A/N Thank you for all the reviews. I appreciate that people are reading this and enjoying it. Seriously, thank you. You inspire me. This is a little short. I think the nrxt one will be a lot longer.

TPOV

I take a glance at the boss to see how he's handling everything and wish I hadn't. I can tell from his lips and the way he is gripping the wheel he is furious. I am trying to come down from the adrenalin rush and figure out what we need to do but right now my thoughts are whipping through my brain at the speed of light. Focusing and careful planning will have to wait until my body's chemistry is closer to normal. Then I hear Grey.

"Well, Taylor, am I driving north to fucking Canada or what?"

I hesitate to answer, unsure of what has happened at Escala. Of course, this reminds me the boss has no idea what happened at Escala. I run my hand through my hair, trying to decide how to tell him. He recognizes my tell immediately.

"What? What is it?"

I check my phone hoping there is something from Welch. Nada. Fuck. I have no choice but to tell him the little I know.

"Sir, if could take the next emergency uturn, there's a rest stop a few miles down the highway on the southbound side where we can talk. We really need to talk, there have been developments and that will give me time to get an update from Welch. By the way, Gail, you can get up off the floor now. "

The boss sends me a glare but says nothing. He gently reminds Gail to put her seat-belt on. He is aware that security personnel do not wear seat belts in the front seat. They need to be able to access their weapon quickly and to be able to move quickly. I watch him tighten his seat-belt and know what's coming. I shove my left arm back in the sling. I see the turnaround coming up. I look in the side-view mirror but there are no troopers behind us. "Go!" I yell, grabbing the handle over the passenger-side window and Grey slams on the brakes swings left, skids into a 180 and glides into Southbound traffic. I am tossed around a bit, nothing serious, but I can tell he enjoyed that. Gail asks if I am okay and I reassure her.

Grey pulls into the rest area, parks and asks Gail if she would mind waiting outside the car for a moment. She offers to visit the restroom, but we both immediately nix that. After we have talked, we can escort her but for now we all stay together.

Once I hear the door shut, I take one more glance down at my phone's empty text screen and wonder if I should be cursing Welch or praying for him.

"Sir," I begin. "Security at the penthouse was compromised. Intruders entered the premises. Sullivan requested assistance from myself and Welch. Welch replied that help was on the way. That is the last I heard. "

"Barney?" Grey asks.

"I am sorry, sir, I just don't -" when suddenly my text alert pings. I stare down at my screen and read aloud , "Barney and Sullivan okay. Invasion team never reached second floor and managed to escape unseen, carrying their dead with them. Stay put where you are and additional security will escort you back to Grey House ."

"Back to Grey House? No fucking way. I pay a fucking fortune for security and yet intruders enter my home? Fuck this. I am not running. Get rid of Gates people. I am not going to be responsible for one of them getting killed. You get people in place, Taylor. I don't care if you have to hire an Israeli army squad. I don't care how much you spend or who the fuck you hire, but you better fucking make sure my home is safe. One more screw up like today and your ass is gone. Tell Welch he better be waiting for us when we arrive and he better have some damn good explanations or he'll be right beside you looking for a job."

"Understood, sir."

"Get Welch on the phone now."

I call him and it goes to voice mail. Grey hits the steering wheel so hard, I seriously expected in to break in half.

I spend the next ten minutes listening to the boss rant. Finally, two black Audi SUV's park on either side of us. Gail declines our offer to escort her to the restroom and says she can wait. I don't know either of the drivers by name but do recognize them as Grey employees. A third guy steps out and introduces himself as Armstrong and offers to drive. I think he does covert surveillance for Welch. I thought the boss was going to say no when he noticed the tremors in his hands.

Armstrong opens the door, and nods at the boss's now very visibly trembling hands and says,"Adrenalin crash, sir. Try to relax and take deep breaths."

"Text Welch" Grey growls at me,"Let him know we are returning to my home in Escala and I expect his ass to be waiting for me, ready to be debriefed."

"Yes sir," I reply and wonder what the fuck happened and how the fuck did anyone get into Escala.