advice. Come, the tea is getting cold." Constantia announced practically. It was no good letting perfectly good tea go to waste when there were problems to solve.

Jace had to smile at that. It sounded almost as if her partner was in the room. She turned to Grace as she did so, who was looking at Constantia with, Jace was sure, a similar impression.

Walking over to her two friends, she hooked an arm in each of theirs pulling them towards the free chairs. "I think we have Catherine here to help us. It's just someone a little older, that's all." Her voice whispered for only her friends to hear. They both smiled quietly back, for it certainly looked that way to them too!

James Thompson did speculate about Kelsey. Had the man known all along that the woman he had taken out on a date and apparently stayed the night with, had been none other than Hudson? A sudden situation flashed into his mind. What if he had not known? How dangerous would that have been for the detective? Shaking the image, he smiled at the two women, who it was certainly good to see again!

Lisa heard noises, scraping noises. They sounded familiar, but in her haze since she'd woken up in the dark damp room with only an old smelly blanket around her, she wasn't sure.

Her blue eyes tried and failed to focus again. It gave her a headache. All the images blurred, reminding her of the colours that you see on the wet roads in the heat at home.

Home!

Yes, home. She should be at home, not here in this strange horrible place. Where were Catherine and Jace? Jace had said in her dreams that she would be here when the rainbow was here! Well, all she could see was a rainbow when she opened her eyes. They should be here to keep her safe. That's what parents did! They kept their children safe.

As tears poured down her cheeks, she bit her lip to stop the deep sobs that wracked her frail body. She thought again about parents.

They were not her parents. Her mummy and daddy were dead! Therefore, who would care now! No, Catherine had promised to adopt them as real family, but she had not. She had not! So she would not come to save her now, would she? Catherine was not here. She should be and she was not!

The scraping got closer as she felt something move on top of her blanket. Through the unsteady haze, she saw something large and black. It was terrible. It was staring at her. It was going to eat her, she was sure. It was going to eat her all up and no one would care!

The sobs increased in volume as the shape on the blanket moved, jumping towards her face. She screamed in terror, throwing the blanket towards her face to protect her against the monster.
 
 

Danni O'Neil put a nervous hand through her hair as she saw Colin Montgomery walk slowly back into the room he'd left her in as he called his wife.

"Did she believe you?" Danni asked quickly as she watched the quiet man slowly nod his head at her question.

"Grace didn't appear surprised. In fact, I think it was more confirmation of something they had thought possible anyway." Colin replied, going over to the coffeepot that was now piping hot.

"I guess it was a wasted journey then." Danni muttered in a resigned voice, hearing the rain hitting the windowpanes with a resounding force.

Colin looked out at the stormy conditions, knowing it wasn't going to be a pleasant night out for neither man nor beast. Thank God he had decided to take the weather reports to heart, bringing in all the livestock close to shelter. Jake had even helped with Ruby, which had been a boon when it came to putting the foals in the stables. Yes, the boy had natural rancher instincts.

"No. No Danni, it wasn't a wasted journey. The fact that you came and told us now may be useful out there. Only time will tell." Colin said softly, pouring two cups of coffee, holding out a cup for Danni to take.

Danni looked at the steaming coffee then at the man she had always liked. He was such a warm hearted dependable man. Grace is a lucky woman. "Why are you being nice to me Colin? I'm not exactly flavour of the month here, am I?"

The man smiled briefly, as he sat down in one of the chairs at the kitchen table. He moved his hand indicating that she sit down opposite him. He contemplated his coffee for a few moments before answering.

"You made some rather stupid and mighty unforgivable mistakes to people around here Danni. You can't really expect them to forgive and forget, can you?"

"I didn't mean it, really I didn't! I was stupid yes, selfish and ignorant for want of better words to use about myself, butÖ I was inÖ I mean, I was sorry afterwards." Danni responded, her words unconvincing to the man. There was more to this story than met the eyes.

"I guess you were. Why come all this way and tell us? Why not call? It would have made more sense in the circumstances."

Danni looked down at her coffee, smiled wryly as she considered that! Why hadn't she? Why indeed!

Looking up into the grey compassionate depths of the man opposite her, he really, really was a caring man. How often did you see that today? "I thought they might listen if I had made the effort to come here to tell them the news rather than call."

Colin considered her explanation. "Yes, that's plausible, but that isn't the reason is it?"

Danni rushed out of her chair heading towards the kitchen door. "I'm sorry Colin, but the reason doesn't matter. I've said my peace I'll go!"

Colin had seen the panic rise in the woman, had watched a similar scenario enacted in the kitchen on more than one occasion with Grace. Anger and frustration usually instigated hers. Moving faster than his size belied, he headed the woman off. His hands landed on her shoulders to stop her.

"Not so fast young lady. It's not a good night to be rushing out into, especially if you are upset, so calm down. Let me help you." Colin softly spoke as he looked directly into the clearly distressed woman's face.

Suddenly, it was all too much for her as she broke down and cried, crushed close to a broad strong chest in comfort. A soothing hand stroked her red hair in a gentle motion, trying to calm her down.

"Why not tell me? Then perhaps it won't be such a burden."

Danni tried to stop the crying, but couldn't as she haltingly spoke "I wanted to see her one more time, just one more! Then, I'd go away forever."

Colin looked down at the shaking woman over the top of her head, gently sighing. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not sorry. I'm glad. At least this way, I still go away knowing that I might have helped! I couldn't do any other, I love her Colin!" It was a cry from the heart, one he had felt himself when he thought Grace had gone for good out of his life.

"I'm sure Catherine will be happy you tried to make it right." Colin said, feeling sorry for the young woman, who was obviously in love with his boss.

"No! No, not Catherine." Danni replied. Heartbroken sobs interspersed the words.

"Then who?" Colin asked intrigued, pulling away a little to see the woman more clearly.

"Jace, its Jace! I love her Colin. I didn't know it until it was too late, all the damage had been done!" Pulling out of the safe haven of his arms, she tried to get to the door and was once again stopped.

"Then, Jace I know for sure will be happy you tried to warn her. I know it Danni." Colin knew that Jace's compassionate heart would have done no less, regardless of how she viewed the other woman.

"I have to go Colin. Thanks forÖ for being here and listening." Danni straightened, looking pointedly at the door as the rain came down even heavier. The thunder and lightening crashed around them, lighting up the room itself.

Colin looked at the tear-ravaged face, making a decision.

"No, not tonight Danni. Tonight you sleep in the spare room. You can leave in the morning when the conditions are better."

Danni sighed heavily, turned her red-rimmed eyes to his clear gentle ones. "I can't stay here. What will Grace sayÖ or the others?"

She had made enough mistakes with the people on this ranch. She certainly did not want to compromise this man who had tried to help her and given her a chance to perhaps help in a small way.

"Let me handle what people will say, including my wife." He motioned for her to sit back at the table. "Have you eaten yet?"

Danni smiled a watery smile and shook her head. "No, came straight here."

"Good, I haven't either. I have this casserole that will feed the whole ranch. What do you say?" Colin laughed as he put the stew pot on the stove that Alison, Jace's mother, had made up for him today.

Danni again smiled, this time more confidently. Grace was definitely a lucky woman! "Thanks, I love casseroles, my favourite."

"Great, for I have a question for you. How did you find out about this scam of Hudson's?" The man turned to the casserole dish, ladling out two portions for them to eat. He would now find out exactly where Danni's role came into the scenario.

The house looked bleak even to her. She had used it consistently in her ventures over the past five years, having been informed about its unfortunate circumstances by a friend at a party one evening. He had been annoyed at the time, wanting sympathy. She gave it, storing the information away for future use.

Walking onto the creaking porch, she saw a couple of mice scurry past her boots on the old worn decking. The sound of her footsteps was obviously disturbing the creatures. She pulled out her key to the door. The only thing on the building replaced in twenty years was the lock and it now opened easily.

As she did, she reached into her pocket for a flashlight, turning it on. Although it was close to dawn, there was never enough light in the dingy farmhouse. Only the oil lamps she'd brought into the house previously, shed any further illumination within its confines.

Well, here goes nothing. Either the kid was of use or she wasn't. It was just too bad if she wasn't!

She looked around the place at the cobwebs in every conceivable place. No furniture adorned any room. The stingy bastard who owned the place had taken everything out, including the stove.

As she veered towards the steps leading to the cellar, she heard a noise, someone singing.

Walking rapidly towards the stairs leading to the cellar, she rushed down them into the small room that she used to store her merchandise.

The child was singing or crying. She wasn't sure. It was a strangled sound. Christ, she didn't have much of voice, if she was singing. She thought as her boots scuffed the wooden floor, nearing the child. Then, she put out a hand encased in a black glove towards the prone figure.

That had the effect of the child increasing the volume on her activities. She appeared terrified. That was okay too, no trouble from her today. Smiling happily, she considered that the child looked okay ready for the exchange, great news!

Her hand went out towards the child's head to stop her from struggling with the blanket.

Catherine gave a heavy sigh as they neared the destination. Constance's vehicle was parked only yards away, awaiting their arrival. As Serena Dusterly steered her car towards the clearing that Constance had found, she slowed the vehicle to a stop. Catherine didn't wait for her to park properly before she wrenched open the door out on the dusty road.

"Has there been any activity Constance?" Catherine asked briskly, looking at the farmhouse shrouded in the early morning grey mist, with the sparse light from the impending sunrise about to wake up the day ahead. For Catherine, it was difficult to see properly. Although she had her sight back in her right eye, it wasn't exactly perfect as she squinted attempting to commit every detail to memory, but was failing badly in the poor light.

"No. Sorry, nothing to report. We arrived about fifteen minutes ago." Constance saw the difficulty her boss was having, but knowing her from old, she doubted that she would accept help. "Try these." She said, handing her the small powerful binoculars that this time she had the foresight to bring with her.

Glancing at the offering, she merely nodded her head and put them to her eyes, muttering her thanks as she did so.

Constance smiled briefly at the acknowledgement, glancing at Serena Dusterly for the next part of the plan.

"What's next on the agenda?"

"We have nothing to lose. We go in. I see no reason to wait and frankly, the quicker the better as the sun is rising." Dusterly looked over to the brighter sky that only minutes before had been an inky blue blackness.

"Who goes first?" Clare asked quietly. For the last time, they had left the boss behind. Was that the game plan this time, she wondered?

"We need someone in a car to follow behind us so that we can make the fastest possible getaway. Who can drive at speed, but still keep the car on the road?"

"A friend of mine called Grace." Catherine retorted absently, her eyes still glued to the binoculars.

The other women all looked around and gave each other puzzled glances as Serena shrugged. Rita stepped forward, accepting the role of getaway driver. She'd had a few speeding tickets in her time. She smiled feebly at her attempt to lighten the situation, if only slightly.

"Thanks Ms. Tuscany." Serena offered sincerely. It was clear that each one of them wanted to be there this time.

"I'm coming along Dusterly." Catherine joined the sparse conversation with a brusque tone. It clearly warned anyone that she wasn't going to be left out.

"I know, so put the binoculars down Ms. Devonshire, and listen up. We can't afford mistakes if there is someone in the house." Serena replied in a business like manner. These people had relied on her expertise, now she was going to use it. Maybe for once God might be on her side, please let it be now!

Catherine removed the binoculars and stared at the woman who had used a tone very much like her own. In some deep part of her, it made her seethe, but for the moment she dampened that down, turning inquiring eyes to the most experienced person in the field at this time.

"I'm all ears, Ms. Dusterly." Catherine replied sedately, having picked up the two toys that her daughter loved, holding them securely to her. The action was very protective, giving the impression she was afraid they would be taken away as well.

Dusterly had been amazed, but it boosted her confidence immediately when Devonshire had calmly agreed to her demand. This was looking good.

"Clare, Constance, make your way around the back of the building. Ensure that at all times you can't be seen from any window. If there is someone on lookout they might see you. Then, anything could happen, okay?"

"Yes, we can do that. There are plenty of trees and large shrubs that we can both hide behind to make our way to the back of the house. What happens then?"

"Constance, you find the backdoor. When we tell you via the radio, get yourself in the house. Clare, you watch her back, but stay outside!"

"Okay, but what if there is trouble? Do I go inside to help?" Clare asked, troubled that she couldn't be with Constance the whole time.

"No! No, you get the hell out of there! Get in the car and find help for us!" Serena stated heavily.

Clare looked at her as if to protest when a firm hand settled on her shoulder. She then looked into the eyes of her lover, who smiled gently at her. "Hey, you want me back safe and sound right?"

Clare allowed the emotional moment to break down her barriers briefly as she lifted a hand to caress the dusky skinned woman's cheek. "You know I do! What would I do without you?" She choked out, rewarded by a tender kiss on her lips from the woman she loved.

"Then that's settled. MyÖ no our backs ladies, are well and truly covered." Constance spoke confidently, squeezing Clare's hand in reassurance.

"Ladies, I just wanted to sayÖ." Constance, who answered for them all, halted Catherine from her speech to speak.

"We know. Now, let's get to business."

Serena looked at Catherine as they watched the two set off for the back of the farmhouse. Rita settled herself in the driver's seat of the car, ready for the journey.

"So, what are we doing Dusterly?"

"We are going to walk up to the front door and knock." Serena Dusterly smiled, setting off in the direction of the house.

"Just like that, huh? I like your style Dusterly. I certainly do!" Catherine couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips.

Clasping the two soft toys to her, she marched after the smaller woman, catching up with her within seconds.
 
 

"Grace, how did you know? Or rather, how did they know at home?" Jace asked her friend. They were seated on the balcony of Grace's room, overlooking the perfectly preserved courtyard that held a beauty to match the Aegean Sea on the other side of the villa.

Grace considered the question. It was easy to answer, but the bearer of the original news would be less than welcome, she was sure. Jace had never liked the woman. The furore with Catherine had left a bitter taste.

"It was a tip-off that Colin was given. You know Colin, he will check everything out or tell us even if we already know."

"Oh Grace, come on. I know there is more to this than meets the eye. I want to know who told Colin." Jace demanded to Grace, it was like watching a child that was frustrated and angry stamping their feet in protest. it brought a smirk to her face. She could not help it.

"What? Why are you laughing at me?" Jace asked, aggrieved at the situation.

"Me? Oh come on Jace, would I dare? Hell, I'd have your other half after my hide if I did." Grace laughed softly and saw the red tinge that came over the blonde woman's cheeks at the comment, for that was true.

"Catherine isn't that bad Grace. Anyway, she's thousands of miles away!" Jace replied, affronted that she was considered unable to help herself without Catherine's help. Although she loved the protective side of her partner, she was wishing deep down that Catherine could be at her side now.

"That wouldn't stop the woman, trust me." Grace took pity on the blonde. There had been the odd jealous moment she had to admit, when Jace sprang into their lives, but it had been a moment, nothing more than that.

"Don't change the subject anyway Grace. Tell me."

Grace laughed at that comment. "You know, you sound more like Catherine everyday."

"I do not Grace. There is only one Catherine Warriorson, she's unique and mine!"

Grace shook her head, her smile infectious. Jace couldn't help but smile along with it. "That's true my friend, thank god! Danni! Danni was the bearer of the news to Colin."

Jace looked as if she was catching flies, for her mouth dropped open refusing to shut as the name flashed in her mind. ëDanni!'

Grace was about to explain the situation as best she knew when they heard a sound. A sound that was both unexpected, yet not! As contrary as that sounded.

"Is that what I think it was?" Grace said as she peered over her balcony, knowing that the sound probably echoed around the villa. The area would be difficult to pinpoint.

Jace had moved out of her chair, frantically trying to think what they could do next. It had been that piercing sound that sent a chill down your spine.

"Yeah, if you're thinking what I am." Both women looked up, serious expressions mirrored on each of their faces.

 "Jace we haven't got anything to combat a gun. If we go rushing inside, it could be suicide a mission."

"I know, but if someone has been shot maybe we can be a distraction to prevent another shooting." Jace replied as they headed cautiously towards the door.

Grace did not have time to disagree with that rather dangerous logic as she rushed out close behind her. At times like these, Jace obviously thought with her heart rather than her mind!

Serene Dusterly pushed forcibly on the front door of the farmhouse. She gave out an oath that was suitable only for adult audiences. The door refused to give way.

"Want me to try?" Catherine asked laconically.

"I do not! You're a Ö." She trailed off, knowing that she had been close to saying the woman was a cripple! She had read all the available medical notes on the woman.

Catherine knew exactly what the woman was about to say, giving her a glacial stare. She moved towards the door, taking a stance that Maria had taught her years ago in prison, kicking hard at the door in one swift movement. Nothing was apparent immediately, then Catherine stepped forward pushing at the door, which fell open literally at their feet.

"How did you do that?" Serena gasped, awe-struck.

"We cripples have to compensate." Catherine drolly replied as she ignored the woman, walking past her into the apparently deserted house.

Serena couldn't say anything. What could you say? She walked in the house behind her to catch up as she held her handgun at the ready, in preparation for any possible altercation.

"Are you ready?" Clare asked her lover as they both appeared at the back entrance within seconds of each other.

"Yes. Do you think that anyone saw us?"

"No, doubt it or we would have seen activity, but there is a car on the side verge as I came by. That can only mean trouble!" Clare said emphatically, knowing that it wouldn't matter to Constance. There was something driving her that went beyond her friendship and caring of Catherine Devonshire.

"You can deal with the car, but be careful Clare. I want to see your beautiful face when we bring Lisa back."

Clare gazed at her lover, grinning at her with a bravado she did not really feel. Something here did not feel right to her. She would check with Dusterly to ask about the car and what she should do. Her first priority was to watch Constance's back.

"I'll be here when you come back, I promise." Her hand reached for Constance's as she brought it to her lips to seal the promise.

"You make it hard. You really do my love, but I'll be back. I swear to you!" Constance smiled as she gently pulled away, mounting the back decking pushing on the door, which surprisingly and thankfully gave easily, as the lock was old. ëWas this breaking and entering? To hell with it, she could always say she knocked! Who would know?'

"I know you will." Clare said softly as Constance entered the house, out of her line of sight.

Colin laughed at the anecdote that Danni seemed to have a multitude of. She really was an entertaining woman. It made him smile.

"It's getting late Danni, well for me anyway. We ranch people have to be up at sunrise. If you want to watch TVÖ." Colin trailed off, as he looked first at the time depicting nine thirty, then at the woman who had been making him laugh all evening.

Danni smiled. It had been years since someone had actually considered her feelings in anything. Here was the man who had appeared boring to many, but in reality was a wonderful person, so compassionate, understanding, and she suspected loving as well. If only she could find someone of the opposite gender, who could be like that for her, if only!

"No, that's okay. I could do with the sleep. It was a long journey, I will need to leave early in the morning for home."

"I will show you the guest room. It has it's own bathroom. There are toiletries, I'm sure. Please check and let me know if you need anything. What about clothes?" The man was acutely embarrassed that he had to ask the question. Danni didn't look as if she had anything else with her, but the clothes she was wearing.

Danni smiled at him, placing a hand on his arm, patting it gently. "Thanks Colin, but I will be fine, I'm sure there will be everything I need here."

Sheepishly nodding his head, he went towards the stairs quickly in an effort to hide his embarrassment. "I'll lead the way then." He mounted the steps, moving towards the guestroom.

Danni stared after his long rangy frame and grinned at his boyish charm, for he was certainly charming and so sweet!

Not for the first time this evening did she think of Jace and how she had reacted to receiving the news. All she hoped now was that it had arrived in time because the Hudson woman was taking no prisoners. She herself was now a target, if the woman found out that she had been here to warn them. She had also told Colin that she was now prepared to testify that Hudson had propositioned her to help in the charade to kill Catherine Warriorson's aunt. For once in her life, she had put her selfish whims aside and thought of someone else. That person might never want her in her life, but Danni had realised that this love she had for Jace was a selfless love. She would do anything to make the woman happy, even at her own expense and possibly her own safety!

"Kid, for God's sake, stop crying! I've had enough of your caterwauling to last me a lifetime. If you don't shut up, I'll tape you up and see if you like that!" The woman viciously shouted at the terrified child.

The kid, for some reason, had thought she was some kind of monster when she'd arrived in the room to check on her. Once she'd pulled the blanket away, the kid cowered, ready to be beaten or that's how it looked to her. Must be the drugs!

Lisa cautiously glanced up at the woman who was dressed in all black clothing. Her face was encased in a hood that made her appear like a witch out of the storybooks they read at home. The thought of home brought a fresh flood of tears as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Kid, shut up!" This time, the woman reached into the pocket of the black leather trench coat she wore, dragging out a reel of brown heavy-duty tape used for securing packages.

As she was about to tape up the child's mouth, she experienced a swift kick in the stomach area for her efforts. Wincing at the pain, she swung her left hand out to hit the child on the cheek. As she did so, she heard an almighty crash from the area upstairs.

"Fuck! What the hell was that?" Quickly securing the tape to the child's mouth, she pushed back the frail looking child. The kid might look that way, but she could certainly use a kick to great effect.

The woman pulled out her handgun as she opened the door to the storeroom cautiously and went towards the sound of the crash as she strained to listen. The footsteps of more than one person could be heard above her.

Walking as silently as she could, she went up the narrow cellar stairs and what she hoped were kids having fun in a derelict place.

"Jace, we left everyone on the balcony. Maybe that should be our first port of call?" Grace whispered as she and her friend furtively went towards the balcony area that they had left earlier.

"Yeah, I was thinking that myself, but what if there are more people in the house. Shouldn't we check first?" Jace countered and glanced around the magnificent marble-floored hallway.

"I think we should call the police personally." Grace also glanced around the hall and thought she heard voices in the direction of the kitchen area. Pulling Jace with her, she hid around the large fronds of a ten-foot tall palm tree. It hid them from view with ease, yet allowed them the opportunity to watch what went on.

Voices speaking in rapid Greek moved closer and closer to the spot where they were standing. Both women held their breath. It would be just their luck to be seen.

A tall middle-aged passably handsome man was guiding a rounder figured old woman with a walking stick towards the balcony area. It was clear the man was excited about something, but as neither of them could understand the language, it was hard to tell for what reason. Then again, the Mediterranean temperament was a little volatile in most cases.

The clipping sounds of the cane stick struck the floor, helping keep Jace and Grace's attention to the exact whereabouts of the two strangers. However, they could not see them clearly as they moved out of view to their destination.

A door opened. Then, a voice that Jace would know to the end of her days, spoke swiftly in English.

"About time you two arrived. What the hell kept you? I'm not a one woman army." Clarissa Hudson spoke derisively as she looked over the Greek mommy's boy and the old hag! On second thought, maybe she was.

"Did you bring the gun?" Hudson bit out savagely to the man.

"Yes. Where is Althea? She was supposed to be part of this too." George Spiros reluctantly asked the evil woman, staring at him with chilling eyes as cold as ice.

Hudson laughed scathingly at the question. "My god, you are an idiot aren't you? You can't think for yourself or what people are trying to tell you, huh? Well dumb boy, Althea, your dear sweet sister is here all right patiently waiting for your arrival. Now that you are here, I think she should be the first victim for your weapon. To show your loyalty, I want a bullet to her head. What do you say, macho man?"

Fatama Spiros sucked in a sharp breath at the suggestion. It was okay for the foreigner to take her daughter's life. She could live with that! For her son to do so was not acceptable, no!

"No!" the old woman interceded as she grasped her son's arm for support, facing the only person she actually believed was more cold hearted than she was herself.

"No? Mama Spiros, if he doesn't do it I'll shoot her myself, then him too!" her voice supremely confident. Who was here to stop her? No one. This so called man was no more than a weakling, no backbone.

"You would do that? Why?" Fatama knew her son was not as strong as her daughter. His character weaknesses would be no match for this devil incarnate.

"I don't need a reason. Ask any of my victims." Hudson smirked wickedly, turning to the man who was trembling. Only the strong hand of his mother on his forearm prevented him from running away. ëAlthea was right. She was always right! Why hadn't he listened to her last night, why?'

All three parties stared at each other as a glint came into Hudson's eyes. She stroked the barrel of her gun over her cheek in contemplation. There was no sign of Jace Bardley or her friend that the late amorous detective had said was due on the Island earlier that morning. She had checked the ferry terminal. Sure enough, Lukas Dimitrie had escorted two foreigners away from the terminal. That could only mean that they were headed here. So, just where was goody, goody Jace and her compatriot? Hiding somewhere like snivelling children, yes knowing Jace that would be exactly what would happen. She never had much fight in her, too soft! It had often crossed her mind over the last couple of years just what Catherine Devonshire had ever seen in the insipid creature when she could have anyone, anyone at all! Now if Catherine had chosen her, why they could have ruled the world together. She was sure of it. Hitler's aspirations would have nothing on theirs.

"Fatama, come inside. Say your goodbyes to that very good friend of yours, Constantia Xianthos. And you," Hudson jabbed her finger in the direction of George viciously. "You! Find me the two foreigners at large in the villa. Don'tÖ and I mean don't let them get out of the grounds. I suggest you use the gun on them first and ask questions later, understand?"

George felt somewhat relieved that he had been given a reprieve from the horror of shooting his sister, but had he? All that had happened was that he was going to eliminate two innocent women. His sister would still die.

"Do you understand me, dumb boy?" Hudson wanted nothing more than to shoot the irritating excuse for a man. However, if he found the absent wanderers, then he would have served his purpose. She would deal with the loose ends herself. That meant all the loose ends!

Bristling with concealed anger, he spit out something in Greek initially and then softly replied. "Yes."

Fatama spoke quietly to her son and then followed her partner in crime into the room. She had seen several people in the room over the woman's shoulder. One of them was lying in a pool of blood on the cold marble floor at the front of what she surmised was her victim's wheelchair. ëSoon, soon it would all be over. Her revenge would have been exacted. The circle would be complete and it would all be over.'

George watched his mother follow the foreigner into the room, the door closing behind them. Now he had to comb the villa to find his victims, assuming he could find them. This was a wonderful villa for keeping its secrets. Also, the whereabouts of these two women may well come under that category.

Jace turned to her friend. They both looked stricken at the calm confident way that Hudson dismissed life as disposable. When you had to face that type of adversity, what did you do? It was surely a death sentence, wasn't it?

They watched the Greek look about him, then quickly make for the steps to the upper level and go towards the first floor.

"We don't have many choices here Grace?" Jace whispered, making absolutely sure she could only be heard by her friend.

"You're telling me! Jace, it's not a question of having many choices. We only have two."  Grace glanced at the man who was almost out of sight, looking for them.

Jace whipped a hand through her blonde hair as she ruefully smiled, resignedly putting a gentle hand on her friend's shoulders. "You go to the study Grace. Call the police and then hide. If you get the chance, get the hell out of here."

Grace was going to argue, but that would have wasted time and they didn't have time to waste. She would do what Jace asked, at least the first part anyway. "Okay my friend. You know she wouldn't approve, don't you?"

Jace turned anguished eyes to her friend as a single tear dropped on her cheek at the words. Wasn't that the truth? Catherine would not approve and yet, she would have done the same in the circumstances. The only thing was, now could she live up to her partner's name? That remained to be seen.

"I know, but could you see Catherine leaving everyone behind and saving her own hide?" At the shake of her friend's head, Jace smiled briefly. "Runs in the family."

Jace hugged Grace with a swift, but heartfelt embrace, slowly moving out of the security that the palm tree offered, making her way towards the door of the balcony. Now, how would Catherine make an entrance? Oh yeah, simple really.

Without another thought, she opened the door confidently, breezing inside the room!
 
 

"Ms. Devonshire, there doesn't appear to be anyone on the first floor. We should try the second floor next." Serena Dusterly whispered to the taller woman, who was glancing around the rooms at a speed that surely couldn't take in everything, especially with having sight in only one eye.

Catherine turned to face the ex-profiler, who looked composed, confident, and professional with her handgun drawn, ready for any possible altercation.

ëThe woman had always appeared to know what she was talking about, even if the facts had been a little twisted. But in the circumstances, she couldn't in all honesty blame her. Lack of resources and the speed at which they needed to tackle the problem, a telling scenario.'

"Sure, there certainly isn't anything here." Catherine smiled briefly at the profiler, moving her arm in the air to indicate Dusterly should go first up the narrow stairs. As they moved away, Catherine caught a sound. A sound so tiny, she wasn't sure she had heard it at all! Her hearing had always been keen, but when she lost her sight, it had become almost radar like in quality. Jace often remarked she could hear a pin drop.

Stopping suddenly, she listened intently as she placed a restraining hand on Dusterly's arm to prevent her moving any further. She placed a long tapered finger over her lips to stop the other woman speaking.

Moving her head to one side, she now looked the part of the radar.

Dusterly was at first puzzled by the action of being stopped in mid flight, then saw the concentration on the woman's face. She waited patiently, her finger balanced on the trigger of her gun as a precaution.

Catherine heard the sound again. It appeared to be a footstep on creaking stairs, undetectable if they had been moving around themselves. Moving slightly, so that she could work out where the sound was emanating from, she gazed intently at the small door that either led to a closet or the basement. She was damn sure it was the basement, hardly ever heard of steps being in closets.

Pointing to the door, Catherine moved towards it. She was suddenly stopped, this time by the firm grip of Dusterly, who shook her head and waived her gun slightly, moving ahead towards the door.

Both women held their breaths as they saw the handle turn. Catherine was dispatched silently to one side, with Dusterly on the side of the wall, near where the door would let the unknown party into the room.

Climbing as silently as possible to the top step that led to the outer room, the kidnapper stopped considering her options.

She could just open the door quickly and send out a couple of shots, should there be anyone in the vicinity. That would give the game away immediately. But, if it were kids as she suspected, that wouldn't be a problem. Then again, she could go the cautious route, open the door slowly, and look about her first, to see exactly who was in the building with her. Unfortunately, there wasn't that many choices, except for her ace in the hole, the rear exit that was covered up from the naked eye. She had chosen this place specifically, but at the same time it could be a hindrance to her now!

Considering that there could be no way that the police had followed her, she was confident that it was kids. She finally decided that the best option was to open the door and walk into the room with her gun held back initially.

Turning the handle, she cautiously opened the door a crack or two and listened intently.

Dusterly saw the black glove encased hand on the door handle and wanted to grasp it, but she wasn't sure what would be held in the other hand. It could be a gun. Then, she certainly would be acting foolish. Her excitement at apparently having realised her theories, which looked as if they were coming to fruition, soared within her. To be finally let off the leash, to take down the monster who had preyed on children for years!

But, might she be wrong?

The woman put a black leather booted foot forward out of the door. It was almost time for Dusterly to take action, when she heard Constance Waverly make an entrance.

"Catherine what are you doingÖ?" words said expectantly. Catherine turned to her business colleague in surprise and irritation, knowing that their initial attempt at total surprise was now a thing of the past.

The door to the basement crashed open slamming into Catherine, who was standing immediately behind it. Her cry of pain as the door hit her face directly was a mixture of wounded animal and intense anger.

Dusterly looked surprised, as she had been taken momentarily off guard. That was momentarily, as she noticed the gun held in the person's hand that entered the room from the stairway. Constance was in the line of fire. Knowing that she had no choice, Serena tried a high kick to dislodge the gun. However, to no avail. The person had a finger on the trigger, ready to fire. The shot rang out eerily in the building as it set off for its target.

Dusterly had no time to consider if the bullet had hit a target. She had to disarm the woman and this time, aimed a shot of her own at the hand that held the gun. Her direct hit caused a piercing cry of agony from the person who held it, the gun sliding to the floor in wake of the injury.

Serena kicked it automatically further away, thwarted in her attempt to capture the person as the door slammed shut in her face and a lock was turned.

The opportunity to follow the person was lost. She turned anxiously towards the others in the room to see if they had sustained any injuries, rather than pursue the attacker. Obviously, her training had been eroded by compassion these days

Grace raced away towards the study as she heard the man go into another room on the upper level. There was no time to waste. Jace had clearly not thought it out, having just walked into the lion's den, apparently without a care in the world.

She checked about her before she opened the study door. She quickly opened it and slid inside making sure she locked it behind her with the key that was, fortunately for her, in the lock! For god's sake, they needed some luck some time this side of the century.

"Oh Colin, you would kill me I know for getting into this situation, especially now!" Grace whispered, as she scanned the unfamiliar room, looking for the telephone. It must be in view somewhere!

There, settled between a computer console and a printer, was the instrument she needed. Running over to the desk and picking up the receiver, she wondered what number to call? At home, it was easy! Here, did they use the same number as other countries?

ëI must be dumb. Of course they will. Greece isn't a backwater of a country. It is probably more sophisticated than home!' Grace thought as she dialled the international distress number.

Holding a breath, she waited for what seemed to be hours when it was actually only thirty seconds, a voice answered in Greek.

Unable to compose herself, she spoke quickly and breathlessly, but the words echoed ominously in the otherwise silent room.

"We need help! It's the villa Xianthos. There are intruders with guns and we need help!"

The woman at the other end of the line immediately spoke to her in English. "Please madam, slow down. Take a deep breath and repeat yourself."

Grace was tempted to tell the other party on the line that they could go to hell, but she stopped herself. Then as calmly as possible, related the story or as much as she knew, her eyes furtively going to the locked door, praying she wasn't heard.

"I have the information. Please madam, your name?" The woman on the telephone was heard shouting loudly in Greek to others in her vicinity as Grace answered the question, wanting only for her contact to say they would send help.

"Will you have the police here soon?" Grace pleaded with the woman. She needed to know. There wasn't much time left she was sure. With Hudson in a demonic murderous mood, that woman would have made a good partner to the devil himself.

"Yes, the Captain himself is on the way. They anticipate being with you in ten minutes. We can't get there any faster, I'm sorry." The woman explained, obviously aware of the need for speed if the foreigner was correct in her observation of the situation.

"I need to go. I can't afford to stay in one place. It's too dangerous. Thanks for your help." Grace replied, hearing steps in the hall outside the room. She quickly replaced the receiver, without waiting for an answer back.

What to do now? That was the question. One she didn't have an answer to at this moment, but she had to do something. Ten minutes could be the difference between Jace being dead or alive. She really didn't want to see Catherine's face if the worse case scenario should happen. No! It wouldn't happen, not if she had anything to do with it! She'd made a promise to Catherine and as sure as hell, she was going to keep that promise.

The steps came closer.  She watched in fascination as the handle was turned. When resistance was found, the handle was rattled in earnest. Looking around her, she saw a balcony and wondered where it would lead. Only one way to find out!

Walking swiftly over to the doors, she opened them and looked out onto a beautiful grove of vines. The distance made it impossible to define exactly what the vines held. What it did prove though, was that this study was placed directly onto the overhang of the hill. There was a sheer drop onto the landscape below her. A drop she judged to be at least one hundred feet long. No parachute available today, she suspected. To her left was a distance of ten feet at least to the next balcony. There wasn't anything to hold onto if she tried to get to that side. On the right was another balcony, but that was about thirty feet away. There was a small ledge around a foot wide running along the side of the building. Was this her lucky day?

Grinning to herself, she heard the rattle of the door handle again and a muffled oath from the person on the other side. Taking one look at the ledge then back to the door, she noticed a heavy looking bookcase with lots of books on the shelves. Ideal!

Running as fast as she could towards the bookcase, she pushed most of the volumes onto the floor impelling the bulky furniture along, if only it had been on castors. As she pushed, she felt it move slowly. Gradually, she had the bookcase half covering the door. With one last heave, she put it up at the door, feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen as she did so. A surprised look of pain crossed her face, but now wasn't the time to worry about that. She would do so later. There was no time to dwell on the possibilities, however grim they might be.

Picking up as many volumes as she could, she haphazardly put them back on the shelves. She heard the footsteps recede as she went back a couple of times at her task. The more there was, the better chance there would be that the door would be harder to open and then she had a chance to get away unseen. The volumes were now placed on the shelves as Grace heard the footsteps again. This time, she didn't hesitate running out of the door. Another sharp pain made her suck in her breath at its ferocity.

Her mission now, was to climb over the balcony onto the ledge and make it to the next room. She would do it, she would. Her in-built instinct for adventure was kicking in. It was almost as much fun as driving fast! Even if she did have the slight disadvantage of her limp, she was sure that could be controlled to get her over to the other balcony. What else was there for her to do? Die?

Faith looked at the solemn boy sitting at the kitchen table, lost in thought. Thoughts not of what a boy of twelve should be experiencing. No, it should be going over what the newest computer games were, what school team he wanted to join in the new term, what the teachers were going to be like. Not to mention, the new boys he would meet in the new school.

Deep down Faith knew the boy, who was using his spoon to drown his cornflakes as opposed to placing them on the utensil and eating the cereal, wasn't thinking those thoughts at all.

Making a decision, she went over to the silent child as Judy walked in from the laundry room. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to attract his attention without startling him.

"Jake, how would it be if you helped Colin with the foals today? He will be hard pushed to do that himself. All the hands will be needed out in the pastures with this weather?" Her voice softly coaxed the boy. She knew he hated to miss school, not like his sister. That thought made her frown in sadness as she thought of that wonderful plucky child, who literally railroaded her way into your heart.

Judy smiled at the boy. That was a good idea. She didn't condone parents keeping their children away from school, but these were special circumstances. The boy had become even more silent now that Jace wasn't on the property either.

Alison chose that moment to enter the kitchen area with Elena, who was staring around the room, squealing as her green eyes rested on her favourite brother. "I think you have a fan, Jake." Jace's mother laughed as she handed over the toddler to the boy, who smiled warmly as he hugged his baby sister to him.

"I will Grandma Faith. Thank you." Jake finally replied to his grandma's question.

"You finish up your breakfast Jake and then play with Elena. I will go and see Colin and tell him you will help him today. She didn't wait for a reply and left the kitchen by the side door and was accompanied by Rio, who slid out from under the porch as they walked side by side.

Her son-in-law would welcome the boy's help. He did say that he was a natural on the ranch and it was clear to anyone that Colin loved the boy as a son. Mounting the stairs to the decking at the back of the house, she knocked on the door and without waiting for a reply, she opened the side door and stepped inside.

"Morning Colin. Making breakfast, I see? You should have come over to the house. Judy loves to cook for you, especially when you're on your own. I have a favour to ask." Faith breezed a good morning and then went into the reason for her visit.

Her eyes strayed to the amount of food Colin was preparing and then they moved towards the pine table and the two place settings. ëSurely Grace wasn't home?'

"Good morning Faith. Sure, what's the favour?" The man smiled at his mother-in-law and then turned back to his preparation of breakfast, not noticing where her eyes flickered.

"JakeÖI was hoping that Jake could help you today. He's kind of sad with Jace gone too." Her voice held hesitation as she wondered what was going on here.

"Sure, that will be great. I could do with his help." Colin happily agreed. It would do the boy good too.

"Colin why have youÖ" She didn't finish as the internal door opened suddenly as a redheaded young woman appeared.

"Good morning Colin, breakfast tooÖ" Danni trailed off as dark brown eyes pierced her own. They looked vaguely familiar at that!

Colin turned and smiled at Danni. " Yeah, nearly done. Take a seat. You want coffee or tea? Faith this is Danni O'Neil. She came over last evening with news for Jace."

Faith bristled with anger and jealousy on behalf of her daughter. She considered it improper for Colin to have a young woman stay in his home, and over night as well! Whatever was he thinking, without his wife being here?

"Does Grace know?" Faith asked her son-in-law in a low, less than friendly tone.

Danni dipped her head at the tone. So, here was another misdemeanour on her part. Although this time, she was innocent.

Colin turned surprised eyes to Faith, shaking his head. If he'd had a hat on, he would have nervously pushed it back in reaction to the tone from Grace's mother. "I don't understand Faith. Does Grace know what?"

Faith muttered something under her breath then turned pointing a finger at Danni, remarking acidly. "That woman stayed overnight with you! Does she know that?"

Colin was shocked at the tone, looking apologetically at Danni, then back to Faith. His grey eyes were solemn, puzzled at the comment.

"No. Grace won't know Danni stayed the night, until I tell her when she next calls home. When I talked with her yesterday, that decision hadn't been made."

"You think she will understand? I've heard about this woman." Faith caustically replied. Her eyes spitting fire towards the down turned redhead.

"Grace will understand." Colin stated calmly and confidently. It never crossed his mind until now that Grace would have a problem. Why would she?

"I hope you're right Colin, I certainly do!" Faith turned on her heel, heading out the door calling Rio along with her. Her anger at the situation was evident in her strides back towards the main house.

"I'm sorry Colin." Danni said sincerely. She really was. This man had been wonderful to her in everyway. He certainly didn't deserve any trouble because of her.

Colin shrugged his shoulders, smiling at her, "No problem, she will get over it. Ready for breakfast?" He returned to his task of dishing out the early morning meal.

"Thanks Colin, I'm famished. By the way, who is she?" Danni asked, smiling as she picked up a glass of orange juice.

"Oh, that's Faith, my mother-in-law."

Danni almost spit out the mouthful of orange juice at those words. ëMy god, could it get any worse?'
 
 

Serena ran to aid Constance Waverly, who was lying awkwardly on the floor. Had she been hit by the single shot fired? It certainly looked like it!

Making her way towards her, she looked at the tall figure leaning apparently negligently against the wall. Though she didn't see anything amiss, she knelt down beside the woman lying on the floor. "Are you okay, Ms. Waverly?" Serena gently touched her shoulder to move her body over to check for injuries.

As she did so, Constance groaned. Moving of her own volition and with a wry brief smile, nodded her head. "Yeah, thanks. The shot scared the hell out of me. I went down on the floor, but slipped. I think I've pulled something in my leg. Otherwise, no damage."

Serena let out a heavily relieved sigh then turned towards Catherine Devonshire with a slight smile, which immediately changed to an expression of concern when she saw blood pouring down all over her face.

"My God, Ms. Devonshire! Are you hurt?" Serena couldn't believe she just said that! Of course the woman must be hurt. She was bleeding.

Catherine turned her ice blue eyes to the voice and mumbled something unintelligible as she tried to stem the flow of blood on her face with her hand.

"I'm sorry Ms. Devonshire, what was that?" Serena enquired as she left Constance for a moment to check on the woman leaning against the wall.

Serena gazed into the ice blue eyes, tentatively bringing her hand up to check exactly what the problem was. "Let me."

Catherine's eyes were smarting. She winced as Dusterly touched her nose. "You need a cold compress on that Ms. Devonshire, to stop the blood. When we get back to the city, I think you might need some medical attention. It looks broken to me." Serena apologetically verified Catherine's original assumption. The door had hit her hard in the face and she heard a crack. Not only that, she'd seen stars. They weren't the ones that you saw when you looked up into the night sky.

" I guessed that Dusterly. I'll worry about it later. Constance, can you get up and walk?" Catherine shrugged off her own pain, looking at the pale-cheeked woman on the floor, who was gingerly trying to stand.

"Go help her Dusterly. I want the bastard who is down there with my daughter. If necessary, I will tear the bloody door down with my bare hands." Serena knew there was no arguing with the incredibly focused woman. She must be in agony with the broken nose and the swelling along the cheekbones. She would end up with a couple of black eyes too.

Serena held out a hand for Constance to grasp as she hauled the woman up. Constance had to clench her teeth as the pain shot through her left ankle and knee. "I think you might need some extra support Ms. Waverly. Give me a minute. I'll get something for you."

"Clare? Go check the front of the house. Find out if there are any outlets for the basement, now!" Catherine spoke into the radio transmitter and then changed frequency.

"Rita, call the police. Tell them we have an intruder who might be the New York serial kidnapper. They need to get here now!" She didn't wait for any reply as she shut off the transmitter. Serena walked back into the area with a pole of some description, handing it to Constance for her to lean on.

"Thanks." Constance accepted the help from Dusterly then moved slowly over to her boss.

"Better get this door open, hadn't we?" Catherine spoke quietly to the two women.

"That might not be a good idea Ms Devonshire." Serena challenged the question.

Catherine looked at her with an icy gaze, her face covered in blood that refused to stop. The bruises on her face were now becoming more prominent, giving her a look of a fighter, who had come off the worst in a bout. "Why might it not be a good idea, Ms. Dusterly?"

Serena swallowed hard as she traded glance for glance. This could cause the person, who potentially still had Lisa to kill the child, to stop them from being captured. They still didn't know if Lisa was here.

"If Lisa is down there, she's at the mercy of the gun person, and we don't know what they will do. It's risky to attempt to go down into the basement after them. It might cost Lisa her life."

"You expect me to wait? Whoever it is? You said you knew who it was, didn't you? Assuming you know your facts Dusterly, do you think she will kill my child?" Catherine replied solemnly. If there was just this door between her and Lisa, then by god, it wasn't going to keep her from the child any longer than it took her to break it down.

Serena pondered the questions for a few minutes as the other two women waited, their eyes boring into her.

"Ms. Devonshire? It's Clare. There is another way out. I don't think it's been used for some time. The cobwebs haven't been disturbed. The police will be here shortly, according to Rita." Clare breathlessly broke the silence over the radio. It's static making the silence in the room that much more poignant.

Catherine pressed her reply button. "Thanks Clare. Ask Rita to bring the car to the front of the house. The two of you watch the exit, but don't stop anyone. If they use it, they might have a gun."

"Are you all okay?" Clare asked desperately in reply to the instructions.

"Yes, all present and correct." Catherine responded, knowing that Clare would think the worse.

"I'll do as you say." Clare finished the transmission.

"She won't kill the child. She will use her as a bargaining chip." Serena Dusterly quietly answered.

"That's all I needed to know. Use your weapon Dusterly and shoot the bloody lock out. Do it now!"

"Do you both know who has taken Lisa?" Constance was astonished that these two were talking as if they knew the identity of the person here. How could they?

"Perhaps." Catherine idly answered as she wiped away the profusion of blood. It flicked into the air, splashing onto the wooden floorboards.

Serena aimed at the lock, shooting out the lock with ease. After all, it was old and it wasn't exactly a security lock.

Satisfied at the result, she pulled off her jacket and placed it over her hands as she pushed at the heated metal of the door handle. It gave way immediately. The door opened, allowing them the view of narrow dark stairs that would be tricky. They were going to be sitting ducks if the person below had another gun. That was quite possible.

"Clare has a gun, Catherine." Constance pointed out as they hovered near the entrance, knowing that to walk down into the bowels of the building might be a little rash in the circumstances.

Catherine spun around, giving Constance an accusing glare. Was there a reason for not letting her have that piece of decisive information immediately?

"Why have you kept that a secret Constance?" her voice barely civil.

Constance looked down at her scuffed shoes then back up at Catherine. "I don't want her hurt."

Serena Dusterly knew it was none of her business,, but this was getting them nowhere fast. "Well she can go in by the back entrance then can't she? We might have a chance then!"

Catherine placed a bloody hand through her hair, now matted with the red substance as well as unruly. "I think Clare should make that choice Dusterly."

"She made the damn choice when she volunteered to help. If she has a gun, she must be in a position to use it surely?" Serena was getting impatient at the delay. That was just the edge they needed.

"Dusterly, let me handle this!" Catherine rounded on the woman, who looked none too happy at the delay. Nor was she, but this was different. This was how she would have felt had it been Jace that was going into the lion's den. She would have done anything to stop that. Thank god there wasn't that chance of her partner being in this kind of position. She was relatively safe on Xianspiros.

Dusterly stood, shifting impatiently from one foot to the other as Catherine radioed Clare and calmly asked her if she had her firearm with her.

"Of course Catherine. I thought we might need it. I was a crack shot at the self-defence classes I attended. I'm not afraid to use it if I have to." Clare stated emphatically, having been surprised when Catherine had told her to let anyone go if they came out of that entrance earlier.

"Open the door Clare, then press the bleeper on the radio. When I press the bleeper back, count to three and then set off. We will do the same, but wait until we advise you before you finally enter the room, okay?"

"Sure, will do that right away." The radio went dead.

"I guess that answered all our questions, right Constance?" Catherine turned to the woman at her side.

"YeahÖyeah, I guess it did." She replied quietly, her heart thumping at the chance her lover was taking.

Catherine squeezed her shoulder in sympathy. "Time to get this show on the road Dusterly. Constance, you stay here. You're not going to be able to make the stairs, but you might use that pole in defence or attack, if the need arises."

Constance nodded. She had wondered how she was going to negotiate those steps.

"Are we ready Dusterly?" Serena smiled briefly, acknowledging the question positively.

Catherine pressed the bleeper on her radio, "One, two, three." They started their decent to the basement.

"So, the indomitable Jace Bardley. You decided to join us, without prompting too?" Clarissa Hudson smiled evilly as the blonde walked into the room, seemingly oblivious of the situation.

Jace feigned a look of astonishment as she came face to face with Hudson, her old boss. "What are you doing here Ms. Hudson? In a disguise as well."

Jace had time to scan the room. Her first concern was for Catherine's aunt, who was sitting so pale in her wheelchair. At the foot of it was a prostrate form. Knowing immediately who it was, she sucked a breath in as she saw the blood that pooled around the still body of Sara Rogers.

Sending a look of concern and sympathy to the woman in the chair she gazed at Hudson in question.

"Ah, the ever naive Ms. Bardley. How would that be exactly? I have always wanted to know, especially since you live with one of the most experienced women in the world! Tell me, has Catherine shown you all her talents?" Hudson cackled with laughter, watching a red tinge appear on the blonde's cheeks at the comment.

"What are you doing Hudson? I know you have always wanted Catherine, but if you thinkÖ." She wasn't allowed to finish as Hudson shouted.

"No! You listen up Bardley. Whatever I might have wanted with the esteemed Ms. Devonshire is now a thing of the past. This," Hudson waved her gun around the room in an exaggerated show of power." This is what I want. You are the icing on the cake." Hudson turned to Fatama who was seated at the small breakfast table, surveying the events as they unfolded before her.

"You think you're going to get away with it?" Jace persisted, shaken of her bravado as Hudson moved with blinding speed to come face to face with her, peering into the green troubled eyes of her prey.

Hudson snarled. Her lip curled at the comment. She moved a fraction away, but placed the gun under Jace's chin. She pressed it into the thin layer of skin, making her captive wince at the pain this caused.

"I have been very careful, trust me. No one will know it was me. How could they? I have all my ducks in a row, ready to shoot. Who will care? Tell me, who will care?"

Jace sucked in a sharp painful breath. As she slowly expelled the air in her lungs, a surge of energy encompassed her. As the final air left her lungs, she spit out at the woman. "I will care!"

Hudson laughed at the shorter woman's stupid comment. Didn't she realise she was a trigger finger away from dying? And die she would, but not yet.

"Jace, for god's sake don't rile her." James Thompson spoke from his position at the wall. His hands and feet were bound, making it impossible for him to move to help his friend.

Hudson turned her attention to the handsome man who now had her position at UCP. Perhaps it was time to divest him of that for good? Yes, what a wonderful idea.

"Mr. Thompson, defending the innocent I see, would you also have defended your colleague Detective Kelsey so well?"

Thompson looked at the evil glint in the eyes that moved rapidly around the room, completely aware of the position of each party in the room. He didn't like the way she said that about Kelsey.

"Where is Kelsey?" he asked quietly. As he did so, he saw the excitement flash in her eyes. A look of satisfaction crossed the woman's face.

"Let's put it this way Thompson, the amorous detective will no longer be part of the dating game." Hudson turned to the shallow breathing of the blonde, smiling cruelly at her. "You think I would let that slime ball touch me without retribution? No, no I'm afraid I don't let slime into my bed. Not like you appear to do, Jace my dear."

Jace looked at her closely. Did she mean Catherine? Or did she meanÖKelsey dead? "Peter?"

"At last! The intelligence your résumé alluded to, alas too late. I must hand it to you though Bardley, trapping the wily Ms. Devonshire into a relationship because of a kid was brilliant. Pity I didn't think of that. Still, she gets to keep the kid and I get to have the pleasure of removing you as well as her only blood relative from the face of the earth. Excellent days work. You never know where I'll end up next, might even be her bed." The peel of laughter that rang in the room made everyone, including Fatama Spiros, cringe at its monstrous tone.

"Over my dead body!" Jace hissed out as Hudson viciously slapped her in the face for her rejoinder.

"With pleasure." Hudson squeezed on the trigger under Jace's chin.

Dusterly reached the bottom step and flashed her torch around the dark area before her. She saw nothing, but another door, that obviously led to the hiding place of the person who had bolted back down here. Where else could they go? Clare Fallon had the other exit covered.

Catherine came down the steps closely behind the woman who had the weapon. It would have been foolish of her to go first. Their main concern was to find Lisa and bring her out safe, if indeed she was here at all.

"Time to crash that party, wouldn't you say Dusterly?" Catherine whispered as her finger touched the talk button on her radio.

"Yeah, I think this party is about to end for all time." Dusterly heard sounds above them, surmising it was the police, she knew it would be so easy to stop now and wait for backup. So easy, but something she wasn't going to do! Not this time! This time, she was in charge! She was going to make it count!

"Clare, ready to go?" Catherine spoke softly into the radio mic.

"Yes, on your mark." Clare answered briefly.

Catherine placed a hand on Dusterly's shoulder, pressed it in encouragement. "Mark."

Dusterly rattled the door handle. It gave immediately, letting them into a small dingy room with nothing but dirt on the floor and some rags scattered in the corner. As Dusterly went forward, she shouted to the person who was close to the wall several feet away holding what appeared to be a small body to her. The body wasn't moving.

"You have nowhere to go. Give up now." Dusterly spoke confidently at the tall figure. She was unable to see properly because of the sparse light.

A choked laugh was the only response. ëDamn, the woman had a second weapon!' Serena thought, realising that she shouldn't have been surprised in the circumstances. Then Dusterly and Catherine heard the click of the gun arm being cocked, ready to shoot. But shoot whom?

"Please, let go of whoever you have there. Let's leave here peacefully. It's over!" Dusterly tried again as this time Catherine moved into view of the gun person, much to Serena's dismay.

"Over? No, not over, just the beginning! I want safe passage out of here. This little bundle of joy is going to be my ticket to freedom. What are you going to do stop me, possibly hurt the kid?" The voice of the gun person was clearly that of a woman, a nervous one at that. Anything could happen. Serena sighed heavily.

Not wanting to appear too eager, she turned to Catherine, who pierced the gun woman with a glacial stare, if she was able to see it in the gloom. "You will not take my daughter anywhere!" her voice loud emotionally charged.

"How do you know it's your daughter?" the woman scathingly dismissed the comment.

Catherine didn't give the woman the satisfaction of an answer. Her eyes were watching, hawk-like, the still silent body that was being held upright with the bloody hand that had been shot by Dusterly.

"The police are above us and will be here in a few minutes. If you leave the child behind, we'll give you a chance to leave by the exit to your left. It brings you out at the side of the house, your vehicle is a few feet away." Dusterly spoke quickly.

"You think I trust you? Then again, you always were weak-willed Agent Dusterly, I'm happy to say. How can I trust you?" The woman looked at the ex-agent then to the tall woman, who was about to pounce on her, she was sure.

"Catherine, give me the radio." Serena asked, forcibly taking the radio without waiting for the reply. Therefore, she had been right all along. It really was who she thought it was. How else would they know her name?

"What?" Catherine burst out angrily. What the hell was Dusterly up to? They hadn't discussed this!

"Clare, whoever comes out at your exit, don't shoot them." Serena said decisively. She had to hold Catherine back from wrenching the radio from her grasp to countermand the instruction.

"If anything happens to my daughter Dusterly because of this cowardice on your part, I'll kill you myself." Catherine spat out with venom.

"I know you will." Serena replied sadly.

"Dissension in the ranks as always with you in charge Dusterly. Another master plan ground to ashes." The woman said with loathing. Then, she turned her eyes to the open doorway behind Catherine. She could hear voices.

"It's now or never." Dusterly proclaimed, watching as the woman sidled towards another part of the wall placing her hand on what must have been a well-hidden switch as the exit appeared.

Catherine wanted to hit Dusterly, take the gun, and shoot the smirk off the kidnapper's face. She was being held back by a strong vice like grip from the woman she had thought she could trust. Maybe she was in league with them after all?

"You need to let the child go." Dusterly announced, stepping towards the other woman, immediately staring at the handgun. At this range, she wouldn't have a chance to avoid a bullet.

The kidnapper looked at the small still body, gave it a disparaging glance and without hesitation, pushed the bundle forcibly towards the two other women. Opening the door, she was shocked when a black booted foot came at her full in the face. She reeled from the blow, which sent her tumbling back into the room, sprawling on the concrete surface.

Catherine ignored everything that was going on around her except the need to save her daughter from any further injury. She broke Lisa's fall as she was collapsing in a heap on the floor, only yards from the kidnapper.

Several pairs of feet descended the basement stairs. Then, the room filled with police officers, or it appeared that way. Dusterly was standing on the woman's hand that held the gun to prevent her from discharging the weapon.

Clare was standing with a satisfied smile on her face at the foot of the second exit's steps, watching the commotion.

Catherine tenderly opened the blanket that held the small body. She peered into blue eyes that were brimming with tears. Catherine had thought she might never see those eyes again. Tears slid unchecked down her own bloody face. Gently placing her fingers over the tape that was effectively gagging her child, she removed it slowly, as painless as possible. After removing the offending obstruction from the child, she carefully took off the straps that restrained Lisa's hands and feet.

"Lisa?" Catherine whispered into the grubby child's dirty hair, hugging her fiercely to her chest.

Lisa squirmed in the embrace as Catherine moved away slightly to look into the distressed face. "It's going to be okay now Lisa. I'm here darling, I'm here!"

Lisa looked up into a familiar face of a person she loved and recognised. Her frail arms clinging to the neck of the tall figure holding her warm and safe against her body,  "Mom? You came, you really did come to get me?" the voice was hesitant as if the words were being spoken to an apparition.

Catherine couldn't stop the sob that escaped her lips as she gazed lovingly down into the child's distressed and anxious features. Without heed to anyone else in the room with them, she kissed the top of the child's red hair, rocking her tenderly. Saying indistinctly over and over again, that she would never leave her again, never ever and that was a promise.

Dusterly watched in silence as the previously angry woman was heartrendingly soothing her child. Whatever happened next in this life, just to see that picture would be worth dying for.

"Officer would you please cuff thisÖthis woman and read her, her rights." Dusterly calmly announced as she allowed two of the officers to take over the captive.

"Do you know who it is MissÖ?" One of the officers asked as he cuffed the woman, without regard for her injured hand. If this was who they thought it was, she didn't deserve to be handled any better. Who was she going to complain to anyway? Who the hell would listen?

"Dusterly, my name is Dusterly. Yes, I know who it is." Serena Dusterly placed a hand on the facemask that the woman was wearing and pulled it up none too gently to reveal the identity of the kidnapper.

As she did so, Catherine picked up her daughter and pulled her into her shoulder shakily. Ignoring all offers of help, she walked slowly up the stairs passing Constance without a second look, out into the bright glare of the morning. Her body focused on one thing only, her daughter's safety and taking her home. Home wasn't here in this country. It was several thousand miles away. If it were up to her, they would never leave Destiny ever again. Her lips crushed the matted hair as tears continued to cascade down her cheeks. She was met at the car by Rita, who looked at them with compassionate eyes, brimming with her own unshed tears at the sight. She quickly opened the door, allowing her boss to settle in the rear of the car, again refusing any help with her child.

"Take us home Rita." Catherine finally responded, her voice exhausted in the extreme.

"Sure thing." Rita closed the door. Speaking into the radio, she informed Clare that they were leaving and asked her to relate the message to Dusterly and Constance.

Rita opened the driver's door, settled in and reversed out of the yard area. A police vehicle followed discreetly behind at the instruction of the woman they now knew to be an ex-FBI agent.

All hell was breaking loose at headquarters. This was a coup for them, even if it had all been over by the time they got there.
 
 

Colin had talked to Danni at length the previous evening, agreeing to accompany her to the police after he had finished his morning rounds. Now with the aid of Jake, he was sure that everything would be complete by ten that morning. He had called Detective Armstrong who had handled Jace's kidnapping over a year ago and explaining briefly the reason for his visit. He would rather talk with him first than anyone else. It was all going according to plan.

Danni had settled quietly in a reflective mood, in the living area. Although the TV was on, he was certain she was not watching it as her eyes constantly strayed towards the main house.

The woman called Hudson, sounded as if she had one major chip on her shoulder. It went by the name of his employer and friend, Catherine Warriorson. He had been a little worried at some of the disclosures Danni had seen fit to regale him with. After she was safely in bed, he hoped soundly asleep, he set some very special alarms on the main house that only he and Catherine were aware of, for the moment. In fact, he wasn't even sure if she was going to explain them to Jace. Extra safety measures seemed to be the focus for Catherine once the renovations had been agreed upon and finally completed. They had never tested them properly, but he decided that evening was as good as any time to set them.

He'd been fairly confident that Danni was being sincere with her information and did indeed want to make up for some of her past mistakes. He had been correct too, as the safety measures had not been set off. Danni had not left the house or ventured near the main ranch house.

Jake was ambling over to the house. Therefore, Colin needed to leave. Walking towards the room that Danni was sitting quietly in, he opened the door popping his head inside the room.

"I have to go now Danni. If you need anything, please help yourself. I'll be back in a little over an hour. We will then see the detective with your information, okay?" He smiled at her warmly.

Danni started in surprise. His gentle voice eased her nervousness at the situation she was now in. "Sure, thanks Colin."

He smiled once more, a merry twinkle in his grey eyes, closing the door behind him.

Danni stared unseeingly out of the window of the room that showed her the drive to the main house. ëIf only you knew it all Colin, what would you think then, I wonder? I doubt you would allow me in your home, or a hundred miles near the family you try to protect. No need for you to know Colin, not now. I will explain it all to the police. Then, it will finally be over. What a tangled web we weave in life. If only things could be different, if only!'

She continued to watch the main house with a mixture of regret tinged with sadness, for things that might have been.

Grace was tentatively walking the small ledge. She had forgotten one important point when she'd climbed onto the ridge, her weak leg wasn't going to be all that steady.

Now she was feeling the strain of dragging it along such a small area. It was taking her longer than she anticipated. The man, she was sure, could only be seconds away from detecting her. She had heard the crash of the bookcase as well as the angry words indecipherable to her, but the tone had been enough.

Taking the next step, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen again. She clutched at her belly and the ache it caused, sucking in a sharp breath at the pain. Her foot faltered. She had to push back against the whitewashed walls of the building, as she steadied herself. ëMy god, could it get any worse?'

She closed her eyes briefly at the sharp pain and expelled a shallow breath. She finally opened her brown eyes slowly, instinctively knowing that she was not alone. Slowly she turned her head to look at the balcony area she had left the safety of, a few minutes before.

George Spiros looked at the sight before him, a young woman trying desperately to escape him. Under normal circumstances, he would have laughed at the idea, for few women ran from his charms. These were not normal circumstances. He noticed that the woman had pain etched in her features, which had nothing to do with his appearance. She was obviously in distress.

"You should not be on the ledge," he stated simply in accented English.

Grace wanted to laugh at the ludicrous comment. Of course, she should not be, but it was this ledge or looking down the barrel of a gun. She had decided her chances were much better on the ledge, or at least they had appeared to be at the time. "You had something else in mind?"

George heard the sarcasm in the foreigner's voice. He had to give her credit for her spunk at a time like this. It reminded him of Althea's courage. "Please, it would be better if you came back."

"Oh yeah. Says who?" Grace remarked tightly at the comment. Did he think she was stupid?

The man shook his head slightly, eyeing her position, which looked less than safe to him. Again he saw a flash of pain she was unable to mask, travel across her face. "You are hurt?" his voice held a concern she was astonished at.

"What does it matter to you? Why not do as you were bid? Kill me now. I'm a sitting duck, easy target for you." Grace scathingly said as another sharp pain coursed through her, making her sway slightly on the ledge. Perhaps it wasn't going to be a bullet that would end it all, but her body rebelling.

George saw her sway as he moved quickly towards the balcony edge. She was right. He should just shoot her. That would be one of the two foreigners taken care of. All he wanted to do was save his sister. If he could prove that he had killed one of the foreigners, perhaps he could plead mercy for his sister. He had to try!

"Yes, that is true." He brought out his handgun levelling it at her head as his finger squeezed around the trigger.

Grace saw the action in slow motion, or at least it appeared that way. It was the end. She could see images flash before her eyes. The final one she had before her as she waited for the end to come was her husband's trusting smile and warm loving grey eyes. ëOh god, she was going to miss him. She was sorry. So sorry she had brought it to this point. He would understand. He would, she just knew it!'

She cried out in agony as a pain stronger than the previous ones tore at her. The intensity creating a dark vacuum, She felt herself falling, falling and fallingÖ

Catherine came out of her trance like state, watching over her sleeping daughter as they pulled up at the entrance of the luxury apartment complex. The flashing of lights and sirens prompted her mind back to the present.

"Rita? Are we surrounded?" Catherine asked the woman who was edging them closer to the entrance, suddenly thinking that was a rather stupid comment.

"Yeah, I think so. I didn't want to interrupt you, but a police vehicle has escorted us since we left the farmhouse. I figured it was better to have them there than give them the slip." Rita glanced in her rear view mirror, her eyes caught by the ice blue eyes of her employer.

"Good call. So, it looks like the whole of New York PD is here to welcome us home." Her absent comment unanswered as Rita stopped the vehicle and quickly got out of her seat and went around to open the rear passenger side for Catherine.

As she did so, Lt. Delaney came forward, showing his badge. He stood erect and watchful as Catherine carefully manoeuvred out of the vehicle with her precious bundle in her arms. Lisa was sleeping soundly for the moment.

"Ms. Devonshire, is there anything I can do?" he asked politely, watching a hooded expression cross her face. He could hazard a good guess at exactly what she wanted to say to him, especially now that they knew who the kidnapper was. Dusterly had been right all along.

"No, not at the moment. I'm waiting for my physician. Let him through as soon as he gets here. Don't make a hash of that small task, will you detective?" Catherine responded softly, leaving her no doubt that the words had hit home as the man nodded his head, shamefaced at the censure.

Catherine mounted the steps shadowed by Rita. To prevent anyone from getting too close and entering the building, two police officers followed discreetly behind them.

Stepping into the elevator, she clasped Lisa closer to her, kissing the top of her head once more. It was the only thing she could do to ensure herself that the child was safe with her now. Her own head was aching. She was also struggling to breathe out of the possibly broken nose. Gulping in air, she concentrated on the steel doors. Her mind cleared slightly and she was inwardly smiling at now being in a position to call Jace. She was able to say at last that she was coming home. Lisa was coming home too!

The doors slid open as they walked quickly towards the apartment. On either side of the door was two uniformed police officers. This time, there was going to be no mistake. No one was going to have the opportunity to take her child away again. As the door opened for them, Stephanie the housekeeper had to stifle a sob as she saw the bloodied face of her employer, but more importantly the small child held securely in her arms. Lisa was home at last!

They walked inside silently, without words. Catherine went to the child's bedroom, placed her tenderly on the bed, and pulled the blankets over her semi-sleeping form. As she did, she pulled out Blacky from her pocket, placing him by her side. Lisa already clutched the rag doll to her as Catherine had placed her in the child's hand within minutes of Lisa being safe.

Now standing erect, Catherine stared down at the child. The lump she felt in her throat now manifested itself in tears as she slumped into the chair at the child's bedside and cried. Her sobs refused to be masked as she tried, but failed to combat them, the sound to her was even louder as she was unable to breathe properly out of her nose. She was a mess!

"Don't cry Catherine." A small voice said. The woman was not sure she had heard the voice in reality, or if it was in her mind.

"Please Mom, don't cry." This time Catherine was sure she heard it, looking across at the pale face of her daughter, who was looking solemnly at her with blue eyes as wide as saucers.

Catherine continued to look at Lisa. She did not know what to say. Then she remembered that Jace had said actions often speak louder than words. So she moved towards the bed, settled herself down next to the child, and pulled the frail body into her arms as she kissed the top of her head. "Lisa, we missed you!" Words she whispered brokenly, over and over again as they both found solace in the comfort of each other.

For several minutes they stayed like that, then Catherine spoke gently into the silent room.

"You and I are going home Lisa, home for good. Jake, Elena, Grandma Faith, Grandma Alison, Colin, and Judy will be there. Ah, Rio too. Can't forget Rio now, can I?" Catherine smiled feeling Lisa chuckle into her body.

"No, we can't forget Rio, Catherine. Rio Warriorson, that's his name! He's family too!" Lisa spoke softly, closing her eyes as she settled further into a closer embrace.

"You won't go away, will you Catherine?" a mere squeak from the child as sleep began to take over again.

No, I won't go away Lisa. I'll never go away again. You're going to be safe from now on, I promise." Catherine whispered, not knowing if the child heard or not, but the small sigh that she felt from the child convinced her that she had indeed heard that promise.

"You did not say mom, Catherine. Will mom be home too?" The child asked wearily, but sleep claimed her before Catherine could answer. She would do so tomorrow, yes tomorrow.

Looking up at the white ceiling with the plaster-moulded fairies that adorned the centre of each corner, she vowed that this time the promise would never be broken. Only death itself would end the decree.

"I love you Lisa. Tomorrow if all goes well, we will go home for good!"

Catherine closed her eyes, wondering what was happening with Jace. Having felt a tightening in her gut increasingly as the hours had proceeded, she had hoped it was the rescue attempt. But now, she still felt the nervous feeling. Something was not right. She had only experienced that when Jace was in trouble or worried. As soon as the doctor arrived and had seen to them both, she would call Jace. He would be here soon. They had called him as they hit the outskirts of New York, so anytime soon.

"We have her back Jace. Thank you for your strength, my love. Without your guiding light, where would I be today?" she spoke as the sun streamed into the room without permission, warming them with its rays.

"No!" Fatama Spiros threw the one word into the room. It seemed to echo off every surface as everyone watched in uncontrollable morbid fascination. Hudson was about to blow Jace's head off!

Hudson turned with malevolent eyes towards the old crone who had issued the single word, effectively stopping her final squeeze of the trigger. ëDid Jace Bardley, this insipid creature, have nine lives?'

"What?" Hudson shouted, her tone harsh.  Her eyes darted around the room for any obvious problem.

"We came here to kill Xianthos. That was the deal. I want her dead first." Fatama stared at Constantia Xianthos as she sneered at the wheelchair bound woman. Constantia's silent tears trailed her cheeks as she stared at the still figure of her greatest friend, lying at her feet. She was unable to help her or give her comfort.

"What difference does it make?" Hudson glanced at the woman in the wheelchair, smiling wickedly as she thought what a wonderful sensation it was to hold all these peoples lives in her hand. Not one of them would have a chance to plead for their lives. Well, she might let them plead, but they would not live. No loose ends was something she had learned along the way in this life.

"I want Xianthos. You asked for my help, I want Xianthos first!" Fatama stated with confident authority.

"OhÖOh well, it doesn't matter anyway. She's next then, that's my choice." Hudson agreed, bored at the conversation. After all, it was only a matter of a few minutes.

Fatama Spiros stood up and walked unsteadily over to Constantia Xianthos. At last, the feud would end. The niece would be as good as dead soon enough. The maniac foreigner would see to that. Now within inches of her nemesis, she looked down at the silver hair that was bowed looking at the creature of the floor. That stupid Englishwoman should never have allied herself to the Xianthos seed. It always brought death and destruction to anyone it touched. It always had and always would. Legend foretold it, now she knew first hand.

"You refuse to look up at the person who takes your life, head of the house of cowards called Xianthos?" Fatama spit out at the woman she hated, hated with a rage that fired her belly as soon as she heard her name. It had always been this way, even as a child when they had attended the same school. Her beloved Nikolos had eyes only for the tall raven-haired, blue-eyed beautiful woman. There had been only one way to ensure that she caught Nikolos eye and that was to discredit Constantia in his. It would be easy, or so she thought. It had finally taken another death to complete her plan. That had been beneficial too.

Constantia wanted nothing more than to join her friend in death! Sarah had given her life to protect her, when the foreigner had walked in firing a shot in her direction. Sarah had un-selfishly placed her body in front of her, taking the bullet meant for her. She had fallen directly in front of the wheelchair unmoving. It wasn't right that Sarah should die. It wasn't her time!

Constantia lifted her head, regally piercing Fatama with an ice blue gaze that emitted the feeling of having frostbite in seconds. "You call my family cowards? You! Fatama, how can that be? When you chose to use assassins to kill me, rather than do the deadly deed yourself? Tell me Fatama please. I want to know, how that cannot be considered a coward's way out?"

"You are such a fool Constantia! You were as a young woman, even more so as an old one." Fatama felt chilled by the gaze of her prey. Surely, it should be the other way around.

"Fool, I may be Fatama, but I would never throw my child to the dogs for an outdated ancient feud, that is not even of your own bloodline. What of your daughter Althea? She is a fine woman. You embroil her and your son in long forgotten disputes that have no meaning to the new generations of our children. Greece is no longer a country of legends, gods and goddess'. It is a place where our children can be equal to the rest of the world. We should rejoice in it! So much better than feuds and disputes of old." Constantia gave what she expected to be her last words in this life, regarding the pale features of Althea Spiros as she did so.

"How would you know? Where are your children? Even as a surrogate mother you failed, didn't you? One child is dead. The other is a perverted creature that should be in prison or dead!" Fatama scathingly responded, bristling with emotion.

Constantia heaved a heavy sigh. Jace watched, listening to the conversation. She felt her own heart jerk in compassion then anger as her partner was discussed in such disparaging terms.

Suddenly, a shot rang out. All eyes darted to the open balcony where the sound resonated.

"My god, at least it sounds as if one of your brood can do what it's told. Unbelievable!" Hudson caustically broke the silence of the stunned room.

Jace wasn't sure what to make of it all. Had the man who was hunting them traced Grace? Had he shot her? Perhaps it was a warning shot. Maybe it didn't hit it's targetÖOh god, where are you Catherine when I need your strength? My darling, I need it now.

Fatama turned to the American, smiling briefly. "Yes, my son will always do his duty."

"How about I just finish off the old woman, Bardley, and the rest of them? Then we will celebrate with Champagne at the family restaurant. What do you say?" Hudson retorted, now only interested in getting the job done.

Fatama looked at Constantia Xianthos, Jace Bardley, and the two men tied up against the wall, unable to move. Then her eyes turned to her daughter, her youngest child, the apple of Nikolos' eye. He had doted on the child, had always said she was brighter than his son was. Yet, who was brighter now? She was about to die. George would live and carry on the name, as it should be! It would all be over soon, all of it!

"As you wish. I will go talk to George." Fatama announced as she slowly made her way towards the door.

"Mama? Mama, you can't let her do this! You can't!" Althea pleaded as she held out a hand to stop her mother.

"Oh, give me strength!" Hudson exhaled a deep breath in exaggerated irritation.

The door to the room opened suddenly as George Spiros stepped in. Casting his eyes around with slight trepidation, the demonic one of the foreigner, Clauser locked his gaze.

"You finished the business?" Hudson asked matter-of-factly, quite as if she was shopping for groceries.

George mumbled something low in Greek and then replied in English. "Yes."

"Good, that means you can help me with the final plan." Hudson smiled cruelly at the spectators in the room.

Jace cried out in anguish as the man confirmed her worse fears. Grace was dead

"Bardley, shut up!" Hudson spoke harshly at the blonde, obviously distressed at the news.

George glanced first at his mother, before quickly sliding around the room to the captive audience and   finally resting on his sister, distressed at her frightened terrorised features.

Turning to Hudson, making his way so that he was in front of her, he answered her question.

"Yes! Yes, I'm ready for the final plan." He spoke softly as he faced the foreigner.
 
 

Colin had finished the chores as he had expected. Now, they were heading towards the gates to pick up Danni's car.

"You okay with this Danni? I'll understand if you want to forget the police." Colin asked the pensive woman at his side. She had said very little since he'd come back from his rounds.

Danni stared unseeingly out of the windscreen, barely hearing any of the words. Her mind was in turmoil, everything had appeared to be easy, explain to Jace and then disappear for good. Her mind continually going over the information she had, also what Hudson had asked her to do. She couldn't do it. She'd agreed to do it for the money. Yes, the money had been the big factor. She could go live on one of the small islands in the pacific and start all over again. No one would know her or find her. Hudson certainly would not bother with her. She was such a small cog in her plans. She was sure the woman had other things to care about. That left her as a trivial irritation.

"Danni are you okay?" Colin asked worriedly as he pulled up at her vehicle and parked a few hundred yards away from the gatehouse.

Danni shook her head of her thoughts as she smiled at this kind man. She hoped one day that she would meet someone as kind and gentle with her. "I'm sorry Colin. Yes, I'm fine. I'll get my car and follow you to the police station."

Colin looked at her closely, nodding his head. "Okay, you know best. It's in town about ten miles south, if we lose each other." He chuckled at that, for the roads were virtually deserted. Traffic jams were only a thing of the big cities.

Danni smiled at the comment and then suddenly placed her arms about the tall man, hugging him tight. "Thank you for giving me a chance Colin. You don't know what it means to me."

Colin went a crimson red, as he felt her arms go around him. He had not expected this kind of emotional outburst. ëWomen!'

"Mr. Montgomery?" The security officer shouted to him.

Disengaging from the embrace, he smiled at her. She went towards her vehicle as he went to see what the guard wanted.

"Yes Fred. What's the problem?" Colin smiled at the man. He was a good security man.

"You told us to report anything suspicious?" Fred asked tentatively.

"Yes, of course Fred. Has there been an incident?" Colin was immediately on his guard. The property, and particularly the people within the property were his main concern.

"Well, last night around midnight a car drove up and asked directions to the town. I thought it was a bit odd, but you know what tourists are like. They can't read maps like us old ones can." Fred rambled; Colin wanted to say great, thanks, but waited a short time for the man to finish.

"That was all? Did they leave immediately?" Colin asked as he turned to watch Danni get in her vehicle.

"Well, yeah I guess they did. I thought you might want to know?"

Colin turned back to the security guard, "Sure, I did Fred. That's great. Thanks for telling me. I need to go into town now. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

Colin walked back to his vehicle and saw Danni turn to look at him. He smiled back as he reached his vehicle.

As he opened the door to the vehicle, Fred shouted at him again.

"Mr. Montgomery?"

"Yes Fred?" Colin asked absently. The security man ambled over as he sat in his car, turning on the engine.

"I'm sure it's nothing, butÖthey stopped next to your visitor's car for a little while. I don't think anything was amiss. They appeared to be talking, had a drink out of a flask, then they went away." Fred said turning back towards his station.

Colin mulled over the new information, initially thinking nothing about it as he set his vehicle in motion. He passed Danni's car, waving at her to follow. Driving twenty yards along the road, he heard an explosion and was suddenly inundated by a fireball with metal objects crashing on his Landrover.

Turning off the ignition immediately, he looked into his rear view mirror. He couldn't believe what he saw. The car that belonged to Danni was engulfed in flames. He felt the heat of the fireball, knowing that Danni could not have survived the explosion.

Flames engulfed the vehicle, decimating it to a smouldering shell! Colin looked towards the security guard that was lying on the ground. He needed help! It was clearly too late for Danni.

Hudson smiled at the Greek who she had been certain was a lost cause who wouldn't come up with the goods. Well, how wrong could you be?

"By all means George, lets make history, shall we?" Hudson smirked at the man.

"Yes, let's make history." George replied mechanically. He pulled out his gun and without another word, aimed it at Hudson.

Hudson looked at the barrel of the gun and laughed in a cackle that would have done justice to a witch's coven.

"You're pointing that the wrong way idiot."

George looked at her and smiled at the comment. "Idiot? No, not me foreigner, you are the idiot." He concentrated his aim and was about to squeeze the trigger when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He glanced down in shock to see crimson red spread over his shirt. ëWhat was that?'

"Yeah, idiot. I've shot you first." Hudson smiled sardonically at the shocked expression on the face of the dying man. She swiftly moved away from the gun barrel that might go off in reaction.

Fatama could not believe what she saw. Screaming her pain at the injury to her son, she kneelt down awkwardly as he slumped to the floor.

"George? George? Please don't die. Mama is here George. Don't die." The words said in a heartbroken tone that tore at even the most cynical in the room, all except one.

"Oh my god, now we have the melodramatics? For god's sake Fatama, it's the way it goes. Some you win, some you lose. Didn't I explain the rules to you sufficiently?" Hudson stated in a bored tone, looking at the body of the man at her feet with his mother wailing over the fool.

"Look, I've had enough of this. Let's just shoot them. I'm thirsty for that champagne." Hudson looked around with increasing boredom.

"You have no feelings whatsoever Hudson, none!" Jace glared at the mad woman, knowing why Catherine had focused on making sure this woman was neutralised. If she saw her partner againÖno! When she saw her again, she was going to make sure that if Catherine ever came across this type of situation again, she would listen and listen close.

"Oh Bardley, when will you get off the soap box and consider yourself dead?" Hudson dismissed her as she would a small bug under her feet, aiming her gun at Jace's head once more.

"I wasn't aware I possessed a soap box. That's more suited to you than me, I think. What ever did anyone do to set you on this path? It's not too late to change, you know." Jace tried to plead with the woman.

She had thought that once, a long, long time ago, she knew Hudson. The gun aimed at her head, and the recent shooting of one of her accomplices without a second thought, should have frightened her. It hadn't! If she did not try something, she was dead anyway. Perhaps somewhere inside Hudson, she still had a heart. It was always worth a try. What did she have to lose now anyway? Her life was already forfeit.

Althea Spiros saw the woman kill her brother without a second thought. Her attention was now drawn to the small blonde, who really should not be goading the woman, for it was certain death. She was positive Jace knew this. Slowly, she knelt by her brother's body, placing a trembling hand on her mother's shoulder in sympathy. No matter what differences they had, ultimately they had both loved George. It was perhaps the only thing that they shared.

"Mama please, he's dead. It is time for us to leave. There is nothing left here for us. The revenge you sought will only bring more pain and grief. It is time to go home." Althea pleaded with her mother, her heart full of pain as she looked at the serene expression on George's face in death.

Fatama Spiros heard the words, but they made no sense to her. How could they? For revenge was sweet, she would have her revenge! Looking up quickly, she startled the young woman, who had betrayed her. George would not be dead if Althea had agreed to the plan and followed the directions of the foreigner.

"You! How can you say that? I will have my revenge. All is not lost. George will not die without my exacting that revenge in the fullest." Fatama spat at her daughter. The manic expression in her Mother's eyes shocked Althea. Reaching for the gun that her son held lifelessly in his hand, she retrieved the weapon aiming it at her daughter.

"No!" Jace shouted as she saw the action and the altercation, her discussion with Hudson now on hold. No one else was going to die today, not if she could help it!

When movies were shown in slow motion, that was how Jace felt as she dived towards the mother and daughter scenario. She was praying to whatever god was listening, to help her out here. Expecting the worse and feeling a sharp pain to her chest, resulting in a loss of breath from her lungs, she heard a shot ring out, then another within a split second.

ëHad she been shot? Was she still alive? She could hear sirens and voices far away, or at least that was what she judged them to be.' She opened her eyes which she had squeezed shut as she dived towards the floor. She focused now on the ceiling, rather than the weight that was lying across her.

"Jace? Jace are you okay?" James Thompson shouted from his position at the wall. He was unable to move, but he could talk. He had been in the movie business for years. He could have sworn this was right out of one of the latest action adventures. But it wasn't fiction it was real life and my god, what a real life.

Jace looked towards her friend shaking her head of the jumbled thoughts. "Yes, yes James. I'm fine."

Althea Spiros had a hand clutched to her mouth as she looked at the now prone body of her mother, the dark eyes staring unseeingly, out at her. No longer alive, no longer able to exact revenge, no longer able to manipulate and harm anyone. She placed a trembling hand over the eyelids, shutting them one final time as she bowed her head beginning to cry. Wracking sobs filled her body. ëRevenge? What is revenge?'

"You have nine lives Bardley. Did you know that?" Clarissa Hudson spoke so quietly Jace wasn't sure if it was just in her head, but she felt the movement of the body lying across hers.

Jace sucked in a breath as she realised it was Hudson lying across her, bleeding profusely from a gun shot wound to the chest.

"I don't know howÖthat is why?" Jace exclaimed softly, clearly unsure as to what happened.

"No one Bardley, no one but me, was going to have the pleasure of your death. The old crone wasn't going to take my pleasure away. You were mine." Hudson spoke with a halting quality to her words, each syllable a drain on her energy levels. Her face ashen, eyes dilated, Jace could see the shadows of pain crease her features, ensuring the bearer knew what pain was at its most acute level.

Jace couldn't believe the woman was still trying to intimidate her as she lay possibly within minutes of death! How could anyone have such a hatred, that it kept them away from death's door as it opened to allow entry?

"Hudson, you saved my life. How is that a part of your plans?" Jace appealed softly. As she saw a grimace of pain, blood coursed from Hudson's mouth causing her to splutter and cough.

"I'll never die Bardley! I am always going to be here. The shadow of tomorrow that you want to forget, but never will! How can you? I just saved your ass. Ironic, don't you think? How will that precious partner of yours take that news? Make her sick probably." Hudson viciously spat out. Her breath became ragged as she exhaled.

Jace shook her head, the blonde hair swirling around like a halo, "Catherine will be grateful." The words were simple, but sincere as she stared at the woman, unable to fully understand the events that had taken place.

Hudson's eyes glazed over, wondering if the final moment was here. Perhaps an angel had come to take her, another irony if that proved the case. "Catherine will be so upset! That woman will never forgive herself for having to be grateful to me for anything, especially your life! I think it is fitting, my final deed, always to be beside the two of you, for the rest of your days. A living death, I think they call it Bardley. So, I get my wish after all."

The door to the balcony room opened. In rushed two police officers, with three more at the door. Taking in the situation, they immediately tracked down the guns and scoured the area for others with weapons.

"We need medical attention here." Constantia spoke in rapid Greek, relieved when two paramedics rushed inside under police escort.

One paramedic attended to the prone figure of Sarah Rogers turning her slowly to assess the injury, which was a mass of blood from the shoulder area.

"Is she dead?" Constantia barely whispered, hoping another tragedy could be prevented.

The paramedic checked for life signs. Much to Constantia's annoyance, he remained silent for a few moments more. Then, he peered up at the woman in the wheelchair, giving her a wink.

"She's lost a lot of blood, but I think we arrived in time." He stood up motioning for a stretcher to be placed beside Sarah.

Constantia watched as her friend was settled on the stretcher, tears cascading down her face. She placed a tender hand on the cheek she could reach as they lifted the injured woman away.

"Would you like to ride with us?" The paramedic asked gently, virtually knocked off his feet at the dazzling smile he received.

Jace was relieved of the now unconscious Hudson. A paramedic worked on the prone woman to revive her, looking grim as he did so. Hudson's words echoed in her mind as she struggled to stand, covered in the other woman's blood.

"Is this everyone in the villa?" the police captain asked in English.

Jace looked up into his eyes, her emerald ones glistening with unshed tears. "NoÖno my friend Grace is in the villa somewhere, sheÖshe was ÖsheÖ." Jace broke at that point, weeping for her friend.

"Would that be a Mrs. Montgomery?" The Police Captain replied, with a brief understanding smile.

"YesÖyes it would. Have you found her?" Jace asked quickly, her face taking on a blotchy hue as she cried for her friend.

"Well, I guess you could call it that, but she found us first. She's feeling a little under the weather, but the medics have checked her over. She's resting." Flashing him a bright smile with tears that fell down her cheeks, Jace rushed out of the room. She was unaware of Grace's whereabouts, but knew that it was important to see her friend at this moment. ëOh thank you God. I couldn't have done it without you.'

Jason Bardley had arrived at the apartment of his daughter-in-law some time before. He was now standing silently, watching over the park below from the large picture window in the lounge. He had not wanted to disturb Catherine, but would have sorely loved to see Lisa to convince himself that it was not a dream, and he would suddenly wake to find the nightmare situation the reality.

"Mr. Bardley, would you like a coffee?" Rita Tuscany asked the silently brooding man at the window. She had worked for him only a short time, but found him gracious, charming, and a joy to work with, especially after the months of problems working for Constance Waverly.

Jason heard the voice of his PA, turning to give the young woman a faint smile and nod of his head. "Thanks Rita. When is the doctor due?"

Rita glanced at her wristwatch, raising her eyebrows. They had called him some forty-five minutes ago. It could only be the traffic delaying the man she had to assume. You certainly didn't keep Ms. Devonshire waiting. "Anytime now I suspect. Should I call him again to find out where he is?"

Jason shook his grey hair peppered head, walking over to look down the corridor to the closed bedroom door. "You know Rita, in all the years of my life, this has been the most difficult I have had to live through. Never ever, do I want to go through this again. How can these monsters call themselves human beings if they abduct our innocent children?"

Rita looked down at the carpet that adorned the floor of the room. She felt the welling up of tears at his comment. He was so right. What was even more appalling was, the person who had committed the crime was a well-respected citizen, seemingly above suspicion. "It makes you wonder who you can trust in this life, doesn't it?"

Jason looked up sharply at the words as he heard the bitterness in her tone. "Rita, there are evil people in every walk of life. The majority are good clean living people, just like you and I. Sometimes in life, we have to trust our judgement and cross our fingers a little."

"Mr. Bardley, will Lisa be okay, do you think?" Rita asked in concern.

"What do you mean exactly Rita?" Jason stepped closer to the younger woman. Had Lisa been hurt in any way?

Rita shuffled at her spot close to the door, sighing heavily.

"She's at that age when all impressions are taken in andÖand well, it isn't the easiest of experiences to forget, is it?"

Jason considered the truth of the statement. In reality, can you ever forget such an experience? "I think it will be hard, but she has two wonderful parents who I know will be willing to move heaven and earth to help her forget. Not to mention, the rest of the family too. That little girl is a spunky kid who will make it. She will put the rest of us to shame. Count on it Rita."

"Hope so." Rita said softly as she went to ask Stephanie about coffee.

Jason looked down the corridor making a decision. He would call Alison at Destiny and inform her and the rest of the family of the good news. He walked quickly towards the study to make the call. As he entered the study, he heard the doorbell. The doctor had arrived at last!

Jace opened the door of Grace's allocated bedroom in the villa tentatively; she had scoured the ground floor for her friend without success, her anxiety to know that her friend was in good shape, clearly etched in her expressive features.

"Grace?" softly spoken into the darkening recesses of the room.

She heard a gasp rather than specific coherent words; Jace heard sounds that she had thought never to hear again.

"Jace? Is that you Jace?" Grace couldn't conceal her delight at the voice of her friend.

Jace rushed over to her friend who was lying on the bed struggling to get up from her prone position.

"Hey, hey it's okay Grace you don't need to get up. Are you hurt? The police said you needed to rest. What happened?" Several questions tumbled from Jace's lips as she sat down gently on the bed hugging her friend as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Grace smiled into the shoulder of her friend, ëTypical Jace.' She pulled away reluctantly, looking into the concerned green eyes.
"I'm fine or at least I had a little twinge or two but the medics say I'll be fine with a few days rest. What happened?"

 "I could ask you the same thing we heard a shot?" Jace asked gravely.

"The Greek guy decided to save my life rather than end it, aimed the shot at the wall to give the impression that he had completed the task he'd been given by Hudson. He saved my life Jace; I was about to topple off the balcony ledge he pulled me to safety. What happened at your end?" Grace wanted to know what happened to George Spiros, as he'd introduced himself to her, if he needed a character reference she sure as hell could vouch for him!

Jace looked away towards the open window the lace curtain billowing out at the window from the slight breeze. How did you explain what happened, when she really wasn't sure herself.

"Hudson was going to kill me, even had the gun in my face." Grace glanced at the blonde who had her face averted. ëMrs. Spiros stopped her and there was an altercation. George Spiros came in the room and suddenly things changed. George aimed his gun at Hudson she shot him andÖI'm sorry Grace but he died instantly."

Grace inhaled a sharp breath at the news, there had to have been another way surely, but had he not died would Jace? Perhaps that was the justice nature had awarded him despite his last-minute change of heart. "That's okay Jace. What happened next, what about Hudson?"

Jace turned back to her friend as she solemnly described the events that she recalled as best she could
"Hudson is dead?" the words echoed eerily in the room.

Jace shook her head, "no, seriously injured, perhaps dying but not dead as I left anyway."

"Catherine's Aunt is okay?" Grace asked as she saw the withdrawn look on Jace's face.

"Yes, yes Constantia is at the hospital with Sarah. The medics are confident that she will be okay in due course."

"I guess we got off lucky in this one Jace for once the good came out the winning team." Grace replied with optimism.

"I just feel that there could have been another way without the bloodshed. We didn't exactly escape without casualties Grace." Jace responded soberly.

"Yeah I know, Sarah. But she's going to be fine you saidÖ."

"It appears that the detective that Catherine had despatched here with James is another casualty but a fatal one according to Hudson. Grace when the medics said you had to rest why is that if you weren't injured?" Jace was puzzled at the situation.

That brought an embarrassed look on Grace's face as she informed Jace of her own adventure. "Oh god you could have lost the baby, what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I needed to stay alive for lot's of reasons, at the time it was pretty much the only option I had available to me. I could always have another child JaceÖbut if I diedÖwell that speaks for itself doesn't it?" Grace answered resignedly. It still tore at her the fact that she had been prepared to sacrifice her unborn child.

Jace looked at the raging emotions passing over her friend's face and pulled her into a tight hold. "You did the right thing my friend it's all going to be alright, so no harm done." Whispering the words gently, to soothe the woman in her hold, who needed to know that the decision she had made, was the only one she could have in the circumstances.

"Yeah, it's going to be alright in the end. The kid probably takes after its dad already, never gives up." Grace smiled as she thought of her husband his beloved features that she pictured clearly in her mind's eye.

Jace smiled at the words. "I think after its Mom too. How about you try to get some sleep I'll go find out what's happening, then we can think about going home what do you say?"

"Sounds like a plan to me I'm all for going home the sooner the better." Grace lay her head on the pillow feeling the lethargy take over as her eyes betrayed her starting to close immediately.

Now to find out what was happening, then she was going to call Catherine; she could really do with hearing her partner's voice about now. It would help her to keep her nerve not break down, as she would really like to now. Yes, Catherine was her lighthouse in the storm and what a storm it had been for them all!

"Ever seen a Laurel and Hardy movie Mr. Montgomery?" Detective Armstrong asked the tall ranch foreman as he surveyed the charred mess around them.

Colin Montgomery was puzzled at the question but nodded his head, it had been awhile but the monochrome movies even today could give you the odd chuckle.

"Another fine mess you got me into, kind of comes to mind, wouldn't you say?" the detective shook his head at the still steaming remains of the car that had exploded killing instantly the only passenger.

"I'm sorry for involving you Detective Armstrong, but you were the only one I knew. Considering the publicity there is going to be, the only one I think Ms. Warriorson is going to trust to handle it as discreetly as possible would be you. In the circumstances she has enough on her plate at the moment." Colin responded to the question as well as he was able.

Armstrong pulled at the morning whiskers on his chin as he considered that comment. Yeah Warriorson would want this to be damped down as much as possible in light that she was embroiled in what must be to her a more tragic situation the kidnapping of her daughter. That wasn't of course common knowledge he'd been rather impressed that the American publicity machine hadn't got hold of that story but someone out there was doing a grand job of keeping the news hound's away. He wondered if they would be equally as successful, doubtful very doubtful.

"Yes quite, so this woman O'Neil exactly how did she know the family?" Armstrong went closer to the vehicle or as close as the fire people would let him.

Colin had not wanted to view the remains of Danni; he just couldn't stomach it at the moment. He still could not believe that the situation happened at all, never mind so close to the ranch and the people he loved. What did you do to protect the people you loved if they were determined to hurt them? It could not be ruled out that a member of the family was the original target in some way.

"She was Mrs. Warriorson's physio for several months after her accident. Danni was originally from Christchurch the hospital that Catherine had dealings with. There was some kind of disagreement between her and Catherine when they were in America. We haven't heard from her in some time then she arrived at the gates last evening asking to talk with Jace, it was a surpriseÖ" Armstrong stopped the man, to ask a question.

"Jace? She wanted to see Jace, not Catherine Warriorson?"

"Yes, she knew Jace of course with her frequent visits to the ranch in the early days." Colin explained.

"Did you consider that odd?" Armstrong was interested in this fact surely O'Neil would have wanted to see the ex-employer not another member of the family or perhaps there was more to that than met the eye.

"Yes, at the time I did consider it odd and put it down to Jace being more approachable than Catherine. As you know detective my boss isn't exactly the most forthcoming of people especially those she doesn't like frankly she didn't like Ms. O'Neil." Colin stated matter-of-factly.

"Was that the reason?" Armstrong persisted as he peered into the shell of the vehicle grimaced at the sight before him. Pleased now he hadn't had the time for something to eat before being called out to this scene.

Colin was getting irritated at the questioning, surely, the detective could have done it more discreetly at the ranch perhaps. "I think we should take the questioning to a more private place detective."

Armstrong smiled wryly at the man then turned to the Fire Chief.

"Steve when you and the guys have finished up here let me have the report priority A, no talk okay?"

The fire officer grinned at him, "sure Paul are the paramedics coming over to take care of the body, they're usually here by now?"

"Yes they will be along shortly. They had to take the security guard to the hospital for treatment for minor burns and shock. See you later at the club." Armstrong moved back towards Colin Montgomery.

"I suggest the security hut for our discussion prior to the paramedics getting back here. A couple of my officers will be stationed here for a while to keep away any unwanted visitors. So, was that the reason?"

Colin had to give the man his due; he certainly wasn't side tracked by anything as they made there way over to the security hut, and the last hours of Danni O'Neil.

Stephanie answered the door to Serena Dusterly, Constance Waverly and Clare Fallon, who all looked tired but happy. Dusterly walked forward into the hall quickly, whilst Constance limped along with the help of Clare as they all went towards the lounge area and any further news regarding Lisa.

"The doctor is still with Mrs. Warriorson, Ms. Waverly would care to see him yourself?" Stephanie asked concerned at the grimace of pain the woman tried hard to mask as she hobbled along the corridor.

Constance turned back smiling gratefully. "It's okay Stephanie just a sprain I think."

"No!" All eyes went towards Clare Fallon, who had literally shouted out the word, it seemed to bounce off the walls of the corridor.

"No?" Constance eyed her lover questioningly.

Clare looked embarrassed at the two women who were looking speculatively at her but she remained firm in her original stance. "What I meant to say was yes, yes Constance will see the doctor when he's finished with Ms. Devonshire and Lisa. He might as well check you over while he's here."

Constance was annoyed at the intervention but that changed immediately to one of a glow as she considered that Clare was only concerned about her welfare it was just soÖso wonderful. "I guess Clare is right Stephanie thanks I will see him when he's done with Catherine."

"Okay I'll go fix some sandwiches and drinks for you all." Stephanie walked towards the kitchen no longer within earshot of the three women in the hall corridor.

"I'm sorry Constance I shouldn't have interfered but IÖ." A finger soon replaced by warm lips stopped her the kiss that they shared told its own story.

"I love you Clare." A simple but heartfelt admission that brought a wondrous smile to the younger woman's features giving her a glow that almost lit up the whole hall.

"I love you too and I'm glad you came back to me." Clare whispered as tears welled in her eyes as so many scenarios had passed through her mind when Constance had gone into the building without her.

"I want to always come back to you Clare always." Constance breathed softly into the silky hair of her lover she felt so overwhelmed by emotion that she was sure that she would breakdown here in the hall of her boss.

A throat was cleared which solved that predicament, "you two going to join us?" Serena Dusterly said but her smile blunted the edge from the words she spoke.

Constance looked up into the twinkling eyes of the woman who had brought about a miracle it was certainly that getting Lisa back from the clutches of that woman, who would have believed it.

"Yeah Dusterly don't start the celebrations without us." Clare helped her hobble towards the lounge and settled into the nearest armchair.

Clare glanced around the room and saw her friend Rita and Mr. Bardley the acting President of the company in the room.

"Ladies I want to give you my heartfelt gratitude on helping to bring my granddaughter home safe. You don't know what that means to me personally also the rest of my family too." Jason Bardley said with deep sincerity smiling warmly at each of them.

"How about we have tea?" Rita saw the raised eyebrows at her choice of beverage, quickly adding," I guess Ms. Devonshire must be rubbing off on me." Making light of the charged atmosphere as she saw the embarrassed faces of the other women in the room.

Jason chuckled at the comment. "I will leave the gratuities to Catherine but from my point of view money couldn't ever buy the loyalty and unselfish disregard to your own lives that you four ladies have shown in the last forty-eight hours. How does one repay that?"

"You don't." Serena Dusterly spoke quietly for them all.

Jason turned to her giving her a questioning look. "I don't?"

"No, we all had our own reasons for wanting to help and believe me seeing a mother and child reunion is all the thanks I want. Gratuities do not come into it, I'm sure I speak for us all?" Serena answered as she sat down heavily in the chair opposite Constance, now she was dead tired wanting sleep, it was all over at last!

"Yeah I agree on that!" Constance backed up Dusterly's statement for wasn't that the truth.

"How are they?" Clare asked softly.

"Not sure, the doctor has been in there over an hour I haven't seen either of them yet myself." Jason admitted sitting on the sofa besides Rita Tuscany.

"If there had been a major problem we would have known." Rita said quietly.

"That's true Catherine would have had Lisa rushed to the nearest hospital if there was even the slightest possibility that the child had been abused in anyway." Constance concurred with Rita.

Stephanie chose that moment to walk back in the room with fresh sandwiches and various beverages for them.

"The doctor has finished Ms. Waverly he said if you want to go into the study he will check over your injury."

Constance gave a small grimace then duly chastised with a look of mild rebuke from Clare. "Constance I'll help you, let's not keep the good doctor waiting shall we?"

"I suggest you do as you're told Constance, often helps in this situation." Jason mildly retorted he couldn't keep the grin from his face or the twinkle in his eyes.

"Okay, okay I'm going." The woman was a little peeved, not that she was being made to feel like she was incapable of doing this herself.

She was still muttering as she and Clare left the room.

"Ms. Dusterly, I'm intrigued as to who the party is who abducted my granddaughter? It appears that we may have met her? Is that correct?" Jason asked the tired featured woman opposite him.

Serena Dusterly gave him a pained glance nodding her head wearily. "Yes, you have met the evil bitch. None other than Ms. Rosnova who was working with the police through it all, not just Lisa's disappearance but all the others."

Jason couldn't help the shocked expression take over his face, the woman who had been the counsellor for all those people in their hour of greatest despair was actually the person who had caused it to begin with? That wasn't right, how could it be. How could someone be so evil? How?

Clearing his throat that had locked at the discovery of the perpetrator said with such calm by the woman opposite him he finally spoke softly to her. "How long have you know this?"

Serena had heard the shock and disbelief in the man's voice. For the very fact was shocking, when you actually came face to face with a serial felon. However, one that took pleasure in seeing the pain of the act upon the people closest to the victim, was surely impossible to imagine. "I had a good idea after the first year of the case. Then, when I thought I had enough evidence, admittedly only circumstantial, I took it to my superiors. I think Rosnova had a tip off, because she was ready for my accusations and me. I looked foolish in the eyes of my superiors, and others in the department, how do you trust a profiler who made such ridiculous claims? Ms. Devonshire gave me the chance to prove I was right."

Jason was still reeling from the information he didn't really know what to say. "She lived in this building too."

Serena smiled half-heartily at his statement. "Yes she did, perhaps that was her downfall I don't know but so close to home it makes you wonder at her arrogance."

"I'd like to think it more her ignorance." A voice said from the door, as a pale featured rather bruised looking face towered inside the doorway.

"Catherine? How's Lisa? How are you? You look awful!" Jason practically fell over his words as well as his feet rushing to greet her pulling her into a warm hug.

Catherine was too tired to resist but she did shut her eyes to the amused stare of the others in the room.

"Jason I'm fine, no I'm better than fine. Wonderful would be apt at this point. Lisa is asleep she's here safe, I know she's going to be fine also." Catherine finally disengaged herself from the hug unable to help the smile that creased her lips as she saw the happiness mirrored in the face of her father in law.

"Does Jace know?" Jason asked happy that they were both well even if Catherine looked far from it.

"Not yet but anytime soon, I'm waiting to use the study then I intend to call Jace. We go home tomorrow. I see no reason to stay here anything the police want they can travel to Destiny to ask me if they see fit." Catherine replied she was anxious to call Jace but wanted the privacy of the study to do so, wanting out of the apartment too.

"The police might want to question you Ms. Devonshire." Serena Dusterly told her quietly.

Arching one of her famous eyebrows she looked towards the woman whom had been instrumental in the discovery and rescue of her daughter. Under normal circumstances, she would have been angry at the comment and duly responded as such. However, she had not wanted to be angry with this woman in any way whatsoever.

"I appreciate that Ms. Dusterly but in the circumstances I think my way is the way the police will see it. After all, their ineptitude allowed the situation to occur. Wouldn't you agree?" Catherine stated firmly.

Dusterly swallowed a little intrigued by the confident arrogance, how did people get to be like that with no effort at all? No matter how confident she was in a situation she never had that supreme arrogance that made mincemeat out of anyone who disagreed, this woman before her did it with ease. Bringing you to the conclusion that she was born like that and maybe she was. Wonder, how you lived with someone like that? Yet, the small blonde she had met briefly at the start of this situation had seemed to have the measure of the woman, clearly able to wipe the arrogance away with a knowing glance or word. Some power that was and this woman didn't appear to mind in the slightest.

"You don't agree?" Catherine asked surprised at the lack of response to her question.

"Why yes I do agree but you know police protocol." Serena quickly answered not wanting to look foolish to this woman.

"I don't give a shit about police protocol Dusterly they can go andÖ" Catherine was stopped from adding more as Jason placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I think we get the message Catherine, don't we Ms. Dusterly?"

Serena nodded her head sinking down into the sofa again now she was beat.

"I'm going to make that call I might be awhile, so if you all wanted to go home that's okay if not please feel free to use the apartment as you wish." Catherine turned away quickly, returning to sit with Lisa until the study was free.

Sighing gently at the wonderful sight of her daughter snuggled up fast asleep in bed with blacky and rag doll suitably flanking her either side as sentries on watch for intruders.

ëWhy wait for the study." Was Catherine's immediate thought as she sank down gently onto the side of the bed she pulled over the phone to rest on the bedclothes as she selected the short code for Constantia's villa speed dialling the number.

Settling down with her head on the pillow next to her daughter's red head of hair, she smiled as she could finally go home did she want to go home!

A voice in Greek answered the call Catherine slowly asked to be connected to Jace Warriorson. A few words later the phone began to ring again as a voice she heard constantly in her dreams came to vibrant life over the line.

"Jace?"

Constantia sat ridged in her wheelchair as close as possible to Sarah's hospital bedside as it would allow. There were times when the vehicle that allowed her mobility in her life these days was a real hindrance, not least when she sorely wanted to be as close as possible to her friend.

It had been such a shock to see Sarah put her own life in danger to save hers when it would have been better had she taken the bullet, which had been meant for her anyway. But Sarah being Sarah had done what she had always done since the first day they had met and been entirely selfless.

How long had it been now, when the roles had been reversed? It had been when she who had been laid up in a hospital bed barely alive after the fall from the horse in Hyde Park?

Sarah had been there as she had hoped she would be when she returned to consciousness.

"What made her do such a stupid thing anyway?" Carl Leadbeater said critically to the small woman seated quietly at the window watching the events unfold in the yard below with unseeing eyes.

The nurse in the room at vigil over the patient merely twitched an eyebrow at the comment.

Sarah Rogers answered in a timid voice, her tears obscuring the sight at her feet.  She had sought to keep her mind focused instead of on the tragedy that had befallen her employer and friend, but now she was just too distraught.

"I really don't know you will have to ask her."

"Ask her? Ask her you say? We might never be able to ask her anything again, don't you know that you stupid woman?" Carl bit out savagely pacing the private room that was now occupied by his fiancée. Or at least they had an understanding he was pretty darn sure they would have been announcing the engagement in the next few weeks.

Sarah shrank back at the attack it hadn't been her fault, she was at the house it had been part of Consty's normal daily routine; you could almost set your clock by her schedule.

"I'm sure she will pull through Mr. Leadbeater, she comes from a very strong family."

The nurse looked up briefly at Sarah and smiled at her.

"Humph well let's hope so when she does I will have words to say to her. Anyway what are you doing here you're not family?" Carl commented cruelly.

Sarah cringed at the comment although it was factual she felt like she was a part of Consty's family who was he to say that anyway, he wasn't either. But years of subservience admittedly not that Consty was rigid in those matters had allowed her not to react with the emotion she really felt. "I was called by the hospital then I called you."

Carl muttered under his breath as he paced a little more. "I'm going for a coffee." He didn't offer to bring one for Sarah not that she would have wanted one her stomach she felt wouldn't allow it.

The nurse didn't say anything during the man's outburst but Sarah was sure she didn't like what he said anymore than she did.

Sarah waited until he left the room then went over to her friend who was hooked up with several tubes and monitors. This time she couldn't stop the tears as they fell like a shower over her pale cheeks.

"I really want you to get better Consty, whatever would I do without you?"

The tearful words echoed in the silent room or at least silent of human sounds that is. Sarah bent her head placing her wet cheek on her friend's hand and cried softly, it really wouldn't look good if Mr. Leadbeater came in now and saw her; he would surely want her to leave.

The nurse remained at the other side of the bed her face a closed professional mask at the breakdown of the older woman in the room.

"Don't cry Sarah." A voice harsh to Sarah's ear but oh so familiar rumbled around her.

Sarah peered up from her crouched position, into the tiredly blinking eyes of her friend she sobbed as she saw the light from the ice blue orbs close to her.

"Oh Consty I don't know what I would have done without you." Sarah wailed unable to stop the sobs wracking her small body.

"You would do well Sarah we both know it." Constantia tiredly pronounced as she tried to lift her hand but was unable to with all the equipment attached to her.

"I'll go and get the doctor." The nurse quickly said as she scanned the equipment before rushing out of the room.

Sarah stood up quickly wiping a hand over her eyes moving away from the bed.

"No, please Sarah don't go anywhere." Constantia appeared to beg the younger woman, giving her a weary smile.

The door opened at that moment as Carl Leadbeater strolled in quickly pushing the half-empty paper cup into Sarah's unsuspecting hands as he saw that Constantia was awake.

Sarah couldn't help herself she dropped the cup and the contents splattered all over the polished tiled floor.

"Stupid woman! Go and get a mop to clean it up." The man arrogantly announced as he went close to the patient.

"Oh my darling am I glad you are awake now everything is going to be alright." Carl smarmily spoke to Constantia as he quickly pecked her cheek.

Constantia was weak, she was tired as hell, and she knew that she wasn't exactly functioning on all cylinders brain wise but enough was enough.

"I suggest Carl that YOU clean the mess up then get out of here."

Sarah had heard her friend use that tone of voice on several occasions but never to her close acquaintances. Certainly, never to the man who had now turned an angry red. It echoed a chilling message that you ignored at your peril.

"I don't understand." Carl blustered as he looked with distaste at the mess on the floor. Then angrily to Sarah and finally with a little boy lost look towards the woman he professed to love.

"Simple, I want you out of here Carl now would be appropriate I think." The words a little slurred but certainly conveying their meaning.

"You're tired darling you don't know what you're saying." The man once again tried to placate the woman glaring at him from the bed.

"Go!" Constantia finally lost what little patience she had.

Sarah decided that her friend was getting overly worked up and interceded. "I think you had better leave Mr. Leadbeater, this isn't helping." Softly entreating the man to go for the sake of her friend's well-being.

Carl turned to Sarah giving a look that she was sure would have struck her dead had he the skill. This time she faced him squarely refusing to be intimidated.

Turning one last time to look at the grim face of Constantia Xianthos, he angrily left the room swinging the door with a force that rattled the hinges.

"I could have done without that sound effect." Constantia quietly stated closing her eyes with the lethargy.

"I'll see where the doctor is shall I?" Sarah was annoyed at the man who had been in Consty's life for the past year, yet felt wonderful that her friend had woken appearing to be her old self.

"Sarah I want you to stay no matter what the doctors say. If you want to that is?" For the first time unsure that her housekeeper and hopefully friend would want to do that.

Sarah beamed a bright smile at the words. "Of course I'll stay for however long you need me." Then the door opened as the doctor arrived with the nurse at his heals.

Tears that she rarely shed, although these days she seemed to be doing so more frequently, now came in abundance her view of her friend was obscured momentarily.

"Consty?" a frail voice asked tentatively.

"Sarah, how do you feel? Shall I call a doctor? Are you okay?" unable to get closer to the bed but dearly wishing she could hug her friend.

A small weak chuckle could be heard from the woman in the bed. "I ache, otherwise I'm tired but I'm still here."

Constantia smiled at the positive words as she shook her silver head of hair at her friend. "That you are my friend that you are."

Constantia pressed the button to call the nurse, gazing at her friend in tender concern. "I thought I'd lost you Sarah." The words little more than a whisper in the room being heated by the afternoon sharp suns rays as ice blue eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"I couldn't allow anything to happen to you Consty whoever would I have tea with?" Sarah spoke quietly, seeing and hearing the distress in her friend.

Constantia couldn't believe the rejoinder, oh this woman was indeed a treasure one of the finest people she had ever met, and in fact she wasn't sure Sarah wasn't the finest she had met. "Whoever indeed Sarah."

"What happened?" Sarah asked as she saw several emotions pass over her friend's face.

Not wanting to discuss the situation until Sarah was stronger, she smiled trying to reach out her hand to touch her friend but it was just outside her reach. Sarah saw the action moving with lightening speed belying her injuries, to the hand that was about to be pulled away grasping the cold long tapering fingers in her warm smaller hand.

Constantia smiled as she replied. "Tomorrow Sarah, tomorrow we will talk about it, now you need to get some rest."

"Will you stay with me Consty?" the question timid and unsure.

"Of course I will for however long you need me." Constantia heard the small-satisfied sigh it brought an answering one of her own.

How things moved full circle were her thoughts as they waited for the doctor to arrive.

"Catherine? Is that you?" Jace asked breathlessly how could she have asked such a stupid question of course it was.

A deep throaty chuckle was the initial reply bringing an answering soft laugh from Jace.

"Do you know what it feels like to hear your voice?" Catherine replied quietly her body relaxing for the first time since she had last conversed with Jace.

Jace heard the almost growl like tone that always set her body temperature soaring, shaking her head at the thoughts that automatically shot through her mind. "I know exactly darling it's a mutual reaction count on it."

"I'm coming home," Catherine heard the sharp intake of breath from her partner quickly adding.  "With Lisa, Jace, I'm coming home with Lisa."

Jace couldn't help it she screamed with joy at the words, as she could barely contain herself enough to ask the vital question. "Is our princess alright Catherine is she? Can I speak to her, when will you be home?"

Catherine not only reeled at the volume of the shriek she was subjected to, but the jumble of questions that had been fired at her.

It was several seconds before she finally put the phone back to her ear. Her glance straying momentarily to the sleeping child at her side, at least Jace wasn't loud enough to wake Lisa, which was something. The euphoria that Jace emitted over the line was catching some of the buoyancy transmitted to Catherine as she grinned, picturing Jace now.

"Jace, Jace please darling I know it's difficult but do you think you could take a deep breath then I'll answer your questions." Her voice filled with warmth at her partner's happiness.

"Yes, yes I'm calm really I am Catherine please tell me." Jace excitedly responded sitting down at the side of her bed, holding the instrument close to her ear she didn't want to miss a thing as she waited for the answers.

"Okay, Lisa is sleeping she's doing well according to the doctor and able to travel. We are leaving tomorrow; I will contact my flight staff to have the flight approved for as early as possible. She's doing well Jace she really is." Suddenly the emotional situation crashed around her as her voice broke her tears fell unashamedly down her face.

Jace heard the break in the voice she knew that Catherine was either crying or about to it made Jace pull herself out of her tearful excitement as she listened to the woman she loved.

"Then I will try to make the same arrangements to be home at the same time if I can." Jace replied softly, hearing the in-drawn breath as Catherine digested the words.

"Have youÖhave you completed your business with my Aunt?" the words hesitant.

"I don't think we need to talk about that now Catherine, I can tell you about it when we are together what do you say?" Jace decided that it wouldn't serve any useful purpose to inform Catherine of the situation on the island. Knowing her, she would divert the flight to come for her. Oh god what a wonderful thought she was so tempted to say something, she really was.

"Are you sure, has there been any trouble?" Catherine sniffled slightly as she tried to rid herself of the tears to concentrate on the wonderful sound of her partner.

"Oh this and that." Jace crossed her fingers hoping that Catherine wouldn't ask too many questions.

"This and that?" Catherine persisted.

"Catherine have I told you yet that I love you?" Jace smoothly diverted the conversation.

"No butÖ."

"Well you see Catherine once upon a time there was this really ugly looking woman who was nasty too and Ö." Jace heard the sharp gasp form her partner at the words.

"Are you talking about me?" Catherine asked in amazement.

"Yeah." Jace replied innocently.

"Yeah?" Catherine asked a frown creasing her brow at the conversation.

"Well, yeah she was so nasty that everyone around thought her the wickedest person in the area, until a beautiful princess came alongÖ."

"And she was turned into a handsome prince." Catherine finally caught onto Jace's playful conversation it was her way to bring down the tension. Her partner did it so well too.

"Oh I kind of had a beautiful multi skilled business woman as my option. Sound familiar to you?" Jace chuckled today had looked like it was going to be her last now she was here alive and well, her daughter was safe her love was on the way home. You couldn't say that life wasn't full of surprises.

Yes that sounds familiar to me Jace, so did the nasty woman disappear for good?" Catherine asked. Jace heard the weariness in her tone smiling gently at the receiver she could imagine the battle Catherine was putting up to stay with the conversation.

"Occasionally the nasty side appears but only to protect those she loves." Jace spoke quietly not wanting to upset her partner, unduly.

"Does that scare and make you unhappy Jace?" Catherine asked as her words slurred in tiredness her mind trying to activate, she didn't want the contact with Jace to end.

"Scare no! Unhappy, yes for there are times when it feels I lose that precious contact with her soul. Then I look into my heart and there she is, her heart beating alongside mine, I know that's how it will always be, forever." Jace explained softly, the words tugged at her making her own heart beat react.

Catherine felt the lump form in her throat she couldn't immediately answer. The admission from her partner, causing her to feel the connection they appeared to have with the full force of an electric storm, Jace was certainly electric in her eyes. It made her wonder how she was ever going to stop Jace going through that repeatedly. "I'm so sorry." Her voice broken with the sadness she felt at the continually broken promises she made to this woman.

"Sorry? My darling no! I love all of you the good and the bad, frankly Catherine you have a marvellous way of saying sorry up front and personal." Jace chuckled; she could hear the tension expend itself at the other end of the line.

"I guess you would miss ëMs. Nasty' if she never came home again?" Catherine closed her eyes as she listened to the music that the gentle laughter of her partner made.

Jace heard the change in tempo of Catherine's breathing it was like being with her the line, although something didn't sound quite right in it's clarity, she would ask about that later, maybe her partner had a cold. It felt as if she could feel her partner settling down on her shoulder to sleep.

For many people that could have caused friction, Jace considered it a compliment the strength of love she shared with Catherine.

Jace softly recited a poem as she waited for Catherine to fall into a deep sleep.

If you were here I would hold you tight,
I would protect you with my light.
Knowing you will sleep,
Rather than weep.

As you try to be all things to me,
That's just fine you always will be.
Some day's when things don't look so great,
Together we can make it feel like a treat.

The first time that you smiled for me,
I felt the wonder for all to see.
Now your love is within my heart,
I will keep if steadfast never to part.

"Sleep well my beautiful frog princess, speed safely home to me, I will always be your home wherever that might be." Replacing her receiver on the cradle she looked out on to the blue sea and the peace it brought, reminding Jace of the reflection from Catherine's eyes.

Time to go and search out Grace to let her know the happy news, then search out Lukas and find out what happens next.

Jason Bardley knocked on the bedroom door to inform Catherine that the study was free. As he received no answer he looked inside, he saw a sight that brought a warm glow inside his heart. For there was Catherine asleep on top of the bed with a phone in her hand and curled up next to the sleeping figure of one wonderful child.

He walked over to the sleeping figures, removed the phone checking to see if it was still connected to someone, it wasn't, he then replaced it on it's cradle. Pulled a blanket over the soundly sleeping woman, as he placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

Walking around the bed, he stroked tenderly the red hair of the child smiling loving at the fact that he could do this at all. Some miracles you just never ask for explanations in this life. Kissing her forehead too, as he silently left the room, whispering as he closed the door. "Sleep well children."

Faith sat opposite her son in law who looked drained and decidedly dejected at the recent events that had transpired. The only good thing of today was the marvellous news that Lisa was safe with Catherine that had brought tears to them all, even Jake who had disappeared into his room and hadn't been seen since. She had been reluctant to seek him out until Colin came over then she would send him to the boy, but looking at the man she doubted he was in a fit state to do that.

"Colin would you like to talk about it?" Faith asked him tentatively, she hadn't liked the look of the woman who had shared her daughter's home for the night alone with the man before her.

Colin heard the words wanting to respond but he really didn't want to face any more censure from Faith, what could he say.

"It might help." Faith tried again she had seen this look of defeat on her husband's face from time to time when something on the force had troubled him.

"Oh Faith what a waste." The words filled with sadness. Faith felt her own emotions sway a little in sympathy for the young woman who had been killed.

"You knew her well?" Faith wasn't sure she wanted the answer but it was a start in understanding.

Colin looked up with a weary expression. "Hardly at all really, she was Catherine's physio for several months there were a few problems. She left under a cloud but nothing to do with myself or Grace."

"I see, so she came here to see you?"

"No, no she was here to visit Jace. Perhaps if I hadn't invited her to stay the evening this wouldn't have happened." Colin said desolately.

"How can you say that Colin, the police have indicated that there was no way you could have known about the device." Faith pointed out practically. She knew the police officer that they had met when Jace had been kidnapped, had stated such to the man.

"How can they know that? She left her vehicle for several hours it was surely tampered with then." He voiced his irritation with the police explanation.

"I'm sure they will investigate it thoroughly then we will know for sure. He's a good police officer Colin." Faith spoke quietly, but with a little force behind it to make her point.

"Yes, I suppose you are right." Colin said quietly, starring unseeingly into the empty coffee mug he held in lifeless hands.

"Have you talked with Grace?" Faith asked quietly.

"Briefly, she's fine. The baby is making her feel sick but they are both great. I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to either one of them." The man said his tears ready to fall as his voice filled with emotion at the thought of his wife and unborn child.

Faith silently nodded her head at the sentiment, thank god for that.

"Did she say when she would be home?"

"She said soon, maybe in a few days. IÖI miss her Faith, every time she goes away it tears me up inside until she's back again." He blinked away the unshed moisture obscuring his vision.

Faith heard the love that filled those words, smiling at the bowed head of the man. It was often said that men didn't portray emotion or that they didn't feel the depth of love that women were capable of. Well, she was seeing that depth of feeling for herself here and now. Recalling her own relationship with her husband, she had always considered that particular old wives tale a myth. Pity some women didn't look behind the façade and if most men didn't try to be so aloof and strong all the time. Perhaps there would be less disappointment in relationships. She herself had been apt to over react with the Danni situation and this man, a point she regretted.

"Knowing Grace she will be home soon, you can count on it. How about I pour you another coffee, see what Jake is up to and we have a light supper together?" Faith smiled at the man watching him nod his head at her suggestion.

"Good, Judy will be home soon with Elena. We will have a quiet night together what do you say?"

Colin looked up gave his mother in law a grateful if weak smile, watching her go over for the coffee pot pouring him another cup.

Jace sat in the darkening patio area looking at the water fountain in the shape of a woman. A Greek personage for sure, which one she didn't know? Contemplating the events of the day and how lucky she had been. How was she going to tell Catherine what happened? That part wasn't going to be easy she knew that. ëCatherine is reasonable isn't she? Well she could be in the right circumstances, I can always work on the circumstances.' That thought brought up an event they had talked about but had to sideline with all the events that had occurred recently, a baby!

Funny after all the tragedy that had transpired here today she could contemplate such a wonderful event-taking place. Then again the birth of new life to replace the death of other life wasn't a bad thing to consider. Everything had been set up in Boston, it was just a matter of Catherine agreeing the sperm donor and away they went. Sounded so easy when you simplified it, thinking about it now she was sure that it was the way forward.

"You appear pre-occupied my dear?" Constantia had watched several expressions cross the blonde woman's face for several minutes; she had watched the partner of her niece in silence.

Jace was startled at the comment, and that someone was actually in the room with her. "Constantia I'm sorry I didn't realiseÖ" She stood up and was waved to sit down again.

"Jace please sit, I hope you don't mind some company?" Constantia asked quietly wheeling her chair over to the recliner Jace was seated in again.

"No, please I would welcome the company." Jace replied smiling warmly at the older woman. To her it was as if she was as close to her partner as you could get without her being here with her, the likeness was incredible.

"I'm delighted that your daughter has been returned to you safely. I'm sure Catherine is now on her way home to you." Constantia smiled, as she looked at the blonde woman and the blinding smile she was given at the comment.

"Oh you just don't know how happy I was when Catherine called with that news. It made everything here so bearable. Yes, she's going home." Jace replied, her voice indicating the happiness she felt at the thought.

"So, she will be returning here?"

Jace glanced at Constantia sharply what did she mean? Now, or in the future? "I'm sorry I don't understand?"

Constantia laughed at the surprised looked on the child's face. "My niece is in love with you, therefore wherever you are is home to her. Naturally I thought she would come here."

Jace blushed, a delicate pink as she thought that was such a romantic conclusion to the horrific events that had kept them apart, unfortunately it wasn't going to happen.

"No, I'm afraid Catherine and Lisa are going home to Destiny. I will follow with Grace as soon as she can travel safely."

"I see." Constantia looked over to the water fountain, gazing at the statue for a few moments.

"Do you know who the figure is Jace?" Constantia asked quietly.

"No, I thought it might be a famous Greek, not sure which one though." Jace replied apologetically.

The older woman smiled, then turned her ice blue eyes towards Jace, making the younger woman shudder at the familiarity she felt in this woman's presence.

"Well, Aphrodite is a very famous Greek, the goddess of love no less in Greek mythology. I had this piece custom made from old drawings in one of the old family journals that mentioned the piece had been part of the villa centuries ago. It appears that one of my ancestors had a particular fondness for her, she was very beautiful." Constantia spoke softly as she gazed at the perfect form of the statue.

"She was very beautiful, does she bring luck in love?" Jace asked now interested in this small history lesson.

"Luck? I'm not sure but she does appreciate a good love story, I'm sure even now." Constantia chuckled at the question posed.

"I love Catherine very much." Jace stated clearly as she saw the older woman glance at her in surprise.

"I do not doubt it Jace. How do you feel when she leaves you so often, in her business she apparently will."

 "She doesn't mean to leave us!" Jace was offended at the inference.

"No, perhaps she doesn't. Catherine has done so many times before, to all her family who love her. It started with her many years ago as a young woman, she does not settle down well my dear." Constantia saw the angry expression in the young woman's face but knew it was a defensive expression.

"She can leave as many times as she wants, so long as she always comes back to us, to ME!" Jace replied with conviction.

"You would not restrict her or ask her to stay?" Catherine's aunt was interested in the answer to this question.

Jace took several minutes to answer the question, finally voicing her opinion. "She can leave as many times as she needs I will never ask her to stay if she wants to go, what would be the point. I hope that someday she will see that everything she needs is actually with me, the children,  our other family members and friends. I want her to want that! I know that deep down she will one day; it might not be tomorrow or the next day or even next year. But one day she will find it and I'll be waiting as I always have been, because I simply have all her tomorrows and I will love her through them all."

Constantia couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes at that sincere admission she inclined her head gazing warmly at Jace, changing the subject to Sarah's health.

"Your brother died a hero Althea." Lukas spoke quietly to the young woman, who was standing so silent and still against the balcony of the room she had been given at the villa. Everyone had thought it best she stayed with people who cared about her, for he knew that he did.

"If he was a hero why did he die?" Althea choked out her eyes dull with the pain of her loss.

"Perhaps that was the price, the sacrifice of his life for the lives of others. He did a great thing standing up to the mad woman you must know that." Lukas felt at a loss himself on how to explain the tragedy to her. It was never certain why people died in those circumstances and the evil ones still lived, as the foreigner had.

"That woman Clauser or Hudson or whatever she's called! Why isn't she dead? Why Lukas? It doesn't make sense, why did all of my family have to pay the price?" Althea shouted out in her anger and bitterness over the situation.

Lukas walked slowly over to her, standing beside her and starring out at the deepening blue of the sea as the evening descended on them. He had thought he would never see a sunset again, yet here he was sharing one again thanking God for that miracle.

"I do not know Althea, I wish I could answer it for you I really do but only God can answer that one I'm afraid."

"Then perhaps I should go and ask him?" Althea responded releasing a heart-rending sob that tore at Lukas's resolve.

"Perhaps you should Althea." He pulled the woman into his arms she sobbed inconsolably on his broad shoulder; he stroked her hair gently to soothe her battered emotions.

"I know, I know but what do I do Lukas, what do I do now?" Words she continued to say through her tears.

"Let me help you Althea perhaps together we can work it all out." Lukas replied softly. As he continued the gentle strokes he felt her relax slightly, although the sobs still wracked her body.

"Why would you want to help me?" Althea looked up blearily from his shoulders capturing his eyes in a pleading look.

"Don't ask why Althea just accept it and it will all turn out, trust me." Lukas starred back into the bloodshot eyes of the heart broken woman as he felt his own heart skip a beat feeling a responsibility for her that he never expected.

"Thank you Lukas." Althea whispered croakily into his shoulder, she tightened her arms about him hoping the security he offered would ease her troubles, if only for a moment.

Lukas smiled tenderly at the dark head on his shoulder placing a light kiss on her hair, holding her close, hoping to keep out the dark thoughts.

James Thompson sat down in the chair that had been offered him by the police captain drinking thirstily from the coffee he was offered.

"Mr. Thompson we thank you for your help in the identity mock-up photo that we have now circulated of your friend. Perhaps when our suspect is awake she may tell us of his exact whereabouts. For now we will have to hope that someone saw them and try to take it from there."

"He was a police officer in New York, they will want to know about this. I don't think he had any family." James muttered his mind chaotic, so many things had happened. Although he hadn't particularly liked Kelsey, he didn't want to think that the man was dead either.

"Then it was a tip-off? He was working for the police department? That is very strange I was not informed." The captain looked a little disturbed at that news; it was protocol that the information between countries was shared.

"No! No he was helping a friend in his vacation time." James quickly diffused the situation seeing the other mans face take on an angry expression.

"Who is this friend?" the Captain probed, that made more sense. The officer should still have discussed his visit with the local police, especially if it was a potentially dangerous situation.

"Catherine Warriorson, although she for business reasons goes by the name of Devonshire. Perhaps you have heard of her?" James asked, she was quite well known these days; no matter how she tried to stay reclusive that was now a thing of the past.

"Warriorson, no not Catherine, but of course Jace. Are they related?" the officer asked sipping from his own cup of coffee.

"Yes, they are related. Catherine is actually the niece of Constantia Xianthos, that is the connection." James wasn't sure how much information he should give out about Catherine and Jace deciding on the minimum at this stage.

"Ah, I was not aware of a niece, it was commonly believed that the Xianthos line would cease with her aunt. That is very interesting and good news for the islanders here." The Captain smiled, James saw several expressions flit across the man's craggy face.

"Why would that be? Catherine doesn't live here." James was intrigued, he couldn't help the interest in that comment pushing the horrific thought of Kelsey lying dead somewhere into the recesses of his mind momentarily.

The Captain stood up, walking over to the window that overlooked the paved street below. His gaze sauntered over the passing town's people on their own business of the day.

"The Xianthos family have been a part of the Island since it's birth in Greek society several centuries ago, as indeed have the Spiros family. The events that have taken place here today are similar to a story from our history, it is a sad day indeed that they have once again resulted in tragedy. One day it is said that the family of Xianthos and Spiros will join together, the broken piece of the picture will finally be replaced, bringing great prosperity back to the Island."

James was fascinated with the story, even more so as the practical police captain who was most definitely a man of this century, appeared so engrossed, as well as believable as he spoke the words.

"You believe this?" James, not sure of the reaction he would get.

"Believe it no! I am not a member of the faculty that puts credence behind such nonsense. Many do of course, I love my island Mr. Thompson and my Greek heritage. I am proud to be Greek and love it's history but also know we must play our role in the world as it is today." The Captain proudly stated as he smiled at the American.

"Would you perhaps relate the ancient story to me over dinner?" James asked tentatively, he wanted to know more it fascinated him.

The police Captain grinned at the man as he nodded his head. "Yes that would be a good idea, for I think we may have a long night ahead of us in our search for the unfortunate Mr. Kelsey."

James agreed. Although it was a respite from the real reason he was here with the police captain, something told him that out of this tragedy something good was going to happen.

Serena Dusterly sat patiently waiting outside the police Chiefs office who had been the one to insist she contact Catherine Devonshire directly. If it hadn't been for him she wouldn't be feeling so happy inside right now.

Her eyes occasionally scanned the occupants of the room she was in she had to admit the looks she appeared to be receiving were either looks of congratulations or interest, but for the first time in over two years nothing hostile that was a change for the better.

"Ms. Dusterly, Captain Travis will see you now, if you would go inside?" The secretary who had come out of the office asked her politely.

"Sure." Serena said quietly standing up drawing a deep breath as she entered the office.

As she walked inside closing the door silently behind her, she saw the familiar face of the police Captain who had set her on this path. Then she noted someone else was in the room standing tall and erect against the wall, she didn't know who he was.

"Captain you requested the pleasure of my company?" Serena asked quietly, as she glanced towards the unknown figure in the room with them.

"Ms. Dusterly I wanted to personally congratulate you, to say I'm proud to know you." The Captain smiled warmly at her, standing up at his desk holding out his hand to congratulate her.

"Thanks, but you have to take some credit yourself in this, if it hadn't been for youÖ" he waved away the comment, motioning her to sit down.

"SerenaÖ" he looked at her for permission to use her Christian name, she smiled at him to go ahead. " Serena, I did my little bit that's true, but you my dear convinced me to consider all the possibilities, I did. Doctor Rosnova is a very cruel sick woman, to want to do what she did, and still be involved with the families afterwards. I don't know how long it would have gone on for if you hadn't agreed to revisit the case with me, for that I thank you."

Serena shrugged. "Perhaps we both should be thanking Ms. Devonshire. After all without her faith, none of this would have been allowed to play out would it?" Serena answered cautiously, she was puzzled that the other man in the room hadn't been introduced.

"I take your point. However, she was desperate, desperate people are apt to take chances, wouldn't you say?" the captain understated Ms. Devonshire's role as Serena saw it.

Serena chose not to answer that one as she looked pointedly at the man in the room. "You haven't introduced your friend?"

The Captain shamefacedly turned a little pink at the question, turning to the man in the room with them. "You want to do the honours?"

The broad shouldered man stepped forward, his plain face looked quite handsome as he smiled at Serena, holding his hand out in greeting.

"I'm sorry that was rather impolite of me in the circumstances. My name is Guy Stevens I'm with the FBI. Can't tell you which department at this time, suffice to say it's an important department."

Serena looked closely at him as he introduced himself.

"That makes it comforting I'm sure. What do you want?" Serena answered caustically, refusing to take the handshake offered as the man slowly placed his outstretched hand by his side.

"I know of course you might feel a little aggrieved at the FBI." Serena laughed bitterly at that comment.

"No! Whatever gave you that idea?" Serena stated with venom locking his gaze in a challenge.

"Ms. Dusterly, you have been badly treated previously by the department, therefore I can understand your current dislike. Please would you let me have some time alone with you to explain my case? Then you may make whatever judgements you want afterwards." The man remarked in a voice that held sincerity.

"Go ahead." Serena said pointedly, as she crossed her arms in front of her chest waiting for the monologue.

"Perhaps I should go?" the Police Captain said quietly.

"No!" Serena shouted, as the FBI agent stated "Yes." to the Captain's words.

The Captain looked at them both smiling wryly didn't matter which force you worked for; it was all the same in the end, the inevitable trade off!

"How about I arrange coffee and doughnuts, you two talk between yourselves."

Serena sighed heavily; as the agent smiled at the man thinking he had got the result he wanted.

The Captain walked over to Serena placed a quick comforting hand on her shoulder before he left the room.

"You had something to say to me?" Serena asked starkly, smiling as the man looked uncomfortable for a second.

"Yes I want you to come back to the FBI and work for me!" The man asked in a confident tone.

Serena laughed at him as she looked down at her feet for a few moments before she answered.

"There is nothing that the FBI could offer me to entice me back, sorry." Serena stated calmly giving him a deadpan look.

"I think there is! How about three times what you were paid before, increased holiday benefits and your own department." The man traded glance for glance smiling at her. This was one of the best packages available in a government office.

Serena considered what he said for a few minutes then answered. "No thanks."

"No? No you don't want your own department? A salary that makes peanuts of what you are living on now? Don't be stupid Dusterly I'm offering you your dream job, who wouldn't want to take it?" The man spluttered, astounded that she had refused the position offered. They had looked at her profile, manufacturing the position to suit her. Although it wasn't such a bad idea, if she was as good as this current scenario indicated.

"I don't want to take it." Serena smugly replied. If someone had offered her this a week ago she would have jumped at the chance and thanked God for the miracle. But she'd seen the miracle already; it had been in the eyes of Catherine Devonshire and her daughter when they were reunited. It also made her aware of how fragile everything was in life; the simplest thing could destroy everything you held precious so easily.

"Has someone got to you already? What have they offered you? We will double it?" the man quickly interjected.

Serena gave him a wide smile as she shook her head. "No one has offered me anything Mr. Stevens. Except that I found my self-respect. I've decided to go freelance help other people in this situation, who have been ignored by the people who they hoped would help them."

The man snorted at the comment. "Idealist bullshit if you don't mind me saying so Ms. Dusterly. How are you going to live on that? Who has the money to pay you?"

Serena once again glanced at her feet counted to ten then answered clearly. "I learned that money isn't everything Mr. Stevens, who knows you might want to take up my services at some stage, you might pay me."

The man gasped at her arrogance then looked at her serious expression, knowing he had failed to convince her. Walking over to her he looked down at her seated in the chair opposite the Police Chiefs desk, as he smiled reluctantly.

"Then I wish you luck Ms. DusterlyÖI'll be seeing you." he smiled again as he walked out of the room leaving Serena somewhat surprised as the Police Chief walked back in.

"Everything settled between you two?" he asked as he placed three cups of coffee on the desk.

Serena wasn't sure what to say was it settled? She didn't think so, but at the same time it didn't appear as if it was an adversarial situation either. "Time will tell."

"Yeah, time certainly does that. So, Serena come on spill the beans. How did you capture Rosnova?" the Captain asked genuinely interested, selecting one of the coffees, sitting back in his chair to hear the facts from the horses mouth.

Catherine was seated in a cramped position at the bedside table close to the bed that Lisa was still sleeping in. It was five a.m. she'd made all the arrangements for the flight out of New York all that was needed was for Lisa to wake, they would leave within two hours of that event.

She was still embarrassed at the fact that she had fallen asleep on Jace. When she'd awoken at three a.m. unable to sleep anymore, she had searched the apartment to find everyone but Jason gone. He had been sleeping rather awkwardly in the easy chair in the living area, a book partially open on his chest; he'd obviously fallen asleep reading.

Not wanting to embarrass him she'd turned to leave the room when he asked where she was going.

"Hey Jason, I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you." Catherine answered apologetically.

"No you didn't disturb me. I'm glad you woke me, Alison would kill me if she found me like this, the old bones don't agree with sleeping in chairs anymore I'm afraid." Jason smiled at her as he flexed his aching muscles.

"You done a lot of sleeping in chairs?" Catherine turned back sinking down in the seat opposite him, but close enough to the open door to hear Lisa if she called out.

"Well, I do have two daughters you know." Jason smiled as he recalled an episode or two.

"They were a handful? I can't imagine Jace ever bringing you trouble, Lucy on the other handÖ." Catherine trailed off as she considered that she might have overstepped the mark about Lucy.

"Ah, Catherine when your daughters grow up trust me you might sleep in the chair on occasion, even if you think butter wouldn't melt in their mouth." Jason's eyes twinkled as he saw the puzzled look cross her face.

"I hardly think I will take that stance with my daughters." Catherine replied, annoyed that she might interfere with her children's choices.

Jason laughed at the naïve comment. "I'm sorry Catherine but if you love them and I surely know you do. Then you are going to be sitting in that chair from time to time. Knowing Lisa and Elena at this age already, unless something drastic changes, then my dear you are in for some interesting hours."

"Jason, Lisa and Elena are playful children, they will grow out of it, I'm sure." Catherine stated forcefully certain in her comment.

"Catherine, want me to tell you that Jace has caused me more chair sittings than Lucy ever could. That my daughter who you think is wonderful, I might add she is but let me tell you she's a handful too." Jason smiled as he thought of his elder daughter, her caring nature that had produced the odd scrape or two along the way.

"IÖI can't believe that Jace is more of a handful than Lucy. Why Lucy is so headstrong!"

"Yes she is, but she's a predictable headstrong, Lucy you can read like a book and put in place any measures to tone that down. With Jace, she's unexpected, impulsive and totally trusting that you never know what's going to happen next." Jason looked into her face as he said the words knowing that they had hit home.

"Have you ever had cause to stay up late waiting for her to come home?" Jason asked softly, watching one of her expressions he'd seen before because it had happened to him in the past.

Catherine didn't know what to say to that. Yes she had, but it had been jealousy, surely that wasn't what they were talking about here, was it? "Perhaps not in the way you did."

"Perhaps not? But you still were there waiting for my little girl. One day you will wait for yours in much the same way that I have in the past. Remember one thing Catherine it is all about loving that child, caring for their safety and happiness, it's the one-thing parents will always do. No matter how old their child is, hopefully they can allocate that task to another along the way, which cares as much for their child as they do. Although it will always be a caretaker, for in the hearts of all parents they never quite give up the responsibility totally." Jason explained watching several expressions flash across the solemn profile before him.

Several minutes later Catherine answered in a gentle tone. "You're right Jason, you never forget you love your child even if they no longer are part of your life. I guess I'm going to have some sleepless nights along the way then with those two, there's no telling how Jake will be along the way either."

Jason grinned as he saw the solemn expression change to one of wonder at the situation, but a happy wonder.

"Well, you can always come along and ask grandpa for some tips now can't you?" Catherine smiled warmly at the man, feeling closer to Jace when she was with this man, it made her shake her head at herself for that stupid thought, though why should she it was Jace's father after all.

"Yes, I will. Thank you. Would you listen out for Lisa while I take a shower then perhaps you could use one of the spare rooms and get some decent sleep yourself?" Catherine asked him as he nodded his ascent.

So, here she was two hours later smiling at the absurd thought of Lisa and Elena in years to come, what they might turn out like, to cause her to stay up in a chair all night.

One day soon she was going to ask her father in law to elaborate on his stories of Jace, and the late nights. Her smile gentle as she let the thoughts of her partner sweep over her made her feel warm and secure.

Looking at the flight details she let a stray thought blossom, then placed a call back to her flight administrator.

Soon, soon my love, we will all be together again!

Hudson slowly came out of her pain filled sleep trying to focus on where she was, virtually impossible, as everything was a haze to her.

She heard sounds that were not clearly audible to her, movement was as in a dream but was she dreaming? Or was she dead?

"Hey!" she tried to shout her mind told her she had shouted but she didn't hear anything bar a croak from some unknown person.

Movement in the room increased or so she envisaged, trying to focus in on the situation, but couldn't it was a haze and wanted to remain so. It reminded her of being a child her mother would push her in the cellar lock the door when her stepfather came home drunk most nights. It was cold, damp oh so dark in the cellar, but she preferred that to the monster she had to call her father! He was nothing more than an animal; if she had the chance she would kill him, for what he'd done to her mother, and to her too.

"Hey I want to see you?" Hudson tried to ask the shapes that appeared to come closer to her; certain one of them was familiar to her!

Hudson saw the dark looming shape she had died; it had to be that, she was in hell! Her stepfather was here to taunt her again. She couldn't let that happen she couldn't, this time. No, she had to be strong to work through this.

"Get away you pervert! I killed you once before, I'm going to do it again I tell you, I'll kill you again." Hudson screamed out in her mind, hoping she had dismissed the dark figure that descended towards her but she wasn't sure, she wasn't, struggling as she felt pressure on her arm.

Not again, never again, it wasn't going to happen again, even if she was dead it wasn't fair! Not then, not now, she was stronger then him now, she would be, had to be!  Her struggles increased as she tried to stop this monster touching her, he wasn't ever going to touch her again ever!

Then she felt a pain, as the shapes receded slowly into the background, feeling the blackness take her. That was better than the monster; so much better, it couldn't hurt her in the darkness could it? No, it couldn't see her she was safe.

"Did you have to put her out again Doctor?" the Police Officer who had witnessed the suspect coming round, admittedly in an agitated state but coming round all the same.

"The woman was disorientated she would have hurt herself more if I hadn't settled her down again. She's on the edge as it is Officer, let me do my job, then perhaps you can do yours." the young doctor said disturbed at the words the woman had uttered disjointedly when she woke up.

"Next time she's mine Doctor, peoples lives might depend on it!" the Police Officer stated coldly. This foreigner was nothing more than a criminal why should it matter if she was hurting, she wasn't the victim here others were.