Even though the flight to L.A. was relatively short, it felt like it took forever. I get out of my seat and hand Sanders Aiden's cuffs. "You handle him. I'll meet you at the car."

Upon exiting the plane, I'm immediately greeted by some guy wearing what looks like a mechanics uniform. "Lieutenant Brennan?" he inquires.

"Yes," I reply.

"Follow me," he says. He leads me across the airstrip and into one of the three large hangers sitting before us. I have no idea who I'm meeting up with since I never gave Jim the opportunity to tell me. But all I can say, is that this better not be a fucking waste of my time.

He brings me to a small room, located in the very back of the hanger. It's empty when I enter, and this thoroughly annoys me.

As the guy begins to close the door, I grab it, stopping him. "This meeting needs to happen now. Relay the message."

He nods and shuts the door.

I look at my watch and begin pacing. The room is set up with the basics, a small oval table with chairs, and against the back wall sits a table with coffee brewing. I immediately help myself to a cup, and it tastes like shit. I bend down to open the cabinet below in search of some sugar and that's when someone enters the room.

I turn to look, and I cannot believe who is standing before me. It's Brad, the guy who interrogated me after Maddie's disappearance. "You've got to be fucking kidding me," I say, shaking my head in disbelief.

"I see you remember me, Lieutenant," he replies. He crosses the room and offers me his hand to shake.

"How could I forget?" I respond, and eyeing him suspiciously, I shake his hand.

Gesturing towards the table, he replies, "How 'bout we take a seat and get right to it. Jim said you're anxious to get to the compound."

I take a seat across from him, shitty coffee still in hand. I'm not willing to offer him anything. He can talk. I'll listen.

"I realize you're upset. Things didn't go as planned earlier. I apologize for that. On a rare occasion, things slip through the cracks," he offers as some sort of consolation.

"Spare me your bullshit apologies Brad. Tell me, how is it that Jim already knew what went down before I even called him? How is it that you two already had it planned that I'd meet you here? Yet you expect me to believe that pivotal intel, like the fact that other Hunters and my Colonel, who were trailing so closely behind us, managed to slip through the fucking cracks. If that's the case, your cracks are black holes Brad, and your operation will fail." I lean towards him. "So do yourself a favor, don't insult my fucking intelligence. Jim set me up. That's why we're sitting here, isn't it? And I want the truth or this conversation is fucking over."

Brad leans back in his chair and sighs. "The truth. Jim and I go back a long way. We served together for many years until he lost his daughter Hannah and went civilian." He pauses at the mention of her name as though it pains him, then continues, "My daughter Becca is a Breeder too. Like Jim, I believed in the cause. I believed wholeheartedly in my government...in my country. Hell that's why I served, and that's why like Hannah, Becca turned herself over willingly when she tested positive as a Breeder.

When the program began, family contact was allowed. Initially they even offered visitation, but over time things began to change. Visitations were stopped completely, and the only form of communication permitted became through mail. Letters were opened and read before leaving the compound or ever reaching the girls. Not long after that, all forms of communication were banned. The reason given? Contact with family made it harder on the girls...made them miss home even more, they were becoming increasingly depressed, despondent even. The real reason? It's a business. These girls are not human beings in the eyes of our government. They are property and what they provide...human life...is nothing more than a commodity."

"A commodity? They're selling these babies. Is that what you're telling me?" I ask, completely appalled.

"There's many layers to this onion, and we don't have time to get into it all right now. They are expecting you to deliver your detainee to the jail within the next the hour. What I can tell you is that we've been working day and night towards exposing the corruption and putting an end to the breeding program as a whole, but we're just not ready yet. The roots run far too deep. To make a move now and expose our hand could be catastrophic, and everything we've been working towards will mean nothing," he says with complete sincerity in his tone.

"So what do you need from me? Bottom line, why am I here?" I ask.

My God, what have I gotten myself into?

"You're here because I need your help. Becca is not doing well. She's already given birth over seven times. Physically she's worn down, with the last two pregnancies there were complications. Mentally and emotionally she's struggling. She has been for years. I need her out of there."

"So there was no way I was going to run with Maddie, was there? You two set me up." I reply, angered to be a fucking pawn in their game, but more angry that Jim lied to me.

"I understand you're upset. You have every reason to be. But there is no one else we can trust. I can trust. Too many lives are at stake."

"Your daughter's being one of them," I reply, spinning the coffee cup in my hand.

"When Breeders can no longer perform, they are disposed of. She's my baby girl Travis," he says, his eyes practically pleading with me. "You can judge me, judge Jim, but we're not so different from you. Look at the lengths you've gone to save Maddie. You can't tell me you haven't crossed lines since becoming a Hunter, ones you never thought you'd be capable of crossing, can you? Things you've done that haunt you when the quiet sets in." His tone holds no judgement. "By omitting the fact that you had intimate ties with a Breeder, I afforded you the opportunity to become a Hunter, so you could save someone you love from a miserable existence and a deadly fate. I'm asking you to do the same for me. Time is running out for my daughter Travis, and I need you to help me save my Becca, just as I've helped you in your quest to save Maddie."

Fuck. I sigh and nod in response. What other choice do I have? How can I not help him and his daughter? As angry as I am at him and Jim, I can't say that if the tables were turned, I wouldn't have done the same.

"Thank you," he replies and when his eyes begin to water, and he quickly looks away, I feel better about my choice.

"I can only speak for myself though," I reply. "I'll have to run all this by Sanders and he'll want to know about his sister."

Nodding his head, he says, "Of course. We're still looking into it and we'll get you that information as soon as we can."

"Okay, so how is this gonna go down? And until it does, what about Maddie? I need your assurance that she'll be safe."

"There's a battery of more extensive tests done on the girls upon intake. The results of Maddie's test will be purposely altered, showing some medical issues which will slow down the fertility process and provide us some extra time. Also, any fertility drugs she'll be administered will be placebo."

Just the thought of Maddie having to endure anything within the compound makes me sick.

"When you saw her, did you have the opportunity to tell her anything? Your reason for becoming a Hunter?" he inquires.

"No, there wasn't any time. Why?" I respond. Obviously I planned on talking to her when I got there.

"There's no reason for a Hunter to have much contact with a Breeder after she is brought in and questioned. You need to keep it that way, because any interaction beyond that, may be viewed as suspect, and they will be watching. Also, the girls undergo intense psychological profiling. Maddie's responses need to be absolutely genuine as to not set off any red flags. If Maddie believes she's going to escape, her reactions will naturally be different. We don't have the luxury of preparing her for these tests and the last thing we want to do is open her up to further scrutinization. I know keeping her in the dark doesn't sit well with you, but I need you to trust me."

"Trust you?" I laugh sarcastically. "Trust is earned Brad. I may understand why you and Jim did what you did, and I will help you get your daughter out, but understand this...if both of you are not on the up and up with me from this point forward, the deals off. I need your help to get Maddie out of the compound, because you made it that way. Your number one priority here needs to be protecting her on the inside. If she is harmed in any way or I suspect any foul play on you or Jim's behalf...there will hell to pay. We may have started out as pawns in your game Brad, but now we are the game. You need me, and I will not hesitate to pull the plug on this operation or you. That is a threat and it will become personal. I am a man of my word. Remember that."

Brad stands and reaches out to shake my hand. "Understood," he replies. "Should you need to reach me, call Jim. I need to get you out of here so you can get the male to lockup. We'll meet up with you and Sanders soon to work out the details."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Dropping Aiden off at jail bothered me more than I expected. I never thought I would say this, but I would have preferred his loud mouth compared the guy that stood before me. He was quiet and withdrawn, and the sadness in his eyes made me feel sorry for the kid.

Once we dropped him off I explained everything to Sanders. He was pissed about Jim lying to us, but he's in.

I ask him to run me by my Mom's. It might be the only opportunity I have to say goodbye to her and Grace, without actually saying goodbye. I also need to ask my Mom to speak to the Ryans, let them know that Maddie was apprehended. Maybe it will provide Mrs. Ryan a little peace, knowing Maddie isn't out there trying to survive on her own anymore.

Sanders pulls in the driveway and when he starts to get out of the car, I remain seated. "Give me a second," I say. He nods and closes the door. I sit for a moment taking it all in. This very well could be the last time I ever see this place, the home I grew up in, or the two people inside who I love more than life itself. How did the world become this way? Why do I have to choose? Sanders was right, I will never fully make peace with the decision I've made to run with Maddie because it means leaving my Mom and Grace behind.

Moments in time begin to flash through my mind, Grace as a little girl giggling and us playing tickle monster, her and I playing catch in the front yard, or the first time she had her heart broken by a boy she had a crush on at school. She was about ten years old and came home from school visibly upset. When I asked her what was wrong, she immediately broke down in tears. Through her sobs she explained that Dylan Peters asked Sarah Thomas to be his girlfriend. "He...hh..hh...he thinks she's prettier than me. He said he's going to m-marry her," she cried.

"First of all, you don't decide who you're gonna marry at ten, Grace. And besides, Dylan Peters is a dork. I heard he really likes boogers. He's so weird, he actually has a booger collection."

"Nuh-uh. He does not," she said, offering a little giggle through her tears.

"He does. And so that explains why he chose Sarah Thomas. She's the girl with really bad allergies all the time, right?"

"Yah, it's kinda gross. Her nose is always running and she's always sneezing all the time," she replied, scrunching her nose.

"Well don't you see Squirt. That explains it. Dylan didn't pick Sarah because she's prettier than you. He picked her because she has way more boogers. He wants to expand his collection."

"Nuh-uh," she said, eyebrow raised, standing with her hand on her hip and her right foot turned out to the side. She continued, "But I do see him pick his nose sometimes in class."

"Exactly. It's the truth. His brother told me so, but don't tell anyone, not even Maddie."

She didn't say anything at first, but as though the mere mention of Dylan's brother solidified my story, she said, "Eww, he's gross." And she never mentioned Dylan Peters ever again.

I'm pulled from the memory as I see my Mom come out the front door to greet Sanders. I get out of the car and make my way to the front porch.

"Hi honey. What brings you by?"

"We were in the area, and I've been so busy with work, I haven't been able to come by in a while. Just wanted to say hi," I reply, knowing this is really goodbye. My heart clenches within my chest. Pulling her into a hug, I hold on a little longer, kissing the top of her head. "I love you Mom."

"I love you too, honey," she replies. She pulls back a little and looks up at me. "I wish I didn't need to head out to work right now. I'm actually running late or I'd make you two some breakfast."

"We don't have time to stay and visit anyway," I reply. "We need to get to the compound. We found Maddie."

"She's okay? Do the Ryan's know?" she asks.

"She's okay, but no, it just happened last night. I was hoping you could let them know."

"Of course. And how are you handling it?" she asks, a look of concern on her face.

I don't get a chance to respond because Grace walks out the door, backpack in hand. "Mom, we need to go. I have a Trig test this morning. I can't be late. Hi Trav. Hi Sanders," she says giving him her best smile. Ugh.

"Let me grab my purse then we'll go. Did you eat breakfast Sweetie?" my mom asks her.

"Yes, Mother. I ate," Grace replies.

"Do you have time to give your big bro a hug?" I ask.

"I guess," she says rolling her eyes, then she giggles. She walks over to me and I hug her tightly, swaying back and forth. The reality that this is the last time I will probably ever see her hits me, and I have to fight back the tears. Sanders stands off to the side, feeling the gravity of this moment. I see him wiping at his eyes.

"I love you so much Squirt. I miss you every day," my voice cracks.

My Mom comes out the door. "Alright Grace, let's go. We don't want you to be late."

I kiss Grace's cheek and as she swings her backpack over her shoulder she says, "Later Shithead," and sticks out her tongue.

My Mom passes and kisses me on the cheek. "I love you Sweetie. Come by soon. I'll make you and Sanders dinner."

"I'll come by as soon as I can. Raincheck?" I ask.

"Raincheck," she says.

I stand there and watch her and Grace get into my mom's work car, and I don't take my eyes of them until they reach the end of the street and turn the corner.

I feel my heart break and the only way I can get through this moment is to tell myself that someday the world will be a better place. A place where daughters aren't ripped away from their loved ones. And where son's don't have to leave their families in order to protect the girl that they love.

***Author's Note***

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