Out Of The Past

I awoke to something familiar that I hated, sort of, okay already, not.

"DAAAAD!!!"

"Hmmm." I grumbled.

"Come on Dad, you gotta get up." I heard the cry of my child.

"Grrrowl." came from me and giggles from the co-conspirators.

"Dad, it's Yuri's first breakfast." I heard the plaintive whine.

"No it's not." I mumbled, pulling a pillow over my head.

"DAAAAAAAAAD" even louder this time.

"Didn't you just use this with Peter?" I said testily.

"DAAAAD" I heard again, it seemed to be a favorite of his.

"There's food, go eat." I replied.

"He's such a pain in the ass to get up," I heard my angel say.

That was it, as I reached out and grabbed him, turning and beginning to tickle a now squealing boy.

"Oh I am, am I?" I asked growling some more, as he squirmed and wriggled all the while begging for me to stop in between squeals. 

"No, no, you're not, you're a great dad who loves his kids so much," SamSam said giggling.

I let up and pulled my giggle box into my arms, hugging him to me and giving him a kiss on the top of his head as he sighed contentedly and settled back against me.

"So, why am I being disturbed at such an ungodly hour of the night?" I asked.

"Dad, it's not night, it's seven in the morning." my imp replied grinning.

He seemed to think this was funny.

"SEVEN! It's seven am, oh my God! And just so you know, if I'm asleep then it's night." I intoned ending in my best authoritative voice.

"Dad," was all I got, along with a giggle.

"Does Yuri even know what a chocolate chip pancake is?" I asked, looking longingly down at my bed, which I knew I had seen the last of.

"Well, I kinda told him all about them and he loves chocolate so he will love them too." Sammy informed me.

"How did I know you would have been so kind?" I muttered as he giggled some more. 

"I don't even know if we have the stuff to make them with." I told him.

"We do, I checked," was his instant response.

Lovely.

"Okay." I started to say, when I heard a bunch of "YEAHS" coming from around me and looked to find his fellow conspirators coming out of hiding now that the danger seemed to have passed. 

"Ah you're not in this alone." I said, in my best evil voice which got SamSam laughing and the others to freeze in their tracks, reassessing whether the danger was really over or not.

Then to add to their worry, I asked in my sweetest voice, "Don't I get good morning hugs and kisses from the rest of you?" 

With a bunch of ahs and ahems they all decided that they had things they had to go and do right this minute, and quickly the room was empty except for Peter who came up and crawled in with Sammy and me, giggling.

Sammy just said, "You're mean." 

When my hands started to move upon his person once again, he quickly changed his tune and informed me he had been mistaken.

Peter never stopped giggling and absolutely loved it when I turned those hands on him for a while.

It was like last night had never happened, and I began to think maybe he was over it when I noticed him looking at the hysterically laughing little boy in my arms with a pensive look on his face.

When he noticed me watching, he simply said "I wish they could see us like this."

"You okay honey?" I asked.

"Yeah dad, I'm fine." he said, before saying, "I'm gonna go get things ready."

I watched as he left the room and thought he wasn't fine, but I didn't know what to do about it.

"He's sad isn't he?" Peter said into the silence.

"Yeah honey, he is." I replied.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because some people are saying some mean things about us, and he doesn't like it and he doesn't understand why they are doing it." I told him.

"Why are they?" he asked.

"That's the question baby, and I think it's not so much about us, as it is about their ideas and they are using us to try and make their ideas okay." I said, trying to think through my answer as I was saying it.

"They shouldn't do that." he said, with childish innocence.

"No they shouldn't. Now you run along, and I'm going to grab a shower and I'll be out to make you guys' breakfast, okay?" 

"Okay daddy." he said, and scampered off.

I just watched him go and sat there thinking about things and how to help Sam through this. 

He just didn't understand it, and I wasn't even sure I wanted him to. I was afraid he would lose some of his innocence if he did.

Finally, I climbed out of the bed and headed into the bathroom starting the shower and climbing in to let the hot water sooth me.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I felt arms surround me and hug me and I opened my eyes to look down and find my baby holding me.

"Can I take a shower with you, Daddy? He asked softly.

"Of course." I replied, and was rewarded with an upturned face smiling up at me.

Oh those brown pools of feeling and how I could get lost in them.

Showers with Sammy were special, and this one was no different, as we gently touched one another, caressing, rubbing, loving and of course cleaning in slow gentle movements that only reaffirmed our love for one another and brought us even closer together.

When it was over, the healing that it had brought was obvious to both of us and our souls were at peace, as we slowly exited the shower and I took the big fluffy towel and gently dried his body with just as tender care as I had washed it minutes earlier.

We had each other and this just reaffirmed it, he and his brothers were all that mattered now and all that ever had.

He did the same for me afterwards, and then with him tucked under one arm, we walked back into the bedroom to pull on some underwear and shorts, before heading to the kitchen.

Sammy was right, in his assessment about Yuri, as he and his brothers devoured the pancakes and licked the plates clean afterwards. 

Chocolate chip pancakes were now a hit in Russia.

Of course, the fun started when we had to chase Alexeii around the place for twenty minutes before we could catch him to clean all the chocolate and whipped cream off of him, but hey they're kids and they're boys, what do you expect? 

The rest of the morning went quickly as we got everyone packed up and ready for our departure which would be this afternoon. 

The helicopter came in and landed late in the morning, and then Natasha said goodbye.

That was hard.

"I will be going now, I think." she said, as we sat around in the living room.

"Are you sure you won't come with us?" I asked for the millionth time.

"No Mikhail not yet, but I have been thinking." she said, smiling at me.

I noticed Yuri and his brothers were sitting up now and paying rapt attention to what was going on and even the others were now as well. 

They all liked Natasha a lot.

"Yes?" I said into the silence.

"I think that after careful consideration and all, that a change of scenery might do these old bones some good." she said.

You could have heard a pin drop as the boys looked at one another and tried to grasp what she was saying, while she just smiled.

Alexeii piped up with "Is she coming with us?" 

"I am not…" she started to say when all the kids started saying "Please, we want you to, please" and other variations of the same sentiment.

She held up her hand and finally got silence as she said reprovingly "What I was going to say was I am not right now. It will take me two or three weeks to wrap up my affairs here, before I can move."

Once again there was silence and once again Alexeii broke it, asking quizzically, "Does that mean she's coming with us?" 

"Yes child, that means I am coming in a few weeks to live with you and take care of you." she said.

After that, our hearing was ruined as all the kids started screaming and hollering in joy.

"I think they like the idea." I said when they had died down somewhat only to be met with glares clearly asking "Wasn't it obvious?" 

I just smiled and heard someone mumble "Grown-ups" in a disgusted tone.

We just laughed.

I looked at our newest additions and asked "You guys going to be alright with Samantha and I for a few weeks until she can join us?" 

They looked at one another and I added, "You can stay here and come over with her when she does, if you would be more comfortable." 

Alexeii was off the couch like a shot and in my arms followed by his brothers.

"I think that answers your question, although I think you know you needn't have asked." Natasha commented, chuckling as Yuri said, "We will go with you." and the other two nodded their heads as well.

Well, that was that I thought, as everyone had to say goodbye to Natasha, who explained privately that she wasn't much for goodbyes and wanted to leave now before the water works could begin.

Her strategy didn't work.

With many tears and hugs from everyone, Natasha left us and Samantha and I were left with a sad bunch of munchkins, especially three of them.

We made sure to give them lots of extra loving which meant lots of hugs and kisses and it seemed to help as the time approached, and then arrived for us to depart and go home.

To finally be home, I can't describe what it feels like to lose something that is so intrinsically a part of you that you don't even think of it until it is gone. 

The last few days of contemplating never seeing it again were some of the hardest I have ever had to endure. 

I always thought it would be there and then suddenly it wasn't.

I wouldn't change anything or any of the decisions I had made, but it was still hard and I could see the happiness reflected in all the children's faces which were lit up with anticipation. 

That and they increasingly were bouncing off the walls as the time approached for us to leave.

When we finally boarded the helicopter, I thought we were going to have to tie them up to get them to sit still long enough to strap in. Even my three newest monsters were excited with the prospect of their new home.

I finally told them they had to settle down or we were going to stay put and after getting glares of affront and looks decrying my ruining their excitement, they eventually, a short time later, did. 

Ah the job of a parent, to ruin all their kids' fun, or at least that was what it seemed like to the kids in question.

Well after the travails of getting them to sit quietly, or at least pretty much so. I mean come on, you ever try to get a group of children to sit quietly when they are excited? Well anyway the ride to the airport was uneventful and we got them on the plane with me thanking the security personal for what they had done for us and then it was simply a matter of waiting.

When those wheels lifted off the ground, all the kids broke out in cheers that could probably still be heard on the ground rapidly declining below us as we climbed to cruising altitude.

We were finally going home, after everything that had happened; we were going home and would be there Monday night Montana Time, which was still weird to everyone since it was now Tuesday afternoon here.

I picked up the phone and dialed Eric who answered immediately as if he had been waiting for my call and knowing him, he probably had been, I thought with a grin.

"Hey how are you guys?" was the first thing he said.

"A lot better now." I replied.

"You're in the air I take it?" he asked.

"Yeah, wheels up about five minutes ago." I said,

"Oh God it will be so good to see them again." he told me, and I didn't need to think about who the 'them' was he was referring to, I knew.

"It will be good to see you too, Eric." I said.

"God Mike, all the times I said it would be nice to have a break from the terrors and I finally get one and I can't stand It." he said laughing softly.

"I know." I replied, and I did. 

In a choked voice that was trying to laugh he said "Just don't tell them that."

I couldn't imagine the pain he must have been going through these last few days and knew his kids were feeling the same.

They spent a lot of time with me and SamSam at our house, but Dad was always just a short run across the fields, this was different.

"Believe you me; the terrors miss their dad too." I told him.

"God it's going to be so good to see you all, it seems like forever." he said.

"Yeah it does." I replied.

"You should know Mike, that the interview last night has had some fallout. Sammy really hit a lot of nerves and people are outraged at how he was treated. I can imagine that you aren't too pleased with what happened, but he broke a lot of hearts with it." Eric said.

"Well I'm glad something came out of it besides hurting a little boy." I replied, still not happy with what Sammy had gone through.

"It did Mike, and you're coming in sealed it. People are thinking a lot now, and Sammy made the difference," he told me.

There was silence until I said, "Well from the looks of imminent pain about to be inflicted upon my person, I think there's some brats here who would like to speak with you." I said laughingly into the phone.

I of course received "Duh" looks as they all reached for an extension and began jabbering away while I just smiled as I hung up the phone.

Don't ask me how, but the plane was not destroyed although not for the seeming lack of trying as eleven boys ran around and generally wreaked mayhem aboard as we winged our way eastward; although they did finally crash and burn sometime along the way either singly or in small groups.

I was awokened out of my nap with Peter and Alexeii cuddled into me by the intercom ringing.

"Yes?" I spoke into it.

"Sir, I have a call for you, the party will not identify themselves, but did state it is a priority one call."

"They won't identify themselves?" I asked.

"No sir, but sir, they're encrypted and at level 7" the Captain told me causing my eyebrows to rise quite high into my forehead.

That was some serious encryption, and not readily available to non government entities.

"Where are we now?" I asked, to give me time to think for a moment.

"About two hours out of Missoula, sir" he responded.

Two hours and we'd be home I thought, as I decided to take the call. 

Someone with some serious connections was trying to get a hold of me to place such a call so I would oblige them.

"Put the call through." I said. 

"Sir, we can't to that terminal." he said and I could have hit myself, since I knew that, if I stopped to think about it for a moment.

"Okay, give me a minute." I replied as I hung up and made my way up to the office after divesting myself of two little cuddle puppies.

Once there, I called them back and told them to transfer it which they did.

"Hello," I said into the Sat phone.

"Mr. Reynolds?" I heard an adult male voice say.

"Yes." I replied.

"Mike Reynolds," he replied. 

"Yes, this is Mike Reynolds, who is this?" I asked.

"Captain Reynolds, I need you to divert to these co-ordinates immediately, advise when you can copy," the voice said.

Captain? 

I had been out of the service for some time and this guy was calling me Captain.

"Who the hell is this?" I asked, now getting a bit upset.

"You do not need to know that at this time Captain, advise ready to copy." he said. 

"If you think I am going to divert anywhere just because some voice…." I was telling him in no uncertain terms, when one word was spoken that took my breath away and left me, if I could have seen my face, ashen.

"Pablito." 

"What…what did you say? How do you know that name?" I gasped in shock, as Sammy suddenly came running into the room crying "Dad! Are you alright?" 

I didn't, couldn't answer him, as I waited for the voice on the other end to come back.

"Snow White, Cobra Belle, Arilinn." the voice now said, stunning me even further.

"Who the hell are you, and how do you know that information?" I managed to get out sounding a lot surer than I felt.

Sammy was standing there looking at me quite worriedly as I got his reply,

"Captain, you are needed here; please write this down." he said, as I took a pen and copied what he told me which was, "40-47-18.1960N / 111-58-39.9830W."

"I need to know who this is, and what it's about?" I asked, but all I heard was the carrier signal and realized he was gone.

There was no way to trace it either. I found out quite shortly and I hit another button dialing another number.

"Greetings Michael you are almost home, I believe." the voice said.

"Yes, and I just got a very disturbing phone call that I can't trace back, and it had level seven encryption." I told it.

I could almost see my old friend sitting up straight in the chair as the voice said, "Really and something you can't trace with the equipment at your disposal?" 

"Exactly." I replied.

"This is most interesting." it replied.

"That's not the word I would have used, and they had information that I don't think even you could gain access to." I told the friend.

I heard a soft chuckle as the voice said "Michael, Michael, believe me there is nothing I can't gain access to." 

"Be that as it may, they said something that no one should have known, because it's black as in hole." I told it.

"Your past." the voice said, all business now.

"Yes." I replied. I didn't need to go into what I meant, this person knew.

"Most disturbing." I was told.

"Yes, and more than you can know, I have to follow what I was told to do." I informed it.

"Be very careful Michael, I do not like this, that information was even difficult for me to acquire." it said.

"You have accessed it?" I asked in disbelief.

"Remember Michael, there is nothing I can't find out. I hope the children enjoyed the chocolate chip pancakes this morning." it told me, leaving me speechless as the voice chuckled and then said, "I will see what I can find out." And the line went dead.

How in the hell…….. I was thinking when Sammy brought me back; reminding me he had been waiting concerned for some minutes now.

"Dad?" 

I brought myself back and looked up to find him staring at me, worry plainly in his eyes and it was then I noticed the Trinity standing in the doorway.

"Yeah munchkin," I said. 

"Dad, what is it? What's wrong?" he asked.

"Something out of the past has come back." I replied, staring off into space for a moment.

The boys all came in and cuddled up with me, before I took the phone and called the cockpit and gave them the co-ordinates of where we would be going now.

"What's going on, Dad, and why did you just change our destination?" Sammy asked.

"Because someone needs me, and they need me right now." I replied.

"What dad?" he asked and I knew I had to tell him and more importantly the Trinity as this would affect them getting home to see their dad right away.

"It's kind of hard to tell guys, but it was something from back in my military days, and it all happened about ten years ago……"

---

Flashback

Susan had just told me to fuck off as it were, when the scramble came in and we headed to base to find out what it was about. 

Josh being with me made it easier as we both went in together and I was able to put Susan and Billy aside for the time being, and focus on something else, namely, the mission.

I had allowed her to make me an emotional wreck and I'm not sure what would have happened had the scramble not occurred to give me something else to focus my life on even if I couldn't get Billy out of my mind. 

He was the sweetest little thing, and so loving and she threw it all away, this mission probably saved my sanity, at least for now.

We arrived there and found most of the others there or soon arriving and within a very short time Tom was coming and leading us into a conference room.

Colonel Thomas Eugene Larkin was thirty five years old, and our fearless leader, married with four children and a wife, that was what all men wanted in life. 

Becky was supportive and loving and made a great mother, although she was quite happy to have a daughter finally last month after three boys. 

The oldest was four and now the youngest was a month which was quite a handful in a very short time.

They had decided to take a bit of a break for a while before adding to the Larkin family and I'm not sure who was more grateful.

We settled down and I couldn't help but ask, "You getting any sleep yet boss?" chuckling along with everyone else over Tom's current woes.

It seems that little Caitlin had a set of lungs on her as most females do, and had no problem making full use of them. 

She was the little princess already demanding and letting the world know about quite loudly if those demands weren't met quicker than instantly, then of course she wasn't happy with how they were met half the time as well, also typical of females.

Of course we couldn't help but have an enormous amount of fun with Tom over it, not that he liked it.

A growl was all we got, along with a withering look that did nothing more than make us laugh some more as he said, "Very funny, now listen up this is going to be a rescue." 

With that, fun time was over and we all sat up straighter as he began.

"Two weeks ago an operation in Latin America to get someone with strategic information out of the country went horribly wrong. It was supposed to be real simple, extract the target and his family, but another agency fucked up. They got the asset out but the other side got to the kids first." he said as we all took what he had said in. 

This was bad and it involved kids, apparently.

"The agent in place was supposed to pick up the three young children as they walked home from school, but he was told the wrong time. The other side in this affair didn't have that problem, and intercepted them before the agent even knew there was a problem. We know they are alive and we know they are going to stay that way for the time being. They want the asset back, and think this is the way to get him. The asset of course is not happy with this turn of events, and is not co-operating with us at all until his children are safe. We need the information he has, and we need to get those kids out." he told us.

"Do we know where there are?" Tony asked.

"No, not precisely." Tom answered, not looking too happy.

"The Agency is looking into it." he added.

"Great, they couldn't find their ass if we gave 'em a map and GPS co-ordinates," Josh said.

"Well let's hope they can, because what these kids are living through isn't pretty." Tom said. And with that, the lights dimmed and a video began in front of us.

By the time it was done we were all reaching for weapons we didn't have.

It showed someone in a mask telling the camera that this was the beginning and then showed a naked little girl of maybe eight tied to a bed.

What followed was sickening to say the least, and when the man was done, he left her crying hoarsely after all the screams and bleeding on the bed not even loosening her bonds.

We also got to watch two boys about nine or ten and thirteen being forced to perform sexual acts on other men, or maybe the same one.

It was the chilling comment in the end that got us, and if we ever found this guy, I knew that he wouldn't walk away from it in one piece.

Any one of us would see to that and make it as painful as possible as we heard him say, "We get daddy back, or this is just a sample of what they are going to get every day until we do."

"He's mine!" Tony said, with ice in his voice.

"Unfortunately it's not that simple, gentlemen. We are under orders to make this a clean op. No casualties allowed on the other side." Tom said into the fury and silence of the room.

There were loud cries of "What!?" and "You gotta be kidding me!!!" amongst other strong expletives but finally when Tom had restored quiet.

"Listen, this is supposed to be a kinder and gentler military and they don't want us to hurt the bad guys, so we have to be good little boys and play nice." Tom said. 

"They can play with this." I stated coldly, as I grabbed a handful of something between my legs.

"Have they seen this tape?" Josh asked, not wanting to believe it.

"I don't know, but I believe so." Tom replied, but he wouldn't look at any of us.

"I won't lead my men into that with our hands tied." I said.

"They won't be tied, Mike. This is unofficial. What the orders will read officially is to carry out the operation with the minimal amount of casualties possible to ensure your safety and the success of the mission. You all have heard that line before. What is different is the back story on this, they don't want anyone dead."

"They can kiss my ass." I said, and the others all agreed with me, loudly.

"Look, we're the only hope these children have, it's us or nothing, and if you refuse the mission…" he trailed off and he didn't have to finish as we all knew what that meant, for us and especially for those kids.

He had us and so did the wonderful new administration, we had no choice.

After a brief pause, Tom continued, "We have you leaving in one hour; you'll be inserted on the coast and met by a contact there. Her name is Elena and you will be staying with her until you exfiltrate at the conclusion of your assignment. Intel is working on locating the subjects now, and we will advise you as soon as their location is known. We can tell you that they are somewhere in the area where you will be staying. SigInt has narrowed it down that much, but no further. The code words for this Op are Snow White, Cobra Belle and Arilinn. The mission designation is "Operation Tanequay." You know the rules regarding secrecy, so I won't be repeating them. Mike is commander and Tony is SIC, Josh will be your medic and Andy will be comm. Ted and Elliot you will be support. Any questions?" 

"Good, move out." he told us, when there were none and I watched as everyone but Tony and Josh got up to leave.

"What is it Mike?" he asked looking at the three of us.

"This is bullshit Tom, we kill people and break things, that's what the military does, we don't allow people like this to live." I told him.

"Shit Mike, you think I like it either? Well I don't. That yahoo from Arkansas that's in there now; doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, but the good voters put him in, so we're stuck with him. About the only thing he knows, from what I've heard, is how to fuck anything in a skirt, but it doesn't help us a fucking bit right now, cause he's the boss and we have to do what he says, stupid or not!" Tom replied and I realized that he may have been spouting this garbage to us but he didn't like it anymore than we did.

"Fine, but I swear, at the slightest excuse…." I said while Josh and Tony nodded.

"He done already gave us all I need." Josh added.

"If any one of you takes such an action, it will mean the end of your career. These people have no stomach for taking lives, and they'll make you pay for it." Tom said sadly.

No one said anything until finally Tom said, "Come back in one piece and bring them kids home with you," before walking out of the room.

"Ain't this just fucking peachy?" Josh commented into the silence

"Yeah." was all I said.

I had been thinking of leaving the military anyway with Susan and all, but now that decision was much easier and I thought, pretty much made. 

I couldn't live with the new people running things, they just weren't Reagan and what they stood for disgusted me greatly.

I would put in for retirement when I got back.

"You're gonna go ain't ya Mike?" Josh asked, looking at me. 

"Yeah Josh, this ain't the same place anymore, and I don't like what it's becoming." I said sadly.

"If all the good ones leave Mike, what'll be left?" he asked me, but I didn't have an answer for him.

I just knew I couldn't be one of them to stay.

With the uncomfortable silence which descended upon the room, I finally got up and said simply "Let's do this." as I walked towards the door with them quickly following. 

We got loaded out and headed towards a waiting plane where we were advised we would be taken to the USS Carl Vinson currently stationed some distance off the coast of the country in question, and from there would be ferried into the beach.

The flight was as most were, and we took what advantage we could to sleep until the jumpmaster called time, at which point we all loaded up and got ready.

Unlike the movies, we couldn't fly United down and walk out of the terminal into a waiting taxi to take us to the local Marriot.

After we hit the water and were picked up, we were taken directly to land and Andy made a quick feet dry call on the Satcomm before we took up positions and waited.

We were about an hour early for our rendezvous, so this gave us time to get the lay of the land and secure it for Elena's arrival.

Of course, being three in the morning local time, we didn't have a lot of beachgoers present to worry about.

Thirty-five minutes after we arrived, we got the three clicks over the radios signifying danger and then heard a muffled "Oh shit!" from Tony.

I ran down to his position to hear him say "Fuck, it's just a kid." as I arrived to find him sitting on a small form and I could see the flash from the metal of his knife as he removed it from the kid's throat and put it away.

Letting the kid up, but keeping a hold of him, I asked, "What's going on?" 

"Kid came from nowhere and scared the crap outta me is what." Tony said, looking at the grinning child reproachfully.

This was most interesting that a child had managed to sneak up on Tony, of all people.

"Really?" was my only response as I said to the child, "Hola nino." 

"I speak English soldier." the child said, still with that cocky grin on his face.

"Okay" I said, looking at Tony who had a rather befuddled look on his face.

"What are you doing out here at this time of night then?" I asked 

"Looking for you" he replied.

"Really?" 

"Yeah really, and you weren't very hard to find either." he added, rather disdainfully.

At that I stood up straighter and looked around carefully, no one was supposed to know of us coming here.

"You were looking for us?" I asked all senses alert now.

"Yeah. Oh and I'm supposed to tell you Snow White." he said.

That left my mouth hanging open in shock, and only increased his grin.

"You're Elena?" I asked, and stupidly as well by the look he gave me as he said cheekily "Do I look like a girl?" 

If scorn could be seen, it would have been plainly visible that moment in his voice as he said it too.

Tony snickered and I just glared at him, as I said, "Ah, not really." 

"Trust me, I'm not, wanna see?" he told me, moving his hands to his waist.

"No, that's okay; I'll take your word for it." I replied quickly, glad it was night and the boy and Tony couldn't see my blushing face.

"Look, we can't stay here all night, and mama is waiting for you by the van." he said.

"Your mama?" I asked.

"No, yours, come down for a visit, come on already." he replied and with that left me standing there with my mouth open again, as he disappeared into the bush.

"What the hell?" I muttered, as I quickly fell in and gave instructions to the other team members to follow.

Suddenly he was back.

"Would you hurry up, before the soldados come." he said and turned slipping into the foliage.

Damn, this kid was good, maybe better than some of us.

We quickly made the trip with a few more visits from our mysterious child, who prodded us to hurry up repeatedly and came out in a secluded clearing to find a van waiting for us.

Again we were surprised when out of nowhere a woman stepped from the foliage saying "Cobra Belle, and I'm Elena." 

"I'm Mike and this is…." I started to say, when the imp interrupted with "You can introduce yourselves later, but for now we gotta go, geesh." 

"Pablo silencio" Elena told the boy, who only shrugged his shoulders, still with that unapologetic grin on his face.

"He is right though, we should go." she said now to us.

"Fine, lead the way." I said, as the boy piped up with "At least you shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up this time, since you'll be in the van with us." 

"Pablo!" mama said and this time the anger came through, as we all loaded into the van.

His only response was that grin and an impudent "Que?" 

I found myself chuckling and earning a sweet smile from the boy as a reward as Elena mumbled something about God helping her with this child.

In short order, we arrived back at a rather large house in the country and were quickly unloaded and inside before the introductions were finally completed.

"There are no neighbors for some distance, so you can move about freely. You will hear any vehicles approaching for some distance, so will have warning but there should be none except mine. If you hear one, then hide." she informed us.

"That is very good to hear, thanks." I replied.

"It works well." she said.

"Mama, I almost got him this time," Pablo said grinning again.

"Mijo you must stop doing that, they will kill you by mistake one day." she said, looking at her son.

"Nah, they won't" he said back.

"Don't be so sure of that. These are men trained to kill." I said sternly.

"Yeah, but not kids." he responded without any hint of fear in his voice.

I looked at him steadily and surprisingly he didn't move his eyes from mine before I said "If they realize it's a kid, Tony didn't until you were already down and had a knife to your throat."

I heard Elena gasp and he continued to look at me before saying, "Alright" and smiling at me again.

"He thinks it's a game to sneak up on teams and shock them." she said shooting daggers at her son.

"Papa said they do it in training." he replied, not sounding apologetic at all.

"Pablo, your father is correct, we do it in training but this isn't training, this is the real world, life and death. Your mother is worried that it might be your death, if you keep up with it. Your father should have had the sense to have told you that as well." I said.

Suddenly he got a stricken look on his face and I could see tears come to his eyes as he got up and bolted from the room with his mother calling "Pablo" in his wake.

He didn't stop.

"I said something, what?" I asked her.

She looked down for a moment before looking up at me and saying, "His father died last year and they were very close." 

"I am so sorry." I said. 

There couldn't have been much worse I could have said to upset the boy.

"It's not your fault, you couldn't have known." she replied.

"Was he military?" I asked.

"He was MI 6 and before that SAS. When he met me and wanted out, they talked him into setting up shop here and running a safe house. It worked out well, I'm agency and likewise wanted out, but this way we both get the best of both worlds and both companies are happy. Most of the time we are out, but from time to time we provide things for groups such as yours. We don't really get involved in Ops beyond that, so it's safe enough." she told me.

Wow, SAS and MI 6 that was quite an accomplishment not to mention she was in the business as well.

"Shannon taught them well and filled their heads with tales of his adventures to the point that they have idolized it all." she said then.

"Young boys always have." I replied.

"Yes but he taught them as well," she said causing me to look at her and question "Taught them?" 

"Yes you don't think most nine year old boys know field craft that well that they can sneak up almost undetected on a Special Ops Team, and nearly get away with it, do you?" she asked me smiling, and I could tell she was proud of her son's accomplishments, even if worried about them.

"To tell the truth, I had put it down to just being familiar with the area, real familiar." I replied.

She laughed softly before saying "Well he is that as well, but no it comes from his father. Shannon taught all of us and the boys could do things you wouldn't dream of, almost before they were out of diapers completely." she said.

"Amazing." was all I could say.

"Yes and frightening at times as well. When Pablo was five, and went to school there was an eight year old there who terrorized the little children. Pablo went to the teachers over and over again, but they would do nothing so one day he was in the bathroom using it when this child attacked another small boy in there. He had placed the child's head in the urinal and was holding it in the filth there demanding the boy's lunch money and teasing him for wetting himself as he punched the child. The poor boy was almost drowning when Pablo came out of the stall and well let's say the boy was in critical condition for three weeks, and it took two years of rehab before he could walk somewhat again, and he still doesn't have proper use of his right arm." she told me.

"Jesus Christ!" was all I could say.

"Yes, and when confronted about it by the police, he just looked at them and said, 'Well he won't hurt anybody else now, will he?' and walked away" 

"Wow, that's some kid you got there" I said.

"He is that, but we had to pull him from school and teach him at home and that gave his father even more time with him. I am glad he knows so much, but at times it frightens Me." she told me.

"I can see where it would. Tony might have been in real trouble tonight." I said.

"It's possible, if he truly felt threatened, it's possible. One time an Intel Team came in here for something, and one of the members was a Contract Op and he had certain tastes let us say. He was fully trained by his agency and when he decided to forcibly exercise those tastes on Pablo, he got the message that it would not be a good idea." She told me.

"Oh, what happened?" I asked.

"He will use a catheter for the rest of his life, and has nothing with which to function any longer." she replied, causing me to wince even thinking about what that implied.

"Oh and he was seven years old." she added, causing my mouth to drop open once again.

"Seven, my God." was all I could get out.

"Yes, seven. Tonight was a game for him, and if it had become other, then I do not know what would have happened." she said.

I just sat there for a few moments before I got up and said, "I'm going to try and find him."

"I wouldn't" she said.

"I hurt him, and even it was unknowingly, I can't let him be alone right now." I said, as I walked in the direction Pablo had gone.

I didn't find him anywhere in the house, but did find the back door ajar and went outside quietly moving about and beginning a search of the immediate area to see if I could locate him.

I couldn't, and after searching around for some time sadly gave up and began heading back towards the house.

He located me.

I felt something cold pressing into the back of my neck as a small voice said "You're dead."

I didn't move.

I finally felt whatever it was move from where it was and his voice asks, "What are you doing wondering around out here?" 

"Looking for you." I replied.

There was silence for a minute before he said, "Why?" 

"May I turn around?" I asked instead of answering his question.

"Yes." he replied.

I turned around to find him standing there with a long knife almost like a sword or something in his hand as he looked at me and asked again, "Why?" 

"Because I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier." I told him.

I watched as the corners of his brown eyes tightened and even in the dark I could see the sparkle of them as they filled with unshed tears.

"I didn't know, and I'm very sorry. If I had known I wouldn't have said something like that." I told him.

"It's not your fault, I have to quit acting like such a baby all the time." he said with anger in his voice.

"To miss someone who you loved is not being a baby." I told him softly.

"Yes it is, he's dead, and I gotta get over it. Crying all the time won't do nothing about It." he said again with anger in his voice.

"It's how we deal with the loss, by expressing sadness in our tears." I said.

He didn't say anything for a moment and I watched as his jaw worked until finally he sheathed the knife/sword in something on his back and he angrily turned away saying "Well I'm sick of expressing my sadness." 

I instinctively reached out and grabbed his retreating form only to have him start fighting me as I pulled him to me.

"It's okay." I said, over and over again as he raged against me and all the time cried into my chest as I sank down to the ground with him in my lap.

Finally the sobs and crying abated enough for him to brokenly ask "Why, why did he have to die? Why did he leave me?" 

It was such a heart wrenching plea coming from deep within him, that I felt tears come to my eyes.

"I don't know, tell me what happened." I said gently, and got the story out of him.

He, his brother Esteban and their father had been out to a movie and were walking back to their car when it happened.

"We were just laughing and daddy was teasing me cause I had to go in the middle of the movie and couldn't wait when he suddenly said 'oh no' and ran from us. I looked up not knowing what was wrong, to see some stupid puta walking off the sidewalk up ahead talking on her cell phone and not paying attention to anything. She was walking right out in front of a car that was coming when dad jumped and knocked her out of the way but…but…the car…the car hit him." he said before breaking down again.

I just held him and rubbed his back gently until he finished the story.

"I screamed his name and we ran to where he was laying in the street. There was blood…everywhere and he just looked at me and said 'this kinda hurts'. And he…he was trying to smile and joke around for us, and I could tell he was hurt real bad. We were so scared and then the ambulance came and took him away and the police took us and it was all real confusing and stuff. Finally mama came and we went to the hospital. He…they couldn't fix him. They said he was hurt too bad, and we stayed with him and talked with him until he died the next day. The one thing I'll never forget is that puta, after it happened, she just kept screaming that dad had knocked her down and did anyone see it. She didn't even know he had saved her." he said. 

"I'm so sorry, baby." I told him.

"Why did he leave us?" he asked, and I could hear the anger in his voice again.

"I don't know, but I do know it wasn't his choice." I said.

"Yes it was! He didn't have to save her, and then he'd still be here." he almost yelled now.

I could tell he hadn't dealt with this even after all this time, and tried to think of something to say that might get through to him and finally said, 

"With everything your mother told me about him, and what you know, especially with what he taught you all your life, I want you to think about it and answer a question for me." 

He finally asked, "What?" 

"Could he let someone die if he could do anything to prevent it, even if that meant risking or giving his own life?" I asked.

He didn't say anything for a long time and then finally and raggedly he said, "I miss him so much." and the crying came back.

I'd like to think a more cleansing crying than before, as I just held him and told him over and over again, "I know, I know."

He fell asleep crying himself out and I eventually slowly stood up with him and gently carried him back through the forest to his house.

His mother met us on the back porch and looked at me questioningly as I mouthed "Asleep" and she led me to his bedroom where we stripped him down which surprisingly included an assortment of weapons that shocked me, and put him to bed.

I watched as she gently caressed the tear streaks on his face looking up at me questioningly again, but I only mouthed "Outside" to which she nodded.

We went out with her closing the door behind us and she led me back to the living room where we sat down.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Well, I didn't find him." I said grinning ruefully, and hoping that Tom never heard that part of this operation cause he would never let me live it down.

She smiled as she said, "He found you didn't he?" 

"Yes with that pig sticker of his." I replied.

"It is a Wakizashi" she replied, smiling.

"Well he found me, and I apologized for what I said. He seemed angry and alternated between crying in pain and anger over it. He also told me what happened." I told her.

She looked at me for a few minutes before saying, "He actually cried in front of you?" 

"Yes, why?" I asked.

"Because he hasn't done that since the day his father died." she replied.

Now it was my turn to be silent for a moment or two as I digested that.

"He hasn't dealt with it, and he has a lot of anger in him about it." I finally said.

"Correct on both counts." she replied.

I didn't say anything for a bit and she finally said, "Shannon was his sun and moon and all the stars in between. From the moment that boy was born, they were tied together as if by a steel chain. Shannon felt the same way about him too. At birth Shannon was the only one to be able to calm him, he didn't like me much it seemed." she said, smiling sadly in remembrance.

"Don't get me wrong, Esteban and later Marissa came along and Shannon loved them to death and they him, but while there was a tremendous and loving bond there between them it was nothing like that between Pablo and his father. It was something so special to see and be a part of. Oh he loves me too, but I wasn't daddy and never will be." she told me.

"The day I lost Shannon, I also lost my son. Something died in him along with Shannon. Pablo is here, but a part of him I think went with his father. He stays because of me and his brother and sister, but for a while I thought he might try to do something to join his father. I still wonder if the games and other things he does aren't trying to achieve that. He cried and cried the day it happened and the next day when Shannon died, but that night when he went to bed he asked me, "Mama why did he leave me, why?" and with that cried himself to sleep. That was the last time he has ever let anyone see him cry." she said.

"The poor baby." I said, as I realized I had tears in my own eyes that were escaping after hearing that.

We sat there in silence for a while before she finally said she would show me to my room and led me there leaving me with one parting word "Thank you, and please help him if you can." 

"I will." I said quietly to her retreating form as I shut the door and got into bed thinking about the young boy who had so recently been in my arms and whose soul was torn inside from all the pain and anger.

I woke to the awareness that I wasn't alone and opening my eyes slowly it was to discover the object of my last thoughts, snuggled into my chest with his arm and a leg thrown across me, sound asleep.

I found that I liked it and it reminded me of little Billy snuggling up in my arms although this one was a bit bigger, as I brought my arm around and cuddled him closer to me which earned a contented sigh from him as he burrowed into me more.

I don't know how long we lay there and I may have even drifted off again when I felt him stirring and looked to find him beginning to waken slowly.

He did it the way I often did which was to toss and turn a bit and try different positions to get more comfortable, so I could fall back asleep until I finally gave up and got up.

I watched the process with him until moaning he raised his head to find me looking down and smiling softly at him.

He looked at me for a minute before smiling back and saying, "Hi." 

"Hi yourself." I told him, which got a bigger smile and him hugging me tight as he put his head back down.

"I feel better this morning, isn't that weird? I cry all night and I feel better." he said quietly into my chest.

"No, it isn't really cause that crying helps you and that's why you feel better." I replied just as quietly.

"I still miss him." he said, raising his head and looking at me and I could see tears there again.

"I know, and that won't go away ever, but it will get easier to deal with over time." I said.

He looked at me for a long time as the tears silently ran down his face before asking, "How do you know?" 

I took a deep breath and said, "Because I lost my dad about five years ago in a traffic accident." 

"I'm sorry, what happened?" he asked, and I felt the pain and understanding in his voice.

"So am I and I still miss him so much. He was on his way home one night from the airport and a drunk driver hit him." I said and surprisingly felt tears in my own eyes thinking about him here with this boy who had lost his own father just as senselessly. 

He just hugged me and I hugged him and that was how Elena found us sometime later.

She looked shocked when she saw us and just stood there for a moment or two before saying "I was wondering where he had gotten to, is everything alright?" 

I started to answer but Pablo raised his head and turning it towards his mother gave her another shock as with tear stained face he said "Mike's daddy died too." and then placed his head back on my chest.

"Well, you guys take all the time you need to, and maybe you can help each other." she said, then pulled the door shut as she left.

"I think I'd like that, if we helped each other," he said shyly.

"So would I Pablito." I softly replied, earning me a tear stained and shy smile as he raised his head and looked at me.

He surprised me by moving up and kissing me gently before saying, "I gotta go." and that reminded me that I had to for some time as well.

"Well, so do I, so why don't we go and take care of that and I'll grab a shower too and meet you for breakfast." I said.

He smiled and said, "Okay" and I let him go both of us getting up.

It was then I fully realized we were both naked and he was taking a good look as the covers came off.

Both of us hard didn't leave anything for the imagination as he giggled a little bit and then surprisingly followed me to the bathroom.

"What are you doing?" I asked, stopping about half way there.

"I gotta pee." he said, followed by him grabbing my hand and saying "Come on."

He was so unselfconscious about it that it calmed my nerves over the situation.

With that, we went to the bathroom and giggling proceeded to try and go.

"Why is it so hard all the time in the morning when you got to go so bad, and it makes it so you can't?" he asked still trying to point it down so he could go.

I just laughed and said, "I've been asking myself that question for years and still don't have an answer."

"Well, I can't go." he said. 

"Well, go get in your shower and just go there. You won't have to worry about pointing it anywhere then." I said, still laughing at his discomfort.

"Okay." he said, grinning up at me impudently then shocked me when he quickly went over and jumped into my shower.

"Hey wait a minute." I yelled, as I heard the water come on.

"Come on you said you needed a shower," he told me, sticking his head out and laughing at me still standing there with it in my hand.

Then he almost had me peeing everywhere as he said, "And stop playing with it" before ducking behind the curtain.

Choking, I gave up and joined him in the shower.

The little devil was waiting for me, for no sooner had I got in, than he was spraying me and telling me "You're right, this is much easier," giggling all the while.

Well two could play that game, and I returned the favor with interest and soon it was a full on fight that ended in squeals from someone when they realized that adults are bigger which means more ammunition. 

For some reason, he didn't think it was fair.

I did though.

I laughed and it was like I was ten again or something, as we tickled and played in the water, washing forgotten for the moment, as we just spent time being kids again.

We were brought out of it by Elena saying "Are you going to stay in there all day playing or actually clean up and come down for lunch?" in an aggrieved tone.

It was funny, as I stuck my head out of one side of the curtain and Pablo stuck his out the other and we both said "Stay" then broke into giggles at the fact we both said the same thing at the same time.

"Aye caramba, ninos" Elena said, as she walked away growling but I had seen the look on her face and knew she was happy.

I was too.

We did get out eventually, still giggling and I grabbed my giggling little boy and proceeded to dry/tickle him until he wasn't wet anymore and then some.

If you've never had the privilege of drying a nine year old giggling squirming and wriggling child, then damn you're missing one of life's greatest pleasures. 

Finally dried and ready, we went back into the bedroom where I donned some clean clothes and we headed down to eat.

Pablo didn't and at my look of asking simply said "I don't like clothes unless I have to" 

I shrugged and off we went.

The food was delicious and other than some knowing looks from my team, nothing was said although I am sure they all heard the laughter and all coming from the shower.

It was then that I got to meet the other two children in the house. 

Esteban was an engaging little one of about seven who had a shy smile for me but seemed to have locked onto Tony pretty much and little Marissa was a darling at about four and she too had found Tony too and was sitting in his lap while eating more of his food than he was.

He just smiled and kissed her head now and again and I could tell he was quite taken with the both of them.

Finally the subject I knew would be broached was, as Tony said, "So kid, how did you sneak up on us like that anyway?" 

"Easy," he said smiling, and then frustrating Tony no end, went back to eating.

Tony though had stopped and had his mouth open and I could tell that Pablo was having a world of fun teasing him about this.

I watched the contest of wills between them, as to who would break down first, Tony asking or Pablo wanting to tell, and I really wasn't sure who would win.

Tony just sat there staring at the boy while the boy just kept eating as if he didn't have a care in the world, while everyone else looked back and forth between them.

As Pablo finished eating, he asked his mother "Can I go play now?" and that was the final straw as Tony said, "Okay, okay I give up. How?" 

Pablo just grinned and I had to hide my mouth to cover my own, as Pablo said "I didn't." and got up running from the table.

"WHAT? WAIT?" Tony just about screamed now.

Pablo spun around and finally lost it collapsing to the floor in laughter at the look on Tony's face which was less than amused.

Tony was one of the best, as all my team were, and to be outdone by a little boy had to be eating him up.

I was laughing by that time as well, and gave up completely on containing it as Tony looked about ready to kill something or someone.

Finally Pablo stood back up and said, "Ah come on, Basic Recon 101 already." 

Tony just looked at him for a minute and Pablo, still smiling, came over and crawled into my lap before speaking and it was like his dad was there instead of a small boy.

"What is the basic strategy if you wish to acquire a target and know the specific location and approximate time that target will be present?" he asked.

Tony looked at him for a minute before saying, "Set up in the location and wait for your target."

This earned a big grin from the boy as he said, "Yep and you gotta stop being so predictable, an hour early, geesh, right out of the textbook."

"You mean to tell me you were there the whole time?" Tony asked.

Pablo grinned impudently at him and simply said, "Yep, got there about midnight and scouted possible perimeter vantage points for the area, selected one and hunkered down to wait." 

"You were there the whole time?" Tony repeated not believing still.

"Yes, and after you got comfortable, I thought I'd say hi." Pablo said scampering off my lap and asking "Can I go play now?"

"Sure kid" Tony said, shaking his head, and off he went.

Before any of us could say anything he came running back to the door and said "Oh I forgot to tell you when you take a leak, pick something that doesn't make noise from the splash, it's a dead giveaway," and then turned and ran out the door again, leaving all of us laughing and Tony sputtering.

"I'll be damned." he said finally.

"You better brush up on your skills, old man; you got your ass kicked by a nine year old." I told him laughing still.

"Bite me coulo." he replied, giving me the finger under the table where Elena couldn't see it.

I just laughed some more.

We were never going to let him live this one down.

"Tony, don't feel bad, he got trained by one of the best." Elena told him, which got inquiring looks from the team.

"Have you ever heard of 'The White Leopard'?" she asked. 

There were gasps even from me, as that was one thing she hadn't mentioned last night.

Tony looked stunned before answering, "He's a legend, British I believe, and active primarily in the eighties. He got Surmonov out in 86 when no one else could, and left the KGB on the wrong end of the country with major egg on their face. They almost destroyed a town tearing it apart and he was thousands of miles away at the time."

"Yes, that operation is one of his better known ones, and he was my husband as well as Pablito's father." Elena answered softly, smiling.

Everyone got the 'was' in that statement as Tony muttered, "Jesu Christi" almost below hearing.

Finally he said, "Then I don't feel so bad." smiling ruefully at her.

"You're lucky, I finally made him stop tagging the team before making himself known," she added, laughing a bit.

"Tagging?" I asked.

"Yes, he thought it 'cool' to tag them with baggies filled with ketchup. He found it hilarious and more than once got discovered because he was laughing so hard, but the mess was too much not to mention the teams were not amused." she said. 

That got us all laughing again, imagining Tony covered in ketchup like that.

"Don't laugh, he would 'take out' the entire team not just one member. I finally talked him into only harassing one though." she said, as if this should be reassuring or we should be thankful for it then again maybe we should be. 

We settled in there and waited, but Intel was having a difficult time of pinpointing the exact location of these pricks. 

Several times they had them they thought, only to find that they had moved shop suddenly, they were being quite cagey.

I imagined they had a good idea of who they had taken on, and were trying to be careful not to get caught but it made Intel's job a lot harder.

All any of us could do was to try not to think of those kids and what they were enduring with each day that went by.

Pablo conned us into jungle warfare training, and proceeded to kick our asses more than not, but we did have a lot of fun.

The little devil actually brought his ketchup bombs out on one exercise and left all of us red by the time he was done.

Still, he managed to teach us a few of the tricks his father had taught to him, and by the time it was over, we were able to actually get him on occasion.

It was so bizarre to see a nine year old running the pants off a specially trained field ops team like we were and a bit humbling too.

At first some of the guys put it to his being overly familiar with the area, but eventually even they had to admit the kid was damn good, and it wasn't just luck.

Esteban and Marissa were becoming closer by the day to Tony, although they spent time with all of us as well, and always enjoyed getting hugs and such but it was to Tony they would invariably return to.

What was more was I could see a connection forming between Tony and Elena as time went by, and even Pablo commented on it one day.

We had been on a hike and had stopped at a point in the forest where a stream widened out, forming a nice pool where we had gone swimming for a while.

Now we were lying on the grass in the shade of a tree, me holding my sweet boy in my arms for if his siblings had become close to Tony, Pablo had become since that night even closer to me.

"Tony and mama like each other don't they?" he asked startling me.

I had seen it, and I knew Josh had, but I hadn't realized anyone else, especially the children had.

"I think so, yes." I told him honestly.

He was quiet for a while before saying, "I like him," and then being completely boy added with a giggle, "Even if he does suck in field skills."

"Are you okay with it?" I asked him, after another couple of minutes of silence.

Again he didn't answer for a bit then said, "Yeah I think so. I mean I didn't think I would be, you know, with anyone, but he's nice. Esteban and Marissa really like him." 

"And you?" I asked.

"I'm okay, he'd be good for mama, and the kids need a daddy you know?" he said

"Yeah, I do, and I think Tony would be a really good father to all of you." I told him.

I knew I had said the wrong thing when I felt him stiffen but wasn't sure what that might be.

"What is it baby?" I asked.

When he finally answered it was in the voice of a little boy, lost and alone filled with hurt as he said, "I already have a father, and if I had to have another one why couldn't it be you?" 

That stunned me and made me think.

The last couple of weeks had been some of the happiest I had ever had, and this boy was the reason for it. 

Every day he spent it with me for the most part and was with me every night cuddling and wanting to be held.

I could tell he had missed it so much since his father had died.

Elena said it was like Pablo had come back to them.

Now he had spoken aloud what I had been wishing for some time. 

If I could choose a son, I think it would be Pablo.

But that couldn't be and we both knew it.

"I couldn't wish for any better of a boy to call my son than you, Pablito, you have made me see in these last weeks, what being a father would be like and there is no other I would choose over you if I could." I softly told the boy as I hugged him tighter.

I felt his tears on my chest as he said, "But it is not to be, is it?" 

"No, it's not. We can stay in touch, and I'll visit. Maybe your mother will even let you visit me sometime, but I'll have to leave when the mission is over."

Ever so softly he said "I don't want you to go."

I felt my own tears then, as I replied "I don't want to either honey."

"Then stay, Esteban and Marissa can have Tony, and I'll have you." he said, almost begging now.

"We'll see baby. I have to leave, but I might be able to come back real soon. I am getting out of the military when I go back. There is no reason I couldn't live down here close by." I told him, thinking that it was true. I had been wondering what I was going to do and had been thinking of moving out to LA to be near Marty and Kat but there really wasn't any reason that I had to go there and now there was a very big nine year old reason why I shouldn't.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt certain that it would be the best move possible. I couldn't imagine my life without this wonderful, brave, courageous yet fragile boy in it who seemed so self possessed but was so vulnerable and hurting at the same time.

"I actually think I would really like to do that honey. I want to be in your life if you'll have me." I told him.

"YES!" was the muffled cry into my chest, which I heard as he tried to squeeze me to death with a monster hug.

Yes, now I would just have to speak with Elena about it.

That happened several days later when everyone was out and just she and I remained.

"Elena, could I speak to you for a moment? I asked.

She looked at me for a moment before nodding her head and leading me to the living room where we took seats.

"It's about Pablo, isn't it?" she asked, being very perceptive.

"Yes and about you and Tony." I replied.

She simply nodded her head and asked "Does he not like Tony?" 

"Oh no, he likes Tony and thinks he would be good for you and the children." I answered smiling.

"Why the little devil." she said, with mock anger.

"Hey, he has to look out for his family you know." I joked but she replied seriously "He takes that very seriously." 

"Yes I know." I replied.

"He doesn't want Tony for a father, does he?" she asked.

"It's not that," I said trying to come up with words which had suddenly deserted me.

"But he wants someone else more for that role?" she asked next.

I looked down for a moment before looking back up and saying, "I explained that is something that cannot be, and he already knew that." 

She just continued to look at me, so I went on.

"These last couple of weeks have been some of the most wonderful I can recall and have shown me so much. I couldn't wish for a better son if I had the choice than Pablito, but since I know that isn't possible, and he does as well, what I wanted to know was if I could stay involved in his life and he with me?" I asked her.

She didn't respond for a few minutes, and I let her have the time but then she said, "What kind of involvement could you have in the States and he here, or did you want to take him with you?"

I was shaking my head before she had finished and quickly said "No, I would never take him or ever ask to take him from his home and family. I am leaving the service when I get back. It will take a few months to process, but then I will be free. I want to move down here and live nearby and be a part of his life, I want him to be a part of mine." I told her and could tell the yearning in my heart came through. 

"You would do this for him?" she asked quietly.

I looked her in the eyes and said simply, "I would do anything for him." 

She nodded her head then shocked me to my core, "Tony and I have discussed this, and we had already reached a decision about It." she said.

I think I stopped breathing her tone was so serious.

Then she smiled "I think he loves you, and that was something I thought he would never grant to another man. He looks to you as another father without forgetting his own and we had already decided to let him go with you." She said. 

I started to protest but she held up her hand and said, "It would be very hard on Esteban, Marissa and I, but it would be best for him. The fact that you are willing to move down here though means that we, between us, can have the best of both worlds. He can have you and you him while none of us lose him." 

I couldn't believe it, and knew the tears were running down my face at what she had just said as she came over and took me into her arms holding me as if I were one of her children.

"You love him, don't you?" she asked.

"Yes." I replied.

"Good, he needs that and you need him too. Finish what you need to and come back to him, he will be waiting, I promise you." she told me.

"Thank you. God, I don't know how I can ever thank you." I said.

"Just be good to our son." she replied as I gasped and looked at her to see her smiling at me.

"I will, I always will." I said.

She nodded and we sat there for a while before we heard others coming, and I quickly got up and went off to clean up.

It wouldn't do for everyone to see the commander crying like a baby with all the joy filling my heart.

I didn't mention anything to Pablo that night, but I think he knew something was up because he kept giving me looks but all I would do is hug him to me and give him a kiss and that seemed to content him.

I wanted to tell him alone in our special place by the stream, and figured that tomorrow I would do that.

I never got the chance.

Word came just before we were to head out that our targets had been acquired and the rest of the day was spent on planning and some limited recon.

They were being held in a small house, not all that far away from where we were and Tony went off mid-afternoon to scout the area.

After that, it was a waiting game of gathering information and planning.

We set the rescue for the next night and spent all the time we could going over various scenarios that could happen to us, once we engaged the hostiles. 

None of them could prepare us though for what did happen.

Pablito actually had some good suggestions to help us, being familiar with the area as he was, and Elena did as well. 

I took time to take Pablo out for a walk the day of the op and tell him that I had talked to his mother and I would be back which made him so happy. 

We stood in a small clearing just past the house, hugging one another and crying in our joy over it.

"She said yes?" he finally asked.

"I'll tell you everything later, but she definitely said yes." I replied.

"I'm so happy" he said.

"So am I sweetheart." I told him.

"Come." he said suddenly, pulling on my hand and leading me across the clearing towards a big and beautiful old tree.

In the shadows of the tree, once I got there I could see what hadn't been visible before, a grave, and with a sudden drawn breath I realized whose it was.

He led me slowly to the foot of it and we stood in silence for a while before he said, "Daddy, this is Mike, he's going to be a daddy for me now, until I get to see you again. I won't ever forget you, and I love you, but I need him too."

The tears were streaming down my cheeks as I said, "I will always take care of him for you and love him as you would." 

"He would like you Mike, just like I do." the boy said softly, as I pulled him to me and we stood there silently for a while until he said "Bye daddy." and pulled me back towards the house.

"Thank you Pablito, that was very special." I said softly.

He didn't respond but I felt him squeeze my hand tightly for a moment.

We spent the rest of the day either napping with each other in the others' arms or cuddled up together as if there wasn't enough time for all the loving we needed to do and I thought that I would be back by his tenth birthday which was in a few months and thought about what I might get the little guy, ten was a milestone so it had to be something special.

It was an odd afternoon and one I would look back on in a much different light later and appreciate even more but still was very special as it happened.

We took one last shower that night together before I left, and it was a strangely subdued one that I chalked up to sadness over my temporary departure. 

It was also a very special one that seemed filled with extra loving and care. 

After that I got dressed and loaded out for the mission with Pablo watching my every move to make sure I did it right.

"You know I have done this a couple of times before," I kidded him.

He gave me a smile and simply said, "That don't mean you done it right." 

That got some tickles which caused boy squeals to come from him, but soon I had to get back to business, much too soon as I gave him a kiss and hug before releasing him.

Once we were ready I said goodbye to my angel, and Tony to his, and with everyone standing on the porch to see us off, we went to rescue some kids.

We went to the location and took up the positions that Tony had mapped out on his recon of the area and prepared for what was to come.

Just before I was to give the signal to go in, I heard a strangled gasp and then disbelievingly I heard a voice say barely above a whisper "You really should watch your back you know."

As I started to turn, I heard a strange sound that was like an "Ooo" then another voice, one I recognized, say "Good advice, too bad you didn't follow it." 

As I took in the scene before me, it was all in slow motion watching as I saw Pablo standing across the clearing and a man stepping back from him, with something shiny in his hand as I heard Pablo give a grunt and start to fall.

I took in the other man lying not far from where I had thought I had been concealed, and without thinking, I raised my silenced MP 5 and fired a three round burst into the man standing there, as I ran over to Pablo checking first to confirm the man was definitely dead.

"Pablo are you okay?" I asked, as I dropped down beside him.

"Hey Mike, whatcha doing?" he asked grinning up at me, but then I saw the grin turn into a grimace of pain.

"Are you hurt?" I asked frantically beginning to pat him down.

"You could say that," he replied, still trying to joke around.

"OH God!" I said, as my hands came into contact with a massive amount of wetness.

I keyed the mic and said urgently into it "Josh, I need you my position, man down and for God's sake hurry."

"On my way." was his reply as I ripped Pablo's shirt off and took in a wound in his chest where blood was pouring out.

"Shit!" was all I could mutter, as I took a compress from my pack and applied it to the wound trying to staunch the flow of blood.

"Oh Pablito why?" I cried.

I could see his teeth as he grinned up at me and said hoarsely "Someone has to save your ass," and giggled for a second before it turned into a ragged cough.

I could see something dark coming out of his mouth and knew it was blood as the tears fell down my face.

"You're going to be alright baby, you just hang on." I was saying over and over again.

"Josh where the fuck are you?" I called into the throat mic

"Almost there, who's down?" he asked

In a strangled whisper I replied "Pablito." 

"Fuck!" I heard in reply.

"Baby boy you stay with me you hear? You can't leave me now. We're always going to be together. You mama said so you stay with me you here." I cried as I put more compresses on the wound, trying to stop the blood that didn't seem to want to stop.

"Daddy's waiting," Pablito whispered softly, so softly I almost didn't hear him.

"No." I said desperately, as Josh came running up.

"He's bleeding out and I can't stop it." I said to him, as he pushed me aside and looked at what he had to work on.

"Fuck!" he said again, as he dug into his pack and started trying to do something for my boy.

"What happened?" he asked.

"He saved my life." I said, still crying as I ran my fingers down his face.

"Someone got to save his ass." Pablo said coughing again as I said, "Don't try to talk; Josh will fix you right up."

"It hurts Mike." he said, looking up at me with a confused look on his face as if he didn't expect that for some reason.

"I know baby, I know. Josh will give you something for the pain as soon as he can, just hold on." I told him.

"Mike, you got a mission to lead." Josh said to me, looking up at me briefly.

"Tony can handle it." I replied, angry that he would bring that up right now.

"Mike, I'll do everything I can, but you need to go." Josh said.

Before I could answer Pablo said, "Go Mike, you gotta save those kids, get them out of there." 

"I won't leave you." I said.

"I'll be okay, they need you more right now," he told me.

"No" was all I could say.

"You have to." Josh said.

"Go!" Pablito told me.

"You'll stay?" I asked scared to death he would be gone when I got back.

"I'll be here, now go." he said giving me a small smile.

I bent down and kissed him gently on the cheek before getting up and looking one last time at Josh.

"Go." was all he said.

"All units, Redball, Redball, Redball!" I called into the mic.

It was the code for take out all hostiles and wasn't supposed to be used on this mission. 

Everyone acknowledged except Tony

"Tony acknowledge." I called.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked.

"They hurt Pablito." I said in reply.

There was silence and then in a cold voice one word "Acknowledged."

I got into position and wiped my eyes before starting the countdown.

At one, the flashbangs went in and we followed.

We made it a point to leave a clear message for anyone else who thought to ever try something like this, as we each placed two rounds into the genitals of every single bad guy in the place.

Then they were gagged, and bound and left to die slowly as they bled out in agony.

Elliot, the back up medic went to work on the children, the girl being in the worst shape.

Once everything was secure, I told Tony, "I'm going back out to Pablo." 

Tony reached out and grasped my shoulder as he said, "I'll take care of things here. How bad is it?" 

I looked away for a moment before saying "Bad." and then leaving the house and running back to Pablo.

Josh had several IVs running into the boy and looked up briefly as I came upon them.

I saw the minute shake of his head and felt as if something was being ripped from my chest as I fell to my knees beside the boy once again.

"See, I told you I'd stick around." he said giggling a bit, which once again turned into a coughing fit.

I picked him up into my arms and held him as I said, "Yeah you did."

"Oh baby, no, you stay with me please." I begged.

I saw the pity in Josh's face and felt the others had come out as well and were standing around in silent support.

"I wish I could, but I don't think I can." he said softly.

"No." I cried, my tears falling on his face as I gently kissed it and looked into those pain racked eyes.

"It hurts." he said again.

I looked to Josh but he said "I've given him all I can." 

"We should get him home." I said absently.

"No." Josh said, and with it the rest of my soul broke. 

That one word told me that he wasn't going to be around long enough to make it there.

"You know that question you asked me?" he asked softly, and I had to think a moment then suddenly I did.

"Yeah baby, I know the one," I told him.

"I finally know the answer now." he told me looking up at me.

"Oh my sweet baby boy, I can't lose you now." I cried shaking my head to deny what was coming.

"I've wanted to tell you something for a while now, but I was kind of embarrassed." he said before going into a coughing fit.

"It's cold, so cold." he said suddenly, when it had subsided enough for him to talk.

"I'll…I'll keep you warm." I said which got a smile from him as I hugged him to me tighter.

"What I wanted to say was I love you Mike." he told me, looking up at me and breaking my heart the rest of the way.

I sobbed brokenly as I said, "Oh God, I love you too, I love you so much, please don't leave me." 

"Tell mama and mis hermanos I love them too." he said next, and I knew he was going.

He was saying goodbye.

"I will." I choked out.

Then I watched as the pain left his eyes and he breathed deeply almost like he was okay again.

"It doesn't hurt no more." he said in wonder, as I looked up at Josh who had a perplexed look on his face.

"Don't be sad Mike, you'll find another boy to love one day," he told me smiling up at me.

"No, you're the only son I ever want." I replied.

He just smiled before he said "Don't stop loving Mike, he'll need you too." 

I was crying so hard I could barely get out "I'll never stop loving you my baby boy" 

"I'll always love you too Mike" he said before suddenly looking off away from me

I followed his gaze but didn't see anything as I looked back at him.

"Mike, he's here. Daddy's here, he's waiting for me." he said looking up at me with eyes asking for permission to leave me.

It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I barely got out the words, "Gggo…go to your papa baby, it's okay, you…you can go be with him now."

He looked back to me for a minute bringing his hand up to my cheek in a gentle caress smiling as he did so with the most loving gentle look in his eyes and said words I would never forget 

"He's my daddy, but you're my papa." 

"Oh my sweet baby boy, thank you," was all I could get out as his gaze returned to something only he could see, and his hand fell from my face and his last breath left his little body in a long sigh as if he was giving up all the pain of enduring what he had been through these many months.

I just rocked him to me and cried like I had never cried before, repeating his name over and over again just calling, 

"Pablito, oh my Pablito."

I felt a hand on my shoulder and after a time Josh's voice "Mike, we need to go."

I looked up at him uncomprehendingly for a moment before I shook my head.

"No get the children to the extraction point and go. I..I have something I have to do." I said, looking back down into the face of my baby.

I would not leave him here, I couldn't.

"Mike…" Josh started to say, but I just looked up at him and he looked back before nodding his head.

I heard Tony speaking quietly to Andy and then there was silence as I continued to look down at his face, he looked so peaceful and so alive as if I just would call his name he would wake up.

Finally I looked up at Josh and said, "I have to clean him up, I can't…can't let his mama see him…" but couldn't go on as Josh looked at me tenderly and knelt down reaching into his pack and pulling out some water and gauze.

Ever so tenderly he washed the boy, his face, his chest, the area around the wound and all where the blood had run before putting a clean bandage across the slit in his perfect skin.

I just sat there caressing his cheek and letting my tears add to the water on his body.

When Josh moved back, I took a deep breath and stood, realizing then that Tony had stayed along with Josh as each reached out to steady me.

He was so light in my arms as if what made him part of the here and now had left with him leaving an empty shell with no substance to it.

I walked slowly forward, back towards his house, back towards his waiting mother.

Everything was a blur from that point, at least until I got there, there was nothing but this final thing to keep me anchored and I clung to that duty with every shred of what reason I still possessed.

When we got there, Tony knocked on the door and when she opened it she looked at us confused for a moment before noticing what I carried in my arms and then with a cry of heart wrenching agony, she gasped "Pablito!" and crumpled to the ground.

Tony caught her as she fell, and picking her up, carried her into the living room.

I stood there until Josh led me in behind them still crying and still holding on.

She was staring at her son in horror but finally asked "What happened?" 

I forced my jaw to work as I said "He…He saved my life" but then started shaking as the sobs overtook me once again.

She got up and walked to me and surprised me by placing a hand on my cheek before looking down at her son.

"Ah mi Pablito, you are finally home now my baby," she said softly as she caressed his cheek lovingly.

"You're finally home with your daddy." she went on to say bending down to kiss him on his cheek.

I realized then that Josh was behind me holding me up and I knew I would have fallen if he hadn't been there.

"Come." she said, with tears running down her face and led us to the bathroom.

She turned to me and asked "Mike, will you share this final task with me for our son?" 

With eyes that were now blinded with the tears those words brought, I managed to choke out "I would…I would be honored."

I gently knelt and laid him down upon the floor not being sure I would be able to let go of him at the last moment but the gentle hand of Elena and a soft voice saying "It's okay Mike." allowed me to.

Josh and Tony had left us alone to this task at some point, and with great tenderness we slowly undressed the son I had known so briefly until his naked body was lying there before us with that horrible wound below his left breast. 

Somehow Josh knew and came in, beginning to sew and when he was done got up just as quietly and left.

We just looked at him for a few moments before we each got a washcloth and began to gently bath him one last time.

Each caress, each stroke was a special goodbye and filled with all the love in my heart or what was left of it.

When we were finished, I sat back and the control I had been exerting began to leave me once again.

Elena took me in her arms as heartbroken as I was, and held me.

When I could breathe again she pulled back and said, "You know he loved you don't you?"

"Yes." I managed to choke out, "And I loved him too." 

"I know you did. Don't ever forget that." she said.

"I'm so sorry." I told her.

"No Mike. He wouldn't have done it any differently, he was his father's son." she said, looking down at him and smiling sadly.

"He died saving my life, it's my fault." I replied.

"Do you think he would have let you die?" She asked and then went on "No, he couldn't save his father, but he could and did save his new daddy." 

I didn't answer her; I couldn't, as I just let the tears fall, not that I could stop them.

She got up and came back a few minutes later and said "Come." 

I picked up Pablito and carried him after her into his bedroom and found the bed turned down and she motioned me to place him on the sheet there.

I sat down next to him and rubbed his forehead gently as Elena said "He's home now, Mike, he's with Shannon as it was meant to be," then she got up and left, leaving me alone with him to think back over the last three weeks, and how much one person could come to mean to another in such a short amount of time.

The entire universe.

Josh and Tony came back in and I didn't find out til later that they had been out digging a grave for him to rest in, and it was then I noticed dawn lightening the sky.

Then Elena came back leading Esteban with Marissa in tow and I almost lost it right there.

Esteban had a stricken look on his face, as he entered the room and caught sight of his brother laying there.

I stood up and moved back to give them room and his mother just pushed him forward.

Marissa just looked puzzled as she looked at Pablo lying there wrapped in the sheet except for his face and upper chest.

I couldn't lose it in front of the children, and tried very hard to keep control but felt the tears start up again as Esteban slowly walked forward until he was at the side of the bed.

"He said to tell you and your sister that he loved you." I got out as Esteban turned and looked at me.

He turned back and reached out his hand and touched his brother's shoulder as I saw tears begin to leak out of his eyes.

He stood there for a minute or two before he said, "I'll take care of sissy and mommy now Lito, don't you worry none, and I'll teach Rissa every…everything daddy taught us." 

Then he bent down and kissed Pablo tenderly on the cheek and as if that took all he had in him, he turned and flung himself into his mother's arms crying his heart out.

That broke me, and I couldn't control it as I started crying great racking sobs but what happened next shattered me.

Marissa, who had been standing by all this time walked up to Pablo and looking at him said "Wake up Lito, Mommy's crying, wake up." 

Then she looked up at her mother and back to Pablo shaking his shoulder and yelling "Wake up, you gotta wake up. Please Lito, wake up."

Still shaking him, she cried "He won't wake up mama, why won't he wake up?" in such a sad mournful cry, that I lost all control and felt my knees buckling.

The last thing I heard after feeling a sharp sting in my arm was that little child crying "Why won't he wake up? 

When I came to, Josh was sitting there and I was in my bedroom.

I felt the tears start anew as I remembered but he handed me something that I saw was a pill and said, "Take it." 

"No." I replied.

"Take it, or I'll give you another shot," was his answer.

I took it.

After I did, he came over and took me in his arms just holding me and soothing me as if I were a baby until I felt whatever he had given me take hold.

Things became more distant and easy to handle, and I, in the end, was glad he had made me take the pill.

Finally he said, "We have one last thing to do," and I knew what he meant as I simply nodded my head.

We went out and found everyone in the living room looking at me.

"I'm sorry." I said, and Elena came over and took me in her arms.

"It's okay Mike, never be sorry for feeling." she told me.

It was such an eerie coincidence to her son's last words that I gasped in surprise but she didn't seem to notice.

"Mike, would you carry him out?" she asked me, looking at me.

I nodded my head not trusting myself to speak pill or no pill.

With that, she led me back to his bedroom and I felt the pit of grief set to engulf me once more, as I saw him lying there.

He looked so peaceful, so alive almost like Marissa had thought that if you just said "Wake up," he would and giggle at you saying "Got ya," as if it was all some game. 

Oh Lord how I wished it had been.

I realized I had frozen in the doorway and Elena was looking at me.

I shook myself and she said, "He looks like he's just sleeping doesn't he?" 

"Yeah, and he'll wake up to go run and play any second now." I said. 

"He is, don't think for a moment that he isn't." she said, looking at me and I felt the tears start again.

So much for Josh's remedy then I thought I probably wouldn't want to know what it would be like without that little pill if it was this bad with it.

I walked over and bent down kissing him for what I knew would be the last time and said softly, "You take care of your daddy now baby boy," and I swear I heard a soft little voice say "I will."

I gently caressed his cheek and then stepped back to allow Elena in.

She bent down and kissed him as well whispering something I couldn't hear as she gently wrapped him completely except for his face.

When she saw me looking she said, "That will be last, so he can see his final…home," and she choked up turning away on the last words.

I took her in my arms and held her until she said, "It is time." 

I put as much care into it as I had ever put in anything as I bent down and lifted him in the last thing I would ever be able to do for him, and began carrying him on his final journey.

Elena led us out to that great tree where her husband lay, and I followed her and her children.

She had a hand on each and I'm not sure whether it was to steady them or herself, maybe both, as they came to a stop at the end of the freshly dug grave.

A tarp had been placed across the hole, and I moved forward kneeling down and kissing him one last time saying, "I love you and I always will." as I gently placed him upon it then got up stepping back to be with Josh and the others.

Tony spoke and Josh and I said a few words that seemed so inadequate then Elena stepped forward.

"Goodbye mijo, you are finally home now. Take care of daddy for us, and we'll see you again one day." was all she said and with that she stepped back. 

Both children were crying now and both said "Goodbye Lito," to their brother as their mother held them to her.

Tony and Josh started forward, but I held up my hand and walked over kneeling down and looking into his face one last time before looking back up at his mother who nodded her head.

This I would do, no other.

As tenderly as I could, I brought the sheet up and across his face, sealing it for all time and then with Josh coming to the other side we lowered our precious cargo into the ground next to his father, together here as well as where their souls were now.

I began putting the ground back in it's place each shovelful heavier than the last until Josh stopped me half-way through and placed a metal sheet the length and depth of the hole down and across it's occupant and then allowed me to finish what I had started.

When I was done, all I could do was stand there and look down at where he was, as the tears continued to fall, Josh stood silently there, with his arm around me.

Everyone else left and we two were alone.

"I'm sorry Shannon, I didn't take care of him like I promised I would," I said into the stillness looking to the father's grave.

I just stood there until Josh began to lead me away, but I stopped one last time and looking down at him said, "I'll always love you baby boy." and as Josh led me back to the house thought I heard again "I love you too Mike." 

The rest of the day was spent just sitting around occasionally with one us relating something funny about Pablo that had happened and Elena telling us about things from his growing up. 

Night was coming though, and with it would be our departure and it was as we reluctantly were beginning to get ready that Elena came to me.

"This is for you Mike." she said, handing me a duffel bag.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Pablito would want you to have it, Mike, open it when you get home." she said, reaching up and kissing me gently on my cheek.

I told her I would, and that anything she ever needed all she had to do was call, anything.

She just hugged me and then it was time to go.

Goodbyes were tearful and hard as hell.

Three weeks, yet it seemed like they were family to us all now, I didn't want to leave, mostly because I would be leaving my little angel behind.

I walked out one last time, and everyone allowed me that moment.

"Goodbye my son, I'll miss you forever." I said, looking down then taking a deep breath I turned and walked back towards the house and then out into the night and our return home. 

We got back and it was two days later when the shit hit the fan at our debriefing.

Tom was leading it when in walked a General we had never seen before.

We all stood to attention but unlike most, he didn't allow us to resume our seats as we stood there.

After looking us over for a while he said, "Was there something unclear in the orders you were given?" 

"No Sir." I answered.

"You would be Captain Reynolds?" he asked.

"Yes sir." I replied.

"Were you told or were you not that there were to be no casualties on this mission?" he said.

"Our written orders…" I started to say when he interrupted me and screamed, "Fuck the written orders you were told not to kill anyone, and you know it."

"Sir, our written orders…" I began again.

"Don't!" he snarled.

No one said anything and he asked "Were they all necessary to the completion of the mission?" 

I said "YES SIR!" but was surprised to hear that echoed by everyone else as well. 

Surprised but also very proud, they had just placed their asses in the fire along with mine.

"I see, are you sure you all want to swear to that?" he said, mildly.

"You have my after action report, sir." I said.

"Yes, and as Commander you will be the one held accountable," he told me, now looking directly at me.

I didn't respond.

"Well Captain, you can kiss your career goodbye, just so you know. People in high places are pissed as hell." he said, smiling at me.

"Permission to speak freely?" I asked, and then added "Sir."

"Granted," he growled.

"The people in high places can kiss my ass, sir." I told him.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes sir." I replied.

"You think I'm joking about your career?" he asked.

"No sir, I don't. The minute he got elected, I started thinking about leaving. This mission just made up my mind. I already put in my papers." I said smiling at him, which pissed him off even more.

"Well, all of you can count on shit for assignments I'll tell you that." he said, looking at everyone.

"Oh and Captain you're off active assignment as of now." he added.

"Don't fuck with these men, General." Josh surprised me by saying.

"Ah Major, in case you didn't notice, I'm a General which means I can do whatever the fuck I want," he screamed at Josh.

"Ya don't know who you're messing with boy." Josh said, smiling at the General.

"Leave them alone, General." Tom spoke up saying now.

"You too Colonel?" he asked.

"Me too, I've got friends, even yours can't help you out with." he said.

"We'll see about that." he snarled and stormed from the room.

Tom asked, "Were you serious Mike?" 

"Yep, on the way over there now." I said. 

There was no answer as I headed out.

I got home and found out that Susan had moved and no one knew where, but it was opening the package from Elena that really did it.

Inside was a letter from her and in it another with childish scrawl and I knew instantly that it was from Pablo.

---

Mike.

These things are for you and Pablo would want you to have them as do I. Mike I think he knew in the end that his time was limited here.

Remember when I told you that a part of him had died that day with his father, well I knew and he did as well that one day he would rejoin him.

These last three weeks I got to see my son back again that I haven't seen in the last year. He was alive again Mike and that was thanks to you.

Never forget that Mike, you brought him back to life, your love for him did that. Never doubt that he loved you too. You will always be a part of our family Mike.

Take care and stay in touch, please

Love Elena, Esteban and Marissa

---

That brought tears to my eyes and I put aside the second envelope and opened the first of the packages inside. 

They were pictures of my baby boy.

I just cried as I looked at them.

They were from infancy up to recent ones including some shots of me and him that I hadn't even known had been taken.

They captured that sparkle and look of mischief in his eyes so well.

The next package was heavy and when I got it open I gasped in surprise.

Inside was a complete Japanese Sword set and I knew it was Pablo's and that the Wakizashi there was the one he always carried.

A note was there on top saying, that this had been given to him by his father, and was his most prized possession, that and he would want me to have it and Elena wanted me to have it as well.

As if that weren't enough to leave me huddled on the floor, I slowly and carefully opened the second envelope which simply said "Mike" and had a child's drawing of a smiley face next to my name.

---

Mike, this is going to sound kinda weird, but I just got this weird feeling that I'm gonna be seeing daddy soon. I don't know when, but someday soon I think. I asked mommy to find you and give this to you if anything ever happened to me, and I guess if you are seeing it then something musta huh.

I guess I just wanted to tell you don't be sad Mike. I'm with daddy again, if I died. I miss him so much.

I'm gonna miss you too though. I been meaning to tell you something but I don't know if I will be able to cause it's kinda hard, but I love you Mike. Since you been here it was like having a daddy again, it's been really cool and well I love you. There I said it. Hehhehe Sorry I hope I can say it to you before you leave, but if I didn't then I have now. Anyway I gotta go but I wanted to tell you bye and that I am really going to miss you when you leave. I hope mommy lets you come visit me, I love you Mike

Pablo

---

With that, I just collapsed and that was where Josh found me later on. 

It was all too much.

Josh stayed with me for several months, and I finally left the military and moved to LA and well you guys know the rest I said, looking up into faces covered in tears that matched the ones running down my face as well.

"That's the boy in the pictures in your office isn't it dad?" Sammy asked

"Yeah, that's Pablito" I said.

"The sword set in the bedroom?" Randy asked,

"His" I replied.

Then I got a bunch of hugs and finally Sammy looked up at me and said "He was right dad you did find another boy to love." 

"Yeah, he sure was, sweetheart, he sure was. I found a bunch of you." I said, smiling down at him through my tears.

"You never talk about him," Sammy said.

"I know. It hurts so much, but you know telling you about him feels good, really good and I'm glad I did." I said.

"So am I dad, I think I woulda liked him a lot." Sam replied.

"Oh baby boy, I know you would've and you know what, I think you two are a lot alike." I told him, kissing his nose.

He just smiled at me and hugged me harder.

"What happened to that mean General?" Danny asked of me.

"Oh him, well a couple of months later when we all came to see Tony off, you see he quit too, we saw General Adams one last time. Tony was walking to his car when the General walked by, and Tony said "Hey General." The General stopped and looked at Tony in civilian clothes and said "Do I know you?" Tony told him who he was and that he was out now and said "I wanted to tell you one last thing General that I really wanted to tell you during our debrief." The general asked what it was, and Tony said "Fuck You." and got in his car driving away as the general just stood there in shock. He was reassigned to somewhere or another but no longer having anything to do with Special Ops. I think Tom and Josh had something to do with it though." I told them.

"What happened to Elena?" Sammy asked.

"Well, Tony moved down there and married her that's what. They have had five more brats now, mixed Latin and Italian, what a combination," I said, smiling thinking of them. 

"Cool." was the general reply.

So I don't understand why are we going somewhere else now?" Sammy asked me next.

"The phone call I got gave me the three code words from my last mission honey. Snow White, Arilinn and Cobra Belle." I told him.

"So?" he asked.

"It was a way any of our team could let another know they needed help, but the final thing is that whoever called me said another word." I said pausing for a moment

"What was it?" Kevin asked.

"Pablito." I said.

"Oh shit." SamSam replied.

"Oh yeah." I said as they all looked at me just as the intercom chimed and I answered it

"Sir, we are on final approach," the Captain informed me.

"To where?" I asked.

---