A cool breeze rustled the tall grass he lay in, cell phone in hand. He waited in silence another minute, to make certain he was alone before dialing. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked, followed by the loudest hissing he'd ever heard from a cat, overlapping a myriad night insects. A voice yelled something, too quiet for him to make out the words and all fell silent again. Tony took a deep breath and called Jack's cell, praying that it would remain unanswered and he could simply leave a message.

'Bauer,' Jack's voice said, startling him in the stillness. 'Are you ok, Tony? You didn't call this morning.'

'I'm fine,' Tony assured him. 'I couldn't call before.' He rubbed his face, hoping Jack would pick up on his reluctance to discuss the morning and avoid questioning him further.

'Why not? Is anyone onto you?' Jack asked.

'Not exactly. Look, there are people all round me, ok? I can't always sneak out to make a call.' He drew another breath. 'Jack, how's it going on your end? You got any success on the border.'

'We're doing what we can,' Jack assured him. 'It'll take a little time, Tony. Sit tight.'

'Yeah. And just how long is "a little time", Jack? Coz I'm gettin' a little tired of being yelled at all day.'

He could almost hear the amusement in his boss's voice. 'I understand that Tony, I really do, but you're undercover and you got to take it. It's not as though you haven't been to boot camp – they would've yelled there too.'

'It was a while ago,' Tony muttered, glaring at the phone in his hand. 'They also trained me. Here they just yell!'

'Look, Tony, just take it, that's an order. You could also try to get a little closer to Christianson.'

'Gee, it sounds great,' Tony snapped. 'You know I had to drive round the neighboring farms and collect money all day yesterday. That bastard is taking almost everything the aliens earn. Jack, they look at me like,' he scratched his head, 'like I'm some kinda monster. I can't do it again.'

Jack must have read the desperation in his voice for his tone was gentler. 'It won't be for much longer, Tony. If I were you, I'd try to impress this guy, try to replace whoever drives the truck, for instance. You'd stand a good chance of meeting his cronies that way.' He paused and waited in vain for some comment. 'Tony, are you listening?'

'Yeah,' Tony muttered, his lips drawn into a thin line.

'The sooner you get to see his cronies and pass me some names, the sooner we can pick them up and you get to go home.'

Tony sighed in frustration and hung up without saying goodbye, feeling a childish sense of satisfaction. Jack would be left fuming! He grinned at the thought, finding little comfort in anything else that had been said. A moment later he sighed aloud, picturing Jack at home, worrying whether he had been discovered. He won't think that, Almeida, he'll just assume you're real pissed off. He won't worry. He rolled onto his back, staring at the stars, his conscience bothering him, until he groaned aloud and dialed Jack's cell again.

'Bauer.'

'I'm sorry, Jack. I'll do what I can, alright?'

'Alright. I was worried they were onto you.' There was a long pause. You can say you heard something, Almeida, you had to hang up. 'Don't hang up on me again, Tony, do you understand? I nearly called the strike team to get you out!'

'Yeah,' he said, his cheeks burning.

'Ok, get some rest. And call me tomorrow.' He hung up and Tony rubbed his face guiltily. Just as well you called him back, Almeida! Sure he chewed you out, but he was concerned for your safety. Now that's a first!

He returned to the hut noiselessly and replaced the phone, climbing back into bed beside Clarissa. She stirred sleepily and slipped her arm round him. Tony pulled her closer, burying his head in her shoulder. He had another hour of peace before he would be forced to take up his duties again. Tired out, he shut his eyes and allowed thoughts of the previous week in, falling asleep with a smile on his face. Once again he had to be woken by her.

'Tony, get up. You don't want to miss breakfast, do you?' He opened his eyes and grinned at her, noting her anxious expression.

'No I don't. Come here.' He drew her close for a lingering kiss, wishing to do a lot more. Gently she removed his hand from her neck and nodded her head at Blanca and he nodded back wordless. 'She's still asleep.' Tony climbed out of bed and pulled her outside behind him, hugging her tightly the moment they reached the verandah. 'I love you,' he whispered, startled to find that he had spoken from his heart. You've really fallen for her, Almeida. There's no way you'll just let her go when this is over.

Her hands wrapped round his neck and he pulled her forwards a step, kneeling down in the long grass. Whispering endearments, he kissed her, pulling her towards him.

They arrived at the house half an hour later than usual, unable to take their eyes from each other. Tony sat Blanca on a bar stool and helped prepare the coffee, while Clarissa set about making sandwiches in a great hurry.

'Almeida, you're late,' snapped Christianson, walking into the kitchen as he was about to pour the coffee.

'Yeah,' Tony agreed, adding sugar to their mugs.

'Is that all you got to say? Who the hell do you think you are?' snapped his irate boss. 'You'd better learn to keep a civil tongue in your head and show up on time, or I'll get the boys to teach you a lesson you'll remember for a long time.'

Tony narrowed his eyes, feeling Clarissa's hand slip into his own. It's okay, sweetheart, I'll keep quiet. He stirred the mugs, carrying them over to the counter. 'You having lemon tea, princess?'

The child nodded and he returned to the kettle, keeping his eye on Christianson who remained in the doorway. 'You wanted to tell me something, sir?' he inquired, wishing the man would leave. His good mood was fast evaporating and he found himself growing irritated.

'I did. The downstairs toilet is blocked, won't flush. I want you to fix it after breakfast.'

'You know, Mr. Christianson, I'm a mechanic,' Tony began hotly. 'You need a plumber. You're gonna need to spend a little money and call one!'

'I've had enough of that attitude,' Christianson snapped. 'Mechanic, plumber, it's the same thing! If my toilet isn't working by 11:00, you won't be seeing any money for so long you'll forget what it looks like! And if I hear another word from you in that tone, I'll have you beaten up and the girlfriend transferred. Do you get it?'

'Yeah,' Tony muttered, fuming. Somehow, Almeida, I doubt whether that's the kind of attention Jack had in mind when he suggested you get noticed. He'll yell at you too, tomorrow. Dammit, what's stopping you from taking Clarissa by the hand and just leaving?

To his relief the smuggler left and he let out an irritated breath, translating his new task for her. She laughed merrily, her eyes sparkling. 'You know, Tony, I'll be glad to have you in the house today,' she admitted, stroking his hair. 'Just behave, I'm worried about Christianson. He looked real mad.'

Tony nodded, brushing her fringe from her eyes. 'I will. Dammit, I got a real awful job today!'

'I'll make you a huge lunch,' she comforted.

The toilet proved blocked, refusing to dispose of a single piece of toilet paper. Tony sighed and walked outside, searching for a connection point. Having a little experience with similar problems, he found it soon, a few inches from the house. He pulled it open, noting it too was full. 'Aha. Looks like I got to dig the pipe up, it's broken somewhere,' he told Clarissa, who slipped out to check on his progress.

'You're great, Tony. Is there anything you can't do?' she teased, and he grinned at her.

'There must be, I just haven't discovered it yet,' he joked. 'I'll go get a spade.'

She turned back to the house while he went to the shed, noting a scowling Jarvis in the distance. Guess you don't get to boss me around today either, Jarvis. You'll have to find someone else to pick on instead!

The next hour passed rapidly while he dug up the paving directly above the pipe, piling the bricks on top of each other. The sun beat down on him and he was relieved to see Clarissa bring him a large jug of lemonade, followed by Blanca who clung to her skirt. 'Drink that, Tony, it's terribly hot,' she said and he nodded gratefully, moving under the shade of a palm tree.

'It sure is. You know, I think he's guilty,' Tony told her, pointing to the tree, chewing his lip in silent amusement as he noticed her puzzled face. 'He's way too close to the house! I'm guessing there's a reason he's so tall and healthy.'

She shook her head confused.

He rose nonchalantly and moved over to the freshly dug trench, lifting a length of pipe, totally crushed by roots the thickness of her arms. 'Murder,' he told her, struggling to keep his face expressionless. 'I'd say it was strangled.'

'You mean the roots broke the pipe?' she asked, and he nodded. 'Tony, you should be a comedian,' she told him, dissolving into fits of laughter, while he swallowed the last of the juice and took her into his arms.

'I might have heard that one before,' he said, laughing with her.

'You gonna tell me about it?' she pressed.

'Aha. From my mom, usually when she wasn't too pleased,' he explained, kissing her cheek. 'I better get on with this.'

He watched them return to the house, leaning on his spade. She's real beautiful, Almeida. A moment later he frowned, noting Jarvis approach her from the direction of the grape field.

'Well hello, beautiful. You wasting time with that looser? You'd do a lot better being nice to me.' He reached forward, grabbing her. Clarissa attempted to move away, but he tightened his grip on her elbow, holding her immobile. 'What's wrong, honey? I just need a little kiss.'

'Take your hands off her,' Tony snapped, eyes flashing.

'Get back to work, Almeida!' He turned back to Clarissa, jerking her head over to his and kissed her roughly, ignoring her hands beating his back.

Tony had no memory of the next minute. He found himself beside them, pulling Jarvis back roughly. 'You sonofabitch! I told you to leave her alone,' he hissed, shaking the man.

'You'll die, Almeida,' Jarvis yelled, punching him in the jaw.

Tony's fists clenched and he punched Jarvis in the stomach, watching the man collapse in a heap at his feet. Incensed, he knelt down and punched him again, watching blood squirt from his nose.

'Tony, Tony, stop,' Clarissa screamed, pulling his arm. He shook her hand off easily and returned to his captive, hitting him again.

'Look at the bastard,' a voice cried and the five men Christianson kept for personal security leapt on him, knocking him to the ground.

Tony's foot kicked out, sending one of them sprawling. He pushed himself up, punching two of them at the same time, turning momentarily to remove the spade from a third assailant, flinging it behind him. Two blows reached him while he was undefended and he gasped, hitting them back before they could punch him again. The fourth man reached for his gun, pulling the safety. Tony managed to push his arm as he pulled the trigger, the shot penetrating the house. He kicked the man again, noting he collapsed groaning on the ground, before he punched the first man squarely on the jaw, noting he too collapsed. The second man lasted less than another two blows, going down under his savage fury, while the final man recovered enough to raise the spade and land him a crushing blow on the back. Tony sank onto the ground, unable to breathe through the pain, a shadow warning him of the spade raised again. He rolled away at the last moment and it hit the ground beside him. Trembling fingers gripped the spade and he raised it, hitting his assailant between the legs.

'Stop,' ordered an authoritative voice and he dropped the spade, too battered to try looking at Christianson. Every breath hurt and he felt something warm trickle under his shirt.

'Tony,' Clarissa exclaimed, kneeling beside him and lifting his shirt. 'You're hurt.' The terrified toddler sobbed aloud, ignored by the crowd.

'Almeida, get up,' Christianson ordered in a harsh tone. 'You're quite a fighter. Don't gimme any more crap about being a simple mechanic. You fought in some army or some rebel cause, I don't care which, but you're well trained. Can you shoot?'

Tony blinked, shocked to hear genuine interest from the man. 'Yes sir, I can,' he groaned.

'Alright, take that gun. You see that branch hanging over there. Shoot it.'

Tony crawled forward to retrieve the pistol, struggling into a kneeling position. He aimed and the small branch fell to the ground, a bullet in its thinnest part.

'Not bad,' Christianson said, impressed. 'You any good at moving targets?'

'Aha,' Tony agreed.

'Fine. See that eagle? Shoot it.'

'I don't shoot birds, Mr. Christianson,' Tony said, watching the man's cold eyes.

'You're a strange one. Alright, see that gate. It's got a crack on the top. Try hitting it.'

Tony glanced at the gate swinging in the breeze, took aim and hit the crack in the center.

'My God, that's something. You're a natural killer. You don't kill animals, Almeida, but you sure as hell killed people, I can tell! I got a job for you. You're to go with Wilson on his run tomorrow, as security man. Try anything at all, we'll kill her,' he pointed to Clarissa.

'I'll do that, but lemme tell you something now. Try anything with Clarissa, go anywhere near her, the coroner won't find enough of you to make any kind of I.D.'

'Fair enough,' Christianson agreed. 'You're to be my personal guard, Almeida, and your girlfriend gets to stay here. I don't want any of you boys near her,' he warned, and Tony turned to see them all agree reluctantly. 'Now get back to work, the lot of you. That pipe needs to be removed, I take it?'

Tony pulled his shirt off, struggling to see his back. 'Lemme wash that first,' he said, struggling to his feet.

'Ok, you may take an hour off,' Christianson agreed, waving a hand at the house. 'I got one hell of a fighter,' he said to himself, as he turned away. 'One hell of a shooter.'

Guess you'll be pleased tonight, Jack! Tony allowed Clarissa to help him towards the kitchen, aware his back sported a huge cut. He allowed her to fuss over him, lay him on an old sofa and bathe his wound.

'It's quite deep, Tony. I'll put a bandage over it, but it'll hurt you for a long time.' Gentle fingers brushed his hair and she kissed him beside his wound. 'Tony, you didn't have to hit him, you know. Look what they done to you.'

He rolled over slowly, wincing. 'Ssh,' he said gently, taking her hand. 'I'm fine, you should see the others. Clarissa, if you think I'm gonna let someone grab you, you're wrong. No one's ever going near you again, ok. You don't need to worry anymore.'

'What did you tell them?' she pressed, and he was thankful she hadn't understood the previous dialogue.

'Just that they shouldn't touch you,' he replied, squeezing her hand.

She removed it indignantly. 'Tony, just because I don't speak English doesn't mean I'm stupid! What else did you tell them? What did Christianson say when you shot that gate? He appeared impressed.'

He sighed, sitting up with difficulty. 'I got a new job. I've been promoted,' he admitted quietly, aware how she would hate his new position. She watched him in silence and he sighed, pulling on his shirt. 'I'm his personal bodyguard!'

'TONY how could you?' she cried, horrified. 'That man is a scum, he's bad! Decent people don't need a bodyguard! Who do you think he's going to meet?' She glared at him while he avoided her gaze. 'Tony, they'll be like him, smugglers. They won't hesitate to kill you if they think you overheard something. Haven't you got any sense?'

'We need the money,' he explained, taking her arm to pull her closer for a kiss, but she reacted with the same fury he would have expected from his mother, shaking it off.

'Money! Money isn't everything, Tony! What would I do with all the money if they bring you back dead?' She turned away, shaking with sobs.

Startled, he drew her into his arms, ignoring his aching back. 'It's not gonna happen, I promise. Clarissa, look at me,' he ordered, tilting her head upwards. 'You were right; I was a soldier for many years. I can take care of myself. I'm going to get paid much better and we're getting out of here.' He searched her face anxiously. 'Are we still friends?' he questioned tentatively.

'We shouldn't be,' she told him, wiping fresh tears. 'This is going to end badly, I can feel it. I don't even know who you are, Tony. You're always watching him, it's almost as though you knew you'd end up here. And now you tell me you were a soldier. Whose army? Are you ever going to tell me that?'

He rubbed his face, eyes lowered. 'When we get out of here I'll tell you everything,' he promised, unwilling to lose her. 'If you still want me after that, I'll love you for the rest of our lives. But you gotta be patient right now, Clarissa. It's just not possible for me to tell you anymore while we're here.'