A/N This is very Chris and Vin oriented, just because they are my favorite and easier for me to write. Since I'm doing this all on my phone, it may look strange or off a bit text- wise.

Thank you to the guest who pointed out that I had an unrealistic military rank listed. I have fixed the discrepancy. I have also fixed the Google translation of the French. I didn't think it really flowed much, so my thanks to Guest #2 who helped me make my final decision.

Captain Chris Larabee watched the dirt training yard while chewing on a toothpick, a habit he picked up while trying to quit smoking.

The objects of his scrutiny were two of his co-workers, who were sparing with banto rods; and it was not looking like that friendly of a match.

Major Nikole Morgan and Lieutenant Ezra Standish were at it and it was brutal, almost like they were in survival mode. And knowing Kole like Chris did, she was probably in a different place and Ezra was trying to keep up with her.

"Nikole, what are you doing? Slow down."

"What's wrong, Ez? Too intense for you? Or can you not keep up?"

Chris shook his head. Ezra had learned French from the exquisite boarding schools he had attended. Nikole, well, K. Nikolette Morgan was self taught in French and German as well as being able to read and translate many others. He sadly didn't know what was being said, but by the tone Kole was using, she was teasing him.

Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington came and stood on either side of him and watched.

"Ya gonna let 'er kill 'im, Cowboy, or are ya gonna stop it?"

If it wasn't his codename, he would have glared at Vin. But as it was, Vin, Buck and Kole were the only ones allowed to call him that otherwise.

"Actually, Vin, you're dressed to train. Go and join."

Vin gave a brief nod before picking up two of his own rods and joining them.

"Pard, you sure that's a good idea? Letting them do this? Do you remember when we were introduced to her?"

Chris gave the barest hint of a grin. He remembered and he probably can still see the marks from the paint balls she used. He had to admit, she was good, very good. She could blend in just about anywhere, which made her hard to locate at times when she went off the reservation.

Orrin Travis told him in advance that she was good. But he wasn't expecting an 18 year old girl to take out a group of 7 elite members of the US Military in under a minute. Travis had told him about a girl who walked into the president's office and had the secretary hiding under the desk and a lot of Secret Service Agents on the floor from various injuries and she was wearing few clothe, after an undercover operation that had ended after several months.

The woman he met was in military fatigues with numerous weapons and face paint. She soon became the unofficial 8th member and little sister. They were now the President's Agents when needed and ATF when they weren't.

Nikole sit with Vin and Chris, watching the others practice, "Do y'all ever think about having a family? I mean, outside of us?"

Chris was dating Mary Travis and had recently proposed to her. Vin was a loner, but had his eye set on one of the ladies in the office they currently worked out of.

"Why?" Chris asked; it was unusual for her to even broach the subject.

"That night I was undercover, it was for a drug ring. It turned violent and the officer who responded to the call and I have been seeing each other. I'm scared, honestly-."

The alarm went off and they grabbed their go bags. No time to think about what could, should or would. Missions came first.

Generals Orrin Travis and James Ashburn were in the briefing room when the eight members arrived. For one of them to be there, it was a normal mission. For them both to be there, it was a dire situation.

Come to find out, it was. And it was an unsanctioned operation that would take place on US soil.

They found that the chopper accident that had allegedly killed Nikole's father was an inside job and the next major gun sale was taking place in three days in Oklahoma City, Colonel Neil Miller, the man behind the operation20 plus years before, had been uncovered.

The tension was high in the room and they men closest to Kole could feel here shaking with anger.

The large metal table they were sitting at slammed into the wall across from the team, Kole standing with her chest heaving, voice deadly calm, "He's mine."

The door slammed behind her, and Ezra Standish looked at the hole in the wall from the table, "I'm not going after her." Nathan threw a wad of paper at him.

Chris and Vin walked into her dorm…. Her empty dorm. Her phone and ear piece laying on her bed. Nikole Morgan had gone dark and was in the wind. All they knew was her destination and why.

Two days later found the seven men waiting in an abandoned parking lot.

Hair pulled up in a clip, red lipstick, black sunglasses and short skirt completed the outfit Nikole wore as she walked the streets. Her knee high boots kept he legs semi warm and her leather jacket helped, but if one more person tried to cop a feel as she walked by, she would not be responsible for her actions.

Vin and Chris watched her walk towards them and heard her sigh.

"Cain't help ya if ya don't let us, Kole," Vin said quietly.

She was in his arms within seconds, Chris had his hand on her shoulder, but just like that it was over.

Nikole Morgan didn't have feelings, and never showed emotion. They had to prepare for the following evening.

It was agreed, Nikole would be the buyer, the daughter of an Irish Mob boss and Chris and Vin would be her bodyguards. This was after she was told she couldn't guard Chris, which led to Buck nursing a black eye for his comment about why it wouldn't work. The others would be in the van, waiting down the street, as backup.

It was supposed to be simple; go in, get a confession, make the arrest, get out, start next job.

But instead, Vin Tanner's blood was coating her hands, sticky and thick, and red. So much red. Chris was unconscious next to her, and the were surrounded by Miller's men. The butt end of a gun was the last thing Nikole saw through the glare she threw at the man who ripped her family apart all those years ago.