AN: I try to keep my stories (which I think of as missions) short, but this one is turning out longer than I expected.. Things are getting crazy. I really hope you like it. Please review and let me know how I'm doing.

(At the house)

Solo had been the closest to her, gets there first. He yanks her away from the mostly open door, shielding her with his body. His heart was beating fast. She was struggling in his arms and he held her tighter to keep her still. His eyes closed.

"It is clock, with note. Apparently, just warning." Illya said. Looking down at it.

"What is going on? Let me go, Solo!" Gaby protested.

It took him a moment to relax enough to let her go. He felt a strong hand on his shoulder as he righted them both, before letting Gaby go. He looked over at Peril. Their eyes met, there was slight nods given. Nothing needed to be said. Peril was grateful he had thought of protecting Gaby with his life. Though they did not always get along, in that moment they shared a common bond.

Gaby had retrieved the clock and note and was already opening it. Both men tried to stop her, but she darted out of the way. In it was a photo of her with a bulls eye on her head. 'Your time is almost up, leave now JJ. Or you will pay for his sins.' was all the note said. She looked up at them, as they took the note and picture from her.

"I am the only one that gets up this early. They know my routine. They called me JJ. So not THRUSH." She states calmly. She felt numb. "Looks like I am the target of Raymond Sr."

The two men look at each other. Illya's jaw ticcing. Solo's mouth in a firm line.

"Then he knows, something about one of us. But which? He's warning JJ. So maybe, me. We were both at the party." Solo states. "We need to go to Waverly."

Illya nods.

Gaby still feeling nothing heads towards the door.

"Where are you going little one?" Illya asks.

"Jogging. I am not afraid of an old man. He obviously thinks I will cower in here. He has no plans to make a move today. I will show him that I am not afraid." She continues towards the door.

"Gaby wait. What if Raymond hired someone?" Solo asked.

"I will jog with her." Illya says.

She just rolled her eyes and walked out the door to meet Daniel. "We have company today." She nodded at the Russian not too far behind.

Daniel was at a loss for words, then looked at her actually blushing. "I don't mind."

Gaby fought not to smile. She wondered what Illya would do if he had made a pass at him. "Close your mouth. You are drooling."

Illya caught up to them quickly as they began to jog.

"Are we still on for shopping this evening?" Daniel asked. He happened to fancy a man at a furniture store. It was why he was currently redecorating his entire house.

She laughed. "You are going to go broke. Just ask him out, already." She whispered low to where Illya wouldn't hear. Then louder. "But, if you insist I don't mind accompanying you."

"Nyet. She is busy tonight." Illya interrupts.

Daniel looks from Illya to her, not knowing what to say.

"I do not recall making any plans." Her jaw sets stubbornly.

"You told your brother you would help with paperwork. For important clients." He states.

She was angry, with him. He knew playing that card, she would have no choice. "Oh? Is that today? I thought that was next week."

"Da. Today." He says.

She frowns. They couldn't give her one day before going to Waverly. One day before things, get crazy. "Oh, very well." She sighs. "Daniel, I am sorry. Maybe tomorrow?"

She already saw Illya shaking his head.

They finished the next three circles in silence. Gaby said goodbye to Daniel and they both went inside.

Solo was there waiting.

"No. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary and neither did I." She stalks off to take a shower.

She knew she was being harsh on them. It wasn't their fault a mad man was after them. Under the hot water she lets her mind wander. Out of all three of them, why warn her away? Some sort of gentlemen's code?

She finished her shower and quickly got dressed. She towel dried her hair and put it in a ponytail. As she walked out her bedroom, she noticed Illya and Solo waiting for her. She huffed. "Fine. Let's go see Waverly."

"You know it's alright to be scared, Gabs." Solo says.

"No. It is not. Now let's go." She was out the door. She would go with or without them.

(At HQ)

Waverly frowns down at the note, handing it to his assistant.. "We will put undercover agents on you Miss Teller. Proceed as normal and we will get Raymond when he decides to show himself."

Gaby nodded. "Understood. Do try to keep them at a distance. Especially around my place of business."

"I will instruct them accordingly." Waverly says, he nods to his assistant. The man leaves.

The two men standing behind her both went into a rush of protests. Before, Waverly could say anything Gaby spoke first.

"This makes sense. I don't know what you two are going on about. Why are you questioning the orders of a superior officer?" She said. She knew it was because they didn't see her as an agent. Not really.

"Well, I..." Waverly began.

She turned to him. "Thank you Mr. Waverly for your time. Business as usual means I should report back to my shop."

All three men were silent, as she made her way out the door.

It was a good minute before any man decided to speak.

The two agents, both rushed at once to start their protests up again.

"She is an agent, gentlemen. She has been training with the both of you. She will have back up at all times. She will be fine. Now good day." Waverly dismisses them.

Both are angrily silent as they walk out of the room. The door closes with a click and the men start to walk away.

"Stubborn girl. Not hiding." Illya growled, even though he was as proud as he was scared for her.

"I don't like using Gaby as bait. Time to find Raymond." Solo said.

Illya nods.

(At the Auto Shop)

It had been nearly a week since the alarm clock threat. They had all been on edge. Gaby knew she was being a right tyrant. She couldn't help snapping and being angry all the time. She was under constant surveillance. She hated it. Still, she was an agent and she would endure.

She frowned. She was barely speaking with both Illya and Solo. Knowing that she was being watched after, they went on the search for Raymond without her. She was upset at being excluded. They made sure at least one of them checked in on her every night. However, they didn't stay very long, and Gaby was feeling very lonely.

Daniel was one of the few people, she could talk to, but he took her advice on the furniture guy, and now even he was scarce. She couldn't blame him. She knew how the all consuming beginning of a relationship could be.

She sighed going through the invoices. When a car pulled up, she walked outside. Glad for the break. She smiled as the gentleman got out of the car. "Hello. I am JJ. How can I help you?"

The man shook her hand, then pulled his cap off twisting it in his hands. "George. George Zimmer. Well, uh...I need my car looked at. You see, my wife is due very soon and I want to make sure, it is safe for when the baby comes. But...I...I don't have a lot of money." The man looked down ashamed.

She smiled at him. Most of her clients didn't have a lot of money. That is why they came to her. Nevermind she did a great job. She was a woman and had to charge less than her competitors to get business. "Congratulations! Mr. Zimmer we will do a free inspection, due to your happy circumstance. If I find anything wrong with it, then we will talk price. Sound good to you?"

The man looked relieved. "Oh, yes miss. Thank you so much!"

"Great. I will have Dmitri look at it." She was about to call the Russian mechanic, when the man spoke.

"You employ a Russian here?" He asked.

She nods. "Also, Chinese and German. Will that be a problem?" It was also another reason she had to be cheap. She chose immigrants that had a hard time getting jobs. They were thoroughly researched to make sure they were not terrorists. She also put them through her own tests. They knew their stuff when it came to cars, yet they were passed over, time and again for people that do mediocre work. It made her mad just thinking about it.

The man realized his rudeness and shook his head. "No miss."

"Good. Why don't you go over to the cafe at the end of the block and check back with us in about thirty minutes." She told the man.

The man nodded and walked off.

Dmitri walked up to her. "Did you just tell him we would do inspection for free?"

She shrugs. "He's having a baby."

"You are soft." He scoffs. "I am still getting paid for this, da?"

She smiles at him. "When have I ever not paid you for your work?"

He was the crankiest of her bunch. He was great with cars and reminded her a little of her favorite Russian. He was tall, blonde hair blue eyes, but not as filled out. He had been falsely turned in. Spent two years being 'interrogated', before they finally let him go. When he got out he was on the brink of starvation. No one would hire him. No one would help him. He was on the streets. He saw her hiring sign. She had wanted to hire him on the spot, but she knew pity would not be appreciated. She put him through the same tests as everyone else, before hiring him. He was loyal to her, but suspicious of everything. Considering what he had been through she couldn't blame him.

"Never. I have feeling you take from your own." He says.

"Don't you worry about what I take home. I could do the inspection, if you are so worried about it." She said.

"Nyet. I heard what Shen said. Back to the office you go. I will take care of Mr. Zimmer." He shooed her.

"Fine." She pouted. She went back into the office her employees have confined her too.

It was true, what he said, about taking from her own. She divided her paycheck among her employees, only saving a little for 'bonuses'. UNCLE paid her enough to get by. Little did other shops know, but her mechanics tended to make more than theirs. They were good loyal men. After her business started picking up, it didn't take long for others to start trying to poach. A couple times right in front of her. Cocky as can be, only to leave in disappointment.

Dmitri, Shen and Baldric were hard workers. They were the reason she was so desperate not to blow this cover. If she was gone, they may not find another job. Their families may starve to death. For them, she would be strong. Solo and Illya might not understand, why she refused to go into hiding. To them this was a hobby for her. To keep her idle hands busy. It started out that way, but now it meant more to her.

She was about to wrap it up for the day, when there was a knock at the door. In walked a delivery guy with flowers. "I am looking for JJ." The man said.

She stood to better draw her gun if needed. "I am JJ."

The man set the flowers on her desk and handed her a clip board. "I just need you to sign."

She did and he left.

She looked at the flowers smiling and picked out the card. From Illya maybe? Apologizing for the neglect. She was not familiar with flowers, but they were white and elegant. She was about to open the card when all three of her mechanics walked in looking concerned.

She frowned. "What's wrong?"

"We saw the flowers. We just wanted to say sorry for your loss." Baldric murmured.

"My what?" She questioned, but she felt her blood turning to ice. She looked at the flowers again. She had seen them before. Long, long ago. At her mother's funeral. "Oh...oh dear."

She opened the card. She tried not to give anything away. "It's alright, just some very late condolences on my father's passing." They looked at her concerned. She smiled a sad smile. "I'm fine really. It has been months. Now go home. You have all worked very hard today. Thank you for your concern."

She waited for them to leave before reopening the card. 'Time is up, JJ. I will be seeing you soon. I did warn you.' Her hands began to tremble. She hated it. She waited for the numbness to come over her, like it did on the first threat. She had no such luck. She put the note in her pocket and grabbed the flowers.

She walked to the dumpster, behind the shop and threw them away. She turned and nearly screamed, when she saw a man there. It was one of her guard detail. "Sorry, but we cannot see you in this area. I had to follow to make sure."

She nodded. "I understand. I am done here. I will be returning home."

"Who were the flowers from?" He asked.

"I am guessing Raymond. Why didn't you stop the delivery guy?" She asked.

"We were told not to intervene unless we knew for sure, there was a threat. We saw no weapons on him. The van seemed legit." The man shrugged. "He came and went quickly. I assume there was a note?"

"Yes. Another threat." She stated.

He nods. "I thought as much. Care to share?"

"Time is up. I'll see you soon." She stated.

"I see. I will let Waverly know." He said.

She nodded. It was time to go. She went home, forgetting about the practice she had scheduled with Illya. Their schedules had been at odds, with the search for Raymond. Her training had been cut down to once a week, but the days were random.

(At home)

She was halfway through a bottle of vodka before Illya came surging through the door. She jumped pulling out a knife. Her shaking was almost gone, due to the alcohol. "What are you doing here?" She slurred.

She took another long swig from the bottle. It was only slightly shaking as she lowered it from her lips. "Oh no. I have broken a rule." She giggled. "Have you come to punish me?" In her mind she sounded seductive.

In reality, he could barely make out what she has said. He moves slowly, seeing she still had the knife out. He sees her grip on it is so tight, her knuckles are white. "You missed training. Give me the bottle or the knife. I am only going to let you keep one."

She looked at both. She looked startled at seeing the knife in her hand. She continued to look between the two, trying to make a choice.

Illya waited patiently. He let out a breath as she dropped the knife. He knelt beside her. "Why didn't you call? I heard another threat was made."

She took another long sip. She shrugs. "You are already looking for him." She makes several clumsy attempts to pull the note from her pocket.

He frowns. He did not like her drinking, but he knew she would at least sleep better. He gently moved her hand away, before pulling the note from her pocket. He read it and his jaw clenched. Yet another threat against his woman. He looks up at her. It wouldn't be long before she passed out. He takes the bottle from her.

"Hey. You said I could keep it." She protested.

"Time for bed chop shop girl." He picked her up, but went in the direction of his room.

"Back to chop shop girl. Not your cat, I see. This is not my bed." She states, as he lays her down. She was grateful he didn't turn the lights on. With the only light coming from his door it was nice and dim.

"No. It is not." He says, as he begins to undress her. Once she is down to her panties he leaves, and comes back with a glass of water. He helps her sit up and hands her the water. "Drink."

"You are always so bossy." She grumbled, but drank the water anyway.

He laid her back down covering her up. He gets in on the other side, laying next to her. "Sleep."

She was already out.

He hadn't been sleeping much. It wasn't long before he was out too.

He woke up several hours later. Panting, with a light sheen of sweat. He dreamt he lost her. He looked over at her. He wanted to touch her, but did not want to chance waking her. She must have sensed it because she rolled over fitting herself against his side. Her hand resting on his chest. He puts an arm around her holding her close, he falls back to sleep.

He woke up to her groaning.

"Make the sun go away, Illya." She grumbled hiding her face in his chest.

He smiled. Somehow the covers got kicked down to their hips. He had a wonderful view. He was about to start teasing her, when he saw it. He brushed his hand against her side.

She jerked and winced. "Ouch. What the hell Illya!?"

"When did this happen?" He gestured towards the purple bruise the size of his fist on her side.

"Yesterday. I was trying to get a better look under the hood, so I stood on the bumper and I slipped. It's fine." She said dismissively. She stretched, favoring her side.

"Did you have it looked at?" He said, doing his best to keep his cool.

"Shen has some medical experience. He says nothing is broken. Still, they had me in my office filing invoices for the rest of the day." She huffed. "You would think I was the employee, and not the other way around. I have a feeling it will be the same for the next couple of days." She shrugs. "I hate paperwork, but I guess I will just have to get it done."

He did not like the thought of Shen's hands on her, but he had to admit. She hired good men. "When were you going to tell me?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. If it became an issue I guess." She saw his look going colder. "Because I knew how you'd react." She grabbed his face in her small hands. "I will heal."

She went to kiss his forehead, but he tilted his head up. They kissed softly. Unfortunately, they were interrupted by Solo knocking on the door. "Please, tell me Gaby is in there with you."

"Da." Illya growls.

"Good. I heard about the threat at work. I just...had to make sure." Solo said not getting the hint to walk away.

Gaby fights not to laugh. "I'm okay. Just had trouble sleeping."

"I don't see how that would have been an issue, considering you drank nearly all of one of my bottles of vodka." Solo stated.

She groaned. "He's not going to go away, until we get up." She whispers to Illya. She kisses him once more. "I will replace it." She calls out.

Illya dressed then went and retrieved an outfit for her.

Once she felt presentable, she stepped outside. Solo was cooking breakfast and Illya was setting the table.

"You are staying to eat?" She asks.

They both nod.

Gaby sits at her usual spot, looking at them both suspiciously. Solo filled their plates and they ate in silence. Which bugged her. "Okay. What did you find out?"

Solo hesitated a moment, before spilling. "Tracked down the florist. It was a busy day. Person paid in cash. Description too vague, to go on. Sorry, Gabs."

She sighed. It figured. "It's alright."

"No. It is not." Illya growled out.

They both looked at him and nodded. What else could really be said?

She could tell, that they wanted to start their hunt again. She also knew they didn't want to leave her alone. She didn't want to be left alone. It was funny how things changed. Before them, she never had any problem being alone. Preferred it even. Now, she missed them. That and someone was threatening to kill her. "Go on. Find him, so this can all be over with." She watched them both look at each other. "Go now. I will be fine."

They stood. Solo gave her a kiss on the cheek. Illya gave her a kiss on the other, then her lips. They were both gone a moment later. She felt tears sting her eyes, but she was not going to cry. She got up and started on doing the dishes.

(At HQ)

Waverly, called Solo and Illya in. "They found Raymond Sr.'s body. He's about an hour away from here. Crime scene is still active."

"Are they sure?" Solo asked.

"They seem confident it is him." He states.

"We will go to make sure." Illya says.

Solo nods.

They stop and call Gaby to tell her the news, before they head out.

(At the crime scene.)

It wasn't far from the hospital he was taken to.

Solo and Illya followed the path into the woods. Soon they were standing by the body. They noticed alot of things right away.

One. It was definitely Raymond.

Two. He had been shot three times. Once in the head. Twice in the heart. Professional.

Three. He had been dead, for awhile. More than likely, since the day he went missing.

They both looked at each other.

"Gaby!" Solo said.

They were both running towards the car.

(At the Auto Shop)

She was so excited to see the other agents go, that she didn't mind she was still confined to her office.

She decided she was going to go pick up a surprise lunch for everyone.

She walks towards the cafe, down the street. As she passed an alley, she was pulled against someone. Something covered her mouth and she involuntarily inhaled. Everything faded to black.

AN: Who the hell has Gaby? I think I am getting good at these cliffhangers. I hope you liked this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think. Reading reviews keeps my muse happy, which makes it easier to write chapters and get them out faster to you.