Michael knew all the ways into the FIRM headquarters building including those which were hidden from the usual security cameras. He made it as far as the outer room to his office without being seen. Laura, one of his aides, leapt to her feet as he walked in.

'Sir, Zeus…'

'Yes, Laura. I know. Call his office and tell him I'll be with him in fifteen minutes.' Michael said walking past her and through the double doors to his inner office.

Marella stood up from behind his desk to greet him. He handed the folder to her. 'I need an immediate check on this information.'

'Yes sir.' Marella started to examine the contents as she moved to the computer.

Michael hurried to the small bathroom that adjoined the office and stripped off his clothes. Five minutes later he was showered and redressed in a crisp white shirt, white waistcoat and trousers. His glasses were perched on his nose and he'd replaced the eye patch with a fresh one. Ten minutes later he finished shaving and left the bathroom fastening his cuffs.

'Report.' He fumbled with his tie.

Marella pushed his hands out of the way and took over. 'The information checks out.' Her hands stilled for a brief moment before continuing with swift efficiency. 'Angelina was born in Switzerland and you are registered as her father. The birth certificate is authentic.' She finished with the satin tie and handed him his jacket.

'Good.' Michael smoothed the lapels and took a breath.

Marella handed him the folder back. 'There's a letter in there for you. I didn't read it.'

Michael took it and nodded. 'Thank you, Marella.' He snatched up his cane and headed out for Zeus' office. It was never a good sign, he thought, when the people in the corridors suddenly started avoiding your eyes. He swept through Zeus' outer office paying no attention to the fluttering assistant and absently thought that he must remember to offer Zeus one of his aides – they would never have allowed anyone to get past them.

Zeus was at his desk. He didn't even look up from the report he was reading as Michael walked across and took a seat opposite him. Michael waited patiently. The older man was slightly balding and had the build of a middle-weight boxer; Michael had heard rumours that Zeus had been a bare knuckle street fighter when he'd been recruited. He never put much stock in rumours but he was inclined to agree with that one.

Zeus looked up and his cold brown eyes met Michael's pale blue. 'Archangel.'

'Zeus.'

Zeus' eyes flickered over the bruises on Michael's face. 'Bourbon?'

Michael nodded. 'Thank you.'

Zeus got up and poured them both a glass. He handed one to Michael. 'What happened, Michael?'

Michael sighed. 'She's my daughter.'

Zeus froze and sat down heavily in his chair. 'You've confirmed this?'

Michael swirled the liquid in the crystal tumbler. 'I have but I really didn't need to…' He reached into the folder and pulled out a photo. He placed it on the desk in front of Zeus.

The other man picked it up and examined it. 'My God. She looks just like you.' He handed the photo back. 'But prettier.' He leaned back and viewed the younger man. 'Have you decided what to do?'

Michael took a sip of the bourbon. 'I'm still considering my options.'

'Having a family in this business…' Zeus sighed at the gilt-edged photo on his desk of a woman and young boy. 'It's not easy, Michael.'

'I know.' Michael gestured. 'But it can be done.'

Zeus sighed. 'She makes you vulnerable.'

'I'm aware of that.' Michael said. He leaned forward. 'I'd like to take a couple of days leave to make a decision. There's nothing pending Marella can't handle.'

'You can have a few days,' Zeus agreed, 'and I will deal with Colonel Kinskov's accusation. You will do nothing in that regard.'

Michael stroked his moustache unhappily but nodded.

'Then if you'll excuse me…' He drank back the bourbon and stood up to leave.

'There is still the matter of your unauthorised jaunt to Russia to deal with, Archangel.' Zeus' quiet words were effective in stopping his exit.

Michael sat back down and waited. He didn't betray his nerves or his thoughts by either expression or body language. Anyone else would have thought him completely relaxed.

Zeus sighed deeply. 'You've become too close to him.'

Michael didn't ask who Zeus was referring to, he knew he meant Hawke.

'I could bet my life that your daughter is with him right now.' Zeus continued. He stood up and walked to the window, stared out at the beautifully landscaped gardens. 'The last two years have changed you, Archangel.' He took a gulp of bourbon. 'If I told you to take a team and arrest Hawke, right now, this minute, I seriously don't know if you would do it and that worries me.'

Michael blinked. 'I think you know where my loyalties lie.'

'I think I do; that's what worries me.' Zeus said. He spread his hands expressively. 'Your relationship with Hawke undermines the FIRM. You must see that.'

'We need him and Airwolf…'

'I don't dispute that but what we don't need is for our deputy director to be seen using Airwolf for personal business.' Zeus interrupted him. He took a deep breath. 'There's a rumour in Washington that the Senate Oversight Committee on Intelligence is reviewing all the agency mandates.'

'They're always reviewing the mandates.' Michael pointed out.

'This time is different.' Zeus said firmly.

Michael ran his thumb over the silver handle of his cane. 'You know something?'

'I know we need to be careful.' Zeus stated as he sat back down and placed his bourbon on the desk. 'And after the events of the last twenty-four hours, I'm not sure you can be.'

'If you had apprised me of the political situation…' Michael said stiffly.

'It would not have changed your decision to use Airwolf to go into Russia.' Zeus concluded. He sighed and gestured. 'You must see the position you place me in, Archangel.'

'You have my word that it won't happen again.' Michael promised after a moment's silence.

Zeus sighed. 'Your word might not be enough. What would you do with an agent whose loyalties you felt were deeply compromised?'

Michael regarded Zeus steadily. 'You must do what you have to do, Zeus.'

The two men held eye contact for a long moment.

Zeus picked up his bourbon suddenly; his decision made. 'Your leave will also act as an unpaid suspension for your trip to Russia. I suggest you take some of the time to consider your position here. You're dismissed.'

'Zeus.' Michael inclined his head and rose from his chair. He could feel a faint tremor through his limbs and needed the cane as he walked back to his own office. Probably the tiredness and lack of food catching up with him, he thought. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten. Marella was alone in the office when he entered. He noticed the plate of sandwiches on his desk and almost smiled despite the circumstances.

'I'm suspended.' He said before she could ask. 'You'll cover in my absence as soon as you get back from dropping me off at Hawke's cabin.'

'Yes sir. I'll get the helicopter prepared.' Marella went to change into her flight suit but turned back hesitantly. 'Is there anything else I can do?'

Michael smiled. 'I'm fine, Marella.' He waited until he was alone before he collapsed into his white leather chair and opened the folder. He found the letter Marella had referred to and opened it. He grabbed a sandwich to eat whilst he read.

Dear Michael,

I am writing this the day after our daughter's birth and if you are reading it then I am dead and Hannah has followed my instructions to contact you.

You must be angry with me.

I found out I was pregnant only days after we said goodbye in Stockholm. I requested a leave of absence and moved to Switzerland to have our child. A neutral country seemed an appropriate place to bring our child into the world. I want to keep her safe which is why I will never contact you and why I will give her to Hannah to raise as her own. If anyone found out about your connection to our child, she would be used against you, Michael.

But lying here and looking at her, I find that I cannot keep this secret from you forever. Hannah will be a good mother and she will always care for Angelina. You should know that as you decide what to do with this…my final gift to you, Michael.

I don't know what will happen to us in the future but know that I loved you, Michael and our child. Forever, Maria

Michael's hand crumpled the letter and he discarded the half-eaten sandwich as he closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. Had she known the future, that she would betray him, would she have written the letter? Maybe that explained why Hannah hadn't contacted him immediately after Maria's death, maybe Maria had changed her mind about Michael knowing…Kinskov's plan to get him might have been the only reason why he'd found his daughter. It was a sobering thought.

'Sir?'

Marella's concerned voice had him blinking tiredly. He shoved the papers back into the folder and got to his feet to follow her out to the helipad.