A/N: I'm deeply sorry for taking so long to update. I became this lazy person after my holidays but I promise to update sooner from now on. Let's take a minute and pray for my muse to show up more often.

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Chapter 18 : Consequences

Theresa has been asleep for the past twelve hours. The doctors warned us that the sedative might take some time to leave her system. I was afraid Kelly's cries in the middle of the night might frighten her and disturb her sleep, but she seems to be completely oblivious to the external world.

Nick checks on her every half an hour. Despite his relief for having her here with us safe and sound, I can tell he's still stressed out. We both know perfectly well none of us is out of danger; the war against Black Claw is not over yet. I decide to store this painful reminder in the back of my head, while I help Nick clean the baby and change his diaper in the bathroom.

"I'll go get him fresh clothes" I inform him as I head toward the bedroom. I try to make as little noise as I can, but Theresa wakes up this time to Kelly's shriek. She stands abruptly from the bed, completely disoriented and scared…A look I didn't think I'd ever see on her beautiful face.

Making sure to keep a safe distance between us until she goes back to her senses, I speak in a soothing voice "Hey, it's fine, you've been asleep for the past twelve hours" she lifts her eyebrows in surprise while she tries to clear her throat which I am sure is pretty dry. I pour some water in a glass and hand it to her as I sit beside her on the bed.

Theresa nods a thank you and swallows big gulps of water, grateful for the hydration

I proceed to explain what happened (what little I know) and how she ended up here "…and this noise you hear is your nephew making a fuss" I joke and I'm rewarded with a tentative smile from Theresa.

"He…where is he?" she asks warily

I nod toward the bathroom "With his father" I start to stand up "Which reminds me that these two men are waiting for me. Nick will be here in a sec"

Making my way to the bathroom, I inform Nick that his sister is awake and insist he joins her while I finish changing the baby. When I leave the bathroom, I find the Burkhardt siblings in the kitchen, deep in conversation. Theresa is devouring leftovers, while Nick stares at her questioningly.

After placing the baby in his crib, I join Nick and Theresa in the kitchen catching up quickly with the conversation.

"…They were following me this whole time…BC men" she casts a glance my way before continuing, my heart contracts at the mention of this evil organization that striped from my freedom and my family "I didn't blow my cover, Nick" she pleads with her eyes "They knew who I was from the start. I thought I was the huntsman, but I was always the prey" I hear a crack in her voice as she stares at her hands.

"Hey" Nick lifts his sister's chin "You are ok now, nobody is going to hurt you"

She shakes her head adamantly "You don't get it Nick, they were going to end my life there and then if not for this other agent who almost blew his cover to save my life…Jeez…I failed my mission and put someone else's life in danger. I wouldn't be surprised if Meisner kicked me out of his team…I mean Kenneth must have mentioned the debacle in his report…"

My brain refused to process the rest as soon as I heard the name of the agent. Are we thinking of the same Kenneth? It's not a very common name and it can't be a coincidence that they both are connected to BC. Is it possible that Kenneth is an undercover FBI agent?

"Kenneth Goderich" I blurt out not giving a darn that I cut her midsentence

Theresa seems genuinely surprised as she glares at me wide eyed "You know Agent Kenneth?"

The floor under me is unsteady all of a sudden. So, it's him

"Yeah….He's Sean's cousin and one of the closest men to BC's top management" I clarify. I met him few times during family gatherings and I always got the feeling he didn't like Sean very much. I thought it was just rivalry or jealousy, but now that I know he was always an agent, the hatred in his eyes makes more sense. What BC did was always against his principles. Such a big revelation.

"Yeah, I forgot your connection to Renard" she has this far away look to her eyes, like when remembering something long forgotten "He's a double agent…At least he was before I almost ruined his cover"

Nick interrupts her silence heavy with guilt "Tell me more about this special cell of the FBI you work for" he orders

Theresa's face lightens up immediately with excitement "It's called HW, it stands for Hadrian's wall. We have cells all over the world in collaboration with the different governments. It's an international organization created secretly by the country members of the UN SC" seeing our furrowed brows, Theresa proceeds to explain "Imagine all big nations creating this sort of Interpol cell to fight transnational crimes. Of course HW doesn't work only on dismantling BC, they have plenty of other cases they treat, but I'm part of this group in charge exclusively of bringing down these son-of-a-bitch"

"Theresa" Nick scolds

"Sorry" she apologizes with an eye roll discrediting the earnestness of her apology

"I think you should go back to sleep" Nick suggests noticing her tortured expression when she adjusted herself on the chair. His sister complies immediately, eyes still heavy with fatigue.

So much information for just one night; my head feels like it's about to implode. Kenneth works for the FBI? The whole world is working on bringing down BC? Theresa is targeting people who are targeting her in return?

Noticing my discomfort, Nick scrutinizes my face as we settle in bed "You ok?"

I nod unconvincingly "Yeah, just a lot to absorb for just one night"

He gives me a lopsided smile that makes me forget all my worries "Hey, you'll be fine, you have two awesome Burkhardts on your team" he winks adorably "It's a recipe for success"

His confidence and playfulness make me laugh wholeheartedly, lifting some of the worries weighing on my shoulders "Right. Good night, Nick" I say as I snuggle closer, inhaling his marvelous perfume.

"Night, Adalind" he whispers softly

%%%

"I'll be gone for only a couple of hours, you'll be fine" I reassure Theresa for the umpteenth time as I place baby bottles in the fridge and stick a list of instructions on its door. She's freaking out since I asked her to keep an eye on Kelly for me. It's already Sunday, and I'm not delaying my encounter with my daughter any longer.

The excitement and anticipation kept me up all night, I have no plan whatsoever; all I want is to see her again, take her in my arms, breathe in her smell, kiss her forehead and tell her how much I love her. I need just few minutes of bliss, to relieve some of this permanent agony I've become way too acquainted with.

Is it too good to be true? Is something bad going to come out of it? Maybe I should have told Meisner or at least Nick, but both would have dissuaded me from going there. It's my only chance to see Diana again, it might be a stupid idea, but for my kids I'll risk it all. They are my everything, the air I breathe, the water I drink, the only people who bring meaning to my existence.

"What if I snap his neck inadvertently?" Theresa holds Kelly as far away from her as possible, making a grimace of distaste "I'm not good with kids"

"I left a series of instructions on that list, all you have to do is go through them. I listed all possibilities and left Rosalee's number in case of emergency" I couldn't leave Kelly with Rose because she has her doctor's appointment today. Still trying to conceive a baby. I wish it worked this time.

I kiss Kelly goodbye and head for the elevator, I know my baby is in good hands, Theresa might say she doesn't like babies, but I saw the way she stares at her nephew when she thinks nobody's watching. She'd hurt herself before anything bad happened to him.

The drive to Laurelhurst Park is not that long. On my way there I play the different scenarios of my encounter with Diana in my head. Will she recognize me? It's been so long since she last saw me. What if she rejects me because Sean brainwashed her? So many questions that will only be answered once I see my daughter; my baby daughter.

However, a very unpleasant surprise meets me halfway to the park; someone I hoped I'd never see again and especially today of all days. Juliette, Nick's ex blocks my path as soon as she spots me. Jeez, I shouldn't have parked near the Vet Clinique where she works to go to the park. In my frenzy, I forgot she worked in the area. Let's be honest here, she's the last person that comes to my mind in my list of priority threats to think of.

"Hey, I'm talking to you" she snaps as I accelerate my race to the park. I can't be delayed any longer. I left the house ahead of time but I'm not taking any chances. Unfazed by my determination to ignore her, she mimics my pace and follows me to the park. I start scanning my surroundings, looking desperately for my daughter in the crowded park, but Juliette grabs my arm rather violently "Listen to me when I'm talking to you"

I jerk away "Not now, Juliette" I state firmly "I promise to stop by when I'm done"

"Of course" she gives an ugly laughter

She keeps babbling and accusing me of stealing her man from her, but my attention was long focused on someone else. My heart gallops the instant my eyes land on platinum blond hair. Diana. I have no doubt it's my girl. I could recognize her among a million other girls. I take a step forward as my lower lip starts to quiver. Finally, I've waited for this moment for so long. I try to put one shaky leg before the other. My arms are itching from the need to hold her against my chest.

"Hey, where do you think you are going?" Juliette stops me

Irritation and annoyance replace my initial excitement, I stare at her sharply "Juliette, leave me alone" I turn my attention back on my daughter but it was the wrong thing to do, because Juliette follows my gaze and seems to guess what I'm about to do.

The understanding and the cruelty in her eyes should have warned me, but a mother can't see clearly when it comes to her children "Oh, I see" she gives me a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. All my senses tell me to call it off, to go back to my car and come back another Sunday, but my heart refuses to listen.

"Juliette, please" I plead, praying she'd empathize and let me go. As soon as she nods, I run to my daughter. She's at the pond, just like Henrietta said, and her Nanny is so engrossed in what looks like an argument with a behemoth that I'm sure she won't notice me before long.

The trepidation in my heart could only be described as tachycardia as I make my way toward Diana. The instant I reach her, I cry her name as I bend at her level. My daughter turns slowly and jumps in my arms shouting repeatedly "Mom, mom, mom" I caress her head unable to keep the tears anymore.

"Oh my baby, I'm right here, but I don't have much time" I choke on my words, hurting too much because I know the temporary joy will soon come to an end. I hug her tightly and kiss her cheeks tasting the salt of my tears in my mouth. I only have few minutes with her before the real world catches up with us but this time there is hope…Hope that I see her again next week, and the week after that and so on.

However, I'm Adalind Schade and the real world always catches up with me sooner than I would want it to.

"Is it her?" a cold male voice asks behind me followed by the confirmation of a familiar voice. The blood in my veins turns ice cold as I feel a hand on my shoulder. The world spins around me within the blink of an eye "Madam, would you please follow us" I turn around to see a police officer standing in front of me while a second one is beside a satisfied Juliette, who's wearing now the cruelest smile I've ever seen in my life.

Understanding strikes me at the same time as a sentiment of betrayal and deep pain.

Within a second the nanny scurries to calm a now crying Diana "Mom, please don't go"

I stare pleadingly at the policeman who nods once, allowing me to say a proper goodbye to my daughter "Don't worry, baby, I'll be back soon" I give her a tight hug before following the policemen, trying desperately to ignore the gathering of curious eyes around us.