Chapter 26

Note: Life is never easy and rarely fair...

It was late autumn, but the weather was keeping unusually warm, although a promise of rain had driven most of the park visitors away. The skies had been cloudy most of the day, and now even the wind had stopped. It looked, like a huge storm was coming, but there still was time before it broke free. Light breeze caressed the couple, as they slowly walked down the path.

"I really hoped to enrol Lena in the pre-school this semester," the woman thoughtfully said taking a quick glance at the playground where Lena was happily playing with several kids. The progress made over last months was unbelievable. There was nothing left from the scared, bony girl with large empty eyes underlined by dark circles. She was healthy, happy and adjusting amazingly well. Most of all, she loved Gillian with all her tiny heart and the woman loved the girl in return, loved more than live itself.

Lena's and Cal's relationship before his departure had improved significantly, but the progress Gill had managed to get in girl's relationship with her father was admirable.

"Adoption process takes time..."

"Don't tell me about adoption process," Gill snapped, but next moment her apologetic gaze fell upon the man "Sorry, it is sensitive topic for me."

"I can see that you are not going to tell me why," David sighed.

"No, I'm not."

"I'm not pushing you, but if you ever want to talk..."

"I'm fine, there is nothing to talk about," Gill sighed and stole one more glance back at the playground. Lena was still there. Seeing that Gill was looking at her, the girl smiled, waved her hand and returned to her activities.

"Fine, be it your way. There is something I wanted to talk to you about."

The expression on the man's face was grave and Gill tensed. Nothing good was about to follow.

"Remember our talk back at the cabin? It is time. I have to leave. The new mission starts and I'm going undercover again."

Gill's face fell in disappointment "But Lena, I hoped there still is time... You and she just..."

"I know. It hurts me too. I don't want to leave her, I don't want to leave you," although the last part was said very quietly, the emotions were vivid. Gill would have been taken aback from their power, if only she had caught up on it. She was so lost in her thoughts on how Lena would take that at first Cal, and now David was leaving them that she didn't pay too much attention to the subtexts.

"When are you leaving?" Gill finally asked, looking at him with heartbroken expression. She was really afraid how this whole situation could affect Lena.

"This evening," David said "Everything is already arranged."

He didn't need to specify, that his meet with Gill and Lena was the last thing he did on his way out of the town. Gill could see it on his face.

"How long?"

"At least six months, if not longer. Unfortunately there will be no way to contact me during this time."

"Will you tell her yourself, or you want me to do it?" Gill asked after a while, as they walked side by side in silence.

"I will, there is no point to postpone the inevitable," David sighed. He looked so heartbroken and depressed that Gill's heart filled with sorrow for the man. He just wanted to spend some time with his daughter. Was it really too much to ask for?

"Don't worry, everything will be alright. I will take good care of Lena till you return, that is a promise," Gill leaned over to put a chaste kiss on his cheek, but at the same time David turned his face and she ended kissing his lips. Realising her mistake, Gill pulled away and blushed. It was an accident after all, but still she felt embarrassed for pushing herself on him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, as her cheeks coloured in red. David knew all about her engagement with Cal. What if he thought that she was making a move at him while Cal is out of town? No, that was absurd, David knew her better than that.

What she didn't know was that it was no accident at all. David had deliberately turned his face, so that her gentle brush of lips landed not on his subtle, but lips. He knew better than to openly go after her. That would never work anyway. Gillian was not that kind of woman. She would never betray the man she loved. Ever.

David respected that, but at the same time it angered and saddened him. From all the men in the world, why did she have to choose that arrogant bastard? Lightman was too selfish and self-centred to make her happy, truly happy, the way she deserved it. That son of the bitch would drag her down, taint her soul, but there was nothing David could do. Especially considering that he didn't really had anything to offer. Either way, it was not the time or place to get lost in his emotions. Not when all that was left were goodbyes.

"Don't be. It was my fault, albeit I must admit, it was nice. Reminded of old times..." David smiled.

"Let's not dwell on past," Gillian stopped him rather abruptly. It was not that she felt embarrassed or in discomfort because of their affair. It happened and it had been nice, but that was in past. Now was present and in present she was engaged with Cal. That was all there was to it. No walks down the memory lane, when there was so little time he still had to spend with his daughter.

"Let's go for a lunch, all three of us. I know a place nearby," Gill offered.

The girl was running to them with huge smile plastered on her lovely face "mommy, daddy! Look what Tom gave me!"

Gill smiled as she kneeled down and hugged enthusiastic kid who flew in her open arms almost knocking the woman off her feet. They both were happy and content, there was nothing more to ask for.

Hearing words 'mommy, daddy' David froze; his heart did a double beat.

What if this scene was reality?

Him, Gillian, Lena – a real family!

He would wake up next to this wonderful woman every day, love and cherish her, see his child grow up.

For a moment David allowed himself to get carried away, to believe in a dream, but the thought that this wish could never come true didn't leave his sub-conscious mind.

###

"Will I see daddy again?" Lena looked at Gill in all seriousness, as the woman buckled her in the rear seat of the car.

"You will honey, he promised to come back and your daddy always keeps promises," Gill tried to convince the girl.

The farewells with David had been heartbreaking. Lena didn't understand the concept of responsibilities and promises. For her David's departure meant that she had done something wrong and he didn't want to see her again. Both adults did their best to explain everything, but the fear of being unwanted had not left the girl completely.

"You will never leave me?!" it was as much statement as it was question. The girl looked at Gill with her big dark eyes that held all the hidden fears and hopes.

"I will never leave you," Gill smiled at the girl, gently kissed her cheek making sure that she was fine and comfortable. They had to hurry; the thunder was already almost over their heads. Angry rumble of thunder could be heard in a distance.

Suddenly Lena's face turned in one of pure terror and before Gill had a chance to look over her shoulder, her forehead forcefully met the side of the car, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her head and lost her footing. The world started to spin.

Rough hands dragged her backwards, only to push into the front seat of the car. Gill tried to fight, but stopped as she felt cold barrel of the gun pressed against her temple.

"One wrong move, and you are dead meat," the voice behind her hissed "kiddo goes just after you. Now move bitch!"

Gill did as she was told, awkwardly moving over from the passenger to driver's seat. The threat in man's voice was real. The guy would keep the promise, unless she did precisely as instructed.

"Good, buckle down lady, we are going for a ride," the man followed her inside the car and shut the doors.

Gill's arms trembled, as she fought with the keys. She tried to take a glance to the rear seat, but her eyes met the same barrel of the gun that was previously shown in the back of her head and Gill looked back to the panel. Finally she managed to put the key into the right place. Together with ignition, the radio switched on.

"Take my breath away..." sweet sounds from 1980's tune spread throughout the vehicle. Gill truly hoped that the passenger wouldn't decide to take the words literally.

"Please, take the car, take everything you want, but leave us alone," she tried to plea.

"Shut up bitch and drive," the voice commanded. Gill hit the gas. Looking in the rear mirror, Gill caught Lena's terrified eyes.

"Don't worry honey, everything will be just fine," she tried to encourage the kid, but her voice lacked necessary level of confidence.

"Yes, honey," abductors voice was mocking "Everything will be just fine. We shall have an adventure and if your mommy will behave and do exactly what I say, you may even live to see your next birthday."

Cold hand gripped Gill's heart at the words. Who was he? What did he want? Was it Shark's order? Maybe someone was after David and decided to use them as bait? They could be followed in the park. David. There was no way to contact him, even if her abductor requested to do that. Then what? He would just kill them and ditch somewhere in the woods?

"Careful, careful, we don't want to draw the attention of the police," the guy nudged her shoulder hurtfully. Gill's gaze was focused on the road. She didn't have a chance to see abductor's face. The man was wearing black hat that miraculously transformed into a ski mask once the engine started to run. But she would never forget his voice.

It was like tragedy was following her footsteps ready to strike every time she fell into false feel of security.

How was she supposed to get them out of this alive?