Shipwreck and Beach Head stayed behind; Shipwreck to monitor the radio, Beach Head to guard the passageway's entrance. Disguised as a grenadier, Flint led Doc through the passageways to the panel inside Ailíse's dressing room.

"What the," Scarlett mumbled under her breath, hearing the rusted bolts creak as Flint and Doc forced the panel open. She crept to the back of the closet, lifting a heavy vase over her head, ready to send it crashing over the intruder's head when she felt a pair of hands lift it from hers.

"Easy, Scarlett. It's me, Flint...you nearly took Doc out," he chuckled, nodding towards the medic squeezing through the door.

"Damn it, you scared the hell out of me," she hissed, pulling them into the darkened chambers.

"Where is she?" Flint whispered, scanning the shadows.

"In the bedroom, but she's still restless. Doc?"

"Let me see her. The two of you watch out while I examine her." Doc set his black bag on table, pulling out his stethoscope.

Scarlett led them to the bed where Ailíse slept. She was in a fitful sleep, tossing and turning. "Flint, hold her arm, I need a blood sample to run," Doc hissed, summoning him to the bed.

"Hey," he whispered in her ear, pulling her into his arms.

"Dash?" She murmured, trying to open her eyes.

"She's settling down, keep talking to her," Doc smirked, fastening a tourniquet over her wrist to draw his sample. She flinched for a split second. "Flint...talk to her."

"Allie, can you hear me, sweetheart? I'm here," Flint murmured softly, kissing her ear.

"Dash..."

"Yes," he wrapped his arm across her shoulders, toying with the sleeve of her nightgown. He rested his head on top of hers.

"COBRA, something shiny on the side of the mountain, we can't get control, going down...."

"Shhhh, it's all right, you're safe now," he soothed her.

"My head hurts, I can't fall asleep...have to get away from the fire."

"Shhhh, it's all right, you're safe. I promise."

"Don't leave.... me," she sighed heavily, drifting off to sleep.

"I can't stay much longer with you...I'll be back for you, get some rest," he gently pulled himself from the bed, watching her snuggle into her pillow. "Doc?"

"Her vital signs were good, but her eyes are dazed from the sedative Destro gave her."

"Are you sure we can't take her out of here now?" Flint shifted his attention to her sleeping form.

"She's weak and drugged. I need to run an analysis of this and find out how they're controlling her mind," Doc replied, holding up the blood sample. "Where's the mask she wears?"

"It's over there on the dressing table," Scarlett pointed, leading him to the mask.

"I need to see it," Doc carefully lifted it in his hands, studying every detail of its design. "Look at this...it's light. The band here at he base of the neck, looks like the device but I can't be sure. I need to know how often she wears it," Doc frowned, setting it down on the dresser.

"I haven't seen her wearing it too much lately, only when she's outside," Scarlett sighed, tracing her fingers over it.

"She was wearing it the day she collapsed," Flint growled, pulling Scarlett's hand away from it.

"Scarlett, keep an eye on everything she does, what she wears, and what she eats," Doc shook his head, gathering his supplies.

"And, try to keep Ian away from her," Flint fumed.

"Doc, head back to the pub. I'm staying here within the passages to keep an eye on her. Let me know what you find out. I'll slip into the grenadiers whenever I get a chance, but for now I'll shadow her. Beach Head will meet you at the entrance to the passage. Be careful," Flint warned, closing the passageway behind him. "Scarlett, get some sleep, I'll keep an eye on her tonight," Flint pulled the mask away, settling on the edge of the bed. He dozed off to a light sleep, waking as she began to stir with the first traces of sunlight painting the room. He slipped inside the dressing room to watch her from the shadows.

"I've got her," Scarlett yawned, closing the door to the dressing room. She walked over to the drapes, pulling them apart.

"Bridget," she frowned, dragging a blanket over her eyes to block the sunlight.

Scarlett smirked humorously. "You left instructions to wake you early, milady."

"Early, not at dawn, five more minutes, please," she yawned, rolling over.

Flint suppressed a grin, watching the pair.

********************
Flint was still hiding in the dressing area when he heard Ian knock at the door. Scarlett waved him back while heading for the door.

"Morning, Bridget, is Lady Ailíse awake yet?" he smiled, placing his hand along the doorjamb.

"Yes, she's taking a bath right now and will be down shortly. Would you like for me to give her a message?" Scarlett asked, slowly closing the door.

"Yes, let her know I'm waiting to take her down to breakfast," he moved his hand to stop her from shutting him out. "I can wait in the parlor while she dresses."

"You'll have to wait outside. The laird left strict orders that no grenadiers were allowed in her chambers," she placed her hand on his chest, blocking his entrance.

"Very well, I'll wait right here," he nodded, stepping back to the hall as she closed the door.
Scarlett signaled to Flint to get back when Ailíse came back into the room. "Milady, Ian is waiting for you in the hall. What would you like to wear today?"

"Please, don't make such a fuss over me, Bridget. Margaret drove me mad with all of that. I can get my own clothes out, thanks anyway," she sighed, opening the doors to her dressing area where Flint was hiding.

"No, milady, please allow me. I'm new here and the laird gave me specific instructions. I don't want him angry with me," Scarlett frantically attempted to keep her away from the doors.

"If you insist; I'm going riding after breakfast," Ailíse shrugged, walking towards her dresser. "Have you seen my swimsuit?" She called over her shoulder, dropping her towel as she sat at her vanity.

"I'll check the wardrobe, milady," Scarlett waved Flint further inside, looking through the hangers. "Where is it?" She hissed, rummaging through the rows of clothes.

"Give her this," Flint held up a black one piece. "She not going out in these," he hissed, nodding to the bikinis hanging behind him, "not with that joker around her."

"You're unreal, you know that," Scarlett grumbled, snatching it from his hands. "Here you go, milady."

"Thank you," she smiled, accepting the clothing. Flint peered from his vantage point unable to stop himself, watching her get ready. He watched her grab her towel, wrapping it firmly around her before she stepped behind the screen in the corner of the room. He released a sigh as she disappeared from his sight.

"Bridget, can you please lay out my training clothes when you're finished straightening up in here?" Ailíse asked, reaching for her mask. "I'll be back in a few hours," she leaned her neck to the side, fastening the mask in place.

"Yes, milady," Scarlett bobbed a short curtsey, watching her pause at the door.

"Bridget, if you're going to be my personal maid, please drop the milady when you're alone with me. It drives me nuts," she smirked beneath the mask. "If Margaret gives you any grief, let me know. I'll put a stop to it."

"Yes...Ailíse," she grinned, turning to face Flint coming out of the closet. "Well?" Scarlett turned to Flint.

"She's definitely in there, question is how do we pull her out?" He sighed, slipping his mask on over his head. "I've studied the layout of the castle and the grounds. I'm going to see what else I can find out. I'm headed through the passage and out to the gardens. I'll catch up with her in the stables."

"Flint, she's wearing a swimsuit. Watch it, she's up to something. She didn't mention going for a swim to Ian when she left here."

"Thanks, I'll remember that," he grinned, slipping inside the passageway.

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

Doc scanned the tests results. He scowled, lifting his radio. He reported his findings to Flint and Hawk, telling both that the answers lie in the castle. He warned everyone to keep a careful eye on Lady Jaye.

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

Flint found her a short time later getting on to her horse. The groom was holding it for her as she climbed up. Standing back, he listened to Ian approaching her, "Ailíse, I thought I'd find you here. You're uncle has given express orders that a guard must accompany you."

"Ian, it isn't necessary, I feel fine. Please send the grenadiers back," she pleaded.

"I can't. I have orders," he sighed, moving closer to her side.

"Well, then only one will accompany me. You, over there, can you ride," she called over her shoulder, pointing to Flint.

"Aye, milady," he replied, with a swift nod.

"Ailíse, I have to go with you. Destro's orders," Ian growled softly, placing his hand comfortably on her thigh.

"And, I will choose the others," she pulled the reins, giving her horse its head.

Flint held back a chuckle.

Ian led the group, including Sean, Flint, and Ailíse through the woods. Flint fell back far enough from the group, allowing the others to forget he was even there as he waited for her to make her break. He waited, pulling his horse back. He allowed it to rest, knowing if she let her horse go he'd need his at full strength to catch her. They we're going through the trails, deep in the woods when she spotted her chance. Ian was lost in a conversation with Sean when she quietly slipped away from them. Flint caught her subtle retreat and gave pursuit the moment she gave her horse its head, allowing it to fly in full gallop.

"Of all the bloody luck," she growled, catching sight of her pursuer over her shoulder. "Why can't I have a moments peace?" She sighed, charging through a dense copse of trees. She reveled at her ability to lose him so easily as she lost sight of him, pulling her horse to a halt. She slipped down from the saddle; grabbing the reins to lead her horse a short distance to a secluded pond she'd discovered a few weeks prior on an outing with a groom.

Flint spotted her, tying her horse to a tree when he entered the area. He strained his eyes, following her movements. He dismounted, leading his horse to hers. He paused, watching her slip her riding clothes off, revealing the black one-piece swimsuit. It had a tank top design to it, but the bottom was cut high. Flint gulped, tying his horse next to hers. He saw her tense when the horses began prancing in their place, kicking their hooves into the dusty ground.

"I don't need a babysitter. Will you please go back to the stables?" She pleaded, removing her mask. She tossed it to her clothing before she dived into the cool water.

"I'm sorry, milady, but I can't. I'll stay a distance if you promise no more tricks though," he grinned, leaning on a large boulder as she surfaced.

"Who are you? You don't sound familiar?" She studied him, raking her hair back through her fingers. Water rivulets rolled along her neck and shoulders.

"I'm Connor, ma'am," he answered, bowing his head to her.

"Well, Connor, you have yourself a deal. Just don't hover, please," she lunged forward into a breaststroke beginning short laps across the pond.

"If you wanted to take a swim, you could have done so in the castle," his eyes followed her every move.

"Sure, if you don't count a squad watching me," she growled, diving to turn.

He waited for her to surface. Not spotting any bubbles, he ran to the edge of the pond where he'd last seen her. He leaned forward, shifting his leg.

"GOTCHA!" She swiped his leg out from under him, knocking him into the water. "Still doubt I can handle myself?" She laughed, swimming away from him.

"I've never doubted you, Allie," he coughed, expelling water from his lungs. He paused, watching her turn to face him.

"Who are you?" Her eyes went wide, backing away from him.

"Connor," he carefully moved towards her.

"I've...never seen you before," she stammered, slipping as the bottom dropped out from below her.

Flint dove to pull her up. Her arms flailing as she choked on the water she'd swallowed. He wrapped an arm around her, swimming to the side. He laid her down on the sandy bank, rubbing her back while she caught her breath. "Turnabout's fair play, milady," he chuckled softly.

"How dare you?" She growled, forgetting he'd called her a different name.

"Sh..." He covered her mouth with his hand. "The others are close by; I doubt you'd trade your few minutes of freedom for your sanctuary. I returned just before the rescue. I apologize if I startled you." He slowly removed his hand, nodding to the riders approaching. "The horses are well hidden. We can stay a while longer." He sighed, pulling a boot off to drain the water from it.

"You're not going to sound the alarm?" She raised a brow.

"Why should I? You're a big girl," he sighed, pouring water from his other boot.

"You surprise me. The others would have summoned Ian in a heartbeat," she frowned, throwing a stone across the water.

"They're afraid of him," Flint shrugged, gathering his thoughts.

"Fear...no. He's well respected," she sighed, falling back on her elbows. She looked up to see him starring at her. "You don't know him that well, do you?" She scrutinized his face, bringing her knees to her chest. He watched her fold her arms over her knees, resting her chin upon them.

"I know him well enough to know we'd never see eye to eye on certain things," Flint tossed a stone in his hand, skipping it across the water. "Sides, everyone knows Ian's got a thing for you."

"Can we please not discuss Ian?" She snorted, abruptly standing to her feet. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little tired of Ian this, and Ian that." She cast him a sad smile, before wading into the water.

He scanned the area, catching a flash of light in the trees. He stood, drawing his sidearm.

"Connor?" She swam to where he stood. "What is it?"

"We have company, milady. I need you to act as you normally would. Go and get yourself dressed," he offered her his free hand, helping her from the water.

"How many?" She hissed, pulling her clothes on over her wet suit.

"I'm not sure," he growled, watching her slip her mask over her head.

"You're not sure?"

"No, follow me," he grabbed her hand, dragging her along behind him to the horses. He heard a bullet whiz past him, striking a tree. "MOVE!" He roared, returning fire. He backed himself up to the horses, seizing the reins with his free hand.

"Move," she hissed, raising a colt .45 from a small holster on her saddle. She tightened her hold on the reins, guiding her horse in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Flint growled.

"I'm not the bloody target here. You are," she spat, taking aim. "Damn them all," she fired, striking a rock near the sniper. "We need to get back to the castle and send out a search party. I want to know if it's COBRA or one of those bloody Joes." She fumed, kicking the flanks of her horse.

Flint scowled, racing after her. "What makes you think the Joes are involved?" He yelled through gritted teeth, bringing his horse alongside hers.

"Those bastards drove me off the cliffs. If it wasn't for them, I'd know my bloody past, now wouldn't I?" She spat, striking her horse to a full gallop, and pulling ahead of him.

"Damn Destro," Flint clutched the reins tightly in his hands, commanding his horse to pursue her. He chased her down to a dense copse of trees. Drawing up to the side of her horse, he reached for the halter of her horse, pulling it to stop. The look in her eyes spoke volumes to him. He could read her pain, her frustration; yet he couldn't react, as he knew he should. "Are you all right?" A lame question, but one he knew he had to ask.

"Do I look like I'm all right?" She screamed, pummeling his arm as he tried to lift her from her saddle.

"No, you look like you've been through hell and back," he growled, wrapping his arms about her to block her attack. He gently lowered her to the ground. "Stay right there," he commanded, swinging his leg over to dismount. He watched her step back. "I said, stay there."

"How dare you order me?" She challenged, clenching her fists to her sides.

"Don't give me the high and mighty lady-of-the-manor routine," he growled, pulling her to the side. "You need to calm down before you ride up to the castle. Do you think they'll let you go out riding again, seeing you like this?" He watched her façade crumble before his eyes. The woman whose strength had pushed him through many battles was breaking down in tears. "Please don't cry," he saw the tears, brimming in her eyes. "Tell me what's wrong," he pleaded, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"You're like the others. You think everything's black and white," she sobbed. "You're right about one thing though, the high and mighty lady of the manor isn't permitted to cry. No, she's not permitted to do a damn thing. My life is in shreds; I can't go for a ride unless I have a full detachment with me because of COBRA and ...."

"Sh...crying won't solve anything," he soothed her, rocking her in his arms. She wasn't fighting him. He scanned the area, waiting for her to calm down. He smiled as a thought occurred to him. "We need to get back to the castle and let them know you're safe," he gently lifted her to her feet.

"You're right," she sniffed, wiping her eyes. She walked to her horse, pulling herself up into the saddle while she waited for him. "What are you doing?" She frowned, watching him circle his horse over to a tree.

He smiled, reaching for a flower from the hanging branch just as he had done whenever he took her riding. "It's not as beautiful as you, but..."

"Thank you," she smiled, accepting it from his hand. She felt a strange sensation, an odd sort of deja vous as her fingers brushed over his. A spark of something sent goose bumps over her arm.

Flint knew he had reached her when she lifted the flower to her nose, inhaling its fragrance. She paused, sighing to herself as she slipped the bloom inside the loose fabric of her shirt to keep it safe.
*********************

It was early in the afternoon when they returned to the stables. Ian saw her hair and clothing damp.

"Where have you been? I've had search teams scouring the land for her. What happened?" Clenching his fists tightly, he charged up to Flint.

"How dare you yell at him? He did nothing but follow your orders to follow me. You and Sean were too busy to notice when I left the group, but he did not." Ailíse raised her voice, causing all to take notice. "You want to ream him for following your orders? If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have escaped from a sniper." She swung her leg down from the saddle, standing up to Ian with her hands on her hips.

"Sniper?" Ian turned to Flint. "Where?"

"Down by the pond, off the northern pasture," Flint spoke up. "He startled the horses, and sent her from her saddle into the water."

"My God, Sean, get several squads and scour the area," Ian fumed, pulling her into his arms. "We warned you about the dangers."

"I can handle myself, ask Connor," she nodded to where Flint had been standing a moment ago. "He'll tell you; I scared the sniper off myself." She turned. "Connor? Where is he?"

"He's probably off with the others. I'll find him later. Let's get you inside to Bridget," Ian wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her inside the castle past Flint, hiding in the passageways.

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

Destro watched them enter from his study. "They're back Reverend Barrett." He sighed, turning to face Daniel Buchanan and the vicar.

"I've already spoken with Ian," Daniel looked towards Destro. "Have you told Ailíse?"

"She will agree. I have no worries," Destro reached for a file on his desk. "I believe you'll find everything in order." He handed the file to Daniel, waiting for him to read.

"Yes, everything's in order," Daniel grinned, closing the file.