It appeared the rest of the group was just as happy to reunite as they were. Sylvia Smith, the American woman came to hug Michelle, and the pilot knelt beside Tony. 'I'd like nothing better than to shake your hand, Tony. It's good to see you again.'

'You too,' Tony whispered, eyeing the remainder of the group who hung back. 'This is my friend, a Federal Agent. He's gonna get us all out of here. Just follow his directions!' He shut his eyes, enjoying the luxury of Jack's sleeping bag and the shelter of a cave, conversation floating around him.

Rita settled beside him, stroking his hair. 'It's time for your next shot, sweetheart.'

'Do I have to?' he pleaded. 'I feel fine.'

She nodded firmly, well used to hearing his self diagnoses. 'I know you're a little better, Tony, but yes, you have to. Your fever's still high. It's vital to take antibiotics three times a day. It won't hurt.'

'Hah,' he muttered, turning his face away. Marco settled beside him, dark shadows under his eyes. 'Why don't you get some sleep, Papa? We're safe enough here and I'm okay now. Jack's brought enough medicine to keep me moving as far as the Atlantic if necessary!'

He's definitely a lot better than yesterday, Almeida. You can sleep a little, he won't slip away. Marco blinked, placing their sheepskin beside the sleeping bag. 'Don't even think of moving an inch, Antonio!'

'You got my word,' Tony muttered, half asleep. Tired out, he watched the torches flickering in the darkness lighting up the cave - his mother walking round with the American baby, Sylvia Smith fast asleep in a corner, Michelle and Jack chatting together as they ate ration packs and the passengers either asleep or talking in groups. A yawn escaped which he buried in the sleeping bag, his eyes narrowing from sheer exhaustion. Numbed by painkillers he felt himself comfortable for the first time since his torture. A shadow fell over him and he turned his head, throwing the young child he had rescued from the plane a warm smile. 'Sit down.'

The little girl settled on a corner of the sleeping bag running her fingers through her hair. 'I was scared,' she began, frowning slightly as she struggled to find the words in English. 'You look very ill in the….' She gave up with a sigh.

'In the cave,' Tony agreed. 'I'm much better now.'

The seven year old threw him a dubious look, shaking her head. 'No.'

He rolled his eyes. 'You sound like my mother,' he said with a sigh. 'How about you, Päivi? How's your arm?'

The child pointed in Jack's direction. 'He give something.'

Tony nodded. 'Yeah, he brought lots of medicines. Did you get something to eat, princess?' She shook her head, leaning against him. Tony glanced at her, worried about her lethargy. 'Michelle,' he called softly, not wishing to disturb his father. 'Take care of her, would you? She hasn't been fed.'

Michelle shook her head, taking the child by the hand. 'Come with me, sweetie. Jack, you got one more.'

Jack glanced up wearily, his expression changing at the sight of the child. 'Come here, honey. Haven't you eaten yet? Where's your mom?'

Michelle threw him a warning look, shaking her head rapidly.

'Tell you what. Why don't you look through the backpack and choose what you like?' he said gently. 'You okay with her, Michelle?'

Michelle nodded. 'Yes, we're fine. I'd appreciate it if you'd get Tony to eat something too. He won't listen to me.' They exchanged glances and Jack rose.

'Tony, you should eat something,' he said, settling beside him.

He shook his head feebly. 'I'm not hungry, Jack. Just thirsty,' he mumbled.

Jack poured him a mug of water and carried it over to him while he cast about for either his mother or Michelle, but both appeared occupied. 'Come on,' Jack encouraged, pulling him up and propping him against a rock.

'I can't use my hands, Jack. Would you call mom,' he begged, not wishing to force Michelle to use her walking stick in her raw palm a second time for such an insignificant reason.

Jack ignored him, holding the mug to his lips. 'Drink. They tell me that baby howled for the last three days. It seems happy enough with your mother. Unless you want to listen to it yelling all night I suggest you don't disturb her.'

Red faced, he nodded, swallowing the entire mug. 'Thanks.'

'Don't mention it. Now don't move, I'll get your dinner.'

'Jack, I said I'm not hungry,' Tony protested, watching his friend open a ration pack. 'It will be wasted.'

Jack took a plastic knife and fork and cut the contents into small portions, sticking the fork through the first bit. 'Open your mouth,' he instructed, handing him a piece of potato. Despite himself Tony swallowed, extreme hunger overtaking him.

'I can manage,' he muttered, embarrassed.

'Save your breath,' Jack remarked. 'You're going to have to allow strangers to take care of you in hospital tomorrow, so why not me tonight? Besides, I've been there.'

Tony ate slowly, grateful his friend occasionally held the mug to his lips to allow him to wash the food down. By the time he shook his head unable to force another bite down he had eaten three quarters of a pack. Jack grinned at him satisfied. 'Not hungry, ah, Tony,' he teased.

'They weren't exactly generous with food,' he muttered, turning red.

'Well get some sleep.'

'Good idea,' Rita agreed, joining them with the sleeping baby. 'But before you do, look at this! This baby is so cute.' She lowered the blanket slightly showing them a tiny fist curled before a button mouth. 'If I were a bit younger…'

'Mom, don't even think of it,' Tony began, alarmed.

'Relax, sweetheart. What I came to suggest was…'

'I know,' he muttered with a silent groan. You're desperate for more grandchildren, mom. You haven't missed pointing out a single baby since I got engaged! He snuggled deeper into the sleeping bag, shutting his eyes, Jack's amused grin the final thing he saw.

Unperturbed, Rita walked towards Michelle, tapping her on the shoulder. 'Look at this darling, sweetheart. Look at those tiny fingers. Wouldn't you just kill for a baby like that?'

Not really, no. 'It's real cute,' she agreed, smiling.

Rita nodded, determined to work on them later. Tired out, she glanced at Sylvia who appeared dead to the world. Seeing that no indignant mother was about to protest she snuggled on the sheepskin beside her husband, the baby between them. It brought back several years of memories, and it felt right.

Marco stirred at dawn, rolling over to kiss Rita's face as he had done every morning since their wedding. He paused at the last moment, chiding himself for failing to notice the baby nestled between them. You're careless, Almeida. You could've squashed that baby! Baby? He paused, taking a better look, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Definitely not one of ours! Taking care not to disturb it he pushed himself onto his elbows, kissing Rita's nose. She slept peacefully, an arm round the baby. Marco's heart melted as he watched them together before he stirred and crawled from the rug, checking Tony.

'Hey,' Tony whispered, watching him approach. 'Did you get some sleep?'

'Sí.' Marco knelt carefully beside him, feeling his forehead. 'You still got quite a bit of fever, m'ijo.'

'Not as much as yesterday,' Tony assured him, worn out. 'What's that next to mom?'

Marco sighed and settled on the sleeping bag. 'A baby! I guess she had it the whole night.'

'Good,' Tony mumbled, a little more alert. 'Maybe she'll forget about my medicines.'

'Absolutely not,' Marco said sternly. 'I'm surprised you even considered such a thing.'

'It hurts,' Tony protested, pulling a face. 'Could you get me some water, Papa?'

Jack joined them, handing the last of the ration packs out to the waking passengers. 'We eat - then we go. We got some rough terrain to cross,' he said, sitting beside Tony. 'Have you had your antibiotics yet?'

Tony shook his head in annoyance. Dammit. He's had to go and remind mom, when that little baby distracted her!

Rita threw Jack a grateful look. 'I must be losing it,' she said, opening the first aid kit. 'I'll get myself checked for Alzheimer's!'

'Mom, there's not a thing wrong with you,' he assured her, wincing in advance as she pushed up his sleeve. 'Is this really necessary? Can't I just swallow it?'

'It says "to be injected"' Rita showed him.

'Yeah but, that doesn't necessarily mean it shouldn't be swallowed,' he protested, eyeing her hopefully.

'Save it, Antonio. Your mother knows what she's doing.' Marco settled beside him stroking his hair, able to sympathize with the fear of needles. 'He's sounding better, anyway, Rita, he's arguing again!'

'Hah,' Tony muttered, hissing as the needle pierced his skin. 'That hurt,' he whispered.

'Tony, I deal with sick kids everyday and virtually every one of them makes a better patient than you,' Rita informed him, withdrawing the needle. The sting of her rebuke was lessened by her hand brushing across his forehead. She kissed him before returning the needle to the kit.

Jack handed his backpack to a passenger and settled beside his colleague. 'Give me your arm, Tony.'

Tony shook his head, crawling from his sleeping bag. 'I'm fine now.' He ignored the dubious look Jack threw him as he struggled to his feet, Marco grabbing him at the final moment to prevent him sinking to the ground. Red faced, he scowled at the ground willing it to steady. 'I'll be fine.'

'After a couple of weeks in hospital, yes,' Jack agreed, watching him patiently. 'You ready to give me your arm now, Tony? We need to get moving.'

Swallowing his pride, Tony allowed Jack to take his weight. 'Thanks,' he muttered.

An icy wind howling round the mountains met them head on as they emerged from the cave. Michelle shivered, pulling her sweater tighter about her. Walking on level ground was a little more tolerable with the thick bandage Jack had placed over her blistered palm, though she felt its raw pain through them when she took her walking stick. Her silent wince was observed by Marco who moved to her side. 'Lean on me a bit, Michelle. Give that hand some rest.'

'I'll never be able to thank you for all your help,' she said quietly, her eye on Jack and Tony directly before her.

Marco shrugged. 'You know you don't need to. Come on, let's leave this dump. Let's go home!'

She nodded in complete agreement. 'You won't get any arguments there.'

The icy stream rushed past them, its roar drowning out further sound. Tony glanced at Jack questioningly. 'What's the position of the hostiles?'

'They're closing on us. Two klicks behind us now,' Jack said softly.

'We won't make it,' Tony muttered. 'If we were all healthy, maybe. Like this, we haven't a chance.'

'If they approach to one klick we'll take cover and engage them,' Jack decided. 'Thing is, we're low on ammunition and it's a large group. We'd hurt them, but we might not be able to take them out. At best we'd be holed up for days. Keep moving, Tony.'

It won't take them long to close that gap, Almeida. Jack's already looking for a defensible position, as are you. He forced feelings of guilt at holding up the group aside and struggled on leaning on Jack, worn out within the first hour. Gradually his footsteps faltered and he felt Jack dragging rather than merely supporting him.

'You okay?' Jack asked, feeling him shiver despite the sleeping bag wrapped round him.

Tony opened his mouth to agree, shaking his head at the final moment. 'Gimme a shot of adrenaline.'

Jack glanced at him warily. 'You realize…'

'It's the only chance I got.' Tony pushed his sleeve up with his chin. 'Give it to me, Jack, before my mother gets here.'

'She's already here,' Rita said, joining them. Her eyes took in the scene, Tony sitting at the side of the track with his arm bare and Jack hunting through the first aid kit. She knelt beside them, feeling Tony's face. 'Your fever's climbing again, sweetheart. What you need is rest. You're straining your body with that adrenaline.'

'You got any better idea, mom?' he inquired wearily, struggling to keep his eyes open.

'I sure do! Jack, there are plenty of men here. Why don't you organize them to carry him in shifts? He might even make it that way.'

Jack sighed as he filled the syringe. 'You want an honest answer? These men are all starving. Their shoes are falling apart, they're full of blisters and they're beyond caring about anyone other than their immediate family members. I could force a few of them to help Tony, but they also got guns.'

'What he's trying to say is: we don't want to fight it out among ourselves,' Tony said, translating the words into black and white. 'No one's prepared to give anyone a hand anymore. I won't be responsible for splitting the group.' A few people filed past them giving him cold looks while the rest averted their eyes. 'You saw anyone who looked like he'd wanna help?'

Rita shook her head, hugging him tighter. 'I also got a gun,' she said, helping him up. 'I already used it once.'

Tony shook his head again, wishing he could take it from her. 'Mom, I'm fine,' he said gently, searching her eyes. 'Really.'

She remained silent for a moment before she took up her new position on his left hand side. 'Michelle is also armed!'

They set off, Tony willing himself to hurry as the last of the group was considerably ahead of them. Within moments he felt the effects of the adrenaline. Straightening, he walked by unassisted taking care not to slip beside the stream. The path narrowed necessitating a single file journey. Jack walked behind him ready to grab him should he falter. Once the path widened a few passengers sank down, roused by Jack who forced them to their feet.

'We're running out of time! We got to cross into Afghanistan by tonight if we want a hope of getting out of here alive,' he snapped at a few unwilling ones. 'Move.'

Gael called them as they hastened beside the river, warning them of an ambush further along the path. Jack glared at the sat. phone as though it personally offended him. 'I got over a hundred civilians with me, Gael. Where am I supposed to take them?' he snapped.

'Follow the stream. There's no one there,' Gael instructed him. 'Jack, you're gonna have to cross it at some point.'

Jack nodded. 'I'm aware of that, but we gotta leave this valley first.'

'Put Tony on a sec, would you.'

Tony grinned at the phone held to his ear. 'Gael, I want you to know I really appreciate your sticking your neck out for us,' he said, wishing the other passengers wouldn't crowd him. 'Gracias.'

'You're welcome,' Gael told him. 'Just hang in there and we'll catch up.'

'You got it,' Tony agreed, nodding his head at Jack to indicate his conversation was over. He watched Jack frowning into the phone aware the information he was receiving was anything but good. He lacked the precise details but he had a fairly accurate idea of the terrorists' moves. They're going to encircle you. They're not gonna let anyone out of here alive. The thought of simply giving in to his weakness and accepting his fate crossed his mind, dismissed the moment he caught sight of Michelle talking to his mother. No. They're getting outa here!

'Which way?' he inquired as Jack returned the phone.

'We continue along the stream bed and shelter near the base of the cliff. It's clear. We're gonna have to cross the river a lot sooner than I planned,' he explained, shaking his head. They eyed the frothy water in silence before Tony gave a slight nod and set off.

Gael's frantic call two hours later unleashed hell. 'They're closing on you from both directions, Jack. A pincer movement. You gotta get over that river right away. I got two U.S. helicopters standing by the moment you cross the border.'

'Dammit Gael, this river is a little rough,' Jack snapped.

They stood on a ledge staring into a turbulent rapid, disheartened. Rita pulled her gun out and stared behind her while Tony moved to her side. 'We haven't a hope, mom. There are around sixty hostiles after us. We gotta cross this river.'

Jack opened his backpack withdrawing a rope while the passengers formed a ring round him aware he alone stood between them and death. He ordered them to move back in no uncertain terms and looped the rope aiming for a tree on the opposite bank. Chewing his lip and praying for success Tony watched his efforts, grinning warmly as he succeeded on the third attempt. 'Alright,' Jack announced, pulling the rope tight. 'I need a volunteer to cross this first, and then the women and children will cross.'

'I'll go,' Marco decided, setting off fearlessly, his palms rubbed raw as he pulled himself across. 'Looks like it's secure enough,' he yelled. 'Rita, you're next.'

Rita cast him an unhappy expression, her heart divided. 'What about Tony? There's no way he can climb a rope,' she pointed out.

'Tony has to go last,' Jack told her, glancing rapidly at his friend. 'We'll have to secure the rope to your waist and pull you across. You'll get a little wet…'

'Just get them across, Jack. I'll be alright,' Tony insisted, nodding his head at his mother. 'Go on, mom.'

She gave a hug unwilling to relinquish him. 'Sweetheart, are you sure you'll be okay?' she asked worriedly.

'Aha,' he encouraged her. 'You gotta go now. Michelle's right behind you.' He watched anxiously as she pulled herself over the lethal rocks, hand over hand without faltering. Gee mom, you're great! Smiling proudly he turned to Michelle. 'Sweetheart, tie your stick to your skirt so you'll be able to use it once you're across. Think you can manage with that hand?' he questioned anxiously, aware of the burst blisters.

Michelle nodded, refusing to succumb to weakness. 'I'll be okay, Tony. Come here.' She slipped her arms round his neck lowering him for a kiss. 'I love you. You sure you'll be okay?' she pressed.

'Yeah. You gotta go now, honey. I'll see you on the other side,' he said, pressing his lips against hers one final time. 'Go on.' Icy sweat trickled into his burning eyes as he watched her cross, aware of the tremendous pain she felt. Keep going, Michelle. Keep going. Once she crossed and waved to him triumphantly he allowed out a sigh of heartfelt relief. He waved back before turning away ashen faced.

'You okay, Tony?' Jack inquired, busy organizing the remaining women and children into queues. 'The two tiny kids have got to be carried,' he snapped, grabbing two men. 'Tony, I'll be with you in a moment.'

Tony nodded and moved round the cliff to shelter from the biting wind. Yet again he had exhausted his shot of adrenaline in the previous two hours and weakness threatened to knock him off his feet. Head spinning he sank onto the path beside a young girl. He blinked, forcing his eyes open. 'Hey, you should be with the others,' he said gently, smiling at the wounded child he had saved from a summary execution the day of the plane crash.

'I can't,' she said slowly, her English labored.

Tony straightened, settling her onto his knee. 'Hey, Päivi, we're nearly safe,' he told her gently. 'You've been so tough till now. How old are you?'

'Seven,' she said slowly, obviously having given up on life. 'I can't, Tony.' She nodded her head at the river.

Tony chewed his lip wishing he was well enough to help her. 'It's okay, we got a little time,' he told her, searching for a way to pull a final burst of energy from the child. Think, Almeida. What do you tell an injured seven year old who's seen her parents die in a plane, whose English is not real good? How do you get her to struggle just a little while longer? Wordless, he slipped his arm round her.

'That man Hassan who took you away broke your fingers,' she said, considering each word carefully.

'Yeah.'

'Why did he hurt you?' The child stared directly in front of them, uncertain whether she would receive an answer.

'At home, I am a federal agent, it's like a policeman,' Tony explained, determined to distract her. 'I go after people like him. He was angry about that. Also, he wanted to ask me some questions and I didn't tell him anything.'

The child stirred, facing him. 'Did it hurt?'

Tony nodded. 'Yeah.'

'Does it still hurt?'

He nodded again, seeing little reason in concealing the truth. 'It hurts all the time, even when I sleep. The medicine my friend brought helps a lot. Tomorrow, we will go to a hospital and the doctors will fix it for me, and then it will stop hurting. They'll fix your arm too.'

Päivi gazed at him unhappily. 'Can you keep a secret?'

'Sure,' he agreed.

'I'm scared of doctors. It will hurt…'

'No sweetheart, it won't hurt,' he promised, shaking his head. 'I'll be there with you and I'll make sure it won't hurt, okay? And I'll stay with you till your grandma arrives. Michelle will stay with stay with you too.'

The girl looked relieved. 'My grandma won't understand you,' she said, twisting a strand of the brightest golden hair he had ever seen around her fingers.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 'I know how to say good morning. I had a friend who taught me a few words.' Not that you could possibly repeat the majority of them to an elderly lady, of course, Almeida, but you do know one polite sentence as well!

'What was your friend's name?' she pressed, interested.

Tony smiled, remembering his loyal sergeant. 'His name is Eino Koskinen. I met him when I was a soldier, he was one too, and he was real strong and real brave. That man was never scared. If he got hurt, he just poured a little vodka over the wound, drank a bit and carried on. You look a bit like him.'

His words produced a better result than he dared hope for. The child sat straighter, eyeing him. 'I am strong, too.'

'I know that, sweetheart. All you got to do now is cross that river and walk till night time, and then you'll get a ride in a helicopter. You ever been in one?'

Intrigued, she shook her head.

'I have, and it's great fun. I'll give you the window seat. Feeling better?'

She nodded, standing up. 'I'm going to the river now, Tony. You have to be last, don't you?'

'Yeah, but I'll see you on the other side. You can wait with Michelle till then,' he said, leading her back to the group. 'You got another kid here, Jack.'

Jack glanced at him, noting the bond between them. 'You want to come here, sweetheart. You're next,' he said, slipping a rope round her waist. 'Tony will stand here and watch you cross.'

Tony knelt beside her while they waited. 'You know, when I see Koskinen, I'll tell him all about you,' he promised. 'He's gonna be real proud! It's your turn now, princess.' He stood silently beside Jack while the child was pulled across, his eyes following her every movement. She waved in triumph on the opposite bank and he nodded his head at her. 'Tough kid, that one.'

'If only the adults would be like her we'd all be on the other shore,' Jack agreed. 'Now who's next? Come on, people, we're running out of time!'

Tony moved to the shelter of the cliff and sank to the ground laying his head on his knees. You really gotta rest, Almeida. Eyes closed, he rested, the distant voices of the passengers drowned out by the raging river and Jack's orders. Under the circumstances it was not amazing that Jack failed to hear the phone. Stirring sluggishly Tony withdrew it from the backpack, forcing his fingers to move.

'Almeida.'

'Tony, listen carefully. There's a group about a klick behind you and approaching fast. They should reach you in about twenty minutes. Tell me you'll be over the river by then.'

Yeah right! 'We'll make it, Gael. What's the status on the choppers?'

'They're standing by at the border. Shouldn't be longer than a two hour hike,' Gael said, pacing restlessly. 'You gotta get across that river now, Tony.'

'They'll get across alright,' Tony promised, eyeing the path behind him. 'Gael, I wanna thank you for all your help, for taking the flak. I got a good idea of what you went through. Gracias.'

We came this far, dammit! We're so close, just two hours from safety. They're not gonna to catch up with us, I won't let them! He worked his way deeper into Jack's backpack, unzipping it with his teeth until he reached the first aid kit. Slipping both palms under it he withdrew it, forced to use his fingers to open it. Tears filled his eyes as the painkillers refused to blunt the agony that sliced through them. Ignoring it, he removed the syringe, relieved his needle was attached to it. The tube of adrenaline came out easily enough, the bottle between his knees as he removed the lid with his teeth. Spitting it beside him he poured its contents into the syringe, filling it to the brim. You'll need it all, Almeida. You can't fail now.

The remaining fifty passengers moved slowly, arguing among themselves as to their order in the line, a few blatantly refusing to consider the trip. Jack's orders were harsher as he fought to organize them. The passengers already across milled about in a restless throng. Straining his eyes he was able to make out his parents and Michelle in a small group. Rita sat on the ground leaning against Marco who was speaking to her, his lips moving inaudibly. A smile spread across her tired face. Michelle sat closer to the river, bathing her swollen hand in the water. His eyes lingered a moment, imprinting them in his memory as he turned to begin the hardest trip of his life.

I'll see you on the other side.