"Damn it, Roman," Steve shouted. "They can't do that!"

"I don't like it any more than you do, partner, but I don't control the FBI." Roman's voice reflected his frustration.

Steve stood up from the couch he had been sitting on in the library and began pacing. Roman had just gotten off the phone with the FBI Special Agent in charge of the Winters investigation and had been informed that the FBI was pulling back from the local investigation and focusing on a more national scope on the presumption that Winters had left the area.

"The feds do know it's only been two days, right?" Steve asked sarcastically. "They wouldn't even get involved for hours and now they're already giving up."

"He knows," Roman replied.

"They're just following standard protocol," Shane said from a chair across the room. He sounded tired. "If the kidnapper isn't found in the local area in the first 48 hours, he's probably already left the area."

"I don't give a damn about protocol," Steve said, trying and failing to control his anger. "We all know that Winters isn't going to leave without his daughter. He's still around here somewhere."

"That's what we think." Shane kept his voice even and cool. "But we don't know a bloody thing."

"So what? We just give up?" Steve looked at Roman and Shane. "This isn't some little investigation here. This is about Kim and Kayla."

"You think we don't know that?" Shane asked, the anger creeping back into his voice. "We're all doing everything we can, but we have to face the reality that it's been almost 48 hours without any significant leads developing. And all your shouting isn't going to change that."

Steve stared incredulously at Shane. How was he supposed to feel with Kayla out there somewhere? Every minute that passed without a lead or some new hope was like a minute taken off of his life. And now the FBI were all but calling the search off. Roman still had his guys out on the streets and manning roadblocks, but the surrounding jurisdictions had reduced their manpower as well. Two days - the longest days of his life - and it felt like everybody was giving up.

"Steve. . . ." Roman's voice was softer. "You know that none of us in this room are giving up on finding Kim and Kayla. But we need to face the fact that Winters had a several-hours head start on us. As much as we want to believe he's still in the area, maybe he did the unexpected and just kept driving. If he left the area before the roadblocks were set up, he could be anywhere in the country by now."

Steve's heart clinched at Roman's words. If Cal had indeed left the area, willing to leave his own daughter behind now that he had Kim, what did that mean for Kayla? As much as Steve tried to ignore the thoughts, it was becoming harder and harder to push away the voice that was telling him that Kayla might already be dead.

The three men were silent for a few moments, each lost in his own thoughts. Finally, Roman picked up the phone and began making more calls. Shane opened up another file and began reviewing what little information they had gathered. Needing to do something to stop the thoughts in his head, Steve walked of the room and into the foyer, intending to get some coffee from the kitchen. But before he could get there, the doorbell rang.

Looking around, Steve did not see Simmons, so he walked to the door and answered it. To his surprise, Caroline was standing on the other side, holding Stephanie. Staring silently at his little girl, Steve opened the door wider so Caroline could enter the house.

"I know you've been busy doing everything you can to find Kim and Kayla," Caroline said with a shaky voice. "And Shawn and I wanted to let you focus on finding the girls. But Stephanie has been asking for her mama and papa, so I thought it might do her some good to see you."

Steve nodded, but again did not say anything. He could feel the tears building in his eye and did not trust himself to talk. Instead, he reached out and softly stroked Stephanie's cheek, nearly losing it when she smiled and reached her arms out to him.

Taking Stephanie into his arms, Steve held her close and willed himself to keep his emotions together. Finally pulling back, he smiled at Stephanie and kissed her forehead. "Have you been a good girl for Grandma and Grandpa?"

"She's been wonderful as always," Caroline answered. "But I think she knows something is wrong. Maybe it's just because of all the talk in the house, but she started asking for her mama and papa this afternoon."

"I know . . . I should have been by to see her," Steve said hesitantly. "I just . . . I didn't know how. . . ." He stopped, unable to finish.

In a tender voice, Caroline replied, "It's okay." She looked towards the library. "Is there any news at all?"

Steve shook his head, but kept his eyes focused on Stephanie.

"Oh," Caroline said, unable to hide her disappointment. "I was hoping . . . well, it doesn't matter. I know that you and Roman and Shane will find them," she finished with a note of determination.

Steve nearly smiled at how much Caroline sounded like Kayla in that moment. Her stubbornness may have been from her father, but it was clear - as it had always been - that Kayla's single-minded determination had come from her mother.

"Grandma!"

Steve turned at the sound of Andrew's voice to find him coming down the stairs. Simmons was trailing behind and holding Jeannie.

"Andrew!" Caroline's relief was evident as Andrew raced over to give her a hug. Watching him, it was hard for Steve to believe the boy had been close to death less than two days before.

"I was just taking the children into the kitchen for dinner," Simmons said as he joined them in the foyer. "Has Miss Stephanie had her dinner yet?"

Steve put a squirming Stephanie down to join Andrew. Caroline shook her head at Simmons' question. "No, I was planning on getting her something after I took her back home with me."

"Well, she's more than welcome to stay and join Andrew and Jeannie," Shane said from behind Steve. Steve turned to see Shane leaning against the door to the library watching the children play together. "In fact, it might be good for all of them if Stephanie just stayed here tonight."

Caroline looked at Steve with a question in her eyes. Steve did not respond at first. Instead, he watched how quickly Stephanie had become absorbed in her play with her cousins. Andrew already had Jeannie and Stephanie giggling as he made growling noises with the teddy bear he had been carrying.

Steve took a deep breath and pushed back the unbidden resentment that still lingered when it came to Shane and Stephanie. He nodded softly. "Thanks," he said, looking at Shane. "I think that's a good idea."

Shane nodded. "Simmons can set up a crib in the guest room for Stephanie, if that's okay with you?"

Seeing no objection from Steve, Simmons declared, "Well, then, I guess that is settled. I had better get in the kitchen and get some food ready for these youngsters." He started to reach down and pick up Jeannie.

"Let them play, Simmons," Shane said quietly. "We'll take them into the other room and you can just call us when their dinner is ready."

"Very well, sir," Simmons said with a nod and headed to the kitchen.

"I should get back home and get some dinner for Shawn and Max," Caroline said. The worry had returned to her face. "You'll call if you hear anything, right?"

Shane and Steve both nodded. Caroline said her goodbyes to her grandchildren and left the house. In silence, Shane and Steve continued to watch their children play together, neither wanting to break what comfort they had found in the scene.

Andrew's voice finally broke the silence. "Can we go in the other room now, Daddy? All the good toys are in there."

Steve chuckled at Andrew's words. Shane smiled at his son and said, "Sure, Sport." Reaching down Shane picked up Jeannie and Steve watched as Andrew took Stephanie's hand and led her behind Shane and Jeannie. Trailing behind, Steve smiled softly at the scene before him, thankful that Andrew, Jeannie, and Stephanie had each other.

Now they just had to bring their mothers home to them.