A/N: Thank you guys for the encouraging reviews! You're awesome.

This story covers the first meeting with Pereira. And remember, everything between (...) is Portuguese.

Enjoy!

Ribeira Grande, Santo Antão

Cape Verde Islands, Africa

1254 hours local

'Joaquin, eu necessito essa planta do vôo o mais cedo possível!' (Joaquin, I need that flight plan as soon as possible!)

It was the first thing Harm and Romaine heard when they exited the car in front of Pereira's house. This morning, they had taken the early ferry out of Mindelo to Porto Novo, and then there was the two hours drive up to Ribeira Grande. Another island, other people and other impressions. Harm wasn't so sure if he liked the impression Armando Pereira made on him this early. He hadn't even been introduced to the guy yet.

Their driver, Milton, walked up to the house and went to get Pereira. When Pereira spotted them he turned around to the house. 'Bella, estão aqui!' (Bella, they're here!)

Armando Pereira was in his late sixties but because he had worked hard his entire life it didn't really show. He looked like a real Cape Verdean. Dark skin, dark hair and eyes. There weren't a lot of people who got gray hair around here. Harm stepped a little closer to Romaine when Pereira's eyes traveled over her body.

Pereira didn't speak to them until Izabel emerged from the house. (Izabel, this are Senõr é Senõra Vermont. This is my wife Izabel).

Izabel smiled at them. She was at least thirty years younger than her husband, which wasn't very unusual around here. A lot of wives were (a lot) younger than their husbands. Harm shook his head almost invisibly. Back at home people had been having problems with him dating Romaine, who was nine years younger than he was.

'É agradável encontrar-se com o'. (It's nice to meet you) Izabel said. She stepped of the porch and shook their hands.

(Same here Mrs. Pereira).

(Izabel, please. You are Gabriela, right?)

Romaine nodded. (And this is my husband Zach).

Harm took the woman's hand in his, shaking it. It barely looked as if Izabel had any clue of what her husband had been doing around here. Maybe he had kept her out of the loop on purpose.

Izabel seemed to recognize that name but didn't say anything about it. (Well, let Milton get your bags and I'll show you to your room). She turned around and seemed to remember her husband was standing there.

Armando wasn't very eager to meet them, Harm could tell from his body language. Apparently, the man needed to be sure of them first before he would give them anything. He simply shook their hands and made his way to the truck that had pulled up earlier.

Izabel didn't say anything about her husband's sudden departure and both Harm and Rome decided not to dwell on it. They were going to get to know him anyway. This wasn't going to last for only a couple of days.

By local standards, the house they walked in was a villa. In America, it would have been nice. Showing them of to the second floor, Izabel opened a door. (I hope it will do. The bathroom is right over there). She pointed to a door in the back of the room.

Romaine looked around. Bed, closet, small desk, two nightstands, a ventilator and little lamps. It all looked clean and neat. They had a private balcony with an amazing view over the valley. It only worried Romaine that the house was build so close up to a ravine. (Are there a lot of small children around here?) she asked Izabel.

(No. It's usually just us with some employees. That is until the baby is born of course). She rubbed over her round belly.

Milton came in and he set their bags near the closet. Izabel thanked him and sent him away. Harm smiled at her. (Are you looking forward to the baby?)

(Oh yes. Have been looking forward to the baby ever since I knew I was pregnant. Your Portuguese is very good Mr. Vermont).

Harm wrapped his arms around Romaine's waist. (Thank you. But please call me Zach. Mr. Vermont makes me feel at least ten years older than I really am).

Romaine winked at Izabel. (He's old all right. He just doesn't want to admit it).

Harm tickled her in her side. (Remember that you decided to marry the old man honey).

Izabel's face turned a little shy. Apparently, she wasn't used to this kind of interaction between husband and wife. Romaine saw it and caught Harm's hands in hers, stopping him with one squeeze. (The room is amazing Izabel. Thank you. Is there anything else we can do?)

The woman shook her head. (No. Lunch is at three o'clock. If you want something to drink before then just get down to the kitchen. I'm sure that Suzette will be more than happy to fix you something). She smiled one last time and retrieved from the room, closing the door behind her.

They waited at least a minute before speaking again. 'She's not used to that kind of interaction between a married couple' Harm noted, taking their bags and starting to unload them.

Romaine sank down on the bed. 'You saw that too huh? I'm wondering if it was an arranged marriage'.

'By the looks of it, it could've been. I don't really think Armando is very interested in his wife in any other way than physical. She's just here to provide for the offspring'.

'That's a bit harsh don't you think? Just marry someone to make sure you've got offspring?' Romaine rose from the bed and took her bag from Harm. 'I'll unpack my own bag sailor. Thanks anyway'.

Harm smiled. 'It's probably the truth. The guy is what? Almost seventy? You'd think that he's been married before, but his record didn't say anything about that. There's no official offspring from him, other than is the case with your grandfather. So, he makes a deal with a family he knows, sets up a marriage with their eldest daughter and voila, offspring. Family usually is one of the most important things, even for a terrorist'.

Romaine bit her lip, nodding. 'I guess. But you'd think that the woman had something to say about it'.

'This is Africa Ro… right, Gaby' he corrected himself when Rome frowned at him. Since they were staying in the same house as the man they were investigating they decided to stick with their cover names. 'A lot of women are free to make their own choices, but just about the same amount doesn't have a choice but to obey their father'.

Closing the closet behind her, Rome turned around. 'Well, I would like to have my own say in the matter. I'm not going to sit around and wait for my father to make a decision about when and where I should be married to whom. And I don't want that to happen to my daughter either'.

Harm wondered if she'd ever thought about having children while they had been together, but now was not the time to ask. They had more important things to do. 'Saying that, how long have they been married again?' He rose and walked over to the balcony, opening the doors.

Rome followed him, slightly disappointed that he let the comment slip. Or was she more disappointed that it didn't seem to do anything to him? 'About five years'.

Even though it was only late April, the sun was hot. A lot hotter than Harm was used to. 'Then you'd think that they would've had at least a kid by now. If this is the first baby…' his voice trailed.

'Maybe they had problems getting pregnant. Maybe is that why Izabel isn't used to affection between a husband and his wife. If she wasn't able to give him the children he wanted he might have held it against her. He doesn't look like a very sensitive or supportive guy to me'.

Harm nodded, leaning his arms on the balustrade. 'No, he didn't like a supportive guy to me either'. He sighed.

Letting the breeze run through her long hair, Rome could sense there was something else on his mind. 'What's up your sleeve Pilot?'

She was still able to read him. He should've known that. Of course was she still able to read him. He had always been an open book to her. Shaking his head and denying there was something going on wasn't gonna cut it this time. It had worked with Mac for a while, but after a while she had been able to see through him too.

'I didn't like the way he looked at you when we arrived' he confessed, letting his gaze drop on the mango trees in front of the house.

Confessing to something hadn't been easy for him for a long time. But since he knew that she could see right through him, he didn't really have a choice. Rome smiled. 'As long as Izabel is around I don't think he'll try anything Zach' she tried to comfort him.

It didn't work. 'Yeah, but what if Izabel isn't around for a little while? Then what?'

Falling into one of the plastic chairs, she looked up to him. 'Then I will have my husband taking care of me. Right?'

'This is not just something you should take lightly Gaby. This is serious'. He fell into the chair next to her, staring of into the distance.

He was getting angry with her, she could feel it. 'I know it's serious. I'm the one who wanted you with me when I got here remember? I know what is going on, and I have seen the way he looks at me. But there is nothing I can do about that. All I can do is make sure I don't spent time with him alone. Nothing more than that'. Now she was the one who was getting angry.

Harm bit his lip and let his breath out. 'I'm sorry. I'm still overprotective of you I think'.

Rome reached for his hand. 'I don't mind you being protective of me but I do mind you being overprotective of me. There are at least two other agents around this place and I'm sure they will keep an eye on me. Just like you will. Don't worry'.

'You know I will' Harm said.

A smile tugged around her lips. 'Then don't worry too much'.

But there was nothing that could prevent him from worrying too much about her. He had loved her, still did and when this mission was over he was going to make sure that she knew that. No matter how much it was going to cost him. He wasn't going to lose her again. It had hurt him enough the first time he lost her and wasn't going to go through the same thing again if he could help it.

So, what do you think?