There were times when she looked at the sky, she swore she could hear that woman flipping her cards over, whispering the future they gave. Her bright, happy eyes looking at her and Neema as they spoke of everything that crossed their minds. She could almost see the woman adoring her daughter with them, placing the pretty pink bows in her dark curls.

Yet Habibah wasn't there with her. She wasn't laughing or talking away, telling of the cards or swooning over her beautiful daughter. And all it made her want to do was cry.

"There now Zehra." she heard Neema say as she stretched out the baby's legs, "Just checking you out for your baba. You gave him a scare last night."

Feriah saw the little girl squirm around as Neema buttoned up the snaps to her pajamas, almost giving a protest to leave her be. It was hard to believe that Habibah was gone yet Zehra was alive, she was everything of her mother. Her curly dark hair, her sweet wonderous eyes, even her face was just like her friends. It just hurt more every time she saw the little baby.

"Healthy as can be, sweetheart." Neema said as she rested her on her shoulder, "Want to hold her, Feriah?"

"Duh." she smiled at her, raising her arms out to her.

Not a moment too soon, there was Zerha in her arms. Her soft white clothes gentle to her touch as the little bow she placed in her curls stood out, giving her a cherub look almost.

"God how I miss her."

She heard Neemahum in agreement, "We all do. Sadiq is getting a little better but having Dryas there along with myself and the president's and prime minister's wives. It's just a tough time. They loved her as much as we did."

Feriah listened as the baby's soft snores reached her ears, "You know, you never fully said what happened?"

"To Habibah?" the tone she had worried Feriah.

"Yea."

Neema sighed, "A mystery we never wanted to truly find out."

"How do you-"

"She changed outside the borders."

Now that set a whirl of questions in Feriah, "Changed, as into Ankara."

"Yes." Neema sat before her once more, "Her change was in Armenia, not in Turkey. It was examined that her body was trying to process the change yet couldn't for she wasn't in the nation. It just began to self-destruct. Genesis may have kidnapped her, but her death was ultimately her change."

She felt her stomach bottom on her, wanting to just forget that she ever asked the question, "So becoming Ankara killed her, what about Zerha then?"

"You don't want that one."

"Please." Feriah begged, "Hercules only told me that she was kidnapped and died, nothing more."

Neema just gave her a pained look, just to sigh, "Mother's love."

"What does that-"

"I believe Habibah knew she was going to die no matter what she did or what they did. Somehow she escaped and was only a little away from the border when Sirvat noticed her on her radar." Neema explained, "And when she found her, Zerha was already out of her body, by her own hand."

That was not what she was expecting to hear, "You mean to tell me that Habibah cut Zerha from her body?"

"The will of a mother will be stronger than anything to protect her children."

It made her heart break more, the pain and fear that filled the woman yet the determination and knowing what she was in and had to do, it gave her more of an insight of how strong Habibah really was. Feriah looked back down at Zerha, she would never know her mothers love or how strong she was, all she would have was the stories from her father and them.

"Do not think so low Feriah, Zerha is a product and survivor of love and more. As much as it hurts to have lost Habibah, we need to press on so no other capital or nation falls to this pain ever again."

Feriah smiled, knowing she was right, "Yes, that we do. And Zerha will know from us all about her mother and how much of a beautiful person she was."

"That she will." she saw the woman pat the baby's hair. "Besides, didn't you and Hercules get that ring?"

Oh, how could she had forgotten about that, "We captured half of the ring the other day, finding the main leads in Athens and then some in Volos and Kavala. All we need to do is now, gather the children up in the last place and it's done. No more slave ring in Greece."

Neema smiled at her, "Now that's good news."

"It is. I already spoke to Father Jabari last week, he said things are together for Hercules and I with his military that when we move in, it'll be done with."

She heard Neema let out a soft chuckle, "Still want to go back after learning and having so much?"

Feriah couldn't stop the grin that crossed her face, "You know at one point I did think that. To just focus on the group and do what I needed to save the children, and now. Well, I can't even imagine a day without him or any of you. Going back to the base would just bring all that I have climbed over to surface and just push me back into the hole I knew so much of yet crawled out of."

"So no then?"

"Definitely no."

A small knock came to the door, catching her off guard. Looking over, she saw one of the informants from the government building. Handing Zehra off to Neema, she saluted the man as he waited for her.

"Reason?"

"Movement." was all he gave as he nodded to her.

Now it was her moment, "Then gather the men."

"Once within, head five meters to the left and there should be a door there." Feriah explained to Hercules, "Once in that room, you can cut all communications and lines of any trading. It will give us everything about this ring. While you are doing that, I'll search the grounds with the main team, gathering the children in the chambers and what others we can find."

"So have you do the dangerous work while I collect papers." she heard the irritated tone in his voice.

"If it was that simple." she sighed, "Normally we have Raja or someone lure them all out and then we strike, but in this case, we have not the time or resource for it. So we are going into a building that is hot and loaded."

"And just as dangerous."

"Don't trust me?"

"I never said that." his hand cupped her cheek, "I fear what lies within that we do not see."

"Expect the unexpected Father Jabari says. Can't tell you how many extra children I have found just rounding a corner and opening a door."

His smile hit her soul, "And that's what makes you dangerous and beautiful all at once."

Feriah chuckled at him, "So if you were to say a goddess of Greek mythology, which would I be?"

He smiled at her as his green orbs looked into her, "Of all the goddesses that lace my nation, the one that stands out in my mind for you, is Artemis."

"Artemis, the goddess of the hunt?"

"Yes."

"Elaborate that then?"

"I see her for both of you see so much of the world that most cannot. You do what you can to help the pain of others, as she for childbirth, you are the suffering of children and women and men. Your heart is predominately belonging to one and if anything happens to that one I believe you would never take another."

"Correct there, I wouldn't have had anyone if it wasn't for-"

"Let's not continue that."

"Fine. Just awed you see a goddess in me."

She felt his fingers caress her cheek as the light chatter on the radio seemed faint in her ear, "Feriah, I have told you before, you are even more than a goddess to me. For you are mine. That's what makes it better."

She couldn't stop herself, grabbing his shirt, she pulled him to her, placing a delicate sweet kiss on him. The comfort and need of him just relaxed her mind as the chatter began to more intense.

"Right." she said breaking the moment, "It seems that it's time."

He gave her one more quick peck, one she could feel shoot down her spine and curl her toes. Curse him and that damn kiss. Then the heavy metal of the 1911 Sig Sauer laid in her hand as she heard him hum, "Best to have more than one in this case."

With that cheeky smile, he left to join the men on his team, leaving her with a whirling mind of him and the mission. Dear lord, how did she gain so much in such little time? Shaking her head, Feriah made her way to the men and women of her team, their eyes directly at her as they waited for commands to save lives.

"As we speak, our numbers of slaves are at most forty to fifty, ranging in ages from three to the max of twenty. This knowledge gives us a deeper intel that they have more numbers in protection than most in past. So be on guard, take out silently, and make not a word. If you need to fire your guns, do it at last possible moment. Use daggers and knives to kill, make it quick and move on. Do not sit in one area for more than a minute. The second we pass that door, the seconds start to count for the ones within for the monsters holding them will do whatever it takes to make it never seem like it existed."

Nods and small chatter came to her, a sign that they were prepared, "Right then, let's kick some ass."

Small cheers erupted from them as they readied out of the structure, just as ready as she was to deal with this group. Within minutes, they were lacing the place up, finding each door and accessing what was needed. Dropping guards and some stragglers as they patrolled, she waited with baited breath to make her move. The map clear in her head for her targets and where to point her people as Hercules's roamed the other half, destroying what life they could find of the leading scumbags and gather everything to end the ring.

Movement here and there caught her as she watched from her hidden perch above the building. She saw Hercules and his team make their move within, silently getting into the main building. She counted backwards in her head, waiting to see what would show and come out, yet all was silent. Finally, with a quick chirp over the radio, she was given her go.

Flying from her spot, she made her way to the main door with the others, the Sig he gave her out and ready as she palmed the heavy metal. The door flew open as the first set of soldiers went in and she followed behind. They branched off like she had wanted and now she was taking her own path. She knew how they thought and what they liked to do. Quickly she found the empty hallway and listened, four soldiers following her as she waited for that familiar sound, and then it came to her. Moving quietly down, she found the door. The small whimpers within her sign that a set had been found. Lightly opening the door, she cleared the room of threats as two men sat within, yet they barely moved as she placed a quiet shot in their heads. The children's frightened gazes landed on her as she nodded to them, a spill of Greek leaving her as the other soldiers came to sight, ready to lead them all out.

One by one, she watched the children escape, the knowledge of real freedom gracing their eyes as they tried not to cry. This was what she lived for. This is what she lived, both she and Habibah and now with her gone and her little girl left with her memory, Feriah made this mission more about both of them and the greater good of the children like them.

A few moments later, she found another room, then another, and then another. The chatter on the radio gave way that Hercules and his team cleared the building of the scum and gained more than what they needed including soon to be sold children in a sex ring. Her heart and mind were in a tizzy as she pressed on, another door in sight as she cleared her finally hallway. No noise came from within, not ones she wanted most. Quietly, she pressed the door open, seeing a figure within.

With precision and skill, she moved behind him, raising the gun higher to him as it soon rested on the back of his head.

"Statheíte akínitoi, í pethánete."

A sigh left the man, his hands raising up as she caught glimpse of a ring on his hand. No, she'd seen that ring before. New it too well.

"You really suck at observing things Feriah."

That voice, she knew it, way too well. Gun still at the ready, she threw him around to be shocked in her finding. There, right in front of her, was Zamir. HIs dark eyes looking at her as the usual gruff on his chin seemed cleaner, sharper almost.

"Zamir? What are you doing here? Father Jabari didn't say anything about you helping us?"

"Yea, about them all." he sighed, "You realize he isn't letting you back right?"

That hurt, "Yes I'm aware. What does that have to do with-"

"I mean, even if he wanted, he couldn't let you back. There isn't anything there."

"YesI know. He's moved the base and more so I wouldn't go back. I'm aware, had it dropped on me. Yet you still haven't answered my question." she said as she started to get a bit agitated with him, "What are you doing here, Zamir."

The earpiece suddenly went mad. A flurry of calls of a room full of dead bodies was found as they called Hercules to check it over and see what needed to be done. A strange, sickening filled Feriah as she looked at her old comrade.

"Zamir, I'll ask again. Why are you here?"

"They pay better."

No, no she didn't hear that. "Not only do they do that, they provide better protection and with Genesis being needy with soldiers and more, well I helped them gain soldiers for the cause."

"Zamir." she felt herself shake slightly, how could he have.

"Where is Feriah?" she heard Hercules's voice over the radio.

"What did you do Zamir?"

"What I had to."

"Where is Father Jabari? Where's is he, or Ilir or Raja? Where is our team, where is everyone?"

The sickening smile that crossed his face made her realize what she had walked into, "I think you know, capital."

"Feriah, do you hear me?" she heard Hercules call over the radio, "Get out of thee, now. We have a serious situation right now. I need you out of here."

Fury roared in her head, heartache claimed her chest as she tried to imagine him bursting into the eternal flames of hell. The dirty bastard, he set her up and anyone else that came into the building, "What did you do?"

"I just took out a cause that was no longer useful."

Feriah snapped, she nothing but red as she charged at him, screaming in anger as she brought the butt of the gun down on him. He evaded her, yet all it did was spur her on. Ripping the radio from her ear, she fought Zamir as he tried to gain his own hold on her yet she gave him no chance. She wanted him dead now. She knew what he did, anyone would have at that moment. She just couldn't believe it was them.

"Want to know what it was like to hear them all beg for life?" he joked.

Two shots echoed the building as she fired at the fucker. To hell with justice or anything, she wanted his blood to spill. He took off down the hall and she followed. She scuffled with him as he ran into a dead end, doing what she could to get what she wanted out of him. Feriah wanted to hear him beg, to plead for his life like she knew he did with them.

"Raja was best, she pleaded for the rat within her more than anything." he said punching her in the face, "That little mutt didn't deserve to live, no matter how much of a good soldier he would've done for Genesis."

"You animal!" she screamed at him, grabbing hold of a pipe and connecting with him. "You deserved death not them!"

All she could see was Raja doing whatever she could to protect her unborn baby as Ilir either laid lifeless or helpless in Zamir's torture. She could see them all plead with their once friend, doing whatever it took to get him back to the person they knew. A sudden blow to her stomach made her lose her thought as his laughter echoed her head.

"They were nothing but dust at the bottom of a shoe!" he proclaimed to her as he tried to slam her head down on the ground, yet she evaded his grasps, headbutting him in the process.

"They were people of worth, ones that saved lives!" she shouted, "Not taking them!"

Feriah was blinded in her rage, feeling her past and present mix together as her mind tried to focus on all that was before her. She had to stay focused and keep fighting Zamir or at least finally kill him. But the more they continued to throw blows at each other, the harder it was for her mind to stay focused.

"You see, you area lost cause too." his foot connected with her chest, "You fade into the past. And this time, that old African goat can't save you."

She felt herself try and gather her breath yet it wouldn't come, she laid there gasping as pain filled her chest, the dread of broken ribs came to mind as she felt the heaviness grow.

"You really are just a pathetic excuse of a person Feriah, too bad no one said otherwise to you." he said standing over her, "The city of Athens. A capital and something Genesis wants so bad that they can taste."

White hot pain filled her as he hoisted her against his shoulder, carrying her off and away from the building as he held something in his other hand.

"You will get me great things, now if you could just tell me where Cairo and that little city, Istanbul are, I could maybe make a deal with them to spare you. Well, you alone, not your nation."

"Fuck...you." she somehow got out.

"Well that's not nice, Greece is here. I know that much, so let's leave him a little surprise yes?"

Looking at the heavy wall, she saw the familiar explosive devices they used in extreme moments. Jesus, if there were this many in this area, how many were all over the buildings? Somehow she gained enough energy to place the earpiece back and flip it on just to hear the madness of the group searching for her, including Hercules's panicked voice.

" Vómves mésa, vgeíte tóra."

She hoped he'd listen, that they all would as she felt Zamir drop her for a moment, "What did you say?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Typical Feriah. Want to know something, that capital Ankara, as easy as she was to capture, she was as stubborn as you. But of all things, she told us to leave you alone along with Cairo. You must've meant a lot to her."

Feriah looked up at him, feeling rage burn within her veins. The fucker, he took her, he killed Habibah and nearly Zehra. She wanted him dead and there was only one other piece left she had hidden on her. As quick as she could, she unsheathed the dagger she took from Hercules's office and driving the short kopis into his gut. Taking her free hand, she was determined that no one else would ever get hurt by him.

"That we were." she said, Habibah flashing in her mind, "So now if I die, you will die with me, asshole."

She said a small prayer in her head as he tried to fight her for the device, knowing that she would not only see her dreams in life, but Habibah once more, and then she pushed the button. The deafening sounds of the explosions went off as the building shook and rattled with her and Zamir in the entrance way. She felt herself become airborne with him, only to land outside in a painful heap. She tried to move, yet everything felt like fire within her, her chest even heavier as a strange numbing filled her veins. Somehow she moved her hand to her back as she felt something pinching her, only then did she feel the heavy shrapnel in her back. Well fuck, maybe she really was going to meet them, she felt her breath grow heavy as the world slowly faded in an out, shouts of survivors and soldiers growing faint as those sweet giggles claimed her hearing once more. And then, she let the pain fade, along with her body.

He prayed. Prayed that she wasn't in the explosion, that she was safe, that she didn't know that he had found her team in pieces in another room. Hercules just prayed that Feriah was alive and just waiting for him. But the area she was in was nothing more but slowly falling rubble. Dread filled him as the more he looked the more he realized that she was in the blast.

"No Feriah, where are you?"

He was ready to just freak out, to search every inch of the place for her yet it wasn't long as two bodies caught his sight, mangled and bloodied, yet one stood out from the other.

"Feriah." he ran over, "Feriah!"

Sure enough, as he and the others crossed the way to see her on the ground, "Ochi, Feriah!"

Not her, not Feriah, not this. Anything but this. He saw his old dagger sunk into the man's gut as it's scabbard was on her hip. That must've been why her line was quiet, she was fighting him and she had to have learned of the others with it. The marks upon her body were not only of the explosion but a fight as well. Only then did he see the blood from behind her.

"Feriah, please." he pleaded with her, lifting her to see the shrapnel pieces littering her back and side, "Oh god no."

He was too late, he was late again. He lost his mother, watched loves pass on when he said not a word to them, he lost friends and words he wished to take back and after losing Habibah, he was going to lose her as well. Why did this have to happen? He heard the others speak lightly to him as he tried to find a breath, even a pulse from her, yet she was silent. No more witty comebacks or even being called lazy. She was really gone.

Hercules couldn't move, he was stuck in his mind and hurt as it all rolled through him, "Feriah, you promised you wouldn't leave me. You said you wouldn't be like the others. God, please come back to me."

He held her close, praying for anything but gained nothing. The soldiers let him be as they finished what was needed, yet he didn't care. All he wanted was Feriah to come back and one thing came to mind.

"Andromeda?" he whispered out, "Mother?"

He waited for her, hoping that if anything, she would answer him, "Parakaló, mitéra. Please, I beg you, I need you."

The scent of flowers caressed him as her once warm touch graced his cheek, "My son."

"Please, bring her back to me. I cannot lose another, I have lost so much love, I don't think I can handle it again."

"It is not up to me."

"What?" his head shot up, finally seeing the spirit of his mother, "What do you mean?"

"Hercules, the man that she killed was intending to not only take her but gather Cairo and Istanbul with a few other capitals to be with cities. She sacrificed herself to save them. So like the German woman, she waits on the breath to make her choice. I have no direction in this."

His heart nearly shattered, she was making a choice to either stay or pass on?

"Hercules, you worry too much." he felt his mother kiss his forehead, "I know what Feriah sees and wants, and what I know is something you should not fear."

And then she was gone. Leaving him questioning more than before until a shaky breath and cough caught him. His eyes landed on Feriah, holding her tight to him as her green eyes looked up at him

"Holy shit, that was a trip."

For once, he couldn't help himself as he laughed at her, the same wittiness within her as he kissed her, feeling her pulse under his hand.

"You chose me."

She smiled at him, "Well duh, why wouldn't I?"

He shook his head at her as her smile filled him with a knowing happiness, "Oh and one other thing."

"And what's that?" he felt a strange calm come from her as she looked up at him, one that made his heart hurt and yet feel good all at once.

"Habibah says she loves us all."