One night Gina's sickness made her very ill. She fainted and had to be taken to the local hospital. When she finally regained consciousness, she knew she had to tell Sonny the truth. She opened her eyes, to see him very distraught.

"Sonny," she said and he came closer. She took his hand in hers. "I was hoping I would never have to tell you this. But it seems I must. I'm… I'm dying from cancer." She blurted.

"What?" Sonny said, horrified. "Damn it! Why didn't you tell me Gina?"

"Because of this. I didn't want you to worry about me. It's too late now. I tried treatment. It's why I quit vice too. It's my burden not yours. I wanted you to just love me, not be with me for pity." She cried.

"We'll get you the best doctor's money can buy. We'll go back to the states." Sonny said.

"No Sonny. I don't want to die in a hospital, hooked up to machines. Travelling the world with you is all I ever wanted. Having your love, being married, those are bonuses. I'm the happiest woman ever." Gina explained.

He kissed her tears away and hugged her close. "Let me help you, we'll be brave together."

When the doctor said it was okay and refilled her medication, they checked out of the hospital. He took her to their hotel and carried her to the bedroom. He lay down with her and they held each other for a long time. Finally he asked her, what he truly was dreading. "How long do you have?"

"Before we left Miami, I asked my doctor, he said if I'm lucky two years." Gina whispered.

She couldn't see his eyes, so he let the sorrow show through. His heart ached for her. She had survived being a police woman for many years, only to loose the fight to death with cancer. She was right, this was something he couldn't fix, no matter how much he tried. He could only love her with all his heart, show her the beauty in the world and have fun.

A flight was booked to Panama where they would travel next. Even through he tried not to treat her any differently, it still happened. Crockett couldn't help wanting to take away her pain, to protect her from something he had no control of. It scared him and amazed him at how brave and strong she truly was. He kicked himself for having taken so long, to make her his. All that lost time and the heart ache he'd cause her.

When their flight landed in Panama city, it was in afternoon. After taking a taxi to their hotel, they booked a tour for the next day. The tour would show them the old Panama and the modern city. The nightlife showed them the fun loving nature of the Panamanians. And they were surprised at how much they could drink. Gina dragged Sonny to the disco and she got him to actually dance. Then they went to a casino. It was when they were leaving the Casino that someone recognized Sonny. That person followed them, but didn't approach.

Crockett rubbed the back of his neck, he was getting a bad vibe. He looked at Gina and she said, "I feel it too, someone is watching us or following us."

Pretending to window shop, allowed them to see behind and beside them. It wasn't long before they spotted the tale. Crockett didn't recognize the man at all, but that meant nothing. Who the guy worked for was more of a threat. He held Gina's hand and they walked straight towards the man. The man whistled and suddenly they were surrounded by more guys. No guns were shown. Someone tried to grab Gina and she put him on the ground in one fluid move. Crockett, punched another guy knocking him out. The others ran away, scattering like mice.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, let's go back to the hotel," Gina said.

A horse and buggy taxi picked them up and took them to their hotel. Both of them, still felt that odd sensation. Instinct telling them that they were still being watched. At the outdoor bar, they put their backs to the wall and scanned the crowed as they had a few drinks. A half an hour later and a man approached their table.

"Sonny Burnett?"

Sonny looked up at the man, "and who would you be?"

The man ignored the question and said, "my employer would like for you to join him for a few drinks."

[Def Leppard's Gods of War plays: "…We're fightin' for the gods of war, But what the hell we fightin' for, Yeah fightin' with the gods of war, And I ain't gonna fight no more…."]

Gina saw men with slightly concealed guns, suddenly appear behind the speaker. They were not being invited, but being told to go. She picked up her purse and stood up. Crockett dumped a few dollars on the table to pay for their drinks and offered her his arm. Without knowing who was requesting their presence, he didn't know the players of the game. For now they let these men take them away. A short car ride later and they came to a mansion surrounded by lush tropical plants. The gate opened and their escort took them to the front of the house. They were taken inside and then out to where the pool was. Sitting by some tables, was a well dressed Panamanian. In front of their employer, they checked both Gina and Crockett for concealed weapons.

The man stood as they were led to him. "Please have a seat. I apologize for my men's manners."

Sonny became Burnett, "look pal, who are you to interrupt our honeymoon."

The man gave him a deadly smile, "I am Alejandro Noriega, son of Manuel. Your reputation for a businessman, interests me." To Gina he said, "my dear, forgive me for summoning your husband. I need his expertise."

Gina knew her role as Mrs. Burnett, "your company will hopefully be an improvement from those at our hotel."

Mr. Noriega kissed her offered hand graciously, all the while keeping his gaze fastened on Sonny's cold eyes. "I'm told you are a very unpredictable man Mr. Burnett. Friends told me about how quickly you took down two very powerful rival families. Are you still in the import and export business?"

"Two things forced me to retire early. Miami prison time and my wife." Sonny smiled at Gina. Then brought his eyes back to Noriega.

"I will have your things from the hotel brought here. You will be my guests for a few days. I assure you Mrs. Burnett you will not want for anything. All I request is a few hours each day for your husband to discuss business."

Gina gave Sonny a look. They knew that if the game wasn't played right, they'd be in a lot of danger. For now, they would allow Noriega to be their host. "We didn't want to seem like a threat, travelling through your fine country. But travelling like this, definitely has run it's course. I will enjoy your hospitality."

"Then no more talk of business tonight. Have a glass of wine," Alejandro Noriega said. Then in spanish added to an attendant, "now traigan comida, rapidamente."

Gina smiled once she was given the wine and took a sip, "mucho as gracias, el vino es precioso."

Noriega inclined his head and gave her a nod. She had just told him, that she understood spanish.

Sonny said, "I love when my wife speaks spanish. But I don't know what you two just said. I only speak english."

Gina touched his arm, "honey I only thanked him for the wine."

A woman came to her and spoke spanish in her ear. Gina nodded and then excused herself. She returned shortly after, wearing a bathing suite and robe. She kissed Sonny and then went to the pool for a swim. This was the moment, that Noriega had planned, so that he could talk business with Sonny. They watched Gina get into the water and swim the length of the pool.

Sonny spoke first, "what's this all about?"

"I have a large shipment that I need to move quickly to Cuba. I understand that is your expertise." Noriega gave him the details and they discussed the options. "Burnett I know you no longer have the connections you once did, but your advice is valued. "

Crockett dropped names, to find out who was still in business. He took out his wallet and gave Noriega the business card from the pilot who had recognized him in Puerto Rico. "This man once worked for me. He's a reliable pilot. But he told me he works for Pablo Escobar Gaviria now. I could make the introduction, perhaps he can suggest some solutions."

Noriega's eyes lit up. He was very interested now. They talked about using boats for transportation also. Gina didn't want Sonny as Burnett too involved with Noriega, so she finished her swim and rejoined them. As she came to the table, she felt light headed. Sonny stood up immediately and helped her to the table. Gina was pale and even Noriega could see this. He called for a woman to assist Gina. In spanish he told the woman to take Gina to a guest room and assist her with anything she needed. To Sonny he explained this in english.

"Thank you." Sonny rubbed his hands over his face. His concern for Gina very clear.

"Is your wife ill Mr. Burnett? Would you like me to get a doctor?"

"Thank you Mr. Noriega, but unfortunately nothing can be done. She has cancer. When I said my wife made me retire, you now can understand why. I want to show her the world, before she is no longer in it. Too many times, I put business before her needs, now I pay for it."

Alejandro Noriega, understood what kind of pressure that put on a man. His mother had been ill and he had been the one to take care of her, while his father had handled business. If anyone knew what Sonny was going through he did. "Please call me Alejandro. No need for formality."

"Sonny," Crockett said shaking his hand. "Please excuse me a moment, I would like to check on my wife."

Sonny followed a man to a guest room. He heard a lady speaking spanish and then he heard Gina getting sick in the bathroom. He quickly went to her side. He took the glass of water offered by the woman and helped Gina drink it. When she stopped being sick, Sonny picked her up and carried her to the bed.

Gina spoke in rapid spanish to the lady and she left. To Sonny she said, "I'm okay. I'm so sorry."

"Honey, nothing to be sorry about. You rest. Everything is fine. Don't be worried. That pilot from Puerto Rico, just saved my ass, thanks to his business card. So you see, it will all work out. I'll look in on you a little bit."

Crockett went downstairs and rejoined Noriega. He asked for a shot of whiskey. They did three shots each in a row and finally Crockett sat back. "I apologize for my wife. Perhaps we should go."

"Nonsense. I have a doctor who lives close by. If need be, I will have him stay here a few days. Relax Sonny, we'll take care of her."

He couldn't tell Noriega that he was afraid of that. He didn't want to have any debt to the man. He asked for a phone and waited until it was brought to him. He call the number on the business card and left a message. Noriega offered him money as thanks to set up the introduction. At first Sonny declined, but he didn't want to offend his host, so he finally accepted it. Next Noriega had some guns brought to be looked at. The serial numbers were completely removed, probably with acid. He made Sonny select two guns and told him they were his. He was given a shoulder holster and two clips per gun.

"So after Panama where do you plan on taking Mrs. Burnett?"

"Probably drive down to Peru, see the coast line."

"Before you leave, I will take you to see a friend of mine, who loves sports cars. He has cousins all along the coast and in Columbia. He will lend you a car, for your trip."

"Excuse me sir, but your wife is asking for you," a lady interrupted politely.

Crockett excused himself and then followed the woman back to their room. He thanked her and then closed the door. He went to sit on the bed by Gina's side. "Gina, how are you feeling?"

"Better. I took some of the medication the doctor gave me. Are you okay?" She asked worry written all over her face.

He kissed her deeply. "Gina, honey, I've been in this business so long, it's second nature. You just rest."

"Would you hold me a little while, before you go back to our host?"

He nodded and leaned against the headboard. She snuggled up to him and he stroked her hair. As much as he hated Burnett and the business involved with that alias, he did appreciate what the lifestyle could do for making Gina comfortable on their trip. He gave her one of the guns he had selected. She didn't question him at all, just put it into the night stand drawer beside the bed.

For the next few days Gina had to remain in bed. Noriega had his doctor visit her once. While she was in bed, she finished her letter to Sonny. Included in the envelope she had a few pictures of her and Sonny in Miami, the places they had seen and their wedding. The forecast of her living another year, was no longer there. The doctor that had come to see her, had confirmed what she had already known. Her condition was getting worse. But she needed to hold on, for Sonny. They needed to get out of Panama, away from the Burnett legacy. He had told her when he joined her in bed in the evenings, that he was working with Noriega. He knew the information he was privy to now, would be of great interest to the DEA back in the states, but he had no way of relaying the information safely. So he kept it to himself, until he was out of Panama and had a chance to relay it. He was going to find a way to reach Martin Castillo, his Vice Lieutenant. He would give him the intel and let his old Lieutenant do with it as he wished.

Gina told him, that the drive from Panama to Colombia would be too much for her. So he made flight arrangements. He of course got it super cheap, once they knew he was tied to Noriega. The trip would be faster and Gina wouldn't have to be travelling as long.

He tested a few boats for Noriega, to improve his fleet. Then the pilot came to Panama and Crockett made the introductions, using his cover as Burnett. Noriega was pleased and the pilot had Gaviria's blessing. Burnett was no longer a small time middle man, he was now in the big leagues. Even though Crockett's amnesia had caused him a lot of problems, when he had lived as Burnett, it now was proving to be very helpful. He and Gina both wished they didn't have to use Burnett's connections, but they had no choice. Crockett's business with Noriega was coming to an end. It was time to get going again.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Gina said. Then added in spanish, "Que Dios mantenga su salud."

Alejandro Noriega said "Cuando llegue el momento, enviar palabra y me ayudará a que su marido. Le doy mi palabra." And in english he said, "my mother had illness also. It too took her life. In helping you I gave her honour. Go in peace."

Gina allowed him to hug her and waited for Sonny. The men shook hands and Noriega told him what city to go to for a car. One of his men put their luggage in the trunk of a car, which would take them to the airstrip. The man also helped Gina on board and put the luggage in the the plane.

"I can't believe how well that went," Sonny said once they were on board and strapped into their seats.

Gina sat beside him. "For once the past actually helped.

From the plane they watched to coast slip by quickly, as they made their way across the pacific ocean to Columbia. "The connection from Noriega with Gaviria, will help us when we land in Columbia. Gaviria is better known as Escobar there and he controls the government completely. They are all in his pocket. So we don't have to dump the guns."

[The cabin of the plane played american music. The song playing as they got closer to Columbia was Fly like an Eagle by Steve Miller. "…Fly like an eagle, Let my spirit carry me, I want to fly like an eagle, Till I'm free, Oh Lord, through the revolution…."]

They flew towards Medellin, Columbia, but the pilot came on in the cabin advising that they had been redirected to Brazil. There was major military vs guerrilla warfare occurring in Columbia. Many of the airstrips had been bombed. Whether to keep people from leaving or coming, it was not known. They would refuel in Roraima, Brazil.

"I'll pay the pilot when we hit Brazil to take us to Rio de Janeiro. From there we can take a commercial flight to Africa or Europe." Sonny said.

"It's probably best to leave South America, with all this war going on. We'll leave the guns on the plane. I don't want any problems when we land in Brazil."

"Well use our Burnett passports when we land. But for hotels, we go back to using our normal names." Sonny instructed.