Barney sat back as Louis cut the lawn with hedge trimmers and Maya scrubbed years' worth of grime off of the lawn chairs with a toothbrush. They'd done rock, paper, scissors for which chore they were going to do, but neither chore was appealing, so Barney wasn't really sure if either of them felt they'd "won" anything.

"Damn," Caesar said, watching too. "What did your parents dole out for punishments? This seems a little bit cruel and unusual."

"You don't wanna know," Barney replied, crossing his legs. "But this is easy shit."

"So long as it makes them think twice the next time they come up with something crazy they want to do," Caesar said, shaking his head.

"I'm sure it will."

Caesar left him to it, going to check on Tia and Emily. Barney knew how freaked out Emily was. He didn't blame her. It had been a close call. It made his own heart clench just thinking about anything happening to Maya or Louis.

"It's so hot," Maya complained, and Barney held up the hose and promptly sprayed her with water, nearly knocking her over from the force of it. She shrieked and then laughed, unable to help herself.

"Hey, I wanna get wet too!" Louis called, and Barney aimed it over at him. It fell on him like a gentle rain, though, since he was farther away.

"No laughing," Barney said to them. "You're being punished, remember?"

"Nobody said we couldn't make our punishment fun," Maya pointed out.

"Oho, don't let your mother hear that," Barney chortled.

"When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade," Maya quoted, looking smug. Barney couldn't help but smile as he shook his head at her.

"You're something else, kid," he said.

"I know," Maya said proudly. She went back to scrubbing, and Barney suddenly felt a ton of regret for not having children of his own. It surprised him, actually. He never thought it was something he'd feel he missed out on.

But he did.

...

"I thought you were burned out on fishing?" Toll asked, his fingers curled around his rod as he steered the boat. Gunner made a dismissive sound. Both men had been scared for the kids, but since all was well again, they'd decided to bolt before they somehow got swept up in Barney's chores.

"I'm bored," he replied. In reality, he wanted something to distract him from what almost happened to those kids.

"Face it, you couldn't stand the idea of me beating you," Toll said, pointing a finger at him. "Am I right?"

"No, it's because the Mepps is better than the Wobbler," Gunner argued.

"No, it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"You-" Toll started but then stopped when Gunner suddenly got yanked forward by his rod. He managed to grab it, barely, and dug his feet in on the boat floor. Eyes wide, he turned his head to look at Toll.

"Holy shit," he said.

"No way!" Toll exclaimed.

"I think it's the one!"

"No way!" Toll exclaimed again. He wound his line in quickly as Gunner slowly reeled in his. Toll stood and watched as Gunner fought with it, scanning the water to catch the first glimpse of it.

"Frickin', stupid, big assed, fish," Gunner grunted with each wind.

"I doubt it has a big ass, Gunner," Toll advised, scoffing.

"Well, it certainly feels like it," Gunner retorted, groaning as he lifted up the rod and then reeled in as he lowered it quickly. "Get the net. Get the net!"

"It's bigger than the net," Toll insisted, finally laying eyes on it. He hated to admit it, but he was impressed.

"It's him!" Gunner's voice was excited now. "Toll, it's him!"

"With that amount of sass, I think it's a her," Toll replied.

"Whatever. Just get it!"

"Let's hope this baby doesn't snap your line," Toll replied, going to lean over the side so he could catch the damn thing with his hands. Gunner was growling and hollering as he reeled in ever so painfully slowly. Toll saw the fish come towards him, and he reached to snag it.

"ARGH!" he bellowed, getting soaked as the fish splashed and struggled, but he kept a hold of it. Toll felt Gunner grab the back of his pants before he toppled overboard, and then he was yanked back in. He fell backwards, landing on the floor of the boat with a fish flopping and flailing on his lap, the tail smacking him in the face before he could get out of the way.

"Oh yea!" Gunner called, pumping his fists. "Who's the champion now?!"

Toll swore under his breath, but he was quite taken with the beautiful fish he was holding. It seemed almost a shame to kill it. There were signs of scars on it, which indicated to Toll that it had been caught and released more than once. He looked at Gunner.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.

"That it's too much of a fish for you?" Gunner countered.

"No," Toll said impatiently. "The other thing."

"That it looks like as old as this lake and should be left alone?"

"Yea, that."

"I agree," Gunner said. "But...a photo first. For proof."

"Yea, yea," Toll muttered, getting to his feet. Gunner posed with the fish, and Toll took some photos on Tia's camera they'd "borrowed." They knew she'd never let it out of her sight unsupervised, but they'd needed something for this very occasion.

"Alright, my beauty," Gunner said, moving to lower the fish back down into the water. "Live on to almost break someone else's arms another day."

Toll watched as the fish tore off as soon as it could, leaving them to stare at the leftover bubbles in wonder. He couldn't help but smile, even though he was feeling pain inside over Serena still. Gunner smiled too, and they high fived and laughed.

He hadn't really lost because he'd gotten to share the experience with Gunner; that was the most important thing.

Now, if only he could let other experiences happen without doubting them. Maybe he still had a chance, and he was going to find out.

...

Emily watched her daughter work and get sprayed by Barney every so often with the hose. She admired Maya for making fun out of work, but it was a skill that would come in handy someday. Emily dreaded the day her daughter became an adult.

"Any word on Fred?" Tia asked, sidling up next to her now.

"No," Emily answered. "But I haven't talked to Serena either. She would know more than me."

"I'm fine to keep them over here another night regardless," Tia said, a knowing look appearing on her face then. Emily noticed she was looking in Lee's direction as she said it. He was currently talking to Caesar and laughing about something. Emily loved the way his face looked when he laughed. She looked away before he caught her watching.

"I'm hardly in the mood," Emily told Tia, hugging herself tightly. "My daughter almost died today."

"But she didn't," Tia reiterated. "See? She's totally fine." She gestured, and Emily watched as Maya tackled Barney now, trying to get the hose from his hands to spray him back. She was laughing hard as she did so.

"How is it that children can just bounce back from things so quickly?" Emily asked. Then she recalled Maya's words. She hadn't been scared because she'd believed she would be just fine...an angel had told her so. Emily wasn't sure what to make of that.

"I'm not sure, but I wish it worked that way for us," Tia replied with a chuckle. "But seriously, enjoy some time with Lee later. You deserve it."

Emily didn't comment any further on it. She watched Maya for a bit longer, feeling the adrenaline from her scare starting to slip away slowly. The danger had passed. Maya was safe and sound. If she could move on from what happened, then maybe Emily could too.

She turned as the boat came back with Toll and Gunner, who were both talking over each other in their haste to share the story first with Caesar. She didn't give her full attention to them because she saw Serena hovering by the trail and trying to get her attention. Without a word, Emily went over to her, leaving Tia to go talk to the men about the big fish Gunner had caught.

"What's wrong?" she asked Serena.

"Fred's not coming back tonight," Serena answered. "He said he has been held up with work stuff."

"I see."

Toll's voice was full of laughter as it rang out. Emily looked at her friend and saw a wistfulness there.

"Just go talk to him," Emily urged. "He's a nice guy."

"I'll see you later, Emily," Serena said, backing away and turning to go. Emily sighed as she watched her go.

...

"What are you doing?" Ethan asked when Fred came into his hotel room. "I thought you were..."

"I've got my own plan, okay?" Fred cut him off. "Back off."

"What about...?"

"Don't worry about it," Fred replied, going to drop his bag by the other bed in the room. Ethan slightly pursed his lips and chewed on the inside of them lightly, but he didn't say anything else.

There really was no point.

...

It was late in the afternoon now, and both kids were drenched both with sweat and hose water. Tia had to admit that they'd worked their butts off intensely, so she decided to end their punishment.

"Okay, guys," she said, clapping her hands together as she approached them. Barney was still in his chair as supervisor, his cigar in his mouth. He went to aim the hose at her, and she held up her hand instantly.

"Oh heeell no," she said. He smirked but lowered the hose. She turned back to Louis and Maya. "I think you two have learned your lesson, right?"

"Yes," Louis said instantly.

"Uh huh," Maya said a second behind him.

"Okay, go clean up, and we'll do something fun, alright?"

Both kids whooped and ran to the cottage. Barney pulled out his cigar and looked at Tia.

"I woulda worked 'em 'til dark," he advised.

"I know, but they're still kids, and you had them for long enough," Tia replied. "I'm not a monster."

Barney just smiled and stuck his cigar back into his mouth. Tia turned to walk away, shrieking when the blast of water hit her in the back and running away as fast as she could while Barney sat there cackling to himself.

...

Lee watched as Maya looked a bit hesitant while standing on the end of the dock. Louis was having a splash war with Caesar, drenching Gunner, who was sitting on the edge of the opposite dock and minding his own business. He started to kick water back in defense. Toll was on the raft while Tia lounged on her inner tube. Barney was sitting in one of his wooden chairs and observing everyone.

"No one would blame you if you're not ready," Emily said to Maya now, making her look at her. Emily was sitting with her feet in the water next to her daughter. Lee was standing in the water in front of them.

"I know it's hard, but facing the thing that scared you sooner than later helps you to move on from it better," Emily added. Maya nodded, resolve on her face now. She went down the ladder and into the water.

"Water should be treated with respect," Lee said to her now as she stood there up to her chin in it. "Like fire. It can be tame and calm, but it can also get raging and out of control quickly." He saw Maya looking at him solemnly, listening carefully. "You can have fun with it, but don't be careless with it cos it might take your life."

"Okay," Maya replied.

"You doing alright?"

"Yea." She took the goggles from Emily's hand and snapped them on. Then she was under without a second's hesitation. Lee looked at Emily, who was intently watching the spot where Maya had gone under. Relief was on her face when Maya surfaced a moment later by the raft. She hauled herself up, talking to Toll about something she'd seen under the water.

"See? She's alright," Lee said to Emily, who made a noncommittal noise in her throat while watching Maya still. After a moment, she got to her feet and pulled off the long t-shirt covering her two piece, joining Lee in the water and swimming towards the raft. Lee took in a breath and let himself sink underwater, trying to silence the noise in his head.

He felt hands on his shoulders a moment later, and he turned to see Maya grinning and waving at him. He smiled back, and she kept on swimming to her destination. Lee surfaced another moment later, pulling his fingers down from his brow and across his nose to pull water droplets off. He felt relief that she was okay, that she hadn't let it deter her from swimming.

"Oh, snap," Toll was saying, making Lee look up to see him and Emily standing on opposite corners of the raft. Emily was wearing a mischievous expression on her face. "This is harder than it looks!"

"That's the point," she said, bearing down on her corner and trying to make Toll lose his balance on the other end. Getting an idea, Lee went under and swam underneath the raft, reaching to push up on Toll's corner when it lifted slightly. He heard the yelp and splash a moment later, and he surfaced for air under the raft in the pocket before going back under and swimming away from it before Toll saw him. He surfaced a few feet away, treading water and watching Toll splutter and splash his way back up. Emily was laughing.

"I think someone interfered!" Toll called, seeing Lee now.

"I've been over here the whole time," Lee lied, making Toll give him a look of disbelief in return. Then Maya was climbing up and wanting to be a part of the game, which made Louis do the same. Lee eventually got out and sat next to Barney, making his friend cringe away from the water being sprayed at him as he did so.

"You gonna melt?" Lee asked, flicking water off his fingers at him. Barney moved his head away, scowling.

"No. I just prefer to be dry."

Gunner joined them a minute later, soaked as well. Caesar was trying to dump Tia off her floaty, and she was about ready to pummel him for it.

"You know what?" Gunner said.

"What's up, Gunner?" Barney asked. The big man was looking thoughtful, his eyes crinkled from the smile on his face.

"This is the happiest I've felt in a long time," Gunner replied, not looking at either of them. Lee shared a glance with Barney, knowing this was a good thing.

"I second that," Barney commented, reaching to bump his fist against Gunner's shoulder.

"Yea," Lee agreed, nodding slowly. He looked at Emily laughing and trying to dodge her daughter pushing her off the raft, and he really did feel truly happy.

...

Toll couldn't take it anymore. Once he was dried off and changed, he went looking for Serena. She was sitting on a chair on her deck with her feet propped on the railing, looking pensive.

"Hey," he said, making her turn her head to see him.

"Hey," she said back.

"I'm sorry," he blurted out. He stopped on the ground in front of her so she was looking down at him. "I haven't really had good relationships before, and I really struggle with believing that someone would actually want to be with me, so when a beautiful woman such as yourself tells me you want to be with me, I think it can't possibly be true, so I sabotage it first before I get hurt."

"Toll," Serena started, sounding a little sad. He held up his hand to indicate he wasn't finished.

"I shouldn't have accused you of playing games. I understand you're caught in a complicated situation, and I guess all I was trying to do was find a way to help you by knowing what was going on, but if you telling me puts you in danger, then I don't want to know. I'll figure it out a different way so you're not involved." He held her gaze, and she looked like she might start crying. "I care a lot about you, Serena, and if we make it or not, that won't change. I'm here no matter what."

Serena stood now and came down the steps to join him. Toll braced himself as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. He held her close, trying to calm his racing heart.

"I care about you too," she said after, looking at him. "I don't want you to get hurt, and I fear you will if you know too much. I was trying to keep you safe."

"I am known to be able to handle myself very well," Toll said with a chuckle.

"Be that as it may," she said back, "Fred is more powerful than you think."

"We'll handle him together," Toll promised. "You'll get out of this in one piece. You have my word."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," she whispered.

"I intend to keep this one," he advised. She touched his cheek gently. There was something in her eyes that made him feel scared, like she already knew her fate and wasn't telling him.

"Come on," she said, tugging on his hand. "Let's just have some fun for a bit, yea?"

"Okay."

They went back to Barney's hand in hand, and Toll saw Tia give him a look of approval as she bustled around getting supper going. Toll loved that Serena just fit right in easily with the others as she sat down and joined the conversation. He sat next to her, taking it all in.

He never wanted this night to end.

...

It was growing dark now, and Emily had watched Lee across the fire for long enough. They'd been talking and laughing all together for the last while after finishing supper. Maya and Louis were trying to race each other to finish a marshmallow first. Emily felt like it was time; she was suddenly in the mood.

She got to her feet and casually made her way around to Lee, resting her hand on his shoulder lightly as she passed. She backed away slowly, watching as he looked over his shoulder at her for a moment before turning back to the others, who were laughing at Caesar's joke he was telling. Emily walked carefully on the trail towards her place. She was thankful that Serena had figured things out with Toll and was currently sitting beside him at the fire, leaving their cottage abandoned. In a few moments, she was on her dock and sitting with her knees pulled against her chest. Less than three minutes later, Lee was sitting down to join her.

"Hey," he said, and she turned her head towards him and smiled.

"Hi."

"Quite the day," he commented.

"It's not over yet," she replied. She saw him smile in the semi-darkness before looking past her and nodding with his head.

"Meteor," he said. She looked and caught the very tail end of it. Another streaked across a moment later.

"You know," she started, "I recall hearing something about a meteor shower happening soon."

"Yea," he agreed. "I did too."

She felt him reach for her, and she let him pull her so that she was sitting between his legs with her back against his chest. His arms were around her, holding her close. She folded her arms over his, slipping her fingers through his after finding them. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his cheek pressed against her face. Emily could feel his heart beating against her back, and it was soothing.

They didn't talk as they sat there together, watching meteors fly past every so often. It was just nice to sit and stargaze even. The universe always made her feel so small, but not in a bad way. Emily hadn't realized how much she craved this kind of normalcy. She'd always wanted someone to do things like this with, and here it was finally happening.

After a while, she moved to turn so that she was facing him, and with one hand, she lowered him onto his back onto the dock. Then she sat on his waist, her knees on either side of him, and her hands resting on either side of his head on the dock, her hair falling forward as she looked down at him. His hands went to hold her hips, but he didn't do anything else. He let her lead this time.

Emily touched her lips to his lightly, gently pulling at them and claiming them over and over until she slipped her tongue into his mouth and took things further. Lee's hands slid up her back until they were pulling her down onto him. Then he held her close with one hand resting on the back of her neck. She had no sense of time passing in that moment. They could have been there like that for hours or minutes, but eventually she moved and pulled him to her feet with her and led him inside.

There were zero interruptions this time.

...

Lee had no idea what to make of his feelings right now. He was leaning on the headboard with Emily laying half on him, her head tucked against his shoulder and an arm draped across his chest. His fingers were idly running up and down her back.

"So how are we doing this?" she asked. Lee knew what she meant, and he felt guilty knowing she was going to find out what his real job was sooner than later and that he lived in a different state altogether. How were they going to do this? It was a fair question.

"Why don't we worry about that later?" he suggested.

"I guess," she agreed. "I don't really want to find out we made a mistake just yet."

"I don't think this is a mistake," he said seriously. He couldn't see her clearly in the dark, but he knew what her face looked like and what expression she was making. He felt her fingers trace a scar on his left side.

"Where did you get this one from?" she asked.

"Knife fight."

"Oh," she said, shuddering. "Sorry I asked."

"It's fine. It's my history," he replied. They were quiet for a moment. Emily continued to trace her fingers over his skin, making him go a bit crazy inside all over again.

"Can you promise me something?" she whispered suddenly, pressing her lips into his shoulder gently.

"Anything."

"Please don't string me along," she said. "When you get tired of me, just tell me. Don't pretend."

"Who said anything about stringing you along?" he asked.

"Just promise me," she said again.

"Em, I'm not going anywhere," he promised. "If I was, and that is a huge, impossible if, you'd be the first to know."

"Thank you. I just don't want Maya to get hurt." She looked down, and Lee knew she meant that she didn't want to get hurt either but was hiding behind Maya's name.

"You know I love her, right?" he asked. She looked at him again.

"I know," she murmured.

"I never thought I'd feel that way for a child who isn't biologically mine, but I'm telling you: I love her, and I'd die for her if I had to."

"Welcome to being a parent," Emily said softly. "I sometimes worry about what will happen to her if something happens to me."

"I'd take her," Lee advised.

"You would?" she asked, surprised.

"Yea," Lee confirmed, running his fingers up and down her arm slowly. "I would. I wouldn't let anything happen to her, Emily."

"I...I don't even know what to say, Lee."

"Don't say anything."

So she didn't. She moved closer to him, pressing her lips against the corner of his mouth softly. He parted his as she moved hers to kiss him fully, her hand holding his neck.

"You gotta promise me something," he murmured, sliding his fingers along her cheek and tucking her hair behind her ear.

"What's that?"

"Trust that this is going to work."

"I can't promise that," she said.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't trust easily," she answered. "And because I'm not quite convinced you're completely smitten with me." She smiled as he chuckled, pulling her onto his lap and holding her close.

"Then I guess I just have to prove it again, don't I?" he said, kissing her once more. He sank down again, pulling her with him. She stopped to adjust and get comfortable.

"I mean it," she said as she rested her forearms on either side of his head, her fingers tracing his face and jaw.

"Which part?"

"I have trust issues. Forgive me if I hold back more than I should."

"It's okay," he assured her. "I get it."

"But just so you know, after your speech about raising Maya if I was gone, it bumped you up a notch on the trust board," she said, and he laughed softly.

"Well, I meant it; it wasn't something I just said to gain points."

"I know." She hovered her face above his, and he touched her lips lightly with his, running a hand down her back slowly. He felt her respond to his touch, and she kissed him hard.

He'd spend forever proving to her he loved her if he had to. He'd do anything for her.

...

Barney smiled as Louis and Maya got ready to sleep in their shared tent. Tia was going to sleep in there with them. He gave a big kudos to her, but sometimes he wondered what it would be like to have your child curled against you and know that you were the one keeping them safe from all the monsters in the world, real or imagined.

"Hey, Barns," Toll said, breaking into his thoughts.

"Yea?"

"What's the word?"

"Word is we wait," Barney answered. "Sorry, nothing's changed."

"All good."

"Where's Lee?" Barney asked after a moment, realizing his friend was not there. Toll tilted his head towards the direction of Emily's place, and Barney tried not to feel worried.

...

Toll looked up when Serena approached him. She was sliding her phone into her back pocket.

"I have to go," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"Fred wants me to meet him in town."

"Don't go," Toll blurted, feeling childish suddenly.

"It's fine," she promised, resting a hand on his chest. "He just wants to talk. I'll be back before you know it."

"Something doesn't feel right."

"It'll be fine," she advised.

"I'll come with you..."

"Not a good idea," she interrupted. "He'll know, and I don't want him to get angry. Just stay here. I'll be back. I promise."

"Is that one you can keep?" Toll asked, and he saw something again in her eyes, but she smiled.

"Of course."

She went to leave, but he caught her and pulled her back to kiss her once more. He couldn't explain it, but something really just didn't feel right.

"I'm here, remember?" he said after.

"I know." She rested a hand on his cheek and kissed his other one softly before stepping away and leaving. Toll watched her go until the darkness swallowed her whole.

It was all he had not to run after her.

...

Emily frowned at her phone, feeling Lee stir beside her. She set it down and turned as he moved to face her on his right side.

"You good?" Lee asked.

"Yea," she answered. "All good." She heard their second boat leave a moment later, and Lee stiffened as he half lifted himself to look at the window in the direction of the noise.

"Who was that?" he inquired.

"Serena's running into town," Emily replied.

"At this time of night?"

"Yea." Nine thirty at night was an odd time to head to town. Emily agreed on that one.

"Is it Fred?"

"I don't know. She didn't say," Emily said. The text message was making her on edge.

"You think something's wrong?"

"I don't know," she said again, "but she said she's fine, so there's that." She could feel Lee's disbelief, and she almost started talking again when he beat her to it.

"You want me to tail her?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. She will call me if she needs help," Emily assured him. He seemed a bit conflicted at first, but then he nodded and sank back down. Emily lay there thinking hard and fast.

...

They were in the hotel room, and Fred was looking at Serena sitting on the bed. She'd come when summoned, which was a good thing. He'd expected her to bring one of the Expendables, but she hadn't. Her trust in him was obviously a lot. It surprised him to feel a little bothered about what he was going to do next, even though he'd known all along it was going to happen. He had known for a few months that she was going to be a problem, and he hated having problems.

"I'll be back," he told her, and she nodded. He knew she thought he was going to come back and sleep with her, and that's exactly what he wanted.

The moment had come. Fred went and located his gun in the bathroom where he'd left it. He tucked it into the back of his pants and came back out to find Serena smiling at him.

"You know what to do," he said, gesturing to the bed. She didn't say anything as she stood up and turned her back to him. He pulled out his gun, getting ready to make his move. Suddenly, she gave a roar and whipped around, smacking the gun from his hand. Taken aback, he took two blows to the face before getting his wits back about him and fighting back. Serena was strong, which surprised him. She fought very well, and he soon realized that she must have had some kind of training. She wasn't who she had let on she was. She pulled out her own gun from inside her jacket, making him act fast.

She screamed in fury as he threw her across the room, her gun clattering away from her. When had she gotten a gun? Fred was feeling confused. She hit the floor hard and tried to get up. He was on her in seconds, wrapping his hands around her throat. She hit his pressure points hard before reaching to ram a thumb into his eye. He let her go, and she kneed his stomach before crawling out from underneath him. They crashed into everything, making a mess as they fought each other. He could feel her fury and desperation. She didn't want to lose. He threw her across the bed, and she skidded across it and rolled off to the other side. She was going for her gun on the floor, but Fred was faster. He lunged for his, grabbed it, and turned and fired off two shots before she hit the floor unmoving. Fred was panting as he wiped his upper lip with the back of his arm. He reached for his phone, dialing Ethan.

"Yea?" Ethan answered.

"Did you know she was an agent?" Fred asked. There was a bit of silence before Ethan answered.

"No."

Something made Fred think this was a lie, but he didn't care nor did he have the time to deal with Ethan about it. She was taken care of regardless. That was always the plan. She'd just been Ethan's dumb sister to him, someone he could have fun with and do whatever he wanted with until he caught her snooping around one night. She'd tried to cover it, but he knew. He couldn't have a rat on his team or someone who was wanting to take over his game or give information to his competition, regardless of whose sibling she was. Fred had not expected her to be some kind of agent or spy, though, but how else would she know how to fight like that? He really shouldn't have been so blind.

"Tonight," Fred said. "We're moving it tonight. We can't risk it if she's supposed to check in with a handler and misses it." It aggravated him that his plan got changed, but he couldn't risk it.

"Alright."

Fred hung up and rested his head back on the dresser, trying to get his breath back. He stood up after he was calmed down and stood over Serena's body. It really was a shame. He stepped over her and walked out, leaving her behind for someone else to find.

...

Ethan rested his phone against his chin momentarily. He was sitting in his truck at the landing, getting ready to go across to the island. He'd just gotten there ten minutes earlier.

Was.

That word only meant one thing: Serena was dead. It still impacted him even though he'd recently discovered she'd been a pawn of the CIA for a long time, that she'd spent her time away in her late teens becoming a spy and then cozying up to him and Fred so she could take down his operations. It had made him so angry that she would do such a thing: betray him. He'd spent the last while distancing from her, which he was sure she noticed. He hadn't been able to confront her about it yet. Now he never could.

He looked across the water, breathing in slowly. She'd done it to herself. In this kind of game, you couldn't be on the opposite side. You were in, all or nothing. At least he hadn't told Fred about her; he'd owed her that much. Fred knew now, though. Ethan should have known that her desire to be good would get her killed. His original plan had been to out her as an agent and then make her leave to keep her safe, but he was too late.

"Damn it," he muttered, banging the heel of his hand on the steering wheel. Then he pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the burn in his eyes. His sister was dead, but he had to keep going. There was no time to mourn. This was the cost of being in a game like this. He knew that. You win some, you lose some.

It would soon be time to take care of the second problem: The Expendables.