Sorry for the wait. Work's been leaving me too burned out to write, but I'm determined to wrap this puppy up.

The team had split to cover more ground. Now Bagheera was leading Jim as the senior leading the junior. After a trek, Jim broke the silence. "I didn't even know Mr. Khan had a niece."

"Well, you weren't part of the last rescue."

Jim chuckled. "Too busy with rookie business." He shrugged "You know, filing papers. Thrilling"

"Yeah, well," Bagheera smiled sadly. "I'd be lying if I said you missed the fun. We have a run in with pirates at least once a week, but this time, there was no cargo at stake." Bagheera sighed and hung his head. "We could hear the kid panicking over the radios."

"Oh," Jim looked apologetically at his comrade. "I didn't realize."

Bagheera smiled and put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You got a lot to learn, my friend." He gave one final pat. "There are some things training won't prepare you for."

They finally reached the stream to find a tree, freshly broken at the roots, carried away by the current. "Bagheera." Jim grabbed his senior's arm, his voice and hand shaking. "Look." Bagheera followed Jim's gaze to the opposite side of the bank. A reed wedged into the mud, from which a swath of black cloth drifted. Bagheera's stomach dropped. From the way Jim paled mouth, he looked ready to retch too. "You don't think...?"

"Wait!" Bagheera interrupted. While he did consider the possibility, he did not want to hear it out loud. Not until he had a clear answer. He would have jumped the brook, but even he couldn't give himself too much credit. He did, however, find a tree on his side, extending its branch over the water. He clambered up the limb until he was able to make the leap onto the other side.

Jim whistled. "You weren't kidding when you said I have a lot to learn."

If he was in a humorous mood, Bagheera would have bowed. Instead, he snatched up the cloth, frantically examining the tooth holes. Again, the gruesome image filled his mind, but he forced himself to calm down and smelled the cloth. He breathed out and called back to the stricken Jim, "There's no blood."

"Thank goodness." Jim released his own breath.

Bagheera wanted to tell Jim not to get his hopes, then decided he could do with that youthful optimism himself. "Can you make it yourself?"

"Um." Jim stared, trying his hardest to put on a brave face.

"Tell you what, keep going downriver till you find a way across. I'll keep my eye out."

"Actually, maybe I could still make it." Though Jim couldn't hide the uncertainty in his voice.

"Don't you dare!" Bagheera called. "You can't learn anything if you're hurt."

Bagheera sounded more like a protective older brother, but he was still Jim's superior. So, Jim said, "Yes, sir," and followed him downriver. For the next mile, there was neither a way across, nor the girl. Eventually, four large rocks clustered between him and the other bank. He yelled over the breaking water, "Hey, Bagheera, I think I found a way across."

"Be careful!" Bagheera urged.

"I'm fine." Once again, Jim was terrible at faking confidence, yet he stepped cautiously over the rocks. He nearly slipped on the last rock, but Bagheera caught him in a split second and helped him onto solid ground.

"I told you to be careful!" Bagheera scolded.

"Sorry, sir." Jim grit his teeth and brushed himself off.

"Just what are you trying to prove anyway?"

"Nothing, sir." When Jim saw the look Bagheera was giving him, he added, "I just don't want to be useless."

Bagheera smirked. "Oh, is that all?" He pat Jim's shoulder. "You and Eliza might just get along. Come on, I found something." He led Jim back up the stream until they were about five feet from where they found the piece of cloth. Small footprints created a trail from the bank.

"But this is nowhere near the cloth," said Jim.

"My guess," said Bagheera, "the crocodile swam upstream with the cloth caught in its teeth before it snagged on the rod."

"Oh."

Bagheera crouched to examine the prints, noticing the awkward pattern, as if she had been wobbling. He shook the uneasy image out of his mind and followed the trail. It didn't take long before the prints lead to the hollow of a large tree. A red shape stood out from the darkness. The same vivid shade as her sweater. Bagheera just about pounced toward the hollow, before slowing down and approaching cautiously with a soft "Hey."

As he reached toward the red shape, a clawed hand swiped at him. "Get away from me!"

"Eliza, it's okay! It's me!"

The hand drew back, and small face emerged. "Bagheera?" In an instant, the child slammed into him, sobbing into his chest.

Bagheera wrapped his arms around, never wanting to let go. "It's okay," he coaxed. "I got you."

Jim let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, feeling ready to cry himself. He got so distracted, he nearly forgot Khan's orders. When he pulled the radio from his belt, he nearly dropped it from his shaking hands. "Stand by. We found her."

Khan responded, "Health status?"

"She's fine, sir. We'll meet you back at the beach."

When the news broadcasted, the pilots' reactions ranged from relieved sighs, to cheers, to tearful hugs. Even Khan relaxed, dropping his shoulders and closing eyes. He managed to be strong for this long, he couldn't show weakness now.

After being quiet for a while, Covington dared to chime in. "So, the girl's alive then." When Khan glared at him, Covington rung his hands together and gulped. "No hard feelings then?"

"That depends," Khan growled.

They didn't have to wait long before Bagheera's, "Sir," drew all attention. He emerged from the jungle, followed by Jim with a small figure riding on his back. One arm was secured across his chest while the other hung uselessly. Her face rested on his shoulder, concealed by a tangled mess of black hair. Then she slowly looked up, revealing a tired set of eyes.

Just the other day, those eyes had been full of life and giving him an attitude. Khan's fists clenched. He turned back toward Covington, fanning out his claws.

"Hold on!" Covington shrieked. He made for a run, only to be blocked by armed panthers. "You said if she lived, I could keep my organs!"

"I didn't say anything about your face." As Khan took another step, a small, weak hand tugged at his arm.

A weak voice with it. "Don't do it!" Even with all the energy drained, her eyes carried a determination he knew too well. "You're not like them."

Khan focused on that innocent face, afraid it would it disappear the moment he looked away. He looked up just to glare at the prisoners, fighting every urge to rip them up in front of the child. He made his choice when Eliza's hold slackened. He caught her under the arms just before she collapsed. At the same time, Eliza's right hand caught a handful of his jacket to steady herself. Khan had only a second to experience déjà vu.

"Are you alright?" For the first time, there was fear in his voice.

"I'm fine," Eliza's throat sounded dry. "Just tired." She pressed her forehead to his chest. "Can we go home now?"

Khan slid one arm around her back, so she was better supported and gently rested his chin on her head. "What do you think?" He pulled away for see her smiling. It was a drowsy smile, but it was an improvement.

"Sir," said Bagheera, "I can carry her if- "

Khan ignored him and scooped her up by the knees and back so he was cradling her. Eliza hissed when her left hand jiggled. He froze, concern etched on his face.

"I just hurt my wrist," she muttered.

Khan glared back at the three criminals then adjusted his hold so her left hand wasn't squished between them. Her right hand still clung to his jacket. They made it to the plane when Eliza spoke. "Hey, Uncle Shere."

"Hm?"

"I figured out my claws."

Khan stopped to look at his niece. Though still weary, there was a new brightness to her expression. The same from when she felt safest. Like when she last hugged her father.

He smiled back. "I knew you were a survivor."

"I had help." Her lids fell. "Khans don't quit, right?"

"Good girl."

Khan-"I've only had Eliza a day and a half, but if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself."