He was dressed and sitting on the side of the bed. Shady was on her side, covered with a sheet, wearing nothing but a smile.

"It's time," Lee said.

She nodded, "Move and let me get dressed." Shady tried to get up but Lee stopped her.

"You're not going."

"Not going? Lee," she warned, "we discussed this. I'm your backup."

"I know that was the plan but I don't trust Moreno. Call it a gut feeling."

"What do you want me to do then?"

He answered, "If I'm not back by ten tomorrow morning I want you to take the $5000 and buy a plane ticket home."

She sat up, dragging the sheet with her, "Lee, I won't leave you."

"You've got no choice, Shady. If I'm not back, you've got to let Barney know the mission is compromised. He and the team will come for me."

"I can come for you," Shady argued.

Lee shook his head, "Damn it, Shady. If you're here, he'll use you against me. I can't let that happen."

She reached for him then letting the sheet drop and kissed him. Lee pressed her tight against him, molding her body to his – one hand on the nape of her neck, the other caressing the length of her spine. When he finally broke away, Christmas leaned back and let her grab the edge of the sheet to pull it back up.

"Ten tomorrow."

She acknowledged him reluctantly, "Yes, sir."

And he stood and headed for the door. Boots called out, "Watch your six."

He looked back over his shoulder and grinned, "Spoken like a true Navy pilot." She glared as he added, "Aye, aye, Commander Powell."

And then he turned back determinedly and left her.

Lee got in the Jeep and made it almost to the end of the drive before he was stopped by a cadre of Moreno's men. They circled his car and in rapid Spanish informed him that they would escort him to the compound. Had Shady hidden in the back of the vehicle as they had originally planned, she would have been discovered and their work wasted. It would be the first thing he told Shady when he returned.

Once in the compound, he was greeted by Moreno, "Welcome, Senor North."

"General," Lee replied.

"I am glad you are here." He motioned for one of his men to come forward, "This is Eduardo. He is responsible for the patrol around the perimeter of the compound. You will begin by working with him."

Lee nodded a greeting but didn't say anything. The General continued, "You will need to change into fatigues. Eduardo will also get you a weapon. You will be here the entire evening."

"All night?"

"Si'. What better way to learn the compound? If you can make your way around in the dark, then you will have no problems during the day."

Christmas agreed, "Sound logic."

"And your wife? She won't object to your being here all that time?"

"No, Shady understands that my job sometimes requires all night," North said.

"Very well. But, if you wish, I can always send someone to look after her."

Lee stepped up to Moreno and spoke quietly but the threat was undisguisable, "I have already warned you not to threaten my wife. Now, I'm telling you. Go anywhere near her and I will come after you."

The General laughed, "No problem, Senor North. Now, Eduardo is waiting." And their adversary turned on his heel and left Lee staring at his back.

Shady had done everything but scrub the latrine with a toothbrush. Bring on a white glove inspection, she thought. She looked again at her watch. It was now three in the afternoon. She had done laundry, cleaned the house, and that meant nothing left to do but wait. It was going to drive her crazy.

Lee finally got a break around eight p.m. He had been on patrol for twelve hours straight. He had worked through his second shift and now was on patrol with Diego. This unit leader had given him a dinner break and told him to catch a couple of hours sleep. He would be back on duty at midnight.

She was pacing the living room like an expectant father. It was 9:30. Lee had been gone for over twenty-four hours and she was anxious. She had the small gun in her hand and on the table next to her, the envelope of money Moreno had paid Christmas. She knew what she had promised but Shady wasn't the kind to back away from a fight. When she heard heavy tread on the porch and a key in the lock, she froze, weapon ready. When she realized it was Lee, the gun was immediately put away. She gave him just enough time to shut the door and turn around before she hit him like a ton of bricks.

He caught her in what seemed like mid leap. Shady wrapped her arms around his neck, the hug almost cutting off his breath.

"Miss me? Lee asked.

"No," she said, the embrace making her out a liar, "But, you're okay?"

"Yeah," he replied, as he reluctantly pushed her away, "just tired. Been a long time since I pulled 24 straight."

She could see the fatigue in his face and quickly took charge, "Go clean up and take a nap. When you gotta be back?"

"Eight tonight," he stumbled towards the bedroom, dead on his ass.

"Third watch." He nodded and she continued, "Hey, strip off and I'll wash your uniform." And when he didn't have a smart comeback, she knew he was exhausted. He did her bidding, leaving a trail of clothes in his wake. Once he was in the bedroom, Shady locked the front door and breathed a sigh of relief. He was home and he was safe.

Several hours later, Lee awoke to an empty bed – a lonely, empty bed. He threw on a t-shirt and shorts and went in search of his wife. Lee found her, napping on the couch. He was going to reach down and caress her cheek when he brushed against the couch. Shady reacted. Her handgun was pointed in his face, her other hand with a death grip on his wrist.

"Damn it to hell, Lee. Are you crazy?"

He laughed, "Nice reflexes."

She sat up on the couch, wiping drool from her mouth and shaking her head. He slipped down next to her, giving her time to regain her composure. He began filling her in on the day, including the team that met his car, the layout of the compound and its security. As he talked, Shady locked her hand with his and he didn't stop her. They strategized a bit longer and then she got a meal ready while he changed. Soon, it was time for Lee to leave again.

As she walked him to the door, Shady asked, "Orders?"

He smiled at the military tone, "Same as before. If I'm not back by at least ten, get the hell out."

She sighed, "Yes, sir."

"Oh, and, get some sleep while I'm gone," he added.

She gave him a playful shove but said, "Be careful."

"Yes, ma'am." And he was gone again.

When Lee returned the next day, the routine played out again. Shady met him at the door with a hug, grateful for his safe return.

"You going to do this every time I come back?" Lee quizzed, a smile playing at the corner of lips.

She nodded, "Until I can give you backup, probably."

There were worse things, he realized, than having someone glad he was home. It was kind of nice to be missed and welcomed back with such enthusiasm. In fact, he couldn't remember if Lacy ever greeted him like that. Taking time to get a good look at her face, Lee saw the dark circles under her eyes and he knew at least one of his orders had been disregarded.

He took Shady's hand in his and pulled her behind him to the bedroom.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

He stripped his uniform again and her mouth suddenly went dry at the sight. Lee was all firm, hard muscle and the black, biker-type briefs only made him more handsome. He wondered if she knew she was staring and blushing.

Lee broke her trance when he asked, "Put my uni in the wash again?" She nodded as he added, "And then come back in here. We need to talk."

She left the room as she heard the shower start up. Locking the front door, she then threw the clothes in the wash. Shady walked back into the bedroom just as Lee came out of the bath, wearing nothing but a towel.

She tried not to look as she asked, "What did you want?"

"You sleep last night?" He inquired innocently.

She didn't lie, "Can't sleep with you gone – worry too much."

"You have got to be fresh, Shady. You never know when I'm going to need your help."

Shady nodded and then watched as he stripped the covers back from the bed. Lee sat and then pulled her to stand between his legs. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned down to kiss him. How she managed to no longer be wearing bottoms, she didn't know. In one move, he rolled her into the bed and slipped his hands under her tank top. His reward was no bra.

"Aren't you tired?" She asked half-heartedly.

He shook his head, "I want this and I want you to sleep and I want you next to me when I wake up."

She sighed, "You say the sweetest things, Lee Christmas."

Lee looked insulted. "Sweet? For god's sake, don't tell Barney," and he kissed her quiet.

A little over an hour later, she was asleep, curled up against Lee – the first time she'd slept peacefully since he started working for the General.