The following day, the group of men split up and went their separate ways. Mike and Simone had appeared at breakfast with the team's personal gear and within the hour Alberto and his men had gone. The six of them heading for home, they all needed a break.

Dino remained behind a little longer, spending a little time with Emilio Ortega who was leaving for home that afternoon. "Thank you for your help Mr Ortega, I appreciate what you have done for me. Can you tell me though, the last image… Why did you go there?"

Ortega chuckled, "The image takes us down to our most basic instincts – passion, lust, love… Those that came before bring in friendship, compassion… They build and consolidate your feelings for both women – the last helps you to separate them – if that is possible."

Dino looked directly at Ortega, "I think I understand…"

Emilio smiled, "I am glad I could help… Tell me, after my little story… Did you see a face? Did it answer your question?"

Dino sighed and nodded slightly, "I did… Now I have to go and deal with the consequences…"

&&&

Terry was stunned at the news he received on his e-mail that morning. Dino, the team and Ortega had turned up in Tblisi completely out of the blue after a trek across the mountains that had taken them the best part of a week.

He called Jackie, not surprised when she began crying with relief to hear that Dino and the team were ok. After a few moments her tears eased and she began to chuckle, "We'd better get ready, he's going to be starving when he comes home after a week with barely any food… Marcello better be warned."

Terry was about to answer when Sally contacted him on the intercom… "You have an overseas call Mr Thorne… Someone asking if you still have the candles burning…"

Terry chuckled at the confusion in the secretary's voice and cut the line to Jackie, promising to call her back later…

"Dino… So your Irish luck held out after all… You gave us quite a scare…"

Dino chuckled, "Nothing to do with luck… We had some help from upstairs… Did you know that Ortega used to be a priest?"

Terry was surprised by the information and said so. "So how are you…? You sound ok…"

Dino was quiet for a few minutes, making Terry a little worried, "I'm… good… Damn it… I'm sorry Ter… Being out here has made me realize that I've been a real ass over the last few months… I screwed up… It won't happen again…"

Terry smiled, "That's ok mate… We can sort things out when you get back. When does your flight get in to New York, I'll pick you up myself…"

"I'm not coming back Terry… Not yet anyway… I have a few things to sort out first…" Dino's voice went quiet, "I have to work out a few things on my own… I need a couple of days to sort myself out…"

Terry sighed, "Take as long as you like Dino… Just let me know where you're going… and keep in touch…"

Dino acknowledged Terry's request and softly cut the line. Thinking to himself for a few moments, he called Mike and asked him to arrange a flight to the UK, where he could spend some time alone. After that he would have to choose… Home to New York… or Argentina… Whatever he chose to do, he had to talk to Gaby…

&&&&&&&&

Gaby stepped out onto the terrace, smiling at the team members that had come along for the barbecue. Alvaro and Joachim were taking it in turns to spin the suckling pig that had been placed on the spit over the fire nearby. She knew that the gauchos had come in from the pampas and prepared the ground oven with the beef that they had also brought with them. The smell of cooking food was making her mouth water and thanks to Consuella, she was feeling a lot better.

Her sister in law had given her time and space to think things through now they had realized that things had really started going wrong about six months before she had come home, but she still couldn't quite work out whether it was something she had done or Dino had said.

They had their ups and downs, yes, but six months before they had had a bitter argument over dinner and everything had gone down hill from there. Gaby was still racking her brains to try and work out what the argument had been about.

She sighed, after that particular meal she had tried to make things up to him, apologizing for mistakes she had made – both at home and at work. At first he had grudgingly accepted her apology and the tension between them had reduced for a while, but the harder she worked, the more irritated Dino seemed to become.

She had tried to talk to him, but admitted to herself that maybe she hadn't tried hard enough. Dino had been under a lot of stress, both he and Terry having to fly overseas on negotiations that hadn't gone well…

"Penny for your thoughts…"

Gaby smiled at Consuella, over the last couple of weeks the two of them had become very close, "Just thinking…"

The look on Gaby's face made Consuella realize what she was thinking about, "Any answers?"

Gaby shook her head… "All I get is more questions…"

Consuella took a deep breath, she had come to a single conclusion – after hearing the news from Terry through Eduardo. "Maybe Dino has the answers you need. You need to speak to him Gaby."

Gaby swallowed and answered softly, "I know… But I'm scared… I walked out on him Consuella, it will have hurt him, a lot… What if I go to New York and he doesn't want to talk to me?"

Consuella sat next to her and put her arm around Gaby's shoulders, "How about I come with you…?"

Gaby stared at her, "But… You're afraid of flying… Would you really come with me? I really want to sort this out… I miss him…"

Consuella nodded, "If it will help… Of course I'll come…" Gaby couldn't help the tears, but they were no longer of pain and anger, now they were of relief… and hope.

&&&&

Consuella stood quietly beside Eduardo, watching the Gauchos demonstrate their prowess with their boleadoras and passing on the news that she had persuaded Gaby to return to New York – with company – and was startled to receive a hug and kiss.

"You may not need to… I just wish Gaby was a little more prepared… I think she might get a fright this evening."

Consuella was confused for a moment, when the implication of Eduardo's words began to sink in, "He's at the hacienda…?"

Eduardo quickly put his finger on her lips, "Shh… No-one knows apart from the two of us, Alvaro and Joachim… They just brought him down from Buenos Aires…"

Consuella was worried, "It's too soon Eduardo… She's not ready to see him. She's only just accepted that she has to speak to him."

Eduardo sighed, "I know, but a few days ago he turned up at Caesar's, demanding to speak to Gaby. I managed to persuade him to wait a couple of days, but he's not going to wait any longer."

Consuella sighed, she hoped Dino knew what he was doing.

&&&

Gaby smiled, several team members had brought their families to the barbecue and had already started dancing with their partners, feet tapping to the beat. She found herself slightly moving her shoulders to the rhythm and sighed, it seemed as if a weight had lifted off her shoulders, now that she had acknowledged the need to return to New York.

She still felt afraid of seeing Dino again, but if Consuella did travel with her, it might just give her the strength she needed to do this. Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice Alvaro approaching.

"Dance Gaby?"

Glancing up she gave Alvaro a smile, "Sorry Alvaro, I'm not in the mood… Maybe another time…"

Alvaro feigned mock horror, "Help someone… Gaby's forgotten how to dance…" Shouts accompanied his comment several in denial or disbelief.

Gaby shook her head and began to chuckle, "Little brother, you will be the death of me…"

Grabbing her hand, Alvaro pulled Gaby upright, "Then you know I won't take no for an answer… C'mon Gaby… We haven't seen you dance for ages…"

Looking skywards, Gaby allowed him to drag her to the dancing area, where they joined other couples. When the Tango beat started, she hesitated, but with Alvaro fooling around, she began to laugh a little and stayed where she was.

After changing partners a few times, Gaby realized that she was beginning to enjoy herself, she had been so down for a while she had almost forgotten how to have fun, but the team were certainly helping her to make up for it now. As a feeling of warmth spread through her body, she felt happy to be where she was – surrounded by people she was proud to call family.

&&&

"Challenge… Challenge… Challenge…"

The chant went up a short while later, Gaby dropped her head and shook her head, trying not to smile. It was a tradition in the family that someone would dance blindfold and try to identify their partners… As head of the household, Eduardo stepped forward with a small black bag…

Inside were two small markers, one painted black, the other white – the black marker indicated that a male member of the family had to be blindfold, the white – female. Presenting the bag to Consuella, Eduardo grinned at the calls and cheers as she pulled out the white marker…

Gaby chuckled, but became a little wary, she was the eldest of the 'family' women and including Consuella and Benito's wife Alexia, there were now only five of them… The white marker went back into the bag, now it would be white for the married women, black for the single.

Eduardo held the bag in front of Alvaro who reached inside and pulled out the black marker… Gaby swallowed, it was down to her and a cousin. Part of her wanted to run, another was curious and wanted to see who would be selected…

"You are the eldest Gaby… You have to choose your colour."

Glancing around, Gaby sighed, everyone was watching in anticipation – she had taken part in the challenge several times before. Then names had been written on paper, but as there were only two of them the markers could be used again.

"Well, I'm dressed in white, so I guess that's what I'll choose…"

Eduardo presented the bag to Joachim, unknown to Gaby, the white marker had been cut on one end making a point. Joachim made a play of taking his time, as he felt for the marker he wanted. Taking his hand, which was closed around the marker, out of the bag, he made a great play of teasing the two girls.

Gaby began to laugh, but quickly became silent when she saw the white marker sitting on the palm of his hand… She wasn't sure if she wanted to do this, but it was a tradition…

Eduardo smiled, and called for ten men to step forward "As my sister has not been here for a while, it is only fair that we give her a clue… To win the challenge, she must identify at least eight of you."

Gaby shook her head and began to smile, Eduardo had made sure she wasn't under too much pressure, though three of the men that stepped forward were newcomers to the Artemis team and she didn't know them so well.

Eduardo's voice brought her back from her thoughts, "So, sis… Do you accept the challenge?"

Gaby gave a soft smile, "I do… Eight from ten?" Eduardo nodded and stepped forwards with the blindfold trying to hide the relief on his face that they had managed to draw Gaby in.

After the first four partners, Gaby was almost laughing out loud, she had easily identified them – especially Alvaro, who was deliberately fooling around, trying to make her laugh. Gonzalo and Antonio she had danced with several times before and knew their style and her brother Benito was another easy mark.

Next was one of the newer members, but she realized he was much taller than her and broad in the shoulders so he was not so difficult. Next came Joachim, followed by one of her cousins, then one of the older gauchos, whom she had known as a child and nicknamed 'Lolo'. As she identified all her partners correctly, the clapping grew and the cheers became louder and the chant began again…

Eduardo chuckled, "What'll it be Gaby… Do you want to go for your record?"

Gaby laughed, she had once correctly identified 15 partners and was a little tempted… She had begun the day sad and thoughtful, but now she had started to enjoy herself, feeling her old confidence returning. She paused for a moment, thinking… "Why not?"

Three more partners came her way and she identified them correctly, including Eduardo himself. As she named him, his hand releasing hers, another took its place on her shoulder, slowly turning her around. Gaby was confused for a moment, but as she was led through the steps of a classical Tango, she realized that the person she was dancing with was disguising their style.

She almost froze as a thought went through her mind, it couldn't be… Could it? She took a deep breath, the touch was a little firmer than she was used to, but the way the hand rested on her hip… That was so familiar, she almost pulled away, but her mystery partner spun her in a slow half circle and pulled her close.

The move sent her heart racing, but with it came panic. It couldn't be true… She wasn't ready for this… When the arm wrapped around her waist, she had no further doubts, her voice coming out as a half sob, "Dino…?"

Pulling off the blindfold she turned slightly, not believing what she could see. The look on his face was sad, but there was no anger in his eyes which she had expected, just pain. She swallowed not knowing what to say, but she could feel the fear rising up inside, she wasn't ready for this, wasn't ready to face him, not just yet.

Dino saw the panic in Gaby's eyes, but the fact that she hadn't pulled away immediately gave him hope that they could sort things out. That, and the fact that Eduardo had told him that Gaby had accepted the need to return to New York. He could no longer hold back his feelings and softly touched his lips to her shoulder. Gaby froze in his arms, trying to lighten her tension Dino did something he had never done, lifting her hand and kissing the back softly…

Gaby pulled away instantly and ran… Grabbing the first horse she could see, she vaulted into the saddle and disappeared into the darkness.

Dino swore, he'd been a fool, underestimated the pain Gaby must have been in, he should have taken a little longer, taken her to one side to talk first, rebuild her trust slowly, now he would never catch her. A hand on his shoulder made him turn and he came face to face with Eduardo, "Come with me Dino… I know where she's gone."

A few moments later they were both on horseback, Eduardo leading him away from the hacienda at a steady pace. Gaby's brother said nothing, until they reached the river. "Can you make out that tree over there?" Dino nodded, "She'll probably have left her horse there. Be careful, I hope you can sort things out."

Dino caught Eduardo's arm, "Thanks for helping me out, I just hope she'll give me a chance to explain."

Eduardo gave Dino a smile, "You gave her a big fright Dino… But I think she'll listen, if you take her easy… She does love you, you know… That has to count for something."

Dino slowly got off Bianca, reaching up to give Eduardo's hand a squeeze; he took a deep breath, "Wish me luck…"

He watched for a moment as Eduardo quietly moved back in the direction they had come, then turned and began to walk to the tree that Eduardo had pointed out.

&&&

Gaby sat at the side of the river, sobbing quietly to herself… She had done it again, run away from the man she loved. Would he ever understand why? Probably not… and she wouldn't blame him, in fact, if he left the hacienda she would probably never see him again considering the way she had reacted. The kiss on her hand, she realised that for him it meant one thing, but for her it also brought back terrifying memories. Memories that had caused her worst fear to re-surface.