Special Thanks: To Stoley and Mary for their friendship, support, advice, and help with posting and editing the story. To Monica for her love, support and understanding.

Comments are happily accepted at Cruise1313@aol.com.

Part XIX

"Sorry, I didn't hear it." Rayne dryly answered and made the turn into her neighborhood.

"Well, I've got you set up to leave in two hours. That should give you time to pack and say goodbye to Lark. Have you figured how you're going to tell her?"

"There is no delicate way to tell her Tom. I will just have to say it and hope that she doesn't go ballistic. Hopefully, I'll only be gone a few days. It would be nice to get over there, find this psycho bitch, arrest her and bring her home within a couple of days." Rayne hoped it would go down like that.

"Yeah, that would be great huh? Let's hope the agents that are searching for her now get a solid lead and you can nail her very soon. The agents working on the lead there will be waiting to pick you up at the airport to brief you."

Rayne stopped the car in her driveway. "Alright, I'm home. I'll catch you when I return to the states. Thanks partner, I appreciate all of your help." Rayne gratefully replied and smiled as she exited the car.

"You're welcome and see you soon. Be careful over that way you hear?" He reminded her. He had a bad feeling about this assignment and wished he could attend it with her, but he knew his job of protecting Lark was more important…particularly to Rayne.

"I will. Take care. Bye." She chuckled and clicked the phone off as she grudgingly headed for the front door. She opened the door and called out to Lark. "Honey, I'm home. Where are you?" She looked around and removed her jacket, hanging it on the coat rack by the door.

"She hasn't come home yet." Jayce responded as he turned the corner.

"Good, it will be a little easier to pack." Rayne answered and headed past him down the hall towards her bedroom.

"Pack? Where are you going?" He questioned, surprised Rayne was going anywhere as he followed her into the bedroom suite.

"To Germany to nail that bitch that threatened us." Rayne angrily answered, thinking of the woman who threatened them as she threw her bag on the bed.

"What? So close to Lark's due date? She's going to flip!" He answered surprised.

"Please don't remind me." Rayne shuttered at the thought, her eyes flipping up to meet her brother's then back down to her bag as she stuffed some clothes into it. "I hope to be able to get there, nail this bitch and get the hell out of dodge within a couple of days." Rayne replied, heading into the bathroom.

"Isn't there anyone else that can go instead of you?" Jayce asked, looking up to see his sister exit the bathroom with her hands full of toiletries.

"Sure, but I'm not taking any chances with this one. She's been too elusive and I don't want any fuck ups. If I go, I know that won't happen and we can put this whole mess behind us." She answered and tossed the items in her bag.

"I don't like this at all. I don't have a good feeling about this assignment." Jayce fretted, shaking his head as he looked down at the ground and planted his hands on his hips.

"What's up with you guys? Tom is Mr. Doom too." Rayne asked, surprised by the reaction she was getting from her brother.

"Can I help it if I worry about you're well being? I just don't want anything to happen to you, that's all." He sincerely answered, looking up at her with concern filled eyes.

Rayne smiled and approached him. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and met his gaze, "I'll be fine. Thanks for your concern."

"Promise?" He asked, looking deeply in her blue eyes.

"Promise little bro." She smiled and winked as she patted his cheek before returning to her packing duties.

"Well, I'll stay here until you return and take care of Lark for you."

Rayne looked up and smiled appreciatively, "Thanks, I appreciate that." There was an awkward pause between the two of them and they just stared at one another. Rayne approached her brother, "Listen, if anything should happen to me…" and was interrupted by her brother.

"Please don't say it. I shouldn't have said anything earlier, I probably jinxed everything." He nervously replied looking down at the ground, he was worried for his sister's safety…more so than usual and he wasn't sure why. He just knew he had a nasty feeling about this trip.

"I have to. If something should happen to me, please make sure Lark is taken care of for me. Make sure she's happy and loved as well as our child. Don't forget to tell her just how much I love and adore her."

Jacye sniffed and wiped the tears that trickled from his blue eyes and looked up at his sister. "I swear to you that I will always be there for Lark and for the baby if anything ever happens to you. Please come back safely." He tearfully replied and engulfed her in a hug.

"I will. Now, stop this. You're making me nervous." She nervously chuckled and patted his back before breaking the hug.

"Sorry, I'll drive you to the airport." He softly replied and exited the room.

"Thanks." Rayne answered and watched as her brother solemnly exited the room. 'Damn, why does everyone think I'm not coming back? It's really wierding me out.' She shrugged off the thought and changed clothes. Rayne dropped her bags off near the door and headed out to the back deck. She stood looking out over the turbulent ocean. The weather had turned fowl and the ocean reacted to it. 'Is the way Tom and Jayce been acting a sign that I shouldn't get on that damn plane?' She wondered and crossed her arms over her chest staring out over the ocean as the rain turned from a drizzle to a downpour. 'Is someone trying to tell me something?' She wondered and scanned her property. She remembered all the wonderful memories she had of the house she shared with Lark. She etched into her memory everything about the spacious beautiful grounds and felt as if she might never see it again. 'Shit Rayne snap out of it. The gloom and doom twins Jayce and Tom bugged you out. Nothing's going to happen to you and you'll return in no time.' She reminded herself and shook the bad thoughts out of her head.

"Hey, I'm sorry I'm late." Lark replied, breathless as she stepped behind Rayne. Rayne turned around to see her smiling bride before her. Lark's smile left her, "What's wrong?" She asked concerned by the dour look on Rayne's face and approached her partner.

Rayne clenched her jaw and looked down, hoping Lark wouldn't go ballistic. She regretted having to tell Lark she was leaving, but she felt it was the only way to ensure their safety from this woman. "Lark, aah…we found the leader we've been looking for all this time." She began and looked up at the smaller woman.

"That's great, I thought you would be happier." Lark enthusiastically answered and placed her hands on Rayne's crossed arms.

"Oh, I am. The problem is, I have to leave and pick up this person."

"What? For how long? Where do you have to go?" Lark questioned, perturbed that Rayne would be leaving.

"She's in Germany and it's for a couple of days. Please don't get upset." Rayne worriedly replied, she could see Lark's eyes were tearing.

"Don't get upset? Please Rayne! Why in the hell do you have to go? Our child is due very soon." Lark angrily replied and stepped away from Rayne.

"Lark, just calm down. I know you're mad, but I have to go. I'll be gone for two days and then I'll be home in plenty of time for the birth of our child. I promise you that." Rayne softly guaranteed as she drew Lark into her arms.

"I don't like this at all Rayne. Please don't go." She tearfully pleaded and looked into Rayne's stormy blues.

"I wish there was another way my love. I have to go, trust me on this one, please." Rayne pleadingly asked and held Lark in her arms.

"I don't like it, but I trust you Rayne and if you think this is that damn important that you have to go across the globe than fine." Lark tartly replied and walked away from Rayne.

"Fuck!" Rayne replied and entered the house. "Lark, I know you don't understand all of this but one day you will. I can't explain why I have to go now, just please trust me and trust that I will be back in your arms in no time." She softly replied as she moved in behind Lark and hugged her.

Lark's tears streaked her face and she pulled Rayne's arms around her tighter. She was mad at Rayne for leaving, but she knew Rayne had to have a damn good reason to leave them and all she wanted was to be as close to her as she could before she left. "Okay, but you have to promise me you'll be back very soon."

"I promise with all of my heart." Rayne whispered in Lark's ear and kissed her cheek. "Will you come with me to the airport?"

"You bet your sweet ass I will." Lark answered and turned within Rayne's arms, hugging her. "I love you so much Rayne Donovan." She tearfully replied.

"I feel the same for you my love." Rayne smiled and kissed the top of Lark's head. "I've got to get going baby." She reluctantly released her hold on Lark and led her towards the door.

Jayce opened the door. "I've got your things in the car Rayne." He slightly smiled and headed back to the car.

Lark clutched Rayne's hand tightly as they walked towards the car. Rayne opened the back door for Lark and helped her into the luxury automobile. She climbed in after Lark was settled and was engulfed in a breathtaking, literally, hug from Lark as Jayce pulled the car out of the driveway. "Honey, I can't breath." Rayne breathlessly informed Lark who loosened her hug, slightly.

"Sorry, I just can't seem to let you go." Lark replied, looking up at her sadly.

"Babe, I'll be fine. Everyone is really freaking me out with the gloom and doom. Why are you all like that?" Rayne asked, as her confidence was taking a severe beating.

"I'm always worried about you when you leave on assignment, but I had a bad dream the other night that you left and never came back Rayne." Lark tearfully admitted and laid her head on Rayne's chest.

Rayne let what Lark said sink in and kissed Lark on the head as she lightly stroked her blonde hair back. "I"ll be fine baby, I promise you that and there is no way I'm missing our child's birth or one day of their life." She confidently guaranteed and kissed Lark's head who clutched her tightly, afraid to let go. Rayne pointed out the hangar where the plane she would take was located and Jayce steered the car towards it. He parked the car and Rayne opened the door to exit. "I'll be right back." She smiled at Lark and exited the car.

Jayce opened the trunk and handed Rayne her bags as she donned her long, black leather trench coat to battle the rain that persisted. "Thanks." She smiled appreciatively and headed towards the plane as Jayce sat back in the car.

Lark sat in the car parked near the jet on the tarmac with the door opened watching Rayne discussing plans with the crew. She wasn't pleased that she had to leave so close to her due date and had the worst feeling about this trip that she just couldn't shake. Lark wasn't sure why she was having them, but they terrified her. Maybe it was that stupid dream she had the other night, something, but she didn't like the feelings she was having. Lark watched her tall lover stride gracefully across the tarmac towards her. Her heart skipped a beat when Rayne smiled at her with her dark hair blowing to the side from the wind that kicked up from the roar of the airplane engine starting.

'Oh, she's so sexy, confidant, the love of my life…mine.' Lark thought, appreciative of the sight walking towards her dressed impeccably in her snuggly fitting black jeans, black mock turtle neck shirt, her black boots and that sleek black leather trench coat. Lark sighed happily and struggled to stand up out of the car. She accepted the strong hand offered by her soul mate and sidled up close to her taking in her lover's specific scent that she loved so much.

"What are you smiling so wickedly about my love?" Rayne asked with a mischievous tone as she slipped her hand around Lark's back, shifting her to stand to the side of Lark's expanded abdomen. She left her hand draped over Lark's shoulder so her opposite hand could rest on Lark's stomach. She lightly rubbed her hand in circles as Lark slipped her hand around Rayne's waist. Her other hand lovingly moved up on Rayne's that comfortingly stroked her abdomen.

"I was just appreciating how incredibly sexy you look in that outfit especially with your gun and badge clipped to your belt." Lark answered smiling and kissed Rayne's chin.

"I was thinking the same thing except I was picturing you with nothing on but a gun belt and a cowboy hat." Rayne teased and wiggled her eyebrows. She was glad that Lark's mood had changed for the better, as she couldn't take that solemn attitude she had, it was very upsetting and nerve racking especially considering she would soon be boarding the plane.

"Oh, now that would be attractive with my huge belly." Lark chuckled and rolled her eyes in disbelief at the thought.

"I thought so, you know I find you incredibly sexy as a pregnant woman." Rayne whispered in Lark's ear as she leaned down and placed soft kisses along her ear, cheek and neck.

"Rayne Donovan…you are so friggin weird." Lark laughed, lightly rubbing the small of her back.

Rayne leaned back and laughed, "I can't help it that I'm attracted to you. You're a gorgeous woman." Rayne answered, sexily capturing Lark's lips for a passionate kiss. Rayne broke the kiss with an astonished look on her face and looked down at her hand. "I think our baby agrees with my assessment. Do you feel that? Our little pumpkin is very active today." Rayne smiled proudly and continued to rub Lark's belly feeling the small kicks and waves of motion under her hand.

"The baby always responds to you that way honey. You know you're the only on that's able to get the baby to move. Besides, they don't want you to leave either." Lark whined disappointedly, looking into the blues that stared at her.

"Lark, don't make it any harder than this already is okay?" Rayne asked, the sadness filling her blue eyes.

"I'm not purposefully doing that, it's just that I have this bad feeling and the baby is so close to joining us." Lark answered, the tears filling her green eyes.

"I thought you were past this bad feelings. I have left many times before and nothing has happened to me yet…nor will it." Rayne answered, trying to reassure her worried lover whose tears began to fall.

"Call it the law of average's or whatever, but I can't help how I feel and I can't get over it. I thought I could, but I can't." Lark tearfully answered, growing more anxious by the minute.

Rayne's heart sank seeing Lark so upset and wiped her tears away. "I promise that I'll be back before you know it and I promise to rub your pudgy toes when I get back." Rayne reassuringly answered and smiled at her last comment.

Lark laughed through her tears as Rayne lovingly wiped them away. "I'm going to hold you to that and I'll overlook the pudgy comment." Lark smiled, pointing at Rayne to get her point across.

Rayne laughed and leaned down to her. "Anything for my princess." She whispered, capturing the partially parted lips before her for a deep, moist soul-searing kiss.

Lark broke the kiss breathless, "You give me another one of those kisses and I'll deliver our baby right here!" Lark exclaimed with a chuckle as her palm held Rayne's face and her thumb lightly stroked her cheek.

"Excuse me…Agent Donovan. We need you to board now." The ground crewman informed Rayne.

Rayne glanced over her shoulder with a perturbed look from the intrusion. "I'll be there in two minutes." She gruffly answered and turned back to Lark who began to cry again. "Baby…don't do this to me. Please. You know how much I hate to see you cry. I'll be fine." Rayne answered, wiping away Lark's tears before engulfing her in a tight, loving hug.

"Promise me again that you'll come back to us." Lark pleadingly whispered sadly.

Rayne broke the hug looking deeply into the sad green eyes before her. "I promise from the bottom of my heart to come back to the both of you. There is no way I'm missing our child's birth honey." Rayne softly and sincerely answered, passionately kissing her soul mate. "Now, go on and get in the car." Rayne ordered Lark, breaking the kiss as she helped her into the car. Rayne knelt on one knee outside the car and placed her hand on Lark's stomach as she leaned down. "Keep your mommie settled and don't come out of there before I get back." Rayne sweetly spoke to the baby as Lark lovingly looked at her lover and lightly ran her fingers through her dark, slightly damp hair from the rain. "Don't forget that I'm to catch you when you come out so, no funny stuff while I'm gone." Rayne teased as they laughed. "Bye pumpkin…I love you." Rayne whispered and kissed Lark's stomach. Rayne glanced to the side. "Make sure you drive carefully Jayce because you've got some very precious cargo here." She warned him with a mischievous smile and a wink.

"You can count on me sis." He threw over his shoulder unable to look her in the eye. He was too upset.

Lark's heart fluttered, her pulse raced and her tears flowed harder that the time she dreaded was now upon them. "You promise me again Rayne." Lark tearfully demanded, staring deeply in Rayne's eyes.

"I promise baby…don't worry so much." Rayne lovingly smiled, kissing Lark deeply. She broke the kiss locking blues with greens. "I love you sweets." She replied with a heartfelt sincerity and kissed her again.

"I love you Rayne." Lark answered, clutching Rayne's hand tightly who broke the kiss.

"I'll see you soon babe." Rayne smiled and winked as she brushed the back of her hand across Lark's cheek, backing away from the car with Lark's hand still grasping her own.

She kissed Lark's hand and reluctantly let go and closed the door. Rayne jogged towards the plane and effortlessly climbed the stairs with her long legs. "Wait Jayce, don't leave yet." Lark shouted, alerting him to stop, as she didn't want to miss seeing Rayne once more. She pushed the button never relinquishing her stare at her lover as the window opened, giving her a clearer picture of the woman she loved so much. Rayne stopped at the top of the stairs. She turned to Lark smiling and blew her a kiss, feeling a terrible pain in her heart as she saw the sadness and tears in the green eyes of the woman she loved with all her heart.

Lark smiled and returned the kiss, crying harder and watched her soul mate disappear behind the closed door. Rayne took her seat next to the window and watched as Jayce and Lark drove off, her heart pounding with fear that she might never see Lark again. She was now having the same fearful feelings that Lark had, maybe all the gloom and doom had finally gotten to her despite her resilience to fight it off. Maybe not. 'Let's hope we are both wrong baby.' Rayne softly replied as if Lark could hear her and wiped the tears from her eyes as she buckled her seat belt while the plane prepared to take off.

Rayne's flight was long and brutally fretful, as she couldn't shake her worried thoughts of Lark. She had hoped that taking this supposed 'desk job' she would be away from Lark less than she was before…oh, there was a difference with her traveling…a minute one and she grew very tired of it particularly seeing the pain and terror in Lark's eyes before she left. If there wouldn't have been a hit put out on them she would not be traveling here and would be home with Lark. She couldn't wait to nail that bitch and reminded herself to make sure the woman pays for her betrayal.

'This is it. My last assignment. I'm not doing this anymore…I don't want to do this anymore.' Rayne thought, her fear consuming her. She felt the same way she did the day she met with the director to resign. She lost it and didn't want it anymore. She loved being a Secret Service agent, but she loved Lark and their child more and no matter what kind of assignments they would offer her even though they promised she wouldn't have to travel so much, she would still have to do it and she no longer wanted that. She should have quit a long time ago and she shouldn't have made this trip. She seriously regretted her decision to do so. Rayne flipped on her laptop and began to compose her resignation letter…the only traveling she would do was with Lark and their child. She smiled widely, her heart aflutter each time she looked at the sonogram picture of their child that she had attached to her laptop; right beside the picture of Lark she had there too. She finished her letter and sent it without hesitation or regret and traced the tiny form in the picture with her finger, smiling proudly. She removed the picture from her computer and slipped it in her coat pocket along with Lark's, close to her heart and hooked her seatbelt when the pilot announced they were making their approach to the airport. It was too late to order the pilot back home. The thought crossed Rayne's mind more than once during the flight.

Rayne stepped off the jet and descended the stairs in a hurry, eager to get to work and get home. She wanted to get there, meet her contact, pick up the scumbag and get the hell out of the country. She approached the car waiting to pick her up and stopped in her tracks when she caught a glimpse of her contact that stepped out of the car. Rayne's demeanor turned sour in a hurry and she shifted her bags with uneasiness, trying to keep from tearing her contact's head off.

"Rayne, I had no idea you were the one I would be dealing with on this case until I got here a few minutes ago."

"Danielle, I wouldn't fucking put it past you for setting this shit up!" Rayne angrily spat, walking past her towards the car as she threw the bag into the trunk of the car.

"Agent Donovan I presume?" The man cheerfully greeted who opened the trunk for her and held his hand out to shake hers.

"You presume correctly agent?" Rayne sarcastically asked, shaking his hand.

"Oh, sorry…agent Huard. I've heard a lot about your heroics in the agency."

"Yeah, well…don't believe everything you hear." She answered agitated and sat in the car, slamming the door behind her.

"Is she always this gruff" He asked Danielle, surprised at her demeanor considering how he heard she was such a cordial person despite her tough demeanor.

"No, only around me." Danielle regretfully answered and opened the door, sitting in the passenger's side of the car.

'Wait until Lark hears about this, she's going to freak!' Rayne thought, her anger boiling at the sight of Danielle. 'Well…my love was right when she said she had a bad feeling about this trip.' She shook her head in disbelief.

"Listen…aah…Rayne. I just wanted to apologize." Danielle hesitantly stammered looking over her shoulder at Rayne who interrupted her.

"Save it for someone who gives a flying fuck Danielle. Only speak to me about the case. Is that clear?" Rayne spat out fiercely with hate in her blue eyes.

"Crystal." Danielle sarcastically answered, and turned back around, regretful at what she had done to Rayne. She never wanted to see the hate in those blue eyes, but that's exactly what she got. She handed the file on the suspect to Rayne who snatched it from her hands before looking at it. Agent Huard watched and listened to the obvious hatred from Rayne and Danielle and figured it was best to keep his mouth shut. He definitely didn't want to ruffle the tall and very angry Agent Donovan's feathers…that's for sure. "You'll be happy to know that we have nailed the suspect and the paper's for extradition are being reviewed by a magistrate as we speak."

"That's the best news I've heard all day." Rayne answered, perusing the paperwork before her. 'Very good news. That means I get the hell out of here sooner than I thought.' She inwardly chuckled and smiled at the thought of getting home sooner. "I trust that you are taking me to the courthouse?" Rayne asked, peering up from her paperwork at Agent Huard who looked at her through the rear view mirror.

"I thought you might like to get to the hotel and rest up before we headed to the courthouse."

"Well, Agent…you thought wrong. Take me to the courthouse. I want to get this over with, pronto!" She angrily answered and looked back down at the paperwork as the agent nervously gulped the lump in his throat and fulfilled his orders.

Rayne spent the majority of the day vehemently stressing her point on various occasions as to how imperative it was for the prisoner to be extradited back to the United States which the magistrate fought her tooth and nail on. He dismissed her from his chambers, informing her he would look over the paperwork and get back to her the following day regarding his decision. Rayne's mood had turned more foul by the fact that the stupid judge wouldn't budge and sign the paperwork. They all headed to the hotel for the remainder of the evening. Her attitude turned worse when she found out they would all be sharing the same hotel suite. "Huard, get on the horn to get everything set up for when the judge signs the paperwork so we can high tail it out of here." Rayne ordered as she sat on the couch punching in the numbers on her cell phone and rested her forearms on her legs waiting for the ring.

"What are you in such a hurry to get back for?" Danielle asked with a laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"None of your business." Rayne angrily retorted, flashing her a hateful look and glanced back down at the phone when she heard Lark's angelic voice on the other end. "Hey baby." She affectionately replied her demeanor instantly changing.

"Rayne I'm so glad you got there safely." Lark excitedly exclaimed with a sigh of relief. "I've been worried sick."

"Are you okay? How are you feeling?" Rayne asked concern and glanced up to see Danielle sitting in the chair across from her reading a magazine. She stood up and walked to the other side of the suite for privacy.

"I'm okay, I guess." Lark answered, non-committing.

"What is it? Is the baby alright?" Rayne asked, her concern growing.

"Don't worry the baby and I are fine. I guess I just worried myself sick. Honey, I hate us being apart." Lark admitted and began to cry.

"Me too honey. It's not for much longer though. We have the prisoner in custody and all we are waiting for now is for the magistrate to stop being a prick and release her." Rayne explained, still angry over the magistrate's reluctance to sign the paperwork.

"Why is he being so difficult?" Lark inquired.

"I have no idea." Rayne answered exasperated by the magistrate's reluctance to help.

"My parents are on vacation there, maybe my dad could put a little pressure on him and make him see it your way." Lark chuckled.

"Yes, that might work and it will get me home quicker." Rayne excitedly replied.

"Great, I'll give him a call and set everything up for you sexy!" Lark laughingly replied and blushed as if Rayne was standing before her.

"Oh, you are so incredibly sweet to me my love and I thank you, profusely." Rayne chuckled. "Let me know what you find out from dad. Lark, aahhh…you should know that my contact here is Danielle." Rayne reluctantly and softly replied, holding the phone away from her ear when she head Lark shout very loudly. She hated to have to tell her, but she didn't want Lark to find out from some other person.

"What? What are you doing with her? How could you do this?" Her heart raced and the anger coursed through her. She felt sick to her stomach and the tears welled in her eyes.

"Lark…now, hold on." Rayne attempted to calm her furious lover down. It wasn't working.

"How could you not have known?" She accusatorily asked in disbelief.

"It was never revealed to me Lark."

"Is she there now?"

"Yes, we are all stuck in the same suite together." Rayne answered, pulling the phone away from her ear in anticipation of the next loud comment.

"How in the fucking hell could you stay there with her?" Lark angrily shouted.

"Lark, I don't have a choice…there is nothing else available…trust me. You know I hate this as much as you do." Rayne answered, hearing no response. "Lark?! Are you there? Lark!" Rayne shouted and heard nothing but static. She quickly redialed the number and got a busy signal every time she tried. She tried again and her cell phone went dead. "Fuck!" She spat frustrated and angry that she couldn't get through. "Damn piece of shit!" She replied and tossed the phone across the room. She regretted what she just did to the phone when she heard it smash in pieces when it hit the wall. She quickly padded across the room and switched phones when agent Huard was off the hotel phone and had no luck with that one either. Rayne dialed the operator who informed her there was trouble on the line and would report the problem. "Fuck!" Rayne exclaimed in frustration and dialed Lark's cell phone, which was turned off. Rayne phoned Lark's parents hoping the local calls were not affected. She was relieved that they weren't and the Congressman agreed to meet them in the morning to see what he could do to help speed up the process. Rayne told him what happened with Lark and he assured her he would try to call her to see if he could contact her as Rayne was worried something might have happened to her. He told her he would call her right back. She thanked him and clicked the phone off. She paced back and forth chewing nervously on her lip and hoped that nothing had happened to Lark. The wait seemed as if it was an eternity as she anxiously paced back and forth waiting for his call. After five minutes of waiting, the Congressman phoned her. "Hi honey. I couldn't get through to her either. I'll keep trying and hopefully I'll get through later. As soon as I talk to her I'll call you." He reassuringly informed her.

'Damn." Rayne disgustingly thought. "Alright, thanks. I'll try to get through to her one way or another and I'll see you both at the courthouse tomorrow morning. Let's hope we can get the matter solved and be back home late tomorrow." She hopefully answered and hung up the phone. She looked up at Agent Huard and Danielle who sat in disbelief of her recent outburst and when her eyes caught theirs they quickly looked away. "Sorry…aah…bad phone connection. Aah…Congressman Morgan is here on vacation and has agreed to meet us at the courthouse tomorrow to see if he can encourage the magistrate to reconsider his position on delaying the extradition. Let's hope he can." She informed them, embarrassed by her reaction.

"Hey, that's great. Any help to get this thing going is a welcome blessing to me." Agent Huard enthusiastically smiled and headed towards the refrigerator for a drink.

Danielle noted the distain in Rayne's look and thought it was best to leave the room until she calmed down. Rayne plopped herself on the couch and leaned her head back against the pillow. She rubbed her temples that pounded from the headache she had. 'I can't believe she got so pissed off at me. I thought she trusted me.' Rayne thought in disbelief in regards to Lark's reaction. 'I shouldn't be surprised…I was pissed too when I saw Danielle.' Rayne sat up quickly when it dawned on her to send Lark an email. She grabbed her laptop and quickly hooked it up to compose her email. Rayne explained the phone problems she was having and that she would be home very soon to see her. She included some mushy…yet, heartfelt sentiments that she knew Lark would love and hit the send button. She was happy that the email made it through. She hoped Lark would check it…very soon. She also sent an electronic card and hit the send button after previewing it. Rayne turned the computer off smiling from the cute card she sent Lark and wished she was home holding her 'I'll be there soon my love…soon.' Rayne sent out silently, as if Lark could hear her and lay back on the couch as her headache finally began to subside. She was happy that Danielle found something else to occupy herself with in another room, as she just couldn't stand to be near the woman. She pushed the negative thoughts of Danielle out of her head and instead, thought of her beautiful partner and how happy they were with one another and in anticipation of their first child. Rayne closed her eyes, picturing Lark with her radiant smile and how it made her feel so complete, so wonderful, so loved. She quickly fell asleep with that wondrous woman on her mind. Danielle entered the room and looked at Rayne who slept soundly. 'I've got to have her. All I need is another chance to convince her without Lark interfering.' Danielle thought and smiled as she pulled the plug for the phone out just enough for it to not work and not alert someone if they looked it that it was unplugged. She had to do something to insure that Lark didn't call during the night and that Rayne would not be able to talk to her the next day. 'I've got to make her see that we are meant to be together.' Danielle maniacally thought with an evil grin. She wasn't sure what her plan would be to get Rayne back, but she would think of something. All she needed was for Lark to doubt Rayne's devotion to her.

Lark frantically tried to get in touch with Rayne, but was unsuccessful as the operator informed her there was a problem with the international phone lines due to bad weather in the area and that the problem had been reported. She suggested that Lark call back later. "Damn it! What was I thinking about yelling at her?" Lark chastised herself wearing a hole in the carpet from her pacing. "Oh, baby I'm so sorry." Lark tearfully replied, hoping in some way Rayne could hear her. She was snapped out of her frantic pacing by the doorbell that rang incessantly. She opened the door to find an extremely worried mother-in-law standing before her. "Lark, what's going on? I've been ringing the bell and you have the chain lock on and I couldn't get in with my key. Why are you crying? Is something wrong with the baby?" She desperately fired off the questions, not giving Lark a chance to answer.

"Oh, mom. I yelled at Rayne over the phone and now I can't get in touch with her." Lark answered, engulfing Maria in a hug and began to cry harder as she entered the house.

"It's okay Lark. I'm sure she isn't mad at you. There's no reason to be so upset." Maria soothingly answered, trying to reassure the distraught woman.

"She probably isn't, but I just have this awful feeling that something terrible is going to happen and I want to talk to her. I need to tell her I love her." Lark answered, her tears falling faster as Maria broke the hug and began to wipe them away.

"Honey, she knows you love her. Now, come on you're going to give my grandbaby an ulcer with all of this worrying you're doing." Maria answered, reassuringly and put her arm around Lark's back leading her towards her bedroom. "Lay down and calm yourself while I get you some warm milk to settle you." She lovingly smiled and comfortingly patted Lark's arm.

"Mother, I hate warm milk." Lark protested and climbed into bed.

"I know, but my grandbaby needs it instead of tea so, humor this old lady and try to stomach the milk." She warmly smiled before exiting the room.

Lark settled in the bed comfortably positioning herself against the pillows feeling much better. She glanced sideways and stared at the picture of Rayne on her nightstand…one her favorite's…of her laying prone with her head turned to the side, intently staring into the camera. She picked it up smiling and held it before her lovingly looking into the blue eyes that looked back at her. Lark wished she were looking into the eyes that she adored so much in person. She lightly traced her finger down Rayne's strong jaw line then across her lips and thought about how much she loved her. She lay the picture face down against her heart and wiped the fresh tears that fell as she looked up at the wall sized picture of her laying on top of Rayne from their photo shoot. She felt more at ease staring into the sexy blue eyes of the woman she loved more than life itself and her revelry was halted when Maria brought in the warm milk. 'Oh, yum.' She sarcastically thought when she caught sight of it.

"Here sweetheart." Maria replied with a warm smile and handed Lark the hot beverage, sitting next to her on the bed.

Lark was reluctant to sip the milk, knowing full well she wouldn't like it. She hated cold milk and the thought of warm milk was just plain gross, but she knew there was no getting out of this one with Maria being so persistent about it. Of course, it was also for the baby, so that helped. Lark was surprised that she actually liked it…well; it probably had something to do with the strawberry flavoring in it. "This is not too bad." Lark mused with a smile and took another sip.

"I figured you would…it was the only way I could get Rayne to drink it when she was a kid." Maria answered, smiling at the fond memory. "Oh, how she hated milk and wearing dresses." Maria chuckled remembering the many times she tried to get her to wear them.

"Really?" Lark answered with a laugh.

"Oh, yeah. Her father and I used to fight with her to put on a dress. She would pitch a fit about them and would cry when we made her wear them." Maria laughed and shook her head.

"Why'd you make her wear them then?" Lark asked, chuckling.

"She looked so damn adorable in them. We finally decided that it was causing her too much stress and we bargained with her. The only time she had to wear one was for our family Easter dinners." Maria laughed, shaking her head at Rayne's insistence to not wear them.

"You mean Rayne actually bargained with something like that?" Lark asked in disbelief, knowing how much Rayne hated to wear a dress.

"Yeah, but the little shit won out and wore the dress only once after that for the next Easter." Maria snickered at the fond memory of her daughter.

"How'd she manage that?" Lark asked with a chuckle and loved talking about one of her favorite subjects…Rayne.

"Well, she buttered up her father who took her side…of course…and she didn't have to wear them after that. She's always been daddy's little girl and has gotten away with a lot because my husband just can't say no to her." Maria laughingly informed Lark who joined her.

"Yes, she is definitely daddy's little girl and I think she's mommy's little girl as well." Lark answered, flashing a mischievous smile towards the older version of Rayne.

Maria laughed and looked down, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, she is, along with her two brothers." Maria conceded with a chuckle. "Let's hope your baby doesn't have her disdain for beautiful dresses if it's a girl!" Maria laughed and rubbed Lark's belly.

Lark laughed and yawned. "Ooh, excuse me. Well, I don't want to force the issue on either Rayne or the baby if it's a little girl, but I'm hoping I can get the baby into a dress if it's a girl." Lark answered, yawning again. "I'm so tired."

"It's the milk. I told you it would make you feel better." Maria smiled and pulled the covers up on Lark. "Now, go to sleep. I'll be visiting with my youngest son in the next room if you need me. I'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks mom. I feel a lot better." Lark answered thankfully, still clutching the picture of Rayne to her heart.

"Goodnight sweetie." Maria warmly replied and kissed Lark's forehead before walking to the door and turning the light off. She smiled gratefully that her daughter had chosen such a wonderful and delightful woman to spend the rest of her life with. Maria had worried terribly about them during their separation and had hoped that one day they would be together. They had to get back together, she remembered telling her husband or they feared Rayne would totally withdraw herself from life completely. Maria gently closed the door and headed off to find her son. She remembered the hurt, pain and betrayal she saw in Rayne's eyes at that time. She desperately wanted to take that pain away from Rayne with no luck in doing so. Her daughter was too damn stubborn…a trait she wished she had never passed on to her. She was happy now that everything had been worked out and that they were more deeply in love than ever. Maria smiled at how she has never seen Rayne so happy. The way Rayne's face lights up at the mention of Lark or the baby, just fills her heart with so much joy and happiness. 'Now, if I could just get that incorrigible younger son of mine to find a woman like Lark or Holly, my job as a mother will be complete.' She thought with a chuckle and entered the family room to see her son sprawled out on the couch watching sports with his boxer shorts on and socks. 'Oh, this one's going to be difficult to match up with someone.' She chuckled, shaking her head and sat next to him on the couch, settling in to watch the football game.

Rayne woke earlier than everyone else, eager to get their prisoner and get back home to begin a new chapter in her life with Lark and their child. She showered and dressed, wondering why she had been so selfish before by not ever considering a career change. Maybe if she hadn't have been so stubborn her and Lark would have never separated before, but that was then and this is now. She didn't have any second thoughts about her impending resignation with the Service that would take affect as soon as she returned from this assignment. The only thing she wanted to do was spend her time with Lark and their child. "Child." Rayne softly replied, smiling from the pride and joy she felt inside that her and Lark would finally have a child in their life. 'I've got to get home…soon…now.' Rayne eagerly thought. "Let's go you two, up and Adam!" She shouted, waking the other two who jumped up still half asleep. She shook her head disgustingly as she examined her phone…well, the pieces of it. 'You did it up good with that damn hot headed temper this time Rayne. This one will come back to bite you in the ass, guaranteed." She admonished herself and put the damaged phone in her computer case.

"It's still early." Danielle whiningly protested, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and climbed out of the recliner she fell asleep in. Agent Huard had offered her the bed, but she gave him the excuse that she had some work to do and would be up late, for him to take the bed. Yeah, her work was staring at Rayne the majority of the night who had fallen asleep on the couch. She envisioned her life with Rayne and how she would separate her from Lark and fell asleep with that thought.

"Yeah, the earlier we start the quicker I get home. Let's go." Rayne tersely answered, gathering her belongings as her fellow agents scrambled to get themselves ready to join her.

Danielle knew that Rayne would be eager to call Lark and just didn't want that to happen. She had a sick hope that Rayne would magically fall for her on their way home, especially with Lark out of sight…out of mind. She picked up the receiver to the phone and clicked the button of the phone. "Damn…my mom is going to be pissed that I didn't get in touch with her." Danielle replied, playing it off as if the phone lines where still down.

"You would think that they would have fixed the problem by now." Agent Huard answered as they gathered their belongings and followed Rayne out.

'Damn phone's! I'll just have to call her later.' Rayne angrily thought and headed out the door.

Agent Huard hurriedly checked them out of the hotel as Rayne waited by the car after loading the luggage in there for the stragglers who ran out of the building in a scramble to join her. "What's so friggin important that we have to rush home for?" Danielle asked, agitatedly as she hurriedly put her coat on approaching the car.

"My entire life." Rayne answered as the seriousness in her tone consumed her face before sitting in the car and settling herself.

Danielle was dumbfounded and felt a throbbing hurt that she wasn't part of that life…Rayne's. She climbed in the car and sat in silence wondering what it must be like to be Lark and to have someone like Rayne in their life. 'It must be wonderful.' She answered her own question and glanced over her shoulder at Rayne who stared aimlessly out the window. Her thoughts were far away and certainly not in the present. 'If I hadn't of decided to be honest with her, I would be with Rayne right now.' Danielle sadly thought, regretting her decision to tell Rayne she set Lark up. She was sure that she would be with Rayne if she hadn't have confessed to her. Maybe she still had a chance. She hoped.

Agent Huard parked the car as everyone quickly exited the car. Rayne urgently scaled the stairs to the courthouse and smiled when she saw Congressman Morgan and his wife standing just inside waiting for them. "Hey, mom…sir." She smiled and hugged Lark's mother before shaking the Congressman's hand. "I see you two are eager to get an early start too." She chuckled.

"Wait you haven't heard?" Julia asked, surprised.

"No, what? Is something wrong with Lark?" She worriedly asked.

"She's having labor pains." Julia answered, informing Rayne who's face blanched from the news.

"Shit! I knew I should have called last earlier. We've got to hurry. I've got to get back. Is she okay?" She nervously asked and felt her heart race as the sweat beaded on her forehead.

"There's no need to get all upset. It could be false labor pains and if they aren't, it's possible that she'll be in labor for quite some time." Julia smiled, attempting to reassure Rayne.

"Just the same, I spoke with the magistrate earlier and your prisoner is about to be released." The Congressman explained with a proud smile that he would soon be a grandfather.

"Oh, you are awesome. Let's get this bitch and get the hell out of here." Rayne hurriedly replied and headed off. "Oh, can I use your cell phone?" She asked the Congressman and took it when he offered it to her. She quickly dialed in the number for Lark's cell phone and heard that dreaded message that the cellular customer was not available. "Damn…why does that woman even bother having a phone if she never turns it on?" She asked, aggravated. "I've got to go. Can you keep trying to get a hold of her for an update please?" Rayne asked and turned to leave.

"We'll do honey." Julia called out with a smile.

"Rayne, we will meet you at the airport and have the plane ready for our immediate departure." The Congressman shouted down the hall.

"Excellent, we'll be right behind you." Rayne turned around and shouted back. Rayne signed the appropriate paperwork for the extradition of the prisoner as Danielle and Agent Huard escorted the prisoner to where Rayne was located. Rayne watched as the prisoner struggled to walk with the shackles on her feet and hands. Rayne's anger mounted as the woman drew closer. "Get comfortable in those, you'll be wearing them for quite some time." Rayne smirked arrogantly and grabbed the paperwork as they all headed for the car.

"I should have just killed you myself instead of relying on men to do the job for me." The woman snidely remarked.

"Keep it up and I just might shove your ass off the plane in mid flight and explain that you attempted to escape." Rayne sarcastically answered and heard a low snicker from Huard and Danielle. Rayne grabbed the shackles around her hands and forcefully pulled her behind her as the woman desperately tried to stay on her feet. "Get up!" Rayne angrily shouted as the woman stumbled to her knees on the steps.

"Give me a break!" She shouted back.

"The hell I will! You are responsible for the death of one of my colleagues and you threatened my family and me! I'll give you a break alright, a broken bone!" Rayne shouted and pulled her along as the woman finally regained her footing after a few steps. "Get in!" She maliciously ordered and opened the door to the car, shoving the prisoner in the car that slammed their head against the car and shouted out in pain. "Ooh, that had to hurt, gotta watch your head." Rayne sarcastically laughed and sat in the car next to the prisoner.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" The woman angrily asked looking at Rayne who was laughing.

"Immensely." She cockily answered.

"We'll see how much you laugh when my lawyer hears about this treatment and nails your ass." She arrogantly smiled.

"What treatment? Can I help it you're clumsy and fell down the stairs?" Rayne asked, glaring at the woman. "Did you two see this woman getting any bad treatment?" Rayne turned to Danielle and Agent Huard with a mischievous grin.

"I don't know what the hell she's talking about." Danielle added cockily and turned to face forward.

"Me either." Huard answered and started the car.

"We'll see." The prisoner angrily replied as Rayne maniacally laughed infuriating the woman more. If you thought she cared, think again.

It seemed as if the ride took forever to get to the airport, but it was a matter of just a few minutes. Rayne couldn't keep her mind off of Lark and hoped that she would be okay and that she wouldn't deliver the baby before she got there. She was relieved to see the airport off in the distance. 'I won't be long now baby. Just hang in there.' Rayne silently pleaded to Lark.

"I can't believe I created such a huge fuss when it was just false labor pains. I'm sorry mom, Jayce." Lark apologized, slightly embarrassed as they entered the house.

"Don't be sorry. It's better that we checked just in case honey, but you should get in bed and try to get some rest like the doctor advised. You've been too stressed out about Rayne being gone and not speaking to her dear. She'll be fine and there is nothing to worry about with her. You know that, her heart lies with one person and that's you. Now, stops stressing yourself out." Maria smiled reassuringly and led her down the hall.

"Good idea. I'm exhausted." Lark smiled and yawned. "Thanks, again." She chuckled and climbed into bed.

"Just shout if you need anything." Jayce smiled and held the door for his mother as she exited the room, closing it behind her.

"I will, thanks." Lark smiled and snuggled into the warm bed, 'I hope Rayne isn't too worried.' Lark wondered and tried to call her father, with no answer. 'Hopefully, they are on their way.' She thought hopeful and quickly fell asleep.

Rayne saw the disgusted look on the Congressman's face when their car stopped next to him. She quickly exited the car and approached him. "What's going on? Is Lark alright?" She nervously asked.

"I haven't heard anything from Lark yet, but I've got some good news and some bad news."

"Give me the bad first and get it over with." Rayne replied, planting her hands on her hips and braced herself for the bad news.

"Well, all small planes are grounded."

"What? Why?" She angrily asked.

"Bad weather…they don't feel it's safe enough for the smaller planes to leave right now and they don't anticipate the weather getting any better for a few days as they are expecting another front coming through right behind this one. The good news is, I pulled some strings and got us on a military transport plane. The problem is we will have to take a round about route home. They have to make a brief stop in Macedonia to drop of relief supplies before heading home." He explained, unenthusiastically.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. That is too close for comfort with the close proximity of Kosovo." Rayne answered, shaking her head in disbelief that sometimes shit happens and that it can come back to revisit you in a haunting manner.

"Tell me about it. I don't like being that close either considering the opposition would love a piece of me, but Macedonia is a safe haven with NATO still there and it will get us home sooner." He explained, nervously fidgeting with the change in his pocket at the surety that he was a hated man and it wouldn't be a pretty sight if the opposition got their hands on him.

"I guess we'll have to take our chances. Thanks for arranging it. Is this the transport?" She nervously smiled, pointing to the plane and hoping that nothing happened. She had enough of opposition from that country and would just as soon avoid them.

"Yep, they are ready to pull out." He answered and watched as Rayne walked back to the car.

"Here's our chariot back home." Rayne sarcastically replied and took her bags from Agent Huard who held them out for her.

Danielle led the prisoner towards the plane. "It was a pleasure meeting you Agent Donovan." Agent Huard smiled and held out his hand.

"Oh, you're not going back with us?" Rayne asked surprised as she hoisted her bag strap over her shoulder and shook his hand.

"No, I have to finish up some loose ends here before I return to the states."

"Damn…too bad you aren't going with us instead of Danielle." Rayne answered with a chuckle and headed towards the plane.

"Those two have some serious issues going on with them." He replied, shaking his head as he sidled into the driver's seat in the car before heading off.

Rayne entered the large plane and nodded as the officer acknowledged her. She stopped and checked out the seating arrangement. Danielle had the suspect shackled securely in her seat and Rayne wasn't pleased to find that the only seat available was against the opposite wall next to Danielle. She contemplated sitting next to the prisoner and thought it might be the lesser of two evils, but decided she wanted to kill Danielle slightly less and settled in the small seat next to her. She buckled her seat belt in anticipation of the flight. Their seats faced the opposite side of the military plane with the cargo securely fastened down in the middle of the plane, just to the left of them. Rayne noted the three airmen sitting directly across the plane from her next to the prisoner. "If she gives you a hard time, just shoot her." Rayne teasingly laughed, joined by the others as the large plane lumbered noisily down the runway.

The flight was loud and the seats were horribly uncomfortable, but she was going home. 'I can't wait to see Lark, to feel her in her arms…to kiss her.' She thought smiling which quickly turned dour when she heard a loud clap and felt a thundering thud followed by a loud explosion. She felt the plane shift violently as the plane tilted upward on her side.

"What the hell was that?" Danielle shouted in horror.

"We've been struck by lightning and the engine's to the left are gone! We're going down!" One of the flight crew shouted as the plane shook violently.

"Oh, my god!" Julia Morgan shrieked horrified, clutching her husband's hand as everyone struggled to brace themselves in their seats.

Rayne felt the Congressman grab her hand and she turned to him. "Take care of my baby, my wife and my grandchild if anything happens to me." He pleaded through fearfully green eyes.

Rayne was stunned, terrified at the reality that they all might die and that she would never see Lark again. "I…aah…will, but we're going to make it!" She stammered and shouted back to him as the noise was deafening and the violent shake of the plane was harrowing. Her heart pounded with fear and she had never been so scared in her entire life. She glanced over at Danielle who was violently ill and put her hand on her back for comfort. "Hang in there!" She shouted, hoping they would make it out of this alive. She felt so helpless and out of control. She hated it that her destiny was in someone else's hands and not hers. She closed her eyes and saw Lark's face before her. 'It isn't suppose to happen this way. I'm supposed to grow old with Lark and watch our children grow before our eyes, along with our grandchildren. Stop this! You're going to make it, fight! Fight!' She shouted inwardly, trying to renew her faith that she was not going to die in that plane crash. She heard the snap of the binders holding the cargo when her side of the plane shifted downward. "Fuck, the cargo is coming loose and we'll be crushed to death!" She shouted and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Rayne, get back in your seat!" The Congressman shouted urgently and attempted to leave his seat but was stopped by his wife.

"Please, don't leave me!" She shouted terrified and clutched on to him. He tried to console his wife and to break free to help Rayne, but she wouldn't let go of him.

Rayne struggled to reach the cargo to secure it and fell down before she reached it. The plane dipped to the opposite side and slammed her into the cargo. "Owww!" She shouted in pain as she hit the solid object. She scrambled to her feet and desperately tried to tie the binding down. "Danielle…Danielle! Help me!" Rayne shouted and looked at her who sat with her head hanging down, unconscious. Rayne searched the plane for help and saw that the cargo had already pinned the people on the opposite side of her. If she didn't secure it, everyone on her side of the plane would all be crushed to death. Rayne struggled mightily and mustered all the strength and will power she could to tighten down the cargo. She was satisfied the cargo was secure and looked up just as the pilot shouted.

"I can't hold it any longer!" The pilot announced as Rayne felt a violent thump that shook everyone extremely hard and threw her to the ground.

She struggled to stand and could see the treetops through the cockpit of the plane and knew impact was very soon. The engines roared and the plane screamed as their descent seemed to speed up. They could hear the screech of the metal against the trees and felt the thud each time the plane hit a tree. Rayne dove at her seat and desperately grabbed for it to try and secure herself.

"I love you Julia!" Congressman Morgan shouted and clutched her hand tighter.

"I love you honey!" She shouted and cried harder.

The plane's nose dipped down and Rayne's grasp of the seat belt hanging down released and she slid past her seat towards the front of the plane. "Rayne!" The Congressman shouted turning his attention to her and desperately tried to grab her to no avail as she passed by. "Rayne!" He shouted anxiously.

"Lark, I love you!" Rayne fearfully shouted and felt another violent jolt of the plane as it dipped to her left before she slammed into the bulkhead at the front of the plane. The force nearly knocked the wind out of her and she gasped for air. She clutched the handle on the wall with a death grip in anticipation of impact and felt a thud as darkness consumed her.

To Be Continued…

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