"We're all set then," Ailíse stretched her neck to the side, looking towards Liam.

"Aye, milady," he nodded, startled by a hand placed on his shoulder. "What is it, Sean? We're just wrapping things up."

"This came for you," Sean handed him a note, waiting for Liam to read it.

"If you'll excuse me, milady, there seems to be a slight problem that I must attend to," Liam bowed slightly, backing from the room.

"Ian?" She eyed him carefully as he entered, "What's going on?"

"It's nothing, Ailíse," he walked to her side, leaning over the diagrams of COBRA Island. He rested his arm about her waist.

"Try again," she sighed, stepping away to the windows overlooking the cove.

"I've spent the entire morning going over the final details of the rescue plan with Liam, only to have Sean approach with a message for him," she fumed, slowly turning to face him. "Now, what is going on?"

"The Joes are in the area," he cupped her face, lifting it towards him. His thumb traced the outline of her jaw as he looked down into her eyes. "We need to tighten security measures around you."

"I can handle myself." She snapped, pulling away from him. "I'm not going to run from those bloody…"

"Ailíse, please, if anything were to happened to you with Destro gone…we can't afford to lose both of you," he rested his hands on her shoulders, pulling her towards him. "Please give Liam a few minutes to make his calls and move the men into place." He softly pleaded. She relaxed her guard, stepping forward into his embrace.

"Milady," Liam called from the door, clearing his throat. "I believe we have everything in order. We can move at dawn."

"No," she moved back from Ian, shaking her head. "We launch the rescue operation at 0300. We're going to shake a certain snake from his bed," she smirked humorously, looking back at Liam nodding his approval.

*************************

Flint sat next to Jason, watching the coastline fade from view. He was shifting in his seat uncomfortably when Jason clamped his hand over his wrist.

"We're almost there. It won't take us much longer, lad," the older man attempted to reassure him.

"Sorry, I guess I'm a little…."

"Nervous? Ah…don't be, 'manda knows everything about that bloody pile of rocks," Jason looked past Flint to the view as the plane turned slightly. "There's Nag's Head below us, see the lighthouse," he pointed. "I used to take Allie on long walks along the beach when she was just a wee thing," he chuckled. "She loved the waves…"

"Splashing over her feet," Flint absent-mindedly replied.

"Aye…that she did," Jason turned back, fastening his seatbelt. A slow smile formed over his mouth as he watched the young warrant officer lost in his thoughts, starring out the small window.

*****************

"O'er here, Flint," Jason pointed to the car, waiting. "Kingsley, open the bloody trunk," Jason scowled, lifting his bag.

"Aye, Jason," the old man walked to the back of the car. "Where's Miss Alison? Her mother said she was waiting for you to bring her home."

"She's away on business," Jason handed the bags over, pulling Flint to the side. He opened the door and climbed in, directing Flint to the other side. "No one knows Allie is a soldier. It's not that we're ashamed, nay, we're proud of her. We just prefer her life remain hers, private."

"So, what do they think she's off doing?" Flint suppressed a frown.

"Acting of course, I'm telling you the girl has talent," Jason slapped his hand on his own knee, grinning back at Flint like the proud father he was. "Cigar?" Jason reached for a hidden compartment, pulling out two.

"Ah…no thanks," Flint rested back, enjoying the view of the island.

Jason watched him fall silent once they pulled into the driveway, noticing emotions he had once fought himself waging a war across Flint's eyes. "It's not easy is it?" Jason spoke up, inhaling a drag off his cigar.

"I'm sorry? I didn't catch that" Flint responded, like a child caught napping.

"I was thinking back to when I first met Amanda. The grounds of the castle were enormous, and her family had more land and wealth than I'd ever seen. I used to tell myself there was no way in hell the laird's daughter and I could get together. But, we did. My wife is surprisingly down to earth. Alison is the best of each of us, and if you think for a minute she cares about all this," he pointed past Flint to the landscaped grounds, "she does, but it will never make her happy if she doesn't have the right person to share it with. You know my daughter. She's stubborn as the day is long, but she's outgoing and friendly to all she meets. It's the way we've raised her to be."

Jason watched Flint absorbing his words as the car pulled up in front of the house. "Ah, there's Amanda now," he grinned, leaning forward in his seat. The car wasn't at a complete stop when he swung the door open.

Flint kept his eyes on the pair while opening the door. Jason had his arms about his wife's waist, greeting her with a kiss before Flint stepped out.

"Where's Alison?" Amanda pushed herself away, turning to the car. Flint's eyes locked on her, studying her as she stepped forward.

"I'm sorry, luv, she's not here. This is Flint, a friend of hers," Jason introduced him.

"Mrs. Hart-Burnett," he walked forward, extending his hand. The woman he faced was an older version of Lady Jaye. She will definitely age well. He sighed, feeling her hand clasp his.

"Where's Alison? She hasn't called or written in weeks," Amanda began in a lilt similar to her daughter's.

"Sweetheart, why don't you have the cook get us some tea in the study?" Jason placed his hand on her shoulder.

"What's happened? Jason, I know that look." She turned, abruptly to face him. "Where's Alison?" She stood with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot. Her green eyes blazing back at her husband's.

Now, I know where she gets it. That's the same look I get when I don't tell her everything. Flint gulped.

"Now, 'manda, please," Jason soothed. "Let's discuss all this in the study, away from the staff."

"Fine, but I'm warning you. You had better tell me everything you know," she fumed, stalking off ahead of the men.

"I guess you see where she gets the temper, huh?" Jason whispered to Flint.

"Yeah…"

*******************

Flint found himself in the study a short time later. Looking around, he noticed pictures of Lady Jaye everywhere. They had everything from baby pictures to a few weeks ago throughout the study. He paused as he looked at one taken of her just before they met. Lifting it up in his hands, he heard Amanda.

"She was home on leave. We fought about her joining the Joes," she sadly recalled the heated argument. "I didn't want her out there fighting…"

"Amanda, he knows. I told him about James," Jason guided her to a chair.

"I didn't want her fighting her own uncle. I couldn't tell her. We agreed," she looked up to her husband.

"Amanda, Alison is missing. Wait till I finish, please?" He placed a finger to her lips. "Flint works with her and has a few questions he needs you to answer for us so we can find her."

Amanda panicked. "What's happened?"

"Lady Jaye, I mean Alison was on a recon flight assignment when her plane went down. We found her copilot, but we were unable to find her until recently. She was injured in the crash and apparently lost her memory. We have strong reason to believe that she is inside Destro's castle but we can't get to her. The Iron Grenadiers won't let us near her, and Destro is missing." Flint carefully watched for her reaction before continuing.

"I told him to stay away form my baby. When I get my hands on Jamie, I'm going to kill him myself!" Amanda was livid, standing to her feet. She paced the study. "Jason, call Maggie and see if she's heard anything from the castle. Maggie was my maid when I live there and one of my best friends. She lives in the village not far from the castle. Flint, what have you heard?" She stopped in front of him, starring him in the eyes.

"They're calling her Ailíse, and we can't get inside. Your husband said there were passages, and you could fill us in on how to get inside to get her out."

"Yes, I know the passages," she paused, looking towards her husband. "Jason, you didn't tell them?" She waited, watching him shake his head 'no'. She turned back to Flint, sighing heavily. "I'm sorry, that's how we escaped," Amanda looked at her husband. "Can you tell me which chambers she's occupying? It may tell me the passages that lead to her."

Flint went on to describe the room he'd been in when Amanda interrupted.

"She's in my old room. My father may have had the passage sealed in there since I ran off with Jason. Come with me, I can show you an old sketch of the castle that I drew with it's passages marked. It's one of the few things I have left of my life there. I kept it in an old book I used to read to Alison." She placed her hand on his arm. "Follow me, it's up in her room."

The two men followed her up to Alison's room. Flint noted that it was kept ready for her to walk in the door, but it wasn't a girl's room. It was the room of a young woman, decorated in soft colors and….

"Here's the book," Amanda broke his thoughts, pointing a shelf. "Jason, can you reach it for me?"

Jason handed her the book, and waited as she found the map.

"Here you go. Now, let's get our things and get her back," she stood holding the map.

"I'm sorry, ma'am but I can't take you. It could be dangerous, and…" Flint started.

"I'm not sitting by and waiting. Do you know who I am, young man? I am the Lady Amanda. Lord Destro is my brother and the Iron Grenadiers will let me pass those gates. When I get my hands on …"

"Amanda, Flint will bring her back. If Destro knows you're coming, he may move her, and we won't find her. Trust Flint, he won't fail her. He can't fail her," Jason reasoned, reaching for the map. Amanda knew he was right and relented.

****************

"WAIT!" Amanda ran down the stairs with a box in her hands. "You may want to take this," she offered the box to him. "It may help you to get inside the castle."

"What?" Flint frowned, feeling Jason's hand on his arm.

"Come with me," Jason nodded to the library. "You can open it there."

Flint followed him inside, setting the box down on a table. He slowly opened it to reveal an Iron Grenadier's mask.

"It's my old mask and uniform. You should be able to alter it to fit you. From what I've seen, the uniforms are still the same," Jason observed him studying the uniform and mask.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Thank you. I don't know how we'd be able to infiltrate the castle without your help."

"Just bring my daughter home," Amanda smiled, placing her hand to his cheek.

"Yes, ma'am," he nodded, turning to the door.

Jason held his wife close, placing a kiss to her temple. He murmured, "Don't worry he'd die before he'd let any more harm come to her. He loves her."

"I suspected that, but what makes you so sure?" Amanda sighed at the car disappearing from the driveway.

"I've seen pictures of them in Alison's quarters, not to mention his over- protectiveness. I like him."

********************

"Hawk, I got the information on the castle," Flint entered his office, waving the map in his hand.

"It's a start. I've sent a surveillance team out to observe Destro's villa. If she's there, they're to recover her." Hawk glanced to his Intel reports, lifting a file in his hand. "Read this, it doesn't make sense."

"If Destro's being held on COBRA Island, why is she in the Mediterranean? Unless…"

"They're keeping her out of our reach," Hawk sneered, taking the report back from Flint.

"She's in the Med. I want you in Scotland with a team, standing ready to go into the castle. Pick your team." He studied Flint's expression, knowing the man had a plan decided.

"Scarlett, Doc, Beach Head, and Shipwreck."

"Done. Get them brought up to speed and move out."

"Yes sir," he saluted, turning on his heel.

"Flint, be careful, she doesn't know who she is," Hawk warned from his desk.

He paused in the doorway. His back stiffening, "I'm not giving up on her."

"I didn't think you would, son. Just remember, we don't know what they've done to her."

"I plan to have the lab outfit the others in Grenadier uniforms. If she's in that Castle, I'll bring her home. We need to prevent any leaks among the men. Like you said, we don't know what Mindbender's done to her. I doubt Destro would let her leave on her own."

"No, he's gone to a great deal of trouble to hide her. The others are under orders to capture Ailíse. We'll get her back." Hawk nodded, returning to his reports.

********************

How dare he order me to stay put! Ailíse stalked her rooms, flinging the drapes open to the survey the men boarding the transports to take them to COBRA Island. I'm not sitting this one out. She waited for the guard to change. Donning her uniform, she climbed out on the rail of the balcony. God, I hate heights. She gulped, swinging a leg over as she lowered herself down. Her boot caught her, spotting her descent. She cautiously escaped to join the others below, oblivious to the surveillance team comprised of Wet Suit and Leatherneck watching the villa.

Ailíse was hiding in the brush, waiting for her chance to sneak aboard when she saw Sean rushing up to Ian.

"Ian, we've got problems."

"What's happened?" Ian halted his men from loading.

"We've spotted the Joes outside the villa," he sneered.

"How many?"

"Two."

"I don't see the problem. Ailíse is safe…"

"Nay, she's gone. I sent word to Patrick when we spotted them. He can't find her."

"You can't find her," Ian growled, grabbing the man. "Order Patrick to take the Joes out, if they find her…"

"Why are they so hell bent on finding me?" Ailíse stepped out of the brush.

"Ailíse, how did you get here? When I get my hands on Patrick and his team," Ian started.

"Ian, I asked you why are Joes after me?"

"They're trying to get you to use as bait against your uncle," he handed his paperwork to Sean, reaching for her hands. "I ordered the others to get rid of them for your protection."

"Give me the radio please, Sean," she opened her palm, flexing her fingers to accept it. "I wish to speak with Patrick." Sean looked briefly to Ian, nodding before relinquishing it to her. "Patrick, do not engage the Joes, give them a distraction and sneak out past them. It will bruise their egos more than you beating them to a bloody pulp and send them scrambling to locate you. Report back to Ian once you've gotten away," she sighed, rolling her eyes.

"We have to get you out of here," Ian gently guided her to the side.

"I'm not going anywhere until we get Destro," she growled, noticing Liam over near another transport. She wretched her arm free of Ian, and stalked off towards him with Ian on her heels.

"How the bloody hell did you get away from Patrick's men?" He fumed, slamming his clipboard into the chest of another grenadier.

"The Joes are here," Ian interrupted.

" We have to get you out of here now. Destro will be furious," Liam reached for her arm, pulling her along behind him.

She dug her feet into the sand, pulling back. "I'm not going anywhere. You're not excluding me from this fight."

"Fine, milady!" He threw his hands up, "Ian, watch her at all times." He fumed, stalking off towards the others. Damnable woman…then again, she's a true McCullen. He suppressed a grin, looking back at her taking charge of the men.

The Grenadiers flew in under radar as planned, landing on the airstrip on the far side of the island.

"Ian take Ailíse and search this area," Liam pointed to his map. "If you come under fire, radio for back up. And you lass, watch your back."

"I intend to," she smirked, loading a fresh clip into her sidearm.

He watched the pair slip off from the others, sliding along the perimeter. She can handle herself. It's Ian that I'm worried about. He sighed, shaking his head before he issued the others their orders.

"This way," she whispered in Gaelic. "The cell block is down the corridor to the left." She braced herself against the wall, sending her arm back into Ian's chest. "Wait, vipers…"

"I'm telling you. They don't pay me enough to deal with his high and mighty ass," the first viper sneered.

"Yeah, well, the longer he's locked up here the more trouble we'll have if …didn't you hear something?" The second viper gulped, pausing in his steps.

"You're hearing things." The first viper shoved him forward.

"This place gets to me."

They passed Ailíse and Ian in the shadows. Springing from her hiding spot, she grabbed the first viper from behind, raising her knife to his throat. Ian had the second pinned against the wall. "Where's Destro?" She hissed, pressing the blade further into his neck.

"Ah…" The viper gulped, pointing towards the corridor.

"I see. How many are guarding him?" She sneered.

"T…two," the viper stammered, choking on his fear. "Please…I don't…"

"Ailíse, Patrick and the others are here," Ian nodded behind her.

"You're pathetic, then all vipers are," she forcefully shoved him ahead of her. "Patrick, have your men placed the explosives?"

"Yes, milady," he nodded, stepping up with his men.

"Excellent. Destro is down this corridor," she nodded to the left.

"Patrick, you and the others move. Now, let's get the laird," Ian's eyes narrowed on the viper. Whipping him around, he growled, cocking his sidearm. "Call the others away from the cell, NOW!"

The viper looked towards the other, nodding his agreement. He called out to the others luring them away from the cell as the grenadiers shot the lights out, slipping into the corridor.

"What the…" Destro looked up as the smoke cleared.

"Stand back, laird," Ian yelled to him, taking aim. He fired into the lock, opening the cell.

"Ian…"

"We need to get him out of here, NOW!" Ailíse called from the hall, raising her sidearm.

"What is she doing here? Ian?" Destro fumed, charging from the cell.

"No time to argue, uncle. Let's get you out of here before they know what's going on," Ailíse checked the time, hearing the first explosion ringing out, "the fireworks are just getting started."



"Whatsss the meaning of thissss? We're under attack," Cobra Commander hissed, diving under his bed.

Mindbender quickly came running in. "It's not the Joes. It's the Iron Grenadiers. They're being lead by…"

"By whom…" the commander hissed, looking up from his blanket over his head.

"We're not sure yet," Mindbender rolled his eyes, pulling the commander to his feet.

"Cobra Commander," a crimson guardsman came running in, snapping to attention. "Destro had escaped with a masked woman."

"A masssked woman? Mindbender, get her under control now," the commander ordered, stumbling towards the door as another explosion rang out.

Meanwhile, at the Joe's base…

"Hawk, you've got to see this NOW! It's like the Fourth of July!" Breaker's voice rang over the PA.

"What is it?" Hawk rushed into the control room.

"Satellite's are picking up explosions on Cobra Island," Breaker pulled up the images on the screen.

"Get Wet Suit and Leatherneck; find out what they've spotted," he leaned forward, reaching for a report coming off the printer.

Wet Suit and Leatherneck were fighting over the phone when Breaker put Hawk on.

"What's happening there?" Hawk raised the radio to his mouth.

"Not much, all's quiet," Wet Suit shrugged.

"Any grenadiers out there?" Hawk fumed, shaking his head.

"No, they must be asleep," Leatherneck elbowed Wet Suit.

"Get off your asses and get in there now! Cobra Island is under attack. Bring in all grenadiers for questioning," Hawk roared.

A short time later….

"There's no one here. Where'd they all go?" Wet Suit lowered his rifle, scanning the villa.

"Hawk's gonna kill us for sure this time… you call him," Leatherneck gulped.

"Me? Why do I have to call him?" Wet Suit shoved Leatherneck.

"You're the one in charge," Leatherneck growled back. The two men bickered on the way back to the chopper.

*******************

"Mindbender, have they caught her yet?" Cobra Commander hissed.

"No, Commander, they blew up the treasury and the vipers are scrambling to get their share."

"What?" Cobra Commander lunged towards the monitors. "Crimson Guardsmen, secure the treasury. Get Desssstro and the woman NOW!" He slammed his fist down, turning towards Mindbender. "Thisss isss all your fault."

"My fault?" Mindbender balked. "Your men cower from the Iron Grenadiers, and you have the audacity to blame me?" Mindbender fumed, walking towards the door.

"Come back here!" Cobra Commander shrieked, shaking his fists.

"I must return to my lab, my dear Cobra Commander. Destro and Ailíse have escaped. I must devise other means of gaining control of her." Mindbender replied as the doors closed in front of him.

********************

"LIAM!"

"Yes, my Laird," Liam ran, bowing his head before Destro.

"How could you place Ailíse in danger?" He growled, taking a seat inside the transport.

"Forgive me my laird, we didn't know she had followed us until it was too late. We're thankful her

plan worked in freeing you."

"Ailíse, planned this?" Destro paused, looking towards her approaching with Ian.

"Yes, my laird." Liam gulped, fearing Destro's wrath.

"You did an excellent job my dear" Destro smiled, nodding his head to her. "Now, let's head for home. Liam, I will see you in just a moment. Ian, take your squad and escort Ailíse home. I'll be right behind you. Ailíse, have the guards check the grounds before you enter the castle. We can't afford to have COBRA slither in."

"Yes, uncle," she smiled, boarding the plane.

"Now, Liam what's been going on?" Destro pulled him to the side.