Nathaniel informed the guards at the gate to be watching for Washington's rover. He had a bad feeling as he radioed Guzman.

"Hear the last radio traffic, Guz?"

"No, Sir. I'm still sitting in the whirlpool from where you damaged my pride today."

"I damage your pride and a few muscles every time we spar. Get dressed and meet me at Debora Tate's."

Jim and Zoe were playing a game and he was half listening to the scanner the Commander insisted he keep in his home and on during the evenings.

"Wonder what happened to their vehicle," Elizabeth was sitting at the table after the evening meal watching them play.

"If I were to guess, I'd say they got drunk at the still, crashed the vehicle and Wash is taking them home to face the Commander and Guzman," he made a move on the board.

"And what makes you think that is what happened?" Elizabeth didn't necessarily always agree with his cop theory.

"There was tension in Wash's tone, but she tried to hide it," he looked up from the board at his wife. "Want to make a bet that I'm right?"

Elizabeth studied him, "You're on. I think the girls had legitimate vehicle problems and Wash rescued them."

Jim smiled, "What are we going to bet?"

"The loser helps Zoe with her homework all next week."

"You mean we can't pawn it off on Maddy like we usually do?" Jim was warming to the bet.

"That is what it means," Elizabeth smiled at him.

Nathaniel waited in the street until Guzman joined him, "We should probably make Debora aware there is a problem of some sort."

"What's going on? Is Tasha alright?" Guzman felt his old fear rising like bile in his throat that his daughter was injured again.

Nathaniel put a hand on his shoulder, "Wash said she was bringing the girls here. If they were injured, she'd take them to the Infirmary. It might be something benign that teenagers are prone to stumble into." Nathaniel and Guzman walked shoulder to shoulder to Debora's door where Nathaniel knocked.

Debora opened after a short space while the men looked around at the quiet side street and neighborhood, now empty of playing children as night had fallen an hour before. "Commander, Guz," she paused, "has something happened to Skye and Tasha?"

"I don't know," Nathaniel, answered truthfully. "Wash is bringing the girls here so I'm assuming they are just getting a lift from vehicle trouble," he literally quoted his wife.

"Come in and wait," Debora opened the door wider.

"Thanks, Debora, but we should wait outside; Guz here isn't house trained."

Debora laughed and Guzman grinned, "Can I at least get you men anything while we wait?" Debora hated not being a good hostess and if the Commander didn't think anything seriously was amiss, she relaxed from seeing two of the colonies leaders laughing and joking. What she didn't know is Nathaniel often covered his tension and fear with humor.

"Maybe I should go get a bottle if the girls are up to mischief again," Guzman volunteered.

Nathaniel grinned at him, "I'm glad Debora is back and I can abrogate my foster responsibilities, but that kid will still drive me to drink before she's full grown…. and I better be the person who walks her down the aisle," he stared directly at Debora.

"I'm sure she wouldn't consider anybody else. She's pretty quiet about her male friends though, and I don't know if she's interested in anyone, do you, Nathaniel?"

"Well, there is Josh Shannon. She likes him, but they are both young and I don't want talk of marriage from her for at least another year or two. She has time."

"I agree. I want her to enjoy what's left of her childhood, which I can hardly detect any more outside a few bad choices."

"I don't think bad choices are reserved for our youth. Guz here made several today."

Debora laughed up into Guzman's face and placed a comforting hand on his arm, but spoke to Nathaniel, "I got to witness your sparring today. Brought back memories of when you used to send Alex home all bloody and sore."

They visited until they saw the rapidly approaching headlights of Wash's vehicle. Conversation abruptly ended as three anxious people waited for her to stop.

"Open the gate," Alicia ordered the sentry and watched from a distance as it slowly rose and she sped underneath without slowing down. Turning down the main street, she hoped people weren't in the way, but did weave around a hand-holding couple taking an evening stroll. Turning on a side street to another row of houses near the outer wall, she stopped in front of Debora's home. Nathaniel and Guzman were quick to reach the vehicle.

Guzman couldn't see inside very good, but did make out his daughter in the seat beside Wash. He jerked the door open and started swearing.

Alicia jumped out with orders, "Guz, carry Tasha into the house."

Guzman glared at Wash, "Shouldn't she be in the Goddamn clinic?"

"No," came from all three women synchronously.

Guzman scooped Tasha up effortlessly and hurried inside. Debora had stood back out of the way and gasped at the battered condition of Tasha as Guzman hurried by, and ran to the vehicle to see how badly Skye was injured. She saw her daughter slowly emerging from the back where she stumbled as her feet struggled to support her weight. The Commander steadied her and scooped her up and without argument did as his wife commanded.

Alicia put an arm around Debora's shoulder and gave a little hug. "I'll tell you inside and off the streets where we might be overheard," silenced the rapid string of questions Debora was starting to fire at her.

Guzman sat on the couch and held his daughter, tears filling his eyes at her swollen, smashed face. He looked up as Nathaniel carried Skye in and took a chair keeping the girl securely on his lap also. She may be technically grown, but she was still young enough to need a hug from her father figure. Skye was grateful for his strong arms and he didn't push her away in revulsion for what Wash was telling them. Several times during the narrative, she felt the Commander's arms tighten. Once he whispered to her that she was safe now and he would do his best to keep her so.

Alicia filled them in to what she found and did and what the girls told her. She paced during her narrative, wanting to go after the soulless bruits. When she stopped talking, Nathaniel asked the girls to tell him in their own words.

"Wait," Debora cut in. "These girls need to be in the Infirmary. I don't care what they say, they need a doctor."

"No, Mom," Skye struggled in Nathaniel's arms and he helped her sit up, but told her to stay still when she would have stood. "Wash told you we need to keep this between us. I'm not going out of this house until I don't look like this."

"Honey, you were raped multiple times," her mother took her hand. "You need to be examined by a doctor. I understand the samples have been taken, but there's much more damage that might have been done to you. I insist on a doctor and the Infirmary."

"I might have a solution," Alicia spoke up. "It's night and the colony is winding down. We could take them for an exam then bring them back here. They need induced sleep for at least two days. I don't have access to the drugs that will do that." A small lie and she caught Nathaniel's raised eyebrows, but he stayed silent.

"No," Tasha affirmed what she thought had been agreed to on the way home.

"We could have Dr. Shannon come here," Debora compromised.

"She'll talk," Skye protested.

Nathaniel made his choice. Standing, he still held Skye in his arms. In a fluid movement, he turned and placed her on the vacated chair. "Wash, have Dr. Shannon check the girls over, here preferably, but if they're injured I want them in the clinic where they can get proper care." He looked at Tasha and Skye, "Nobody is going to be talking about this. Dr. Shannon won't say a word and neither will anyone else in this room." He motioned Guz to join him. With reluctance and a soft kiss to Tasha's head, Guz copied Nathaniel's action. He asked Guzman to stay, as if he could drag him away, and stated he was going for that suggested bottle as he felt before this was over, everyone including the girls, would need a drink. He escorted Wash out of the house with, "We'll be back soon."

Elizabeth was putting Zoe to bed. Because older sister was having a special night, Zoe was a little fussy, inventing excuses to try and wait up for Maddy. Jim answered the knock and was surprised to see Wash looking very tired on the other side.

"Come in," he stepped aside. "Heard you brought Skye and Tasha home. Need me for something?" he assumed she was requiring his sheriff services and the girls were in trouble.

"Is Elizabeth home?" Alicia really didn't want to tell him what happened.

"She's putting Zoe to bed for the third time. She seems to think she has to wait up for Maddy to get home."

"Did I hear my name?" Elizabeth entered. "Jim, do you always leave our guest standing in the doorway," not a question, just a reminder.

"Sorry, come in," he motioned to the kitchen table.

"I can't stay. I need your services, Elizabeth. The girls got in a difficulty and need your expertise."

"Are they at the Infirmary?" Elizabeth went for her jacket while waiting an answer.

"No, at Debora Tate's."

"What's going on?" Jim spoke quietly so Zoe couldn't hear.

"I'd rather not say."

"Is it something I need to know?" Jim was getting worried something bad did happen. He was met with total silence and Wash just looked at him.

"Jim, you're on babysitting duty," Elizabeth gave him a quick kiss and a look that said don't push it.

Jim opened the door for them without another word, but he was burning to know what happened.

In the rover Alicia started talking and had given the doctor a brief overview by the time they arrived at Debora's. They entered without knocking to find the girls missing and Guzman pacing like a caged animal.

"They're in the bedroom," he explained and motioned to the hallway, "first on the right."

Maddy and her friends were having a great time. They sat at a table overlooking the bar and Josh served them a scrumptious meal complete with a cake. Maddy insisted he join them for a slice.

"No, but I'll steal a piece for me and Boylan if that's okay?"

"Sure, in fact take the cake after we've had our fill," Maddy went back to visiting with her new friend, Becky and another girl their age who she worked with at Malcolm's, who was studying to be a scientist like her. Sarah, the other girl was dating a soldier also so the three couples had much in common.

"Hey look," Dunham looked over the edge in time to see the Commander hurrying down the steps. He disappeared under them as he approached the bar.

"He never comes in here. Wonder what Boylan's done now," Mark was sure Boylan was in some kind of trouble again.

Downstairs, Josh was filling a tray with a bottle and glasses for a table of newcomers and was standing beside Boylan when the Commander rushed up.

"Tom, I need a bottle of your strongest and best."

"You know, Commander," Boylan's Aussie drawl clearly carried to Josh, "there's a rumor that some of the marks on your back were clearly visible when you took your shirt off to spar today before anyone laid a hand on you. Are you sure that wildcat needs any of my wares to improve her licentious activities?"

Josh almost dropped his tray and hustled away, his face flaming. To have Boylan call the Commander out on something like that took guts.

"Get me the damn bottle, Boylan, and save your analysis for your drunken customers."

"My best is expensive." Nathaniel just looked at him. "I'll be right back. Have a drink on the house," he grabbed a bottle and poured a shot and sat it in front of the leader. To his surprise, the glass was empty when he returned from his storeroom in the cooler part of the caverns.

"Hundred terra's," he sat the bottle on the counter.

Nathaniel fished in his pocket for the larger denomination coin he usually carried. He couldn't remember ever using that coin, but had it with him in case. He was surprised Wash hadn't needed it for something as she did all the household purchasing. He handed the coin to Boylan and took the bottle stopping to read the label. "This came from the future," he was amazed at the quality and year of bourbon, one of Earth's finest.

"That's why it's so expensive," Boylan spoke quietly. He didn't advertise he had a stash of the whiskey from the future, and only pulled it out for special occasions and he figured Wash would show her gratitude with more telltale marks to give Taylor's troops a moral lift. He heard the ribald comments when they came in upon duty shift being over and decided the love life of the Commander was fun for his people to speculate on, and he, being Terra Nova's self-appointed morale booster, was willing to aid their cause.

Nathaniel looked at the bottle again, "Got anything cheaper? There's no way I'm giving this to Guzman, and your audacious observation about my back earned you another purchase. Do you have a bottle of your homemade bourbon? It's good enough for what I'm doing tonight."

Boylan pulled a sealed bottle from under the counter, "I'll make you a deal, Commander. You tell me how you got those marks on your back and the bottles' on me."

He looked at Tom and his eyes narrowed, "I could tell you anything to get a free bottle, especially one I'm going to give Guzman."

"You're too honest to lie to me and swindle me out of a bottle." Boylan held the bottle up, "Free, or twenty terras."

Nathaniel laid a twenty terra on the counter and took the bottle. Without another word, he spun and hurried out and heard a chuckle from Boylan.

The spectators above watched him leave and saw a bottle in each hand.

"I think it's time we left also," Maddy thanked everyone for coming to her birthday dinner. The young crowd left and parted outside, where the each escort ushered the women to their respective homes. Maddy lived in the opposite direction from the others and she enjoyed taking Mark's arm for the stroll under the streetlights in the direction of her home.

Nathaniel reached Debora's after running home, disposing of his prized bottle in the kitchen cupboard and jumping into his rover. He saw Wash was back when he parked and hurried inside. Guzman was alone and had undergone a transformation from anguish to rage.

"Have a drink," Nathaniel went to the kitchen and searched through the cabinets until he found two glasses and poured a liberal amount into each. Guzman took the offered glass and downed half, letting the descending burn absorb his anger as Nathaniel continued talking. "It's always been my protocol that our children have inviolable rights to remain safe from molestation and battering. If this had been an inside job, I'd not have banned the perpetrator, but have him shot."

"It didn't happen within the walls or by a citizen. I asked around after we returned and you got the written reports. Hooper and Mira kept their soldiers under tight control. Not one incident of rape or assault of any type," Guzman ground out through clinched teeth, his frustration mounting.

"They don't seem to have control over them now," Nathaniel broke off as the women walked into the room. He noticed how tired and drained his wife appeared and hoped she wasn't blaming herself for the incident, but was sure she felt culpable for not arriving sooner. The girls were dressed in loose fitting cotton pants and had hoodies with the hoods pulled over their faces obliterating their features.

"We're going to the clinic," Dr. Shannon announced. "I need to put them on the biobeds and make sure their skulls aren't fractured. She didn't state the obvious, 'And check the assault out.'

"We'll come with you," Nathaniel finished his drink, keeping his eyes on Wash.

"I'll take them with me," she volunteered.

"I went home and got my vehicle. Guz and I'll follow."

There were still people mingling in the market when Alicia pulled up to the clinic. Since she was driving at a safe pace, she drew no attention. She got out with the doctor and they looked around. With tacit communication to her husband who parked behind her, she waited for him to take his place in front of the door before motioning the girls out of the back where they each took one of Guzman's arms and he escorted them inside. He reappeared and they stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the glass doors keeping anyone passing their way at bay.

Inside, Dr. Shannon instructed them each to a bed. She started with Tasha who looked the worse off with her double hematomas and eyes almost swollen shut. No fracture, but she was able to take much of the swelling down and administered two shots, one for potential diseases and the other for pregnancy. She explained what she was doing and gave Tasha a pill.

"When you go home, take this. It is a sedative that will help you sleep for a long time."

She repeated the process with Skye.

Nobody within hearing range, Guzman continued his tirade, but with a lower tone as not to carry, "What the hell were you thinking, letting two girls out without guards?" He was totally accusing Nathaniel for what happened with his tone.

Nathaniel sighed and continued looking around, "I based my decision on two factors, one: the report with your sanguine opinion that the invading army was interested in conquering for the purpose of total planetary destruction and two: we haven't seen or heard of the army being this close to the colony."

"Those kids are never going to be the same. I'm not standing by and letting Fickett and his friends get away with this. I'm going after them, even if I have to go al…." Guzman abruptly cut off as Mark and Maddy appeared out of the dark and were extremely close before Guzman spotted them.

Nathaniel looked in the direction Guz was looking and when the kids took another step into the light of the building, he saw why Guzman ceased to talk. Their path took them right past the Commander and Lieutenant and they greeted the men while silently wondering why the leaders were standing in front of the clinic obviously in an argument.

"Sir, Lieutenant," Mark greeted while Maddy smiled.

"Corporal, Miss Shannon," Nathaniel smiled with what he knew was his urbane façade that fooled people into thinking he was happy. "I understand today is your birthday," he looked at Maddy.

"Yes, Commander. Is my mom inside?" she tried to look past the men, but they had the glass totally blocked with their united bodies.

"She's busy at the moment," his smile slipped a little.

Mark looked at the men with curiosity, "Can I help with anything?" He noticed Guzman all but glared at them, like he didn't want them near the infirmary.

"Yes, you can escort your date home and take the rest of your night off," Nathaniel forced his charming smile back in place.

Alicia chose that moment to exit into the backs of the men. She tapped her husband on the shoulder and he spun not sure what to expect. She then saw the young couple. "Reynolds, Maddy," she greeted without a smile. Then she remembered and allowed a small quirk to her lips as she addressed Maddy, "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you," Maddy noticed Wash's demeanor was also strained and didn't speak further.

"Did you need something, Wash?" Guzman spoke for the first time.

"I need you if you can get away," she held her mini up for emphases.

He looked at Nathaniel who nodded, "Sure."

Before they could move, Elizabeth rushed outside, "I just got a call from Josh. He cut his hand on a glass and is on his way here."

Nathaniel and Guzman exchanged glances and the Commander turned back to the doctor, "Are you done here?"

She nodded then spotted Mark and Maddy, "What are you two doing here?"

"I was escorting Maddy home," Mark wanted to know what they were hiding inside.

"Can I stay and wait for Josh?" Maddy asked.

"No," her mother was firm, "go home and tell your father what happened and I'll be home in a while."

"I can call him," Maddy offered.

"Reynold, escort Miss Shannon home, now," Commander Taylor switched from the friendly statesman to dictator in a blink. Now he was all business and no hint of a smile graced his face.

"Sir," Mark nodded and took Maddy's arm and hastened from the area. In the dark, he stopped and put a hand over Maddy's mouth and whispered in her ear, "Don't move. I want to see whose inside they don't want anyone to know about." They stayed still in the shadow of the Command Center's balcony where no lights penetrated the deep shadows along the wall.

"The girls are ready to go home," Elizabeth spoke to the group.

"Guz and I need to go to the eye and get an ID on the DNA we lifted," Alicia looked at her husband. "That leaves you to take them back to Debora's."'

"Let's get them out of here before young Josh arrives," he spoke to Elizabeth and watched the two Lieutenants' disappear in the night.

"Don't move," Mark, warned again, keeping his arm securely around Maddy's shoulders. He saw the Lieutenant's get in Wash's vehicle and turn around in the road and rush off right by them. Soon they saw four women exit the infirmary. Mark recognized Debora Tate and Dr. Shannon, but two of the people's heads were covered, but he could tell they were female by their shapes. He and Maddy watched the Commander offer both his arms to the mysterious women and escort them to his own vehicle. He helped them in and held the door for Mrs. Tate, then drove off, leaving the infirmary with one person waiting. Soon Josh appeared from the opposite direction with a towel wrapped around his hand and they disappeared inside.

"What's going on?" Maddy was still whispering.

"I haven't got a clue, but I'd put money that one of those people was Skye. I wonder what I missed taking a day off."

"I'll ask Mom."

"We better get you home," they took off at a rapid pace.

Alicia and Guzman entered Debora's house half an hour later. Debora and Nathaniel were in the kitchen where she was fixing food and he was pouring four glasses with the bourbon he procured from Boylan. Tonight they could use the numbing effects.

"Supper will be ready in a few minutes," Debora announced.

It was only then with the wonderful smells coming from the stove did Alicia realize she was hungry. "How are the girls?"

"Asleep. They crashed right after we got them here," Debora filled her in. "They took the sleeping pills and went to bed as soon as we got home. Nathaniel confessed you could dispense those pills after the girls were in bed."

"I really wanted them to be checked out in the infirmary, but there was no convincing them. I need to wash up," Alicia explained.

"Bathroom's that way," Debora pointed to the right.

Alicia checked in a room and saw Skye in a bed. Opening another door, she spotted Tasha likewise, in what must be the guest bedroom. The third door opened to a bathroom.

Guzman was still standing and waiting for her to return. "My turn," he started by her.

"Door at the end of the hall and Tasha is the door on the left."

"Thanks," he smiled for the first time.

She put a hand on his arm, "I'm here for both of you, if either of you need to talk to someone."

"I'll make sure Tasha knows she can come to you if she can't talk to me or Debora, thanks," impulsively he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Nathaniel was watching them quietly talk in the living room, then saw Guzman's gesture of affection and once again wondered just how close they really were. He was sure neither party told him everything. Debora calling him to the table interrupted his morose thoughts.

Guzman rejoined them and soon they were digging into the fare of stir-fried veggies and dino chunks of meat, seasoned to perfection. Debora was an excellent cook and Alicia told her so.

"I had to learn to cook for Alex. He wanted good food when he came in from work."

"Nathaniel isn't so lucky. I've spent my years working not learning the domestic side of life," Alicia took another bite.

"You don't hear me complaining, you cook just fine," Nathaniel liked her cooking also, but admitted to himself that both meals Debora cooked that he ate recently were superb. "What did you find at the eye?" he changed the topic.

"We have a positive ID on the six Phoenix soldiers," Alicia didn't want to spoil the meal with details.

"I want to know who raped my daughter," Debora wasn't finished with the discussion.

"She was positively raped by four of the soldiers…..and Fickett," Alicia let the last name slide like something sour off her tongue.

"And Tasha?" Debora looked apologetically at Guzman and he nodded his okay.

"Three soldiers."

"I want names and faces, Alicia," Debora wanted to face those men, even if in photo's.

Alicia handed her mini to Debora and looked at her food while Debora quietly read through the material.

Nathaniel hadn't said a word, neither had Guzman.

Debora handed the mini back, "All young, perfect soldiers on the outside, but criminals within. As for Fickett, he needs to be given to a carno."

"We'll track them down and they'll be brought to justice," Nathaniel spoke quietly.

"What were they doing this close to the colony?" Debora wanted answers to the many questions she hadn't been able to ask.

"That's a good question and we'll get answers, but not tonight," Nathaniel finished his food. "This was excellent, Debora, but we need to let you rest. Wash will be by tomorrow to check on the girls." He looked at Guzman, "You need rest also."

"Be sure and take a sleeping pill," Alicia told him.

"Keep the bottle for the girls," Nathaniel advised. "They might need something stronger than the homemade brew the kid's still will produce."

Nathaniel and Alicia left leaving Guz to check on Tasha once more.

"What's that?" Nathaniel was ready for bed when Alicia held her hand out.

"A sleeping pill. I took one and I don't want you tossing all night, beating yourself up for letting them go today."

He took the pill and water she offered. "I was going to say the same to you," he put the glass on the nightstand and crawled into bed. He pulled her close and had a private thought of how happy he was that she stopped to watch him spar with Guzman making her that much later reaching the girls, or he might be dealing with her being violated or worse, killed.