"Hey, Dad?"

"Mmhm?" Solomon was checking his watch while Vincent was giving direction to their cab driver.

"Where exactly are we going?" Nikko looked out the cab window as the vehicle lurched into drive.

"We are going to Uncle Paul's museum."

"Uncle Paul?" Nikko couldn't disguise the hint of excitement in his voice.

"Yeah, it's been too long since we've seen him. He has a few new discoveries that he wants to share with the Foundation."

Nikko caught Vincent and Solomon sharing a look. "There's got to be more than that to this trip."

Solomon looked squarely at his son. "What makes you think something is up?"

"You both look kinda antsy."

"Antsy?" Vincent raised an eyebrow.

"OK, nervous."

"That's better. I don't think anyone has every described Vincent as 'antsy'." Solomon tried to smother a chuckle, but soon the three of them were sharing a laugh.

"Hey, we're here already." Solomon looked out the window as the cab slowed to the curb.

"Nikko, remember to follow our lead." Solomon put his hand on his son's shoulder after climbing out of the cab.

"Yeah, Dad. You lead, Me follow."

Solomon looked at Vincent. "Are we ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be." Vincent grinned back.

The men found themselves ushered into a series of offices in the non-public area of the museum. Solomon and Vincent took seats on the leather sofa while Nikko wandered around, looking at the pictures on the walls.

"Hey, see the one of your Mom and Paul just to the left?" Solomon had the placement of that one photo memorized from many earlier visits.

"Yeah. And there's one of Grandpa Alex and Uncle Paul right next to it."

Solomon winced at the mention of his father while Nikko was turned away. "Yeah, and the one below it has both of your grandfathers and Paul back when they were at Princeton together."

"Yeah, back in the Dark Ages." Paul Cooper stood in the doorway to his office.

Solomon stood and walked to his surrogate uncle. "It's been too long."

Paul held out his arms and the men embraced. "Yes, way too long." He looked over Solomon's shoulder as they parted. "That can't be Nikko. He's too tall."

Nikko walked over to the others and smiled. "Yes, it's me, Uncle Paul. You haven't seen me since I was a little kid."

"Hey, to me you still are a little kid." Paul grabbed Nikko in his arms. "But you're a bit more of armful than you used to be."

Solomon laughed. "And more of a handful too."

"I thought I was always a handful?" Nikko looked over at his dad with laughter in his eyes as Vincent started laughing.

"Like father, like son, Solomon?" Paul winked as his godson.

"Oh, look at this precious family reunion! How wonderful !" Sarcasm flowed as a woman entered from a second door across the room.

The men turned toward the woman. Nikko's eyes widened in surprise. "Aunt Kate!"

"Hey, Nicolo." Kate held her arms out as Nikko rushed to give her a hug. "Oh my big boy." Kate murmured as she held her now-grown nephew, closing her eyes to savor the feeling. After a moment they parted and her eyes snapped open to focus on Solomon. "Have you come to Rome to drag me to New York by my hair?"

Solomon sighed as he answered, "Yes, Kate, it's time you came home."

"And who determined that? I sure didn't!" Kate narrowed her eyes at Solomon.

"Kate…."

She turned toward Vincent, who had called to her. "You! Don't you even get started! I have had my fill of your meditative crap!"

"Aunt Kate? Dad?" Nikko looked, confused, at Kate and Solomon.

They both turned toward him, ready to take him on also when a piercing whistle cut through the air.

"Enough!" Paul held up his hands as if he was trying to ward off the bad feelings. "You should just go and get this over with!"

"Uncle Paul, THANKS for everything!" Kate bit out the words just before going out the door with Vincent, Nikko, and Solomon on her heels. She walked to a the third door down, reached in and grabbed her coat and bag.

"Are we ready?" Solomon helped her put on her blazer.

Kate's eyes snapped a reply as she turned on her heel and marched down the hallway to the entrance.

The men followed at a slower pace. After they cleared the entrance, they found Kate waiting for them at the curb with a taxi waiting.

"Get in. Now !" Kate was agitated and it was showing in her voice.

Vincent scanned the crowds nearby. "Who have you seen?"

"The office has a hidden camera and several bugs in it. I haven't seen anyone since we left the building." Kate winked at Nikko.

"Is this cab safe?" Solomon asked.

"It better be with Gianni driving!" Kate turned to smile at Solomon.

He shook his and smiled. "You thought of everything."

"Dorna goons at 2 o'clock." Vincent was still scanning the crowd as they climbed in the cab.

"Got it. Everyone ready?" Paul's older son Gianni asked from the driver's seat as he put the car in gear.

"With you behind the wheel? Never!" Solomon laughed at his childhood friend.

Kate rested her head on Solomon's shoulder. "I missed you guys…."

Solomon brought his arms around to hold Kate. "I know what you mean."

"So what just happened back there?" Nikko was still trying to sort out everything in his head.

"We just faked hating each other so Tollan and his thugs might leave us alone until we get back to New York. And to keep Paul and his gang safe." Kate could read the confusion in her nephew's face. "We'll talk more on the plane."