Thanks HEAPS for you reviews! :D This chapter will explain a bit more - but not too much. And Puck's here :)

Enjoy!

Chapter Two

The sun was rising and all she could do was sit on her terrace and stare out over the water. The beauty of the sun casting its first rays over the water as dawn was settling, was lost on her as her mind had only one thought. Where would you go if you left to not be found? Where could Finn have taken Gracie? Were they still in the US or somewhere completely different?

She knew she had to let the Police and the FBI do their work. They knew much more about tracking people down and the two agents had ensured her that finding her child was a priority equal to a senator. But she couldn't stop thinking. She had to do something. Sitting around and waiting wasn't her style. She was a woman of action not apathy and idleness. She was used to handling her life. Finn had never really had a say in much over her. She'd decided on the movies and projects she wanted to do and he'd nodded and made the time to come see her as much as he could.

But then Anna Avres came into his life and it all changed. She was certain that their affair had started about 6 months ago when she'd been home for a whole month to work in LA. They'd been fighting a lot then about where they should live. In the end they'd settled on LA. She'd for once given in but not for him – for Gracie as usual. He'd seemed different after that and unwilling to take the time to come see them in France where she'd been shooting after her short time home in LA. He'd gone almost two months without seeing his daughter and wife. Never before had he gone that long without them despite that the garage was going better now than ever. No doubt Anna was to blame for this change.

She found it hard to believe that Finn had done this on his own. She was even sure he'd have stayed with her had she actually come back and settled in LA making their marriage about the both of them. He'd have made the effort if she had. But he'd become distant and vague after she'd left LA again. She couldn't help blame herself. If she'd been more of a wife this would never have happened. If she'd worked more in LA and not around the world, her daughter would have been here with her and she'd have the marriage she had wanted since high school.

Finn was lying on his back looking up at the cracked ceiling above him. This was the worst shack he'd ever had to stay in. No doubt he'd been used to the good life with Rachel and her money but he didn't consider himself neither vain nor too good for the simple life. He prided himself with being a good and solid man without the need for luxury and pampering. He still preferred to camp in a tent than the fancy hotels they always stayed in. But this shack was actually worse than a tent. The wind blew in through every crack and chased every amber warmth from the air. Why had they gone here of all placed in the middle of winter?

He could hear the wind howl outside and he wished they'd stayed in New York. Even if it was cold in February in New York it was nothing compared to this cold out here on this Godforsaken small spot of land. He imagined being home in LA in the sunshine and warmth but it only served to make him feel even more cold. Anna stirred beside him. She seemed unfazed by the cold but he figured she'd be used to it from growing up here. He rolled over to his side and put an arm around her warm body. Hugging her curvy body to his he felt a bit warmer. He wondered if Gracie was cold. She was in the room next to them. It was a better room and a lot warmer than this one.

He contemplated to go see if she was alright but it was too far to walk in this cold. He was sure she'd call out if she needed anything. She was good at that like her mother. Demanding and temperamental but that was gonna change now. He'd make her normal again and not a Hollywood brat she'd become.

It had been hell with her since they'd left LA. She's been tired and irritated. She wanted her mummy. As much as Gracie was used to travelling Finn had realized he'd hardly ever travelled with his family. Always joining them at the shoots, never travelling with them. And when Rachel was home she preferred to stay at home and relax. He could only remember one actual holiday they'd gone on; a summer in Lima with her dads.

Gracie cried most of the time, was sullen and complained that she was cold. She wanted to go home and kept asking for Rachel.

Anna kept insuring him it was normal; she needed time to adjust. He wasn't so sure.

Burring his nose in Anna's honey blond hair he thought about Rachel. She had to be going insane by now. Three almost four days without Gracie. But she wasn't fit as a mother, he reminded himself. He was doing this for the good of their child and he couldn't let his feelings for Rachel get in that way of that.

You'd think he'd hate her; she practically left him years ago, keeping him caged in a marriage she was no longer a part of. He had wanted to file for a divorce when Rachel had gotten pregnant. She'd taken the time and he'd given her time thinking she'd change and settle but the time spent in LA doing - nothing in her mind- had instead made her more restless and at the end they were both going insane. She'd left taking Gracie. He knew she'd worked hard to get where she was now but he wanted a family and a wife who cooked him dinner, made love to him at least once a week and raised their children at home. Not one that travelled around the world not staying in one place more than a dew months. Gracie had seen more of the world in her 4 years of life than he had in his 29. She needed to settle down now and have a stable life in one place.

Her door bell rang at exactly 6.09 and woke Rachel from her chair on the terrace. At first she felt disorientated but reality quickly came rushing back weighting her body down and she forgot about the door. It wasn't till the second time the bell rang, she got up and crossing through the house as fast as she could she looked at the time. Who'd be here so early? If the FBI had had a lead they would have surely called her. Coming to the door at this time, could only mean one thing; it was bad.

She unlocked the door with a heavy heart. Outside in the early morning sun stood a tall and muscular man wearing sunglasses that reflected her poor appearance. She hadn't looked in a mirror for days. She looked ragged, torn and positively wild. He was wearing a tight grey t-shirt that could barely contain his chest, the dog tag worn with pride over it. He had a duffel bag over this shoulders in the classical green army design.

"Holy fuck, Rachel. Baby." She would recognize his soft voice anywhere. Noah. Tears were in her eyes before she could stop them and she threw herself in his arms. She didn't care if she looked like she was dead. He was her best friend in the world and he was here for her now. She couldn't get a word out only croaks and sobs. He understood and hugged her to him as tight as he dared. He knew what Hollywood was like. Photographers everywhere. He threw the duffel bag inside letting it slide over the stone floor, and then he picked her up hugging her small body to him. He had nothing to say to her. He couldn't imagine what she was going through but he was determined to be there for her while she was going through it.

Closing the door with a kick, he felt a bit better. Hearing her over the phone unable to form actual sentences had been torture. He'd hung up telling her he'd be there as soon as he could.

And here he was. She clung to him like a baby monkey and he let her. He'd get her to take a shower in a minute.

Then he had the time to go through the files of the case. He'd already acquired them as a favor and knew most. But he needed her story. He had to help. He'd never be able to turn her down. She didn't even need to ask. They had something precious and special and he'd run to the end of the earth barefoot for her.

He kissed her cheek.

"Baby, you need to shower. I'll make you some food." She sniffed and unwrapped her legs from his body all of the sudden feeling a bit shy and silly. He picked up on that immediately. It was scary how well he knew her. Lifting her chin with a finger he looked her straight in the eye. "Stop that. I'm here and we'll fix this." She nodded slowly. She knew he'd make things right. He always did. "But you need to shower first and you need food. You look like a stick. Not like there were much of you to begin with," he added with a loving smile and wiped the tears from her cheeks. The gentle gesture only made more spring to her eyes. She'd needed him so bad in the past few days. "Hey, honey. Don't cry. You know I hate it when you cry." She nodded but the tears kept rolling down her cheeks, big and heavy. He wrapped his arms around and she started to sob again.

"I need you," she sniveled, her voice broken and filled with such sadness it broke his heart. He couldn't believe Finn would take Gracie away from Rachel.

"I'm here for you. You know that. But sweetie, you really need a shower." She nodded and looked up at him taking a small step back. He placed both hands on her cheeks. "I will find that idiot and you'll get Gracie back. He already made a huge mistake in taking her." More tears. My God he had to stop making her cry. He wiped them with his thumbs as they fell. "You'll get your baby back. Now go shower or I'll carry you out there." She didn't move and a small spark of the old and playful Rachel appeared for a split second. He couldn't help but smile. "Don't you dare me. We've already had this particular conversation." She shook her head.

"I'm not…" her voice trailed off and she looked in the direction of the bathroom. "But there's so much of her stuff in there," a fresh bash of tears started to roll down her cheek. He wondered for a moment if a person could die of dehydration from crying.

"Want me to take them somewhere else?" She furrowed her brow but didn't answer."Want me to help you?" She avoided his eyes embarrassed. She couldn't ask him this. This wasn't the kind of friendship they had. She'd made sure of that staying guiltily faithful to Finn.

He took her hand and uncaring of her feelings about this walked her to the bathroom. He hadn't been in this house that many times mostly he'd been catching up with her over Skype, go see her at the shoots or when she was in New York. He loved the New York apartment they had. It was small and cozy not like this castle of a house that could house a small army platoon.

Turning the lights on in the room, she pulled away from him gently. There was a big tub at the far end of the back wall and around it lay Gracie's toys. He could easily imagine the little girl sitting there playing, singing and inventing her own games. She pulled at his hand. She didn't want to go in.

"Noah…" she practically begged and he turned around blocking the view so all she could see was him. "I mostly only stayed on the terrace," she explained meekly.

"Don't worry. I'll pick them up." She stood hugging herself as he picked up the toys with a sad expression. He carried them to Gracie's room and laid them in a pink box. He didn't stay in there longer than he had to. His main concern right now was Rachel. He needed to get her in shape for this. Starving herself and not sleeping wasn't very constructive and it would only make things harder.

She had taken most of her clothes off by the time he came back and stood only in her bra and panties. Laze panties he noted. He could now, couldn't he? Finn had left her and she was technically single which meant he wasn't a complete pervert. He stepped past her and opened the tab. The warm water shot out and he put his hand under the spray to make sure it wasn't too hot for her. Having adjusted the temperature, he turned around to face her again. She looked tiny and frail. He hated seeing his beautiful and wonderful Rachel like this. He'd beat up Finn when he found the idiot.

"Take your time," he said rubbing her arm with a rugged hand. She nodded meekly as she looked at the water. He didn't want to leave but he couldn't stay either. He'd be taking advantage of her in this sensitive stage. "I'll make you my special." Her eyes left the water and travel to his face with a stolen expression.

"I hardly had any food since he took her."

"I know." He felt an awkward pleasure in being with her when she was practically naked next to him. Not the first time he'd felt this way. But this time the feeling was mostly overshadowed by his concern for her mental state as well as her physical health.

"Then start now," he placed a hand on her hip letting a thumb glide over the hip bone. "You're too skinny. I liked the more womanly Rachel." She blushed from the rush of blood his touch started. Like he kick started her heart. She hated when he did this; it always posed the dilemma she refused to deal with.

"That's why I need you," she confessed brokenly. She blinked rapidly as she tried to hold his gaze but the first tear made her close her eyes.

"And that's why I'm here." He engulfed her in a bear hug kissing her hair. "I'll get you fit again."

"Like one of your soldiers," she said quietly.

"Not really. I've never hugged one of them or made them a bath." A small chuckle from her made him smile.

"No?"

"There was this once..," she made a light jab at his abdomen. "Okay okay. Just for you then, babe." She looked up and met his eyes with a sensitive and yet strong look. How did she do that? Be so weak yet so strong?

She knew what he meant and had meant for a long time now. All of the sudden she felt naked with him, bare and even if she knew he'd never take advantage of her she knew it was cruel to flash what he wanted in front him and still not be for the taking. She had that much sense at least. Letting go of him she took a step back.

"I know you'd only do this for me. You're my knight in shining armor as always here to save me." She could feel his reluctance to let go but they had to. They needed to find Gracie not get caught up in their old webs. He nodded and took the hint.

"I'll let you soak…" He touched her arm gently once more and then left. She breathed a sigh of relief. She knew this was only going to complicate things but he was the only person she wanted here with her. He was her rock. He'd been the one to step up when Finn stepped down. He'd been the constant in her life; on the road like herself most of the time but they always found the time to catch up. He was truly her best friend.

His mind was going a million miles a minute. Finn had left LA in a car rented by Anna Avres's dead mother. The girl had persuaded an elderly lady in need of money to rent that car for them with the ID of the dead woman. Undoubtedly Finn had paid with Rachel's money. Then they had driven to the Berry-Hudson resident where Finn had told the nanny it was fine; she could go. The nanny had left felling anxious and worried. Rachel had already filled the nanny in on the episode that had led to this. From the file Puck had read that the nanny had been worried because it seemed so out of character for both her employers to fight like this. Of course there had been ups and downs in the mirage and she'd more than once been an involuntary audience of their fights. But it had never been violent between them. They'd always made up. Puck knew that already from his long talks with Rachel, exchanges of emails and when he met up with her. Their mirage was distant and void of contact and feelings. Gracie hadn't even been able to change that.

Puck had over the years kept in contact with both of them. Finn had been his best bud in High School and when he asked Rachel to marry him Puck had thought they were unrealistic about making it work but he'd been happy for them and supported their choice. Finn had no clue how demanding a life with Rachel would be. When they moved to New York, Puck had joined the Navy but would often receive nagging phone calls from his mate. Finn was happy with it all at first, excited about New York, school and screwing his wife endlessly. But then things had changed; Rachel had made it and all of the sudden she wasn't struggling to get recognition and needing Finn to stroke her ego. She now struggled to keep up with her new and demanding life as an actress on Broadway. She took Finn for granted and already back then he'd been thinking about leaving her. Then she got pregnant. It was an accident and Finn wasn't too happy about it. He wanted children but he wasn't sure he should have it with Rachel. But like always Rachel made the decisions and nothing could persuade her to get rid of the baby. Finn gave in – as always.

The summer they moved to LA it was all good. Puck visited them and hated the house but he loved seeing his two best friends happy and he fell in love with little baby Grace. So much like her mother; how could he not love the little girl?

But now she was gone. Finn had driven her with Anna to Salt Lake City and from there they'd flown to New York. They'd acted fast enough making sure Rachel didn't call the Police in time for them to be stopped.

Once in New York they'd filled the complaint against Rachel claiming she was an unfit mother and that they had to leave LA to keep Grace safe. They had rented a car near the airport but had exchanged it for an old Pickup on their way north. He felt unsure how far north they'd go but it made sense to go north; Canada and Alaska. And from there with the right connections and money they could travel into Russia and beyond. But something told him Finn wasn't ready to give up on being American and disappear into Eastern Europe, Russia or even China.

Puck figured they were hiding in Canada with contacts here in the US to provide them with information on the case. They'd most likely acquire new identities and move back when the worst media storm had blown over. That's what he'd do anyways. The US was a huge place to hide and people quickly forgot.

He wanted to go to New York. He had to follow the lead they'd left. He felt certain neither Finn nor this Anna were clever enough to hide all their tracks. After all they were just two people running from what they thought was a threat to their lives. Even if it was silly to fear Rachel.

He wondered if Rachel would go with him to New York. He was pretty sure she would. She wasn't a suspect so she could go as she pleased and as it was in her best interest to keep in contact with the Police all she had to do was keep a phone at her at all times if they even had to leave the US.

Anna and Finn could have stayed in the US and just made a detour to throw the law enforcement of track. There were so many places to hide these days; national forests, parks to mention the most secluded and least patrolled areas. Small towns, villages, border cities and the like. They could be anywhere. He wished he knew this Anna girl better to predict where they'd most likely be. He'd gotten good a reading people. He had to be in order to do his job. Then it'd be easier to try and find that one person that acted as their contact. He felt certain someone was helping them.

The sound of her bare feet over the stone floor had him look up and smile. She'd put on a clean pair of jeans and a loose t-shirt. She'd let her hair hang loose and her face was void of make-up.

"Sit." He ordered gently. She did as told sagging on the high stool at the table. He pulled out two plates and poured the food on them. Placing one of them in front of her she looked little interested. "You have to eat. Starving yourself isn't gonna make this easier. You have to keep strong for Gracie." He handed her a fork and a steaming hot cup of coffee. "Eat."

"You sound like you're talking to one of your trainees."

"Whatever makes you eat, honey-bun." She pulled a face at the silly nickname but took a sip of coffee. It was so hot it burned all the way down and it made her cough. "Easy there." He started to eat sitting down opposite her. "Eat."

"Then don't call me honey-bun." He grinned.

"Okay. If it makes you eat some." She picked up her fork and started to eat her eggs. He'd made her loads with toast and some fruit as well knowing she'd not wanna eat the bacon he'd made for himself. They sat for a while digging into the food. He watched her and made sure she ate at least something. She ate all of the fruit and most of her eggs but left the toast.

"Did you look at the case?" she asked when she felt so full she was about to puke. Her stomach had barely had anything but coffee the past days and now it was in shock at the amount of food it now contained. He regarded her and the still half full plate but then nodded.

"Yes. I pulled both the FBI and Police files. I know about the same as you about where they went with Gracie." Even the name made her look sad. It had been Finn who wanted the child to be called Grace after his grandmother. "But," he tried to sound optimistic. "I had a buddy pull Anna Avres' file for me. The FBI are looking into Finn but I think it's safe to assume that he's not the master mind behind this." He chewed a piece of bacon while he thought about it.

"Why is it you always have some buddy of yours pull these files?" He gave her a cheeky grin.

"A lot of people owe me favors. I could call them what they really are if you like but I have a feeling your delicate little soul isn't about to embrace the dark life I lead." Rachel sighed dramatically.

"You make it sound like you're a terrorist. You're not." He shook his head.

"No, baby. But I am not always one of the good guys."

"You are now." She reached for his hand and entwined her fingers with his. "I don't care how you get the information. I'm just happy you're here." He lifted her hand to his lips turning it over so he could kiss her palm.

"We'll find her." She nodded. Now that he was here she believed it.

"How?"

"We're leaving for New York this afternoon. I got us booked on a flight from LAX at 4.15." She nodded. It made sense to follow in their footsteps. "Then we track down the car rental firm and the man who they swapped car with. Luis LeVern. He lives in New Jersey and was travelling back from a trip to Quebec."

"You think they went to Canada?"

"Most likely. Somewhere north of the border. They're probably biding their time to return to the US. Get new identities and then move somewhere far from LA or New York. Somewhere they wouldn't be noticed and you'd most likely never look for them. Probably a town like Lima or smaller. He could set up a business and Grace could go to school like any other normal kid." Rachel nodded in acceptance. Is wasn't a bad plan. "Or they are already back here in the US and have only appeared to travel north as a decoy. To make us look that way and forget to look right under our noses." She nodded again tears filling her eyes in despair. They didn't know where to look really, did they? Her baby could be anywhere and the more time that passed the more time Finn and Anna had to hide her. Puck got up and walked around the table. He hadn't let go of her hand and he wrapped his free arm around her kissing her hair. "I know babe. It all seems lost but don't worry. Finn is an idiot and unless this Anna is a genius, everybody makes a mistake. Most make more than one." She wrapped her arm around him burring her face against his chest. She loved how he smelled; distinctively male but with something soft about him. His scent calmed her down a bit. He was stroking her hand with his thumb and she felt a spark inside her spring to life. An all too familiar slow burn of forbidden passion.

"I should pack some things," she said trying to make him let go of her. She was weak and she needed him and she knew if he took the initiative she'd fall unable to hold back her need to be close to him. He knew that, too. She could read it all over his face. These feelings weren't new but she had always claimed to love Finn more. She'd been lying for so long. He'd known but he knew her too well to think he could change her mind about anything or make her admit to her feelings. She'd give Finn one last chance.

"Yeah," he said clearing his voice but he didn't move away from her or let go. "Pack normal clothes. Not all your fancy shit," she shook her head. "No irons for your hair, no dresses or anything cute. Jeans, hoodies, sunglasses, caps. You need to blend in. if you're spotted it's gonna screw it all up. And then I'm leaving you behind in New York." She was about to protest. "Nope, babe. You're not coming along and be recognized everywhere you go. You leave LA today and you better look like trailer trash. If you wanna find Gracie then this is the way."

"Okay. But all my winter stuff is in New York."

"Pack light then and we'll pick it up in New York."