The early morning sun filtered into the stone courtyard as the small group appeared, sending a pair of birds resting on the low stone wall into sudden flight. Craig's team automatically spun in a protective circle, weapons raised waist high, scanning the area before relaxing when recognising their location.

"Great location focus, Jasmine," Jarred nodded, "and thanks for the extraction."

"Anytime," Jasmine said from where she crouched, panting as Valencia / Birgit rested their hands on her shoulders, "glad I could assist."

"What are they doing?" Alexis whispered to Kelvin as he gently released her from his tight grip.

"Valencia is chatting with Cara and giving an update while Birgit is charging Jasmine's energy stores," he said matter-of-factly.

"Who are Valencia and Birgit?" she asked, looking around but starting in surprise when the person leaning against Jasmine waved at her.

"We are," the two answered in unison.

"Oh," she blinked rapidly, "where am I?"

"Craig," Breanna called, striding into the area, "what's the status?"

"Never mind then," Alexis said as everyone's attention moved to the new arrival.

Alexis turned toward the voice which featured in her pregnancy dreams. The woman was athletic, wearing black cargo pants and a short-sleeved black T-shirt. Long brown hair hanging in a ponytail fell midway down her back. Although unknown to Alexis, she felt this woman was familiar.

Stepping out of the protective circle, Alexis watched the woman. She seemed invisible for some time before turning toward Alexis as though noticing her for the first time. She slowed to a stop while taking in everything about the pair.

"Welcome," her voice came softly; the child stirred, squirming in its mother's arms, "who is the father?"

"My boyfriend," Alexis said huskily, clearing her throat; she continued, "Jaxon Scully."

"Where is he now?" Breanna slowly came closer, looking down at the child.

"I wish I knew," Alexis closed her eyes against the sudden emotional tide, "I really need him now."

"When was the last time you saw him?" Breanna asked, gently playing with the baby's grasping fingers.

"Three weeks ago," Alexis whispered, watching Breanna and her child, "I reported him missing. The police tell me he has been dead for several years."

"Val, what are you reading?" Breanna asked, smiling at the child, who settled quietly into her mother's arms once more.

"The mother is definitely human, but her baby already has honed and strong enhancements," Valencia frowned. "The little one is a .... halfling," Valencia gasped, "meaning it has genes from both sides."

"What is she talking about?" Alexis instinctively cradled her baby closer.

"Simply that your baby is special," Hana said, moving through the group toward the frightened young mother, "would you like somewhere to put Mandy to sleep? Perhaps have a shower and eat something."

"Please," Alexis nodded, "I need to feed her soon."

"Then come with me," Hana gently laid her arm over Alexis' shoulders and walked her inside the house.

Craig watched them go, reeling from the events that had happened.

"Take the gear back to the armoury and get it cleaned," he said, handing over his weapon and gear to Kelvin. He waited for his team to leave before facing his sister.

"What happened tonight?" Breanna murmured.

"Normal night of flushing and fighting. We heard raised voices and shattering glass," he cleared his voice, "we ended up behind a nightclub where we saw Alexis bound and being forced out the back door at gunpoint. The individual was highly enhanced."

"You felt you needed to extract her and bring her here with her child," Breanna looked at him with a questioning expression, "did you pass it by Tina first? She has been fretting this past half hour, being separated from you for so long. You come home with another woman and child."

"I didn't mean to be away so long. How is David? Has the wound knitted properly? Tonight didn't go as planned, and by the way, it wasn't like that," Craig sighed, "Morgan wasn't after the mother. He was after her baby, Mandy."

"Morgan?" Breanna bristled, "not..."

"Darcia's number one hitman. That Morgan..." Craig finished her sentence as he rubbed his palm over the back of his neck, "she would have been dead within moments if we hadn't intervened."

"Do you know where the father is?" Breanna asked.

"Simon may have a few clues," Craig muttered, "he read her while I was taking on Morgan."

"Craig," Tina called, running into the courtyard and looking around.

He spun at the sound of her voice, smiling. She ran across the courtyard, flinging herself into his arms which automatically wrapped around her and held her to him. Burying his face in her hair, he breathed in her fresh scent calming his roiling emotions and grounding him to reality.

"I was so worried," she whispered as she clung to him, "I heard the father is Jaxon. You have to find him. You must help both of them … you must find Mandy's father."

"Tina," Breanna interrupted, "you know the baby's father?"

"Yes, for a while," she nodded, still clinging to Craig as he rubbed her back, calming her and their growing babies, "when Darcia held me. Jaxon is a very gentle soul. Not your normal type of warrior, extremely clever and can extract foreign objects from a body. There is no way he will be able to defend himself against those monsters from tonight," Tina continued, "please, don't let him die."

"What do you know about tonight?" Breanna asked, frowning.

"I was helping Hana with Alexis and Mandy," Tina said, "she told me some of what happened. Please, you have to help Jaxon."

"What makes you think he's going to die?" Craig looked down at Tina.

"I don't know," Tina frowned, "it's something I … feel… sense… know …. I don't know how but I know."

"It's okay, Tina," Breanna said, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We'll do the best we can for this family."

"Thank you," Tina smiled, slowly moving out of Craig's embrace but staying close.

Craig looked over her head at Breanna's frown. Something bothered her as it did himself. At least he was not the only one sensing there was something more.

Alexis watched Mandy sleep quietly, "This is the first time she hasn't fussed about anything. I'm struggling to bond with her, and she doesn't seem to do anything normally," Alexis sank wearily to a chair.

"You're not alone now. Val says Mandy has enhancements," Hana sat next to Alexis, whispering, "do you know what they are?"

Alexis swallowed hard as tears rose to her large almond-shaped eyes, "I don't even know what that is, but she is different."

"Different how?" Hana asked, taking the emotional woman's hand.

"When she feeds, it's as though she has a magnetic suction on her hands," Alexis murmured, "she can hold on until I'm drained. I have to tell her she needs to change before she lets go. It's as though she understands what I'm saying, which I'm told is not normal because she is so young."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"How old is she?" Hana whispered.

"Three weeks," Alexis sighed, "only three weeks old."

"You're already working?" Hana frowned, "that cannot be good for you."

"I have no option," Alexis swiped at her wet cheeks, "with Jaxon absent, I need to have food and money to look after Mandy."

"Why did you have her in a car?" Hana asked.

"I would have had her in the Manager's office," Alexis sniffed, "tonight, I got a phone call saying someone was asking about Mandy. My Manager didn't think he wanted her for anything good."

"Who's car was it?" Hana asked, rubbing her hand over the back of Alexis' clutching hand.

"Darleen's," Alexis breathed in deeply, "she parks it there when she is away. The keys are always left in the office. My Manager met me at Darleen's car and gave me the keys. If the place was being watched, they would see me arrive but without Mandy."

"Your Manager is a good person," Hana nodded, "where is he now?"

"Probably dead," Alexis sobbed, "he tried to stop that man from taking me or hurting me, but it just seemed to escalate, and there was a fight while I was bound and dragged out the back door."

"Is that where Craig and his team came into the picture?" Hana noticed Alexis sway a little before pulling herself upright.

"Yes, I thought they were with that man, but I'm grateful they weren't," Alexis sighed, "I'm so tired. Would you mind if I sleep?"

"Of course not," Hana nodded, indicating to a door across the living room, "that is my spare room. You are welcome to stay here with Mandy. We'll be sharing a bathroom and kitchen. There is space enough for all of us."

"Thank you," Alexis smiled a little, "I don't remember the last time I slept in a bed."

"Have you eaten?" Hana stood, releasing Alexis' hand.

"I had something at the club," Alexis nodded, "thank you."

"Get some rest," Hana said, "I'll check on you a little later. If you need me, you press the button on the intercom next to the door, and if not me, then someone will be there quickly to see to you."

Alexis nodded, "Still can't believe she is sleeping so soundly."

"She feels protected and safe because you do," Hana smiled, leaving the room.

A worried furrow slowly creased into a frown. What had Breanna done to that child? Something about the interaction between Breanna and Mandy seemed strange. Hana headed toward the tech room, determined to find out.

"Hey Cherri," Hanna called to one of the tech room assistants, "do you know where Breanna is?"

"I seem to remember her heading toward the training room, or it could have been the shooting range", Cherri said thoughtfully, "I need to get these reports to Michael."

"Thanks, Cherri. Why is she there?" Hana frowned, "only one thing for it."

Changing direction, Hana wandered through the rabbit warren-type passageways of white tiled floors and sky blue walls toward the training wing.

The sound of gunfire could be heard before she entered the silent and empty training room. Glancing at the clock, she noticed the time was a little before four o'clock in the morning. Although everyone else was resting, Breanna obviously felt she needed to be alone. To do what?

Think?

Train?

Hana didn't know what Breanna would need to do. She watched Breanna from outside the locked glass sliding door. A design Breanna had requested for everyone's protection; apparently, she had seen too many people being killed or hurt due to carelessness.

Hana watched as Breanna finished firing and pulled her target sheet toward her before staring at the tight cluster of shots on the paper.

Breanna turned to the table, quickly cleaning the gun and replacing it in the armoury cupboards. Pushing her hands into her track top pockets, she turned to the door finding Hana watching her.

"Have you been here long?" Breanna asked, exiting the shooting range.

"A moment or two," Hana smiled, "happy with your training time?"

"It's the same," Breanna chuckled, "if I shoot someone, they will die ... unless I decide to only wing them."

"Alexis and Mandy are settling into the spare room in my quarters," Hana said.

Breanna nodded, "My head is pounding with questions."

"What do you mean?" Hana asked.

"First there was Tina, and now ... seeing Alexis with Mandy and realising I may never have children was a little chilling," Breanna said. Something had tugged at her when Alexis had arrived, holding that tiny bundle in the blanket. "Although I may never have children, it made me realise how terrified Alexis is not knowing or understanding what Mandy is. I could sense their level of fear."

Hana shook her head, "Alexis told me that Mandy is calmer after meeting you. What did you do to her?"

"Nothing at all," Breanna shook her head, "I sensed fear. In reassuring her of the safety for her mother and herself, I hoped she would stop fretting. If she has settled, I'm happy."

"How did you reassure her?" Hana frowned, "you never spoke to her."

Breanna tapped her index finger to her side temple, "Mentally. Mandy is more advanced than her mother knows. I explained that she would be safe to sleep and grow while she is with us."

"It worked," Hana smiled, "what else is bothering you?"

"We stumbled across Alexis and Mandy," Breanna said, rolling her shoulders, "if Mandy exists, there have to be others. My questions ..." Breanna sighed, "How many? Where were they? How many years had Darcia been working this angle of her plan?"

"We'll have to look into it. Mandy is only three weeks old. How did she understand you? Even mentally?" Hana asked.

"She may be three weeks old physically," Breanna shook her head, "I'm guessing her enhancements age her. There is a high level of frustration around that tiny body."

"Alexis did say she is different," Hana sighed, "We really need to find Jaxon."

Breanna sighed heavily while nodding, "Alexis will need him. I hope he is alive. Right now, we need to get some rest. See you in the morning."

"Night," Hana said quietly, watching Breanna as she walked toward the living quarters, "I wonder if you will be sleeping tonight."

The hot water sluiced down his body, washing away the dirt-filled soap and frustration of the night. Lifting his face to the spray, Craig let the warmth seep into his pores for a moment before turning off the shower and reaching for a towel.

Morgan.

That sadistic murderer was still alive. The very thought of Darcia's insane hitman breathing left him cold to the bone. Worry about everyone's safety ate at him. At least Breanna knew it had been the right thing to do, even though his first instinct was to become a lone wolf and deal with the situation himself. Part of him reasoned his actions would ensure the safety of everyone. The other part of him forced honesty into his mind. Craig knew this situation. Morgan could be dealt with by one person. Add Morgan's fanatical troops to the equation, and that one person would never survive. Especially if they had more of those de-enhancement machines. Craig shuddered at the images running through his imagination. Someone under one of those for a few minutes would be hell.

Neither had come off well the last time Morgan had tangled with Craig, and no additions were in the mix either.

The urgency of finding Alexis' boyfriend and father to Mandy added to the growing dread churning his stomach and tension sitting between his shoulders. Pulling on a fresh set of black fatigues, he left their suite and headed for the tech room. Craig found Breanna leaning over the table. He hesitated outside the glass doors before sighing and scanning his thumb, entering the quiet room.

"Thought you would avoid me until you went on your next safety patrol," Breanna smiled, looking up, "you looked shaken earlier, and you still look shaken."

"I was going to avoid you, but there is too much at stake. You don't come across a human with an enhanced child every day. Only to find they are hunted by a sadist like Morgan," Craig said, "when Morgan attacked me tonight, I knew I was fighting for my life. I realised halfway through that I was fighting for everyone with me."

"You did the right thing, Craig," Breanna spoke softly, "we need to locate the father and relocate the entire family somewhere safe."

"We will," Craig nodded, "but it's more than that ... when I saw Alexia and Mandy tonight ... Bre, it could have been Tina and... It's hard enough leaving them when she is getting on so well in her pregnancy. I pray my absences don't harm them, but I promised David I'd cover when he got injured."

"What is it, Craig?" Breanna straightened, staring at her eldest brother.

"If I were away doing something important," Craig murmured, "I would want someone to step up and protect my family. Knowing the importance of having that I can't hand this over to someone else, I'll explain it to Tina, who begged me to find him but ..." Craig sighed, "she may need to come with us. She was shaking when I got back earlier. I don't want her to lose our children. I don't want to be the cause of that tragedy."

The doors opened then, and a fully kitted Kelvin walked in, holding Craig's gear.

"What's going on?" Craig asked, taking his gear and strapping it on.

"An alert came in," Kelvin said, "the surveillance team saw live footage of an enhanced civilian being hunted by fanatics. We need to get out there to assist the civilian. Jasmine says she'll drop him or her off at the mansion or, in case medical attention is required, here."

"Let's go," Craig nodded to Breanna as he followed Kelvin from the tech room.

Breanna sighed, watching them stride away. Craig had more on his mind than just Tina, Alexia and Mandy. If she took a guess, she would say Morgan was at the base of every worry haunting his eyes.

Striding down a passageway, the murmuring of a gathering group warned the two men of more people than simply their team.

"You're not permitted to come with us," Jarred warned gently, "it may harm both of you. We don't know what the phasing will do to either of you in your condition."

"All I know is I need to come with," Tina said, "please, you don't understand the urgency of needing to come with ..."

Craig rounded the corner seeing Tina standing to one side of a group with Jasmine in the centre, waiting to phase everyone to the target location. The desperation in Tina's voice slammed into him. The need was not for herself but for that which grew within.

"Jas," Craig said, not touching her yet, "when you have phased us in, I want you to leave immediately. We don't know what we are walking into, and I don't want either Valencia, Birgit, or you caught in the middle."

"Understood," she nodded, "let me know when you want another transport."

Turning to Tina, he reached out his hand to her, "One phase couldn't hurt."

She clung to him as he laid his hand on Jasmine's shoulder and inhaled, waiting to phase to wherever they were heading.