Jesse waited for Valencia/Birgit to arrive in the foyer, shaking his head, his lips tugging into a smile. There was a time in his life when he would have walked away from someone like Valencia. When the heart truly engaged, there was no turning it around. He had seen others decide to opt for more during his life, but it was never possessions or status. Those who had left this kind of life behind had followed their heart. Jesse had never understood why they would give up everything they had worked so hard for ... to belong to another person? Now he understood. His heart had chosen ... more; it wanted more than likes, dislikes and preferences. He wanted Valencia and wanted Valencia to want to be with him. It scared him, but he was determined. He would do whatever it took to make her happy and keep her safe.

The clamouring group of concerned and frightened people with all their gear, possessions and backpacks hanging off their shoulders and arms hurried down the main stairway heading for the basement. Jesse spotted Valencia near the back with that distracted look in her eye. The look he now understood as an inner conversation with Birgit. It seemed they discussed almost everything. The two seemed to be blending better than when Birgit had first come out of her prison.

They stopped on the bottom step, engaging their senses and looked around. The process was becoming easy to see now. A smile spread over their face as their gaze darted past, returned and stayed. Stepping off the stair with a sigh, twinkling eyes and barely contained excitement while carrying a large travel bag and backpack, stopping a few feet away.

"Thought you had gone without me," Valencia spoke softly, stopping close enough for him to smell her unique scent.

"I meant what I said in the study; we go together," he murmured, smiling gently.

Nodding, she threaded her fingers through his, gently squeezing his hand. He could feel the slight tremble as her small palm nestled in his. He wondered what emotion she felt.

"I'm excited and terrified," she whispered, grinning as he frowned in confusion, "I can read your eyes. You may be private and closed off with others, but you're an open book to me ... sorry to us."

Nodding, he raised her hand, gently grazing the back with a kiss.

Breanna stopped near the door, "Everyone here? Everyone ready to go?"

"We're ready to go," Valencia said, happiness shining across her face and glowing in her eyes.

"I see that you are," Breanna smiled, glancing at the linked hands, "it's about time. Now, can we have all of you focused and concentrating?"

"You will," Jesse nodded, "we're doing this together."

"Good to hear," Breanna nodded, "where is Craig he was making sure everyone is present?"

Craig scanned the foyer, an easy task for him being head and shoulders above most of the others assembled. Noting, his team stood ready. Their gear and luggage were packed neatly to one side, waiting to go. Jesse and Valencia stood waiting, beaming at each other. David stood near Breanna, as were Clio and Jasmine. Looking around the milling enhancements, some had chosen to remain with the Agency; others had not yet decided what they wished to do with their freedom. He could not see Tina and her sisters.

"Where's Tina?" he asked loud enough to raise attention to their absence.

"We're here," Tina panted as the five women clattered down the stairs with their many suitcases and travel bags, "just don't ask."

"I would never ask what could have taken you so long," he smothered a grin.

Tina glowered at him before stepping off the staircase and catching her breath before turning to count who was present.

"We're all accounted for," she finally said.

Craig noted how tired she looked. Perhaps someone had given her a hard time about what to take, or was something else going on in the sisterhood. Moving through the group, he reached for her piece of luggage, lifting it from the step to rest gently next to her.

"Thank you," her smile came tightly, "I see your team has manners."

Turning, he noted his team was lifting and carrying the heavy bags for the sisters, "It would seem so."

"You didn't know?" Tina chuckled.

"We fight together," Craig shrugged, "we don't always see each other around women. Rather accredit their manners to their upbringing."

"We can do that," Tina said, smiling.

Craig met Breanna's gaze giving her a thumb's up sign.

"Now that everyone is here," Breanna looked over the group, "shall we move out and lock the place down?"

"The exit is not the front door," Michael said, "we have early arrivals waiting there." He turned from the window, looking over the group, "Head for the kitchen."

Breanna frowned at him, "What are you up to?"

"Dad left us many places filled with many toys," Michael smiled, "go to the kitchen, open the second pantry and pull the tin of flour away from the wall."

Breanna narrowed her gaze on him. He was telling the truth and hiding something at the same time. Finally nodding, she led the group into the kitchen, following her brother's orders. Why did the sentence "many places filled with many toys" mean something? Had she heard that before? Rubbing at her forehead distractedly, she wondered if it was a piece of memory trying to resurface. Something she would have to face another time. Right now, she needed to get these people to safety.

Locking down the house, Michael followed the group into the kitchen, finding them filing into a giant elevator. Moving in last, he found a space, stretched between the bodies and punched in a code. The doors closed on the group and quickly lowered into the earth.

"Where are we going?" Frank asked.

"We're leaving in a manner that will not draw attention," Michael said, avoiding the question.

"Who fitted these houses out like this?" Trevet asked, mesmerised as the elevator stopped and opened, displaying various modes of transportation in an enormous cave.

Michael remained silent as everyone moved into the cave, looking around. The sandy floor muted any noise their footsteps would have made.

"We'll be taking the train," he said quietly, punching a code into the elevator, locking down the kitchen, pantry and exit point. Anyone looking would only find a typical home with regular entrances and exits.

"What train?" Craig looked at his brother, "where did this all come from?"

"We're going on this train," Michael walked a few steps into the larger cave area where an automated three carriage train stood. The tracks followed out of a tunnel in the wall.

"How did you get the military to pay for all of this?" David asked, looking around.

"The Military doesn't know anything about this?" Michael said, looking at his watch, "let's go. We have fifteen minutes before that tunnel locks down."

"We need to talk," Breanna said, motioning for everyone to get on the train, "too many surprises here."

The group quickly entered the old-styled train. Breanna chuckled; it was like a train out of an old western movie. Something else that sounded familiar. Frowning, she swung up onto the stairs and entered what could only be the dining car. Leaving the men to stow the luggage in a pantry-styled room with lots of shelves, she moved into the second car, finding it lined with bunk beds and ablution facilities. Entering the third car, she found her brothers arguing, Craig insisting on knowing the answer to all his questions. Michael remained focused on getting out of the cave and into the tunnel, giving frustrating grunts of acknowledgement when required.

"Craig," Breanna motioned for him to stop, "let's get going first before you Spanish Inquisition him."

"Spanish Inqu .." Craig spluttered before throwing his hands in the air and leaving the compartment.

"Do you think we can talk once we're on our way, Mike?" Breanna asked, "I want to know about all these gadgets."

Michael winked at his sister over his shoulder, "Hold onto something."

The train lurched into motion slowly at first. Picking up the receiver to the CB communications unit, he grinned.

"We will be bulleting in ten seconds," he grinned, speaking into the radio, "everyone, hold on tightly. What we don't have now ... we don't have."

Breanna grasped the arm of the chair nearby and pulled herself into it as the train started moving a little quicker. Bracing herself, she waited for the g-forces to tug at her muscles. Something told her she had done this before as a child, but why did this feel familiar?

Everyone scrambled to either find a seat or clamber onto a bunk bed in the carriage. Jesse watched as Valencia settled the Tina's, helped Simon secure the last of the baggage in the pantry style compartment, and locked the door. Punching a code into the keypad, she started toward where he was when the train lurched, followed by Michael's announcement. The sudden realisation of not making the distance between them slammed into her features. Grasping the bar running the length of the roof, she dangled dangerously as the train picked up sudden speed. Jesse tried to move to help her, but the g-forces kept him in place.

Jasmine suddenly appeared mid-air wrapping herself around Valencia just as her hands slipped. Jesse opened his mouth to call her name but found his arms filled with the trembling form of Valencia. While panting, Jasmine pulled the energy she needed as she fought the g-forces. The train picked up speed, sucking her out into the middle of the passage away, frantically clutching at anything, trying to get a hold.

Pinned against the train wall, Phoenix stretched out his hand. Jasmine grasped his arm. He pulled her against him holding her in place as she wrapped her arms around him, clinging to him.

Jesse held onto Valencia/Birgit, "I've got you," he managed to whisper against her ear. Her only reaction was a slight nod.

Phoenix held Jasmine against him feeling the tug at his energy levels. It didn't seem draining, as everyone had explained. Jasmine raised her eyes to his from the area of his chest.

"You have extreme energy levels," she spoke into his shirt.

"That sounds like a compliment," he chuckled, "from you, it should be."

"Just the truth," she muttered, preparing to let go and move away.

Phoenix waited. A civilian, Jasmine had never experienced the effects of G-forces. He was interested to know her resilience. She grasped the railing on the side of the bunk, pulling herself toward it, peeling herself from Phoenix's chest, trying to turn her back against the bunk bed wall.

He was impressed that she was at least trying to find some space of her own. Close to succeeding, Jasmine's hand slipped on the steel railing. Her gasp sounded like a whisper. She hung onto the bar with both hands waving like a scarf caught on a windy day. Watching her body crash into the side of the carriage a few times, Phoenix sighed. He was not that heartless, and he could not see her bringing injury to herself. He snagged her jacket, tugging a little to let her know he had her. Slowly she let go with one hand wrapping it around his arm. Quickly he pulled her toward him. Her back landed against his chest. Sliding his arm around her, he held her against him.

"We don't know how long this will hold us in place, so be happy with where you are," he said against her head, "you are safe."

She nodded once, gripping his muscled legs. She didn't have a choice if she didn't want to hurt herself.

Michael stood in his harness, watching the track ahead. The autopilot of the train didn't seem to be slowing down, so he presumed they were not out of the woods yet. Michael saw Breanna gripping the armchairs and pushing herself into the chair through the doorway. He wondered how the others were fairing in the carriages. A green light appeared on the panel in front of him. It began flashing steadily. He didn't know why, but the colour was green, and usually, that was a good thing unless his father had worked through the colour panel, and that was the only colour left. Unlike his mother, his father had been fun-loving and spontaneous. The light started flashing quicker.

"What does the green light mean?" Breanna shouted over the exerted pressure.

"No idea," Michael shouted back, "let's hope this is coming to an end."

A beeping sound ricochetted around the small space. The green light flashed faster. Could the train be arriving at the destination quicker than anticipated? Quick bursts of a siren sounded throughout the train. Holding to the harness, Michael could only hope that those who had never experienced g-forces were being helped by those who had.

The siren sound got louder; the train seemed to drag. Up ahead, Michael saw what looked like the end of the tunnel. The train didn't seem to be slowing down.

"Micheal?" Breanna's questioning call on his name resonated deep in his bones, "what is happening?"

"Not sure," Michael called, looking at the panel in front of him. An array of lights, gadgets and meters had come to life. A few feet from the tunnel wall, a switch moved, and an opening the size of the train appeared. They passed through effortlessly. The gadgets and lights continued to light up and work as the train rounded a corner beginning to slow down. Michael felt his lungs inflate. He inhaled deeply as the train slowed even further and stopped next to something resembling a platform. The harness clicked and shifted, releasing him to stand on his own. Breanna released her grip on the chair, standing carefully.

"Where are we?" she asked, moving to stand next to him.

"No idea," he said, looking out the window at the cave-like place they had arrived. Next to the gadget panel, the sound of a printer drew their attention as a piece of paper was spat out, displaying numbers and code keys printed on them.

"Wherever we are, apparently it has an upper level we can use," Michael said, looking at the codes while exiting the compartment.

"You didn't answer questions earlier because you didn't have answers," Breanna nodded, "you didn't even know where we were going."

"No," Micheal shrugged, "this is one place Dad kept off the beaten track; no one knows about it."

"How do you know about it?" Breanna asked.

"I punched in an evacuation code that would take us dark," Michael sighed, looking at his sister. "If we're going to make sure humanity stays safe, we cannot have rules laid down by people who don't understand what we're up against while the world goes to hell in a handbasket."

"Thank you," Breanna said, hugging her brother around his shoulders and laying her head on one shoulder, "for doing what is right."

"We all need to decide a time to do that," he sighed, "mine is long past due."

"Shall we see where we are?" Breanna asked, moving to the doorway, "it looks ... intriguing."

Movement and sound slowly returned to the carriage. Phoenix lowered Jasmine to the ground as Jesse slowly let Valencia go, "I think we have stopped."

Nodding, she moved away. Stopping suddenly, "Birgit."

"Something wrong?" Jesse asked, concerned at the deserted hurt expression on her face.

"She's ... gone," the glazed look returned for a moment before Valencia spoke again, "I think Birgit went into hiding," Valencia said quietly, "the door is closed."

"Maybe she doesn't like fast motions," Jesse said, "or got scared. Come on, let's see where we are."

Valencia followed him, mentally knocking on the closed door. Birgit had come so far she didn't want something as terrifying as that train ride to set her back.

"Birgit," Valencia called, "please come out. We have arrived."

There was no reply; Valencia guessed she would have to wait and see. Stepping out of the carriage, she sank ankle-deep into damp sea sand. Looking around, she shook her head, the only place on the stone platform where there was sand, and she stepped into it.

"Good start," she muttered, pulling her feet out of the sandy puddle and following Jesse to the meeting point.

"Jasmine," Phoenix whispered, "are you okay?"

She nodded, closing her eyes, "A little shaky, but ..." she grasped his arm, "... good."

"Take your time," he whispered, "breath in deeply, hold for ten counts and release."

She followed his instructions, "Thank you, that helped. I wonder where we are."

"I'm sure Micheal has brought somewhere safe," he said, moving away from the wall and following Jasmine to collect their bags. "There is a meeting point further down the platform."

"Is your sister okay?" Jasmine asked, watching his with fascination.

"She is," he smiled, spotting her with a group of refugees, "looks like she has made more friends. She does that easily."

"She is fortunate," Jasmine sighed, "I would love to be able to do that; never easy for me to meet people and make friends."

"Then you're among those with the same problem," Phoenix smiled, "come on, let's join the others."

The rest of the group slowly disembarked onto a stone platform ledge in a narrow, high roofed cave. Beach sand, damp in places, covered the floor. The cave walls, a combination of rock and the same stone of the platform, seemed to rise endlessly heavenward. Light from a hole in the cave roof gave an eery sensation to their surroundings.

"Let's get our gear and bags off the train if you haven't already," Michael called.

The men went to work quickly, unpacking the compartment where nothing seemed to have moved out of place.

Valencia looked around, taking in the new surroundings. Birgit poked her head out from the doorway, which they used as "the other room".

"Is it over?" she whispered.

"Yes," Valencia grinned, "that wasn't very nice leaving me to deal with the experience on my own."

"I don't like fast things," she said shyly, "so I found out."

"We need to thank Jasmine for saving our lives," Valencia said, quickly telling her other half what had happened.

"Agreed," Birgit murmured as Phoenix jumped from the train, taking the bags from whoever was handing them to him, "his energy signature is lower than normal."

"He saved Jasmine from being g force wallpaper," Valencia whispered, "he held onto her for the entire ride."

"She refilled on him," Birgit said, "it didn't make much difference, but he will not be at an optimum if something happens and needs to work his magic."

"Where are we going?" Valencia asked as they walked toward Phoenix.

"Replenishing," Birgit said quietly, reaching out a hand to gently rest it on Phoenix's shoulder.

He hesitated in his movement for a fraction of a moment before glancing over his shoulder at Valencia/Birgit, "Thank you."

Nodding Birgit, let go whispering, "You're welcome."

"Can we go back to doing what I need to do now?" Valencia asked.

"Sure," Birgit said, handing directional ability to Valencia, "do your thing."

Michael took in the cave; the platform was part and parcel of the cave. The walls looked solid, but something about the curve in the one corner didn't add up. Moving across to it, he ran his hand along with the wall's stone until he found what was different. There seemed to be a dip in the wall. So slight he would have missed it if he wasn't looking for an exit point. Running his hand back, he hesitated over the dent in the wall. Nodding, he was sure it was there.

"Kyle," Michael called the man over, "I know you can get information from computers, but I found a dent in the wall," he glanced at him, "I think it's the exit, but I'm not sure."

"What do you want me to do?" Kyle asked him quietly.

"See if you can read whatever that dent in the wall is hiding," Michael smiled tightly, "please."

Shaking his head, Kyle laid his hand on the dent in the wall. Surprise flared in his eyes, "You need a passphrase to get past this point," he spoke softly, "this is the first of many."

"Thanks," Michael said, pulling out the piece of paper from his pocket, "it has to be one of these."

"Where did you get that?" Kyle asked, reading over the paper.

"It printed out on the train," Michael said, "but I'm not sure which one would be a passphrase."

"Try this combination," Kyle pointed to a few words, "we'll see what it does."

"That won't work. According to the legend on the side, it has a symbol here, which means Kitchen activation," Michael said quietly, "We only have one go at doing this."

"Whoever built this wasn't into giving second chances," Kyle nodded, "who did do all of this?"

"My father," Michael murmured, "I think by the time he got to this point, he wasn't into giving second chances to the only daughter he thought was alive."

"Hana," Kyle called quietly, "we need a passphrase," he said as she stepped between the pair. Taking the paper, he handed it to her, "see what you can read from that."

"Where did .." her words trailed off as she took the paper, "... oh ..." she breathed, glancing at Michael in understanding, "only those who care," she said, a click was heard. The dent became a doorway into a small room and a staircase at the other end.

"Everyone, grab your bags," Michael called, "it looks like we found our opening."

The bustle in the cave hummed as they checked the carriages for anything that may have been left behind, bags slung over shoulders and the group assembled in the small room waiting. Hana moved through the group toward the doorway, holding the paper once more.

"We are ready," she said quietly, and the door closed, shutting them into the foyer type room. Breanna spoke from the centre of the room, "We have no idea where we are. We do not know what awaits us topside," she hefted her backpack onto her shoulder. "Be ready for anything and remember to watch each other's backs."

A murmur ran through the group as they faced the stairs. Bags on shoulders, the group waited as Kyle, Hana and Michael led the group. Slowly they filed up the stairs. Apprehension. Caution. Worry. Anticipation. The plethora of emotions ran over Breanna's skin like live fire.

David held his doming ability at the ready should they meet an unknown enemy.

Tina found herself and her sisters hedged in by Craig and his team, not allowing them to see anything around them.

"What did they eat in the military?" Iris asked Tina, "manure?"

Tina chuckled, "They are all tall."

"We can look after ourselves," Calla grumbled, sighing heavily, "we are not all Daisy."

"I'm not the one who constantly forgets where everything is," Daisy replied smugly, "besides, I am a little better at what I do."

"Enough," Tina put her hands up, stopping the fighting before it started, "we are all good at what we do."

"Well said," Craig murmured from behind her.

Glancing around, she smiled at him. He may have a team of grown men who knew each other well, but she had a group of siblings who behaved like small children at times. The group stopped at the top of the stairs.

"Stay frosty," Craig murmured. "we have no idea what is happening on the other side or what we may come against."

The group shifted, shuffled and shifted once more...and they waited.

Michael faced the panel of wood at the top of the stairs. Knowing his father's love for the unseen, he walked to the left, looking over every inch of the piece of wood right to the other end. Looking down at the paper, a line crossed out Hana's spoken words. If the entrance required a passphrase, it could be possible that this needs a spoken code.

Fiona pushed her way to the front of the group; her eyes seemed to be following the sound of a buzzing insect. Slowly she walked forward, zoning in on a sound only she could hear.

"There is a frequency," she whispered, "and voices."

"Where are the voices coming from?" David asked as he joined Michael at the door.

"The other side of the door," she murmured once more, "but the frequency is ... "she stopped looking up as she followed the sound, "... up there."

Kyle placed his hand on the panel in front of Fiona, startling her, "sorry," he murmured. "There is a keypad," he said, "inside the panel."

"How do we get inside the panel?" Breanna asked.

"It needs a name," Kyle frowned, "someone's full name."

"That is not helpful," Craig muttered, moving through the group, "whose full name do they require?"

"It has to be one of us," Michael said, "or our parents' full names."

"We don't know their full names," Breanna said, "and we don't know which version of their names they would have entered."

"Hold up," Craig shook his head, "whose house is this?"

"Ours," Michael smiled slightly, "well, legally mine ... since the two of you were presumed dead."

"When did you get this house?" Hana asked quietly, "before or after you knew these two were alive."

"Before," Michael frowned in thought, "but officially after."

"Why not try your name first?" Rose said softly from the protective wall of Craig's team.

Michael nodded. Stepping up to the door, he straightened his back, rolled his shoulders and neck, cleared his throat and sighed.

"Michael Craig James John Gordon," he spoke clearly but softly.

"Your parents gave each of you all those names," Tina marvelled, looking up at Craig, "Mike has one of your names."

"I have one of his," Craig said, shrugging, "my father's name was James John."

"Fascinating," Tina nodded, her eyes sparkling.

A single click came in the door, "We need another name," Michael said.

"Breanna Esther Fae Una Gordon," Breanna spoke softly. A second click came; looking at Craig, Breanna indicated the door with her head, "your turn."

Craig moved forward to eye the door and panel cautiously, "Craig James John Michael Bressal Gordon."

The door clicked loudly before sliding back into the wall. Five faces stood looking at them on the other side—five beaming faces.

"Master Michael," a tall rotund man stepped forward, "so good to see you again."

"Harvey?" Michael stepped through the doorway into the house's lounge area where they grew up.

Craig followed, looking around, as did Breanna. The trio looked at each other, not truly understanding what had happened.

"It is good to see all of you," Harvey beamed nervously, looking around the trio into the waiting, curious crowd, "she isn't with you, is she?"

"Darcia is dead," Breanna said softly, "a few weeks ago."

The staff visibly relaxed and came forward to greet and assist the entering group with their luggage.

"I don't understand," Craig said, looking around, "our parents sold this place."

"Yes," Harvey nodded, "to a trust."

"Then how ..." Michael shook his head.

Breanna went very still, "What was the name of the trust?"

Harvey frowned in thought, "I seem to remember it being a strange name ..." turning, he waved to a tall thin man in a black suit, "Turnkey, what was that trust's name again?"

Turnkey strolled across the room, reminding the trio of an old English Bulter, "I believe it was the Strong Star of the Loyalty to Lambs Trust."

"Why are you grinning?" Harvey asked Breanna

"This is the house I could not locate," Breanna turned, looking with fresh eyes at the house her father had ensured would become hers.

"Breanna, I'm not following," Craig frowned, "what are you talking about?"

"My names ..." she smiled, sinking into a nearby chair, "the meaning of my names Strong, star, loyal, lamb."

Michael shook his head, "Our father was full of surprises. Why did we only need three names to get in?"

"Only three of you are permitted to enter this place," Turnkey said before strolling off to help with the many gear bags, "there are more rooms added since you three were here."

"I'll take them around," Harvey said, nodding with approval.

"Thank you, Turnkey," Jesse murmured to the retreating man. He and Valencia/Birgit hefted their bags off their shoulders, dropping them on the floor of a large room with high ceilings. The wallpaper depicted roses on a vine climbing the walls, and a blush of blue like the early morning sky crossed the roof.

Valencia soaked in the beauty of the room. The modern type of furniture enhanced the sitting area; sitting on a plush white carpet, this was luxury.

"Is this our room?" Birgit whispered.

"Yes, it is," Jesse said, strolling further into the room.

Valencia felt as though she was standing in a garden. Feeling as though she needed to experience the softness of the carpet, she pulled her boots off and sighed as their feet sank into the flooring.

"Oh, that is good," Birgit sighed, "come on, let's look at the rest of the place."

Following the lush flooring through a pair of wooden double doors, Valencia found the bedroom with a large bed in the centre of the wall. The room seemed to follow around the corner. Curiosity drew Birgit / Valencia to find two walk-in closets opposite each other. The short passageway led into an open bathroom.

"That shower can take at least four people," Birgit murmured as they took it all in.

"Is that a hot tub?" Valencia asked as they moved forward, looking at the amenities.

"I believe it's a hot tub bath," Birgit said, looking around, "double sinks and mirrors," she pointed, "three toilets and .." they opened the cupboard, "robes and plush towels."

"Nice bathroom," Jesse nodded, looking around casually, "plenty of space to clean up."

"Two walk-in closets," Valencia squealed, "did you see?"

"I did," Jesse grinned, "one for me and one for you. According to these sheets of paper, we need to fill in; it will provide clothes as required."

"Wait," Valencia frowned, "the closets provide the clothes?"

"So the paper says," Jesse smiled, "you're going to have fun with this."

"Oh yes," Valencia grinned, taking a sheet of paper.

"Nice," Birgit rubbed their hands together.

"You two enjoy," Jesse cupped the side of their face, "I'm going to find where we will be working from."

"You love him," Birgit whispered, "and he loves you. Don't ever make me do to him what I previously did. Please promise me that."

"Pin him to a wall?" Valencia frowned, "are you falling for him?"

"No," Birgit whispered, "but I don't want to hurt what you love."

"Understood," Valencia replied, "I promise."

"Thank you," Birgit cleared her throat, "now ... the closet."