Gwen's heart raced as Hank's lips continued to consume hers; her breath caught in her throat.

Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him in closer.

Hank traced his fingers behind her ears; Gwen's entire body shuddered.

Ethan had never made her feel this way. Ethan had never come close.

Gwen and Hank both gasped for air as their lips parted.

Hank's eyes twinkled at hers.

A smile crept up Gwen's cheeks, her heart pounding as Hank brushed a strand of hair from her face.

His eyes fixed on hers, Hank swallowed hard—and then pulled her in for another kiss.


Martin rolled his head and wrestled his eyes open. He spat some dirt from his mouth.

"What happened?" Martin rubbed his throbbing temples as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Had that bastard Alistair Crane caught up to him again? Had he imprisoned him again? Had he escaped only to be recaptured?

Martin's heart began to thud. Luis called out for him.

Luis.

His son was here.

His son was here and alive.

"Luis!" Martin pushed himself up on his elbows.

"Papa!" Luis cried out. "Papa, we're over here!"

Martin looked up to see his son cradling Sheridan.

Dear God, were they both okay?

Martin pushed himself to his feet and leaned up against a beam.

"Papa, do you need help?" Luis shouted from across the room.

"No, stay with Sheridan," Martin answered. "I promise, I'll be right there."


Tears sprang to Eve's eyes. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her that way. Saw her for all of her flaws and mistakes—and still loved her anyway.

And he did love her, didn't he? That had been the last thing out of his mouth before they rushed over to the hatch.

People who thought they were going to die—they weren't capable of lying about things like that.

Despite herself, Eve couldn't help but give into the gravitational pull of his lips. The racing of her heart as their faces inched closer and closer—the overwhelming sense of love and acceptance she felt being wrapped up in his arms.

Across the room, Sheridan cried out.

Eve's head snapped up.

"Your sister," Eve gasped, her heart pounding. "I have to go check on your sister!"


Gwen's head flew up at the same time Eve's did. "Oh God, Hank, something's wrong."

Hank lifted his head, his heart still thumping; the scene in front of him inched into focus.

Across the room, Sheridan was clutching her stomach, her head buried in Luis's chest. Luis rubbed her back as she cried softly and then placed a kiss on her head.

Wow. Was this really happening? Was his best buddy about to lose his child?

"We've got to go help them, Hank," Gwen insisted, shoving herself up to her feet.

Hank jumped up and grabbed her hand. "I'm right behind you, Gwen."


Luis rubbed Sheridan's back and pressed his lips to her ear. "Sher, Sher . . . it's going to be okay. Come on, Sher—just breathe."

"It hurts, Luis," Sheridan cried, her hand clasped over her stomach.

"I know, Sher. I know." Luis breathed in and snuggled her in closer, his heart pounding in his chest.

Sheridan grasped his hand.

Luis squeezed her tighter and kissed the top of her head.

Before he knew it, Hank, Gwen, his father, and Padre José were surrounding them—asking what they could do.

Eve rushed over, nudged her way through the group, and fell to her knees. "I need everyone to give me some space," she ordered. "I need to examine her."