Nine in the morning found Selene home, dressed and on her way to the GDF offices in London, a large ten storey building with a number crafts on the helipads of the roof. After hearing of her work with Kayo they had reached out to recruit her on a freelance basis. All she was required to do was sit quietly in the corner of the interview room and watch.

She was to sit in on the staff interviews, to act casual and play the part of a temporary secretary, making notes and looking up information. That was one good thing about dating the most elusive Tracy, no one knew you and you could blend in to the background.

The GDF knew there was a mole within their organisation, someone who had been working with and feeding information to The Hood and his Chaos Crew. Kayo and Rigby had done their best to gather as much information as possible, but the rat had yet to be flushed out. That's where she came in as their human lie detector and super secret weapon.

Leaving him had been hard, made more so by the fact that their conversation had brought home all the things she had been trying to ignore. She understood now why he had slipped away, because it would have been infinitely easier that way, a simple phone call to wish each other luck and a slightly snarky comment on her part for the fact that he had ditched her while she was sleeping and that would have been all.

Holding him tight, feeling his heart beating solid and reassuring in her ear, stealing endless kisses with the continued promise of 'ok, last one then you have to go' yet making no move to leave, that was torturous. She'd almost, automatically, said goodbye as he escorted her to the elevator but had caught herself in time, managing to keep it at one final kiss, a 'I love you' and 'see you soon'.

She'd broken down in the elevator as soon as it had started moving, sobbing as if her heart was breaking, because for her it was, she'd had to let him go when it was the last thing she'd ever wanted to do. She'd been trying to be brave for him, trying to keep up his, and all the boys, spirits, but that meant that there had been no one there for her. No one but EOS.

Strangely enough it had been the AI that had been able to reassure her, who had popped up every time she had lost control, hidden herself away and let the tears flow. EOS, in her uncannily innocent way, had asked her straight out why she was leaking. That had startled a laugh out of her and she'd gone on to explain why she was doing so. It was therapeutic, cathartic even to cry and rant to a being that didn't understand why she was acting that way, and so didn't seek to comfort her or offer fake platitudes, she simply reeled off statistics in the same way John did and promised that she would be there beside him the entire time, her programming running alongside that of the Zero-XL. That had helped, because if there was anyone she trusted with John, besides his brothers, it was EOS.

EOS had promised to keep her updated on the boys, and had already informed her that they had assembled the Zero-X without incident and were ready to launch when the time came. She knew that John wasn't with them as he was staying in Five until they met up to attach his bird to the mighty machine.

She'd called each one in turn, Brains and Kayo first, who barely bothered speaking, so focused were they, but she wished them luck and told them she'd see them soon. Virgil and Gordon were next, just reminding them that she loved them and would see them soon. Scott and Alan were the hardest and she'd left them to last. To Scott she'd given words of comfort and faith, reminding him that he was amazing and that she loved him, reminding him that his Dad was out there and she had complete faith that he'd be back with them soon. She told him she'd see him when he got home and that she'd have a whisky ready for him. Alan, her baby, her little precious she'd listened to as he happily chatted away about how great it would be to see his Dad again and she'd reminded him that he was perfect and wonderful and more than good enough. She'd reminded him that she adored him, that he was incredibly loved and that Armie would be sleeping on his pillow until he got back. She'd promised to make him some brownies and said she'd see him very soon. It was all she could do for them now.

Colonel Casey had someone meet her at the door to both check her ID and escort her through the maze of corridors and Selene had immediately slipped into her slightly ditzy, hippyish persona, chatting away to the rather bored looking Sargent about an imaginary girlfriend and their eight chinchillas and their ongoing feud with a neighbour, anything and everything to ensure that no one would ever want to talk to her again. Better to keep herself away from everyone there.

She settled in the corner of what looked like a vaguely formal boardroom of sorts but one that had screens covering an entire wall which cycled through pictures of wanted criminals, dangerous items and other such things that she honestly wasn't paying attention to.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm, to try to relax. She was there to do a job and knew that there was no way she could do it if she didn't. Working magic was about putting yourself in the right headspace, accessing that part of your mind that was often ignored and silenced by the more mundane thoughts and stresses of life. She had worked hard in training her mind to think beyond the mundane, had trained herself to see beyond the normal spectrum and open herself up to the energies and subtleties of the natural world around her.

Everyone had energy centers in their bodies, most commonly known as Chakras, and these, when opened in sequence or individually, could give you a deeper awareness and allow you to tap into the natural power around you. She used her third eye the most, and it was that energy center that she focused on as she sent up the now familiar prayer, the same one she had been speaking daily for the last month as launch day had approached.

"Hermes," she whispered under her breath, keeping her prayers as private as she could. "Wrap them in a cloak of protection and guide them in their quest, watch over them for me while they are on their journey. Let them find that which they seek and come back to me in one piece. Bestow upon them your blessings and protection, until they are home again." She poured every ounce of love she had for them into her prayers, let out all her worries and fears, laying them bare to the gods above, praying with every bit of strength she had in her heart and soul, finishing with a quiet blessed be.

Unable to do any more, knowing that they and their mission was now in the hands of the gods, she blew a kiss to the heavens, bowed her head and closed her physical eyes. She took three deep breaths, in through her nose for the count of five and out through her mouth for the count of ten, forcing herself as best she could, to push everything out of her mind. She refused to allow herself to think about John and the rest of their family on the Zero-XL, refused to think about the endless ways in which things could go wrong, trying so hard to focus on the good that would come when they returned.

She visualised an eye in the center of her forehead and saw it opening. She felt the shifting awareness, the subtle buzzing of the energetic atmosphere as she awakened her magic. She continued to breathe slowly and deeply until the door opened and Colonel Casey entered.

Opening her eyes she greeted the older lady. They had never formally met, but had conversed via the holoscreen a few times, so Selene felt she knew her well enough to not be too nervous.

Colonel Casey held out her hand but Selene politely declined, open as she was right now she would pick up on every little emotion if she were to touch anyone, and that she didn't need. Casey didn't take it personally, just nodded and as if someone telling you they would get the emotional equivalent of cooties was an everyday occurrence and took a seat. They passed a few pleasantries back and forth, the usual how are you, how have you been, polite conversation while Casey set up the interview timetable, but then she hit Selene out of left field.

"Have you heard from them today? Is everything going according to plan?" she didn't look up from her tablet, her tongue hadn't changed, but her energy did.

Once again Selene's heart squeezed as fear and worry pounded through her veins, but she managed to tamp it down and keep it under control. Unable to help it, her psychic sight already switched on, she noticed the way Casey's aura flickered, going from a deep red and a muddy blue. Red she would have expected, the colour of the base chakra and showing someone as a calm, grounded person, but the blue wasnt really surprising either. It indicated anxiety, radiating from the throat chakra it told of truths that hadn't been spoken and a fear of the future. She knew Casey had been close to Jeff in the past and had a deep affection for the boys and while Casey might sound casual in her question but her need for an answer was anything but.

"I left John about two hours ago, and EOS just told me that everything is assembled and as ready as they would ever be, and that now they are waiting for the appointed time when the airspace will be clear for launch."

Casey nodded. "That's all I'd heard too. I guess all we can do is wait and get on with our jobs. Are you ready for the first person to be let in?"

"Yep, bring it on, sooner we get done the sooner we can be there for when the boys get back."

Casey smiled. "Then let's do this."

The first interviewee led in was a man in his mid-forties, stocky in an overweight around the middle way. His hair was thinning on top and he had a crooked nose that Selene couldn't stop staring at.

"James, thanks for coming in today. This is just an annual performance review and progress report to check in and make sure that you are doing your job to the best of your abilities. Don't worry about saying or doing the wrong thing, your job isn't at risk here, it's just a formality and to make sure you are getting the support you need."

James nodded, obviously trying to relax. His aura was tight to his body, but that could be down to nerves and stress, it didn't necessarily indicate deception.

Casey chatted through some general questions and his aura relaxed a little, slowly spreading out from a vague line around his body to more than an inch and a half of light.

Casey casually moved the conversation on and began to wrap it up.

"OK, we're all done here, you can go."

"Thank you , ma'am," he got to his feet.

"Did you see that latest rescue the International Rescue boys pulled off?" Casey asked casually, as if it were a throwaway comment, not even really a question.

James stopped and Selene paid close attention.

"I sure did, those are some fantastic machines they have there, I didn't think anyone was going to be able to get those miners out of that shaft in time."

Casey nodded. "They did a good job."

"That they did. My young son loves them, he carries his Thunderbird One around with him everywhere, even takes it to bed."

Selene pressed a button on her tablet, sending a little thumbs up emoji to Casey, he was telling the truth, there was no hint of guilt or deception there.

"Your son has good taste. Would you mind asking Moira to show in the next person on your way out?"

"Not at all, good day to you ma'am."

James shut the door behind him.

They were four interviews down and no closer to catching their rat when the door opened and Rigby stuck his head in.

"There's been a problem with the -"

Selene's comm beeped and she grabbed it.

"What's happened?" Casey demanded to know.

"The Chaos Crew appeared at the launch site and lived up to their name," Rigby informed them, his face pinched with worry.

"Are the boys OK?"

"I don't know, Kayo just called to tell me that she was staying behind to help, that's all I know."

"EOS? Status report, please." Please let them be alright, please let them be alright, Selene chanted under her breath.

"The launch site was destroyed but the launch was successful."

Selene slumped back into her seat, her head dropping into her hands, her heart pounding in her chest. They were OK.

"Do you feel able to continue?" Colonel Casey asked her gently.

Selene nodded and Rigby ushered the next person in after promising to let them know if Kayo called back with any more information.

Selene switched her comm to silent and they got back to work.

It took only twenty minutes for her comm to vibrate with an incoming message. She turned away as the hologram popped up, displaying a text "Just connected, going to join them. I love you, I'll see you when I get back."

She tapped the screen, bringing up the virtual keyboard and typed back.

"I love you too, now go get your Dad, I'll be waiting right here with a burger and kisses."

She tucked her comm away, catching the questioning look Colonel Casey sent her way. She nodded to let her know that everything was going as well as it could be.

She and Casey worked their way through another five interviews and then called time, Selene needing a break, some food and to recharge a little.

She accepted the sandwich and bottle of water she was offered and was escorted outside to sit on a bench in the office gardens, needing to touch base with nature and drain off some of the residual energy she had picked up throughout the interviews.

It was nice outside, the sun was shining brightly although it was a chilly day so typical of England. She huddled deeper into her coat, wishing she was wearing something more comforting than a smart suit. She wanted one of John's T-shirts, Scott's hoodie, a stolen pair of Alan's sneakers, one of Kayo's hairbands, a borrowed bracelet from Gordon, a pretty rock from Virgil, she wanted to be surrounded by them and their things, to soak in their energy that created a perfect mixture of peace, reassurance and home to her.

Instead she was in a suit that she rarely ever wore outside of a funeral and was now wishing that she had worn anything else but that, the irony of it not lost on her. She felt so alone, more so than she ever had done before she had been welcomed into that amazing family. Before she had met John she had been content on her own, happy in her life, but she hadn't known what she had been missing.

The door slammed open behind her, Rigbg bursting through.

"There's been a development, the Chaos Crew have surfaced, Tracy Island is on lock down, we're going now."

"I'm coming with you!" She was already on her feet and racing after him.

"Selene, stop!"

She screeched to a halt at Colonel Casey's command.

"You can't come with us."

"What? Why? That's my family there! That's my home! I'm going."

"No you aren't. We are not taking a civilian into what is essentially a dangerous hostage situation. Even if I hadn't promised Scott that you'd be kept out of harm's way, I still wouldn't take you."

Selene glared, her chest heaving as she fought for control, fought to keep her clenched fists at her side.

"So I get no say in this at all?"

"I'm sorry, but no."

"I have rights, I'm here helping you, but I don't work for you."

"While you're under our protection that means I have all the rights. This is not up for debate." Casey turned on her heel, stomping down the corridor, yelling at the top of her lungs. "STAND BY, WE FLY IN TWO MINUTES!"

"Rigby," Selene grabbed his arm as he passed, clutching in a death grip like a vice. "You have to do something, you can't let her do this! I'm not staying behind. I won't."

Gently, but forcibly, he unpeeled her fingers from his arm. "I have my orders and I happen to agree with them. You stay here."

"No!" Selene wasn't a runner by nature, in fact she hated it, but fear and pure determination gave her the boost she needed to dodge around him and take off like lightning. The door wasn't that far, if they wouldn't take her themselves she'd get there under her own steam, she had her car parked in a neighbouring street, all she needed to do was get to it. All that mattered was getting home.

Strong arms caught her from behind, hefting her up and holding her tight, seemingly oblivious to her kicking and screaming. Her fingers scrabbled at the walls, legs swinging back at the person holding her, trying to get a grip on something, anything as she was dragged back.

"Selene, I'm sorry, but it's too dangerous." Rigby turned with her still anchored to his chest and passed her over to someone she had never seen before. "Lt Anderson, make sure she doesn't go anywhere, lock her up if you have to."

"What? I'm not your prisoner! You can't do this to me!" Her arms were locked behind her back, held in a firm but gentle grip, her struggles useless.

"I'll keep an eye on her, sir, she won't come to any harm."

"We'll come for you as soon as we're back. We'll help them, I promise," his ruggedly handsome face showed the truth in his words, but much as she had liked him before she now hated him with the burning fire of a thousand suns. How dare they do this to her?

Selene's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm gonna make Kayo kick your arse so hard you'll be chewing on her boot leather for a week!"

The sight of his retreating back was her only reply. She sagged, the fight leaving her as the sound of engines from the roof vibrated through the compound. They really had left her. Those fuckers!

She didn't even realise she was crying until a tissue was passed to her, the arms holding hers behind her back loosening to allow her to stand on her own.

She ignored the tissue, she didn't want anything from the scum that was helping to keep her prisoner.

Her mind was spinning, trying desperately to formulate a plan. The boys wouldn't be back for hours, potentially even days, and realistically there was little she could do to help Kayo, Grandma and the others on the island, but that wouldn't stop her from going to them. She just had to bide her time. If she tried anything now they would be expecting it, she just needed to be patient.

Being patient when your loved ones were in danger was easier said than done and the urge to cause more trouble was riding her hard. What if it was too late? What if they didn't get to the island in time. What if her boys got back to find their home completely destroyed?

She slumped down the wall she was leaning against, needing to sit down, her legs struggling to hold her as the possibilities assaulted her brain. She covered her ears as if reacting physically would block out the screaming in her head, her chest heaving as she tried to breathe through the panic riding her. Tears poured fast and hot down her cheeks, dripping onto her front, leaving black watery marks on the crisp white of her blouse. Waterproof mascara her buttâ an idea pinged in her head, instantly calming in its simplicity.

She took some deep breaths, visibly trying to calm herself.

"Are you alright, miss?" Lt Anderson asked cautiously, obviously not used to dealing with hysterical women in his line of work.

She shook her head, not looking up at him, her forehead resting against her knees.

"Can we get you a glass of water or something?"

She lifted her head, careful to keep her eyes unfocused and blank. "There's a bottle in my bag."

"Where's your bag, miss?"

She glanced around, actually not sure herself. "I was sitting outside in the gardens when Rigby cameâ " she trailed off. "I'll go and get it now."

A firm hand came down on her shoulder, keeping her in place as Anderson reached for his radio and put out a call for assistance. Almost instantly a soldier in uniform appeared around a corner.

"Private, go and find the young ladies bag, would you?"

"Right away, sir!" she saluted and took off.

The fuckers! She'd hoped they would be stupid enough to let her retrieve it herself so she could make a break for it, but they were obviously smarter than she ahd given them credit for. She quickly adjusted her plan as best she could, there would be a way out of there somewhere.

Selene sat quietly, placidly while waiting for her bag, hopefully lulling them into a false sense of security. It didn't take long. She took it with a grateful smile and took a sip of her water.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make a scene or cause any trouble, I was just really worried."

"That's alright, miss. Something to do with these International Rescue folks are you then?" Anderson asked.

Selene squinted up at him, her mind still fuzzy but rapidly rebooting and coming back online and along with it her psychic sight. Anderson looked honest enough, his aura a caring, calming pink colour, showing genuine concern rather than any underhanded reason for his question.

"Something like that," she nodded, there was no point in denying it after her little show, but she still didn't want to give anything too much away. You never knew who was listening and they still hadn't found their mole.

She dug a tissue out of her bag, wiped her eyes and blew her nose noisily. Squeaking in disgust at the amount of makeup on the tissue.

"Gods, I must look such a mess. Can I go to the bathroom to fix this or am I still a prisoner?"

Anderson thought about it for a few moments then nodded. "I can escort you to the bathroom so you can get yourself cleaned up, but no funny business."

"Wouldn't dream of it," she lied smoothly, hauling herself awkwardly to her feet. She allowed herself to be guided to a restroom with a hand on her arm.

"I'll be right outside," Anderson reminded her, his tone was polite but still held a note of warning that she couldn't miss.

She nodded and pushed open the door. She made use of the facilities because, shocked or not, held prisoner or not, she had still been sitting in a boardroom for four hours drinking endless cups of water and that took its toll on your bladder. She took her time washing her hands and face, creating as much noise as possible while her eyes roamed the spacious room, looking for a way out. The window was too high up, the walls outside a sheer drop she'd never make it down from and alarmed to boot. Maybe EOS could have opened them butâ EOS! She turned on the hand dryer to cover her words and lifted her comm.

"EOS?"

Nothing.

"EOS?" she tried again, but knew she wouldn't get an answer, she'd been warned that, once they reached deep space and entered the Oort cloud communications would likely be hindered, but that knowledge didn't make it any easier. She was truly on her own.

She took a few moments to compose her thoughts and pull herself together, she was a witch, powerful in her own right and not without resources. She could do this. Time for plan B.

Gathering her psychic strength she opened the door and stumbled. Anderson immediately reached for her and she gripped his hand tight. The second their skin made contact she struck, sending her consciousness into his. He froze, totally under her spell.

She caught and held his eyes as she issued her orders, pushing her will into his mind.

"You will walk me out of here. If anyone questions us you will tell them that you are taking me for a walk to calm me down and that everything is fine. Once we are outside you will wait for five minutes before returning, but you will not tell anyone where I went. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes."

"Good, let's move."

They were only approached twice the entire time they were making their way out of the complex and onto the road. Selene kept her head down, acting demure and innocent, playing up to the fact that she looked like death, pale with no makeup left on her face and like she badly needed some fresh air.

She allowed him to support her as they walked slowly, though in reality she was clinging to his hand and arm to better keep the connection. She continued the charade until they reached the end of the road and then left him there with a reminder as to her orders. He froze like an obedient puppy and she raced off in the opposite direction.

Her car was just where she had left it, but she fumbled with the handle, her hand too sweaty to grip properly or for her palm print to register.

Growling in frustration she wiped her hand on her skirt and tried again.

"Miss Tempest!"

She jumped, turning guiltily to see the Private who had fetched her bag, running down the road after her, followed by two others.

"You did not have permission to leave! You have to come back!"

"Like fuck I do! I need to get home!" she grabbed the handle again, yanking at it, screaming in rage when the lock refused to budge.

How dare they do this to her? She'd trusted them! Trusted Rigby and Casey, trusted them enough that she had opened up to them, helped them, used her gifts for their benefit! They were the ones that had the problem, they were the ones that couldn't even find out who was leaking secrets to their biggest enemy. They were endangering her boys, her family, practically handing them to the Hood on a silver platter.

If anything had happened to her family because of their ignorance, their short sighted confidence in themselves and their ability to handle the situation, she would hunt them all down and one by one she would teach them a lesson they wouldn't forget.

They had no right keeping her there, no control over her, yet they had treated her like an animal, holding her back and refusing to let her go. She would never forgive them for this. She would get to the Island if it was the last thing she did. If only she could get this fucking car open!

"Open you fucking piece of shit!" She kicked the car, her fists slamming down on the roof, uncaring as to how much it hurt, letting all her anger and rage out on the car. "I have to get home!"

The privates advanced on her, spreading out to encircle her, cutting off her escapes.

"Back the fuck up, blondie! I'm not one's prisoner, you have no right to keep me here. I want to go."

"You aren't a prisoner," another private tried to reason, a young man in his early twenties that looked like he'd eaten his wheaties that morning, "but I've had my orders and they are to keep you safe, and that's what we intend to do. You aren't in a fit state to drive, you can't go anywhere, not yet. Just calm down and-"

"You did NOT just tell me TO CALM DOWN!" Selene screamed. "No one comes anywhere near me! I'm warning you I'll -"

The blonde private's radio crackled into life, making Selene pause in her tirade.

"Situation under control, area is secure, two suspects in custody, civilians unharmed," Rigby's voice floated out. "You can let her go now, she is no longer under our watch."

Selene closed her eyes in relief, sagging against the car. Grandma, Kayo, Peneolope, Parker and The Mechanic were safe.

"I'm going home, you can't stop me, so you and your little cronies need to back away or get run over, those are your only choices."

"You aren't in a fit state to drive, will you please come back with us, get a coffee and wait for the Colonel to get back?"

Go back? In there? When she had just escaped the fucking place? Her hand shook on the handle and she fumbled her keys, unable to keep a proper hold on them. She sighed, closing her eyes, willing herself to calm down.

They were right, she couldn't drive like this, theirs did actually seem like a sensible idea, she wasn't really safe to let on the roads at this moment in time, or the skies for that matter. If the Island was safe she should do the right thing and stay behind to help out as much as she could although it was the last thing she wanted to do. She wouldn't forgive them for the way they had treated her, but that didn't mean she wouldn't help in any way she could.

She nodded, allowing them to escort her back to the compound. They had better give her a decent fucking apology before she even thought about being nice to them again.

A few people avoided looking at her as she entered, and she soon spotted the reason why. Lt Anderson was sitting in a chair in the reception area, a scared look on his face. OK, so she did feel a little guilty that she'd used him like that, but it had been extenuating circumstances and so she held her head high. Let them fear her, maybe that would stop them treating her in such a high handed manner again.

Her comm vibrated, making her jump. What fresh hell was this? She tapped it, allowing access.

"Re-entry into earth's atmosphere in two minutes," EOS spoke calmly. "All lives accounted for."

A wave of relief crashed over her, stealing her breath. They were alive. They were OK. They were almost home. They hadn't even been gone that long, surely that was good news?

"Was the mission a success?" she whispered, hardly daring to hope.

"Yes."

Selene clutched the comm to her chest, holding it tightly in her hands, a solid link to those who mattered most.

What was that buzzing noise? Why did she feel so hot? She blinked, her head feeling fuzzy. She could hear noises in the distance but it was suddenly too hard to focus. She felt her body sway, her legs give way and then the ground suddenly seemed so much closer.

"CATCH HER!" someone yelled and then there was darkness.