Tina smiled at a small boy as he clung to his mother's leg. This is what she wanted to do, teach her own children to do. Meeting the mother's awe-struck gaze, Tina asked, "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes," the young woman nodded, "thank you."

"For?" Tina frowned in confusion.

"Getting us out of there," the young mother indicated their surroundings, "all of this. Welcoming us. Your understanding. Being friendly."

"We're are happy you're safe; that is the only thing everyone in our group wants for you and your family," Tina said.

"Do you think someone could find my husband," the young mother asked, rubbing the slightly swollen belly under the oversized shirt.

"Where is he?" Tina asked.

"Last I heard, he was heading to Europe," she said, frowning, "something about having to find more information."

"More information about?" Tina couldn't think of anything more important than his family.

"About our children," the woman said, "we know they're different, but there are rumours of the place where they can be made normal."

"Revert their genetic enhancement to something normal," Tina nodded, "why would you want to put your children through that torture?"

"You misunderstand," she sighed, "we don't want our children to go there. We want to find the location so that it will stop torturing normal children by doing what they did to your kind."

"My kind," Tina smiled, "I guess you can say I may be one of them."

"How can you say that?"

"The person who started this type of science cloned me," Tina said, waiting for emotion to rise and overwhelm her ... there was nothing. "I may not be enhanced like the others, but I felt what she did to my clones, and it was enough to convince me how evil that type of science is."

"How many did she do?" the woman asked.

"Four others before Breanna and the Enhanced Protectors rescued us," Tina sighed, "now it's like having sisters."

"You make it sound as though they are family," the young woman frowned.

"They are," Tina smiled, "we are all family. Perhaps not by blood, but how do you define those who are there for you, encourage you, cry with you, understand you and stand by you."

"Family," the young mother smiled, "that is something."

"You might be surprised that you'll find the same thing staying here," Tina said, "none of you is alone any longer."

The younger mother smiled as Jasmine came toward them, "Will we see you again."

"I'll be going to check on something at the main base, but I will be back to make sure everyone's transition is going well."

Jasmine greeted the young woman and watched as the mother and child wandered to the long buffet for everyone to enjoy.

Ambling toward the large glass windows overlooking the garden, Tina saw the ocean beyond. Every home Breanna's parents owned had a similar ocean view. It was beautiful, peaceful and inspiring. Glancing at her watch, she cleared her throat, trying to remove the emotional lump clogging it. Having eaten and calmed her offspring with a promise to see their father. Tina had checked in with Hana regarding Craig's status, settled all the refugees, and checked that every possible requirement was fulfilled. It was time to keep her promise. Shaking her head at the memory of Craig protecting everyone, possibly at the expense of himself, she knew his heart. It had been frightening as she had never seen Craig lose control that way. She had come to realise how much he disliked any lack of self-control.

"Tina," Jasmine called, "you ready to go?"

"Ah, yes," Tina nodded, "Birgit said she's waiting for you."

"Great, I'll drop you off at the infirmary before going off to find her," Jasmine smiled, "you okay?"

"I think so," Tina said, "I'm worried about Craig and also what all this phasing may be doing to my babies."

"Who isn't worried about Craig, but the phasing shouldn't worry your offspring," Jasmine smiled, "let's get you out of here and find some answers."

Tina grasped Jasmine's offered hand and waited for the disturbing sensation of phasing.

Craig woke again feeling strangely light-headed. Someone held his hand. Opening his eyes, he found Valencia /Birgit's head bowed as though she were praying. He could feel both her tiny hands wrapped around his. A movement against the wall drew his gaze to Jesse, standing with his gun drawn, watching her.

"Don't move, Craig," Jesse said, raising the gun to shoulder height, "she isn't finished yet."

"Which one?" Craig croaked.

"Birgit," Jesse said.

"What is she doing?" Craig asked.

"With all the work that Jasmine and Valencia are doing, Birgit is running out of charge," Jesse said, "since you seem to have an overload of the required commodity ..." Jesse shrugged.

"She's drawing the residual from me," Craig nodded, finishing Jesse's sentence, "thank you."

Birgit raised her head, "You're welcome," letting go of his hand and turning to Jesse, she nodded, "sadly, he's dry."

Jesse nodded toward the side of the partition, "You can take it down now."

Hana popped her head around, smiling at Craig and Birgit, "Thanks, Birgit," she gently moved the partition against the wall.

"Hana, you here?" Jarred called as he pulled an occupied gurney through the infirmary doors.

Hana placed her hand on Craig's chest while looking over her shoulder, "I'm here. Val, find Rose. I think I may need her. Wait, Craig, one more moment. You can move now."

Sitting up, Craig frowned. He knew that face but where from? Another gurney came through the doorway, pushed by Tina and another by Calla.

"What going on?" Craig asked, watching familiar faces with severe-looking injuries move past his bed. Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side.

"Who are they?" he asked.

David came through the infirmary door holding his weapon, blood spatter on his black fatigues and some on his face.

"David," Breanna called, "what happened? The last we heard, you were secure. Why did you call Jasmine to get everyone out? Birgit, please help her recharge. Jasmine is hiding in her apartment; she may be in a bad way."

Birgit nodded, leaving the room.

Craig looked at the three gurneys, "I know them."

"What?" David and Breanna turned to look at him.

"I'm not sure from where," Craig sighed, "I just know I have met them ..." he groaned in frustration, "... their names are elusive."

"What happened?" Breanna asked David again.

"We were bringing in the last batch of families," David shook his head, running his hand through his short hair, "they took out the truck with a small arms missile. Then they started firing on us. Fortunately for us, the families were near the opening of the truck. The fanatics kept demanding one of the teenagers, but it turned out that they wanted three children, not just one."

"Why?" Craig frowned, watching Tina helping Rose and Hana, her face pale as she stole glances at another patient.

The look in Tina's eyes chilled his veins. She knew this person. She … loved ... this person.

"Couldn't tell you," David clipped out, "they had a scanner. Seems they acquired it while overseas."

"How did these three fathers get hurt?" Breanna pointed toward the trauma area.

"This wasn't random," David said, "one of the fanatics took one look at the occupants in the back of the truck and shot these three as they got out. I had no choice but to get Jasmine to phases in and out."

"How many did she carry?" Craig whispered, swallowing against the pain in his chest.

"At least twenty, perhaps twenty-five," David said, "excluding our team.

"Hurry," Rose called, "he's flat-lining, and I cannot undo the damage quickly enough."

"CPR," Hana called.

The two worked quickly, but the line continued. Tina watched silent tears streaking her face as she watched the pair work. A tingle in Craig's fingers drew his attention to his hands.

"Craig," Breanna frowned, "what is it?"

"I ..." Craig frowned, pushing off the bed, "I can save him."

"How?" David took a step back, pushing Breanna behind him.

"My hands are tingling, and I have a sense I can save him," Craig looked at his sister, "let me try."

"Go, but be careful," Breanna said, "you put anyone else in danger. David will take you out."

"Fair enough," Craig nodded, walking toward the frantic pair, "move out the way."

"Don't hurt him," Tina begged, "please."

"I won't," Craig smiled sadly, "let me help him."

"Rose move back," Hana said, watching Craig moving toward the top of the gurney.

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Craig followed his instincts, carefully placing his fingers on the man's chest, allowing the tingling to enter the unconscious man. He had no idea what he was doing, why he needed to do it this way, or how it worked. After a moment, he felt a jolt, and the heart monitor dinged before the bleeps began.

"He should be okay now," Craig said, moving away.

"How did you do that?" David asked.

"No idea," Craig whispered, "I just knew I had to."

"He is coming around," Tina sobbed, "thank heavens."

"May I leave?" Craig asked, looking at Hana.

Hana snapped her head towards him before looking in Tina's direction.

"Yes," Hana said, "but no fieldwork until you figure out what happened there. Understood."

Craig nodded before pulling on a track top and leaving the infirmary. He needed to get away from the painful sight of Tina falling apart over someone else, someone she clearly loved.

"Craig," Breanna called, striding to catch up with him, "where you going?"

"To shower and then … go wherever you need me to," Craig said, swallowing hard, "where do you need a hand?"

Breanna stopped before him, meeting his gaze and holding it silently. He could feel the tugged of her ability.

"Stop," he whispered, closing his eyes, "I couldn't watch ... Tina's heart ..."

"She loves you," Breanna said, "I know that as fact. She knows that person, she feels for that person, and what you saw was her being over-emotional, thanks to what she had just experienced and seen."

"The ..." Craig gasped, "my family was exposed to what happened? Could have been killed."

"Yes," Breanna gently laid her hand on his arm, "but they remain unharmed."

Nodding, Craig breathed, "I need to see them."

"You will," Breanna nodded, "I'll send Tina to help you shortly. When you've cleaned up, we have scared families needing a diversion," Breanna said, "Iris, Tania and Frank are with them, and Fiona is already inbound. She has been at all the safe houses, ensuring everyone is okay and scanning them. I want her in the infirmary as quickly as possible when she gets here."

"You think those three were targeted for a reason," Craig said, his gaze sharpening with suspicion, "their families may hold the answer."

"Everything will work itself out," Breanna said, "never doubt Tina's love for you."

Craig watched his sister walk away, her words playing through his head repeatedly. Did he doubt what he had with Tina?

Showering in record time, Craig walked toward the general and more informal part of the house. He smiled absently at the sound of children playing in the games room. Low tables and small chairs had been placed near the kitchen, and large plates of sandwiches were placed in the middle of each, allowing the children to eat until they were full. Moving past the hum of appreciation, Craig stumbled into the bathing area, resembling a water park, where babies were being bathed and could play freely.

"Glad to see you on your feet C," Frank said as he moved between the families; Frank's voice wafted around Craig, warming him from the inside out. "We have four babies, ranging from six months through to two years, a four-year-old, a five-year-old, a nine and ten-year-old. Then there is the fifteen-year-old," he pointed to where a lanking young man stared out one of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Is one of the men downstairs his father?" Craig asked.

"Yes, the other two men belong to those two women over there," Frank indicated the two women sitting near the fireplace, hugging mugs between their hands. "One just found out she is pregnant. The other is about to give birth."

"Why were these particular men targeted?" Craig frowned.

"We have been able to work out each of them had been to Europe," Frank sighed, nodding toward the teen, "his dad gave him something, but he doesn't want to share with anyone."

"I'll see what I can do?" Craig said.

"Be careful," Frank warned, "he has a lethal ability … lightning bolts."

Nodding, Craig grinned, "Then he'll have to get in line," Craig allowed a little of his new ability to crackle on his fingertips.

"So the rumours are true," Frank nodded, smiling slowly, "This new one is permanent?"

"Yep," Craig sighed, "well … new to me and seems permanent."

"How is his dad?" Frank whispered.

"He'll be fine," Craig murmured, noticing the teen glancing their way before looking out the window quickly. "Looks like our lightning teen has more abilities than his parents may know about."

"I need to see to the kids in the games room," Frank said, "go easy on him."

"Only is he needs it," Craig ambled toward the window, watching the teen as he leaned against the window frame, "hey, what's your name?"

"Why do you want to know my name?" petulant eyes looked at Craig.

"I can't go around calling you lanky or hey you," Craig said, bracing his legs apart and crossing his arms over his chest.

"It would be better than what I have been called before," the teen sighed, "what do you want?"

Craig nodded slowly, "You were in the facility in Europe," Craig sighed "that is tough. What I want is to have a conversation with you?"

"Conversation," the teen tried out the word, "never had one of those with anyone."

"Your Dad tried to protect you," Craig spoke softly, "I'm guessing he was the one who tracked you down and extracted you from an unknown facility in Europe. A place you thought was the only place you'd ever be." The teen swallowed hard, blinking quickly and giving a single nod. "I'm guessing you blame yourself for drawing attention to the cluster of families under surveillance."

"I had to protect the little ones," the teen sucked in a breath, "it was either watch them die or do something."

"After everything you'd been through in Europe, you couldn't watch another innocent die," Craig whispered.

Understanding blooming deep within, he knew that feeling knew what it could trigger. Looking at the teen shaking his head as tears gathered on long lashes before coursing down thin pales cheek, Craig's heart squeezed. This could be one of his children in the future.

"I'm the reason my father is dead," the words came out on a stifled sob.

"Your father is not dead," Craig said, looking out the window into the sunny day.

"How would you know?" the whispered question fluttered in the space between them.

"I was in the infirmary when he was brought in," Craig whispered, looking down at his hands as he allowed crackle to run across his fingertips.

The teen watched in fascination before his gaze snapped up to Craig's face, "Is that all you can do?"

"Is that a challenge?" Craig's gaze narrowed before he smiled.

"What if it was?" the teen asked, swiping his cheeks.

"It's going to be nothing," Tania said, stopping between the two, "the last time he let go, we nearly lost the people we were extracting and our team. You don't want to see him do his thing."

"That bad, huh," the teen nodded, summing Craig up before looking at his fingertips, "how do you get it down to … that?"

"Control," Craig said, smiling a little, "what's your name?"

"Devon," the teen whispered, "my father said my mother named me before ..." he breathed in deeply, "she was murdered trying to stop those people from taking me away."

"I'm so sorry," Tania whispered, "that must have been hard for you to hear all these years later."

Devon swallowed hard, "It was, but it made me more determined to protect the others."

"Good for you," Craig nodded, "what is it, Tania?"

Tania smiled at Craig before turning to Devon, "Your father wants to see you?"

"Is he really … alive?" Devon asked cautiously.

"Yes," Tania said, "very weak at the moment but alive and worried about you."

Devon looked at Craig, waiting. Frowning, Craig glanced between Tania and Devon.

"Why are you looking at me? Do you want to see your father?"

Devon nodded.

"Then go," Craig waved them toward the door, "nothing is going to happen to the little ones right now."

Devon quickly scanned the area, checking on everyone before following Tania from the room.

"That was impressive," Jarred said, offering Craig a cold cider, "no one has been able to get him talking since we found him fighting at least thirty fanatics on his own. He stood alone while the parents tried to get the children away from the area."

"I was told he's fifteen," Craig said, "he's behaving like he is twenty-five, married with children."

"You want to talk to his father," Jarred smiled, "you want to know where this facility is and, if necessary, go to Europe and burn it to the ground."

"That obvious, huh?" Craig sighed as Jarred nodded, "can you blame me?"

"No," Jarred said, shaking his head, "but I'd like to know how you knew the men who came in?"

Craig looked out the window, seeing nothing but memories bubbling to the surface. "Their beatings and ... training happened in front of me ... my sister used it as a method to activate procedures. It was more torture to me than anything else," Craig swallowed hard, "they never fought back, and I could never get to them to protect them."

"Darcia used them to make you do what?" Jarred whispered in horror.

"What I did in the field to protect the innocent from bullies," Craig cleared his throat, "but instead of being able to control it …. I nearly killed everyone."

"You need to sort out your relationship with Tina," Jarred said urgently "only then will you have complete control."

"Nice of you to say, but I don't think Tina will be looking for me any time soon," Craig said, "one of the guys brought in today had her sobbing and worried."

"Maybe she was concerned for someone injured and in pain," Jarred said, "you can't make a judgement without getting the details."

"I saw everything," Craig whispered, "how she looked at him, worried over him, and burst into tears when he nearly died. She never even looked at me or asked if I was okay."

"Sounds like she was a little over-emotional," Jarred sighed, "you can't put any store by the actions of a pregnant woman."

"J, she has never looked at me that way," Craig shook his head, "I know I screwed up, but I cannot compete with someone who holds her heart and soul."

"She carries your offspring," Jarred said, frowning, "won't you fight for your family? You love her, but you're not going to try, are you?"

"I ..." Craig cleared his throat, "I was … until I saw her with him. Jarred, I love her too much to force or cajole her to stay with me. I just want them all happy, my children as well. They will be happy when she is."

"Craig, please tell me you've spoken to her and asked her about what happened in the infirmary?" Jarred faced him.

"We haven't crossed paths with enough time to actually talk," Craig shook his head, "besides, she has volunteered to stay at a safe house indefinitely."

"Wow," Jarred shook his head, "did she tell you?"

Craig shook his head, "I heard that from Cara and Bre."

"Damn," Jarred turned toward the window, "what are you going to do?"

"Well, I'm not sure what there is to do," Craig sighed, "I know I need to talk to her. Make sure our offspring are calm and happy. I will tell her what she means to me if I get the chance. But if she has reservations about us, I cannot expect her to ... stay, although I want her to. If I don't get the chance, I'll have to watch over her like I always have. You know," Craig rubbed the back of his neck, "make sure she doesn't get into trouble, is safe, looked after, cared for, happy and most importantly, "loved. "

"Why would you do that?" Jarred frowned.

"I love her," Craig said simply, "I want her to be happy and safe. If that means with someone else, I'll have to accept that."

"Her personal guardian angel," Jarred shook his head, "I never thought I would see the day. You'd give your life for her."

Craig nodded before looking out the window, "If it made her happy and ensured she would live … that they would all live ... yes."

Jarred sighed, "You're a better man than I am."

Craig heard Jarred being called from across the room, saw him leave and continued to mull over matters between Tina and himself.

"Your thoughts are giving me a headache," Cara sighed, rubbing her head, "can you dial it back a bit."

"Sure," Craig swallowed his emotion, "turn around, let me massage those shoulders. You look like you are carrying a pirate plank across your neck."

"Thanks," Cara smiled.

Craig slowly massaged her stiff muscles while Cara tried not to groan in delight. Looking up, Craig met a watchful Tina from the doorway. She walked toward them slowly.

"Thanks, Craig," Cara sighed, "much better."

Craig lifted his hands as Cara walked away, winking at Tina.

"You having fun?" Tina asked, giving a tight smile.

Craig frowned, "Fun?"

Tina glanced around before shaking her head, "Never mind. Breanna is looking for you ... Nigel wants to see you.

"Whose Nigel?" Craig frowned in confusion.

"Devon's father," Tina offered, "...they are in the infirmary."

"Thanks," Craig said; Tina turned from him, preparing to leave, "Tina, I want you to know I'll always love you. But I'm not standing in your way of happiness. I hope you are happy with him."

"Who?" Tina stilled, glancing over her shoulder at Craig.

"Nigel," Craig said, "I realised earlier that you must have been very close to him. I … now that you're reunited, I hope you find what you're looking for with him."

"What are you saying?" Tina swallowed hard.

"I want you to be happy," Craig said, "even if it isn't with me. Know that I'm always here for you no matter what."

Tina frowned, "I ..." she cleared her throat, "are you leaving?"

"No," Craig said, indicating to Simon, who called him from the doorway, "I was told you are. If you ever need anything … I'm here for you ... for all of you. Remember I love all of you."

Quickly he walked away before he regretted ever letting her go. Who was he kidding? He regretted it the moment the words came out of his mouth.