Caroline moaned as she stretched out in the bed; her eyes flew open. She was in a bed and not in her clothes either. Lifting the covers and taking in the cotton pants and top, Caroline frowned, sniffing the air; everything smelt fresh, and there was no blood or grim anywhere ... someone had changed her and cleaned her up. Rolling her head to the side, she took in her surroundings. Angie lay in the other bed, an IV line running for a clear bag on a stand beside the bed into her arm. Hazy memories wandered through her mind. A curtained room, two beds next to each other; perhaps there was some medical staff; she couldn't remember. She remembered the dread because Angie wasn't responding to her. She vaguely remembered asking about Chelsea and Bevis, but that seemed vague and difficult to grasp whether she had or hadn't. Sighing, Caroline looked around, taking in the moment. Right now, they were in a room with pale blue walls, white tiled floors and ... she blew an awed breath between her lips as she took in the beautiful view.

"Wow," Caroline breathed as she took in the wall-to-floor window free of curtains or blinds. The sun shone freely into the room, sparkling over a large body of water. Caroline didn't know what it was, not precisely. It could have been a lake, a river or a pond; she could see it was contained by high mountain walls opening out onto a larger body of water on the horizon. Staring at the view, Caroline relaxed and simply enjoyed looking at it.

Time stood still, only to be interrupted by the opening of the room's door. Rolling her head in that direction, she saw a young woman in a white coat enter, pick up a clipboard at the bottom of her bed and run her eye down the information provided. Caroline watched as she did the same with Angie's clipboard before returning to the door and nodding. Caroline heard her whisper something before standing aside to let whoever it was on the other side in and left the room, closing the door behind her. Frowning, Caroline waited for the visitors to enter the room, gasping in surprise when she saw Bevis peering around her curtain.

"Oh, you're here," she whispered, glancing at Angie's bed before looking back to find Chelsea smiling at her, "so glad you're both safe."

"We would hug you, but your injuries will cause you pain," Chelsea shrugged, "How are you doing?" she whispered, moving toward her, "How is Angie?"

"I can't answer either of those questions," Caroline said, "the doctor hasn't spoken with me. I am worried about Angie. She seems to be unconscious... I think she was when we arrived."

"You're in the best place to be looked after," Chelsea said, "you do know where you are ... right?"

Caroline shook her head, "No idea," she tried to smile but grimaced as her slit lip reopened, slicing pain into her face, "where are we?"

"Do you know who The Nisim is?" Chelsea asked, glancing over her shoulder at Bevis staring out the large window.

"The Nisim? That name is vaguely familiar," Caroline said, "who is it or he or is it a she?"

"I've never met whoever that is, but there is a story that there is a family who maintains order, hands out justice if needed, and all the crime families fear."

"I take it their name is Nisim," Caroline said, swallowing on a dry throat, "does this family own where we are now?"

Chelsea nodded, "As far as I understand, this is their safe house and all the land as far as you can see it."

Caroline shook her head, "So the myth is true. I remember Josiah talking about someone called Sabra, but I didn't know who that was," she frowned, "when we got out of that tunnel, we were picked up by a woman and a group of men I would say were her protection detail ... she said she knew Josiah and was happy when we married. How did you two get here?"

"Boats," Chelsea said, "pre-programmed boats."

"Looks like they thought of everything," Caroline said, looking in Bevis' direction, "is she okay?"

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Bev, you good?" Chelsea asked, turning toward her friend, who still looked at the view.

"Yeah, can you hear that?" Bevis asked, not taking her eyes from the view.

"I don't hear anything," Chelsea said, frowning and shaking her head at Caroline, who smiled.

"Yes, I hear the silence," Caroline said, smiling crookedly, "it's beautiful, isn't it?"

Bevis turned, nodding, "I never thought I'd say this, but I crave it."

Caroline nodded, "I understand what you're saying ..." she sighed, "... after this is finished, we'll talk."

"Am I missing something?" Chelsea asked.

"Nothing that will impact the mission's outcome," Caroline said, grimacing as she shifted, "now tell me everything that happened after you got us out of that place."

Bevis moved toward the bed, settling into a chair as Chelsea propped herself on the end and cocked her head thoughtfully.

"Where do we start?" she asked, looking at Bevis.

"At the beginning, of course," Bevis smiled, meeting Caroline's swollen gaze, "it's a story worth telling."

"Then tell me everything," Caroline said eagerly.

Nagid leaned against the window frame, looking out at a wooded river running through a canyon; he wondered idly if every window had something beautiful and awe-inspiring to show. The sound of his phone vibrating drew his gaze, and he looked over his shoulder, locating the device and pushing away from the encasement.

A text message flashed on his screen. Scooping up the phone, he read it and answered it. Currently, everyone is safe. Will advise when we are leaving. Pushing it into his back pocket, he opened the cupboard doors, looking at the contents.

"They think of everything," he murmured, selecting clothes to dress for dinner; the robe he had found in the bathroom was luxurious comfort, something not experienced in several months. Nagid wished he could eat dinner in it. However, protocol dictated he wears appropriate clothing, "huh, there is not one tie in this cupboard; open neck it is. Thank heavens."

Dressing quickly and tidying the room, Nagid opened his door, something he always did after a mission, regardless of whether it was its outcome. He wanted his team to know that now they were somewhere safe, nothing had changed. Turning toward the view again, he sighed. It had been years since he had felt this sense of safety and peace.

"Nagid, you in here?" a young man stood in the doorway looking around.

"In here," Nagid said, turning toward the doorway and smiling, "what do you think of my view?"

"Wow, another beautiful view," the young man said, "I have one of snow-capped mountains and meadows. Do you have a minute, or would you rather be alone?"

"My door was open," Nagid said, giving the young man a meaningful look, "what's on your mind, Tom?"

"I ... well ..." Tom cleared his throat, "... this mission was a potentially dangerous one ... what am I saying ... it was dangerous, but now that I'm here, I'm..." he frowned, sighing and looked around as if searching for words.

"At peace? Feel safe? Wonder if you're the only one feeling this way?" Nagid supplied a few options.

"All of the above," Tom said, "is that normal?"

"Usually, I would say no," Nagid said, "but since this is Nisim land and we have so much security, I would say for this mission ... it is normal."

"What do I do with that?" Tom asked.

"Enjoy it, rest, recoup your mental and physical strength while you can," Nagid said, "for a change, we don't need to be vigilant about everything. It is our turn to rest."

Nodding, Tom propped his hands on his hips, "What are you doing with it?"

Nagid smiled, "Soaking in the feelings of peace and safety. We don't get that luxury in our profession. I'm reminding myself what they feel like."

Tom met his commander's tired gaze, "Huh ... remind myself what they feel like ..." he murmured, repeating Nagid's words, "will we ever have another moment to feel these emotions again?"

"I don't know," Nagid said, "that is why you take every opportunity to do so ... when the chance is given to you. Take nothing for granted."

Movement at the door drew their notice, "Oh, here you are, Tom ... the security detail is here to take us to dinner."

Nodding, Nagid looked around the room before following the younger men out and closing the door. What would this dinner be like? Trepidation battled for a place among the other emotions.

Inhaling Nagid sighed, "Time to see where this journey is going."