"Keep up!" Ryan's voice roared.

Connor winced slightly at the firmness in it. He was dripping with sweat, panting and definitely approaching his limit as he continued to labour on.

Ryan glanced back at the group with a cold, unmerciful stare. "At the back, pick it up!"

"Hey!" Melina protested indignantly with a frown. "I'm still injured!"

"On your arm not your feet," Ryan chided her as he looked ahead. "And you're out of your cast so no excuses!"

Connor raised his hand slightly although Ryan couldn't see it and quipped between pants, "I thought...isn't this...meant to be fun? I mean...mate we're not at the gym."

"He's just like a drill sergeant," Stephen said happily to Abby.

Stephen and Abby walked beside each other, both maintaining an even pace with only a little show of fatigue. Abby's steps were light but still caused audible crunching of the damp leaves underfoot.

"I thought this was a nature hike," Melina complained.

She cast a gaze outwards to the various trees that surrounded them before cursing as she stumbled over a raised root.

"Eyes forward!" Ryan snapped.

Melina looked ahead to his back, wondering mystified how he had known she had tripped because she was distracted.

"I want to see some squirrels and you're scaring them off with your yelling!" she snapped.

Abby smiled and glanced back to the young woman sympathetically.

Stephen smiled too and shook his head. "Her yelling probably isn't helping either," he remarked cheerfully to the blonde.

Stephen kept his stare ahead, focused on their captain as he took longer strides than Abby.

Ryan cast a critical gaze upwards, spying a patch of sky through the trees, it was a pale grey with hints of iron grey at the edges. He could scent the moisture already in the air and knew they were going to be getting rain soon. It was why he had turned their hike around twenty minutes ago with the aim of getting them back to the cars before a downpour came.

"Try and move like there's a dinosaur on your ass," Ryan suggested, "because if there were you'd all be dead."

"Okay if there was a dinosaur we'd have guns," Connor argued.

"Tranquillisers," Ryan corrected, "because Cutter insists but you can't always rely on that. You need to be strong, fast and smart but if I can at least get two out of three with you lot it's a start."

"Was that directed at all of us?" Stephen pondered as he glanced to Abby humorously.

"Seems like it," she complained quietly even as she gave Stephen a small smile.

They, Stephen, Abby, Connor and Melina, had come to a remote woodland park over three hours ago, following Ryan's offer of a hike in the woods despite their better judgement suggesting that an army captain might have an ulterior motive. He had told them to dress appropriately with an emphasis on wearing practical shoes. Instead of the peaceful nature walk Melina had envisioned and Connor had been hoping for, Ryan had informed them flatly that they were going to start building up their muscles and work on their basic skills because he was tired of worrying about their civilian asses being in danger from primeval predators.

"I'm sorry I got attacked by a crocodile," Melina called apologetically, "and a bear. If I promise to not to do it again can we walk slower?"

"Nope," Ryan answered cheerfully, "rain's coming so hurry the hell up!"

Melina cursed and Connor let out a low groan when they reached a steep, leaf covered hill and Ryan started power walking up it.

Abby felt the burn in her thighs as she climbed but she didn't show it, maintaining her determined expression as she sneaked a glance to Stephen to see if he was slowing any. Her gaze remained bright as she continued to enjoy the day despite Ryan treating it as an army exercise. The weather was pleasant, well as pleasant as British autumn time got, Melina was in good form and Abby was getting to enjoy the company of Stephen in a more relaxed setting. Even with Ryan's brisk orders it was still a lot more laid back than running from Future Predators or chasing down scrupulous water creatures and ancient bears.

Ryan halted at the top of the hill and turned round with a scolding stare for the stragglers. He rested his hands on his hips, digging his fingertips into the grooves of his jeans as he waited.

"Connor, Melina that's you two devoured!" Ryan admonished as the pair finally reached the top with several pants.

"Does that mean we can stop?" Connor queried with a hopeful look. "You know, since we're dead?"

Ryan frowned back at him and pointed ahead to the small trail path they were following. "Keep moving," he ordered.

Melina gave the blonde a sullen stare. "I don't like you when you're bossy," she complained.

"Well I don't like you injured in a hospital bed," Ryan retorted seriously as he frowned down at her. "I don't like any of you that way," he added hastily in a louder voice as he looked ahead to the others. "So keep going because my men and our guns won't always be able to help you. What if you get separated from us, lord knows you lot have a knack for wandering off."

"Er that's mainly Cutter," Stephen pointed out as he glanced back to Ryan with a defensive stare, "and he's not even here."

"His turn will come," Ryan growled.

Melina giggled at this. "You make it sound ominous and threatening."

Ryan frowned back at her once more as he noticed she had stopped walking, using their moment of conversing as a chance for a break.

"Keep walking," he ordered as he started marching. He headed back up to the lead and quickened the pace again.

The rain started as they broke through the trees to a clear field of grass and a view of the car park. Ryan smiled sardonically as everyone suddenly found the energy to sprint when heavy, cold droplets of water started to fall down on them mercilessly.

As they reached the car park, Abby let out a swear as in her haste to get her car keys out she dropped them.

"Come on, come on!" Connor squealed at her as he hopped about like a mad thing as if trying to do a dance to stop the rain.

Stephen grimaced slightly but remained calm as he waited for Abby to open the car, knowing that fretting like Connor wouldn't help the situation.

Melina flung herself into the front passenger seat of Ryan's car and looked over to him with a glower as icy droplets spilled under the collar of her jumper to her skin.

"I'm wet, I'm tired, I'm sore and I didn't see one damn squirrel," she complained as she glared over at the blonde.

"You've had the privilege of seeing animals that should be extinct, and exotic animals in Africa, what's with the squirrels?" Ryan demanded as he turned on the car engine and activated the warm air.

"I like them," she grumbled as she leaned back against her seat with a sigh and kicked off her wet boots. "The red ones anyway."

"Right. You know this is for your own good," Ryan reminded her as he turned a pointed gaze to her still healing arm. As there had been no broken bones it was free from its cast but bearing stitches as the bite continued to recover.

"Yeah I do," Melina retorted grudgingly, "but I still like you better when you're not yelling at me for being slowly devoured."

"Slow and getting devoured," he corrected with a smile. He reached out a hand when the young woman continued to frown, brushing it against her damp cheek gently. "Because it would upset me a little if you were devoured especially if it could be avoided with some basic training."

"Just a little?" she quipped as she gazed up at him with an expression of mock hurt.

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, like a bug bite, the pain would be small but it'd still sting," he teased.

"Ass," she scorned him even as she smiled. "When am I getting some gun training?"

Ryan slid his hand back, pausing to tap her on the nose with one finger. "Not a chance."

"But even Connor gets a gun," she complained.

"It's a tranquilliser, rarely ever does he get it and he's been in the team a lot longer than you so don't start with the even business."

Melina leaned across in her seat towards the blonde and gave a teasing smile. "Anything I can do to earn the gun training?"

Ryan gave a slight snort as he almost laughed at her. "Are you trying to charm me into giving you a gun?"

"Since, judging from your expression, I'm not that charming I'm going to say no," she said coyly. "But is there a way to exchange favours?"

Ryan shook his head. "Nope, if anything I've got to be tougher on you so I don't get accused of favouritism."

Melina frowned at this. "So being friendly to you is actually bad for me?"

Ryan grinned back at the young woman, his blue gaze glimmering with humour as he met her stare. "Afraid so."

Melina smiled again. "I told Nick and Claudia you were the bad influence not me," she said jovially.

Ryan made to reply but Melina stopped him with a kiss.

The captain knew Abby and the others were waiting for him to start driving so he could lead them back to familiarity. He'd led the way here and it was unknown territory for them. The rain was coming down heavy, beating hard off the car roof and misting up the windows, they would need to leave soon or risk flooding. Ryan knew all of that and yet he couldn't resist when Melina wrapped her arms about him and pulled herself onto him to straddle him awkwardly.

The blonde captain permitted a small moan of satisfaction to escape him as she pressed up against him, her injured arm resting about his back whilst her other hand crept lower.

There was a loud, sudden banging on the driver's window causing both passengers to jump in surprise. In her shock, Melina's elbow slammed into the horn causing it to blast out into the damp afternoon.

Ryan glanced up in an attempt to view his window even as his hand fumbled under Melina's thigh for his holstered gun. He caught an upside down glance of an unimpressed, soaked Stephen glaring back.

"The road's getting flooded, get a move on mate!" Stephen snapped. "Car seat hook ups are for teenagers!"

The soaked and bedraggled looking Stephen stormed off back to Abby's car without giving the captain a chance to respond.

Melina let out another giggle before a now flustered Ryan pushed her back rapidly.

"Shift it," he commanded, "or we'll end up stuck here in this weather."

Melina backed onto her seat and reached for her seatbelt as the captain hit on the headlights and took off the handbrake.

"Bossy Ryan's back," Melina mocked.

"Sensible Ryan," he corrected as he kept his stare forward. "You're definitely the bad influence here."

Ryan eased his car through the drizzle, over some large puddles and out of the car park.

Melina leaned back in her seat and stretched her feet up to the air vents. "Why don't you just drive like a dinosaur is chasing us?" she suggested. "That should get us home in time for tea."

Ryan shook his head as he headed out onto the road.


Claudia pursed her lips slightly as she tried to resist the urge to frown. Her dark brown stare was upon a couple standing at the silver speckled, black bar as they awaited service. She had held reservations before coming out tonight, wary of hookups like these but the positives had outweighed the negatives as it was nice to let off steam and get to know one's co-workers in a more sociable setting. Still, she could still hear Lester's heavy sigh and dry murmur of 'well do try and ensure there's no hormonal horseplay Miss Brown, hard enough trying to get work done without that nonsense.' Lester's arched eyebrows and knowing look had almost made her lose her composure as she had wondered if some of his words were directed at her. It was some thanks for trying to be polite by extending an invitation to this evening to him.

It had started as a suggestion of a girls' night from Abby to Melina and Claudia in the hopes of continuing to ease Melina into modern society. Seeing Connor's hopeful look as he had overheard the offer had prompted Melina to ask if they could make a work night instead. Abby had been ready to make some teasing remark about Captain Ryan but then she had spied Stephen out of the corner of her eye and suddenly Melina's suggestion was a welcome one.

So here they all were- Abby, Melina, Claudia, Stephen, Connor, Nick and a slightly reluctant Captain Ryan who had scowled when Stephen had teasingly enquired if Ryan knew he was at a sociable event and not another boot camp.

Although suitably washed and dressed for the evening, Abby, Melina, Connor and Stephen all had an element of fatigue clinging to them. Despite their best attempts to scrub off the afternoon sweat and autumn rain their aching muscles continued to remind them of the trek they had concluded in the woods just a few hours ago. Although the scents of pine coupled with damp soil and rabbit poo seemed worlds away from the mixing odours of cocktails and evening wear perfumes and aftershaves, it was hard to shake off the exhaustion and pains of their earlier activity.

Claudia and Nick had regarded their younger companions with amusement and Nick had made jests about early nights required all round. In truth, they were both relieved to see the foursome tired as it meant less chance of mischief tonight and a good chance of leaving at a sensible hour for them.

"I guess they're, as the young folk say, official then," Nick's voice commented humorously in Claudia's right ear.

Claudia tensed at the sudden closeness of the man, her grasp tightening on the stem of her wine glass as she cocked her head to glance up at him. She studied his expression curiously, certain that he lacked the mirth in his eyes that his mouth hinted at.

"Do you support it?" Claudia queried curiously.

The woman folded her arms, creasing her pink, silk shirt as she turned her attention back to the topic of their conversation.

Captain Ryan and Melina were waiting at the bar hand in hand. Every so often they would glance to one another, presumably impressed with the other's evening attire, and either say something and laugh or share a kiss.

"Support it?" Nick repeated mockingly as his smile widened. "They're adults, it's up to them what they do."

"You don't sound as convincing as you think you do Cutter," Melina advised him as she kept her gaze on the pair.

Claudia was happy for Melina but less certain of her feelings for the blonde captain. She realised in annoyance it was because she hardly knew him. Hell she knew Melina better than she knew Tom Ryan and yet she had known him much longer.

Nick's smile faded a little at Claudia's observant remark. He thought about Helena's offer as he looked to Melina and Ryan and wondered if Melina would think twice about it on account of the good captain.

"I just wonder if it's wise," Nick admitted, "rushing into these things."

"I wonder if it's wise considering they still have to work together if it doesn't work out," Claudia murmured. She couldn't help but attempt a subtle glance to Nick out of the corner of her eye. She flushed and looked ahead suddenly as she caught him trying to do the same thing.

Nick just flashed another smile, amused rather than embarrassed as he realised he and Claudia were no better.

"This is exactly why they make jokes about us being their parents. Come on, we're at a bar, let's have a drink," he suggested.

Claudia gave a soft smile, a certain infatuation within her piqued by the Scottish lilt of Nick's voice. The fact was, whether he knew it or not, Nick Cutter was very much a catch- intelligent, charming, confident, loyal and easy on the eye. Sure he was stubborn yes but quick to stand up for his principles and brave, barely blinking at the beasts they had faced. He had his faults, as did everyone, but the only one Claudia couldn't quite push past was the irritable question over his feelings towards his back from the dead ex-wife. This was the heart of the matter after all, that Helen had left Nick not the other way round so what did that say over his feelings towards her? Alright, there was anger over her treachery but she was alive against all odds so was he delighted too? Would he ever have welcomed Claudia's flirtations if he had known right from the start that Helen was still out there?

Claudia took a deep sip from her glass and forced herself to shrug off thoughts of Helen Cutter. The music was good, the environment warm and friendly as the group had been persuaded into a club of Claudia's choice and for just one beautiful moment they could maybe all pretend that there weren't matters of the past out there to complicate life.

Nick led the way to the bar to stand beside Ryan. He leaned onto the counter casually trying to feign an ignorance to the fact that Melina had pulled the blonde down into a deep kiss prompting the waiting barman to gape slightly.

"He'll be a while," Nick commented brightly as he looked over to the barman. "You can serve me before he'll be ready."

The barman nodded as he stepped up to the redhead.

"Hey," Ryan protested between a mouthful of Melina as he held up a protesting hand.

Nick glanced over to him and grinned. "I'm sorry, didn't think you'd noticed anyone else," he said sardonically. "We can't wait all night on your distractions."

Ryan pulled back from Melina and turned his attention to Nick and the barman. He pointed to the barman first. "He only came over about twenty seconds ago and he was lifting glasses, I heard them clinking and you," he turned his accusing finger towards Nick, "only just arrived."

Nick's smile stretched across his face as his blue gaze filled with amusement. "You aren't having me believe you heard me, not over this din," he dismissed the chirpy pop song with a shake of his head.

"Not heard," Ryan agreed. He pointed up this time to a collection of engraved silver plates on a shelf that indicated various awards for the bar. "Spied you coming."

Nick scoffed at this in mild disbelief whilst Melina giggled. "And you wonder why we say you're a tracker, Nick murmured. "Alright, I'm impressed so I'll get the round then."

Nick nodded to the bar. "One white wine, now damn it, what was she having?" He glanced back to Claudia, clueless as to her favoured brands of fancy wines.

"Something with robin in it," Melina advised as she leaned over the bar to spy Nick past Ryan.

"What?" Nick quipped as he wondered if she was teasing him. "Robin flavoured wine?"

Ryan let out a snort and shook his head while Melina giggled again.

"It'll be the Petirrojo Blanco," Ryan advised.

"Snob," Melina mocked him.

"And what are you having?" Nick quipped as he glanced up at the blond.

Ryan tapped his emptied pint glass. "Same as before, Harp because I'm not a snob."

"I'll have the same," Nick concluded. "And you Melina are we getting this Spanish wine for you?"

Melina shook her head and lifted her cocktail glass enthusiastically. There was an abandoned cocktail stick in the bottom of it. "Another dry martini please."

Nick nodded to the barman who then hastened of to get their orders.

"Feeling generous Cutter?" Ryan quipped.

"No, I just wanted to ensure I still got my order before you," Nick retorted humorously.

Ryan arched his eyebrows slightly at this and shook his head.

"I'm going to go to talk to Abby and the others," Melina advised.

Ryan glanced down to the brunette before looking back to casually search the crowded room for the others. He spotted Stephen chatting readily with a group of seated ladies, all of them looking up at him with the same alcohol glazed gazes and dopey smiles. Ryan frowned with revulsion and wondered in a moment of horror if he had ever looked to Melina the same way. Certain he had never lowered himself to a dopey smile and satisfied that Stephen was suitably safe, he scanned next for Connor.

Connor was also trying to chat up a woman. He was noticeably outnumbered, three to one, as two sequinned clad women flanked their friend and gave Connor gazes of ire. It was like watching a man attempting to converse with Medusa and her sisters except Connor wasn't so much as deflecting the stony stares as not picking up on them. Seeing Connor's awkward smile falter as the women started to laugh prompted a frown from Ryan.

"Oh dear," he murmured dryly.

Melina followed his gaze curiously, her eyes widening as she spied the now faintly blushing brunette.

"I'd better help," Melina murmured.

Ryan's arm stayed her before she could walk of. "No I'll go," he insisted.

Ryan released her and hastened over to Connor.

Backs to the bar, Nick and Melina both watched the blonde with intrigue. Curious, Claudia stepped over to join them. She took up Ryan's vacant spot, making a show of placing her empty wine glass on the bar as if that had been her intention all along rather than getting closer to Nick.

In the no man's land between the crowded tables and chairs and the bar in what was a makeshift standing area and a path to the dance floor, Connor Temple stood suddenly feeling like he was in high school again. He was all too conscious of the mocking eyes of seated men and women as he acted as their unintentional entertainment, stupidly smiling if only because he didn't want anyone to see his humiliation as he tried to act like he was part of the joke instead of being the joke.

He jumped slightly when a hand clamped down on his shoulder, thumping it hard a couple of times before it lifted away again.

"Captain Temple the boys and I have been looking for you."

Connor blinked, confused as he continued to stare at the three sequinned sirens luring him to ruin with their laughter.

"Um..."

Ryan shot a cold stare over to the women who had softened their laugh to giggles as they all looked to him curiously.

"Sir, I know you have a reputation that you're determined to keep," Ryan remarked convincingly, "but this is the third bar this week, don't you er...get tired at all?"

"Huh?"

Connor's gaze shifted up to Ryan at last, wide with puzzlement as he wondered if Ryan had had one too many or was suffering some odd form of amnesia.

"I know you're the captain and all but if the major wasn't so desperate for your...ahem..." Ryan dipped his head bashfully and said in a theatrically lowered voice that he knew the women would hear. "Bedroom tips, well he'd be forfeiting your allowances. After those Italian twins I don't think you should be pushing your luck."

The women, silenced by Ryan's words all suddenly looked to Connor with wonderment. He was scruffy, his attempt at a suit had been unsatisfactory to the doorman but Claudia's connections had seen him granted entry anyway. His trousers and jacket were wrinkled and the buttoned up jacket and waistcoat could not quite hide the black t-shirt he'd donned in lieu of a shirt.

The central woman, a brunette beauty in a skintight mini dress of silver sequins, stepped forward from the security of her friends to study Connor with a new type of interest. She looked him up and down before her plump mouth curled up slightly in a hint of a smile.

"You wanted my number right?" she queried in a husky voice.

Ryan let out a put on groan and pressed a hand up to his brow as he shook his head mournfully. "Say no captain," he begged, "I can't take another night of no sleep. Even when you're trying to be quiet the whole damn room shakes until dawn."

The woman offered Connor a more convincing smile. "Get out your phone," she urged him.

"Er..." Connor grinned back at her foolishly and started to fumble for the phone in his trouser pocket until he felt Ryan's subtle elbow nudge in his ribcage.

Connor winced slightly and looked up to the blonde questioningly.

"Captain we've got agility tomorrow, I think we can do better with some decent sleep, right? Don't you think we can do better?" Ryan queried pointedly.

Realisation pooled into Connor's dark eyes and he nodded. "Right mate," he said happily, "er...Private."

Ryan frowned at the correction as it dropped him several ranks. "Let's go, the lads are waiting," he advised.

Connor flashed a bright smile to the women as he looked again to the silver dressed one. "Gotta go girls," he said cheerfully, "I've a whole troop of men depending on me."

Ryan grabbed him by the army and pulled him away. Connor offered up a wave to the baffled woman as he was tugged over to the standing table Nick, Claudia and Melina were now occupying.

"What was that all about?" Abby queried as she joined them with a fresh glass of Presecco in hand.

"Connor demoted me about seven ranks," Ryan muttered.

"And you promoted me," Connor said jovially.

Ryan released him and reached for the fresh pint waiting for him beside Melina's already half-drunk martini.

"Just this once," Ryan said sternly.

"Does that mean I get a better gun?" Connor queried hopefully.

"Hey!" Melina was quick to protest. She raised her hands to her hips, pressing into the creases of her black skirt as she glowered up at the blonde. "He's not getting gun promotion until I get a gun. Hell, I'll even take one of those spinny guns you have to manually load bullets into."

"Spinny guns," Ryan repeated dryly as he frowned down at her. "If you can't name it, you aren't get it. No one is getting gun promotion for that matter," he added sternly.

"Sig Sauer," Melina said brightly, "there I named one."

Ryan reached out a finger and tapped the tip of her nose with it lightly. "No," he said firmly.

"So why was Connor promoted?" Abby asked, still confused as she looked from Connor to Ryan.

Connor's grin faded slightly as he glanced up to the blonde for help, desperate for Abby not to know about his humiliation or the need to be rescued by Ryan from it.

"Drinking game terminology," Ryan lied.

"Oh?" Abby raised her pale eyebrows slightly, entirely unconvinced. "Show me."

Melina snickered before reaching for her glass and taking a gulp. She set down the glass and plucked out the olive as she decided to help with the evidently struggling Ryan.

"It's from my time period," she said. "The army boys taught us out in South Africa," she lied effortlessly. "Hence the talk of promotions. It's like this, you take one shot in one go without leaving any or um...repeating it up, then you get to be a private. You take two, Corporal,"

"Lance Corporal," Ryan corrected.

Melina frowned up at him. "We skipped a few ranks, if we tried to reach them all you'd end up waking up naked beside a Hunting Dogs' den with a zebra staring at you, true story. Anyway," she said as she smiled back at Abby, "the idea was first to reach Captain won."

"I'm impressed," Abby marvelled as her blue gaze darted back to Connor, "that you beat Ryan. I didn't think you'd be a weakling to shots," she mocked.

Ryan frowned again but swallowed down a protest as he saw Connor beaming with pride.

"I wish this place had a pool table," Melina mused, "I'm good at drinking games that involve pool."

Connor and Abby both smiled at this.

"Me too," Abby enthused. "This really isn't a pool table kind of place though, is it?"

"It's not really a fun place at all," Connor complained.

"Yes it is," Claudia insisted haughtily. "Good music, pleasant atmosphere and lovely décor, what more do you want? Oh yes, crass drinking games, smokey pool halls and gambling dens, much better," she sneered. "Thank goodness I picked the place, imagine the trouble you lot would get into there."

Connor looked sheepish whilst Melina and Abby both giggled at this.

"Again with the parenting," Nick said teasingly in a low voice in Claudia's ear.

Claudia tensed slightly at Nick's suddenly closeness as she felt his hot breath brush against her skin. She turned her head slightly, ready to give in and brush her own mouth against his now that it was so close to her but her desired moment of recklessness was suddenly ruined as her phone started ringing.

Claudia jumped again, pulling back from Nick as she tugged out the offending mobile. It was Lester. "Hello sir," she greeted politely as she answered, raising her free hand to shield her exposed ear from the music. "An anomaly?" she queried in disbelief as if anomalies couldn't happen out of hours.

"I'll get Stephen," Nick said quickly.