Walking through the suite, Nigel couldn't believe his good fortune. The infiltration had been easier than expected. Taking in the blue and tan décor, he narrowed his alert gaze. Strangely the combination was inspiring while simultaneously calming.

Devon accepted he was his father, but Nigel doubted Devon was his son. The last instructions about the assignment had been to disrupt and capture. Getting injured while trying to accomplish that had in-bedded him with those protecting the experiments and "halvies".

It was good that they had taken him in; now, he could send updates to the Facility in Europe without anyone being suspicious. Finally, he could have his name in bright lights. He could gain fame, rewards, and much more for bringing Breanna, her pretentious brothers and their followers to their knees.

No one knew of the new ability to become so many while being one. It wasn't new; it had reached the perfected stage since the procedure was tested on a civilian at one of Darcia's Facilities. Little did they know that civilian lived among them, was trusted by them and was one of them. Shaking his head at the irony, Nigel huffed out a sigh. This could work. A grin slid across his lips.

"Food, shower, and explore," Nigel muttered in a different voice, "it's time to work."

"Craig," David called, weaving through the busy teams, "got a minute."

Craig stepped aside, letting hurrying people past him.

"In here," David said, opening the door to the library; floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked books while groups of chairs near the windows gave a cosy air of comfort.

Craig followed, leaving the door open, "Everything okay?"

David paced to the window, his hands resting on his hips, "We're going to Europe to get those children out of that Facility."

"Yes," Craig nodded, "looking forward to levelling another facility."

"Yeah," David shook his head, "that is what you do, right?"

"We all do," Craig said, frowning.

"Sure," David nodded, "only you do it very differently. I'm concerned you don't know the difference between levelling the enemy and innocents."

"That's not true," Craig narrowed his eyes, "I would never intentionally harm those I care about, my teammates or innocents."

"Not usually," David said, turning his flinty gaze on Craig, "unless one of your abilities blow out of proportion, and you don't or can't control it."

"You're talking about what happened at the extraction," Craig nodded, "that won't happen again."

David nodded, "I want to, but I don't believe you," he said, glaring at Craig, "you didn't control your ability, nor were you aware of those around you."

Craig bristled, "You weren't there."

David looked away, closing his eyes, inhaling deeply before exhaling slowly, "I was, but you were not."

"I was there," Craig frowned, anger sparking in his eyes, "you have no right to challenge my actions or what I do to protect those around me."

"Yes. I. Do," David snarled. "When your ability consumes you to the point where you cannot see what it's doing to those around you, I have the right to challenge your ability to be in the field."

"You weren't there," Craig bellowed, squaring up to David, "you don't know what happened."

"I know your team had to contain you and the fanatics to save those families," David said. "I know that my sister stood not far from you crying while you were oblivious to her presence or that she wanted you to stop. I know that if it were not for my team and I, your team would never have come back from the mission and neither would the families we were sent to save."

"You have no idea what I was doing," Craig spat, shoving at David's solid chest, "you self-righteous prick."

"You know, I was going to tell my sister to give you time, hang in and wait out this rough patch," David shook his head, "but now, I don't think I'll bother."

"You leave Tina out of this," Craig yelled.

"She is my sister; how can I when she is constantly around you? Don't you see that your lack of self-control can kill everyone," David said, glaring at Craig. "You're so selfish, wrapped up in your own world; you're no good to anyone, not the teams, the refugees or my sister. Your lack of understanding of how dangerous your actions on the field are endangers us all. We're supposed to be doing this under the radar, but your lack of self-control is the problem, a problem e cannot afford to have, and you won't do anything about it.

"My lack of self-control? You..." Craig snarled, punching at David and connecting with his jaw.

David took the incoming punch as if it were something that happened daily. He turned back slowly, anger flaring in his eyes, "Guess we know the answer now."

Craig swung again, missing. David used Craig's momentum, bringing Craig down to meet his bent knee and connecting with his mid-drift. Anger exploded inside Craig as he rammed his shoulder into David's waist, slamming him into the floor. Suddenly he found himself underneath David taking another punch to the jaw. Counteracting with one of his own, Craig rolled, straddling David before gaining his feet, noting the actions mirrored in David. Turning, Craig was surprised by a roundhouse kick whipping his head to the side and crashing him against the wall.

David bounced loosely on the balls of his feet, waiting for Craig's reaction. Pushing away from the wall, Craig glared at David, slowly moving toward him, raising his hands. The fighting was hard, fast and potentially lethal. Craig kicked into David's mid-drift, sending him flying across the room, landing a few feet from the floor. David rolled to his feet, moving to engage as Craig did the same; both men bounced off something invisible, immovable and hard.

"I'm sure you two have issues to work out," Breanna said coldly, "but now is not the time, and this is not the place."

"I'm not having someone on the team who is that volatile," David panted, pointing at Craig.

"I agree," Breanna nodded, "but at this point, he may be the only unknown defence we have in Europe."

"How do you know he won't go flying off the handle the first time someone doesn't agree with him," Craig panted, pointing at David.

"Valid point as well," Breanna continued, "I don't want either of you if you cannot watch each other's backs or the rest of the teams. If you cannot control your emotions and work together, stay behind. If you can put this aside, we'll see you at dawn when we leave."

Craig turned to see Breanna's furious gaze look from one to the other before turning and leaving the room.

David sighed heavily, "She has a point."

"Doesn't she always," Craig shook his head, "we do need to address this, but perhaps we can do it in a way that isn't so … volatile."

"When we get back," David nodded, "the training room. Hand to hand."

"See you then," Craig nodded, stalking out of the room.

Looking into the large room, Tina watched the children interact with each other. The bunk beds had been installed at their insistence, turning a bedroom into a dormitory, making it possible for them to stay and sleep together. Tina smiled at the game of catch. Some children squealed as they darted around, up and over the beds. The lamp in the corner cast a shadow over one or two sleeping forms of younger children.

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"Evening, everyone," she said, stepping through the doorway, "time for bed."

John moved to the centre of the room, running through the nighttime checklist. Tina noticed how easily he took on the leadership role within the group.

"Nicely done," Tina murmured, watching the children settle into bed, "you're gifted with strong leadership skills."

"Not me," John sighed, "just loads of practice. It comes from someone needing to do it, not because I enjoy it."

"Whatever the reason ... you're a natural," Tina smiled, "into bed now."

She watched as he pulled himself up onto a top bunk without difficulty, noting the arm muscles bulging as he swung himself into a sitting position.

How did a child so young become so muscular?

It didn't seem normal. Tina wondered what his abilities were as she closed off the ceiling light, leaving the lamp burning. Walking between the beds, she smiled at the children, tucking in one or two of the younger set.

Standing at the door, she waited a moment or two until she heard the deep breathing of sleep. They seemed to be happy, well-adjusted children, but Tina realised it may be put in place to cover what they had endured. Each accepted the other, looked after each other, protected each other and refused to leave each other's side, doing almost everything together.

There was a lesson to be learnt for each adult who had gone through the same thing. Opening the door, Tina froze as the hairs on her arms rose. Turning, she met the steady gaze of one of the younger children who had been asleep moments before.

"Hi," Tina whispered, "Sorry if I woke you."

"What did you do to them?" the small voice came steady and cold.

"I didn't do anything to them," Tina whispered, shaking her head, "I was settling everyone for the night, and they're sleeping peacefully."

"Why aren't they awake?" the child slowly raised to her knees, glaring at Tina.

"They are sleeping," Tina looked around the room, "why would you think they would be awake?"

"Are you a light thrower?" the child started breathing faster as though angry.

"No," Tina shook her head, "are you okay? Did I do something to upset you?"

"You are here to kill them," the child snarled at Tina, "you want to hurt them."

"No," Tina shook her head, "I'm not."

"Tina," John said, rolling from his bed, "she's having a waking nightmare. Don't move."

"Okay," Tina whispered, watching John move toward the child, "what are you doing?"

He waved her to be silent as he sat on the bed next to the young girl. Without touching her, John put his hand over her eyes while whispering in her ear. Slowly the child began to relax and finally went limp against John; gently, he lay her against the pillow, covering her before brushing a tender kiss on her forehead.

Satisfied that she slept, he moved toward Tina, motioning for her to leave the room. Tina closed the door behind them as she watched John sag against the wall.

"Do you want to tell me about what just happened?" Tina asked.

John nodded, "Using that ability tires me quickly."

"Hot chocolate?" Tina asked.

"With marshmallows?" John grinned.

"I think we can find some," Tina grinned, putting her arm around his shoulders, "come on. You're going to need to fill me in."

Tina watched John slide into a booth as she made their hot chocolate. He moved into the corner of the seat as though it was a habit. She placed two mugs on the table and slid into the space opposite him, silently drinking, waiting for John to talk.

"Gina doesn't have parents ..." he shrugged, "that she knows of," John started slowly sipping the hot chocolate, "she had a twin who died when they were young. Since then, she …" John cleared his throat before continuing, "the nightmares started, and the only person she truly trusts are light throwers."

"Why?" Tina whispered.

"It was a light thrower that saved her from a savage beating," John looked at his hands, remembering. "My enhanced memory doesn't allow me to forget anything. I remember that night as though it just happened."

Tina sipped at her chocolate, waiting for John to continue, but he sat quietly, staring at the tabletop.

"John," Tina whispered, noting the jump and tensing his shoulders, "do you want to talk about it?"

"I would rather forget about it," John said, "but I can't do that."

"What did you do there?" Tina indicated toward the doorway.

John cleared his throat, sipping his chocolate, "We were never allowed to use our abilities to help each other. If we did and got caught, we were punished," John sighed "it is so much nicer to do so ... use our abilities. Gina is a light thrower, but the ability has only come out lately. I made her see calming things like the waves in the ocean and forests. Something to calm her mind."

"You said it makes you tired," Tina said, "is it new, or do you need to use it often?"

"Neither," John shook his head, "I haven't had much practice with it."

"Right," Tina nodded, "not allowed to use it on each other."

"We have company," John whispered, looking at the kitchen door.

Turning, Tina found children glancing through the door. Waving them forward, she rose from the table, letting them fill the space and join John at the table. Catching the sight of a lanky youth leaning on the doorframe, Tina waved; he pushed away, ambling toward her.

"Hot chocolate," he nodded, smiling and pouring the drink into mugs Tina placed on the counter, "nice."

"Devon, right?" Tina watched him pour the same amount into each cup without spilling a drop, "is this an ability or practice?"

"You got my name right," he smiled, "oh, my superpower is dividing anything equally."

Tina noted the sparkle in his eye and chuckled, "It's appreciated. Help me hand them out."

Picking up the tray, Tina watched as Devon dispersed the beverage between the chatting children.

"It's good to see them being able to do this," Tina grinned, leaning against the counter and watching the children drink, chat, and giggle.

"They were never allowed any kind of freedom at all in the facility," Devon murmured, "you still up?"

"I was going to bed, but John was awake, so we had hot chocolate," Tina smiled.

"You must be tired," Devon said, "you were up before dawn."

"I was," Tina nodded, "and yes, I am tired, but each life here is important, and their comfort is my concern."

"That may be, but you need to rest to ensure everyone's comfort is being seen," Devon said, "I can watch them. Don't look at me like that; I'll make sure they put their cups in the dishwasher and go to bed in about half an hour."

"Okay, I'll let you do it tonight. Thanks, Devon," Tina nodded, "it's good having all of you here."

"Oh," Devon grinned, "and don't forget my Dad."

"How is he doing?" Tina asked.

"Better," Devon nodded, "Hana wanted to keep him another day; apparently, he is very edgy, but Dad refused to stay another day. When I asked about the edginess, he said he sensed something coming."

"Something?" Tina frowned.

"Something or someone from the Facility," Devon sighed, "I keep telling him we are safe, but he insists betrayal is coming."

"Has he ever been like this before?" Tina asked.

"Yes," Devon nodded, "he has an uncanny ability to know when danger is coming. It happened just before those people arrived for us."

Tina nodded, "We'll do everything we can to ensure you are all safe and protected."

"Thanks," Devon smiled as the children grew rowdy, "let me entertain them a little."

"Tina," Nigel smiled as Devon moved away, "do you still have all those doubles?"

"Yes," Tina said, hugging him gently, "it's good to see you, Nigel. I'm glad to see you on your feet."

Tina watched Devon amble to the kitchen table, saying something that brought an explosion of laughter.

"I smell hot chocolate," Nigel grinned at Tina, who handed him a mugful, "thanks."

"Devon seems to have a way with the younger children," Tina smiled.

"He misses the company of his own age," Nigel said.

Tina narrowed her gaze and noted the calculating, cold, watchful expression in his eyes; for some reason, the word planning sprung to the fore. Unease settled in her gut.

"It's really late, and Devon has them all in hand; why don't you take your hot chocolate and enjoy it while reading a book," Tina said, "you must be exhausted."

"I am, but I was hoping for a chat with you," Nigel said, his cold, calculating eyes remaining on the children, "catch up."

"We'll have to do that at another time," Tina sighed, "tomorrow is another day ... as the saying goes."

"True," Nigel said, glancing at Tina before watching the children again.

Tina felt unsettled, "Do you have books in your suite?"

"Ah ... yes," Nigel nodded, continuing to watch the children, "you're right ... you must be tired; I'll head back to the suite."

"See you in the morning," Tina said, handing him a plate of biscuits, "have these with the hot chocolate. The combination is delicious."

"Oh, wow, I haven't had cookies for a while," Nigel said. Taking the plate and looking at the children again before leaving, "Night, and thanks for the cookies."

Tina watched him leave before glancing toward the children; she found three older children watching Nigel go before looking at her. Their gazes were watchful, cautious and concerned. What was she missing about that man? Something was different. He was different. But how? Frustrated, she smiled, waved goodnight and wandered the passageways until she found her suite of rooms.