Zia was in flight mode, when her brain finally registered to her feet that she could leave whatever she had just inadvertently walked in on, she had hit the door running. The half naked man on utter display across the library desk was gorgeous sure, but what the hell kind of insanity was going on in that house? She was fairly certain she had seen her boss just sitting in a chair in the corner. Were they swingers or something? Keeping some younger guy under lock and key to play with?

She heard a distinctly male voice hollering at her within seconds of starting her sprint across the grass. She didn't even look back. She had left her car on the dirt road that ran behind the compound up to the raptor paddock. She had approximately three quarters of a mile to go. If she could just get to her car; and then she was never coming back here.

Maybe she could get a job as a cat vet. She liked cats. She had one back at her apartment. Their claws were a lot smaller.

"Zia!" Collins bellowed, as he and Jacobs sprinted out the door following Seal, and he caught sight of the blur of the back of her short dark hair. She didn't even turn.

Fortunately, Seal was gaining on her. For his size, he could move.

Zia came into sight of her car as she crested the small hill at the back of the lawn. She heard the ruckus of the chase behind her, unfortunately it sounded like someone was gaining on her. She was about three feet from the driver's side door when she heard his breath, like he was right on top of her. She reached out her hand in preparation when she was hit with the full weight of the man behind her.

Seal knew he had her, but he calculated his grab to not slam them both into the side of the approaching car. Still, with their combined momentum, it was going to hurt. He wrapped his arm over her left, that she had seemed to stretch forward in desperation, tucked it under his own into her chest, and rolled his body over hers. The action brought them both to the ground, but he spared her most of the impact. His left shoulder and upper back smacked loudly into her car door despite his efforts. That was going to smart in the morning. Fortunately, adrenaline was too high to feel much at the moment. The impact seemed to knock the wind out of both of them, her worse than him as he was better prepared. He took the opportunity to wrap everything he had around her, arms, chest, legs, in a tight hold. His body was well used to being able to still function without much oxygen.

He glanced up the second he got his bearings and noticed Tumult, who must have been close and had come to lend a hand. He must have thought he was helping as he bent to grab for Zia's arm, but the action only loosened his hold on her and she shot out a hard kick out, catching Tumult in the chest. Seal swore he heard something snap and his colleague tumbled over backwards. Seal struggled to regain his hold, managing as Zia got distracted for the split second he needed, by the arrival of his partner and Jacobs.

"Don't touch her!" he called out. "I've got her!"

Ken arrived, followed by Clancy in tow, carrying the drug kit. He knew what his boss' plan was, but he wanted to give the woman a chance. She struggled heartily against him. "Easy!" he barked out. "No one wants to hurt you!"

"Yeah, right!" she managed to pant back him, attempting to bash the back of her skull into his face. Fortunately, he was expecting it and just pulled her in tighter, preventing it.

Ken reached them with Collins, and the two of them grabbed to help hold her still, without pulling her out of his grasp. "Clancy! Tranq!" his boss directed. Clancy pulled the kit open and approached, syringe in hand. "Last chance, dear," Ken warned. Zia shook her head and just renewed her struggle. Clancy put his own hand to her arm for stability and pushed the needle in. "Not the whole thing," Ken cautioned. "She's small." Clancy pulled back after hitting the plunger about two thirds down.

Zia figured her captor would have let up once the drug entered her arm, but he seemed to squeeze even tighter, or maybe it was panic finally setting it, suppressing the fight mode that had by-passed failed flight. Suddenly everything got heavy.

"Trusted yo…" was all she managed as the last thing she saw was her Ahole boss's stupid face.

Ken reached out to gently grasp his little vet's chin as her eyes glazed over, "and you still can." He passed his thumb affectionately below her lips and released her as she slumped down into Seal's embrace.

Once he felt her go slack, Seal slipped her down to the grass, unfortunately in a bit of a heap, and stood with a stretch. His back cracked once as he rolled his shoulders and straightened. Ken looked up at him. "You alright?" he asked with concern but also a chuckle.

"Think so," Seal answered as he rubbed his left shoulder. "Tried to protect her on the way down but still hit pretty hard." He looked at her little red car, it was a beater, but there seemed to be a new indent in the side door.

"I'll have Miranda fetch the masseuse. You earned it. Nice catch."

He stood and walked to where Clancy and Zackquarius were attending to Tumult. The man was still on his back, knees up. Clancy looked up at his approach. Tumult had a solid grimace on his face and was breathing somewhat pained and shallow. "I've already got Betty on her way. She'll meet us in the upstairs wing with the portable Xray. I think he cracked a rib."

"What'd you tell her?" Ken asked.

"Training mishap," Clancy answered.

Ken smirked. "Yeah, we have enough of those around here. That'll work."

Ken bent down to place a steadying hand on Tumult's shoulder. "Thanks for coming to help. Didn't turn out so well for you though, did it?"

Tumult coughed through the pain of an attempted laugh. "Does it ever, boss?"

"You sure that Haitian wife of yours hasn't put a curse on you?"

"Nah, she loves me too much," Tumult managed back.

"Hey, boss," Seal called over, with his gaze on the unconscious woman at his feet. "Where do you want her?"

"In the room of the upstairs. I think she's still going to be pissed off when she comes too. Get her restrained but comfortable. Cameras on. Boys remember this not just a former marine, but a woman. She's bound to be three times as difficult. Remember that. Keep her safe but watch yourselves, too. I'll go fetch Daniels to sit with her. Probably do them both some good."

Seal had bent to lift Zia up and over his good shoulder. "Man, do want some help?" Collins and Jacobs asked at the same time.

"Nah, she's strong, but she's still light. Kind 'a reminds of me of a Chihuahua," he smirked. "Just get doors for me, ok?"