The attacks continued over the next two weeks and Sam's house became their makeshift command center. It was out of the way, very few people knew the location, and it was definitely not bugged. Between holding and playing with the baby, they all plotted against the two big evils in their lives.

The Agency and Snitch Gravel.

"Screw him to heck and back," Tom mumbled in a sing-song voice while bouncing Sammy on his knees.

Sam stifled a laugh. It was so funny to hear Tom talk like this, but even if Sammy was too young to understand what they were saying, it was a unanimous understanding that there would be no swearing or anger around the baby.

"At least he's giving us a decent break between attempts," he pointed out. Plus, what with training back in full force, it wasn't much of a challenge to stop random explosions and kidnappings again. The familiarity of it was strangely comforting.

"I don't like this. It needs to stop." Tom started tickling Sammy, making her full baby laugh fill the kitchen. "Did you talk to Jessie?"

"Yes, but she still hasn't given us the signal."

This annoyed Sam beyond belief. Not so much that Jimmy wasn't getting well enough for them to bust him out since they hadn't really come up with a brilliant plan yet, but the fact that they couldn't talk to Jessie freely. Their phone encryptions weren't good enough from preventing the Agency from hearing in, so they couldn't risk it.

They'd agreed that the moment Jessie needed their help, she'd call and claim that she sprained her ankle. Then they'd all head over and bust Jimmy out once and for all. And after that... Well, that was where it got messy. They all agreed it needed to be thoroughly discussed, but it was something they definitely should include Jessie in. Except Jessie was thousands of miles away and they couldn't figure out a time to meet and get it out of the way.

Sam was secretly terrified Jessie would give them the signal and they'd have no idea what to do. The pressure was mounting and it made everything even harder to bear.

Christine let herself in and after a quick hello to both him and Tom, picked up Sammy. "Who's ready for a nap?"

Sammy most certainly didn't understand because she clapped excitedly.

"You fed her, right?" she asked.

It was amusing how she sounded almost reproachful, ready to snap at him if he'd failed to take care of his daughter properly. "Yes, of course. As agreed."

"That's good. Who's a good daddy?" she cooed to the baby.

"Christine, I'm sure he'd appreciate it more if you called him a bad daddy," Tom pointed out.

Christine burst into laughter, but Sam punched his twin's shoulder, aware he should be seeing the good in the situation. Tom was making real efforts to accept Christine and not be a total douche to her. Sam really appreciated how everyone just rolled with it and acted as if this new Christine had nothing to do with the old one and all the bad history between them.

Which wasn't too hard seeing as she really did seem to be a different person. She was still stubborn and feisty, but Sam hadn't minded that even when he was going out with her. Other than that, she now had a softness and consideration that made her a million times more beautiful.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Talking about Jessie," he said, the subject returning his bad mood.

"She still hasn't called, has she?"

"We can't talk over the phone properly," Tom said. "And it's not like we can all drop everything and randomly fly out there. It would be too obvious. There's so much plotting to do."

"Why don't you call her here then?" Christine asked the most logical question, blowing raspberries of Sammy's cheeks.

Sam and Tom both stared at her as she switched to tickling Sammy's chubby chin. This option hadn't even crossed Sam's mind since she was to one who had to give them their opening. But they hadn't made a proper plan and if Jimmy could be busted out, they had no idea where to go from there. They couldn't all go into hiding, not when Snitch Gravel and his goons were at it again and their security person was the loopy one.

"That's an excellent point," Tom said, obviously thinking along the same lines. "Then we can finally figure out what to do after the rescue mission."

Sam nodded. The rescue mission would be the easiest part. What followed on the other hand... He glanced at Sammy and Christine, his heart convulsing. What if anything happened to them? They were the perfect weapon against him. He swallowed the knot in his throat, wondering when and how he'd come to include Christine in this, but the thought of her not coming over for Sammy was painful.

What the hell am I doing? Truth was, he wasn't doing anything. He had no feelings for Christine whatsoever beyond finding her company pleasant. And still, he'd come to trust her so much with his baby, even leave her alone with Sammy for the better part of the day. He trusted her more than he trusted his own mother most likely because she wasn't a naive idiot.

"Have you been practicing?" he found himself asking.

Christine stopped bouncing Sammy around and turned to him with a guilt-ridden face that answered his question.

He groaned. "Christine, we've discussed this."

"I know, I know." She shifted her gaze, her eyebrows drawn together. "And I agree you have a point. But when I get home I'm so tired I just don't feel like battle stances and kicking and punching air."

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to be unreasonable, but the fear inside him was making it hard. "You're already alone with Sammy a lot of the time or with my mother. I need to know that you can protect them."

She bit her lower lip, catching the baby in a hug. Sammy drooled and grabbed a lock of chocolate hair.

"You've never put it like that," she whispered.

He hadn't, because he'd had no idea what this was and how long she would stay. But now, if she really wanted to, there was a price. "I'm sorry. I don't want to scare or pressure you or anything, but you also know that my life entails a few... Let's call them particularities. And we're at an all-time low in numbers."

Christine pondered on this, probably doing her own headcount. It was just the four of them and Kay. Sam had no idea if Jerry had even considered training Sarah for combat, but maybe he should bring it up. Their break was over. It was time to be prepared once again.

"I'll help," Tom said unexpectedly. "You can use the training facility at the Agency. Since you've been there before, they should have no trouble with it. I'll run the course with you and teach you how to fight properly."

Sam stared. Christine turned and stared as well. Tom didn't look as if he'd said anything unusual, but for Sam it meant the world that his twin would offer to help Christine when he couldn't.

Tom shrugged. "What? I think it's a decent idea. I'm much better at that than at babysitting to give Sam the time to take care of it."

"Thank you," Christine said, taken aback.

"Yes, thank you," Sam said, then headed over and planted a kiss on the baby's head. "Go put her to bed, and after she falls asleep we can practice a little. Tom..."

"I know. Play messenger pigeon. I'll tell the others about calling Jessie over to talk. And if they agree, I'll fly back with a suggested date."

And just like that, he was off, leaving Sam and Christine alone. As he watched her taking Sammy up the stairs, he forced the nerves in his stomach to settle. This was so dumb. He was just stressed out about Jimmy.

Which was maybe ninety percent true. 

🏯

Jessie agreed to fly over, even if reluctantly. They just had to wait for her to identify a suitable flight that would allow her to spend only one day in Chicago. Once the date was set, Tom found the most isolated diner in an uncharted part of town for their secret scheming meeting.

Even if Sam's house was technically safe, they all agreed it was a bad idea for them all to meet there. Neutral turf was better. So they would be arriving separately to discuss the next steps of the operation, with Jessie arriving last and directly from the airport.

Seeing Jessie again was something Kyle was looking forward to. Another thing was finally getting off their asses and doing something. The past month had been a cocktail of danger and frustration topped with a sense of crippling guilt that he was beyond sick of.

To make sure no one caught on, he let Kay go on ahead and followed about half-an-hour later. By the time he got to the diner, it was noon and the sky was covered in storm clouds, making it look like night was upon them. If all went well, Jessie would be arriving in about an hour. The others should all arrive shortly so they could start discussing and have a plan ready and waiting for Jessie.

Tom, Kay and Sarah were already there. Kyle knew Jerry was supposed to arrive next, then Sam. The place was a classic diner with black and white tiled floor and brown tables surrounded by battered red vinyl couches, displayed in a semicircle around the tables. 

Tom raised his hand in a lazy salute and Kyle headed straight for them.

"Anything odd?" he asked sliding in the seat next to Kay's.

"Other than you and Kay showing up separately? Not yet."

"It's not that odd," Kay said, giving him a light shove. "Not like we're glued together."

Tom looked amused, but Kyle could detect there was something off about her. She seemed a little absent, like her heart wasn't in the meeting. His shoulders instantly tensed as he focused fully on picking up any signal from her.

"Everything okay?" 

"Yeah..." She let the word trail off, which made it even less convincing.

Kyle wasn't sure if he should press on at the moment, even if everything about her posture rubbed him the wrong way. But he was aware that he'd become paranoid. It was maybe silly, but this entire Jimmy-potential-betrayal scheme they were planning had influenced his mood substantially. The uncertainty and the potential of danger filled him with a desire to make the most out of every minute they spent together. It often translated into bursts of uncontrollable passion that had finally become stronger than him. At some point, he'd completely lost himself in her, damning all sense and reason.

With a substantial amount of guilt which would not go away, he had to admit it was the best night they'd ever spent together, which was saying something. It also further connected him with Kay in ways he hadn't imagined possible. But that didn't eliminate the consequences of his irresponsible actions. 

Ever since, he'd watched her like a pot about to boil over, searching for signs of the serum. Even if he was aware it had taken years for it to manifest in Jessie, he'd become obsessed with every tiny mood swing Kay showed, aware that it was all his fault.

But in the heat of the moment, it had been so easy to forget all his careful planning, his ideas for their future, his determination to never subject her to the abject substance flowing through his veins. It was early to talk about it since they weren't even married yet, but he'd wanted to suggest IVF for kids. Be certain that the serum wouldn't touch her. Instead, he'd just given it to her the old fashioned way, all because he'd been too caught up in her to think.

She took his hand under the table and squeezed, pulling him out of his thoughts and calming him down instantly. Jerry had appeared and made his way towards them.

"Any news?" he asked, sitting next to Sarah and planting a kiss on her temple.

"News from where, Remy?" she asked with a giggle.

Kay stiffened again and Kyle threw her a questioning glance, but she just smiled at him. It looked genuine enough for him not to pull her aside for interrogation. He really needed to relax.

"I'm teaching Christine how to fight," Tom offered, turning all eyes to him. "And she's shockingly decent at it."

"Really?" Jerry asked, his voice filled with legitimate doubt.

"Yeah. I was a bit shocked, too, but apparently she took what Sam said to heart and protecting Sammy is really motivating her."

"She really loves Sammy," Sarah said, tapping her chin with one finger. "I noticed right away. And the baby loves her."

"Who would've thought Christine actually had maternal instincts?" Tom shrugged as though to underline that not him.

"True," Kay said. "She really didn't seem the maternal type. But now looking at her with the baby... She's a natural." And she once again shifted in her seat as if she were uncomfortable.

"We should be happy for them," Jerry pointed out.

"Who's them, Jerry?" Kyle asked. Because even if he was aware Christine adored Sammy, that didn't change how complicated her relationship with Sam was. 

"Sam, Sammy and Christine." Jerry's voice trailed off as if he realized what that meant. "Huh."

"Yes, you can say it," Tom said. "It's weird."

"Why are you saying it's weird?" Sarah asked.

"Because the only thing keeping Sam and Christine in the same place is the baby," Kyle supplied. "Sam and Skye's baby."

Everyone winced. Skye's death was still a sore subject. Kyle hadn't imagined he could become so attached to someone so fast, but in one short year, Skye had felt like a part of their group more than Christine ever had. They all missed her, and they all felt horrible for Sam, even if he was handling it with infinite grace.

"Okay, agreed," Sarah said. "But on the other hand, Christine is a woman Sam's been intimate with. And I don't mean necessarily sexually. More along the lines of he knows her, and she knows him. The entire exhausting courtship process is no longer needed."

"Um, no offense Sarah, but if this was the Christine we and Sam knew, she wouldn't be coming anywhere near him," Tom pointed out.

Kyle agreed, but he also saw Sarah's point. And Christine had the important advantage of knowing about the Agency and Snitch Gravel. Sam needed that.

"I think it's safe to say that she grew up and we should be happy for her," Jerry said, ever the voice of reason.

"I honestly am." Tom stretched and folded his arms behind his head. "As I said, she has the potential to be a badass. And if she's stopped being a backstabbing whore, I'm all for appreciating her growth."

"Tom!" Jerry said outraged.

"You're never going to let that go, are you?" Kay asked.

"Nope. And I was honest with her and told her this."

"Hopefully in other words," Jerry mumbled.

"Nope. In exactly those words. I'm a love me or hate me kinda guy, Jerry."

Kyle wasn't sure if it was appropriate to laugh at this, but was saved the trouble when Sam finally showed up, looking half-asleep.

"Hey guys. What's up?"

"Merely discussing Christine's fighting skills," Tom said as Sam sat across from him. "Girl has potential. I wouldn't anger her."

"I always knew she had potential," Sam answered with a tired smile. "That's why it annoyed me so much that she wasn't trying." And with those words, his expression shifted into the one they were too familiar with. Leader Sam was out to play and he meant business. "Let's get to it. What the hell do we do once we bust Jimmy out?"

Wasn't that the million dollar question?

"Are we sure we need to bust him out?" Sarah asked. "I mean I understand that the treatment isn't working, but there could be no malevolence involved."

Kyle had to agree with her on some level. This possibility was torturing all of them. What if they were wrong? What if Jimmy was wrong and the Agency were actually trying to help him? Even if the chances were slim, the risk was huge.

"There is." Jerry's tone was flat and certain. "I believe him. I believe that they're trying to come up with the formula for the serum and are using him as a guinea pig."

"The question is, do they have it?" Kyle asked. This thought terrified him more than anything, because he knew too well what the serum could do, how hard it was to control. "Would they even know if they did since Jimmy already has it?"

"No one should be making that thing again," Kay whispered, and Kyle fully agreed. It made him feel even guiltier for giving it to her.

"I think we can all agree on that," Tom said. "The Agency having it is just as bad as Snitch Gravel having it. They're no better."

"They're not," Sam agreed. "And I think we're all very aware of the consequences of our actions. If Jimmy is right and they're really trying to develop the serum and we take away their most promising test subject, it's going to be full-out war."

"War with the Agency on top of the war with Snitch Gravel," Kay pointed out. "War with the only people half-protecting us from Snitch Gravel."

"Are you saying we shouldn't do it?" Tom asked.

"No. I'm saying we should have the full picture before we do. We'll really have to go under and everyone we've ever known could be a potential target." Her voice choked on the last words.

Kyle squeezed her hand under the table and she squeezed back. Sam also leaned back in his seat, gritting his teeth together. Kay had a point. This unfortunately reached way beyond them. Treason would make everyone they ever cared for targets. And Sam was obviously thinking what kind of life he was condemning Sammy to.

But at the same time, they couldn't leave Jimmy there, couldn't let them experiment on him. Couldn't let the Agency develop the serum.

And yet, as much as they thought about it and discusses possible alternatives, nothing made sense. There was no easy, obvious solution, not when the safety of so many people was at risk. They couldn't protect everyone, expect them to abandon their lives just because they decided Jimmy was more important than them. But he was.

The conversation went on in circle for what felt like hours. Need, trigger, consequences, possible outcomes. It unfortunately always ended the same. They couldn't think of a way to soften the blow of their break from the Agency.

"We need to get him out of there," Kyle mumbled.

"Yes, yes," Sam said, burying her face in his hands. "I think that's  the only thing we all actually agree on."

"We don't all have to be involved," Tom pointed out, finally taking the conversation out of the maddening circle.

"What are you suggesting?" Jerry asked, narrowing his eyes.

Tom shrugged. "On the run is no way to live. Especially not for babies. We could still do this, but leave some people out of it."

Sam glared at him. "No. You're not keeping me out of this."

"This isn't just about you," Tom said, his eyes drifting to Jerry and Sarah. "You all have bright futures ahead of you."

"So do you," Jerry pointed out. "You're not going to sacrifice yourself for the rest of us."

"I'm the successful street rat here. I can go under." Tom crossed his arms over his chest as if to signal the end of the argument.

But he was wrong. He couldn't handle it, not when Jimmy had the potential to lose it and attack both him and Jessie. Kyle did see the merits of the idea, though. The others could then act innocent and hold up the façade, avoid becoming targets.

"I could come with you," he said, interrupting the bickering between his brothers.

"No, please don't," Kay whimpered.

"I don't think that's a solution," Sam said, his tone final. "We're stronger together and I don't like the idea of breaking up and being unable to communicate."

Jerry checked his watch. "We need Jessie for this. She should've been here by now."

"Maybe we should all just take a break, stretch our legs a bit," Sam said.

Kyle agreed. He was stiff from sitting at that table for what felt like forever. He was still a little shocked to see Kay jump out of her seat and head for the bathroom. She'd seemed a little absent throughout most of the conversation and it ggot him worried and paranoid all over again.

So he stood, too, and went to wait for her, his mind going over their conversation and the possible courses of action. Tom was right. They could split up, at least for a while, until they figured out where to go next. He could handle Jimmy with Tom and Jessie there. That still left the jewels up in the air and they hadn't even started discussing Snitch Gravel.

Kay stepped out of the bathroom, looking a little skittish. His attention turned to her, even if he was still half-wondering how to argue that maybe Tom's idea wasn't so bad.

"You okay, sweetheart?"

"Um, yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be?"

"You just seem distracted." He took her hands, and glanced towards the table.

Sam was the only one still there, massaging his forehead. The others had gone off to stretch their legs.

"I am a little, I guess," she finally answered. "How about you? Are you okay?"

He turned to her, a little shocked by her question, but he could read behind it. She didn't mean right then. She meant in general. She really did need reassurance.

"Of course I'm okay," he said. "I mean I am worried about this whole Jimmy thing, but other than that..." He smiled and twisted her engagement ring around her finger. "I couldn't be happier." At least now while they were still free.

Kay smiled back. "Our life has been pretty amazing over the last year, hasn't it?"

Amazing was an understatement. He'd enjoyed every second of it. Every insignificant moment in which they'd been nothing more than a regular couple. It didn't make the relationship more boring. More passionate if anything, and their little slip proved it.

Kyle took her in his arms and squeezed her against him, enjoying her warmth, the lily scent surrounding her, that she was safe, at least for now.

She hugged him back, hard, before she pulled away and took in a deep breath. "I kinda have something to say."

He threw a fleeting glance towards the table then focused on her again. "What is it?"

"I'm... I mean I could..." She bit her lower lip. "I'm kinda late."

He frowned. "No, you're not. Jessie's late."

Kay stifled a laugh. "That would be hilarious, but she's not." He just looked confused so she put him out of his misery. "Not literally late. But, you know... late late." She put her hand over her stomach.

Kyle frowned, looking from her expectant face to the hand on her belly and then it suddenly clicked. His mouth dropped open. He'd been so busy worrying about the effects of the serum on Kay that he hadn't even considered the other possible consequence of unprotected sex.

"I mean, I'm not sure," she said, "and it's only been four days, but I'm usually right on time."

"But we... Only once..." This couldn't be happening. Not when they were considering going rogue, when he was thinking about abandoning her, even for a short while.

But all of that faded, buried by the perspective of new life. A dumb smile spread across his face and the moment Kay smiled at him an shrugged as if to say 'shit happens', he couldn't help it.

He whooped, wrapped his arms around her, lifted her off the floor and spun with her in his arms.

"Sorry!" He put her down and kissed her. Nope, that didn't feel like enough, so he dropped to his knees and hugged her middle, his ear pressed against her stomach. "I'm freaking you out, aren't I?" he muffled into her belly.

She just laughed. "No. I'm actually happy you're taking it so well. Though it's a huge maybe at this point." She pulled him up which was probably a good idea before the entire diner started staring at them.

Maybe? If there was even the slightest chance, he'd take it. "Maybe's good enough for me. I just can't believe it."

"I honestly can't either. You must have one hell of a firing mechanism."

He almost chocked on laughter. Kay cuddled into his arms and hugged him hard. He'd never felt so safe, so in love with her and the tiny human they'd made. He couldn't believe that mere moments he was considering running away from her. That was off the table.

"We need to start thinking about names."

"Really?" She giggled. "I haven't even taken a pregnancy test yet. Can we at least wait after that?"

"I guess..." He looked towards the table again, so far removed from all previous scheming. Shit, it was so much more complicated than being ecstatic.

"Don't you dare tell the others until we've at least confirmed it."

She did have a point about that. Especially now. "I won't. Though, honestly, if it's confirmed, we're getting married next week."

Kay hugged him tighter, burying her face in his chest. "Let's hope we'll get to next week."

"We will. Everything will be alright. I'll make sure of it." Even if it meant going to hell and back.

Sam called them over, so they complied. As they took their seats again, Kyle couldn't believe how impossibility hard it was not to just announce that he and Kay were potentially having a baby.

"Jessie's phone is still switched off," Sam said, sounding miserable. "Her plane should've landed over an hour ago."

"We should check at the airport," Tom said. "Maybe her flight was just delayed."

"She would've let us know before she took off," Jerry pointed out.

Kyle's shoulders tensed as a bad feeling caught hold of him. Jerry was right. Jessie was not the type to leave them hanging like this. Something must've happened to her.

"Should we track her watch?" he asked.

Before Sam could answer, Tom threw his arm out, frowning towards the door.

"All plans on hold," he said, his voice filled with resent. "Herrison has just entered the building."

🏯🏯🏯

Well, this chapter was filled with interesting developments now, wasn't it? And it's merely the start of the trigger. Also the second to last chapter in this part of the story.

But, let's focus on what actually happened. Christine is starting training and actually puts some effort into it. The gang is finally trying to find a solution to pull Jimmy out of the Agency facility. Kyle and Kay are maybe having a baby. And then Herrison shows up out of the blue.

And what happened to Jessie? Why is she late? Where is he?

Stay tuned and see what I have up my sleeve in the very enlightening next chapter.

Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed and maybe leave a comment. It fuels me to continue writing.