A/N Thank you so much for the kind words thoughts and prayers. Reviews and knowing people are still reading is helping so much too. Words are most definitely my love language so encouraging words and reviews have been so helpful during this real life mess. I am going to keep writing as we keep pushing past the tough stuff. Its helping to destress and the words are still coming and I hope its still making sense you are liking the story. Couple more chapters here than I will move over to Fighting to Live too.

And if I feel brave and I might post a tease of my more WWE Roman/Joe fan connection at a Raw show and meet and greet in that world. Not alternate universe. Never tried that before. Never been to a meet and greet myself so I only know what I've researched. It would be pure fantasy and fun but full of depth and intensity too...So we will see. Not sure how believable it would be for Roman/Joe to connect deeply to a fan in the reality of a broken Joe, broken fan scenario within a day/night of intense stuff so that is part of the delay in posting.

But right now lets see if they can contact the outside world...and Sara and Roman really need to talk and I wonder how long they can avoid the cons too? And when do you think Dean will wake up?

Suddenly there was a pause and I hoped it had not gotten cut off. But then to my utter joy a woman's voice rattled off the greeting for Langley offices and I let out the breath I was holding, clutching the phone tighter.

I raced through the ID procedures of who I was and the connection of the number I wanted and felt my breath catch in my throat again. It was working!

A voice came on, smooth, concise and to the point. "Special Agent Uso, to whom am I speaking?"

"Jey?!" I cried out, my tone flooded with relief. There was a pause on the other end and then I heard a gasp.

"Roman?! Oh my God! Is that you, Uce?!" Jey cried out.

I was grinning and sank down into the grass, this huge weight of needing to reach him off my chest. And he called me Uce. He called me Brother and I was trying to remember the last time he even said that.

"Yes Jey its me. We are okay. We crashed on an island before we got to Spain. I have no idea where we are. The pilot said we were near The Azores islands."

"Thank God you are alive!"

I heard my cousin sound like he was crying. Maybe thinking I had died had made him forget how much it hurt us both that I could not save Naomi.

"Azores Islands, okay. That is about a hundred miles from where we picked up the signal from your black box. Thank God you called! Roman we are coming to get you. Is Dean okay too?" Jey called out loudly through the phone. "Renee is so worried. She called in to the office last night saying he didn't call her before bed like he always does. I knew your plane had disappeared from the radar yesterday and I had no idea where you were! Are you okay? What the hell happened?"

I avoided telling him that Dean was still unconscious and might not wake up. "I don't know how we crashed Uce. The storm was part of it but I'm sure in part we were sabotaged in some way to crash us. I think it was the same people that have the tech we are after and this was their way of tying up the loose ends that the Rollins, and Strowman and Owens and I were still alive. Shit Jey, the prisoners that were being transferred...most of them are alive and well and roaming around on this island. You need to get over here and get us the hell away from them! I feel like I am in giant game of life or death hide and seek man."

The phone started sounding fuzzy and I could barely hear him. I passed it to Randy and he played around with it till my cousin's voice was clear again and he passed it back.

"Look Cous, we can track your phone. Just keep it on, even on standby and I can find you." Jey was saying speaking fast and likely because we didn't know how long the connection would hold. "I am leaving right away and taking a plane over there and then a boat with a rescue team to you. I will get you out of there. I promise."

There was a pause and I could hear more emotion in his voice as he spoke. "I thought I'd lost you Uce. I'm so sorry about pushing you away with what happened to Naomi and Sasha. You lost your best friend too. I know you did everything you could to protect them both. I know, man. I know it wasn't your fault you survived and they didn't. I was just stupid and lashing out because I loved her so so much!"

I heard him swallow and his voice sounded even more strained. "I just miss her Cous, and just seeing you alive and that she didn't make it back to me was just so hard at first. But I miss you too. I miss how we used to be. Before all this mess that I let destroy us."

I clutched the phone tighter, feeling tears in my eyes. "I miss you too Jey. I know you are hurting. Hell, I would go crazy if I lost what you did. You are so strong. I am in awe of your strength. I feel like I would die if I lost Sara."

I turned to her and kissed her tenderly on the lips as I heard my cousin's shocked response through the phone. "Sara? What...um who are you talking about Roman?"

I sniffled smiling at her while speaking into the phone. "I met someone, in all this insanity. And I love her more than anything, Uce." I saw her beaming at me as her hands went around my waist as she snuggled in beside me on the grass.

"Wow Roman, that's great," Jey mumbled likely in disbelief. "My big Cous in love? I am... just wow. How was she was on the plane?"

"She's the doctor from the prison. She came along cause a doctor needed to and then all hell broke lose and I kind of became her protector and the rest is history."

He cleared his throat. "Well we need to get you guys out of there. Does she have family I can contact? Do you have anyone else that needs to reach family to know they are okay?"

I turned to her and her eyes fell away from mine as she shook her head.

She had no one? Not one person was missing her right now? Maybe this was part of that deep pain I knew she was carrying.

Randy piped up and I leaned the phone his way. "If your cousin can reach my wife. Tell her that Rebecca Lynch and I are safe. Charlotte Flair. She was visiting family in Boston. And we rescued a young girl too that has a fiancé and is pregnant. Liv Morgan needs to get a hold of her guy too Bo Dallas." He rattled off his wife's contact number for me.

"Charlotte and Bo. You bet I will get a hold of Randy's wife and Liv's family before we take off," Jey repeated making sure he had the right information. It was quiet a moment before I heard him breath out forcefully.

"Ro, Uce?" Jey called out.

I exhaled deeply. It sounded like it was something big the way Jey sighed before speaking. "Yeah?" I felt my heart pounding, wondering what he was going to say.

"I love you," he breathed out and I smiled even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Stay safe and hidden and I will find you. I promise. Just keep the phone on. Is there anything else I can do Rome?"

"I will. I love you too Jey. Yes actually. One thing man. Could you figure out how to reassure my girl here that I'm not getting ripped away from her again and into another prison? She is so scared to lose me all over again. Tell her Cous. Give us anything to not be so damn unsure about the future. Our future."

I heard some shuffling and what sounded like papers loudly being moved around. "She's listening right now, your girl Ro?," he said in all seriousness.

"Yeah Uce."

I could hear Jey suck in a deep breath and Sara only held onto me tighter.

"Tell her...shit I can tell her. Sara?"

My sweet lady cleared her own throat and sat up more beside me to lean toward the satt phone. "I'm here Jey. I'm so glad we could reach you."

"Me too. You need to know, Roman is like a brother to me. I am turning over every rock to make it so we can testify in front of the Bulgarian government. I know you don't know me ma'am but I have every confidence that his and my testimonies will free him of all the charges. Trust him and I know he trusts me. We are going to get you guys home safe and get him free. Believe that!"

"I do, thank you, that means so much. I love your cousin more than anything. I can't lose him again. Please find a way to never have him leave me again, Jey please." Sara begged with tears in her eyes.

"I will do everything I can for you both. I promise." I heard him say and I could feel the emotion in his voice. He meant it. Even when I couldn't save his girl he was fighting like hell to save me for mine.

Sara buried her head back against my arm and sniffled back her tears. I nuzzled her gently. I hoped it helped to hear it from him that it wasn't just us fighting for my freedom.

I felt more tears slip down my cheeks too at all the emotions I was feeling. Had he forgiven me? Could we start over? But the phone started getting more static filled and it was better to save the battery too. So we said our goodbyes and I tucked the phone in my back jean pocket. In case my cousin might call again I wanted to keep it close.

Turning back to Sara I saw her eyes bright at me. I could feel her tracing her finger on top of where my tattoo was on the inside of my wrist.

Bloodline. My broken relationship, where the tattoo looked like it was crying blood drops. I smiled at her while wiping the tears from my face.

She knew.

She had heard and seen how much what Jey had said meant to me. She knew about the pain in my relationship with my cousin and how much it hurt me to not have been able to protect his fiancé and my best friend that day.

And now being right there myself having my own fiancé and how happy I was, I could finally see the depths of his pain in losing her. I could not even fathom anything ever happening to Sara so I understood Jey's desire to lash out and blame me for Naomi's death.

I was right there. I should have sensed something at the marketplace. I should have known when things felt off. All of our training was about teaching us to be aware of everything around us and react accordingly.

I hated that part of me still blamed myself for getting us caught. Once we had been captured there had been no chance. We had been outnumbered and starved and weakened beyond belief.

However getting caught in the first place...I would be kidding myself if I didn't lay in bed running that scenario over and over in my head wondering what the hell went wrong.

But right now I pushed that all away I focused on the hope we had been given. My eyes moved up to my beautiful fiancé as I watched her pull my arm up and slowly run her tongue around my Bloodline tattoo. Her eyes were locked on mine as I watched her kiss all the way around the edges and nod at me.

"Hope Roman. Hope to get us off this island. Hope for you and your cousin to mend your relationship." She wiped more tears that had been slipping silently down my cheeks with her thumb. "Seeing you crying now that you might have your cousin back in your life and I just love you even more Baby. You deserve to feel this after so much darkness."

I was in awe of the beauty of her words and felt tingles from her tongue on my skin over my tattoo. I tugged her back in my arms in my lap on the grass and nodded back to her. "I want Hope for the future...with you too Baby girl. That is all the hope in the world I could ever dream of."

Sara smiled at me and nodded back, pulling my hand up to her lips and now kissing a path around the ring she made me. I loved to freaking pieces that we had pen made tattoo engagement rings.

"Mmm me too Reigns, me too."

My tattoo represented my broken relationship with my cousin, that could actually now be starting to heal...

Our tattooed rings represented hope for the future of US together.

Safe and alive away from all the danger. Hope to get rescued and start a life without any of this. The island, convicts, secrets, CIA, any of it in our way.

It would be a long hike back and it was probably nearing supper time. Randy surprised us by taking some fresh fish from a plastic bag in his bag and we worked to gather wood for a fire. It was a risk to have a fire I knew but only eating fruit wouldn't do us any favors either. We knew we needed more strength or at least I did.

I was already feeling weaker from not eating very well in prison for sure but even just the last day or so too. Sara made sure I got snacks on the plane and I was so so grateful for that. But even the day before I remember hardly eating much and could feel that something was coming.

Time in that prison was drawing to a close. I knew we were leaving soon. Leaving her, had me all in knots not ever wanting to say goodbye to her. And then too I had been beaten and attacked so much since and hardly given my body much to refuel. I needed more to keep up my strength and just had to hope it would be okay to take the risk.

I wondered when our new friend had time or even how he managed to catch fish in the ocean. But we had slept all morning after the hell that the day had been, so I was thankful that he had found us more filling food. Protein after not much of any for a few days had been good for me and much needed for all the energy I had been burning through. Not to mention my body trying to heal from the various injuries too.

We sat on the top of the grassy cliff enjoying the fresh tasting fish, more fruit and visiting together like this was just a fun camping trip. The food was so good after the hot day of climbing.

Sara was just laying between my legs with her back against my chest and I was running my fingers in her hair after we had finished. I felt so relaxed and surprisingly full. Looking down at the angel in my lap I was more than aware how quiet she had been after our call to Jey. She really had no else in her life? I ached to ask her more about that.

However the mood was lighter now so I figured we would wait till we were back in our cave before that kind of a talk. She had been chatting casually with Randy during the meal and it looked more carefree and enjoying the sunlight even now.

Randy stood up and stretched. "Well if its okay with you Roman could I at least try to reach my wife on the phone before we head back? Do we have enough juice for a quick call? I know we had your cousin call her but I would love to hear her voice."

I was already reaching back in my pocket and nodding as I passed it to him. "Sure thing man. I hope you can reach her. " He walked over scooping the phone from my hand and patted me on the shoulder as he headed further down the hill toward where we had come up from.

I watched his retreating back and felt Sara scoot a bit more forward in my lap.

Oooh we were all alone now...

She shook her head back, her hair falling down across my bare chest, tickling my abs and I leaned over her from above. The shadow of my head fell across her face and her beautiful eyes squinted up at me.

I grinned down at her and leaned in pressing my lips to hers in an upside-down kiss. I heard her moan softly and open more to me and my mouth curved more around hers. My palms slipped under her back, sliding under the dress and down her bare skin, careful still not to rip anything. I freaking loved this dress.

"Mmm, you taste delicious, Beauty," I whispered.

She smiled up at me, her eyes sparkling. "Its more pineapple..."

I dove in deeper between her lips. Pineapple was fucking heaven.

"Oh I think its this dress too..." I mumbled against her lips as I trailed kisses down from her mouth to her chin and throat, pulling the sleeve down and nipping at her bare shoulder.

I glanced up fast to see Randy far away and actually talking on the phone. Oh wow, maybe he actually got his call to go through!

Sara was breathing heavier and we were plenty in view just laying there in the grass but my open shirt was hiding at least part of her from Randy's eyes if he decided to look back this way.

I braved teasing her more and unzipped the back and she lifted up and let me pulling the dress lower to let me see the beyond sexy red lace bra she had hiding underneath. "Oh, so wow," I could barely string words together.

My girl gasped and pulled my head down lower as I still was laying above her to kiss a trail down her shoulder to the swell of her breast. So good. So soothing. She seemed so relaxed and her eyes fluttered closed in my arms.

"Then you need to, mmm.. remember this was all thanks to Becky, Rome. She was going sunbathing next week. She packed all this yummy stuff cause her grief counselor told her to treat herself to help her depression. To go to the beaches and a clubs and take time for herself... and she thought WE would love one of her dresses."

I looked up in her eyes and was in awe of the kindness of that sweet woman. "Mmm we do. Very much." I was kissing a path across the skin of her breasts and licking and teasing the softness of the skin right by the lace. The lingerie was just as gorgeous as the dress and I had barely had a peek.

She was beaming up at me from below her and I smiled back. "What?" I smirked.

"You..." she mumbled and I felt her hands slide up my sides under my open shirt. "I love that you love this dress. I remember how you looked at me that night even when you were in so much pain. " I was mumbling while kissing her more across her chest and loving her touch all over my own.

Slowly she sat up and turned more to me, pulling the dress back up. I pouted at her and she pulled on my lip with her thumb.

"I know baby. Never long enough. You have to explore more later. Believe it or not this was all she had packed, a bag full of dresses and pretty lingerie. Becky said she hates how pants and jeans feel and was going to be on holidays after this for a week with Randy and his wife's family. They fit really well and I think she said there might even be a bikini in there I could have."

Ooh, that sounded fun to try too.

Sara looked serious. "But baby I need to tell you more. We need to talk. I know we needed to go wake Dean so I wanted to wait till we got back, but you can probably tell I have been quiet since the call and maybe even earlier too."

I nodded silently, giving her my full attention.

"Not just about my past, but about after you were in the hospital. I need to tell you how I needed to protect you after you got back. When you had no memory of what happened and were so vulnerable to all those monsters. I know I said me wanting to wait now was just because of being a virgin and you possibly going back to prison but I need to be honest with you about something else...before..."

Oh God I had no idea what she was talking about but I saw the tears in her eyes as she spoke. Something or someone had her scared or threatened her?

I cupped her face and pulled her in. "Oh Beauty, you don't have to face anything alone. Or protect me. You've been protecting ME? You needed to?"

She nodded rapidly and sniffled. My heart was breaking at her words. Shit!

"From who?" I asked. I needed a face to this nightmare or I couldn't help her.

But Randy was already walking back and had finished his call. We had both forgotten to adjust the dress more and help her get decent again as he made his way back up to us, smoothing her hair down. I could see him smiling and shaking his head at me like he knew something had gone on but he looked like he was on cloud 9 too so I did not get any kind of third degree.

"Oh wow man, did you reach her? The phone actually work?" I asked him.

Our talk would have to wait till later and right now I felt my girl curl her arms tight around my waist. I held her and rubbed her back, aching inside that someone had been threatening her. No wonder things had been so off and on with her. Had they hurt her or had I triggered something by what I said or did? Now my mind was racing as I tried to pay attention to Randy's good news.

He nodded with tears in his eyes. "I did. She was so so grateful to hear my voice. She had been calling the airport and Corrections all day to try to get info on the crash and no one had told her anything until your cousin called recently." He sunk down in the grass and was silent like he was taking in everything he had heard.

"She was visiting her parents so at least she's not alone and our son is with her but I know she was scared. They were supposed to fly out to meet us, all of them as a family vacation for the whole of next week but with everything that happened I was so scared what she was thinking or her mom and dad too. Her dad has a bad heart and it was their anniversary we were all celebrating with a tour around Europe with them and Bec. It was supposed to be great for her recovery too. We were all looking forward to it."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Well I have faith that we will get out of here. And you will get to celebrate your family's anniversary. Believe that Randy. We will all make it home." He nodded and smiled back at me.

Sara nodded too. We all had so much to live for. SO much to look forward to.

She was still huddled up in my arms on the grass and I kissed the top of her head. I could see so many times she was pushed herself to be brave with me or show me how strong she was or how much she loved me.

But then I flashed back to those moments of her racing through the forest alone, needing me and her not thinking or screaming to distract the cons toward her and away from me and to hell with that they would all find her then and not me.

Just before in the cave when we had been so close and so intense and I had encouraged her to unzip my pants and she started crying saying she couldn't. What the hell had happened that she had faced alone?

My God, what had she done to protect me?