Walking into the Coffee Bar that lunch time after popping into the office, Dino grinned to see his three friends drowning their hangovers, or at least attempting to. Dragging over a nearby chair, he waved to the waiter and received a nod in return, soon delivered with a cup of hot black coffee – two sugars.

Phil gave him an evil look, "Don't you get hangovers anymore Dino – or did we drink double what you did?"

Dino gave him a self-satisfied look, "I drank just as much as you, but I got the best hangover cure ever when I got home."

Jack pulled a face, "What – the Misses hit you with the frying pan to even things up?"

Dino smirked and winked suggestively at his friend, "Better… Twice…"

Terry looked at the ceiling, "You smug bastard Dino, I don't know what Gaby sees in you sometimes." He winked back at his friend, "You too huh… There is something to be said for settling down… Not that these two would ever contemplate going there again."

"Damn right – Too much hassle mate." Phil rubbed his eyes, slowly returning to normal, he narrowed his eyes at something he could see over Dino's shoulder, "Mind you – if she looked like that – I'd be tempted."

Dino didn't move, knowing what Phil could see from the reflection in the mirror on the wall. Terry gave his old SAS friend an amused glance, "Be careful what you say mate, I hear her other half is the possessive type. Wouldn't want you to get into a scrap on the first day of your holiday in New York."

Phil rose to the bait, "Take him with one arm behind my back." Dino grinned, but said nothing.

The next moment Jackie walked into the Coffee shop, joining Terry and his friends. "So, Gaby's managed to find a baby sitter for a few hours then Dino?"

Dino nodded, "Yeah, I'm glad – gives us a chance to have a couple of quiet hours together. The girl next door is great with kids, but Gaby doesn't like to leave them too long."

Jack chuckled, "Never thought you'd be the type to settle down Dino – so when do we get to see this woman who tamed you?"

Dino smiled while Terry nearly choked on his coffee, "Soon enough, she's meeting us here too."

The next moment Phil stared, as the object of his attention came walking across the room towards them and slid her hands from Dino shoulders to his chest, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek before sitting down on the chair next to him. "Still think you can take me Phil?"

Terry and Jack roared with laughter as Phil muttered a few words into his coffee, 'lucky bastard' was about all Gaby could hear, turning to Dino, she gave him an arch look, her lips curling slightly in amusement, "You bragging again Honey? You really must stop doing that; it's just not fair you know."

Dino chuckled, "Can I help it if the woman in my life is still able to turn heads as she walks down the street even though she's had two kids?" Pulling her chair close to his, he draped his arm around the back of her shoulders as he returned the kiss and introduced her to his friends. "Jack, Phil… Gaby Santiago."

Gaby gave them both a warm smile, inviting them around for dinner during their stay, Phil recovered from the wound to his pride and grinned his acceptance, "if you can tame Dino – you must be at least a good cook."

Gaby gave a wicked chuckle, "Who says I tamed him? I like him just the way he is… Besides, if you speak to my brothers and a few friends – I was the one tamed – not Dino."

The whole table laughed at her comment, Dino having at least the decency to blush a little. Jack quietened a little first, "Santiago… The CO of my first unit was named Santiago – one hell of a guy. I wish I'd known him longer."

Dino pulled Gaby close as her face dropped slightly, his right hand reaching for hers in comfort, she gave him a grateful look, "Gabriel Santiago?" as Jack nodded his answer she sighed, "He was my father. I'm glad to know he is still remembered."

Phil caught his breath a little staring at Gaby, "If he was your father, that makes you…"

Dino interrupted sharply, "Not any more Phil, her brother runs the organisation now, has done for quite a while."

Phil apologised immediately, "I didn't mean to give insult Dino – it's just that some thanks are in order – my cousin was rescued from a drug cartel by Gaby and her team. Thanks to her, he's back home with his family; we're in your debt Gaby – if ever there's anything I can do…"

Gaby blushed and smiled softly, "Your thanks are enough Phil and the news that your cousin is able to carry on with his life. That is part of my past now, I have no intention of returning to it."

Dino gave a quiet sigh of relief and his friends, noticing the concerned look on his face, changed the subject and it wasn't long before they were all laughing and joking again. However, Dino could not get rid of the chill that had descended over his body.

&&

"Are you ok?"

Gaby's voice pulled Dino from his thoughts and he sighed, they were taking a short walk through Central Park before returning home, but Phil's words were playing on his mind – as was Gaby's answer.

"I'm ok I guess, it's just…"

Gaby stopped and turned to face him, her hand placed softly on his cheek, instinctively knowing what he was thinking, "Dino, Artemis is in the past, I don't need her in my life anymore. You know that."

Dino wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "I know, but she is still part of who you are and from time to time she pops up to say hi. I guess I'm just a little afraid…"

Gaby sighed, "Dino, you're right – and I won't lie to you. Artemis is a part of me – she always will be, but it would take something really extreme for me to let her take over my life once more. She may pop up to say hi, but I will not give up what we have together for anything."

Dino pulled her close holding her tightly, his forehead dropping to touch hers, the relief on his face evident. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We understand each other Dino and that's what's most important." She tucked her head into his chest after giving him a soft kiss, closing her eyes as she could feel his heartbeat through his skin, under her ear.

For a moment they stood trapped by time, as if nothing around them moved. Dino made a swift decision – there was something that he wanted, something that he needed to do. He had been planning to wait until Gaby's birthday, but everything was so right at that moment…

"Gaby?"

She smiled, hearing the query in his voice, too comfortable to give him a verbal response, instead replying with a soft murmur, "Mhm…"

"Marry me…"

Gaby pulled back her eyes opening slightly in surprise, looking up into a pair of blue eyes soft and liquid, "Did you just…?"

"Ask you to marry me… Yes…"

For a moment she stared at him saying nothing, then Dino noticed the tears forming in her eyes as she snuggled back into his chest, a soft smile on her face. "Yes…"

Dino grinned, dropping his lips to her forehead to give Gaby a soft kiss, he felt calmer and happier than ever. Placing his cheek on top of her head, he closed his eyes, ignoring everything around him but the woman in his arms.

&&

6 months later

Dino sighed as he walked into the hotel room, finally he had managed to make a breakthrough in the negotiations for the hostages life. Glancing around he saw that the maid had cleaned up completely, including the twins toys that had been all over the floor when he had left that morning.

As he sank slowly into the chair, his eyes closing slowly, he wished that Gaby was with him. Right now he could do with one of her shoulder massages, just to help him relax and switch off. Gaby however was with the family of the hostage in another part of the town, working with them quietly, helping the wife to remain calm and ease her stress.

The twins would be with her, though not yet eighteen months old, they too played their part – albeit unconsciously. Many families of hostages would be defensive – some openly hostile, but as soon as Gaby appeared with the twins, almost all of them would change, becoming more open to his work, letting him do his job.

At first he had not liked the idea of Gaby bringing the twins along, some countries were just not safe for his family, but, as Gaby pointed out, they were a team and worked best together. He refused to take her to central America and some other 'hot spots' and she accepted his decision immediately, knowing that he would be concerned about her safety which prevented him from doing his job.

They were currently in Saudi Arabia, negotiating the release of a British journalist from a small Palestinian group who had wanted publicity for their cause. Dino was thankful that he had not been dealing with Hamas who were notoriously difficult to negotiate with.

Picking up the phone, he called the family to speak to Gaby – if everything went to plan, the ransom money was currently being transferred into a private account and the kidnappers would release the hostage within the next six hours. If not – Alberto and his team were ready to move in and get the hostage out of the camp which was somewhere on the border between Israel and Syria.

"Hello?" The soft Scottish accent held a tone of relief when Dino gave his name, but became puzzled when he asked for Gaby, "Miss Santiago left about two hours ago Mr Bernadino – she said she was returning to the hotel."

Dino frowned, it would only take 15 minutes for Gaby to travel the distance, apologizing to the journalist's wife for calling he hung up, wondering where Gaby could be. Standing up he decided to take a shower before dinner, thinking that maybe Gaby had decided to go shopping for a short time – knowing that after the hand over was complete they would be returning home.

As he walked into their room he felt a cold chill travel down his spine, noticing that Gaby's brush and hair accessories were missing from the dresser. Glancing around, he saw that her suitcase was missing, as was that of the twins.

Seized by panic at Gaby's disappearance, he almost missed the note stuck to the mirror. Good job Sweetheart. Must leave. Cons needs me at Home.

**

Gaby stared out of the window, the twins sleeping peacefully beside her. She hoped Dino would not be too angry at her abrupt departure, but she was needed elsewhere. When she arrived at the hacienda she would call him and tell him what had happened if she could, but for the moment he needed to concentrate on the journalist and could not be distracted.

Normally they would stay with the hostage until a counselor was available, but this time it would not happen, the journalist and his family would have to cope on their own for a while. There was someone who needed her more and she would not deny them help.

The information she had was sketchy at best, but there was one thing apparent – she needed to get home as soon as possible. Consuella needed her help and she was not going to refuse her family.

Looking down at her hands, she smiled softly at the sapphire on her finger and knew that a visit home would normally result in a lot of leg-pulling from her friends – not this time. Sighing deeply, she pulled the blanket over her shoulders knowing that she would not be able to sleep.

&&

Dino nodded his head toward the man in the taxi and stepped forward, case in hand. Stepping into the car, he was not surprised when a sack was placed over his head and he was pushed to the seat – unable to see where he was going.

Forcing himself to breathe calmly and slowly, he was able to remain still – something his captors appreciated. After a short journey, he was allowed to sit up, but in heavily accented English told not to remove the sack or he would never see the hostage again. Dino believed it – the Middle-Eastern groups were not known for their patience.

Suddenly, the car stopped and he felt another man get in beside him before the car began to move again and the briefcase was pulled from his hand. He heard the locks click softly, before a voice proclaimed that all the paperwork was in order and that the funds could be moved on to their next account.

After another short drive, he was bundled out of the car and the sack removed, his eyes blinking in the glare from the sun. The previous day and most of the night, he had waited impatiently for news of the journalist until he had received a call at 6am and for the last hour he had been sent all over the city before being ordered into the taxi.

The voice told him to go and sit down on a nearby bench and he was surprised to see that he was in a park on the edge of Riyadh. The next moment another man, dressed in a dirty sweat suit joined him, hands bound behind his back. "We were told not to move until we count to a hundred."

Dino chuckled softly, "Then we do as we're told my friend. I just hope we can get a taxi back to my hotel."

Dino waited for five minutes to be sure they were safe and then removed the small blade he kept in his shoe. Slicing through the rope that bound the man's hands, he smiled, "Welcome back to civilization."

The journalist chuckled, "Thanks, but I think I need to clean up before I go home – I smell like a camel…"

&&

Returning to the hotel, Dino noticed that a message had come through from Terry, 'Call me - urgent'. Dino sighed, he had spoken to Gaby a few hours earlier, just as she had arrived at the hacienda, all he knew was that she had arrived safely and was going to bed. She had asked for him to join her as soon as possible.

Though her voice had seemed normal, Dino knew that something was up; his senses told him that she was worried – very worried, but he realized that she wouldn't speak about it over the phone. As the journalist took a shower he checked the time and swore to himself. It would be about two am in Argentina and Gaby was probably asleep, however, Terry might still be awake – New York was eight hours behind Riyadh making it about eleven pm. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he picked up the phone.

"Hey Terry, I'm all done here."

His friend grinned for a moment, "Good work mate – how's the journalist?"

"Having a shower before I take him home. Is everything ok back there?"

Terry sighed, "Yeah, the office is fine, look, get yourself to Argentina – Gaby left me a message for you, said it was urgent."

"She called me – I thought something was strange – do you know what's going on?"

"Sort of – she couldn't say anything to you because she's not sure of the security at the hacienda."

Dino went cold, "Terry, what's going on?"

"Gaby called me yesterday evening from a hotel in Buenos Aires, something's happened to the organization, I'm flying down too, she asked me to tell you to get on a flight ASAP. She'll fill us in when we get there."

Dino swore, "OK, let me get this man home to his family and I'll meet you there – when will you get in?"

"Before you mate – I'm leaving in two hours, I'll wait for you at the airport."

Putting the phone down, Dino began throwing his things into his suitcase when he paused; something Terry had said caught his attention. Since when has Gaby been concerned about security at the hacienda?

**

Coming out of the arrivals lounge, it did not take long for Dino to spot Terry and Gonzalo, who were waiting near the doors. The concern on Terry's face was nothing compared to that of Gonzalo's, the former Apollo team leader was pale, his face drawn with worry.

Shaking his hand, Dino followed them outside saying nothing until they were inside the car and on their way. "Ok, so what happened?"

Gonzalo gripped the steering wheel, "We had an operation go wrong three nights ago, Out of six men, only three are fit. Two are in our hospital suffering from serious injuries, Joachim may still not make it – he took a bullet to the chest, but is fighting."

Dino turned pale, Joachim was now 2nd in Command of the Artemis team, behind Eduardo, Alvaro – his close friend - was in charge of the Apollo team having taken his brother's place the year before. Both were veterans of the organization having been part of Gaby's original team.

"That's five of the six accounted for. What about the last team member?" Terry voiced Dino's question.

Gonzalo's face looked troubled, looking in the mirror to see Terry's face he answered, his voice barely above a whisper. "The last team member didn't come back – but we know he is alive. The kidnappers have him prisoner."

Dino swore violently, "What the hell happened?"

Gonzalo shrugged his shoulders, "We're not quite sure, but there's something you should know – the team member that has been captured – it's Eduardo."

Terry sank back into the seat of the car stunned, Dino turned slightly to stare out of the window, fear and anger gripping his body at the same time. He now knew why Gaby had left so abruptly from Riyadh and understood.

&&

Walking into the hacienda, the first person he saw was Antonio looking extremely haggard. In Gaby's time he had originally run the Apollo team before stepping to one side and taking over the communications network. Now, he worked as an advisor, Gonzalo having replaced him a few months before.

Dino walked over and gave him a brief hug, the older man's face showing his relief at Dino's appearance. "How are the girls bearing up?"

Antonio sighed, "Consuella is asleep, finally. She's a strong woman Dino – no hysterics or anything like that, but you can see that it's eating at her that Eduardo's been captured. The doctor wanted to give her something to help her sleep yesterday but couldn't."

Terry was confused, "Why not?"

"Because she's 3 months pregnant…"

Dino shook his head, "No wonder Gaby dropped everything to come here. Where is she?"

Antonio smiled softly, "In your rooms – said she was going to take a nap now Consuella was asleep – the twins are sleeping too by the way." As Dino turned to walk down the corridor, he saw Antonio's face become apprehensive, "I'm glad you're here Dino – maybe it'll stop her doing something crazy."

Dino gave Antonio a startled look and moved quickly towards his and Gaby's rooms as Antonio took Terry to the guest quarter. Walking into their small living room, he heard a drawer closing in the bedroom and made his way there. As he went through the door he saw a sight that stopped him where he was, his blood turning to ice.

Gaby was looking out of the window, a hard look on her face, not noticing that Dino had arrived so lost she was in her thoughts. He was not surprised by that, what worried him were her clothes. Normally, when they came to the hacienda, Gaby preferred linen dresses and slacks to keep the heat out in summer, switching to jeans and polo shirts in winter.

At the moment she was wearing neither; her normal clothes were gone – replaced by the black fatigues T-shirt and waistcoat that she had worn as Artemis leader.

**

"Gaby?"

She turned and smiled as she saw him, before walking over to give him a soft welcoming kiss. "I'm glad you're here. Now we can get this sorted. I didn't realize 'til we got here that something went wrong with a mission, all I knew was that Consuella needed me. The organization has been compromised. At least the hacienda is safe, Antonio did a complete security check."

Dino's face hardened slightly, realizing Gaby's intentions, "We? I don't think so sweetheart – you are not going to do anything but stay here."

Gaby scowled back, "We're talking about Eduardo Dino – I am not going to leave him in some camp…"

He interrupted her quickly, "No, we aren't – but you are not going to be the one doing the job Gaby – you're needed here."

She spun away from him and walked across the room, muttering under her breath, "Damn it Dino I'm going… He's my brother."

"No… I'm not letting you go." He walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist his head dropping to her shoulders. "Your job is here Gaby, with the family – as always."

Gaby turned, her eyes pleading with him, tears beginning to form, "Dino, please…"

"No." Dino's voice was soft, quiet but firm. "You have to stay here; Consuella needs you more than anyone else."

As the tears began to roll down her cheeks Dino knew he had won, "Look, you have to stay – you know that, not only for Consuella, but the twins too." As she nodded her head in acquiescence he pulled her close, giving her as much comfort as he could. "If it makes you feel better – I'll go with the team and get him out. Ok?"

Gaby sighed and nodded her head as she clung to Dino for support. A small part of her was annoyed at him for stopping her from taking part in the rescue mission, but truthfully she was relieved that she didn't need to go. It had been seven years since she had been out with the teams and though she had kept fit, it was not the same.

As the sobs began to die away, Dino gently persuaded her to change out of her fatigues into something else. Then pulling her to the bed, he encouraged her to lie next to him caressing her cheek softly until she fell asleep.

&&

Gaby awoke slowly, her eyes adjusting to the light. The sun was setting – and shining through the window, which was why she had awoken. Turning slightly, she saw that Dino had also fallen asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily.

Sitting up slightly she rested her head on her hand, elbow supporting the weight and looked at him – a soft smile on her face. She wasn't surprised that he had fallen asleep, he must have been exhausted by the time he reached the hacienda, first the flight from Riyadh to Rome – then from there direct to Buenos Aires.

She reached out with her other hand to gently caress his face, but pulled it back sharply not wanting to wake him just yet. As she gazed at his face in the amber light, she noticed the lines around his eyes and mouth, startled, she noticed the grey beginning to appear in his hair.

She caught her breath for a moment, when had Dino started getting older? She hadn't noticed, he was always so full of life, even though there was eight years between them. Gaby sighed, she had turned forty the year before and he had gently teased her about it, she had risen to the challenge of course and the two of them had spent a half hour or so fooling around until he had given in.

For a moment she felt cold, wondering if Dino should be joining the boys on tonight's operation. She hadn't asked him to do it – he had offered – no, insisted on going. She sighed, feeling guilty; would he have decided to go if she hadn't been dressed in her fatigues?

For a moment she was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice that Dino was waking up. As he turned, the first thing he noticed was Gaby staring – almost straight through him, tears in her eyes.

"Hey, don't worry, we'll get him back…"

Gaby shook her head, "It's not that… Are you sure you want to go?"

Dino sighed, "Sweetheart – I decided to go as soon as Gonzalo told me that it was Eduardo who was captured – you don't think I'd leave his rescue to a bunch of amateurs do you? After all – we are family."

His attempt at humour made Gaby give a weak smile, but he could see that she was still a little upset and pulled her close, "It'll be ok, you'll see."

Gaby buried her head into his shoulder feeling completely helpless, "You will be careful won't you?"

Dino held her tightly, "As careful as I can be sweetheart – I need to get your brother out in one piece remember – or Consuella will kill me."

Gaby sighed and snuggled into his chest, happy to be able to share a quiet moment with him, she was sure the twins would be awake soon and she would definitely have her hands full then. The upside of two little ones running around was that Consuella was at least being distracted slightly by their antics.

A soft knock at the door heralded Antonio, who had come to inform them that the team had started to arrive. Dino sighed and Gaby moved away, allowing him to get ready, when finished she moved close giving him a soft kiss. "Don't be too much of a hero… The kids will be asking for their Daddy back."

Dino smiled, "Just make sure that they're not the only ones asking – and warm up your hands – I'll sure as hell want a massage when I get back."

Gaby chuckled, "Is that all? I think I can handle that."

Dino grinned, "I was thinking that it would be good for starters… Later… Well, we'll see." Giving her a deep kiss, he led Gaby out through the door and headed towards the Artemis operations room.

**

Gaby smiled softly, Dino was playing with the twins – James trying to climb on his back, while Alessia squirmed beneath his tickling fingers. Watching him always made her smile, he was just as big a kid as they were. A little rough with James, but gentle with Alessia, who had very quickly learnt to wrap her father around her little finger.

They had finished the team briefing and were passing the time until Dino had to leave with the team. As she watched him with their children, her thoughts became pensive. The team members that had gone with Eduardo had given a full report of what had happened and she couldn't see why the operation had been compromised.

She went over and over the situation in her mind – something was wrong, but she couldn't see what it was. She swore quietly to herself, she was missing something – but what? A scream of hysterical laughter distracted her thoughts and she chuckled to see the twins on the floor between Dino's hands, trying to crawl away.

Glancing at the clock she saw it was nearly time for him to leave, walking over, she knelt down giving Alessia the chance to escape when she touched Dino's shoulder. Dino grabbed both twins quickly, struggling to his feet as they giggled and squirmed to get away.

Giving each a kiss on the forehead, he set them gently down on the floor of the room and grinned as they crawled away, each heading toward their favourite toys. At that moment, Maria walked in – the housekeeper had agreed to watch the twins for a short while so Gaby could go to the operations room and listen to what was going on.

&&

Watching the team get onto the helicopter, Gaby couldn't help smiling slightly, her brother had been able to purchase the Black Hawk the year before and Antonio's younger brother was now a full member of the Artemis organisation.

A hand on her shoulder made her turn slightly and she nodded at Terry, the noise from the rotor blades masking any sound. He was calm on the surface, but Gaby could tell that he was torn between staying and going.

A hand lifted in farewell as the helicopter lifted and soon disappeared into the darkness, suddenly Gaby felt a moment of trepidation, reminded of her earlier disquiet. What was she missing? She caught up with Terry who had already started walking toward the communications centre.

"Would you rather be going or staying?"

Terry chuckled, "Staying… Hanging onto the side of a helicopter while it flies over the jungles of South America doesn't have the appeal it used to – especially if people are shooting at you. Dino was always more of a dare-devil than I was." He pulled Gaby close and gave her a hug, "Besides – he told me to look after you."

Gaby gave him a shy glance, Terry was always the protective big brother when she was in New York, taking her side against Dino if he felt that his best friend was being a little unfair to his partner. Gaby was always careful not to let it happen if she could help it, sometimes Terry just liked to play Devil's Advocate.

She was glad he was there though, it gave her someone to lean on, Dino was always there to fight her battles and she missed him when he was away, though with the twins she was usually busy these days.

As they walked into the comms room, Antonio and Gonzalo were already in their positions, Gonzalo with a headset and microphone, Antonio sitting quietly nearby, ready with suggestions if necessary.

**

"40 minutes to drop off."

Gaby had been surprised at how close the kidnappers camp was, just over an hour away by air it equated to about four hours by road – adding an extra hour for the bad terrain in that part of the country. Then another hour or two on foot to the camp, the team were being dropped off about half an hours hike away.

Glancing at the monitors she felt proud at how far the organization had come, the most up-to-date communications system – part of which had been paid for by D&T – and other advances had made Artemis the best K and R extraction team on the planet. As well as their own teams, Eduardo now also trained groups for other organizations, another source of income.

The next 40 minutes were tense for those waiting at home, for a moment Gaby felt adrenaline beginning to burn through her system and sighed. Part of her wanted to be with the team helping to get Eduardo out, but Dino was right – she was needed here and after all, if she couldn't trust him to get her brother out, who could she trust?

&&

The nearby speaker quietly gave the information, "Apollo team clear of helicopter, preparing to move on."

Gaby held her breath, the thought at the back of her mind gnawing away at her, she just couldn't shake it. Something wasn't right…

&&

Dino paused and looked around carefully, Gaby had mentioned to him that something was bugging her and he trusted her instinct. The team had been moving quietly for almost 20 minutes and was near their target. Alvaro had become an excellent team leader through the experience gained with both Gaby and Eduardo, and was taking it slowly.

Alvaro joined him, his voice giving away the concern the younger man had. "I don't like it… It's quiet."

Dino agreed, "Too damn quiet. Not even the animals are stirring, I would expect an owl or something, but there's been nothing."

&&

Gaby overheard Dino's comment and everything dropped into place, "Get the helicopter back, FAST." Grabbing the microphone she keyed the switch, "Dino, Alvaro get out of there – it's a trap!"

Her warning came too late, gunfire sounding over the speakers, shouts and calls from the Apollo team, keeping together, moving as a unit, defending each other as Eduardo had drilled them over and over again.

'What the fuck?'

Gaby held her breath as Dino's comment was clearly heard over the air, followed by silence from his mike. Seeing the look on her face, Terry quickly moved close just in case.

A few minutes later the gunfire stopped and the whole operations team could hear the sound of helicopter rotor blades. A sigh of relief went around the room, until a quick transmission was received, "Icarus returning to base, five on board, no injuries."

&&&

Five. Five on board…The number burned through Gaby's mind, five, not six. Who was missing? Gonzalo held up his hand for silence. "Boost the receiver, I can hear something."

She didn't come. The boss said she would come to get her brother.

Silence. then another voice. It doesn't matter, she will next time, you can be sure of it.

The first, puzzled, how can you be so certain?

Look who we caught…

Gaby turned pale, not wanting to believe the thought that had entered her head. Turning to the radio tech. she asked a simple question. "Whose mike is that?"

The tech dropped his head, not wishing to answer, it was Gonzalo who replied after a quick check of the display, "Dino's…"

**

Gaby paced up and down the small briefing room, the men around her silent. Alvaro had made his report quietly and carefully, leaving nothing out. Antonio had taken over, asking a few questions, but one thing was abundantly clear – the Apollo team had walked right into a trap.

Suddenly she stopped, a question coming to her mind, "Is this what happened last time?"

Alvaro shook his head, "No… We were on our way out with the hostage when we were caught by a couple of guards."

She hesitated for a moment, "and the protocol – leading up to the offer of extraction?"

Gonzalo gave her a curious look, "Nothing out of the ordinary… We listened in as usual, for about 3 months – the negotiating team fell over themselves when we made our offer. I wasn't surprised, the kidnappers were holding out for $750,000."

"And at the bar? Usual routine?"

Antonio nodded, "Very much so – apart from the fact that the negotiator asked for you instead of Carmen. Caesar chuckled when he told me."

Gaby's eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing. Instead she paused for a moment her face becoming thoughtful. The men around her waited until she spoke.

"We're not going to get any answers tonight. I want everyone rested so we can meet back tomorrow and go through this one step at a time to find the answers we need."

"Antonio, did we receive a call about Eduardo?"

The older man nodded, "Twenty four hours after the operation… That's when we decided to call you."

Gaby acknowledged his reply, "So we can assume they'll do the same for Dino… Terry, will you control the negotiations for me – I might say something that I'll regret later." Terry nodded, "Thanks, we'll meet at… ten tomorrow morning. I want ideas, but we're not going anywhere just yet."

She turned and left quickly, the members of the Apollo team and fellow Artemis colleagues slowly following –with the exception of Gonzalo and Antonio, who also stopped Terry.

"Something wrong Antonio?"

Antonio gave him a helpless look, his concern echoed by Gonzalo, "Don't you see senor. She has been away from the teams for a long time… Yet she is able to command the whole organisation within minutes. What does that tell you?"

"That she has the respect due to her as a former team leader…"

Gonzalo sighed, "Perhaps… But her reaction is not what I expected. I thought she would be upset – possibly a little distraught at Dino's capture, however, apart from the shock she showed at first, Gaby has not shown us anything, no emotions at all."

Terry was confused, "Maybe she's just locking them away in front of us – she's not the hysterical type. What are you getting at?"

Antonio looked troubled, "I think we need to watch her – I think she might try something after we hear the kidnapper's demands."

&&

Gaby was in her room, Maria had put the twins to bed and they were sleeping soundly. Neither were fussy children and she knew they would sleep until morning. She had spent at least half an hour sitting next to them, watching over them while silent tears slid down her cheeks.

Lying on the bed, she pulled Dino's pillow into her chest and buried her head into the soft yielding material. The tears soon began to flow once more, memories of the last seven years they had spent together, good and bad.

She remembered Paris, the Solomons and Miami… The birth of the twins and the tenderness she had seen on his face when he had held them that first day. Further back, she remembered the secrets they had shared – opening their hearts to each other on the river bank.

She cried for the emptiness now felt inside, the fear of what the kidnappers would do. It was as clear as day from the words she had overheard. Dino was not the target – neither was her brother. Eduardo had been taken as bait and Dino had walked into the trap – a trap that had been set for her… They would not be asking for a ransom… What would they do to her men…?

Twenty minutes later the tears had dried out – she had nothing left. Most people would have given themselves over to exhaustion, but Gaby could not sleep. The thought of Dino and Eduardo held against their will stirred inside of her. She walked into the bathroom and washed the tears from her face, standing up she looked at herself in the mirror. Concern and fear for her loved ones had gone, taken away from her face by the tears, all that was left was pain… and anger.

She glanced at the cots in the next room, her heart being torn in two. She had to think of the twins… but what would happen to Dino? Could she really ask more of the men she had worked with to go and get him out? Two of them had already suffered for her, were in the hospital as a result, was she really willing to sacrifice the lives of others?

Alessia stirred in her sleep, Gaby at her side immediately. She glanced down at her daughter, seeing Dino's features on her face, the soft red hair slowly growing longer. How would her twins grow up without their father? She knew she would cope – and she had family who would help her, but it would not be the same. She hesitated, dropping a soft kiss onto two tiny foreheads, feeling the pain in her heart.

Taking a deep breath Gaby made her decision, opening the drawer in the bedroom, she removed her clothes and started to get dressed.