AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry for the delay. I had this all written but a comment from Cat made me rethink it. I'm glad I did. Hope you are, too. And, to all of you who are following and those who take the time to review - THANK YOU! You make my day!


Lee's first order of business in London was to contact his former commanding officer. He knew it was a futile exercise. He was almost certain that the blood and the insignia was his. He went to their old unit headquarters but it was, as he also expected, abandoned; obviously not used for any kind of military initiative in years. Realizing that this was going to be a more drawn out affair than he had hoped, he secured a safe house and a burn phone and made a few more phone calls. He finally reached a former unit member, another assassin trained by the same C.O. who went by the name, Cooper. Coop met him at a restaurant in one of the more touristy parts of London.

"Damn, man, how long has it been?" Cooper asked as Christmas dropped into the booth.

"Long," was Christmas' clipped reply.

"Gotta admit, I was shocked as hell you called. What's up?"

"This," and Lee slid the gauze, now secured in a zip lock bag to the former agent. Cooper took one look and then stared hard at his former unit mate, "Is that what I think it is?"

Lee nodded as Cooper continued, "And you think you know whose it is?"

Again, Christmas nodded his confirmation. Coop rubbed a hand across his chin, "You think it's the Chief's," referring to their former commanding officer. "Why?"

And Lee told the man the whole story, including the two packages that had arrived. Cooper leaned back in the chair as Christmas explained, "My first covert operation was to take out the head of a Chinese terrorist cell, Chen Yu. We had firm, reliable intel that his group was a threat to national security and had, in fact, already taken out a couple of smaller targets. However, it was a botched assassination attempt with a less than professional outcome."

"Wish we'd have known that, Lee. We've had other terrorist attacks that could be his signature but were discounted because he was believed dead. Several in the Intelligence community assumed he'd had a protégé that he taught."

"So you could let me look at those cases? Finish what I should have all those years before?" Lee was hopeful.

Cooper nodded his head, "Yeah. Meet me here tomorrow. I'll have everything you need." The former agent had written an address on a napkin and slid it across to the Expendable. Lee took it with his left hand, his wedding ring standing out. "You're married?"

Lee smiled, "Yeah and expecting my first child."

"Not good. If Chen figures that out…"

Lee interrupted, "He already knows. Those packages were sent to my home and my wife retrieved them both. The sooner I rectify this mistake, the better."

Cooper nodded again, "Alright, see you tomorrow." And he left his former combatant sitting alone.


He'd been in London now for three weeks. Reviewing the case files Cooper had given him only made him feel worse. By not doing as he was ordered, Yu, and in turn, Lee, had most likely been responsible for two deaths and countless injured from multiple attacks across the city. Coop had also checked out their former commanding officer's home. Signs of a struggle and more blood were evident throughout. The uniforms, kept at the back of a closet had been rifled and one was missing a sleeve. While there was no evidence the man was dead, there was nothing firm that he was still alive. All of this coupled with the fact that Lee missed his wife had landed him in a local pub. He knew better, he really did. But, Christmas couldn't stop himself and a half dozen beers later on an empty stomach, he had a nice buzz. However, it did nothing to dull the ache or the guilt. He paid the tab and headed out of the bar.

He'd gone a couple of blocks when the hair began to stand up on the back of his neck. He'd had the feeling now, for almost a full week, that he was being followed or, at the very least, watched. Tonight, however, that feeling was back in spades. Lee made a turn down an alley and let his coat fall open. Leaning against the building as if to relieve himself, Christmas pulled a knife from an interior pocket. He staggered back out and then, in an instant, grabbed the assailant that was pursuing him.

Problem was, the assailant was as skilled as Lee. The fight, while valiant, was over quick and the former SAS officer found himself disarmed and on the wrong end of his own weapon.

"Now, I know for sure, you are drunk," Yin Yang's familiar voice registered in Lee's mind.

Trying to brush it aside with a bit of bravado, Lee responded, "Tell me something I don't know."

"Okay, I'm not the only one following you."

And that, more than anything, sobered him up. "Is he here now?"

"No," Yin shook his head, "he dropped away when you ducked down the alley."

"But you saw him?"

"I saw him. I've seen him several times. In fact," Yang responded, "I followed him. I know where he's staying." And Lee Christmas had his first break since arriving in London.


It was the last week of January and it had been nothing but damp and rainy. According to the latest doctor's visit, where Barney had tagged along, Boots was somewhere around her 23rd week in the pregnancy. Doctor Spencer had wanted to do a sonogram but Shady wouldn't hear of it without Lee. The good man had relented but informed her next month wasn't an option – with or without her Brit – he was going to check her out.

Hercules' moods matched his owner. The big dog had the advantage of being able to spend some time in the Christmas' fenced backyard. Here, in the gym, he was as much a prisoner as Shady. Barney let him out, walked with him up and down the alley and sidewalks but it just wasn't the same. Both of them – Boots and Hercules – were pining for Lee Christmas.

It was probably somewhere around three or four in the morning when Barney heard Shady's muttered oath. He had listened to her toss and turn on the bed, the mattress making a distinct sound as she flopped. He had also been able to make out several unflattering remarks directed at her husband. The dog, as if agreeing with her, had made little grunts and moans in response. He wasn't surprised to see her slam out of the bedroom fifteen minutes later.

She jumped at the sight of the Expendables leader sitting at the large, round table, "Crap, Barney, I didn't realize you were up."

"You know I don't sleep much," he answered emotionlessly, "What's your excuse?"

Shady shook her head as she joined him, lowering her ever increasing body into a chair, "I've never slept well when Christmas is gone. Add to it that I can no longer find a comfortable position in which to sleep and, well…"

"He won't be pleased to know you're not taking care of yourself."

"He'd have to call to know that, now, wouldn't he?" She snapped back.

"He will when he can," Ross defended.

"But, Barney," her voice took a tone he had never heard with this woman, "what if he can't?" And the fear in Boots' question nearly undid him.

Barney shook his head, hoping to give her reassurance, "I'd know if he couldn't."

Her glaze narrowed, "How?"

And Ross smiled, "You really think I'd let him go completely alone?"

For the first time since Lee had dropped her off a month ago, Shady smiled, "Really? He's got back up?" And at Ross' affirmative nod, she asked, "Who?"

"Yin."

Shady leaned back in the chair, relief pouring from her, "Thank you."

He nodded, "So you've got no excuse for this attitude." He pointed at her, "He will call. He's going to ask me how you are and, you should know, Snow, I'm going to tell him everything."

Shady ignored his threat and asked instead, "Do you know why he's there?"

"Only what I've already told you the other one hundred times you've asked me. He said it was a matter of national security stemming from his SAS service."

"Well, I've been thinking about that," Shady leaned forward conspiratorially, "I've still got some friends in high places with agencies that could find out that kind of thing. I've thought about calling in some favors."

"Boots, I don't think that's such a good idea. If Lee needed that kind of back-channel help, he's got his own contacts," But Barney was stopped from adding anything else when he felt his cell phone vibrate. He pulled it out, took one look at the caller I.D. and smiled. He flipped the phone open, "Yeah, Ross."

"Next time you send someone to follow me, make sure they don't get caught," Lee Christmas' British lilt chastised.

"Got made did he?" And he looked to Shady who knew instantly Barney was on the phone with her missing husband.

"Yeah, but," and Lee looked at Yang who was sitting on a nearby couch in their safe house, "I'm glad for the company."

"Don't mention it," Ross chuckled.

"So how's my wife?"

"Well," Barney began, "she's sitting right here across from me. In fact, she was just suggesting ways she might help you from here."

"What the hell's she doing up at this hour? Wait, help me? Has she made any calls?" Lee began, only to stop himself, "Put her on the phone."

Ross handed his cell across to the young woman, "Lee?"

"You should be in bed asleep, darling." His words were teasing but with a subtle reprimand.

She smiled and he could it hear it in her voice, "You know I can't sleep without you."

"Yes, but you've got more than just yourself to worry about."

"So people keep telling me, but it doesn't stop me from worrying about you, too," she spoke softly, trying to hide the growing emotions.

"I understand, Boots, but I need you to let me handle this my way."

"Lee…" she began, but he cut her off.

"Shady, you ask the wrong questions of the wrong people and you'll get me killed. Do you understand?" Lee warned her firmly.

She did tear up then. She had known he was in danger but to have him speak so plainly about the risk made her heart skip a beat, "I understand, Lee. Your way. I give you my word."

Christmas knew what that oath meant and that it was going against every grain of his wife's instincts but he accepted the simple act of faith it implied, "Now, please, darling, get some rest. I'll be home before you know it."

"I love you," was Shady's parting comment.

"I love you, too. Now, give Barney the phone back." Shady got up from the table and did as instructed, returning to her room to cry herself to sleep.

Barney watched her leave before he spoke to his second, "Still can't tell me anything?"

"Not yet," and Ross could hear the emotional toll this was taking on Christmas, too.

"Any idea how much longer?"

"Yeah," he replied reluctantly, "another month."

Barney frowned, "I'll tell her."

"Is she…" Lee trailed off.

"She's fine. Just totally in love with you which is beyond explanation in and of itself. And, of course, worried about you. But, both she and the baby are fine."

Lee nodded his response, even though he knew Barney couldn't see it. Ross finished the conversation, "Get your ass back here in one piece, understood?"

"Yeah, Boss, got it." And Lee Christmas hung up the phone.